One-piece dispensing closure
View Patent ↗A one-piece dispensing closure is disclosed. The one-piece dispensing closure includes a base, a lid having a first flap and means to irreversibly attach to the base, a first living hinge connecting the base to the lid, and a second living hinge connecting the first flap to the lid. The simplistic design of the dispensing closure allows for easy production of dispensing closures of different shapes and sizes.
1. A one-piece dispensing closure, comprising:
a base comprising an end wall and a skirt that depends from the end wall;
a lid having a first surface free of any structure components, the lid comprising a first flap that opens and closes over a plurality of openings, wherein the lid further comprises positive snap locks formed in a chordal area of the lid, the positive snap locks extending from a second surface of the lid to engage with corresponding locking features on the base to irreversibly attach the lid to the base;
a first living hinge connecting the base to the lid;
a second living hinge connecting the first flap to the lid; and
a snap-bead structure that releasably holds the first flap closed on the end wall, the snap bead structure comprising:
an edge defined between a periphery of the end wall and an exterior wall of the skirt and located opposite the first living hinge, wherein the edge extends over the skirt and surrounds at least a portion of the end wall; and
a complementary curvature formed within the first flap and at a border of the first flap, wherein the complementary curvature projects upward, away from the base,
wherein a lower portion of the complementary curvature snap catches the edge when the first flap is in a closed position.
2. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 1 , wherein the attaching means comprises a positive snap lock on the lid and a matching hole on the base.
3. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 1 , wherein the end wall comprises at least one opening; and wherein the skirt extends downward from the periphery of the end wall.
4. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 3 , wherein the skirt comprises internal threads.
5. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 3 , wherein the end wall comprises a pouring opening and a plurality of shake openings, wherein the pouring opening is larger than the shake openings.
6. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a thumbtab on the skirt to facilitate a release of the first flap from the closed position.
7. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises a second flap connected to the lid by a third living hinge.
8. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 7 , wherein the first flap and the second flap are the same size and shape.
9. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 7 , wherein the first flap and the second flap are different in size.
10. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 7 , wherein the lid further comprises a third flap connected to the lid by a fourth living hinge.
11. The one-piece dispensing closure of claim 10 , wherein the lid further comprises a fourth flap connected to the lid by a fifth living hinge.
12. A container assembly, comprising:
a container comprising a dispensing opening; and
a one-piece dispensing closure attached to the dispensing opening, the one-piece dispensing closure comprising:
a base comprising an end wall and a skirt that depends from the end wall;
a lid having a first surface free of any structure components, the lid comprising a first flap that opens and closes over a plurality of openings, wherein the lid further comprises positive snap locks formed in a chordal area of the lid, the positive snap locks extending from a second surface of the lid to engage with corresponding locking features on the base to irreversibly attach the lid to the base;
a first living hinge connecting the base to the lid;
a second living hinge connecting the first flap to the lid; and
a snap-bead structure that releasably holds the first flap closed on the end wall, the snap bead structure comprising:
an edge defined between a periphery of the end wall and an exterior wall of the skirt and located opposite the first living hinge, wherein the edge extends over the skirt and surrounds at least a portion of the end wall; and
an indentation formed within the first flap and at a border of the first flap, wherein the indentation projects upward, away from the base and is complementary to the edge,
wherein a lower section of the indentation snap catches the edge when the first flap is in a closed position.
13. The container assembly of claim 12 , wherein the one-piece dispensing closure is reversibly attached to the container.
14. The container assembly of claim 12 , wherein the lid further comprises a second flap connected to the lid by a third living hinge.
15. The container assembly of claim 12 , wherein the end wall comprises at least one opening; and the skirt extends downward from the periphery of the end wall.
16. The container assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a thumbtab on the skirt, the thumbtab is configured to facilitate release of the first flap.