Patent Publication Number: US-7909212-B2

Title: Closure for a container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/797,464, having a filing date of May 3, 2006, titled “Closure for Container,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known to provide a closure having one or more apertures for dispensing matter that is provided within a container (e.g. particulate food stuffs or the like, such as cheese, spices, etc.). Such known closures typically have a base coupled to an opening of a receptacle and a top having one or more dispensing apertures for dispensing the matter. Such known closures may have a removable cover or elements such as flaps that are moveable between an open position in which the matter may be readily dispensed from the container (through the dispensing apertures) and a closed position in which the dispensing apertures are covered (so that the matter cannot readily be dispensed). 
     SUMMARY 
     One exemplary embodiment relates to a closure for a receptacle of a type having an open top and a closed bottom. The closure comprises a base configured to be coupled to the top of the receptacle and a cover coupled to the base and rotatable relative thereto. The cover includes a flap having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and is configured for selective movement between an open position and a closed position. The closure further comprises and an insert supported between the base and the cover. The insert defines at least one dispensing aperture and is rotatable relative to the base. Rotation of the cover rotates the insert relative to the base. 
     Another exemplary embodiment relates to a container. The container comprises a receptacle having a open top and a closed bottom and a closure coupled to the receptacle. The closure comprises a base configured to be coupled to the top of the receptacle and a cover coupled to the base and rotatable relative thereto. The cover includes a flap having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and is configured for selective movement between an open position and a closed position. The closure further comprises and an insert supported between the base and the cover. The insert defines at least one dispensing aperture and is rotatable relative to the base. Rotation of the cover rotates the insert relative to the base. 
     Another exemplary embodiment relates to a closure for a receptacle of a type having an open top and a closed bottom. The closure comprises a base configured to be coupled to the top of the receptacle, an insert supported by the base and a cover coupled to the base and rotatable relative thereto. The base comprises a side wall, an end wall supported at the side wall and having an upper surface defining a first dispensing aperture and a first projection extending upwards in a vertical direction past the upper surface. The insert defines a second dispensing aperture configured to be selectively aligned with the first dispensing aperture and comprises at least one tab extending radially from an outer periphery of the insert. The cover comprises a flap having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt that is configured for selective movement between an open position and a closed position and a second projection cooperating with the first projection of the base and the tab of the insert to coordinate the rotational movement of the insert relative to the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a closure according to one exemplary showing a flap in an open position and a first dispensing aperture set. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the closure of  FIG. 1  showing the flap in the open position and a second set of dispensing apertures. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the closure of  FIG. 1  showing the flap in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the closure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the closure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the closure of  FIG. 3  taken along lines III-III. 
         FIG. 7A  is a bottom perspective view of a cover of the closure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a top perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 7A  showing the flap in an open position. 
         FIG. 7C  is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a portion of the cover of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of an insert of the closure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are top perspective views of the insert and a base of the closure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view of the base of the closure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the base of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  is a side view of a portion of the base of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIGS. 11A through 11E  are top views of the closure in  FIG. 1  showing the transition from one dispensing aperture set to another dispensing aperture set. 
         FIGS. 12A through 12F  are plan views of inserts according to various exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , a closure for a container is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Closure  10  generally comprises a first member (e.g., body, bottom, etc.), shown as a base  14 , a second member (e.g., plate, disk, panel, cut-out, intermediate member, sifter, etc.), shown as an insert  16 , and a third member (e.g., cap, top, lid, etc.), shown as a cover  18 . Closure  10  is configured to be coupled to a receptacle  12  with base  14 , insert  16  and cover  18  each sharing a common longitudinal axis  11  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , cover  18  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Cover  18  generally comprises a cylindrical side wall  20 , an end wall  19  and a flap  26 . According to the embodiment illustrated, cover  18  further comprises a rib  23 , ribs  32 , a reinforcing structure  38 , a stop  40  and a coupling structure  43 . According to one exemplary embodiment, cover  18  is integrally-formed as a single unitary body. 
     Side wall  20  is a hollow, generally cylindrical member having an open end  33  that is configured to receive insert  16  and a portion of base  14 , and an opposite end  35  that is coupled to, and covered by, end wall  19 . An outer surface of side wall  20  includes a gripping surface  36 , shown as a series of corrugations around side wall  20 , which is provided to allow cover  18  to be more easily grasped and rotated relative to container  12  and base  14 . A coupling structure, shown as a ridge or projection  34 , extends radially inward from side wall  20  proximate open end  33 . Ridge  34  is configured to engage a cooperating portion of base  14  to rotatably couple cover  18  to base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, ridge  34  is one continuous body. According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, ridge may be several separate bodies distributed around the inner circumference of side wall  20 . 
     End wall  19  is a generally flat and circular panel that is coupled to end  35  of sidewall  20 . According to one exemplary embodiment, end wall  19  includes a recess  21 , a recess  30 , and an opening  22 . Recess  21  is a substantially semi-circular region that occupies a little less than half of end wall  19  and that is configured to receive flap  26  in a way that allows the top surface of flap  26  to be substantially even with the top surface of the non-recessed portions of end wall  19  when flap  26  is in the closed position. Recess  30  is provided along the edge of recess  21  that corresponds to the edge of end wall  19 . Recess  30  is configured to receive a skirt (described below) provided on flap  26 . Opening  22  is formed within recess  21  and has a semi-circular shape that generally corresponds to the shape of recess  21 . Opening  22  includes an edge  24  that forms the shape of opening  22  and that is engaged by a portion of flap  26  (e.g., tab  28 , described below) when the flap  26  is in the closed position. 
     Flap  26  is coupled to end wall  19  (e.g., through a living hinge) and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. According to one exemplary embodiment, flap  26  comprises a body  25 , a skirt  35 , a projection  27 , a tab  28  and an indentation  29 . Body  25  is a substantially flat panel that has a substantially semi-circular shape that corresponds to the shape of recess  21 . Body  25  is coupled to end wall  19  through a hinge, shown as a living hinge  37 , that allows flap  26  to move between the open and closed positions. Skirt  35  is a projection that extends downwardly from the outer edge of body  25  that corresponds to the outer edge of end wall  19 . According to one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of skirt  35  extends downwardly and outwardly from flap  26  at an angle of between 9 and 25 degrees, and more preferably between 15 and 20 degrees, relative to axis  11 , as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,971,231, 6,250,517, 6,308,870, and 6,460,718, which are each incorporated by reference herein. 
     When flap  26  is moved into the closed position, skirt  35  is received within recess  30  of end wall  19 . When skirt  35  is received within recess  30 , skirt  35  cooperates with side wall  20  to form the appearance of a generally continuous, uniform side wall. To assist with the appearance of a continuous side wall, the outer surface of skirt  35  is corrugated to correspond with the corrugations of side wall  20  below skirt  35 . Projection  27  (e.g., skirt, clean-out ring, etc.) is a generally semi-circular shaped projection that extends downwardly from the bottom surface of body  25  and that is configured to fit just inside opening  22  when flap  26  is in the closed position. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, the distance projection  27  extends away from the bottom surface of body  25  is approximately equal to the thickness of the material forming the edge of opening  22  so that projection  27  may act as a partial seal that helps to prevent matter from escaping through opening  22  when flap  26  is in the closed position. According to one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of projection  27  extends downwardly and outwardly from flap  26  at an angle of between 9 and 25 degrees, and more preferably between 15 and 20 degrees, relative to axis  11 , as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,971,231, 6,250,517, 6,308,870, and 6,460,718. 
     Tab  28  is a projection that extends downward from the bottom surface of flap  26  generally along the curved portion of projection  27  and engages an edge  24  of opening  22  when flap  26  is in the closed position. The engagement of edge  24  by tab  28  serves to releasably retain flap  26  in the closed position. According to one exemplary embodiment, tab  28  is similar to the tab described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,691,901 and 7,007,830, which are each incorporated by reference herein. According to one exemplary embodiment, tab  28  extends downwardly and outwardly from flap  26  at an angle of between 9 and 25 degrees, and more preferably between 15 and 20 degrees, relative to axis  11 . 
     Indentation  29  (e.g., recess, thumb detail, thumb recess, etc.), is provided at the central outer portion of skirt  35  and is configured to receive a finger or finger nail of the user of the closure to facilitate opening flap  26 . According to an alternative embodiment, the flap may be formed separately from the remaining portions of cover  18  and then coupled to one or more of such remaining portions (e.g., with a snap fit, etc.). 
     Ribs  23  and  32  extend perpendicularly downward from the bottom surface of end wall  19  and are intended to provide additional support, rigidity, and/or strength to cover  18 , and to maintain the position of insert  16  on base  14 . Rib  23  extends from the around opening  22 . The three ribs  32  are concentric, radially spaced ribs that at least partially encircle coupling structure  43  located in the center of end wall  19 . Each of ribs  32  intersect, and are coupled to, rib  23 . Each of ribs  23  and  32  terminate in a common plane (e.g., the distal ends of each rib  32  and rib  23  are the same distance from open end  33  of side wall  20 ) and are generally intended to serve, at least in part, as stops to prevent insert  16  from moving away from base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, each of ribs  23  and  32  have a generally rectangular cross-section. According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the ribs may have a non-rectangular cross-section (i.e. the ribs may be wider at the base than at the edge or may take one of a variety of other configurations). According to various other exemplary and alternative embodiments, the different ribs may extend different distances from the end wall and may terminate at different distances from end  33  of side wall  20 . 
     Reinforcing structures  38  (e.g., ramps, areas of increased thickness, gussets, ribs, etc.) are shown as two members having a gradually increasing thickness that are intended to provide additional support, rigidity, and/or strength to the area of cover  18  between edge  24  of opening  22  and side wall  20 . According to one exemplary embodiment, structures  38  extend from the bottom surface of end wall  19  between rib  23  and the radially inner side of recess  30 . Each of the two structures  38  starts proximate one end of recess  30  and extends toward the center of recess  30 . As each structure  38  extends toward the center of recess  30 , its thickness increases. According to one exemplary embodiment, recess  30  includes a substantially flat portion  31  that is configured to receive indentation  29  of skirt  35 , and structures  38  transition into flat portion  31 . According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the reinforcing structures may have a cross-section or thickness that gradually increases along its length from a minimum cross-section at the mid-point to a maximum cross-section at the ends. According to other alternative and exemplary embodiments, the reinforcing structure may have a constant cross-section or thickness along its length. 
     Stop  40  (e.g., projection, engagement member, element, etc.) is a structure that is intended to cooperate with corresponding structures on the base  14  and insert  16  to coordinate the movement of cover  18 , insert  16 , and base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, stop  40  extends from the bottom surface of end wall  19  between the outermost rib  32  and side wall  20  such that when cover  18  is rotated, stop  40  contacts a corresponding element on insert  16 , rotating insert  16  relative to base  14  until insert  16  or stop  40  contacts a corresponding element on base  14  that restricts any further rotation of insert  16  or cover  18 . According to one exemplary embodiment, one or more gussets  42  (e.g., ribs, brackets, braces, etc.) are provided to rigidify stop  40 . According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the stop may take any one of a variety of different shapes, sizes, and configurations depending on the shape, size, and configuration of the corresponding structures provided on insert  16  and base  14  and on other potential factors. 
     Coupling structure  43  (e.g., hook, post, engagement member, barbs, lugs, etc.) is a member that is configured to engage base  14  to couple cover  18  to base  14  in a manner that allows cover  18  to rotate relative to base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, coupling structure  43  is a generally hollow cylindrical structure that extends downward from the center of the bottom surface of end wall  19 . Coupling structure  43  is separated into segments  44  by four wedge-shaped gaps or slits. Each segment  44  includes a radially outwardly extending barb  45  that is configured to engage a corresponding aperture in base  14 . According to other exemplary embodiments, coupling structure may be a single segment or may be separated into fewer or more than four segments or may be any other structure that allows cover  18  to be rotatably coupled to base  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an insert  16  for a closure is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Insert  16  is a generally thin, flat, round structure that is configured to be coupled between cover  18  and base  14  when closure  10  is assembled and to provide at least one hole pattern for dispensing the contents of the receptacle to which closure  10  is coupled. According to one exemplary embodiment, insert  16  is configured to be rotated between two positions, each position providing a different hole pattern. According to the embodiment illustrated, insert  16  includes a first hole pattern shown as a spoon opening  46  and a second hole pattern shown as shaker openings  47 . Spoon opening  46  is a generally semi-circular aperture occupying slightly less than half of insert  16  and corresponds generally in size and shape to opening  22  in cover  18 . Shaker openings  47  are shown as three holes arranged on an arc and are located on insert  16  directly opposite of spoon opening  46 . 
     According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the hole patterns of the insert may be any suitable shape or size, and may include any number of apertures arranged in one of a variety of different patterns to suit the desired application (e.g., the material to be dispensed from the container.) For example, the insert may include one shaker opening or it may include two or more shaker openings, and each shaker opening may have a shape and size that is suitable to the application in which the closure will be used. Moreover, one or more of the shaker openings may be circular, rectangular, tear-drop shaped, football-shaped, semi-circular, or one of a variety of other shapes. Referring now to  FIGS. 12A through 12F , several alternative hole patterns and hole pattern combinations are shown to demonstrate the variety of shapes and patterns possible, though it is not meant to limit insert  16  to these patterns, as many more are possible. 
     The design of insert  16  allows closure  10  to be easily adapted to different situations and materials by altering only insert  16 . For example, a consumer or a manufacturer may be able to adapt a particular cap for a variety of different applications by inserting different inserts. 
     Insert  16  includes a central aperture  48  that is configured to receive coupling structure  43  of cover  18  as well as a portion of base  14 . Aperture  48  is generally larger in diameter than coupling structure  43  and allows coupling structure  43  to be inserted through insert  16  while allowing insert  16  to rotate freely about the central axis  11 . To avoid any significant movement or misalignment of insert  16 , aperture  48  is configured to receive a portion of base  14  (discussed below) that projects into aperture  48  and that prevents any significant movement of insert  16  in the radial direction. Any movement of insert  16  in the longitudinal direction is limited by the end wall of the base and ribs  23  and  32  of cover  18 . Insert  16  also includes two tabs  49  (e.g., protrusions, extensions, lobes, ears, fingers, etc.) that extend radially outward from opposite sides of insert  16  and that are configured to cooperate with stop  40  of cover  18  and the corresponding structure of base  14  to maintain insert  16  in the appropriate position when cover  18  is rotated. According to the embodiment illustrated, tabs  49  are provided at the outer periphery of insert  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  9  through  10 C, base  14  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Base  14  provides the structure for coupling closure  10  to receptacle  12  and a surface upon which insert  16  rotates. Base  14  is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a side wall  52 , an end wall  50 , one or more ribs  56 , and a sealing structure  60 . 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, side wall  52  is a hollow, generally cylindrical member having an open end  53  that is configured to receive a receptacle  12  (e.g., a threaded mouth of a receptacle) and an opposite end  55  that is coupled to, and covered by, end wall  50 . An inner surface of side wall  52  includes a coupling structure shown as threads  58 . Threads  58  are configured to engage a corresponding coupling structure on receptacle  12  (e.g., a threaded mouth of the receptacle). According to other exemplary embodiments, the coupling structure may be any suitable structure (e.g. press-on rings or snap-fit structure, ribs, etc.) for coupling the closure to the receptacle. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, end wall  50  is a generally flat and circular panel that is coupled to end  55  of sidewall  52 . End wall  19  includes an opening  54 , an aperture  62 , a ring  64 , a ledge  68 , a channel  69 , a tab  66 , a rim  70 , a recess  72 . 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, opening  54  is a generally semi-circular-shaped aperture occupying a little less than half of end wall  50 . Opening  54  corresponds generally in size and shape to opening  22  in cover  18  and to spoon opening  46  in insert  16 . Aperture  62  is a circular aperture provided in the center of end wall  50  that is configured to receive coupling structure  43  of cover  18  when cover  18  is coupled to base  14 . An annular projection or lip shown as ring  64  extends upwardly from the top surface of end wall  50  and substantially surrounds aperture  62 . Ring  64  is intended to fit within aperture  48  of insert  16  and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of central aperture  48 . Ring  64  is generally intended to limit the movement of insert  16  in the plane of end wall  50 . The distance ring  64  extends from the top surface or face of end wall  50  is generally equal to the thickness of insert  16  so that the distal end of ring  64  forms a substantially continuous surface with the top face of insert  16 . 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, the outside edge or periphery of end wall  50  is slightly lowered or recessed, forming ledge  68 . Ledge  68  is intended to provide a lowered surface that does not interfere with, or that accommodates, stop  40  of cover  18  as cover  18  is rotated relative to base  14 . 
     Channel  69  is an annular groove or recess that extends downwardly into ledge  68 . Channel  69  essentially divides ledge  68  into an inner ledge and an outer ledge and is intended to reduce the material used to form closure  10 . 
     Stop  66  (e.g., tab, extension, etc.) is a rigid member that is configured to engage stop  40  of cover  18  and tabs  40  of insert  16  to limit the extent to which each of cover  18  and insert  16  may be rotated relative to base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, stop  66  extends upwardly from ledge  68  and terminates a distance above the top surface of end wall  19  that is approximately equal to the thickness of insert  16 . This helps to ensure that tabs  40  of insert  16  and stop  40  of cover  18  will engage stop  66 . 
     Recess  72  (e.g., channel, groove, etc.) is provided along the periphery of end wall  50  and generally forms a substantially vertical surface  82  and a horizontal surface  84 . Recess  72  is configured to receive side wall  20  of cover  18 . 
     Flange  70  (e.g., rim, projection, rib, extension, ring, etc.) is an annular projection that extends radially outward from near the top of vertical surface  82  of recess  72 . Flange  70  is configured to cooperate with ridge  34  of cover  18  to couple cover  18  to base  14  in a manner the resists the separation of cover  18  and base  14  while at the same time allowing cover  18  and base  14  to rotate relative to one another. During assembly of closure  10 , ridge  34  engages and is forced over flange  70  and rests just below flange  70  to resist axial separation of cover  18  and base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, the flange is one continuous body. According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the flange may be one or more separate bodies or elements distributed around the entire circumference, or a portion of the circumference, of end wall  50 . 
     Ribs  56  (e.g., projections, supports, stiffening members, beams, etc.) are rigid structures that extend across the underside of end wall  50  and are intended to increase the rigidity of base  14 . According to one exemplary embodiment, two ribs  56  extend downward from the bottom surface of end wall  50  and have a height approximately equal to the height of sealing structure  60 . Ribs  56  are arranged generally symmetrically about central axis  11  and are parallel to one another. According to other exemplary embodiments, the base may include more or less than two ribs, the ribs may be arranged differently (e.g., the ribs may be linear, curved, circular, asymmetric, concentric, etc.), and/or the ribs may have a different height (e.g. less than or greater than the height of sealing structure  60 ). 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, sealing structure  60  (e.g., ring, sealing ring, stepped sealing ring, etc.) is a projection that includes a plurality of sealing surfaces shown as sealing surfaces  86   a  and  86   b  in  FIGS. 6 and 10B . According to one exemplary embodiment, the sealing surfaces may be similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,718, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Sealing structure  60  extends downward from the lower surface of end wall  50  and radially inward from side wall  52 . Sealing surfaces  86   a  and  86   b  are arranged in a “step-wise” pattern of coaxial surfaces such that the distance from end wall  50  increases as the diameter of the sealing surface decreases. 
     According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the width of the sealing surfaces in the radial direction may be approximately equal to the thickness of the portion of the receptacle that will contact the sealing surfaces (e.g., the rim or mouth of the receptacle), but the width of the sealing surfaces may be greater or less than the thickness of the receptacle rim. Such step-wise sealing surfaces  86   a  and  86   b  are intended to urge a container mouth that has an out-of-round condition (e.g., oval, etc.) into a generally round condition for sealing against one of the plurality of sealing surfaces  86   a  and  86   b . Such step-wise sealing surfaces  86   a  and  86   b  may also accommodate variations in the diameters of the mouths of receptacles (e.g., due to variations in tolerances, different container manufacturers or equipment, etc.). 
     According to various alternative embodiments, the sealing surfaces may be configured so that the distance from the end wall may increase as the diameter of the sealing surfaces increases. According to other alternative embodiments, the sealing surfaces may be flat and parallel to the end wall, or they may have a convex or concave curvature, or they may have any combination of these or other suitable configurations and may be provided at any angle with respect to the end wall. According to other various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the sealing structure may include one, two, four, or any number of sealing surfaces. According to another alternative embodiment, the sealing structure may comprise a single downwardly extending projection (e.g., sealing ring, ridge, rim, etc.) having a shape and location that corresponds with a mouth of a receptacle such that the sealing ring is positioned to abut the mouth when the closure and receptacle are coupled together. According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the sealing ring may have a circular outline that is coaxial with the side wall and/or may have a lower edge with a semicircular cross-sectional shape configured to compress a conventional sealing sheet (e.g., liner, etc.) between the sealing ring and the mouth of a receptacle to create a seal. According to other alternative embodiments, the sealing ring may have any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., flat, pointed, tapered, etc.) and a width sufficient to provide an effective seal against the mouth of the receptacle. According to various alternative and exemplary embodiments, the sealing ring (such as a stepped sealing ring or a semi-circular sealing ring similar to those previously described) may comprise one or more vent portions (e.g., gaps, notches, openings, etc.) spaced at one or more locations around the sealing ring. 
     When closure  10  is assembled, cover  18  is coupled to base  14  (e.g., coupling structure  43  of cover  18  engages aperture  62  of base  14  and flange  70  of base  14  engages ridge  34  of cover  18 ). Insert  16  is located between cover  18  and base  14  (e.g., insert  16  is “sandwiched” between ribs  23  and  32  of cover  18  and base  14 ) such that it rests on end wall  50  and is rotatable about central axis  11 . In the assembled position, tabs  49  of insert  16  extend over ledge  68  and engage tab  66  of base  14 . Stop  40  of cover  18  is located such that it extends into the recess forming ledge  68  and engages tab  66  of base  14  and tabs  49  of insert  16 . The engagement of tabs  49 , tab  66 , and stop  40  serve to coordinate the relative movement of cover  18 , insert  16 , and base  14 . 
     Because the two tabs  49  of insert  16  are 180 degrees apart, insert  16  is permitted to rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to base  14  (the amount of rotation is actually less than 180 degrees due to the thickness of tabs  49  and tab  66 ). Similarly, cover  18  is permitted to rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to insert  16  (e.g. stop  40  can travel approximately 180 degrees before it contacts a tab  49 ). To enable a situation where opening  24  of cover  18  corresponds with opening  54  of base  14 , cover  18  is coupled to insert  16  and base  14  such that stop  40  can rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to insert  16  before contacting a tab  49  of insert  16  (the contact tab), and then cover  18  and insert  16  can rotate together another approximately 180 degrees relative to base  14  until tab  49  contacts tab  66  of base  14 . In this configuration, cover  18  is permitted to move approximately 360 degrees in either direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) relative to base  14 . Of the 360 degrees cover  18  is permitted to rotate, approximately 180 degrees of rotation is relative to both insert  16  and base  14 , and the remaining approximately 180 degrees of rotation occurs with insert  16  and is relative to base  14  only. Thus, rotating cover  18  approximately 360 degrees rotates insert  16  180 degrees. Tabs  49  of insert  16  are located such that rotating cover  18  to one extreme places a first hole pattern of insert  16  (e.g., spoon opening  46 ) between opening  54  of base  14  and opening  22  of cover  18 , and rotating cover  18  to the other extreme places a second hole pattern of insert  16  (e.g., shaker openings  47 ) between opening  54  of base  14  and opening  22  of cover  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A through 11E , the movement of closure  10  from one dispensing mode to another is shown according to an exemplary embodiment in approximately 90 degree increments. Flap  26  is shown in the open position for clarity. Referring to  FIG. 11A , closure  10  is shown in the spoon configuration, with spoon opening  46  of insert  16  aligned with opening  54  of base  14 . In  FIG. 11B , cover  18  is shown rotated approximately 90 degrees relative to base (e.g., rotated anti-clockwise). Cover  18  is also shown rotated relative to insert  16 ; however, insert  16  may rotate to a certain extent with cover  18  due, at least in part, to friction. After cover  18  has been rotated some amount (e.g., between approximately 180 degrees and approximately 360 degrees), stop  40  of cover  18  contacts a tab  49  of insert  16  and urges insert  16  to rotate with cover  18 . See  FIG. 11C . After stop  40  has contacted tab  49 , insert  16  is rotated with cover  18  until tab  49  contacts tab  66  on base  14 . See  FIGS. 11D and 11E . The contact of tab  49  of insert  16  with tab  66  of base  14  and the contact of stop  40  of cover  18  with tab  49  of insert  16  halts the rotation of cover  18  and insert  16  relative to base  14  and serves to align shaker openings  47  of insert  16 , opening  22  of cover  18 , and opening  54  of base  14 . From the shaker position, closure  10  can be converted back to the spoon configuration by rotating cover  18  approximately 360 degrees in the opposite direction (e.g., rotated clockwise). 
     According to various exemplary and alternative embodiments, a closure for a container is provided that comprises at least one opening for dispensing material from a receptacle and at least one flap for covering the opening or openings. According to various exemplary and alternative embodiments, the closure may be sized to couple to and cover receptacles of different sizes (e.g., a 33 millimeter receptacle, a 38 millimeter receptacle, a 43 millimeter receptacle, a 48 millimeter receptacle, a 53 millimeter receptacle, a 63 millimeter receptacle, a 70 millimeter receptacle, an 89 millimeter receptacle, a 110 millimeter receptacle, a receptacle ranging from anywhere between approximately 20 millimeters and 140 millimeters, etc.). 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the closure for a container provided in this specification are illustrative only. Although only a few exemplary and alternative embodiments of the closure have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these embodiments (such as variations in features such as orientation of the flap, skirts and corresponding recesses; variations in sizes, structures, shapes, dimensions and proportions of the flaps, recesses, projections, skirts, stiffeners and other elements; variations in the flap hinge arrangements, number of flaps, configuration and operation of flap closure structures and systems, arrangement and proportioning of spoon and shaker openings, use of materials, colors, combinations of shapes, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. For example, the closure may be adapted and sized for use on any type of container or receptacle, or for use on containers or receptacles of different sizes, and/or the closure may be used for dispensing one or more of a variety of different materials or contents. The closure may include any number of different sets of dispensing apertures and each set of dispensing apertures may include one or more of a variety of differently or similarly shaped openings (e.g., a tear-drop, triangular, rectangular, circular, oval, or other shaped opening) arranged in one of a variety of different patterns and be configured to pour one or more of a variety of different materials. According to other alternative embodiments, the closure may be adapted for coupling to a receptacle by a threaded interface or by a snap-on ring or other press-fit engagement structure. It is readily apparent that each of the different embodiments and elements of the closure may be provided in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, thicknesses, combinations, etc. It is also readily apparent that the interfaces and structures for closing the flap may be designed with any profile and configuration suitable for securing the flaps to the base, insert, or cover. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the inventions as defined in any appended claims. 
     The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In any claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the exemplary and other alternative embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions as expressed in any appended claims.