The following description relates generally to a closure and more particularly to a two stage flip cap closure.
Dispensing closures and associated containers can be utilized with a vast variety of products, which can be in any number of forms (e.g., liquid, powder, solid, as a pill, and so on). In some cases, a variety of products are sold in sealed packages and utilize external packaging as a security feature.
Dispensing closures are typically produced by an injection molding process. There is a continuous need for dispensing closures that can be produced at a low cost and low capital expenditure. Further, there is a continuous need for dispensing closures that can be produced at faster cycle times, require less mold maintenance, have more design flexibility, and have better performance.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
An aspect relates to a closure that can include a skirt that operatively engages a container. The closure can also include a lid operatively attached to the skirt at a hinge, wherein the lid is configured for a partial open configuration or a full open configuration. In an example, when in the partially open configuration, the lid is at least partially in contact with the skirt. In another example, when in the full open configuration, the lid is moved away from the skirt.
Another aspect relates to a container assembly that can include a container and a closure operatively attached to the container. The closure can be configured to be in one of a first position, a second position, or a third position. In an example, the first position is a closed position. In another example, the second position is a partially open position. In a further example, the third position is a full open position.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects comprise features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of various ways in which principles of various aspects may be employed. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings and the disclosed aspects are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.
Various non-limiting embodiments are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that the disclosed subject matter can be practiced without these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures and components may be shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more of the aspects disclosed herein.
A container can hold various products, such as medications, foods, liquids, and so forth. As provided herein a container closure (or cap) can allow for access to the container contents using a full open dispensing capability and a less than full open dispensing capability. The less than full open dispensing capability can allow for more control of the amount of product that is dispensed. The full open dispensing capability can be achieved without the need to remove the closure from the container to which it is attached.
Turning now to the figures,
With reference to
In an aspect, the container 101 and closure 100 can be a two-piece structure. According to some aspects, the container and the closure are formed as a single piece or single unit. In other aspects, the top 102 can be molded separate from the skirt 104 (e.g., in a two-shot injection molding process). However, according to other aspects, the closure 100 is formed during a single injection molding process.
Further, the closure 100 can engage the container 101 in a removable manner or in a non-removable manner. When snapped together, the closure can be utilized to eliminate the use of a liner, according to an aspect. The closure 100 can be installed upright on the top of a container 101 that has an opening or mouth that typically lies in a horizontal plane. For purposes of discussion, the vertical direction generally corresponds to an axial direction with reference to the geometry of the dispensing closure and the horizontal direction or horizontal plane is perpendicular to the axial direction of the dispending closure (e.g., the vertical direction). It should be understood that during molding, the dispensing closure could have a non-upright orientation.
An exterior portion of the skirt 104 can be smooth. In another implementation, an exterior portion of a skirt can have small vertical grooves or other textural features that can improve a person's ability to grip the dispensing closure for removal from the container (e.g., by unscrewing, by pulling the dispensing closure away from the container, and so on).
The top 102 of the closure 100 is pivotally attached to the skirt 104 via a hinge (not shown) located at a position of the closure 100 indicated by arrow 105. Included in at least a portion of the skirt 104 can be thumb tab 106. For example, the thumb tab 106 can be located on a external surface of the skirt 104 across (e.g., on an opposite side) of the hinge. In an aspect, the thumb tab 106 is a slightly indented area of the skirt 104. The thumb tab 106 can be configured to allow a user to insert a finger, thumb, or other object, under an edge or lip of the top 106 that hangs over the indented thumb tab 106 to facilitate opening the top 102. The dimensions of the thumb tab 106 can vary.
The top 102 is movable via the hinge. For example, the top 102 can be configured to move between a first position (e.g., closed position) depicted in
The hinge can be a “living hinge,” a “pivoting hinge,” or another type of hinge. A living hinge is a hinge formed with the skirt 104 and the top 102 a single piece. A pivoting hinge is formed with the skirt 104 and the top 102 wherein the skirt 104 and the top 102 are formed as separate pieces and snapped together at the hinge to combine the two pieces. The hinge lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the skirt. The hinge allows for ease of moving the top 102, between the first position (
In an aspect, the top 102 is configured to cover the skirt 104 when closed and lift off and away from the skirt 104 via the hinge when pulled or pushed upwards and away from the skirt 104. For example, the top 102 can be configured to lift away or snap off of the skirt 104 via pulling or pushing of the top 102 upwards at or near a portion of the top that hangs over the thumb tab 106. When lifted away from the skirt 104, the top 102 remains attached to the skirt 104 via the hinge, as shown in
As shown in
In particular, top 102 can include a downward extending portion 110 around a perimeter thereof and extending away from a bottom surface (internal portion) of the top 102. The downward extending portion 110 can be configured to engage an internal portion of the skirt 104, as depicted in
The downward extending portion 110 further includes dispensing opening 112 located at a position on the downward extending portion 110 that is adjacent to the thumb tab 106 (e.g., when the top 102 is in a closed position). The dimensions of the dispensing opening 112 can vary. In an aspect, (as depicted in
When the top 102 is in a closed position as shown in
The partially open position of the closure 100 reveals the dispensing opening 112 located on the downward extending portion 110 of the top 102. When in the partially opened position, the top 102 is lifted away from the skirt 104 at a fixed angle relative to the skirt 104 such that the dispensing opening 112 is exposed. When in the partially open position, the top 102 is at least partially engaged in the skirt 104. For example, a lower region of the downward extending portion 110 can remains in contact with the internal wall 120 of the skirt 104 such that the container is otherwise sealed by the closure (aside from the dispensing opening).
According to some implementations, the top can include a first locking bead 108 (or ridge) and a second locking bead 116 located on the downward extending portion 110 above and below the dispensing opening 112. The skirt can further include a stopping/mating bead or ridge (not shown) located on the internal wall 120 of the skirt at or near the top perimeter/upper rim of the skirt and adjacent to the thumb tab 106. In an aspect, the first locking bead 108 can engage with mating bead to facilitate closure of the top 102. The second locking bead 116 can also engage with the mating bead when the top 102 is lifted away from the skirt 104 at the fixed angle to facilitate stoppage and holding of the top 102 (at least briefly) at the partially open position. In some aspects, the first locking bead 108 and the second locking bead 116 can be configured to disengage with the mating bead in response to light or medium pressure applied to the top 102 (e.g., pressing the top upward and away from the skirt). For example, the top can be configured to remain in the partially open configuration in response to engagement of the stopping bead located on the inner wall of the skirt 104 and the second locking bead 116 located on the downward extending portion. The stopping bead located on the inner wall of the skirt 106 and the second stopping bead 116 located on the downward extending portion can be configured to disengage in response to an upward force applied to the lid, and wherein the lid is configured to move into the full open configuration in response to application of the upward force to the lid and disengagement of the respective stopping beads.
When the closure 100 is in the full open position shown in
In some embodiments, the top 102 is configured to stop at various partially open positions such that different amounts of the dispensing opening is exposed. For example, in addition to the partially open position depicted in
Various mechanisms can be employed to control temporarily holding in place of the top 102 at the different partially opened positions. For example, the hinge can be configured to stop at different angles, thereby positioning the dispensing opening at different locations relative to the internal wall 120 of the skirt 104. In another example, downward extending portion 110 of the top can include additional stopping beads configured to engage with a mating bead on the internal wall 120 of the skirt and hold the top 102 at various predetermined angles relative to the skirt 104 such that different amounts of the dispensing opening are exposed.
As shown in
When in a closed position as shown in
According to some aspects, a back portion 214 of the top 102 can be angled or curved (following the arrow) to facilitate closure of the top 102 into the skirt 104. Further, a hinge 216 can be located at the back of the closure 100. The hinge 216 can be configured to operatively attach the top 102 to the skirt 104 in a movable arrangement as previously discussed.
In accordance with various embodiments, a logo or design can be provided on the top surfaces of closures 100 and 400 (e.g., on the outer surfaces of top 102 and top 402). According to some aspects, the closure 100 can be generally circular; however, other configurations are possible with the disclosed aspects. For example, as depicted in
Although the illustrated closures 100 and 400 have a particular size and shape, the disclosed aspects are not limited to these embodiments. Instead, the closure(s) can be any size or shape and the closures illustrated are for example purposes only. Further, the container(s) 101, on which the closure(s) 100 and 400 can be operatively attached, can also be any shape or size, which can be selected as a function of contents or product that is to be stored in the container. Examples, of container contents can include powder, granular items, solid or semi-solid contents including food items (e.g., ketchup, mustard, baby food, spices, cookies, cereal, peanuts, grains, and so forth) and non-food items, such as hardware (e.g., nuts, bolts, nails, fasteners, screws) as well as other items (e.g., rock salt, grass seed, sand, and so on). In another example, the container contents can be liquid or semi-liquid contents (e.g., water, orange juice, automotive oil, rubbing alcohol, and so forth). Other examples of container contents can include medicine (e.g., pharmaceutical products) and cosmetics. The container contents that can be utilized with the disclosed aspects are many and, therefore, will not be further discussed herein.
The closure(s) 100 and 400 and container(s) 101 can be the same color or can be different colors. For example, the container(s) can be clear and the closure(s) can be colored (opaque). In another example, both the container(s) and the closure(s) can be clear. In accordance with some aspects, the closure(s) and the container(s) can be made of the same material or of a similar material. According to other aspects, the closure(s) and the container(s) are formed of different materials. In an implementation, the container(s) and/or the closure(s) can be formed of a polymer material. According to some implementations, the closure(s) and/or the container(s) can be formed of an injection molded suitable thermoplastic material (e.g., polymer, polypropylene) or other material known in the art.
The closure(s) 100 and 400 may be illustrated as a unitary (e.g., a one-piece) structure having a first portion (e.g., a body portion) configured to engage the neck of the container(s) and a second portion (e.g., a lid portion) configured to be movable with respect to the first portion. In accordance with some aspects, the dispensing closure(s) can be formed as a multiple piece structure, wherein the body portion and the lid portion are operatively connected at a hinge. As previously mentioned, although the various aspects are illustrated as a generally circular dispensing closure(s) and/or container(s), the various aspects are not limited to this implementation. In accordance with some aspects, the dispensing closure(s) and/or container(s) can have a different geometric shape (e.g., oval, oblong, and so on).
As discussed above, the size of the container, the container opening 107 or mouth (e.g., portion of the container to which the closure engages), and/or the size (or varying sizes) of the dispensing opening 112 can be a function of the size of the contents to be stored in and dispensed from the container 101. If the contents are large or should be dispensed in large quantities, the container, the container mouth, and the dispensing closure can be large. On the other hand, if the contents are small and/or should be dispensed in small quantities, the container mouth and dispensing closure can be small.
The subject matter as described above includes various exemplary aspects. However, it should be appreciated that it is not possible to describe every conceivable component or methodology for purposes of describing these aspects. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that further combinations or permutations may be possible. Various methods or constructs may be employed to implement the subject invention, modifications, variations, or equivalents thereof. Accordingly, all such implementations of the aspects described herein are intended to embrace the scope and spirit of subject claims.
In view of exemplary articles of manufacture shown and described herein, methodologies for manufacturing, assembling, and using the one or more disclosed aspects may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.
While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative aspects and/or embodiments, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of described aspects and/or embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within scope of appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of described aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise.
To the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, the term “or” as used in either the detailed description or the claims is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” (and variants thereof) is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/014,057 filed on Jun. 18, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62014057 | Jun 2014 | US |