Controlled dropper tip closure

• US 5,221,017 A
• Filed: 10/13/1992
• Issued: 06/22/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wheaton, Inc. (Crown Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wheaton Holding, Inc.
• Inventors: Page, Larry A., Cistone, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garbe, Stephen P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caretto, Vanessa
• Application Number:
  US07/959,675
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 215/235, 215/237, 215/238, 215/239, 215/240, 215/321, 215/344, 222/420, 222/421, 222/556, 220/259, 220/335, 220/339
• US Class Current: 215/235
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0814 by at least three hinge sections, at least one having a length different from the others
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/18 for discharging drops; Droppers droppers in general B01L3/00; pipettes connected to container closures B01L3/0282

Abstract

A unitary closure assembly having a cap body that has an upper portion with a substantially conical drop dispensing tip including a ringed protrusion disposed around the base of said tip, and a lower portion that can be secured to an opening in a container. The cap body has a lid secured to it by a hinge. The lid comprises a substantially conical raised portion that is adapted to enclose and cover the drop dispensing tip on the cap body. The lid has a raised ring disposed on its inner side which seals the opening in the drop dispensing tip, and a ringed depression in the inner side which mates with the ringed protrusion on the drop dispensing tip.

Claims

1. A unitary closure assembly comprising:

(a) a cap body having upper and lower portions, said upper portion comprising a circular peripheral base surface and a substantially conical drop dispensing tip projecting from said base and having an apex, said drop dispensing tip having an opening at the apex thereof and a ringed protrusion disposed around the base of said tip;

said lower portion of said cap body adapted to be secured to an opening in a container;

(b) a lid secured to said cap body by a hinge, said lid having an inner side and an outer side, and comprising a circular peripheral base portion and a substantially conical raised portion projecting from said base portion and having an apex, said raised portion adapted to enclose and cover said drop dispensing tip on said cap body;

said lid having a raised ring disposed on said inner side around the apex of said raised portion, said raised ring adapted to surround and seal said drop dispensing tip opening; and

said lid having a ringed depression in said inner side of said raised portion, proximate said base portion, adapted to mate with said ringed protrusion on said drop dispensing tip and to retain said raised ring in sealing engagement with said tip;

(C) said hinge comprising two side connectors, each secured to said cap body and lid, and a central resilient member also secured to said cap body and lid having a predetermined shape, and being deformed when said lid is in a position intermediate a fully opened or fully closed position.

2. A unitary closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said cap body has a threaded bore therein.

3. A unitary closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said cap body has a retaining bead therein.

4. A unitary closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure is formed from polypropylene.

5. A unitary closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure is formed from polyethylene.

6. A unitary closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure is formed from polyvinyl chloride.

7. A unitary closure assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said closure is formed from polypropylene.