Stackable non-round plastic closure with a living hinge

Abstract

A new and improved plastic closure is disclosed herein. The closure contains a breakout seal that leaves the opening flush with the wall of the closure, an interference fit lock for the seal, bypass walls to maintain freshness when the lid is closed, and induction heat sealing of the closure to the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A non-round plastic dispensing closure for a non-round composite container, the closure comprising: 
 a one-piece thermoplastic resin body, the body comprising: 
 a top side;  
 a first top wall;  
 a second top wall, the second top wall being concentrically larger than the first top wall;  
 a middle wall, the middle wall being concentrically larger than the second top wall;  
 a bottom wall, the bottom wall extending circumferentially downward from the middle wall, the bottom wall being concentrically smaller than the middle wall and concentrically larger than the first top wall;  
 interference fit protrusions;  
 bypass walls; and,  
 an opening through which contents of the associated container can be removed without removing the closure;  
   a resealable flap, the flap connected to the body by a living hinge, the flap comprising: 
 a latch;  
 a lip;  
 a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf;  
 a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf;  
 a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls; and,  
 hinge sealing means;  
   a tamper-evident break-out seal, wherein the seal rotates approximately 160° with respect to the body, the seal locking open by interference fit with the interference fit protrusions, the seal, in the closed position, resting flush against the wall of the body, the seal having reinforcement flanges; and,    an opening in the body, the opening having vertical walls, wherein once the seal is opened, no protrusions on the vertical walls exist to inhibit removal of the contents of the associated container.    
     
     
         2 . A dispensing closure comprising: 
 a body, the body having bypass walls;    a resealable flap, the resealable flap connected to the body via a living hinge, the resealable flap creating a freshness seal with the bypass walls; and,    an opening, the resealable flap closing the opening.    
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the closure further comprises: 
 a tamper-evident seal, the seal being capable of rotating substantially 180°, the seal being locked in the open position via interference fit.    
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein the seal is flush against a wall opening in the closed position.  
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein the body further comprises: 
 a top side;    a wall, the wall extending circumferentially downward from the top side; and, interference fit protrusions.    
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the flap further comprises: 
 a latch;    a lip; and,    hinge sealing means.    
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the flap further comprises: 
 a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf;    a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf; and,    a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls.    
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 7 , wherein the closure is non-round.  
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 8 , wherein the closure is attached to a non-round composite container.  
     
     
         10 . A dispensing container, the container comprising: 
 a composite body, the body having a top, a bottom, at least one wall, and an opening, the opening being at the top of the composite body; and,    a closure, the closure covering the opening of the composite body the closure comprising: 
 a closure body, the body having bypass walls;  
 a resealable flap, the flap connected to the body via a living hinge, the flap creating a freshness seal with the bypass walls; and,  
 an opening, the flap closing the opening.  
   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the closure further comprises: 
 a tamper-evident seal, the seal being capable of rotating substantially 180°, the seal being locked in the open position via interference fit.    
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the seal is flush against a wall opening in the closed position.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the closure body further comprises: 
 a top side;    a wall, the wall extending circumferentially downward from the top side; and,    interference fit protrusions.    
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the flap further comprises: 
 a latch;    a lip; and,    hinge sealing means.    
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the flap further comprises: 
 a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf;    a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf; and,    a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls.    
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the closure is non-round.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the container is a non-round composite container.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the closure is attached to the container via one of the group comprising: 1) an adhesive; 2) friction fit; and, 3) induction sealing.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the closure is made of a material compatible with a barrier coating lining the inside of the container.