Patent Abstract:
Universal fluid dispensing container cap assemblies having a closure in which is disposed an integrated externally pointing LED light, a battery power source, circuit with switch actuatable to automatically turn-ON the LED when the cap closure is actuated to open an aperture for portion dispensing. This permits one-handed dispensing in low light environments. The LED may be located in or on the cap lid, so that it is automatically oriented to point in the direction of dispensing and at the surface location on which the dispensing is directed, in order to illuminate the target area so that the contents are accurately disposed directly from the container in terms of target location and amount. In Pop-up cap embodiments, the LED may be positioned to shine through a clear cap wall or positioned on the cap exterior, pointing in the direction of the target area. White or colored LEDs may be used.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is the Regular US Application corresponding to and claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/144,200 filed by the same inventors under the same title on Apr. 7, 2015, priority of which is claimed under 35 USC §§119, ff. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This application relates to the portion dispensing field, and more particularly to universal apertured tube or bottle top assemblies having a flip, pop-up or twist-type closure in which is disposed an integrated LED light. The inventive tube/bottle top assemblies also include a battery power source and switch wherein the LED light is automatically turned-ON when the cap is actuated to open the aperture for portion dispensing. For a flip-lid, the LED light is located on the underside of the flip-lid, which upon opening is then automatically oriented to point both in the direction of dispensing of the bottle contents out of the bottle-top aperture and to point at the surface location on which the dispensing is directed, in order to illuminate the target area so that the contents are accurately disposed directly from the container in terms of target location and amount. In the pop-up and twist type cap assemblies, the LED is located on the exterior of the cap top, pointing in the direction of the target area. Actuating a movable cap member causes communication of a dispensing channel from the interior of the cap to the exterior and also closes a circuit contact to turn the LED light ON. In all these embodiments, closing the lid or the dispensing conduit, functions to turn OFF the LED. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are a number of proposals for having lights incorporated in the lids or caps of containers, only a few of which have achieved commercial status. Most of the proposals have the lights pointing down into the container contents for a variety of purposes, primarily to illuminate the level of the contents in the container, for novelty, or for use of the contents to scatter light to the area on which the container is resting as a surrogate for a source of area lighting. 
         [0004]    Examples are found in: US 2011/0188229 A1 (Hernandez); U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,432 B1 (Avinger); and CN 203173075 U (Yu, 2013). Others, less pertinent, are: U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,413 A (Farmer); US 2014/0071663 A1 (Callanan), see also http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b4ad/; US 2005/0007773 A1 (Austin); U.S. Pat. No. 7,976,177 B2 (Dikopf); U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,368 B2 (Chiang); U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,776 B2 (Harrell); U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,450 A (Zelensky); and GB 2507293A (Ball, 2014). 
         [0005]    US 2014/0071663 is representative of the idea of incorporating LED lights in the lid pointing down to the container contents in order to scatter light. In its commercial embodiment, the lid includes a hanger, and the container is designed to hold potable water. See: http://www.tree-hugger.com/gadgets/self-filtering-water-bottle-also-acts-flashlight.html. When the LED lights are switched ON, the light directed into the water scatters. When the container is hung from a tent pole, the light is used to illuminate the tent. Of course, when the container is unscrewed from the lid, there is no scattered light effect, and that effect varies widely depending on the level of fluid in the container. 
         [0006]    In many direct dispensing situations, particularly in low light or dark environments, it is important to dispense the contents of the container in a specified direction or area directly from the container without use of an intermediary tool, such as a brush or applicator wand (e.g., as in an iodine bottle). An example is dispensing liquor at bars, which normally have low ambient lighting. Another is dispensing oil or grease while doing repair work on a vehicle where overhead illumination is shielded by the hood of the vehicle. Still another example is dispensing glue while working on models. Other examples involve doing close work such as in electronics and the jewelry or watch-making trades. In those cases the worker or artisan&#39;s body shields the target area being worked-on from overhead illumination. Still another example is application of personal care products and medicaments, such as application of lubes, emollients, lotions or medications to targeted areas on the skin. In all these cases, proper illumination may be required which currently necessitates two-handed operation, one to hold a flash-light and the other to do the dispensing. However, in many cases one hand may be needed to do the dispensing and the other is otherwise occupied, such as by holding a tool, thereby not having a free hand available for also holding a light. Calling on another person is difficult, as the person working continuously has to direct the other person where to point the light, and more often the person holding the light cannot see the target area on which light is to be directed, or the worker or tool is in the way. 
         [0007]    This need is well recognized, and the solution to date has been to provide a head-lamp or a light on the tool. Head lamps in many situations are unsuitable, require frequent adjustment as a result of aiming too high or low, interfere with head gear and may not give the target area good illumination. While lights integrated into tools are helpful, they clearly cannot be used in cases of dispensing applications. 
         [0008]    Some cosmetics, such as lipstick, lip gloss, fingernail polish and teeth whitening gel are packaged in containers that use brushes for application. Lights have been incorporated in the brush-holder portion of the packaging to provide light at the tip of the brush when painting the cosmetic or polish. See, 2013/0176717. These applications do not involve direct dispensing from the container; rather they use an intermediary brush, wand or nozzle, and pose rather different problems. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a long felt and unmet need in the direct-from-the-container portion dispensing field for a solution to target area illumination during direct portion dispensing which frees a hand from holding a light while dispensing contents from a tube or bottle, is not interfered-with or occluded, is automatic ON/OFF, and is universally adapted to any type of direct portion dispensing container. 
       The Invention 
     Summary: 
       [0010]    The invention is directed to universal tube or bottle top assemblies having actuatable closure lids in which is disposed an integrated LED light, which assemblies are adapted to cooperatingly engage direct-portion-dispensing containers. 
         [0011]    In a first, flip-cap embodiment, the inventive tube/bottle cap assemblies comprise a two-part cap assembly, a lower portion that removably engages a portion dispensing container and which includes an aperture for dispensing product contents retained in the container. The second part of the cap assembly includes a flip-lid that is hinged to the lower portion, typically via a “butterfly-type” living hinge. The flip-lid typically includes a closure plug that is aligned with the dispensing opening in the lower section or portion of the cap assembly. 
         [0012]    At least one LED light is disposed on the inner surface of the flip-lid so that it is hidden when the lid is closed. The LED(s) is/are located so as to not interfere with the aperture or the closure plug. The cap assembly also includes a battery power source and switch wherein the LED light is automatically turned-ON when the lid is flipped-open and OFF when closed. The LED light, being located on the underside of the flip-lid, upon opening of the lid is then automatically oriented to point light in the direction of dispensing of the bottle contents out of the bottle-cap aperture and to illuminate the surface location on which the dispensing is directed. The result is that the target area is clearly and adequately illuminated so that the contents are dispensed accurately in terms of target location and amount. 
         [0013]    It should be understood that in alternative embodiments of the inventive assembly, the battery can be located in either the lower portion or the upper flip-lid portion of the cap assembly, or in the alternative one battery in each portion. In a first embodiment, the battery is located in a sealed section of the lower cap portion or section, and the wires leading to the LED in the flip-lid include a pressure contact switch that is in the NO state. That is, the switch elements are separated to insure the circuit is Normally Open, when the flip-lid is closed so that the light is OFF. Upon flipping the lid to the open position, pressure is released that holds the switch contacts apart, they spring back into contact with each other, closing the circuit to the ON condition, so that the battery energizes the LED, causing it to light up. In another embodiment, a contact may be embedded in the hinge of the flip-lid so that upon opening, the circuit goes Closed and the LED is activated ON. One skilled in this art will recognize that a wide range of suitable switch arrangements can be employed to effect the principles of the invention: that upon opening the flip-lid portion of the cap, the LED is energized to provide light. 
         [0014]    In still another, alternative version of the flip-lid cap embodiment, the entire assembly of LED, battery and switch may be enclosed in the lower cap with the LED spaced from the dispensing aperture and pointing outward, that is, toward the direction of dispensing. The flip-lid portion may include a projection or plunger that presses on a portion of the upper surface of the lower cap so as to cause a leaf switch element to an NO state (OFF), preventing the LED from lighting when the lid is closed. Upon release of the lid, that is, opening it, the pressure is released, the circuit goes to the NC state (ON), and the LED lights up. 
         [0015]    The lower portion of the flip-cap assembly may include threads for removably engaging a container. Thus, in accord with one aspect of this invention the cap assembly is universal, in that a set of standard cap sizes are produced to screw-onto matching standard containers. The invention thus includes the combination of the inventive cap assembly and a container to which it is threadedly mated, and into which any desired product may be retained. The inventive combination of cap light assembly and matching container may be provided, or individual cap assemblies having the inventive light system may be provided for after-market retrofit on tubes or bottles of product previously purchased by a user. Thus, for example, a homeowner, craftsman, artisan or tradesman may purchase a suite of the inventive cap assemblies of varying diameter for, or for retrofitting on product bottles already in his or her possession. 
         [0016]    In second and third embodiments, the inventive target-illuminating cap light assembly of this invention is applied to both “pop-up” and “twist” type caps. A pop-up cap is one in which a top surface or lid assembly of the cap is pivotable on opposed edges (e.g., looking at the cap from above, the left and right edges include pivot members such as bosses). Pressing down on the movable top at a location 90° from the pivot (that is, seen from above, a back edge), causes that edge to depress, and the opposite edge to rise (that is, seen from above, a front edge), revealing a dispensing aperture. Typical commercial uses for pop-up caps are on shampoo bottles or body gels. These types of caps are ideal for one-handed operation. In this embodiment, the pop-up movable cap top includes an LED light facing outwardly and forwardly (toward the front edge). Depressing the back edge not only raises the opposed dispensing aperture, but it also closes the circuit to automatically power-ON the LED by a battery contained in the cap or lid assembly and illuminating the target area when the bottle is tilted to effect dispensing. The light being ON functions as a reminder to the user to close the cap by pressing on the edge adjacent the revealed dispensing aperture (front edge). After dispensing, closing the bottle by pressing on the front aperture edge automatically opens the circuit, turning off the light. 
         [0017]    In one implementation of this embodiment, the pivoting lid assembly includes a lower recessed member (shallow cup) that contains the battery and circuit and an LED facing forward. This recessed member includes a vertical side wall, or dispensing direction portion of that side wall, that is made of transparent or translucent plastic. The LED, when ON is able to shine light through the plastic so as to illuminate the dispensing stream and the target area. The cup is closed by a lid member sealing the battery, circuit board and LED inside the hollow lid volume. 
         [0018]    A third embodiment employs the inventive cap light assembly integrated into twist-type caps. Twist-type caps have an external dispensing aperture that is not covered by a closure. Rather, internal to the cap is a horizontal gate or valve assembly which, upon rotation of the cap with respect to the tube or bottle on which it is mounted, unblocks or blocks (depending on the direction of rotation) the dispensing channel from the interior of the cap to the external aperture. Typically a 1/16 th  to ⅛ th  rotational turn is all that is needed to open the valve to permit dispensing. Commercial uses include cosmetics, hair preparation and styling gels. As adapted with the inventive assembly, a twist-type cap includes an LED exposed on the exterior top of the cap. Rotation of the cap not only opens the conduit, but also closes the circuit to illuminate the LED by a battery included in the cap assembly. Counter-rotation turns off the light. The light being ON also functions in this embodiment as a reminder to close the container by rotating the cap. 
         [0019]    While four principal embodiments are described herein, one skilled in this art will recognize that the principles of the invention may be applied in a straightforward engineering sense to a wide variety of cap types, functional operation and design, such that the invention is intended to cover such additional embodiments and adaptations. For example, it should be clear that various colors of LEDs may be used, for example red light in use environments where dark vision adaptation is to be preserved, such as photo labs. Where higher illumination levels are needed, and/or good color discrimination is required, such as in medical dispensing applications or tatooing, white LEDs may be used. Likewise, white LEDs may be used in bars for clarity in dispensing liquor. Different colors of LEDs may be used on an array of related liquids to be dispensed so that the user quickly learns to recognize that the wrong liquid is in hand because the light is not the correct color before dispensing, and the error caught. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view, partly in section, showing the inventive assembly of a dispensing container plus closure cap having at least one LED light positioned to illuminate a dispensing target area; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the inventive lighted cap showing the hinge side and the upper lid portion fitting onto the lower threaded dispensing portion in the closed position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the inventive lighted cap in position of the lid portion open and showing an embodiment having four LED lights; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic side elevation view of the inventive lighted cap showing a lid opened to a first position to illuminate a target area relatively close to the dispensing portion of the cap; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic side elevation view of the inventive lighted cap of  FIG. 4A  showing the lid opened to a second position to illuminate a target area further away from the dispensing spout; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the inventive lighted cap assembly in which the cap is domed and the battery and LED light is disposed in either the lid or in the threaded portion of the cap; in this view, cap lid is closed; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a front elevation view of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A  in which the cap is partly open causing the LED to light up, and showing there may alternative locations for the LED; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5C  is a side elevation of the second embodiment of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , showing the cap in the fully open position, alternate positions for the LED, and a switch assembly associated with the lid hinge; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the inventive cap light assembly, in which the cap is a “Pop-Up” type which has been fitted with an LED that illuminates the target area for a side-dispensing nozzle; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6B  is a side elevation view of the third, Pop-Up cap assembly of  FIG. 6A , showing the piggy back arrangement of the LED; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6C  is a front elevation view of the third, Pop-Up cap assembly of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , showing the LED illuminating in the direction of dispensing by the pop-up nozzle bore; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6D  is a rear elevation view of the third, Pop-Up cap assembly of  FIGS. 6A-6C  showing the recess in the lip of the lower cap to permit pressing down on one edge of the cap top pivoting disk to open the conduit for fluid dispensing and switch ON the LED(s); 
           [0033]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are enlarged schematics of an exemplary switch assembly using a circuit breaker finger or projection that is actuated upon opening and closing the cap lid member,  FIG. 7A  showing the switch in the Normally Open position when the cap lid is closed, and  FIG. 7B  showing the switch in the Normally Closed position when the cap lid is opened; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the inventive cap light assembly in which the cap has a segmented or split, partial lid in the closed position and an LED disposed on the top outward-facing surface of the cap; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8B  is an isometric view of the fourth embodiment of  FIG. 8A  in which the segment of the cap is opened actuating the LED on the surface of the cap to illuminate the dispensing target area: 
           [0036]      FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of another implementation of the third embodiment, the Pop-up cap assembly, in the closed, or OFF position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9B  is an isometric view of the implementation of the Pop-up cap embodiment in the open, or ON position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10A  is a section view along the line  10 A- 10 A of  FIG. 9A  showing the internal assembly in the closed position in which the bottle contents-dispensing conduit is closed; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10B  is a section view along the line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 9B  showing the internal assembly in the open, or ON position and the bottle contents-dispensing conduit is open; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the implementation of the third, Pop-up embodiment of the inventive cap assembly shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation of the scope, equivalents or principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention. 
         [0042]    In this regard, the invention is illustrated in the several figures, and is of sufficient complexity that the many parts, interrelationships, and sub-combinations thereof simply cannot be fully illustrated in a single patent-type drawing. For clarity and conciseness, several of the drawings show in schematic, or omit, parts that are not essential in that drawing to a description of a particular feature, aspect or principle of the invention being disclosed. All publications, patents and applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent or application had been expressly stated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the inventive cap light and dispensing bottle assembly  10 . The cap assembly  12  is retained on dispensing container  14  that retains fluid composition  16  to be dispensed by the user. The lower dispensing portion  18  of the cap includes inner threads  20  that engage the threaded neck of the container  14  and a spout or aperture  22  that has a bore or lip  23  through which the fluid contents  16  of the bottle may be dispensed when the container is inverted. The cap assembly  12  also includes an upper lid portion  24  that is connected to the lower threaded dispensing portion  18  via a hinge  26 , in this example a living hinge of the butterfly type. The upper lid portion  24  includes at least one LED  28  and a battery compartment  30 , containing battery  36  plus necessary circuitry (not shown) including an ON/OFF switch automatically activated by opening and closing the lid  24  portion. The LED(s) are positioned on the inside surface of the upper lid portion  24  of the cap so that when the lid is opened, the circuit is closed causing the LED(s) to light up. An important aspect of the invention is that when the lid portion  24  is in the open position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the LED(s) point at the target area for dispensing of fluid  16  so that the target area is illuminated. The LED(s) are not oriented to illuminate the contents  16  of the container  14 , nor are they intended-to. Finger notch  32 , assists in opening the lid section  24 . Interior contour  34  of the lid may include a projection  36  that serves to close the dispensing bore  23  when the lid is in the closed position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  illustrates the cap assembly  12 , from the position of the butterfly living hinge  26 . The cap assembly lower dispensing portion  18  is threaded on the container  14 . The upper lid  18  is closed on the lower portion  18 , and shows the arrangement of the LEDs projecting from the inner surface of the lid  24 , and having a centrally located battery compartment including a battery  36  with the appropriate circuitry including lid-actuated pressure switch (as described above) to power the LEDs. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  illustrates the cap assembly  12  in the open position, top view. The LEDs in the lid portion  24  in this embodiment are positioned in an array around the central aperture plug  36 , and the battery  38  is centrally located in its compartment in the lid. When the lid is opened, the LEDs are pointing in the same general direction as the pour spout  22 , so that when the container is inverted and the bottle squeezed to dispense the bottle fluid contents, the light will be pointing at the target area for deposit of the dispensed fluid. It should be clear that while in this embodiment, four LEDs are shown, as few as one may be all that is necessary to provide suitable level of illumination, depending on the battery size and the efficiency of the LED element. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show a two position lid version of the flip-lid embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . In  FIG. 4A , the contents will be dispensed in the direction shown by Arrow A when the bottle is inverted. When the lid  24  is opened to a first position,  FIG. 4A , the LEDs (in this embodiment, two are shown) will be pointing in a direction shown by the Arrow B. The arrows converge generally at the target area C. In  FIG. 4B , the lid can be opened to a second position and the area of convergence is farther away. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 5A-C  are to be considered together. They show a second embodiment of the inventive cap light assembly  10 , in which the cap  12  is dome-shaped. The lid is hinged at the back side as before.  FIG. 5B  shows the battery located in the lower, threaded cap portion  18 . The circuit  40  (shown schematically and in part as the drawing does not permit the detail that will be straight-forward to one skilled in this art) includes a switch assembly  42  disposed just below the upper, flexible surface of the cap, as shown. This switch  42  is activated from a NC state when the lid  24  is closed, to an NO state when the lid  24  is opened by means of a circuit breaker finger  44 . As shown in  FIG. 5B  the finger is located on the forward edge of the lid, opposite the hinge (see  FIG. 5C ). In  FIG. 5B  the LED is shown in alternate positions, at  28  on the underside of the lid, and at  28 ′ on the top surface of the lower dispensing portion of the cap. The dispensing spout  22  and its closure plug  36  are also illustrated.  FIG. 5C  illustrates the cap assembly of  FIG. 5B  in which the cap is now fully opened so that the LED, either in the lid at  28 , or on the top surface of the lower portion at  28 ′ is directed to the target area on which fluid  16  is dispensed from the container  14 . Note in this alternative of this embodiment, the battery  38  is disposed in the domed lid, the switch  42  is located adjacent the hinge  26  in the lower portion  18 , and the actuating circuit breaker finger  44  is located adjacent the hinge on the lid, as shown. For details of an exemplary switch assembly, see  FIGS. 7A  and  7 B. 
         [0048]    The  FIGS. 6A-D  drawings are to be considered together. They show still another embodiment of the inventive cap light assembly, in this case adapted for use with a “Pop-Up” type dispensing cap assembly. In this embodiment the lid portion of the cap assembly  12  comprises a disk-shaped pop-up cap element  46  that is pivoted on diametrically opposed bosses  48  having a common center-line CL of pivot. Upon pressing down on an area of the disk  46  opposite the spout area  22 , the bore  23  of the spout is raised permitting dispensing; this is best seen in  FIGS. 6B and 6C . As shown in  FIG. 6B , pressing down on the area marked “PRESS” (see  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6D ) closes the switch  42 , causing the LED to illuminate. The battery (not shown) may be located in any convenient place, such as in the disk  46  in the “PRESS” area, or vertically adjacent the threaded portion  20  of the lower portion of the cap  18 . The LED  28  is disposed in a raised hood portion  50  of the disk element  46 .  FIGS. 6C and 6D  clearly show that when the disk is pressed downwardly ( FIG. 6B ), the opposite end is raised above the lip of the lower cap portion  18  exposing the nozzle  23 , and the LED  28  disposed in the hood is pointed in the same direction as dispensing, even though the dispensing is orthogonal to the bottle neck  20 . Thus, the LED will illuminate the target area on which the fluid from bottle  14  will be dispensed.  FIG. 6D  shows a recess  62  in the outer wall of the cap lower portion  18  to facilitate pressing down on the disk element  46 . The recess  62  permits pressing with the pad of the finger, that is, the finger can be oriented horizontally, to effect full depression of the disk  46  to insure activation of the switch  42  ( FIG. 6B ). 
         [0049]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show one example of a switch that advantageously may be used in the lighted cap assembly of the invention. In  FIG. 7A , the cap lid  24 ,  46  (depending on embodiment) is closed as indicated by Arrow C, in which case the circuit actuating finger  44  presses down on a flexible area  18 ′ of the top of the lower portion  18  of the cap  12 . The switch assembly in this exemplary embodiment includes a flexible or pivoted leaf  52  that is pushed out of contact with the opposite lead  54  by the action of finger  44 , as shown, thus putting the switch in the Normally Open, NO, state, in which case the LED is dark. In  FIG. 7B , when the lid  24 ,  46  is opened as indicated by Arrow O, pressure is removed from the area  18 ′ and the leaf  52  springs up to contact the other lead  54 , completing the circuit and energizing the LED to light up. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show another embodiment in which the cap assembly  12  includes an openable split or segmented lid portion  24 ′. In this embodiment, one or more LED(s) is/are disposed adjacent the central openable segment  24 ′ on the outer top surface of the cap, as at  28 . The segment  24 ′ may be opened by engaging a lip or fingernail notch  32 . In  FIG. 8B  the segment has been opened at hinge  26  and the LED lights up as the pressure from finger  44  has been relieved from the surface  18 ′ (see  FIGS. 7A and 7B  above). The spout  22  is now exposed for dispensing via its bore  22  from the container  14 . The LED  28  is directed to the target area and illuminates it for dispensing. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 9-11  show another implementation of the third, Pop-up embodiment of the inventive cap assembly.  FIG. 9A  shows a Pop-up cap assembly  10  comprising bottle closure (cap)  12  in which the pivotable assembly  46  is housed. As shown, the pivoting member is in the OFF (circuit NO), closed position so that no contents of a bottle (not shown, but see  FIG. 6B ) can be dispensed via lip  22 . In  FIG. 9B  the finger press area  74  of the back of the pivoting assembly  46  is depressed downwardly (see  FIG. 6B ) and the assembly  46  pivots down, exposing the conduit  23   b  that communicates with the interior of the bottle in order to permit dispensing of contents via the lip  22 . This is the ON position (circuit NC) so that the LED, positioned inside the assembly  46  shines light through the clear side wall area  76 , thus illuminating both the contents dispensing and the target area. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the internals of the cap assembly  10 , showing the bottle threads  20 , the dispensing tube  23   a  communicating from the inside of the bottle (not shown, see  FIG. 6B ) yet not aligned with external dispensing conduit  23   b  and closed-off by plug  36 . As seen in  FIG. 10A , the pivotable assembly  46  comprises a lower, cup member  46   a  (best seen in  FIG. 11 ) which contains the LED  28 , battery  38  and circuit board  40 . A switch actuator  44  is spaced from a flexible diaphragm (gasket) so that the circuit board switch is open, and the LED  28  is OFF. In  FIG. 10B , finger pressure on area  74  presses the back of the assembly  46  down, raising the plug from off the top of the tube  23   a  and permitting connection to dispensing conduit  23   b.  This permits dispensing contents out of the container via the lip  22 . At the same time projection  44  engages the diaphragm that pushes up to close the switch on the circuit board  40 , causing the battery  38  to energize the LED  28 . Since the side wall of the cup  46   a  is transparent or translucent, the LED light shines on both the contents as delivered out of the container and on the target area onto which the contents are dispensed. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  shows the several parts of the cap assembly  10  in an exploded view, including the lower cap base containing the threads (see  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) and the vertical tube  23   a.  This view also shows the notch  62  at the back of the cap which permits pressing down on the lid  46   b  at area  74  to pivot the assembly  46 . The front lip  22  is also shown. The pivoting Pop-up assembly  46  comprises lower cup  46   a,  which includes a recess volume  30  formed by an upstanding perimeter wall, at least the front portion of which  76  is transparent or translucent. The circuit board assembly  40 , containing the battery, circuit, ON-OFF switch and LED is received in the recess  30 , and the top closed by a generally planar lid  46   b  which may be ultrasonically sealed to the inner surface of the upstanding side wall adjacent the top. That is the circuit board assembly  40 , including battery and LED are sealed in the pivoting Pop-up assembly  46 , preventing leakage of fluid contents into contact with the circuit assembly  40  and shorting it out. The bottom surface of the cup  46 a includes an aperture  80  that is sealed with the flexible diaphragm  78 . Diaphragm  78  includes a central knob as shown to engage the switch on the circuit board  40  when actuated by the actuator  44  (compare  FIGS. 10A and 10B ). The diaphragm  78  also serves as a gasket to seal the aperture  80 . Thus the entire Pop-up assembly  46  is sealed. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0054]    It is clear that the inventive cap light assembly of this application has wide applicability to the fluid dispensing industry, usefully so in the medical, personal care and personal hygiene fields. The inventive cap assembly provides additional functionality to a dispensing bottle, permitting one-handed use for targeted application of dispensed fluids in low light environments. Thus, the inventive lighted cap assembly has the clear potential of becoming adopted as the new standard for hand dispensed fluid container systems. 
         [0055]    It should be understood that various modifications within the scope of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit thereof and without undue experimentation. For example, the caps can have a wide range of designs to provide the functionalities disclosed herein. Likewise, the batteries and LEDs may be located in any suitable portion of the assembly, whether in the lower threaded portion of the cap or the lid. This invention is therefore to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit, and in view of the specification if need be, including a full range of current and future equivalents thereof. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Parts List (This Parts List is provided as an aid to Examination and 
               
               
                 may be canceled upon allowance) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 Inventive illuminated cap and bottle assembly 
                 82 
               
               
                   
                 12 Cap assembly 
                 84 
               
               
                   
                 14 Container (bottle or tube) 
                 86 
               
               
                   
                 16 Liquid contents of container 
                 88 
               
               
                   
                 18 Lower threaded portion of cap 
                 90 
               
               
                   
                 20 Cap/container threads 
                 92 
               
               
                   
                 22 Dispensing spout or pour-type lip 23 Spout bore 
                 94 
               
               
                   
                 24 Upper lid portion of cap assembly 
                 96 
               
               
                   
                 26 Hinge, e.g. living hinge 
                 98 
               
               
                   
                 28 1 or more LED lights 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 30 Battery compartment 
                 102 
               
               
                   
                 32 Finger notch 
                 104 
               
               
                   
                 34 Interior contour of lid 
                 106 
               
               
                   
                 36 Projection to plug bore 23 of spout 22 
                 108 
               
               
                   
                 38 Battery(ies) 
                 110 
               
               
                   
                 40 Circuit 
                 112 
               
               
                   
                 42 Switch Assembly 
                 114 
               
               
                   
                 44 Circuit breaker finger (switch actuator) 
                 116 
               
               
                   
                 46 Pivotable Pop-Up assembly; 46a cup; 46b lid 
                 118 
               
               
                   
                 48 Pivots (bosses) 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 50 Hood 
                 122 
               
               
                   
                 52 Leaf of switch 
                 124 
               
               
                   
                 54 Second contact of switch 
                 126 
               
               
                   
                 56 C/L Center line of pivots in Pop-Up Lid 
                 128 
               
               
                   
                 58 NO Normally Open 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 60 NC Normally Closed 
                 132 
               
               
                   
                 62 Pop-up cap recess 
                 134 
               
               
                   
                 Arrow C Closed Lid position 
                 136 
               
               
                   
                 Arrow O Open Lid position 
                 138 
               
               
                   
                 Arrow PRESS downward pressure on edge of disk 
                 140 
               
               
                   
                 Arrow A, A′: Direction of dispensing of fluid 
                 142 
               
               
                   
                 Arrow B, B′: Direction of illumination 
                 144 
               
               
                   
                 74 finger press area for Pop-up embodiment caps 
                 146 
               
               
                   
                 76 Clear wall (area) of cup 46a. 
                 148 
               
               
                   
                 78 flexible diaphragm member with central knob 
                 150 
               
               
                   
                 80 aperture in bottom of cup 46a for diaphragm 78 
                 152

Technology Classification (CPC): 5