HK1056861B - Dispensing closure with tamper evident lid panel - Google Patents

Description

Dispensing closure with tamper-indicating closure lid

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tamper indicating closure for a container which must be modified in some manner to provide access to the contents of the container, such modification being evidence that the container has been previously tampered with. The present invention is particularly applicable to a package opening indicating arrangement in which the panel must be cut or separated to open the container.

Background

Various container closure arrangements have been developed or proposed in which an initially open lid or dispensing spout structure provides visual evidence, such as a smooth appearance, after the lid or spout is subsequently closed. US 4,487,324 and US 4,941,592 disclose such closures in which locking strips or tabs are provided which are connected to the lid or body of the closure by a plurality of frangible connections to initially retain the lid of the closure on the body in a closed position. To open the closure for the first time, the user must break the connecting portion by pushing or pulling the tab or tape.

US patent 5,201,440 describes a container closure comprising a body for mounting on a container. The body defines a dispensing aperture. A cap is disposed on the body and is movable between open and closed positions relative to the dispensing aperture. A package opening indicating member is provided as an integral extension from the lid. A first frangible connection connects the element and the cap together. One anchor is connected to the other portion of the closure opening indicating member by a second frangible connection and the anchor is retained by the closure body. The closure opening indicating member includes a graspable pull tab that can be pulled to completely sever the frangible connection portion connecting the closure opening indicating member to the lid and the anchor. This causes the lid to open, indicating that the closure is opened.

US patent US5,875,907 discloses a closure for a container, the closure comprising a body and a lid. The closure device includes a closure opening indicating element coupled to the closure device body with an anchor received in an anchor receiving aperture defined in the closure device body. The tamper-evident element is also connected to the lid of the closure along a breakable connection. A plug extends from the package opening indicator element and is receivable in a plug receiving aperture defined in the body. When the packing open indicating member is pressed to force the plug into the plug receiving hole, the breakable connecting portion is broken, and the packing open indicating member is held at its pressed position. This indicates that the closure has been previously opened.

While the above-described closure devices perform well for their intended function, it would be desirable to provide an improved tamper-indicating closure device that can be easily formed with a particular type of cap or flow control element and which incorporates or enhances the aesthetic appearance of the closure device prior to initial opening. It would also be desirable to provide such a package opening indicating closure which can be easily molded as a single piece, which includes a lid, a body and a package opening indicating portion, and which is readily expanded after molding to its package opening indicating ready state for eventual delivery to a user.

In addition, such an improved closure is advantageous if the user can open it relatively easily at the first time. After such an improved closure has been initially opened and subsequently closed, the closure should provide a very distinct indication that the closure has been previously opened. It would also be desirable to provide such an improved design of tamper-indicating closure which includes a tamper-indicating element which does not form a separate piece to be removed when the tamper-indicating element is altered during opening of the closure.

The present invention provides an improved tamper-indicating or tamper-indicating closure device which incorporates structure having the above-described advantages and features.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a tamper-evident closure including a tamper-evident element or tab extending between a lid portion and a body portion of the closure, and including a unique and novel system for securing the tab to the body portion. The pull tab includes an anchor portion for connecting the body portion and a press portion connected to the anchor portion or the lid portion by a frangible connection, and the press portion is breakable at the frangible connection to disengage the lid portion from the body portion to open the closure.

Namely, the present invention proposes a closure structure for a container, comprising: a body having a containing wall for closing the container and a dispensing aperture through the containing wall; a lid operatively associated with the containing wall to cover the dispensing aperture in a closed position and to expose the dispensing aperture when the lid is moved away from the closed position; and a tamper indicating element including a pressing portion connected to the cover by a hinge and an anchor portion connected to the body, the pressing portion being connected to the anchor portion at a breakable connection, whereby the pressing portion is movable relative to the anchor portion about the hinge sufficiently to separate the pressing portion from the anchor portion; wherein the cover includes rib elements disposed adjacent to the pressing portion, the rib elements being spaced apart to frictionally engage the rib elements with the pressing portion when the pressing portion has moved sufficiently and separated from the anchor portion, whereby the rib elements retain the pressing portion separated from the anchor portion.

In a preferred form of the invention, the anchor portion includes a bore and the body portion includes a radially extending head portion. The anchor portion is pressed against the body portion to snap the aperture over the head portion to at least temporarily secure the tab to the body portion. If desired, the head may then be flattened or deformed to make the connection more durable.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pull tab for enclosing the tamper-evident closure structure comprises an anchor portion for connecting the body portion and a press portion, the press portion being connected to the anchor portion by a frangible connection and to the lid portion by a hinge. The frangible connection is breakable to disengage the lid portion from the body portion to open the closure.

The present invention provides a novel tamper-indicating dispensing structure that blends into and/or enhances the aesthetic appearance of a closure for a container, and that can be easily manipulated by a user to allow the structure to be opened for dispensing. The structure of the present invention provides a clear indication of initial opening of the structure. The structure, if it is a closure, can be designed so that it can be easily molded as a single piece so as to be mounted on a container in a package ready-to-open state (i.e., ready to be opened by a user for the first time).

The features of the present invention are applicable to a variety of dispensing container or closure designs. In an illustrated embodiment of the invention, these features may be incorporated into a closure having a body adapted to be mounted on a container as a separate component. Alternatively, the body may be made as an integral part or extension of the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing closure comprises a body having a dispensing orifice and a lid for closing the dispensing orifice. In such a preferred embodiment, the body is adapted to be mounted on the container. The lid may be hinged to the body or may be provided as a separate component adapted to engage with the body.

The packing open indicating member includes a pressing portion connected to the cover or the body through a hinge. The press portion is also connected to the other of the cover or the body by a frangible connection. The hinge deflects the press portion to a degree sufficient to break the frangible connection. In this preferred form of the invention, the press portion is hinged with the lid and anchored to the body.

The press portion may be maintained in an inwardly displaced orientation as an alternative to indicating the breakage of the frangible connection. The retaining of the press portion in the inwardly displaced position also provides a gap beneath the overhanging portion of the lid to accommodate a person's finger to lift the lid off the body.

In this preferred form of the invention, the connection of the tamper-evident element to the body is effected by means of at least one aperture through the anchoring portion for receiving an anchor extending from the body. The anchoring portion may be pressed inwardly in a region adjacent the anchor to force the anchor into the bore of the anchoring portion. The anchor can then be deformed, if necessary, to more securely fix the anchor portion to the body.

The dispensing structure comprising the body, the lid and the tamper-evident element can be moulded as a single and separate closure which can be snapped into a ready state for tamper-evident closure. The closure device can be manufactured and mounted on a container in a cost-effective manner.

Other advantages or features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an unassembled closure device of the present invention, the closure device being molded and in an open condition;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the closure shown in FIG. 1, the closure being in a partially assembled state or in a closed lid state;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 5 in a fully assembled state or in a final assembled state mounted on a container neck;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the closure shown in FIG. 6 after the tamper-evident portion has been manipulated to open the lid of the closure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closure device in a closed and final assembled configuration corresponding to that shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the closure device shown in FIG. 8, after the tamper-evident element has been ruptured;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment closure device in a fully assembled state;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the closure device shown in FIG. 10, after the tamper-evident element has been ruptured;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device shown in FIG. 10 in a final assembled configuration; and

fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of fig. 12 after the tamper-evident portion has been manipulated to open the lid of the closure.

Detailed Description

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this description and the accompanying drawings disclose only specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and the scope of protection of the invention is defined by the claims that follow.

For ease of description, the dispensing structure of the present invention is described in various operative positions. However, it should be understood that the dispensing structure of the present invention may also be oriented other than as described to be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold.

Figures 1 to 9 show a preferred embodiment of the dispensing structure of the present invention in the form of a dispensing closure indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The dispensing structure or closure 20 is provided as a separately manufactured unit adapted to be mounted on top of a container 22, such as a container neck 22a (partially shown in fig. 6). It should be understood, however, that in some applications it may be desirable to form the dispensing structure 20 as an integral part or extension of the container 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, closure device 20 may be molded as a unitary structure using a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Typically, the closure device 20 is molded in the state as shown in fig. 1 and 2.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the dispensing structure or closure 20 includes a lid 24 and a body 26. The cover 24 is connected to the body 26 by a hinge 30. Preferably, the hinge 30 is a snap-action hinge integrally formed with the cover 24 and the body 26 in a molded unitary construction. The snap-action hinge 30 is of a conventional type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,824. The snap-action hinge readily retains the lid 24 in the open position during dispensing of the container contents in the application state. Alternatively, the lid 24 may be tethered to the closure body 26 or completely removed from the closure body 26.

The closure body 26 includes a sleeve 36, the sleeve 36 defining a lower opening 42 (shown in fig. 6) for receiving the container neck 22a of the container 22. The sleeve 36 is adapted to surround and engage the container neck 22a of the container 22. The sleeve 36 may include conventional threads 44, and the threads 44 may engage with conventional threads 22b on the container to secure the closure body 26 on the neck 22a of the container 22.

A conventional closure means is formed around the opening 42 relative to the tamper-evident band 43 of the container. In fig. 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 and 13, the tamper indicating band 43 is shown in a ready condition prior to being properly shaped for engagement with a container. In fig. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the tamper indicating band 43 is shown fully formed. In fig. 6, the tamper indicating band 43 is shown fully formed and engaged with the container neck 22 a.

A platform 48 (fig. 1) extends radially inwardly from the upper end of the sleeve 36. The platform 48 includes an upwardly extending cylindrical wall or spout 52, the cylindrical wall or spout 52 defining a dispensing aperture 56. Outside of the platform 48, the upper end of the sleeve 36 defines lateral shoulders or side flanges 64, 66.

The cover 24 includes bottom surface portions 68, 70, the bottom surface portions 68, 70 abutting the side flanges 64, 66 when the cover 24 closes the body 26. The lid 24 also includes a retaining ring 74, the retaining ring 74 having a beveled edge 76, the retaining ring 74 being sized to slide down around the cylindrical wall or spout 52 (as shown in fig. 5 and 6). The ring 74 includes a radial seal strip 74a, the radial seal strip 74a sealing against the outer surface of the spout 52. The cap 24 also includes a support ring 153 (fig. 5 and 6) on its inner surface. The support ring 153 supports the cover to withstand a downward force generated in the formation of the package opening indicator tape 43.

The lid 24 has a peripheral wall 86. The wall includes a substantially rectangular recess 87 on its front side ("front side" when the lid is in the package open indicating ready state as shown in fig. 6). A pull tab or package opening indicator element 94 extends from the top edge of the recess 87 ("top edge" when the lid is in the package opening indication ready state as shown in FIG. 6). The tamper indicating element 94 is connected at the top edge to the lid 24 by a film hinge 110 and includes a press portion 116 and an anchor portion 120.

The package opening indicator 94 is preferably curvilinear to conform to the outer contours of the body 26 and lid 24 (as shown in fig. 8). The hinge member 110 is preferably molded with the closure device 20 as a segment of material having a reduced thickness.

A wall groove 140 extends into the sleeve 36 at the sleeve front side. The recess 140 is sized to receive the anchor portion 120 of the tamper indicating member 94 when the anchor portion 120 is pivoted to its tamper indicating ready position. The recess is preferably sized and shaped to receive the anchoring portion 120 in a close fit or close clearance. This provides a substantially flush outer surface for the member 94 and the sleeve 36 (fig. 6 and 8). Second abutment groove 141 allows the closure device and anchor 130 (described in more detail below) to be molded together in a mold without side-acting mold parts. A raised ribbed surface 143 extends around the body sleeve 36 up to the grooves 140, 141 to provide a gripping surface.

As shown in fig. 3, the pressing portion 116 and the anchoring portion 120 are connected together by a breakable connecting portion 124. The frangible connection 124 may be molded with the closure 20 as a segment of material of reduced thickness defined by an internal recess or channel. The frangible connection 124 may also be a connection that is intentionally weakened by partially cutting a bore, score, indentation, or by material selection, tapering in the thickness direction of the frangible connection 124, or otherwise formed with less strength to define a connection to fracture between the press portion 116 and the anchor portion 120. According to the preferred embodiment, the frangible connection comprises a substantially linear notch 125 bridged by two connecting or bridging portions 124a, 124b as shown in fig. 3. The bridging portions can be broken comparatively with the force applied to the breakable connecting portions.

Anchor 130 extends from sleeve 36. Anchor 130 has a neck 132 (best shown in fig. 1 and 4) terminating in a rounded cylindrical head 134. Anchors 130 extend from a central region of recess 140.

The anchor portion 120 enclosing the opening display element 94 includes an anchor receiving aperture 138. The diameter of the bore 138 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the head 134.

During assembly, the cap 24 is initially closed on the body 26 by rotating the cap 24 180 degrees to the position shown in fig. 4 and 5. In this position of the cover 24, the member 94 is still in its initial or first as-molded position extending outwardly from the front of the cover peripheral wall 86. The package opening indicating element 94 is then forcibly rotated about hinge 110 in direction a (as indicated by the arrow in fig. 4 and 5) downward by about 90 degrees and then snap-engaged with anchor 130. As shown in fig. 6 and 8, anchor receiving bore 138 of anchoring portion 120 receives anchor 130.

When the package opening indicating member 94 is rotated and pressed into the package opening indicating ready position, the head 134 is sized to be pushed through the aperture 138 due to the elastic deformation of the head 134 and/or the elastic stretching of the anchor portion 120 around the aperture 138. In this manner, the contoured surface of the head 134 may temporarily stretch the hole 138 to an increased diameter and/or temporarily deform the head to accommodate insertion of the head. Once the head has passed anchoring portion 120 to the front side of bore 138, bore 138 and/or head 134 return to their original undeformed shape, thereby retaining anchoring portion 120 on anchor 130 in a snap-fit manner. Thus, the aperture 138 circumscribes the neck 132.

Fig. 6 shows the closure device 20 after the element 94 has been pivoted down and anchored to the body sleeve 36. The closure device 20 is in a package open indication ready state, i.e., ready to be opened by a user for the first time. After the head 134 is received in the bore 138 in a snap-fit manner, the head 134 has been flattened or flattened so that the anchor portion 120 cannot be pulled outwardly from the head 134 without breaking or tearing the head 134 or the sleeve 36. Anchor 130 secures anchoring portion 120 of member 94 to body 26 at a location below, but adjacent to, depression space 148. A pressing space 148 is substantially defined within the lid 24 and between the spout 52 and the pressing portion 116. The pressing portion 116 of the element 94 defines an unsupported span from the frangible connection 124 to the hinge 110 and across the pressing space 148.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, spout 52 may be provided with a flow control assembly 147 for regulating flow between the interior and exterior of the container through aperture 56. Assembly 147 may include a flexible valve element 148 housed between an inner collar 149 of spout 52 and a snap-in valve retainer. An annular flexible "crab's claw" shaped seal 145 projects from the lower surface of closure body platform 48 to seal against the top surface of container neck 22a to provide an airtight seal between closure body 26 and container neck 22 a. Of course, other types of closure body container seals may be used.

Threads 44 of sleeve 36 engage threads 22b of container neck 22a to removably attach closure 20 to container 22. The closure body 26 may also be removably connected to the container 22 using snap-fit beads and grooves or other means. Alternatively, the closure body 26 may be permanently attached to the container by a suitable snap fit or by induction melting, ultrasonic melting, gluing, etc., depending on the materials used for the container and closure. Additionally, in some cases, closure device 20 may be formed as an integral part or extension of container 22.

The container 22 (fig. 6) typically has a conventional spout or opening 22c to facilitate access to the container interior and to the product contained therein. The product may be, for example, a commercial product. The product may also be any other solid, liquid or gaseous substance including, but not limited to, food products, personal care products, and industrial or household products, cleaning products, coating products, wall repair products or other chemical components (e.g., related to manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, remodeling, and agricultural fields), and the like.

In the illustrated embodiment (fig. 6), a container neck 22a extends from the hollow body 22d and defines a container nozzle or opening 22 c. The container neck 22a may, but need not, have a circular cross-sectional shape and the body 22d of the container 22 may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as an elliptical cross-sectional shape. On the other hand, the container 22 may have a substantially uniform shape over its entire length or height, without any neck of reduced size or of different cross-section.

Container 22 may be a squeezable container having one or more flexible walls that a user can grasp and squeeze to increase the internal pressure within the container so that product can be expressed from the container through closure 20 when closure 20 is opened. Such containers typically have sufficient inherent resiliency to return the container wall to its normal, unstressed shape when the squeezing forces are removed. Such a construction is preferred in many cases, but may not be required or preferred in other cases where it is substantially rigid. A piston may be provided in such a rigid container to assist in dispensing the product, particularly a relatively viscous product.

As shown in fig. 7, when it is desired to open the closure 20 for the first time, the pressing portion 116 is forcibly pressed inward in the direction B. The press portion 116 is bent around the hinge 110, and thus the breakable connecting portion 124 is broken and split into the free edges 150a and 150 b. The pressing portion is deflected into the pressing space 148. Preferably, the bridging portions 124a, 124b are broken at the lower edge 150b and provided with the pressed portion 116 to leave a relatively smooth surface on the edge 150 b. One exemplary application of the closure is for use on beverage bottles. A smooth edge 150b is preferred to provide comfort to the user when the user's lips are around the spout 52.

The pressing portion 116 is positioned in the contracted position (as shown in fig. 1) as shown in fig. 7 by the ribs 155a, 155 b. The pressing portion 116 is tightly pressed between the ribs 155a, 155b by friction and held therebetween.

The lid 24 can be pried away from the body 26 by pushing upwardly against the biased pressing portion 116 with a finger that is located in the outer space 157 created by the inward movement of the pressing portion 116 into the pressing space 148. The exterior space 157 is defined by the side wall 86 and the recess 87 (fig. 1) in the press portion 116.

Fig. 8 shows the closure device 20 in a fully assembled state. The anchoring portion 120 is bent and fitted into the groove 140 with a tight clearance. The head 134 of the anchor portion 130 has been flattened by tapping so that it is substantially flush with the anchor portion 120.

Fig. 9 shows the closure device 20 after the press section 116 has deflected inwardly to break the frangible connection 124 (fig. 1). The recess 87 (fig. 9) in the lid side wall 86 and the press portion 116 define an exterior space 157 that is useful for receiving a user's finger to pry the lid 24 from the body 26.

Fig. 10-13 illustrate another embodiment of a closure 20 ', the closure 20 ' being substantially identical to the closure 20 except for the reconfigured structure associated with another package opening indicator 94 ', like elements being identified with like reference numerals.

Fig. 10 and 12 show the improved closure device 20' in a fully assembled state. Fig. 11 and 13 illustrate the closure 20 'shown in fig. 10, the closure 20' shown after the package opening indicating member 94 'is opened to raise the alternative lid 24' from the body 26 to an open position.

The element 94' includes the same pressing portion 116 and anchoring portion 120 as previously described. However, the alternative hinge 110' is reconfigured to connect the press portion 116 to the anchor portion 120. The alternative hinge 110' may be a weakened connection that promotes bending. The illustrated connection is formed by a substantially linear channel 160, the channel 160 spanning two bendable bridge portions 162a, 162 b. Frangible connections 124 connect the press portion 116 to the lid side wall 86. As previously described with reference to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-9, the frangible connection 124 is preferably formed by a gap 125 (fig. 10) and two bridge portions 124a, 124 b. Sufficient inward force applied to the press portion 116 will pivot the press portion about the hinge 110' to break the frangible connection 124.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 12 and 13, frangible connections 124 are broken to separate lid 24 'from package opening indicator 94'. When the cover 24' is raised to an open position (not shown), the press portion 116 and the anchor portion 120 remain on the body 26.

The frangible connection 124 is broken to form free edges 150a ', 150b ' between the press portion 116 and the cover 24 ', respectively. Preferably, the bridging portions 124a, 124b break to remain on the cover 24 'so that the edge 150 a' (fig. 13) is substantially smooth. One exemplary application of the closure is for use on beverage bottles. A smooth edge 150a 'is preferred to provide comfort to the user when the user's lips are around the spout 52. However, a structure such as the ribs 155a, 155b previously described with reference to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 9, is relocated on the main body 26, or as described in US5,875,907, may be used to hold the pressing portion 116 in its retracted position as shown in fig. 13.

Although a single anchor 130 is provided in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide multiple anchors, for example, each anchor may be identical to anchor 130. Thus, the anchoring portion 120 has a plurality of identical anchor receiving holes. Multiple anchors may provide a more secure connection between anchor portion 120 and sleeve 36.

Alternatively, the single or multiple anchors 130 described above may be replaced with one or more transversely extending wall elements, each having an enlarged tip in the form of a continuous head with an enlarged cross-section. Each such wall-like element has a cross-section identical to that of anchor 130 as shown in fig. 2, but each wall-like element may extend laterally in a direction into and out of the plane shown in fig. 2. The anchoring portion 120 defines an elongated slot for receiving the enlarged end of the wall-like member that acts as an anchor.

As can be appreciated from the above description of the various embodiments, the present invention provides a package opening indicating structure that is adapted to secure the package opening indicating members 94, 94' in a unique manner to the structure without creating a separately disposed piece. The body 26, the lid 24, 24 'and the closure opening indicating member 94, 94' are suitably molded as a unitary structure from a thermoplastic material. The hinge 110, 110' and the frangible connection 124 may be created by a molding process or by other means after molding.

Other forms of movement of the closure opening indicating elements 94, 94' may be used with the present invention, such as sliding or twisting, to facilitate breaking the frangible connections 124.

It will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description and drawings of the invention that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

Claims (12)

1. A closure structure for a container, comprising:

a body having a containing wall for closing the container and a dispensing aperture through the containing wall;

a lid operatively associated with the containing wall to cover the dispensing aperture in a closed position and to expose the dispensing aperture when the lid is moved away from the closed position; and

a tamper indicating element including a pressing portion connected to the cover by a hinge and an anchor portion connected to the body, the pressing portion being connected to the anchor portion at a frangible connection, whereby the pressing portion is movable relative to the anchor portion about the hinge sufficiently to separate the pressing portion from the anchor portion;

wherein the cover includes rib elements disposed adjacent to the pressing portion, the rib elements being spaced apart to frictionally engage the rib elements with the pressing portion when the pressing portion has moved sufficiently and separated from the anchor portion, whereby the rib elements retain the pressing portion separated from the anchor portion.

2. The closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said press portion extends in an effectively unsupported manner on a back side thereof from said hinge to said frangible connection.

3. The closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said body includes an anchor projecting from said body;

the anchor portion includes an aperture aligned with the anchor; and

the anchor is sized and shaped so that it is resiliently received in the bore and retained by the anchor portion.

4. The closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said pressing portion is arranged such that said pressing portion is moved by pressing said pressing portion radially inward with respect to said anchor portion, thereby separating said pressing portion from said anchor portion while said pressing portion remains attached to said cap to prevent the generation of separated debris.

5. A closure structure according to claim 4, wherein said pressing portion is separable from said anchoring portion along said frangible connection when said pressing portion is moved towards said body, thereby defining a finger-engageable overhang with said pressing portion relative to said body.

6. The enclosure of claim 4,

the body defining an anchor; and

the anchor portion defines an anchor receiving aperture for receiving the anchor to secure the package opening indicating element to the body.

7. A closure according to claim 4, wherein said closure forms an integral part of said container.

8. The closure structure according to claim 4, wherein said closure structure forms a separate component attached to the container.

9. A closure structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said containment wall includes a wall recess dimensioned to receive said anchor portion, and wherein adjacent areas of said anchor portion and said containment wall are substantially flush when said anchor portion is received in said wall recess.

10. A closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said frangible connection comprises a gap separating said press portion from said anchor portion, and a plurality of bridges spanning said gap and extending between said press portion and said anchor portion.

11. The closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said lid includes a sealing structure disposed proximate said dispensing aperture, said sealing structure being surrounded by a sidewall, said sidewall having a sidewall recess, said press portion being connected within said sidewall recess by said hinge, and said body including a deck having a spout extending therefrom and defining said dispensing aperture, said sidewall being adapted to abut said deck, said press portion being disposed to move into a gap between said spout and said sidewall recess when said press portion is separated from said anchor portion.

12. A closure according to claim 9, wherein said cover includes ribs on opposite sides of said recess, said ribs having an inwardly extending portion for disengagement from said anchor portion when said press portion is moved, said ribs frictionally engaging said press portion to retain said press portion in a deflected position.