Container and closure having frangible opening means

Abstract

A container (4) has a closure (15) which consists of a fastener (6) and a lid (1) which are joined together all the way round by a failure zone (2). When the container is originally sealed the closure is inserted into the opening and the fastener is fixed to a flanged top surface (5) which surrounds the opening. The failure zone is located at the point at which the internal surface (3) of the opening meets the top surface of the opening. The lid is dished inwards within the failure zone in such a way that the outer edge of the dishing (7) forms a guide (10) against the internal surface (3). A surface (8) of the lid running parallel with the top surface is connected to the guide (10). The lid is broken open and is torn along the length of the failure zone by a locally applied force. The application of force inwards will as a rule move the lid over the distance a until the surface (8) makes contact with a ledge (11) located inside the container (4). The surface (8) supporting the material of the lid thus forces the guide (10) against the wall of the container and holds the lid in a sealing position inside the opening. The lid adopts a similar position in a re-sealed container. Gripping devices, preferably in the form of stiffening ribs, make it easier to remove the lid from the position just mentioned.