Dispensing closure

Abstract

A plastic dispensing closure includes an elongated dispensing spout that defines an interior passage and has a distal end terminating in a rim. A sealing member is integral with the dispensing spout and is frangibly connected to the distal end of the dispensing spout by frangible connecting structure in order to seal the interior passage and prevent fluid from leaking out of the closure before it is opened. A lever arm that is integral with the sealing member is oriented so as to extend upwardly from the sealing member. The frangible connecting structure is advantageously constructed and arranged to rupture when a predetermined torque is applied to the lever arm. The predetermined torque is calculated so as to minimize the likelihood of the closure being opened accidentally, while at the same time being convenient for a consumer to open.

1 . A plastic dispensing closure, comprising: 
 an elongated dispensing spout, said dispensing spout defining an interior passage and having a distal end;    a sealing member that is integral with said dispensing spout, said sealing member being frangibly connected to said distal end of said dispensing spout by frangible connecting structure so as to seal said interior passage and prevent fluid from leaking therefrom;    a lever arm integral with said sealing member, said lever arm extending upwardly from said sealing member; and    wherein said frangible connecting structure is constructed and arranged to rupture when a predetermined longitudinal torque is applied to said lever arm, and wherein said predetermined longitudinal torque is within a range of about 0.01 foot pounds to about 0.25 foot pounds.    
   
   
       2 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing member is unitary with said elongated dispensing spout.  
   
   
       3 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 2 , wherein said lever arm is unitary with said sealing member.  
   
   
       4 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever arm is unitary with said sealing member.  
   
   
       5 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever arm is unitary with said elongated dispensing spout.  
   
   
       6 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing spout, said sealing member and said lever arm are integrally molded from a plastic material in a one step molding process.  
   
   
       7 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 6 , wherein said plastic material comprises high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       8 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated dispensing spout terminates in a distal rim, and wherein said sealing member is recessed with respect to said distal rim.  
   
   
       9 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 8 , wherein said distal end of said dispensing spout further comprises a conical transition surface between said distal rim and said sealing member, and wherein said frangible connecting structure comprises a thin web of material between said conical transition surface and said sealing member.  
   
   
       10 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 9 , wherein said frangible connecting structure is fabricated by a process consisting of injection molding.  
   
   
       11 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever arm has a length that is within a range of about 0.2 inches to about 1.0 inches.  
   
   
       12 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 11 , wherein said lever arm has a length that is within a range of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches.  
   
   
       13 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 12 , wherein said lever arm has a length that is within a range of about 0.3 inches to about 0.4 inches.  
   
   
       14 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing member and said frangible connecting structure are constructed so as to define a dispensing orifice after removal of said lever arm and said sealing member from said dispensing closure, and wherein said dispensing orifice has a diameter that is within a range of about 0.01 inches to about 0.3 inches.  
   
   
       15 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 14 , wherein said dispensing orifice has a diameter that is within a range of about 0.05 inches to about 0.2 inches.  
   
   
       16 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 8 , wherein said sealing member is recessed with respect to said distal rim of a longitudinal distance of at least 0.040 inches.  
   
   
       17 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined longitudinal torque is within a range of about 0.020 foot pounds to about 0.150 foot pounds.  
   
   
       18 . A plastic dispensing closure according to  claim 17 , wherein said predetermined longitudinal torque is within a range of about 0.04 foot pounds to about 0.115 foot pounds.