EP3497026B1

EP3497026B1 - Tamper-evident closure

Info

Publication number: EP3497026B1
Application number: EP17751627.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claude Benoit-Gonin; Jerome Mezerette; Felip GRINO; Antonio Gonzales
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Current assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Priority date: 2016-08-12
Filing date: 2017-07-14
Publication date: 2020-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-14
Also published as: GB201613920D0; EP3497026A1; WO2018028940A1

Description

The present invention relates generally to a closure and particularly to a tamper-evident closure with some means for indicating that the closure has been opened. US5201440 discloses a flip top closure in accordance with the preamble of appended claim 1.
According to the present invention there is provided a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid connected together by a hinge so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position, the closure comprising a tamper-evident member for indicating if the lid has been opened, wherein the base comprises a sidewall having at one end an annular wall that projects radially inwards and includes a slot generally opposite the hinge, the member comprising a first part frangibly connected to the lid and a second part frangibly connected to the first part and irreversibly engaged in the slot, whereby the lid cannot be moved to the open position without removing the first part, with the second part remaining on the base.
The first part may be frangibly connected to the one of the base and lid, for example by one or more frangible bridges and/or a material thinning (such as a line of weakness).
The base and lid are connected together by a hinge, such as a snap hinge, butterfly hinge or the like.
The base may comprise a dispensing member, such as a spout through which product can be dispensed from an associated container.
In some embodiments the spout is generally conical.
The spout may be sunken/recessed into the base.
The lid may comprise a spigot, annular sealing wall or the like for sealing the spout.
The first part of the tamper-evident member may be a tear-off strip. The strip may be partially or completely torn away from the closure to separate it from the second part. In some embodiments the strip is completely removed from the closure; in others the strip is torn away but remains attached to the closure.
The second part may include a hook and the base/lid includes a slot for receiving the hook. The hook engages in the slot to keep the closure in a closed position until the first and second parts are separated from each other.
In some embodiments the closure is formed as a single piece.
The closure may be formed in an open position. For example the closure may be moulded (such as by injection moulding a plastics material e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene) in an open position. Subsequently the closure is moved to a closed position; as part of this operation the second part may engage the base/lid. In some embodiments the second part may engage the base/lid when the closure is closed for the first time.
The first part may be connected to the lid and the second part engages the base. Alternatively the first part may be connected to the base and the second part engages the lid.
The present invention also provides a closure as described herein in combination with a container.
Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.
Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims.
The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a closure formed in accordance with the present invention and shown in a closed position;
Figure 2 is a front view of the closure of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the closure of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a partial sectional side view of the closure of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a magnified view of region A of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the closure of Figure 1 shown in an as-formed condition;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the closure of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a side view of the closure of Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a section of the closure of Figure 6;
Figure 10 is a front view of the closure of Figure 1 in an unopened condition;
Figure II shows the closure of Figure 10 following removal of a tamper-evident strip; and
Figure 12 shows the closure of Figure II in an opened condition.

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 alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.
Accordingly, while embodiments 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.
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 idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.
There is shown a closure generally indicated 10.
The closure 10 comprises a base 15 and a lid 20. The base and lid are joined by a hinge 25 and the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position.
Figures 1 to 5 show the closure in a closed, unopened condition and Figures 6 to 9 show the closure in an as-formed (as-moulded) condition.
The base 15 has a generally cylindrical sidewall 30. At one end of the sidewall 30 a tamper-evident drop band 35 is defined by a frangible line made up of a plurality of bridges 40. The interior of the band 35 has a segmented retention bead 45 for engaging under a bead on a container neck so that if the closure is removed the band 35 is separated from the remainder of the sidewall.
The interior of the sidewall is further provided with a screw thread 50 for engaging a corresponding thread on a container neck.
At the opposite end of the sidewall 30 to the band 35 an annular wall 55 projects radially inwards and continues into a generally U-shape wall 60 the inner leg of which defines a sunken conical spout 65 which terminates with an outlet nozzle 70. The wall 55 includes a slot 75 opposite the hinge 25.
The lid 20 comprises a top plate 80 from the periphery of which depends a truncated annular sidewall 85.
From the centre of the plate an annular sealing wall 95 depends and in the closed position seals into the nozzle 70.
The sidewall 85 is generally circular, except that it has diametrically opposed radial steps 90 defining a front section 80a with a reduced radius. A peak 100 extends from the front of top plate 80 and so projects out over the sidewall section 80a. The circumferential ends of peak 100 are spaced from the steps 90 to define rebates II5.
An arcuate tamper-evident strip 105 is provided and extends generally between the steps 90. The strip 105 is frangibly connected to the peak 100 by bridges II0. At either end of the strip 105 grasping tabs I20 are provided and extend into the rebates II5.
At the centre of the strip 105 a notch 125 is provided. A retention tab 130 is provided and has an upper portion 135 is frangibly connected into the notch 125 by a thinned line of weakness 140. The tab 130 has a lower portion 145 including a terminal hook 150.
In this embodiment the closure 10 is moulded as a single piece in the open position - Figures 6 to 9.
Before use the lid 20 is closed onto the base I5 - Figures 1 to 5. In doing so the wall 95 engages into the spout 65 and the lower portion 145 of the tab 130 passes into the slot 75. The front wall 176 of the slot 175 is inclined. The hook 150 can be forced through the slot 175 but thereafter cannot pass back through.
Operation of the closure 10 is now discussed in relation to Figures 10 to 12.
The closure 10 is shown closed and unopened in Figure 10. Because the tab I30 forms part of the lid 20, the hook 150 prevents the lid from being opened.
In order to open the closure the strip 105 must be torn off. Conveniently one or both of the tabs I20 can be used for this purpose. When the strip is torn off this ruptures the bridges I10 and also tears along the line of weakness 140. The portion 145 remains engaged in the slot 75 and the strip is removed, as shown in Figure II.
The lid 20 is now released from the hook 150 and can be lifted open, as shown in Figure 12. The portion 145 remains engaged in the slot 75.
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.

Claims

A flip-top dispensing closure (10) comprising a base (15) comprising a sidewall (30) and a lid (20), the base and lid being connected together by a hinge (25) so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position, the closure comprising a tamper-evident member comprising a first part (105) frangibly connected to the lid and a second part (130) frangibly connected to the first part for indicating if the lid has been opened, characterised in that the sidewall (30) has at one end an annular wall (55) that projects radially inwards and includes a slot (75) generally opposite the hinge (25), the second part (I30) of the tamper-evident member being irreversibly engaged in the slot (75), whereby the lid (20) cannot be moved to the open position without removing the first part (105), with the second part (130) remaining on the base (15).
A closure (10) as claimed in claim I, in which the base (15) comprises a dispensing member (70).
A closure (10) as claimed in claim 2, in which the dispensing member comprises a spout (70).
A closure (10) as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout (70) is generally conical.
A closure (10) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the spout (70) is sunken into the base (15).
A closure (10) as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which the lid (20) comprises a spigot (95) for sealing the spout (70).
A closure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first part is a tear-off strip (105).
A closure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second part (130) includes a hook (150) which is received in the slot (75).
A closure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure is moulded in an open position.
A closure (10) as claimed in claim 1, in which the second part (130) engages the base when the closure is closed for the first time.
A closure as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a container.