Hinged dispensing closure with child-resistant interlock

Abstract

A closure for a container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container and that has dispensing orifice defined therein for dispensing a liquid. The closure further includes a first lid portion that is hingedly mounted to the main body portion and is movable between a first, open position wherein material may be dispensed from the container through the dispensing orifice and a second, closed position wherein the dispensing orifice is blocked. A second lid portion overlies the first lid portion and is mounted for rotation with respect to the first lid portion. The second lid portion is rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position wherein it engages the main body portion to prevent movement of the first lid portion away from the second, closed position. Pedestal bearing structure is advantageously mounted to one of the first and second lid portions that has a bearing surface that is positioned to engage the other of the first and second lid portions for reducing rotational friction between the first lid portion and the second lid portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A closure for a container, comprising: 
 a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container, said main body portion having a dispensing orifice defined therein;    a first lid portion, said first lid portion being hingedly mounted to said main body portion and being movable between a first, open position wherein material may be dispensed from the container through said orifice and a second, closed position wherein said orifice is blocked;    a second lid portion that overlies said first lid portion and is mounted for rotation with respect to said first lid portion, said second lid portion being rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position wherein said second lid portion engages said main body portion to prevent movement of said first lid portion away from said second, closed position; and    pedestal bearing means mounted to one of said first and second lid portions, said pedestal bearing means having a bearing surface that is positioned to engage the other of said first and second lid portions for reducing rotational friction between said first lid portion and said second lid portion.    
     
     
         2 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein said pedestal bearing means comprises a plurality of radially extending arm members.  
     
     
         3 . A closure for a container according to  claim 2 , wherein said pedestal bearing means comprises at least three of said radially extending arm members.  
     
     
         4 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , further comprising locating means for centering said second lid portion with respect to said first lid portion.  
     
     
         5 . A closure for a container according to  claim 4 , wherein said locating means is integral with said pedestal bearing means.  
     
     
         6 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein said pedestal bearing means is mounted on said second lid portion.  
     
     
         7 . A closure for a container according to  claim 6 , wherein said pedestal bearing means is unitary with said second lid portion.  
     
     
         8 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein said pedestal bearing means comprises a convex bearing surface for minimizing area contact between said pedestal bearing means and the other of said first and second lid portions.  
     
     
         9 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein said pedestal bearing means is shaped as to be symmetrical about an axis of relative rotation between said first and second lid portions.  
     
     
         10 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , wherein said pedestal bearing means has a height of at least 0.062 inches.  
     
     
         11 . A closure for a container according to  claim 10 , wherein said pedestal bearing means has a height of at least 0.09 inches.  
     
     
         12 . A closure for a container according to  claim 1 , further comprising biasing means for biasing said second lid portion toward said locked position.  
     
     
         13 . A closure for a container according to  claim 12 , wherein said second lid portion has a downwardly extending outer apron, said outer apron having an outer circumferential gripping surface thereon.  
     
     
         14 . A closure for a container according to  claim 13 , wherein said circumferential gripping surface has a height of at least 0.25 inches.