Container, closure, and methods of manufacture

Abstract

In one aspect, a closure cap for a container is provided having a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base. The base includes a central portion having an outlet and a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion. The container attachment skirt is to secure the base to a container body. The base further includes a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion. The disk attachment skirt is configured to connect to one of a variety of flow control disks that adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet.

Description

CONTAINER, CLOSURE, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 703,597, filed October 4, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 703,670, filed October 4, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 735,586, filed December 18, 2024, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to containers for fluids. More particularly, this disclosure generally relates to containers with closure caps.BACKGROUND

[0003] Some fluid containers include an outlet opening through which a consumer can dispense a desired amount fluid from the fluid container. Such fluid containers may include a bottle and a flip-top cap with the outlet opening. The consumer may open the flip-top cap and squeeze the bottle to dispense fluid from the bottle. Fluid containers occasionally have issues with dosing and leakage, especially during shipping and / or when the fluid containers are placed in certain configurations. To address such issues, some fluid containers include a flexible plastic membrane valve with an "X" shaped slit. These membrane valves are sometimes used with inverted fluid containers that rest on their caps, such that when not in use the product is retained in the container by the membrane valve.

[0004] One issue with this type of membrane valve is that such membrane valves are often formed of silicone, whereas other portions of the caps are often formed of another material such as polypropylene. Having a closure cap comprised of multiple materials increases the complexity and cost of manufacturing and can make recycling difficult and / or impractical, thereby making the solution less attractive for large scale use.

[0005] Another issue with this type of membrane valve is that in some cases, product may leak through the valve when the fluid container is not in use. Moreover, during dispensing, product may squirt from the outlet opening at an undesirably high velocity, increasing the risk of splatter. The high velocity of the product being discharged also makes proper dosing difficult- 1 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USbecause there is generally insufficient control over the product at high velocities. Yet another issue is that the membrane valve may resist or prevent inflow of air to maintain interior volume after dispensing, leading to development of subatmospheric pressure, i.e., a partial vacuum, in the bottle. This can lead to paneling, i.e., buckling, or other undesirable inward deflection of container walls, which can be aesthetically problematic and also functionally problematic, as it may increase the manual pressure required to dispense product, and may lead to uneven or inconsistent dispensing in response to a squeeze, i.e., manual application of pressure to the container exterior.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a disassembled, perspective view of a closure cap for a dispensing bottle having a main body and an attachment disk.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the closure cap of FIG. 1 secured to a dispensing bottle.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the main body of the closure cap of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the attachment disk of the closure cap of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the attachment disk of FIG. 4A.

[0011] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 1 with the attachment disk assembled with the main body.

[0012] FIG. 5B is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 5A showing the interconnection of the attachment disk to the main body of the closure cap.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled closure cap of FIG. 1 illustrating a fluid flow path therethrough.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a disassembled, perspective view of a closure cap for a dispensing bottle according to another embodiment, the closure cap having a main body and an attachment disk, the closure cap shown without a lid.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of the attachment disk of the closure cap of FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 is an assembled, top perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 7 without the lid and with the main body shown as transparent.- 2 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0017] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the main body of the closure cap of FIG. 7.

[0018] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 7 secured to a dispensing bottle.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a closure cap according to another embodiment, the closure cap secured to a dispensing bottle.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the closure cap and dispensing bottle of FIG. 12 taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective, cross-section view of the closure cap of FIG. 12.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an attachment disk of the closure cap of FIG. 12.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the attachment disk of FIG. 15.

[0024] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the closure cap of FIG. 12, illustrating the closure cap being compatible with multiple types of attachment disks.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 12 with an attachment disk according to another embodiment installed therein.

[0026] FIG. 19 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 18.

[0027] FIG. 20A is a top perspective view of the attachment disk of FIG. 18.

[0028] FIG. 20B is a bottom perspective view of the attachment disk of FIG. 20A.

[0029] FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a closure cap according to another embodiment for use with a container body to form a dispensing bottle, the closure cap having a seal skirt and a disk attachment skirt.

[0030] FIG. 21B is a cross-section view of the closure cap of FIG. 21A illustrating a disk attached to the disk attachment skirt.

[0031] FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-section view of an example interface of the seal skirt of the closure cap of FIG. 21A with a neck of a container body.

[0032] FIG. 23 A is a top perspective view of the disk of FIG. 21 B.- 3 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0033] FIG. 23B is a bottom perspective view of the disk of FIG. 23A.

[0034] FIG. 24A is a cross-section view of a closure cap and container having a disk according to another embodiment, the closure cap having a seal skirt and a disk attachment skirt.

[0035] FIG. 24B is a perspective view of the cross-section of the closure cap and container of FIG. 24A.

[0036] FIG. 25A is a top perspective view of a flow control disk for a closure cap according to another embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 25B is a bottom perspective view of the flow control disk of FIG. 25A.

[0038] FIG. 25C is a cross-section view of the flow control disk of FIG. 25A.

[0039] FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of a portion of the flow control disk of FIG. 25A attached to a closure cap, FIG. 26 illustrating the flow of fluid though the flow control disk to an outlet of the closure cap.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to provide a closure cap connectable a flow control disk that adjusts the flow of fluid to an outlet of the closure cap.

[0041] In some aspects, a closure cap for a container is provided, the closure cap including a base and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base. In some embodiments, the base includes a central portion having an outlet and a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container body. In some embodiments, the base includes a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion configured to connect to one of a variety of flow control disks that adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet. The flow control disks may include, for example, a first disk configured to provide flow resistance to fluid flowing to the outlet of the closure cap or a second disk configured to cause mixing of the fluid flowing to the outlet. The type of flow control disk used with the base may be selected, for example, based on characteristics of the fluid to be dispensed through the closure cap.- 4 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0042] In some aspects, a closure cap for a container is provided, the closure cap including a base, a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base, and a flow control disk to be attached to the base. In some embodiments, the base of the closure cap includes a central portion having an outlet and a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container body. In some embodiments, the base includes a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion to connect to at least one type of flow control disk configured to adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet. In some embodiments, the disk attachment skirt and the central portion define a cavity to receive the flow control disk and the central portion has a smooth, uninterrupted surface extending between the disk attachment skirt and the outlet. The smooth, uninterrupted surface may provide a surface against which a wall (e.g., a central shaft) of the flow control disk may abut when attached to the base. The smooth, uninterrupted surface also provides a cavity sized and shaped to permit a variety of different types of flow control disks to be attached to the base.

[0043] In some aspects, a closure cap for a container is provided, the closure cap including a base and a flow control disk. In some embodiments, the base includes a central portion having an outlet and a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container body. In some embodiments, the disk attachment skirt extends from the central portion to connect to at least one type of flow control disk configured to adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet. The disk attachment skirt includes attachment geometry to attach a flow control disk to the base and to support at least a portion of the flow control disk in engagement with the central portion. By some approaches, the flow control disk includes corresponding attachment geometry configured to engage the attachment geometry of the disk attachment skirt to attach the flow control disk to the base. In some forms, the attachment geometry of the disk attachment skirt includes an attachment protrusion, for example, an attachment protrusion having a barb configuration. In some forms, the corresponding attachment geometry of the flow control disk includes an attachment protrusion, for example, an attachment protrusion having a barb configuration.

[0044] In some aspects, a closure cap for a container is provided, the closure cap including a base and a seal. In some embodiments, the base includes a cental portion having an outlet and a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container body. In some embodiments, the base includes a disk attachment skirt that extends- 5 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USfrom the central portion to connect to at least one type of flow control disk configured to adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet. In some approaches, the base includes a seal engagement surface at an end of the disk attachment surface to support the seal against a neck of the container body when the base is secured to the container body. With the seal supported by the base of the closure cap (rather than, for example, the flow control disk), the closure cap is able to be used without the flow control disk, e.g., in applications where a flow control disk is not needed. In some approaches, the disk attachment skirt is attaches to a flow control disk such that the seal engagement surface is positioned at least as far from the central portion as an end of the flow control disk opposite the central portion.

[0045] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of making a closure cap, the method including molding a base of a closure cap. In some embodiments, the method includes molding the base to include a central portion having an outlet, a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container, and a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion. The method further includes selecting a flow control disk from a plurality of types of flow control disks based at least in part on one or more fluid properties of the fluid (e.g., particle size, viscosity) to be dispensed from the closure cap. The method further includes securing the selected flow control disk to the disk attachment skirt of the base. In some approaches, securing the selected flow control disk to the disk attachment skirt of the base includes urging the flow control disk against the disk attachment skirt until an attachment protrusion of at least one of the flow control disk and disk attachment skirt hooks the other of the disk attachment skirt and flow control disk.

[0046] In some aspects, a closure cap for a container is provided, the closure cap including a base and a flow control disk. In some embodiments, the base of the closure cap includes a central portion having an outlet and a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container body. In some embodiments, the base includes a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion about the outlet. The disk attachment skirt is configured to connect to the flow control disk to secure the flow control disk to the base. In some embodiments, the flow control disk includes a disc body including a first plurality of mixing openings and a shaft extending from the disc body including a second plurality of mixing openings. In some forms, the first plurality of openings of the flow control disk includes outer partial annular slots and inner partial annular slots. The flow control disk facilitates- 6 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USmixing of fluid as fluid flows to the outlet through the first plurality of mixing openings and the second plurality of mixing openings of the flow control disk. In some approaches, the disk attachment skirt supports the shaft of the flow control disk in engagement with the central portion of the base.

[0047] In some aspects, a closure cap is provided including a base and a lid hingedly connected therewith. In some embodiments, the base includes at least a central deck portion with an outlet therethrough and a container attachment skirt with threads on an interior surface thereof. In some embodiments, the base includes disk attachment geometry extending from the central deck portion of the base. The closure cap includes a flow control disk. In some embodiments, the flow control disk has a generally planar disk body and a plurality of partial annular openings through the generally planar disk body. In some embodiments, the flow control disk has an inner annular wall forming a central shaft, an intermedial annular wall disposed between the inner annular wall and an edge of the generally planar disk body. In some approaches, the inner annular wall has one or more wall openings therein. In some embodiments, the flow control disk includes securement geometry configured to cooperate with the disk attachment geometry of the flow control disk to securely retain the flow control disk to the base of the closure cap.

[0048] In some aspects, a flow control disk for attachment to a closure cap having an outlet is provided. In some embodiments, the flow control disk includes a generally planar disk body. In some embodiments, the planar disk body of the flow control disk includes a first plurality of disk openings to facilitate movement fluid. In some forms, the first plurality of openings include partial annular openings, for example, outer partial annular openings and intermedial partial annular openings. In some embodiments, the flow control disk includes an inner annular wall forming a central shaft extending from the generally planar disk body. In some embodiments, the central shaft includes a plurality of shaft openings to facilitate movement of fluid. In some embodiments, the flow control disk includes an intermedial annular wall extending from the generally planar disk body between the inner annular wall and an edge of the disk body. In some embodiments, the flow control disk includes securement geometry configured to cooperate with disk attachment geometry of the closure cap to securely retain the flow control disk to the closure cap. In some forms, the securement geometry of the flow control disk includes at least one protrusion (e.g., having a barb configuration) that engages the disk- 7 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USattachment geometry of the closure cap to secure the flow control disk to the closure cap. The flow control disk facilitates mixing of fluid as fluid flows to the outlet of the closure cap, for example, through the first plurality of disk openings and the plurality of shaft openings of the flow control disk.

[0049] With respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure cap 100 is shown having a main body 102 and an attachment disk 104. The closure cap 100 may be formed in two pieces with the attachment disk 104 being secured to the main body 102 after molding but before use. The main body 102 and the attachment disk 104 are typically formed of the same material (e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE)) such that the closure cap 100 is formed of a single material. In one illustrative embodiment, the closure cap 100 further does not include a silicone valve at any of the openings, as discussed below. The closure cap 100 may thus be recycled as single unit without having to be disassembled as with other existing, multi-material closure caps.

[0050] The main body 102 includes a base 106 and a flip-top lid 108. The flip-top lid 108 may be connected to the base 106 by a hinge 107 (see FIG. 5A) that permits the flip-top lid 108 to be moved relative to the base 106 between an open position and closed position. The base 106 of the closure cap 100 is attachable to a container 110 to form a dispensing bottle 112 that includes a fluid, such as a thixotropic fluid, condiment, and / or sauce. For example, the container 110 may store a sauce that includes particles or chunks such as hot chili sauce, barbeque sauce, ranch, or relish among other options. The flip-top lid 108 may be moved to the open position to permit fluid to be dispensed from the container 110 through the closure cap 100. The flip-top lid 108 may be moved to the closed position when the dispensing bottle 112 is not in use.

[0051] With respect to FIG. 3, the base 106 of the closure cap 100 has a central body 114 and an inner skirt 116 and an outer skirt 118 depending from the central body 114. The inner skirt 116 may be used to attach the base 106 to the neck of the container 110. For example, the inner skirt 116 may have base threads 120 on the inner surface 116A thereof. The base threads 120 may be threaded to threads on a neck of the container 110 to attach the closure cap 100 to the container 110. As another example, the inner skirt 116 may secure or snap to the neck of the container 110, for instance, similar to attachment of the disk 104 to the base 106 discussed below. In yet another example, the closure cap 100 may attach to the container 110 in a non-- 8 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USremovable manner. For example, the teachings herein may be combined with a variety of bottle features, such as those in U.S. Patent No. 17 / 417,041 and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 039387, filed June 24, 2020. The outer skirt 118 has a larger diameter than the inner skirt 116 and typically extends about the inner skirt 116 and the neck of the container 110. The outer skirt 118 forms a cover about the neck of the container 110.

[0052] In some configurations, an outer surface 118A of the outer skirt 118 may include ridges 121 or other texturizing that provides a user with enhanced grip when grasping the closure cap 100 to thread the closure cap 100 to the container 110 or to unthread the closure cap 100 from the container 110.

[0053] With reference also to FIG. 5A, the central body 114 of the closure cap 100 includes an outlet opening 122 in a central region of the central body 114 through which fluid may be dispensed from the dispensing bottle 112. The flip-top lid 108 includes a protrusion 124 that closes / blocks or opens / unblocks the outlet opening 122 when the flip-top lid 108 is in the closed position or open position. The protrusion 124 may, for example, be inserted into the outlet opening 122 when the flip-top lid 108 is in the closed position to close the outlet opening 122. The protrusion 124 may be a plug that is inserted into the outlet opening 122 to inhibit fluid from flowing therethrough, even when the bottle 112 is in the inverted position such that the closure cap is below the container 110.

[0054] The protrusion 124 may include an annular projection 126 that extends into the outlet opening 122 when the flip-top lid is in the closed position. The annular projection 126 may include an end portion 128 that has a slightly larger diameter than the outlet opening 122. When moving the flip-top lid 108 to the closed position, the end portion 128 may be forced into the outlet opening 122 with the end portion 128 held within the outlet opening 122 by a friction fit. In some forms, the end portion has a barbed configuration and hooks the outlet opening 122 once inserted therethrough. The end portion 128 resists the flip-top lid 108 being moved from the closed position to retain the flip-top lid 108 in the closed position. The central body 114 of the closure cap 100 may include an annular projection 130 extending about the outlet opening 122 to engage a seal surface 132 of the flip-top lid 108 when the flip-top lid 108 is in the closed position. The annular projection 130 may be pressed against the seal surface 132 when the flip- top lid 108 is in the closed position to inhibit fluid from passing therebetween. When the flip-- 9 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-UStop lid 108 is moved to the open position, the flip-top lid 108 is pivoted about the hinge 107 and the protrusion 124 is withdrawn from the outlet opening 122 to permit fluid to egress from the dispensing bottle 112.

[0055] The base 106 of the closure cap 100 further includes an attachment skirt 134 depending from the central body 114. Once assembled, the attachment skirt 134 connects with the disk 104 to attach the disk 104 to the base 106. The end of the attachment skirt 134 opposite the central body 114 may have a geometry that engages with geometry of the disk 104 that is assembled therewith.

[0056] In one illustrative approach, the geometry of the attachment skirt 134 includes an angled tip 136 on an end thereof. With respect to FIG. 5B, the angled tip 136 has an engaging surface 136A that faces outward. By some approaches, the angled tip 136 is configured to engage with a portion of the disk 104 to guide the attachment skirt 134 in connecting with the disk 104, as will be described in more detail below. The attachment skirt 134 may further include a ridge 136B disposed on an outer surface of the attachment skirt 134. The ridge 136B may be an extension of the angled tip 136 as shown in FIG. 5B or may be independent of the angled tip 136, for example, disposed on a surface of the attachment skirt 134 at a point closer to the central body 114. Together, the angled tip 136 and the ridge 136B may have a hook or barb configuration such that the angled tip 136 can easily be passed over a ridge, rib, or groove of the disk 104, but is more difficult to pass back over the ridge, rib, or groove. The angled tip 136 thus secures the main body 102 to the disk 104 by snap-fit or friction-fit connection between the disk 104 and the main body 102 of the closure cap 100. In addition, the attachment skirt 134 and the corresponding attachment wall 142 of the disk 104 that engages the attachment skirt 134 are typically comprised of material and / or have a thickness that permits them to easily flex relative to one another during assembly to accommodate being mated together with a low risk of damage to either portion of the closure cap 100.

[0057] With respect to FIGS. 4A-4B, the attachment disk 104 includes a body 140 and an attachment wall 142 extending from a periphery of the body 140. The body 140 defines an inlet opening 144 in a non-central portion of the body 140, for example, at the periphery of the body 140 adjacent the attachment wall 142. The attachment disk 104 may have a single inlet opening to provide one flow path 154 for the fluid to flow through the closure cap 100. A single inlet- 10 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USopening 144 may be desired where the fluid of the dispensing bottle 112 includes chucks to inhibit the chunks from different flow paths contacting one another and clogging the fluid channel 152. In other forms, the attachment disk 104 includes multiple inlet openings 144 and defines corresponding flow paths from the inlet openings 144 to the outlet opening 122.Multiple outlet openings 144 may be used where the fluid is less viscous, homogeneous, or where the mixing of the fluid is desired.

[0058] The attachment wall 142 may be annular and sized to connect to the attachment skirt 134 of the base 106 of the closure cap 100. For example, the attachment wall 142 may have a diameter slightly larger than the attachment skirt 134. The end portion of the attachment wall 142 opposite the body 140 may include an angled tip 146 disposed on an end thereof. With reference also to FIGS. 5A-5B, the angled tip 146 has an engaging surface 146A that faces partly inward from the attachment wall 142.

[0059] In some configurations, the angled tip 146 is configured to engage with the angled tip 136 of the attachment skirt 134 of the base 106 when attaching the disk 104 to the base 106. Like the angled tip 136 of the attachment skirt 134, the angled tip 146 of the disk 104 is configured to guide the disk 104 when connecting the disk 104 to the base 106. For example, the angled tip 146 guides the attachment wall 142 to flex outward or inward to extend or snap over a rib or ridge of the attachment skirt 134 of the base 106 such as ridge 136B.

[0060] The attachment wall 142 may further include a ridge 146B disposed on a surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 5B, the ridge 146B is disposed on the inward facing surface of the attachment wall 142, in one illustrative approach. In some configurations, the ridge 146B may be an extension of the angled tip 146 as shown in FIG. 5B. In other configurations, the ridge 146B may be independent of the angled tip 146, for example, disposed on a surface of the attachment wall 142 at a point closer to the body 140 of the disk 104. While a friction, interference, or snap- fit arrangement may be employed to retain the disk to the base, other forms of attachment may be employed such as, e.g., a threaded engagement.

[0061] Together, the angled tip 146 and the ridge 146B may have a hook or barb configuration such that the angled tip 146 guides the attachment wall 142 over a rib or ridge in one direction, but causes movement in the reverse direction over the rib or ridge to be more difficult. For example, as shown FIG. 5B, the angled tip 146 at the end of attachment wall 142- 11 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-UShas an engaging surface 146A extending away from the attachment wall 142 at a slight angle before sharply angling back toward the attachment wall 142 at the base of the tip 146 at a point closer to the body 140 of the disk 104. In operation, the slight angle typically allows the disk 104 to be slid over a ridge with ease in the direction where the slight angled surface engages the ridge, while the sharp angled surface causes movement over the ridge in the reverse direction to require more force.

[0062] In other forms, the attachment wall 142 has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the attachment skirt 134. The engaging surface 146A of the angled tip 146 of the disk 104 faces outward and the engaging surface 136A of the angled tip 136 of the base 106 faces inward. The attachment wall 142 may be inserted into the attachment skirt 134 to attach the disk 104 to the base 106.

[0063] In other forms, the attachment wall 142 of the disk 104 engages the attachment skirt 134 of the base 106 by a friction fit connection. For example, the attachment wall 142 may be aligned with and inserted into the opening defined by the attachment skirt 134. The outer surface of the attachment wall 142 contacts the inner surface of the attachment skirt 134 to retain the disk 104 by a friction fit. Alternatively, the attachment skirt 134 may be aligned with and inserted into the opening defined by the attachment wall 142. The outer surface of the attachment skirt 134 contacts the inner surface of the attachment wall 142 to retain the disk 104 by a friction fit.

[0064] The attachment disk 104 may include an inner wall 148 that extends from the body 140 of the disk 104 and is radially inward of the attachment wall 142. The inner wall 148 may be annular and spaced from the attachment wall 142. The inner wall 148 may aid in aligning the disk 104 with the base 106 when the disk 104 is attached to the base 106. The attachment skirt 134 of the base 106 may extend into the space between the inner wall 148 and the attachment wall 142 when the disk 104 is attached to the base 106. The inner wall 148 may aid to hold the disk 104 in alignment with the base 106. The inner wall 148 may also aid to inhibit fluid from leaking from the sides of the disk 104 at the interface of the disk 104 and the base 106.

[0065] With reference also to FIG. 6, the attachment disk 104 may include a flow guide flange 150. The flow guide flange 150 may be a wall or a set of walls that extends from the body 140 of the disk 104 in the same direction as the attachment wall 142. The flow guide flange 150 is- 12 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USsized to be pressed against the central body 114 of the base 106 when the disk 104 is attached to the base 106 via the attachment wall 142. The end portion of the flow guide flange opposite the body 140 of the disk 104 may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the inner surface of the central body 114 of the base 106. For example, the inner surface of the central body 114 may be frustoconical or dome-shaped and the end portion of the flow guide flange 150 may have a corresponding shape (such as angled or arcuate, respectively) such that the fluid guide flange 150 extends along the inner surface of the central body 114 and forms a fluid tight seal therebetween.

[0066] The flow guide flange 150 extends about the inlet opening 144 of the disk 104 and an outlet portion 145 of the disk 104 that aligns with the outlet opening 122 of the base 106 when the disk 104 is attached to the base 106. The flow guide flange 150 includes a pair of walls that extend from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet portion 145 to form a flow path 154 from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet portion 145 and outlet opening 122. The flow guide flange 150 may extend about and surround both the inlet opening 144 and the outlet portion 145 such that when the attachment disk 104 is attached to the base 106, the flow guide flange 150 surrounds the inlet opening 144 and the outlet opening 122 and forms a fluid channel 152 from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet opening 122. The flow guide flange 150 may form the side walls of the fluid channel 152 along the entire length of the fluid channel 152 from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet opening 122. In another form, the flow guide flange 150 extends from the central body 114 of the base 106 and presses against the body 140 of the disk 104 when the disk 104 is attached to the base 106.

[0067] In one illustrative embodiment, the flow guide flange 150 extends from the body of the disk in a direction generally perpendicular to the body. In other configurations, the flange may extend in a manner that is not perpendicular to the body of the disk. In yet another configuration, the flange 150 may extend from the body of the disk in a variety of angles along different portions thereof.

[0068] The body 140 of the disk 104, the flow guide flange 150, and the central body 114 of the base 106 together form the fluid channel 152 when the disk 104 is attached to the base 106. The flow guide flange 150 may form a fluid tight seal with the base 106 to inhibit fluid from flowing out of the fluid channel 152 to a non-flow portion 151 of the attachment disk 104. The- 13 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USfluid channel 152 may be asymmetrically disposed in the closure cap 100, for example, positioned on one side of the closure cap 100. The flow guide flange 150 defines the flow path 154 to direct the flow of fluid from the non-central inlet opening 144 to the central outlet opening 122 of the base 106. Because the outlet opening 122 is positioned in the center of the base 106 and the flow guide flange 150 extends to the center of the disk 104, the disk 104 may be attached to the base 106 in any orientation (i.e., with the inlet opening 144 at any portion of the perimeter of the base 106) to connect the inlet opening 144 to the outlet opening 122. For example, the disk 104 need not be rotated to a specific orientation relative to the base 106 to ensure the fluid channel 152 connects the inlet opening 144 and outlet opening 122.

[0069] The fluid channel 152 provides flow resistance to the fluid flowing from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet opening 122. The dispensing bottle 112 may be stored in an inverted position with the closure cap 100 at the bottom of the dispensing bottle 112. Flow resistance may be provided to inhibit fluid from flowing (e.g., leaking) out of the outlet opening 122 of the closure cap 100 when the user moves the flip-top lid 108 to the open position and until the bottle is operated to dispense the fluid. When the user wants to dispense fluid from the dispensing bottle 112, the user may squeeze the walls of the container 110 to apply a force to the fluid that overcomes the flow resistance to urge the fluid through the fluid channel 152 and out the outlet opening 122.

[0070] The flow resistance of the fluid channel 152 may be adjusted according to the fluid to be dispensed from the dispensing bottle 112. For example, more viscous fluids may require less flow resistance whereas less viscous fluids may require more flow resistance to inhibit undesired leakage from the closure cap 100. Flow resistance is provided by the surfaces of the body 140 of the disk 104, the flow guide flange 150, and the base 106 that form the fluid channel 152 contacting the fluid flowing therethrough to provide frictional resistance to the flow. The flow guide flange 150 may include one or more bends 156 along the flow path 154 to increase the flow resistance from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet opening 122.

[0071] The length of the flow guide flange 150 may be increased or decreased to adjust the flow resistance. Increasing the length of the flow path 154 may increase the flow resistance whereas decreasing the length of the flow path 154 may decrease the flow resistance. The width of the fluid channel 152 (e.g., the distance between the walls of the flow guide flange 150- 14 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USforming sides of the fluid channel 152) may also be increased to decrease the flow resistance or decreased to increase the flow resistance along the fluid channel 152. Similarly, the height of the fluid channel 152 (e.g., the distance between the surfaces of the body 140 of the disk 104 and the base 106 forming the fluid channel 152) may also be increased to decrease the flow resistance or decreased to increase the flow resistance along the fluid channel 152. With the proper flow resistance, the dispensing bottle 112 may be inverted with the flip-top lid 108 in the open position and the fluid does not leak out of the outlet opening 122.

[0072] By way of example, the fluid channel 152 has a width (e.g., the distance between the walls of the flow guide flange 150 forming opposite sides of the fluid channel 152) in the range of about 3.5 mm to about 7.5 mm. In another configuration, the fluid channel 152 has a width in the range of about 4 mm to about 7 mm. In another configuration, the fluid channel 152 has a width in the range of about 4.5 mm to about 6.5 mm. By way of example, the flow guide flange 150 has a height in the range of about 3.5 mm to about 7.5 mm. In another configuration, the flow guide flange 150 has a height in the range of about 4 mm to about 7 mm. In another configuration, the flow guide flange 150 has a height in the range of about 4.5 mm to about 6.5 mm. By way of example, the fluid channel 152 has a length in the range of about 3.5 mm to about 70 mm. In another configuration, the fluid channel 152 has a length in the range of about 5 mm to about 50 mm. In another configuration, the fluid channel 152 has a length in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm.

[0073] In some exemplary configurations, the inlet opening 144 of the disk 104 is misaligned with or laterally offset from the outlet opening 122 of the base 106. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5A, no portion of the inlet opening 144 is aligned with or overlapping the outlet opening 122. Misalignment of the inlet opening 144 and outlet opening 122 ensures that the fluid flows laterally along the flow path 154 just before exiting the closure cap 100 which provides resistance to the flow and inhibits leakage. For example, the flow resistance of the fluid channel 152 counters the force from the weight of the fluid in the container 110 forcing the fluid toward the outlet opening 122 (when the dispensing bottle 112 is inverted). Moreover, the body 140 of the disk 104 supports a majority of the weight of the fluid in the container 110 when the closure cap 100 is at the bottom of the dispensing bottle 112 to ease the pressure on the fluid proximate the outlet opening 122. The flow guide flange 150 may include a divider wall 158 that- 15 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USinhibits fluid from flowing directly from the inlet opening to the outlet opening which also may increase the flow resistance.

[0074] The outlet opening 122 of the base 106 and the inlet opening 144 of the disk 104 may have substantially the same diameter. The diameter of the outlet opening 122 and inlet opening 144 may be substantially the same as the width of the fluid channel 152.

[0075] In some embodiments, the disk 104 may include a ridge 160 (see FIG. 4B) that extends from a side of the body 140 of the disk 104 opposite the attachment wall 142. The ridge 160 may be an annular ridge sized to contact the neck of the container 110 when the closure cap 100 is threaded to the container 110. The ridge 160 may be used to apply pressure to a seal covering the opening of the neck of the container 110 to press and hold the seal in engagement with the neck during an induction sealing process. For example, the seal may be positioned on the neck of the container 110 or on the ridge 160 of the closure cap 100. The closure cap 100 may be threaded to the neck to sandwich the seal between the ridge 160 and the neck of the container 110 to press the seal against the neck. An induction sealer may be operated to cause the seal to weld to the neck of the container 110 to seal the fluid in the container 110. The end user may remove the seal when they desire to begin using the fluid from the container 110.

[0076] A method of manufacturing the dispensing bottle 112 is provided. The method includes molding the main body 102 of the closure cap 100 having the base 106 and the flip-top lid 108. The flip-top lid 108 is hingedly connected to the base 106 such that the flip-top lid 108 is moveable between the closed and open positions. By one approach, the main body 102 is molded in the open configuration. The method further includes molding the disk 104 separate from the main body 102 of the closure cap 100. The disk 104 is molded from the same material as the main body 102 so that the closure cap 100, when assembled, is recyclable as a single unit.

[0077] Subsequent to the molding operation, the disk 104 is secured or snapped to an interior of the base 106 to form the closure cap 100. When attaching the disk 104 to the base 106, the disk 104 is aligned with the base 106 such that the engaging surface 136A of the angled tip 136 of the base 106 contacts the engaging surface 146A of the annular angled tip 146 of the disk 104. Force is applied to urge the disk 104 and the base 106 together.- 16 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0078] In some configurations, as force is applied, the angled engaging surfaces 136A, 146A of the attachment skirt 134 and the attachment wall 142 cause the attachment skirt 134 and the attachment wall 142 to flex or elastically deflect away from one another as the angled engaging surfaces 136A, 146A slide over each other. Once the angled tip 136 of the base 106 has passed beyond the ridge 146B of the disk 104, the attachment skirt 134 elastically returns or springs back to its original non-flexed state. Likewise, once the angled tip 146 of the disk 104 has passed beyond the ridge 136B of the attachment skirt 134, the attachment wall 142 elastically returns or springs back to its original non-flexed state. Thus, once the angled tips 136, 146 have passed beyond the ridges 136B, 146B the base 106 and the disk 104 are held or secured together, unless pried apart from one another. Force in the opposite direction causes the ridge 136B of the base 106 to contact the ridge 146B of the disk 104 which holds the disk 104 to the base 106. A greater amount of force may be required to cause the attachment skirt 134 and the attachment wall 142 to flex away from one another to allow the angled tips 136, 146 to pass back over the ridges 136B, 146B.

[0079] Once assembled, the fluid channel 152 is formed by the body of the disk 104, the flow guide flange 150, and an inner surface of the central body 114 of the base 106. The closure cap 100 may be threaded to the neck of a container 110 to form the dispensing bottle 112. Fluid flows into the fluid channel 152 from the container 110 through the inlet opening 144. The fluid channel 152 forms the flow path 154 from the inlet opening 144 to the outlet opening 122.

[0080] The method further includes molding the container 110 having the neck with threads and filling the container 110 with a fluid (e.g., a condiment, sauce). The fluid may include chunks or particles. The method further includes closing the filled container 110 with the closure cap 100. The closure cap 100 may be secured or snapped to the container 110 to close the filled container 110. In another form, the closure cap 100 is attached to the container 110 by threading the inner skirt 116 to the neck of the container 110.

[0081] In some forms, the method further includes positioning a seal to be between the closure cap 100 and the neck of the container 110 when the closure cap 100 is attached to the container 110. The closure cap 100 may press the seal against the neck of the container 110 to hold the seal in place to seal the contents of the container 110. For example, the seal may be positioned to be between the disk 104 and the neck of the container 110 when the closure cap- 17 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US100 is attached to the container 110. In one approach, the seal may be placed over the opening of the neck of the container 110 before the closure cap 100 is threaded to the neck. In another approach, the seal may be positioned in the interior of the closure cap 100 and supported by the disk 104. For example, the seal may be secured to the ridge 160 of the disk 104 (e.g., with an adhesive) and sandwiched between the disk 104 and the neck when the closure cap 100 is threaded to the container 110. The method further may include securing the seal to the neck of the container 110 by induction sealing. For example, an induction sealer may be passed over the dispensing bottle 112 to interact with the seal and cause the seal to be welded to the neck of the container 110 to seal the contents of the container 110.

[0082] To dispense fluid from the dispensing bottle 112, the user may move the flip-top lid 108 to the open position, invert the bottle, and squeeze the walls of the container 110 toward one another to force fluid in the container 110 to flow into the fluid channel 152 of the closure cap 100. The force applied to the fluid may overcome the flow resistance of the fluid channel 152 and drive the fluid to flow along the flow path 154 of the fluid channel 152 toward the outlet opening 122 and out of the closure cap 100. When pressure is removed from the container 110, the fluid promptly ceases to exit the closure cap 100. For example, the walls of the container 110 may spring back to their original state which may draw a portion of the fluid along the fluid channel from the outlet opening 122. Drawing the fluid from the outlet opening 122 may further aid to inhibit leakage from the closure cap 100.

[0083] With respect to FIGS. 7-11, a closure cap 200 is provided according to another embodiment. The closure cap 200 is similar in many respects to the closure cap 100 of FIG. 1 discussed above such that the differences will be highlighted. The closure cap 200 includes a main body 202 and an attachment disk 204. In this illustrative configuration, the main body 202 includes a base 206 that has a non-centrally disposed outlet opening 208 on a central portion 209 of the base 206. A lid, such as a flip-top lid, may be secured to the base 206 to selectively uncover or cover the outlet opening 208 to permit or inhibit fluid from being dispensed through the outlet opening 208.

[0084] The attachment disk 204 includes a body 210, an attachment wall 212, and a flow guide flange 214. The attachment wall 212 and the flow guide flange 214 extend from the body 210 of the disk 204 in the same direction. The attachment wall 212 may attach to the base 206 to- 18 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USsecure the attachment disk 204 to the base 206. The base 206 includes an upper portion 218 that forms a recess 221 for receiving the attachment disk 204. The attachment wall 212 may include longitudinal ribs 216. The attachment disk 204 may be urged into the recess 221 to slide the longitudinal ribs 216 along the walls of the upper portion 218 and secure the attachment disk 204 therein by a friction fit connection. The disk 204 may be inserted until the attachment wall 212 and / or the flow guide flange 214 contact an interior surface of the central portion 209 of the base 206. In other forms, the disk 204 is attached to the base 206 as described above with respect to the embodiment to FIG. 1. Once assembled, the interior surface of the central portion 209, the body 210 of the disk 204 and the fluid guide flange 214 form a fluid channel 220 defining a flow path 222 along which fluid flows through the closure cap 200. In another form, the attachment wall 212 attaches to the base 206 as discussed above with respect to the closure cap 100 of FIG. 1.

[0085] The body 210 of the disk 204 defines an inlet opening 224 through which fluid enters the fluid channel 220. The inlet opening 224 may be non-centrally disposed on the body 210 of the attachment disk 204. The flow guide flange 214 extends about the inlet opening 224 and includes walls forming the fluid flow path 222 from the inlet opening 224 to an outlet portion 226 of the attachment disk 204 to be aligned with the outlet opening 208. The inlet opening 224 is thus laterally offset from the outlet opening 208 such that the flow guide flange 214 directs fluid flow laterally in part from the inlet opening 224 to the outlet opening 208. As shown in FIG. 11, the inlet opening 224 may be laterally offset from the outlet opening 208 such that no portion of the outlet opening 208 is aligned with the inlet opening 224. The flow guide flange 214 may include a portion of the attachment wall 212 to form the flow path 222. The flow guide flange 214 may include a divider wall 228 that extends between the inlet opening 224 and the portion 226 of the attachment disk 204 to be aligned with the outlet opening 208 to inhibit fluid from flowing directly from the inlet opening 224 to the outlet opening 208. The divider wall 228 and the flow guide flange 214 forces the fluid to flow outward toward the attachment wall 212 from the inlet opening 224 and then inward toward the outlet opening 208. The flow guide flange 214 thus forces the fluid about a bend which increases the flow resistance of the fluid channel 220. The flow resistance of the fluid channel 220 may be timed based on the type of sauce being dispensed from the closure cap 200. For example, the length and / or width of the fluid channel 220 or the number of bends in the fluid channel 220 may be adjusted to increase or decrease the flow resistance as discussed above.- 19 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0086] Because the inlet opening 224 and the outlet opening 208 are non-centrally disposed, the attachment disk 204 connects to the base 206 in a certain orientation to fluidly connect the inlet opening 224 to the outlet opening 208 with the fluid channel 220. In this manner, the base 206 and / or the attachment disk 204 typically include alignment features such as a protrusion that cooperates with the other of the base 206 and the attachment disk 204 to ensure that the attachment disk 204 is secured to the base in an orientation where the flow path 222 extends from the inlet opening 224 to the outlet opening 208.

[0087] As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the base 206 includes an alignment flange 230 that spans a substantial portion of the width of the base 206. In some forms, the alignment flange 230 is shaped to mate with the fluid guide flange 214, for example, the alignment flange 230 has an "m" shape. The alignment flange 230 extends from the interior surface of the central portion 209 of the base 206 and is offset from the center of the base 206. As shown in FIG. 9, when the attachment disk 204 is properly aligned with the base 206, the alignment flange 230 extends into a recess 232 of the attachment disk 204 adjacent the flow guide flange 214. When the attachment disk 204 is misaligned with the base 206, the alignment flange 230 contacts a top surface 214A of the flow guide flange 214 which inhibits the attachment disk 204 from being inserted any further into the base 206.

[0088] With respect to FIG. 11, the base 206 includes a lower portion 234 that has a wall with base threads 236 on the inner surface thereof. The base threads 236 of the base 206 may be threaded to threads 240 on a neck 242 of a container 244. The wall of the lower portion 234 may have a larger diameter than that of the upper portion 218 of the base 206. The base 206 may be threaded to the container 244 after inserting the attachment disk 204 into the base 206 and threaded until the neck 242 contacts the attachment disk 204. The lower surface of the attachment disk 204 may include a seal engagement ridge 246 that contacts the neck 242 of the container 244. The seal engagement ridge 246 applies pressure to a seal positioned between the neck 242 and the seal engagement ridge 246 to press the seal against the neck 242 such that the seal welds to the neck 242 during an induction sealing process.

[0089] With respect to FIGS. 12 and 13, a dispensing bottle 300 is provided having a closure cap 302 according to another embodiment for attachment to a container body 315, such as a- 20 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USbottle. The closure cap 302 is similar in many respects to the closure cap 100 discussed above such that the differences are highlighted.

[0090] With reference also to FIGS. 14-16, the closure cap 302 has a base 304 and a flip-top lid 306 hingedly attached to the base 304. The closure cap 302 includes a disk 308 that attaches to the base 304. The base 304 includes an inner skirt 310 with threading 312 to thread to threading 314 of the container body 315 of the dispensing bottle 300.

[0091] The closure cap 302 includes disk attachment geometry such as a disk attachment skirt 316 to attach the disk 308 to the base 304. The disk attachment skirt 316 is sized to receive the disk 308. The disk attachment skirt 316 includes an annular wall 316A that extends from a central deck portion such as a central body 318 of the base 304 to an end portion 320. In some configurations, the annular wall 316A extends generally perpendicular from the central body 318 of the base 304, although other angles may be employed. The disk attachment skirt 316 may include a protrusion 322 that extends inwardly from the annular wall 316 A to engage and retain the disk 308 in the base 304. In some configurations, the protrusion 322 may include an angled surface 324 that extends to a ridge 326. Together the angled surface 324 and the ridge 326 provide the protrusion 322 with a barb configuration that facilitates attachment of the disk 308 in the base 304 but resists removal of the disk 308 from the base 304 once attached.

[0092] The disk 308 is sized to be inserted into the disk attachment skirt 316 to attach the disk 308 to the base 304. The entirety of the disk 308 may be radially inward of the disk attachment skirt 316 when the disk 308 is fully inserted into the disk attachment skirt 316. The disk 308 includes a body 330 from which a flow guide flange 332 extends. The flow guide flange 332 is similar in many respects to the structure and function of the embodiments discussed above. For example, the flow guide flange 332 serves to provide flow resistance to the fluid flowing through the disk 308.

[0093] In some approaches, the flow guide flange 332 extends from the body 330 of the disk 308 to contact the central body 318 of the base 304 when the disk 308 is attached to the base 304. The flow guide flange 332 typically limits insertion of the disk 308 into the disk attachment skirt 316 by abutting or contacting the central body 318 of the base 304 when fully inserted. In use, the flow guide flange 332 directs fluid from an inlet opening 331 of the disk 308 and along a- 21 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USfluid channel 334 defined by the disk 308 and the base 304 to an outlet opening 336 in a central body 318 of the base 304.

[0094] In some embodiments, the disk 308 includes a protrusion 338 that engages the protrusion 322 of the disk attachment skirt 316 to attach the disk 308 to the disk attachment skirt 316. The protrusion 338 extends outward from the body 330 of the disk 308. The protrusion 322 may include an angled surface 340 that extends to a ridge 342. Together the angled surface 340 and the ridge 342 provide the protrusion 338 with a barb configuration that facilitates attachment of the disk 308 in the base 304 but resists removal of the disk 308 from the base 304 once attached.

[0095] To attach the disk 308 to the closure cap 302, the disk 308 is aligned with the disk attachment skirt 316 of the base 304 of the closure cap 302. The angled surface 340 of the disk 308 is pressed against the angled surface 324 of the disk attachment skirt 316. The disk 308 may be urged in direction 352 to slide the angled surface 340 of the disk 308 along the angled surface 324 of the disk attachment skirt 316 until the ridge 342 of the disk 308 passes beyond the ridge 326 of the disk attachment skirt 316. By some approaches, the ridge 326 of the disk attachment skirt 316 hooks the ridge 342 of the disk 308 to inhibit the disk 308 from being withdrawn from the base 304. The ridge 326 of the disk attachment skirt 316 holds the disk 308 in contact with the central body 318 of the base 304.

[0096] In other forms, the disk 308 may be attached to the base 304 using other approaches, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,401,083 11,472,610, and 11,891,218 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, the disk attachment skirt 316 may include a groove and the disk 308 includes a protrusion configured to extend or snap into the groove to secure the disk 308 to the disk attachment skirt 316.

[0097] The disk 308 may include an outer wall 344 that extends from the body 330 of the disk 308. The outer wall 344 may extend at about a 90 degree angle relative to the body 330 of the disk, though other angles may be employed. For example, the outer wall 344 may extend along the annular wall 316A of the disk attachment skirt 316. For example, the end of the outer wall 344 may contact the central body 318 of the base 304 when the disk 308 is attached to the base 304 to limit insertion of the disk 308 into the base 304. The end of the outer wall 344 may also contact the central body 318 of the base 304 to form a fluid tight connection therebetween to- 22 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USinhibit fluid from leaking between the disk 308 and the base 304. In some forms, a portion of the flow guide flange 332 forms a portion of the outer wall 344.

[0098] In some embodiments, the end portion 320 of the disk attachment skirt 316 includes an end surface 346 that is configured to press a seal 348 against a neck 328 of the container body 315. For example, the end surface 346 may be aligned with the neck 328 of the container body 315 such that the disk attachment skirt 316 has a length sized such that the end surface 346 presses the seal 348 against the neck 328 when the closure cap 302 is fully threaded to the container body 315. In this manner, the disk attachment skirt 316 thus supports the seal 348 against the neck 328 of the container body 315 so that the seal 348 may be sealed over the opening of the neck 328 in an induction sealing process. When the seal 348 is removed from the container body 315 (e.g., for use), the end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316 may contact the neck 328 of the container body 315, which may form a fluid tight connection therebetween.

[0099] The end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316 may in line with or extend beyond the end of the disk 308 opposite the central body 318 of the base 304. In other words, the disk 308 may not extend beyond the end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316. With this configuration, the end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316 engages the seal 348 to seat the seal 348 against the neck 328 of the container body 315. The closure cap 302 may be used without the disk 308, for example, in applications where the additional flow resistance provided by the disk 308 is not needed or desired.

[0100] In some configurations, the inner skirt 310 of the closure cap 302 may include an annular rib 350 to retain the seal 348 in the closure cap 302 before the seal 348 is secured to the container body 315. The annular rib 350 may project inward from the inner skirt 310 and have an inner dimension (e.g., diameter) that is smaller than the outer dimension (e.g., diameter) of the seal 348. In this manner, the seal 348 may be pressed into the base 304 beyond the annular rib 350 such that the annular rib 350 inhibits the seal 348 from moving axially out of the base 304. The end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316 limits movement of the seal 348 into the base 304. Upon induction sealing, the seal 348 remains attached to the neck 328 of the container body 315 and is withdrawn from the base 304 when the base 304 is subsequently unthreaded from the container body 315.- 23 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0101] With respect to FIG. 17, the base 304 of the closure cap 302 is compatible with multiple types of flow control disks. A variety of optional features may be incorporated into the flow control disks, and the flow control disks may be suitable for a variety of purposes and uses. More particularly, a particular flow control disk may be selected for coupling to the base depending on a variety of factors such as aspects of the fluid to be dispensed (e.g., viscosity) and the preferred amount or rate of dispensing.

[0102] FIG. 17 illustrates two different flow control disks including a first illustrative disk 308 of a first type (described above) that is particularly suitable for controlling flow resistance of a fluid (e.g., providing a desired flow resistance) and a second illustrative disk 400 of a second type that is particularly suitable for mixing fluids advancing through the closure cap 302. Both of the flow control disks include structure for routing fluid from an intake opening to an exit opening. Further, the flow control disks may have different flow characteristics for adjusting a flow of fluid through the flow control disk to the outlet opening 336 of the closure cap 302.

[0103] For example, the first disk 308 may be particularly suitable for fluids (e.g., condiments) having lower viscosities to inhibit the condiment from leaking from the closure cap 302 when inverted (e.g., resting on the closure cap 302) by providing flow resistance. In this manner, selection of the first disk 308 with the base 304 may, for example, permit a user to invert the dispensing bottle (e.g., such that the closure cap 302 is at the bottom) without the fluid unintentionally flowing (e.g., leaking) from the outlet opening 336 even when the flip-top lid 306 is opened. The flow resistance of the first disk 308 may be tuned such that a user is able to cause fluid to flow from the outlet opening 336 upon applying force (e.g., squeezing) to the walls of the container body 315, and without being required to apply a particularly high force to the walls of the bottle.

[0104] In another example, the second disk 400 may be particularly suitable for fluids prone to separation (e.g., condiments, such as ketchup) to cause the fluid to be mixed as it flows through the closure cap 302 to the outlet opening 336 as discussed below. Other types of disks may be used to control the flow of fluid through the closure cap 302, for example, to combine multiple streams of fluid, dose or meter out a specific amount of fluid, among other disks.

[0105] Different types of flow control disks may also have a variety of configurations and aspect sizing to accommodate fluids, such as for those having different sized particles. In one- 24 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USillustrative example, the size of the openings and channels of the flow control disk may correspond to the particle sizes in the fluids (e.g., condiments) to be dispensed through the closure cap 302. A flow control disk having the desired flow characteristics may be selected to be combined with the base 304 of the closure cap 302 to provide a closure cap 302 having the desired flow characteristics when dispensing fluid.

[0106] Further, the base 304 of the closure cap 302 described herein can be used without any disk attached thereto. Use of the closure cap 302 without a flow control disk may be a particularly suitable for thick and highly viscous fluids, such as, for example, cream-based sauces or whipped fluids.

[0107] With respect to FIGS. 18 and 19, the second disk 400 is shown installed in the closure cap 302. The disk attachment skirt 316 of the closure cap 302 attaches the second disk 400 to the base 304. The disk attachment skirt 316 and the central body 318 of the base 304 define a cavity 317 sized to receive the second disk 400.

[0108] In some configurations, the central body 318 of the base 304 forming the cavity has a smooth, uninterrupted surface 318A (see FIG. 18) extending between the disk attachment skirt 316 and the outlet opening 336. For example, the central body 318 may be curved such as domeshaped. As another example, the central portion may have a truncated-cone or conical shape. The central body 318 of the base 304 may have no protrusions extending therefrom into the cavity 317, providing a large headspace to receive flow control disks of various configurations. In some forms, the outlet opening 336 includes an annular wall 336A (see FIG. 18) projecting outward from the central body 318. The outlet opening 336 may similarly include an annular wall projecting inward into the cavity 317 from the central body 318. In such embodiments, the smooth, uninterrupted surface extends between the disk attachment skirt 316 and the annular wall of the outlet opening 336.

[0109] The protrusion 322 of the disk attachment skirt 316 extends inwardly from the annular wall 316A to engage and retain the second disk 400 in the base 304. The protrusion 322 may have a barb configuration to facilitate attachment of the second disk 400 in the base 304 but resist removal of the second disk 400 from the base 304 once attached.- 25 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0110] With respect also to FIGS. 20 A and 20 B, the second disk 400 includes a disk-shaped body 402 including a plurality of mixing openings 404. In some configurations, the disk-shaped body 402 is generally planar. The mixing openings 404 include partial annular outer openings such as partial annular outer slots 406 and partial annular inner openings such as partial annular inner slots 408 that are radially inward of the partial annular outer slots 406. The mixing openings 404 cause the fluid to be mixed as the fluid flows therethrough along flow paths 405 (see FIG. 18) to the outlet opening 336 of the closure cap base 304. For example, the mixing openings 404 cause turbulence in the fluid as the fluid flows through the mixing openings 404, e.g., as the fluid flows over the edges of the mixing openings 404. The mixing openings 404 may have an elongate slot shape to cause turbulent flow in a substantial portion of the fluid flowing through the mixing openings, for example, due to a substantial portion of the fluid flowing near an edge of the mixing openings 404 due to the narrow slot shape.

[0111] In some embodiments, the disk-shaped body 402 includes a tapered surfaces about the mixing openings 404 to facilitate the flow of fluid therethrough. For example, in some forms, the disk-shaped body 402 includes tapered surfaces 406A extending at least partially about the partial annular outer slots 406 on a bottom side 402A of the disk-shaped body 402. The tapered surfaces 406A facilitate the flow of fluid through the partial annular outer slots 406 and into the cavity 317 of the closure cap 302.

[0112] In some forms, the disk-shaped body 402 additionally or alternatively includes tapered surfaces 408A extending at least partially about the partial annular inner slots 408 on a top side 402B of the disk-shaped body 402. The tapered surfaces 408A facilitate the flow of fluid through the partial annular inner slots 408 out of the cavity 317 of the closure cap 302 and back to the container body 315. For instance, the tapered surfaces 408A facilitate the flow of air from the cavity 317 through the partial annular inner slots 408 to the container body 315, for example, as the container body 315 sucks air through the closure cap 302 upon the user ceasing to squeeze the container body 315 and the container body 315 returning to its resting configuration.

[0113] In some approaches, the second disk 400 includes an outer wall 414, an intermedial wall such as mixing flange 416, and an inner wall forming a central shaft 418 extending axially from a first side 419 of the body 402. In one illustrative configuration, the shaft 418 is radially- 26 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USinward of the mixing flange 416. The mixing flange 416 is typically disposed radially inward of the outer wall 414. In some configurations, the outer wall 414, mixing flange 416, and the shaft 418 are annular, such as formed of a single annular extension. In some configurations, the outer wall 414, mixing flange 416, and the shaft 418 are concentric. In yet other configurations, one or more of the outer wall 414, mixing flange 416, and shaft 418 may have a discontinuous configuration such that the flanges or walls have multiple discrete portions.

[0114] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 20A and 20B, the outer wall 414 may extend along the annular wall 316A of the disk attachment skirt 316. The outer wall 414 also may extend from an outer edge 417 of the body 402 of the second disk 400. In some embodiments, the outer wall 414 and the shaft 418 extend from the body 402 to contact the central body 318 of the base 304 when the second disk 400 is attached to the base 304. In this manner, the outer wall 414 and the shaft 418 limit insertion of the second disk 400 into the disk attachment skirt 316 of the closure cap 302 by contacting the central body 318 of the base 304.

[0115] In some configurations (and dependent on the configuration of the base to which the second disk 400 is secured), the outer wall 414 may extend a shorter distance from the body 402 than the shaft 418 where the central body 318 of the base 304 is curved such as domeshaped. The end of the outer wall 414 may contact the central body 318 of the base 304 when the second disk 400 is attached to the base 304 to form a fluid tight (or nearly fluid tight) connection therebetween to inhibit fluid from leaking between the second disk 400 and the base 304. In some forms, the outer wall 414 is omitted and the shaft 418 contacts the central body 318 to limit insertion into the base 304.

[0116] By some approaches, the mixing flange 416 is disposed between the partial annular outer slots 406 and the partial annular inner slots 408. The mixing flange 416 may direct fluid flowing through the partial annular outer slots 406 to flow at least partially toward the central body 318 of the base 304 before flowing radially inward toward the outlet opening 336.

[0117] Further, the mixing flange 416 may interrupt the direct flow of fluid from partial annular outer slots 406 to the outlet opening 336 to mix or move the fluid. The mixing flange 416 further provides surfaces the fluid flowing through the mixing openings 404 of the base 304 flow along, which may provide frictional resistance to the portion of the fluid flowing along such surfaces and induce mixing of the fluid. The outer wall 414 (or the disk attachment skirt- 27 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US316 where the outer wall 414 is omitted) also contacts the fluid, which likewise may provide frictional resistance to the portion of the fluid flowing along such surface and induce mixing of the fluid.

[0118] As shown, the shaft 418 of the second disk 400 may include an annular body 420 that extends from the central portion 412 of the body 402 of the second disk 400. The annular body 420 of the shaft 418 typically extends about the outlet opening 336 of the base 304 when the second disk 400 is attached to the base 304. A distal end 424 of the shaft 418 opposite the body 402 of the second disk 400 engages the central body 318 of the base 304. The end 424 of the shaft 418 may form a fluid tight connection with the central body 318 to inhibit fluid from passing therebetween.

[0119] In some embodiments, the shaft 418 includes one or more mixing openings 422 fluid flows through as the fluid flows toward the outlet opening 336 of the base 304. The mixing openings 422 may extend from the body 402 of the second disk 400 partially along the length of the shaft 418. The body 402 of the second disk 400 may thus form a portion of the mixing openings 422. The mixing openings 422 may include be partially annular openings disposed adjacent one another about the circumference of the annular body 420. In one illustrative example, the mixing openings 422 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The mixing openings 422 typically cause turbulence in the fluid flow and thus aid to mix the fluid before the fluid flows to the outlet opening 336 of the base 304.

[0120] The second disk 400 may include one or more pinholes 428 in the central portion 412 of the body 402 of the second disk 400. The pinholes 428 are generally radially inward of the annular body 420 of the shaft 418 and aligned with a central opening of the shaft 418. The pinholes 428 permit air to flow through the closure cap 302, for example, into the container body 315 to which the closure cap 302 is attached. For instance, air may flow into the container body 315 through the outlet opening 336 the closure cap 302 and the pinholes 428 of the second disk 400. Air may also flow through the plurality of mixing openings 404 of the second disk 400.

[0121] The second disk 400 is sized to be inserted into the disk attachment skirt 316 to attach the second disk 400 to the base 304. The entirety of the second disk 400 may be radially inward of the disk attachment skirt 316 when the second disk 400 is inserted into the disk attachment skirt 316. The end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316 may be in line with or- 28 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USextend beyond the end of the second disk 400 opposite the central body 318 of the base 304. In other words, the second disk 400 does not necessarily extend beyond the end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316. With this configuration, the end surface 346 of the disk attachment skirt 316 engages the seal 348 (as shown in FIG. 13) to seat the seal 348 against the neck 328 of the container body 315 as discussed above. This configuration also permits the end surface 346 to contact the neck 328 of the container body 315 after the seal 348 has been removed from the container body 315 (e.g., for use). The engagement of the end surface 346 with the neck 328 may form a fluid tight connection therebetween. This configuration also permits the closure cap 302 to be used without a flow control disk.

[0122] The second disk 400 typically includes securement geometry such as a protrusion 430 that cooperates with the disk attachment geometry of the base 304 (e.g., the protrusion 322 of the disk attachment skirt 316) to attach the second disk 400 to the disk attachment skirt 316. The protrusion 430 extends outward from the body 402 of the second disk 400. The protrusion 430 may include an angled surface 432 that extends to a ridge 434. Together the angled surface 432 and the ridge 434 provide the protrusion 430 with a barb configuration that facilitates attachment of the second disk 400 in the base 304 but resists removal of the second disk 400 from the base 304 once attached. The protrusion 322 of the second disk 400 may form a fluid tight connection with the disk attachment skirt 316 to inhibit fluid from flowing therebetween. Thus, fluid urged through the mixing openings 404 flows toward the outlet opening 336. The protrusion 322 of the disk attachment skirt 316 may be positioned to support the outer wall 414 and shaft 418 of the second disk 400 in engagement with the central body 318 of the base 304. In other words, the protrusion 322 urges or holds the outer wall 414 and shaft 418 against the central body 318.

[0123] To attach the second disk 400 to the closure cap 302, the second disk 400 is aligned with the disk attachment skirt 316 of the base 304 of the closure cap 302. For example, an axis of the second disk 400 is aligned with an axis of the disk attachment skirt 316 with a side of the second disk 400 having the shaft 418 facing the central body 318. Once axially aligned in this manner, the second disk 400 may attached to the disk attachment skirt 316 in any orientation about its axis (e.g., rotated about its axis). The angled surface 432 of the second disk 400 is pressed against the angled surface 324 of the disk attachment skirt 316. The second disk 400 may be urged in direction 436 to slide the angled surface 432 of the second disk 400 along the- 29 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USangled surface 432 of the disk attachment skirt 316 until the ridge 434 of the second disk 400 passes beyond the ridge 326 of the disk attachment skirt 316. The ridge 326 of the disk attachment skirt 316 hooks the ridge 434 of the second disk 400 to inhibit the second disk 400 from being withdrawn from the base 304. The ridge 326 of the disk attachment skirt 316 holds the second disk 400 in contact with the central body 318 of the base 304.

[0124] Another embodiment of a closure cap 500 is shown in FIGS. 21A-21B. The base 502 of the closure cap 500 may be attached to a container such as container body 315. The closure cap 500 that incorporates the base 502 is similar in many respects to the closure cap embodiments discussed above such that the differences are highlighted. As discussed in further detail below, the closure cap 500 has a seal skirt 514 which is separate from the disk attachment skirt 512 that attaches to a flow control disk.

[0125] The base 502 of the closure cap 500 includes a central portion 504 defining a central dispensing opening 506 and a container attachment skirt 508 extending from the central portion 504. In some embodiments, the container attachment skirt extends radially from an outer edge of the central portion 504. In some embodiments, the container attachment skirt 508 includes threading 510 to thread to threading of the container body (e.g., a bottle). The closure cap 500 may include a flip-top lid hingedly attached to the base 502 similar to the embodiments discussed above.

[0126] The closure cap 500 further includes a disk attachment skirt 512 and a seal skirt 514 extending from the central portion 504. The container attachment skirt 508 is radially outward of and extends about the seal skirt 514. The seal skirt 514 is radially outward of and extends about the disk attachment skirt 512. The disk attachment skirt 512 extends about the central dispensing opening 506 of the base 502.

[0127] The disk attachment skirt 512 is configured to connect to a flow control disk such as disk 516 (see also FIGS. 23A-23B) to secure the disk 516 to the base 502. The disk attachment skirt 512 includes attachment geometry that engages with attachment geometry of the disk 516 to secure the disk 516 to the base 502. In some embodiments, the disk attachment skirt 512 includes an attachment protrusion 520 that the disk 516 snaps over to secure the disk 516 to the base 502. The attachment protrusion 520 may have a barb configuration similar to the embodiments discussed above such that a greater amount of force is required to remove the- 30 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USdisk 516 from the base 502 than to attach the disk 516 to the base 502. In some embodiments, the attachment protrusion 520 extends radially outward such that the disk attachment skirt 512 is at least partially inserted into the disk 516 to attach the disk 516 to the base 502. In other forms, the attachment protrusion 520 extends radially inward such that at least a portion of the disk 516 is inserted into the disk attachment skirt 512 to attach the disk 516 to the base 502.

[0128] Similar to the embodiments described above, the closure cap 500 includes a fluid chamber 518 formed by the disk 516, the disk attachment skirt 512, and the central portion 504 of the base 502. In use, fluid typically flows along flow path 517 through openings in the disk 516 and into the fluid chamber 518 before flowing out the dispensing opening 506.

[0129] The seal skirt 514 extends from the central portion 504 of the base to engage a neck of a container body to which the closure cap 500 is secured. The seal skirt 514 extends from the central portion 504 in an axial direction 522 to an end portion 524 that is beyond the disk attachment skirt 512 and / or the disk 516 in the axial direction when the disk 516 is secured to the base 502. In some forms, the end portion 524 of the seal skirt 514 contacts a sealing element (e.g., an induction seal) that seals the neck of the container body when the closure cap is fully seated or threaded onto a bottle neck. For example, the seal skirt 514 may contact the seal to press the seal against the neck of the container body to hold the seal in place during an induction sealing process to secure the seal to the neck of the container body. When the seal is removed (e.g., to access the contents of the container body), the seal skirt 514 may contact the neck of the container body when the closure cap 500 is threaded to the container body. For instance, the seal skirt 514 may be urged against the neck of the container body to form a fluid tight seal therebetween and to inhibit contents of the container body from leaking between the closure cap 500 and the neck of the container body. In some configurations, use of the seal skirt 514 permits the sealing and capping operation to be more efficient.

[0130] In some forms, the seal skirt 514 is an annular wall that extends about the disk attachment skirt 512. With the seal skirt 514 spaced radially from the disk attachment skirt 512, the size of the fluid chamber 518 may be reduced. In other words, the diameter of the disk attachment skirt 512 is not set based on the diameter of the neck of the container body and can thus be moved radially inward to any position to provide a fluid chamber 518 of the desired size. With the smaller the fluid chamber 518, the size of the disk 516 may be reduced relative to- 31 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USother embodiments which may reduce the material used in forming the closure cap 500 and reduce the overall weight of the closure cap 500. Reducing the size of the fluid chamber 518 also enables the overall height of the closure cap 500 to be reduced which also may reduce the material used in forming the closure cap 500 and reduce the weight of the closure cap 500.

[0131] Because a separate seal skirt 514 contacts the seal and / or neck of the container body, the closure cap 500 is able to be used with or without a disk 516 attached. For example, similar to the embodiments above, different types of flow control disks may be attached to the base 502 of the closure cap 500 to control the flow of fluid therethrough, for example, to adjust the flow resistance and / or mix the fluid. The closure cap 500 may also be used without a disk, for example, for fluids that do not need additional flow control (e.g., flow resistance or mixing).

[0132] Moreover, having a seal skirt 514 to contact the seal and / or neck of the container body that is separate from the disk attachment skirt 512 aids to ensure that the disk 516 remains secured to the base 502 (as opposed to be misaligned or disconnected due to interference between the bottle neck and disk 516 or disk attachment skirt 512). For example, as the closure cap 500 is threaded to the neck of a container body, the seal skirt 514 is forced against the neck. The seal skirt 514 may flex or bow (or otherwise deform) slightly due to the force at which the seal skirt 514 is urged against the neck when tightening, especially where the closure cap 500 is overtightened. With the disk attachment skirt 512 positioned radially inward of the seal skirt 514, the disk attachment skirt 512 is not subjected to such force when the closure cap is threaded to the container body, ensuring the disk 516 remains secured thereto.

[0133] With respect to FIG. 22, in some embodiments, the end portion 524 of the seal skirt 514 may include an inner lip 526 that extends along a portion of an interior of the neck 530 of the container body to aid in forming a fluid tight seal therebetween. In some embodiments, the end portion additionally or alternatively includes an outer lip 528 that extends along a portion of an exterior of the neck 530 of the container body to aid in forming a fluid tight seal therebetween. In some embodiments, the end portion 524 extends along an inner side of the neck 530 and / or an outer side of the neck 530. For example, the end portion 425 may have a U- shaped cross-section with an inner extension that extends along the inner side of the neck 530 and an outer extension that extends along the outer side of the neck 530. The end portion 524 may form an interference fit connection with the neck 530 to inhibit the closure cap 500 from- 32 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USbeing removed from the container body and form a seal therebetween (e.g., in embodiments where the dispensing bottle does not include a sealing element such as an induction seal). For example, the end portion 524 may include a barbed protrusion to snap to the neck 530 similar to how the disk 516 snaps to the disk attachment skirt 512.

[0134] Returning to FIG. 21B, in some embodiments, the base 502 of the closure cap 500 includes a central shaft 550 extending about the dispensing opening 506. The central shaft 550 creates a more tortuous fluid flow path 517 by adding another bend in the flow path 517 that the fluid travels around to the dispensing opening 506. The tortuous flow path 517 may aid to mix the fluid as it travels through the base 502 and before being dispensed.

[0135] In some embodiments, the base 502 of the closure cap 500 includes an internal cutoff blade 552 disposed adjacent the dispensing opening 506 that has an inner diameter that is smaller than that of the central shaft 550. By one approach, the cut-off blade 552 has an edge 554 that is sharp. The reduced diameter of the cut-off blade 552 reduces the amount of fluid dispensed when pressure is applied to the container body. The reduced diameter of the cut-of blade 552 also inhibits fluid from unintentionally leaking from the closure cap 500 (e.g., when the closure cap 500 is inverted) by providing a smaller dispensing opening 506. In addition, the cut-off blade 552 may assist with rapid cessation of fluid dispensing upon release of pressure on the container body.

[0136] In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 23A-23B, the disk 516 includes an outer portion 532, an inner portion 534, and an axial portion 536 connecting the outer portion 532 to the inner portion 534, which are vertically offset from one another in some configurations. More particularly, the axial portion 536 spaces the inner portion 534 axially from the outer portion 532 forming a recess 538. The axial portion 536 further includes one or more openings 540 that permits fluid to flow from the recess 538 on an upstream side 542 of the disk 516 to a downstream side 544 of the disk 516. The openings 540 may direct the fluid to flow at least in part radially outward as the fluid flows from the upstream side 542 to the downstream side 544 of the disk 516. So configured, the disk 516 is a mixing disk that facilitates mixing of the fluid flowing therethrough to mix the fluid before the fluid is dispensed from the central opening 506 of the base 502.- 33 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

[0137] In some embodiments, the disk 516 includes an attachment wall 546 that engages the disk attachment skirt 512 to secure the disk 516 to the base 502 of the closure cap 500. The attachment wall 546 includes an attachment protrusion 548 that hooks the attachment protrusion 520 of the disk attachment skirt 512 of the base 502 to secure the disk 516 to the base 502, similar to the embodiments discussed above. In some forms, the attachment protrusion 548 has a barbed configuration similar to the embodiments discussed above such that a greater amount of force is required to remove the disk 516 from the base 502 than to attach the disk 516 to the base 502.

[0138] With respect to FIGS. 24A-24B, a dispensing bottle 600 is shown according to another embodiment having a closure cap 602 and a container body 604. The closure cap 602 is similar in many respects to the closure cap 500 discussed above such that the differences are primarily discussed. The closure cap 602 has a base 603 including a seal skirt 606 and a disk attachment skirt 608. The seal skirt 606 is outward of the disk attachment skirt 608 to engage with a neck 610 of the container body 604 to support or form a seal therebetween as discussed above. And, being inward of the seal skirt 606, the disk attachment skirt 608 does not typically contact the container body 604 when the base 603 of the closure cap 602 is threaded thereto. The diameter of the disk attachment skirt 608 can thus be selected to attach to a flow control disk of the desired size to provide desired flow control properties, while reducing the amount of material in the closure cap 602.

[0139] The closure cap 602 includes a disk 612 attachable to the disk attachment skirt 608 which has a different configuration than the disk 516 discussed above. The disk 612 includes a disk body 616 including an attachment portion such as attachment wall 618 extending from the disk body 616. The attachment wall 618 engages with the disk attachment skirt 608 of the base 603 to secure the disk 612 to the base 603. In some embodiments, the attachment wall 618 includes a barbed protrusion 620 as in the embodiments discussed above to engage the disk attachment skirt 608. For example, the barbed protrusion 620 may engage an opposing protrusion 622 (e.g., a barbed protrusion) of the disk attachment skirt 608 to snap the disk 612 to the disk attachment skirt 608.

[0140] The disk 612 includes openings 624 through which fluid flows from the container body 604 into a chamber 626 formed by the disk 612 and the base 603. Fluid may flow along- 34 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USflow path 634 from the container body 604 and through the closure cap 602. In some embodiments, the disk 612 includes an annular wall 628 extending from the disk body 616 into the chamber 626 radially inward of the openings 624. The annular wall 628 may be radially between the openings 624 of the disk 612 and an internal mixing shaft 630 and / or an outlet 632 of the base 603. The annular wall 628 may introduce a bend in the flow path 634 of the fluid through the closure cap 602, for example, to aid in mixing the fluid before the fluid exits the closure cap 602. The openings 624 may be sized (e.g., larger or smaller than shown) to control the flow of fluid into the chamber 626, for example, to provide the desired flow characteristics. For example, the size of the openings 624 may be adjusted based on the type of fluid (e.g., the viscosity thereof) and / or to provide a desired flow resistance and / or degree of mixing. The openings 624 may be slots, for example, arcuate slots that extend circumferentially in the disc body 616.

[0141] As noted above, the teachings herein may be employed for fluids with a variety of attributes including higher or less viscous fluids. In one illustrative configuration, a closure cap with a disk forming a plurality of channels with a changing or expanding cross section may be employed with fluids having relatively lower viscosities.

[0142] Regarding FIGS. 25A-25C, a flow control disk 700 is provided according to another embodiment for attachment to a closure cap 750 (a portion of which is shown in FIG. 26), which may be similar to the closure cap embodiments discussed above. The flow control disk 700 may be used with dispensing bottles (e.g., like dispensing bottle 112) having the closure cap 750 and a container body (e.g., like container body 110) containing a fluid such as a condiment or other fluids. The flow control disk 700 may be used for a variety of applications including those with low viscous condiments, for example, salad dressings, or even drinking beverages such as water.

[0143] In some applications, the flow control disk 700 is configured to maintain a high pressure of fluid at an outlet opening 752 (see FIG. 26) of the closure cap 100 when pressure is applied to the container body to dispense the fluid, while inhibiting fluid leakage from the outlet opening 752 of the closure cap 750 when the dispensing bottle is not in use, for example, when the dispensing bottle is inverted and not being squeezed and / or resting on the closure cap 750. When the dispensing bottle is inverted and pressure is not being applied to the- 35 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-UScontainer body, the flow control disk 700 provides a flow resistance to fluid flow therethrough that counters (at least in part) the force from the weight of the fluid above the flow control disk 700 urging the flow toward the outlet opening 752. The flow control disk 700 may also facilitate fluid being drawn away from the outlet opening 752 upon release of the pressure to the container body, reducing the pressure of the fluid at the outlet opening when the dispensing bottle is not in use.

[0144] The flow control disk 700 may be formed as a single piece. For example, the flow control disk 700 may be formed of a plastic, such as polypropylene. The flow control disk 700 includes a disk body 702 having an upper side 705 and a lower side 707. The disk body 702 defines a plurality of inlet openings 704 spaced radially outward from a central portion 706. In the embodiment shown, the disk body 702 includes seven inlet openings 704 corresponding to seven flow channels 726. In other embodiments, the disk body 702 may include more or fewer inlet openings 704 or flow channels 726 to control fluid flow therethrough. The number of inlet openings 704 may be selected, for example, based on the viscosity of the condiment. For instance, more flow channels 726 or inlet openings 704 may be included for higher viscosity fluids and fewer flow channels 726 or inlet openings 704 may be included for lower viscosity fluids. The flow channels 726 or inlet openings 704 may be sized to provide the desired flow resistance to fluid flow therethrough, to inhibit fluid flow therethrough when pressure is not being applied to the container body.

[0145] In some embodiments, the flow control disk 700 includes a flow control wall 708 that extends about or surrounds the plurality of inlet openings 704 and the central portion 706. The flow control wall 708 extends from the upper side 705 of the disk body 702 to a terminal surface 710 opposite the disk body 702. The terminal surface 710 has a profile that corresponds to an interior surface 754 (see FIG. 26) of a central portion 756 of the closure cap 750 having the outlet opening 752, such that the terminal surface 710 forms a fluid tight seal with the central portion 756 of the closure cap 750 when urged thereagainst. The central portion 756 of the closure cap 750 may be dome-shaped and the terminal surface 710 of the flow control wall 708 may have a corresponding dome shape. As shown in FIG. 25A, the flow control wall 708 extends upward from the disk body 702 of the flow control disk 700 and may have an asterisk, star, or spur-gear shaped outline with a central portion having long spokes extending therefrom. The height of the flow control wall 708 may be variable such that a central portion of- 36 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USthe wall 708 has a larger or greater height than a peripheral portion of the wall 708 having a smaller or lower height. In this manner, the flow control wall 708 may engage with an interior surface of the central portion 756 of the closure cap 750 as mentioned below.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 25 A, the flow control wall 708 includes a plurality of extension portions 712 that extend radially outward from the central portion 706 to each of the inlet openings 704 such that the extension portions 712 extend around the inlet openings 704. Where the flow control disk includes multiple inlet openings 704, the flow control wall 708 may have an asterisk or star shaped configuration. The radially inner portion 714 of the flow control wall 708 is adjacent the central portion 706 and defines a central recess 716 at the central portion 706. When the flow control disk 700 is secured to the closure cap 750 with the flow control wall 708 engaging the interior surface 754 of the closure cap 750 as shown in FIG. 26, the central recess 716 is aligned with the outlet opening 752 of the closure cap 750 such that the flow control wall 708 and the central repository or central portion 706 form a chamber 718 at the outlet opening 752.

[0147] In some embodiments, the extension portions 712, in part, form flow channels 726 from the inlet openings 704 to a channel outlet 728 at the central recess 716 of the flow control disk 700. The extension portions 712 extend outward from the radially inner portions 714 of the flow control wall 708, looping about the inlet openings 704. The extension portions 712 are each formed by two opposing segments 720, 722 of the flow control wall 708 which extend from radially inner portions 714 to a curved portion 724 at a radially outer extent of the extension portions 712 that extends about the inlet openings 704.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 26, the flow control disk 700 may further include one or more raised protrusions such as an annular protrusion 730 in the flow channels 726 and at the channel outlet 728. The annular protrusion 730 intersects the extension portions 712 at the channel outlet 728 and adjacent the central recess 716. Fluid flows over the annular protrusion 730 as fluid flows from the flow channels 726 to the central recess 716 of the central portion 706. The transition 732 from the annular protrusion 730 to the central portion 706 steps downward abruptly thereby increasing the volume of the central recess 716 (and the flow chamber 718) relative to the flow channels 726, which increases the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path- 37 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USthrough the flow chamber 718 relative to the cross-section area of the fluid flow path in the flow channels 726.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 25 B, the disk body 702 typically includes an inner plate portion 734 and an outer plate portion 736. The inner plate portion 734 is spaced apart from the outer plate portion 736 by the annular protrusion 730. The inner plate portion 734 forms a portion of the central recess 716 and the chamber 718 adjacent the outlet opening 752 of the closure cap 750. The outer plate portion 736 defines the inlet openings 704. The inside surface 724A (see FIG. 25C) of the curved portion 724 of the extension portions 712 of the flow control wall 708 and the radially outer surface 730A (see FIG. 25C) of the annular protrusion 730 together extend from the outer plate portion 736 about the inlet opening 704 forming an axially extending portion 725 of the flow channel 726. Regarding FIG. 25 A, the inside surfaces 720A, 722A of the opposing segments 720, 722 of the flow control wall 708 and the upper surface 730B of the annular protrusion 730 together form a radial extending portion 727 of the flow control channel 726. Having the axially extending portion 725 and the radially extending portion 727 increases the length of the flow control channels 726, which increases the flow resistance to fluid, aiding to resist fluid flow therethrough to inhibit leakage when the dispensing bottle is not in use.

[0150] As shown in FIGS. 25C and 26, the flow channels 726 form flow paths 740 from the inlet openings 704 to the central recess 716 or chamber 718 along which fluid flows from the dispensing bottle container to the outlet opening 752 of the closure cap 750. By some approaches, the flow channels 726 are formed via the inlet opening 704, the flow control wall 708 including the extension portions 712, the annular protrusion 730, the interior surface 754 of the central portion 756 of the closure cap 750, and the channel outlet 728.

[0151] In some configurations, the inlet openings 704 are sized to provide flow resistance to the fluid, restricting the volume of fluid entering the disk flow channels 726. In some configurations, the narrow flow channels 726 also provide a large ratio of surface area to volume of fluid therein, such that a large portion of the fluid therein is in contact with walls of the flow channels 726, increasing the flow resistance due to the engagement (e.g., adhesion) of the fluid on the walls of the flow channels 726. The increasing cross-section of the flow channels 726 from the inlet openings 704 to the outlet openings 728 also may increase the pressure required in the container body to cause fluid to flow in the flow channels 726. In some- 38 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USconfigurations, the increasing cross-section of the flow channels 726 may require a user to apply more pressure (beyond a threshold pressure) to prompt sufficient fluid flow through the closure cap. The flow resistance of the disk 700 from the inlet openings 704 and the one or more flow channels 726 may be sufficient to counter (e.g., in whole or in part) a force from the weight of the fluid urging the fluid through the disk 700 when the container body is full and the dispensing bottle is inverted, with the closure cap 750 at the bottom of the dispensing bottle such that fluid does not flow through the disk 700 when pressure is not applied to the container body.

[0152] In some embodiments, the fluid flows along the flow paths 740 to the chamber 718, which is wider than the flow channels 726, having a lower ratio of surface area to the volume of fluid therein, and thus less flow resistance. In other words, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of fluid in the chamber 718 to the outlet opening 752 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the flow paths through the fluid channels 726. As fluid enters the chamber 718 from the flow channels 726 when pressure is applied to the container body to dispense the fluid, the velocity of the fluid flow is reduced and the pressure increased as the fluid enters the chamber 718 and flows to the outlet opening 752 (e.g., due to the reverse Venturi effect). Thus, squeezing the container results in high fluid pressure at the outlet opening 752 as fluid flows through disk 700 and thus the discharge of fluid therefrom, even with the flow resistive fluid channels 726.

[0153] In use, when the container is inverted with the closure cap 750 at the bottom of the dispensing bottle and the container body is not being squeezed, the narrow flow channels 726 and small inlet openings 704 provide sufficient flow resistance to the fluid to inhibit or slow fluid flow therethrough, thus inhibiting or slowing fluid from exiting the outlet opening 752. Indeed, in some configurations with some lower viscous fluids, when the dispensing bottle is inverted and the closure cap 750 is in the open configuration, the fluid is typically not flowing out of the bottle or is nearly still as long as there is no outside pressure applied to the walls of the container body (i.e., the force of gravity via the weight of the fluid is not sufficient to advance the fluid through the channels of the disk 700). This may be particularly useful for low viscous or relatively thin fluids. For instance, the flow resistance of the narrow flow channels 726 (e.g., from engagement of the channel walls with the fluid) counters the force from the weight of the fluid above the disk 700 urging the fluid toward the outlet opening 752.Furthermore, upon a user releasing the container after squeezing the container to urge- 39 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-UScondiment out the outlet opening 752, the volume of the container increases as the walls of the container body return to their original positions, which may draw some condiment out of fluid chamber 718 via the flow channels 726 of the disk 700, reducing the volume and / or pressure of the condiment in the fluid chamber 718 and at the outlet opening 752 when the dispensing bottle is not in use. Reducing the presence and / or pressure of the fluid at the outlet opening 752 likewise inhibits fluid leakage therefrom.

[0154] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the channel outlets 728 may be larger than the cross-section area of the inlet openings 704, which may increase the pressure of the fluid as the fluid flows in flow channels 726 when pressure is applied to the container body to dispense the fluid, causing fluid flow. In the embodiment shown, the cross-sectional area of the flow channels 726 progressively increase as the flow channels 726 extend toward the chamber 718, which gradually increases the pressure of the fluid as the fluid travels to the chamber 718 (in this portion of the flow channel). Specifically, the inside surface 724 A of the curved portion 724 of the extension portions 712 and / or the radially outer surface 730A of the annular protrusion 730 of the axially extending portion of the flow channel 726 may taper apart from one another as they extend axially from the inlet opening 704, progressively increasing the cross-sectional area of the flow channel 726 as the flow channel 726 extends toward the radially extending portion 727 of the flow channel 726. The opposing segments 720, 722 radially extending portion 727 of the flow channel 726 diverge away from each other as they extend from the inlet opening 704 toward the channel outlet 728, which progressively increases the cross-sectional area of the flow channel 726 as flow channel 726 extends radially inward toward the central portion 706.

[0155] In some approaches, when dispensing fluid from the dispensing bottle, pressure is applied to the walls of the container body to urge the fluid toward the outlet opening 752 of the closure cap 750 through the disk 700. Upon releasing the pressure from the container body, the walls of the container body expand, creating a vacuum (e.g., less pressure than in the fluid chamber 718) in the container body that may draw condiment through the disk 700 from the fluid chamber 718 via the flow channels 726. The narrow cross-sections of the flow channels 726 enable drawing of fluid from the fluid chamber 718 even when the pressure of the container body is slightly lower than the container body. Removing some fluid from the fluid chamber 718 upon releasing the pressure from the container body reduces the pressure of the fluid at the- 40 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USfluid outlet opening 752, inhibiting fluid from leaking through the outlet opening when the dispensing bottle is no longer being used to dispense condiment.

[0156] In some configurations, the disk 700 includes attachment geometry such as an attachment wall 742 to secure the disk 700 to the closure cap 750. The attachment wall 742 may be similar to the embodiments discussed above. In the embodiment shown, the attachment wall 742 includes an axially extending portion 738, such as an annular wall, extending from the upper side 705 of the disk body 702. The attachment wall 742 includes a barb protrusion 744 to snap a disk attachment skirt 758 of the closure cap 750, similar to the embodiments discussed above. The attachment wall 742 engages the disk attachment skirt 758 of the closure cap 750 to urge the terminal surface 710 against the central portion 756 of the closure cap 750 to form a fluid tight seal therebetween. The flow control wall 708 extends from the upper side 705 of the disk body 702, retaining fluid inward of the flow control wall 708 and creating a non-flow region 760 outward of the flow control wall 708 that is outside of the space where the fluid is retained.

[0157] Uses of singular terms such as "a," "an," are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms. It is intended that the phrase "at least one of" as used herein be interpreted in the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.

[0158] While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended for the present invention to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims.- 41 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A closure cap for a container, the closure cap comprising: a base including: a central portion having an outlet; a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion, the container attachment skirt to secure the base to a container body; and a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion to connect to at least one type of flow control disk configured to adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet, the disk attachment skirt and the central portion defining a cavity to receive the flow control disk, wherein the central portion has a smooth, uninterrupted surface extending between the disk attachment skirt and the outlet; and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base; and a flow control disk to be attached to the base via the disk attachment skirt.

2. The closure cap of claim 1 wherein the central portion of the base has no protrusions extending therefrom into the cavity.

3. The closure cap of claim 1 wherein the outlet includes an annular wall extending from the central portion, the smooth, uninterrupted surface extending between the disk attachment skirt and the annular wall of the outlet.

4. The closure cap of claim 1 wherein disk attachment skirt is configured to attach to either one of: a first disk having a first body including a plurality of openings therethrough and a shaft having mixing openings therein, the shaft extending from the body to the smooth, uninterrupted surface of the central portion when the first disk is attached to the disk attachment skirt; and- 42 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USa second disk having a second body defining a non-centrally disposed inlet and a flow guide flange to direct fluid from the non-centrally disposed inlet to the outlet, the flow guide flange extending from the second body to the smooth, uninterrupted surface of the central portion when the second disk is attached to the disk attachment skirt.

5. The closure cap of claim 1 wherein the attachment of the flow control disk to the disk attachment skirt supports at least a portion of the flow control disk in engagement with the smooth, uninterrupted surface of the central portion.

6. A closure cap for a container, the closure cap comprising: a base including: a central portion having an outlet; a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion, the container attachment skirt to secure the base to a container body; and a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion, the disk attachment skirt configured to connect to one of a variety of flow control disks that adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet; and a flip-top lid hingedly connected to the base.

7. The closure cap of claim 6 wherein disk attachment skirt is configured to attach to one of: a first disk having a first body including a plurality of openings therethrough and a shaft having mixing openings therein, the shaft extending from the first body to the central portion; and a second disk having a second body defining a non-centrally disposed inlet and a flow guide flange to direct fluid from the non-centrally disposed inlet to the outlet.

8. The closure cap of claim 6 wherein the one of the variety of flow control disks is selected based on the fluid to be dispensed through the outlet.- 43 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US9. The closure cap of claim 6 wherein the disk attachment skirt includes attachment geometry configured to engage corresponding attachment geometry of the one of the variety of flow control disks.

10. The closure cap of claim 6 wherein the disk attachment skirt includes an attachment protrusion to secure the one of the variety of flow control disks to the base.

11. The closure cap of claim 6 wherein the disk attachment skirt supports at least a portion of the one of the variety of flow control disks in engagement with the central portion of the base when connected to the disk attachment skirt.

12. The closure cap of claim 6 wherein the disk attachment skirt and central portion form a cavity to receive the one of the variety of flow control disks therein such that the one of the variety of flow control disks does not extend beyond an end of the disk attachment skirt.

13. A closure cap for a container, the closure cap comprising: a base including: a central portion having an outlet; a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion, the container attachment skirt to secure the base to a container body; and a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion to connect to at least one type of flow control disk configured to adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet, wherein the disk attachment skirt includes attachment geometry to attach a flow control disk to the base and support at least a portion of the flow control disk in engagement with the central portion; and the flow control disk including corresponding attachment geometry configured to engage the attachment geometry of the disk attachment skirt to attach the flow control disk to the base.

14. The closure cap of claim 13 wherein the flow control disk has a body and at least one wall protruding from the body to contact the central portion.- 44 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US15. The closure cap of claim 13 wherein the attachment geometry of the disk attachment skirt includes at least one attachment protrusion.

16. The closure cap of claim 15 wherein the at least one attachment protrusion has a barb configuration.

17. The closure cap of claim 13 wherein the corresponding attachment geometry of the flow control disk includes at least one attachment protrusion.

18. The closure cap of claim 13 wherein the flow control disk includes at least one inlet, wherein the flow control disk and the base form a fluid channel from the at least one inlet to the outlet when the flow control disk is connected to the base.

19. The closure cap of claim 13 wherein the at least one type of flow control disk includes a flow resistance disk and a mixing disk.

20. A closure cap for a container, the closure cap comprising: a base including: a central portion having an outlet; a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion, the container attachment skirt to secure the base to a container body; a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion to connect to at least one type of flow control disk configured to adjust a flow of fluid to the outlet; and a seal engagement surface at an end of the disk attachment surface to support a seal against a neck of the container body when the base is secured to the container body.

21. The closure cap of claim 20 wherein the central portion and the disk attachment skirt form a cavity to receive a flow control disk of the at least one type.

22. The closure cap of claim 20 further comprising a flow control disk, wherein when the disk attachment skirt is attached to a flow control disk of the at least one type the seal- 45 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-USengagement surface is positioned at least as far from the central portion as an end of the flow control disk.

23. The closure cap of claim 20 wherein the disk attachment skirt supports a flow control disk connected thereto into engagement with the central portion.

24. The closure cap of claim 20 wherein the at least one type of flow control disk includes a flow resistance disk and a mixing disk.

25. The closure cap of claim 20 wherein the seal engagement surface contacts the neck of the container body when the base is secured to the container body after the seal has been removed.

26. A method of making a closure cap, the method comprising: molding a base of a closure cap to include a central portion having an outlet, a container attachment skirt extending from the central portion to secure the base to a container, and a disk attachment skirt extending from the central portion; selecting a flow control disk from a plurality of types of flow control disks based at least in part on one or more fluid properties of the fluid to be dispensed from the closure cap; and securing the selected flow control disk to the disk attachment skirt of the base.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the one or more fluid properties includes a particle size of the fluid.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein securing the selected flow control disk includes urging the flow control disk against the disk attachment skirt until an attachment protrusion of at least one of the flow control disk and disk attachment skirt hooks the other of the disk attachment skirt and flow control disk.- 46 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US29. The method of claim 26 wherein securing the selected flow control disk includes snapping an attachment protrusion of the disk attachment skirt to the disk attachment skirt.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein securing the selected flow control disk to the disk attachment skirt supports at least a portion of the selected flow control disk in contact with the central portion of the base.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the central portion and the disk attachment skirt form a cavity to receive the selected flow control disk, wherein securing the selected flow control disk to the disk attachment skirt includes inserting the selected flow control disk axially into the cavity such that the selected flow control disk does not extend axially beyond the disk attachment skirt.- 47 - Attorney Docket 1410-162929-US

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