CLOSURE FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT CONTAINER

Abstract

A closure that may be used on a container such as a bottle that holds personal care products is disclosed.

Claims

1. A closure for a container neck, wherein the closure comprises: a base portion; a flip top portion, wherein the flip top portion is capable of providing access to the container when opened; and a hinge portion that permits the opening and closing of the flip top portion; wherein each side of the base portion is raised as compared to other points of contact with the flip top portion to provide side impact protection; wherein a ledge is provided on the interior wall of the base portion at the point of contact with the flip top portion to provide side load protection; and wherein each side of the base portion contains a pin that protects the hinge portion from impact loads; wherein said closure protects against damage of said closure and said container during shipping.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is formed from a thermoplastic material.

3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the container is formed from a thermoplastic material.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is snap-fitted onto the container neck.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a top, front, right perspective view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 open (the left top, front, right perspective view is a mirror image of the right side);

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a top, front, right perspective view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 closed (the left top, front, right perspective view is a mirror image of the right side);

[0023] FIG. 3 shows back, orthogonal view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4 shows front, orthogonal view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a top, plan view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 open;

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a right side elevational view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 open (the left side elevational view is a mirror image of the right side);

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a right sectional view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 open (the left sectional view is a mirror image of the right side);

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a right sectional view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 closed (the left sectional view is a mirror image of the right side.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a bottom, plan view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 open;

[0030] FIG. 10 is a pictorial, bottom, plan view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 closed.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a pictorial top, front, right perspective view of a closure 1 in accordance with the present invention with flip top portion 2 open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0033] Accordingly, while embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0035] The closure may be used for retail packaging (i.e., packaging of a product prior to sale by a manufacturer, distributor, or the like) and/or non-retail packaging (e.g., packaging for storage, shipping, or the like). As used herein, the term non-retail packaging refers to any packaging for storage and/or shipping, whether performed before or after a sale to a consumer. That is, non-retail packaging includes shipping from a manufacturer to a customer, shipping from a manufacturer to distributor, shipping from a distributor to a customer, shipping from any image individual to another, and/or packaging item(s) for storage.

E-Commerce

[0036] The closure may be employed on a container sent via e-commerce, including via a warehouse or fulfillment center of the e-commerce merchant. When a user places an order for one or more items, the one or more items may be automatically packaged and/or shipped to the user.

[0037] FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show the closure 1 of the invention. The closure 1 contains a base portion 4; a flip top portion 2 capable of providing access to the container (not shown) when opened; and a hinge portion 3 that permits opening and closing of the flip top portion 2.

[0038] In use, the base portion 4 of the closure 1 is snap-fitted onto the neck 7 of a container (e.g., a bottle) (not shown).

[0039] Referring to, e.g., FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIGS. 7 to 11, each side 6a and 6b of the base portion 4 is raised as compared to other points of contact with the flip top portion 2 to provide side impact protection. This helps prevent damage to the closure 1 and/or container (not shown) during, e.g., shipping, storage and/or use.

[0040] Referring to, e.g., FIG. 1, FIG. 5, and FIGS. 7 to 11, a ledge 7 is provided on the interior wall of the base portion 4 at the point of contact with the flip top portion 2 to provide side load protection. This helps prevent damage to the closure 1 and/or container (not shown) during, e.g., shipping, storage and/or use.

[0041] Referring to, e.g., FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, each side 6a and 6b of the base portion 4 contains a pin 8 that protects the hinge portion 3 from impact loads. This helps prevent damage to the closure 1 and/or container (not shown) during, e.g., shipping, storage and/or use.

[0042] Finite element analysis (FEA) is a computerized method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, fluid flow, and other physical effects. It shows whether a product will break, wear out, or work the way it was designed. FEA can be employed to predict the benefits of the closure of the invention while in use.

[0043] Thus, use of the closure 1 on a container neck helps prevent breakage of the plastics components.

[0044] As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the closure 1 simplifies and improves the packaging and shipping process for capped containers. Moreover, the closure 1 may absorb and/or redistribute any compressive forces imposed on the capped end during the logistical process.

[0045] With e-commerce at its height, simplification and improvement of the packaging and shipping components saves money for the supplier and ultimately the purchaser. Moreover, the purchaser receives a capped product that is undamaged and unopened preventing frustration and customer dissatisfaction.

[0046] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.