Condiment bottle and method of dispensing a substance from a container

Abstract

The present application discloses a condiment bottle and a method for dispensing a substance from a container. The condiment bottle includes a container and a cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a fastening portion releasably connected to the container, a nozzle fastened to the container by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to both the fastening portion and the nozzle. The closure portion is configured to move from a closed position to an intermediate position along the longitudinal axis of the condiment bottle, in which the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle, and in the intermediate position, the closure portion is spaced apart from the nozzle and covers the top of the nozzle. The closure portion is also configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to an open position, in which the closure portion is positioned along the side wall of the nozzle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a condiment bottle and a method of dispensing a substance from a container. Background Art

[0002] Reclosable dispensing closures have been used in a variety of products, including condiment bottles. The dispensing closures can be opened and closed without removing or separating any part of the dispensing closure from the container. Several types of dispensing closures are currently available on the market. For example, the pull / push and screw types are two commonly used designs. In both of these popular designs, a common theme is that there is a spout that is connected to the base of the container and mounted together in an assembly. The disadvantage of these designs is that the opening and closing of the dispensing closures are inconsistent due to manufacturing and assembly irregularities. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect, a condiment bottle includes a container and a cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a fastening portion releasably connected to the container, a nozzle fastened to the container by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to both the fastening portion and the nozzle. The closure portion is configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the condiment bottle from a closed position to an intermediate position, in which the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle, in which the closure portion is spaced apart from the nozzle and covers the top of the nozzle. The closure portion is also configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to an open position, in which the closure portion is positioned along the side wall of the nozzle.

[0004] According to another aspect, a method of dispensing a substance from a container is disclosed. The method includes providing a container having a cap assembly associated therewith, wherein the cap assembly includes a fastening portion connected to the container, a nozzle fastened by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to both the fastening portion and the nozzle; axially moving the closure portion from a closed position of the closure portion to an intermediate position of the closure portion along a longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle, and wherein the closure portion is spaced apart from and covers the nozzle; pivoting the closure portion in the intermediate position away from the nozzle to an open position in which the closure portion no longer covers the nozzle; and dispensing the substance through an opening of the nozzle.

[0005] According to another aspect, a condiment bottle includes a container and a cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a fastening portion releasably connected to the container, a nozzle fastened to the container by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to both the fastening portion and the nozzle. The closure portion is configured to move from a closed position to an intermediate position along the longitudinal axis of the condiment bottle, in which the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle, and in the intermediate position, the closure portion is spaced apart from the nozzle and covers the nozzle. The closure portion is also configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to an open position in which the closure portion no longer covers the nozzle. The closure portion includes a collar hingedly connected to the fastening portion and a cover fixed by the collar. The cover can move along the longitudinal axis from a first position in which the closure portion is in a closed position to a second position in which the closure portion is in an intermediate position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a condiment bottle according to the present invention with the cap assembly in a closed position.

[0007] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a condiment bottle with the cap assembly in an intermediate position.

[0008] Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a condiment bottle with the cap assembly in an open position.

[0009] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of a condiment bottle.

[0010] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a condiment bottle.

[0011] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the fastening portion of the cap assembly.

[0012] Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the fastening portion.

[0013] Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a first nozzle of a condiment bottle.

[0014] Fig.10 is a top perspective view of the collar of the cap assembly.

[0015] Fig.11 is a side perspective view of the cover of the cap assembly.

[0016] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of the cap assembly.

[0017] Fig.13 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the cap assembly.

[0018] Fig.14 is a bottom perspective view of the cap with the gasket installed therein.

[0019] Fig.15 and 16 is a side perspective view of a first nozzle and a second nozzle, respectively, of a condiment bottle, wherein the second nozzle has a different size than the first nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Of course, it should be understood that the description and drawings here are only illustrative, and various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosed structure without departing from the present disclosure. It should also be understood that any degree terms used here, such as "substantially" means that a reasonable deviation amount of the modified word is considered so that the end result will not be significantly changed.

[0021] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, Figures 1 to 5 An exemplary condiment bottle 100 according to the present invention is shown. The condiment bottle 100 includes a container (or bottle or other similar vessel) 102 and a cap assembly 104 that can be engaged with an open neck 106 of the container 102. The cap assembly 104 includes a fastening portion 110 that is releasably connected to the container 102, a nozzle 112 that is fastened to the container by the fastening portion, and a closure portion 116 that is connected to both the fastening portion and the nozzle. The components of the cap assembly 104 are assembled in a coaxial manner as described below. The closure portion 116 is configured to be retractable from a closed position ( 114 ) along a longitudinal axis 118 of the condiment bottle 100. Figure 1 ) moves to the middle position ( Figure 2 ), in the closed position the closure portion 116 sealingly engages the nozzle 112 (e.g., the top 120 of the nozzle) to prevent fluid from flowing from the nozzle, and in the intermediate position the closure portion 116 is spaced apart from and covers the top of the nozzle 112. The closure portion 116 is also configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to the open position ( Figure 3 ), in the open position, the closing portion 116 is positioned along the side wall 122 of the nozzle 112 and the side wall 126 of the fastening portion 110.

[0022] exist Figures 5 to 81, the fastening portion 110 includes a sidewall 126, a first opening 130 at a top 132 of the sidewall 126, and a second opening 136 at a bottom 138 of the sidewall. The top 132 of the sidewall 126 can be substantially dome-shaped, and the bottom 138 of the sidewall can be substantially cylindrical. The outer surface 140 of the bottom can be textured (e.g., grooved or knurled) to provide a gripping surface for the fastening portion 110. The inner surface 146 of the bottom 138 can include internal threads 148 that are adapted to threadably engage with external threads 152 on the neck 106 of the container 102. However, it should be understood that the fastening portion 110 can be assembled to the neck 106 of the container in other conventional ways, such as a snap or bayonet connection. The fastening portion 110 also includes a first hinge member 160 of a hinge 162 located on the top 132 for connecting to the closure portion 116, as described below.

[0023] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig.15 , the nozzle 112 is configured to be fastened between the neck 106 and the fastening portion 116 of the container 102. The nozzle 112 includes a sidewall 166 having an upper portion 168 and a lower portion 170. The lower portion 170 is sized to fit within the neck 106 and defines a lower inlet 172 for the nozzle, which is in fluid communication with the open neck 106 of the container 102. An annular platform 178 extends inwardly from the upper portion 168, and a mounting flange 180 extends outwardly from the upper portion 168. A spout 186 (which defines a fluid passageway for the nozzle) protrudes outwardly from the platform 178 and includes an upper outlet 188 for the nozzle 112. In the depicted aspect, a sidewall 190 of the spout 186 (i.e., an outer wall of the nozzle) includes external threads 192. In order to releasably retain the nozzle 112 within the fastening portion 110, the mounting flange 180 is fastened between the neck 106 of the container 102 and the fastening portion 110; however, other ways of fastening the nozzle 112 are also contemplated. Figure 8 As further shown, the inner surface 142 of the side wall 126 of the fastening portion 110 near the top 132 includes a first positioning tab 198, which is Figure 5 and 6 The first locating tab 198 may also abut against a second locating tab 200 disposed on the side wall 166 of the nozzle 112 above the mounting tab 180. It should be appreciated that the closure portion 116 is adapted to allow for nozzles of different sizes. For example, the nozzle for the closure portion 116 may be selected from a first nozzle having a first size head portion or orifice 186 (i.e., Fig. 9 and 151) and a second nozzle 112′ (shown in FIG. 1 ) having a second size head portion or orifice 186′ that is smaller than the first size head portion or orifice 186. Fig.16 ). Fig.16 , the second nozzle 112' includes similar features, such as a mounting flange 180' extending from the side wall 166', external threads 192' on the side wall 190' of the nozzle, and a second locating tab 200'.

[0024] The closure portion 116 also includes a collar 210 and a cover 212 connected to the collar. Figure 4 and 10 As shown, the collar 210 includes a substantially annular body 216 having a second hinge member 220 of the hinge 162 extending thereon. The collar 210 is hingedly connected to the fastening portion 110 via the first and second hinge members 160, 200 of the hinge 162, and according to this embodiment, the hinged connection of the collar 210 and the fastening portion 110 is configured to hold the closure portion 116 in place. Figure 3 In particular, Figure 4 , 7 10, the first hinge member 160 includes a mounting member 224 having an opening 226 that receives a pin 230 extending from an opposite side 232 of the second hinge member 220. The fastening portion 110 also includes a groove or notch 236 located between the mounting members 224. The notch 236 is sized to receive a bump or protuberance 240 disposed on the second hinge member 220. Thus, when the closure portion 116 is moved from the intermediate position ( Figure 2 ) pivots to the open position ( Figure 3 ), the bump or protrusion 240 on the second hinge member 220 moves into the groove or recess 236 on the fastening portion 110, and this in turn maintains the closure portion 116 in the open position during dispensing of fluid from the condiment bottle 100.

[0025] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the cap 212 includes a substantially cylindrical sidewall 244 having an outer surface 246 and an inner surface 248. An annular groove 254 is provided on the outer surface 246 for connecting the cap 260. The inner surface 248 is provided with internal threads 264 for threadedly engaging the external threads 192 of the nozzle 112. This threaded arrangement between the cap 212 and the nozzle 112 allows the cap 212 to be rotated relative to the collar 210 about the longitudinal axis 118 and relative to the nozzle 112 and along its length (i.e., along the longitudinal axis 118) from the closed position ( Figure 1) moves from the first position to the closed portion 116 in the middle position ( Figure 2 ) of the second position. It should be understood that in the intermediate position, the cap 212 is no longer threadedly engaged to the nozzle 112, which allows the closure portion 116 to pivot about the hinge 162 to the open position ( Figure 3 ).

[0026] The cap 260 secured to the side wall 244 of the cover 212 is configured to facilitate threaded rotation of the collar 212 on the nozzle 112 between the first position and the second position. Fig.13 2, cap 260 includes a side wall 270 and a top wall 272. Side wall 270 has an outer surface 276 and an inner surface 278. Similar to outer surface 140 of fastening portion 110, outer surface 276 may be textured (e.g., grooved or knurled) to provide a gripping surface for cap 260. A ledge 284 extends inwardly from the open end of side wall 270, the ledge being sized to be received in annular groove 254 of cover 212 ( Figure 6 ). In addition, to ensure the common rotation of the cap 260 connected to the cover 212, the inner surface 278 of the cap includes a first retention feature and the outer surface 246 of the cover 212 includes a second retention feature, which is used to engage with the first retention feature to retain the cap 260 on the cover 212. In the depicted aspect, the first retention feature is one of the tab 288 and the notch 290, and the second retention feature is the other of the tab and the notch, wherein the size of the notch 290 is determined to securely receive the tab 288. As shown, the tab 288 extends from the inner surface 278, and the notch 290 is formed on the outer surface 246. In addition, a plurality of tabs 288 and corresponding notches 290 (e.g., four tabs and notches shown) can be provided on the corresponding cap 260 and the cover 212. In addition, the tab 288 and the notch 290 can be substantially wedge-shaped to retain the tab 288 within the notch 290 during the common rotation of the cap 260 and the cover 212.

[0027] exist Figures 4 to 6 and Fig.14, the closure portion 116 also includes a seal disposed on the inner surface of the cap for sealingly engaging the nozzle 112. In the depicted aspect, the seal is a gasket 296 that is detachable from the cap 260 and fastened to the inner surface of the cap or formed integrally with the inner surface of the cap. The gasket 296 is shown as being separate from the cap 260 and includes a body 300 with an annular flange 302 located on the lower surface of the body. A cutout or recess 306 is formed in the body 300 and through the flange 302. The size of the recess 306 is designed to receive the tab 288 on the cap 260, and in the depicted aspect, four recesses 306 are arranged to match the four tabs 288 on the cap 260. The size of the recess 306 is further designed to receive the tab 310 formed on the extension 312 of the cover 212. When assembling, the gasket 296 is first assembled onto the tab 288, and the cap 260 is connected to the cover 212 as described above. This connection of the cap to the cover positions the extension 312 within the area defined by the gasket body 300 and the flange 302, wherein the tab 310 is also received in the gasket recess 306. With the gasket 296 properly secured between the cap 260 and the cover 212, the gasket 296 is in the closed position ( Figure 5 and 6 ) The top 120 of the sealing nozzle 112.

[0028] As will be apparent from the above, in use, the cover 212 is first unscrewed from the nozzle 112 by rotating the cap 360, and the threaded connection between the nozzle 112 and the cover 212 lifts the cover and the cap along the longitudinal axis 118 of the condiment bottle 100. With the cover 212 disconnected from the nozzle 112, the cover and the cap can be swung open by the hinged connection between the fastening portion 110 and the collar 210. The hinged connection is suitable for maintaining the flip cover 212 and the cap 360 in the open position, so that during use, these parts of the cap assembly 104 will not swing back and forth in front of the nozzle 112. Moreover, in Fig.15 and 16 In the embodiment of the present invention, nozzles 112, 112' of different sizes may be used with the closure portion 116.

[0029] The present disclosure also provides a method of dispensing a substance from a condiment bottle 100. The exemplary method includes providing a container 102 having a cap assembly 104 associated therewith, wherein the cap assembly 104 includes a fastening portion 110 connected to the container 104, a nozzle 112 fastened by the fastening portion 110, and a closure portion 116 connected to both the fastening portion 110 and the nozzle 112; axially moving the closure portion 116 from a closed position (closed position) of the closure portion 116 along a longitudinal axis 118 of the container; Figure 1 ) moves to the middle position of the closed portion 116 ( Figure 2), in the closed position the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle 112, in the intermediate position the closure portion is spaced apart from the nozzle 112 and covers the nozzle; pivoting the closure portion 116 in the intermediate position away from the nozzle 112 to the open position ( Figure 3 ), in the open position the closure portion 116 no longer covers the nozzle; and the substance is dispensed through the opening of the nozzle 112.

[0030] The closure portion 116 includes a collar 210 and a cap 212 secured by the collar, and the exemplary method includes threading the cap 212 to the nozzle 112. The exemplary method also includes hingedly connecting the collar 210 to the securing portion 110, thereby allowing the closure portion 116 to pivot to an open position. The exemplary method also includes configuring the hinged connection of the collar 210 and the securing portion 110 to maintain the closure portion 116 in the open position.

[0031] It should be appreciated that according to other embodiments of the present invention, the above-described components of the condiment bottle 100 may be constructed of any suitable plastic or may be constructed of any other material.

[0032] It should be understood that the above disclosed embodiments and other features and functions or their substitutions or changes can be combined into many other different components or applications as needed. In addition, those skilled in the art may subsequently make various currently unforeseen or unanticipated substitutions, modifications, changes or improvements, which are also intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A condiment bottle, comprising: container; as well as Cap assembly, comprising: a fastening portion releasably connected to the container, a nozzle fastened to the container by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to the fastening portion and the nozzle, the closure portion being configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the condiment bottle from a closed position in which the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle to an intermediate position in which the closure portion is spaced apart from and covers the top of the nozzle, and the closure portion is further configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to an open position in which the closure portion is positioned along the side wall of the nozzle, The closure portion includes a cover and a cap, the cap being secured by the cover so as to facilitate movement of the cover relative to the nozzle from a first position, in which the closure portion is in the closure position, to a second position, in which the closure portion is in the intermediate position.

2. The seasoning bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The closure portion includes a collar to which the cap is connected, and the cap is rotatable relative to the collar about the longitudinal axis.

3. The condiment bottle according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle includes an outer wall having an outer thread, and the cap includes an inner wall having an inner thread for threadedly engaging the outer thread of the nozzle, wherein the cap is movable from a first position to a second position relative to the nozzle and along the length direction of the nozzle, wherein the closure portion is in the closure position at the first position and in the middle position at the second position.

4. The seasoning bottle according to claim 3, wherein: The cap is secured to an outer wall of the cover, the cap being configured to facilitate threaded rotation of the collar on the nozzle between the first position and the second position. 5 . The condiment bottle according to claim 4 , comprising a sealing member disposed on an inner wall of the cap.

6. The condiment bottle of claim 5, wherein the sealing member is a gasket, the inner wall of the cap includes a tab, and the gasket includes a recess sized to receive the at least one tab.

7. The condiment bottle of claim 4, wherein an inner wall of the cap includes a first retaining feature and an outer wall of the cover includes a second retaining feature for engaging with the first retaining feature to retain the cap on the cover.

8. The condiment bottle of claim 7, wherein the first retaining feature is one of a tab and a notch, and the second retaining feature is the other of the tab and the notch, wherein the notch is sized to securely receive the tab.

9. The condiment bottle of claim 4, wherein the collar is hingedly connected to the fastening portion, and the hinged connection of the collar and the fastening portion is configured to maintain the closure portion in the open position.

10. The condiment bottle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is configured to be fastened between a neck of the container and the fastening portion.

11. The seasoning bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The closure portion includes a collar hingedly connected to the fastening portion, and the cover is fastened by the collar.

12. The condiment bottle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is selected from one of a first nozzle having a head portion of a first size and a second nozzle having a head portion of a second size smaller than the first size.

13. A method of dispensing a substance from a container, the method comprising: providing a container having a cap assembly associated therewith, wherein the cap assembly includes a fastening portion connected to the container, a nozzle fastened by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to both the fastening portion and the nozzle; moving the closure portion axially along the longitudinal axis of the container from a closed position of the closure portion in which the closure portion sealingly engages the nozzle to an intermediate position of the closure portion in which the closure portion is spaced from the nozzle and covers the nozzle; as well as pivoting the closure portion in the intermediate position away from the nozzle to an open position in which the closure portion no longer covers the nozzle, The closure portion comprises a cover and a cap, and the method comprises connecting the cap to the cover so that the cover moves relative to the nozzle from a first position in which the closure portion is in the closure position to a second position in which the closure portion is in the intermediate position.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The closure portion includes a collar, the cap is secured by the collar, and the method includes threading the cap to the nozzle.

15. A method according to claim 14, comprising hingedly connecting the collar to the securing portion to allow the closure portion to pivot to the open position.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising configuring the hinged connection of the collar and the securing portion to retain the closure portion in the open position.

17. A condiment bottle, comprising: container; as well as Cap assembly, comprising: a fastening portion, the fastening portion being releasably connected to the container, a nozzle fastened to the container by the fastening portion, and a closure portion connected to the fastening portion and the nozzle, the closure portion being configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the condiment bottle from a closure position in which the closure portion is sealingly engaged with the nozzle to an intermediate position in which the closure portion is spaced apart from the nozzle and covers the nozzle, and the closure portion is further configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to an open position in which the closure portion no longer covers the nozzle, The closure portion comprises a collar hingedly connected to the fastening portion, a cover fastened by the collar, and a cap fastened by and covering the cover, wherein the cover is movable along the longitudinal axis from a first position where the closure portion is in the closure position to a second position where the closure portion is in the intermediate position.

18. The condiment bottle of claim 17, wherein the collar is hingedly connected to the fastening portion, and the hinged connection of the collar and the fastening portion is configured to maintain the closure portion in the open position.

Images