Flip-top cap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10507957-B2
Application number	US-201415511979-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2014
Priority date	Sep 18, 2014
Publication date	Dec 17, 2019
Grant date	Dec 17, 2019

Abstract

A cap, apparatus, and method for manufacturing a cap. The cap (104) may include a base (106) defining an orifice therethrough, and a lid ((108) coupled with the base. The lid may include a top surface (125), a bottom surface (134) that is opposite to the top surface, a plug (122) extending from the bottom surface for a first distance, and a brim (114) extending from bottom surface for a second distance that is less than or equal to the first distance. The brim includes a first curve (208) at least partially extending from the bottom surface away from the top surface, and a second curve (210) at least partially extending from the top surface, away from the bottom surface. The brim defines at least a portion of an engagement surface that faces at least partially away from a centerline of the lid. The cap is operable between an open position and a closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cap for a dispenser, comprising:
a base defining an orifice therethrough; and
a lid coupled with the base, the lid comprising:
a top surface;
a bottom surface that is opposite to the top surface;
a plug extending from the bottom surface for a first distance; and
a brim extending from the bottom surface for a second distance that is less than or equal to the first distance, the brim including a first curve at least partially extending from the bottom surface away from the top surface, and a second curve at least partially extending from the top surface, away from the bottom surface, wherein the brim defines at least a portion of an engagement surface that faces at least partially away from a centerline of the lid,

wherein the cap is operable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein:
when the cap is in the closed position, the plug is received into the orifice; and
when the cap is in the open position, the orifice is exposed;

wherein the first curve, as proceeding toward the second curve, curves away from parallel to the centerline, and the second curve, as proceeding away from the first curve, curves toward parallel to the centerline; and
wherein the lid comprises a depression extending from an apex of an outer rim to at least the centerline, wherein the outer rim extends from a back side of the lid to a front side of the lid in a semi-circular arc.

2. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the brim comprises:
a brim front side providing the at least a portion of the engagement surface; and
a brim back side facing the centerline.

3. The cap of claim 2 , wherein the first and second curves are defined on the brim front side.

4. The cap of claim 2 , wherein the brim back side is substantially flat.

5. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the brim comprises a skirt extending from the bottom surface and away from the top surface, the skirt defining at least a portion of the first curve.

6. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the outer rim provides at least a portion of the brim, wherein the top surface is concave such that a distance, in a direction parallel to the centerline, is defined between the apex of the outer rim and the top surface.

7. The cap of claim 6 , wherein the distance is non-zero, varies around the outer rim, and is at a maximum at a point along the brim.

8. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the outer rim provides at least a portion of the brim, and wherein the top surface is inclined relative to a plane defined by the outer rim, such that a distance, in a direction parallel to the centerline, from the apex of the outer rim and the top surface is at a maximum at a point along the brim.

9. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a recess that is at least partially aligned with the brim when the cap is in the closed position, and wherein the recess provides at least a second portion of the engagement surface.

10. The cap of claim 9 , wherein a sidewall of the base and a top of the base form a stepped shoulder proximal to a periphery of the base, wherein the stepped shoulder receives an edge of the lid when the cap is in the closed position, and wherein the recess is defined in the sidewall.

11. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the depression is non-symmetric about the centerline.

12. An apparatus for dispensing a product, comprising:
a hollow body to contain the product therein and comprising one or more corners; and
a cap comprising:
a base forming an interference fit with the hollow body and defining an orifice, the base comprising one or more corners positioned to mate with the one or more corners of the hollow body; and
a lid pivotally coupled with the base and comprising a top surface, a bottom surface that is opposite to the top surface, and a brim including a first curve extending from the bottom surface, away from the top surface, and a second curve extending from the top surface, away from the bottom surface, wherein the brim defines at least a portion of an engagement surface that faces at least partially away from a centerline of the lid, the lid further comprising one or more corners positioned to mate with the one or more corners of the base, and wherein the first curve, as proceeding toward the second curve, curves away from parallel to the centerline, and the second curve, as proceeding away from the first curve, curves toward parallel to the centerline,

wherein the cap is operable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein:
when the cap is in the closed position, the lid covers the orifice;
when the cap is in the open position, the lid is pivoted away from the orifice; and
wherein the lid comprises a depression extending from an apex of an outer rim to at least the centerline, wherein the outer rim extends from a back side of the lid to a front side of the lid in a semi-circular arc.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the brim comprises:
a brim front side, at least a portion of the brim front side providing the at least a portion of the engagement surface, and a brim back side facing the centerline.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the brim comprises a skirt extending from the bottom surface and away from the top surface, the skirt providing at least a portion of the first curve.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the skirt is received into a stepped shoulder of the base when the cap is in the closed position.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the outer rim provides at least a portion of the brim, wherein the apex of the outer rim is spaced apart from the top surface by a distance, parallel to the centerline, that varies as proceeding along the outer rim, wherein the distance is at a maximum at a point along the brim.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the outer rim provides at least a portion of the brim, and wherein the top surface is inclined relative to a plane defined by the outer rim, such that a distance, parallel to the centerline, from the apex of the outer rim and the top surface is at a maximum at a point along the brim.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the base comprises a recess that is at least partially aligned with the brim when the cap is in the closed position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the recess provides a second portion of the engagement surface and, when the cap is in the closed position, the recess is aligned with the brim.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the depression is non-symmetric about the centerline.

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

• Toh Kiat-Cheong
• Cummings Bruce

Classifications

• B65D41/02

  Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices · CPC title

• B65D2251/1066

  Actuating means · CPC title

• B65D2251/0078

  of the 41-type · CPC title

• B65D47/08 Primary

  having articulated or hinged closures {(B65D55/16 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B65D43/16

  hinged for upward or downward movement · CPC title