Closure with flexible hinge

Abstract

A closure for a container includes a closure shell having a first interior surface, a tamper evident band having a second interior surface, and a flexible hinge. The flexible hinge includes a first end, a second end, and a gathered portion located between the first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the closure shell and the second end is coupled to the tamper evident band. At least a portion of the gathered portion extends radially inward with respect to the interior surface of the closure shell. The flexible hinge permits the closure shell to be opened and remain tethered to the tamper evident band. The closure may further include a retaining bead or ratchets to keep the tamper evident band attached to the container.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A closure for a container, the closure comprising:
 a closure shell having a first interior surface;   a tamper evident band having a second interior surface; and   a flexible hinge having a first end, a second end, and a gathered portion located between the first and second ends, the first end is coupled to the closure shell and the second end is coupled to the tamper evident band, wherein at least a portion of the gathered portion extends radially inward with respect to the interior surface of the closure shell.   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retaining bead that extends inward from and circumferentially along the second interior surface of the tamper evident band, wherein a first portion of the retaining bead is vertically offset from a second section of the retaining bead and the second section of the retaining bead is positioned approximately beneath the flexible hinge and configured to prevent the tamper evident band from moving over a neck ring of a container. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the retaining bead is a continuous bead formed circumferentially along the second interior surface of the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the retaining bead is formed as an intermittent bead formed circumferentially along the second interior surface of the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the retaining bead is integrally formed with the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide tab coupled to the tamper evident band of the closure. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide tab coupled to the closure shell of the closure. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of frangible attachment bridges that couple the closure shell to the tamper evident band, wherein the bridges are readily breakable when the closure shell is moved relative to the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible hinge includes additional gathered portions. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible hinge includes a V-shaped or U-shaped portion. 
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible hinge includes additional gathered portions, each being V-shaped or U-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible hinge keeps the closure shell tethered to the tamper evident band when the closure shell is in an open position. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a first protuberance positioned on a first exterior surface of the closure shell and a second protuberance positioned on a second exterior surface tamper evident band, wherein the first and second protuberances are configured to interact in order to maintain the closure shell in an open position relative to the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident band is a foldable band comprising a first ratchet at a first height and a second ratchet at a second height, smaller than that the first height, the second ratchet being positioned approximately beneath at least a portion of the flexible hinge, such that when the tamper evident band is folded along a hinge, the first and second ratchets are located on the second interior surface of the tamper band and are configured to prevent the tamper evident band from moving over a neck ring of a container. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 14 , further comprising an intermediate ratchet being positioned between the first and second ratchets and having a height that is intermediate between the first and second ratchets. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a closure for a container, the method comprising:
 forming a closure shell having a first interior surface;   forming a tamper evident band having a second interior surface; and   forming a flexible hinge configured to couple the closure shell to the tamper evident band, the flexible hinge having a first end coupled to the closure shell, a second end coupled to the tamper evident band, and a gathered portion located between the first and second ends, wherein at least a portion of the gathered portion extends radially inward with respect to the interior surface of the closure shell.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming at least one retaining bead that extends inward from and circumferentially along the second interior surface of the tamper evident band, wherein a first portion of the retaining bead is vertically offset from a second section of the retaining bead and the second section of the retaining bead is positioned approximately beneath the flexible hinge and configured to prevent the tamper evident band from moving over a neck ring of a container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein obtaining the closure shell includes integrally forming the closure shell in accordance with a molding process. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein obtaining the tamper evident band includes integrally forming the tamper evident band in accordance with a molding process. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the closure shell to the tamper evident band with the flexible hinge includes integrally forming the flexible hinge with the closure shell and the tamper evident band in accordance with a molding process.