Dispensing closure

• US 4,172,540 A
• Filed: 12/05/1977
• Issued: 10/30/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Polytop Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Polytop Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Inventors: Erichson, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Shannon, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/857,381
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 215/307, 215/235, 220/375, 220/332, 220/335, 222/543, 222/556, 222/517, 222/515
• US Class Current: 222/517
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0819 by cam action, e.g. interacting protrusions

Abstract

A dispensing closure having a cap with an opening extending through the top of the cap and having a lid mounted on the cap so that it is capable of being moved between a closed position in which the lid closes off the opening and an open position in which the opening is exposed can be constructed so as to utilize a spring mounting the lid on the cap. One of the ends of the spring employed is secured to the cap so that the spring is incapable of being pivoted relative to the cap while the other of the ends of the spring is pivotally connected to the lid. The spring is connected to the lid at a location such that the spring has to be bent and such that the lid has to be pivoted relative to the spring in order for the lid to be moved between the noted open and closed position. The spring serves to hold the lid relative to the top of the cap so that the lid is held against movement in the open position by the spring.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure having a cap, said cap having a top with an opening extending therethrough, a lid and mounting means connecting said lid with said cap so that said lid is capable of being moved between a closed position in which said lid closes off said opening and an open position in which said opening is exposed and in which said lid extends generally away from said top in which the improvement comprises:

said mounting means comprising only a spring means having ends, one of said ends being supported by said cap so as to hold said spring means so that said spring means is capable of being temporarily deformed relative to said cap, the other of said ends being pivotally connected to said lid,

said spring means being connected to said lid at a location such that said spring means has to be bent and said lid has to be pivoted relative to said spring means in moving said lid between said open and closed positions, said spring means biasing said lid against said cap in order to hold said lid in said open position.

2. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said spring means holds said lid so that a portion of said lid engages said top when said lid is in said open position.

3. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

stop means are provided on said cap for limiting the amount said lid can be pivoted relative to said spring means when said lid is moved from said closed to said open position.

4. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said spring means holds said lid so that a portion of said lid engages said top when said lid is in said open position,

stop means are provided on said cap for limiting the amount said lid can be pivoted relative to said spring means when said lid is moved from said closed to said open position.

5. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said lid and said spring means are integral with one another and are formed out of a flexible, resilient material capable of being deformed at the juncture of said other of said ends of said spring means and said lid so as to pivotally connect said lid to said spring means.

6. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

said spring means includes an integral tab extending from said one of said ends of said spring means,

said cap includes a recess formed therein, said tab fitting within and engaging the interior of said recess so as to mount said spring means and said lid on said cap.

7. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said spring means is an elongated flap spring having a width,

said one of said end of said spring means is pivotally connected to said lid along said width,

said other of said ends of said spring means is secured to said cap along said width.

8. A dispensing closure having a cap, said cap having a top with an opening extending therethrough, a lid and mounting means connecting said lid with said cap so that said lid is capable of being moved between a closed position in which said lid closes off said opening and an open position in which said opening is exposed and in which said lid extends generally away from said top in which the improvement comprises:

said mounting means comprising only a spring having ends, one of said ends being supported by said cap so as to hold said spring so that said spring is capable of being temporarily deformed relative to said cap, the other of said ends being pivotally connected to said lid,

said spring being connected to said lid at a location such that said spring has to be bent and said lid has to be pivoted relative to said spring,

said lid and said spring being integral with one another and formed out of a flexible, resilient material capable of being deformed at the juncture of said other of said ends of said spring and said lid so as to pivotally connect said lid to said spring,

said spring including an integral tab extending from said one of said ends of said spring,

said cap including a recess formed therein, said tab fitting within and engaging the interior of said recess so as to mount said spring and said lid on said cap.

9. A dispensing closure having a cap, said cap having a top with an opening extending therethrough, a lid and mounting means connecting said lid with said cap so that said lid is capable of being moved between a closed position in which said lid closes off said opening and an open position in which said opening is exposed and in which said lid extends generally away from said top in which the improvement comprises:

said mounting means comprising a spring having ends, one of said ends being supported by said cap so as to hold said spring so that said spring is capable of being temporarily deformed relative to said cap, the other of said ends being pivotally connected to said lid,

said spring being connected to said lid at a location such that said spring has to be bent and said lid has to be pivoted relative to said spring,

said spring being an elongated flap spring having a width,

said one of said ends of said spring being pivotally connected to said lid along said width,

said other of said ends of said spring being secured to said cap along said width,

the other of said ends of said spring including a tab attached thereto, said tab extending across said width of said spring,

holding means on said cap engaging said tab so as to support said lid and said spring on said cap.

10. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

said lid and said spring means and said tab are integral with one another and are formed of a material which has resilient, flexible characteristics.