Closure with lid protection

Abstract

A closure is provided for a container opening. The closure includes a body for mounting to the container and a lid movable between a closed position and an open position. The rear end of the lid and body are connected by a hinge. The lid is disposed in a recess defined in the body.

1 . A closure for a container that has an opening to the container interior where a product may be stored, said closure comprising:
 (A) a body for extending from said container at said opening and defining a discharge aperture for communicating with said opening;   (B) a lid movable between a closed position occluding said aperture and an open position spaced from said aperture, said lid having a front end, a rear end, and two sides extending between said front end and rear end; and   (C) a hinge connecting said lid rear end with said body; and wherein
 said body defines a recess for receiving said lid when said lid is in said closed position so that said body laterally encloses said lid at least at said front end and at said sides so as to inhibit contact with said lid front end from locations that are laterally in front of said lid front end but exterior of said body, said recess extending sufficiently in front of said lid front end to provide a space for accommodating insertion of a user's finger from above said lid front end to a position in said recess adjacent said lid front end so that said lid can be lifted up with said finger and moved to said open position. 
   
   
   
       2 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which said recess extends to, and is laterally open at, the edge of said body at said lid rear end to accommodate said hinge at said lid rear end. 
   
   
       3 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which said lid front end includes a lift tab projecting partway into said space at said lid front end. 
   
   
       4 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which said closure is molded from polypropylene. 
   
   
       5 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which said closure is a dispensing closure wherein said body is separate from, but releasably attachable to, said container around said container opening. 
   
   
       6 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which
 said body includes a side portion defining one side of said recess which is adjacent one side of said lid when said lid is closed;   said body includes another side portion defining another side of said recess which is adjacent the other side of said lid when said lid is closed; and   said body includes a front portion defining a front end of said recess which is spaced in front of said lid front end when said lid is closed.   
   
   
       7 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which
 said lid has a generally flat top surface; and   said body has a generally flat top surface which is substantially coplanar with said lid flat top surface.   
   
   
       8 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which
 said lid front end has a generally planar front wall; and   each of said lid sides has a generally planar sidewall.   
   
   
       9 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which
 said body defines a floor extending across the bottom of said recess; and   part of said discharge aperture is defined in a spout having the form of a collar projecting upwardly from said floor, and part of said discharge aperture extends from said spout downwardly through said floor.   
   
   
       10 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which
 said closure body includes a deck extending around said lid rear end; and   said hinge is a film hinge connecting said lid rear end with said deck.   
   
   
       11 . The closure in accordance with  claim 1  in which said lid is tapered such that said lid front end is narrower than said lid rear end.