Abstract:
A cap closure that dispenses liquid from a liquid container has a cylindrical base that is removably mounted on the liquid container. A valve spout is mounted on the base for linear reciprocating movement. A valve actuator is mounted on the base for rotation. The spout is movable between closed and opened positions where in the opened position liquid can be dispensed through the spout and in the closed position the liquid is blocked from passing through the spout. The actuator is operatively connected to the spout whereby rotation of the actuator between first and second positions relative to the cap base moves the spout between the respective closed and opened positions of the spout on the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention pertains to a cap closure having a cylindrical base that is removably mounted on a liquid container. A spout is mounted on the base for linear reciprocating movement. A valve actuator is mounted on the base for rotation. The spout is movable between closed and opened positions, where in the opened position liquid can be dispensed through the spout and in the closed position the liquid is blocked from passing through the spout. The actuator is operatively connected to the spout whereby rotation of the actuator between first and second positions relative to the closure base moves the spout between the respective closed and opened positions of the spout on the base. 
         [0003]    (2) Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A variety of different types of liquid container caps have been designed that include a liquid dispenser spout incorporated in the cap. A basic cap design includes a spout that is an integral part of the cap, and a closure or cover that is removably attached to the end of the spout. The cover is removed to dispense the liquid from the container through the spout, and is then re-attached over the end of the spout to seal the liquid inside the container. 
         [0005]    Another common example of a liquid dispenser cap includes a spout that is mounted on the container cap for pivoting movement between opened and closed positions of the spout. A surface of the cap is formed with a recessed slot that receives the spout when the spout is pivoted to the closed position. The spout is manually pivoted out of the slot to the opened position. In the opened position, the liquid contents of the container can be dispensed through the spout. When the spout is moved back to the closed position, the pivoting movement of the spout into the slot closes a flow path of the liquid through the spout and seals the liquid in the container. 
         [0006]    These prior art liquid dispensing caps have been found to be disadvantaged in that, in the first example, the closure or cover can be separated from the cap. If the closure is lost and cannot be attached over the end of the spout, the liquid contents of the container cannot be sealed from the exterior environment of the container, which could lead to the contamination of the container contents. 
         [0007]    In the second example of the prior art dispensing cap the entire spout is positioned in the cap slot in the closed position of the spout. It is often difficult to manually pivot the dispensing spout from the closed position in the slot. 
         [0008]    What is needed to overcome these disadvantages associated with prior art liquid dispensing caps is a liquid dispensing cap having a permanently attached spout that is easily manually moved between closed and opened positions. In the closed position the liquid flow path through the spout is sealed, and in the opened position the spout extends from the cap to direct liquid dispensed from the attached container. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    The liquid dispensing cap of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art liquid dispensing caps. The cap has four basic component parts, a base that is removably attachable to a liquid container, a liquid dispensing spout on the base, a valve element in the spout, and an actuator on the base. Each of the component parts is constructed of a plastic material conventionally used in constructing such caps. 
         [0010]    The base of the cap is primarily designed to be removably attached to a liquid container, the contents of which are to be dispensed by the dispensing cap. In alternative embodiments, the cap could be an integral part of the liquid container. The cap has an integral liquid discharge passage with an inlet opening at one end, and an outlet opening at an opposite end. The inlet opening communicates with the contents of the liquid container. A sealing surface in the form of a stopper plug is provided inside the liquid discharge passage. 
         [0011]    The spout is mounted in the liquid discharge passage for linear reciprocating movement between a first, closed position and a second, opened position of the spout housing relative to the cap base. The spout has an interior bore that extends completely through the spout. A valve element is positioned in the bore. The valve element includes a resiliently flexible portion that engages in sealing engagement against the interior surface of the spout bore. When subjected to liquid pressure, the flexibility of the valve element allows the valve element to move away from the interior surface of the spout bore, and allows liquid to be dispensed through the spout bore past the valve element and from the spout. When the spout is moved to the first, closed position of the spout relative to the base, the sealing surface of the base liquid discharge passage closes the interior bore of the spout. This closes the liquid flow path through the liquid dispensing cap. When the spout is moved to the second, opened position of the spout relative to the base, the sealing surface of the base liquid discharge passage is displaced from the spout bore, communicating the spout bore with the interior of the liquid container. 
         [0012]    The actuator is mounted on the cap base for rotation of the actuator between first and second positions of the actuator relative to the base. The actuator is also operatively connected to the spout to cause the spout to move in response to rotation of the actuator on the base. When the actuator is rotated to its first position relative to the base, the operative connection of the actuator to the spout moves the spout to its first, closed position relative to the base. When the actuator is rotated to its second position relative to the base, the operative connection of the actuator to the spout causes the spout to move to its second, opened position relative to the base. 
         [0013]    Thus, the liquid dispensing cap of the invention is easily manually operated to cause the spout to move between its closed and opened positions. In the closed position, the spout seals the interior of the liquid container connected to the dispensing cap. In the opened position, the spout projects from the dispensing cap, allowing the liquid to be dispensed from the liquid container through the dispensing cap while directing the dispensed liquid from the end of the spout. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Further features of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and in the drawing figures. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the liquid dispensing cap in the closed condition of the cap. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side sectioned view of the cap in the closed condition. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the liquid dispensing cap in the opened condition of the cap. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side sectioned view of the liquid dispensing cap in the opened condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    The liquid dispensing cap of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  in a closed condition of the cap and an opened condition of the cap.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the cap in the closed condition.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the cap in the opened condition. As stated earlier, the cap  10  has four basic component parts, a base  12  that is removably attachable to a liquid container  14  represented in dashed lines in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a liquid dispensing spout  16  on the base  12 , a valve element  18  in the spout  16 , and an actuator  22  on the base  12 . Each of these component parts is constructed of a plastic material conventionally used in constructing such caps. The material of the valve element is more resilient and flexible than the material of the other component parts. In the drawing figures, the dispensing cap  10  is represented as being removably attachable to the liquid container  14 . This is the preferred embodiment. In alternate embodiments, the liquid dispensing cap  10  could be an integral part of the liquid container. 
         [0020]    The cap base  12  has a cylindrical configuration defined by a cylindrical side wall  24  of the base. The side wall  24  has a center axis  26  that defines mutually perpendicular axial and radial directions relative to the base  12  and relative to the dispensing cap  10 . The base side wall has opposite interior  28  and exterior  32  surfaces, and axially opposite first  34  and second  36  circular end surfaces. The first circular end surface  34  of the base defines the opening into the interior volume  38  of the base that is attachable to the separate liquid container  14 . Adjacent the first end surface  34  of the side wall  24 , the side wall has an interior surface configuration in the form of internal screw threading  42  for attaching the base to the container. Other types of attachable fitments, for example, a bayonet-type fitment, may also be used. 
         [0021]    The base side wall  24  has a reduced diameter portion  44  adjacent the base second end surface  36 . The reduced diameter portion  44  extends around a majority of the base side wall  24 . An annular rib  46  projects radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the reduced diameter portion  44 . The rim  46  is used in attaching the actuator  22  to the base  12  for rotation of the actuator relative to the base, as will be explained. 
         [0022]    A circular intermediate wall  48  extends from the side wall interior surface  28  and divides the base interior volume  38  into two portions. A liquid inlet opening  52  passes through the intermediate wall  48 . The inlet opening  52  communicates with the interior of a liquid container attached to the base  12 . 
         [0023]    A circular side wall opening  54  passes through the side wall  24  intermediate the side wall first end surface  34  and second end surface  36 . The side wall opening  54  communicates an exterior environment of the cap  10  to the interior volume of the base  12 . The side wall opening  54  has a radial center axis  56 . 
         [0024]    A cylindrical tubular wall  58  is formed integrally with the base intermediate wall  48 . The tubular wall  58  has an interior bore that defines a liquid discharge passage and is coaxial with the side wall opening center axis  56 . The interior bore of the tubular wall  58  communicates with the exterior environment of the cap  10  through the side wall opening  54 . The tubular wall  58  extends radially inwardly from the side wall interior surface  28  and the side wall opening  54  to an end wall  62 . The base inlet opening  52  passes through the tubular wall  58  adjacent the end wall  62 . A slot opening  64  is provided through the tubular wall  58  on an opposite side of the liquid discharge passage from the inlet opening  52 . The slot  62  has a straight radial length and intersects the side wall opening  54 . 
         [0025]    A cylindrical stopper plug  56  projects axially into the interior bore of the liquid discharge passage from the passage end wall  62 . The stopper plug  66  has a cylindrical exterior surface that functions as a sealing surface in the liquid discharge passage, as will be explained. 
         [0026]    The spout  16  is mounted in the liquid discharge passage defined by the base tubular wall  58  for linear reciprocating movement along the tubular wall center axis  56 . The spout  16  has a cylindrical exterior surface  68  and a cylindrical interior surface  72 . The cylindrical interior surface  72  extends radially through the spout between a first end  74  of the spout adjacent the liquid discharge passage end wall  62 , to a second end  76  of the spout positioned adjacent the side wall opening  54 . The interior surface  72  surrounds a spout interior bore that is coaxial with the tubular wall center axis  56 . The diameter dimension of the spout is reduced adjacent the spout first end  74 , whereby the spout interior surface  72  adjacent the spout first end  74  can engage in a sealing engagement over the exterior surface of the stopper plug  66 . The exterior diameter dimension of the spout adjacent the spout second end  76  is enlarged, whereby the spout engages in a sliding engagement in the side wall opening  54 . 
         [0027]    A sliding seal  82  having a truncated cone shape projects radially outwardly from an intermediate portion of the spout exterior surface  68 . The seal  82  engages in a sliding sealing engagement with the interior surface of the base tubular wall  58 . The spout seal  82  seals the liquid discharge passage in the base tubular wall  58  from the exterior environment of the dispensing cap. 
         [0028]    A cam follower post  84  projects outwardly from the spout exterior surface  68  adjacent the spout second end  76 . The post  84  extends through the base tubular wall slot  64 . The slot  64  holds the post  84  and the spout  16  against rotation around the spout center axis  56 , but allows linear reciprocating movement of the post  84  through the slot  64  and thereby allows linear reciprocating movement of the spout  16  in the base tubular wall  58 . 
         [0029]    A plurality of spokes  86  extend radially into the center of the spout interior bore from the spout interior surface  72 . Only one of the spokes  86  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . In the preferred embodiment, three spokes extend from the spout interior surface  72  to the center axis  56  of the spout. The spokes have a center opening  88  that is coaxial with the spout center axis  56 . The spacing between adjacent spokes  86  defines a portion of a liquid flow path through the spout interior bore defined by the spout interior surface  72 . 
         [0030]    The valve element  18  is positioned inside the spout  16  adjacent the spout second end  76 . The valve element  18  has a stem  92  that is inserted into the spoke opening  88  to secure the valve element  18  to the spout  16 . The valve element stem  92  holds a plurality of flanges  94  of the valve element against the spout spokes  86 . In the embodiment shown in the drawing figures, there are four flanges  94  spatially arranged around the stem  92 . The engagement of the flanges  94  against the spout spokes  86  holds the valve element  18  centered in the interior bore of the spout  16 . The spacing between adjacent flanges  94  defines a portion of the liquid flow path through the spout interior bore. 
         [0031]    A cup-shaped seal  96  of the valve element extends from the flanges  94  toward the spout second end  76 . The seal  96  has a truncated cone configuration that extends radially outwardly as it extends from the valve element flanges  94  toward the spout second end  76 . A circular end  98  of the seal engages in sealing engagement with the spout interior surface  72  adjacent the spout second end  76 . As the cup-shaped seal  96  extends to the circular sealing surface  98 , the thickness reduces and the resiliency of the seal increases. Thus, the cup-shaped seal  96  engages in sealing engagement with the spout interior surface  72  in an at rest condition of the seal shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . When the seal  96  is subjected to fluid pressure from liquid flowing through the spout interior bore and engaging against the exterior surface of the seal  96 , the seal flexes inwardly allowing the liquid to pass the sealing surface  98  and be dispensed from the spout second end  76 . 
         [0032]    The actuator  22  has a cylindrical wall  102  that is mounted on the side wall reduced diameter portion  44  for rotation of the actuator  22  relative to the base  12 . The base center axis  26  is coaxial with a rotation axis of the actuator  22 . The actuator wall  102  has a circular end surface  104  with a circular slot  106  recessed into the end surface. The circular slot  106  is dimensioned to receive the base side wall reduced diameter portion  44  in mounting the actuator  22  to the base  12  for rotation of the actuator relative to the base. This connection allows the actuator  22  to rotate in more that one complete rotation in either direction on the base  12 . An annular groove  108  is formed in one side of the actuator wall slot  106  and is positioned to receive the rim  46  on the base side wall reduced diameter portion  44 . The engagement of the rim  46  in the groove  108  secures the actuator  22  to the base  12 . 
         [0033]    A circular wall  112  extends across the actuator cylindrical wall  102  at an opposite end of the wall from the circular end surface  104 . The circular wall closes over the opening of the base  12  surrounded by the second circular end surface  36  of the base. 
         [0034]    An inner cam wall  114  having an inner cam surface and an outer cam wall  116  having an outer cam surface project axially from the actuator circular wall  112  toward the base  12 . The opposing cam surfaces of the inner cam wall  114  and the outer cam wall  116  define a cam groove between the cam surfaces. In the embodiment of the dispensing cap  10  shown in the drawing figures, the inner cam wall  114  and the outer cam wall  116  are concentric circular walls having a center axis  118 . The center axis  118  is also the center axis of the cam slot defined between the two walls  114 ,  116 . As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the cam center axis  118  is off-set or eccentric relative to the center axis  56  of the base  12  and the actuator  22 . Although the cam slot defined between the two walls  114 ,  116  is circular in the embodiment shown in the drawing figures, other configurations of the cam slot may be employed. The cam slot walls  112 ,  114  are positioned to engage in sliding engagement with opposite sides of the spout cam post  84 . Thus, on rotation of the actuator  22  on the base  12 , the cam slot walls  112 ,  114  move in sliding engagement across opposite sides of the spout post  84 . 
         [0035]    In operation of the dispensing cap, in the relative positions of the component parts shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the spout  16  is in a first, closed position relative to the base  12 . The actuator  22  is also shown in a first position of the actuator relative to the base  12 . In this position the spout first end  74  engages in sealing engagement against the sealing surface  66  of the base tubular wall  58 . The sealing surface is provided on the stopper plug  66  that engages against the spout interior surface  72  at the spout first end  74 . This closes a liquid flow path from a liquid container  14  connected to the dispensing cap  10 , through the base inlet opening  52  into the liquid passage defined by the base tubular wall  58 , and through the interior bore of the spout  16  defined by the spout interior surface  72 . 
         [0036]    On rotation of the actuator  22  from its first position relative to the base  12  toward its second position relative to the base shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the actuator cam walls  112 ,  114  engage in sliding engagement across opposite sides of the spout post  84 . Due to the eccentricity of the cam slot defined by the cam walls  112 ,  114 , the rotation of the actuator  22  on the base  12  causes the spout  16  to move linearly from the first position of the spout  16  in the liquid discharge passage toward a second position of the spout  16  in the liquid discharge passage.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the second position of the spout  16  in the liquid discharge passage. The spout  16  is moved to this second position by rotating the actuator 180° from its first position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to the second position of the actuator  22  relative to the base  12  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this position of the spout  16 , the spout first end  74  has been removed from its sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the stopper plug  66 . This opens the liquid flow path from the liquid container  14  connected to the dispensing cap  10 , through the base inlet opening  52  and through the liquid discharge passage defined by the tubular wall  58  into the spout interior bore defined by the spout interior surface  72 . Liquid flowing along the liquid flow path passes between the spout spokes  86  and between the valve element flanges  94  and exerts a pressure on the exterior surface of the valve cup-shaped seal  96 . The liquid pressure causes the circular sealing surface  98  of the valve cup-shaped seal  96  to disengage from its engagement with the spout interior surface  72 , causing the liquid to be dispensed from the spout second end  76 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with the spout  16  moved to its second, open position relative to the base  12 , the spout is extended from the side wall opening  54 . This extension of the spout  16  assists in directing the liquid dispensed from the spout second end  76 . 
         [0037]    Thus, the liquid dispensing cap of the present invention provides a closure cap with a dispensing spout that is easily manually moved between a closed and sealed position relative to the cap and an opened position relative to the cap. In addition, as the spout is moved to its opened position a distal end of the spout projects from the cap to assist in dispensing liquid from the spout. 
         [0038]    Although the liquid dispensing cap of the invention has been described above by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be understood that modifications and variations could be made to the cap without departing from the intended scope of the claims.