Catherine M Schultz

6832700, Dec 21, 2004

Feb 18, 2003

10/369082

Charles E. Roberts - Eagle WI
Terry J. Vandenboom - Kansasville WI
Nicholas J. Jelich - Oconomowoc WI
Catherine F. Schultz - Eagle WI

Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

B67B 500

22215314, 222546

A toggle-action dispensing closure for a container is provided for manipulation between a closed, non-dispensing orientation and an open, dispensing orientation. The closure includes an actuator pivotally mounted along a tilting axis on a body secured to the container. The actuator is tiltable by applying force to the actuator on one side of the tilting axis so as to move the actuator from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. The actuator includes a flange having an engagable surface. The closure body includes an annular wall in which the actuator is received, and the annular wall includes an inwardly projecting interference member which underlies the actuator engagable surface and prevents tilting of the actuator unless a sufficient predetermined, initial opening force is exerted on the actuator to cause permanent, plastic deformation of the engagable surface is and/or interference member. Thereafter, the actuator can be tilted to the open dispensing position a second or subsequent times in response to subjecting the actuator to a force less than the predetermined, initial opening force.

62833332, Sep 4, 2001

Jan 17, 2001

9/761956

Michael G. Knickerbocker - Crystal Lake IL
Jeffrey T. Randall - Oconomowoc WI
Nicholas J. Jelich - Oconomowoc WI
Robert M. Pieters - Delavan WI
Catherine F. Schultz - Eagle WI
Kelly A. Smith - East Troy WI
Terry J. Vandenboom - Kansasville WI

Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

B65D 4700

22215314

A toggle-action dispensing closure for a container is provided for manipulation between a closed, non-dispensing orientation and an open, dispensing orientation. The closure includes an actuator pivotally mounted along a tilting axis on a body secured to the container. The actuator is tiltable by applying force to the actuator on one side of the tilting axis so as to move the actuator from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. The actuator includes a striker rib extending downwardly at a position between an edge of the actuator and the tilting axis. The body includes a deck defining a dispensing aperture and supporting a post. The post extends vertically to underlie the actuator, preventing tilting of the actuator unless a sufficient opening force is exerted on the actuator to cause the striker rib to shear, or permanently deform, the post. One embodiment includes an angled fracture control surface at the bottom of the post to ensure that the initial minimum required force to shear the post is within a desired range.