CA1312309C

CA1312309C - Dispensing closure

Info

Publication number: CA1312309C
Application number: CA000604453A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Robert J. Bolen, Jr.; Thomas R. Bolen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-01
Filing date: 1989-06-29
Publication date: 1993-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-05
Also published as: DK52590A; DE68917719T2; PT91043A; FI93192C; PT91043B; KR900701618A; ATE110336T1; DE68917719D1; BR8907010A; MX164660B; ZA895015B; EP0404856A1; DK52590D0; FI901019A0; WO1990000140A1; NZ229782A; NO900955D0; FI93192B; AU3861389A; NO900955L

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A two piece dispensing closure for a container having an internally threaded base with a dispensing orifice in the front section and an elevated rear land that has a pivot recess adapted to receive a separate lid that rotates at least 90° from the closed position. The front section of the lid is generally circular with a pivot post at its rear, and when closed the upper surfaces of the lid and base are co-planar, and the closure has the appearance of a conventional screw cap.

Description

1 3 ~ 9 11759-lOlA

DISPENSING CLOSURE

~ ~Q~ND ~ ~E INY~NTIO~

The present invention relates generally to a dispensing clDsure for containers and more particularly to tWD piece dispensing closure, wherein a hinged lid is moved from a base of the closure to uncover an orifice through which the container cont~n~s ~re dispensed. This type of closure is made ~rom molded plastic and used extensively in dispensing food products, such as salad drecsings~ and ~or personal care and household ~ 10 products.
; The typical dispensing closure for a co~tainer comprises a generally circular base with a dispensing orifice in ~h~ ~r~t ~ection o~ the upper surface and an annular skirt depending downwardly from the upper ~urface that is adapte~ to enga~e and secure the base to the container, usually by mean~ of internal threads that are screwed onto the nec~ o~ the container. A
lid having a plug on its underside for sealing the dispensing orifice is adapted to be pivotally moved ~312~9 with respect to the base to be opened and closed by the pressure of the finger or thumb.
In ~any instances the base and lid o~ the closure are molded as a single unit, the lid being connected to the base by a flexible hinge, which is known in the industry as a ~living hinge~. ~ disadvantage of the ~living hinge~ is that the hinge portion of the closure has a tendency to crack, and eventually break, separating the lid from the base. Also, when the lid is rotated from the open position, it reaches a point ~rom which it tends to snap rapidly to the closed position, and can splash liquid product, or even catapult one or more drops toward the user's face or clothing, thus presenting some danyer if the product is an irritant.
Moreover, in the ~living hinge~ design, at least a portion of the hinge necessarily extends beyond the circumferential periphery of the closure of the rear o~ the base and creates problems during the assembly line filling o~ the container in that such an eccentric shape is sub~ect to bumping and breakage, and can interfere with the highly automated equipment used during as~embly of the closure and container of the product ~o be marketed.
The ~living hingen design has been replaced to some extent by a dispensing closure design where the base has a notch located at the approximate center of 1~23~

top, and a relatively narrow rectangular channel extends ~rom the notch to the front edge of the base with a dispensing orifice positioned in the channel proximate the front edge. A lid having a generally flat upper surface which terminates in a downwardly depending flange and indented end pieces is adapted to be received in a snap-fit into the notch, and when rotated to the closed position, lies entirely within the channel. The underside of the lid has an annular plug which mates with, and seals the orifice. The lid is maintained in the open position by means of an interference fit between the bottom edge of the ~lange and lugs located at the forward edge of the bottom of the notch where it intersects the rear of the channel.
The lid is ~aintained in the notch in the open position by contact between a groove in the leading edge of the flange and.a tab protruding upwardly from the intersection o~ the front wall and bottom o~ the notch.
Another type o~ dispensing closure has been developed where the base and a dispensing nozzleO or spout, comprise two separate componsnts that are interconnected through a modified ball and socket joint, or protruding pin or post from one component mating with a corresponding recess in the other component to form a pin/recess hinge structure between the two components. In one form of the pin/recess ~3~ 2~

hinge design, the outer surface of the base of the closure has a notch formed therein~ said notch being shaped to receive one end Gf a hollow dispensing type nozzle of the lid which has a passageway for the liquid product. In the fully open position the n~zzle communicates with the inside of the container by means of an orifice through the basQ located in the bottom of the notch. Tbe nozzle end portion mates in a modi~ied ball and socket con~iguration when press fit into the notch i~ the base. This latter ball and socket hinge design further relies upon a key-slot configuration in the notch o~ $he base and the portion of the dispensing nozzle to be disposed withi~ the notch, respectively, to limit the open position o~
the dispensing nozzle type lid, as well as inter~ring projection~ on the ~orward facs o~ the ~otch and on the portion of the nozzle disposed within the notch ~o maintai~ the nozzle in an open position during the disp~nsing of produot fro~ the containar. Th~
interference fi~ yield~ to flnger pressure to move the nozzl~ through the interferenc~ fit ~nd return th~ lid to ~ closed position on tho ba~ o the Glosur~.
In another ~or~ o~ two piec~ dis2en~ing clo~ure, the lid is circular and the end of the l~d opposite the ori~i~e ~ontains two slots which ~ate with ~wo post~ extending upwardly fro~ ~he surfac~ o~ the base ... .. ~ . .

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~;

of the circular closure at its periphery. In this slot and post desiyn, the posts are flexible and exposed, and ~re therefore subject to damage during handling o~ the closure or container. In addition, the lid i5 insecurely held in place, is subject to twisting and lateral movement, and is easily pulled from the posts when the lid is in the open positi~n.
The closure o~ this invention is an improvement over these prior art closures~
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a two piece dispensing closure which has a hinge structure that provides a smooth peripheral symmetry, a planar top, and one which is less susceptible to damage than çxisting dispensin~
closures, A further object to the present invention is the provision of a two piece dispensing closure which is simple ln construction, pleasing in appearance and capable of a long, useful service life.
It is another object of the invention to provide a container closure in which the lid will remain in the open position and resist closing even when the container is inverted and vigorously shaken.
Another object of the invention is to proYide a dispensing closure with a lid that remains in a stable working position without cracking or separating ~rom the base.

~3~ ~3~

It is yet another object of thi-- invention to provide a closure in which there is an interferenee fit between the lid and ~he base as the lid is rotated to its fully open position, so that at least a perceptible finger pres~ure is required to move the lid to the closed position.
It is also an object o~ this invention to provide a dispensing closure which will permit the contents oP the container to be secured from tampering after filling and which will have a smooth underside free from crevices and openings which may become contaminated.
With these and other o~jects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in thP art, th~ invention resides in the combination of parts set ~orth in the : cpecification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broadest aspect, the invention co~prises a two piece dispensing closure for a container comprising a generally circular base with a dispensing orifice in the ~ront section of the upper 6urface and an annular skirt depending downwardly ~rom the upper surface which is adapted to engage and secure th~
base to the container, and a separate lid having a plug on its underside for sealing the dispensing orifice and adapted to ~e pivotally assembled to the base to open and seal the dispensing orifice, and the improvements comprising an elevated rear land section extending upwardly ~rom and across the surface of the base opposite the dispensing orifice that i~ joined to the base by a trans~erse abutting wall, and a pivot recess in the elevated rear land adapted to pivotally receive the lid. ~he improved lid of the invention comprises a generally circular front section and a 2D rearwardly extending, downwardly depending pivot post adapted to fictionally engage the pivot recess in the elevated rear section. The generally circular front section of the lid terminates along a chord, or transverse line9 proximate the upper edge o~ the abutting wall, and th~ upper surfaces of the closed lid and the elevated rear section of the base are co-23~

planar, i.e., the closed lid is flush with the elevated rear land. The pivot recess in the base is configured with an outwardly inclined rear wall, (i.e., the wall which is close~t to the periphery of the ~lo~ure), and ~n opposing front wall which ~
configured t~ permit free opening of the lid, i.e., without frictional inter~erence between the front wall of the recess and the pivot post of the lid.
In one preferred embodiment, the pivot reces~ in the elevated rear land portion of the base and the pivot po6t of the lid are con~igured to provide an interference fit between the rear wall of the recess and the pivot post of the lid as the lid is rot~t~d to the open position.
Further~ the plu~ on the lid has means or securing the lid to the dispensing orifice in the base when it is pressed firmly into the closed position.
The closure can be molded from any o~ a variety of resilient polymeric ~aterials well known to thoce in the art, in~luding polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinylchloride and copolymers and blends of said polymers.

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g BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be best u~derstood by reference to cne of it~ structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a two p~ece dispensing closure embodyin~ the features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a left hand elevational view o~ the closure;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the closure, with cut-away sections;
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and loo~ing in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 5 i a front elevational view of the closurs with the lid in the open portion;
FIG. 6 ;s a vertical cross-sectional view similar ~o FIG. 4, and showing the lid in the open position;
FIG. 6A is an enlarged sectional view of ~he hinge portion of the clo~ure of FIG. 6; and FIG. 6B is an enlarged sectional similar to FIG.
6A, illustrating a different embodiment o~ the lid.
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the line YII-VII of FIG. 3, and looking in the direction oX the arrows.

~L3~2~9 DESCRIPTION OF THE_PREFE~RED EMBODIMENT

Re~erring to the drawings, the two piece dispensing closure of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 and comprises a base whieh is generally indicated by .the reference numeral 12 and a lid which is generally i~dicated by the reference numeral 14. Th~ base 12 includes a circular cover portion 16 which has a top surfaoe 18 and an annular skirt, or side wal l, 20 l o which is provided with internal threads 22 to enable the cap to be threaded on~o the threaded neck o~ a container.
Other means of af~ixing th~ clo ure to a container may be employed. Such means are well known to those skilled in the art~ The cover portion 16 o~ the base 12 has dispensing orifice 24 having an upstanding an~ular ri~ 26.
The cover portion 16 has an elevated rear land section 28 ~xtending upwardly on the sid~ o~ th~
cover portion 16 opposite the dispensing orifice 24. The land portion 28 has a ~u~tant~lly rectangul~r pivot reces~ 30. ~h~ pivot reces~ 30 is de~ined by ~ pair o~ vertical side w~lls 32t each wall 32 having a circular inden~ 34, a rear wall 31, and an outwardly sloping ~ron~ wall 35 forming a ~312~

portion of a ridge 36. The height of the ridge 36 is slightly less than the height of the elevated rear section 28 in order to acco~modate the thickness of the lid, as described in detail b~low, to provide a unifor~ly ~lat upper surface to the closure when th~
lid is in the closed position.
The lid 14 has a top portion ~5 and a skirt portion 42 that i~ best shown in Figs. 5 & 6. The skirt portion CloQes down on the periphery of the base 12 when ~he li~ 14 is in ~he closed position.
The lid 14 is further provided with ~n annular plug 38 which extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the lid ~o that it m~tes with and seals the orifice 24 when the lid is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 4. The end of plug 3B is preferably provided with a bead, or ~lange, 39 that provides a secur~
inter~rence fit with the n~rrowed throat 25 as it is pressed into orific2 24~
At the opposit~ end o~ the lid, pivot post 40 is dim~nsioned 80 as to be securely received in r~cess 30, and terminat~s ln an ~nd portion which has side : sur~aces 4~, each surface having a ~pherical, or rounded, projection 46 which compliments 2nd is snapped ~nto the indent~ 34 in each o~ the ~ida walls o~ th~ rece-~ 30. The combination o~ pro~ections 46 and indents 34 forms a hinge connecti4n between the lid 14 and th~ base 12, and can b~ reversed ~o that .

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one or ~oth of the indents are on the pivot post of the lid. TAis configuration enables the lid 14 to be pivoted fro~ a ~losed position as shown in FIG. 4, in which the lid is flush with the top surface 18 and the orifice 24 is sealed by the plug 38, to an open position shown in ~IG. 6, in which the lid i~ ~t least 90- from the position shown in FIG. 4. When the lid 14 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 4, the top ~urfaces of the lid 14, i~cluding the pivot post 40, and the elevated section 2~, all lie in the same horizo~tal plane. In Dddition, the configuration also provides the means for ~ecurely holding the cap in the ~ase.
~hen the lid is in clssed position, the skirt o~
the lid continues the line of the side wall of the elevated rear section, or land, to give the appearance of a continuous verti~al wall to the clo ure. The longitudinal and vertical continuity of the closure thus provides an aesthetically ple~sing appearance, and to some degree provides a child-resistant ~a~ety feature in that the means o~ gaining entry to the container contents is not immediately apparent.
Moreover, the defined structure has the appearance of a one piece cylindrical cap. With the elevated rear ~ection design of the subject closure and a lid - covering a limited portion of the ~urfac~ of the base, a dispensing orifice having an annular rim of ~3~23~

substantial height may be used. It is desirable to have the rim defining the pour orific~ of 6ubstantial height to permit cleaner dispensing that i~ les prone to dripping. Also, the ~inge ~lements o~ the clcsure are well protected within the confine~ of the recess 30, and the underside of the base is planarO
An important aspect of the structure of the closure of the subject invent.ion resides in the hinge interconnection of the lid 14 and the base 12 at recess 30. It iR desirable that the rear wall 31 of the recess 30 be substantially ~lat so as to provide a surface against which the upper ~urface of the pivot post 4 0 may abut in the open position. Thi~
abutment, together with the stable frictional interfit of ~he projections and indents o~ the hinge, provides a rigid mounting that is substantially aided in retaining it lateral stability due to inability of the side wall~ of the recess to move away from the mating side walls of the pivot post. This interfit ~tability is far superior to the relatively unstable interfit between the posts and lid of the prior art in which the open lid can easily be separated ~rom the base.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention mostly clearly shown in the detail of FIG. 6A, the lower terminus of pivot post 40 is generally circular in cross section, with a tangential ~urface intersecting 13~23~

the upper surface o~ he pivot at essentially a right angle along edge 43. As ~he lid i~ rotated from the closed position, edge 43 of ~he pivot post 40 contacts the rear wall 31 in an interference fit and th~n again freely rotates to the fully open position.
This interference fit prevents the open lid ~rom ~losing unle~s a slight fi~ger pressure is applied.
This f~ature is most desirable when dispensing products from the container with an accompanying shaking ~otion, which would otherwise ~end to move the lid to a closed position. I~ this occurred during dispensing so as to interfere with the flow path of the product, the undesired consequences are obvious -the product would likely be directed to the user rather than the zone of desired impingement. This means for r~taining the lid in the open position also eliminates the potential ~or splashing which can occur wi~h the spring ac~ion ~living hinge~ o~ ~he prior one-piec~ closures which snap to ~ closed position. ThiR inter~erence ~it is thus accomplish~d ln general ~y e~ployin~ an eccentric-concentric de~ign for th~ re~r wall o~ th~ recess and pivo~ po~t end.
Also as best illustrated in ~IG. 6A, the rear wall 31 ~s inclined ~ro~ the vertical toward the re~r o~ th~ base to per~it the cap ~o be opened ~ore than 90- fro~ the closed position. ~s will be appar~nt to those s~illed in the art the ~xtent o~ the incline of ~3~3~

the rear wall 31 can be from a few degrees up to 45 , depending upon the g~ometry of the recess, the relative positio~ of the pivot post in the rec~ss, and the maximum angle desired between the lid and the upper surface of the base. In general, it is desirable from the stand point of utility, as well as ease of molding of the base part, that the rear wall 31 maXe an angle of at least 90- with the base, and most preferably, an angle of from 100- to 120- with the base.
FIG. 6B lllustrates another modification of the pivot post in which the rear edge 43 of the lid i~
rounded, 50 that there is no interference fit with the rear wall 31 as the lid is raised and lowered.
In the configuration of FIG. 6B, the lid is maintain~d in the open position by virtue of the frictional ~it of the ends of the pivot post in the reces As will also be appreciated by one skill~d in the art the configurations of the recess and pivot post can be ~odi~ied in various way~ to produc~ the ~unctionally equivalent relationship wi~h ~he ba~e Or the clo~ur~. ~hu~, the pivot post can take th~
configuration which ~ore nearly re~embles a conventional ~all ~oint and th~ r~ce~ likewi~
~odified to the shape of a socket adapt~d to receive the ball, Other configura~ion~ known in the art can be adapted to configure the downwardly depending ~3~23~

extension 40 rom th2 rear of the generally circular ~ront section 15 o~ the lid 14 to mate with the pivot recess 30 in a hinge r~lationship which has a center of rotation located within the recess~
As will be apparent Prom the drawings, the axis of rotation of the lid i~ along a chord, or line, which is perpendi~ular to the diameter passing through the center of the dispensing orifice. Further, the axis o~ the recess is displaced on the opposite ~ide of a diameter drawn between the recess ~nd the di~pensing orifice. In a preferred e~bodiment, the length of the recess along the axis of rotation ic approximately one-third to one-half the diameter of the closure and it is located at ~ distance of approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the diameter ~rom the front skirt or wall of the closure nearest the dispensing orifice.
The configuration o~ the abutting wall is not critical, and as shown in FIG. 6A, i~ inGlined ~ro~
: 20 th~ verti~al toward the rear, which provides ~naesthetioally pleasing app~arance and ~acilities removal of the base from the mold.
In addition, the base skirt 20 is provided ~ith knurling to facilitate removal, and the upper surfares o~ the base and lid can be embossed during ~olding with decorative designs, the brand name of the product and instructions ~or use.

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Although.the closure is illustrated with internal threads, cther means such as bayonet lugs and channels, or a ~nap-~it bead and recess, can be employed to secure the closure to the container.
The con~iguration of the closure with the elevated rear land with the pivot recess disposed therein permits an inner ~afety seal to be install~d on the container in contact with the underside of the base.
Typically, the circular ~oil and polyethylene seal is lo placed ~nside the closure base, which i5 then ~crewed onto the container and then treated ultrasonically to melt and fuse the seal to the upper rim o~ the container. In closures wheroin the hinge structure extends beneath the underside of the cover portion, the placement of an inner seal on the container is foreclosed. ~oreover, disposing the hinge ~tructure of the closure out of contact with the container contents avoids potential product conta~ination.
Referring particularly to FIGS. l and 4, the front of the annular skirt 20 is provided with a recess 48 at the juncture of the base 8kirt 20, and the upper ~urface l6. The downwardly extcnding lid skirt 42 overhangs the annular side wall 20 above the recess 48, as shown in FIG. 4, to facili~ate raising o~ the lid 14 by the user'~ finger or ~ingernail.
It is obvious that minor changes may be ~ade in the form and con6truction of the invention without .

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departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invent~on to the exact for~ herein ~hown and described, but it i8 desired to include all ~uch as properly co~e within the scope claimed.
The invention having been thus described, ~hat is clai~ed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

Claims

1. In a dispensing closure for a container, the closure comprising (A) a generally circular base having an upper surface with a front section, a dispensing orifice in the front section of the upper surface and an annular skirt depending downwardly from the upper surface and adapted to engage and secure the base to the container, and (B) a separate lid adapted to be pivotally assembled to the base and having a plug on its underside for sealing the dispensing orifice, the improvement which comprises: an elevated rear land disposed above and extending across the upper surface of the base opposite the dispensing orifice and joined to the front section of the base by an abutting wall transecting the upper surface of the base, a pivot recess defining an opening in the surface of the elevated rear land and disposed within the elevated rear land which is adapted to pivotally receive the lid, and said lid having a generally circular front section and a rearwardly extending, downwardly depending pivot post adapted to frictionally engage the pivot recess in the elevated rear land.

2. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the lid further comprises a downwardly depending skirt which extends from the transverse abutting wall of the base and encloses the area under the front section of the closed lid.

3. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the abutting wall lies on the opposite side of a diameter of the circular base from the dispensing orifice.

4. The dispensing closure of claim 3 where the base has a front edge and the abutting wall is approximately three-quarters of the diameter from the front edge of the base.

5. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the pivot recess is centred about a diameter passing through the dispensing orifice.

6. The dispensing orifice of claim 1 where the pivot recess is generally rectilinear and the axis of rotation is parallel to the abutting wall.

7. The dispensing closure of claim 6 where the length of the pivot recess along the axis of rotation is from one-third to one-half of the diameter of the closure.

8. The dispensing closure of claim 6 where the interior surfaces of the pivot recess are generally planar.

9. The dispensing closure of claim 6 where the pivot recess has side walls adapted to securely engage the adjacent surfaces of the pivot post in a frictional fit sufficient to maintain the lid in an open position.

10. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the pivot post and recess are engaged by means of rounded projections, and where each side wall of the recess has a complementary rounded indentation.

11. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the pivot post extends below the bottom surface of the front section of the lid.

12. The dispensing closure of claim 6 where the pivot recess has a rear wall at an angle of from 90 to 135 to the upper surface of the base.

13. The dispensing closure of claim 12 where the angle of the rear wall is approximately 110.

14. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the underside of the base is substantially planar.

15. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the upper surface of the rearwardly extending portion of the pivot post lies in the same plane as the front section of the lid.

16. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the pivot post includes a terminating edge and there is an interference fit between the rear wall of the recess and the terminating edge of the pivot post as the lid is rotated, to thereby restrain the movement of the lid from the open to the closed position during use.

17. The dispensing closure of claim 16 where the terminating edge of the pivot post contacts the rear wall of the pivot recess in an interference fit as the lid is rotated from a closed to open position.

18. The dispensing closure of claim 17 where the interference fit occurs as the lid is rotated from between about 30° to 80° from the closed position.

19. The dispensing closure of claim 2 where the annular skirt of the base has a recess in its outer surface at the front of the base so that the depending skirt of the lid overhangs the base skirt above the recess.

20. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the lid is moulded from a resilient polymeric material.

21. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the dispensing orifice is circular and the plug is annular.

22. The dispensing closure of claim 21 where the dispensing orifice comprises an upwardly extending annular rim which is engaged by the plug of the closed lid.

23. The dispensing closure of claim 22 where the plug comprises an annular bead adapted to engage an inwardly tapered throat in the dispensing orifice to thereby secure the lid in the closed position.

24. A two piece dispensing closure for a container comprising:
(a) a lid having a circular top wall which has a flat forward top surface, an annular side wall which extends downwardly from said top wall adapted to engage the container, and a dispensing orifice in said forward top surface;
(b) a transverse abutting wall which extends upwardly from the top surface along the top surface from one side edge to the other side edge of the lid to an elevated rear surface of said top wall, said elevated rear surface having a transverse pivot recess defining an opening in the rear surface and disposed within the lid, the axis of said pivot recess being parallel to said transverse abutting wall, and said pivot recess having a pair of oppositely facing vertical side surfaces and a generally flat rear wall;
(c) a generally planar lid which is provided with means for closing said orifice at a forward end of said lid, and a rearwardly extending pivot post which is adapted to be received within the pivot recess, the pivot post having opposite vertical side surfaces which abut the side surfaces of said recess; and (d) one of each of said abutting side surfaces of the pivot post and the pivot recess having a projection and the other of each of said abutting side surfaces having an indentation which is complementary to said projection to enable said lid to be pivoted from a closed position in which the lid is flush with the elevated rear surface and the dispensing orifice is closed by the lid, to an open position in which the lid is displaced at leat 90 from said closed position.

25. The dispensing closure of claim 24 where the pivot post includes a terminating edge which contacts the rear wall of the pivot recess in an interference fit as the lid is rotated from a closed to open position.

26. The dispensing closure of claim 24 where the rear wall of the recess is at an angle of at least 90 to the top wall.

27. The dispensing closure of claim 24 where the lid further comprises a downwardly depending skirt which extends from proximate the abutting wall of the base when the lid is closed and encloses the area under the front section of the closed lid.

28. The dispensing closure of claim 24 where the abutting wall lies on the opposite side of a diameter of the circular base from the dispensing orifice.

29. The dispensing closure of claim 1 where the generally circular front section of the lid terminates along a transverse line parallel to and proximate the upper edge of the abutting wall, and the upper surfaces of the closed lid and the elevated rear land of the base are co-planar.

30. In a two piece dispensing closure for a container, the closure comprising a lid, said lid having a plug on its underside for sealing a dispensing orifice, and a base member having a top surface portion and a skirt depending downwardly from the top surface, said top surface portion having a dispensing orifice extending above the top surface portion, the improvement comprising an elevated land contiguous to the top surface portion and spaced from the dispensing orifice, said elevated land having a recess spaced from its periphery for pivotally affixing the lid, said recess being disposed so as to align the plug with the dispensing orifice and thereby allow mating of the plug and orifice.

31. In a two piece dispensing closure for a container, the closure comprising (A) a generally circular base having an upper surface with a dispensing orifice and an annular skirt depending downwardly from the upper surface and adapted to engage and secure the base to the container, and (B) a separate lid adapted to be pivotally assembled to the base and having a plug on its underside for sealing the dispensing orifice, the improvement which comprises: an elevated land spaced from the dispensing orifice, which land extends upwardly from the upper surface of the base, the upper surface of the elevated land having a recess therein for pivotally affixing the lid, the pivot recess comprising two side walls and a rear wall and being adapted to pivotally receive the lid, and said lid having a generally circular section and a downwardly depending pivot post adapted to frictionally engage the recess in the elevated land.

32. The dispensing closure of claim 31 where the elevated land surrounds the pivot recess.

33. The dispensing closure of claim 31 where the pivot recess further comprises a front wall.

34. A two piece dispensing closure for a container comprising:
(a) a base having a flat top wall section, which section has a dispensing orifice disposed therein, an annular side wall adapted to engage the container, and a lid;
(b) an elevated land spaced from the dispensing orifice, which land extends upwardly from the top wall section of the base, the upper surface of the elevated land having a recess therein for pivotally affixing the lid, said recess having a pair of oppositely facing vertical side surfaces, a bottom surface and a generally flat rear wall against which the lid can open;
(c) said lid being generally planar and provided with means for closing the dispensing orifice, and said lid having an extending pivot post which is adapted to be received within the recess, the pivot post having opposite vertical side surfaces which abut the side surfaces of said recess; and (d) one of each of said abutting side surfaces of the pivot post and the recess having a projection and the other of each of said abutting side surfaces having an indentation which is complementary to said projection to enable said lid to be pivoted from a closed position in which the top surface of the lid is co-planar with the upper surface of the elevated land and the dispensing orifice is closed, to an open position in which the lid is displaced at least 90° from said closed position.

35. The dispensing closure of claim 34 where the upper surface of the elevated land is joined to the base by an abutting wall.

36. The dispensing closure of claim 35 where the abutting wall is continuous across the base.

37. The dispensing closure of claim 36 where the abutting wall is continuous across the base and the front wall of the pivot recess is part of the abutting wall.

38. The dispensing closure of claim 24 where the lid further comprises a downwardly depending skirt which extends from proximate the abutting wall of the cap when the lid is closed and encloses an area under a front section of the closed lid.

39. The dispensing closure of claim 24 where the abutting wall lies on the opposite side of a diameter of the circular cap from the dispensing orifice.

40. The dispensing closure of claim 39 where the cap has a front edge and the abutting wall is approximately three-quarters of the diameter from the front edge of the cap.

41. The dispensing closure of claim 38 where the annular side wall of the cap has a recess in its outer surface at a front portion of the cap so that the depending skirt of the lid overhangs the cap side wall above the recess.