HK1114831A - Closure with one or more lids - Google Patents

Description

Closure with one or more lids

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. patent application No.10/993,564 to Travis Hoepner and Cori m.blomdahl filed on 19.11.2004.

Declaration relating to federal fund research or development

Not applicable.

Reference to the Mini appendix

Not applicable.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing material from a container.

Technical problems posed by the background of the invention and the prior art

There are currently various types of conventional dispensing closures (closures). One type of prior art dispensing closure system includes a body or base for attachment to a container. The body defines a dispensing opening. The system further includes a lid hingedly mounted on the body and liftable to open the dispensing opening.

Dispensing closures are commonly used to dispense the product in a container. For some fluent products, it would be desirable to provide a closure with a hinged top or lid structure that accommodates pouring of the fluent product through the closure, and also accommodates insertion of the utensil through the open closure to allow the fluent product to be scooped or scooped out of the container. Such covers may also allow a user to scoop or scoop out products, such as nuts, candies, cookies, and the like. It would be desirable to provide an improved dispensing closure, particularly one with a relatively large lid, wherein the means for holding the lid closed would increase the resistance to opening the lid.

It would be desirable to provide an improved dispensing closure that can be easily adjusted to accommodate scooping of various materials as well as pouring or scooping of fluid products.

Advantageously, the lid structure of such an improved dispensing closure can be easily manipulated as desired to allow the closure to be used for pouring fluent products from a container or to be adapted for scooping fluent or other products from a container.

It would also be advantageous if an improved dispensing closure could provide a relatively narrow pour stream of fluent product and yet be wide enough to accommodate the opening of a conventional, wider container.

It would also be advantageous if such an improved dispensing closure could accommodate containers having various shapes and constructed of various materials. Such an improved dispensing closure should be suitable for ease of use.

Preferably, such an improved cover should also facilitate cleaning of the cover.

It would also be desirable if the improved dispensing closure could be molded in one piece and not require assembly of multiple parts.

Furthermore, it would be desirable if the improved dispensing closure could accommodate alternative designs for narrow or wide-pitch flow, wherein the basic closure structure could be molded from one common cavity to produce either design.

It would also be desirable if the improved dispensing closure could be readily adapted to be made from a variety of different materials. Furthermore, what is needed is if such an improved system could accommodate efficient, high quality, high speed, high volume manufacturing techniques, reduce product reject rates, and produce products with consistent operating characteristics from product to product with high reliability.

Summary of the invention

The dispensing closure system of the present invention may accommodate designs that include one or more of the desired features described above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a first form of a dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which a fluent product or other type of product may be stored is provided. The closure system includes a peripheral wall extending from the container for surrounding an interior opening of the container and includes a top integral with the peripheral wall.

According to one form of the invention, the peripheral wall defines at least one access region (access region) to the interior of the container, and at least a portion of the peripheral wall has a rim. The rim has at least one locking hole defined by a surrounding shoulder on the underside of the rim. The rim is temporarily elastically deformable transversely around the at least one locking aperture. The top includes at least one lid that is movable between a closed position that closes the at least one access area and an open position that exposes the at least one access area. The at least one lid includes at least one locking post for pushing into the at least one locking hole when the at least one lid is closed. The at least one lock cylinder comprises a laterally extending lock bead for causing an elastic and lateral deformation of the rim around the at least one lock aperture when the at least one lock cylinder is pushed into the at least one lock aperture, thereby temporarily increasing the size of the at least one lock aperture, such that when the at least one lock cylinder is received in the at least one lock aperture, the lock bead of the at least one lock cylinder is arranged inside the locking shoulder by a snap engagement, thereby increasing the opening resistance of the at least one lid.

According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral wall defines a first access area and a second access area. The first access region has a first configuration and size to accommodate pouring of product out of the container. The first access area has a wide end and a narrow end with a convergent shape for pouring out the product. The second access region has a second configuration and size to accommodate scooping the product out of the container.

The top includes a first lid, a second lid, and a first film hinge (film hinge) for connecting the first lid and the second lid to accommodate movement of the first lid between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area. A second film hinge is provided integral with the peripheral wall and the second lid for connecting the second lid to the peripheral wall to accommodate movement of the second lid between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area. One or both of the lids may, but need not, include a lock post, and the peripheral wall may, but need not, include a lock aperture for snap-fit engagement with the lock post.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a second form of a dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which a fluent product or other type of product may be stored is provided. A second version of the closure system includes a peripheral wall extending from the container around an opening to the container interior. The top portion is provided integrally with the peripheral wall. The top portion includes a securing panel integral with the peripheral wall and extending across the peripheral wall to define a first access region separated from a second access region by the securing panel. The first access region has a first configuration and size to accommodate pouring of product out of the container. The first access area has a wide end near the fixed panel and has a narrow end, the narrow end (1) being located away from the fixed panel and (2) having a converging shape for pouring the product. The second access region has a second configuration and size adapted to scoop product out of the container.

The top includes a first lid and a second lid. A first film hinge connects the first lid to the fixed panel to accommodate movement of the first lid between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area. A second film hinge connects the second lid to the fixed panel to accommodate movement of the second lid between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area. One or both of the lids may, but need not, include a lock post, and the peripheral wall may, but need not, include a lock aperture for snap-fit engagement with the lock post.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a dispensing closure system having a top with two hinged lids may be provided with an optional latching system. An optional closure system may work in conjunction with a dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which product may be stored. The dispensing closure system includes a peripheral wall extending from the container around an opening to the interior of the container. The peripheral wall defines a first access area and a second access area. At least a portion of the peripheral wall defining the second access region has a rim. The rim has at least one locking hole defined by a surrounding shoulder on the underside of the rim. The rim is temporarily elastically deformable transversely around the keyhole. The dispensing closure system further includes a top portion integral with the peripheral wall. The top portion includes:

(1) a first cover movable between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area; and

(2) a second cover movable between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area.

The second lid includes at least one lock post for pushing into the lock hole when the second lid is closed. The lock cylinder comprises a laterally extending lock bead for causing an elastic and lateral deformation of the rim around the lock aperture when the lock cylinder is pushed into the lock aperture, so that the lock bead of the lock cylinder is arranged inside the locking shoulder by snap engagement when the lock cylinder is received in the lock aperture, thereby increasing the opening resistance of the lid.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dispensing closure system of the present invention embodied as a dispensing closure for use on, or as part of, a container (not shown) and showing the dispensing closure in a fully closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but FIG. 2 shows one of the two lids on top of the dispensing closure moved to an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 3, both lids are shown in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the fully opened cover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fully open cover shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fully closed cover shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the area indicated by the circle designated "FIG. 9" in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispensing closure system of the present invention embodied as a dispensing closure for use on, or as part of, a container (not shown), and showing the dispensing closure in a fully closed condition;

FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but FIG. 12 shows one of the two lids on top of the dispensing closure moved to an open position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 10, but FIG. 13 shows the other of the two lids on top of the dispensing closure moved to an open position;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but FIG. 14 shows both lids moved to an open position;

FIG. 15 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the dispensing closure system of the present invention embodied as a dispensing closure for use on, or as part of, a container (not shown) and showing both lids on the top of the dispensing closure in an open condition;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the closure shown in FIG. 16, but FIG. 17 shows one of the two lids in a closed position and the other lid in an open position;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 19-19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the dispensing closure system of the present invention embodied as a dispensing closure for use on, or as part of, a container (not shown) and showing both lids on the top of the dispensing closure in an open condition;

FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the open cover shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the open cover illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 23-23 in FIG. 22; and

fig. 24 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the dispensing closure system of the present invention embodied as a dispensing closure for use on, or as part of, a container (not shown), and showing both lids on the top of the dispensing closure in an open condition.

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the open cover shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view of the closure body portion in the dashed circle designated "FIG. 26" in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view of the closure body portion in the dashed circle designated by "FIG. 27" in FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the closure body area in the dashed circle designated by "FIG. 27" in FIG. 25, as viewed along line 28-28 in FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the top area of the cover in the dashed circle designated by "FIG. 29" in FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view of the top portion of the closure in the dashed circle designated by "FIG. 30" in FIG. 25;

FIG. 31 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the top area of the cover in the dashed circle designated by "FIG. 30" in FIG. 25, as viewed along line 31-31 in FIG. 25; and

FIG. 32 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 28, but FIG. 32 shows a portion of the top portion engaged with the closure body portion when the top portion is in the fully closed condition.

Description of the preferred embodiments

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims.

For ease of description, the dispenser of the present invention is described in a generally vertical orientation, which may have a vertical orientation at the upper end of the container when the container is stored with its bottom upright. It should be understood, however, that the dispensing system of the present invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in orientations other than the depicted position.

The dispensing system of the present invention is adapted for use with a variety of conventional or special containers having a variety of designs, the details of which, although not shown or described, should be apparent to those skilled in the art having knowledge of such containers. The container itself does not form part of the broadest aspect of the invention, and is therefore not intended to be limiting of the broadest aspect of the invention, relative to the illustrated embodiments of the invention described herein. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the novel and non-obvious inventive aspects of the present invention are embodied solely in the exemplary dispensing system described.

A presently preferred first embodiment of the dispensing closure system of the present invention takes the form of the dispensing closure assembly shown in fig. 1-9 and is generally designated by the numeral 30 in fig. 1. The dispensing cap assembly 30, hereinafter sometimes referred to more simply as the "cap 30", is provided as a separately manufactured unit for mounting on top of a container (not shown). It should be understood, however, that in some applications it may be desirable for the dispensing closure 30 to be formed as an integral part or extension of the container, wherein the integral part or extension defines the dispensing end structure of the container itself.

The container (not shown) typically has a conventional mouth that provides access to the container interior and the product contained therein. The product may be, for example, a nut, a candy, a cookie, or the like, which may be scooped or poured out of the container. The product may also be a pourable, spoonable or scoopable material of higher fluidity, such as coffee, sugar or other material, such as a liquid, powder, slurry or the like, for example such a material may be used as a food product, personal care product, industrial or household product or other ingredient (e.g. a human or animal product for internal or external use, or a product for use in activities involving medicine, manufacture, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.)

The container may generally have a neck or other suitable structure defining a container mouth having a cross-sectional configuration suitable for engagement with the closure 30. The body of the container may have another cross-sectional configuration than the cross-sectional configuration of the container mouth. On the other hand, the container may have a substantially uniform shape along its entire length or height without any neck portion of reduced size or of different cross-section.

The container may or may not be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or a wall that can be grasped and slightly compressed by a user. However, the closure 30 is particularly suitable for use with containers having substantially inflexible walls that are not squeezed by a user.

As shown in fig. 3 for the first embodiment, the preferred construction of the closure 30 includes a peripheral wall defining a base or body 32, and a top 34 connected to the peripheral wall base or body 32 by a hinge 36, the hinge 36 being of any suitable conventional film hinge design known in the closure art, or may be of a particular design, the details of which form no part of the present invention. In a preferred first embodiment shown in fig. 1-12, the closure peripheral wall (e.g., body 32), top 34 and hinge 36 are molded as a one-piece construction from a suitable thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or the like. Other materials may be used instead.

In other contemplated embodiments, the lid 30 need not be a completely separate structure from the container. Instead, the container can be made with a dispensing end structure that includes the closure 30 as an integral part of the container. In such an alternative, the illustrated first embodiment closure 30 may be modified to be shaped as an extension of the container and the extension defining the main body 32 may be characterized as a feature for accommodating communication with the interior of the container.

In either of the above alternatives (i.e., a separate closure, or a closure molded as an extension of the container), the container may have an initially open bottom end that is opposite the dispensing end where the closure 30 is positioned, and such bottom end may be used to accommodate an inverted container filled with the product to be dispensed. After the inverted container is filled with product through the open container bottom end, the open container bottom end may be closed by a suitable method, such as by a separate bottom end cap that may be attached to the container bottom end (e.g., by a suitable threaded engagement, snap engagement, adhesive engagement, thermal engagement, etc.). Alternatively, such an open bottom portion of the container may be deformable to close (e.g., if the bottom end portion of the container is made of a thermoplastic material or other material, suitable processes for applying heat and pressure may be utilized, such materials being compatible with the use of such processes).

The peripheral wall or body 32 may have a skirt 40 (fig. 7 and 8) with a conventional internal bead 42, the bead 42 being adapted to form a snap-fit engagement with a mating container recess (not shown) to secure the closure body 32 to a container (not shown).

Alternatively, depending on the materials used for the container and closure body 32, the closure body 32 may be permanently attached to the container by induction bonding, ultrasonic welding, gluing, or the like.

The interior of the body 32 may also include special or conventional sealing features to provide an improved seal between the closure body 32 and the container. The snap closure body 32 shown does not employ this improved sealing feature.

The illustrated first form of the preferred closure body 32 defines an inwardly extending top edge, peripheral deck, or rim (FIG. 3). As shown in fig. 7, the main body 32 has a peripheral shoulder 45 in the upper portion of the skirt 40 below the rim 44. As can be seen in FIG. 9, inside the peripheral shoulder 45, the closure body 32 has a generally upwardly extending, vertically oriented neck or sidewall 48. At a height above the peripheral shoulder 45, a peripheral locking bead 50 (fig. 9) projects laterally outwardly from the side wall 48.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, at the same height as the closure body peripheral shoulder 45, a finger flange (tab) or thumb flange 53 projects laterally outwardly from the closure body skirt 40. This may facilitate removal of the entire closure 30 from the container when desired.

As can be seen in fig. 3, the peripheral wall defined by the closure body 32 defines a first access region 51 and an adjacent second access region 52. The first access area 51 is adapted to be covered by a first cover 61 belonging to a part of the top 34 and the second access area 52 is adapted to be covered by a second cover 62 belonging to a part of the top 34. The covers 61 and 62 are connected or coupled together by a film hinge 54. For convenience, the film hinge 54 may be considered or characterized as a "first" film hinge for connecting the first lid 61 to the second lid 62, while the film hinge 36 may be considered a "second" film hinge for connecting the second lid 62 to the peripheral wall or closure body 32.

The first cover 61 includes a peripheral flange 65 (fig. 1 and 2), and the second cover 62 includes a peripheral flange 67 (fig. 1 and 2). The first lid flange 65 includes inwardly extending locking beads 64 (fig. 9). A flange 67 on the second cover 62 has a similar inwardly extending locking bead 66 (fig. 3). When the first lid 61 is closed (fig. 8 and 9), the first lid flange locking bead 64 is positioned slightly below the closure body locking bead 50. If the first cover 61 is subjected to a force in an upward direction (e.g., by an inadvertent impact or by an intentional pushing action by a user's finger or thumb), the first cover 61 may move slightly upward until the locking beads 64 and 50 engage. In this regard, significant force is required to move the locking bead 64 through and over the closure body locking bead 50. This design of the locking beads 50 and 64 serves to retain the first lid 61 in the closed position during normal handling of the closure 30 and associated package. However, this locking bead design accommodates judicious opening of the lid 61 when sufficient opening force is applied. In addition, the design of the separate locking beads 50 and 64 accommodates slight variations in vertical dimension due to manufacturing tolerances when the lid 61 is closed. The second lid locking bead 66 functions in a similar manner to the closure body locking bead 50.

Referring to fig. 3, the first access region 61 may be characterized as having a first configuration and size adapted to pour product out of the container, and the second access region 62 may be characterized as having a second configuration and size adapted to scoop product from the container interior.

Referring to fig. 4, the first access area 61 has a wide end 68 adjacent to the second access area 62. The first access area 61 also has a narrow end 70 with a convergent shape to facilitate the pouring of the product. With continued reference to fig. 4, the narrow end 70 of the first access region is at least partially defined by two curved side portions 72, the curved side portions 72 merging with a curved end portion 74, the curved end portion 74 having a radius that is smaller than the radius of each of the two curved side portions 72.

To assist in opening and closing the top 34, the first lid 61 includes an outwardly extending or laterally extending thumb lift 76 (fig. 2 and 4). When the lids 61 and 62 of the top 34 are closed (fig. 1 and 6), the first lid 61 can be easily opened if the user pushes upwards with sufficient force to act on the rim 76. The first cover 61 is movable to a substantially vertical open position shown in fig. 2. The container with the cap 30 mounted thereon may then be inverted to pour the fluent material through the first access cavity 61 of the cap 30. The first film hinge 54 may be molded in the open position with sufficient bias to cause the first lid 61 to remain nearly perpendicular to the closure body 32 once the first lid 61 is released from the closed position.

If it is desired to scoop or scoop fluid contents from the container, the second lid 62 can also be lifted upwardly and the entire top 34 can be positioned in the fully open condition shown in FIG. 3. When the top 34 is fully open as shown in fig. 3, this exposes the second access area 52 and the first access area 51, which together define a larger combined access area. This combined access area of first access area 51 and second access area 52 provides an even larger area into which utensils may be inserted and from which liquid contents may be scooped or scooped out of the container.

A second form or embodiment of the dispensing closure system 30A of the present invention is shown in fig. 10-15. The closure system or closure 30A includes an outer peripheral wall in the form of a closure body 32A having a substantially similar configuration to the closure body 32 described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-9. As can be seen in FIG. 15, the closure body 32A includes a skirt 40A having snap beads 42A for mounting the closure body to the container in the same manner as described above with reference to the first embodiment of the closure body 32 shown in FIGS. 1-9.

The closure body 32A also includes a peripheral shoulder 45A, and a short peripheral neck or sidewall 48A having a laterally projecting locking bead (not visible in the small scale but identical to the locking bead 50 described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in fig. 9).

As can be seen in fig. 15, the cap body 32A has a first access area 51A and a second access area 52A. The first access area 51A has a first configuration and size suitable for pouring product from the container. The second access region 52A has a second configuration and size suitable for scooping product from the container.

The first access area 51A is separated from the second access area 52A by a securing panel 55A (fig. 15), the securing panel 55A being integral with the closure body 32A but defining a portion of the closure top, the closure top including the securing panel 55A, the attached first lid 61A, and the attached second lid 62A. As can be seen from fig. 15, the first lid 61A is attached to the fixed panel 55A with a first film hinge 57A, and the second lid 62A is attached to the fixed panel 55A with a second film hinge 59A. The first cover 61A is adapted to cover the first access area 51A when the first cover 61A is closed (fig. 10-11). In this regard, the first lid 61A has a flange 65A (for depending alongside the closure body neck or sidewall 48A when the first lid 61A is closed (fig. 11 and 15)). The flange 65A includes an inwardly projecting locking bead 64A, the locking bead 64A for engaging the locking bead on the closure body neck 48A in the same manner as the closure lid locking bead 64 of the first embodiment engages the closure body locking bead 50 described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in fig. 9.

The second cap 62A has a flange 67A (FIG. 15) similar to the locking bead 66A for engaging the closure body 32A in the same manner.

As can be seen from fig. 15, the first cover 61A has a raised rim 76A, and the second cover 62A has a raised rim 77A. The covers 61A and 62A can be lifted upward by applying force to the lifting flanges 76A and 77A, respectively.

The closure body 32A defines a first access area 51 and a second access area 52A with substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment access areas 51 and 52, respectively, described above with reference to FIGS. 1-9, except for a securing panel 55A extending across the top of the closure body 32A. However, since the second embodiment covers 61A and 62A are each independently attached to the fixed panel 55A by a film hinge, as shown in fig. 15, the respective access areas 51A and 52A can be accessed independently of each other. Thus, the first access area 51A can be kept closed while lifting the second lid 62A to expose the second access area 52A, a feature not possible with the first embodiment of the cover 30 described above with reference to fig. 1-9. On the other hand, because the second embodiment of the cover 30A includes a fixed panel 55A that extends across the top of the cover body 32A, unobstructed access to the interior of the entire cover body 32A is not possible, while the entire cover top 34 of the first embodiment cover 30 can be moved to the open position such that there is no extended structure on the open cover body 32, thereby preventing full access to either or both of the first access regions 51 and 52.

Fig. 16-19 show a third embodiment of the dispensing cap system 30B of the present invention. The third embodiment of the cover 30B is substantially similar to the first embodiment of the cover 30 described above with reference to fig. 1-9. As can be seen in FIG. 19, the third embodiment closure 30B has a closure body 32B connected to a top 34B by a film hinge 36B, the top 34B including a first lid 61B and a second lid 62B joined by a film hinge 54B.

The lid body 32B has an inwardly extending peripheral top edge or rim 44B which is similar to the top edge or rim 44 employed with the first embodiment lid 30 shown in fig. 4, except that the third embodiment of the top edge 44B merges with a more differently configured flange or shelf 82B at the narrow end of the poured product of the first access region 51B (fig. 18). The shelf 82B projects laterally inwardly and has a flat top surface that is coplanar with the top edge 44B of the closure body 32B. The bracket 82B functions as a flow restriction member, and makes the pouring area of the first access area 51B even narrower. This may be useful in certain applications to help expel a narrow stream of fluent material out of the open cover during dispensing. This allows the lower portion of the closure body 32B (which is attached to the container) to be molded (or otherwise made) to a larger size to accommodate a wider container mouth. Most of the structure of the closure body 32B can be made larger to conform to a wider container opening and facilitate proper installation of the body 32B, but can also provide a desired aesthetic appearance. The pouring area defined by the inwardly extending shelf 82B will, however, allow for control of the pouring operation, particularly with respect to, but not limited to, certain types of fluent materials, such as ground coffee and sugar.

The use of the bracket 82B facilitates flexibility in manufacturing. For example, a common mold cavity may be used to produce the first embodiment closure 30 or the third embodiment closure 30B. This may be accomplished by using a removable mold insert in the common cavity to define the shelf 82B when molding the third embodiment closure 30B. When molding the first embodiment closure 30, the mold insert is removed.

A fourth embodiment of the cover 30C is shown in fig. 20-23. The fourth embodiment cover 30C is similar to the third embodiment cover 30B described above with reference to fig. 16-19, except that the fourth embodiment cover 30C does not include the inwardly extending flat legs 82B employed in the third embodiment cover 30B. Specifically, the closure body 32C of the fourth embodiment closure 30C includes an edge or rim 44C that defines an edge portion of the second access area 52C (fig. 22) and extends along an edge portion of the first access area 51C. An inner flange 46C depends downwardly from the top edge or rim 44C. The top edge or rim 44C and the flange 46C terminate transversely to the pouring end of the first access area 51C of the end wall 101C (fig. 21-23). Beyond the end wall 101C, the closure body 32C defines an arcuate ramp or spout feature 103C (fig. 20-23).

The chamfer 103C provides advantages in certain pour applications. In particular, certain larger particulate articles (e.g., snack foods having a diameter of about 3/16 inches or greater) may flow over the incline 103C more easily and in a more constrained discharge state.

In addition, as can be seen in fig. 23, the ramp 103C has a bottom edge 105C that can engage a container (not shown) to prevent the fluent product from falling behind the ramp 103C as the material is poured. The bottom edge 105C continues the bottom of the flange 46C so that the bottom of the flange 46C will also engage the top of the container, preventing the fluent material from falling behind the flange 46C when the material is poured.

The flat legs 82B and the angled surfaces 103C of the third and fourth embodiments, respectively, may also be employed in the variation of the second embodiment cover 30A described above with reference to fig. 10-15.

A fifth embodiment of the cover 30D is shown in fig. 24-32. The cover 30D of the fifth embodiment is similar to the cover 30C of the fourth embodiment described above with reference to fig. 20-23. However, the cap 30D of the fifth embodiment has a body peripheral wall or body 32D and a top 34D joined by two separate hinge portions 36D (rather than just one hinge used in the fourth embodiment), and the cap 30D of the fifth embodiment includes certain additional features described in detail below.

The fifth embodiment closure body 32D has a first access area 51D (fig. 25) and a second access area 52D (fig. 25). The peripheral wall or body 32D includes a top edge, peripheral deck, or rim 44D, the rim 44D defining an edge portion of the second access area 52D (fig. 25) and extending along an edge portion of the first access area 51D. An inner flange 46D (fig. 24) depends downwardly from the top edge, peripheral deck, or rim 44D. On either side of the closure body 32D, the rim 44D and flange 46D terminate laterally in a small end wall 101D (fig. 24) at the pour end of the first access region 51D. Beyond the end wall 101D, the closure body 32D defines a pour area or spout feature 103D (fig. 24).

The closure body 32D has a peripheral locking bead 50D (fig. 24) that is similar to the locking bead 50 shown in fig. 9 for the first embodiment closure 30 described above. The locking bead 50D projects laterally outwardly a small amount and is adapted to engage the locking bead portion of the top 34D when the top 34D is closed.

The top 34D includes a first lid 61D (fig. 24) that is coupled to a second lid 62D by a hinge 54D. The interior of the second lid 62D includes a pair of ribs 63D that add stability and rigidity to the structure.

The first cover 61D includes a peripheral flange 65D (fig. 24), and the second cover 62D includes a peripheral flange 67D (fig. 24). The first lid flange 65D includes an inwardly extending locking bead 64D (fig. 24). A flange 67D on the second lid 62D has a similar inwardly extending locking bead 66D (fig. 24). The first lid flange locking bead 64D is spaced apart and slightly below the closure body locking bead 50D when the first lid 61D is closed.

If the first cover 61D is subjected to a force in an upward direction (e.g., by an inadvertent impact or by an intentional pushing action by a user's finger or thumb), the first cover 61D may move slightly upward until the locking beads 64D and 50D engage. In this regard, a significant amount of force is required to move the locking bead 64D through and over the closure body locking bead 50D. This design of the locking beads 50D and 64D serves to retain the first lid 61D in the closed position during normal handling of the closure 30D and associated packaging. However, this locking bead design may accommodate judicious opening of the lid 61D when sufficient opening force is applied. In addition, the design of the separate locking beads 50D and 64D accommodates slight variations in vertical dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances when the lid 61D is closed.

The second lid locking bead 66D is configured to separate slightly below the closure body locking bead 50D when the second lid 62D is closed. If the second cover 62D is subjected to an upward force (e.g., an inadvertent impact or an intentional push by a user's finger or thumb), the second cover 62D may move slightly upward until the locking beads 66D and 50D engage.

In this regard, a greater force must be applied to the second lid 62D to open it. The locking beads 66D and 50D serve to retain the second lid 62D in the closed position during normal handling of the closure 30D and associated packaging. However, in certain applications where the package contains a relatively large amount of product or a relatively heavy product, the weight of the product in the package may be such that a relatively large internal surface area of the closed second lid 62D is subjected to a significant resultant force when the package is tipped or inverted to dispense the product through the open first lid 61D. This increased force on the inside of the second lid 62D may cause the second lid 62D to also be opened, but this is not the intention of the user. The likelihood of the second lid 62D being inadvertently opened increases if the package is shaken while being inverted.

To minimize the likelihood of such inadvertent opening of the lid 62D, a secondary latching system is provided which includes at least one locking aperture 120D (FIG. 24) in the closure body edge or rim 44D and at least one cooperating locking post 130D (FIG. 24) in the second lid 62D. In this presently preferred embodiment, there are four locking holes 120D in the closure body 32D and four associated locking posts 130D in the second lid 62D at the top of the closure. A smaller or greater number of locking holes and posts may be provided depending upon, among other things, the overall size of the closure 30D, the weight of the product in the package, the material from which the closure 32D is made, etc.

As can be seen in fig. 26-28, each lock bore 120D includes an outer chamfered or frustoconical lead-in surface 122D (fig. 28) and a generally cylindrical surface or bore 124D (fig. 28). There is a large area under the cylindrical surface 124D that defines a latching shoulder 126D (fig. 28) around the bottom of the bore or surface 124D.

As can be seen in fig. 29-31, each lock cylinder 130D has a generally cylindrical proximal portion 142D. At the outer region of the proximal portion 142D is a laterally or radially outwardly projecting locking bead 144D (fig. 29 and 31). The distal end of each lock cylinder 130D has a tapered lead-in surface, which in the preferred embodiment shown is a truncated lead-in surface 146D.

When the second lid 62D is closed (FIG. 32), the lock cylinder lead-in surface 146D engages and is guided by the tapered lead-in surface 122D of the closure body locking aperture 120D. The local structure defining the closure body locking hole 120D deforms by expanding radially outward (elastically and temporarily) to accommodate the insertion of the lock cylinder 130D, and the lock bead 144D of the lock cylinder is positioned inside the locking shoulder 126D around the bottom of the locking hole 120D in the closure body 32D. When the lock bead 144D of the lock cylinder has passed completely inward past the closure body locking bore latching shoulder 126D, the closure body structure defining the locking bore 120D returns to its original, substantially unstressed, smaller diameter condition to effect a snap-fit engagement with the lock cylinder 130D (FIG. 32).

The snap engagement established by the locking hole 120D and the locking post 130D creates a positive latching system requiring more force to open the second lid 62D than the force exerted on the inside of the second lid 62D when the closed package containing a heavier product is inverted and shaken. In order to open the second lid 62D, the user must apply a greater opening force to the lid 62D.

The first lid 61D and the closure body 32D may also be provided with similar secondary latching system lock posts and apertures, respectively. However, in typical applications in which the cover 32D is designed for use, the first cover 61D is relatively small, such that the inner surface area of the first cover 61D is relatively small. Thus, in typical applications in which the lid 32D is contemplated for use, there is no sufficiently large impact force on the closed smaller first lid 61D that would cause the first lid 61D to be opened due to shaking of the product. Thus, in most applications the use of only the primary first cap locking bead 64D and cooperating closure body locking bead 50D will be sufficient to prevent such a smaller first cap 61D from being inadvertently opened.

The above-described lock post and latch hole system employed in the cover 30D to hold the lid closed may also be employed in the first through fourth embodiment covers (30, 30A, 30B and 30C) shown in fig. 1-23.

The above-described lock post and hole system employed in the closure 30D to hold the lid closed may also be employed with closures having only one lid or three or more lids. The lid may be attached to the peripheral wall or base of the closure system by a tether or hinge, or the lid may be completely removable.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the accompanying drawings that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

Claims (28)

1. A dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which a product may be stored, the dispensing closure system comprising:

(A) a peripheral wall for extending from the container around an opening to the container interior, the peripheral wall defining a first access region having a first configuration and size suitable for pouring the product from the container, the first access region having a wide end and having a narrow end of converging shape for pouring the product, and a second access region positioned adjacent the wide end of the first access region and having a second configuration and size suitable for scooping the product from the container interior;

(B) a top portion integral with the peripheral wall, comprising:

(1) a first cover is arranged on the first cover,

(2) a second cover, and

(3) a first film hinge for connecting the first lid and the second lid to accommodate movement of the first lid between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area; and

(C) a second film hinge integral with the peripheral wall and the second lid for connecting the second lid to the peripheral wall to accommodate movement of the second lid between a closed position closing the second access region and an open position exposing the second access region.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is a dispensing closure for a container having an opening to the container interior, the closure being separate from the container about the opening but releasably attached to the container.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the narrow end of the first access area is at least partially defined by two arcuate side portions that merge together an arcuate end portion having a smaller radius than a radius of each of the two arcuate side portions.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall is a closure body including a snap bead for engaging a snap receiving structure on the container.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lid and the second lid each have a peripheral flange for depending alongside an upper portion of the peripheral wall.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

said peripheral flange of each said cover having a laterally inwardly extending locking bead;

said peripheral wall having a laterally outwardly extending locking bead for engaging said laterally inwardly extending locking bead of said first cover and for engaging said laterally inwardly extending locking bead of said second cover;

said peripheral wall including a rim having at least one locking aperture defined by a peripheral locking shoulder on the underside of said rim;

the rim is temporarily elastically deformable transversely around the at least one locking hole; and

wherein at least one of said lids comprises at least one locking post for pushing into said at least one locking hole when said at least one lid is closed, said at least one locking post comprising a laterally extending locking bead for causing said rim to elastically laterally deform around said at least one locking hole when said at least one locking post is pushed into said at least one locking hole, thereby temporarily increasing the size of said at least one locking hole, such that when at least one of said locking posts is received in said at least one locking hole, the locking bead of at least one of said locking posts is disposed inside said locking shoulder in a snap-fit engagement, thereby increasing the opening resistance of said lid.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said peripheral wall includes a raised lip projecting laterally outwardly beyond one of said lids when said one lid is closed.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall includes a laterally inwardly projecting member at a narrow end of the first access region.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the peripheral wall having a rim; and

the laterally inwardly projecting member is a generally flat bracket having a top surface coplanar with the rim of the peripheral wall.

10. The system of claim 8,

the peripheral wall having a rim; and

the laterally inwardly projecting member is an arcuate ramp extending laterally inwardly and downwardly from the outer peripheral wall margin into the first access region.

11. A dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which a product may be stored, the dispensing closure system comprising:

(A) a peripheral wall extending from the container around an opening to the interior of the container; and

(B) a top portion integral with the peripheral wall, comprising:

(1) a securing panel integral with the peripheral wall and extending across the peripheral wall to define a first access region separated from a second access region by the securing panel, wherein,

(a) the first access region has a first configuration and size suitable for pouring the product from the container,

(b) the first access region has a wide end adjacent the fixed panel and has a narrow end (i) located away from the fixed panel and (ii) having a converging shape for pouring product, and

(c) the second access region has a second configuration and size suitable for scooping the product from within the container,

(2) a first cover;

(3) a second cover;

(4) a first film hinge for connecting the first lid and the fixed panel to accommodate movement of the first lid between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area; and

(5) a second film hinge for connecting the second lid and the fixed panel to accommodate movement of the second lid between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the system is a dispensing closure for a container having an opening to the container interior, the closure being separate from the container about the opening but releasably attached to the container.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the narrow end of the first access region is at least partially defined by two slightly arcuate side portions that merge with a more arcuate portion extending between the two slightly arcuate side portions.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the peripheral wall is a closure body including a snap bead for engaging a snap receiving structure on the container.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the first lid and the second lid each have a peripheral flange for depending alongside an upper portion of the peripheral wall.

16. The system of claim 15,

said peripheral flange of each said cover having a laterally inwardly extending locking bead;

said peripheral wall having a laterally outwardly extending locking bead for engaging said laterally inwardly extending locking bead of said first cover and for engaging said laterally inwardly extending locking bead of said second cover;

said peripheral wall including a rim having at least one locking aperture defined by a peripheral locking shoulder on the underside of said rim;

the rim is temporarily elastically deformable transversely around the at least one locking hole;

wherein at least one of said lids comprises at least one locking post for pushing into said at least one locking hole when said at least one lid is closed, said at least one locking post comprising a laterally extending locking bead for causing said rim to elastically laterally deform around said at least one locking hole when said at least one locking post is pushed into said at least one locking hole, thereby temporarily increasing the size of said at least one locking hole, such that when at least one of said locking posts is received in said at least one locking hole, the locking bead of at least one of said locking posts is disposed inside said locking shoulder in a snap-fit engagement, thereby increasing the opening resistance of said lid.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first and second film hinges are parallel.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein said peripheral wall includes a raised lip projecting laterally outwardly beyond one of said lids when said one lid is closed.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the narrow end of the first access region includes a laterally inwardly projecting member.

20. A dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which a product may be stored, the dispensing closure system comprising:

(A) a peripheral wall for extending from the container around an opening to the interior of the container, the peripheral wall defining a first access region and a second access region, at least that portion of the peripheral wall defining the second access region having a rim with at least one locking aperture defined by a peripheral shoulder on the underside of the rim, the rim being temporarily resiliently deformable transversely around the at least one locking aperture;

(B) a top portion integral with the peripheral wall, comprising:

(1) a first cover movable between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area; and

(2) a second lid movable between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area, the second lid comprising at least one locking post for pushing into the at least one locking hole when the second lid is closed, the at least one locking post comprising a laterally extending locking bead for causing the rim to elastically deform laterally around the at least one locking hole when the at least one locking post is pushed into the at least one locking hole, thereby temporarily increasing the size of the at least one locking hole, such that when the at least one locking post is received in the at least one locking hole, the locking bead of the at least one locking post is disposed in a snap-fit engagement inside the locking shoulder, thereby increasing the opening resistance of the lid.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein:

the system is a dispensing closure for a container having an opening to the container interior, an

The closure is separate from the container about the opening but releasably attached to the container.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein:

said first and second lids each having a peripheral flange for depending alongside an upper portion of said peripheral wall;

said peripheral flange of each of said first and second lids having a laterally inwardly extending locking bead; and

the peripheral wall has a laterally outwardly extending locking bead for engaging the laterally inwardly extending locking bead of the first cover and for engaging the laterally inwardly extending locking bead of the second cover.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein:

the top further comprises a first film hinge for connecting the first lid to the second lid to accommodate movement of the first lid between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area; and

the closure system further includes a second film hinge integral with the peripheral wall and the second lid for connecting the second lid to the peripheral wall to accommodate movement of the second lid between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the top further comprises:

(1) a fixing panel integral with the peripheral wall and extending across the peripheral wall to define the first access region separated from the second access region by the fixing panel;

(2) a first film hinge for connecting the first lid and the fixed panel to accommodate movement of the first lid between a closed position closing the first access area and an open position exposing the first access area; and

(3) a second film hinge for connecting the second lid and the fixed panel to accommodate movement of the second lid between a closed position closing the second access area and an open position exposing the second access area.

25. A dispensing closure system for a container having an interior in which a product may be stored, the dispensing closure system comprising:

(A) a peripheral wall extending from said container around an opening to the interior of said container, said peripheral wall defining at least one access area, at least a portion of said peripheral wall having a rim with at least one locking aperture defined by a peripheral shoulder on the underside of said rim, said rim being temporarily resiliently deformable transversely around said at least one locking aperture;

(B) at least one lid movable between a closed position closing the at least one access area and an open position exposing the at least one access area, the at least one lid comprises at least one locking post for pushing into the at least one locking aperture when the at least one lid is closed, the at least one locking post comprising a laterally extending locking bead, for causing the rim to elastically deform laterally around the at least one locking hole when the at least one lock cylinder is pushed into the at least one locking hole, thereby temporarily increasing the size of the at least one locking hole such that when the at least one lock cylinder is received in the at least one locking hole, the locking bead of the at least one locking stud is disposed in snap engagement inside the latching shoulder, thereby increasing the resistance to opening of the at least one lid.

26. The system of claim 25,

the system is a dispensing closure for a container having an opening to the container interior, an

The closure is separate from the container about the opening but releasably attached to the container.

27. The system of claim 25,

said at least one lid having a peripheral flange for depending alongside an upper portion of said peripheral wall;

said peripheral flange of said at least one lid having laterally inwardly extending locking beads; and

the peripheral wall has a laterally outwardly extending locking bead for engagement with the laterally inwardly extending locking bead of the at least one lid.

28. The system of claim 25, further comprising a film hinge integral with the peripheral wall and the at least one lid for connecting the at least one lid to the peripheral wall to accommodate movement of the at least one lid between a closed position closing the access area and an open position exposing the access area.