Dispensing – With flow controller or closure – Rotary – axially
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-01
2002-07-23
Doerrler, William C. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With flow controller or closure
Rotary, axially
C222S547000, C222S531000, C222S529000, C222S507000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06422433
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device and method for dispensing fluid products, such as liquids, pastes and powders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Products such as condiments (e.g., mustard, ketchup, and relish), shampoo, toothpaste, and other products are often packaged in dispensers (e.g., bottles) with ‘twist-on/twist-off’ caps. Such ‘twist’ caps typically comprise a base portion and a rotating portion, such that the rotating portion rotates with respect to the base portion to either permit or restrict flow of a substance through the cap. Most mustard dispensers on the market today include ‘twist’-type caps or closures. By rotating the ‘twist’ caps to an open position, and inverting and squeezing the dispenser, the substance contained in the dispenser may be distributed.
A problem with some conventional ‘twist’ closures is that the means for sealing the closure does not provide an effective seal, thus leakage of the fluid product stored therein may occur. Moreover, if an effective seal is not created, leakage of air into the container in which the fluid product is disposed may cause the product's effective lifespan to be significantly decreased. Additionally, most conventional ‘twist-on/twist-off’ caps have base and rotating portions that are separated from one another when the cap is in the ‘open’ position, thus causing an unsightly gap to be formed between the base and rotating portions. Besides the unsightliness, this gap creates an instability in the cap, such that the rotating portion is extremely likely to become separated from the base portion.
Thus, there is presently a need for a ‘twist’ cap with an effective sealing member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for dispensing a fluid product, the apparatus including a dispenser cap including a substantially cylindrical base portion including a flexible post protruding therefrom, and a substantially cylindrical cover portion which is shaped to fit overtop of the substantially cylindrical base portion, said substantially cylindrical cover portion including a frustoconical portion extending therefrom which receives the flexible post.
The above and other advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2885128 (1959-05-01), Zimmerli
patent: 2974835 (1961-03-01), Herbrick
patent: 3123259 (1964-03-01), Musel et al.
patent: 3221952 (1965-12-01), De See
patent: 3294293 (1966-12-01), Johns
patent: 3337098 (1967-08-01), Johns
patent: 3357604 (1967-12-01), Barker
patent: 4141475 (1979-02-01), Nilson
patent: 4304342 (1981-12-01), Morane
patent: 4690304 (1987-09-01), Morel
patent: 5135139 (1992-08-01), Krawagna
patent: 5181632 (1993-01-01), Latter
Evans Christopher T.
Gieda Christopher
Doerrler William C.
Duane Morris LLP
Nicolas Frederick C
Sussex Technologies, Inc.
LandOfFree
Dispensing cap with flexible sealing post does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dispensing cap with flexible sealing post, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispensing cap with flexible sealing post will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2889859