Hinged closure device with first opening indicator

Abstract

A closure device includes a first part forming a fastening base for fastening to a container neck and second part forming a lid. The second part includes a fastening ring and a hinge connecting the fastening ring to the lid and permitting the lid to pivot relative to the fastening ring between closed and open positions. The fastening ring snaps into a fastening groove in the first part. The second part has a first-opening indicator and a frangible connection between the first-opening indicator and a peripheral rim flange of the lid. A free space between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator exists when the lid is in the closed position prior to the first opening. Two lock zones on the first part engage the first-opening indicator such that the first-opening indicator separates from the lid and drops into the free space upon the first opening.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure device for a container neck, the closure device comprising:
 a first part having a fastening base for fastening to the container neck; and   a second part having a fastening ring that is retained on the fastening base of the first part, a lid that is connected to the fastening ring by a hinge that permits the lid to pivot relative to the fastening ring between a closed position and an open position, and a first-opening indicator detachably connected to the lid by at least one frangible connection such that a free space is maintained in an axial direction between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator when the lid is in the closed position prior to a first opening of the lid from the closed position to the open position,   wherein the first part includes at least two lock zones that engage the first-opening indicator and retain the first-opening indicator with the first part when the lid is first opened from the closed position to the open position such that the at least one frangible connection between the first-opening indicator and the lid breaks and the first-opening indicator drops into the free space when the lid is first opened,   wherein the first part includes at least one viewing recess, positioned circumferentially between the at least two lock zones, through which the first-opening indicator as well as the free space is visible before the first opening of the lid and through which at least the first-opening indicator is visible after the first opening of the lid.   
     
     
         2 . The closure device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a peripheral rim and wherein the first-opening indicator is detachably connected to the peripheral rim of the lid by the at least one frangible connection at a position axially between the peripheral rim and the fastening base. 
     
     
         3 . The closure device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one frangible connection is a plurality of frangible bridges that extend axially between the peripheral rim of the lid and the first-opening indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The closure device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two lock zones are a retaining tabs that extend axially from the fastening base towards the lid to define a plurality of viewing recesses that extend circumferentially between the retaining tabs. 
     
     
         5 . The closure device according to  claim 4 , wherein the retaining tabs are distributed over a periphery of the fastening base at circumferentially spaced locations. 
     
     
         6 . The closure device according to  claim 4 , wherein each viewing recess is bounded by the fastening base and two adjacent retaining tabs such that each viewing recess has an open top. 
     
     
         7 . The closure device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first part includes a spout that projects out in an axial direction from the fastening base and wherein each of the retaining tabs has a hook that projects radially inwardly towards the spout to engage the first-opening indicator. 
     
     
         8 . The closure device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first-opening indicator extends in a circular arc around a reference axis that is coaxial with the fastening base. 
     
     
         9 . The closure device according to  claim 8 , wherein the circular arc runs over an angular section that is greater than 45 degrees about the reference axis. 
     
     
         10 . The closure device according to the  claim 8 , wherein the circular arc runs over an angular section that is greater than 180 degrees about the reference axis. 
     
     
         11 . The closure device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises of a strip of material extending between a first end that is connected to the lid and a second end that is connected to the fastening ring and wherein the hinge has first and second lateral edges that extend between the first and second ends of the hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The closure device according to the  claim 11 , wherein the first-opening indicator extends in a circular arc from the first lateral edge of the hinge to the second lateral edge of the hinge without being connected to the hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The closure device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two lock zones prevent the removal of the first-opening indicator after the first opening. 
     
     
         14 . A closure device for a container neck, the closure device comprising:
 a first part having a fastening base for fastening to the container neck, the fastening base extending annularly about a reference axis; and   a second part having a fastening ring that is retained on the fastening base of the first part, a lid that is connected to the fastening ring by a hinge that permits the lid to pivot relative to the fastening ring between a closed position and an open position, and a first-opening indicator in the form of a circular arc extending over an angular section that is greater than 180 degrees about the reference axis, the first-opening indicator being connected to a peripheral rim of the lid by frangible bridges at a location positioned axially between the peripheral rim of the lid and the fastening ring such that a free space is maintained in an axial direction between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator when the lid is in the closed position prior to a first opening of the lid from the closed position to the open position,   wherein the first part includes at least two lock zones that engage the first-opening indicator and retain the first-opening indicator with the first part when the lid is first opened from the closed position to the open position such that the frangible bridges between the first-opening indicator and the lid breaks and the first-opening indicator drops by gravity into the free space and comes to bear against the fastening ring when the lid is first opened,   wherein the first part includes at least one viewing recess, positioned circumferentially between the at least two lock zones, through which the first-opening indicator as well as the free space is visible before the first opening of the lid and through which at least the first-opening indicator is visible after the first opening of the lid.   
     
     
         15 . The closure device according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least two lock zones prevent the removal of the first-opening indicator after the first opening. 
     
     
         16 . The closure device according to  claim 14 , wherein the first part includes a tamper evident ring, detachably connected to the fastening base, that engages the container neck to indicate separation between the fastening base and the container neck. 
     
     
         17 . A closure device for a container having an opening, the closure device comprising:
 a first part having a fastening base for fastening to the container and a peripheral fastening groove; and   a second part having a fastening ring that is retained in the peripheral groove of the fastening base, a lid that is connected to the fastening ring by a hinge that permits the lid to pivot relative to the fastening ring between a closed position and an open position, and a first-opening indicator detachably connected to the lid by at least one frangible connection such that a free space is maintained in an axial direction between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator when the lid is in the closed position prior to a first opening of the lid from the closed position to the open position,   wherein the first part includes at least two lock zones that engage the first-opening indicator and retain the first-opening indicator with the first part when the lid is first opened from the closed position to the open position such that the at least one frangible connection between the first-opening indicator and the lid breaks and the first-opening indicator drops into the free space when the lid is first opened,   wherein the first part includes at least one viewing recess, positioned circumferentially between the at least two lock zones, through which the first-opening indicator is visible before and after the first opening of the lid.   
     
     
         18 . The closure device according to  claim 17 , wherein the lid has a peripheral rim with a lid recess that accommodates at least part of the first-opening indicator before the first opening of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . The closure device according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one frangible connection extends between the peripheral rim in the lid recess and the first-opening indicator. 
     
     
         20 . The closure device according to  claim 18 , wherein the fastening ring includes a reduced height segment, circumferentially aligned with the lid recess, that at least partially defines the free space and at least partially receives of the first-opening indicator after the first opening of the lid.