Container cap

Abstract

NOT VISIBLE DUE TO STATUS OF PATENT

Description

CONTAINER CAPCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 615,351 filed December 28, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Caps and other closure members for containers such as bottles are well known in the art. These caps may be optimized for a variety of considerations, such as ensuring that the cap remains closed and secured to the container during shipment, providing a tamper indication, and facilitating ease of re-closure. However, it is often difficult to optimize for all these desired parameters simultaneously. In addition, tamper indication methods often increase the opening force required during the initial opening, add molding complexity, and may leave an undesired remnant that must be discarded separately from the container. Furthermore, in the global economy products are often shipped long distances before they arrive at their point-of-sale location, and damage may occur to products during that shipment. Furthermore, products which contain fluids or liquids may leak during shipment, which leads to lost product that ultimately cannot be sold to a consumer. Thus, a need exists for improved caps which remedy the deficiencies in existing products.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention may be directed to a cap that is configured for detachable coupling to a container. The cap may include a dispensing portion and a closure portion that are hingedly coupled together, the closure portion being alterable between a closed state and an open state. The dispensing portion may have a dispensing orifice for dispensing fluids from the container and a first locking feature. The closure portion may have a closure element for preventing the dispensing of fluids from the dispensing orifice when the closure portion is in the closed state and a second locking feature. In the closed state, the first and second locking features may be in engagement. Furthermore, the first time that the closure member is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature may detach from the closure portion. The second locking feature may remain coupled to the dispensing portion after becoming detached form the closure portion.

[0004] In one aspect, the invention may be a cap for a container, the cap comprising: a dispensing portion comprising: a coupling portion configured to engage a container to couple the cap to the container; a dispensing orifice for dispensing fluids from the container; and a first locking feature; and a closure portion coupled to the dispensing portion by a hinge, the closure portion comprising: a closure element; and a second locking feature; wherein the closure portion is alterable relative to the dispensing portion between: a closed state whereby the closure element closes the dispensing orifice to prevent fluids from being dispensed from the container and the second locking feature engages the first locking feature; and an open state whereby the dispensing orifice is exposed to permit fluids to be dispensed from the container; wherein a first time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature detaches from the closure portion and remains coupled to the dispensing portion.

[0005] In another aspect, the invention may be a cap for a container, the cap comprising: a dispensing portion configured to be coupled to a container, the dispensing portion comprising: a dispensing orifice having an axis; a top surface; an upstanding wall that at least partially circumferentially surrounds the dispensing orifice, the upstanding wall comprising a first locking feature; a closure portion coupled to the dispensing portion and alterable between a closed state and an open state, the closure portion comprising: a top portion configured to close the dispensing orifice when the closure portion is in the closed state; a skirt extending from the top portion; and a second locking feature detachably coupled to the skirt, the second locking feature engaging the first locking feature of the dispensing portion when the closure portion is in the closed state and when the closure portion is subsequently altered into the open state; and wherein upon altering the closure portion from the closed state to the open state for a first time, the second locking feature detaches from the closure portion.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the invention may be a cap for a container, the cap comprising: a dispensing portion comprising: a coupling portion configured to engage a container to couple the cap to the container; a dispensing orifice for dispensing fluids from the container; and a first locking feature; and a closure portion comprising a second locking feature; wherein the closure portion is alterable relative to the dispensing portion between: an initial closed state wherein the closure portion closes the dispensing orifice and the second locking feature engages the first locking feature; and an open state whereby the dispensing orifice is exposed; wherein altering the closure portion from the initial closed state to the open state causes the second locking feature todetach from the closure portion while remaining engaged with the first locking feature of the dispensing portion.

[0007] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap for a container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cap in an open state;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 in a closed state;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the cap of FIG. lin the closed state;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 in the open state subsequent to the cap having been in the closed state;

[0014] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a cap for a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the cap in an open state;

[0015] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 6A in a closed state;

[0016] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a cap for a container in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the cap in an open state;

[0017] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 7A in a closed state;

[0018] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cap for a container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the cap in an open state;

[0019] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 8A in a closed state;

[0020] FIG. 8C is a close-up view of area VIII of FIG. 8B;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a cap for a container in accordance with a fifth embodiment, with the cap in an open state;

[0022] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of FIG. 9;

[0023] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the cap of FIG. 9;

[0024] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the cap of FIG. 9;

[0025] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 9;

[0026] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the cap of FIG. 9, with the cap in a closed state;

[0027] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 14;

[0028] FIG. 16 is a front view of the cap of FIG. 14;

[0029] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16;

[0030] FIG. 18 is a close-up view of area XVIII of FIG. 17;

[0031] FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the cap of FIG. 9 attached to a container, with the cap in the closed state;

[0032] FIG. 20 is a close-up view of area XX of FIG. 19;

[0033] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20;

[0034] FIG. 22 is the close-up view of FIG. 20, with the cap in the open state; and

[0035] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0037] The description of illustrative embodiments of principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limitingcombination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0038] Referring to Figs. 1-5, a cap 100 for a container is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cap 100 may be used with a bottle such as a soap bottle, a shampoo bottle, a water bottle, a toothpaste tube, a liquid detergent container such as one containing a dishwashing detergent or the like, or any other container. The cap 100 is preferably a flip-top having a dispensing portion 110 and a closure portion 130. The dispensing portion 110 and the closure portion 130 may be joined by a hinge 160. The hinge 160 may enable the closure portion 130 to be pivoted between an open position (shown in FIG. 1) and a closed position (shown in FIG. 2).

[0039] The dispensing portion 110 may comprise a top portion 112 that forms a top surface 113 of the dispensing portion 110 and a coupling portion 114 that extends downwardly from the top portion 112 to a bottom end 111 of the dispensing portion 110. The coupling portion 114 may be annular shaped. The coupling portion 114 comprises an inner surface 115. The coupling portion 114 may comprise threads 101 on the inner surface 115 to facilitate attachment of the dispensing portion 110 of the cap 100 to a neck of a container, such as any of the containers described above. While threads 101 are illustrated in the exemplified embodiment, other features may be used to facilitate the attachment of the cap 100 to the container in other embodiments, such as snap-fit features, friction-fit features, locking tabs, or the like. The coupling portion 114 may also incorporate sealing features to ensure a liquid or airtight connection between the container and the cap 100, preventing undesired leakage. The coupling portion 114 may extend along a longitudinal axis A- A, the longitudinal axis A-A extending through the dispensing portion 110. The coupling portion 114 may be substantially rotationally symmetric about the longitudinal axis A-A.

[0040] The dispensing portion 110 may comprise a tubular protrusion 102 that protrudes from the top surface 113. The tubular protrusion 102 may surround the longitudinal axis A-A. The tubular protrusion 102 may be located along a centermost portion of the top portion 112 of the dispensing portion 110. The tubular protrusion 102 may define a dispensing orifice 116 that extends from an opening in a distal end of the tubular protrusion 102 through the dispensing portion 110. The dispensing orifice 116 may be in fluid communication with the interior of the container to which the cap 100 is attached so that fluid in the container may be dispensed therefrom via the dispensing orifice 116. The dispensing orifice 116 may be generally circular or any other desired shape.Optionally, the dispensing orifice 116 may be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis A-A and concentric with the longitudinal axis A-A. In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing orifice 116 may be located elsewhere on the top portion 112 such that it is not concentric with the longitudinal axis A-A. The dispensing orifice 116 may be configured to allow dispensing of contents within the container without leakage. The dispensing orifice 116 may be closed by a closure element of the cover portion 130 of the cap 100, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0041] The top portion 112 may comprise an upstanding wall 118 extending from the top surface 113 of the top portion 112. The upstanding wall 118 may extend upwardly from the top surface 113 of the top portion 112, whereas the coupling portion 114 extends downwardly from the top portion 112 in a direction opposite the extension of the upstanding wall 118. The upstanding wall 118 may be located along an outer annular portion of the top portion 112 adjacent to where the coupling portion 114 extends from the top portion 112. The upstanding wall 118 may completely encircle the longitudinal axis A-A, or may be formed in one or more parts surrounding only a portion of the longitudinal axis A-A as illustrated. In the present implementation, the upstanding wall 118 extends from opposite sides of the hinge 160 and terminates before the two portions of the upstanding wall 118 meet. That is, the upstanding wall 118 comprises a first upstanding wall portion 118a located on a first side of the hinge 160 and a second upstanding wall portion 118b located on a second side of the hinge 160. The first and second upstanding walls 118a, 118b may each be arcuate shaped walls having inner surfaces 103 facing the longitudinal axis A-A. The inner surface 103 may be concave. The upstanding wall 118 may be generally symmetric about the longitudinal axis A-A and may have an arcuate shape which is generally concentric with the longitudinal axis A-A. In other implementations, the upstanding wall 118 need not have an arcuate configuration, extend from the hinge 160, or be symmetric.

[0042] The first upstanding wall 118a may comprise a first edge located adjacent to the hinge 160 and a second edge 104a located furthest from the hinge 160. The second upstanding wall 118b may comprise a first edge located adjacent to the hinge 160 and a second edge 104b located furthest from the hinge 160.

[0043] The upstanding wall(s) 118 may comprise or incorporate first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b. The first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b may be referred to herein as locking features or first locking features. The first hook receiving feature 120a may belocated along the first upstanding wall 118a and the second hook receiving feature 120b may be located along the second upstanding wall 118b. More specifically, the first hook receiving feature 120a may be located along the first upstanding wall 118a at a location adjacent to the second edge 104a and the second hook receiving feature 120b may be located along the second upstanding wall 118b at a location adjacent to the second edge 104b. The first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis A-A. In an alternative embodiment, one of the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b may be omitted.

[0044] In the exemplified embodiment, the first hook receiving feature 120a may comprise a recess formed into the inner surface of the first upstanding wall 118a and the second hook receiving feature 120b may comprise a recess formed into the inner surface of the second upstanding wall 118b. The first and second recesses may be rectangular or square shaped, although this is not required and the first and second recesses may take on other shapes in other embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second recesses do not extend through the full thickness of the first and second upstanding walls 118a, 118b, but instead form a pocket or cavity in the inner surface 104a, 104b of the first and second upstanding walls 118a, 118b. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b may comprise apertures or openings that extend through the full thickness of the first and second upstanding walls 118a, 118b, respectively. The first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b may be configured to receive and retain looking features of the cover portion 130 of the cap 100, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The first hook receiving feature 120a may comprise a first locking wall 121a that forms an upper boundary of the first recess and the second hook receiving feature 120b may comprise a second locking wall 121b that forms an upper boundary of the second recess.

[0045] In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing portion 110 of the cap 100 further comprises a first protuberance 122a extending upwardly from the top surface 113 in a position adjacent to and radially inward of the first upstanding wall 118a and a second protuberance 122b extending upwardly from the top surface 113 in a position adjacent to and radially inward of the second upstanding wall 118b. The first protuberance 122a may be circumferentially aligned with the first hook receiving feature 120a. The second protuberance 122b may be circumferentially aligned with the second hook receiving feature 120b. The first and second protuberances 122a, 122b may be configured to guide locking features (or second locking features) of the cover portion 130 into the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b, respectively, and to retain thelocking features of the cover portion 130 when the cover portion 130 is first altered from the closed state of FIG. 2 to the open state of FIG. 1. The first and second protuberances 122a, 122b may be located immediately adjacent to the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b.

[0046] The closure portion 130 is configured to rotate about the hinge 160 between the closed state shown in FIG. 2 and the open state shown in FIG. 1, as discussed above. The hinge 160 may comprise a first lateral portion 162 and a second lateral portion 164, the first and second lateral portions 162, 164 on opposite sides of a biasing element 166. The hinge 160 may be configured to rotate about a hinge axis H-H which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A. The hinge may be a living hinge or other feature which is integrally formed with the rest of the cap 100 to reduce cost, improve manufacturing reliability, and the like. The biasing element 166 may also be an integrally formed spring formed of the same material as the cap 100.

[0047] The biasing element 166 may be configured to bias the cap 100 into either a closed state or an open state, causing the closure portion 130 to remain open or closed as desired, without remaining in an intermediate position. In addition, the biasing element 166 may extend radially beyond the first and second lateral portions 162, 164 of the hinge 160 with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A when the cap 100 is in an open state. In some implementations, the biasing element 166 may also extend beyond the hinge 160 with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A when the cap is in an open state.

[0048] Preferably the cap 100 is formed of a plastic material such as nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS, or another commonly available thermoplastic material. These materials offer desirable material properties while also being relatively low in cost and easy to process. However, other materials may be used as desired. The cap 100 may be an integrally formed, monolithic component, whereby the dispensing portion 110, the closure portion 130, and the hinge 160 are all formed as a single component. This may be done using an injection molding process, 3D printing process, or other process which enables fast and efficient formation of the cap 100. In other embodiments, the dispensing portion 110 and the closure portion 130 may be separately formed and later coupled together.

[0049] The closure portion 130 may comprise a base portion 132, a closure element 134, a skirt 136, and two locking features 139. The locking features 139 may be referred to herein as second locking features. The base portion 132 may comprise a bottom surface 131 and a top surface 133. The base portion 132 may be coupled to the hinge 160. The base portion 132 may form a top ofthe cap 100 when the cap 100 is in the closed state. The closure element 134 may comprise an annular wall that extends from the bottom surface 131 of the base portion 132. The closure element 134 of the closure portion 130 of the cap 100 may be configured to engage the inner surface of the tubular protrusion 102 of the dispensing portion 110 of the cap 100 to close the dispensing orifice 116 when the cap 100 is in the closed state. The engagement between the outer surface of the closure element 134 and the inner surface of the tubular protrusion 102 may form a tight fit, friction fit, or the like to maintain the closure portion 130 in the closed state until an opening force is applied by a user.

[0050] The skirt 136 may extend from the base portion 132 and may be generally concentric with the closure element 134. The skirt 136 may substantially surround the closure element 134. The skirt 136 may be formed as two separate wall segments in the exemplified embodiment. Specifically, the skirt 136 may comprise a first wall segment 136a and a second wall segment 136b. In an alternative embodiment, the skirt 136 may be a single piece that completely encircles the closure element 134. The skirt 136 may be generally arcuate, but it may also be straight or any other desired shape. The skirt 136 may extend from the bottom surface 131 of the base portion 132 to a distal end 137 of the skirt 136.

[0051] As noted above, the closure portion 130 of the cap 100 may comprise one or more locking features 139. In the exemplified embodiment, there are two of the locking features 139 In other embodiments, there may be just one of the locking features 139, with the other locking feature 139 being omitted. In the exemplified embodiment, the locking features comprises a first locking feature 139a located along the first wall segment 136a of the skirt 136 and a second locking feature 139a located along the second wall segment 136b of the skirt 136. The first locking feature 139a and its attachment to the first wall segment 136a will be described below, it being understood that the second locking feature 139a and its attachment to the second wall segment 136b may be the same and thus the description herein applicable.

[0052] In the exemplified embodiment, the first wall segment 136a of the skirt 136 comprises a recess 135 that extends from the distal end 137 downwardly towards, but not to, the bottom surface 131 of the base portion 132. The first locking feature 139a may be located within the recess 135. Specifically, the first locking feature 139a may comprise a hook portion 138 and a break-away portion 142, with the break-away portion 142 being attached to a floor of the recess 135. The hook portion 138 may comprise a tip portion 140 that extends radially outward relative to the outersurface of the skirt 136. The hook portion 138, and more specifically the tip portion 140 thereof, is configured to engage with the first locking wall 121a mentioned above when the cover portion 130 is in the closed state prior to the cover portion 130 being altered from the closed state to the open state for the first time.

[0053] The break-away portion 142 connects the hook portion 138 to the skirt 136 prior to the first time that the cover portion 130 is altered from the closed state to the open state. The break-away portion 142 is configured to be broken when the cover portion 130 is altered from the closed state to the open state for the first time. The break-away portion 142 may have a reduced thickness, perforations, or the like to ensure that as the cover portion 130 is altered into the open state by a user for the first time, the locking feature 139 breaks at the break-away portion 142, as described further below.

[0054] The break-away portion 142 is preferably formed as a weakened area of the locking feature 139 to allow breakage of the locking feature 139 at the break-away portion 142 when a target stress is exceeded on the break-away portion 142. Preferably, the force required to break the break-away portion 142 is greater than the force required to withdraw the tips 140 of the hooks 138 from the hook receiving features 120 during the first time that the closure portion 130 is altered from the closed state to the open state. This allows the tips 140 of the hooks 138 to remain engaged with the hook receiving features 120 when the break-away portion 142 is broken, allowing tighter control over the force required to transition the closure portion 130 from the closed state to the open state.

[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates the cap 100 with the cover portion 130 in the open state prior to the cover portion 130 ever being placed into the closed state. This may be when the cap 100 is first manufactured, for example, Once the cap 100 is placed onto a container (or before), the cover portion 130 is altered from the open state to the closed state. During the altering of the cover portion 130 from the open state to the closed state, the locking features 139a, 139b of the cover portion 130 enter into the recesses of the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b. Furthermore, the hooks 138 of the locking features 139a, 139b engage with the first and second locking walls 121a, 121b of the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b. The engagement between the hooks 138 of the locking features 139a, 139b with the first and second locking walls 121a, 121b of the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b ensures that the closure portion 130 cannot readily be altered into the open state unless an opening forcesufficient to break the locking features 139a, 139b at the break-away portions 142 is applied onto the cover portion 130 relative to the dispensing portion 110.

[0056] In that regard, referring briefly to FIG. 5, the cap 100 is illustrated after the cover portion 130 has been altered from the closed state to the open state for the first time. When the cover portion 130 is altered to the open state, the locking features 139a, 139b tear or break at the breakaway portion 142. This is why in FIG. 5 the locking features 139a, 139b are no longer attached to the skirt 136 of the cover portion 130. Rather, the locking features 139a, 139b remain located within the recesses of the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b. The protuberances 122a. 122b may help to retain the hooks 138 within the recesses of the first and second hook receiving features 120a, 120b when the hooks 138 are broken at the break-away portion 142. The protuberances 122a, 122b may also be used to increase the retention force of the hooks 138 with the hook receiving features 120a, 120b, ensuring that the hooks 138 remain engaged with the hook receiving features 120a, 120b. This further ensures that the break-away portions 142 are the first point of failure.

[0057] Returning to FIG. 3, when the closure portion 130 is in the closed state, the skirt 136 of the closure portion 130 may engage the upstanding wall 118 of the dispensing portion 110 to increase the resistance of the closure portion 130 to twisting about the longitudinal axis A-A and prevent breakage of the hinge 160. Thus, the engagement of the skirt 136 of the closure portion 130 with the upstanding wall 118 of the dispensing portion 110 may constrain movement of the closure portion 130 in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A. The engagement between the skirt 136 and the upstanding wall 118 may prevent movement of the closure portion 130 except rotationally about the hinge axis H-H, increasing the durability of the hinge 160. The engagement between the skirt 136 and the upstanding wall 118 may also help ensure that the hooks 138 and the hook receiving features 120 remain aligned so that the hooks 138 do not inadvertently disengage from the hook receiving features 120 during twisting or other movement caused by a drop or impact event.

[0058] The closure portion 130 may include an annular wall 146 that is located radially inward of the skirt 136. The annular wall 146 may extend or protrude from the bottom surface 131 of the base portion 132. The dispensing portion 110 may comprise a second upstanding wall 124 that tis located radially between the tubular protrusion 102 and the upstanding wall 118. When the closure portion 130 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG 3, the annular wall 146 of the closure portion130 may engage the second upstanding wall 124 of the dispensing portion 110. The annular wall 146 may circumferentially surround the closure element 134. The second upstanding wall 124 may circumferentially surround the tubular protrusion 102 and the dispensing orifice 116. The annular wall 146 may engage the second upstanding wall 124 when the cap 100 / cover portion 130 is in the closed state. In the exemplified embodiment, the annular wall 146 may engage with an inner surface of the second upstanding wall 124 such that the annular wall 146 is located between the second upstanding wall 124 and the tubular protrusion 102. Optionally, the annular wall 146 may provide a redundant seal to prevent material leakage. Further optionally, the annular wall 146 may engage the second upstanding wall 124 to increase the resistance of the closure portion 130 to twisting about the longitudinal axis A-A and prevent breakage of the hinge 160. Thus, the engagement of the annular wall 146 with the second upstanding wall 128 may constrain movement of the closure portion 130 in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A- A. The engagement between the annular wall 146 and the second upstanding wall 124 may prevent movement of the closure portion 130 except rotationally about the hinge axis H-H, increasing the durability of the hinge 160.

[0059] Finally, the closure portion 130 may comprise an actuation feature 148 formed on the base portion 132. The actuation feature 148 may be configured to enable a user to easily open the cap 100 without need for tools or a high degree of manual dexterity.

[0060] In one method of closing a container utilizing the cap 100, the coupling portion 114 of the dispensing portion 110 of the cap 100 is coupled to the container. The top portion 112 extends from the coupling portion 114, the top portion 112 incorporating the dispensing orifice 116. The cap 100 is in the open state, whereby the closure portion 130 is rotated away from the dispensing portion 110 about the hinge axis H-H defined by the hinge 160.

[0061] In a second step, the cap 100 is transitioned to the closed state by rotating the closure portion 130 about the hinge axis H-H. When in the closed state, the closure element 134 engages the dispensing orifice 116 to prevent fluid flow through the dispensing orifice 116. The hooks 138 extend from the skirt 136 of the closure portion 130, the hooks 138 engage the hook receiving features 120 formed on the upstanding walls 118 of the dispensing portion 110.

[0062] In a third step, the cap 100 is transitioned back to the open state by rotating the closure portion 130 about the hinge axis H-H of the hinge 160 and breaking the hooks 138 from the skirt 136 of the closure portion 130 along the break-away portion 142. The hooks 138 remain in thehook receiving features 120, retained by the protuberances 122 extending from the top portion 1 12 of the dispensing portion 110.

[0063] In a fourth step, the cap 100 is transitioned back to the closed state by rotating the closure portion 130 about the hinge axis H-H of the hinge 160, once again causing the closure element 134 to engage the dispensing orifice 116 to prevent fluid flow through the dispensing orifice. At this time, the locking features 139 (i.e., the hooks 138) are no longer helping to hold the cover portion 130 in the closed state. Rather, the cover portion 130 may be maintained in the closed state by the engagement between the closure element 134 and the tubular protrusion 102 and / or the engagement between the annular wall 146 and the second upstanding wall 124. In fifth and sixth steps, the cap 100 may be transitioned to the open state and then to the closed state. A first opening torque required to transition the cap 100 from the closed state to the open state in the third step may be greater than a second opening torque required to transition the cap 100 from the closed state to the open state in the fifth step. This is because the hooks 138 are broken in the third step, which requires additional torque to perform the transition to the open state. In subsequent steps, the torque required to perform the transition is reduced due to the absence of the hooks 138.

[0064] Figs. 6A-8B illustrate three additional embodiments of the cap 100. The numbering of the cap 100 is reused for the embodiments shown in Figs. 6A-8B unless noted below. The cap 100 of Figs. 6A and 6B incorporates a dispensing portion 110 and a closure portion 130 as discussed above. However, a single hook 138 is utilized, with a break tab 149 formed in the upstanding wall 118. Thus, the break tab 149 forms a portion of the hook receiving feature 120, with frangible connections 150 formed between the break tab 149 and the upstanding wall 118 to locate the break tab 149. It is contemplated that the hook 138 may extend directly from a base portion 132 of the closure portion 130 or may extend from a skirt 136.

[0065] In Figs. 7A and 7B, the cap 100 incorporates a dispensing portion 110 and a closure portion 130 as discussed above. Again, a single hook 138 is utilized, with a break tab 149 formed in the upstanding wall 118. Thus, the break tab 149 forms a portion of the hook receiving feature 120, with frangible connections 150 formed between the break tab 149 and the upstanding wall 118 to locate the break tab 149. The break tab 149 also incorporates a grasping portion 152 for grasping by a user to facilitate in removal of the break tab 149. Thus, the break tab 149 may be removed by applying force to the closure portion 130 or by pulling on the grasping portion 152 of the breaktab 149. It is further contemplated that the hook 138 may extend directly from a base portion 132 of the closure portion 130 or may extend from a skirt 136.

[0066] In Figs. 8A-8C, the cap 100 incorporates a dispensing portion 110 and a closure portion 130 as discussed above. Again, a single hook 138 is utilized, with a break tab 149 formed in the upstanding wall 118. Thus, the break tab 149 forms a portion of the hook receiving feature 120, with frangible connections 150 formed between the break tab 149 and the upstanding wall 118 to locate the break tab 149. It is contemplated that the hook 138 may extend directly from a base portion 132 of the closure portion 130 or may extend from a skirt 136.

[0067] The hook 138 is configured such that it incorporates two tips 140. A protuberance 151 extends from a tab portion 142 of the hook 138. The protuberance 151 and the tips 140 collectively engage the break tab 149 on opposite sides. The protuberance 151 and the tips 140 may have an interference fit with the break tab 149 to allow capturing of the break tab 149 between the protuberance 151 and the tips 140. This ensures that the break tab 149 is not lost during use and does not become loose plastic waste within our environment.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 9-13, a cap 200 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The cap 200 is configured to be detachably coupled to a container or bottle, such as a shampoo / conditioner container, a toothpaste tube, a dishwashing soap container, a water bottle, or any other container generally used to hold fluids, liquids, pastes, gels, or lotions for dispensing. The cap 200 comprises a dispensing portion 300, a closure portion 400, and a hinge 500. The closure portion 400 is coupled to the dispensing portion 300 by the hinge 500 so that the closure portion 400 can be altered relative to the dispensing portion 300 between an open state (shown in FIGS. 9-13) and a closed state (shown, for example, in FIG. 14). The dispensing portion 300, the closure portion 400, and the hinge 500 may be integrally formed so that the cap 200 is a monolithic component. The cap 200 may be formed from a hard plastic material via an injection molding process, for example. The cap 200 may be formed from alternative materials if desired.

[0069] The dispensing portion 300 may generally comprise a top portion 301 having a top surface 302 and a bottom surface 303 and a coupling portion 304 extending downwardly from the bottom surface 303 of the top portion 301 along an outer edge of the top portion 301. The coupling portion 301 may terminate at a distal end 309 that forms a bottom end of the dispensing portion 300. The coupling portion 304 may be an annular wall that extends continuously along the fullcircumference of the top portion 302. The coupling portion 304 may comprise an outer surface 305 and an inner surface 306 opposite the outer surface 305. In the exemplified embodiment, the coupling portion 304 comprises a series of ribs 307 extending from the outer surface 305 to allow a user to better grip the coupling portion 304 during attachment to and detachment from a container. The ribs 307 are not required in all embodiments and may be omitted, or the ribs 307 may have configurations and shapes that differ from what is shown in the drawings appended hereto The inner surface 306 of the coupling portion 304 may comprise threads 308 that are configured to mate with threads on a container to facilitate the attachment of the cap 200 to the container. It should be appreciated that a threaded attachment is one technique for attaching the cap 200 to the container, and other techniques may be possible including friction fit, nub / detent, clamps, or the like.

[0070] The dispensing portion 300 of the cap 200 comprises a longitudinal axis A-A. The dispensing portion 300 of the cap 200 comprises an inner annular wall 310 that surrounds the longitudinal axis A-A and defines a dispensing orifice 311. The inner annular wall 310 protrudes from the top surface 302 of the top portion 301 of the dispensing portion 300 and terminates in a distal end 312 having an opening 313. In the exemplified embodiment, the inner annular wall 310 has a somewhat hourglass shape, but the invention is not to be so limited and the inner annular wall 310 may have a cylindrical shape or the like in alternative embodiments. Furthermore, the height of the inner annular wall 310 may be reduced from the exemplary embodiment. The dispensing orifice 311 extends from the opening 313 in the distal end 312 of the inner annular wall 310 to an opening 314 in the bottom surface 303 of the top portion 301 of the dispensing portion 300. When the cap 200 is coupled to a container as described further below, liquid in the container may be dispensed from the cap 200 through the dispensing orifice 311.

[0071] The dispensing portion 300 of the cap 200 further comprises an upstanding wall 320 that protrudes from the top surface 302 of the top portion 301. The upstanding wall 320 is positioned radially outward of the inner annular wall 310 and the dispensing orifice 311. The upstanding wall 320 may at least partially surround the inner annular wall 310. The upstanding wall 320 extends from the top surface 302 of the top portion 301 of the dispensing portion 300 to a distal end 321. The distal end 321 may be non-planar, as described with more detail below. The upstanding wall 320 comprises a front wall portion 322, a first side wall portion 323, and a second side wall portion 324. The front wall portion 322 is located along what could be considered a front of the dispensingportion 300 of the cap 200. In the exemplified embodiment, the first side wall portion 323 is connected to a first end of the front wall portion 322 and is located on a first side of the dispensing orifice 311. In the exemplified embodiment, the second side wall portion 324 is connected to a second end of the front wall portion 322 and is located on a second side of the dispensing orifice 311. Thus, the first and second side wall portions 323, 324 are located on opposite sides of the front wall portion 322, and also on opposite sides of the dispensing orifice 311. If there were a reference plane extending between the front of the dispensing portion 300 and the hinge 500 that cut the dispensing portion 300 in half, the first and second side wall portions 323, 324 would be located on different halves and the front wall portion 322 would be cut in half. The first and second side wall portions 323, 324 may extend from the front wall portion 322 to the rear of the dispensing portion 300 where the dispensing portion 300 attaches to the hinge 500.

[0072] As best shown in FIG. 11, and as mentioned above, the distal end 321 of the upstanding wall 320 is non-planar, and even more specifically the distal end 321 of each of the first and second side wall portions 323, 324 of the upstanding wall 320 are non-planar. FIG. 11 illustrates the second side wall portion 324 of the upstanding wall 320, but it should be appreciated that the profile of the first side wall portion 323 of the upstanding wall 320 is identical and thus the description here is relevant to both of the first and second side wall portions 323, 324. The second side wall portion 324 comprises a first portion 325 that is adjacent to the front wall portion 322, a second portion 326 that is adjacent to the hinge 500, and a third portion 327 located between the first and second portions 325, 326.

[0073] In the exemplified embodiment, the distal end 321 of the upstanding wall 320 is planar along the first and second portions 325, 326 and sloped or angled along the third portion 327. More specifically, the upstanding wall 320 has a first height Hl along the first portion 325 and a second height H2 along the second portion 326, the second height H2 being greater than the first height Hl. The first and second heights Hl, H2 are measured between the top surface 302 of the top portion 301 and the distal end 321 of the upstanding wall 320. Due to the difference in heights, the distal end 321 of the upstanding wall 320 is at a higher elevation along the second portion 326 than along the first portion 325. Due to this difference in height, the upstanding wall 320 is sloped upwardly along the third portion 327 moving in a direction from the first portion 325 to the second portion 326. Thus, each of the first and second side wall portions 323, 324 may have a sort of stepped profile with the rear portion thereof having a greater height than the front portion thereof.

[0074] Furthermore, the front wall portion 322 that extends between the first and second side wall portions 323, 324 may have a third height H3. The third height H3 may be greater than the first height Hl and less than the second height H2.

[0075] The dispensing portion 300 comprises a first locking feature 350 that is configured to mate with a locking feature on the closure portion 400 to maintain the closure portion 400 in the closed state prior to the first time it is opened. In the exemplified embodiment, the upstanding wall 320 may comprise the first locking feature 350. More specifically, the first locking feature 350 may comprise an aperture or a recess 351 formed into the upstanding wall 320. In the exemplified embodiment, the first locking feature 350 comprises an aperture 351 formed into the front wall portion 322 of the upstanding wall 320. However, it is possible for the first locking feature 350 to be located along other portions of the upstanding wall 320 in alternative embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the aperture 351 is bounded by an upper edge 352 of the front portion 322 of the upstanding wall 320 that assists in the locking functionality, as described further below.

[0076] The dispensing portion 300 may comprise at least one retention rib 360. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing portion 300 comprises two of the retention ribs 360 positioned spaced apart from one another. Each of the retention ribs 360 protrudes or extends from the top surface 302 of the top portion 301 of the dispensing portion 300. The retention ribs 360 are circumferentially aligned with the first locking feature 350 and positioned radially inward of the first locking feature 350. Thus, the retention ribs 360 are located between the front portion 322 of the upstanding wall 320 and the inner annular wall 310. However, the retention ribs 360 are closer to the front wall portion 322 of the upstanding wall 320 than to the inner annular wall 310.

[0077] The retention ribs 360 may have a ramped surface 361 that faces the front wall portion 322 (and hence also the first locking feature 350). The ramped surface 361 may be sloped downwardly as it extends towards the front wall portion 322. The ramped surface 361 may help to guide a second locking feature of the closure portion 400 into engagement with the first locking feature 350 of the dispensing portion 300. The retention ribs 360 may also have other functions, described further below.

[0078] Still referring to FIGS. 9-13, the closure portion 400 and its features will be described. As noted above, the closure portion 400 is configured to cover and close the dispensing orifice 311 of the dispensing portion 300 when in a closed state, and to be altered to an open state whereby the dispensing orifice 311 is exposed so that fluids can be dispensed therethrough. The opening andclosing action of the closure portion 400 may be facilitated by the hinge 500 which is used in the exemplified embodiment to operably couple the dispensing portion 300 and the closure portion 400 together. The description of the hinge in the prior described embodiments with reference to FIGS. 1-8 may be applicable, and a further description of the hinge 500 is therefore not provided herein.

[0079] The closure portion 400 comprises a top portion 401 comprising a top surface 402 and a bottom surface 403 opposite the top surface 402. A closure element 404 may protrude from the bottom surface 403 along a central portion of the top portion 401. In the exemplified embodiment the closure element 404 is an annular wall, but it may be a solid structure such as a column, cylinder, a dome, or the like in other embodiments. As described further below, the closure element 404 may interact / mate with the inner annular wall 310 of the dispensing portion 300 to close the dispensing orifice 311 when the closure portion 400 is in the closed state. The interaction between the closure element 404 and the inner annular wall 310 may also help to maintain the closure portion 400 in the closed state after it is opened for the first time and reclosed.

[0080] The closure portion 400 comprises a skirt portion 410 that extends from the bottom surface 403 of the top portion 401 along the outer periphery of the top portion 401. The skirt portion 410 may terminate in a distal end 411. The distal end 411 of the skirt portion 410 may be non-planar, to correspond with the profile of the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensing portion 300. Specifically, the skirt portion 410 may comprise a first skirt side portion 412, a second skirt side portion 413, and a skirt front portion 414 that extends between the first and second skirt side portions 412, 413. Each of the first and second skirt side portions 412, 413 may comprise a first portion adjacent the hinge 500 having a first height and a second portion adjacent the skirt front portion 414 and having a second height that is greater than the first height. This creates the stepped profile of the first and second skirt side portions 412, 413 that matches the profile of the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensing portion 320.

[0081] The closure portion 400 may further comprise a second locking feature 450, as briefly mentioned above. In the exemplified embodiment, the second locking feature 450 is detachably coupled to the skirt portion 410. Specifically, the skirt front portion 414 of the skirt portion 410 may comprise a recess 415 that extends from the distal end 411 of the skirt portion 410 downwardly towards (but not all the way to) the bottom surface 403 of the top portion 401. The recess 415 may comprise a floor 416 having a lower portion 417, a first side portion 418 extendingfrom the lower portion 417 to the distal end 411, and a second side portion 419 extending from the lower portion 417 to the distal end 411. The floor 416 may have a generally U-shape, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments.

[0082] The second locking feature 450 may be coupled to the skirt portion 410 and located at least partially within the recess 415. The second locking feature 450 may comprise a plate portion 451 and a locking tab 452. The locking tab 452 may protrude from an outer surface of the plate portion 451. The second locking feature 450 may be coupled to the skirt portion 410 with one or more break-away tabs 460. There may be at least one break-away tab 460 connecting the second locking feature 450 to the lower portion 417 of the floor 416 of the recess 415, at least one break-away tab 460 connecting the second locking feature 450 to the first side portion 418 of the floor 416 of the recess 415, and at least one break-away tab 460 connecting the second locking feature 450 to the second side portion 419 of the floor 416 of the recess 415. In the exemplified embodiment, there are two of the break-away tabs 460 connecting the second locking feature 450 to the lower portion 417 of the floor 416 and one of the break-away tabs 460 connecting the locking feature 450 to each of the first and second side portions 418 of the floor 416.

[0083] However, the invention is not to be so limited and the number and location of the breakaway tabs 460 may be modified from the exemplary embodiment. For example, in one alternative embodiment there may be one or more break-away tabs 460 connecting the second locking feature 450 to the lower portion 417 of the floor 416 of the recess 415 only, with no additional break-away tabs 460 needed. In other embodiments, there may be break-away tabs 460 connecting the second locking feature 450 to the first and second side portions 418, 419 of the floor 416 of the recess 415 only. Various other modifications to the number and location of the break-away tabs 460 are also possible in other embodiments.

[0084] The break-away tabs 460 may be thin pieces of material that are formed integrally with the locking feature 450 and the rest of the closure portion 400. The break-away tabs 460 may be sufficiently thin such that an opening force applied onto the closure portion 400 may cause a failure at the break-away tabs 460 so that the second locking feature 450 detaches from the rest of the closure portion 400. In the exemplified embodiment, the break-away tabs 460 are triangular shaped features with the thinner side of the triangle with just one point attached to the floor 416 of the recess 415 and the thicker side of the triangle with two points attached to the second locking feature 450. This helps to ensure that as the second locking feature 460 is detached from the skirt410, the break-away tabs 460 separate from the skirt 410 and stay attached to the second locking feature 450. This may prevent pointed edges from remaining attached to the skirt within the recess 415. Due to the fact that the point of attachment of the break-away tabs 460 to the floor 416 of the recess 415 is with a very small amount of material, the connection between the break-away tabs 460 and the floor 416 of the recess 415 may be reasonably easily broken by applying a force onto the second locking feature 450 in a direction away from the floor 416 of the recess 415.

[0085] While the break-away tabs 460 are used to couple the second locking feature 450 to the closure component 400 in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and other techniques and structures may be used. For example, the second locking feature 450 may be coupled to the closure portion 400 with a pre-weakened area, which may be formed by perforations in the connection region or the like. The general idea is that the locking feature 450 should be configured to separate and detach from the closure portion 400 as the closure portion 400 is altered from the closed state to the open state for the first time, as described further below. This may be achieved with one or more break-away tabs, pre-weakened areas, perforations, reduced material thickness, or other known techniques.

[0086] The closure portion 400 further comprises a pair of wall members 470 protruding from the bottom surface 403 of the top portion 401. The pair of wall members 470 comprises a first wall member 471 positioned adjacent to the first skirt side portion 412 and a second wall member 472 positioned adjacent to the second skirt side portion 413. The first and second wall members 471, 472 are located adjacent to the hinge 500, near a rear part of the first and second skirt side portions 412, 413. The first wall member 471 protrudes beyond the first skirt side portion 412 and the second wall member 472 protrudes beyond the second skirt side portion 413. That is, the first and second wall members 471, 472 are taller than the first and second skirt side portions 412, 413, or at least the portions of the first and second skirt side portions 412, 413 that are adjacent to and aligned with the first and second wall members 471. The first and second wall members 471, 472 extend alongside the inner surface of the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensing portion 300 when the closure portion 400 is in the closed state. This may be done to prevent rotation of the closure portion 300 relative to the dispensing portion 300, or simply to enhance the attachment when in the closed state. The first and second wall members 471, 472 may be optional and omitted in some alternative embodiments.

[0087] The closure portion 400 may further comprise an actuation ledge 480 protruding from the outer surface of the skirt 410. The actuation ledge 480 may provide a surface for the user to grip during altering of the closure portion 400 from the closed state to the open state. As noted above, and described in more detail below, during the first time that the closure portion 400 is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature 450 detaches from the closure portion 400. Thus, a force greater than the typical force may be needed to achieve that detachment and first opening. A lesser force may be needed for subsequent openings of the closure portion 400 after the first opening The actuation ledge 480 protrudes from the skirt 410 a sufficient distance to provide the user with an adequate gripping surface to enable the user to apply the necessary opening force.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the cap 200 is illustrated with the closure portion 400 in the closed state. When the closure portion 400 is in the closed state, an interface 490 is formed between the closure portion 400 and the dispensing portion 300. More specifically, the interface 490 is formed at the intersection of the distal end 321 of the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensing portion 300 and the distal end 310 of the skirt portion 410 of the closure portion 400. The interface 490 may comprise a first portion 491 located a first distance DI from a bottom edge 201 of the cap 200 and a second portion 492 located a second distance D2 from the bottom edge 201 of the cap 200, the second distance D2 being greater than the first distance DI. The cap 200 may comprise a front portion 205 and a rear portion 206. The hinge 500 may be located along the rear portion 206. The first portion 291 of the interface 290 may be adjacent to the front portion 205 of the cap 200 and the second portion 292 of the interface 290 may be adjacent to the rear portion 206 of the cap 200.

[0089] FIG. 15 illustrates the positioning of the first and second wall members 471, 472 of the closure portion 400 relative to the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensing portion 300, which was mentioned above. The first and second wall members 471, 472 extend alongside the inner surface of the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensing portion 300.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 16-18, the relationship between the first and second locking features 350, 450 when the closure portion 400 is in the closed state will be described. More specifically, FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the cap 200 with the closure portion 400 in the closed state prior to the closure portion 400 ever having been altered from the closed state to the open state. The reason this is important is that, as noted above, the first time that the closure portion 400 is altered fromthe closed state to the open state, the second locking feature 450 detaches from the closure portion 400 and from that point forward no longer exists as a part of the closure portion 400. Thus, in FIGS. 16-18 the second locking feature 450 remains affixed to (or as part of) the closure portion 400. This may be referred to as an “initial closed state.”

[0091] In the initial closed state, the locking tab 452 of the second locking feature 450 extends into the aperture or recess 351 of the first locking feature 350. The locking tab 452 of the second locking feature 450 comprises an upper locking surface 453 that faces the upper edge 352 of the aperture or recess 351 of the first locking feature 350. Thus, if a user were to attempt to alter the closure portion 400 into the open state, prior to opening, the upper locking surface 453 of the locking tab 452 of the second locking feature 450 contact / engage the upper edge 352 of the aperture or recess 351 of the first locking feature 350. This will prevent the closure portion 400 from being altered into the open state, unless a force sufficient to cause the break-away tabs 460 to fail is applied. When an opening force sufficient to cause the break-away tabs 460 to fail is applied, the force causes the second locking feature 450 to detach from the rest of the closure portion 400 so that the second locking feature 450 stays in its position as shown in FIG. 18, and the closure portion 400 pivots about the hinge 500 to the open state. The “opening force” may be an upward force applied onto the closure portion 400 which would cause the closure portion 400 to rotate relative to the dispensing portion 300 about the hinge 500.

[0092] It should be appreciated that an in alternative embodiment, the first locking feature 350 may comprise a locking tab and the second locking feature 450 may comprise a recess or aperture into which the locking tab of the first locking feature 350 extends. The same result may occur when the closure portion 400 is first opened, in that the engagement of the first and second locking features may still result in the second locking feature 450 detaching from the closure portion 400. In another embodiment, the first locking feature 350 may detach from the dispensing portion 300 during the first opening and remain attached / coupled to the closure portion 400. These variations / alternatives may fall within the scope of the invention claimed herein.

[0093] As best seen in FIG. 17, when the closure portion 400 is in the closed state, the closure element 404 of the closure portion 400 engages an inner surface 315 of the inner annular wall 310 of the dispensing portion 300. This serves two purposes. First, it allows the closure portion 400 to close the dispensing orifice 311 of the dispensing portion 300 so that the fluids in the container to which the cap 200 is attached cannot be dispensed. The fluid could flow into the dispensingorifice 311 , but it would be prevented from dispensing since the top portion 401 of the closure portion 400 closes the opening 313 in the top end 312 of the inner annular wall 310 which defines the dispensing orifice 311. The closure element 404 and the inner annular wall 310 may also have various mating indents / detents, tabs, or the like to help seal the dispensing orifice 311 closed. Second, the engagement between an outer surface 405 of the closure element 404 of the closure portion 400 and the inner surface 315 of the inner annular wall 310 of the dispensing portion 300 may form a friction fit or may have mating features that forms a light locking together of the components, which can help to keep the closure portion 400 in the closed state until an opening force is applied by a user. This becomes more important after the closure portion 400 is opened for the first time such that the second locking member 450 detaches from the closure portion 400. Once the closure portion 400 is re-closed, there is no locking feature engagement (between the first and second locking features 350 450) to help maintain the closure portion 400 in the closed state. However, the frictional engagement between the closure element 404 and the inner annular wall 310 may help prevent accidental opening of the closure portion 400 in this situation.

[0094] It should be appreciated as well that the retention ribs 360 of the dispensing portion 300 may help to guide the second locking feature 450 into engagement with the first locking feature 350 as the closure portion 400 is altered into the closed state for the very first time. Specifically, when the cap 200 is manufactured, it is likely made in the open state, such as shown in FIG. 9. Then, the cap 200 is attached to a container and altered into the closed state for the first time, which results in the first and second locking features 350, 450 coming into engagement with one another to lock the closure portion 400 in the closed state. Of course, the cap 200 may first be altered into the closed state prior to being attached to a container. As the closure portion 400 is closed for the first time, the retention ribs 360 may contact the second locking feature 450 and guide the second locking feature 450 into the opening or recess 351 of the first locking feature 350.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 18, when the locking tab 452 of the second locking feature 450 extends into the aperture or recess 351 of the first locking feature 350, an outer surface 363 of a lower portion 364 of the retention rib(s) 360 may be in contact with an inner surface 455 of the plate portion 451 of the second locking feature 450. This contact may prevent the second locking feature 450 from disengaging with the first locking feature 350, even as the closure portion 400 is altered from the closed state to the open state. Specifically, as the closure portion 400 is altered from the closed state to the open state, it is possible that rather than the second locking feature 450 detachingfrom the closure portion 400, the locking tab 452 of the second locking feature 450 could simply pivot out of the recess or aperture 351 of the first locking feature 350. However, the positioning of the retention rib(s) 360 prevents this, ensuring that the only way that the closure portion 400 may be altered from the closed state to the open state (for the first / initial time) is by having the second locking feature 450 detach from the closure portion 400.

[0096] Referring now to FIGS. 19-21, the cap 200 is illustrated coupled to a container 600. As noted above, the container 600 may be configured to hold a liquid or fluid, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, beverages, toothpaste, lotions, skin care creams, or the like. The container 600 may have a neck 610 with external threads 611 that are configured to mate with the threads 308 on the inner surface 306 of the coupling portion 304 of the dispensing portion 300 of the cap 200. The dispensing portion 300 of the cap 200 may therefore be screwed onto the neck 610 of the container 600 to facilitate the attachment of the cap 200 to the container 600.

[0097] FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the cap 200 coupled to the container 600 with the closure portion 400 of the cap 200 in the initially closed state (i.e., that is, the closure portion 400 is in the closed state prior to ever having been altered from the closed state to the open state). As such, the first and second locking features 350, 450 are engaged with one another as described above. This somewhat locks the closure portion 400 in the closed state and requires an opening force adequate to detach the second locking feature 450 from the closure portion 400 to be applied in order to alter the closure portion 400 into the open state. The cap 200 may have a downwardly extending wall which may form a plug seal with the container. In FIG. 21, this feature is illustrated spaced from the inner surface of the neck 610 of the container 600. In some embodiments, the plug seal may be in direct contact with the inner surface of the neck 610 of the container 600 to minimize or prevent leakage.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the cap 200 is illustrated coupled to the container 600 just like in FIGS. 19-21, except that the closure portion 400 has been altered from the closed state to the open state. The first time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature 450 detaches / separates from the closure portion 400. Despite its detachment from the closure portion 400, the second locking feature 450 remains coupled to the dispensing portion 300. Specifically, the second locking feature 450 remains sandwiched between the retention rib(s) 360 and the front portion 322 of the upstanding wall 320 of the dispensingportion 300. As the closure portion 400 is pivoted to the open state, the second locking feature 450 remains trapped in position due to the engagement of the locking tab 452 and the upper edge 352 of the aperture or recess 351 of the first locking feature 350 and due to the abutment of the retention ribs 360 with the second locking feature 450.

[0099] Thus, as the closure portion 400 is pivoted to the open state, the second locking feature 450 remains in place and detaches from the closure portion 400. This ensures that the small plastic piece that makes up the second locking feature 450 is not littered onto the ground or the like and ensure it remains attached to the rest of the cap 200. The second locking feature 450 may remain engaged with the first locking feature 350 and coupled to the dispensing portion 300 for the life of the cap 200, until it is discarded. At this point, the closure portion 400 may be repetitively altered to the closed state and then back the open state as needed. For subsequent times that the closure portion 400 is altered from the closed state to the open state (subsequent to the first time as noted above), the force required to facilitate the opening is less than the force required with the first opening. This is because the first opening requires a force sufficient to detach the second locking member 450 from the closure portion 400 as described herein, and subsequent openings do not require this, but only requires a force sufficient to overcome the friction between the closure member 404 of the closure portion 400 and the inner annular wall 310 of the dispensing portion 300, as described above.

[0100] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0101] While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cap for a container, the cap comprising: a dispensing portion comprising: a coupling portion configured to engage a container to couple the cap to the container; a dispensing orifice for dispensing fluids from the container; and a first locking feature; and a closure portion coupled to the dispensing portion by a hinge, the closure portion comprising: a closure element; and a second locking feature; wherein the closure portion is alterable relative to the dispensing portion between: a closed state whereby the closure element closes the dispensing orifice to prevent fluids from being dispensed from the container and the second locking feature engages the first locking feature; and an open state whereby the dispensing orifice is exposed to permit fluids to be dispensed from the container; wherein a first time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature detaches from the closure portion and remains coupled to the dispensing portion.

2. The cap according to claim 1 further comprising: the dispensing portion comprising: a top surface; and an upstanding wall extending from the top surface, the first locking feature comprising an aperture or a recess formed into the upstanding wall; the second locking feature of the closure portion comprising a locking tab; and wherein upon altering the closure portion into the closed state for an initial time, the locking tab of the second locking feature of the closure portion extends into the aperture or the recessformed into the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion, the second locking feature of the closure portion continuing to extend into the aperture or the recess after the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state.

3. The cap according to claim 2 further comprising: the closure portion comprising: a top portion comprising a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the closure element protruding from the bottom surface; and a skirt portion extending from the top portion to a distal end; wherein prior to the first time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature is coupled to the skirt portion by one or more break-away tabs.

4. The cap according to claim 3 further comprising: the skirt portion comprising a recess that extends from the distal end towards the bottom surface of the top portion, the recess comprising a floor, and wherein prior to the first time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second locking feature is located within the recess, the one or more break-away tabs connecting the second locking feature to the floor of the recess.

5. The cap according to claim 4 further comprising: the floor of the recess comprising a lower portion, a first side portion extending from a first end of the lower portion to the distal end of the skirt portion, and a second side portion extending from a second end of the lower portion to the distal end of the skirt portion; the one or more break-away tabs comprising: at least one first break-away tab connecting the second locking feature to the lower portion of the floor of the recess; at least one second break-away tab connecting the second locking feature to the first side portion of the floor of the recess; and at least one third break-away tab connecting the second locking feature to the second side portion of the floor of the recess.

6. The cap according to any one of claims 2 to 5 further comprising: the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion comprising a distal end, a front wall portion that comprises the first locking feature, a first side wall portion connected to a first end of the front wall portion and located on a first side of the dispensing orifice, and a second side wall portion connected to a second end of the front wall portion and located on a second side of the dispensing orifice; and wherein a first portion of each of the first and second side wall portions of the upstanding wall that are adjacent to the front wall portion of the upstanding wall have a first height measured from the top surface of the dispensing portion to the distal end of the upstanding wall, and wherein a second portion of each of the first and second side wall portions of the upstanding wall that are adjacent to the hinge have a second height measured from the top surface of the dispensing portion to the distal end of the upstanding wall, the second height being greater than the first height.

7. The cap according to claim 6 further comprising: the front wall portion of the upstanding wall having a third height measured from the top surface of the dispensing portion to the distal end of the upstanding wall, the third height being greater than the first height and less than the second height.

8. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising: the dispensing portion comprising a top surface and an upstanding wall extending from the top surface to a distal end of the upstanding wall, the upstanding wall located radially outward relative to the dispensing orifice, the upstanding wall at least partially surrounding the dispensing orifice; the closure portion comprising: a top portion and a skirt that extends from the top portion to a distal end of the skirt, the skirt having an inner surface; and a pair of wall members located adjacent to the inner surface of the skirt on opposite sides of a centerline of the closure member, the pair of wall members protruding beyond the distal end of the skirt; and wherein when the closure portion is in the closed state, the distal end of the skirt of the closure portion abuts the distal end of the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion and the pairof wall members of the closure portion extend alongside the inner surface of the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion to prevent rotation of the closure portion relative to the dispensing portion about a longitudinal axis of the cap.

9. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising: the dispensing portion comprising at least one retention rib aligned with and located radially inward of the first locking feature, the at least one retention rib configured to guide the second locking member into engagement with the first locking member when the closure portion is first altered into the closed state and to retain the first locking member in engagement with the second locking member after the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state.

10. The cap according to claim 9 further comprising: wherein the at least one retention rib comprises a pair of the retention ribs positioned spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the retention ribs comprises a ramped surface that faces the first locking feature and that is sloped downwardly towards the first locking feature.

11. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising: the closure portion comprising a skirt having a distal end, a first portion of the distal end having a first elevation and a second portion of the distal end having a second elevation that is greater than the first elevation.

12. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising: wherein when the closure portion is in the closed state, an interface is formed between the closure portion and the dispensing portion, the interface comprising a first portion located a first distance from a bottom edge of the cap and a second portion located a second distance from the bottom edge of the cap, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

13. The cap according to claim 12 further comprising: the cap comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the hinge located along the rear portion; andwherein the first portion of the interface is adjacent to the front portion of the cap and the second portion of the interface is adjacent to the rear portion of the cap.

14. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 13 further comprising: wherein a first force is required the first time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state; and wherein a second force is required each subsequent time that the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state, the second force being less than the first force.

15. A cap for a container, the cap comprising: a dispensing portion configured to be coupled to a container, the dispensing portion comprising: a dispensing orifice having an axis; a top surface; an upstanding wall that at least partially circumferentially surrounds the dispensing orifice, the upstanding wall comprising a first locking feature; a closure portion coupled to the dispensing portion and alterable between a closed state and an open state, the closure portion comprising: a top portion configured to close the dispensing orifice when the closure portion is in the closed state; a skirt extending from the top portion; and a second locking feature detachably coupled to the skirt, the second locking feature engaging the first locking feature of the dispensing portion when the closure portion is in the closed state and when the closure portion is subsequently altered into the open state; and wherein upon altering the closure portion from the closed state to the open state for a first time, the second locking feature detaches from the closure portion.

16. The cap according to claim 15 further comprising: wherein after altering the closure portion from the closed state to the open state for the first time and any subsequent times, the second locking feature remains in engagement with the first locking feature of the dispensing portion.

17. The cap according to claim 15 or claim 16 further comprising: the first locking feature comprising an aperture formed through the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion; the second locking feature comprising a plate portion and a tab portion; and wherein the tab portion of the second locking feature extends into the aperture in the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion.

18. The cap according to any one of claims 17 further comprising: the dispensing portion comprising at least one retention rib aligned with and located radially inward of the first locking feature, the at least one retention rib configured to guide the second locking member into engagement with the first locking member when the closure portion is first altered into the closed state and to retain the first locking member in engagement with the second locking member after the closure portion is altered from the closed state to the open state.

19. The cap according to claim 18 wherein the plate portion of the second locking feature is located between the at least one retention rib and an inner surface of the upstanding wall.

20. The cap according to any one of claims 15 to 20 further comprising: the upstanding wall of the dispensing portion comprising a distal end, a front wall portion that comprises the first locking feature, a first side wall portion connected to a first end of the front wall portion and located on a first side of the dispensing orifice, and a second side wall portion connected to a second end of the front wall portion and located on a second side of the dispensing orifice; and wherein each of the first and second side wall portions of the upstanding wall comprises a first portion located adjacent to the front portion of the upstanding wall and having a first heightand a second portion located furthest from the front portion of the upstanding wall and having a second height, the second height being greater than the first height.

21. The cap according to claim 20 further comprising: the distal end of the upstanding wall along the first and second portions of each of the first and second side wall portions being planar; and the distal end of the upstanding wall being sloped in a transition region between the first and second portions of each of the first and second side wall portions.

22. A cap for a container, the cap comprising: a dispensing portion comprising: a coupling portion configured to engage a container to couple the cap to the container; a dispensing orifice for dispensing fluids from the container; and a first locking feature; and a closure portion comprising a second locking feature; wherein the closure portion is alterable relative to the dispensing portion between: an initial closed state wherein the closure portion closes the dispensing orifice and the second locking feature engages the first locking feature; and an open state whereby the dispensing orifice is exposed; wherein altering the closure portion from the initial closed state to the open state causes the second locking feature to detach from the closure portion while remaining engaged with the first locking feature of the dispensing portion.

23. The cap according to claim 22 further comprising the dispensing portion being configured to be repeatedly altered from the open state to subsequent closed states, wherein in each subsequent closed state the closure portion closes the dispensing orifice.