Reflow closure

Abstract

A closure includes a top profile having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a locating peg protruding from the inner surface, a hinge joining the top profile to a main body, an abutment seated in the main body sealingly engaged with the locating peg, wherein the abutment extends around a longitudinal axis passing through the top profile and the locating peg, a collar engaged with the abutment and oriented away from the top profile, a floor bounded peripherally by the abutment, a sealing member that is at least a portion of the floor, wherein the sealing member is bounded peripherally by a frangible boundary extending around the longitudinal axis, a tab extending from the sealing member toward the top profile, wherein the sealing member and the abutment are of a continuous unitary material of construction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A return closure for dispensing laundry products. Background Technology

[0002] Users of laundry products constantly demand better performance from the packaging used. A common tension in developing better packaging is that these performance improvements increase costs for manufacturers. The commercial practicality is that, typically, at least some of these increased costs are reflected in the price consumers pay for laundry products.

[0003] Users' perception of laundry product performance is largely based on their perceived experience of using the product to treat clothes. Therefore, manufacturers must choose which consumer benefits will generate the greatest value for consumers. If manufacturers can improve packaging performance while simultaneously reducing packaging costs, this allows them to invest in upgrading laundry product formulations or offering larger quantities of laundry products at similar prices.

[0004] Historically, reflow closures have been complex devices. In common designs, a reflow closure fitting engages with the container, and individual closures engage with the reflow closure fitting. This design requires molding multiple parts, processing multiple parts on a production line, and assembling multiple parts on the production line. This may require multiple molding machines and custom machinery to process and assemble the individual components of the reflow closure. Because many laundry products are liquid laundry products, packaging leakage can be a concern. Each connection between parts (e.g., the connection between the reflow closure fitting and the bottle neck, and the connection between the closure and the reflow closure fitting) is a connection that can be prone to leakage. Leakage that can occur from the time the packaging leaves the manufacturing site until it is stored in the user's home is a particular concern for manufacturers.

[0005] Given these limitations, there remains a persistent need for easy-to-manufacture and leak-proof reflux closures for liquid laundry products, a need that has yet to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An enclosure includes: a top profile having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface; a positioning post projecting from the inner surface; a hinge engaging the top profile to a body; a base located within the body and sealingly engaged with the positioning post, wherein the base extends about a longitudinal axis passing through the top profile and the positioning post; a collar engaging with the base and oriented away from the top profile; a base plate defined peripherally by the base; a sealing member at least part of the base plate, wherein the sealing member is defined peripherally by a brittle boundary extending about the longitudinal axis; and a tab extending from the sealing member toward the top profile; wherein the sealing member and the base are continuous, single constituent materials. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 It is a closure with its top profile in the open position, and the sealing member has not yet been removed from the closure.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a top view of the closed section with its top outline in the open position.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a bottom view of the closed piece with its top outline in the open position.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a bottom perspective view of the closure. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The closure described herein can be practically used as a closure for containers holding liquid laundry products. This closure can be advantageous for laundry products containing liquid compositions with a pH of 1 to 6 (optionally, liquid compositions with a kinematic viscosity of less than 1 mPa·s). Such liquid compositions can easily spill or splash onto surfaces and leave residues when the volatile components of the liquid composition evaporate. Furthermore, such liquid compositions may be corrosive to surfaces in contact with them.

[0012] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows the closure 10 for container 20. Figure 1 The closure 10 shown is a flip-top closure. The closure 10 may include a top profile 30. The top profile 30 may be a plate, shell, or other shaped material. When the closure is engaged with the container 20 and the container 20 is in an upright position, the top profile 30 is the top of the closure 10, in which the neck 275 of the container 20 is located above the base 260 of the container 20.

[0013] The closure 10 can be used as part of the packaging of the laundry product 240. The laundry product 240 may include a liquid composition 250 and a container 20. The container 20 may have a base 260 and sidewalls 270 extending from the base 260 to a neck 275.

[0014] The top profile 30 may have an outer surface 40 and an inner surface 50 opposite to the outer surface 40. When the closure 10 is closed, the inner surface 50 is located inside the closure 10. When the closure 10 is in its closed state, the outer surface 40 is exposed to the environment.

[0015] A positioning post 60 may protrude from the inner surface 50. The positioning post 60 is a sealing element when the top profile 30 is in the closed position. A hinge 70 engages the top profile 30 to the body 80 of the closure 10. The top profile 30 may swing about the hinge 70 to move from the closed position to the open position. Optionally, the hinge 70 may be a movable hinge 75. The movable hinge 75 is the hinge 70 having at least two stable low-energy states and an energy state higher than each of the two low-energy states, located between the two stable low-energy states. That is, the movable hinge 75 stores some energy as the top profile 30 rotates about the movable hinge 75 from the closed position to the open position. The energy state between the two stable low-energy states may be high enough that the mass of the top profile 30 is insufficient to cause it to rotate from the open position to the closed position under the influence of gravity. This helps to reduce the possibility that the top profile 30 may unintentionally interfere with the dispensing of the contents of the container 20.

[0016] The body 80 may include a base 90. The base 90 may sealably engage with the positioning post 60. After the user first uses the closure 10 to dispense the contents of the container 20, the tight and continuous engagement between the positioning post 60 and the base 90 provides a leak-proof seal to retain the contents of the container 20. The positioning post 60 may be a continuous flange 190 extending about a longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the continuous flange 190 may be closer to the longitudinal axis L than the base. Optionally, the base 90 may be closer to the longitudinal axis L than the continuous flange 190.

[0017] When the closure 10 is closed, the base 90 may extend about a longitudinal axis L passing through the top profile 30 and the positioning post 60. The base 90 may be sealed to the positioning post 60 completely around the longitudinal axis L. The positioning post 60 may be located inside the base 90 such that the positioning post 60 is closer to or coincides with the longitudinal axis L than the base 90. Optionally, the positioning post 60 may be located outside the base 90 such that the base is closer to the longitudinal axis L than the positioning post 60. In such an arrangement, the positioning post 60 may be a continuous flange 190 that seals to a surface of the base 90 oriented away from the longitudinal axis L.

[0018] The closure 10 may also include a collar that engages with the base 90. This collar may be oriented away from the top profile 30. The collar may be a portion of the closure 10 that can engage with and optionally disengage from the container 20. For example, the collar may have a beaded flange that snaps into a complementary structure on the neck 275 of the container 20. Optionally, the collar may have threads for attaching the collar to complementary threads positioned on the neck 275 of the container 20. Optionally, the collar may include lugs that engage with complementary bayonet fittings positioned on the neck 275 of the container 20. The collar may engage with the interior, exterior, or both of the neck 275 of the container 20. Optionally, the collar may be welded, glued, or otherwise attached to one or both of the interior or exterior of the neck 275 of the bottle.

[0019] The closure 10 may also include a base plate 110 defined by the base 90 along its periphery. The base plate 110 may form at least a portion of a thin-walled structure that forms a leak-proof closure loop before the user prepares the closure 10 to dispense the contents of the container 20.

[0020] The closure 10 may include a sealing member 120, which is at least a portion of or optionally the entire base plate 110. The sealing member 120 may be defined peripherally by a fragile boundary 130 extending about a longitudinal axis L. A tab 140 may extend from the sealing member 120 toward a top profile 30. The tab 140 may extend from the sealing member 120 in a direction away from the collar.

[0021] To operate the closure 10 in the first instance, the user flips open the top profile 30 by rotating it about the hinge 70. This exposes the interior of the closure 10 to the user. The user then pulls the tab 140 to remove it from the closure 10. Depending on the configuration of the interior of the closure 10, either the entire base plate 110 or a portion thereof is removed, leaving an opening through which the contents of the container 20 can be dispensed.

[0022] The sealing member 120 can be advantageous because it requires the closure 10 to be purposefully configured such that it is operable for dispensing the liquid composition contained in the container 20 to which it engages. Flip-top closures can sometimes unintentionally open between when the closure 10 is applied to the container 20 during the manufacture of the laundry product and when the user first uses the product. The sealing member 120 reduces the likelihood of the liquid composition splashing or spilling from the container 20 in the event of unintentional opening of the flip-top closure.

[0023] The sealing member 120 and the base 90 can be a continuous single constituent material. There are several advantages to making the sealing member 120 and the base 90 a continuous single constituent material compared to similar closure systems in which the sealing member 120 and the base 90 are made of different materials. First, when the sealing member 120 and the base 90 are a single continuous constituent material, the components can be manufactured in a single injection molding process. Single injection molding is generally a much cheaper process based on the cost per part produced. If two different constituent materials are used, multiple injection moldings may be required, which complicates mold design, the injection and curing of the various constituent materials, and the handling of parts during the manufacture of the closure. Furthermore, when the same material constitutes the sealing member 120 and the base 90, the potential problem of weak connections between different components made of different constituent materials is mitigated. If two different constituent materials are used, the constituent materials must be carefully selected to ensure a leak-proof connection can be formed between the two constituent materials. Optionally, the sealing member 120, the base 90, and the optional nozzle 150 can be a continuous single constituent material. Optionally, the top profile 30, positioning post 60, hinge 70, base 90, collar, base plate 110, optional nozzle 150, sealing member 120, and tab 140 can be a continuous single constituent material. Such structures are conveniently molded using a single injection molding process. Optionally, the sealing member 120, base 90, and nozzle 150 can be a continuous single constituent material. Providing a closure 10 made of a single constituent material allows for convenient placement in a single recycling stream. A closure 10 where the sealing member 120 is made of one polymer material and the remainder of the closure is made of another polymer material makes the closure more difficult to recycle in a single recycling stream. Even when the sealing member 120 is removed from the closure 10, residues of the material constituting the sealing member 120 may remain. If the material of the sealing member 120 differs from the remainder of the closure 10, the recycling of the used closure 10 can be complex.

[0024] The single constituent material may be EVERCAP DMDA-124 NT 7 high-density polyethylene, purchased from Dow Incorporated, Midland, Michigan, USA. The single constituent material may be freely selected from the group consisting of: high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

[0025] Optionally, the closure can be coupled to container 20, which is composed of the same single constituent material as the sealing member. Using the same constituent material for both closure 10 and container 20 provides packaging that can be recycled in a single flow, which is more efficient than requiring closure 10 and container 20 to be sorted into different recycling flows. Container 20 and closure 10 can be composed of high-density polyethylene.

[0026] The fragile boundary 130 may be thinner than the portion of the sealing member 120 along the fragile boundary 130. The fragile boundary 130 may be a thinned section of the constituent material forming the sealing member 120 and the base 90. For example, the thickness of the fragile boundary 130 may be about 2% to about 20%, optionally about 5% to about 15%, of the thickness of the constituent material on either side of the fragile boundary. The width of the fragile boundary 130 may be about 2% to about 20%, optionally about 5% to about 15%, of the thickness of the constituent material on either side of the fragile boundary. The fragile boundary 130 may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The fragile boundary 130 may have a width of about 0.2 mm. The fragile boundary 130 configured in this way may be easily torn by a user, but is strong enough that the fragile boundary 130 will not unintentionally separate.

[0027] The closure 10 may optionally include a nozzle 150 projecting from the base plate 110 toward the top profile 30. The nozzle 150 may extend at least partially around the longitudinal axis L. The nozzle 150 may be closer to the longitudinal axis L than the base 90. That is, the nozzle 150 may be surrounded by the base 90.

[0028] Including the nozzle 150 as part of the closure 10 can help limit the spillage of the contents of the container 20. For compositions containing low pH in the container 20, the nozzle 150 can help prevent uncontrolled splashing of the composition during dispensing and unintentional contact with surfaces that are not intended to come into contact with such materials.

[0029] The sealing member 120 may be at least partially defined by the nozzle 150 along its periphery. A fragile boundary 130 may define the boundary between the sealing member 120 and the nozzle. When the user removes the sealing member 120 by pulling the tab 140, the nozzle 150 may be opened, allowing the contents of the container 20 to be dispensed by pouring through the nozzle 150.

[0030] The nozzle 150 may have a dispensing lip 160. A longitudinal axis L may be located between the dispensing lip 160 and the hinge 70. This arrangement can be practical because when the top profile 30 is opened and swings about the hinge 70, the top profile 30 and the dispensing lip 160 of the nozzle are on opposite sides of the hinge 70. In this position, the top profile 30 does not obstruct or potentially interfere with the dispensing of the contents of the container 20 through the nozzle 150.

[0031] The return channel 170 may be defined by a portion of the base 90, a portion of the nozzle 150, and a portion of the base plate 110 connecting the base 90 and the nozzle 150. The return channel 170 may capture droplets or spills from the dispensing lip 160 or other portions of the nozzle 150 and guide the substance to a location where it can enter the container 20. When the closure 10 is in a position such that the dispensing lip 160 is above the collar, the return channel 170 may be inclined in a direction away from below the dispensing lip 160. Arranged in this way, the return channel 170 discharges in a direction away from below the dispensing lip 160.

[0032] Upon initial use of the contents of container 20, the user can remove sealing member 120 from closure 10 by pulling tab 140. Tab 140 may be a ring 180. Ring 180 may be positioned between base plate 110 and top profile 30 when top profile 30 is in the closed position. In this position, sealing member 120 may be located between tab and collar. Optionally, longitudinal axis L may pass through ring 180. Ring 180 may be sized and dimensional such that it can be grasped and pulled by an adult to separate sealing member 120 from the rest of closure 10. Ring 180 may be grasped by the user's thumb and forefinger. Optionally, ring 180 may have an opening area sized and dimensional to receive an adult's forefinger, allowing the user to pull ring 180 with their forefinger. The opening area of ​​ring 180 may be approximately 50 mm². 2 Approximately 500mm 2 Optional, approximately 100mm 2 Approximately 400mm 2 Optional, approximately 150mm 2 Approximately 350mm 2 .

[0033] The tab 140 may extend from the sealing member 120 at the starting position 145. The longitudinal axis L may be located between the starting position 145 and the hinge 70. Figure 2 This is helpful to the user because when the top profile 30 is opened and swings around the hinge, the top profile 30 will not interfere with the user's search for and pull of the tab 140 to remove the sealing member 120.

[0034] The positioning post 60 forms a plug seal for the abutment 90. The space occupied by the positioning post 60 relative to the inner periphery of the abutment 90 may be excessive, forming a plug seal between the positioning post 60 and the inner periphery of the abutment 90. Optionally, the positioning post 60 may be a continuous flange 190 extending about the longitudinal axis L. The continuous flange 190 may be a thin-walled structure that is flexible and conforms to the inner periphery of the abutment 90. The continuous flange 190 may have a thickness orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L, ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, optionally from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. The continuous flange 190 may protrude from the top profile 30 by about 2 mm to about 20 mm, optionally from about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The continuous flange 190 may have a circular shape that closely conforms to the circular inner periphery of the abutment 90. Other smooth wall shapes, such as teardrop, elliptical, and rectangular, are contemplated for the continuous flange 190 and the inner periphery of the abutment 90. The continuous flange 190 can provide a certain degree of flexibility to the structure of the positioning pile 60, so that even if there is a small irregularity in the shape of one or both of the inner periphery of the base 90 or the continuous flange 190, the continuous flange 190 can conform to the inner periphery of the base 90.

[0035] The collar may be a portion of the closure 10 that is attachable to (and optionally attachable to and detachable from) the container 20. The collar 100 may have an inwardly oriented surface 200 oriented toward the longitudinal axis L and an outwardly oriented surface 210 oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Figure 3 The inwardly oriented surface 200 or the outwardly oriented surface 210 may include threads 220. Optionally, the inwardly oriented surface 200 or the outwardly oriented surface 210 may include a snap-fit ​​bead 230. Figure 4 The collar 100 can be engaged with the container 20 via threads 220 or snap-fit ​​bead 230. The collar 100 can be engaged with the interior of the neck 275 of the container 20, the exterior of the neck 275 of the container 20, or both the interior and exterior of the neck 275 of the container 20.

[0036] The pH of liquid composition 250 can be from 1 to 6. Liquid compositions with an acidic pH can be used to soften fabrics and / or restore color by removing scale that may accumulate on fabrics, possibly generated from washing fabrics in hard water. The pH of liquid composition 250 can be from about 2 to about 5, optionally from about 3 to about 4, optionally from about 2 to about 3. Liquid composition 250 can be applied to many garments during a washing machine rinse cycle. Liquid composition 250 can be conveniently applied during a rinse cycle by employing a rinse additive dispenser drawer in the washing machine or by providing other devices as part of the washing machine for applying rinse additives to garments.

[0037] The pH of liquid composition 250 may be provided by citric acid or a salt thereof. The pH of liquid composition 250 may be provided by citric acid or a salt thereof. The pH of liquid composition 250 may be provided by a polycarboxylic acid. Optionally, citric acid or a salt thereof or a polycarboxylic acid may be provided at a level of about 10% to about 50% by weight of liquid composition 250. Optionally, liquid composition 250 may contain about 15% to about 40% by weight, and optionally about 20% to about 30% by weight, of citric acid and / or its salts or polycarboxylic acids of liquid fabric care composition.

[0038] The liquid composition 250 disclosed herein may have a reserve acidity of at least about 1, or at least about 3, or at least about 5 for pH 4.0. The liquid composition 250 may have a reserve acidity of about 3 to about 10, or about 4 to about 7 for pH 4.0. As used herein, “reserve acidity” refers to the number of grams of NaOH required per 100g of product to achieve said pH. Reserve acidity measurements as used herein are based on titrating a 1% product solution in distilled water (at standard temperature and pressure) using a standard NaOH solution to a endpoint of pH 4.0. Without being theoretically limited, reserve acidity measurements have been found to be the optimal measure of the acidifying capacity of the composition or its ability to provide a target acidic wash pH when added at a high dilution to tap water rather than pure or distilled water. Reserve acidity is controlled by the content of the formulated organic acid along with the pH of the pure product and, in some respects, by other buffers such as alkalizing agents, e.g., alkanolamines.

[0039] Liquid composition 250 may contain about 0.01% to about 20% by weight of fragrance. The fragrance may provide a pleasant aroma to liquid composition 250. Non-limiting examples of fragrances include, but are not limited to, aldehydes, ketones, esters, etc. Other examples include various natural extracts and essential oils, which may contain complex mixtures of the components, such as orange oil, lemon oil, rose extract, lavender, musk, green balsam, impatiens essential oil, sandalwood oil, pine oil, cedarwood, etc. Finished fragrances may contain complex mixtures of such components.

[0040] Liquid composition 250 may be an aqueous solution. The liquid composition may contain about 30% to about 90% by weight of water. Optionally, the liquid composition may contain about 50% to about 90% by weight, optionally about 60% to about 85% by weight, and optionally about 70% to about 80% by weight of water.

[0041] Optionally, the liquid composition 250 may comprise an organic acid. The organic acid may be selected from the group consisting of: acetic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, aspartic acid, carboxymethyl oxymalonic acid, carboxymethyl oxysuccinic acid, glutaric acid, hydroxyethyl iminodiacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, oxydiacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, succinic acid, aminosulfonic acid, tartaric acid, tartaric acid-disuccinic acid, tartaric acid-monosuccinic acid, or mixtures thereof.

[0042] Liquid composition 250 is characterized by a relatively low viscosity. This viscosity may be ideal for easy pouring and / or for minimal residue buildup in the dispenser drawer of a machine. Liquid composition 250 may have a kinematic viscosity of less than 2 mPa·s at 60 rpm and 22°C, according to ASTM D2169-99. Optionally, liquid composition 250 may have a kinematic viscosity of less than 1.5 mPa·s at 60 rpm and 22°C, according to ASTM D2169-99. Optionally, liquid composition 250 may have a kinematic viscosity of less than 1 mPa·s at 60 rpm and 22°C, according to ASTM D2169-99.

[0043] In an effort to maintain a low viscosity, liquid composition 250 may be substantially free of thickeners or other rheology enhancers, such as structural agents. Liquid composition 250 may also be substantially free of salts, such as inorganic salts, like sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and / or calcium chloride, that may provide rheological modifications, such as thickening. As used herein, such salts are not intended to include neutralization products of the organic acids described herein.

[0044] Liquid composition 250 can be a formulation as shown in Table 1.

[0045] Table 1. Liquid compositions.

[0046]

[0047] The following is an example:

[0048] A. A closure (10), the closure comprising:

[0049] A top profile (30) having an outer surface (40) and an inner surface (50) opposite to the outer surface.

[0050] Positioning post (60), the positioning post protruding from the inner surface;

[0051] A hinge (70) engages the top profile to the body (80).

[0052] A base (90) located in the body and sealingly engaged with the positioning post, wherein the base extends about a longitudinal axis (L) passing through the top profile and the positioning post;

[0053] A collar (100) engages with the base and is oriented away from the top profile;

[0054] Base plate (110), the base plate being defined by the platform along its periphery;

[0055] A sealing member (120), which is at least a portion of the base plate, optionally the entire base plate, wherein the sealing member is defined along the periphery by a fragile boundary (130) extending around the longitudinal axis;

[0056] tabs (140) extend from the sealing member toward the top profile;

[0057] The sealing member and the base are made of a single, continuous material.

[0058] B. The closure as described in paragraph A, wherein the closure further comprises:

[0059] Nozzle (150), the nozzle protruding from the base plate toward the top profile, wherein the nozzle extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis and is closer to the longitudinal axis than the base.

[0060] C. The closure according to paragraph B, wherein the sealing member is at least partially defined by the nozzle along its periphery.

[0061] D. The closure according to paragraph B or C, wherein the nozzle has a dispensing lip (160) and the longitudinal axis is oriented between the dispensing lip and the hinge, wherein the return channel (170) is defined by a portion of the base, a portion of the nozzle, and a portion of the base plate connecting the base and the nozzle, wherein when the closure is positioned such that the dispensing lip is above the collar, the return channel is inclined in a direction away from below the dispensing lip.

[0062] E. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to D, wherein the tab is a ring (180) and wherein the ring is positioned between the base plate and the top profile.

[0063] F. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to E, wherein the positioning post is a continuous flange (190) extending about the longitudinal axis.

[0064] G. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to F, wherein the tab extends from the sealing member at a starting position (145), wherein the longitudinal axis L is located between the starting position and the hinge.

[0065] H. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to G, wherein the fragile boundary is thinner than the portion of the sealing member along the fragile boundary.

[0066] I. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to H, wherein the hinge is a movable hinge (75).

[0067] J. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to I, wherein the collar has an inwardly oriented surface (200) oriented toward the longitudinal axis and an outwardly oriented surface (210) oriented away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the inwardly oriented surface or the outwardly oriented surface includes threads (220).

[0068] K. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to I, wherein the collar has an inwardly oriented surface toward the longitudinal axis and an outwardly oriented surface away from the longitudinal axis (210), wherein the snap bead edge (230) protrudes from the inwardly oriented surface or from the outwardly oriented surface.

[0069] L. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to K, wherein the closure further comprises:

[0070] The nozzle protrudes from the base plate toward the top profile, wherein the nozzle extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis and is closer to the longitudinal axis than the base, wherein the sealing member, the base, and the nozzle are a continuous single constituent material.

[0071] M. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to L, wherein the positioning post is closer to or coincides with the longitudinal axis than the base.

[0072] N. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to L, wherein the positioning post is a continuous flange (190) extending about the longitudinal axis, wherein the abutment is closer to the longitudinal axis than the continuous flange.

[0073] O. The closure according to any one of paragraphs A to N, wherein the base is sealed to the positioning pile completely around the longitudinal axis.

[0074] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​cited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a range around which it is functionally equivalent. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

[0075] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, every reference cited herein, including any cross-references or related patents or patent applications, and any patent application or patent claiming priority to or benefiting from it, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Reference to any reference is not an endorsement of it as prior art to any disclosed or protected art herein, nor is it an endorsement of any such invention, either on its own or in combination with any one or more references. Furthermore, where any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in referenced documents, the meaning or definition given to that term in this invention shall prevail.

[0076] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A closure (10), the closure comprising: A top profile (30) having an outer surface (40) and an inner surface (50) opposite to the outer surface. Positioning post (60), the positioning post protruding from the inner surface; A hinge (70) engages the top profile to the body (80). A base (90) located in the body and sealingly engaged with the positioning post, wherein the base extends about a longitudinal axis (L) passing through the top profile and the positioning post; A collar (100) engages with the base and is oriented away from the top profile; Base plate (110), the base plate being defined by the platform along its periphery; A sealing member (120), which is at least a portion of the base plate, optionally the entire base plate, wherein the sealing member is defined along the periphery by a fragile boundary (130) extending around the longitudinal axis; tabs (140) extend from the sealing member toward the top profile; and A nozzle (150) protrudes from the base plate toward the top profile, wherein the nozzle extends at least partially around the longitudinal axis and is closer to the longitudinal axis than the base, wherein the nozzle has a dispensing lip (160), and the longitudinal axis is locating between the dispensing lip and the hinge, wherein a return channel (170) is defined by a portion of the base, a portion of the nozzle, and a portion of the base plate connecting the base and the nozzle, wherein when the closure is positioned such that the dispensing lip is above the collar, the return channel is inclined in a direction away from below the dispensing lip. The sealing member, the base, and the nozzle are made of a single, continuous material.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is at least partially defined by the nozzle along its periphery.

3. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tab is a ring (180) and wherein the ring is positioned between the base plate and the top profile.

4. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning post is a continuous flange (190) extending about the longitudinal axis.

5. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tab extends from the sealing member at the starting position (145), wherein the longitudinal axis L is located between the starting position and the hinge.

6. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fragile boundary is thinner than the portion of the sealing member along the fragile boundary.

7. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge is a movable hinge (75).

8. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collar has an inwardly oriented surface (200) oriented toward the longitudinal axis and an outwardly oriented surface (210) oriented away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the inwardly oriented surface or the outwardly oriented surface includes a thread (220).

9. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collar has an inwardly oriented surface toward the longitudinal axis and an outwardly oriented surface away from the longitudinal axis (210), wherein the snap bead edge (230) protrudes from the inwardly oriented surface or from the outwardly oriented surface.

10. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning post is closer to the longitudinal axis or coincides with the longitudinal axis than the base.

11. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning post is a continuous flange (190) extending about the longitudinal axis, wherein the base is closer to the longitudinal axis than the continuous flange.

12. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base is sealed to the positioning pile completely around the longitudinal axis.

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