Container closure

• US 6,050,433 A
• Filed: 08/29/1997
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hanger Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hanger Corporation
• Inventors: Russell, Allin Nicholas, Manley, James Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Garbe, Stephen P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US08/921,392
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 222/528, 222/529, 215/388, 215/322, 215/235, 215/229, 215/902, 215/309, 220/213, 220/256, 220/254, 220/259, 220/252, 220/345, 220/351, 220/705, 220/707, 220/708, 220/709, 220/367.1, 220/714, 220/715, 220/713, 220/345.1, 220/345.2 , 220/345.3
• US Class Current: 215/229
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2043 the separate element being formed by an overcap which constricts a spout, the spout being either pushed into alignment with, or pushed through, an opening in the overcap upon rotation of the latter

Abstract

A container closure includes an access, which can receive a drinking straw, which is able to be folded down into a groove by the pivotal movement of member, which closes off the drinking straw by engaging it across an upstanding flange or projection.

Claims

1. A pivoting closure cap for closing a container having a top edge and an interior, the cap comprising:

a base portion configured to fit onto the top edge of a container;

a body portion attached to the base portion, the body portion including an accessing means therethrough, the accessing means including a drinking straw inserted into a channel within the accessing means; and

a generally hemispherical top portion including a first quadrant and a second quadrant;

where the first quadrant is fixedly attached to the base portion and where the second quadrant is pivotally attached to the base portion allowing the second quadrant to pivot over the first quadrant from an open position allowing external access through the accessing means into the interior of a container through the straw, to a closed position causing the straw to fold over toward the base portion preventing external access into the interior of a container through the straw, and the second quadrant has an edge which is adjacent the body portion when the second quadrant is in the closed position; and

where the second quadrant further includes an inner recess adjacent the edge of the second quadrant which allows residual liquid in the straw to escape from the straw when folded and from the closure cap when the second quadrant is in the closed position.

2. The closure cap of claim 1, where the body portion further includes a first projection which provides an upper edge of the accessing means, and where pivoting of the second quadrant from the open position to the closed position causes the straw to fold over the first projection, thereby substantially stopping flow of liquid from the interior of a container through the straw.

3. The closure cap of claim 1, where the body portion includes a second projection that engages the second quadrant when the second quadrant is in the closed position to assist in maintaining the second quadrant in the closed position.

4. The closure cap of claim 3, where the second projection is a pin.

5. The closure cap of claim 1, where the body portion includes an air vent allowing external access into the interior of a container, and where the second quadrant further includes a third projection which engages the air vent when the second quadrant is in the closed position, thereby closing the air vent.

6. The closure cap of claim 1 in combination with a container, where the closure cap is affixed to the container thereby closing off the interior of the container except through the accessing means and except through one or more air vents present in the body portion when the second quadrant is in the open position.