Description

The present invention relates to a closure for a container and to a system with a container and with such a closure. Such closures are typically used for dispensing products contained in a container to which said closure is attached.

The products to be dispensed are typically fluid products, like e.g. liquids or powdered or granular products, e.g. for cleaning substances, detergents, but also in other applications, e.g. in the food or beverage area or for other products.

The present invention especially relates to a closure having a flip-top lid being attached to a base element by a hinge, while such a flip-top lid can be moved between an opened and a closed position, while said flip-top lid is typically rotated around said hinge and around an axis of rotation between its opened and its closed position.

Such closures are for example known from WO 2007/ 134618 Ai.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an enhanced closure for a container and an enhanced system comprising a container and such a closure. Especially it is an object of the present invention to provide an enhanced closure or system which is specifically user- friendly.

This object is solved by a closure for a container according to claim 1 and a system with a container and such a closure according to claim 21. Claims 2 to 20 refer to specifically advantageous realizations of the closure according to claim 1, claim 22 refers to a method for manufacturing such a closure.

The closure according to the present invention comprises a base element and a flip-top lid attached to said base element by a hinge such that the flip-top lid can be moved between an opened and a closed position. Preferably said flip-top lid is rotated around an axis of rotation between its opened and its closed position. Depending on the kind of hinge, the axis of rotation may be always in a fixed position relative to the base element and/ or the flip-top lid, but the axis of rotation maybe also movable relative to the base element and/or the flip-top lid, especially due to the flexibility of the hinge material and/or the material of the base element or the flip-top lid, depending on different positions of the flip-top lid relative to the base element.

The closure according to the present invention also comprises a spout for dispensing a fluid material, wherein said spout can be a separate element, attachable to or attached to said base element, but said spout can be also integrally formed with said base element.

The base element comprises a skirt with attachment means for attaching the closure to a container, a deck portion from which said spout extends, and a 1 ^st engagement element. The flip-top lid comprises a top cover element and an outer side wall extending therefrom, said outer side wall comprising a 2 ^nd engagement element. Such top cover element may have a an essentially flat form, being essentially parallel to the deck portion, when the flip-top lid is in its closed position, however, the top cover element may also take any other form. There may be an edge between the top cover element and the outer side wall extending therefrom, however, it is also possible that the top cover element continuously extends into the outer side-wall, e.g. when the flip-top lid has a dome like form. The outer side wall may have an essentially cylindrical or conical form, or it is partially dome like formed, possibly unitarily with the top cover element.

In connection with the description of the closure according to the present invention, the closure has a vertical axis or z-axis, extending in a vertical direction. In case of a base element, which has an essentially cylindrical outer form or a cylindrical skirt, as it is typically or frequently the case, see also the embodiment shown lateron in this specification, this vertical axis or z-axis is also the longitudinal axis of this cylindrically formed base element or skirt. The upward direction of this vertical axis or z-axis is the direction where the flip-top lid is positioned, the flip-top lid defining an upper part of the closure, whereas the downward direction of this vertical axis or z-axis is the direction where the base or base element is positioned, defining a lower part of the closure. The lower part of the closure is therefore the part of the closure which is attached or attachable to a container, whereas the upper part of the closure is the part of the closure where the flip-top lid is arranged, at an opposite side of the closure which is attached or attachable to a container.

In addition to this vertical axis or z-axis, there are also two horizontal axes, a cross axis or x- axis and a longitudinal axis or y-axis, being normal to each other and being normal to the vertical axis or z-axis, thereby defining a coordinate system. The longitudinal axis or y-axis extends through the middle of the closure and through the middle or the center of the hinge, whereas the cross axis or x-axis extends normal thereto.

According to the present invention said 1 ^st engagement element and said 2 ^nd engagement element are arranged and positioned such that they engage with each other, when said flip- top lid is in its closed position and when no force is exerted onto said outer side wall of said flip-top lid, thereby preventing an opening of said flip-top lid, and such that said 2 ^nd engagement element is moved into a disengagement direction when a pressing force, having at least a component being parallel to a rotation axis of said flip-top lid is exerted onto said outer side wall of said flip-top lid such that the distance between opposing parts of the outer side wall in a direction parallel to said rotation axis is reduced and such that the distance between opposing parts of the outer side wall in a direction perpendicular to said rotation axis is enlarged by a flexible deformation of said outer side wall, thereby enabling an opening of said flip-top lid, when additionally exerting a force onto said flip-top lid into an opening direction.

The closure according to the present invention thereby has the advantage of maintaining a very user-friendly handling, while requiring 2 simultaneous actions or 2 simultaneous applications or exertions of force onto the flip-top lid in different directions in order to bring the flip-top lid out of its closed position. The closure according to the present invention therefore realizes both a very convenient handling for the users and a child resistance function for the flip-top lid, while still realizing an easy to manufacture closure, so that costs for manufacturing of the closure can be kept low.

In this respect it has to be noted that in cases where the closure is used in system where the closure is integrally formed with the container or non-releasably attached to the container, a complete child resistance system is automatically provided. In cases where the closure has to be attached to the container, child resistance attachment means for attaching the closure or the base of the closure to the container have to be used, which are known from the prior art.

According to a specifically preferred embodiment said deck portion comprises a protrusion extending from said deck portion, in an upward or vertical upward direction or in a direction in z-axis towards the position of flip-top lid when being in its closed position. This protrusion is preferably fully enclosed or covered by a space defined between the deck portion and the flip-top lid when said flip-top lid is in its closed position. Preferably the protrusion is positioned such that it abuts against an inner surface of said outer side wall of said flip-top lid at at least two opposed positions at the circumference of the closure, the first position being a position nearest to the hinge, the second position being opposite therefrom. Preferably the abutments therefore occur essentially in a x-z-plane or cross-section through the hinge of the closure and being perpendicular to the plane defined by the deck portion.

The protrusion according to a specific embodiment is preferably further positioned such that it does not abut against an inner surface of said outer side wall of said flip-top, and such that a gap is created between the protrusion and the inner side wall of said flip-top lid, at at least two opposed position at the circumference of the closure being between the two positions at which the protrusion abuts against an inner surface of said outer side wall of said flip-top lid.

In a preferred embodiment and when viewing the disclosure from a top side, with the hinge being in the 12 o’clock position, the abutment of the protrusion with an inner surface of the outer side wall of said flip-top lid occurs in the 12 o’clock position and in the 6 o’clock position, while in the 3 o’clock position and in the 9 o’clock position there is a gap between protrusion and an inner surface of the outer side wall of said flip-top lid, when said flip-top lid is in its closed position and when no force is exerted onto said flip-top lid.

According to a specific embodiment, said deck portion of said base element comprises a protrusion extending beyond the plane defined by said deck portion, being arranged and positioned such that the protrusion abuts against an inner surface of said outer side wall when viewed in a 1 ^st cross-sectional plane, preferably a y-z-plane, through said closure extending through the hinge and being perpendicular to said rotation axis and being perpendicular to said deck portion of said base element and such that there is a gap between the protrusion and an inner surface of said outer side wall when viewed in a 2 ^nd cross- sectional plane, preferably a x-z-plane, through said closure being perpendicular to said 1 ^st cross-sectional plane and being perpendicular to said deck portion of said base element when no force is exerted onto said outer side wall of said flip-top lid and when said flip-top lid is in its closed position.

Such embodiments have the advantage that the outer side walls of said flip-top lid cannot be pushed or moved closer together by exerting a pushing or pressing force into a direction of an axis crossing the hinge (y-axis), but only when exerting a force onto the outer side walls of said flip-top lid in a direction normal to or essentially normal to a plane (y-z-plane) being normal to said deck portion and crossing the hinge. Furthermore and due to the defined extension or dimension of the gap, the outer side walls can be pushed together or moved closer together such that the distance between these opposing parts of the outer side wall is reduced to a certain extent, until the gap is closed. The flexible deformation of the flip-top lid is therefore controlled to occur only in predetermined extent, and the abutment of the inner surfaces of said outer side wall after exerting a sufficient force such that the inner surfaces abut the protrusion gives the user a feedback, especially a haptic feedback, indicating that now an opening of the flip-top lid is possible by additionally exerting a force onto said flip- top lid into an opening direction, initially in upward direction (z-axis).

The closure according to this embodiment therefore provides a specifically clear indication and feedback to the user as to when the first action into a first direction (pushing or pressing sidewalls of the outer side wall of the flip-top lid together) is sufficiently accomplished to start the second simultaneous action into a second direction (moving the flip-top lid in an opening position, initially in an upward direction, into the direction of the z-axis, overall in a rotatably movement around the rotation axis), so that a specifically advantageous realization of the child resistance functioning connection of the base element with the flip-top lid is realized.

Preferably, the size of the gap is in the area of about 1 mm to to mm, more preferably in an area of about 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably of about 2 mm to 5 mm, while the preferred thickness of the material of the outer side wall is in the area of about 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, said protrusion extends around the complete or essentially the complete circumference on the deck portion of said base element. The above described functions could thereby be realized in a specifically advantageous way, while both an easy manufacturing is realized and while providing a preferred visual appearance of the base element, when said flip-top lid is in its opened position.

In a further preferred embodiment, said protrusion has an oval or an essentially oval form, or has an essentially closed, curved form, with a maximum outer 1 ^st distance or extension (di) measured within the plane defined by the upper deck and in a direction crossing the hinge (y- axis), and with a maximum outer 2 ^nd distance or extension (d2) measured within the plane defined by the upper deck and in a direction (y-axis) parallel to the rotation axis, wherein the maximum 1 ^st distance or extension (di) is larger than the maximum 2 ^nd distance or extension (d2). Further preferably, said protrusion is arranged and dimensioned such that a first distance (di) between opposing parts of said protrusion is larger in a direction parallel to said 1 ^st cross-sectional plane extending through the hinge and parallel to said deck portion of said base element than a second distance (d2) in a direction parallel to said 2 ^nd cross-sectional plane and parallel to said deck portion of said base element.

In a further preferred embodiment, said protrusion has an oval or an essentially oval form or a stadium or essentially a stadium form, with an axis of symmetry (y-axis) extending parallel to the plane defined by said deck portion and extending through the middle of the hinge, the oval or stadium form of said protrusion having its maximum extension measured along this axis of symmetry (y-axis).

Further preferably, said oval or essentially oval form or said stadium or essentially stadium has a minimum extension measured along an axis (x-axis) perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (y-axis), parallel to the plane (x-y-plane) defined by the deck portion and extending through the center of the closure.

The above-mentioned functions can therefore be realized in a specifically advantageous way, especially in case the closure should not be operated in an absolute correct way, i.e. in case the 1 ^st action of pressing the outer side walls of said flip-top lid not exactly realized by the user in a direction normal to the y-z-plane, while still realizing the desired functionality.

In one preferred embodiment said protrusion extends around the complete circumference of the deck portion of said base element in an uninterrupted way. This realizes an easy way for manufacturing and a nice visual appearance of the deck portion when said flip-top lid is in its opened position.

Alternatively, said protrusion extends around the complete circumference of the deck portion of said base element, however, with at least one interruption around the circumference, the total angular range of all interruptions summing up to a maximum of 90°. this realization provides the further opportunity to save material and thereby both weight and costs of the closure, while not influencing the desired functioning in a negative way.

According to a specific embodiment said 1 ^st engagement element is flexible such that it can be partly flexed into an inward direction (alternatively the 2 ^nd element can be partly flexed into an outward direction). This realization has the advantage that it is possible to move the flip- top lid out of its closed position in a situation, when the 2 ^nd engagement element has been moved into a disengagement direction by a pressing force applied to a user, while still the 1 ^st engagement element and the 2 ^nd engagement element are not fully out of engagement. The force applied onto said flip-top lid by the user into an opening, initially upward, direction would thereby flex the 1 ^st engagement element, preferably radially inwardly, so that the 1 ^st engagement element and the 2 ^nd engagement element can be released from each other such that the flip-top lid can be opened. Preferably, the flexibility is realized such that an opening of the flip-top lid by exerting a force into an opening direction is only possible when a maximum overlap of the two engagement elements does not exceed l mm, preferably does not exceed 0.5 mm.

In preferred realizations of the closure according to the present invention, the first extension or distance d is larger than the second extension or distance d ₂ by an amount of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably by an amount of 1 mm to 3 mm, more preferably by an amount of 2 mm to 3 mm. Further preferably, the 1 ^st engagement element and the 2 ^nd engagement element are positioned and arranged such that they overlap each other, in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation and parallel to the plane defined by said deck portion, by 0.3 mm to 3 mm, preferably by 0.5 mm to 2 mm, more preferably by 1 mm to 1.5 mm.

The closure according to the present invention can be realized in different sizes. Typically the closure has an essentially circular cross-section, with typical diameters being in the area of about 20 mm to 50 mm.

According to a further preferred inventive realization, even independent of the specific realizations as defined in claim 1 and especially of the specific realizations of the 1 ^st and the 2 ^nd engagement element, the present invention relates to a closure for a container with a base element, a flip-top lid and a spout with a dispensing opening, wherein said spout, which extends, at least partly, from a deck portion of said base element, comprises a dispensing opening, being at least partly directed towards a an outward or radial outward direction and towards the position of the hinge and/or having a main dispensing direction at least partly directed towards an outward or radial outward direction and towards the position of the hinge in other words, the dispensing opening and/or the main dispensing direction is not oriented exactly in an upward or vertical direction, along a z-axis, but slightly tilted, preferably tilted towards the hinge, in the y-z-plane, by an angle of about 20° to 50°, preferably by 20° to 40°, more preferably by 20° to 30° relative to the vertical or z-axis.

This has the advantage that the dispensing direction can be specifically adapted to a specific application, and such a closure is specifically advantageous for so-called “toilet closures”, i.e. for closures which are used for systems (container with a closure) for dispensing toilet cleaning liquids to be dispensed, preferably with pressure, preferably in an upward direction, under the frame or rim of a toilet boil. The container can be preferably held within the toilet bowl, preferably in an inward direction, with the closure in a downside position, in a range of about 30 ⁰ to 45°, as this range is the preferred range for handling such a product, and together with the tilted dispensing direction of the closure, as described above, the application of the system is specifically useful and convenient for the user.

According to a still further preferred inventive realization of a closure, also even independent of the specific realizations as defined in claim l and especially of the specific realizations of the 1 ^st and the 2 ^nd engagement element, the present invention relates to a closure for a container with a base element having a skirt, a flip-top lid and a spout with a dispensing opening, wherein said closure comprises a 1 ^st latching element at the skirt of said base element and a 2 ^nd latching element at the outer side wall of said flip-top lid, wherein said latching elements being arranged and positioned such that they engage with each other when said flip-top lid is in its opened or fully opened position. Preferably said latching element are realized such that they automatically engage with each other when said flip-top lid is brought into its fully opened position, thereby latching the flip-top lid in this fully opened position. A releasing of the flip-top lid out of its fully opened position is preferably only possible when asserting a specific predetermined force into the closing direction.

In a specifically preferred realization of such a closure, the flip-top lid and the hinge are arranged such that the flip-top lid has to be rotated by more than i8o° from its closed position into its fully opened position, in which the 1 ^st latching element and the 2 ^nd latching element engage with each other. Preferred ranges for the angle between the closed position and a fully opened position of the flip-top lid are in the area of about i8o° to 220 ⁰ , preferably 190° to 220 ⁰ , preferably 190° to 200°.

This realization has specific advantages in connection with the above described feature of the spout with a dispensing opening, being at least partly directed towards a radial outward direction and towards the position of the hinge and/or having a main dispensing direction at least partly directed towards a radial outward direction and towards the position of the hinge, as it combines the advantages of the preferred dispensing direction, especially for the so- called toilet closures, while ensuring at the same time that the flip-top lid remains in its fully opened position, such that it does not interfere with the dispensed liquid, avoiding a proper application of the liquid to be dispensed and avoiding a contamination of the flip-top lid with liquid to be dispensed at parts which may be touched by the fingers of the users during normal handling of the closure or the system.

The present invention also relates to a system with a container with a closure as described above, wherein said closure is attachable or attached to the container or wherein said closure is integrally formed with the container. If the closure is attachable or attached to the container, both said closure and said container comprises fastening means, which can interact with each other.

Preferably the closure is attached to the container in a non-releasable way, in order to realize the full child resistant package system (container and closure).

In cases where the closure is integrally formed with the container, it is possible that the system is manufactured at least partly as a unitary system, e.g. the base element or part of the base element could be integrally formed with a part of the container. It is also possible to create such a system by fastening the closure and the container together by various attachment systems, for example by welding or gluing.

These and other advantages of the closure and the system according to the present invention will become even more apparent in view of the following figures showing a preferred embodiment of a closure according to the present invention.

Fig. l shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the closure of the present invention (in a y-z-plane) with the flip-top lid being in its closed position,

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the embodiment of the closure of the present invention (in a y-z-plane) with the flip-top lid being in its fully opened position

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment of the closure of the present invention with the flip-top lid in its opened position ,

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. l along a different plane (x-z-plane) with flip-top lid being in its closed position,

Fig. 5a shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. l (y-z- plane), with no force applied by a user onto the outer side walls of the flip-top lid, Fig. 5b shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 4 (x-z- plane), with no force applied by a user onto the outer side walls of the flip-top lid,

Fig. 6a shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 5a (y-z- plane), with a force applied by a user onto the outer side walls of the flip-top lid,

Fig. 6b shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 5b (x-z- plane), with a force applied by a user onto the outer side walls of the flip-top lid, and

Fig. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 6a (y-z- plane), with a force applied by a user onto the outer side walls of the flip-top lid and with an additional force applied by a user onto the flip-top lid in an opening direction.

Figure 1 and figure 2 show a cross-sectional view (in an y-z-plane) of an embodiment of the closure 10 according to the present invention, having a base element 100 and a flip-top lid 200, being connected to said base element 100 by a hinge 150. The flip-top lid 200 can be moved between a closed position and an open position via a hinge 150 around a rotation axis (155, see figure 3). Figure 1 shows the closure 10 with the flip-top lid 200 in its closed position, while figure 2 shows the flip-top lid 200 in its fully opened position.

The closure 10 comprises a spout 400, which is in this embodiment integrally formed with the base element 100 and which extends in an upward direction, along the z-axis, beyond a deck portion 120 of said base element 100. The spout 400 is not positioned centrally, but is positioned a little bit further away from the hinge 150, along the y-axis, in figure 1 and figure 2 to the left side.

The spout 400 has a dispensing opening 410, positioned at an upper side of the spout 400, but not centrally located, but being directed or tilted towards the position of the hinge 150, such that the main dispensing direction of the liquid to be dispensed is directed not exactly in a vertical direction, along the z-axis, but also has a component in the direction of the y-axis, towards the position of the hinge 150. In this specific embodiment the main dispensing direction is tilted by an angle of about 25 ⁰ . In other embodiment, the tilting angle, measured from the z-axis toward the y-axis and towards the position where the hinge 150 is located, may be different and may be preferably in an area of about 15 ⁰ to 45 ⁰ , preferably between 20° and 30 ⁰ . The flip-top lid 200 comprises a projecting ring 222, which projects from an inner surface of a top cover element 220, essentially in a vertical downward direction along the z-axis, wherein said projecting ring 222 is positioned and dimensioned such that it encloses the spout 400, when the flip-top lid 200 is in its closed position, such that the part of the spout 400, where the dispensing opening 410 is located, is sealed.

Figure 1 shows the closure 10 in its closed position, when no force is exerted onto the closure by a user, so that the flip-top lid 200 is in its closed position and latched in its closed position by engagement of a 1 ^st engagement element 180 with a 2 ^nd engagement element 280.

Both engagement elements 180 and 280 are realized in the form of a hook, which can be especially well seen in figure 2. Above the hook 280 there is an indentation 282 (in an upward direction, when the flip-top lid 200 is in its closed position, as shown in figure 1, along the z-axis) in an inner surface of said upper side wall 280, in which the hook of the 1 ^st engagement element 180 can be inserted, when said flip-top lid 200 is in its closed and latched position.

In this closed and latched position as shown in figure 1, it is not possible to move the flip-top lid 200 out of its closed position without damaging or even destroying at least one of the engagement elements.

The base element too comprises a skirt 110 with attachment means 160, which in this embodiment are realized as internal threads for a connection to corresponding external threads at a neck of a container.

The base element too further comprises the deck portion 120, which is essentially a plane extending in an x-y direction. A protrusion 140 extends from said deck portion 120 in an upward direction (z-axis), said protrusion having an essentially oval form, as can be well seen in figure 3, which will be described hereinafter.

As can be also well seen in figure 1, an inner surface of the outer side wall 240 of said flip-top lid 200 abuts, at those parts shown in this cross-section, namely in an y-z cross-section, extending through the hinge 150, against said protrusion 140, in figure 1 the right side and on the left side, and when referring to figure 3 and the corresponding description, in a 12 o’clock position and in a 6 o’clock position (while there is a gap d _x between an inner surface of the outer side wall 240 of said flip-top lid 200 and those parts shown in a cross-section being normal to the cross-section shown in figure l, namely a cross-section in an x-z-plane, as can be well seen in figure 4 or in figure 5b, and, when again referring to figure 3 and the corresponding description, in a 3 o’clock position and in a 9 o’clock position).

The base element too further comprises a 1 ^st latching element 112 provided at the skirt 110, and the flip-top lid 200 comprises a 2 ^nd latching element 242 provided at the outer side wall 240. The 1 ^st latching element 110 has the form of a notch or groove or indentation, while the 2 ^nd latching element 242 has the form of a protrusion or a knob. The 1 ^st and the 2 ^nd latching elements 112, 242 engage and latch with each other when said flip-top lid 200 is in its fully opened position, as can be well seen in figure 2. In this position, therefore, the flip-top lid 200 is securely kept in this fully opened position, and there is a certain, predetermined force necessary to release the two latching elements from each other, so that the flip-top lid 200 can be moved out of its fully opened position into a closing direction.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment as shown in figures 1 and 2 in a top view. Figure 3 does especially well show the position of the spout 400, not being positioned centralized but shifted on the deck portion 120, along the y-axis, in figures 3 to the left direction, away from the hinge 150 or the rotation axis 155. The dispensing opening 410 is also not positioned centrally on the spout 400, but is partly shifted or tilted into the direction of the y-axis, towards the hinge 150 or the rotation axis 155.

Figure 3 also very well shows the form of the extension of the protrusion 140, extending in a continuously curved form, essentially an oval form, on the deck portion 120. As can be also well seen in figure 3, the maximum extension d of the protrusion 140 in the direction of the y-axis, through the hinge 150, is larger than the maximum extension d ₂ of the protrusion 140 in the direction of the x-axis.

When viewed from top, as shown in figures 3, a 12 o’clock position is a position around the circumference of the closure at the position of the hinge 150, in figure 3 on the right side. Consequently, the 6 o’clock position is on the left side, in the vicinity of the hook 180, the 3 o’clock position is, in figure 3, on the lower side, and the 9 o’clock position is, in figure 3, on the upper side

As can be well seen both in figure 3 and in figure 4, the flip-top lid 200 comprises two actuating or pushing regions 260, essentially at the 3 o’clock position and had the 9 o’clock position, for pushing or pressing the outer side wall 240 together, in an inward direction, in figures 3 at the upper side (9 o’clock position) downwards and at the lower side (3 o’clock position) upwards, and in figure 4 at the left side (3 o’clock position) into the right direction and on the right side (9 o’clock position) into the left direction.

Figure 4 shows the embodiment in a cross-sectional view along the x-z-plane, i.e. in a cross- sectional view being perpendicular to the cross-sectional view shown in figure 1 and figure 2. Figure 4 very well shows the gap between the outer side wall 240, at the actuating or pushing regions 260, and the protrusion 140. The function of this design and especially the gap is explained in further detail in connection with figures 5 and 6.

Figure 5a shows an enlarged partial cross-section of a part of the closure in a y-z-plane (as in figure 1, and in the 6 o’clock position), and figure 5b shows an enlarged partial cross-section of a part of the closure in a x-z-plane (as in figure 4, and in the 3 o’clock position). The closure in figure 5a and in figure 5b is shown in a state is when no force is exerted onto the closure by a user.

As can be well seen in figure 5a, the hooks of the 1 ^st engagement element 180 and the hook of the 2 ^nd engagement element 280 fully engage with each other, while the inner surface of the outer side wall 240 abuts against the protrusion 140 in a position below the engagement elements 180, 280. It is therefore not possible to move the flip-top lid 200 out of this closed position without destroying at least one of the engagement elements 180, 280.

As can be well seen in figure 5b, there is a gap d _x between the protrusion 140 and the outer side wall 240 in an area where the actuating or pushing regions 260 are located.

Figure 6a shows an enlarged partial cross-section of a part of the closure in a y-z-plane (as in figure 1, and in the 6 o’clock position), and figure 6b shows an enlarged partial cross-section of a part of the closure in a x-z-plane (as in figure 4, and in the 3 o’clock position). The closure in figure 6a and in figure 6b is shown in a state when a force, indicated by an arrow F , is exerted onto the actuating or pushing regions 260 of the outer side wall 240 of the flip- top lid 200 of the closure 10 by a user.

The amount of the force F can be especially influenced by the thickness of the material of the outer side wall 240, being typically in an area of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. With larger closures, especially with closures having a diameter of 30 mm to 50 mm, especially in the area of 40 mm to 50 mm, the wall thickness of 1 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably of 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm is preferred. As can be well seen in figures 6a and 6b, due to the flexible deformation of the outer side wall 240, the outer side wall 240 is pushed inwardly, along the x-axis (at the 3 o’clock position and the 9 o’clock position), thereby closing the gap (d _x ), see figure 6b, and consequently the outer side wall 240 is, at a position where the 2 ^nd engagement element is located (6 o’clock position), pushed outwardly, along the y-axis, thereby moving the 2 ^nd engagement element 280 into a disengagement direction, see figure 6a. As can be well seen in figure 6A, the two engagement elements 180 and 280 are only slightly overlapping, in this embodiment by an amount of 0.5 mm, when the outer side wall is pushed together by the maximum extent in the 3 o’clock position and the 6 o’clock position, until the inner surface of the outer side wall 240 abuts against the protrusion 140, thereby closing the gap (d _x ).

Figure 7 shows a partial cross-section through the y-z-plane, as in figure 6a (in the 6 o’clock position), during an opening movement of the flip-top lid 200, which is performed by applying a force F ₂ by a user in an upward direction. As the 1 ^st and the 2 ^nd engagement element 180 and 280 are only partly overlapping and as the 1 ^st engagement element 180 is flexibly deformable, the upward directed force F ₂ leads to a partial bending of the 1 ^st engagement element 180 into an inward direction, along the y-axis, so that only the joint application of the forces F and F ₂ enable the movement of the flip-top lid 200 out of its closed position into its opened position. The opening of the flip-top lid 200 is therefore only possible by applying 2 forces simultaneously in different directions, thereby fulfilling child resistance functions.

It is clear to the expert that various amendments can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims, and any features disclosed in connection with the embodiments or the general description can be important for realizing the invention, either alone or in any combination thereof.