EP2542480A1

EP2542480A1 - A flip-top dispensing closure

Info

Publication number: EP2542480A1
Application number: EP11710804A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francis Lepage; Jean-Yves Rognard
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Current assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Priority date: 2010-03-01
Filing date: 2011-02-22
Publication date: 2013-01-09
Also published as: WO2011107724A1; GB201003381D0

Abstract

A flip-top dispensing closure ( 10) comprising a generally cylindrical base ( 15), and a lid (20), the closure having a drinking spout (25) provided on or by the base which is engagable by a user's mouth and through which product can be dispensed, the lid being articulated with respect to the base at the rear of the closure, in which the spout profile is asymmetric about a midline (M) generally defining front and rear spout profiles (27, 28) and in which the rear profile (28) is inclined towards the front of the closure.

Description

A FLIP-TOP DISPENSING CLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to a closure and particularly, although not exclusively, to a flip-top dispensing closure.

Flip-top dispensing closures are well known and generally comprise a base and a lid formed in such a way that the lid is articulated to allow it to be flipped open and closed with respect to the base. Many of these closures are provided with pouring structures, such as spouts through which product from an associated container can be dispensed. For example, mineral water closures are often provided with a shaped spout which is placed into the user's mouth.

One characteristic of flip-top closures is that the lid is pivoted away from the base but remains attached and an important consideration when designing a flip-top closure is to ensure that the lid does not interfere with dispensing. This is particularly important when a user will drink from a spout.

The present invention seeks to address the problems with known flip-top dispensing closures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a generally cylindrical base, and a lid, the closure having a drinking spout provided on or by the base which is engagable by a user's mouth and through which product can be dispensed, the lid being articulated with respect to the base at the rear of the closure, in which the spout profile is asymmetric about a midline generally defining front and rear spout profiles and in which the rear profile is inclined towards the front of the closure. By inclining the rear spout profile away from the rear of the closure (as defined by the articulation point) this adds more space when the lid is in the open position.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid, and having a spout through which product can be dispensed provided on or by the base, in which the spout profile is asymmetric.

The profile asymmetry may be present along a mid-line section of any orientation, such as front-to-back, side-to-side or intermediate positions and may be asymmetric about more than one midline to define a number of differing profile sections on the same spout.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid, and having a spout through which product can be dispensed provided on or by the base, in which the spout profile is asymmetric about a midline generally defining front and rear spout profiles and in which the rear profile is inclined towards the midline. The spout may be offset from the centre of the base. In other words, the spout may be eccentrically located on the base, for example towards the front of the closure. This can be used to increase the effective space for a user's mouth to engage the spout even further. The front spout profile may be generally parallel to the midline, which in some embodiments may make it generally vertically extending. In other embodiments the front profile may be inclined away from the midline, for example towards the front of the closure. The spout may form part of the base. For example, the spout may be formed as an integral part of the base, or may be formed as a separate component which is attachable to the base. The lid may comprise a retaining ring for connecting it to the base and a cap which is hingedly attached to the ring at the rear of the closure. It is the cap which in these embodiments is articulated with respect to the base, with the ring remaining fixed to the base. The spout may comprise a valve, such as a self-closing valve to aid with the dispensing of product and sealing of the closure.

The front and/or rear spout profiles may be at least partly curved, although generally rectilinear profiles are also possible.

The midline may be substantially parallel to the main axis of the closure for example as defined by the central axis of a cylindrical base.

The spout may be generally circular in plan. Other spout shapes, such as oval or polygonal (e.g. square, triangular or rectangular) are possible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid, and having a spout through which can be dispensed provided on or by the base, in which the spouf is off set from the centre of the base. For example, the spout may be eccentrically positioned towards the front, rear and/or sides of the closure to accommodate different requirements.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure formed according to an embodiment of the present invention and show in a closed position; Figure 2 is an alternative perspective view of the closure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the closure of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of the closure of Figures 1 to 3 shown fixed to a container neck and in an open position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the closure of 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the closure of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is a section of the closure shown in Figures 1 to 6 shown in a closed position;

Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a closure formed according to a further embodiment- Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 1 1 is a schematic plan view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of a closure formed according to a further embodiment;

Figure 13 is a schematic plan view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 14 is a section of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 15 is a section of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 16 is a section of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment; and

Figure 17 is a section of a closure formed according to a still further embodiment. Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a dispensing closure generally indicated 10 and shown in a closed position.

The closure 10 comprises a base 15 and a lid arrangement 20. The lid can be articulated so as to be moveable between the closed position shown in Figures 1 to 3 and the open position shown in Figures 4 to 6 to reveal a spout 25.

Referring now also to Figure 7, the base 15 comprises a generally cylindrical skirt 30 which depends from a top deck 35. The interior surface of the skirt 30 is provided with internal screwthread formations 31 for engagement on corresponding external screwthread formations on a container neck. At the free end of the skirt 30 opposite the top deck 35 a tamper-evident drop band 32 is provided and includes internal retention lugs for engaging under a retention bead on a container neck so that if the base 15 is removed the band 32 breaks off as evidence of the removal. The top deck 35 includes a dispensing orifice defined by the dispensing spout 25 which projects from the deck 35. A sealing bead 36 depends from the top deck 35 and is intended to fit inside the bore of the container neck to seal the base when it is in position.

The lid 20 comprises a cap section 40 and a retaining section 45.

The cap 40 comprises a top plate 41. The cap 40 is asymmetric when viewed from the side and generally has the appearance of being inclined forwards (in other words away from the rear of the closure defined by the hinge) with the rear wall section being inclined towards the front of the closure and the front wall section being generally vertical.. The lid 40 is connected to the retaining ring 45 by a hinge arrangement 46, which in this embodiment is a "double hinge" arrangement having a first, major hinge line 47 and a second hinge line 48 which allows the lid to be hinged up to and beyond 180° if required so as to move it as far out of the way of the spout 25 as possible. For the purposes of this description the hinge 46 defines the rear of the closure.

The retaining ring 45 includes an annular body which is pushed onto the base 15 so that it engages under a locking bead 26 provided on the spout 25 using an inclined projection 51 .

The front of the cap 40 (i.e. opposite the hinge 47) is provided with a peak, or overhang 42 which serves as a gripping point to flip open the cap 40. At the free end of the cap skirt below the overhang 42 a tamper evident tab 43 is frangibly attached. The closure 10 is formed in the open position shown in Figure 4. When it is assembled the cap 40 is closed onto the ring 45 and the tab 43 engages under a locking rim 44. When the cap 40 is opened for the first time the tab breaks off from the lower end of the skirt and falls into the gap between the band 50 and the spout base as visual evidence that the closure has been opened at least once.

The spout 25 is generally conical and has a recessed mouth 26. The mouth 26 is provided with an internal self-closing valve 55 for regulating product flow. A spigot 56 depends from the cap top plate 40 for sealing the mouth 26.

As shown best in Figures 4 and 7, the spout 25 is asymmetric about a mid-line M in the "front to back " direction when viewed from the side. The mid-line generally defines a front spout profile 27 and a rear spout profile 28. The front profile 27 is generally vertical, but is inclined slightly towards the rear of the closure. The rear profile 28 is inclined towards the front of the closure. Both profiles 27, 28 are curved, with the rear profile 28 being more sharply curved and also more inclined with respect to the mid-line M.

In addition to the asymmetric spout profile, in this embodiment the spout 25 is also eccentrically positioned on the base 15. This configuration means that when the closure 10 is in the open position the amount of space available for a user to position their mouth over the spout 25 is increased.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 14 there is shown a variety of different embodiments with different spout shapes and positions.

Figure 8 shows a closure base 1 15 with a hinge 146 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 125 is provided on the base 1 15. In this embodiment the spout is generally symmetrical about a mid-line and is positioned eccentrically on the base, being offset towards the front on the closure and generally in line with the hinge point. Figure 9 shows a closure base 215 with a hinge 246 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 225 is provided on the base 215. In this embodiment the spout separate from the base and attached thereto. The spout 225 is asymmetric about a mid-line and is positioned generally centrally on the base 215.

Figure 10 shows a closure base 315 with a hinge 346 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 325 is provided on the base 315. In this embodiment the spout is generally symmetrical about a mid-line and is positioned eccentrically on the base, being offset towards the side of the closure and not in line with the hinge point.

Figure 1 1 shows a closure base 415 with a hinge 446 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 425 is provided on the base 415. In this embodiment the spout 425 is generally oval, being elongated in the front-to-back direction. The front and rear spout profiles are symmetrical about a mid-line when viewed from the side and the spout is positioned eccentrically on the base, being offset towards the front of the closure and in line with the hinge point.

Figure 12 shows a closure base 515 with a hinge 546 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 525 is provided on the base 515. In this embodiment the spout 525 is generally oval, being laterally elongated. The front and rear spout profiles are symmetrical about a mid-line when viewed from the side and the spout is positioned eccentrically on the base, being offset towards the front of the closure and in line with the hinge point. Figure 13 shows a closure base 615 with a hinge 646 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 625 is provided on the base 615. In this embodiment the spout 525 is generally oval, being laterally elongated. The spout 625 is longitudinally asymmetric about a midline Ml , with its rear profile being inclined towards the front of the closure and its front profile being generally parallel to the mid-line. In this embodiment the spout is also laterally asymmetric about a mid-line M2 defining lateral profiles, with one side being more inclined towards the mid-line than the other. Accordingly the spout can be looked at as having four quadrants, defined by Ml and M2. The spout 625 is positioned generally centrally on the base 615.

Figure 14 shows a closure base 715 with a hinge 746 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 725 is provided on the base 715. In this embodiment the spout is asymmetric about a mid-line M, with the front profile 727 being generally vertical and the rear profile 728 being inclined towards the front of the closure. The spout 725 is positioned eccentrically on the base 715, being offset towards the front of the closure and generally in line with the hinge point 746.

Figure 15 shows a closure base 815 with a hinge 846 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 825 is provided on the base 815. In this embodiment the spout is asymmetric about a mid-line M, with the front profile 827 being generally vertical and the rear profile 828 being inclined towards the front of the closure. The spout 825 is positioned generally centrally on the base 815.

Figure 16 shows a closure base 915 with a hinge 946 for joining it to a lid (not shown). A spout 925 is provided on the base 15. In this embodiment the spout 925 is asymmetric about a mid-line M, with the front profile 927 being inclined towards the front of the closure (i.e. away from the mid-line M) and the rear profile 928 being inclined towards the front of the closure. The rear profile 928 is more steeply inclined. The spout 925 is positioned generally centrally on the base 915.

Figure 17 shows a closure base 1015 with a hinge 1046 for joining it to a lid (not shown).

A spout 1025 is provided on the base 1015. In this embodiment the spout is asymmetric about a mid-line M, with the front profile 1027 being generally vertical and the rear profile 1028 being inclined towards the front of the closure. The spout 1025 is positioned eccentrically on the base 1015, being offset towards the rear of the closure and generally in line with the hinge point.

Claims

1 . A flip-top dispensing closure comprising a generally cylindrical base, and a lid, the closure having a drinking spout provided on or by the base which is engagable by a user's mouth and through which product can be dispensed, the lid being articulated with respect to the base at the rear of the closure, in which the spout profile is asymmetric about a midline generally defining front and rear spout profiles and in which the rear profile is inclined towards the front of the closure.

2. A closure as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the spout is offset from the centre of the base.

3. A closure as claimed in Claim 2, in which the spout is eccentrically located towards the front of the closure.

4. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the front spout profile is generally parallel to the midline.

5. A closure as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the front profile is inclined away from the midline.

6. A closure as claimed in Claim 5, in which the front profile is inclined towards the front of the closure.

7. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spout forms part of the base.

8. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lid comprises a retaining ring for connecting it to the base, and a cap hingedly attached to the ring at the rear of the closure.

9. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spout comprises a valve.

10. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the front and/or rear spout profile is at least partly curved.

1 1. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the midline is substantially parallel to the main axis of the closure.

12. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spout is generally circular in plan.

13. A closure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 1 1 , in which the spout is generally oval in plan.

14. A closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

15. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a container.