Lid assembly with latch

Abstract

A lid structure ( 10 ) for a container ( 40 ) comprises an annular collar ( 14 ) for attachment to the container, having an opening ( 15 ) for providing access to an interior ( 56 ) of the container. The lid structure further comprises a lid ( 12 ) for closing the opening, connected to the collar by a first living hinge. The lid comprises a first lid portion and a second lid portion connected together by a second living hinge which traverses the top surface of the lid and is parallel to the first living hinge. The first lid portion covers the opening. The second lid portion comprises a mating element and the collar comprises a complementary mating element, being configured to engage together to latch the lid to the collar in the closed position of the lid, whereby latching and unlatching of the lid structure is provided by a pivotable motion of the second lid portion about the second living hinge.

1 . A lid structure for a container comprising:
 a collar for connecting the lid structure to the container, the collar having an opening providing access to an interior of the container; and   a lid configured to cover the opening, the lid comprising a top surface and a downwardly extending peripheral surface, the lid and the collar being connected together by a first living hinge, providing pivotable motion thereabout between an open position of the lid and a closed position of the lid,   wherein the lid comprises a first lid portion and a second lid portion connected together by a second living hinge which traverses the top surface of the lid,   wherein the first lid portion covers the opening, the second lid portion comprises a mating element and the collar comprises a complementary mating element, the mating element and the complementary mating element being configured to engage together to latch the lid to the collar in the closed position of the lid, whereby latching and unlatching of the lid structure is provided by a pivotable motion of the second lid portion about the second living hinge.   
     
     
         2 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the first lid portion comprises a ridge elevated from the top surface, configured to allow stacking of a further container having a base diameter at an outside of the ridge. 
     
     
         3 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the second lid portion comprises a portion of the top surface, configured to allow stacking of a further container at least partially on the second lid portion. 
     
     
         4 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid comprises an inner flange extending downwardly from a lower surface of the first lid portion configured to form an inner seal around the opening of the collar when the lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The lid structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the opening is defined by an inner wall of the collar, which extends inwardly from a top edge of the collar in order to form an insect-tight seal with the inner flange. 
     
     
         6 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the mating element is in the form of a slot and the complementary mating element is in the form of a barb configured to fit within the slot when the lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid structure comprises a tamper evident closure to prevent disengagement of the mating element and the complementary mating element prior to use. 
     
     
         8 . The lid structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the tamper evident closure comprises a tab connected to the collar by a frangible connection. 
     
     
         9 . The lid structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the tab is positioned over the mating element thereby preventing its movement away from the complementary mating element before breaking of the frangible connection. 
     
     
         10 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the collar comprises a fixation skirt configured to form a snap-fit connection with an upper rim of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The lid structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the fixation skirt is configured to deform upon removing the lid structure from the container, thereby preventing reconnection. 
     
     
         12 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the top surface of the lid is substantially planar and the second living hinge traverses the planar top surface of the lid. 
     
     
         13 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the first living hinge is a butterfly hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the second living hinge is parallel to the first living hinge and preferably a straight hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid is circular and the second living hinge lies on a chord of the circle. 
     
     
         16 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the second living hinge has a central section that is distanced from the peripheral surface by between 5 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 20 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid comprises an outer flange extending downwardly from a lower surface of the first lid portion configured to form an outer seal with a groove provided in a top edge of the collar when the lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The lid structure of  claim 17 , wherein a central section of the outer flange runs parallel and adjacent to the second living hinge. 
     
     
         19 . The lid structure of  claim 17 or claim 18 , wherein end sections of the outer flange extend radially outwards and preferably join the peripheral surface. 
     
     
         20 . The lid structure of  claim 19 , wherein the outer flange and the peripheral surface form a continuous outer seal around the top edge of the collar. 
     
     
         21 . The lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the collar has a top edge that extends around the opening and a raised portion of the top edge underlying the second living hinge in the closed position of the lid, is elevated with respect to the remainder of the top edge. 
     
     
         22 . The lid structure according to  claim 21 , wherein the raised portion is elevated by at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, with respect to the remainder of the top edge, which is preferably planar. 
     
     
         23 . The lid structure according to  claim 17 and claim 21 , wherein the groove is formed in the raised portion. 
     
     
         24 . A package comprising a container and a lid structure according to  any one of the preceding claims . 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 24  containing a quantity of infant nutrition, preferably milk formula.