Tamper-evident dispensing closure with partial breakaway cover

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6631820
  • Patent Number
    6,631,820
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 22, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, October 14, 2003
    20 years ago
Abstract
A closure structure includes a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck. A closure cap has a lid part attached by a hinge to the body, and a cover part frangibly connected to the lid part, on a side of the lid part opposite the hinge. The lid part is latched to the body at lateral positions located between the hinge and the cover part. The cover part covers a lifting lip extending from the lid part. Removal of the cover part exposes the lifting lip for lifting by the user to open the lid part from the closure body.
Description




CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)




Not applicable.




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT




Not applicable.




REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX




Not applicable.




TECHNICAL FIELD




The invention relates to closure structures. Particularly, the invention relates to a closure structure that has a closure body defining a dispensing orifice, and an associated hinged lid. The invention particularly relates to such closure structures wherein a tamper-evident feature is associated with the closure body and the lid, the tamper-evident feature preventing opening of the lid unless the tamper-evident feature is torn or otherwise broken.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART




A variety of container closures have been developed or proposed wherein an initial opening of a lid or a dispensing spout structure provides visual evidence of such an occurrence-even after the lid or spout has been subsequently closed.




Some types of tamper-evident systems require an overt action by the user such as removing an added component such as a removable “neck band” or the like. Other tamper-evident systems require removing or breaking an integral element such as a “tear away” feature to permit removal of the closure or to otherwise open the container. Some examples of such systems are represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,487,324; 5,058,775; 5,201,440; 5,427,260; and 5,875,907.




Other types of tamper-evident systems are more automatic in their function. As the user opens the package, such as by removing the closure from the container, an integral component of the closure is irreparably broken in such a way that it is evident the original seal has been breached. Some examples of such systems are represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,196,818; 4,153,174; and 5,875,906.




While the above mentioned closures can function well for the purposes for which they have been designed, the present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to provide an improved tamper-evident closure which could be readily fabricated to associate with certain types of lids or flow control elements and which, prior to initial opening, could enhance the cosmetic appearance of the closure. The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable if such a tamper-evident closure could be easily installed on a container to its tamper-indicating ready condition for eventual delivery to the consumer. The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to provide a tamper-evident closure that was easy and self-explanatory to use by consumers while still providing an attractive appearance, ease of application by packagers, and simplicity in molding by the closure producer.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The invention provides a closure structure having an appearance that leads the user to attempt to open the container in the usual manner. In doing so, however, a first tamper-evident element, a cover part, is automatically removed from the closure structure. This exposes an indication that the dispensing seal of the closure structure may have been opened and also provides a convenient secondary means of opening a lid part for continuing use of the package.




Furthermore, if the overall design of the package so dictates, or if the user so elects, the entire closure structure may be removed from the container before or after the first tamper-evident element is removed. In this event, a second tamper-evident element is automatically separated from the closure structure, and remains on the container, thereby revealing that the closure/container interface has been breached.




The present invention provides a closure structure having a closure body with a dispensing orifice, and a cap which is configured to overlie the closure body. The cap includes a lid part and a cover part connected together by a frangible feature. The lid part is hinged to the closure body. The lid and cover parts as a unit can be pivoted from an initially open, as-molded, orientation to a position wherein the parts lock onto the closure body. The frangible feature, and the locking of the parts onto the closure body, constitute a tamper-evident feature which must be discernibly breached to initially gain access to the dispensing orifice.




The frangible feature preferably comprises a line of weakness formed through the material of the cap, such as formed by a through-cut or groove made discontinuous by small, breakable bridging webs.




According to an exemplary embodiment, the closure body comprises a flat end wall or deck and a depending annular body sidewall or body skirt. An annular shoulder is formed above the sidewall. The lid part includes a first partially circular top wall and a depending first partially annular lid sidewall or lid skirt. The lid skirt includes an edge which fits on the annular shoulder when the lid part is closed onto the closure body. The lid skirt and the closure body provide first and second latching mechanisms arranged on opposing sides of the hinge respectively, around a circumference of the lid part.




The cover part includes a second partially circular top wall and a second partially annular skirt which substantially complete, with the first partially circular top wall and the first partially annular skirt of the lid part, an overall circular top wall and an overall annular skirt of the cap. A third latching mechanism is arranged between the cover part and the closure body at a front side of the closure structure, opposite to the hinge.




Guard walls can be arranged on the annular shoulder, which form partially annular channels for receiving edge portions of the lid skirt. The guard walls prohibit the de-latching of the lid part by someone attempting to separate the lid edge from the closure body using a predominantly radial force.




To open the closure structure for the first time, the cover part is pried upwardly, causing the breaking of the line of weakness, and a separation of the cover part from the lid part. Removal of the cover part exposes a front wall of the lid part, and a lifting lip that extends forwardly from the front wall. In order to open the lid part, the user then exerts an upwardly directed force on the lifting lip to cause a progressive separation of the two latching mechanisms and opening of the lid part.




An important advantage to the manufacturer of the inventive closure structure is that molding thereof may be accomplished without any unusual or complicated features in the injection mold used to form the structure. All surfaces may be formed by standard “straight opening” molds. No complicated side actions, etc., are required. The closure structure is cost effectively manufactured.




Advantages of the inventive closure structure also accrue to the packager and retailer. In handling of the parts during completion of the closure preparation, subsequent bulk handling and shipment, and application to containers, the absence of appendages or features that project beyond the outside surfaces of the closure structure allow the parts to be easily and efficiently handled throughout the distribution chain. Once on the container, the closure structure presents a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance to potential purchasers at point of sale.




The closure structure of the invention is simple and user friendly. The initial opening movement is familiar to the user, and the opening sequence is self-explanatory.




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











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawings form part of the specification, and like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a closure structure of the invention mounted on a container neck (container neck shown in fragmentary fashion);





FIG. 2

is a plan view of the closure structure of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a right side view of the closure structure of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a front view of the closure structure of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a sectional view taken generally along line


5





5


of

FIG. 2

of the closure structure as installed on a container neck;





FIG. 6

is a sectional view taken generally along line


6





6


of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 7

is a perspective view of the closure structure of

FIG. 1

, with a tamper-evident feature removed;





FIG. 8

is a plan view of the closure structure of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 9

is a right side view of the closure structure of

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 10

is a front view of the closure structure of

FIG. 8

;





FIG. 11

is a perspective view of the closure structure of

FIG. 7

in an open condition;





FIG. 12

is a plan view of the closure structure of

FIG. 11

;





FIG. 13

is a right side view of the closure structure of

FIG. 11

;





FIG. 14

is a front view of the closure structure of

FIG. 11

;





FIG. 15

is a sectional view taken generally along line


15





15


of

FIG. 12

;





FIG. 16

is a sectional view taken generally along line


16





16


of

FIG. 12

;





FIG. 17

is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment closure structure; and





FIG. 18

is a bottom perspective view of the alternate embodiment closure structure of FIG.


17


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




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. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.




For ease of description, most of the figures illustrating the invention show a dispensing system in the typical orientation that it would have at the top of a container when the container is stored upright on its base, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing system of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.




The dispensing system of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers having various designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The container per se described herein forms no part of some embodiments and concepts of the invention and therefore is not intended to limit the present invention. It will also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects are embodied in the described exemplary closure structure alone.




An exemplary embodiment of a closure structure


30


according to the invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 1-16

.





FIG. 1

illustrates a closure structure


30


adapted to be installed on a container neck


32


. The closure structure


30


is adapted to be used with a container having a mouth or other opening to provide access to the container interior and to a product contained therein. The closure structure


30


could be used to dispense many types of materials, including, but not limited to, relatively low or high viscosity liquids, particulates, etc. as constituting a food product, a personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product, or other chemical compositions (e.g., compositions for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.).




The container with which the closure structure may be used would typically be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and squeezed or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container so as to force the product out of the container and through the closure structure


30


. The container wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape. Such a squeezable wall container is preferred in many applications but may not be necessarily preferred in other applications. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to employ a generally rigid container or even a pressurized container.




The closure structure


30


includes a closure body


36


substantially covered by a cap


37


. The body


36


includes an annular body sidewall or body skirt


40


having on an exterior thereof knurling or ribs


42


, and a partially circular plain area


44


. The cap


37


includes a substantially flat circular end wall


48


and a depending annular cap skirt or cap sidewall


52


The cap


37


includes a lid part


38


and a cover part


39


.




The cap includes a perimeter line of weakness


60


formed by a through-cut made discontinuous by intermittent webs or bridges


66


, or by a reduced material thickness or notch, or by perforations, or by another known method. The line of weakness


60


has a top segment


67


that extends across the end wall


48


and side segments


68


,


69


that extend down the skirt


52


at opposite ends of the top segment


67


. The line of weakness defines the intersection of the lid part


38


and the cover part


39


.




The cover part


39


provides a lifting tab


71


on a front side thereof, arranged in registry with the plain area


44


, the plain area


44


providing a convenient space into which a user can insert a finger to underlie the tab


71


for exerting an upward lifting force.





FIGS. 2 through 16

illustrate further features of the closure structure


30


. The lid part


38


is attached to the body


36


via a hinge


76


(

FIGS. 3

,


5


,


12


, and


13


). The hinge


76


is preferably a snap action hinge. Such a hinge is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,824, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. In an alternate embodiment, the lid part


38


need not be connected with a snap-action hinge. A floppy hinge may be used instead.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, the lid part


38


includes a partially annular lid sidewall or lid skirt


78


and a partially circular lid top wall


79


. The lid skirt


78


includes side recessed wall portions


82


,


84


(

FIGS. 4

,


6


, and


11


) which terminate outwardly proximate the cover part


39


(FIG.


2


). In this regard, the lid part has a major diameter D


1


(

FIG. 2

) along a line passing from front to back, and a minor diameter D


2


along a line passing laterally through the recessed wall portions


82


,


84


. The difference in diameters accounts for the depths d


3


(

FIG. 2

) of the two recessed wall portions


82


,


84


.




As shown in

FIGS. 1-3

, the cover part


39


includes a partially annular cover sidewall or cover skirt


85


and a partially circular cover top wall


87


. The lid sidewall


78


and the cover sidewall


85


form the cap sidewall


52


(FIG.


1


). The lid top wall


79


and the cover top wall


87


together form the cap top wall


48


(FIG.


1


).




The closure body


36


can include a tamper-evident portion


90


(

FIG. 3

) on a bottom side thereof for preventing undetected removal of the closure body from the container neck


32


. The tamper-evident portion includes a folded locking ring or band


92


(shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

) and a frangible joint


96


.




This frangible joint


96


includes frangible bridges


97


(

FIGS. 3 and 4

) integrally connected between the skirt


40


and the downwardly-projecting locking ring


92


. The locking ring


92


is engaged to the container neck


32


in such a way that upon first application certain features on the internal surface of the ring engage with features on the outer circumference of the container neck, such as a flange


98


(

FIGS. 5 and 6

) to prevent its removal. Upon first removal of the closure structure from the container, the interconnecting frangible bridges


97


break and the locking ring remains secured to the container neck, separated visibly and irreplaceably from the closure skirt. Such tamper-evident bands are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,196,818 and 5,875,906, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference thereto.




An additional method to render the closure structure/container connection resistant to unauthorized opening can be to incorporate into the closure body and container finish mating portions a design that prevents the closure body from being removed from the container. This can be accomplished by the use of an appropriately designed snap-on style finish or a one-way, non-removable screw-on finish system. An example of the latter system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,174.




It should be noted that although an upwardly projecting container “neck” is illustrated for being received within the particular configuration of the closure body


36


, the main part of the container (not shown) may have a same or a different cross-sectional shape than the container neck


32


and closure body skirt


40


. In this regard, “neck” only refers to that portion of the container that receives the closure structure, and is not limited to a portion which is more narrow than adjoining portions of the container, or the main body of the container. For example, the term “neck” also encompasses the closure-structure-receiving portion of a tubular container, wherein the neck has the same width as the remaining portions of the container.





FIGS. 5 and 6

illustrate the internal features of the closure structure


30


. The closure structure


30


is adapted to engage the container neck


32


. The closure body


36


includes a deck


100


above the sidewall


40


. The sidewall


40


is hollow, and generally cylindrical. An annular shoulder


102


(

FIG. 5

) is defined on top of the body sidewall


40


. The closure structure also includes a spout


106


extending upwardly from the deck


100


. The spout


106


has a sealing surface


107


that defines a dispensing orifice


108


. The interior of the skirt


40


defines an internal thread formation


110


. The body sidewall


40


is adapted to receive and threadingly engage the upper end of the container neck


32


. The container neck


32


includes an exterior thread formation


120


. The skirt thread formation


110


is adapted to matingly engage the thread formation


120


on the container neck.




Alternatively, the body sidewall


40


could be provided with some other container connecting means, such as a snap-fit bead or groove (not illustrated) in place of the thread formation


110


for engaging a container groove or bead (not illustrated), respectively, in the container neck. The closure body


36


could also be permanently attached to the container by means of induction melting, ultrasonic melting, gluing, or the like, depending on materials used for the closure body


36


and in the container. The closure body


36


could also be formed as a unitary part, or extension, of the container.




The closure body skirt


40


may have any suitable configuration. The container could have an upwardly projecting neck or other portion for being received within the particular configuration of the closure body


36


, and the main part of the container may have a different cross-sectional shape than the container neck and closure body skirt


40


.




The cap sidewall


52


defines at its extremity an annular seating surface


156


(FIG.


5


). When the cap


37


is closed, the seating surface


156


engages the annular shoulder


102


defined on the closure body


36


.




The lid part


38


includes an orifice sealing member or “spud”


160


(

FIGS. 5 and 11

) which extends from a lid end wall


48


and which is adapted to sealingly engage the dispensing orifice sealing surface


107


when the lid part


38


is pivoted from the open position (illustrated in

FIG. 15

) to a closed position (illustrated in FIG.


5


). As will be recognized, the orifice sealing member


160


is of a complementary shape relative to the shape of the dispensing orifice


108


.




An annular sealing surface


170


is arranged below the deck


100


, facing the container neck


32


, The surface


170


seals to a complimentary sealing surface


174


of the container neck


32


. As an alternative to the annular surface


170


, an annular “crab's claw” seal (not shown) could be used which projects downwardly from the closure body deck


100


and is adapted to resiliently engage the sealing surface


174


of the container.




The closure body


36


includes side guard walls


202


,


204


(

FIGS. 6 and 11

) which are located adjacent to the side recessed wall portions


82


,


84


, respectively (FIG.


6


). The guard walls


202


,


204


are each spaced from a deck side edge


210


of the deck


100


(FIG.


11


), so as to define a partially annular channel


212


,


214


, respectively (shown in

FIGS. 11

,


12


, and


16


), for tight receipt of the respective edge portions


82




a


,


84




a


of the recessed wall portions


82


,


84


.




Latching mechanisms lock the edge portions


82




a


,


84




a


into the channels


212


,


214


. Preferably, the latching mechanisms are formed by radially, inwardly extending beads


82




b


(FIGS.


11


and


12


),


84




b


(

FIG. 12

) of the edge portions


82




a


,


84




a


, and radially outwardly extending beads


210




a


(FIG.


14


),


210




b


(

FIGS. 11 and 14

) of the deck side edge


210


, which interlock to lock the edge portions


82




a


,


84




a


into the channels


212


,


214


.




The lid part


38


further includes a recessed front wall


220


(FIG.


11


), extending axially downwardly from the top wall


79


and contacting or in close proximity to the deck


100


(FIG.


7


). The wall


220


is radially inset from the line of weakness


60


, thus forming a lifting lip


222


as shown in FIG.


7


.




The cover part


39


is further snap engaged to the deck side edge


210


by a front latching mechanism which preferably includes a radially inwardly extending bead


226


of the cover part


39


which engages a radially outwardly extending bead


228


of the deck side edge


210


(shown in

FIGS. 7-10

and


17


).




Although the latching mechanism bead pairs


82




b


/


210




a


;


84




b


/


210




b


; and


226


/


228


are preferably formed by protruding beads which override and interlock, the scope of the invention also encompasses a groove that could be provided adjacent one or both beads to receive a corresponding opposing bead to increase the integrity of the snap engagement. Furthermore, the invention encompasses other methods of snap engagement latching mechanisms such as bead and groove; pin and hole (or socket); ball and hole (or socket); hook and catch, or other known fastening arrangements.





FIGS. 7-12

show the closure after the cover part


39


has been removed. To remove the cover part


39


, a sufficient lifting or pulling force is exerted on the lifting tab


71


(

FIG. 1

) to exert a sufficient shear or tensile stress to break the webs


66


to separate the cover part


39


from the lid part


38


along the line of weakness


60


. Once the cover part


39


is removed, the recessed front wall


220


is exposed, as is the lifting lip


222


. The lid part


38


can now be opened by applying a lifting force on the lip


222


to disengage the beads


82




b


,


84




b


from the deck beads


210




a


,


210




b


and pivot the lid part


38


on the body


36


about the hinge


76


.




When the lid part


38


and the cover part


39


are latched to the closure body


36


, the cap


37


is effectively latched or connected on four sides. Referring back to

FIG. 2

, the lid part


38


is (1) connected to the closure body at 0 degrees at the hinge


76


, (2) latched to the closure body at 90 degrees and 270 degrees via the latching beads pairs


82




b


/


210




a


and


84




b


/


210




b


, and (3) latched to the closure body at 180 degrees via the front latching beads


226


/


228


, all recited angles being defined about a central vertical axis A of the closure


30


as shown in FIG.


2


. The only exposed prying surface to lift the cap


37


from the body


36


is the cover part lifting tab


71


.




The cover part


39


is arranged to be lifted at the 180 degree position at the lifting tab


71


. Lifting or pulling the lifting tab


71


disengages the beads


226


/


228


, breaking the side segments


68


,


69


of the frangible line of weakness


60


, while pivoting the cover part


39


about the top segment


67


of the frangible line of weakness. The cover part


39


can be torn or broken from the lid part


38


along the top segment


67


. Removal of the cover part exposes, and allows prying up of, the lifting lip


222


and pivoting of the lid part


38


about the hinge


76


to disengage the bead connections at 90 degrees and 270 degrees.




With the cover part removed, a crescent-shaped portion


230


(

FIG. 7

) of the deck


100


is exposed. This portion


230


can carry information, such as in the form of molded indicia


234


indicating the lid part may have been opened, or other information or displays.





FIGS. 17 and 18

illustrate an alternate embodiment closure structure


300


. In this embodiment, an alternate lid part


338


includes a substantially straight (non-recessed) sidewall. The body


336


does not include guard walls. In this embodiment, the lid skirt is made sufficiently rigid to resist undetected disengagement of the side beads caused by a radially exerted force. Also, the first embodiment closure body/container neck tamper-evident element


90


(

FIG. 5

) is omitted in this embodiment.




It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof 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. For example, although the closure structure of the invention is exemplified by a threaded engagement with the container, the invention contemplates other fastening techniques and implements for securing the closure structure to the container. Other fastening might incorporate a friction fit facilitated by a closure structure having a skirt with an inside diameter sized to provide a sliding or telescoping engagement with a smooth, threadless container finish. In such an embodiment, the fitment and closure body would be provided with abutment surfaces, for example, a bayonet type interlock or fastening implement, which permit installation of the closure structure on the container, but which may be configured, for example, by relative rotation of the closure body and container, to restrict upward movement of the closure body relative to the container.



Claims
  • 1. A closure structure comprising:a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck; and a closure cap having a lid part attached to said body at a hinged attachment, and a cover part frangibly connected to said lid part on a side of said lid part opposite said hinged attachment to said body, said lid part latched to said body at lateral positions located between said hinged attachment and said cover part, said cover part covering a lifting lip extending from said lid part, removal of said cover part exposing said lifting lip, said cover part comprising a first front latching bead and said body comprises a second front latching bead, said first and second front latching beads engageable to latch said cover part to said body.
  • 2. A closure structure comprising:a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck; and a closure cap having a lid part attached to said body at a hinged attachment, and a cover part frangibly connected to said lid part on a side of said lid part opposite said hinged attachment to said body, said lid part comprising first side latching beads along side edges thereof, said lid part latched to said body at lateral positions located between said hinged attachment and said cover part, said cover part covering a lifting lip extending from said lid part, removal of said cover part exposing said lifting lip, said body comprising side guard walls preventing outward side displacement of said first side latching beads of said lid part.
  • 3. A closure structure comprising:a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck; and a closure cap having a lid part attached to said body at a hinged attachment, and a cover part frangibly connected to said lid part on a side of said lid part opposite said hinged attachment to said body, said lid part latched to said body at lateral positions located between said hinged attachment and said cover part, said cover part covering a lifting lip extending from said lid part, removal of said cover part exposing said lifting lip, said lid part comprising a first top wall, a depending first partially annular skirt bridged by a substantially planar front wall, and said cover part comprising a second top wall and second partially annular skirt, said first and second partially annular skirts completing a cap annular sidewall, and said first and second top walls completing a cap top wall.
  • 4. The closure structure according to claim 3, wherein said lid part comprises a latching formation at opposed side positions on an edge of said first partially annular skirt, and said cover part comprises a coacting latching formation at a front position on an edge of said second partially annular skirt.
  • 5. A closure structure comprising:a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck; and a closure cap having a lid part attached to said body at a hinged attachment, and a cover part frangibly connected to said lid part on a side of said lid part opposite said hinged attachment to said body, said lid part latched to said body at lateral positions located between said hinged attachment and said cover part, said cover part covering a lifting lip extending from said lid part, removal of said cover part exposing said lifting lip, said cap comprising a top wall and an annular sidewall, and said lid part and said cover part of said cap being frangibly connected by a line of weakness having a top segment extending across the top wall and side segments extending down said annular sidewall from opposite ends of said top segment.
  • 6. A closure structure comprising:a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck; and a closure cap having a lid part attached to said body at a hinged attachment, and a cover part frangibly connected to said lid part on a side of said lid part opposite said hinged attachment to said body, said lid part latched to said body at lateral positions located between said hinged attachment and said cover part, said cover part covering a lifting lip extending from said lid part, removal of said cover part exposing said lifting lip, said body comprising side channels, said lid part having side edge portions engaged into said side channels, said side edge portions and said side channels having latching elements for latching said side edge portions into said side channels.
  • 7. A closure structure comprising:a closure body having a deck and depending sidewall, and a dispensing orifice through said deck; and a closure cap having a lid part attached to said body at a hinged attachment, and a cover part frangibly connected to said lid part on a side of said lid part opposite said hinged attachment to said body, said lid part latched to said body at lateral positions located between said hinged attachment and said cover part, said cover part covering a lifting lip extending from said lid part, removal of said cover part exposing said lifting lip, said cover part comprising a lifting tab and a first front latching element, and said body comprising a second front latching element, said first front latching element for latching said cover part to said second front latching element, said first and second latching elements disengageable by a user-applied lifting force on said tab.
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Entry
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/747,865, filed Dec. 22, 2000.