Easy to use dispensing closure

Dispensing – With relatively movable actuator for outlet element – For nonrotary outlet element reciprocable axially of...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C222S559000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06299036

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a two-piece, self-cleaning dispensing closure that is secured to containers and operable using one hand for dispensing fluids and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a closure comprising a closure base and closure top which are slidably interconnected so that the closure top is laterally movable to open and close the closure to dispense product from the side of the closure through a dispensing opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous types of closures and seals adapted to be attached to containers for dispensing product from containers are known in the prior art. Such closures must be capable of being sealed to avoid leakage during shipment, capable of being operated between an opened and closed position without accumulation of excess product on exposed surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,154 discloses a one-hand-operable container closure having a sealing apparatus with a sealing cone and pour spout to dispense contents of a container. The sealing cone is brought into and out of sealing engagement with the pour spout in response to an exterior force by means of a flexible wall area. Disadvantages of this closure is the necessity of an expensive and intricate production tooling in order to manufacture the closure with flexible and rigid parts. Another disadvantage of this closure is a tendency of the spout to retain product after dispensing thereby clogging the closure during subsequent use.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-piece easy to manufacture dispensing closure for fluids and the like with a self-cleaning orifice to prevent clogging of the closure between uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a closure base and a closure top which are slidably interconnected so that the closure top is laterally movable using one hand to open and close the closure to dispense product from the side of the closure through a dispensing opening.
More particularly, the invention comprises a closure base with a top wall and a peripheral skirt extending from the top wall having a means, typically threads, on the internal surface of the peripheral wall, for securing the closure to a finish of a container having product. The top wall of the closure base has an orifice which is in communication with fluid in the container through an opening in the finish of the container. Mounted above the orifice in the top wall of the closure base is a hollow tubular enclosure defining a dispensing channel provided with three openings, a first opening at one end of the enclosure for dispensing fluid from the container, a second opening at the opposite end of the enclosure adapted to receive a plug member which fits within the enclosure for opening and closing the first opening and a third opening, perpendicular to the first and the second opening, in communication with the orifice on the closure base for receiving fluid from the container.
The dispensing closure of the present invention further comprises a closure top having, a top wall, a peripheral skirt and mounted below the top wall a plug member which is adapted to be inserted into the hollow tubular enclosure of the closure base. Once the plug member is inserted into the enclosure the plug member is laterally slidable to open and close the first opening of the enclosure. The closure top and closure bottom are equipped with an attachment means which allows the closure top to slidably interconnect with the closure base.
In order to dispense fluid from the container, the closure top may be slid. using a finger, laterally so that the plug member is moved away from the first opening allowing the liquid to flow from the orifice on the closure base to the third opening of the hollow tubular enclosure and thereafter to the first opening. The closure may be sealed for storage for subsequent use by sliding the closure top toward the first opening so that the plug member is moved toward this first opening to seal the opening and extract any fluid which may be left in the enclosure.
The above-mentioned features and objects of the invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1356837 (1920-10-01), Stegmaier
patent: 2263731 (1941-11-01), Hynek
patent: 2652177 (1953-09-01), Lagemann
patent: 2751130 (1956-06-01), Murphy
patent: 2931543 (1960-04-01), Thomas
patent: 3174661 (1965-03-01), Speicher
patent: 3521796 (1970-07-01), Roy
patent: 3734125 (1973-05-01), Bruce et al.
patent: 4844301 (1989-07-01), Juillet
patent: 5096098 (1992-03-01), Garcia
patent: 5261567 (1993-11-01), Krall
patent: 5358154 (1994-10-01), Halm
patent: 5890633 (1999-04-01), Skillin et al.
patent: 5950881 (1999-09-01), Scherman et al.

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