Closure assembly with a levered lid opening mechanism

Abstract

A closure assembly for a container. The closure assembly includes a lid that sealingly engages a dispensing outlet in a closed position and is spaced a distance from the dispensing outlet in an open position. The closure assembly also includes a tab extending from a bottom portion of the lid and having a surface of sufficient dimension to engage a finger or thumb such that pressure on the surface of the tab with the finger or thumb transmits an upward force to the lid to disengage the lid from the closed position.

1 . A closure assembly for a container, the closure assembly comprising:
 a cap having a dispensing outlet, wherein the cap sealingly engages the container;   a lid sealingly engaged with the dispensing outlet in a closed position and movable to an open position spaced from the dispensing outlet; and   a tab extending from a bottom portion of the lid and having an upper surface of sufficient dimension to engage a finger or thumb such that downward pressure on the upper surface of the tab with a finger or thumb transmits an upward force to the lid to disengage the lid from the closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap that connects the tab to the cap and is of sufficient dimension and stiffness to displace the lid from the dispensing outlet in the open position. 
   
   
       3 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the lid, the tab, the strap and the cap are integrally formed. 
   
   
       4 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the lid has a circular periphery and the tab is attached to the lid at a point separate from the point of connection of the strap. 
   
   
       5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing outlet includes a lip and a shoulder and the lid comprises an inner annular ring adapted to fit under the shoulder to sealingly engage the dispensing outlet in the closed position. 
   
   
       6 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises features that stiffen the tab to facilitate the transmission of the upward force on the lid as the downward force is applied to the upper surface of the tab. 
   
   
       7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the features that stiffen the tabs are rib members or struts disposed on a lower surface of the tab. 
   
   
       8 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is of sufficient thickness to provide a tab of sufficient stiffness to facilitate the transmission of the upward force on the lid as the downward force is applied to the upper surface of the tab. 
   
   
       9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the tab includes indicia on an upper surface of the tab. 
   
   
       10 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the tab includes a contact area to provide friction to a finger or thumb contacting the tab. 
   
   
       11 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the lid, the tab and the strap are integrally formed. 
   
   
       12 . A closure assembly for a container, the closure assembly comprising:
 a cap having a dispensing outlet, wherein the cap sealingly engages the container;   a lid sealingly engaged with the dispensing outlet in a closed position and movable to an open position spaced from the dispensing outlet;   a strap extending from the lid to a bottom portion of the cap; and   a tab that extends from a bottom portion of the lid at an angle of 75° to 120° relative to the strap, wherein the tab has a surface of sufficient dimension to engage a finger or thumb such that the application of downward or upward pressure on a upper or lower surface, respectively, of the tab with a finger or thumb transmits an upward force to the lid to disengage the lid from the closed position.   
   
   
       13 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the tab comprises features that stiffen the tab to facilitate the transmission of the upward force on the lid as force is applied to the upper or the lower surface of the tab. 
   
   
       14 . A closure assembly for a container, the closure assembly comprising:
 a cap having a dispensing outlet, wherein the cap sealingly engages the container;   a lid sealingly engaged with the dispensing outlet in a closed position and movable to an open position spaced from the dispensing outlet;   a tab that extends outward from a bottom portion of the lid and connects to a strap, an upper portion of the strap extending from a lower surface of the tab and a lower portion of the strap extending from a bottom portion of the cap, wherein the tab and the upper portion of the strap do not bend to a significant relative to the lower portion of the strap in response to downward pressure on an upper surface of the tab with a finger or thumb.   
   
   
       15 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein the tab comprises features that stiffen the tab to facilitate the transmission of the upward force on the lid as force is applied to the upper surface of the tab.