Tamper-indicating dispensing closure

Abstract

A tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a closure body, and an associated flip-top lid pivotally connected to the closure body for movement between a closed position and an open position. The flip-top lid includes a tamper-indicating flange frangibly connected thereto, with the closure body including a pocket-like retention cavity within which the tamper-indicating flange is received during initial closing movement of the flip-top lid. During initial opening movement of the lid, the tamper-indicating flange is broken away from the flip-top lid, and thereafter permanently retained within the retention cavity to provide a clear, visual indication that the flip-top lid of the closure has been opened.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A tamper-indicating dispensing closure, comprising a closure body having a top wall, a first skirt depending from said top wall, a dispensing opening provided in said top wall, and a retention cavity extending radially outwardly from said first skirt, said retention cavity including an inner wall defined by a portion of said first skirt, and an outer wall spaced from said inner wall, said closure body including first and second retention lugs extending into said retention cavity; and a flip-top lid connected to said closure body for movement between a closed position, in which said flip-top lid covers said dispensing opening, and an opened position, in which said dispensing opening is not covered by said flip-top lid, said flip-top lid including a second skirt having an edge surface which is engageable with said top wall of said closure body when said flip-top lid is in its closed position, a tamper-indicating flange depending from said edge surface such that said tamper-indicating flange is receivable by said retention cavity when said flip-top lid is in its closed position, said tamper-indicating flange including a first retention hook engageable with said first retention lug when said flip-top lid is in its closed position, and a second retention hook engageable with said second retention lug when said flip-top lid is in its closed position, and at least one frangible member connecting said tamper-indicating flange to said edge surface such that said at least one frangible member fractures when said flip-top lid is initially moved from its closed position to its opened position, whereby said tamper-indicating flange is retained within said retention cavity upon its disconnection from said flip-top lid, and whereby said disconnected tamper-indicating flange provides a visual indication that said flip-top lid has been initially moved from its closed position. 
   
   
       11 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 10 , wherein said retention cavity includes a first sidewall extending between said inner and outer walls at one end of said retention cavity, and a second sidewall extending between said inner and outer walls at an opposite end of said retention cavity, said first retention lug extending from said first sidewall and said second retention lug extending from said second sidewall. 
   
   
       12 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 11 , wherein said first retention hook is positioned at one end of said tamper-indicating flange, and said second retention hook is positioned at an opposite end of said flange. 
   
   
       13 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 12 , wherein said tamper-indicating flange includes a first edge positioned proximate to said edge surface of said flip-top lid when said tamper-indicating flange is connected to said flip-top lid, and a second edge positioned distal from said edge surface of said flip-top lid when said tamper-indicating flange is connected to said flip-top lid. 
   
   
       14 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 13 , wherein said tamper-indicating flange includes a first opening formed in said second edge of said flange and positioned adjacent to said first retention hook to facilitate flexure of said first retention hook in response to its engagement with said first retention lug, and a second opening formed in said second edge of said tamper-indicating flange and positioned adjacent to said second retention hook to facilitate flexure of said second retention hook in response to its engagement with said second retention lug. 
   
   
       15 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 14 , wherein said first retention hook includes a first guide surface engageable with said first retention lug when said flip-top lid is moved from its opened position to its closed position for facilitating engagement of said first retention hook with said first retention lug, and said second retention hook includes a second guide surface engageable with said second retention lug when said flip-top lid is moved from its opened position to its closed position for facilitating engagement of said second retention hook with said second retention lug. 
   
   
       16 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 15 , wherein each of said first and second guide surfaces are angled relative to said second edge of said tamper-indicating flange. 
   
   
       17 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one frangible member includes a plurality of spaced-apart frangible members. 
   
   
       18 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 17 , wherein each of said plurality of frangible members is connected to said first edge of said tamper-indicating flange prior to disconnection of said tamper-indicating flange from said flip-top lid. 
   
   
       19 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 18 , wherein said edge surface of said flip-top lid includes a first abutment positioned proximate to said first retention hook of said tamper-indicating flange such that said first abutment is engageable with said first edge of said flange as said flip-top lid is moved from its opened position to its closed position, and a second abutment positioned proximate to second first retention hook of said flange such that said second abutment is engageable with said first edge of said flange as said flip-top lid is moved from its opened position to its closed position. 
   
   
       20 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 19 , wherein said retention cavity includes a lower wall extending between said first and second sidewalls thereof and between said inner and outer walls thereof. 
   
   
       21 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 20 , wherein said lower wall of said retention cavity includes a first end spaced from said first sidewall of said retention cavity and a second end spaced from said second sidewall of said retention cavity. 
   
   
       22 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 21 , wherein said flip-top lid includes a plug seal that is releasably inserted within said dispensing opening of said closure body when said flip-top lid is in its closed position. 
   
   
       23 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 22 , wherein said plurality of frangible members includes three frangible members. 
   
   
       24 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 23 , wherein said closure body includes attachment means for attaching said tamper-indicating dispensing closure to a container. 
   
   
       25 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 24 , wherein said flip-top lid is formed integrally with said closure body. 
   
   
       26 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 25 , further comprising connecting means for movably connecting said flip-top lid to said closure body. 
   
   
       27 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 26 , wherein said connecting means includes a hinge. 
   
   
       28 . The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of  claim 27 , wherein said first skirt of said closure body is round, and said second skirt of said flip-top lid is round.