Closure for a container

Abstract

A closure includes an annular base to be fixed to an upper rim of a container. The base includes a peripheral skirt having an end portion to be arranged over the upper rim of the container. A peripheral locking rim is integrally formed on the end portion of the peripheral skirt. The locking rim has a proximal end hingedly connected to the peripheral skirt and allowing the peripheral locking rim to be folded inwardly towards an inner surface of the end portion, such that, when the locking rim is in the folded state, a distal end thereof can move beyond and engage under a peripheral ledge of the container to lock the base to the container. The end portion of the skirt has on the inner surface an engagement surface portion and a widening surface portion towards an end of the peripheral skirt.

1 . A closure to be fixed to an upper rim of a container, the closure comprising:
 an annular base being made of a plastics material and comprising a peripheral skirt which has an integral non-removable end portion adapted to be arranged over an upper rim of a container, and furthermore comprising a peripheral locking rim integrally formed on said end portion of the peripheral skirt, said peripheral locking rim having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of the peripheral locking rim being hingedly connected to a terminal end surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt, allowing the peripheral locking rim to be moved from an initial state to a folded state, in which the peripheral locking rim is folded inwardly towards an inner surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt; and   a lid made of a plastics material and being moveable relative to the annular base between a closed position, in which the lid covers an access opening, and an open position, in which the access opening is unblocked by the lid.   
     
     
         2 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is made of a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the locking rim is located radially outward with respect to the engagement surface portion. 
     
     
         4 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral locking rim has at least a rim portion extending from the proximal end, which rim portion of the peripheral locking rim, in the initial state of the locking rim, extends substantially in alignment or concentric with the peripheral skirt of the annular base. 
     
     
         5 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking rim is the thinnest at the proximal end and has a rim portion extending therefrom having a gradually increasing thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking rim has a hinge region at the proximal end having a smaller thickness than the remainder of the locking rim. 
     
     
         7 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral locking rim comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion extending from the proximal end to an angle portion, the distal portion extending from the angle portion to the distal end, and wherein in the initial state the distal portion is inclined inwardly with respect to the proximal portion of the locking rim. 
     
     
         8 . The closure according to  claim 7 , wherein in the initial state the proximal portion of the locking rim extends substantially in alignment or concentric with the peripheral skirt of the annular base. 
     
     
         9 . The closure according to  claim 7 , wherein the distal portion has a substantially constant thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking rim has an inwardly curved shape. 
     
     
         11 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is in an unassembled state, i.e. is not yet assembled with a container, and wherein the peripheral locking rim is in the folded state. 
     
     
         12 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the skirt has a wall portion that increases in diameter towards the end surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt. 
     
     
         13 . A method for manufacturing an annular base of a closure to be fixed to an upper rim of a container, wherein:
 the annular base is injection moulded of a plastics material, said annular base comprising:
 a peripheral skirt which has an integral non-removable end portion adapted to be arranged over an upper rim of a container, which end portion has an inner surface, and 
 a peripheral locking rim integrally formed on said end portion of the peripheral skirt, said peripheral locking rim having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a hinge region connected to a terminal end surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt; 
   the annular base is removed from the injection mould, wherein the locking rim is positioned in an initial state; and   the locking rim is moved from the initial state to a folded state, in which the peripheral locking rim is folded inwardly towards the inner surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt.