GB2401859A

GB2401859A - Closure with integral spaced hinge portions

Info

Publication number: GB2401859A
Application number: GB0309004A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerry Mavin; Timothy Graham Stephenson
Original assignee: Portola Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Portola Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-17
Filing date: 2003-04-17
Publication date: 2004-11-24
Also published as: WO2004094239A2; GB0309004D0; WO2004094239A3

Abstract

There is described a closure comprising a spout portion and a cover portion. The cover portion is formed integrally with the spout portion and joined thereto by an elongate web. The web is adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the spout portion about a first hinge and is adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the cover portion about a second hinge. The first and second hinges are mutually spaced and extend transversely to the length of the web. There is also described a closure for use with a container in which the closure comprises a first part and a second part. The second part is movable with respect to the first part from a closed position to an open position to allow access to the contents of the container. One of the first and second parts has a detent and the other of the parts has a formation engageable by the detent when the second part is in the closed position to retain the second part in the closed position. One of the first and second parts additionally comprises a frangible means which, when broken, is adapted to engage the detent or formation on the other of said parts and move the detent or formation out of engagement with the previously engaging structure, thereby permitting the second part to be moved to the open position.

Description

CLOSURE

The present invention relates to closures for containers and to closures in combination with neck structures.

In recent years it has become common to package potable fluids such as milk, water and fruit juices in plastics containers which are provided with resealable plastics closures. Some potable fluids, notably sports drinks and health drinks, have been packaged in such a way as to enable the fluid concerned to be consumed straight from the container. Under such circumstances, the closure typically comprises a spout around which a user may place his mouth and drink from the container.

These closures, known as sports caps, typically also comprise a resealable valve and, initially at least, a dust cover to prevent the ingress of dust and other contaminants into the spout prior to the purchase and subsequent opening of the container by the user. Thus, a typical sports cap might comprise three components (the spout, the resealable valve and the dust cover), each of which must be formed separately and then assembled prior to application to the container. Indeed, each of the components is typically formed of a different coloured plastics material and, in the case of the resealable valve, may even be formed of a different grade or type of plastics material. Thus, from a manufacturer's point of view the existing designs of sports cap are difficult to assemble and costly to produce. If it were possible to replace the existing three component designs with an acceptable one piece construction then that would represent a significant improvement both in terms of ease of manufacture and cost of production.

An acceptable one piece construction would also provide benefits from an environmental point of view. t - 2

The dust covers of existing designs of sports cap are often discarded once the container has been opened and so represent one more item of refuse which needs to be properly disposed of and/or recycled.

Many of the present designs of sports cap also do not provide an adequate tamper-evident capability.

Increasingly consumers require closures, particularly those used in conjunction with potable fluids, to be capable of providing an indication as to whether the closure has previously been opened and access gained to the contents of the container. Such an indication may serve to warn the consumer that the contents of the container have been tampered with and so may now be of inferior quality or, in the worst case scenario, a danger to public health. It would therefore be desirable for any new design of sports closure to incorporate a tamper-evident capability.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure comprising a spout portion and a cover portion, the cover portion being formed integrally with the spout portion and joined thereto by an elongate web, the web being adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the spout portion about a first hinge and adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the cover portion about a second hinge, the first and second hinges being mutually spaced and extending transverse to the length of the web.

Advantageously the axes of the first and second hinges may be parallel.

Advantageously the axes of the first and second hinges may extend perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the web.

Advantageously the spout portion may be provided with a formation which serves to guide the movement of the web as the web pivots with respect to the spout portion about the first hinge. Preferably the web may

I T - 3

be received within the formation at one extreme of travel as the web pivots with respect to the spout portion about the first hinge.

Advantageously the spout portion may comprise a spout and the cover portion may be moveable with respect to the spout portion between an open position in which the spout is exposed and a closed position in which the spout is covered by the cover portion.

Preferably the spout may have a length of greater than 8mm. More preferably the spout may have a length of greater than 12mm and even more preferably a length of greater than 16mm.

Advantageously the web may be joined to the spout portion at a base of the spout.

Advantageously the web may be provided with a first formation and the spout portion may be provided with a second complimentary formation, the first and second formations engaging when the cover portion is in the closed position such that any pivotal movement of the cover portion with respect to the spout portion takes place first about the second hinge and then about the first hinge. Preferably one of the first and second formations may comprise a groove and the other the first and second formations may comprise a ridge receivable within the groove, the formation provided on the web extending transversely to the length of the web. Preferably the formation provided on the web may comprise a ridge which extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the web.

Advantageously the cover portion may include means for sealingly engaging the spout when the cover portion is in the closed position.

Advantageously the spout may define a bore and the cover portion may define a plug adapted to sealingly engage an interior surface of the bore when the cover portion is in the closed position. - 4

Preferably the cover portion may be provided with means to guide the plug into sealing engagement with the interior surface of the bore as the cover portion is moved from the open to the closed position.

Preferably the guide means may comprise a formation provided on the cover portion which is adapted to engage an exterior surface of the spout as the cover portion is moved from the open to the closed position.

Preferably the guide means may additionally serve to sealingly engage an exterior surface of the spout when the cover portion is in the closed position.

Advantageously the spout portion may comprise a spout defining a bore through which fluid may flow out of the closure and a passageway, separate from the bore, through which air may flow into the closure.

Preferably the passageway may be defined by a tube which merges with an interior wall of the spout.

Advantageously the passageway may extend along an axis parallel to an axis of the spout.

Advantageously the passageway may have an axial extent greater than that of the spout but not so great as to project beyond the periphery of the closure.

Advantageously the passageway may be positioned eccentrically of the spout. Preferably the passageway may be positioned on the same side of the spout as the join between the web and the spout portion.

Advantageously the passageway may have a dimension transverse to its longitudinal axis which is approximately half that of the corresponding transverse dimension of the spout.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure for use with a container, the closure comprising a first part and a second part, the second part being moveable with respect to the first part from a closed position to an open position to allow access to the contents of the container, one of the first and second parts having a ) detent and the other of said parts having a formation engageable by the detent when the second part is in the closed position to retain the second part in the closed position, one of the first and second parts additionally comprising frangible means which, when broken, is adapted to engage the detent or formation on the other of said parts and move the detent or formation out of engagement with the previously engaging structure, thereby permitting the second part to be moved to the open position.

Advantageously the second part may be hinged with respect to the first part.

Advantageously the detent may comprise an undercut and the formation may comprise a surface which, in the closed position, confronts a surface of the undercut.

Advantageously the formation may comprise a rim of an aperture and the detent may comprise a surface which, in the closed position, confronts the rim, the detent passing through the aperture when the second part is in the closed position.

Advantageously the frangible means may be adapted to engage the detent and move the detent out of engagement with the formation.

Advantageously the detent may be provided on the first part and the formation may be provided on the second part.

Advantageously the frangible means may be provided with restraining means to prevent the frangible means from returning to a position occupied by the frangible means prior to the frangible means being broken. Preferably when broken, the frangible means may be adapted to move in a first direction with respect to the one of the first and second parts of which the frangible means is comprised, the restraining means comprising a formation provided on one or both of the frangible means and the one of the 1 1 parts to prevent the frangible means from moving in a second direction with respect to the one of the parts, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Advantageously when broken, a portion of the frangible means may be adapted to pass through a slot provided in the one of the first and second parts of which the frangible means is comprised, the restraining means comprising a formation provided on the portion to prevent the return of the portion through the slot.

There is also provided a container in combination with a closure.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container neck; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container neck of Figure 1 with part of the neck shown cut away; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprising a spout portion and a cover portion and showing the cover portion in a closed position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the closure of Figure 3 with the cover portion shown partially open to expose the spout portion; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the closure of Figure 3 with the cover portion shown in a more open position to more fully expose the spout portion; Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the closure of Figure 3 with the cover portion in the same more open position shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan view of the closure of Figure 3 with the cover portion in the closed position; Figure 8 is a view from one side of the closure of Figure 7; 1 1 Figure 9 is a view of the front of the closure of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 9i Figure 11 is a plan view of the closure of Figure 3 with the cover portion in the more open position) Figure 12 is a cross- sectional view of the closure of Figure 13 taken along line XII - XIIi Figure 13 is a plan view from below of the closure of Figure Ill Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the spout portion when inverted and with the cover portion omitted for the sake of clarity) Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the underneath of the front of the cover portion) and Figure 16 is an enlarged view of the front of the cover portion seen from above.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a neck 10 of a container 12. The remainder of the container 12 has not been shown as its body shape may take any suitable form and may, for example, be of square, rectangular or circular cross-section and may have an integral handle formed as part of the body shape.

The neck 10 defines an opening 14 surrounded by a substantially smooth, cylindrical internal wall 16. A generally horizontal annular rim 18 merges with the internal wall 16 at an end remote from the body of the container 12 while, at a radially outer end, the rim 18 in turn merges with a depending external wall 20.

Like the internal wall 16, external wall 20 is substantially smooth and cylindrical and forms what is known in the industry as an E-Wall.

The external wall 20 merges with a neck stretch portion 24 which is provided with engagement means with which to engage complimentary engagement means provided on a closure. In the example shown, the - 8 engagement means provided on the neck stretch portion 24 take the form of a helical thread configuration 26 which includes seven threads or leads 28. It will be apparent however, that the engagement means may take a number of different forms and, in particular, may, if the complimentary engagement means provided on the closure takes the form of a helical thread configuration, comprise a helical groove configuration. Likewise, it will be apparent that the thread or groove configuration 26 need not be limited to seven threads or grooves but may comprise one, two or more threads or grooves as appropriate. Generally speaking however, it is preferable for the configuration to comprise several threads or grooves.

In the illustrated embodiment, each thread 28 extends approximately 120 about the circumference of the neck stretch portion 24. Once again however, it will be understood that threads of a lesser or greater extent may also be employed. For example, each thread 28 may extend within a range from 90 to more than 360 . If so desired, the threads or grooves may be interrupted at intervals along their length.

Preferably, the helical thread configuration 26 has a fine thread density to limit the vertical float of the closure on the neck 10. Thus, the thread density preferably lies within the range of between 12 and 20 threads per linear inch. Most preferably of all, is a thread density of approximately 17 or 18 threads per linear inch.

The neck stretch portion 24 terminates in a radially outwardly extending shoulder 30 which, at a radially outer edge, joins a further vertical neck stretch portion which is formed with a plurality of ratchet teeth 32. In the example shown, the ratchet teeth 32 are arranged in two groups of between 8 and teeth each, although it will be appreciated that the number and position of the teeth may be subject to - 9 considerable variation.

Below the ratchet teeth 32, the neck profile extends first radially inwardly and then radially outwardly to form a locking wall portion 34 which defines a generally horizontal surface 36 which is vertically spaced from, and extends generally parallel to, the shoulder 30. However, the locking wall portion 34 is dimensioned so as to have a slightly greater radial dimension than the shoulder 30 for reasons that will be explained below.

The closure which engages the neck 10 is shown in Figures 3 to 16 and comprises a spout portion 38 and a cover portion 40.

Looking initially at the spout portion 38, it will be seen that the spout portion comprises a top 42 having an undersurface 44. The top 42, which is circular in plan view, merges at a radially outer edge with a depending annular side wall 48 to form a downwardly extending upper skirt portion. The depending annular side wall 48 is provided, on its inner surface, with complimentary engagement means for repeated and releasable engagement with the engagement means provided on the neck 10. As before, these engagement means may take many forms but, in the example shown, comprise a multi-lead, helical thread configuration 50 having seven threads or leads and a thread density of approximately 17 or 18 threads per linear inch. Once again, it will be appreciated that, if the engagement means provided on the neck 10 comprises a helical thread configuration, then the engagement means provided on the inner surface of the depending annular side wall 48 may comprise a helical groove configuration. In the embodiment shown each thread extends approximately 120 around the inner surface of the depending annular side wall 48.

However, it is to be understood that this thread length may be increased or decreased if desired. For - 10 example, each thread may extend in a range from 90 to more than 360 . Likewise, the thread density is not intended to be limited to being about 17 or 18 threads per linear inch but, nevertheless, preferably lies within the range from about 12 to 20 threads per linear inch. Preferably, the thread configuration 26 on the neck 10 and the thread configuration 50 on the spout portion 38 each have at least two threads and a thread density of at least 12 threads per linear inch.

If so desired the threads or grooves may be interrupted at intervals along their length.

The two thread configurations 26 and 50 may be shaped so as to slip past one another and engage when a direct, axial downward force is applied to the spout portion 38 urging the spout portion into engagement with the neck 10. In other words, when the spout portion 38 is pushed onto the neck 10, the threads on the spout portion snap over and engage the threads on the neck. This may be made possible by appropriate shaping of the threads, for example, by forming the threads with an asymmetric cross- section or by making them less pronounced. Alternatively, if it is desired to rotate the spout portion 38 onto the neck 10, the threads may be of symmetrical, as opposed to asymmetrical, cross-section and may be more pronounced.

In the illustrated embodiment, the two thread configurations 26 and 50 each comprise multiple turns of thread so that a vertical line drawn across each thread configuration intersects three or four turns of thread depending upon the location of the line around the circumference of the neck stretch portion 24 or depending annular side wall 48. This ensures that when the spout portion 38 is applied to the neck 10 there will be multiple turns of thread engagement. Of course, the total cumulative thread engagement is subject to variation and, depending upon the linear thread density, may be as little as one turn of thread engagement or more than five turns of thread engagement.

A first tamper-evidencing means to alert a consumer to possible tampering with the contents of the container 12 is provided in the region below the helical thread configuration 50. The depending annular side wall 48 merges with a generally radially outwardly directed shoulder 52 which in turn merges with a removable lower skirt portion 54. The lower skirt portion 54 is frangibly attached to a radially outer edge of the shoulder 52 by frangible means such as bridges 56. In an alternative arrangement, the bridges 56 may be replaced by a circumferentially extending line of weakness or tear line or by a combination of bridges and tear lines. The lower skirt portion 54 is provided on an inner surface with a plurality of ratchet teeth 58 which are complimentary to, and shaped to engage with, the ratchet teeth 32 provided on the neck 10. As shown in Figure 3, the ratchet teeth 58 may be joined directly to the generally radially outwardly directed shoulder 52 thereby forming the frangible bridges 56. However, it will be apparent that other configurations may also be used.

During the application of the spout portion 38 to the container neck 10, the ratchet teeth 58 pass over the helical thread configuration 26 provided on the neck (being of greater radial dimension) and slip between, and interengage with, the ratchet teeth 32.

At the same time, the threads on the spout portion 38 snap over and engage the threads on the neck 26. Once in position, the mutual engagement of the ratchet teeth 32 and 58 prevent the spout portion 38 from being unscrewed from the neck 10 so long as the lower skirt portion 54 remains attached to the generally radially outwardly directed shoulder 52. Furthermore, - 12 because the undersurfaces of the ratchet teeth 58 rest on the horizontal surface 36 of the locking wall 34, it is not possible to prize the lower skirt portion 54 upwardly from underneath to disengage it from the ratchet teeth 32 whilst maintaining the lower skirt portion intact.

Accordingly, in order to remove the spout portion 38, the lower skirt portion 54 must first be at least partially separated from the shoulder 52.

This may be accomplished by twisting the spout portion 38 relative to the neck 10 and breaking the frangible bridges 56. Alternatively, the lower skirt portion 54 may be provided with a tear tab (not shown). The lower skirt portion 54 may then be removed before the spout portion 38 is unscrewed by gripping the tear tab and pulling the lower skirt portion away from the generally radially outwardly directed shoulder 52. A vertically extending line of weakness may be provided through the lower skirt portion 54 adjacent the tear tab to facilitate the removal of the lower skirt portion. At the same time, if the tear tab comprises a horizontal tear tab, a frangible web may be provided to join an end of the tear tab remote from the vertical line of weakness to the lower skirt portion 54 thereby preventing the accidental snagging of the tear tab during handling of the closure and helping to keep the radial dimensions of the closure to a minimum.

In order to facilitate the gripping of the closure by a user the depending annular side wall 48 is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically extending ribs 66 which serve as knurls.

An annular plug 68 depends from the undersurface 44 of the top 42 and is spaced radially inwardly of the depending annular side wall 48. The annular plug 68 is defined by respective radially inner and outer walls 70 and 72, the radially outer plug wall 72 merging at an end remote from the undersurface 44 with a generally downwardly and radially inwardly directed surface 74. This downwardly and radially inwardly directed surface 74 intersects the radially inner plug wall 70 and together serve to provide the annular plug 68 with a bevelled radially outer surface and a tapering cross-section.

The annular plug 68 is reinforced by three circumferentially spaced buttresses 76 positioned 120 apart. Each buttress is located radially inwardly of the annular plug 68 and merges with both the undersurface 44 of the top 42 and with the radially inner plug wall 70, these two surfaces, in cross section, defining the two orthogonal sides of a rightangled triangle, the "hypotenuse" of which comprises an arcuate surface 78. Preferably this arcuate surface 78 is such that each buttress 76 represents a circular fillet having the largest radius of curvature permitted by the dimensions of the annular plug 68. In order to facilitate the moulding of the closure, the buttresses 76 may have a substantially constant circumferential dimension substantially equal to that of the thickness of the annular plug 68 adjacent the undersurface 44. Alternatively, the buttresses 76 may have a circumferential dimension that tapers radially towards the centre of the closure.

In addition, circumferentially spaced between the buttresses 76, the spout portion 38 is provided with three downwardly extending ribs 80 on the interior of the depending annular side wall 48 close to where it merges with the top 42. Once again, these ribs 80 are spaced 120 apart and 60 apart from the buttresses 76. The ribs 80 define a smooth downwardly depending surface 82 before merging at an end remote from the undersurface 44 with the inner surface of the depending annular side wall 48. As before, in order - 14 to facilitate the moulding of the closure, the three ribs 80 have a constant circumferential dimension which is approximately equal to that of the annular plug 68 adjacent the top 42.

In use, the spout portion 38 is applied to the container neck 10. As previously stated, initially this may be by means of a push-on application, whereby the threads on the spout portion 38 snap over those provided on the neck 10, or else by means of a rotary application in which the spout portion is threaded onto the neck and the two thread configurations 26 and interengage in the conventional manner. In any event, and in addition to the interengagement of the threads and ratchet teeth described earlier, it will be noted that, upon application of the spout portion 38 to the neck 10, the downwardly depending annular plug 68 provided on the undersurface 44 of the top 42 is received within the opening 14 of the container neck 10. The reception of the annular plug 68 within the opening 14 is facilitated by the bevelled nature of the downwardly and radially inwardly directed surface 74 which typically is the first surface of the plug to engage the container neck 10 and serves to guide the radially outer plug wall 72 into sealing engagement with the cylindrical internal wall 16.

This process may be further facilitated by the provision of a radius 21 at the intersection of the cylindrical internal wall 16 and the annular rim 18.

Continued application of the spout portion 38 to the neck 10 brings the downwardly depending surface 82 of the ribs 80 into engagement with the external wall 20. Once again, this process may be further facilitated by the provision of a radius 22 at the intersection of the annular rim 18 and the external wall 20 or else by forming the ribs 80 so that the downwardly depending surface 82 merges with the depending annular side wall 48 by way of a smoothly - 15 curving, downwardly and radially outwardly directed I surface 86. The engagement of the ribs 80 with the external wall 20 serves to increase the contact force between the radially outer plug wall 72 and the cylindrical internal wall 16 and so improve the sealing characteristics of the closure. At the same time, the engagement of the ribs 80 with the external wall 20 serves to ensure that the annular plug 68 is located centrally with respect to the opening 14.

When the container 12 is used to package potable fluids such as fruit juices, the engagement of the radially outer plug wall 72 with the cylindrical internal wall 16 of the neck 10 is sufficient to seal the container and prevent leakage past the thread configurations 26 and 50. However, if the container 12 is left in warm conditions so that the contents start to ferment, gas pressure may build up against the undersurface 44 causing the top 42 to dome upwards. Under such circumstances the annular plug 68 flexes away from the cylindrical internal wall 16 of the container neck 10, pulled by the buttresses 76, creating a passage for the gas to escape between the radially outer plug wall 72 and the cylindrical internal wall 16. The fact that the radially outer plug wall 72 merges at an end remote from the undersurface 44 with a downwardly and radially inwardly directed surface 74 facilitates this process since even in the absence of a pressure build up not all of the radially outer surface of the annular plug 68 is in contact with the cylindrical internal wall 16 of the neck 10.

Furthermore by providing a small number of buttresses 76, the force exerted on the undersurface 44 is transferred to discrete points on the annular plug 68 and is sufficient to pull the radially outer plug wall 72 out of engagement with the cylindrical internal wall 16. This allows the gas to get between - 16 the radially outer plug wall 72 and the cylindrical I internal wall 16 and, once there, the presence of the gas serves to keep the annular plug 68 out of sealing engagement with the neck 10 until such time as the pressure within the container 12 has been at least partially alleviated. It will therefore be seen that the selection of the number of buttresses 76 is one way of controlling the pressure at which the plug seal opens. If the number of buttresses 76 were increased then, for a given gas pressure, the force transferred to the annular plug 68 by any particular one of the buttresses would be diminished and may not be sufficient to pull the radially outer plug wall 72 out of engagement with the cylindrical internal wall 16.

Accordingly, by increasing the number of buttresses the pressure at which the plug seal opens is increased. Conversely, reducing the number of buttresses is one way of lowering the pressure at which the plug seal opens.

Having escaped past the annular plug 68, the gas is free to escape to the atmosphere via the arcuate channels defined between the ribs 80. In closure systems having an E-Wall seal this would not be possible as theribs would be replaced by an annular bead designed to engage the external wall 20 to form a secondary seal. By removing the annular bead and replacing it by three circumferentially spaced ribs 80, arcuate channels are created for gas to escape from the inside of the container 12 through the interengaging helical thread configurations 26 and 50 and out from under the removable lower skirt portion 54 or else through the voids defined between the bridges 56 of the frangible connection between the radially outwardly directed shoulder 52 and the removable lower skirt portion.

Once the gas has escaped, the pressure build up within the container 12 is alleviated. The top 42, - 17 which had previously been domed upwards, returns to its normal position with the radially outer plug wall 72 urged into sealing engagement with the cylindrical internal wall 16. This process is facilitated by the three buttresses 76 which add extra strength to the annular plug 68 and urge the plug into engagement with the neck 10 thereby sealing the container 12.

Thus, it will be apparent that the illustrated closure incorporates a pressure release system capable of venting excess gas which might otherwise build up within the container as a result of, for example, the fermentation of the contents of the container but which, at the same time, is capable of maintaining adequate sealing in everyday use.

In addition to the foregoing features, the spout portion 38, as the name implies, is provided with a spout 90 which projects upwardly and centrally of the top 42. The spout 90 defines a bore which communicates with the interior of the spout portion 38 and thence with the interior of the container 12. At an end remote from the top 42, the spout 90 terminates in an annular rim 92 which merges, on an interior surface of the spout, with a substantially smooth cylindrical wall 94 and, on an exterior surface, with a bulbous annular portion 96. Beneath the bulbous annular portion 96 which, in cross-section, is of substantially piano- convex shape, the spout 90 flares downwardly and radially outwardly in the direction of top 42. At an end remote from the annular rim 92 the spout 90 merges with two lands 100 and 102 disposed, in plan view, on circumferentially opposite sides of the spout portion 38. These lands 100 and 102 in turn merge with top 42 and for ease of reference will be referred to hereinafter as front and rear lands, respectively.

By contrast, in the interior, the spout 90 merges with an upper end of a hollow cylindrical tube 98 - 18 disposed eccentrically with respect to the bore. The tube 98 extends in a generally downward direction about an axis parallel to that of the bore from a position below the substantially smooth cylindrical wall 94 and terminates beneath the bevelled lower extremity of the annular plug 68.

The tube 98 has an internal diameter approximately equal to half that of the substantially smooth cylindrical wall 94 and its purpose is to allow the smooth outflow of the contents of the container when the container 12, and hence the spout portion 38, is inverted. In this condition, and as shown in Figure 14, the tube 98 provides a passage for the ingress of air into the container 12 while the remainder of the bore provides a crescent-shaped - passage for the egress of the contents. The fact that these two passages are separate helps to prevent the gluging that often occurs when a liquid is dispensed - through a narrow opening. At the same time, by providing a tube 98 of such length which terminates, - when inverted, above the bevelled extremity of the annular plug 68, the pressure differential between the contents attempting to exit the spout 90 under such circumstances and the air trying to enter is maximised. This pressure differential serves to establish the preferential flow paths illustrated and facilitates the dispensing of the contents of the container with the result that there is no need for a user to squeeze the container 12 in order to dispense - the contents.

Returning to a consideration of the exterior of the spout portion 38, the frontal land 100 is in part defined by a front wall 104 which projects upwardly from the top 42 and extends across the circle defined by the top 42 in plan view in the manner of a chord save for a central vertical recess 106 which, again in plan view, extends radially inwardly in the direction - 19 of the spout 90. At opposite ends, the front wall 104 merges with respective arcuate side walls 108 and 110 disposed radially inwardly of the perimeter of the top 42 and which extend circumferentially towards the rear of the spout portion 38. In so doing the height with which the arcuate side walls 108 and 110 project upwardly from the top 42 tapers from that with which the side wall merge with the front wall 104. As a result, at an end remote from the front wall 104, the 10arcuate side walls 108 and 110 and the front land 100 which they in part define merge smoothly with the top 42. By contrast, the height of the front wall 104 above the top 42 reaches a maximum in the region of the central vertical recess 106.

15Towards the front of the spout portion 38 and in front of the front wall 104 two detents 112 project upwardly from the top 42 but to a height less than that of the front wall 104. The detents 112 are identical in structure and are symmetrically spaced on either side of the central vertical recess 106. Each is defined by a substantially vertical rear wall 114 which faces towards the front wall 104, a generally horizontal upper surface 116 which merges with the substantially vertical rear wall 114 at an end remote from the top 42, a downwardly and forwardly inclined surface 118 which merges with the upper surface 116 and slopes downwardly towards the front of the spout portion 38, a generally rearwardly extending surface which merges with the downwardly and forwardly inclined surface 118 and extends substantially parallel to the top 42 to define an undercut, and a substantially vertical front wall 122 which merges at one end with the generally rearwardly extending surface 120 and at the other with the top 42. The purpose and function of these detents 112 will be described below.

In contrast to the front land 100, the rear land - 20 102 is defined by a rear wall 124. Like the front wall 104, the rear wall 124 extends across the circle defined by the top 42 in plan view in the manner of a chord and, indeed, extends in a direction parallel to the front wall 104. However, unlike the front wall 104, the rear wall 124 is provided with a central right-angled recess 126 defined by a first wall which extends perpendicularly to the rear wall 124 towards the front of the spout portion 38, a second wall which extends perpendicularly to the first wall and parallel to the rear wall 124, and a third wall which extends perpendicularly to the second wall and parallel to the first wall back towards the rear wall 124. The vertical height with which the rear wall 124 projects above the top 42 is substantially constant but, like the front wall 104, the rear wall 124 merges at opposite ends with arcuate side walls 128 and 130.

The arcuate side walls 128 and 130 project upwardly from the perimeter of the top 42 and extend circumferentially towards the front of the spout portion 38. Like the arcuate side walls 108 and 110, arcuate side walls 128 and 130 progressively taper in height so that, at an end remote from the rear wall 124, the arcuate side walls and the rear land 102 which they in part define merge smoothly with the top 42.

Towards the rear of the spout portion 38 and rearwardly of the rear wall 124 the top 42 is provided with a groove 132 which extends parallel to the second wall of the right-angled recess 126 and therefore parallel to the rear wall 124. The purpose of this groove 132 will be described below.

As stated previously, and as illustrated, in addition to the spout portion 38 the closure also comprises a cover portion 40. The cover portion 40 is sized so as to be capable of fitting over the spout 90 in a closed position to prevent the ingress of dirt or - 21 contaminants and so may be of a generally domed construction.

In the example illustrated, and in the closed position, the cover portion 40 comprises a generally horizontal top 136 having an undersurface 138. The top 136 merges towards the rear of the cover portion with a downwardly and rearwardly extending wall 140 of arcuate cross-section whereas, towards the front of the cover portion, the top merges with a downwardly and forwardly extending wall 142, again of arcuate cross- section but this time having a greater radius of curvature. To either side, the top 136 merges with one of a respective pair of concave walls 144 and 146 which serve to define lateral dimples 148 and 150. At the rear of the cover portion 40, and at an end remote from the top 136, the downwardly and rearwardly extending wall 140 merges with a planar, downwardly extending wall 152 before terminating in a somewhat raised lower edge 154. A right-angled cutaway portion defined by mutually spaced, vertically extending side walls 151 and 153 extends upwardly within the planar, downwardly extending wall 152 from the somewhat raised lower edge 154 to terminate in a generally horizontal edge 155. By contrast, towards the front, the downwardly and forwardly extending wall 142 merges at an end remote from the top 136 with a planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156. A downwardly directed arrow 158 may be printed, formed or otherwise displayed on this planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156 which terminates in a forwardly extending flange 160.

To either side of the cover portion 40, the concave walls 144 and 146 which define the lateral dimples 148 and 150 merge, at an end remote from the top 136,with respective arcuate side walls 162 and 164. These arcuate side walls 162 and 164 in turn merge, at the rear of the cover portion 40, with the - 22 planar, downwardly extending wall 152 and, at the front, with an arcuate panel 166 which overlies and is spaced forwardly of the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156. All three of the arcuate side walls 162 and 164 and the acuate pannel 166 have the same centre and radius of curvature.

Thus, the arcuate side walls 162 and 164 and the arcuate panel 166 serve to provide the cover portion with a substantially circular outline save that the planar, downwardly extending wall 152 extends as a chord somewhat truncating the circular nature of the cover portion when viewed from below. Furthermore, the arcuate side walls 162 and 164 terminate at respective lower edges 168 and 170 which, at the front of the cover portion 40, are flush with an undersurface 194 of the forwardly extending flange 160 and which merge, towards the rear of the cover portion, with the somewhat raised lower edge 154 of the planar, downwardly extending wall 152 to define an edge profile 172.

Towards the front of the cover portion 40, the forwardly extending flange 160 is shaped so as to present an arcuate front surface 174 having an arcuate upper edge 176. A vertical slot 178 extends rearwardly through the centre of the arcuate front surface 174 before branching left and right to define laterally extending slots 180 and 182 bounded to the rear by the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156. At the same time, a centrally located slot 184, defined by opposing slot edges 186 and 188, extends upwardly through the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156 starting at its lower edge. As a result, the forwardly extending flange 160 defines opposed fingers 187 and 189, each comprising, in addition to the arcuate front surface 174, a rear surface 190 spaced from, but facing towards, the planar downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156, an - 23 upper surface 192 and an under surface 194. As stated previously, the under surface 194 is flush with the lower edges 168 and 170 of the arcuate side walls 162 and 164 while the arcuate upper edge 176 is formed at the intersection of the arcuate front surface 174 and the upper surface 192.

Above the forwardly extending flange 160, the words "push to open" may be printed, formed or otherwise displayed on the arcuate panel 166. Unlike the arcuate side walls 162 and 164, the arcuate panel 166 does not terminate flush with the undersurface of the forwardly extending flange 160. Instead, the arcuate panel 166 terminates immediately above the forwardly extending flange 160 such that a radially inner lower edge 196 of the panel merges with the arcuate upper edge 176 of the flange to form a linear frangible connection.

A vertically extending septum 198 extends rearwardly from the centre of the arcuate panel 166 to bridge the gap between the arcuate panel and the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156.

The septum 198 is positioned so as to be in alignment with the centrally located slot 184. Furthermore, the septum 198 merges, at an end remote from the arcuate panel 166, with the opposed slot edges 186 and 188 to form two further linear frangible connections. On an upper surface, the septum 198 is provided with a plurality of mutually spaced, laterally extending ribs 200.

Elsewhere, the undersurface 138 of the top 136 is provided with a central depending annular plug 202 defined by radially inner and outer walls 204 and 206.

The radially outer plug wall 206 merges, at an end remote from the top 136, with a generally downwardly and radially inwardly directed surface 208. This downwardly and radially inwardly directed surface 208 intersects the radially inner plug wall 204 and - 24 together serve to provide the annular plug 202 with a bevelled radially outer surface and a tapering cross section.

Disposed on circumferentially opposite sides of the annular plug 202, the undersurface 138 is also provided with a pair of depending arcuate projections 210 and 212 having the same radius of curvature. The arcuate projections 210 and 212 are spaced from the annular plug 202 in the forward and rear directions and each has a centre of curvature which coincides with the centre of the annular plug 202. Thus, each of the arcuate projections 210 and 212 define, with the annular plug 202, a respective arcuate channel 214 and 216.

Although both the arcuate projections 210 and 212 extend around the annular plug 202 through an angle of approximately 90 , the arcuate projection 210 positioned towards the front of the cover portion 40 extends from the undersurface 138 to a greater extent than the rear arcuate projection 212. However, both arcuate projections 210 and 212 extend further than the annular plug 202.

Like the annular plug 202, the front arcuate projection 210 is defined by respective radially inner and outer walls 218 and 220. However, unlike the annular plug 202, in the case of the front arcuate projection 210 it is the radially inner wall 218 that merges, at an end remote from the top 136, with a generally downwardly and radially outwardly directed surface 222. This downwardly and radially outwardly directed surface 222 intersects the radially outer wall 220 and together serve to provide the front arcuate projection 210 with a bevelled radially inner surface and a tapering cross-section.

Similarly, the rear arcuate projection 212 is also defined by radially inner and outer walls 224 and 226. As with the forward arcuate projection 210, the - 25 radially inner wall 224 merges, at an end remote from the top 136, with a generally downwardly and radially outwardly directed surface 228. This downwardly and radially outwardly directed surface 228 intersects the radially outer wall 226 and together serve to provide the rear arcuate projection 212 with a bevelled radially inner surface and a tapering cross-section.

The cover portion 40 is formed integrally with the spout portion 38 of polypropylene to which it is joined by a web 230 although other materials may also be used such as Linear Low Density Polyethelene (LLDPE) or High Density Polyethelene (HOPE).

Specifically the web 230 extends from the lower skirt portion 54 at the rear of the spout portion 38 and merges at an opposite end with the planar, downwardly extending wall 152 at the rear of the cover portion 40. However, the web 230 not only serves to join the cover portion 40 to the spout portion 38 but also allows the cover portion to be moved between the closed position previously mentioned in which the cover portion overlies the spout 90 and an open position in which the spout is exposed.

Assuming the cover portion 40 to initially be in the open position, it can be seen that the part of the lower skirt portion 54 from which the web 230 extends is shaped so as to provide a rearwardly extending surface 232 in the same plane as an upper surface of the ratchet teeth 58. The rearwardly extending surface 232 has a lateral dimension the same as that of the web 230 to which it is joined at a rear most edge along a laterally extending line of reduced thickness 234. Thereafter, the web 230 increases in thickness with the opposed surfaces of the web 236 and 238 being joined by a diverging surface 240.

The web 230 extends rearwardly of the spout portion 38 in a generally horizontal plane to define a first web portion 242. However, at an end remote from - 26 the lower skirt portion 54, the first web portion 242 merges with a second rearwardly and downwardly inclined web portion 244. For cosmetic purposes this second web portion 244 may be provided on its undersurface with a plurality of ribs 246 which extend longitudinally of the web 230 and have the same general size and shape as the knurls 66.

At an end remote from the first web portion 242, the second web portion 244 merges with a short third web portion 248 of generally arcuate crosssection.

This third web portion 248 in turn merges with a fourth web portion 250 which, with the closure in the open condition, once again inclines rearwardly and downwardly. A latterly extending ridge 252 projects upwardly from the third web portion 248 while, at an end remote from the third web portion, the fourth web portion 250 tapers to merge with the generally horizontal edge 155 of the right-angled cutaway portion formed within the planar, downwardly extending wall 152. The vertically extending side walls of the cutaway portion 151 and 153 are spaced so as to receive the lateral dimension of the web 230 while the tapering of the fourth web portion 240 creates at the horizontal edge 155 a second laterally extending line of reduced thickness 254.

The spout portion 38, cover portion 40 and web 230 are preferably integrally formed in an injection molding process. Under such circumstances, in order to facilitate the molding process, the injection point preferably coincides with the first web portion 242.

This not only means that the plastics material from which the closure is formed has to flow a substantially equal distance from the point of injection to form both the spout portion 38 and the cover portion 40 but also that the flash which inevitable results around the point of injection does so in a commercially acceptable region of the design.

In order to form the internal and external detail on both the spout portion 38 and the cover portion 40, the closure is moulded in the open position with the spout 90 exposed. Thereafter the cover portion 40 is moved to the closed position. In so doing the web 230, and in particular the first and second laterally extending lines of reduced thickness 234 and 254, acts as a double hinge.

Thus, in moving from the open position shown in Figures 5-6, 11-13 and 1516 to the closed position shown in Figures 3 and 7-10 the first web portion 242 is pivoted about the first laterally extending line of reduced thickness 234 until such time as the diverging surface 240 abuts the rearwardly extending surface 232. In this position, as shown in Figure 10, the first web portion 242 extends upwardly and radially inwardly from the first laterally extending line of reduced thickness 234 to overlie the generally radially outwardly directed shoulder 52.

With the diverging surface 240 abutting the rearwardly extending surface 232, the second web portion 244 extends upwardly to overlie and extend slightly beyond the depending annular side wall 48.

The provision of the ribs 246 on what was previously I an undersurface of the second web portion but which, in the closed position, becomes a radially outer surface serves to harmonize the appearance of the web 230 with that of the depending annular side wall 48 with its knurls 66. In order to facilitate the mutual abutment of the second web portion 244 and the depending annular side wall 48, the knurls 66 may be omitted from the underlying region of the depending annular side wall which may additionally be recessed in order that, when in the closed position, the overlying portion of the web 230 does not increase the overall diameter of the spout portion 38.

The third web portion 248 curves over the - 28 junction between the top 42 and the depending annular side wall 48 to occupy a position within the central right-angled recess 126, the first and third walls of which are spaced by a distance greater than the lateral dimension of the web 230. At the same time the laterally extending ridge 252 is received within the groove 132. As the cover portion 40 continues to move towards the closed position so it now starts to pivot with respect to the web 230 about the second laterally extending line of reduced thickness 254. As a consequence, the fourth web portion 250 hinges about the generally horizontal edge 155 to occupy the space created by the right-angled cutaway portion and ultimately takes up a position co-planar with the planar, downwardly extending wall 152.

During this motion, the annular plug 202 is received within the bore of the spout 90 with the radially outer plug wall 206 in sealing engagement with the substantially smooth cylindrical wall 94.

Although the receipt of the annular plug 202 is partly facilitated by its bevelled radially outer surface and tapering cross-section, more importantly the positioning of the radially outer plug wall 206 in sealing engagement with the substantially smooth cylindrical wall 94 is guided by the action of the front and rear arcuate projections 210 and 212.

Although the rear arcuate projection 212 is closer to the hinge represented by the second laterally extending line of reduced thickness 254, because the front arcuate projection 210 extends from the undersurface 138 to a greater extent, both arcuate projections engage the spout 90 at substantially the same moment as the cover portion 40 is moved from the open to the closed position. The arcuate projections 210 and 212 are positioned so as to engage the exterior surface of the spout 90 while the generally downwardly and radially outwardly directed surfaces - 29 222 and 228, which naturally are the first surfaces of the arcuate projections to come into contact with the spout 90, serve to guide the annular rim 92 into the arcuate channels 214 and 216. This process is further facilitated by the piano-convex nature of the bulbous annular portion 96 when viewed in cross-section.

With the radially outer plug wall 206 in sealing engagement with the substantially smooth cylindrical wall 94, the annular rim 92 received within the arcuate channels 214 and 216, and the radially inner walls 218 and 224 of both the front and rear arcuate projections 210 and 212 in engagement with an exterior surface of the bulbous annular portion 96, the cover portion 40 provides more than adequate sealing when in the closed position to prevent the accidental spilling of the contents of the container 12.

At the front of the closure, as the cover portion approaches the fully closed position so the forwardly extending flange 160 engages the two detents 112. In particular, the undersurface 194 of the opposed fingers 187 and 189 comes into engagement with the downwardly and forwardly inclined surface 118.

Continued movement of the cover portion 40 towards the closed position causes the edge defined by the intersection of the undersurface 194 and the rear surface 190 to slide down the downwardly and forwardly inclined surface 118 while, at the same time, deflecting the opposed fingers 187 and 189 radially outwardly. It will be noted that this radial deflection is permitted as a result of the resilient nature of the material from which the opposed fingers 187 and 189 are formed and by the structure defined by the vertical slot 178 and the laterally extending slots 180 and 182.

Ultimately, the opposed fingers 187 and 189 slide past the detents 112 and snap back into position by virtue of their inherent resilience such that the - 30 generally rearwardly extending surface 120 overlies the upper surface 192. In this position the cover portion 40 is fully closed with the undersurface 194 of the forwardly extending flange 160 abutting the top 42. At the same time, the arcuate side walls 162 and 164 pass around the outside of the arcuate side walls 108 and 110 so that the lower edges 168 and 170 also abut the perimeter of the top 42. By contrast, at the; rear of the closure, the arcuate side walls 128 and 130 abut the somewhat raised lower edge 154.

Thus, in the closed position, the cover portion not only seals the spout 90 against accidental spillage of the contents of the container but also completely encloses the spout thereby preventing the ingress of dirt or other contaminants onto those surfaces of the spout which a user might subsequently place in his or her mouth.

Although the closure has been described as comprising a spout portion 38 in which arcuate side walls 128 and 130 project upwardly from the perimeter of the top 42 and a cover portion 40 in which the planar, downwardly extending wall 152, terminates in a somewhat raised lower edge 154, this need not necessarily be the case. In an alternative arrangement the arcuate side walls 128 and 130 may be disposed radially inwardly of the perimeter of the top 42 in the same way as the arcuate side walls 108 and 110. Under such circumstances the planar, downwardly extending wall 152 may terminate at a lower edge in the same plane as lower edges 168 and 170. This not only enables the lower edge of the planar, downwardly extending wall 152 to abut the perimeter of the top 42 when the cover portion 40 is in the closed position, but also prevents the arcuate side walls 162 and 164 from being squeezed inwardly.

Inadvertent or unauthorized opening of the closure is prevented by the engagement of the upper - 31 surface 192 of the opposed fingers 187 and 189 with the generally rearwardly extending surface 120 of the detents 112. This engagement prevents the cover portion 40 being moved from the closed position to the open position and so prevents the spout 90 from being exposed.

In order to initially open the closure a user must first press the arcuate panel 166 rearwardly, ; breaking the frangible connection between the radially inner lower edge 196 of the pannel and the arcuate upper edge 176 of the forwardly extending flange 160.

Once this frangible connection has been broken, the arcuate pannel 166 is free to move rearwardly under a continued pressure applied by the user by virtue of the space that exists between the pannel's starting position and the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156. In so doing, the arcuate pannel 166 engages the detents 112, pushing them rearwardly so that the generally rearwardly extending surface 120 no longer overlies the upper surface 192 of the opposed fingers 187 and 189. This in turn permits the cover portion 40 to be hinged rearwardly with respect to the spout portion 38. However, at the same time as engaging the detents 112, the rearward movement of the arcuate pannel 166 causes the septum 198 to also move rearwardly, breaking the frangible connections between it and the opposed slot edges 186 and 188. With these frangible connections broken, the septum 198 is free to move rearwardly through the centrally located slot 184 provided in the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156 until such time as further rearward movement is prevented by thereceipt of the septum within the central vertical recess 106 of the front wall 104.

Having disengaged the detents 112 from the opposed fingers 187 and 189 by pushing them rearwardly, if a user were now to relax their rearward pressure on the arcuate pannel 166 it might be thought that the pannel would return to its starting position by virtue of the resilient nature of the material from which the closure is formed thereby allowing the detents to similarly return into engagement with the opposed fingers. However, this is prevented by virtue of the laterally extending ribs 200 which are provided on an upper surface of the septum 198 and which serve to engage a rear surface of the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156 once the septum has been pushed through the slot 184. This prevents the septum 198 from returning to its starting position and with it the arcuate pannel 166 which consequently maintains a rearward pressure on the detents 112.

Under these circumstances, a user may simply pivot the cover portion 40 rearwardly by pressing upwardly on either the planar, downwardly and forwardly extending wall 156 or the arcuate pannel 166. By so doing the forwardly extending flange 160 is lifted over the detents 112 which pass through the apertures defined by the laterally extending slots 180 and 182.

The interaction of the laterally extending ridge 252 with the groove 132 causes the rearward pivotal movement of the cover portion 40 to take place initially about the second laterally extending line of reduced thickness 254. However thereafter, once the laterally extending ridge has been moved out of engagement with the groove, further rearward pivotal movement takes place about the first laterally extending line of reduced thickness 234.

Once the cover portion 40 has been moved to the open position a user may invert the container 12 and place the spout 90 in their mouth in order to drink the contents of the container.

The fact that the web 230 acts as a double hinge means that the cover portion 40 can be pivoted from an open position to a closed position without compromising the height of the spout which can be maintained at an acceptable dimension for a user.

At the same time, again because the web 230 acts as a double hinge, when the cover portion 40 is in the open position, it is sufficiently far removed from the spout 90 as not to interfere with the user's enjoyment of the contents of the container.

Once the closure has been initially opened by - pressing rearwardly on the arcuate pannel 166, the cover portion 40 may be moved between the open and closed positions as many times as desired.

Although the initial opening of the closure has been described as requiring the breaking of three frangible connections, this may be varied if so required. For example, the septum 198 may be formed so as to be joined to only one of the opposed slot edges 186 or 188 or, indeed, to neither of them.

Alternatively, if the septum 198 is joined to at least one of the opposed slot edges 186 and 188, the arcuate panel 166 may nonetheless be formed so as to terminate in spaced relation to the forwardly extending flange 160. In this way the described frangible connection between the inner lower edge 196 of the panel and the arcuate upper edge 176 of the flange may be omitted. - 34

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A closure comprising a spout portion and a cover portion, the

cover portion being formed integrally with the spout portion and joined thereto by an elongate web, the web being adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the spout portion about a first hinge and adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the cover portion about a second hinge, the first and second hinges being mutually spaced and extending transverse to the length of the web.
2. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the axes of the first and second hinges are parallel.
3. A closure in accordance with claim 2, wherein the axes of the first and second hinges extend perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the web.
4. A closure in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the spout portion is provided with a formation which serves to guide the movement of the web as the web pivots with respect to the spout portion about said first hinge.
5. A closure in accordance with claim 4, wherein the web is received within said formation at one extreme of travel as the web pivots with respect to the spout portion about said first hinge.
6. A closure in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the spout portion comprises a spout and the cover portion is moveable with respect to the spout portion between an open position in which the spout is exposed and a closed position in which the spout is covered by the cover portion.
7. A closure in accordance with claim 6, wherein the spout has a length of greater than 8mm.
8. A closure in accordance with claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the web is joined to the spout portion at a base of the spout.
9. A closure in accordance with any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the web is provided with a first formation and the spout portion is provided with a second complimentary formation, said first and second formations engaging when the cover portion is in the closed position such that any pivotal movement of the cover portion with respect to the spout portion takes place first about said second hinge and then about said first hinge.
10. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein one of said first and second formations comprises a groove and the other said first and second formations comprises a ridge receivable within said groove, the formation provided on the web extending transversely to the length of the web.
11. A closure in accordance with claim 10, wherein the formation provided on the web comprises a ridge which extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the web.
12. A closure in accordance with any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the cover portion includes means for sealingly engaging the spout when the cover portion is in the closed position.
13. A closure in accordance with any of claims 6 to - 36 12, wherein the spout defines a bore and the cover portion defines a plug adapted to sealingly engage an interior surface of the bore when the cover portion is in the closed position.
14. A closure in accordance with claim 13, wherein the cover portion is provided with means to guide the plug into sealing engagement with the interior surface of the bore as the cover portion is moved from the open to the closed position.
15. A closure in accordance with claim 14, wherein said guide means comprises a formation provided on the cover portion which is adapted to engage an exterior surface of the spout as the cover portion is moved from the open to the closed position.
16. A closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein said guide means additionally serve to sealingly engage an exterior surface of the spout when the cover portion is in the closed position.
17. A closure in accordance with any preceding claim, i wherein the spout portion comprises a spout defining a bore through which fluid may flow out of the closure and a passageway, separate from the bore, through which air may flow into the closure.
18. A closure in accordance with claim 17, wherein the passageway is defined by a tube which merges with an interior wall of the spout.
19. A closure in accordance with claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the passageway extends along an axis parallel to an axis of the spout.
20. A closure in accordance with any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the passageway has an axial extent greater than that of the spout but not so great as to project beyond the periphery of the closure.
21. A closure in accordance with any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the passageway is positioned eccentrically of the spout. ;
22. A closure in accordance with claim 21, wherein the passageway is positioned on the same side of the spout as the join between the web and the spout portion.
23. A closure in accordance with any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the passageway has a dimension transverse to its longitudinal axis which is approximately half that of the corresponding transverse dimension of the spout.
24. A closure for use with a container, the closure comprising a first part and a second part, the second part being moveable with respect to the first part from a closed position to an open position to allow access to the contents of the container, one of the first and second parts having a detent and the other of said parts having a formation engageable by the detent when the second part is in the closed position to retain the second part in the closed position, one of the first and second parts additionally comprising frangible means which, when broken, is adapted to engage the detent or formation on the other of said parts and move the detent or formation out of engagement with the previously engaging structure, thereby permitting the second part to be moved to the open position.
25. A closure in accordance with claim 24, wherein < 1 - 38 the second part is hinged with respect to the first part.
26. A closure in accordance with claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the detent comprises an undercut and the formation comprises a surface which, in the closed position, confronts a surface of the undercut.
27. A closure in accordance with any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the formation comprises a rim of an aperture and the detent comprises a surface which, in the closed position, confronts said rim, the detent passing through said aperture when the second part is in the closed position.
28. A closure in accordance with any of claims 24 to 27, wherein said frangible means is adapted to engage the detent and move the detent out of engagement with the formation.
29. A closure in accordance with any of claims 24 to 28, wherein the detent is provided on the first part and the formation is provided on the second part.
30. A closure in accordance with any of claims 24 to 29, wherein said frangible means is provided with restraining means to prevent said frangible means from returning to a position occupied by said frangible means prior to said frangible means being broken.
31. A closure in accordance with claim 30, wherein, when broken, said frangible means is adapted to move in a first direction with respect to said one of the first and second parts of which said frangible means is comprised, said restraining means comprising a formation provided on one or both of said frangible means and said one of the first and second parts to l - 39 prevent said frangible means from moving in a second direction with respect to said one of the first and second parts, said second direction being opposite to said first direction.
32. A closure in accordance with claim 30 or claim 31 wherein, when broken, a portion of said frangible means is adapted to pass through a slot provided in said one of the first and second parts of which said frangible means is comprised, said restraining means comprising a formation provided on said portion to prevent the return of said portion through the slot.
33. A closure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
34. A container in combination with a closure, the closure being in accordance with any preceding claim.
35. A container in combination with a closure, the combination being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.