MEASURING CAP WITH PIVOTING DISPENSER

Abstract: A measuring dispensing cap (10) for a container (C) comprising a peripheral sidewall (14) and a pivotable flip top (12) supported on the peripheral sidewall for rocking movement about a hinge axis; the hinge axis separating a push panel portion (16) of the flip top from a dispensing panel portion of the flip top; and wherein a measuring chamber (58) is formed in an area enclosed by the peripheral sidewall underlying the dispensing panel portion; wherein the measuring chamber is defined by a portion of the peripheral sidewall, the dispensing panel portion and by an angled weir panel (50) extending from the peripheral sidewall downwardly and inwardly, terminating at a weir edge (52) in substantial vertical alignment with the hinge axis, thereby creating a weir opening (53) into the chamber; and wherein the flip top is formed with a depending flange (34) which engages the weir panel edge.

Description: MEASURING CAP WITH PIVOTING DISPENSER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers and more specifically to dispensing cap constructions enabling accurately measured amounts of container contents (in granular particulate powdered or liquid form) to be dispensed from the cap BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Dispensing containers are of course well know n and are used in man \ different industries for many different purposes One such use is in the food industry, and a specific example includes jars and other similar containers which contain solid foods (such as spices) in paniculate granular or powder-like form Typically, a measuπng spoon or separate measuring cup is utilized in coniunction with the ]ar or container when accurate amounts are to be obtained The present invention eliminates the need for measuring spoons or cups by providing a hollow cap, which serves as its own measuπng device, for use with an otherwise conventional container While the incorporation of a measuring function into a container/cap construction for the discharge of desired amounts of the container contents is not new (see for example, U S Patent Nos 1,802,284, 2,804, 103, 3,860, 1 1 1 , 4,613,057 and 4,635,828), the present invention provides an improved and simplified structure for accomplishing this result More recently, improved dispensing type measuring caps or closures have been disclosed in commonly owned U S patent application Seπal No 08/288,896 filed August 10, 1994 and in commonly owned U S Patent No 5,465 871 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In a first embodiment, the dispensing cap of this invention includes a pivotable flip top More specifically, a plastic cap is pro\ ιded which includes a pivotable top and a depending annular skirt The skirt incorporates an inverted, partial dome-like (or partial upright bowl-shaped) weir panel which, along with a portion of the pivotable top, form a measuπng chamber into which measured amounts of container contents may be poured This weir panel also serves as a weir dam to prevent excess amounts of container contents from spilling over the edge of the panel and into the measuπng chamber In the exemplary embodiment, the weir panel edge lies parallel to a diametrical center line extending across the top of the cap, (and perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical axis of the cap) so that an adjacent weir opening into the chamber is semi-circular in shape The pivotable flip top includes a panel hingedly secured to the depending skirt along a hinge axis which extends along the same diametrical center line Thus one half of the flip top panel overlies the measuring chamber, while the other half of the flip top panel overlies the weir opening, the two half portions (also referred to herein as the dispensing panel portion and the push panel portion) separated by the hinge axis A semi-circular flip top stop surface underlies the push panel portion, sloping downwardly from the hinge axis to the depending skirt In this way, the flip top panel can rock back and forth about the hinge axis between closed and open positions This stop surface terminates at the hinge axis in a seat or cradle in which a hinge axis nb on the underside of the flip top is received In the exemplary embodiment, a living leaf-type spring is hinged to the push panel portion of the flip top and is interposed between the push panel portion and the sloped flip top stop surface In this way, the flip top panel is resiliently mounted such that when the push panel portion is depressed a force is exerted against the leaf-type spπng, and when the push panel portion is released the leaf spring will cause it to pivot in the opposite direction, to a closed position In the lower portion of the annular skirt, an internal thread (or other suitable means) is provided for enabling conventional securement of the cap to the threaded upper end of a container or jar In this first embodiment, diametrically opposed pins or protections, aligned with the hinge axis, extend from the flip top panel and snap into mating dimples provided at the upper end of the depending skirt so as to hold the flip top panel in place At the same time, the semi-circular peπpheral portion of the measuring chamber, at the uppermost portion of the depending skirt may be provided with a snap-type engagement surfaces for interaction with the peripheral edge ofthe dispensing panel portion of the flip top panel, to thereby enable sealing engagement when the flip top panel is rocked to a closed position In a variation of the first embodiment of the invention, the integral leaf spring may be omitted such that the flip top panel must be moved manually from the open to the closed position In the above described embodiments, an internal annular ring, spaced radially inwardly of (and concentric with) the depending skirt, seats on the upper annular nm of the container or jar to prevent any egress of container contents and also to serve as a stop limit to the screw threaded action between the threads on the cap and the threads on the container In a second embodiment of the invention, a substantially rectangularly shaped flip top is mounted for pivoting movement within a similarlv shaped opening formed in the top surface of the cap In this embodiment, the hinge axis of the flip top as well as the weir edge of the internal w en panel are vertically aligned with each other, but laterally offset from a parallel, diametrical center line through the cap This arrangement is particular! v adv antageous in that the weir panel is more effective in preventing additional container contents from spilling over the weir edge into the measuring chamber as the measured amount of contents is disposed from the chamber via the flip top In a third embodiment, the above described rectangular flip top incorporates a measuring chamber seal panel or shut-off blade which seals the weir aperture against further transfer of material to the measuring chamber when the flip top is opened and the measured amount dispensed from the chamber In a fourth and presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a further improved measuring/dispensing closure is provided which also incorporates a flip top cap and a built-in shut-off blade In this fourth embodiment, a plastic measuring/dispensing closure includes a pivotable flip top which is seated on a dome-like upper portion of a peripheral skirt The dome-like portion tapers upwardly and inwardly to a round opening defined by an upstanding annular nm, and the flip top is arranged to seal the opening in a closed position, and to permit dispensing of measured amounts of contents through the opening when in the closed position Located within the dispensing opening, there is an inverted, dome-shaped chamber wall, or weir dam panel, formed with a horizontal chordal edge so that a weir opening is formed between the chordal edge and the peripheral surface of the dispensing opening It will be appreciated that with the flip top in place, a measuring chamber is formed by reason ofthe cooperation of the weir dam panel, the underside of the cap portion of the flip top, and the peripheral portion of the dispensing opening formed in the dome-like portion of the closure skirt The underside of the flip top is formed with a shut-off blade which has a cur ature generally similar to that of the cap portion of the flip top This shut-off blade extends vertically downwardly from the underside of the cap portion and is shaped and sized to engage the edge of the weir dam panel when the flip top is moved to an open position upon the exertion of force or pressure on the press flange portion of the flip top With this arrangement, and with the flip top in a closed position, the user may transfer a desired amount of contents from the body of the container into the measuring chamber After the desired amount has been transferred, the user may then open the flip top and, at the same time, cause the shut-off blade to engage the chordal edge of the weir dam panel so that the amount dispensed from the closure is exactly that amount which has been transferred into the measuring chamber In other words, the user need not be concerned that additional contents will flow from the container into the measuring chamber when the container is lifted to facilitate dispensing contents from the measuring chamber In all of the exemplary embodiments, at least the flip top panel of the measuring cap is made of clear transparent plastic The remaining portions of the cap may be opaque or transparent as desired Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a measuπng dispensing cap for a container comprising a peπpheral sidewall and a pivotable flip top, the flip top mounted for pivotal motion about a horizontal hinge axis located between opposite ends of the flip top, the peripheral sidewall ha ing an internal weir panel having an edge extending parallel to and vertically aligned with the hinge axis, and defining, in cooperation with at least a portion of the top, an open-ended measuring chamber within the cap In another aspect, the invention relates to a measuring dispensing cap for a container comprising a peripheral sidewall and a pivotable flip top supported on the peripheral sidewall for rocking movement about a hinge axis corresponding to a diametrical center line through the cap, the hinge axis separating a push panel portion of the flip top from a dispensing panel portion of the flip top, and wherein a measuπng chamber is formed within the peπpheral sidewall underlying the dispensing panel portion In still another aspect, the invention relates to a measuring dispensing closure for a container comprising a hollow body having an opening therein, and a pivotable flip top, the flip top mounted on the body for pivotal motion about a hoπzontal hinge axis between closed and open positions, the hollow body having an internal, part spherical weir panel located below the opening and having an edge extending parallel with the hinge axis thus establishing a weir opening between the weir edge and a peripheral portion of the opening, and defining, in cooperation with an underside portion of the flip top and a remaining peripheral portion of the opening, a measuring chamber within the closure, and wherein the flip top is formed with a shut-off blade adapted to engage the weir edge when the flip top is in the open position Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description which follows BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective of the measuπng cap and associated container of this invention, incorporating a pivotable flip top, shown in the closed position, FIGURE 2 is a partial side section of the measuπng cap and associated container of this invention, shown in an upright position, with the pivotable flip top in a closed position, FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the measuring cap of this invention, FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective of the measuring cap and associated container of this invention, incorporating a pivotable flip top, shown in the open position, FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a measuring cap incorporating a pivotable flip top in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the cap illustrated in Figure 5 but with the flip top removed and an integral spring shown in an inoperative position as manufactured, FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the cap shown in Figure 6, FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan view of the cap shown in Figure 6, FIGURE 9 is a side elevation of a flip top incorporated in the cap shown in Figure 5, FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the flip top show n in Figure 9, FIGURE 1 1 is a bottom plan view of the flip top shown in Figure 9, FIGURE 12 is an enlarged detail D taken from Figure 9, FIGURE 13 is an enlarged detail E taken from Figure 9, FIGURE 14 is an enlarged detail F taken from Figure 6, FIGURE 15 is a side section of the cap illustrated in Figure 5, with the pivotable flip top shown in a closed position, FIGURE 16 is a side section similar to Figure 15, but with the flip top shown in an open position, FIGURE 17 illustrates a side section of a measuπng cap in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, but with the flip top element removed, FIGURE 18 is an enlarged detail G taken from Figure 17, FIGURE 19 is a section taken along the line 19- 19 of Figure 20, FIGURE 20 is a bottom plan view of a flip top shown in Figure 19, for use with the measuring cap shown in Figure 17, FIGURE 21 is a side elevation of the measuπng cap shown in Figure 17, but with the flip top element and associated spring installed and in a closed position, FIGURE 22 is a side section similar to Figure 21 , but with the flip top shown in an open position, FIGURE 23 is a side elevation of a measuring/dispensing closure attached to a container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 24 is a plan view of Figure 23, but with a flip top component of the closure removed, FIGURE 25 is a top plan view of a flip top portion of the closure illustrated in Figure 23, FIGURE 26 is a side elevation of the flip top component in Figure 25, FIGURE 27 is a front elevation of the flip top component in Figure 25, FIGURE 28 is a section view of the dispensing/measuring closure in accordance with this invention, with the flip top component shown in a closed position, FIGURE 29 is a sectional view similar to Figure 28 but with the flip top component shown in an open position, FIGURE 30 is a perspective view of the dispensing/measuring closure and cap as shown in Figure 23, and FIGURE 31 is a perspective view similar to Figure 30 but illustrating the flip top component in an open position BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a measuring cap 10 of this invention includes a pivotable flip top 12 and a peripheral skirt or sidewall 14 The flip top 12 is in the form of a substantially circular disk or panel, wherein one half (I e , semi-circular in the exemplary embodiment) portion 16 (the push panel portion) of the disk is raised slightly above the plane of a second half portion 18 (the dispensing panel portion), along a diametrical center line 20 This juncture of the half portions 16 and 18 also corresponds to the pivot or hinge axis of the flip top panel 12 as described in greater detail below As best seen in Figure 3, the flip top panel 12 is provided with oppositely extending beads or projections 22, 24 which snap into complementary recesses or dimpies 26, 28 (all of which are aligned along the hinge axis) formed in the upper end of the sidewall or skirt 14. This arrangement holds the flip top panel in place atop the sidewall 14, and allows the user to press down on the push panel portion 16 and to thus pivot the flip top panel 12 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 2) about the pivot axis or center line 20 to an open position shown in Figure 4. Referring again to Figure 2, the sidewall or depending skirt 14 is formed with interior surfaces which facilitate attachment of the cap to a container, and which enable precisely measured amounts of container contents to be dispensed from the cap. More specifically, the sidewall 14 is formed with an internal screw thread 30 adapted to cooperate with a cooperating thread 32 on the container 33 It will be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms (e.g., snap fit) are applicable as well. The sidewall portion underlying the push panel 16 is formed with an internal flip top stop surface or wall 34 which tapers upwardly from just below the mid-point of the sidewall 14 to a location adjacent the center line or hinge axis 20. This stop surface 34 is thus substantially semicircular in shape (when viewed in plan). Along the center line 20, the uppermost edge of surface or wall 34 is formed with a curved rib or seat 36 which receives a similarly curved rib 38 formed on the underside of the flip top 12, along the center line 20. At the same time, a downwardly extending hook-like projection 40 partially wraps under the wall 34 as best shown in Figure 2. This arrangement in conjunction with the above described beads 22, 24 and dimples 26, 28 provides a strong, reliable and easy-to use flip top. An integral leaf spring 44 is hinged to the push panel 16 of the flip top 12 by means of a living hinge 46 The leaf spring 44 is of substantially U or rounded V-shape, where the base of the U or rounded V resiliently engages the stop surface 34, and the remote leg 48 engages the underside of the push panel 16, as best seen in Figure 2 It will be appreciated that when the push panel 16 is pressed downwardly, the leaf spπng 44 flattens and then, upon release of the downward force on push panel 16, returns the latter to the closed position shown in Figure 1 In the absence of spring 44, or any other suitable return mechanism, the user can simply press downward on the push panel portion 16 of the flip top to thereby pivot the flip top 12 in a counterclock ise direction (as viewed in Figure 2) to the closed position In any event, to facilitate pushing the panel portion 16, part of the sidewall 14 may be cut out as shown at 48 An internal weir dam or panel 50 is formed interiorlv of the sidewall 14, underlying the dispensing panel portion 18 of the flip top 1 Surface 50 is shaped substantially as an inverted, one-half dome shape extending downwardly from the upper end of the sidewall 14 The surface 50 terminates at weir edge 52 parallel to center line 20 and in vertical alignment with both the center line 20 (and hinge axis of the flip top), thus creating a weir opening 53 by which container contents may be transferred to the measuring chamber C There is also an annular seal between the cap 10 and the container 33 in the form of an interior ring 54, radially inwardly spaced from skirt 14 This annular, interior ring extends about the full 360° of the cap, and is designed to engage the upper rim edge 56 of the container 33 This arrangement prevents any egress of container contents and undesirable clogging of such contents in the area of screw threads 30, 32 It will be appreciated that the flip top panel 12 should be formed of transparent material (e g , a transparent plastic) so that the user can determine when the chamber is full The remaining portions of the cap, including the skirt 14 and weir panel 50, may be transparent or opaque as desired In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the push panel portion 16 of the flip top panel 12 may be provided with friction strips 50, and with integral indicia, such as the "PUSH" instruction shown in Figure 3 at 58 Moreover, the measuring chamber can be designed for single amount transfers (e g , 1 tablespoon), but in the event multiple amount transfers are desired the dispensing panel 1 8 which overlies the measuring chamber, can be provided with indicia as well, indicating various levels corresponding to certain amounts The measuπng cap is used as follows The user tilts the container 33 to one side such that container contents can be spilled over the edge 52, through the opening 53 and into a measuring chamber 58 defined by the surface 50 and dispensing panel portion 18 Once the desired amount is transferred to the chamber 58, the container 33 is tilted back slightly to prevent any additional contents from spilling over the edge 52 (but still approaching a horizontal orientation) The flip top panel 12 is then pivoted to the open position shown in Figure 4 by pushing downwardly on push panel portion 16, and the measured contents slide out of the chamber 58 by reason of the dome-like surface 52 Release of the push panel portion 16 allows spring 44 to return the flip top to the closed position Turning now to Figures 5-16, another measuring cap construction is illustrated at 60 and includes a pivotable flip top 62 and a peripheral sidewall 64 joined to a remaining top portion 66 The flip top 62 is in the form of a substantially rectangular panel, centrally located within the top portion 66 along a first diametrical center line A, and pivotable about a hinge line 68 offset from a second diametrical center line B perpendicular to the first diametrical center line A This relationship between diametrical center lines A and B and the hmge line 68 is best understood by reference to Figure 7 The hinge line 68 essentiallv defines within the flip top 62 a dispensing panel portion 70 and a push panel portion 72 which maybe provided with ribs 73 to facilitate manipulation of the flip top as described further herein The flip top 62 is arranged such that an edge 74 of the dispensing panel portion 70 lies within the overall cap diameter while an opposite edge 76 of the push panel portion 72 lies substantially on the cap maximum diameter Referring specifically to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the cap, absent the flip top 62 is of one piece molded plastic construction, and preferably transparent In addition to the peripheral sidewall 64 and contiguous top portion 66, the cap 60 is formed in its upper half with a radially inner skirt 78 connected to the radially outer sidewall or skirt 64 by a plurality of radial webs or spokes 80 In addition a pair of parallel webs 82, 84, spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the flip top 62, extend across the radially inner skirt 78, parallel to the center hne A Stated otherwise, the webs 82, 84 comprise parallel chords within the diameter of the inner skirt 78, but also extend radially beyond the skirt 78 to the outer skirt 64, as best seen in Figure 8 The outer skirt 64 is cut out in an area underlying the flip top 62 to form a recess 86 (Figures 5 and 6) defined in part bv portions of the webs 82, 84 extending to the outer skirt 64 This recess provides the space needed for the pivoting movement of the flip top 62 between open and closed positions An inclined wall 88 (Figure 6) is formed between the webs 82 84, extending angularly upwardly from the sidewall 64 to a pivot cradle or groove 90 extending between the webs 82 84, parallel to, but laterally offset from, the center line B This arrangement permits an integral pivot pin or nb 92 (Figures 9, 1 1 , 15 and 16) on the lower surface of flip top 62 to lie within the cradle or groove 90, thus allowing the flip top 62 to rock back and forth about the pin 92 (coincident with hinge line 68) as described further herein Note also the hook¬ like projection 93 which engages the exterior surface of the cradle 90, as best seen in Figures 15 and 16 This arrangement insures secure attachment of the flip top 62 to the cap In addition, pivot nb or pin 92 extends beyond opposite sides of the flip top to form dimples or protections 95, 97 which are received in complementary recesses or detents 99, 101 as shown in Figures 7 and 8 Here again, these elements facilitate both good pivoting action and retention of the flip top 62 relative to the cap During the molding of the cap 60, an integral leaf hinge 94 is formed along the edge of the cut out recess 86 and connected to the cap sidewall by a connecting web 96 (Figure 6) The leaf spring 94 includes a base portion 98, which is adapted to conform to the cap top and inclined wall 88 as best seen in Figure 16, and a spring portion 100 which, in use, is partially folded back at 102 (withm the recess 86) to extend radially outwardly and upwardly as seen in Figure 15 It will be appreciated that, when folded over into place (Figure 15), the spring portion 100 will engage the underside of flip top 62 within the recess 86, biasing the flip top 62 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 15) to a closed position By pressing downwardly on the push panel portion 70, the spring force can be overcome so that the flip top pivots to an open position shown in Figure 16 Upon release of the push panel portion 70, the spring 100 will automatically close the flip top With reference to Figures 13 and 14, it mav be seen that flip top edge 74 is formed with a radially short shoulder or edge 104 which is designed to cooperate with a radially projecting lip 106 formed in the opening in the cap top surface 66 which receives the flip top 62 When moved to the closed position, the shoulder 104 will snap into place as it passes over the lip 106, to thereby effect a substantially air tight seal It will be appreciated that other arrangements may be employed between cooperating surfaces of the flip top 62 and cap top 66 depending on requirements For some applications, an airtight seal mav not be necessary A second inclined wall 108 extends radially ιn rdl\ and downwardly, again between the webs 82, 84, from the sidewall 64 at a location substantially diametrically opposed to the sidewall location where the latter joins to the wall 88 The wall 108 thus forms a weir panel, including a weir edge 1 10 which extends parallel to the hinge line 68 and substantiallv aligned therewith in a vertical plane A vertical gap between the pivot cradle 90 (and hence hinge line 68) establishes a weir opening 109 by which a certain predetermined amount of container contents may be transferred from the container to the cap, and specifically to the measuring chamber 1 1 1 defined by weir panel 108, webs 82, 84, and dispensing panel portion 70 of the flip top 62 By locating the weir edge 1 10 directly under the hinge line 68, and laterally offset from the center line B, the weir panel 108 is more effective to prevent additional container contents from spilling over the edge 3 10 when the measured amount of contents dispensed from the measuring chamber 1 1 1 via the flip top 62 Otherwise, the manner of operation of this embodiment is substantially as described earlier in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5 Turning now to Figures 17-22, another measuring cap is illustrated in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention The cap is generally similar to that which is illustrated in Figures 5- 16 but with a few significant exceptions as noted below The cap 1 12 includes a pivotable flip top 1 14 (Figs 19 and 20) and a peripheral sidewall 1 16 ]θined to a remaining top portion 1 1 8 The flip top 1 14 is in the form of a substantially rectangular panel, centrally located within the top portion 1 18 along a first diametrical center line A' (Fig 20), and pivotable about a hinge line 120 which lies along a second diametrical center line B' (Fig 20) perpendicular to the first center line A' The hinge line 120 essentially defines within the flip top 1 14 a dispensing panel portion 122 and a push panel portion 124 which may be provided with ribs (similar to ribs 73) to facilitate manipulation of the flip top This flip top 1 14 is generally similar to the earlier described flip top 62, with the exception that the hinge line is coincident with, as opposed to offset from the diametrical center line B' In addition, the outer edge 1 15 of the flip top is more clearly hoπzontal nesting in a similarly shaped surface 1 17 of the top portion 1 18, although it should be understood that the same type of projection/detent arrangement as in the previously described embodiment (at 104, 106) may be employed The cap 1 12, like the cap 60, is of one piece molded plastic construction, preferably transparent In addition to the peripheral sidewall 1 16 and contiguous top portion 1 18 the cap 1 12 is formed in its upper half with a radially inner skirt 128 connected to the radially outer sidewall or skirt 1 16 by a plurality of radial webs or spokes 130 In addition, a pair of vertically arranged, parallel webs (similar to webs 82, 84), but not shown here, are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the flip top 1 14 in the same manner as the previously described embodiment In this embodiment, the flip top is pivotally supported within the cap by means of a pair of lateral projections 132, 134 which are seated within complementary recesses (one shown at 136) formed in the top portion 1 18 The flip top is not additionallv supported, however, by any laterally extending cradle or groove as in the previously described embodiment This is evident from Figures 17, 21 and 22 in that the inclined wall 138 extends angularly upwardly from the sidewall 1 16 but terminates well short o the hinge line 120 More specifically, the inclined wall 140 terminates at an edge 142 located above and slightly laterally spaced from a weir edge 144 of the weir panel 146 The space between forms the weir opening 148 by which contents of the container are transferred into the measuring chamber 149 With reference now to Figure 19, the sectional view of the flip top 1 14, illustrates the manner in which the push panel portion 124 is raised slightly out of the plane of the dispensing panel portion 122 via an inclined transition portion 148 Note also the transverse nb which lies along the hinge hne 120 at the one end of the transition portion 148, and which terminates at the projections 132, 134 At the other end of the transition portion 148, there is a downwardly extending chamber closing flange 152, and with further reference to Figure 20, it may be seen that the nb 150 along the hinge line 120 is connected to the chamber closing flange 152 by means of a seπes of reinforcing ribs 154 Turning to Figure 21, when the flip top 1 14 is assembled to the dispensing cap 1 12 bv snapping the projections 132, 134 into the corresponding recesses or detents (one shown at 136), the chamber closing flange 152 is located so as to slide along the edge 142 of the inclined wall 138 Figure 21 also illustrates a bent leaf spring 1 6 interposed between the exterior of the inclined wall 1 8 and the underside of the flip top 1 14 The spring 156 thus biases the flip top 1 14 to a closed position (about the hinge line 120) m the same manner as the previously described embodiment With reference now to Figure 22, it mav be seen that when the flip top 1 14 is pushed downwardly to an open position, the chamber closing flange 152 slides across the edge 142 and engages the edge 144 of the weir panel 146 In this way, the weir opening 148 is closed or sealed against any further transfer of contents from the container into the dispensing chamber 149 when the container and cap are tilted to facilitate dispensing of the contents from the measuπng chamber This arrangement provides further insurance that only the desired measured amount will be dispensed from the cap When the push panel portion 124 of the flip top 1 14 is released, the spring 156 will automatical move the flip top 1 14 to the closed position shown in Figure 21 with the weir opening 148 now re-opened Referring again to Figures 17 and 18, an arcuate nb 158 is formed on the lower edge of inner wall 128, the nb designed to set on the upper edge of the container or jar nm to create a seal between the cap 1 12 and associated container (not shown) With reference now to Figures 23 and 24, a measuring closure 210 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of this invention is shown attached to an otherwise conventional container C The closure may be attached by the illustrated screw "T" threads or any other suitable means including press fit, etc The cap includes a pivotable flip top component 212 which sits atop a dome-like upper portion 214 of a peripheral skirt or hollow bod 216 The dome-like portion 214 tapers upward!) and inwardly to a round dispensing opening 218 defined by an upstanding annular nm 220 Extending radially outwardly from the opening 218, on opposite sides thereof, are a pair of vertically oriented gussets 222 and 224 which terminate m a vertical direction just short of the upstanding nm 220 These gussets 222 and 224 combine to form a generally C- shaped recess (when v lewed from above) 226 opening radιall\ outwardly as best seen in Figure 24 Facing sides of the gussets 222 224 are prov ided \\ ith pm- shaped detents 228 and 230 which open toward each other and which are adapted to receive pivot pins of the flip top 212 as descπbed further below Between the gussets 222 and 224, the cap skirt 216 is modified to include an upstanding wall 232 connecting the radially outermost low er ends of the gussets so as to prov ide a recess for recei ing the press portion of the cap as also described in greater detail below Located within the opening 218, there is an inverted dome-shaped (i e , part spherical) chamber wall, or weir dam 234 (see also Figures 28, 29 and 31 ) formed with a horizontal (when the container is upright) chordal edge 236, leaving a weir opening 238 between the edge 236 and the peripheral surface of the opening 218, as best seen in Figure 24 Since the edge 236 has been formed by cutting away a portion ofthe inverted dome-like panel, the edge describes a curve in a vertical plane, and a straight line in a horizontal plane Note that the chamber wall or weir dam 234 curves upwardly to merge smoothly with the nm 220 at the uppermost interior edge thereof This insures that no material will "hang up" within the chamber during the dispensing procedure discussed further below Turning now to Figures 25, 27 and 27, the pivotable flip top 212 includes a circular cap portion 240 having a peripheral depending flange 242, the circular cap portion 240 corresponding in size to the opening 18, such that the peripheral flange 240 fits over and about the vertical upstanding nm 222 when the cap is in a closed position Preferably, an airtight seal is obtained The flip top 212 also includes a flat, press flange 244 extending radially away from the cap portion 238 The press flange 244 includes a pair of generallv triangular-shaped reinforcing gussets 246, 248 which extend downwardly from the press flange 242 as best seen in Figure 26, and which are connected b a peripheral portion 250 which lies on substantially the same radius or diameter as the skirt portion 214 as best seen in Figure 23 The press flange 244 includes a pair of oppositely directed pivot pins or projections 252, 254 which are adapted to be received in the recesses 228, 230 and which enable the flip top 212 to pivot between open and closed positions On the underside of the flip top 212, there is a shut-off blade 256 which has a curvature when viewed in plan, generally like that of the skirt or flange 242 of the circular cap portion 240 (see Figure 25) The blade 256 extends downwardly vertically from the underside of the circular portion 240 as best seen in Figures 25-27 The blade also exhibits a curved lower edge 258 in a vertical plane, as best seen in Figure 27 With the flip top 212 in place on the cap 210 in the closed position as shown in Figures 23, 28 and 30, the flange 242 snaps over the nm 222 and provides a substantially airtight seal with the dispensing opening 218 Notice that in the closed position, the shut-off blade 256 is spaced away from the edge 236 of the weir dam panel 234 so that when the flip top 212 is in its closed position, contents of the container can be poured through the weir opening 238 and into a measuring chamber defined by the weir dam panel 234 the underside of the cap portion 238 of the flip top 212, and that part of the nm 220 which is commensurate with the weir dam panel 234 Now, when the press flange 242 of the flip top to the rear of the pivot pins 250, 252 is pushed downwardly (or clockwise in Figure 29), the cap portion 240 of the flip top 212 will pivot about the pins 250 and 252 and disengage from the nm 220, moving to the open position shown in Figures 29 and 3 1 In the open position, the curved edge 258 of the blade 256 engages the edge 236 of the weir dam 234 and seals shut the weir opening 238 At the same time, the predetermined amount of contents within the measuring chamber are able to flow out of the chamber via the dispensing opening 218 as shown in Figure 29, but without additional container contents flowing through the weir opening 238, now closed by the blade 254 To facilitate the pivoting movement of the flip top, a press "button" or recess 260 may be provided in the press flange In this preferred embodiment, the flip top component 212 (and the bodv 216, if desired) is made of clear transparent plastic material so that the user is able to determine the presence or absence of contents within the measuring chamber, and also to ad|ust the amount of contents in that chamber by either adding material through the weir opening 238, or by shaking some of the material back into the container through the same weir opening In this way, the user is sure to dispense only a predetermined amount of contents from the closure It should be understood that the size of the measuring chamber can be varied for particular applications For example, for contents such as sweeteners which are typically packaged in small paper packets, the chamber can be sized to hold the equivalent of one packet, when the transferred contents reach the level of the chordal edge 236, with the container tilted sideways as shown in Figure 28 When the flip top 212 is returned to its closed position, the user is free to fill the measuπng chamber again with a predetermined amount of material and to dispense it in the same manner as described above This construction is particularly advantageous for dispensing predetermined amounts of container contents on a regular and repeatable basis, such as the sweetener application mentioned above Of course, the measuring chamber dimensions can be altered depending on the particular cap application In one exemplar) embodiment, the container and measuring cap may be used to dispense single dose amounts of, for example, an artificial sweetener or the like, in which case the measuπng chamber mav be sized to hold 1 oz of sweetener While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS 1 A measuπng dispensing cap for a container comprising a peripheral sidewall and a pivotable flip top, said flip top mounted for pivotal motion about a horizontal hinge axis located between opposite ends of said flip top, said peripheral sidewall having an internal weir panel hav ing an edge extending parallel to and vertically aligned with said hinge axis thus establishing a weir opening between said weir edge and said flip top and defining in cooperation w ith at least a portion of said flip top, an open-ended measuπng chamber w ithin 2 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 1 wherein said flip top includes a pair of half circular portions divided by said hinge axis and wherein a stop surface is located below one of said pair of half circular portions 3 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 2 w herein a spring is interposed between said stop surface and said one of said pair of half circular portions 4 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 3 wherein a measuring chamber is defined by said internal weir panel, the other of said pair of circular portions and a portion of said peripheral sidewall 5 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 4 wherein at least said flip top is constructed of substantially transparent plastic 6 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 3 wherein said spring is formed integrally with said one of said pair of half circular portions 7 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 3 wherein said internal weir surface is shaped substantially as an inverted dome, extending substantially 180° about the peripheral sidewall 8 The measuπng dispensing cap of claim 1 wherein a measuπng chamber is defined by said internal weir surface, the other of said pair of circular portions and a portion of said peripheral sidewall 9 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 1 wherein said internal weir surface is shaped substantially as an inverted dome, extending substantially 180° about the peripheral sidewall 10 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 1 wherein said weir panel edge and said hinge axis are laterally offset from a diametrical center line of said cap 1 1 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 1 wherein said flip top is substantially rectangular in shape, and is received in a complementary opening formed in a top surface of said cap 12 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 1 1 wherein an angled wall extends radially inwardly and upwardly from said peripheral sidewall, terminating in a cradle for receiving a rib formed on an underside of said flip top 13 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 12 wherein said cradle and said nb define said hinge axis 14 The measuring dispensing cap of claim 1 1 wherein cooperating surface means are provided for establishing a substantially airtight seal between a portion of said flip top and the top surface of said cap 15 The measuring/dispensing cap of claim 1 wherein said flip top is formed with a depending flange which engages the weir panel edge when the flip top is opened to thereby close the weir opening 16 A measuπng dispensing cap for a container comprising a peripheral sidewall and a pivotable flip top supported on said peπpheral sidewall for rocking movement about a hinge axis offset from a diametrical center line through said cap, said hinge axis separating a push panel portion of said flip top from a dispensing panel portion of said flip top, and wherein a measuπng chamber is formed an area enclosed said peripheral sidewall underlying said dispensing panel portion 17 The measuring cap of claim 16 wherein said flip top and said measuring chamber are substantially rectangular in shape 18 The measuring cap of claim 16 wherein said flip top is supported in a cradle formed in an angled surface underlying said push panel portion 19 The measuring cap of claim 18 wherein a spπng is located between said angled surface and said push panel portion 20 The measuπng cap of claim 19 wherein said spring is formed integrally with said cap 21 The measuring cap of claim 15 wherein said measuring chamber is defined by a portion of said peripheral sidewall, said dispensing panel portion, and by an angled weir panel extending from said peπpheral sidewall downwardly, and inwardly, terminating at a weir edge in substantial vertical alignment with said hinge axis, thereby creating a weir opening into said chamber 22 A measuring dispensing closure for a container comprising a hollow body having an opening therein and a pivotable flip top said flip top mounted on the body for pivotal motion about a horizontal hinge axis between closed and open positions, said hollow body having an internal, part spherical weir panel located below said opening and having an edge extending parallel with said hinge axis thus establishing a weir opening between said weir edge and a peripheral portion of said opening, and defining, in cooperation with an underside portion of said flip top and a remaining peripheral portion of said opening, a measuring chamber within said closure, and wherein said flip top is formed with a shut-off blade adapted to engage said weir edge when said flip top is in said open position 23 The measuring dispensing closure of claim 22 wherein cooperating surface means are provided for establishing a substantially airtight seal between a cap portion of said flip top and an upstanding nm surrounding said opening 24 The measuring dispensing closure of claim 22 wherein said shut-off blade is curved in two dimensions 25 The measuring dispensing closure of claim 24 wherein said weir edge is straight in one dimension and curved in a second dimension 26 The measuring dispensing closure of claim 22 wherein said flip top includes a cap portion and horizontally extending press flange, said cap portion lying on one side of a pivot axis and said press flange lying on another side of said pivot axis 27 The measuring dispensing closure of claim 22 wherein said flip top is mounted between a pair of substantially vertical gussets extending radiallv awav from said opening 28 A container assembly including a container body and a measuring dispensing closure secured to the container body the closure comprising a hollow body having an opening therein, and a pivotable flip top said flip top mounted on the body for pivotal motion about a horizontal hinge axis between closed and open positions, said hollow body having an internal part spherical weir panel located below said opening and having an edge extending parallel with said hinge axis thus establishing a weir opening between said weir edge and a peripheral portion of said opening, and defining, in cooperation w ith an underside portion of said flip top and a remaining peripheral portion of said opening, a measuring chamber within said closure, and wherein said flip top is formed with a shut-off blade adapted to engage said weir edge when said flip top is in said open position

Inventors: BURCHAM GREGORY S, ROBBINS EDWARD S III, BURCHAM, GREGORY, S., ROBBINS, EDWARD, S., III
Applicants: ROBBINS EDWARD S III, ROBBINS, EDWARD, S., III
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B67D5
IPC codes: B65D47, G01F11