Dual opening container cap

• US 5,799,838 A
• Filed: 01/29/1997
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Closures
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Albert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US08/790,107
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 222/480, 222/482, 222/556, 222/565, 215/234, 215/237, 215/238, 220/254, 220/337, 220/339
• US Class Current: 222/480
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0847 located within a flat surface of the base element

Abstract

A dual opening dispensing closure for use with an associated container includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The top wall portion defines a pair of open dispensing regions. The cap includes a pair of flap-like cover portions. Each cover portion is adapted to cover a respective one of the dispensing regions. Each cover portion is connected to the top wall portion by a respective hinge region. Each hinge region defines a hinge line. The hinge lines are in spaced relation to one another and are separated from one another by a secant line extending across the cap. The hinge lines can be parallel to one another and formed generally perpendicular to the secant line. The cover portions are pivotable between an open position and a closed position independent of one another, and can be configured to pivot between the open and closed positions without interfering with pivoting of the other cover portion.

Claims

1. A dual opening dispensing closure for use with an associated container comprising:

a closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion, said top wall portion defining first and second open dispensing regions therein;

a first cover portion for covering said first dispensing region, said first cover portion being connected to said top wall portion by a first hinge region; and

a second cover portion for covering said second dispensing region, said second cover portion being connected to said top wall portion by a second hinge region,

a separating portion extending between and separating said first and second dispensing regions, wherein said first and second hinge regions define respective first and second hinge lines, each said hinge line being transverse to said separating portion, said hinge lines being in non-intersecting relation to one another and intersecting said separating portion in spaced relation to one another.

2. The dual opening dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said separating portion includes a rib element.

3. The dual opening dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said hinge lines is disposed on said top wall portion so as to intersect said separating portion opposingly of the other of said dispensing regions.

4. The dual opening dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said dispensing openings defines a plurality of relatively small perforations.

5. The dual opening dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second cover portions includes a gripping extension extending therefrom, away from its respective hinge region.

6. The dual opening dispensing closure in accordance with claim 5, wherein said closure includes a recessed area formed in an outer surface of said skirt portion at about a juncture with said top wall portion, adjacent to said gripping extension.

7. The dual opening dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hinge lines are parallel to one another.

8. A dual opening dispensing closure for use with an associated container comprising:

a closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion, said top wall portion defining first and second open dispensing regions therein, at least one of said dispensing openings defining a plurality of relatively small perforations;

a first cover portion for covering said first dispensing region, said first cover portion being connected to said top wall portion by a first hinge region; and

a second cover portion for covering said second dispensing region, said second cover portion being connected to said top wall portion by a second hinge region,

a separating portion extending between and separating said first and second dispensing regions, wherein said first and second hinge regions define respective first and second hinge lines perpendicular to said separating portion, each said hinge line intersecting said separating portion in spaced relation to one another.