Closure for a container

Abstract

A closure for a container, the closure having a base portion ( 1 ) which defines an opening and a lid portion ( 2 ) which is moveable away from and towards the opening to open and close the container, a first fastener ( 4 A, 4 B) for releasably securing the lid and base portions ( 1, 2 ) together in a closed position, and second fasteners ( 5 A, 6 B) for irreversibly securing the lid and base portions ( 1, 2 ) in a closed position prior to disposal of the container so the closure cannot be re-opened without substantial change thereto.

1 . A closure for a container, the closure comprising a base portion defining an opening and a lid portion which is moveable away from and towards said opening so as to open and close the closure, releasable fastening means for releasably securing the lid and base portions together in a closed position, and further fastening means for irreversibly securing the lid and base portions in a closed position prior to disposal of the container such that the closure cannot be re-opened without substantial change thereto. 
     
     
         2 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which said further fastening means provides an irreversible snap-fit between parts of the base portion and lid portion to prevent the closure being re-opened. 
     
     
         3 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which said further fastening means comprises an arm projecting from the lid portion and a slot or aperture in the base portion for irreversibly receiving said arm. 
     
     
         4 . A closure as claimed in  claim 3  in which said arm has one or more substantially rigid projections and parts of the base portion forming said slot or aperture are resiliently deformable so as to be able to receive said projection(s) when forced therein. 
     
     
         5 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which, when in the closed position, one or more parts of the lid portion have to be flexed or crushed towards the base portion in order to actuate said further fastening means. 
     
     
         6 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the releasable fastening means comprises at least first and second fasteners so that the releasable fastening means is child resistant. 
     
     
         7 . A closure as claimed in  claim 6  in which the first and second fasteners have to be released simultaneously to allow the lid portion to be moved to an open position. 
     
     
         8 . A closure as claimed in  claim 6  in which pressure is applied in a first direction to release the first fastener and in a second direction to release the second fastener. 
     
     
         9 . A closure as claimed in  claim 6  in which the second fastener comprises parts which are spaced apart by a distance of at least 80 mm, and preferably at least 100 mm, so they are too far apart to be simultaneously pressed by a small child's hand. 
     
     
         10 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the lid portion is attached to the base portion by a hinge. 
     
     
         11 . A closure as claimed in  claims 6  in which the first fastener is provided on a front side of the container opposite the hinge and the second fastener is provided on one or both side faces of the container between the front side and the hinge. 
     
     
         12 . A closure as claimed in  claim 11  in which the first fastener comprises at least one projection on the lid portion which is engageable in an aperture or slot in the base portion, or vice versa. 
     
     
         13 . A closure as claimed in  claim 11  in which said second fastener comprises a second projection on said arm which is releasably engageable with part of the base portion, said second projection being nearer to the distal end of said arm than said one or more substantially rigid projections. 
     
     
         14 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  having tamper-evident means. 
     
     
         15 . A closure as claimed in  claim 14  in which said tamper evident means covers or conceals at least part of the releasable fastening means. 
     
     
         16 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a one piece plastic moulding. 
     
     
         17 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the base portion comprises a frame portion surrounding said opening, the frame portion being adapted for mounting to a container so that said opening is aligned with an opening in said container.