A container cap dispensing apparatus includes a cover member and a base member. The cover member is disposed over a portion of the base member, and the base member is secured to a container. The cover member is secured to either the base member or the container to allow the cover member to rotate relative to the container. The cover member and base member cooperate to drive a plug of the base member axially away from a dispensing opening defined in the cover member in order to permit the discharge of contents from an attached container. The cover member is permitted to rotate relative to the container but is not displaced axially relative to the base member.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/158,856 entitled "Twist to open dispensing closure assembly," filed Oct. 12, 1999 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/175,652 entitled "Container cap dispensing apparatus," filed Jan. 12, 2000, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In a cartridge closure with opening and closing means comprising a mouth piece with an open end and a closure part having a sleeve portion axially movably supported on the mouthpiece, a transverse wall is supported by support webs in axially spaced relationship from the open end of the mouthpiece and the closure part includes a neck portion of a smaller diameter than the sleeve portion with a transition area between the neck portion and the sleeve portion which includes a conical seal surface area which, in the closing position of the sleeve portion, sealingly engages a circumferential edge of the transverse wall.
An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member has a key seat and a resin key top. An indicator portion provided in the resin key top is illuminated with light from an internal light source provided below the key seat, and the light is emitted from the inside to the outside of the cover member through the indicator portion. The cover member is constructed by joining the resin key top to the key seat. The key seat is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that prevents leakage of light, and an opening for passage of light is formed in the key seat to expose the bottom side of the resin key top to the internal light source. Thus, light from the internal light source can reach the bottom side of the resin key top directly without being attenuated. The indicator portion of the resin key top can therefore be illuminated with high luminance.
An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member has a key seat and a resin key top. An indicator portion provided in the resin key top is illuminated with light from an internal light source provided below the key seat, and the light is emitted from the inside to the outside of the cover member through the indicator portion. The cover member is constructed by joining the resin key top to the key seat. The key seat is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that prevents leakage of light, and an opening for passage of light is formed in the key seat to expose the bottom side of the resin key top to the internal light source. Thus, light from the internal light source can reach the bottom side of the resin key top directly without being attenuated. The indicator portion of the resin key top can therefore be illuminated with high luminance.
Resealable caps and tops for directional pour spout containers currently available for liquid and semi-solid products are either a spout and cap design, in which the tip is cut off to pour or squeeze out the container contents, or a non-spout, hinged top-and-bottom design, which defines a flat surface with an opening. These designs have many limitations. For example, the closure portion of a conventional spout closure can become detached, leading to production line delays, lost tips in transit, product recall at the store level, loss of shelf life and potential chocking hazards to children and pets. The non-spout hinged, top-and-bottom design does not offer the directional dispensing capabilities. This invention addresses the shortcomings of conventional caps and tops by providing a one-piece directional pour spout container cap in which the base has an upwardly directed spout and a hinged flip top cap is attached to the spout. The flip top cap flips open and locks in place to permit dispensing, and then can be closed to reseal the container and preserve product integrity.
