Container, sealing body, and method for manufacturing said container and sealing body

Abstract

In some embodiments, the devices and methods provided herein are useful for dispensing fluids from a bottle having a closure cap with a flip-up top, base, and tamper-evident structure configured to indicate whether the closure cap has been previously opened. In some embodiments, the area of ​​the closure cap utilized to manually open the cap has a recess. By one approach, prior to initial opening, a movable wall covers a large portion of the recess, and then upon initial opening, a user rotates the movable wall from a first generally vertical position to a second position in which it is moved inwardly into the recess.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to containers for fluids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally to containers having a sealing cap. [Background technology]

[0002] Fluid containers are known to contain and dispense fluids, such as, for example, personal care products and condiments, along with other foods and / or beverages. To facilitate dispensing the contents of the container, these bottles often have a sealed cap with a flip-top lid and an opening at the base of the cap. Additionally, tamper-evident or package integrity features may be incorporated into such packaging for product or food safety purposes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] For example, some fluid containers include a thin liner sealed to the neck of the container bottle. Depending on the configuration of the closure cap, the liner can provide a tamper evident indicator and potentially aid in maintaining the product inside the bottle and / or its freshness. In such configurations, the consumer unscrews or otherwise removes the flip-top closure cap from the bottle neck to access the liner and remove it from the bottle. The liner is then typically discarded (as it is generally difficult to recycle such small items). In addition to the waste that such packaging generates, consumers often find that removing the liner is tedious and time consuming. Removal of the liner may also require fine motor skills and / or dexterity, which may make it difficult for consumers with less dexterity to remove the liner and / or loosen the closure cap from the bottle. Furthermore, visual inspection of the liner is typically required to determine if the bottle has been tampered with. Inspection of the liner typically requires the user to remove the closure cap before inspecting the liner, as the liner is disposed under the closure cap. This means that if one wants to be sure that the tamper evident feature has not been removed, the sealing cap must be removed before purchasing the container bottle.

[0004] In other fluid containers, the closure cap includes a tear strip that can be pulled or torn from a portion of the closure cap prior to initial opening, and the consumer can then open the closure cap upon removal of the tear strip. Similar to liners on bottles, such tear strips are generally removed completely from the closure cap and discarded in light of their smaller size making them difficult to recycle. For example, they are generally too small to include an indication of the type of plastic from which they are formed. Similar to the use of liners, tear strips may also require fine motor skills and / or dexterity, making them difficult to remove for consumers with limited manual dexterity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for dispensing fluids from a bottle, such as a consumer or food product, including condiments or beverages. In some embodiments, the bottle includes a sealing cap with a flip-top lid, a base, and a tamper-evident structure or package integrity feature configured to indicate if the sealing cap has been previously opened. In some configurations, a portion of the sealing cap includes a recess in which a rotating panel or movable wall is located, which a user manually leverages to open the flip-top lid. In one approach, the recess is a recessed or open space in a side wall at the junction between a portion of the flip-top lid and the base, typically located on the opposite side of a hinge connecting the two. The movable panel or wall may be used as a tamper-evident structure. In one approach, the movable wall may extend substantially parallel to or continuously from the side wall or outer wall of the sealing cap prior to initial opening. Upon initial opening, a user can manually move the movable panel or wall from a first substantially vertical configuration to a second fixed configuration, with a portion of the movable panel or wall being moved inwardly into a recess formed by a portion of the base and the flip-top lid. In some configurations, the movable panel is attached to a portion of the sealing cap with a hinge and / or one or more breakable connectors. In these configurations, when the one or more breakable connectors are separated, the movable panel can be rotated or folded inwardly at the hinge into the portion of the sealing cap. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods relating to containers, closure caps, and manufacturing methods. This description includes drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bottle with a cap, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cap and a portion of a bottle, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 2 in a previously opened configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 2 in an open configuration. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cap in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a closure cap in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a closure cap in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a closure cap in a previously opened configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9A] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sealing cap in a closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a closure cap in a previously opened configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 1A-1C are perspective views of closure caps that may be used with differently configured bottles, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 11 in an initial closed configuration. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 11 , still in a closed configuration. [Figure 14] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 14 in an initial closed configuration. [Figure 16] 15 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 14, still in a closed configuration. [Figure 17A] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sealing cap. [Figure 17B] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sealing cap. [Figure 17C] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sealing cap. [Figure 17D] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sealing cap. [Figure 18] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 18 in an initial closed configuration. [Figure 19A] FIG. 20 is a partial detailed view of portion 18A of FIG. 19. [Figure 20A] 19A-19C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing configuration, a closed configuration, and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. [Figure 20B] 19A-19C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing configuration, a closed configuration, and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. [Figure 20C] 19A-19C are cross-sectional views showing a manufacturing configuration, a closed configuration, and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. [Figure 21A] 19 is a perspective partial view of a latch protrusion of the closure cap of FIG. 18 according to some embodiments. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional view of the latch protrusion of FIG. 21A. [Figure 22] 19 is a perspective view of the sealing cap of FIG. 18 with the movable wall of the sealing cap in a second position, according to some embodiments. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap of FIG. 22. [Figure 24] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 18 in a rear open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 25] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 26A] 26A-26C are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing configuration, a closed configuration, and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 25, according to some embodiments. [Figure 26B] 26A-26C are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing configuration, a closed configuration, and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 25, according to some embodiments. [Figure 27] 26 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap of FIG. 25 with the movable wall in a second position according to some embodiments. [Figure 28]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the sealing cap of FIG. 25 in a rear open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 29] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 29A] FIG. 30 is a partial detailed view of portion 30A of FIG. 29. [Figure 30A] 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing configuration and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 29, according to some embodiments. [Figure 30B] 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing configuration and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 29, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 31] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 29 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 32] FIG. 30 is a partial perspective view of a latch protrusion of the closure cap of FIG. 29 according to some embodiments. [Diagram 33] 30 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 29, with the movable wall in a second position. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap of FIG. 33. [Diagram 35] 30 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 29 in a subsequent open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 36] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 36A] FIG. 37 is a partial detailed view of portion 26A of FIG. 36. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 36 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 38] 25 and 36 in a closed configuration, with the movable wall in a second position. FIG. [Figure 39A] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 39B] FIG. 39B is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 39A with the flip-top lid in a closed position. [Diagram 40]FIG. 39B is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 39A in an initial closed configuration according to some embodiments. [Diagram 41] FIG. 39B is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 39A, with the movable wall moved to a second position. [Diagram 42] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the sealing cap of FIG. 42 with the flip-top lid in a closed position, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 44] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the sealing cap of FIG. 42 with the movable wall in a second position according to some embodiments. [Diagram 45] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 42 in a subsequent open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 46] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 46 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 48] 47 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 46, with the movable wall in a second position. [Figure 49] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 49 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 51A] 50A-50C are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing configuration and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 49, according to some embodiments. [Figure 51B] 50A-50C are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing configuration and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 49, according to some embodiments. [Figure 52] 50 is a partial perspective view illustrating an elongated guide slot and a latch protrusion of the closure cap of FIG. 49 according to some embodiments. [Figure 53] 50 is a perspective view of the sealing cap of FIG. 49 with the movable wall in a second position according to some embodiments. [Figure 54] FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap of FIG. 53, according to some embodiments. [Figure 55] FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 53 in a subsequent open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 56] 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 57] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 56 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 58A] 57 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing configuration and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 56, according to some embodiments. [Figure 58B] 57 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing configuration and an initial closed configuration of the closure cap of FIG. 56, according to some embodiments. [Figure 59] FIG. 57 is a partial perspective view of the hook-shaped extension of the closure cap of FIG. 56, according to some embodiments. [Figure 60] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the sealing cap of FIG. 56 with the movable wall in a second position, according to some embodiments. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 60 according to some embodiments. [Figure 62] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 56 in a subsequent open configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0007] The elements in the figures are shown simply and clearly and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and / or relative positions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments may be omitted to facilitate a narrower view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. Certain operations and / or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of appearance when such specificity with respect to the sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used in this specification have the ordinary technical meanings as given to such terms and expressions by those skilled in the art as described above, unless a different specific meaning is otherwise described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Previous solutions (such as the tear strips or sealing liners discussed above) include a separate tamper-evident structure that is distinct from the container bottle or sealing cap. The present disclosure allows for a container bottle to incorporate a movable panel or wall and a sealing cap that allows for a container bottle with fewer parts. A sealing cap that includes a movable panel or wall also allows for the entire sealing cap (including the tamper-evident structure) to be recyclable.

[0009] Additionally, when the movable panel or wall is partially moved toward the fixed second configuration, the movable panel or wall may provide a tactile tamper-evident indication. That is, after the initial actuation of the hinge and / or severing of the breakable connector, the consumer or user may visually or tactilely determine that the bottle has previously been opened. This may be evidenced by the breakable connector being severed and / or the movable panel or wall being moved away from the first configuration.

[0010] Thus, compared to previous tamper evident options, the tamper evident structures or package integrity features described herein provide an easily identifiable visual or tactile tamper evident indication that may not require the consumer to remove the cap from the bottle. The present disclosure also allows for the tamper evident structure of the closure cap to remain attached or secured to a portion of the closure cap, thus allowing for potential recycling of a larger portion of the closure cap.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a packaged food product including a bottle 10 containing a fluid product 5, such as a fluid food product including, for example, ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, mustard, or another similar fluid product. As shown, the bottle 10 includes a closure cap 18 connected to the container body 12 via internal threads 32 of the closure cap 18, as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5, which engage with external threads 16 of the container body 12 with further reference to FIG. 10. As discussed further below, the closure cap described herein may be incorporated into a variety of packaging solutions. FIG. 1 illustrates the bottle in an upright position (i.e., the closure cap 18 is substantially above the container body 12). The present disclosure further contemplates the bottle 10 being stored in an upside-down configuration such that the closure cap 18 is substantially below the container body 12. In an inverted configuration, the container body 12 may rest on the closure cap 18. Thus, during storage and / or dispensing, the bottle 10 may have the closure cap 18 disposed substantially above or below the container body 12.

[0012] The sealing cap 18 includes a base 20 and a flip-top lid 22 hinged or attached to the base 20, as shown in Figures 2-4. To open the sealing cap 18, a user can move or pivot the flip-top lid 22 from a closed configuration (see, e.g., Figure 2) to an open configuration (see, e.g., Figure 4). In a first position (i.e., the initial closed configuration), the pivoted or movable panel or wall 24 is disposed substantially adjacent to or flush with the outer sidewall 98 of the sealing cap 20. The movable panel or wall may be disposed substantially adjacent to the mouth-shaped opening 71 in the sidewall 98.

[0013] In use, a user or consumer can apply pressure to the rotating or movable panel or wall 24 (such as via manual thumb pressure). The pressure may be applied by the user, such as using the user's extremities, but may also come from other external sources, such as an instrument or other device. The pressure can cause a portion of the movable wall or panel 24 to rotate or move inwardly relative to the side wall 98 into a recess 70 disposed adjacent to the mouth-shaped opening 71. In some embodiments, the recess 70 may be mouth-shaped, similar to the mouth-shaped opening 71. In other embodiments, the recess 70 may be disposed in the space between the flip-top lid 22 and the base 20 along a side of the sealing cap 18, or on the opposite side of the hinge 19. The hinge 19 hinges the flip-top lid 22 to the base 20.

[0014] When the movable wall 24 is moved inwardly relative to the side wall 98 and the flip-top lid 22, a portion may snap, break, or be cut such that at least a portion is displaced into the recess 70. The rotatable or movable panel or wall 24 may be disposed in a second position. After initial opening, the rotatable or movable panel or wall 24 generally remains disposed in the second position whether the flip-top lid 22 is disposed in a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, or an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0015] More specifically, the sealing cap 18 includes a rotating or movable panel or wall 24 having a first position (e.g., FIGS. 2 and 5 ), where the movable wall 24 extends from at least one of the base 20 and / or the flip-top lid 22 to at least partially cover or obstruct the mouth-shaped opening 71 into the recess 70. This prevents a user from opening the sealing cap 18 by not allowing movement of the flip-top lid 22 relative to the base 20. The movable wall 24 may be attached to at least one of the base 20 and / or the flip-top lid 22 such that the movable panel or wall 24 is movable from a first position obstructing the recess 70 to a second position, which may allow access to the recess 70 and allow a user to move the flip-top lid 22 to an open position.

[0016] In some configurations, the pivoting or movable panel or wall 24 may have a shape or general configuration similar to the contour of the recess 70. In this configuration, the top edge 27 of the movable wall 24 generally corresponds to the top edge 72 of the recess 70, and the bottom edge 29 of the movable wall 24 generally corresponds to the bottom edge 74 of the recess 70. In other approaches, the movable wall 24 may not have a shape corresponding to the recess 70, but instead may include an additional breakable member covering at least a portion of the opening or recess 70 to prevent a user from moving the flip-top lid 22 to an open position without moving the movable wall 24 from its initial position.

[0017] When the rotatable panel or movable wall 24 is pushed inward (as discussed below), the user or consumer may apply a force to the flip-top lid 22 in a direction substantially away from the base 20. Movement of the flip-top lid 22 away from the base 20 may rotate or pivot the flip-top lid 22 about the hinge 19. In one approach, the upward force may be applied by engaging an upper edge or surface of the mouth-shaped opening 71 defined by the upper surface 72 (which is disposed opposite the lower surface 74 of the mouth-shaped opening 71). By another approach, the user may pull the upper surface 72 upward, pulling the upper surface 72 away from the base 20. The flip-top lid 22 may pivot about the hinge 19, which may be substantially opposite the mouth-shaped opening 71.

[0018] 8, the movable panel or wall 24 is disposed in a second position after the movable wall or panel has been pivoted inwardly against the top surface 72 of the lip opening 71. In this configuration, a user or consumer can apply or exert a force to move the movable panel or wall 24 upwardly to open the flip-top lid 22 and move the flip-top lid 22 from a closed position to an open position.

[0019] 4, when the flip-top lid 22 is in the open configuration, the protrusions 90 of the flip-top lid 22 are moved away from and obstructing the opening 34 in the base 20 such that the opening 34 is unobstructed and fluid 5 within the bottle 10 can exit therethrough. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the central portion 30 of the base 20 through which the opening 34 extends can include a substantially flat portion 62. The underside 74 of the spout opening 71 can extend around the periphery of the central portion 30.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the movable panel or wall 24 in a first initial configuration. In the first initial configuration, the movable panel or wall 24 may be connected to the flip-top lid 22 and / or the base 20. When the movable panel or wall is moved to the second configuration, the movable panel or wall 24 may be secured to the remaining portion of the sealing cap 18 in a different configuration. This may be done through the use of or in combination with one or more hinges and / or one or more breakable, severable, frangible, or separable structures. The one or more hinges and / or breakable connectors or structures may be arranged in a variety of configurations. In one exemplary example, when the movable panel or wall 24 is moved from its initial configuration, it may remain attached to at least a portion of the sealing cap 18 via a hinge 67 at the first end 31 of the movable panel or wall 24. Additionally, the second end 33 of the movable panel or wall 24 may be moved from a first initial position substantially aligned with the side wall 98 to a second position pressed inwardly from the side wall 98.

[0021] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5-8, the first end 31 of the movable panel or wall 24 can be connected to at least a portion of the closure cap 18 or flip-top lid 22. The first end 31 is disposed at a first end or top end of the movable wall 24 when the closure cap 18 is placed on the top of the bottle with the closure cap 18. In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the first end 31' of the movable panel or wall 24' can be connected to at least a portion of the closure cap 18'. The first end 31' is disposed at a second end or bottom end of the movable wall 24' when the closure cap 18 is placed on the bottle with the closure cap 18.

[0022] As mentioned above, in some configurations, the movable wall 24 has a first end 31 adjacent the hinge 67 and its second end 31 that may rotate or move into at least a portion of the recess 70. As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge 67 allows the movable panel or wall 24 to hinge or rotate inwardly into the recess 70. As the movable wall 24 is moved from its initial position, substantially flush with the outer wall 98 and positioned in front of the recess 70, to a second position in which the movable panel or wall 24 traverses the outer wall 98, a user can visually and / or tactilely observe the movement. When the movable panel or wall 24 is in the second position, the movable panel or wall remains attached to at least a portion of the sealing cap 18. Furthermore, the movable panel or wall 24 in the second position may not impede the opening or other movement of the sealing cap 18. In this manner, the movable panel or wall 24 may operate as an indicative and / or tactile tamper-evident closure or structural indicator. Additionally, in some configurations, the user may be able to additionally visually and / or tactilely observe the breakage of the breakable member 25, allowing for an additional or separate tamper-evident indicator for the consumer.

[0023] To facilitate the indicative or tactile tamper-evident features disclosed herein, the hinge 67 allows the movable panel 24 to rotate from a first position to a second position, as described above. The hinge 67 can be formed, for example, by having a pinched or narrowed portion of the closure cap 18 between the outer wall 98 and the movable wall 24. In addition to molding the hinge 67 into the closure cap 18 as it is formed, a line or area of ​​weakness can be formed using a laser, knife, or other instrument or mechanism to facilitate the formation of the hinge 67. Additionally, by some approaches, the movable panel or wall 24 may be configured to rotate between about 45° and about 110° from its first position. In other approaches, the movable panel or wall 24 can rotate between about 60° and about 100° from its first position.

[0024] 6 and 7 illustrate that the hinge may extend over only a portion of the top surface 27 of the movable wall 24. In FIG. 6, the hinge 67 is adjacent to the center of the movable wall 24, but the periphery of the movable wall 24 is not connected to the flip-top lid 22 via the hinge 67, as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, one or more breakable members 25 may be located on the exterior and / or sides of the movable panel or wall 24.

[0025] More specifically, Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section of the movable wall 24 in a first, initial position adjacent the exterior wall 98. As shown in dashed lines in Figure 5, the movable panel or wall 24 may be moved to a second position disposed within the recess 70. Additionally, with the movable panel or wall 24 in the second position, the second end 33 of the movable panel or wall 24 may be pushed past the lower edge of the retaining flange 92.

[0026] When the tamper-evident structure (i.e., the movable panel or wall 24) is moved from a first initial position to a second position, the movable panel or wall 24 generally remains attached to the remainder of the closure cap 18. Additionally, in some configurations, the movable panel or wall 24 may remain attached to the remainder of the closure cap 18 in a fixed manner.

[0027] In other embodiments where the movable panel or wall 24 remains attached in a fixed manner, at least one of the flip-top lid 22 and the base 20 is configured to hold the movable panel or wall 24 in the second position to prevent the wall from moving relative to the remainder of the closure cap 18 and at least partially returning to the first position (the initial, unopened configuration). This can include, for example, a retention structure. In one approach, the closure cap 18 includes a retention flange 92, and the movable panel or wall 24 is configured to be pivoted or hinged within the recess 70 until the second end 33 of the movable panel or wall 24 passes beyond the retention flange 92 to the second position. In the second position in these embodiments, the movable panel or wall 24 is securely stored such that the retention flange 92 prevents the movable panel or wall 24 from returning to the first position or moving relative to the remainder of the closure cap 18. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the retention structure can include a retention flange 92 extending into the recess 70 that can capture or otherwise securely hold a rear portion 93 of the movable wall 24. This can be accomplished by the use of friction between the moveable panel or wall 24 and the retaining structure 92 or by a latching mechanism. Figures 9A and 9B also show a retaining structure, such as a retaining mechanism 94', similar to the retaining flange 92, which can be configured to hold a portion of the moveable panel or wall 24' in a fixed position, such as the end opposite the hinge 67'.

[0028] 8 illustrates how the movable panel or wall 24 may be securely held within the sealing cap 18 after initial opening. Additionally, by rotating the movable wall 24 upward and securing it adjacent the top of the recess 70 in the second position, the movable wall 24 may provide a location for a user to contact and move the flip-top lid 22 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0029] As mentioned above, the sealing cap 18 may further include one or more breakable members 25, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. The breakable members 25 may be configured to break when sufficient pressure is applied to the movable wall 24, or to break the breakable members 25 themselves, if possible. The breakable members 25 may take on various forms, distributions, and / or configurations. By one approach, the breakable members 25 are molded together with the remainder of the sealing cap 18. In addition, the breakable members 25 may be further weakened beyond their structural design, for example, by application of an instrument or tool, such as a laser or knife. In use, pressure applied to the movable panel or wall 24 by a user or some other purpose may cause the movable panel or wall 24 to rotate or hinge from a first position toward a second position. This movement may separate, cut, or otherwise damage or destroy the breakable members 25. The breakable members may break or separate into at least one of the first and second parts. The at least one first and second parts both remain fixed to portions of the sealing cap 18. FIG. 2 shows the hinge 67 and the breakable member 25 disposed on the top edge 27 of the movable panel or wall 24. In other embodiments, the hinge 67 and the breakable member 25 may be disposed on the bottom edge of the movable panel or wall 24. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the hinge 67' and the breakable member 25' may be disposed on the bottom surface 74' of the recess 70'. In still other configurations, one or more hinges may be disposed on one side of the movable panel or wall and one or more breakable members may be disposed on another, opposing side.

[0030] Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more breakable members 25 may connect the movable panel or wall 24 to either or both the base 20 and / or the flip-top lid 22. In yet other embodiments, one or more breakable members 25 may connect the base 20 directly to the flip-top lid 22, such that movement of the flip-top lid 22 from an initial, or first, or closed position to a second, or open position breaks the breakable members 25.

[0031] Waste, specifically plastic, is a growing problem, and since small pieces of material are typically not suitable for recycling, it is advantageous to minimize or completely eliminate small pieces that may be separated or otherwise separated from the packaging. Small pieces or pieces of plastic may be particularly relevant since they may find their way into waterways, food systems, and other sensitive environments. Thus, it may be beneficial if small pieces, pieces, or portions of material, specifically plastic, are not removed, separated, or separated from larger pieces of plastic that are generally easier to recycle. Thus, as shown herein, the movable wall 24 may remain attached to at least a portion of the sealing cap 18 when the movable panel or wall 24 is moved to the second position.

[0032] As mentioned above, and with particular reference to FIG. 8 , the movable panel or wall 24 may be attached to one of the base 20 and the flip-top lid 22 via a hinge connection 67. The other of the base 20 and / or the flip-top lid 22 to which the movable panel or wall 24 is not connected may include an extension, spherical lip, or ridge 90 configured to resist movement or rotation of the movable panel or wall 24. This ridge 90 may resist movement or rotation of the movable panel or wall 24, such as from inadvertent movement or forces that a container may experience during transportation or storage of the container on a storage shelf. In some configurations, the ridge 90 is positioned a short distance from the front edge of the recess 70 such that it is behind a bottom edge 93 of the movable panel or wall 24. Moving or rotating the movable panel or wall 24 over the ridge 90 may move the movable panel or wall 24 to a second or open position.

[0033] FIG. 8 further illustrates a flip-top lid 22, which typically includes a head space or cavity for holding the movable wall 24 in the open position thereafter. FIGS. 9A and 9B similarly illustrate a base 20' having a recess, cavity, or depression 96' for receiving the movable wall 24'. In such a configuration, the movable wall 24' may be snap-fitted into a recess in the base such that the recess 96' prevents the wall from returning to the first position. In one exemplary approach, the base 20' includes an extension 94' adjacent the recess 96' to help hold the movable wall 24' within the recess 96'.

[0034] Because the outer wall 98 appears more continuous to a consumer given the movable panel or wall 24 extending over the recess or opening opposite the hinge 19, the closure cap 18 may also include visual indicia or other information to assist a user in opening the closure cap 18. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in some configurations, the closure cap 18 may further include visual indicia 37 or instructions therein, such as by including the word "PUSH" on the outer facing surface of the movable panel or wall 24. Thus, when a user attempts to open the closure cap 18, the user may push against the movable panel or wall 24 and feel the movable panel 24 move inwardly into the recess of the closure cap 18 as and / or after the breakable member 25 is broken or severed.

[0035] The filled receptacle or receptacle body is sealed with the fluid therein by a liner, in some configurations, associated with a sealing cap. For example, a liner, such as a paperboard, plastic, and / or metal material liner, can be secured to the neck of the container body to seal the fluid within the container bottle. In this manner, the container can include multiple tamper-evident features, such as a liner secured to the neck of the container body or a liner secured to an opening in the container body.

[0036] If a liner is included in the bottle neck, the closure cap 18 typically includes a texture or multiple ribs (ribs) 80 on the lower portion of the sidewall on the outer skirt to facilitate gripping of the closure cap 18, as shown in FIG. 4. The ribs 80 located on the lower wall of the base 20 provide a gripping surface so that a user can more easily grip the closure cap 18 to unscrew the female threads of the base from the male threads of the neck when it is desired to remove the entire closure cap 18 from the container body 12. Additionally, the ribs 80 may also be included in the closure cap 18 even if the associated bottle does not include a liner to seal the fluid within the container. In other configurations, the ribs 80 may be removed from the closure cap 18. For example, the bottle 12' shown in FIG. 10 is particularly well suited for a closure cap 18 without the ribs 80, as the bottle includes a structure that holds the closure cap securely on the bottle.

[0037] In yet other configurations, such as the bottle 10 described herein having a tamper evident feature beyond the liner, the closure cap 18 is secured to the container body 12 without incorporating a liner therein. The linerless bottle 10 still has a tamper evident feature with a movable panel or wall 24.

[0038] Additionally, the teachings herein can be combined with various bottle features, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 17 / 714,041, filed June 24, 2020, and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 039387, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

[0039] In another configuration, the closure cap 18 may be securely attached to the container body 12 or container body 12' (as shown in FIG. 10). The present disclosure may enable the use of a container or bottle without a liner sealingly attached to the bottle neck, which avoids creating small pieces of plastic waste upon opening of the container. Additionally, the inclusion of a tamper-evident member (e.g., a movable panel or wall 24 or 24') on the exterior of the closure cap 18 allows the food package to be sold without a liner, yet still provide a safety or package integrity feature therein. Additionally, the inclusion of a closure cap retention mechanism, such as a discontinuous thread with spaced apart thread portions and a ratchet or other projection that engages a space, inhibits removal of the closure cap from the bottle described in the above identified applications, allowing the consumer to observe potential tampering from the exterior of the closure cap 18 without concern that the closure cap 18 may have been removed from the bottle 12 by being unthreaded or otherwise tampered with prior to purchase.

[0040] More specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates a container body 12′ with discontinuous threads and protrusions 16′ that allow the closure cap 18″ to be securely attached thereto such that the closure cap 18″ cannot be manually removed therefrom. The closure cap 18″ includes a tamper evident structure or package integrity feature of the movable panel or wall 24″, as well as threads and ratchet protrusions as described in co-pending U.S. Patent No. 17 / 714,041, filed June 24, 2020, and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 039387, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Furthermore, such retention mechanism in the closure cap 18″ prohibits the cap 18″ from being removed from the container bottle 12″, thereby requiring the user or consumer to depress or move the movable wall 24″ from a first position to access the contents within the container body 12′ once the closure cap 18″ is attached thereto.

[0041] In some exemplary approaches, the sealing cap 18, which may include the base 20, flip-top lid 22, and / or movable panel or wall 24, comprises a single material, such as, for example, polypropylene or other food grade plastic or polymer, or similar recyclable material. In operation, having the sealing cap 18 formed of a single material can increase the ease and likelihood of recycling the material. Additionally, having a package integrity feature or tamper-evident structure, such as the movable panel or wall 24, that is not completely detached from the remainder of the sealing cap 18 allows for more of the plastic sealing cap 18 to be reused.

[0042] By some approaches, materials may be selected for their specific surface tension. For example, one or more surfaces of the sealing cap 18 may be rougher or textured to provide flow resistance and help control the flow of the dispensed fluid 5. Some of the interior surfaces of the sealing cap 18 may be textured to inhibit flow or may have a smooth surface to facilitate movement of the fluid 5. A smooth surface may result in faster and / or less controlled fluid flow and may also result in leakage of the product or separated parts of the product due to reduced surface tension. The finish of the material or the manner in which the parts are formed may also affect the surface tension of the parts and help facilitate control of the fluid flow. For example, some portions of the sealing cap 18 may be formed in such a way as to create roughness that may affect the flow of the fluid 5 passing therethrough.

[0043] The advantages of the containers disclosed herein may be further exploited if the closure caps and / or bottles may be used with containers of some different configurations. Indeed, the teachings outlined herein, including, for example, the container body and closure cap, may be used with a variety of other closure cap and container body features.

[0044] For example, the tamper evident feature or structure exhibited via the movable panel or wall 24, 24' may be incorporated into a closure cap having an internal stem and disk such that the contents or fluid 5 within the container body 12 may be dispensed or metered. In one configuration, these teachings may be combined with a metering member as described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 17 / 353,376; 17 / 353,326; 17 / 353,484; and 17 / 353,446, all of which were filed on June 21, 2021, and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2019 / 067485, filed on December 19, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. No. 62 / 783,790, filed December 21, 2018 and No. 62 / 903,245, filed September 20, 2019, and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 035840, filed June 3, 2020 (which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 903,245, filed September 20, 2019), are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0045] Thus, if the sealing cap 18 is formed with an internal shaft and a metering hard disk, the sealing cap may be formed with or without a silicone membrane or rubber valve at the dispensing opening 34. If the sealing cap 18 lacks a silicone membrane, the sealing cap may be more easily recyclable. In some configurations, a method of opening the sealing cap 18 as described herein includes providing a sealing cap 18 comprising a base 20 and a flip-top lid 22 hingedly connected to the base 20, the base 20 and the flip-top lid 22 forming a recess 70 to allow a user to apply a force to the flip-top lid 22 to move the flip-top lid 22 from a closed position to an open position, pivoting a movable panel or wall 24 covering the opening to the recess 70 to expose the opening to the recess 70, and applying a force to a portion of the flip-top lid 22 at the recess 70 to move the flip-top lid 22 about the hinge connection 19 to the base 20 to the open position. As alluded to above, in some embodiments, pivoting the movable panel or wall 24 includes pivoting the movable panel or wall 24 into the recess 70 and securing the movable panel or wall 24 to a retaining member 92 of the sealing cap 18 to prevent the movable panel or wall 24 from moving back to cover the opening to the recess 70.

[0046] Further, in some approaches, the method of manufacturing the sealing cap 18 includes forming a flip-top sealing cap including a base 20 and a flip-top lid 22 in a mold. In some embodiments, the molded base 20 has a dome-shaped wall with an opening therethrough, an inner skirt with threads, an outer skirt connected to the inner skirt by a flat portion and / or possible reinforcing ribs, and a movable wall at the gripping portion of the flip-top lid. The movable panel or wall 24 of the molded flip-top lid 22 generally extends at least partially across a finger opening or recess 70 that is gripped to open the flip-top lid 22 and move it from a closed position to an open position. Further, the molded sealing cap 18 also has a flip-top lid 22 hingedly connected to the base 20, the flip-top lid 18 having an interior projection 90 and movable from a first position in which the interior projection blocks the opening 34 to a second position in which the interior projection does not block the opening 34 of the base 20. The molded sealing cap 18 also has a hinge 67 adjacent the movable panel or wall 24 and one or more fixed or breakable members 25 on the opposite side of the movable panel or wall 24 from the hinge 67 .

[0047] Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, the sealing cap 18 as described herein is formed by molding a receptacle having neck threads thereon, filling the receptacle with a thixotropic fluid, molding the sealing cap 18 having a base 20 and a flip-top lid 22 hingedly connected to the base 20, and closing the filled receptacle with the sealing cap 18. As described above, the molded base 20 includes inner and outer skirts with base threads disposed on the inner skirt, the base threads configured to engage the receptacle and the neck threads of the base, and the flip-top lid 22 has an outer wall 98 with a recess 70 to allow a user to grip the flip-top lid 22 and manually move the flip-top lid 22 from a closed position to an open position. The molded sealing cap 18 typically further includes a movable panel or wall 24 that moves or rotates from a first position adjacent the outer wall 98 of the sealing cap 18 to a second position upon initial opening of the sealing cap 18, the second position holding the movable panel or wall 24 securely within the cavity adjacent the recess 70 to prevent the movable panel or wall 24 from being completely removed from the remainder of the sealing cap 18.

[0048] Because the closure cap 18 described herein includes a tamper-evident structure or feature, it is not necessary to seal a liner to the container body to provide the tamper-evident feature. Thus, a method of producing a filled dispensing bottle need not include sealing a liner to the container body, and a method of filling a receivable can include securing the closure cap 18 to the receivable without a liner attached thereto.

[0049] In one exemplary approach, the closure cap 18 is molded in a single configuration. More specifically, the closure cap 18 is typically made from a single, one-piece, monolithic structure and includes the same material. In operation, the closure cap 18 may be molded as a monolithic structure and ejected from a mold or printed as a monolithic structure.

[0050] While bottle 10 may be used to contain a variety of fluids, in one exemplary approach, dispensing bottle 10 includes a container body 12 having a thixotropic fluid (e.g., a condiment, etc.), with a neck of the container body having threads thereon for engaging with threads of the closure cap. To provide a tamper evident indicator for closure cap 18, closure cap 18 may include a movable panel or wall 24 disposed in a recess 70 between flip-top lid 22 and base 20, whereby upon initial opening of closure cap 18, movable panel or wall 24 moves or rotates from a first position adjacent outer wall 98 of closure cap 18 to a second position, whereby the second position holds movable panel or wall 24 securely within the cavity adjacent recess 70 to prevent movable panel or wall 24 from being completely removed from the remainder of closure cap 18. Further, in one exemplary embodiment, the movable panel or wall 24 is securely attached to at least one of the base 20 and / or the flip-top lid 22 in the first position via at least one of the hinge 67 and / or one or more breakable members 25. In one such approach, the movable panel or wall 24 is secured in the first position via both the hinge 67 and the plurality of breakable members 25. In one such approach, the movable panel or wall 24 is attached to the flip-top lid 22 via the hinge connection 67 and maintained adjacent to the exterior wall 98 by the plurality of breakable members 25. In another such approach, the movable panel or wall 24 is attached to the base 20 via the hinge connection 67 and maintained adjacent to the exterior wall 98 by the plurality of breakable attachment points or members 25. In use, the breakable members 25 are configured to break when the movable panel or wall 24 moves or rotates from a first position toward a second position, thereby allowing the flip-top lid 22 to move from a closed position to an open position. As described above, the movable panel or wall 24 has a first edge 31 adjacent the hinge 67 and a second edge 33 opposite the first edge 31, and the sealing cap 18 further includes a retention mechanism 92, such as, for example, a pin, ledge, flange, bump, or other structure, for securing the second edge 33 such that the movable panel or wall 24 is secured within the recess 70.

[0051] 11-13, another embodiment of the closure cap 118 is shown in which a movable panel 124 is hingedly connected to the closure cap 118 to provide a tamper evident indication. For brevity and clarity, reference numbers used for features of the closure cap 18 of the first embodiment that correspond to similar features of the closure cap 118 of the second embodiment will be used with the prefix "1" added to the reference number. For example, a feature of the closure cap referenced by the reference number "90" will be designated with the reference number "190" with respect to the closure cap 118. The closure cap 118 can be incorporated into any dispensing bottle or container body in a manner similar to that described in the previous embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows the closure cap 118 with the base 120 and lid 122 in an initial open position. As used herein, the initial open position is generally the configuration in which the closure cap is placed during manufacturing, after which the closure cap is moved to an initial closed position. In one exemplary approach, the closure cap 118 is fabricated in a molding mold in this initial open position and ejected from the mold in this position after molding. Prior to being shipped to a consumer, the flip-top lid 122 is moved from the initial open position (FIG. 11) to an initial closed position (FIG. 12) such that the flip-tip lid 122 is positioned on the base 120 such that the protrusion 190 blocks the opening 134. Additionally, as the flip-top lid 122 rotates about the hinge 119 to the closed position (FIG. 12), the breakable member or protrusion 182 on the movable panel 124 is inserted into the recess or receiving member 184 of the flip-top lid 122.

[0053] Referring briefly to Figure 13, recess opening 170, similar to the previously described embodiment, has an upper end 172 and a lower edge 174. Although the embodiment of Figures 11-13 includes a receiving member 184 disposed at upper end 172 and a hinge 167 disposed at lower edge 174, other embodiments having different orientations are contemplated, such as those shown in Figures 14-16 described below.

[0054] When the closure cap 118 is moved from the initial open configuration (FIG. 11) to the initial closed configuration (FIG. 12), the protrusion 182 (which may include, for example, barbs, hooks, snap hook protrusions, and / or other structures for securely coupling the protrusions with the receiving member) is advanced into the receiving member 184 (which may include channels, cups, housings, gripping arms, and / or other structures for securely holding the protrusions 182 therein or therewith). In one exemplary embodiment, a leading portion of the protrusions 182 is aligned with the receiving member 184 as the protrusions 182 are forced into the receiving member 184. In some configurations, the receiving member 184 includes a pair of flexible arms 186 that bend outwardly away from one another to allow the protrusions 184 to advance into a slot 188 formed by the receiving member 184 when the flip-top lid 122 is rotated to the initial closed position. The receiving member 184 is shown here as an elongated liner member, but may also have a separate configuration, such as a separate cup.

[0055] According to one exemplary approach, the barb or protrusion 182 is configured such that it can be easily pressed into the receiving member 184 but cannot be retracted or removed therefrom. In fact, a user attempting to lift the flip-top lid 122 from the base 120 while the protrusion 182 is attached to the movable panel 124 will meet significant resistance. In fact, to open the sealing cap, the user typically applies inward pressure to the movable panel 124, fracturing it. More specifically, a portion of the movable panel 124, i.e., the protrusion 182, is severed from the remainder of the movable panel 124 when sufficient force is applied to the movable panel 124. Additionally, a user or consumer, upon their inspection, can easily identify whether the protrusion 182 is still attached to the movable panel 124, thereby providing a visually obvious tamper-evident indicator.

[0056] More specifically, in one exemplary configuration, protrusion 182 includes a front or upwardly facing surface with angled sides that extend outwardly toward one another such that protrusion 182 gently flexes arms 186 of receiver member 184 to allow protrusion 182 to advance past the bottom of receiver member 184 so as to be disposed within slots 188 of receiver member 184. In one exemplary approach, the configuration of protrusion 182 also prohibits it from being retracted or manually removed from receiver member 184 without cutting or breaking protrusion 182 from the remainder of movable panel 124, as described above.

[0057] In practice, to open the sealing cap 118, the user typically applies an inward force to the movable panel 124, as described above. As shown, the movable panel 124 is generally secured to the remainder of the sealing cap 118 by providing a hinge 167 at one end thereof and one or more protrusions 182 at the other end thereof. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movable panel 124 includes a weakened area or line of weakness 178 disposed between the body of the movable panel 124 and the protrusion 182. The line of weakness 178 is typically breakable, separable, or frangible. Thus, after a user or consumer applies sufficient force to the movable panel 124 while the protrusion 182 is disposed within the receiving member 184, the movable panel 124 will break or break at the line of weakness 178. Once the protrusion 182 breaks from the remainder of the movable panel 124, the protrusion 182 will be retained within the receiving member 184. In this manner, the small pieces of plastic forming the protrusion 182 are much more likely to be recyclable.

[0058] Additionally, the user applies a force generally perpendicular to the length of the movable panel 124 (captured at one end by hinge 126 and at the other end by retaining member 184), causing the movable panel 124 to move from its initial unopened configuration ( FIG. 12 ) to a subsequent open configuration ( FIG. 13 ). In some embodiments, the movable panel 124 moves to a fixed position as shown in FIG. 13 , where the end of the movable panel 124 formerly adjacent to the projection 182 is held in place by a structure of the sealing cap, such as a retaining flange 192.

[0059] As described above, the closure cap 118 is typically formed and formed in an open position by molding, such as injection molding. Specifically, it is an initial open position in which the protrusion 182 is formed as an extension of the movable panel 124. Furthermore, various tools can be used to form certain components of the closure cap 118, such as, for example, one or more mold slides, lifts, pins, and / or other tools that create certain features during the molding operation. In addition, post-molding processes may also be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to specialized molding tools, such post-molding tools may include, for example, knife or laser cutting devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge 167 or the line of weakness 178 may be formed in part via a molding tool, and in another exemplary embodiment, they may be formed in part using a post-processing tool.

[0060] The embodiment of Figures 11-16 includes a movable panel 124, 224 that has a hinge on one side or end thereof and one or more frangible protrusions on the opposite side or end thereof. Figures 11-13 include a hinge on the bottom opening edge 174, while the sealing cap 218 of Figures 14-16 includes a hinge 267 located on the top edge 272 of the recessed opening 270. The tamper evident indicators provided by the movable panel 224 are similar to those previously described. While the protrusions 182 of Figure 11 took the form of a linear protrusion, the protrusions 282 include separate barbs or protrusions 282 having a diamond or spade shape. Despite the different configuration, the protrusions 282 operate similarly to the protrusions 182. More specifically, the movable panel 224 includes both a pair of protrusions 282 and a line or area of ​​weakness 278 between the protrusions 282 and the remainder of the movable panel 224. 14 shows the sealing cap 218 in an initial open position, and FIG. 15 shows the sealing cap 218 including the movable panel 224 in an initial closed position (i.e., the movable panel 224 still has the protrusions 282 attached thereto, and the protrusions 282 are disposed within the receiving member 284). To open the sealing cap 218, a user presses or exerts an inward force on the movable panel 224, such that the protrusions 282 separate from the remainder of the movable panel 224 at the weakened area 278. The protrusions 282 typically remain disposed within the retaining member 284, such that they may be reused along with the remainder of the sealing cap 218.

[0061] While Figures 11-16 illustrate two embodiments of a sealing cap that provides a tamper-evident movable panel having a frangible portion, other configurations may be used, and indeed Figures 17A-17D show further examples of how protrusions 182a, 182b, 182c, 182d and receiving members 184a, 184b, 184c, 184d may be configured.

[0062] 18-24, another embodiment of the closure cap 318 is shown. Figure 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the closure cap in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the closure cap of Figure 18 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0063] For the sake of brevity and clarity, reference numbers used for features of the closure caps of the above-mentioned embodiments that correspond to similar features of the closure cap 318 of the present embodiment will be used with the prefix "3" added to the reference number. For example, a feature of the closure cap referenced by the reference number "90" will be indicated with the reference number "390" for the closure cap 318. The closure cap 318 can be incorporated into any dispensing bottle or container body in a manner similar to that described in the previous embodiment. Furthermore, the closure cap 318 may be incorporated into any feature of the closure caps of the previous embodiment (e.g., closure cap 18) unless otherwise noted. This rule may also be applied to other embodiments described below.

[0064] 18 and 19, the closure cap 318 comprises a base 320, a flip-top lid 322 hinged to the base, a movable wall 324, an extension tab 385, and a breakable member 325. In one exemplary approach, the closure cap 318 is fabricated in a mold in an initial open configuration and, after molding, is ejected from the mold in this initial open configuration (FIG. 18). Prior to shipping to a consumer, the flip-top lid 322 is moved from an initial open position (FIG. 18) to an initial closed position (FIG. 19) such that the flip-tip lid 322 is positioned over the base 320 such that the extension tab is fixedly attached to the base 320.

[0065] In some embodiments, the base 320 can include a central portion 330 having an opening 334 therethrough and a substantially flat portion 362. The substantially flat portion 362 and a lower surface 374 of the recess 370 (i.e., the recessed surface of the base 320) can extend around the central portion 330. The circumferential side of the base 320 can include a circumferential ledge 364 such that the top surface of the base has a recessed side that is recessed from the sidewall of the sealing cap 318. The top surface of the base 320 can include the top surface of the central portion 330 and a surface of the substantially flat portion 362. The recessed side can extend around the substantially flat portion 362. The base 320 can include a lower ridge 354 near the top of the recessed side such that the lower ridge 354 can form a recess underneath.

[0066] The flip-top lid 322 is movable between an open position (FIG. 18) and a closed position (FIG. 19). In some embodiments, the flip-top lid 322 and the base 320 together form a recess 370 in the outer wall of the sealing cap 318 when the flip-top lid 322 is in the closed position. The recess 370 can form a gripping area where a user can apply force to move the flip-top lid 322 from the closed position to the open position. The flip-top lid 322 can include an upper ridge 352 on the inner surface of the sidewall adjacent the bottom end 323 of the flip-top lid 322. The upper ridge 352 can be configured to be positioned in a recess formed under a lower ridge 354 of the base when the flip-top lid is in the closed position.

[0067] In some embodiments, the movable wall 324 is attached to the flip-top lid 322 via a hinge 367. The movable wall 324 rotates from a first position (FIG. 19) to a second position (FIG. 22). In some embodiments, when the movable wall 324 is in the first position, the movable wall 324 is substantially continuous with the adjacent side wall 398 of the sealing cap 318, and when the movable wall 324 is in the second position, one edge of the movable wall 324 is disposed inwardly within the recess 370. In some embodiments, in the initial closed configuration, the movable wall 324 can cover at least a portion of the opening of the recess 370. In these embodiments, the upper edge 327 of the movable wall 324 generally corresponds to the upper edge 372 of the recess 370, and the lower edge 329 of the movable wall 324 generally corresponds to the lower edge 374 of the recess 370.

[0068] In some embodiments, the extension tab 385 extends from the movable wall 324. The outer surface of the extension tab is substantially continuous with or aligned with the outer surface of the movable wall 324. After initial closure, the extension tab 385 is fixedly attached to the base 320. For example, the upper edge 327 of the movable wall 324 is connected to a flip-top lid with a hinge connection 367, and the extension 385 extends from the lower edge 329 of the movable wall 324 and is fixedly attached to the base 320. In some embodiments, the extension tab 385 may comprise a flange 383 and a latch protrusion 382 extending from the flange 383. In some embodiments, the latch protrusion 382 may extend perpendicularly from the flange 383.

[0069] In some embodiments, the breakable member 325 is disposed between the extension tab 385 and the movable wall 324. The breakable member 325 is configured to break immediately before, immediately after, or immediately after the movable wall 324 is rotatably moved from the first position toward the second position. The breakable member 325 can prevent the user from moving the flip-top lid 322 to the open position without moving the movable wall 324 from the first position to the second position. However, the breakable member 325 may break when the flip-top lid 322 is moving from the initial closed position toward the open position. Breaking the breakable member 325 by first moving the flip-top lid 322 from the initial closed position to the open position may require a greater force than first breaking the breakable member 325 by first moving / rotating the movable wall 324 from the first position to the second position. In fact, the breakable member 325 can be broken by the user moving the flip-top lid 22 from the initial closed position to the open position without moving the movable wall 324 when applying sufficient force, but it is typically easier for the user to first apply manual pressure to the movable wall 324 to separate or break the breakable portion of the breakable member 325.

[0070] 20A-20C are cross-sectional views illustrating a closure cap 318 at various stages of manufacture, including after initial formation of the closure cap 318 from an initial open configuration to an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. In some approaches, referring to FIG. 20A, a method of manufacturing a closure cap includes forming a molded closure cap having a base 320 and a flip-top lid 322. In one exemplary approach, the closure cap 318 is created in a molded mold in this initial open configuration and is ejected from the mold in this configuration after molding. In some embodiments, the molded base 320 has a central portion 330 having a dome-shaped wall with an opening 334, an inner skirt having threads thereon, and an outer skirt connected to the inner skirt by a planar portion and / or possible reinforcing ribs. The central portion 330 is dome-shaped, although other configurations may be used, such as, for example, a frusto-conical shape. The molded base may also have a receiving opening 388 in a sidewall of the molded base, with a recessed portion 387 formed around the receiving opening.

[0071] In some embodiments, the molded sealing cap 318 has a hinge 319 connecting the flip-top lid 322 and the base 320. The molded flip-top lid 318 can have an interior projection 390 on its interior surface. In some embodiments, the molded sealing cap 318 further includes a movable wall 324 extending from the flip-top lid. As shown in FIG. 20A, the movable wall 324 may not be aligned with the sidewall of the flip-top lid 322 when it is in the molded configuration. Instead, when molded, the movable wall 324 may be rotated outwardly relative to the sidewall of the flip-top lid 322. The molded sealing cap 318 can further include a hinge 367 connecting the movable wall and the flip-top lid. The hinge 367 allows the movable wall 322 to rotate relative to the remainder of the flip-top lid 322. The molded sealing cap 318 can include an extension tab 385 extending from the movable wall 322. The molded extension tab 385 may include a flange 383 and a latch protrusion 382 extending from the flange 383. The molded sealing cap may include one or more breakable members 325 (see, e.g., FIG. 19A ) disposed between the flange 383 of the extension tab 385 and the movable wall 324. By one approach, the breakable members 325 are molded along with the remainder of the sealing cap 318. Additionally, the breakable members 325 may be further weakened beyond their structural design, for example, by application of an instrument or tool, such as a laser or knife.

[0072] In one exemplary approach, the sealing cap 318 is molded in a single configuration. More specifically, the sealing cap 318 is typically made from a single, unitary, monolithic structure and includes the same material.

[0073] In some approaches, referring to FIGS. 20A-C, a method of manufacturing a sealing cap includes moving a flip-top lid 322 from an initial open position (FIG. 20A) to an initial closed position (FIG. 20B-C). In the process of closing the flip-top lid 322, an upper ridge 352 (FIG. 18) of the flip-top lid 322 may be captured by a lower ridge 354 (FIG. 18) of the base 320, but by applying a slight force, the upper ridge 352 may snap into a recess below the lower ridge 354, so that the flip-top lid 322 may be placed in a fully closed position. When the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the upper ridge 352 may engage with the lower ridge 354 such that the flip-top lid 322 may remain in the closed position unless a force is applied to open the flip-top lid.

[0074] To facilitate snap-fit ​​of upper ridge 352, the upper and lower ridges may be made from a relatively flexible or resilient material that allows for sufficient slight deformation of the members. In some embodiments, the entire sealing cap 318 may be made from a flexible or resiliently deformable material, as is known in the art.

[0075] When the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the internal protrusion 390 typically blocks or prevents the movement of bottle fluid therethrough the opening 334. In some embodiments, when the flip-top lid 322 is being moved from an initial open position to an initial closed position, the movable wall may be in an initial position where the movable wall is rotated outward relative to the sidewall of the flip-top lid, as shown in FIG.

[0076] In some approaches, referring to Figs. 20B and 20C, a method of manufacturing a closure cap may include initially closing the closure cap. The initial closing operation may include moving the movable wall 324 from an initial position (Fig. 20B) to a first position (Fig. 20C) in which the movable wall 324 is substantially continuous with or aligned with an adjacent side wall 398 of the closure cap 318. The initial closing may further include inserting the latch protrusion 382 (Fig. 21A) through a receiving opening 388 (Fig. 18) in the side wall of the base 320 such that the flange 383 is positioned on an intended portion 387 of the side wall of the base 320. In some embodiments, referring to Fig. 20C, an assembly cap 7 may be used in moving the movable wall from the initial position to the first position. The assembly cap 7 may have an inner surface that corresponds to the shape of the side wall of the closure cap 318 in the initial closed configuration. In some embodiments, the movable wall 324 may be moved from the initial position to the first position by covering the sealing cap 318 with the assembly cap 7. As the assembly cap 7 moves downward and passes the hinge 367 connecting the movable wall 324 and the flip-top lid 322, the assembly cap 7 may rotate the movable wall 324 from the initial position (FIG. 20B) to the first position (FIG. 20C). The sealing cap 7 may move downward until the latch protrusion 382 (or a portion thereof) is inserted through the receiving opening and the flange 383 is positioned on the recessed portion 387 of the base such that the extension tab is fixedly attached to the base.

[0077] In some embodiments, the recess depth of the recessed portion 387 is the same as or similar to the thickness of the flange 383, such that when the extension tab 385 is engaged with the base 320, the outer surface of the flange 383 may align with the sidewall 398 of the base 320. In other embodiments, the thickness of the flange 383 may be slightly greater than the recess depth of the recessed portion such that the sealing cap may have a smooth interface between the extension tab and the outer surface of the base 320 adjacent the extension tab 385.

[0078] Figure 21A is a perspective view of a latch protrusion 382 inserted through a receiving opening, according to some embodiments, and Figure 21B is a cross-sectional view of the latch protrusion of Figure 21A, according to some embodiments.

[0079] The latch protrusion 382 may include, for example, barbs, hooks, snap hook protrusions, and / or other structures for securely coupling the latch protrusion to a receiving member, such as the base 320 or flip-top lid 322, through a receiving opening 388 therein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the latch protrusion 382 comprises a pair of protrusions or hooks, each end of the hooks extending outwardly away from each other. In one approach, there is a gap (g) between the protrusions or hooks to facilitate bending or movement of the hooks relative to each other. The top end of the latch protrusion 382 may have a width (d2) narrower than the width (d1) of the receiving opening 388. The locking protrusion 382 may be flexible such that when the hooks are inserted into the receiving opening, the hooks may be bent inward by narrowing the gap between the hooks. In some embodiments, the distance (d3) between the ends of the hooks that extend outwardly away from one another is greater than the width (d1) of the receiving opening 388, such that the extension tab 385 can be fixedly attached to the base 320 by preventing the latch protrusion 382 from retracting or being removed therefrom. The latch protrusion 382 can have a variety of shapes, as described above or below.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20C, in the initial closed configuration, the movable wall 324 may be connected to the flip-top lid 322 via hinge 367 and to the base 320 via breakable member 325 and extension tab 385. In the initial closed configuration, the upper edge 327 of the movable wall is adjacent to the upper edge 372 of the recess 370 and the lower edge 329 of the movable wall is adjacent to the lower edge 374 of the recess. In the initial closed configuration, in some embodiments, the breakable member 325 may be disposed above the lower edge 374 of the recess such that the breakable member 325 can cover a portion of the opening of the recess 370. In other embodiments, the breakable member may be disposed at or below the lower edge 374 of the recess 370.

[0081] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 318 with the movable wall in a second position, according to some embodiments. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap of FIG. 22, according to some embodiments. After initial closure, the movable wall 324 can be moved from a first position, where the movable wall is substantially aligned with the side wall 398, to a second position, where one edge of the movable wall 324 is pressed inwardly from the side wall 398 of the sealing cap. For example, the movable wall 324 is disposed in the second position after the movable wall 324 is pivoted or rotated inwardly relative to the top surface 472 of the mouth-shaped opening 370. When the movable wall 324 is in the second position, a user or consumer can apply or exert a force on the movable wall 324 in the second position to move the flip-top lid 322 upwardly from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0082] As described above, when the movable wall 324 is moved from the first position to the second position, the breakable member 325 typically breaks when sufficient pressure is applied to the movable wall 324, or in some configurations, the breakable member 325 itself breaks. In use, pressure applied to the movable wall 324 by a user or for some other purpose can rotate or hinge the movable wall 324 relative to the remainder of the lid from the first position toward the second position. When the movable wall 324 is moving from the first position to the second position, in some configurations, the extension tab 385 remains relatively firmly attached to the base 320 via the latch protrusion 382. (In this way, small pieces of the lid (such as small plastic bits) are not separated from the remainder of the lid so that the entire lid remains intact and can be recycled together.) Additionally, the movement of the movable wall can separate, cut, or break the breakable member 325 but retain the connection between the portion of the breakable member and the remainder of the lid. For example, the breakable member 325 may break or separate into at least one of the first piece and the second piece such that the first piece and the second piece may remain secured to portions of the sealing cap 318 .

[0083] By some approaches, the movable wall 324 is then in a second position, where the movable wall 324 is fixed or held relative to the sealing cap 318. In one exemplary embodiment, the movable wall 324 is fixed or held via a hinge 367 at a first end 327 of the movable wall 324 that allows the movable wall 324 to rotate relative to the remainder of the lid, but does not completely remove the movable wall 324 therefrom. In some alternative embodiments, the movable wall 324 may be secured to the sealing cap via a flexible material at the first end of the movable wall that allows the movable wall 324 to pivot, or by a capture mechanism that prevents the movable wall from completely separating therefrom. For example, the top end 327 of the movable wall 324 may be connected to the flip-top lid 322 via a hinge 367.

[0084] 22-23, the hinge 367 allows the movable wall 324 to hinge or rotate inwardly into the recess 370. As the movable wall 324 is moved from a first position to a second position, a user can visually and / or tactilely observe the movement and / or position of the movable wall 324. In this manner, the movable wall 324 can operate as an indicative and / or tactile tamper-evident closure or structural indicator. Furthermore, in some configurations, the user can additionally visually, audibly, and / or tactilely observe the breaking of the breakable member 325, allowing for an additional or separate tamper-evident indicator for the consumer. FIG. 22 illustrates that the hinge can extend over a portion of the top edge 327 of the movable wall 324. FIG. 22 shows that a central portion of the upper edge 327 of the movable wall 324 has a hinge 367 adjacent thereto, but that a peripheral portion of the support edge 327 of the movable wall 324 does not have to be connected to the flip-top lid 322 via the hinge 367.

[0085] In some embodiments, the flip-top lid can include a retaining flange 392 ( FIG. 23 ) that extends from an inset wall of the flip-top lid 322 into the recess 370 to prevent the movable wall 324 from moving relative to the remainder of the sealing cap 318 and at least partially returning to the first position. By one approach, the movable wall 324 is configured to pivot or hinge within the recess 370 until the bottom end 329 of the movable wall 324 passes over the retaining flange 392. In these embodiments, in the second position, the movable wall 324 is securely retracted such that the retaining flange 392 prevents the movable wall 324 from moving back to the first position or relative to the remainder of the sealing cap 318. As shown in FIG. 23 , the retaining flange 392 can capture or otherwise hold a portion of the movable wall 324 securely. This can be accomplished by use of friction between the movable panel or wall 324 and the retaining structure 392 or by a latching mechanism.

[0086] 24 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 18 in a subsequently open configuration (i.e., after initial opening), according to some embodiments. In use, after initial closure and subsequent opening, the flip-top lid 322 can be easily moved from the closed position (FIG. 22) to the open position (FIG. 24).

[0087] When the movable wall 324 is pushed inward (as discussed herein), a user or consumer may apply a force to the flip-top lid 322 in a direction substantially away from the base 320. Movement of the flip-top lid 322 away from the base 320 may rotate or pivot the flip-top lid 322 about the hinge 319. By one approach, the upward force may be applied by engaging the top surface of the mouth-shaped opening or recess 370. By another approach, a user may pull the top surface of the recess 370 upward, pulling it away from the base 320. The flip-top lid 322 may pivot about the hinge 319, which may be substantially opposite the mouth-shaped opening or recess 370.

[0088] When the flip-top lid 322 is in the open configuration (FIG. 24), the protrusion 390 of the flip-top lid 322 is moved away from obstructing or blocking the opening 334 in the base 320 such that the opening 334 is unobstructed and the fluid 5 within the bottle 10 can exit therethrough when the associated bottle is in the dispensing configuration.

[0089] 24, in some embodiments, when the flip-top lid is in the open position after initial opening, the movable wall may be securely held within the sealing cap 318 via the hinge connection 367 and the retaining flange 392. As shown in FIG. 24, the retaining flange 392 of the flip-top lid 322 may help prevent the movable wall 324 from moving from the second position to the first position even when the flip-top lid is moved to the open position.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 24, when the flip-top lid is in the open position after initial opening, the extension tab 385 can be held or secured firmly with the base 320 of the sealing cap 318 via engagement of the latch protrusion with a receiving opening in the side of the base.

[0091] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a closure cap with tamper evident features / structures that minimize or eliminate particles that may become dislodged or separated from the closure cap. Thus, the present disclosure can provide a closure cap with tamper evident features that facilitate recycling even small pieces of material within the closure cap.

[0092] In some embodiments, the sealing cap includes a base and a flip-top lid hinged to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position. Additionally, the sealing cap may include a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid. By some approaches, the movable wall can be rotated from a first position in which the movable wall is substantially continuous with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap to a second position in which one edge of the movable wall is disposed within the recess. The sealing cap may further include an extension tab extending from the movable wall and fixedly attached to one of the base or the flip-top lid. The sealing cap may further include a breakable member disposed between the extension tab and the movable wall. By some approaches, the breakable member is configured to break when the movable wall is rotatably moved from the first position toward the second position.

[0093] In some embodiments, a method of opening a sealing cap includes forming, molding, or providing a sealing cap including a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the base and the flip-top lid forming a recess that allows a force applied to the flip-top lid to move from a closed position to an open position. The method of opening the sealing cap can include pivoting a moveable wall covering an opening into the recess to expose the opening to the recess, and applying a force to a portion of the flip-top lid in the recess to move the flip-top lid about the hinge connection to the base to an open position.

[0094] In some embodiments, the dispensing bottle includes a container body having a thixotropic fluid therein, the container body having a neck with threads thereon and a closure cap coupled to the container body. In one approach, the closure cap includes a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position. The closure cap can include a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid, the movable wall rotating from a first position in which the movable wall is substantially continuous with an adjacent sidewall of the closure cap to a second position in which one edge of the movable wall is disposed within the recess. The closure cap may include an extension tab extending from the movable wall and fixedly attached to one of the base or the flip-top lid. In some configurations, the sealing cap may include a breakable member disposed between the extension tab and the movable wall, the breakable member configured to break when the movable wall is rotatably moved from the first position toward the second position.

[0095] In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a filled dispensing bottle includes molding a container having a neck thread thereon, filling the container with a thixotropic fluid, and providing a sealing cap. The sealing cap may include a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the flip-top lid movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position, a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid, the movable wall rotates from a first position substantially continuous with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap to a second position with one edge of the movable wall disposed inwardly within the recess, and may include an extension tab extending from the movable wall and fixedly attached to one of the base or the flip-top lid, and a breakable member disposed between the extension tab and the movable wall, the breakable member configured to break upon the movable wall being rotatably moved from the first position towards the second position to close the filled container with the sealing cap.

[0096] Figures 25-28 show another embodiment of the sealing cap 418. Figure 25 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 418 in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments.

[0097] While the sealing cap 318 in the previous embodiment includes a latch protrusion 382 for fixedly attaching the extension tab 385 to the base 320, the sealing cap 418 of Figures 25-28 includes a welded connection for fixedly attaching the extension tab 485 to the base 420.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 25, the base 420 has a similar structure to the base 320 in the previous embodiment, except that the base 420 typically does not include a receiving opening. The base 420 may still have a portion intended on the side wall 498 of the base 420 for locating at least a portion of the extension tab 485. The flip-top lid 422, the movable wall 424, the hinge 467, and the breakable member 425 are similar to those of the sealing cap 318 described above. While the extension tab 385 in the previous embodiment includes a latch protrusion 382 extending from the flange 383 of the extension tab 385, the extension tab 485 in this embodiment according to FIG. 25 may include a weld ridge 486. The weld ridge 486 may be located on an inner surface of the extension tab 485. The inner surface of the extension tab is the surface that is attached to the recessed portion of the base after initial closure of the sealing cap. The weld ridge 486 can be constructed from any material that can melt at a high temperature and harden at a low temperature to provide a connection between two points. In some embodiments, the entire extension tab 485 can be made from the same material as the weld ridge 486. In this embodiment, in the initial open configuration, the movable wall 424 can be substantially continuous with the adjacent sidewall of the flip-top lid 422.

[0099] 26A and 26B are cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing flow of the closure cap 418 from an initial open configuration to an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. Referring to FIG. 26A, a method of manufacturing the closure cap 418 includes forming a molded closure cap in an initial open configuration, as shown in FIG. 25. For example, the closure cap 418 is formed in a mold in this initial open configuration and ejected from the mold in this configuration after molding. As described above, in the initial open configuration, referring to FIG. 26A, the movable wall 424 is substantially continuous with and aligned with the adjacent sidewall of the flip-top lid 422. The molded extension tab 485 can include a weld ridge 486 on an inner surface of the extension tab 485. In some embodiments, the molded extension tab can include two or more weld ridges 486.

[0100] 26A and 26B, a method of manufacturing a sealing cap 418 can include moving a flip-top lid 422 from an initial open position (FIG. 26A) to an initial closed position (FIG. 26B). When the flip-top lid is moved to the closed position, the movable wall 424 can cover at least a portion of the opening of the recess 470, and the extension tab 485 can be disposed on the recessed portion 487. In FIG. 26B, the extension tab is disposed adjacent to the base 420. The weld ridge 486 can be welded to form a fixed connection between the extension tab and the base. The welding process can be performed by applying sufficient heat to the weld ridge 486 such that the weld ridge 486 can be melted. After removing the applied heat, the melted weld ridge hardens and then forms a weld connection 486' that fixedly attaches the extension tab 485 to the base 420.

[0101] For example, to heat the weld ridge 486, a hot tool, such as a hot stamp or heat stamp, may be applied to the portion of the extension tab 485 where the weld ridge 486 will be located.

[0102] In some embodiments, an ultrasonic welding process can be used that applies ultrasonic waves to the weld bump 486 to form the weld connection 486'. The ultrasonic welding process can create indirect heating of the targeted weld by converting an electrical signal into ultrasonic waves.

[0103] In the initial closed configuration, the perspective view of the sealing cap 418 may be the same as the perspective view of the sealing cap 318 of FIG. 18 above.

[0104] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap 418 with the movable wall 424 in a second position, according to some embodiments. After initial closure, the movable wall 424 can be moved from a first position (FIG. 26B) where the movable wall is substantially aligned with the sidewall of the sealing cap to a second position (FIG. 27) where the bottom edge of the movable wall is pressed inwardly from the sidewall of the sealing cap. As the movable wall 424 is moving from the first position to the second position, the extension tab 485 typically remains securely attached to the base 420 via a welded connection 486′. The movement of the movable wall 424 from the first position to the second position can separate, sever, or break the breakable member 425.

[0105] Figure 28 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 418 in a subsequent open configuration (i.e., after initial opening), according to some embodiments. In use, after initial closure and subsequent opening, the flip-top lid 422 may be moved from a closed position to an open position after the movable wall 424 is moved from a first position to a second position, as shown in Figure 28. Then, in the open configuration, the extension tab typically remains fixedly attached to the base, and the movable wall may be securely held in the second position via the hinge connection 467 and the retention flange 492.

[0106] 29-35 show another embodiment of the sealing cap 518 according to some embodiments. FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518 in an initial open configuration according to some embodiments. Referring to FIG. 29, in some embodiments, the base 520 can have a recessed portion 587 on the recessed surface 573. The base 520 may further have a receiving opening 588 on a bottom surface of the recessed portion 587. The recessed portion may be adjacent to a sidewall of the base at the recessed surface. In some embodiments, the recessed portion may be proximate to the opening of the recess. Indeed, in one exemplary approach, the recessed portion is located on the recessed surface of the base near the center of the lower edge 574 of the recess. In some embodiments, the width and / or length of the receiving opening 588 is smaller than the width and / or length of the recessed portion 587.

[0107] In some embodiments, in the initial open configuration, the extension tab 585 extends from the movable wall 524 and connects to the movable wall 524 via the breakable member 525. By some approaches, the extension tab 585 is positioned slightly set back from the movable wall 524. The extension tab 585 can include a flange 583 extending from the movable wall 524 and a latch protrusion 582 extending from the flange 583. In some embodiments, the thickness of the flange 583 can be slightly less than the thickness of the movable wall.

[0108] 29, the latch projection 582 can extend from the flange 583 in a substantially similar direction that the flange 583 extends from the movable wall. For example, the latch projection 582 can be substantially parallel to the extension tab. In some embodiments, the thickness of the latch projection 582 can be less than the thickness of the flange 583. By some approaches, the latch projection 582 comprises an elongated portion and a leading portion. The leading portion can comprise a pair of hooks, with each end of the hooks extending outwardly away from one another.

[0109] 30A and 30B are cross-sectional views of the closure cap 518 illustrating the manufacturing flow of the closure cap 518 from an initial open configuration to an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 30A, a method of manufacturing the closure cap 518 may include forming a molded closure cap in an initial open configuration, as shown in FIG. 29. With reference to FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B, a method of manufacturing the closure cap 518 may include moving the flip-top lid 522 from an initial open position (FIG. 30A) to an initial closed position (FIG. 30B). When the flip-top lid moves from the open position to the closed position, the extension tab and the breakable member move with the movement of the flip-top lid. When the flip-top lid is moved to the closed position, the flange 583 of the extension tab 585 may be positioned on the intended portion 587. The recessed portion 587 is deployed to a position where the recessed portion 587 can receive the flange 583 of the extension tab 585 when the flip-top lid 522 is moved to the closed position.

[0110] When the flip-top lid is moved to the closed position, the latch projection 582 of the extension tab 585 may be inserted through a receiving opening 588 in the recessed portion 587. The receiving opening may be deployed to a position where the latch projection may be inserted into the base 520 by passing through the receiving opening 588. When the flip-top lid is moved to the closed position, the latch projection snaps through the receiving opening and into the base such that the extension tab may be fixedly attached to the base.

[0111] 31 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518 in an initial closed configuration, according to some embodiments. When the flip-top lid 520 is moved to the closed position, the movable wall 524 can cover at least a portion of the opening of the recess 570. In the initial closed configuration, the breakable member may be disposed near the recessed portion. In some embodiments, the breakable member may be disposed above the recessed portion such that the breakable member 525 can cover a portion of the opening of the recess 570 in the initial closed configuration. In some embodiments, a portion or the entirety of the breakable member may be disposed in the recessed portion. In some embodiments, at least one of the length and width of the recess is smaller than the length and width of the movable wall such that the movable wall cannot be inserted into the recess.

[0112] 32 is a perspective view of the latch projection 582 inserted through the receiving opening 588, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 32, in some embodiments, the maximum width of the latch projection is greater than the width of the receiving opening, such that the extension tab can be fixedly attached to the base by preventing the projection from retracting or being easily removed therefrom. The latch projection can have a variety of shapes to snap into the base through the receiving opening and secure the extension tab to the base, as described above or below.

[0113] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518 in a closed configuration with the movable wall in a second position. As shown, the movable wall 524 is separated from the extension tab 585, which remains disposed within the base 520. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 33 in the same configuration. In some embodiments, the frangible or breakable member 525 is configured to break when the movable wall 524 is rotatably moved from the first position (FIG. 31) to the second position (FIG. 33). In some embodiments, the extension tab may be retained within the recessed portion after the movable wall 524 is moved to the second position. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the movable wall 524 may be securely retained in the second position by a retention flange 592 extending from the flip-top lid 522.

[0114] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518 in a subsequent open position, according to some embodiments, where the extension tab can be retained within the recessed portion 587, as shown in FIG. 35 after the flip-top lid has been moved from the initial closed position to the subsequent open position.

[0115] 36-38 show another embodiment of a sealing cap 518' according to some embodiments. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 36-38 may be a variation of the sealing cap 518 shown in FIGS. 29-35. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518' in an initial open configuration according to some embodiments. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518' in an initial closed configuration according to some embodiments. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 518' in a closed configuration with a movable wall (not shown) in a second position.

[0116] The locking projection 582' in this embodiment may have a larger width than the locking projection 582 in the previous embodiment. With reference to FIG. 36, the width of the elongated portion of the latch projection 582 may be slightly narrower than the flange 583', and the maximum width of the front portion with the pair of hooks may be the same or similar to the width of the flange 583'. The length of the receiving opening 588' in this embodiment (FIG. 36) is longer than the length of the receiving opening 588 in the previous embodiment (FIG. 29), which corresponds to the shape of each latch projection of the embodiment. To increase the maximum width of the locking projection, the gap between the pair of hooks of the locking projection is typically increased. For example, the gap between the pair of hooks of the locking projection 582' may be wider or wider than the gap between the pair of hooks of the locking projection 582 in the previous embodiment (FIG. 29). In some embodiments, the size of the hook itself may be larger than the size of the hook in the previous embodiment.

[0117] 36, in some embodiments, the base 520' may include a central portion 530' and a substantially flat portion 562'. The substantially flat portion 562' and the lower surface 574' forming the recess 570' may extend around the central portion 530'. In some embodiments, a sidewall of the central portion 530' disposed toward the recess may include a ledge 536' near the upper surface of the central portion 530'. In some embodiments, the flip-top lid 522' may include an inset wall 594' and a flange 596' extending from the inset wall 594'. When the flip-top lid is in a closed position, the flange 596' of the inset wall 594' may engage with the ledge 536' of the central portion 530' such that the flip-top lid may remain in the closed position unless a force is applied to open the flip-top lid, thereby helping to secure the flip-top lid 522' in the closed position after the breakable member 525' is separated.

[0118] The flip-top lid 522' may be moved from an open position (FIG. 36) to a closed position (FIG. 37). Similar to the previous embodiment of the sealing cap 518, when the flip-top lid 522' is moved from an open position to a closed position, the latch protrusion 582' may be inserted into the base 520' through the receiving opening 587', and when the flip-top lid 522' is in the closed position, the flange 583' of the extension tab 585' is disposed in the recessed portion 585'. This mechanism allows the extension tab 585' to be fixedly attached to the base 520' even after the breakable member 525' is broken and the movable wall 524' is moved to the second position. Additionally, when the flip-top lid 522' is moved to the closed position, the flange 596' of the inset wall 594' can snap under the ledge 536' of the central portion 530' such that the flange 596' of the inset wall 594' can be engaged with the ledge 536'.

[0119] 39A-41 show another embodiment of the sealing cap 618 according to some embodiments. FIG. 39A is a perspective view of the sealing cap 618 in an initial open configuration according to some embodiments. FIG. 39B is a perspective view of the sealing cap 618 with the flip-top lid 622 in a closed position. With reference to FIGS. 39A and 39B, in some embodiments, the movable wall is connected to the base 620 of the sealing cap 618 via a hinge 667. The hinge 667 may be disposed at a lower edge 674 of the recess 670 and at a lower edge of the movable wall 624. In the initial open configuration (in which the sealing cap 618 is typically manufactured), the movable wall 624 may be in an initial position in which the movable wall 624 is rotated outward relative to the hinge 667. For example, in the initial position, the movable wall 624 may be disposed substantially outwardly perpendicular to an adjacent side wall of the base. In one approach, the movable wall 624 has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the movable wall 624 being connected to the remainder of the lid via a hinge 667. An extension tab 685 can extend from the second end of the movable wall. The breakable member 625 can be disposed between the extension tab and the second end of the movable wall such that the breakable member 625 can connect the extension tab 685 to the movable wall 624 before the breakable member 625 is broken. In one approach, the breakable member 625 includes one or more ridges of material disposed between the extension tab 685 and the remainder of the movable wall 624. The extension tab 685 can include a flange 683 and one or more latch protrusions 682 extending from the flange 683. In some embodiments, the extension tab 685 can include two latch protrusions 682, as shown in FIG. 39A. The latch protrusion 682 can extend substantially perpendicularly from the flange. In some embodiments, the two latch protrusions 685 are spaced apart from one another. For example, in some embodiments, one latch protrusion is located near one side of the flange 683 and the other latch protrusion is located near the other side of the flange 683.

[0120] 39B, a recessed portion 687 is disposed on a sidewall of the flip-top lid 622. The flip-top lid 622 can further include a receiving opening 688, the receiving opening being disposed on the recessed sidewall 687 of the flip-top lid 622. The flip-top lid 622 can be moved from an open position (FIG. 39A) to a closed position (FIG. 39B).

[0121] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 618 in an initial closed configuration. After the flip-top lid is moved from the initial open position to the closed position, the movable wall 624 can be moved from the initial position (39B) to a first position (FIG. 40), which is the position where the consumer first observes the sealing cap. When the movable wall 624 is moved from the initial position to the first position, the latch protrusion can be inserted through the receiving opening 688 such that the flange 683 can be positioned on or over the recessed portion of the side wall of the flip-top lid and the extension tab can be securely coupled to the flip-top lid. In some embodiments, in the initial closed configuration, the breakable member 625 can be positioned under the upper edge 672 of the recess 670 and can partially cover the opening of the recess 670.

[0122] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 618 in a closed configuration with the movable wall 624 moved to a second position. In some embodiments, the movable wall may be partially rotated from a first position (FIG. 40) toward a second position (FIG. 41) relative to the hinge 667 or into a recess prior to opening the flip-top lid by moving the flip-top lid from an initial closed position to an open position. The recess-forming surface of the base (lower surface of the recess) may include a recess 696 for receiving the movable wall 624. When the movable wall is in the second position, the movable wall 624 may be disposed on the recess 696. Once the movable wall 624 is rotated inward, a user or consumer may apply a force to the flip-top lid 622 in a direction substantially away from the base 620 to more easily access the recess 670 and rotate the flip-top lid 622 to an open configuration.

[0123] 42-45 illustrate another embodiment of the sealing cap 718, according to some embodiments. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718 in an initial open configuration. FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718 with the flip-top lid 722 in an initial closed position. The sealing cap 718 may be molded in the initial open configuration as shown in FIG. 42. With reference to FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, in some embodiments, the sealing cap 718 may include a base 720, a flip-top lid 722, a movable wall 724, an extension tab 785, and a breakable member 725. In some embodiments, the movable wall extends upward from a lower edge 774 of the recessed surface of the base 720. In the initial open configuration, the movable wall may be disposed substantially parallel to the side wall of the base below it. In one example, the lower edge 724a of the movable wall 722 is attached to the lower edge of the recessed surface 774 via a hinge 767. An extension tab 785 may extend from the top edge 724b of the movable wall. In the initial open configuration, the extension tab 785 may be connected to the second edge 724b of the movable wall via the breakable member 725. In one approach, the extension tab includes a flange 783 and two latch protrusions 782 extending from the flange 783.

[0124] While the latch protrusions 682 of the sealing cap 618 of Figures 39A-41 generally extend perpendicularly from the flange 683, the latch protrusions 782 of the sealing cap of Figures 42-45 extend in approximately the same direction as the flange extends from the movable wall. As with the previous embodiment, the extension tab 785 can include two latch protrusions 782 spaced apart from one another. As shown in Figure 42, one locking protrusion can extend from one side of the flange 783 and the other locking protrusion can extend from the opposite side of the flange 783. In one exemplary configuration, the latch protrusions have a snap hook arrangement, with the outer portions of each snap hook extending outwardly away from one another.

[0125] In some embodiments, the sealing cap 718 may further include an attachment member 792 disposed on an inner surface of a sidewall of the flip-top lid 722. The attachment member 792 may extend from both the inner surface of the sidewall and the underside of the top wall of the flip-top lid 722. The attachment member may be disposed on an edge formed by the inner surface of the sidewall and the underside of the top wall of the flip-top lid 722. The attachment member may have a slot 792a that receives a latch protrusion when the flip-top lid is moved to the closed position. The attachment member 792 may further have a side opening 793 that allows a side end of each snap hook inserted through the slot 792a to exit the attachment member 792.

[0126] In some embodiments, the flip-top lid can be moved from an initial open position to a closed position such that the sealing cap 718 can be in an initial closed configuration. When the flip-top lid is moved to the initial closed position, the latch protrusion 782 of the extension tab can be engaged with the mounting member 792 of the flip-top lid to securely fasten the extension tab 785 to the flip-top lid 722. The flange 683 of the extension tab 685 in FIG. 40 is disposed on the outer surface of the side wall of the flip-top lid 622 such that the flange 683 is exposed to the outside when the extension tab 685 is attached to the flip-top lid 622, whereas the flange 783 in FIG. 43 is covered by the flip-top lid 722 when the extension tab 785 is attached to the flip-top lid 722.

[0127] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718 in a closed configuration with the movable wall 724 moved to a second position. As with the other embodiments, the movable wall 724 may be rotated into the recess relative to the hinge 767 from a first position (FIG. 43) to a second position (FIG. 44) prior to opening the sealing cap 718 by moving the flip-top lid 722 from an initial closed position to an open position. In this manner, as the movable wall 724 moves from the first position to the second position, the breakable member 725 may be broken such that the movable wall 724 and the extension tab 785 may be separated from one another. When the movable wall 724 is in the second position, the movable wall 724 may be disposed on or at the recess 796 on the recess-forming surface of the base 920. Once the movable wall 724 is rotated inward, a user or consumer may access the recess 770 and apply a force to the flip-top lid 722 in a direction substantially away from the base 720 through the recess.

[0128] 45 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718 in a subsequent open configuration. As shown in FIG. 45, even after the flip-top lid is moved from the closed position to the open position, the extension tab 785 can remain securely secured to the flip-top lid 722 via the engagement between the latch protrusion 782 and the attachment member 792, and the movable wall 724 can remain securely attached to the base 720 via the hinge connection 767.

[0129] Figures 46-48 illustrate another embodiment of a sealing cap 718', according to some embodiments. The embodiment shown in Figures 46-48 may be a variation of the sealing cap 718 shown in Figures 42-45. Figure 46 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718' in an initial open configuration, according to some embodiments. Figure 47 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718' in an initial closed configuration.

[0130] Compared to the previous embodiment of FIGS. 42-45, the movable wall 724' may be slightly set back or spaced a distance from the lower edge 774' of the recessed surface of the base 720'. While the movable wall 724 of FIGS. 42-45 has substantially the same width from the first end connected to the base to the second end connected to the extension tab, the width of the movable wall 724' of FIGS. 46-48 may vary, e.g., may decrease from the first end connected to the base 720' to the second end connected to the extension tab 785' such that the width of the first end of the movable wall 724' may be greater than the width of the second end of the movable wall 724'. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the movable wall 724' has a generally trapezoidal shape. In addition, the outer surface of the movable wall 724' may have a recessed portion 737' at its side edge. In one approach, the recessed portion 737' is located near the second end of the movable wall 724.

[0131] The base 720' can have a recess 796' (FIG. 47) in the recess forming surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the shape of the recess 796' corresponds to the shape of the movable wall. The base 720' can further have a flange 773' on the side of the recess 796'. As shown in FIG. 46, in some embodiments, the side wall of the central portion 730' disposed toward the recess can include a ledge 736' near the top surface of the central portion 730'. Further, in some embodiments, the flip-top lid 722' can include an inset wall 794', where the flange 796' extends from the inset wall 794' corresponding to the ledge 736', such that the two members can cooperate to facilitate a mechanical closure, such as a snap fit, between a portion of the flip-top lid and the base. The flip-top lid 722' can include an attachment member (not shown in FIG. 46 because the attachment member is disposed behind the inset wall 794') similar to the attachment member 792 of FIGS. 42-45.

[0132] When the flip-top lid 722' is moved from the initial open position (FIG. 46) to the closed position (FIG. 47), the latch protrusion 782' of the extension tab 785' can be inserted into and engaged with the mounting member such that the extension tab 785' can be securely secured to the flip-top lid 722'. Furthermore, when the flip-top lid is moved from the initial open position to the closed position, a flange 796' extending from the inset wall 794' of the flip-top lid 722' can engage with a ledge 736' extending from the central portion 730' of the base 720' such that the flip-top lid 722' extends. The engagement between the ledge 736' and the flange 796' can prevent the closed portion of the flip-top lid 722' from moving to a partially or fully open position unless a force to open the flip-top lid 722' is applied thereto.

[0133] 47, the sidewall of the flip-top lid may include one or more openings 798' adjacent or near the recess 770'. When the extension tab is secured to the flip-top lid, the openings 798' typically correspond to a leading portion of each latch projection 782' such that at least a portion of the latch projection 782' may be viewed from outside the sealing cap 718' through the openings 798'. In this manner, a consumer or user may view the latch projections 782' through a viewing window or opening 798' therethrough after the initial closure after the extension tab is advanced into the opening of the flip-top lid, the movable wall 724' is moved to the second position, and the frangible portion is separated from the remaining portion of the movable wall 724'.

[0134] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 718' in a closed configuration with the movable wall 724' in a second position. The movable wall 724' can be rotated from a first position (FIG. 47) to a second position (FIG. 48). When the movable wall 724' is in the second position, the movable wall is disposed on the recess 796' and a recessed portion 737' of the movable wall 724' can engage with a flange 773' on the side of the recess 796'. The engagement between the flange 773' and the recess 737' can help retain the movable wall 724' within the recess 796'.

[0135] 49-55 show another embodiment of a closure cap 818 according to some embodiments. FIG 49 is a perspective view of the closure cap 818 in an initial open, manufacturing, or molding configuration. FIG 50 is a perspective view of the closure cap in an initial closed configuration. The closure cap 818 includes a base 820, a flip-top lid 822, a movable wall 824, and a breakable member 825.

[0136] Similar to the caps described above, the flip-top lid 822 may be hingedly connected to the base 820. The flip-top lid 822 may be movable between an open position ( FIG. 49 ) and a closed position ( FIG. 50 ) relative to a hinge 819 connecting the base 820 and the flip-top lid 822. The flip-top lid 822 and the base 820 together form a recess 870 in the outer wall of the sealing cap 818 when the flip-top lid 822 is in the closed position. The recess 870 may allow a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid 822 from the closed position to the open position.

[0137] In some embodiments, the base 820 has an elongated guide slot 888 adjacent to or on a recess-forming surface of the base 820. In some configurations, the elongated guide slot 888 may be slightly spaced from a bottom edge 874 of the recess 870. The elongated guide slot 888 may have a curve that corresponds to a curve of a sidewall 898 of the base 820. In one approach, the elongated guide slot 888 may include a pair of arms 893 disposed near its bottom edge. In one exemplary approach, the pair of arms 893 are disposed in a position that corresponds to the latch protrusion 882. The pair of arms 893 may be flexible arms and may be configured to engage with a corresponding structure of a flip-top lid, as described below.

[0138] In the initial open configuration, the movable wall 824 is connected to the flip-top lid 822 via a breakable member 825. The movable wall 824 can be set back slightly from the sidewall of the flip-top lid 822. The movable wall 824 can have a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the elongated guide slot 888. By some approaches, the top 827 of the movable wall 824 can have a width that is greater than the width of the remainder of the movable wall 824. For example, the movable wall 824 can have a flange 827 at its top. In some techniques, the width of the top 827 of the movable wall 824 can be greater than the slot width of the elongated guide slot 888.

[0139] As mentioned above, the movable wall 824 can be movable from a first position ( FIG. 50 ) to a second position ( FIG. 53 ). In an initial closed configuration, the movable wall 824 can be configured to cover at least a substantial portion of the recess opening, such as covering at least 90% of the recess opening, as shown in FIG. 50 , and in some configurations, covering at least 95% of the recess opening (although other coverages can be used with the tamper-evident features described herein).

[0140] In some embodiments, the breakable member 825 may extend from a top 827 of the movable wall 824 in an initial closed configuration prior to an initial opening of the flip-top lid. For example, the breakable member 825 may be disposed between a top 827 of the movable wall 824 and an upper edge 872 of the recess 870. The breakable member 825 may be configured to connect the movable wall 824 and the flip-top lid 822 in an initial open configuration. The breakable member 825 may be configured to break when or as the movable wall 824 moves from a first position toward another position after initial closure, or may be configured to break when the flip-top lid 822 moves from a closed position toward an open position after initial closure. The movable wall 824 may also include a latch protrusion 882 extending from the movable wall 824. The latch protrusion 882 may extend from a bottom edge of the movable wall 824. In some embodiments, the latch protrusion 882 may be an elongated protrusion having a generally arrow-shaped cross-section. For example, the latch protrusion 882 can have an elongated portion and a barb at one end of the elongated portion. The elongated portion of the latch protrusion 882 can be a generally curved wall that can have a curvature that corresponds to the portion of the movable wall from which the latch protrusion 882 extends. In one exemplary approach, the barb can be elongated along an edge of the elongated portion of the latch protrusion 882.

[0141] 51A and 51B are cross-sectional views of a closure cap 818 illustrating the manufacturing flow of the closure cap 818. FIG. 51A illustrates the configuration in which the closure cap 818 is manufactured. The closure cap 818 may be molded into a mold in the initial open configuration of FIG. 51A and then ejected from the mold. The ejection molded closure cap 818 in the initial open configuration may have the structure shown in FIG.

[0142] The manufacturing method can include moving the flip-top lid 822 from an initial open position to a closed position after removing the sealing cap 818 from the mold. The flip-top lid 822 can rotate about a hinge 819 from an initial open position ( FIG. 51A ) to a closed position ( FIG. 51B ), thereby forming the sealing cap 818 in an initial closed configuration. Because the movable wall 824 is connected to the flip-top lid 822 via the breakable member 825, when the flip-top lid 822 moves from the initial open position to the closed position, the movable wall 824, the latch protrusion 882, and the breakable member 825 move with the movement of the flip-top lid 822. When the flip-top lid 822 approaches the base and the barbs of the latch protrusions contact and are disposed on the pair of arms 893 of the elongated guide slot 882, the movement of the flip-top lid 822 may be stopped by the pair of arms 893 of the elongated guide slot 882 in the absence of a force continuing to move the flip-top lid 822 to the closed position. The force to continue moving the flip-top lid 822 may vary depending on the size and / or flexibility of the barbs and / or the pair of arms 893. When sufficient force is applied to continue moving the flip-top lid 822 to the closed position, the barbs of the latch protrusions snap into the recesses, thereby allowing them to move into and through the elongated guide slot 888 and its pair of arms 893 such that the sealing cap 818 in the initial closed configuration may be configured as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51B. In the initial closed position, i.e., after initial closure of the flip-top lid 822 and prior to subsequent opening of the flip-top lid 822, at least a portion of the latch protrusion 882, e.g., a barb, may be disposed inside the base 820 near the elongated guide slot 888.

[0143] FIG. 52 is a partial perspective view of the elongated guide slot 888 and the latch projection 882 disposed therein, as viewed from below the recessed surface of the base 820. As shown in FIG. 52, the sides of the pair of opposing arms 893 (or portions thereof) may be tapered to facilitate the advancement of the lock projection 882 into the elongated guide slot 188. The width of the upper end of the barb may be narrower than the closest distance between the pair of arms 893 to facilitate the insertion of the latch projection through the pair of arms 893. The maximum width of the barb (at the rear end or portion thereof) may be greater than the closest distance between the pair of arms 893 to inhibit or retain the barb from retracting therefrom. When the barb is inserted, it may engage or capture the underside of the pair of arms 893 in the elongated guide slot 888. The engagement between the barb and the pair of arms may retain the latch projection in the elongated guide slot to prevent it from retracting therefrom.

[0144] Figure 53 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 818 showing the movable wall 824 in a second position prior to a subsequent open configuration. Figure 54 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap 818 of Figure 53. In the second position, the movable wall 824 may be lowered by sliding into the elongated guide slot 888 such that the movable wall 824 is disposed at or within the elongated guide slot 888 such that a substantial portion of the movable wall 824 is disposed below its upper portion 827.

[0145] In an exemplary embodiment, the movable wall 824 is configured to move from a first position to a second position upon separating the breakable member 825 into two parts. Before the breakable member 825 is broken, the movable wall 824 may be fixed to the flip-top lid 822 via the breakable member 825, but once the breakable member 825 is broken or separated into two parts, the movable wall 824 is free to move, such as moving downwards if the sealing cap is configured to have a flip-top lid on top of a base, due to gravity. The breakable member 825 may be broken or separated into two parts by applying a force to the breakable member 825 or the movable wall. For example, when a user pushes the movable wall 824 towards the recess 870, a shear stress may be applied to the breakable member 825 such that the breakable member 825 may be broken. Additionally, when a user applies a force to move the flip-top lid 822 from a closed position to an open position by applying a pulling / pushing force to the flip-top lid, tension may be applied to the breakable member 825 as the barbs engaged with the pair of arms 893 of the elongated guide slot 888 prevent the latch projection 882 from retracting and prevent the movable wall 824 from moving with the flip-top lid 822 in accordance with the pulling force applied to the flip-top lid 822. Once the tension is greater than the breaking strength of the breakable member 825, the breakable member 825 may be broken and separated. Alternatively, the breakable member 825 may be broken once a user applies enough force to overcome the breaking strength of the breakable member (thereby allowing the movable wall 824 to slide downward through the elongated guide slot 888). The cut / breakable member may provide a tamper-evident indication.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 53 and FIG. 54, in the second position, most of the movable wall 824 below the top may not be visible from the outside of the sealing cap 818. In the second position, the top 827 of the movable wall 824 may be disposed above the elongated guide slot 888 by having a width greater than the width of the elongated guide slot 888 (although in other configurations, most of the breakable portion 825 may also be disposed within the guide slot 888). Also, when the movable wall 824 is in the second position, the opening of the recess is easily exposed. For example, in one configuration, when the movable member is in the second position, only the top 827 of the movable wall 824 and the broken breakable member 825 may extend into the opening of the recess 870, so that a user can easily access the recess 870 and apply a force to the flip-top lid 822 in a direction substantially away from the base 820. The lowered movable wall may also function as a tamper-evident structure indicating that the sealing cap has been previously opened. 55 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 818 in a subsequent open configuration. In some embodiments, the flip-top lid 822 can be moved from the closed position to the open position after the initial closure. Even in the subsequent open configuration, the movable wall 824 typically remains coupled to the base 820 and is disposed primarily within the elongated slot 888.

[0147] In some embodiments, the sealing cap includes a base having an elongated guide slot or retaining member and a flip-top lid hinged to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess allowing a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position. Additionally, the sealing cap can include a movable wall that is movable from a first position in which the movable wall covers at least a portion of the opening of the recess to a second position that is lower than the first position. By some approaches, the movable wall is attached to the flip-top lid at the first position and the breakable member is disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid. In some configurations, the elongated guide slot of the base is slightly wider than the movable wall, and the movable wall moves from the first position to the second position by sliding into the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member separates.

[0148] In some embodiments, a method of opening a sealing cap includes providing a base having an elongated guide slot or retaining member, a flip-top lid hinged to the base, the flip-top lid forming a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap, and a movable wall attached to the flip-top lid via a breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid, breaking the breakable member, and applying a force to a portion of the flip-top lid at the recess to move the flip-top lid around the hinge connection to the base to an open position, wherein upon breaking of the breakable member, the movable wall moves from a first position covering at least a portion of an opening of the recess to a second position lower than the first position by sliding into the elongated guide slot of the base.

[0149] In some embodiments, a dispensing bottle comprises a container body having a thixotropic fluid (such as ketchup) therein, the container body having a neck with a thread and a closure cap coupled to the container body, the closure cap comprising a base with an elongated guide slot and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together form a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess allowing a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position, the movable wall being movable from a first position covering at least a portion of an opening of the recess to a second position lower than the first position, the movable wall being attached to the flip-top lid at the first position, the movable wall comprising a breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid. The top cover is configured such that the breakable member breaks when a force sufficient to break the breakable member is applied, the elongated guide slot being slightly wider than the movable wall, and the movable wall moving from a first position to a second position by sliding into the elongated guide slot in the base when the breakable member breaks.

[0150] In some embodiments, a method of making a filled dispensing bottle includes molding a container having a neck thread thereon; filling the container with a thixotropic fluid; providing a sealing cap comprising a base having an elongated guide slot or retaining member and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess allowing a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position covering at least a portion of an opening of the recess to a second position lower than the first position, the movable wall attached to the flip-top lid at the first position; and a breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid. A force sufficient to break the breakable member is applied thereto to close the filled receptacle with the sealing cap. In one approach, the elongated guide slot is slightly wider than the movable wall, and the movable wall moves from the first position to the second position by sliding into the elongated guide slot in the base when the breakable member breaks. In yet another embodiment, the retaining member retains a portion of the movable wall that separates from the movable wall as the movable wall is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0151] 56-62 illustrate another embodiment of a sealing cap 918, according to some embodiments. FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 918 in an initial open configuration. FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the sealing cap in an initial closed configuration. The sealing cap 918 can include a base 920, a flip-top lid 922, a movable wall 924, and a breakable member 925. In some embodiments, the sealing cap 918 can further include an extension tab 985 attached to the movable wall 924.

[0152] The flip-top lid 922 may be hingedly connected to the base 920. The flip-top lid 922 may be movable between an open position ( FIG. 56 ) and a closed position ( FIG. 57 ) relative to a hinge 919 connecting the base 920 and the flip-top lid 922. The flip-top lid 922 and the base 920 together form a recess 970 in the outer wall of the sealing cap 918 when the flip-top lid 922 is in the closed position. The recess 970 may allow a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid 922 from the closed position to the open position.

[0153] The movable wall 924 may be attached to one of the base 920 and the flip-top lid 922. For example, referring to FIG. 56 and FIG. 57, the movable wall 924 may be attached to the flip-top lid 922. The movable wall 924 may be attached to the flip-top lid via a deformable or breakable member 925 and a side connection 928. The side connection 928 may be a hinge connection or a flexible material. In the initial open and initial closed configurations, the movable wall 924 may generally form a portion of the side wall of the flip-top lid. Further, in some embodiments, the movable wall is movable from a first position in which the movable wall curves outward and substantially aligns with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap to a second position in which the movable wall curves inward into a recess. For example, the movable wall 924 may be movable from a generally convex position relative to a user to a generally concave position relative to a user.

[0154] In some embodiments, the movable wall 924 may be a portion of a sidewall of the flip-top lid and may have a generally continuous curve with an adjacent portion of the sidewall of the flip-top lid 922 when the movable wall is in the first position. For example, the sidewall of the flip-top lid may cover the opening of the recess in the initial closed configuration, and the movable wall 924 in the first position may be the portion of the sidewall that covers the opening of the recess 970. In these embodiments, the breakable member 925 and the side connections 928 may be disposed around the top end 924a and the side ends of the movable wall 924.

[0155] The movable wall 924 may be flexible and / or elastically deformable. In some embodiments, the movable wall 924 and the side connections 928 may be made from the same flexible material. In some embodiments, the side connections 928 may be thinner than the movable wall 924 or the adjacent side walls of the flip-top lid 922, such that the movable wall 924 can be distinguished from the adjacent side walls of the flip-top lid 922 by the side connections 928 therebetween.

[0156] In some embodiments, a small gap 922g may exist between a top edge 924a of the movable wall 924 and an adjacent edge of the flip-top lid 922. In some configurations, the sealing cap 918 includes a breakable member 925 that may be disposed in the gap 922g while connecting the movable wall 924 and the flip-top lid 922. The breakable member may be configured to break when the movable wall is moved from the first position toward the second position.

[0157] In some embodiments, the extension tab 985 may be attached to the lower edge 924b of the movable wall 924. For example, the extension tab 985 may include a flange 983 disposed under the lower edge 924b of the movable wall 924 and a hook-shaped extension 982 extending from the flange 983. The hook-shaped extension 982 may extend from one end of the flange toward the recess. The hook-shaped extension 982 may be bent toward the outside of the sealing cap such that an end of the hook faces the opposite side of the recess. The extension tab 985 may be securely attached to the movable wall such that the extension tab 985 may move with the movable wall 924 when the movable wall is moved between the first position and the second position.

[0158] In some embodiments, the base 920 may have a notch 988 adjacent or on its recess-forming surface. The notch 988 may be elongated from a location adjacent the inner surface of the recess opposite the recess opening. When the flip-top lid is in the closed position, a portion of the extension tab may be disposed within the notch 988. The portion of the extension tab disposed within the notch 988 may move within the confines of the notch. For example, the portion of the extension tab disposed within the notch 988 may be configured to move between a first end of the notch adjacent the side wall of the base and a second end of the notch opposite the first end of the recess and proximate the inner wall of the recess.

[0159] 58A and 58B are cross-sectional views of the closure cap 918 illustrating a manufacturing process of the closure cap 918. With reference to FIG. 58A, a method of manufacturing the closure cap 918 can include forming a molded closure cap. The molded closure cap 918 can be in an initial open configuration, as shown in FIG.

[0160] The manufacturing method can include moving the flip-top lid 922 from an initial open position to a closed position. The flip-top lid 922 can rotate about a hinge 919 from an initial open position (FIG. 58A) to an initial closed position (FIG. 58B), so that the sealing cap 918 in the initial closed configuration can be formed in the mold. The movable wall 924 is connected to the flip-top lid 922 via a breakable member 925, so that when the flip-top lid 922 moves from the initial open position to the closed position, the movable wall 924, the extension tab 985, and the breakable member 925 can move with the movement of the flip-top lid 922. When the flip-top lid 922 moves toward the closed position, the hook-shaped extension snaps into the base. When the flip-top lid 922 moves to the fully closed position, the sealing cap 918 in the initial closed configuration can be formed (as shown in FIGS. 57 and 58B).

[0161] 59 is a partial perspective view showing the hook-shaped extension 982 and the notch 988 in the base. In the initial closed configuration, the hook-shaped extension 982 can engage with the base while capturing a first end 988' of the notch 988 when the movable wall is in the first position as shown in FIG 53, and the engagement between the hook-shaped extension 982 and the base can prevent a user from moving the flip-top lid from the initial closed position to a subsequent open position.

[0162] FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the sealing cap 918, showing the movable wall 924 in a second position prior to the subsequent opening of the flip-top lid 922. FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing cap 918 of FIG. 60. As described above, the movable wall 924 can be moved from a first position (FIG. 57) to a second position (FIG. 60). The movable wall 924 can be moved from the first position to the second position when a user applies a force that pushes the movable wall (or at least a middle portion thereof) into the recess. Even as the movable wall moves from the first position to the second position, the movable wall 924 can be continuously attached to the flip-top lid 922 via the side connection 928. When a sufficient force is applied, the movable wall 924 can snap, thereby reversing the orientation of its curvature. In the second position, the movable wall 924 can bend inwardly into the recess. For example, the movable wall 924 can compress and become permanently deformed as it moves from the first position to the second position. In some embodiments, the extension tab may be securely attached to the movable wall such that the extension tab may move with the movable wall as it moves from the first position to the second position. When the movable wall moves from the first position toward the second position, the hook-shaped extension may disengage from the base while releasing the first end 988' of the notch 988. When the movable wall is in the second position, the hook-shaped extension may be disposed at the second end 988" of the notch 988. When the movable wall is in the second position, the inwardly curved movable wall may allow a user to access and use a portion of the recess. By accessing and using the permissive portion of the recess in front of the movable wall, the user can easily apply force to the flip-top lid 922 in a direction substantially away from the base 920. Because the hook-shaped extension disengages from the base, the hook-shaped extension does not prevent the user from opening the flip-top lid from an outside-to-inside configuration after deformation or adjustment of the movable wall 824.

[0163] FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the closure cap 918 in a subsequent open configuration, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the flip-top lid 922 may be moved from a closed position (FIG. 60) to an open position (FIG. 62). Even in the subsequent open configuration, the movable wall 924 may remain coupled to the base 920. To easily move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position, a user may move the flip-top lid when the movable wall is in the second position. Thus, the inwardly curved movable wall in the second position may function as a tamper-evident structure that indicates that the closure cap has been previously opened.

[0164] In some embodiments, the sealing cap includes a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, and the flip-top lid and the base together form a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess allowing a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position. In addition, the sealing cap can include a deformable or movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid, the movable wall being movable from a first position in which the movable wall is curved outward to a second position in which the movable wall is curved inward into the recess, substantially aligned with an adjacent sidewall of the sealing cap. The sealing cap can further include a deformable or breakable member configured to break when the movable wall moves from the first position toward the second position.

[0165] In some embodiments, the dispensing bottle includes a container body having a thixotropic fluid therein, the container body having a neck with threads thereon and a closure cap coupled to the container body. In one approach, the closure cap includes a base and a flip-top lid hinged to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess allowing a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position. The closure cap can also include a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid, the movable wall being movable from a first position in which the movable wall is curved outward to a second position in which the movable wall is curved inward into the recess, substantially aligned with an adjacent sidewall of the closure cap. According to some configurations, the closure cap also includes a deformable or breakable member configured to break when the movable wall moves from the first position toward the second position.

[0166] In some embodiments, a method of opening a sealing cap includes providing a sealing cap including a base and a flip-top lid hinged to the base, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the sealing cap, and a movable wall attached to the flip-top lid. In some configurations, the movable wall is moved from a first position in which the movable wall curves outward and is substantially aligned with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap. Furthermore, the sealing cap can include a deformable or breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid, and forcing the movable wall into the recess moves the movable wall to a second position in which the movable wall curves inward into the recess. Furthermore, once the movable wall is in the second position, a user can apply a force to a portion of the recess of the flip-top lid to move the flip-top lid to an open position about the hinge connection to the base. Furthermore, the breakable member can be separated or broken once the movable wall moves from the first position to the second position.

[0167] In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a filled dispensing bottle includes molding a receptacle having a neck thread thereon, filling the receptacle with a thixotropic fluid, and providing a closure cap comprising a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the flip-top lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position. By some approaches, the recess allows a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position. The closure cap can also include a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid, the movable wall being adjustable or movable from a first position in which the movable wall is curved outward to a second position in which the movable wall is curved inward into the recess, substantially aligned with an adjacent sidewall of the closure cap. As alluded to above, the closure cap can also include a breakable member configured to break when the movable wall is moved from the first position toward the second position.

[0168] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous other modifications, variations, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and such modifications, variations, and combinations should be considered within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid; an extension tab extending from the movable wall and fixedly attached to one of the base or the flip-top lid; a breakable member disposed between the extension tab and the movable wall, the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall rotates from a first position in which the movable wall is substantially continuous with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap to a second position in which an edge of the movable wall is disposed inwardly within the recess; the frangible member is configured to break when the movable wall is rotatably moved from the first position to the second position. Sealing cap.

2. The closure cap of claim 1 , wherein the extension tab comprises a flange and a latch projection extending from the flange.

3. 3. The closure cap of claim 2, wherein the latch projection comprises a pair of hooks, each end of the pair of hooks extending outwardly away from one another.

4. The closure cap of claim 2 , wherein the latch projection comprises a barb.

5. The sealing cap according to claim 2, the movable wall is attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid via a hinge connection; the other of the base and the flip-top lid has a receiving space into which the latch protrusion is inserted so as to pass through a receiving opening; Sealing cap.

6. 6. The sealing cap according to claim 5, the movable wall is attached to the flip-top lid via the hinge connection; The base has the receiving opening. Sealing cap.

7. 6. The sealing cap according to claim 5, the movable wall is attached to the base via the hinge connection; The flip-top lid has the receiving opening. Sealing cap.

8. The closure cap of claim 5 , wherein the receiving opening is in a sidewall of the base below the recess.

9. 6. The sealing cap of claim 5, wherein the receiving opening is in a sidewall of the flip-top lid below the recess.

10. The closure cap of claim 5 , wherein the receiving opening is in an upper surface of the base of the recess.

11. The closure cap of claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the base has a recessed portion configured to engage the flange of the extension tab.

12. The closure cap of claim 2 , wherein the sidewall of the base has a recessed portion configured to engage the flange of the extension tab.

13. The closure cap of claim 2 , wherein a sidewall of the flip-top lid has a recessed portion configured to engage the flange of the extension tab.

14. 2. The sealing cap of claim 1, the movable wall is attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid via a hinge connection; the extension tab is secured to the other of the base and the flip-top lid via a welded connection; Sealing cap.

15. 2. The sealing cap of claim 1, The movable wall is attached to the base via a hinge connection; The extension tab is secured to the flip-top lid via a mounting member provided on an inner surface of a side wall of the flip-top lid. Sealing cap.

16. 2. The sealing cap of claim 1, the movable wall extends from the flip-top lid and has a hinge at a top of the movable wall; The flip-top lid further has an edge provided on the inside of the hinge so as to fix the lower end of the movable wall after the lower end of the movable wall is fully opened inwardly into the recess. Sealing cap.

17. providing a sealing cap comprising a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, the flip-top lid and the base defining a recess that allows a force to be applied to the flip-top lid to move the flip-top lid between an open position and a closed position; pivoting an opening covering an opening to the recess to expose the opening of the recess; applying a force to a portion of the flip-top lid at the recess to move the flip-top lid about the hinge connection from the closed position to the open position; The opening method includes:

18. a container body containing a thixotropic fluid therein and having a neck with a thread; A sealing cap coupled to the container body; A dispensing bottle comprising: A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid; an extension tab extending from the movable wall and fixedly attached to one of the base or the flip-top lid; a breakable member disposed between the extension tab and the movable wall; the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall rotates from a first position in which the movable wall is substantially continuous with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap to a second position in which an edge of the movable wall is disposed inwardly within the recess; the frangible member is configured to break when the movable wall is rotatably moved from the first position to the second position. Dispensing bottle.

19. 1. A method of manufacturing a filled dispensing bottle, comprising: molding a receptacle having a threaded neck; filling the receptacle with a thixotropic fluid; providing a closure cap; The sealing cap has A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid; an extension tab extending from the movable wall and fixedly attached to one of the base or the flip-top lid; a breakable member disposed between the extension tab and the movable wall; the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall rotates from a first position in which the movable wall is substantially continuous with an adjacent side wall of the sealing cap to a second position in which an edge of the movable wall is disposed inwardly within the recess; the frangible member is configured to break when the movable wall is rotatably moved from the first position to the second position. method.

20. a base having an elongated guide slot; a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; Movable walls and A sealing cap comprising: a breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid, the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess allowing a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position in which the movable wall covers at least a portion of an opening of the recess to a second position lower than the first position, the movable wall being attached to the flip-top lid in the first position; the elongated guide slot being slightly wider than the movable wall, the movable wall moving from the first position to the second position by sliding within the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member breaks. Sealing cap.

21. 21. The closure cap of claim 20, wherein the movable wall includes an upper portion having a first width greater than a slot width of the elongated guide slot.

22. 22. The closure cap of claim 21, wherein the frangible member extends from the top to the movable wall in a closed configuration before the flip-top lid is initially opened.

23. 21. The closure cap of claim 20, further comprising a latch projection extending from the movable wall.

24. 24. The sealing cap of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the latch protrusion is disposed within the base adjacent the elongated guide slot before the flip-top lid is initially opened and after the flip-top lid is initially closed.

25. providing a closure cap, the closure cap comprising: a base having an elongated guide slot; a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base and forming with the base a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap; movable wall, and attached to the flip-top lid via a breakable member provided between the movable wall and the flip-top lid. Stages and breaking the breakable member; applying a force to a portion of the flip-top lid at the recess to move the flip-top lid about a hinged connection to the base to an open position; having the movable wall moves from a first position, in which the movable wall covers at least a portion of an opening of the recess, to a second position lower than the first position by sliding within the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member breaks. Opening method.

26. a container body containing a thixotropic fluid therein and having a neck with a thread; A sealing cap coupled to the container body; A dispensing bottle comprising: a base having an elongated guide slot; a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; Movable walls and a breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid and configured to break when a force sufficient to break the breakable member is applied; Equipped with the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position; the recess allows a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position, in which the movable wall covers at least a portion of an opening of the recess, to a second position lower than the first position by sliding within the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member breaks; the movable wall is attached to the flip-top lid in the first position; the elongated guide slot being slightly wider than the movable wall, the movable wall moving from the first position to the second position by sliding within the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member breaks; Dispensing bottle.

27. 1. A method of manufacturing a filled dispensing bottle, comprising: molding a receptacle having a threaded neck; filling the receptacle with a thixotropic fluid; providing a closure cap; closing the filled receptacle with the sealing cap; having The sealing cap is a base having an elongated guide slot; a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; Movable walls and a breakable member disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid and configured to break when a force sufficient to break the breakable member is applied; Equipped with the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position, the recess forming a gripping area where a user applies a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position, in which the movable wall covers at least a portion of an opening of the recess, to a second position lower than the first position by sliding within the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member breaks; the movable wall is attached to the flip-top lid in the first position; the elongated guide slot being slightly wider than the movable wall, the movable wall moving from the first position to the second position by sliding within the elongated guide slot of the base when the breakable member breaks; method.

28. A sealing cap, A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid; A breakable member; Equipped with the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position; the flip-top lid and the base together form a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position; the recess includes a finger that allows a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position in which the movable wall bends outwardly and is substantially aligned with an adjacent side wall of the closure cap to a second position in which the movable wall bends inwardly into the recess; the frangible member is configured to break when the movable wall moves from the first position to the second position. Sealing cap.

29. 29. The closure cap of claim 28, wherein the movable wall is flexible.

30. 30. The closure cap of claim 28, further comprising an extension tab including a flange attached to the movable wall and below an end of the movable wall, the extension tab including a hook-shaped extension extending from the flange.

31. 31. The closure cap of claim 30, wherein the hook-shaped extension engages the base in a closed configuration before the flip-top lid is initially opened and disengages from the base when the movable wall is in the second position.

32. 31. The closure cap of claim 30, wherein the extension tab is configured to move along the movable wall as the movable wall moves from the first position to the second position.

33. 31. The closure cap of claim 30, the movable wall is attached to the flip-top lid; the base has a cutout and at least a portion of the extension tab moves within a perimeter of the cutout. Sealing cap.

34. 30. The closure cap of claim 28, wherein the movable wall compresses and permanently deforms when moving from the first position to the second position.

35. 1. A method of opening, comprising: providing a closure cap, the closure cap comprising: A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base and forming with the base a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap; a movable wall attached to the flip-top lid; a breakable member provided between the movable wall and the flip-top lid; the movable wall is movable from a first position in which the movable wall bends outwardly and is substantially aligned with an adjacent side wall of the closure cap to a second position in which the movable wall bends inwardly into the recess. Stages and pushing the movable wall into the recess to move the movable wall to a second position where the movable wall bends inwardly into the recess; applying a force to a portion of the flip-top lid at the recess to move the flip-top lid about a hinged connection to the base to an open position; having the frangible member breaks when moving from the first position to the second position. Opening method.

36. a container body containing a thixotropic fluid therein and having a neck with a thread; A sealing cap coupled to the container body; A dispensing bottle comprising: A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid; Breakable member, Equipped with the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position; the flip-top lid and the base together form a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position; the recess allows a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position in which the movable wall bends outwardly and is substantially aligned with an adjacent side wall of the closure cap to a second position in which the movable wall bends inwardly into the recess; the frangible member is configured to break upon movement from the first position towards the second position; Dispensing bottle.

37. 1. A method of manufacturing a filled dispensing bottle, comprising: molding a receptacle having a threaded neck; filling the receptacle with a thixotropic fluid; providing a closure cap; closing the filled receptacle with the sealing cap; having The sealing cap is A base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; a movable wall attached to one of the base and the flip-top lid; Breakable member, Equipped with the flip-top lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, the flip-top lid and the base together forming a recess in an outer wall of the closure cap when the flip-top lid is in the closed position; the recess allows a user to apply a force to move the flip-top lid from the closed position to the open position; the movable wall is movable from a first position in which the movable wall bends outwardly and is substantially aligned with an adjacent side wall of the closure cap to a second position in which the movable wall bends inwardly into the recess; the frangible member is disposed between the movable wall and the flip-top lid and is configured to break when a force sufficient to break the frangible member is applied; method.

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