Patent ID: 6510971
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B29C,B29L,B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
A one-piece thermoplastic screw-on closure for dispensing liquids from a bottle comprising an end wall and a generally cylindrical skirt depending from the end wall, the skirt having internal threads for mating with the external threads on the neck of the bottle, the end wall having a central region in which is formed an elongated dispensing aperture, the end wall having an underside on which is formed a circumferentially continuous bottle sealing surface area lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical skirt, a flap for opening and closing the aperture, the flap being pivotally joined to the end wall by a living hinge, the axis of the hinge being generally perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the aperture, the end wall having a first elevation above the plane of the sealing surface area adjacent an end of the aperture distal from the hinge and a second elevation above the plane of the sealing surface area greater than the first elevation adjacent an end of the aperture proximal to the hinge, the hinge having an elevation above the plane of the sealing surface area at least as high as said second elevation, a spout surrounding said aperture, the spout having an elevation adjacent the distal end of the aperture substantially greater than the first elevation and less than the elevation of said hinge, the flap including a hollow plug proportioned to fit into said spout and close said aperture in a fluid-tight manner.