Abstract:
A bottle closure assembly for providing access to the fluids within a bottle without the complete removal of the closure. The bottle closure apparatus comprising a cap and a sleeve connected by a hinge. Both the cap and the sleeve containing internal threads for twisting the closure apparatus onto a threaded bottle opening. The closure sealing the container when fully threaded on to the threaded opening, while providing access to the fluid therein when only partially threaded (sleeve only) by allowing the cap to pivot about the hinge. In addition, position nubs may be provided along the threads to resistively indicate when the cap is pivotable. Additional embodiments are presented wherein an opening is formed in a top end of the cap for receiving a nipple allowing the bottle closure assembly to be used on a baby bottle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/440,412, filed Nov. 15, 1999, which is Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,051 dated Jul. 24, 2001 which is a Continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5, 944,207 dated Aug. 31, 1999; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The subject invention is generally directed to a closure for a container. More particularly, the invention relates to threaded closures for containers. Specifically, the invention relates to a closure for providing access to the contents of a container without the necessity of completely removing the entire closure and thereby subjecting the closure to loss or damage.  
           [0004]    2. Background Information  
           [0005]    Various containers for storing and transporting fluids such as water have been known and used for thousands of years. Prior to modern times, water containers were a necessity since homes and businesses did not have running water and therefore containers were needed to transport water from the local well to each house or business.  
           [0006]    Many closures for containers have been developed including lids, corks, snap-ons, and screw caps. Since man&#39;s discovery that fluids could be stored within containers for later use, new and better means for closing, sealing, or otherwise controlling fluid flow into and out of the container have been sought.  
           [0007]    More recently, i.e., over approximately the past one hundred years, a phenomenal growth in the distribution of bottled beverages has occurred. The storage of beverages such as milk, water, juices, carbonated beverages, iced tea, and alcoholic beverages in containers such as cartons, bottles, flasks or jugs made from paper, plastic, or glass has flourished. Specifically, these various containers include paper milk cartons, 12 and 16 glass bottles, 2 liter plastic bottles, and other such containers.  
           [0008]    Bottled beverages typically come in either plastic or glass bottles with metal or plastic closures sealing the beverage therein until the time for consumption. These containers typically include a narrowing neck with a fluid access opening therein. A number of closures have been used to cover this fluid access opening including metal lids requiring a bottle opener to remove, twist off metal lids, snap on-off plastic caps, screw on-off plastic caps, and pull up and push down type caps. These caps all serve to provide access to the fluid contained within the container. The closure is preferably reusable in that it may be removed from and replaced onto the container thereby allowing only a portion of the fluid contained within the container to be used at a given sitting.  
           [0009]    The need for closure of these containers is historically based upon a number of concerns including spillage, spoilage, evaporation, and contamination of the fluid contained within the container. More recent designs continue to take into account these historical needs as well as today&#39;s desired qualities such as ease and speed of use, and retention of carbonation.  
           [0010]    However, one disadvantage of these closures is the requirement that the closure be completely removed to gain access to the container. Complete removal of the closure creates a risk that the closure will be misplaced or dropped.  
           [0011]    One particular type of bottle whose closure is at risk of being misplaced or dropped is a baby bottle. The closures of baby bottles are typically cylindrical in shape and are formed with a central circular opening. The opening of the closure receives an elongated rubber nipple which is formed with a small pinhole at the apex thereof through which fluid contained in the baby bottle is dispensed. These baby bottles and baby bottle closures are continuously used and reused during the infant and toddler years of a child&#39;s life. The closures and nipples must be removed and cleaned between each use of the baby bottle, thus creating a risk that the closure may be misplaced or dropped.  
           [0012]    Further, baby bottles and the fluids contained therein are often warmed or heated in a microwave oven before the fluid is consumed by the baby. The closure and attached rubber nipple must be removed from the baby bottle prior to heating the fluid in the microwave oven to prevent the microwave heat from weakening the rubber structure of the nipple. Often, the person feeding the baby is put in an awkward position of holding the child while attempting to align and screw the closure on to the top of the threaded baby bottle. It is thus desired to provide a baby bottle closure having a nipple that can be readily removed and installed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    Objectives of the invention include providing a container closure for providing access to the fluid contents of a container without the necessity of completely removing the entire closure and thereby subjecting the closure to loss or damage, and the fluid contents of the container to spillage, spoilage, evaporation, and contamination.  
           [0014]    A further objective of the invention is to provide a two part closure connected together by a flexible hinge.  
           [0015]    Still a further objective of the invention includes providing a closure which is only partially removed to allow access to the fluid within a container.  
           [0016]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a closure which, when fully tightened down, seals off the fluid access opening thereby assuring continued quality of the beverage within the container.  
           [0017]    A still further objective of the invention is to provide a closure with a position indicator to indicate that sufficient twisting has occurred to disengage the cap portion from the container while the sleeve portion continues to engage the container.  
           [0018]    Yet a further objective of the invention is to provide a position indicator which also acts as a catch that tends to restrict rotation of the closure with references to the threaded nozzle.  
           [0019]    Yet another objective is to provide a closure which will thread onto an existing container.  
           [0020]    A further objective of the invention is to provide a closure having a top opening for receiving a nipple.  
           [0021]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a closure which is adapted to engage a threaded neck of a baby bottle.  
           [0022]    A still further objective of the invention is to provide a closure which allows the nipple to be attached to and removed from the closure while the closure remains fastened to the threaded neck of the baby bottle.  
           [0023]    Yet another objective is to provide a closure which is of simple construction, which achieves the stated objectives in a simple, effective and inexpensive manner, and which solves problems and satisfies needs existing in the art.  
           [0024]    These and other objectives and advantages are obtained by the improved closure of the present invention that is adapted to be secured to a nozzle of a container, the nozzle having a plurality of threads formed thereon, the general nature of which can be states as including a cap portion having a circular top, the top being formed with an opening therein, the cap portion adapted to be selectively and removably threaded onto the threads of the nozzle, a sleeve portion adapted to be selectively and removably threaded onto the nozzle, and a flexible hinge connecting the cap portion to the sleeve portion.  
           [0025]    Other objectives and advantages are obtained from the closure and container assembly of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a container formed with a fluid storage cavity, the container having a threaded nozzle formed with a fluid access port therein, the fluid access port being in fluid communication with the fluid storage cavity, a closure having a cap portion, a sleeve portion, and a hinge flexibly extending between the cap portion to the sleeve portion, the cap portion having a top and a cylindrical side wall, the top being formed with an opening, the side wall extending transversely from the top, the cap portion and sleeve portion each having a plurality of threads formed thereon, the threads selectively cooperating threadably with the threaded nozzle, the closure having a fully threaded position, a partially threaded position, and a removed position with respect to the threaded nozzle, the threads of the cap portion and the sleeve portion both at least minimally engaging the threaded neck when the closure is in the fully threaded position, the threads of the cap portion being unthreaded from the threaded nozzle and the threads of the sleeve portion at least minimally engaging the threaded neck when the closure is in the partially threaded position, and the threads of the cap portion and the sleeve portion both being disengaged from the threaded neck when the closure is in the fully threaded position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles of the invention, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a closure assembly attached to a container (partially cut away and in the form of a 2-liter bottle) where the closure assembly is in a closed position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure assembly and container of FIG. 1 except that the closure assembly is in a partially threaded position and a cap portion of the closure is pivoted from the closed position to an open position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure assembly in the closed position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closure assembly similar to FIG. 3 in the open position;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, shown in the closed position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 of the closure assembly of the second embodiment of the invention, shown in the closed position;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of a container having two protuberances on the neck portion of the container.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the invention taken along line  8 - 8 , FIG. 5;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment with portions broken away and in section and shown in a first position;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the closure assembly shown in a second position;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the closure assembly and a portion of the container as shown in FIG. 9;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the closure assembly and a portion of the container as shown in FIG. 10;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the closure assembly and a portion of the container as is shown in FIG. 10 with the cap portion in the open position;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the closure assembly of the present invention in the closed position;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 15 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 14 showing the closure assembly in the open position;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the closure assembly of FIG. 14 in the closed position;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view similar to FIG. 16 showing the closure assembly in the open position;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the closure assembly shown in the closed position;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view similar to FIG. 18 showing the closure assembly in the open position;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a portion of a container adapted to receive the closure assembly of FIGS. 16 and 17;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line  21 - 21  of FIG. 18;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the closure assembly of FIG. 19 in a fully threaded position with portions broken away and in section;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 23 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 22 except showing the closure assembly in a partially-threaded position;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the closure assembly of FIG. 21 attached to the container of FIGS. 22 and 23;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 25 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 24 showing the closure assembly in the open position; and  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along line  26 - 26  in FIG. 23. 
     
    
       [0053]    Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0054]    The improved bottle closure assembly is indicated generally at A in its intended environment as a closure for a container B and is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0055]    As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container B is a bottle  20  comprising a main body  22 , a neck  24 , and a nozzle  26 . The main body  22  is the fluid storage cavity. The neck  24  is an inverted funnel-shaped or dome-shaped portion connecting the main body  22  to the nozzle  26 . The nozzle  26  includes an externally threaded cylindrical portion  28 .  
         [0056]    As is shown in FIG. 2, the top of the nozzle  26  has a hole  30  that functions as a fluid access port through which all fluid enters and exits the container B. Around the hole  30  is a lip or edge  32  upon which the closure A seats or rests when fully threaded onto the nozzle  26 . The combination of the threaded interaction between the closure A and the nozzle  26 , and the seating or resting of the closure A on the lip  32  results in a seal for preventing leaking of the fluid from within the container. Nozzle  26  also includes an unthreaded portion  34  and a flange  36 . Bottle  20  is made from any of a variety of known material such as polymers or glass. In the preferred embodiment, the bottle is a plastic extrusion blow molded container such as a 2-liter bottle.  
         [0057]    The closure assembly A, as is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  comprises a sleeve portion  38  and a cap portion  40  pivotally connected together by a hinge  42 . The cap portion  40  includes a closed top  44  against which the top edge or lip  32  of the nozzle  26  abuts when the closure A is fully threaded onto the nozzle  26 .  
         [0058]    In accordance with one of the main features of the present invention, the cap portion  40  is defined by a cylindrical side wall  46  and two circular ends. One end is open and has a circular face  48  of approximately the same thickness as the cylindrical side wall  46 . The other end is closed by circular top  44 . The cylindrical side wall  46  extends transversely away from the circular top  44 . The cylindrical side wall  46  and circular top  44  define a cavity in the cap portion  40 . The inner surface of the cylindrical side wall  46  in the cavity has circumferential threads  50  thereon that are complimentary to the external threads on the nozzle  26  thereby allowing the cap portion  40  to be threaded completely onto the externally threaded portion  28  of the nozzle  26 .  
         [0059]    The sleeve portion  38  is defined by a cylindrical side wall  52  with a top and a bottom open end. Each open end has a circular face  54 A and  54 B, respectively. The sleeve portion  38  is shaped and functions as a cylindrical extension of the cap portion  40 . The sleeve portion  38  is also axially alignable with the cap portion  40  when the cap portion is closed against the sleeve portion. The sleeve portion  38  is of the same cross-sectional size and shape as the cap portion  40 . The cylindrical side wall  52  defines a through-bore in the sleeve portion  38 . The inner surface of the cylindrical side wall  52  in the through-bore has circumferential threads  56  thereon that are complimentary to the external threads on the nozzle  26 . The circumferential threads  56  are also alignable with the circumferential threads  50  of the cap-portion  40  so that when the cap portion  40  is closed against the sleeve portion  38  the external threads on the nozzle  26  can mate with both threads  50  and  56  thereby allowing the cap portion  40  and the sleeve portion  38  to be threaded completely onto the externally threaded portion  28  of the nozzle  26 .  
         [0060]    The external arcuate surface of both the sleeve portion  38  and the cap portion  40  is ribbed with longitudinal ribs  58 . These ribs provide a better surface for gripping when tightening or loosening the cap portion  40  from the nozzle  26 .  
         [0061]    The closure A is made from a polymeric compound, although it can be made from any material without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the closure A is a molded plastic closure. The closure can be molded as a three part (cap, hinge, and sleeve) closure, or it can be molded as a one part cap and partially cross-sectionally cut thereby forming a cap and sleeve portion with a connecting hinge.  
         [0062]    The use of the closure A and the container B involves three general closure positions or ranges with reference to the nozzle  26 : a fully or substantially fully threaded position, a partially threaded position, and a completely unthreaded position. The results of these various positions are a sealed container, a fluid accessible container where the cap portion is movable from a closed to an open position, and a completely open (uncapped) container, respectively.  
         [0063]    The closure A is shown in FIG. 1 in a fully threaded position where the lip  32  (hidden within the cap portion) abuts or nearly abuts the top  44 . When the closure A is in this fully threaded position, the cap portion  40  is fixed to the closure  26  based upon the interengagement of the internal threads of the cap with the external threads of the nozzle  26 . The result is that the cap portion is not pivotable about the hinge  42  thereby prohibiting access to the fluid within the container B via the hole  30 .  
         [0064]    The closure A is shown in FIG. 2 in a partially threaded position where only the sleeve portion  38  is threaded onto the threaded nozzle  26  and the threads of the cap portion no longer engage the nozzle  26 . The result of this partial threading is that the cap portion  40  is pivotable about the hinge  42 . FIG. 2 shows the cap portion  40  of the closure A after it has been pivoted to an open position from the closed position. This open position allows access to the fluid within the container B for removal (or addition) of fluid such as by pouring into a glass.  
         [0065]    Although not shown in FIG. 1 or  2 , the closure A is also completely removable from the nozzle  26 . This occurs by completely unthreading the closure A from the nozzle  26 . This allows reuse of the closure A on another container after the fluids within container B have been fully depleted.  
         [0066]    FIGS.  5 - 13  disclose a second embodiment for the container and the closure. Closure A′ and container B′ are substantially identical to closure A and container B except that both closure A′ and container B′ include one or more protuberances that extend into the interaction area where the threads  50  and  56 , and corresponding adjacent surfaces of the sleeve portion  38  and the cap portion  40  interact.  
         [0067]    In the second embodiment, the nozzle  26  as is shown in FIG. 7 includes a pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B with a small gap  62  therebetween. Each of these protuberances  60 A and  60 B are small nubs protruding outward from the external surface of the nozzle  26 . Preferably, the protuberances  60 A and  60 B protrude outward from the unthreaded portion  34  of the nozzle  26 .  
         [0068]    In accordance with one of the main features of the second embodiment, the closure A′ has a single protuberance  64 . This protuberance may be located at any position on the inside facing of the sleeve portion  38  or the cap portion  40 , although this protuberance must be located in a position on this inside facing that corresponds at the proper cap release time with the location of the pair of protuberances on the nozzle  26 . Typically, the protuberance  64  is located near the circular face  54 A thereby corresponding to the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B which preferably protrude from the unthreaded portion  34 . It is most preferred that protuberance  64  be located near circular face  54 A inasmuch as the external arcuate surface of sleeve  38  extends outwardly slightly at that point (FIGS.  11 - 13 ) such that side wall  52  is thicker adjacent protuberance  64  than adjacent top  44 , thus strengthening the lowermost region of sleeve portion  38  and providing enhanced support for protuberance  64  that extends inwardly therefrom.  
         [0069]    All of the protuberances  60 A,  60 B, and  64  are arcuate in shape, such as rounded or conical, thereby providing a smooth, curving surface with a central peak for a corresponding protuberance interactively positioned in approximately tangential relation on an adjacent rotating surface to ride up and over with minimal yet accountable resistance. The result of this curving surface and the interactive positioning which provides some resistance is that the closure A′ is freely rotatable on the threaded nozzle  26  until the protuberance  64  on the closure meets one of the protuberances  60 A and  60 B on the nozzle whereby additional twisting action is required to overcome the resistance of the two interacting protuberances  64  and  60 A, or  64  and  60 B. This additional twisting overcomes the resistance and pops the protuberance  64  up and over one of the protuberances  60 A or  60 B and positions protuberance  64  in the gap  62 . Any continued twisting will overcome the second protuberance and allow the closure to completely be removed from the nozzle  26 .  
         [0070]    Specifically, the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B act as a locking area whereby when the single protuberance  64  of the closure is in the gap  62  between the protuberances  60 A and  60 B, the closure is restricted from free rotation due to the confinement of the single protuberance  64  between the close proximity protuberances  60 A and  60 B.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIGS. 9 and 11 show the closure A′-nozzle  26  interaction when the single protuberance  64  of the closure is in a first range of positions described with respect to the first embodiment of the invention (i.e., either fully threaded or partially threaded sufficiently that the cap portion is threaded onto the nozzle, and thus the single protuberance is not confined between the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B). The closure A′ is freely rotatable about the threads on nozzle  26  within this first range of positions which specifically extends from a first cap-locked position where the closure has sealed hole  30  in the top of the container B′ and the closure is fully threaded onto nozzle  26 , to a second cap-locked position where the single protuberance  64  of the closure is adjacent protuberance  60 A of the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B, and just outside the gap  62  in between the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B. As specifically shown in FIG. 11, the internal threads of both the cap portion and the sleeve portion engage the threads of nozzle  26 .  
         [0072]    In contrast, FIGS. 10 and 12 show the closure A′-nozzle  26  interaction when the single protuberance  64  of the closure is confined in the gap  62  between the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B. The closure A′ is confined in this gap absent additional twisting action to overcome the resistance of the one of the two interacting protuberances  64  and  60 A, or  64  and  60 B and escape the gap. For instance, closure C′ is depicted in FIG. 26 as being in a partially threaded condition.  
         [0073]    The purpose of snapping the single protuberance  64  in between the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B is to indicate that the closure is properly positioned for the opening of the container B′. Specifically, the indication of proper positioning signifies that the cap portion  40  is properly positioned to be pivoted about the hinge  42  and away from the sleeve portion  40  to provide access to the hole  30  in the top of the container. In contrast, if the protuberance  64  is not in the gap, but still in the first range, i.e., not properly aligned in between the pair of protuberances, then the cap portion  38  cannot be removed from the nozzle  26  because the threads of each are at least partially still engaged.  
         [0074]    The closure A′ and the container B′ may also be positioned in a second range of positions. If an additional twisting action is supplied to overcome the resistance of the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B, then the single protuberance snaps out the gap and into a second range. The closure A′ is freely rotatable about the threads on nozzle  26  within this second range of positions which extends from a first cap-unlocked position where the single protuberance  64  of the closure is adjacent protuberance  60 B of the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B and just outside the gap  62  in between the pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B, to a second cap-unlocked position where the closure A′ is completely removable from the nozzle  26 .  
         [0075]    The closure A′ may be threaded back onto the nozzle  26  in a manner similar but reversed of the above described removal process. The closure A′ is reusable and therefore may be removed from and re-threaded onto a container over and over.  
         [0076]    As is best shown in FIG. 11, hinge  42  traverses between one of threads  50  formed on cap portion  40  and one of threads  56  formed on sleeve portion  38 . Hinge  42  thus is a threadable member whereby external threads  28  of nozzle portion  26  are threadable directly over and threadingly engage hinge  42 . In this regard, and as is best shown in FIG. 13, the threaded engagement of the thread  56  of hinge  42  adjacent sleeve portion  38  with external threads  28  of nozzle portion  26  provides an anchor that retains sleeve portion  38  on nozzle  26  when cap portion  40  is rotated upwardly away from nozzle  26  about hinge  42 .  
         [0077]    Furthermore, as is best shown in FIG. 12, the lowermost thread  50  of cap portion  40  is preferably disposed adjacent circular face  48  at a point diametrically opposed to hinge  42 . In this regard, the aforementioned thread  50  abuts nozzle portion  26  when cap portion  40  is aligned with sleeve portion  38  as is shown in FIG. 12. The engagement of the aforementioned thread  50  with nozzle portion  26  provides an additional level of security to ensure that cap portion  40  does not rotate upwardly (FIG. 13) until the user affirmatively pulls thread  56  out of engagement with nozzle portion  26 , thus permitting cap portion  40  to be rotated upwardly.  
         [0078]    In sum, the invention is a closure A or cap for a container B such as a bottle having external threads  28  on a nozzle portion  26 . The cap A includes a lower or sleeve portion  38  and an upper or cap portion  40 . The sleeve portion  38  and the cap portion  40  are hingedly connected at living hinge  42 . The sleeve portion  38  includes internal circumferential threads  56  on at least a portion of the cylindrical side wall  52  that are complementarily related to the threads  28  on the nozzle for retaining the sleeve portion to the nozzle. Similarly, the cap portion  40  includes internal circumferential threads  50  on the cylindrical side wall  46  for retaining the cap portion to the nozzle.  
         [0079]    When the closure is rotated to the fully threaded position, i.e., fully tightened down on the nozzle, the threads  50  and  56  of the cap and sleeve portions  40  and  38  engage the threads  28  of the nozzle  26  to lock the cap portion  40  in a closed position. However, when the closure is rotated, the threads  50  within the cap portion  40  disengage from the threads  28  of the nozzle  26  such that the hinge  42  may be actuated to open the cap portion  40  thereby allowing access to the fluid within the container B.  
         [0080]    The invention may also be embodied with protuberances or nubs  60 A and  60 B on the nozzle, and  64  on the sleeve portion, for restricting rotation (twisting) of the closure absent some additional force to overcome the resistance provided by the interaction of protuberance  64  with either protuberance  60 A or  60 B. This resistance indicates that the closure is properly positioned for the pivoting of the cap portion thereby provided access to the fluid within the container.  
         [0081]    A third embodiment of the improved bottle closure assembly is indicated generally at C in its intended environment as a closure for a baby bottle container D and is shown generally in FIGS. 14 and 15. As illustrated in FIG. 20, container D is a bottle  80  having a main body  82 , a tapered neck  84  and a nozzle  86 . Main body  82  has a generally polygonal-shaped outer surface formed by a plurality of flat panels  88  extending one after the other. Neck  84  extends from the top of panels  88  and is tapered inwardly to a straight cylindrical section  89 . Straight section  89  terminates in an annular flange  90 .  
         [0082]    Nozzle  86  includes an externally threaded cylindrical portion  92 . Nozzle  86  has an annular top edge  96  through which extends a hole or opening  94  (FIG. 15) that functions as a fluid access port through which all fluid enters and exits container D. Nozzle  86  also includes an unthreaded portion  98  between the lower end of threaded cylindrical portion  92  and annular flange  90 . Unthreaded portion  98  has a slightly larger diameter than cylindrical portion  92  forming a stepped shoulder  100 . In the preferred embodiment, bottle  80  is made from a polymeric compound, although it may be made from any appropriate material, such as glass, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0083]    Closure C is similar to closure A of the first embodiment in that it includes a sleeve portion  104  and a cap portion  106  pivotally connected together by a hinge  108 . Cap portion  106  is generally similar to cap portion  40  of closure A except that cap portion  106  is formed with a central circular opening  112  in a top  110 . Top  110  may additionally include an annular ring  114  extending therefrom for purposes to be set forth more fully below. Annular ring  114  defines a recess  115  within the arcuate inner surface of annular ring  114  and terminating at top  110 . Sleeve portion  104  is generally similar to sleeve portion  38  of closure A and engages externally threaded cylindrical portion  92  of bottle  80 .  
         [0084]    A fourth embodiment of the closure assembly of the present invention is shown in FIGS.  18 - 19  and  21 - 26  and is indicated generally at C′. Closure C′ is similar to closure C and includes sleeve portion  104  hingedly connected to cap portion  106  by hinge  108 . Cap portion  106  is formed with opening  112  in top  110  thereof. Sleeve portion  104  of closure C′ includes a protuberance  64  which interacts with a pair of protuberances  60 A and  60 B of an alternative embodiment D′ of baby bottle container D.  
         [0085]    Closure assemblies C and C′ operate in a substantially similar manner to closure assemblies A and A′, respectively, and receive a usual nipple  116  through opening  112 . Nipple  116  has an annular base or flange  118 , an upwardly tapered or funnel shaped middle section  120  and an elongated rounded upper section  122  formed with a small pinhole  124 . An annular notch  126  is formed between middle section  120  and base  118  which allows nipple  116  to snap fit with cap portion  106 .  
         [0086]    In use, closure assemblies C and C′ are partially threaded on nozzle  86  such that sleeve portion  104  engages the threads of cylindrical portion  92  and cap portion  106  sits in an unthreaded position. Closure C′ is depicted in such a partially threaded position in FIG. 26. Cap portion  106  is pivoted to an open position (FIG. 25) and nipple  116  is inserted through opening  112  from the bottom of cap portion  106 . Upper section  122  is pulled outwardly to snap fit notch  126  within the inner edge of opening  112  such that base  118  of nipple  116  abuts the lower surface of top  110  of cap portion  106 . In such position, the circular planar face of base  118  that faces toward upper section  122  rests flush against top  110  and the arcuate edge of base  118  preferably rests flush against the arcuate inner surface of annular ring  114 . The arcuate edge of base  118  can, however, be spaced from the arcuate inner surface of annular ring  114  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In this regard, it is understood that the arcuate inner surface of annular ring  114  helps to axially orient base  118  within cap portion  106 . Annular ring  114  thus helps to position base  118  to ensure reliable clamping of nipple  116  between cap portion  106  and top edge  96  of nozzle  86  and to facilitate sealing therebetween.  
         [0087]    Cap portion  106  is then pivoted on hinge  108  back into axial alignment with sleeve portion  104  and closure assemblies C and C′ are threaded onto nozzle  86  such that cap portion  106  threads onto nozzle  86  therewith. Base  118  of nipple  116  is sandwiched between the lower surface of top  110  of cap portion  106  and top edge  96  of nozzle  86  creating a seal that prevents any liquid contained in bottle  80  from spilling or leaking therefrom. Proturbences or nubs  60 A and  60 B on the nozzle  86  of container D′ and  64  on the sleeve portion  104  of closure assembly C′ (FIGS. 22 and 24) interact in a similar manner to the proturbences or nubs of container B′ and closure assembly A′ of the second embodiment, as described above.  
         [0088]    Inasmuch as cap portion  106  and sleeve portion  104  are connected to one another with hinge  108 , cap portion  106  can be removed from the container without risk of losing cap portion  106 . Closures C and C′ thus provide a timesaving closure because they obviate the risk that cap portion  106  may be lost during filling and/or cleaning of the container. In this regard, closures C and C′ when used with nipple  116  often will be used by a mother holding a baby in one arm and having only one free hand to both fill container D or D′ and operate closure C or C′. As such, closures C and C′ provide a highly convenient method of opening and closing a container with only a single hand and without risk that cap portion  106  may be lost in so doing. Moreover, nubs  60 A,  60 B, and  64  cooperate to provide an audible and tactile indication that closure C′ is in a partially threaded position and that cap portion  106  can be removed from container D′ without sleeve portion  104  being removed therefrom. Nubs  60 A,  60 B, and  64  thus provide additional functionality and convenience in operation.  
         [0089]    Accordingly, the improved bottle closure apparatus is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.  
         [0090]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0091]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.  
         [0092]    Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved bottle closure apparatus is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.