Hinged Closure

Abstract

Hinged closures for containers are provided. The hinged closures allow for a closure that can be held in the open position with a large opening angle. The hinged closures include a lid portion and a tamper evident band interconnected by a hinge portion. The hinge portion can be formed from two connecting bands and a central flexible band, or a continuous band having variable thickness and a central thinner flexible area.

1 . A hinged closure for a container comprising:
 an upper lid portion;   a tamper evident band; and   a hinge portion comprising a continuous band defining thicker portions positioned on either side of a thinner central flexible pane.   
     
     
         2 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein the thicker portions are integrally connected to the thinner central flexible pane. 
     
     
         3 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein the central flexible pane flexes inward to allow the upper lid portion to be in a semi-locked open position. 
     
     
         4 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein the thicker portions of the hinge portion define inwardly-directed panes that integrally connect with the central flexible pane. 
     
     
         5 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein the thicker portions of the hinge portion comprise a variable thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein the thinner central flexible pane comprises a thinner flexible area centrally positioned between the thicker portions. 
     
     
         7 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 6 , wherein the thicker portions of the continuous band provide strength and bending capacity to the hinge portion. 
     
     
         8 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 7 , wherein the central flexible pane comprises a thin flexible area formed by a reverse undercut, wherein when the hinged closure is opened, the central flexible pane flexes inward to allow the upper lid portion to be in a semi-locked open position. 
     
     
         9 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion integrally connects the upper lid portion with the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         10 . The hinged closure for a container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more portions of the central flexible pane are curved at least partially. 
     
     
         11 . A hinged closure of a container comprising an upper lid portion, a tamper evident band, and a hinge portion integrally connecting the upper lid portion with the tamper evident band, the hinge portion comprising a continuous band defining thicker portions positioned on either side of a thinner central flexible pane, wherein the thickness of the thicker portions is reduced as they approach and integrally connect with the thinner central flexible pane, and wherein the continuous band is configured so as to permit the upper lid portion to remain in a semi-locked open position. 
     
     
         12 . The hinged closure of a container of  claim 11 , wherein the thicker portions of the hinge portion comprise a variable thickness. 
     
     
         13 . The hinged closure of a container of  claim 11 , wherein the thickness of the hinge portion transitions along a horizontal length thereof, from a first side of the hinge portion at a first thickness, transitioning to a second thickness at a central flexible pane, and then transitioning to the first thickness at a second side of the hinge portion. 
     
     
         14 . The hinged closure of a container of  claim 11 , wherein the thinner central flexible pane generally defines a thinner flexible area centrally positioned between the thicker portions. 
     
     
         15 . The hinged closure of a container of  claim 14 , wherein the thicker portions of continuous band provide strength and bending capacity to the hinge portion. 
     
     
         16 . The hinged closure of a container of  claim 14 , wherein the central flexible pane comprises a thin flexible area formed by a reverse undercut, wherein when the hinged closure is opened, the central flexible pane flexes inward to allow the upper lid portion to be in a semi-locked open position. 
     
     
         17 . The hinged closure of a container of  claim 11 , wherein one or more portions of the central flexible pane are at least partially curved. 
     
     
         18 . A hinge portion for a hinged closure for a container, the hinged closure comprising an upper lid portion and a tamper evident band, the hinge portion comprising:
 a continuous band defining a length and a width, wherein the width is at least about twice the length, wherein the continuous band varies in thickness along its width and defines a thicker portion positioned on either side of a thinner central flexible pane, wherein the continuous band is configured so as to permit the upper lid portion to remain in a semi-locked open position.   
     
     
         19 . The hinge portion of  claim 18 , wherein the hinge portion integrally connects the upper lid portion with the tamper evident band. 
     
     
         20 . The hinge portion of  claim 18 , wherein the thicker portions of the continuous band provide strength and bending capacity to the hinge portion.