Closure unit, mold for producing same, and dispenser-container incorporating a closure unit

Abstract

A closure unit for selectively closing a package of wipes or the like is formed as an integral unit typically in or close to the closed position, and has a flap hinged with respect to a frame defining an opening for enabling dispensing of the wipes or the like therethrough. Break lines between the flap and the frame enable the flap to be torn from the frame at first use, and suitable positive locking means enable the flap to be reclosed with respect to the frame. The structure of the unit is such that no portion of the flap substantially overlaps any portion of the frame when the unit is initially formed, and thus then unit may be formed in or close to the closed position, particularly from sheet material.

1 . A closure unit for a dispenser-container, comprising a frame member defining an opening and a flap member pivotably connected to said frame member about a hinge arrangement for selectively closing said opening, wherein said closure unit is initially formed having the flap member at a forming angle α with respect to the frame member taken about the hinge arrangement, such that angle α is substantially less than 180°, and wherein said closure unit is initially formed in a manner such that substantially no part of said flap member substantially overlaps any part of said frame member in a direction substantially perpendicular to said opening.  
   
   
       2 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said angle α is substantially 0°.  
   
   
       3 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said unit is initially formed with said flap member in a substantially closed position, and said flap member is adapted to be detached from said frame member about a portion of a periphery of said flap member such as to enable said flap member to pivot with respect to said frame member via said hinge arrangement between a closed and an open position.  
   
   
       4 . A closure unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said flap member comprises a box-like structure, having an upper panel and front, side and rear walls extending therefrom to said border strip.  
   
   
       5 . A closure unit according to  claim 4 , wherein said hinge arrangement comprises a movable first hinge portion that is comprised on a mid section of said rear wall, and a static second hinge portion that forms part of mid section of the inner base strip.  
   
   
       6 . A closure unit according to  claim 5 , wherein said flap member comprises at least two projections for maintaining the flap member in the open position.  
   
   
       7 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said hinge arrangement comprises any one of an integral hinge, a film hinge, or a non-integral hinge.  
   
   
       8 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame member comprises a raised rib structure for mechanically stiffening said unit.  
   
   
       9 . A closure unit according to  claim 8 , wherein said rib structure comprises a substantially hollow inverted U-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       10 . A closure unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said flap member is temporarily joined to said frame member via break lines prior to a first use of said closure unit, wherein said break lines are adapted for tearing when said flap member is pulled from said frame member with a predetermined force.  
   
   
       11 . A closure unit according to  claim 10 , wherein said break lines are pre-weakened with respect to the frame member and the flap member.  
   
   
       12 . A closure unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said frame member substantially circumscribes said flap member.  
   
   
       13 . A closure unit according to  claim 12 , wherein said frame member is formed having a foldable tab projecting from said frame member in a longitudinal direction opposed to said flap member and hinge arrangement, said foldable tab being foldable about a hinge line to a position wherein a portion of said frame member is superposed with respect to said foldable tab.  
   
   
       14 . A closure unit according to  claim 13 , wherein said foldable tab comprises a locking arrangement.  
   
   
       15 . A closure unit according to  claim 14 , wherein said locking arrangement comprises at least one first latching member adapted for engagement with a corresponding second latching member comprised in said flap member.  
   
   
       16 . A closure unit according to  claim 15 , wherein said first latching member is adapted for being reversibly locked with respect to said second latching member.  
   
   
       17 . A closure unit according to  claim 16 , wherein said first latching member comprises a protrusion of increasing cross-section in a direction away from said frame member when in the closed position and wherein said second latching member comprises a recess of increasing cross-section in a direction away from said frame member when in the closed position, at least a portion of said recess being complementary to a portion of said protrusion.  
   
   
       18 . A closure unit according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said portion of said recess and said portion of said protrusion are elastically deformable to permit selective locking of said first latching member with said second latching member.  
   
   
       19 . A closure unit according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 (a) said frame member comprises a break therein adapted for accommodating a bridge joining a tab to said flap member, said tab comprising a locking arrangement;    (b) said locking arrangement comprises first locking means for locking said tab member with respect to said bridge, and second locking means for reversibly locking said flap member with respect to said frame member;    (c) said bridge comprises a fold line for folding said tab member over said bridge to provide locking engagement for said first locking means, and said first locking means comprises suitable first male locking parts comprised on said bridge, and first female locking parts comprised on said tab member;    (d) said bridge is temporarily joined to said frame member via break lines prior to a first use of said closure unit, wherein said break lines are adapted for tearing when said tab is pulled from said frame member with a predetermined force; and    (e) wherein said tab is temporarily joined to said frame member via break lines prior to a first use of said closure unit, wherein said break lines are adapted for tearing when said tab is pulled from said frame member with a predetermined force.    
   
   
       20 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said flap further comprises a finger grasping portion, wherein said closure unit is initially formed in a manner such that substantially no part of said finger grasping portion substantially overlaps any part of said frame member in a direction substantially perpendicular to said opening.  
   
   
       21 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said unit is formed as an integral unit.  
   
   
       22 . A closure unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said unit is formed from sheet material.  
   
   
       23 . A closure unit according to  claim 22 , wherein said sheet material has a thickness that is substantially uniform.  
   
   
       24 . A closure unit according to  claim 23 , wherein said unit is formed as a vacuum-formed or heat-formed article.  
   
   
       25 . A closure unit for a dispenser-container, comprising a frame member defining an opening and a flap member for selectively closing said opening, said flap member being initially formed with said frame member in a substantially closed position and adapted to be detached from said frame member about a portion of a periphery of said flap such as to enable said flap to pivot with respect to said frame member via a hinge arrangement between a closed and an open position, wherein said closure unit is initially formed from suitable sheet material.  
   
   
       26 . A dispenser-container for dispensing a plurality of tissues or the like sequentially, comprising a container having a dispensing opening for removing said tissues, and further comprising a closure unit according to  claim 1  fixed to said container in overlying relationship with respect to said opening such that when the closure unit is in the open position the opening is accessible and when the closure unit is in the closed position, the opening is substantially closed.  
   
   
       27 . A mold for producing a closure unit, wherein said closure unit is as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       28 . A mold according to  claim 27 , wherein the mold is adapted for vacuum forming said closure unit from suitable sheet material.