Resealable Flexible Container Lid with Pivoting Portions

Abstract

A closure is disclosed for a container. The container comprises a base and a peripheral wall. A rim forms an upper margin of the wall and surrounds an opening of the container. An external protrusion is formed integrally with and surrounds the rim. A portion of the closure is adapted to overlie the opening of the container. A skirt is formed integrally with the closure portion and is arranged to surround the rim when the closure is mounted to the container. The skirt comprises a first portion that is positionable adjacent to and to surround an external upper end of the rim. The skirt further comprises a second portion that is connected to the first portion at a connection and that extends downwardly therefrom to surround the rim below its upper end. The second portion also comprises an integrally formed first ledge located therewithin that is positionable to locate in interlocking engagement with the external protrusion. The connection has a width W sufficiently greater than its thickness so as to facilitate pivoting of the second portion with respect to the first portion to enable disengagement of the first ledge from the external protrusion. The second portion can also comprise a continuous and unbroken profile moving around the closure.

1 . A closure for a container that comprises a base and peripheral wall, with a rim forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and an external protrusion formed integrally with and surrounding the rim;
 a portion of the closure being adapted to overlie the opening of the container, with a skirt formed integrally with the closure portion and arranged to surround the rim when the closure is mounted to the container, the skirt comprising a first portion positionable adjacent to and to surround an external upper end of the rim, and a second portion that is connected to the first portion at a connection and that extends downwardly therefrom to surround the rim below its upper end, the second portion comprising an integrally formed first ledge located therewithin, the first ledge being positionable to locate in interlocking engagement with the external protrusion;   wherein the connection has a constant thickness extending right around the closure and has a width sufficiently greater than its thickness so as to facilitate pivoting of the second portion with respect to the first portion to enable disengagement of the first ledge from the external protrusion.   
   
   
       2 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a continuous and unbroken profile. 
   
   
       3 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connection is located away from the first ledge. 
   
   
       4 . A closure for a container that comprises a base and peripheral wall, with a rim forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and an external protrusion formed integrally with and surrounding the rim;
 a portion of the closure being adapted to overlie the opening of the container, with a skirt formed integrally with the closure portion and arranged to surround the rim when the closure is mounted to the container, the skirt comprising a first portion positionable adjacent to and to surround an external upper end of the rim, and a second portion that is connected to the first portion at a connection and that extends downwardly therefrom to surround the rim below its upper end, the second portion comprising an integrally formed first ledge located therewithin, the first ledge being positionable to locate in interlocking engagement with the external protrusion;   wherein the second portion comprises a continuous and unbroken profile, and wherein the connection is located away from the first ledge, with the second portion and the connection being configured so as to allow pivoting of the second portion with respect to the first portion to disengage the first ledge from the external protrusion.   
   
   
       5 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connection has a width that is at least twice that of its thickness. 
   
   
       6 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connection is of uniform thickness throughout its width and moving around the closure. 
   
   
       7 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the connection comprise an internal face arranged, when the closure is mounted to the container, to be in a close facing relationship with a corresponding external face of the external protrusion of the container. 
   
   
       8 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second ledge formed integrally with the closure portion that is positionable to locate in interlocking engagement with an internal protrusion formed integrally with and around the container rim to project inwardly of the container, the second ledge being configured such that, after disengagement of the first ledge from the external protrusion, closure removal from the container then requires the second ledge to be disengaged from the internal protrusion and, upon closure re-mounting to the container, the second ledge can be re-engaged with the internal protrusion to remount the closure to the container, whether or not the first ledge is re-engaged with the external protrusion. 
   
   
       9 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the external and internal protrusions are provided in the form of beads that are integrally formed with the container rim. 
   
   
       10 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an internal ridge that is formed integrally with the closure portion to be positionable adjacent to an internal face of the container at the rim. 
   
   
       11 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising an internal circumferential bump formed at the rim internal face that promotes a friction or interference fit with the closure internal ridge when the closure is mounted to the container. 
   
   
       12 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 10 , that comprises an external recess defined adjacent to the second ledge or internal ridge, whereby a hinge portion is defined in the closure at the external recess. 
   
   
       13 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a tear strip frangibly connected to a distal end of the second portion, wherein the container comprises a flange formed integrally with and extending out from the container wall below the rim, and the tear strip is configured whereby:
 a distal end of the strip abuts an external rebate defined in the container flange when the closure is mounted to the container; or   its internal surface closely faces a corresponding external surface of the container flange for the length of the strip internal surface.   
   
   
       14 . A closure for a container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is adapted to pivot to a stable position whereby the second portion is adapted to maintain itself in that position once pivoted thereto. 
   
   
       15 . A container-closure combination comprising:
 a container that comprises a base and a peripheral wall, with a rim forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container and an external protrusion formed integrally with and surrounding the rim; and   a closure as defined in  claim 1 .