Dispensing closure with pivotably mounted spout and means for limiting travel thereof

• US 5,542,585 A
• Filed: 08/31/1994
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MWV Slatersville LLC A Limited Liability Company of The State of Rhode Island
• Original Assignee: Polytop Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Inventors: LaVange, Donald, Peters, Ray, Wilson, Woodrow S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US08/298,263
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 222/212, 222/531, 222/533, 222/534, 222/556
• US Class Current: 222/531
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/305 provided with a spout, e.g. "escargot"-type valve

Abstract

Dispensing closure comprising a cap including an upper surface and a depending skirt adapted to be secured to a dispenser, a spout with an enlarged base and an elongated body, and mounting members, such as trunnions and a cavity defined within the upper surface of the cap, to secure the spout in the cavity for pivotal movement. A lug is formed on the spout, and a stop is defined within the cavity; the lug and stop cooperate to positively limit the travel of the spout toward a vertical orientation. A scoop, or enlarged opening, at the inlet end of the spout enables the contents of the container to be discharged through the spout, even when the base of the spout partially eclipses the opening the cap that communicates with the interior of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure comprising;

a) a cap including an upper surface and a depending skirt adapted to be secured to a dispenser,

b) said upper surface including walls defining a cavity therein, and a bore defined through said cap to establish communication between the interior of the dispenser and said cavity,

c) a spout with an enlarged base and an elongated body,

d) a passage extending through said spout and terminating at the free end of said body,

e) mounting means defined between said cylindrical base of said spout and said walls defining said cavity to permit said spout to be received within said cavity for pivotal movement therein,

f) stop means defined on said spout and within said cavity to positively limit the travel of said spout toward to a vertical orientation,

g) said stop means limiting the pivotal movement of said spout to a position wherein the enlarged base of said spout eclipses a portion of said bore to reduce communication between said bore and said passage in said spout,

h) the invention being characterized by an enlarged scoop formed at the inlet end of said spout, said scoop compensating for the eclipsing of a portion of said bore by said enlarged base of said spout.

2. A dispensing closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises a lug formed on said spout and a stop situated within said cavity, and the invention is further characterized by said stop means being located in the path of rotation for said lug at a position below the upper surface of said cap.