Flip-top closure and a package

Abstract

A tamper-evident, flip-top closure includes first and second closure portions and a hinge. The first closure portion includes a top wall portion and an annular skirt portion. The top wall portion forms a cavity, an opening therethrough, and opposing pivotable recesses. The second closure portion includes a plug and a pivotable support. The plug is received into the opening of the first closure portion. The pivotable support has first and second end extensions that are received into a respective one of the pivotable recesses. The hinge connects the first and second closure portions and includes at least one frangible connection. The cavity receives at least a part of the second closure portion. After the at least one frangible connection is broken, the second closure portion is moveable between a closed position and an open, flipped position by flipping and pivoting the second closure portion via the end extensions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tamper-evident, flip-top closure, the closure comprising:
 a first closure portion including a polymeric top wall portion and a polymeric annular skirt portion, the polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the polymeric top wall portion forming a cavity and an opening therethrough, the polymeric top wall portion further forming opposing pivotable recesses;   a second closure portion including a plug and a pivotable support, the plug being sized and configured to being received into the opening of the first closure portion, the pivotable support having a first end extension and a second end extension, the first and second end extensions being sized and configured to be received into a respective one of the opposing pivotable recesses; and   a hinge connecting the first closure portion and the second closure portion, the hinge including at least one frangible connection,   wherein the cavity is sized and configured to receive at least a part of the second closure portion,   wherein after the at least one frangible connection is broken, the second closure portion is moveable between a closed position and an open, flipped position by flipping and pivoting the second closure portion with respect to the first closure portion via the first and second end extensions.   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is formed by a first side wall, a second side wall, an end wall, and a bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is sized and configured to receive substantially all of the second closure portion. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein the cavity is sized and configured to receive all of the second closure portion. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge includes a plurality of frangible connections, and wherein after the plurality of frangible connections is broken, the second closure portion is moveable between a closed position and an open, flipped position by flipping and pivoting the second closure with respect to the first closure portion via the first and second end extensions. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge includes a thinned section in the general middle thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the second closure portion further includes a side wall, the plug being located between the pivotable support and the side wall of the second closure portion. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 7 , wherein the side wall of the second closure portion forms a lifting extension. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the opening and the plug has a tear-drop shape. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion includes an annular inwardly extension. 
     
     
         11 . A package comprising:
 a container having a neck portion defining an opening, the neck portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and   a flip-top closure being configured for fitment to the neck portion of the container for closing the opening of the container, the flip-top closure including a first closure portion, a second closure portion, and a hinge, the first closure portion including a polymeric top wall portion and a polymeric annular skirt portion, the polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the polymeric top wall portion forming a cavity and an opening therethrough, the polymeric top wall portion further forming opposing pivotable recesses, the second closure portion including a plug and a pivotable support, the plug being sized and configured to being received into the opening of the first closure portion, the pivotable support having a first end extension and a second end extension, the first and second end extensions being sized and configured to be received into a respective one of the opposing pivotable recesses, the hinge connecting the first closure portion and the second closure portion, the hinge including at least one frangible connection, the cavity being sized and configured to receive at least a part of the second closure portion,   wherein after the at least one frangible connection is broken, the second closure portion is moveable between a closed position and an open, flipped position by flipping and pivoting the second closure portion with respect to the first closure portion via the first and second end extensions.   
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the cavity is sized and configured to receive substantially all of the second closure portion. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the cavity is sized and configured to receive all of the second closure portion. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the hinge includes a plurality of frangible connections, and wherein after the plurality of frangible connections is broken, the second closure portion is moveable between a closed position and an open, flipped position by flipping and pivoting the second closure with respect to the first closure portion via the first and second end extensions. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the hinge includes a thinned section in the general middle thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the second closure portion further includes a side wall, the plug being located between the pivotable support and the side wall of the second closure portion. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein an interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion includes an annular inwardly extension and wherein the exterior surface of the neck portion includes an A-collar, the annular inwardly extension and the A-collar assist in locking the flip-top closure to the container. 
     
     
         18 . A method of opening a package, the method comprising:
 providing a package including a container and a flip-top closure, the container having a neck portion defining an opening, the neck portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the closure being configured for fitment to the neck portion of the container, the flip-top closure including a first closure portion, a second closure portion, and a hinge, the first closure portion including a polymeric top wall portion and a polymeric annular skirt portion, the polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the polymeric top wall portion forming a cavity and an opening therethrough, the polymeric top wall portion further forming opposing pivotable recesses, the second closure portion including a plug and a pivotable support, the plug being sized and configured to being received into the opening of the first closure portion, the pivotable support having a first end extension and a second end extension, the first and second end extensions being sized and configured to be received into a respective one of the opposing pivotable recesses, the hinge connecting the first closure portion and the second closure portion, the hinge including at least one frangible connection, the cavity being sized and configured to receive at least a part of the second closure portion;   breaking the at least one frangible connection; and   flipping and pivoting the second closure portion with respect to the first closure portion to move the closure between a closed position and an open, flipped position via the first and second end extensions.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the hinge includes a plurality of frangible connections, and wherein after the plurality of frangible connections is broken, the second closure portion is moveable between a closed position and an open, flipped position by flipping and pivoting the second closure with respect to the first closure portion via the first and second end extensions. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein an interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion includes an annular inwardly extension and wherein the exterior surface of the neck portion includes an A-collar, the annular inwardly extension and the A-collar assist in locking the flip-top closure to the container.