A CLOSURE

Abstract

A flip-top dispensing closure is provided. The closure comprises a base and a lid. The base is attachable to a container neck and includes an integral spout. The lid comprises a fixing ring and a cap. The fixing ring is attachable to the base and the cap is hingedly attached to the ring. The closure is provided with tamper-evident means comprising first and second parts which are initially frangibly connected to each other within the lid, and upon first opening of the cap the first and second parts are separated, one of the parts being retained by the cap and the other of the parts dropping onto the base.

Claims

1. A flip-top dispensing closure, the closure comprises a base and a lid, the base is attachable to a container neck and includes an integral spout, the lid comprises a fixing ring and a cap, the fixing ring is attachable to the base and the cap is hingedly attached to the ring, the closure is provided with tamper-evident means comprising first and second parts which are initially frangibly connected to each other within the lid, and upon first opening of the cap the first and second parts are separated, one of the parts being retained by the cap and the other of the parts dropping onto the base.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the base includes a top deck, an annular retaining member being upstanding from the top deck and comprising cooperating retaining means for retaining the fixing ring.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2, in which the tamper evident part which is released onto the base is retained between the spout and the upstanding retaining member.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second tamper-evident parts comprises first and second rings.

5. A closure as claimed in claim 4, in which in an unopened condition, one of the rings is retained by the fixing ring and the other ring is retained by the cap.

6. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap is attached to the ring by a double hinge arrangement.

7. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the base comprises a side skirt.

8. A closure as claimed in claim 7, in which the side skirt is provided with screw thread formations for engaging cooperating formations on a container neck.

9. A closure as claimed in claim 7, in which the side skirt includes a tamper-evident band at a lower end thereof.

10. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the fixing ring is snap fitted onto the base.

11. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a ready-to-drink fruit juice container, the container being filled with fruit juice, and the closure having been subjected to a sterilisation process.

12. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a container.

13. An aseptic closure comprising: a base and a lid, the base being attachable to a container, the closure being adapted to be sterilised, the base includes a drinking spout, and the base is a one-piece moulded component with the drinking spout being an integral part of the base to allow aseptic filling.

14. A closure as claimed in claim 13, in which the closure has been sterilised by a dry aseptic technique.

15. A closure as claimed in claim 13, in which the base and lid are assembled together with interference fits.

16. A closure as claimed in claim 13, in which the lid comprising a fixing ring and a cap.

17. A closure as claimed in claim 16, in which the closure is provided with tamper-evidence means.

18. A closure as claimed in claim 13, in which the closure is provided with tamper-evident means comprising first and second parts which are initially frangibly connected to each other within the lid, and upon first opening of the cap the first and second parts are separated, one of the parts being retained by the cap and the other of the parts dropping onto the base.

19. A closure as claimed in claim 13, in which tamper-evidence means is provided in the form of two annular bands which are initially frangibly connected and are pulled apart upon first opening of the cap.

20. A closure as claimed in claim 13 in combination with a container.

Description

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a closure generally indicated 10 and fitted onto a container neck 15.

[0034] The closure 10 comprises a base component 20 and a lid component 25.

[0035] The base 20 comprises a generally cylindrical side skirt 30 having at one end a tamper-evident drop band 35 defined by frangible bridges 36. The interior of the skirt 30 is provided with screw thread formations 38 for engaging corresponding formations 17 on the neck 15. The interior of the drop band 35 is provided with an annular bead 37 for engaging under a retention bead 16 on the neck 15. This ensures that the band 35 is separated from the skirt 30 in the event the closure is removed from the neck.

[0036] At the other end of the skirt 30 an annular top deck 40 extends radially inwards. An annular sealing skirt 42 depends from the underside of the deck 40.

[0037] A drinking spout 45 extends from the top deck 40. The spout 45 is generally frusto-conical, and includes an intermediate ledge 46.

[0038] An upstanding annular retention wall 43 projects from the top deck 40 and has an annular retention hook 44.

[0039] The end of the spout opposite the top deck is open, and terminates with a central orifice 47.

[0040] The lid 25 comprises a fixing ring 50 and a cap or cover 55. The ring 50 is attached to the cover 55 by a double hinge arrangement comprising a first hinge 60 and a second hinge 65.

[0041] The ring 50 sits on the base 20 and has an annular side wall 51 with an internal retention bead 51 for engaging (snap fitting) under the hook 44.

[0042] From one end of the wall 51 (opposite the base) a top wall 53 extends. A sealing wall 54 depends from the underside of the wall 53 and engages on the other side of the wall 43 to the side wall 51.

[0043] The cap 55 includes a top plate 70 having a peak 71 on one side (opposite the hinges) for helping to lift the cap in use.

[0044] An exterior wall 73 depends from the top plate 70. In addition a first annular sealing wall 75 depends from the top plate 70 and engages the spout in the region of the intermediate wall 46. The wall 75 terminates with a retention bead 76.

[0045] A second (shorter) annular sealing wall 80 depends from the top plate and sealingly engages in the spout orifice 47.

[0046] A tamper evident member is provided and comprises a first ring 85 and a second ring 90. The rings 85, 90 are frangible connected together by frangible bridges 87.

[0047] The first ring 85 includes a radial ledge 86 which in the unopened condition shown engages under the ring wall 53.

[0048] The second ring 90 includes a retention hook 91 which in the unopened condition shown engages over the bead 76.

[0049] Because the spout is formed integrally with the base the closure can be sterilised using a sterilising vapour applied from below i.e. up into the spout.

[0050] In use, when the closure is used for the first time the cap 55 is lifted. The tamper-evident rings 85, 90 are pulled part (the bridges 87 are broken) as the cap moves away from the fixing ring. The first ring 85 drops onto the top deck 40 and the second ring is retained in the cap (by the bead 76). When the cap is reclosed the rings 85, 90 are axially separated as visual evidence that the closure has been opened at least once.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the closure 10 in an unopened condition. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the closure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closure.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows the closure with the cap opened.

[0053] FIGS. 6 to 9 show a closure 110 formed according to a further embodiment. The hinged tamper-evident dust cover 155 is shown in closed and open positions, with the tamper-evident system shown in an inactivated and activated condition.

[0054] The lid 125 is shown separate from the base in FIG. 10. In this embodiment the lid is moulded in the open position shown. The cover 155 can hinge approximately 180 degrees with respect to the ring and in this embodiment has a stable open position provided for by the hinge. It can move beyond 180 degrees by virtue of the second hinge 165.

[0055] The lid fixing ring 150 is shown in FIG. 11. The ring 150 provides strong retention by virtue of the undercut 152.

[0056] 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 as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.