Patent Publication Number: US-8523024-B2

Title: Cap and spout combo

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a pre-assembled cap and spout which provides for spout orientation, sealing, and locking when applied to a container. Moreover, the pre-assembled cap of the present invention is useful as a cap and spout for liquid laundry detergent. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Molded thermoplastic containers have found wide application in the packaging of liquid detergents, fabric softeners, and other viscous liquid products. Conventional closures employed in such containers include anti-drip pour spouts and cooperating dosing caps. Typically, a pour spout fitment is fastened within a dispensing opening in the container and enclosed with an overlying cap which can serve as a measuring cup. Flow restrictor and drainage features are provided in the fitment by provision of inclined base members in the fitment which include openings that communicate with the container interior. 
     Conventional dispenser closures used for pouring the container contents often consist of three components, an inner sleeve which is friction-fit to the inside of the neck of the container, a spout portion which is normally snap-fit into the sleeve so that the spout projects vertically beyond the upper margins of the sleeve and the container neck, and a cap portion which is threaded onto the neck and may often serve as a measuring cup. This type of closure is commonly used for containers of liquid household laundry detergent and related products, although the closure of the invention is not restricted to any specific type of application. 
     For example, Davidson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,009 discloses a package having a spout-containing fitment wherein external threads on the package finish cooperate with internal threads on a closure/measuring cup. The Davidson et al. bottle includes a locking circumferential ridge on an inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the bottle fitment (see FIGS. 9 and 10), which retains the fitment. 
     Baxter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,189 is directed to a container for viscous fluids having an insert provided with a pouring lip. A cover includes a flange to engage a flange on the fitment when the cover is closed. As seen in FIG. 4, inner aspects of the finish appear to extend inwardly against the fitment and cover. The finish has outwardly extending threads cooperating with inwardly extending threads of a cap. 
     Bavegems, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,566 discloses a transition piece having internal threads cooperating with external threads on a container finish. The transition piece includes a spout. The patent mentions that by attaching the transition piece by a screw head, if the user prefers not to use the pouring spout, but prefers to fill it by the free neck opening, this can be done easily by unscrewing the transition piece. The preferred embodiment is said to disclose a refill facilitating pouring spout which is part of a transition piece with inside screw head for fastening to the container cap. 
     Li, U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,829 discloses a dispensing package including a bottle finish having outwardly extending threads mating with a cap having inwardly extending threads. A pour spout-containing fitment is mounted on the bottle finish. 
     Moore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,788 discloses a closure having interior threads designed to engage exterior threads on a spout body. The spout body includes internal threading which mates with external threading on the container finish. 
     Ekkert et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,467 is directed to a container having an externally threaded finish which mates with an internally threaded finish of a closure. A fitment having a radially extending flange is inserted within the mouth of the container and the radially extending flange rests upon the top of the finish. The arrangement is such that the amount of residual contents left within the container is said to be diminished. The illustrated spout fitment appears to have substantial areas open for product to flow through, relative to the area defined by the outer spout wall. 
     Haga et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,770 discloses a package having outer threads mating with inner threads of an adapter which has a pour spout. The adapter has outer threads which mate with inner threads on a closure. The closure includes a flange which rests on a portion of the adapter. 
     Haffner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,202 is directed to a liquid dispensing fitment which rests on an upper edge of the container finish. The container finish includes outside extending screws which mate with inwardly extending screws on the closure. The fitment includes a pour spout. 
     Fuchs et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,269 discloses a package having a neck comprising an upwardly extending integral dispensing spout. Internal threads on the container finish cooperate with external threads on the closure. The closure also includes an annular flexible sealing ring and a second sealing ring. 
     Moore et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,772 discloses a dispensing package including a finish having outer threads which mate with inner threads on a spout fitment. The spout fitment also has outer threads which mate with inner threads on a closure. 
     Reiber et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,421 discloses a plastic blow molded container having an annular finish and an insert positioned in the finish and interengaged with the internal surface of the finish. The insert has internal threads for receiving a closure which may be in the form of a self draining measuring cup having external threads on the lower end thereof and a peripheral flange sealingly engaging the free end of the finish. In one form, the insert is placed in position while the finish is hot, and when the finish cools it shrinks into sealing engagement with the finish. In another form, the insert is spin welded into sealing engagement with the finish. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,862 shows a liquid product pouring and measuring package having a measuring cup which also serves as the closure for the package. The package includes a container including a container body with an upwardly extending finish and a dispensing orifice. A transition collar is mounted on the container finish and has a pouring spout and a circumscribing wall with fastening means on its interior surface. A measuring cup serves as a closure for the package and includes outwardly disposed fastening means adapted to mate with the inwardly facing fastening means on the transition collar to attach the measuring cup in the inverted position to the transition collar and thereby provide a closure for the package. 
     Locking teeth can be provided on the inner periphery of the transition collar to mate with locking teeth on the container finish so that the transition collar, when mounted on the container finish, will not rotate. However, a more secure engagement between the transition collar and the container finish can be provided by a glued engagement. The glued engagement provides a firm and rigid interlocking between the container finish and transition collar. 
     However, it would be desirable to provide an improved package including the container and transition collar with firm interlocking between these components. The improved package would include a measuring cup mounted onto the transition collar, wherein for example the resultant interlock between the container and collar will allow the measuring cup to be removed and replaced without causing rotation of the collar. This should desirably be accomplished with a glued, interlocked engagement and with a reasonable cost and with a minimum amount of glue. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved package for liquids including a container for housing liquids and a transition collar having a pouring spout firmly mounted on the container finish. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved package as aforesaid including a measuring cup mounted on the transition collar, wherein the measuring cup can be removed and replaced without causing rotation of the collar. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the correct spout orientation, sealing, and locking when applied to the container. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinbelow. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a dispensing and closing package for a liquid comprising a container or bottle, and a cap and spout closure. Moreover, the invention consists of a cap and notched spout closure designed to mate with a lugged container or bottle neck which allows the spout to be oriented and locked to prevent removal by the customer. In one embodiment, the lugs are located on the parting lines of the bottle, thereby allowing for more plastic to be used in the lug formation, and thus, providing more durable lugs. In another embodiment, the lugs are dovetail shaped, which, when mated to corresponding dovetail shaped notches, create a very strong mechanism to prevent over-torquing during assembly or inadvertent spout removal. In yet another embodiment, the cap and spout closure contains a flexible band spout seal which has been created in such a way that it will prevent product leakage and conform to the top of the bottle, even when the bottle is not perfectly trimmed, or trimmed to differing heights. 
     The cap and spout of the present invention allows for receipt of empty bottles in a bulk, oriented, palletized format without the cap and spout closure pre-assembled onto the container of bottle. The bottles can be filled prior to installation of the oriented cap and spout and closure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the spout and cap closure of the present invention and a corresponding lugged bottle; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the spout structure of the cap closure of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the spout structure of the cap closure of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the spout structure of the cap closure of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of the spout structure of the cap closure of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , assembled on a bottle in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the bottle, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a vertical cross-sectional view the cap structure, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bottle with the cap and spout closure assembled thereon, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a cap and spout closure for a bottle or container. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a cap and spout closure designed to mate with a lugged bottle neck which allows the spout to be properly oriented and locked to the bottle or container to prevent removal by the customer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the cap and spout closure of the present invention is generally designated as  2  and is shown exploded from a typical container or bottle  4 . The container or bottle  4  includes a neck  8  having threads  10  on an exterior surface thereof and a mouth opening  6  defined by the upper edge  14  of the neck  8 . A stop  19  may be located at the base of the threads to prevent over rotating the cap and spout closure during assembly. A radially projecting peripheral shoulder  12  is located at the base of the neck  8  and has at least one, and preferably a plurality of locking lugs  17 . In one embodiment, the container or bottle  4  has two locking lugs. In another embodiment, the locking lugs can differ in size, for example, the container or bottle can have two lugs  16  and  17  (see also  FIG. 6 ), wherein one lug is smaller than the second larger lug. The first smaller lug can be from about 4 mm to about 8 mm wide and the second larger lug can be from about 6 mm to about 10 mm wide. The container or bottle  4  will typically include a handle formation  16  to facilitate holding the container or when pouring the contents out from the container. The container or bottle  4  may be manufactured of a suitable polymeric material, but the specific material used depends on the substance which is to be held within the container or bottle  4 . 
     The cap and spout closure  2  in essentially a two-piece closure. The cap and spout closure  2  has a spout structure  20  and a separate cap structure  22 . The spout structure  20  and the cap structure  22  may be made of a suitable polymeric material. The spout structure  20  has a lower portion  24 , which is dimensioned to be inserted into a the mouth opening  6  of the container or bottle  4 , a central body portion  26 , which can be used to assemble the spout structure  20  onto the bottle or container  4 , and a spout  30  for pouring out or dispensing the contents of the container or bottle  4 . The central body  26  has a radial top edge  28  and a depending skirt  27 . The skirt  27  is provided with threads on an interior surface (not shown), which are configured to threadably engage the threads  10  on the neck  8  of the container or bottle  4 . The skirt  27  may also includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of gripping ribs  36  and at least one, preferably a plurality of notches  35 . 
     The cap structure  22  provides a closure to the spout structure  20  when assembled onto the container or bottle  4 . The cap structure  22  has a generally tubular upper section  39 , a radially projecting cap shoulder  44  and a generally tubular lower section  40 . To enhance the user&#39;s grip of the cap structure  22 , the upper section  39  may include a plurality of spaced, generally parallel, external gripping ribs  48 . The lower section  40  is provided with threads  42  on the exterior surface. The threaded surface of the lower section  40  is configured to threadably engage the threads  49  on a vertical upper wall  47  of an interior portion  45  of the spout structure  20 . The radially projecting cap shoulder  44  of the cap structure  22  may include at least one radial seal  46  which provides a more secure seal between the cap structure  22  and the spout structure  20 , thereby preventing spillage if the container or bottle  4  is inadvertently overturned. The radial seal  46  is dimensioned to slidingly engage the vertical upper wall  47  of the interior portion  45  of the spout structure  20 . As is well known in the art the cap structure  22  can include measuring marks for use as a measuring cup for the contents of the container or bottle  4 . When the contents are poured from the cap structure  22 , the threads  42 , which are located on the exterior surface of the lower section  40  of the cap structure  22  will not be exposed to the container contents. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , a spout  30  is integral with the spout structure  20  and is preferably molded as part of the spout structure  20 . The spout  30  and spout structure  20  define an open channel  50 , which provides fluid communication with the interior of the container or bottle  4  and is disposed through the length of the spout  30  and the spout structure  20 . The spout  30  terminating at an upper edge  32 , which is generally oval or circular in shape and may be tapered or frusto-conical shaped to help prevent spillage when pouring the contents. In one embodiment, the body of the spout  30  may include a vertical slit or opening  38 , which runs vertically along the body of the spout  30  substantially to a lower floor  52  of the lower portion  24 . It is preferred that the upper edge  32  be generally oval in shape to aid in directing the fluid flow of the container contents and to minimize spillage, which may result with other shapes. The spout structure may include a pair of leveling legs  64 , which form a tripod with a lower end of the lower floor  52  to maintain the spout structure  20  in an upright position, thus facilitating manipulation by vertically-oriented automatic handling equipment. 
     The frusto-conical shape for the spout  30  is preferred because it provides for an increased directional flow of the container contents and fluidly cooperates with the generally oval shaped upper edge  32 . As shown best in  FIG. 1 , the spout structure  20  can be non-concentrically oriented within the spout structure  20  so that the spout  30  is directed away from the handle  16  of the container or bottle  4 . This orientation of the spout  30  with respect to the spout structure  20 , and container or bottle  4 , minimizes spillage and increases the control of the fluid stream during pouring. Together, the frusto-conically shaped body of the spout  30  and the generally oval shaped upper edge  32  gives the user more control over the fluid stream of the contents poured from the container or bottle  4 . Essentially, the frusto-conical shape allows for a more consistent flow of contents through the open channel  50  because the lower portion  24  can accept a large quantity of the contents, while the spout  30  constricts the flow to create a steady, directional stream of the contents. Further, because the body of the spout  30  contains a vertical slit or opening  38  therein, the spout  30  allows for an even more consistent flow while further minimizing spillage. Lastly, because of the non-concentric orientation of the spout  30  with regards to the lower portion  24 , the mouth opening  6  or the container or bottle  4  and the handle  16 , the user is further prevented from pouring the contents improperly. This particular arrangement of the spout  30  causes the frusto-conically shaped body of the spout  30  to be directed or disposed away from the handle  16  to increase the pouring angle, the consistency of the fluid stream and the amount of ventilating air that enters the container or bottle  4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the spout structure  20  is shown in greater detail. The central body  26  and the radial top edge  28  define an interior portion  45  consisting of a vertical upper wall  47  containing threads  49  which can threadably engage the threads  42  on the exterior surface  40  of the lower section  40  of the cap structure  22 . The interior portion  45  further contains a lower wall  51 , which slopes downward terminating at the lower floor  52 . In one embodiment, the lower wall  51  may have an air opening  56  therein, which can provide ventilation during pouring of the contents, and thus, provide a more consistent flow. 
     The lower floor  52  may include therein a drainage formation  54 . The lower floor  52  is sloped to enable the drainage of any excess or residual material, from the spout  30  back into the container or bottle  4  once the container resumes its normal vertical post-pouring position. It is preferred that the drainage formation  54  be formed at the lowermost point along the incline of the lower floor  52 . Thus, the lowermost point of the lower floor  52  terminates at the drainage formation  54 . For this reason, the lower floor  52  actually acts as a gutter or trough to catch liquid draining from the spout and to enable that liquid to flow downward along the lower floor  52  and through the drainage formation  54  into the container or bottle  4 . 
     Spout structure  20  also includes a central body portion  26 , which is substantially closed about its axis from the radial top edge  28  to the lower floor  52 . The central body portion  26  forms the outer structure of the open channel  50 , which provides fluid communication with the interior of the container or bottle  4  and is disposed through the length of the spout  30  and the spout structure  20 . Although substantially closed, the central portion  26  includes a drainage formation  54  in the lower floor  52 , as previously mentioned. The spout  30  is generally frusto-conical or elongated in shape. The spout  30  is generally disposed in the center of the spout structure  20 , or as shown, preferably disposed in a non-concentric orientation or off-centered with respect to the spout structure  20 . 
     It is contemplated that the drainage formation  54  will be substantially rectangular or circular in shape, but other configurations not herein specifically disclosed can be utilized without departing from the principles of the present cap and spout closure  2 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 4 , the drainage formation  54  is located on the opposite side of the spout structure as the working edge or pouring edge of the spout  30 . This particular arrangement of the drainage formation  54  increases the consistency of the flow, in terms of the egress speed and quantity, when the user tilts or inverts the container or bottle  4  to use the product contained therein. The drainage formation  54  accomplishes this by permitting a steady stream of ventilating air to enter the container or bottle  4  when the container or bottle  4  is tilted over or inverted by the user. As the contents of the container or bottle  4  are dispensed, the drainage formation  54  permits ventilating air to enter the container and fill the empty space, thereby causing the contents to be pushed or forced out of the container or bottle  4 . As shown, the spout structure  20  can contain a second air opening  56  to allow for additional ventilation. Accordingly, the present drainage formation  54  serves a dual purpose. First, it provides a draining system for the return of unused material back into the container or bottle  4 . Secondly, it functions to allow a steady stream of ventilating air into the container or bottle  4  to help force the contents out. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the cap and spout closure  2  of the present invention provides a unique means for assembling and locking the cap and spout onto a container or bottle  4 . 
     As previously mentioned, the spout structure  20  has corresponding notches  34  and  35  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and the container or bottle  4  has at least one lug, preferably two lugs  16  and  17  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). The lugs  16  and  17  are configured to engage the corresponding notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, as the spout structure  20  is threaded upon the neck  8  of the container or bottle  4 , locking the spout structure  20  onto the container or bottle  4 . Additionally, the lugs  16  and  17 , as well as the notches  34  and  35 , are both dove-tail shaped thereby further improving the locking means of the present invention. This dove-tail shape provides a greater surface area of contact between the lugs  16  and  17 , and the corresponding notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, thereby improving the locking mechanism between the spout structure  20  and the container or bottle  4 . 
     As previously mentioned, in one embodiment the lugs  16  and  17 , and the corresponding notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, can differ in size. Because one lug  16  is smaller than the second larger lug  17 , the larger lug will not fit into the smaller notch  34 . Moreover, since the notches  16  and  17  have to pass the lugs upon assembly, the last 180 degrees of rotation to properly seat the spout structure  20  onto the container or bottle  4  can cause the most damage to the bottle lugs. Since the lugs  16  and  17  and corresponding notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, are different sizes the smaller notch  34  rides past the larger lug  17  for last 180 degrees of rotation avoiding a second and certainly more dramatic hit to the lug while seating in the finished assembled position. This aspect allows the cap and spout closure  2  to be properly orientated onto the neck of the container or bottle  4 . This proper orientation occurs when the smaller lug  16  engages the smaller notch  34 , and the larger lug  17  engages the corresponding larger notch  35 , upon assembly of the cap and spout closure  2  onto the container or bottle  4 . As previously mentioned, this engagement of the lugs  16  and  17 , and corresponding notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, locks the cap and spout closure  2  onto the container or bottle, preventing removal thereof by the consumer. 
     In another embodiment, the spout structure  20  can contains exterior ribs  36 , which can be aligned adjacent to the notches  34  and  35  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 ), thereby providing a broad working surface or stopping surface  60 , which can act as a stop to prevent over-torquing or over rotation of the cap and spout closure  2  when assembling the cap and spout closure  2  onto the container or bottle  4 . Although the threads (not shown) of the skirt  27  and the threads  10  of the neck  8  are designed to be of the conventional clockwise or right-hand type, it is also contemplated that these threads may be of the counterclockwise or of the left-hand type. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the spout structure  20  also includes a flexible band spout seal  64  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ), which provides a more secure seal between the spout structure  20  and the container neck  8 . As shown, the flexible band spout seal  64  is located on the under side of a radial top edge  28  of the spout structure  20 . The flexible band spout seal  64  will prevent product leakage and will allow the spout structure  20  to conform to the top edge  14  of the container or bottle  4  even when the top edge  14  of the container or bottle  4  is not perfectly trimmed, or trimmed to differing heights. 
     Assembly of the cap and spout closure  2  onto the container or bottle  4  is simple and efficient. The container or bottle  4  is first filled with the specified contents, normally a liquid. Next, the preassembled, integral cap and spout closure  2  is threaded upon the threaded neck  8  of the container or bottle  4 . To assist in threading the cap and spout closure  2  onto the container or bottle  4 , the central portion  26  of the spout structure  20  is provided with a plurality of exterior ribs  36  as a means to grip the cap and spout closure  2 . The exterior ribs  36  on the spout are aligned with and are coincident with the working edge or stopping edge  60  of the notches  34  and  35  of the spout structure  20 . As previously mentioned, the alignment of the ribs  36  with the spout notches  34  and  35  produces a broad wall surface that serves as a stop with the corresponding lugs  16  and  17  on the container or bottle  4 . The opposite side of the spout notches  34  and  35  that are not designed as stops are used as anti-removal edges  62 , which interface with the opposite side of the lugs  16  and  17  on the container or bottle  4 , locking the cap and spout closure  2  in place, thereby preventing removal thereof by the consumer. Also, as previously mentioned, the lugs  16  and  17  of the container or bottle  4 , and the corresponding notches  34  and  35 , which provide a stopping edge  60  and an anti-removal edge  62 , are dove-tail shaped or keystone shaped to provide an interlocking interface between the lugs  16  and  17  and the corresponding notches  34  and  35  of the cap and spout closure  2 . The combination of the dove-tailed lugs  16  and  17  and the dove-tail shaped notches  34  and  35 , improves the locking mechanism between the cap and spout closure  2  and the container or bottle  4 , ensuring that the cap and spout closure will not override past the lugs  16  and  17  upon assembly of the cap and spout closure  2  onto the container or bottle  4 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, during this threading action, lugs  17  and  18  and notches  34  and  35 , provide a locking means to prevent the subsequent, undesired removal of the spout portion during shipment or use of the container or bottle  4 . In addition, the flexible band spout seal  64  engage an upper edge  14  of the neck  8  to prevent the leakage of container contents. Once the spout structure  20  is secured to the container or bottle  4 , the cap structure  22  can be threaded upon the spout structure  20  so that the threads  49  of the vertical upper wall  47  of an interior portion  45  of the spout structure  20  engage the external threads  42  of the cap structure  22 . When the cap structure  22  is tightly threaded onto the spout structure  20 , the sealing rib  46  is placed in a contact relationship with the vertical upper wall  47  of an interior portion  45  of the spout structure  20  to prevent the leakage of container contents. The configuration of the present cap and spout closure  2  allows the cap structure  22  and the spout structure  20  to be pre-assembled at a remote location and subsequently threaded upon the container in one piece. 
     In operation, when the container or bottle  4  is inverted to pour the contents therefrom, the contents may easily flow through open channel  50 , which provides fluid communication with the interior of the container and out the spout  30 . In one embodiment, the cap structure  22  can be used as a measuring cup. If the cap structure  22  is used as a measuring cup, the external threads  40  of the surface  42  remain relatively free of container contents. Accordingly, the user will benefit because the configuration of the cap and spout closure  2  helps to eliminate wasteful and messy spillage. 
     The features of the present cap and spout closure  2 , particularly the spout  30  and the drainage formation  54  as described herein, provide additional advantages. The arrangement of the spout  30  in relation to the drainage formation  54  and the mouth opening  6  of the container or bottle  4  increases the user&#39;s ability to control and direct the flow of the contents when the user inverts or angles the container or bottle  4  to utilize the product. Additionally, because of the location of the drainage formation  54  with respect to the lower floor  52  and the body of the spout  30 , the quantity and speed of the flow of the contents is more consistent. 
     Yet another advantage of the present cap and spout closure  2  is the novel locking and orientating mechanism provided by lugs  16  and  17  and corresponding notches  34  and  35 , which are configured and arranged so that the spout  30  is properly aligned on, and locked onto, the container or bottle  4 . Typically, a spout  30  is properly oriented when it is directed away from the handle  18  of the container or bottle  4 . However, defects, such as a deformation of the threading on either the container neck  8 , the skirt  27 , or the spout structure  20 , can cause the spout  30  to be misaligned when fully assembled onto the container or bottle  4 . The user may then attempt to manually adjust for the misalignment, by inverting or angling the container or bottle  4  in ways that will cause wasteful and messy spillage of the contents. The user may also attempt to realign the spout  30  onto the container or bottle  4  by unthreading or loosening the spout structure  20  until the spout  30  does align properly. This may result in the leakage of the contents or even substantial amounts of spillage and loss of the contents if the spout structure  20  eventually becomes unsecured from the container or bottle  4 . An advantage of the present is provided by the fact that if the spout structure  20  is not properly orientated the lugs  16  and  17  and corresponding notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, will not properly align and “snap” into place. This improper alignment occurs when the spout structure  20  is improperly secured onto the neck  8  of the container or bottle  4 . As such, when the lugs  16  and  17  properly engage the notches  34  and  35 , respectfully, and “snap” into place, the manufacturer or user can be sure that the spout is properly aligned and locked into place on the container or bottle  4 . 
     While a particular embodiment of the dispenser closure of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.