WO2024137922A1

WO2024137922A1 - Container, closure, and methods of manufacture and use

Info

Publication number: WO2024137922A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/085325
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edith van Sprundel; Martin C. Bull
Original assignee: H.J. Heinz Company Brands Llc
Priority date: 2022-12-22
Filing date: 2023-12-21
Publication date: 2024-06-27

Abstract

A dispensing bottle including a container body and a closure cap with tamper-evident features is provided herein. The closure cap includes a base and a flip-top lid. The base includes a skirt having internal threads and a plurality of alignment bulges disposed on an internal surface thereof. An upper center surface of the base has a teardrop-shaped opening with a lip therearound. The lid includes a sealing rim projecting inwardly from a top surface of the lid. The sealing rim is configured to engage the lip around the teardrop-shaped opening to inhibit the egress of fluid through the closure cap. The alignment bulges are configured to engage a ring on the neck of the container body to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon removal of the closure cap from the container body, thereby forming the tamper evident feature.

Description

CONTAINER, CLOSURE, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/434,842, filed December 22, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] This application relates generally to containers for fluids. More particularly, this disclosure relates to containers with closure caps.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Fluid containers or bottles are known for containing and dispensing fluids such as, for example, personal care products and condiments, along with other foods and/ or beverages. To easily dispense the contents of a container, these bottles often have closure caps with flip-top lids and openings in a base of the cap for accessing or dispensing the contents of the bottles. In addition, for product integrity and food safety purposes, tamper evident features may be incorporated into such containers, for example on the flip-top lids. These tamper evident features provide visual or tactile evidence that indicates to a consumer when the flip-top lid has been previously opened.

[0004] Tamper-evident features for bottles may incorporate multiple pieces of plastic or have pieces that break off to provide a visual or tactile evidence to a consumer. For example, such tamper evident features may incorporate a removable tear strip. Removable tear strips or other break-off pieces may not be easily recyclable and, accordingly, may end up being treated as trash after removal from a remainder of the bottle or closure cap.

[0005] Further, a tamper evident feature also may be provided, for example, by including a liner beneath the closure cap on an open end of the bottle to seal the bottle contents. Full or partial removal of such a liner may provide a visual indication as to whether the contents of the bottle was previously accessed. The addition of such a liner, however, adds an additional manufacturing step to seal a liner to the bottle and may be cumbersome for those with limited manual dexterity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a dispensing bottle with a closure cap and container body, showing the closure cap in a closed position;

[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevation view of the dispensing bottle of FIG. 1, showing the closure cap in an open position after molding;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 1, showing the closure cap in an open position after molding;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the closure-cap of FIG. 1, showing the closure cap in an open position;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 1, showing the closure cap in a closed position;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of the container body of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container body and closure cap of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a closure cap in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturing a dispensing bottle in accordance with some embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a cutting element in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0019] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the cutting element of FIG. 13.

[0020] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a closure cap in the initially open configuration accordance with some embodiments. [0021] FIG. 16 is a front view of the closure cap of FIG. 15 in an initially closed configuration.

[0022] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a portion of the closure cap of FIG. 15 in an initial opening operation.

[0023] FIG. 18 is a front view of the closure cap of FIG. 15 in a subsequently closed configuration after initial opening.

[0024] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and I or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well- understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/ or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A dispensing bottle including a closure cap having a tamper evident feature is provided. The tamper-evident feature provides an indication to a consumer as to whether the dispensing bottle has been previously opened and, in particular, may include an indication as to whether a closure cap of the dispensing bottle has been at least partially unthreaded or otherwise removed from a container body of the dispensing bottle. The closure cap provided herein includes a base and a lid that is movable relative to the base via a hinge. The closure cap may be coupled to a neck of the container body, for example via a threaded connection. The closure caps described herein may provide various recyclability advantages. For example, the tamper evident features of the closure cap and/ or portions thereof may remain attached to the closure cap after the dispensing bottle or the closure cap have been opened. By retaining various, and in some aspects all, tamper evident features on the closure cap, the closure cap along with the tamper evident features may be recycled together as a single unit. Further, when the tamper evident features and/ or portions thereof remain secured to the closure cap, there may be fewer or no separate pieces of materials that need to be separately recycled or otherwise disposed of.

[0026] In some aspects, the base of the closure includes a skirt having internal threads and a plurality of alignment bulges disposed on an internal surface of the skirt. The base also typically has an upper center surface with an opening having a lip therearound. In some configurations, the lid of the closure cap includes a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage the lip around the opening to inhibit the egress of fluid through the closure cap when the lid is in a closed position. In one illustrative embodiment, on the closure cap, the alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage a ring on the neck of the container body to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon removal of the closure cap from the container body, thereby forming the tamper evident feature. In this manner, separation of the lower base ring from at least part of the closure cap may provide a visual and/ or tactile indication that the closure cap has been at least partially unthreaded from the container body.

[0027] Previous solutions, such as those incorporating removable tear strips or other break- off pieces, may include a tamper evident structure that is separate or distinct from the closure cap. The closure caps described herein, however, include one or more tamper evident features that are part of or otherwise remain integrated into the closure cap during the lifecycle of the closure cap. For example, the lower base ring is part of a tamper evident feature that is integrated into the closure cap. The tamper evident feature including the lower base ring provides evidence of prior unthreading or removal of the closure cap from the container body. In such an example, if the user unthreads the closure cap from a bottle to remove a liner, the lower base ring may provide evidence or an indicate of having been unthreaded from the bottle even after the closure cap is rethreaded onto the bottle.

[0028] The closure caps provided herein may further include one or more tamper evident features on the lid to provide tamper evidence for the flip-top lid. Thus, the closure cap may include tamper evident features for two separate points of access to the contents of the dispensing bottle in a single piece of plastic. As a result, the closure caps may be manufactured as a single piece of plastic capable of providing evidence of both: (1) the unthreading the closure cap; and (2) the opening the flip-top lid. Further, the closure cap provides such evidence without use of a separate piece of plastic that breaks off or is removed upon gaming access to the contents of the dispensing bottle. Because the single piece of plastic does not require a separate removable piece of plastic, the closure cap may be recycled as a single unit and may eliminate small pieces of plastic waste.

[0029] Further, in some configurations, because the tamper evident feature on the closure cap itself provides an indication as to whether the closure cap has been previously removed (at least partially) from the container body, the dispensing bottle may not require a liner to be sealed to the container body to provide evidence of tampering or opening. Accordingly, the method of manufacturing the dispensing bottle does not need to include an additional step for sealing a liner to the container body. Instead, because the tamper evident feature is built into the closure cap itself, tamper evidence may be provided by merely attaching or otherwise coupling the closure cap to the container body.

[0030] In some aspects, the dispensing bottle provided herein further includes a closure cap having a teardrop-shaped opening at an angled orientation for dispensing liquid in a desirable manner. Desirable properties may include, for example, a discharge of droplets or fluid in a uniform stream or manner. Further, the teardrop-shaped opening may facilitate venting of the container body while fluid is poured from the dispensing bottle.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1-10, an exemplary form of a dispensing bottle 10 is shown with at least some of the above properties.

[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrate a dispensing bottle 10, which may be used for containing and dispensing a fluid product. The dispensing bottle 10 includes a closure cap 24 connected or coupled to a container body 12. The container body 12 is a receptacle, such as, a bottle, for receiving and storing fluid, such as a fluid food product, a fluid cosmetic product, or other consumer fluid products. Examples of fluid food products include Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, marinades, fish sauce, hot sauce, and dressings. Examples of other fluid cosmetic products include perfume, aftershave, cleansers, dyes, dye removers, and other personal hygiene products. In some embodiments, the dispensing bottle 10 may be used for products having a low viscosity and/ or for products having small particles. The container body 12 has a closed first end 14 and an at least partially open second end 16. The open second end 16 has a neck 18 to which a closure cap 24 is configured to be secured. [0033] In one illustrative approach, the neck 18 of the container body 12 includes external threads 20 and a ring 22 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 8). An elevated band or bead of material extends around the external circumference of the neck 18 to form the ring 22. In use, the ring 22 typically engages an interior diameter of the closure cap 24 when the closure cap 24 is secured to the container body 12. In some configurations, the ring 22 may be continuous about an entire circumference of the neck, whereas in other configurations the ring may have discontinuous configuration around the circumference. The ring 22 is disposed below the external threads 20 on the neck 18 of the container body 12. That is, the ring 22 is closer than the external threads 20 to the closed first end 14.

[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8, in some approaches, the ring 22 has a downward slope 22a that abuts a shelf 22b. The downward slope 22a may have an angle of about 20 to about 90 degrees, about 30 to about 80 degrees, or in some aspects about 40 to about 70 degrees as measured with reference to a horizontal line (z.e., a line substantially parallel with the closed first end 14 of the container body). In use, the downward slope 22a and the shelf 22b may help to make the closure cap 24 easier to place on the neck 18 of the container body 12 than to remove therefrom. In use, the ring 22 may act as a retention ring to retain a lower base ring 42 of the closure cap 24 around the neck 18, partially, when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded from the container body 12. In this manner, the lower base ring 42 is activated or separated from the remainder of the closure cap 24 by the retention ring when then closure cap 24 is sufficiently unthreaded from the container body 12.

[0035] The container body 12 may be transparent or translucent enabling a user to see through the container body 12, for example, to view the fluid of the container body 12 and/ or determine the amount of fluid remaining in the container body 12. In some approaches, the container body 12 may be made of glass. In other approaches, the container body 12 may be formed of a plastic material, such as, polypropelene, polyethylene (e.g., HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, HMWPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and/ or other food grade plastic or polymer.

[0036] The closure cap 24 includes a base 26 hingedly connected to a lid 28. The lid 28 of the closure cap 24 is movable relative to the base 26 via a hinge 30 to provide a flip-top cover for the open second end 16 of the container body 12. The flip-top lid 28 may be attached to the neck 18 of the container body 12 and moved between closed (FIG. 1) and open (FIG. 2) positions to selectively permit the egress of fluid from the container body 12. In FIG. 1, the lid 28 is depicted in the closed position and may prevent the egress of fluid from the dispensing bottle 10. In FIG. 2, the lid 28 is depicted in the open position and may permit the egress of fluid from the dispensing bottle 10. The closure cap 24 may be formed of a plastic material, such as, polypropelene, polyethylene (e.g., HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, HMWPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and/ or other food grade plastic or polymer.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, further details of the base 26 and the lid 28 of the closure cap 24 are depicted. The closure cap 24, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is depicted in an open position after the closure cap 24 has been molded and before tamper evident features (i.e., tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 and upstanding projections 58) have been engaged to secure the lid 28 to the base 26. The base 26 of the closure cap 24 includes an upper surface 32 having a center surface 34 with a dispensing opening 36 therein such that fluid may flow through the closure cap 24 to dispense fluid from the container body 12. In some approaches, the opening 36 is formed in a teardrop shape having a wide rounded portion 36a that tapers to a narrow rounded portion 36b. Though, it is contemplated that the opening 36 may be formed in other shapes to dispense liquid from the dispensing bottle 10 in a desirable manner. The center surface 34 may be a curved surface. In some approaches, for example, the center surface 34 is convex and protrudes away from an interior of the closure cap 24 and/ or container body 12. An annular lip 38 extends around the opening 36 along a perimeter of the center surface 34 and, accordingly, surrounds the opening 36. The annular lip 38 may be attached to or integral with the base 26 of the closure cap 24. The annular lip 38 may curve outwardly from the opening 36.

[0038] In some embodiments, the base 26 of the closure cap 24 and the center surface 34 are formed integrally or as a unitary piece of material, e.g., via molding or 3D-printing. In other embodiments, the base 26 and the center surface 34 may be formed as separate pieces and coupled together. For example, the center surface 34 may be formed as a disk that is inserted into a central opening in the base 26 of the closure cap 24. Such a disk may be coupled to the base 26, for example, via a snap fit connection, a friction fit connection or other mechanical fitting. In some approaches, the disk may be welded, adhered, or otherwise bonded to the base 26.

[0039] Turning to FIG. 5, the shape and orientation of the center surface 34 and the opening 36 are shown in more detail. Due to the convex shape of the center surface 34 of the base 26, the opening 36 is angled such that one end thereof is higher than the other end. The narrow rounded portion 36b of the opening 36 may be oriented closer to the center of the center surface 34 than the wide rounded portion 36a. The convex shape of the center surface 34 creates a dome beneath the center surface 34 that may act as an air canal and allow a fluid product to flow back into the dispensing bottle 10 after dosing. In use, the teardrop-shaped opening 36 having an angled orientation may promote liquid to be dispensed in a uniform stream and in an appropriate dosing. Further, the center surface 34 and teardrop-shaped opening 36 form a chamber that fills with product and allows the venting of air within the chamber by virtue of the teardrop-shaped design. The teardrop-shape of the opening 36 may help to limit or avoid excess product from remaining in the opening 36 after dosing.

[0040] Returning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid 28 of the closure cap 24 includes a top surface 53. The lid 28 also includes a sealing rim 54 that projects inwardly from the top surface 53. The sealing rim 54 is configured to engage the annular lip 38 on the upper surface 32 of the base 26 when the lid 28 is in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 5, when the lid 28 is in the closed position, the sealing rim 54 engages the annular lip 38 of the base 26 and may inhibit the egress of fluid through the closure cap 24 by sealing the space around the center surface 34 and covering the opening 36. In one illustrative configuration, the annular lip 38 has a flared or outwardly projecting upward end. In some approaches, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 5, only a portion of the annular lip 38 (e.g., the portion adjacent the opening 36 (has a flared upward end. Further, in some approaches, the annular lip 38 has a notch or ledge to which corresponding structure on the sealing rim 54 engages. When the lid 28 is in the open position, at least a portion of the sealing rim 54 disengages the annular lip 38 and may permit the egress of fluid through the closure cap 24 and out of the dispensing bottle 10 by exposing the opening 36.

[0041] The base 26 of the closure cap 24 includes a skirt 40 depending from or extending downward from the upper surface 32. In some configurations, the skirt 40 depends from a perimeter of the upper surface 32 of the closure cap 24. An external surface of the skirt 40 or portions thereof may include ribbing or other textured surfaces or a non-slip material to help provide grip when screwing or unscrewing the closure cap 24 onto the container body 12. An internal surface of the skirt 40 is configured to engage the external surface of the neck 18 on the container body 12. For example, the skirt 40 has skirt threads 41 disposed on an inner surface thereof that correspond to the external threads 20 of the container body 12. The closure cap 24 may be secured to the container body 12 by threading the skirt threads 41 of the base 26 to the external threads 20 of the neck 18 of the container body 12. It is also contemplated that the inner surface of closure cap 24 may be configured to engage the neck 18 by other suitable means such as, for example, by a snap fit connection.

[0042] The skirt 40 of the base 26 further includes the lower base ring 42. The lower base ring 42 is disposed opposite the upper surface 32 of the base 25. In one illustrative example, a slit 44 or discontinuous cut is disposed partially around the circumference of the skirt 40 defines the lower base ring 42. One or more narrow bridges 45 of material extend through the slit 44 or between discrete portions of the slit 44 and secure the lower base ring 42 to a remainder of the skirt 40. An interruption in the slit 44 creates an anchor point 52 that secures the remainder of the skirt 40 to the lower base ring 42 when the closure cap 24 is unscrewed from the container body 12. The anchor point 52 is a wide bridge of material that extends through the slit 44 or between discrete portions of the slit 44 and, in some approaches, the anchor point 52 is wider than the bridges 45. In some approaches, the hinge 30 of the closure cap 24 is aligned with the anchor point 52 (see FIG. 4), though in other configurations the anchor point 52 and the hinge are not necessarily aligned. As suggested, the slit 44 is comprised of a plurality of discrete throughcuts disposed through the skirt 40 of the base 26. The throughcuts are discontinuous and, in this manner, define the locations of the bridges 45 and the anchor point 52. The slit 44 is depicted in more detail in FIG. 9. The anchor point 52 is a section of the skirt 40 that lacks throughcuts and thereby may anchor the lower base ring 42 to a remainder of the closure cap 24 when the closure cap 24 is at least partially unthreaded from the neck 18 of the container body 12.

[0043] In some embodiments, the thickness of the skirt 40 may be variable along one or more dimensions. For example, the thickness of the skirt 40 may vary along the circumference of the skirt 40 and/ or along the height of the skirt 40. In some approaches, the skirt may be thicker at or adjacent to (e.g., below) the anchor point 52. Including an area of increased thickness may, for example, allow for the formation of a partial slit 44 in the skirt 40. For example, during manufacturing, a knife or other slitting device may only penetrate partially through the skirt 40, thereby forming the partial slit 44 that extends partially through the thickness of the skirt 40.

[0044] The slit 44 of the skirt 40 in combination with the ring 22 of the neck 18 form a tamper evident feature that indicates when the closure cap 24 is at least partially unthreaded from the neck 18. In use, this tamper evident feature provides a visual indication of whether the dispensing bottle 10 has been previously opened or its contents have been otherwise accessed. In particular, the tamper evident feature may indicate when the closure cap 24 has been at least partially unthreaded from the neck 18 of the container body 12. For example, the closure cap 24 may be unthreaded from the container body 12 manually, such as by using a finger or other tool to force the closure cap 24 from the container body 12 to access the contents of the container body 12. When the closure cap 24 is unthreaded, at least some of the bridges 45 of material that secure the lower base ring 42 to the skirt 40 may break. Unthreading the closure cap 24 may be smooth initially, with the amount of force increasing as the closure cap 24 is unthreaded in order to break the bridges 45. Breaking the bridges 45 may allow a remainder of the closure cap 24 (e.g., the portion of the closure cap 24 above the lower base ring 42) to be removed from the neck 18 of the container body 12. However, when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded, the anchor point 52 may remain in tact or unbroken. In this manner, the anchor point 52 may secure the remainder of the closure cap 24 to the lower base ring 42. The anchor point 52 holds the lower base ring 42 and the remainder of the closure cap 24 together as a single piece of material, allowing both pieces to be recycled together and eliminating the need to dispose of the lower base ring 42 separately. Further, when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded, the ring 22 on the neck 18 of the container body 12 may engage the interior of the closure cap 24 (see FIG. 10) to secure the lower base ring 42 in place around the neck 18.

[0045] In some embodiments, the closure cap 24 may also include one or more tamper evident features for the flip-top lid 28. For example, the closure cap 24 may include one or more of the features further discussed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/298,522, filed January 11, 2022, and titled "Container, Closure, and Methods for Manufacture," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0046] In some approaches, the closure cap 24 further includes one or more tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 on a side of the lid 28 and one or more upstanding projections 58 on the base 26 of the lid 28. The tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 are configured to engage with the upstanding projections 58 present on the base 26 of the closure cap 24. The tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 are configured to mate with the upstanding projections 58. The tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 are positioned on the side of the lid 28 opposite the hinge 30. It is, however, also contemplated that the tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 may be positioned anywhere along the side of the lid 28. The tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 are positioned adjacent to, and in some aspects, on either side of, a tab 57 on the lid 28. The tab 57 overlies a recess 59 in the side of the lid 28 to permit grasping of the tab 57 so that the lid 28 may be removed from the base 26 to expose the opening 36.

[0047] The upstanding projections 58 are also disposed in the recess 59. In some approaches, the tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 are protuberances that project radially outward from the side of the lid 28 and the upstanding projections 58 include one or more apertures aligned to receive such protuberances. The upstanding projections 58 include a line or area of weakness 55. The line or area of weakness 55 may disposed at a base of the upstanding projection 58 and is typically a breakable, frangible, or severable. It is contemplated that the line or area of weakness 55 may be disposed at any suitable position on the upstanding projections 58. Inclusion of the line or area of weakness 55 may facilitate separation of the upstanding projection 58 from a remainder of the base 26. Further, the tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 may be configured to retain the upstanding projection 58 or a portion thereof after such separation from the base 26 of the closure cap 24. Accordingly, the tamper evident capturing mechanism 56 may prevent the upstanding projections 58 from separating or detaching fully from the closure cap 24 and being disposed of as a separate piece of plastic.

[0048] In use, the lid 28 may be lifted from the base 26 manually, such as, e.g., by using a finger, utensil, or other tool to force the lid 28 from the base 26 to access the opening 36 and dispense fluid from the container body 12 therethrough. Pushing upward on the tab 57 causes the tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 to exert a force on the upstanding projection 58. This force separates the upstanding projection 58 from a remainder of the base 26 along the line or area of weakness 55. The tamper evident capturing mechanisms 56 on the lid 28 may retain the upstanding projections 58 after they are separated from the base 26. In this manner, the capturing mechanisms 56 may avoid the upstanding projections 58 from breaking off or separating from the base 26 and being disposed of as one or more separate pieces of plastic. The tamper evident capturing mechanism 56 and upstanding projection 58 may provide a visual and/or tactile indication as to whether the flip-top lid 28 has been previously opened.

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, an internal surface of the skirt 40 includes the internal threads 46, one or more alignment bulges 48, and one or more engagement projections 50. The internal threads 46 of the skirt 40 are disposed above the slit 44, while the alignment bulges 48 and the engagement projections 50 are disposed below the slit 44. Thus, the alignment bulges 48 and the engagement projections 50 are situated on the lower base ring 42 of the skirt 40, while the internal threads 46 are situated above the lower base ring 42.

[0050] The internal threads 46 of the skirt 40 are configured for corresponding threaded engagement with the external threads 20 on the neck 18 of the container body 12. When the closure cap 24 is coupled to the container body 12, the internal threads 46 of the skirt 40 engage the external threads 20 on the neck 18 of the container body 12. It is contemplated, however, that that the manner in which the closure cap 24 engages with the container body 12 may vary. For example, in some embodiments, the engagement may be a snap fit connection.

[0051] In one illustrative embodiment, the alignment bulges 48 are disposed below the internal threads 46 on the skirt 40. The alignment bulges 48 are spaced from each other along the circumference of the skirt 40. In some embodiments, the alignment bulges 48 may be approximately equally spaced about the circumference of the skirt 40. As shown, the alignment bulges 48 protrude from an interior surface the skirt 40 into an interior of the closure cap 24. The alignment bulges 48 include a planar first surface 48a and a rounded second surface 48b. The planar first surface 48a is configured to engage the shelf 22b of the ring 22 on the container body 12 when the closure cap 24 is fully threaded onto or otherwise coupled to the neck 18 of the container body 12. In this manner, the alignment bulges 48 help to secure the lower base ring 42 of the skirt 40 around the ring 22 of the neck 18. For example, when a force is applied to remove the closure cap 24 from the container body 12, the alignment bulges 48 may catch the ring 22 to hold the lower base ring 42 in place around the ring 22.

[0052] The engagement projections 50 are also positioned on the internal surface of the lower base ring 42 of the skirt 40. The engagement projections 50 are spaced from each other along the circumference of the skirt 40. In some embodiments, the engagement projections 50 may be approximately equally spaced about the circumference of the skirt 40. The engagement projections 50 are disposed above the alignment bulges 48 and below the internal threads 46. In some embodiments, one or more of the engagement projections 50 may be vertically aligned with a corresponding alignment bulge 48 such that the engagement projection is disposed above the engagement projection 50. The alignment bulges 48 typically have a length that is greater than a length of the engagement projections 50. The engagement projections 50 protrude from an interior surface of the skirt 40 into the interior of the closure cap 24. The engagement projections 50 may be formed in a rectangular shape and have a planar face 50a that is configured to engage the downward slope 22a of the ring 22. At least some of the alignment bulges 48 are adjacent to an engagement projection 50, with the alignment bulge 48 positioned below the corresponding engagement projection 50. Thus, when the closure cap 24 is fully threaded onto or otherwise coupled to the neck 18 of the container body 12 the engagement projections 50 help to secure the closure cap 24 around the ring 22 on the neck 18.

[0053] In some embodiments, the skirt 40 may include between about 2 to about 10 alignment bulges 48 and, in some aspects, about 4 to about 6. The skirt 40 may include between about 2 to about 12 or, about 5 to about 7 engagement projections 50. In some embodiments, the skirt 40 may include 5 or 6 engagement projections 50. In some embodiments, the number of alignment bulges 48 may be the same as the number of engagement projections 50. In other non-limiting embodiments, there are fewer alignment bulges 48 than engagement projections 50 so that there is an area on the lower base ring 42 with no alignment bulges 48. For example, the number of alignment bulges 48 may be one less than the number of engagement projections 50. The area without alignment bulges 48 is an area where the closure cap 24 initially lifts off and provides leverage to remove a remainder of the cap from the lower base ring 42. The area without alignment bulges 48 may be positioned below the hinge 30. Though FIG. 6 depicts an area without alignment bulges 48 (i.e., the area below the anchor point 52), it is contemplated that, in other embodiments, such an area may not be present on the skirt 40. For example, in some approaches the alignment bulges 48 and corresponding engagement projections 50 may be disposed along the entire circumference of the skirt. Thus, in some approaches, the area below the anchor point 52 may include both an alignment bulge 48 and an engagement projection 50.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, when the closure cap 24 is threaded onto the neck 18 and is fully seated on the container body 12, the alignment bulges 48 sit below the ring 22 and the engagement projections 50 sit above the ring 22 to secure the lower base ring 42 of closure cap 24 in place. The alignment bulges 48 are typically longer than the engagement projections 50 and also protrude further from the interior surface of the skirt 40 into the interior of the closure cap 24 than the engagement projections 50. In this manner, the alignment bulges 48 and engagement projections 50 help to retain the lower base ring 42 in place around the ring 22 when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded from the container body 12.

[0055] In use, the ring 22 on the neck 18 of the container body 12 and the slit 44 and the lower base ring 42 on the closure cap 24 create the tamper evident feature. Such a tamper evident feature indicates whether the closure cap 24 has been at least partially unthreaded or otherwise removed from the container body 12. The ring 22 acts as a retaining ring so that when the closure cap 24 is at least partially unthreaded from the container body 12, the ring 22 may retain the lower base ring 42 of the base 26 on the neck 18 of the container body 12. Further, when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded, a remainder the closure cap 24 (e.g., a portion of the closure cap 24 above the lower base ring 42) maintains a connection to the lower base ring 42 via the anchor point 52. Thus, the lower base ring 42 only partially separates from a remainder of the closure cap 24 when unthreading the closure cap 24 from the container body 12.

[0056] As discussed above, the alignment bulges 48 and the engagement projections 50 help to retain the lower base ring 42 around the ring 22 on the neck 18 when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded or otherwise removed from the container body 12. Accordingly, unthreading the closure cap 24 from the neck 18 of the container body 12 may cause at least some the bridges 45 to break. When the bridges 45 break, the portion of the skirt 40 above the slit 44 separates from the lower base ring 42, leaving only the anchor point 52 in tact. Such breaking of the bridges 42 and/ or separation from the lower base ring 42 from a remainder of the closure cap 24 provides a visual and/ or tactile indication to a user that the closure cap 24 has been unthreaded or otherwise removed to access the contents of the container body 12.

[0057] In use, when the closure cap 24 is unthreaded from the neck 18 of the container body 12, the bridges 45 may break so that the lower base ring 42 separates from a remainder of the skirt 40. Such separation provides visual tamper evidence to indicate that the closure cap 24 has been at least partially removed from the container body 12. After the closure cap 24 has been unthreaded, the lower base ring 42 may remain attached to the container body 12. It is contemplated that a user may ultimately remove the lower base ring 42 from the container body 12, for example, to dispose of the closure cap 24 at the end of life of the dispensing bottle 10.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 11, an exemplary method 60 of manufacturing the closure caps described herein is provided. The method 60 includes forming 62 a closure cap (typically in the open configuration). The closure cap may be formed via a molding process using one or more molds. The closure cap may be formed as a unitary piece of material or as a single-piece structure and, in some aspects, the closure cap is formed via a single mold. The closure cap includes a base and a lid that is movable relative to the base via a hinge. The base includes a skirt with internal threads and a plurality of alignment bulges. The base also has a center surface with an opening having a lip therearound. The lid includes a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage the lip around the opening after assembly to inhibit fluid from egress through the closure cap. On the closure cap, the alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage a bottle retention ring to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon removal of the flip-top cap from a bottle thereby forming a first tamper evident feature. In some embodiments, the closure cap may be the closure cap 24 described with reference to FIGS. 1-10 or may include one or more of the features of the closure cap 24.

[0059] The method 60 further includes scoring 64 a plurality of throughcuts around the skirt of the closure cap. Scoring 64 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, for example, via one or more knives, blades, lasers, or other implements. In some approaches, the scoring 64 may be accomplished using the cutting element 90 depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14. Scoring 64 the skirt of the closure cap may form a slit around the circumference of the skirt to define a lower base ring on the skirt. Such scoring also forms one or more narrow bridges of material and/ or an anchor point that extends through the slit to connect or attach the lower base ring to a remainder of the skirt.

[0060] It is also contemplated that, in certain alternative embodiments the center surface, which includes the opening, may be molded separately from the closure cap (e.g., as a center disk). The center disk may then be retained in the base of the closure cap via a snap fit or other friction fit connection. Thus, the method 60 may also include snapping the center disk into the closure cap. In some aspects, the center disk may coupled or attached to the closure cap by other suitable means such as by adhesives, welding, solvent bonding, or mechanical fastening.

[0061] In some approaches, the base of the closure cap formed via step 62 further includes one or more upstanding projections and the lid further includes one or more tamper evident capturing mechanisms disposed on a side thereof. When these upstanding projections and tamper evident capturing mechanisms are included on the closure cap, the method 60 further includes securing 68 the lid of the closure cap via the tamper evident capturing mechanisms. Further, the closure cap may be molded with the lid in an open configuration. Accordingly, the method 60 may also include closing the lid and securing the upstanding projections on the base of the closure cap relative to the tamper evident capturing mechanisms on the lid. [0062] FIG. 12 provides a method 70 of manufacturing the dispensing bottles described herein. The method 70 includes forming 72 a receptacle having external neck threads and a retention ring. The external neck threads and retention ring are formed on a neck of the receptacle and are disposed adjacent to an open end of the receptacle.

[0063] The method 70 also includes filling 74 the receptacle with fluid, such as a fluid food product, a fluid cosmetic product, or other fluid consumable. After filling 74 the receptacle, the receptacle may need not be sealed with a liner to provide tamper evidence.

[0064] The method 70 further includes molding 76 a closure cap. The closure cap includes a base and a flip-top lid. The base includes an opening for dispensing fluid. The base further includes a skirt with internal threads, a plurality of alignment bulges, and a plurality of engagement projections. The flip-top lid is movable relative the base via a hinge and may include tamper evident capturing mechanism disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge. The flip-top lid further includes a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface. The sealing rim is configured to engage the lip around the opening to inhibit fluid from egressing through the closure cap. The alignment bulges and the engagement projections of the base are configured to engage the retention ring of the receptacle to partially separate the lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon at least partial unthreading of the closure cap from the receptacle. In this manner, the alignment bulges and the retention ring form a tamper evident feature for the dispensing bottle. The tamper evident feature may indicate when the closure cap has previously been at least partially unthreaded or otherwise removed from the receptacle. In some embodiments, the closure cap may be the closure cap 24 described with reference to FIGS. 1-10 or may include one or more of the features of the closure cap 24.

[0065] The method further includes scoring 78 the closure cap to create one or more throughcuts in the skirt of the closure cap. The throughcuts are discontinuous and disposed at least partially around the skirt of the closure cap. The throughcuts define a lower base ring that is disposed at the base of the skirt. The lower base ring may serve as a tamper evident feature for the closure cap.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method 70 also includes closing the flip-top lid and securing 80 the lid of the closure cap via one or more tamper evident capturing mechanisms. For example, the flip-top lid of the closure cap may be molded in an open configuration so, to seal the contents of the filled receptacle, the flip-top lid needs to he closed. The closure cap is then threaded onto the neck of the receptacle to produce a filled and sealed dispensing bottle.

[0067] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an exemplary cutting element 90 that may be used to score a plurality of throughcuts around a skirt of a closure cap. The cutting element 90, for example, may be used to form the slit 44 on the skirt 40 of the closure cap 24 that is depicted in FIGS. 1-10.

[0068] The cutting element 90 includes a radially extending blade 92 having a cutting edge 94. The blade 92 may take a variety shapes or configurations. For example, the blade 92 may have a semi-annular shape or even a rectangular shape. The cutting edge 94 of the blade 92 of the blade 92 includes a series of notches or cut-outs 96. The notches or cut-outs 96 form gaps in the cutting edge 94 and define a series of cutting segments 98. The notches or cut-outs 96 may be strategically located along the cutting edge 94 to define the locations of the throughcuts and bridges of material that extend through the slit in the skirt. When the cutting element 90 is in use, the cutting segments 98 form a plurality of throughcuts in the skirt of the closure cap and create the slit 44. Likewise, the notches or cut-outs 96 form the bridges of material that extend through the slit 44. In some approaches, the closure caps may be offered to the cutting element 90 (e.g., via a cutting machine) in a random order or orientation.

[0069] The cutting element 90 may include one or more attachment features 100 to allow the cutting element 90 to be mounted or otherwise secured to a housing or fixture of power-driven cutting device or other manufacturing apparatus. Any suitable attachment features 100 may be employed to couple the cutting element 90 to the power-driven cutting device or manufacturing apparatus. In use, the power-driven cutting device 90 may bring the cutting element 90 into contact with the closure cap and/ or rotate the cutting device 90 to move the cutting edge 94 across a circumference of the closure cap.

[0070] The cutting element 90 may be made of a metal, for example, various grades of steel or metal alloys. It is contemplated that the blade 92 and/ or the cutting edge 94 may be made of the same or different materials.

[0071] A method of dispensing fluid from a filled dispensing bottle may include providing a closure cap having one or more of the features described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. For example, such a dispensing bottle may comprise a closure cap having a base and a flip-top lid that is hingedly connected to the base. The base of the closure cap may include a skirt with internal threads, a plurality of alignment bulges, and a plurality of discontinuous throughcuts disposed partially around a circumference of the skirt. The base of the closure cap further includes one or more upstanding projections, a center surface with a teardrop-shaped opening therethrough and a lip extending around the center surface. The flip-top lid is movable relative to the base via a hinge from a first open position to a second closed position. The flip-top lid may include a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface. The sealing rim is configured to engage the lip of the base to inhibit fluid from egressing through the teardropshaped opening. Further, the flip-top lid may include a capturing mechanism disposed on a side opposite the hinge. There may be two points of access to a filled dispensing bottle that is closed via the closure caps described herein and one or more of both points of access may include a tamper evident feature.

[0072] The method of dispensing fluid from the filled dispensing bottle may include unthreadingly disengaging the closure cap from the filled dispensing bottle to at least partially disengage a lower base ring of the closure cap from the base of the closure cap to expose an open end of the dispensing bottle such that fluid may be poured from the filled dispensing bottle. The alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage a bottle retention ring on a container body of the dispensing bottle to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon at least partial removal of the flip-top cap from the container body. When the contents of the filled bottle are accessed in this manner a first tamper evident feature may be provided by a lower base ring and slits on the closure cap in combination with a ring on the neck of the container body.

[0073] The method of dispensing fluid from the filled dispensing bottle may also include pivoting a flip-top lid of the closure cap to the first open position. Pivoting the flip-top lid may separate one or more of the upstanding projections from the base of the closure cap and retain the upstanding projections on the flip-top lid via the capturing mechanism. The upstanding projections of the base and the capture mechanism on the flip top lid thereby form a second tamper evident feature. Opening the flip-top lid in this manner may permit fluid to be poured through the teardrop-shaped opening.

[0074] FIG. 15 illustrates another closure cap 124 that is configured for use with a container that retains and dispenses a consumable fluid, such as, e.g., a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil, among others. As shown, the closure cap 1 4 includes a flip-top lid 128 and a base 126 that is threaded onto a bottle neck, such as those described above. The closure cap 124 also includes an opening 136 in the base 126, and the opening 136 may be oblong in shape. In addition, the opening 136 may have an angled orientation similar to that described above.

[0075] In one illustrative configuration, the opening 136 has a teardrop pour spout 137 configuration. By some approaches, the teardrop-shaped spout 137 has a first wider end and a second narrower end, which may terminate a rounded narrow point. In one illustrative configuration, the narrow point is at the apex of the angled configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 5).

[0076] In addition, the base 126 may include an annular lip 138 around the spout opening 136, and the flip-top lid 136 may include a corresponding a sealing rim 154 that engages the lip 38 when the flip-top lid 136 is in the closed position. In this manner, the annular lip 138 and the sealing rim 154 may cooperate with one another to prevent fluid from leaking through the lid.

[0077] FIG. 15 illustrates the closure cap 124 in the molded, initial open configuration, whereas FIG. 16 illustrates the closure cap 124 in the initially closed configuration (i.e., the typical position of the lid when in transit to stores and on store shelves). The closure cap 124 also typically has at least two tamper indicating aspects: the first tamper evident element indicates when a closure cap has been previously unscrewed from a bottle and the second tamper evident element indicates when the flip-top lid has been previously flipped open from the initial closed position. The first tamper evident element 161 may include the ring of the neck of a container and bands engaging therewith, similar to that described above.

[0078] More particularly, the first tamper evident element 161 or feature identifies whether the closure cap 124 has been unscrewed from a bottle. Structurally, this may include a lower base ring 142 of the cap skirt that is connected to the remainder of the cap skirt by narrow bridges 145, which are formed between slits 144 (see, e.g., FIG. 18). In use, the lower base ring 142 is separated or pulled away from the remainder of the skirt by a retention element or ring 22 (described above) on the neck of the bottle that is disposed below the bottleneck threads. In this manner, once separated, the lower base ring 142 provides a visual indicates of whether the closure cap 124 has been previously unscrewed from a bottle.

[0079] In some embodiments, the second tamper evident element 163 or feature that indicates whether the flip-top lid has been previously open may include several aspects. In one illustrative embodiment, at least one of a movable piece such as an upstanding projection 158 and/ or a stretchable and frangible mechanism 121 such as an s-bridge of material 119 are incorporated into the closure cap. FIG. 15 illustrates both of these tamper evident aspects that indicate whether the lid has been flipped from an initial closed position.

[0080] In the initial molded configuration of FIG. 15, the upstanding projection 158 is initially molded with or connected to the base 126. In addition, the upstanding projection 158 typically includes geometry that engages with the lid 128 upon initial closing of the closure cap (FIG. 16 illustrates the initial closed configuration of the closure cap). By one approach, the upstanding projection 158 includes one or more openings 123 that engage and receive prongs, projections, or capturing mechanisms 156 that are attached or molded with the lid 128. FIG. 16 illustrates the upstanding projection 158 with two openings 123 and the associated capturing mechanisms 156 extending therethrough, thereby coupling the movable upstanding projection 158 with the flip- top lid 128.

[0081] After initial closing, the forces coupling the upstanding projection 158 and the capturing mechanisms 156 are larger than the strength of the connection between the upstanding projection 158 and the base 126. The weakness of the connection between the upstanding projection 158 and the base 126 may be formed via the molding operation or also may be formed, in part, by a weaking operation such as by creating a line or area of weakness between upstanding projection 158 and its connection to the base 126 via a scoring mechanism. In light of the strength of the connection between the upstanding projection 158 and the capturing mechanisms 156, after initial opening the upstanding projection 158 separates from the base and is captured in or coupled to the lid 128 via the capturing mechanisms 156.

[0082] FIG. 15 also illustrates the stretchable and frangible mechanism 121 in its initial configuration as an s-bridge of material 119. The stretchable and frangible mechanism 121 is configured to indicate whether the closure cap 124 has been previously flipped open. FIG. 16 illustrates two such stretchable and frangible s-bridges 119 of material. In their initial (i.e., molded configuration), the stretchable and frangible s-bridge of material 119 is connected to the base 124 at one end and at a moveable portion at the other end. In one configuration, the moveable portion includes the upstanding projection 158 but other movable pieces may be employed.

[0083] During the initial opening procedure (depicted in FIG. 17), the pair of frangible s- bridges 119 that connect the movable portion to the base 126 will start to stretch, and eventually break upon opening. More particularly, the frangible s-bridge of material 119 separates into two pieces: an upper portion 119a and a lower portion 119b. Thereafter, the upper portion of the s- bridge 119a remains secured to the movable portion or the upstanding projection 158 and the lower portion 119b remains secured to the base 126. After the closure cap 124 has been reclosed a user or consumer can easily visibly detect whether the closure cap 124 has been previously opened by noting the broken s-bridge of material.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 18, after initial opening, the s-bridges have elongated and narrowed, thereby indicating previous opening along with the multiple pieces. The user also may detect a tactile pop or break when the s-bridges separate such that after initial opening the force required to open the lid becomes more consistent along the opening path. While the s-bridges of material described herein are connected to the base 126 and the movable upstanding projection 158, other movable pieces may be employed as well.

[0085] Reference throughout the specification to "an example," "one example," "another example," "some examples," "other examples," and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/ or characteristic) described in connection with the example is included in at least one example described herein, and may or may not be present in other examples. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements for any example may be combined in any suitable manner in the various examples unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0086] In describing and claiming the examples disclosed herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0087] While several examples have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed examples may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered non-limiting.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing bottle comprising: a container body having a neck with external threads and a ring thereon, the container configured to retain a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil; a closure cap having a base and a flip-top lid movable relative to one another via a hinge, the flip-top lid having an interior projection and being movable between a closed position and an open position, where the interior projection engages a lip around an opening of the base inhibiting egress of a fluid through the closure cap in the closed position and the open position permitting egress of the fluid through the closure cap; and the base having a skirt with: internal threads configured to engage the external threads on the neck, one or more alignment bulges, one or more engagement projections, and a slit disposed partially around a circumference of the skirt; wherein the slit of the skirt and the ring of the neck form a tamper evident feature by creating a lower base ring that only partially separates from a remainder of the closure cap, except at an anchor point, the lower base ring separating from the remainder of the base when the flip- top lid is at least partially unthreaded from the container body.

2. The dispensing bottle of claim 1 wherein the slit is comprised of a plurality of discrete throughcuts through the skirt of the base.

3. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the slit is disposed on the skirt of the base in between the internal threads of the base and the one or more engagement projections.

4. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein at least one bridge of material extends through the slit.

5. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the one or more engagement projections have a first side with a sloped configuration and a second side with a relatively flat surface that is configured to engage the ring on the neck of the container body.

6. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the ring on the neck includes a downward slope and a shelf.

7. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the downward slope of the ring engages the one or more engagement projections on the skirt and the shelf of the ring engages the one or more alignment bulges on the skirt when the closure cap is fully threaded onto the neck of the container body.

8. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the one or more engagement projections are disposed below the hinge adjacent the slit.

9. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the base includes a teardropshaped opening therethrough.

10. The dispensing bottle of claim 9 wherein the teardrop-shaped opening is angled such that one end thereof is higher than another end.

11. The dispensing bottle of claim 9 wherein the teardrop-shaped opening is disposed on a surface of the base, wherein the center surface is convex.

12. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the closure cap further comprises a second tamper evident feature that indicates when the flip-top lid has been initially moved from the closed position to the open position.

13. The dispensing bottle of any of the preceding claims wherein the base further comprises one or more upstanding projections and the flip-top lid further comprises one or more capturing mechanisms disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge.

14. The dispensing bottle of claim 10 wherein the one or more upstanding projections of the base have a line or area of weakness adjacent a base portion thereof to facilitate separation of the one or more upstanding projections from a remainder the base and the capturing mechanisms of the flip-top lid being configured to retain the one or more upstanding projections after separation from the base.

15. A closure cap comprising: a base including: a skirt with internal threads, a plurality of alignment bulges, and a plurality of discontinuous throughcuts dispose partially around a circumference of the skirt; a center surface with a teardrop-shaped opening therethrough and a lip therearound the teardrop-shaped opening configured to pour a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil, ; and one or more upstanding projections; and a flip-top lid movable relative to the base via a hinge, the flip-top lid including: a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage the lip around the teardrop-shaped opening to inhibit fluid from egress through the closure cap; and a tamper evident capturing mechanism disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge; wherein the plurality of alignment bulges are configured to engage a bottle retention ring to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon at least partial unthreading of the closure cap from a bottle thereby forming a first tamper evident feature.

16. The closure cap of claim 1 wherein the one or more upstanding projections of the base have a line or area of weakness adjacent a base portion thereof to facilitate separation from a remainder of the base and the tamper evident capturing mechanism of the flip-top lid being configured to retain the one or more upstanding projections after separation from the base.

17. A method of manufacturing a closure cap, the method comprising: forming, in one or more molds, the closure cap, the closure cap including: a base including: a skirt with internal threads and a plurality of alignment bulges; a center surface with a teardrop-shaped opening and a lip therearound, the teardrop-shaped opening configured to pour a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil; and one or more upstanding projections; and a flip-top lid movable relative to the base via a hinge, the flip-top lid including: a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage the lip around the teardrop-shaped opening after assembly to inhibit fluid from egress through the closure cap; and a tamper evident capturing mechanism disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge; wherein the plurality of alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage a bottle retention ring to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon removal of the closure cap from a bottle thereby forming a first tamper evident feature; scoring a plurality of discontinuous throughcuts disposed partially around a circumference of the skirt; and securing the one or more upstanding projections of the base relative to the tamper evident capturing mechanism of the flip-top lid.

18. A method of manufacturing a closure cap, the method comprising: molding the closure cap having: a base including: a skirt with internal threads and a plurality of alignment bulges; a center surface with a teardrop-shaped opening therethrough and a lip therearound, the teardrop-shaped opening configured to pour a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil; one or more upstanding projections; and a flip-top lid movable relative to the base via a hinge from a first open position to a second closed position, the flip-top lid including: a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage the lip after assembly to inhibit fluid from egress through the closure cap; and a tamper evident capturing mechanism disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge; wherein the plurality of alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage a bottle retention ring to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon removal of the closure cap from a bottle thereby forming a first tamper evident feature; scoring a plurality of discontinuous throughcuts dispose partially around a circumference of the skirt; and after molding the closure cap in a molded open configuration, closing the flip-top lid onto the base and securing the one or more upstanding projections of the base relative to the tamper evident capturing mechanism of the flip-top lid.

19. A method of manufacturing a filled dispensing bottle, the method comprising: forming receptacle having external neck threads and a retention ring; filling the receptacle with a fluid; molding a closure cap having: a base including: a skirt with internal threads, a plurality of alignment bulges, and a plurality of discontinuous throughcuts dispose partially around a circumference of the skirt; a center surface with a teardrop-shaped opening therethrough and a lip therearound, the teardrop-shaped opening configured to pour a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil; one or more upstanding projections; and a flip-top lid movable relative to the base via a hinge, the flip-top lid including: a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage around the teardrop-shaped opening to inhibit a fluid from egressing through the closure cap; and a tamper evident capturing mechanism disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge; wherein the plurality of alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage the retention ring of the receptacle to partially separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon at least partial unthreading of the closure cap from the receptacle thereby forming a first tamper evident feature; and closing the flip-top lid onto the base and securing the one or more upstanding projections of the base relative to the tamper evident capturing mechanism of the flip-top lid; and threadingly attaching the closure cap to the filled receptacle.

20. A method of dispensing a fluid from a filled dispensing bottle comprising: providing a closure cap having a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base having: a skirt with internal threads, a plurality of alignment bulges, and a plurality of discontinuous throughcuts dispose partially around a circumference of the skirt; a center surface with a teardrop-shaped opening and a lip therearound, the teardrop-shaped opening configured to pour a fluid condiment, beverage, or cooking oil; one or more upstanding projections; and the flip-top lid movable relative to the base via a hinge from a first open position to a second closed position, the flip-top lid including: a top surface with a sealing rim projecting inwardly from the top surface that is configured to engage the lip of the base to inhibit fluid from egressing through the closure cap; and a capture mechanism disposed on a side of the flip-top lid opposite the hinge; wherein the plurality of alignment bulges of the base are configured to engage a bottle retention ring to separate a lower base ring from a remainder of the closure cap upon removal of the closure cap from a bottle thereby forming a first tamper evident feature and the one or more upstanding projections of the base and the capture mechanism of the flip-top lid forming a second tamper evident feature; and unthreadingly disengaging the closure cap from a filled bottle thereby partially disengaging the lower base ring from the base and pouring a fluid from the filled bottle; or pivoting the flip-top lip from the second closed position to the first open position by separating the one or more upstanding projections from the base and retaining the one or more upstanding projections relative to the flip-top lid via the capture mechanism such that the fluid is poured through the teardrop-shaped opening.