Abstract:
A dispensing closure assembly for a container includes a main body member which is adapted, in use, to be releasably affixable to the container, that main body member including a dispensing outlet and a control member, releasably associated with the main body member, and closure member which is releasably associated with both the main body member and the control member such that movement of the control member allows for selective and controlled movement of the closure member between respective end positions into, and out of, engagement with the dispensing outlet of the main body member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general terms, to improvements in containers. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an improved closure/dispensing means for a container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Nowadays containers are more and more often being employed for purposes of the containing, for purposes of short-term and/or long-term storage, of a variety of different substances, whether liquid or otherwise, and whether to be stored hot or cold. Such containers will invariably include a closure means associated therewith, which closure means will preferably include as a part thereof a means which allows for controlled dispensing of content from the overall container as and when desired. 
     Containers of this general type may include a dispensing closure means which is adapted, in use, to be releasably disposed over an open end of the container and which includes one or more dispensing orifices or the like means which communicate with the interior of the container and the content thereof. A cap or lid means may also be included to prevent unwanted spillage of content, as for example in the instance of inadvertent or accidental dropping of or tipping over of the container. Such a cap or lid means will also assist in keeping the contents of the container fresh and/or at the desired temperature, as well as reducing the possibility of ingress into the container of unwanted contaminants. 
     Prior art containers, by virtue of their principle of operation, have been prone to contamination of the contents thereof, this primarily because of the fact that, in order to open such containers and gain access to the content thereof, finger or hand pressure needs to be applied to the closure means itself. In contrast thereto, with the arrangement in accordance with the present invention opening of the associated closure means and access to the overall container and its contents is achieved or is possible without there being any need to directly contact the closure means. Such “remote” opening and closing eliminates any possibility of unwanted contamination of the content of such a container. 
     A closure and dispensing assembly for a container in accordance with the present invention may preferably constructed principally from a metallic material, as for example stainless steel. It should be understood, however, that the material of construction is not of the essence of the invention. Indeed the closure and dispensing assembly may be constructed from any suitable material, as for example a plastics material. The same can be said for the container, although preferably such will be constructed from a material such as stainless steel. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dispensing closure assembly for a container, said assembly including: a main body member adapted, in use, to be releasably affixable relative to said container, said main body member having a dispensing means associated therewith; a lever or control member adapted to be releasably associated with said main body member; and a flap or closure member which is adapted to be releasably associated with both said main body member and said lever or control member, the arrangement being such that movement of said lever or control member allows for selective and controlled movement of said flap or closure member between respective end positions into, and out of, engagement with said dispensing means of said main body member. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred constructions of an improved closure means for a container in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view from above of one preferred embodiment of an improved closure assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view from below of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view, from above, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the various components separated; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , as a rear perspective view from below of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing the various components interacting; 
         FIG. 6  is a view, similar to  FIG. 5 , showing movement of the lever to the disengaging position; 
         FIG. 7  is a view, similar to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , showing the principle behind the locking action for the assembly; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are views, similar to  FIG. 5 , illustrating movement of the lever; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view from above of a further preferred embodiment of an improved closure assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view from below of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view, from above, of the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , showing the various components separated; and 
         FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , as a rear perspective view from below of the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and firstly to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 9 , a cap or closure assembly in accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention includes five (5) principal components, namely a main body member  1 , a lever member  10  which is adapted, in use, to be releasably associated with the main body member  1 , a flap member  20  which is adapted, in use, to be releasably associated with the lever member  10  and to be selectively and progressively movable into and out of relationship with the main body member  1 , a sealing means  30  which is adapted to co-operate with both the flap member  20  and the main body member  1 , and a further sealing means  40  which is adapted, in use, to be associated with the main body member I and a container (not shown) to which the cap or closure assembly of the invention is to be releasably attachable. These various components will now each be described in more detail. 
     The main body member  1  is adapted, in use, to be removably/releasably attachable to a container, with the interposition of the further sealing means  40 . That body member  1 , as shown in the drawings, is preferably in the form of a substantially cylindrical member  2  of any suitable material, as for example plastics or stainless steel, having substantially diametrically opposed lugs  3  disposed at or in the vicinity of the lower free end thereof. The main body member  1  further includes, at the other end thereof, a neck or spout  4  extending substantially normally from the upper closed surface  5  thereof, to allow for dispensing of the contents of a container to which the cap or closure assembly may be releasably attached. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the neck or spout is disposed at a location displaced from the edge of the upper closed surface  5  of the main body member  1 . There is preferably formed in the upper surface  5  of the main body member  1  a recessed section  6  which has opposed apertures  7  formed therein as shown (for a purpose to be explained hereinafter). 
     The main body member  1  further includes, disposed internally thereof and extending substantially normally from the upper closed surface  5  thereof towards the lower free end of the main body member  1 , a protrusion or projection  8  which creates, with the outer cylindrical wall of the main body member  1 , an annular region  9  into which may be disposed a threaded neck portion (not shown) of a container (not shown). In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 9  the protrusion or projection  8 , dependent downwardly from the closed surface  5  of the main body member  1 , extends to at least the free outer end of the cylindrical side wall of the main body member  1 , preferably extending to a limited extent beyond that free outer end. In the especially preferred embodiment shown the protrusion or projection  8  includes, on the outer surface thereof and at or in the vicinity of the lower free end thereof, a threaded section, intended in use to co-operate with a complementary threaded section of the neck portion of the container to which the cap assembly is to be releasably attachable. 
     The lever member  10 , of any suitable material and preferably of a plastics material, is shaped as shown and includes a centrally disposed and substantially U-shaped section  11  which has shaped, opposed leg members  12  and  13  extending angularly from opposed free ends thereof. Each leg member  12 ,  13  includes, at or in the vicinity of the free end thereof, an aperture  14 . The lever member  10  also includes opposed lug members  15  and  16  disposed, as shown, at or in the vicinity of the junction of the U-shaped section  11  with the leg members  12 ,  13 . The lever member  10  can also function as a carry member for the container. 
     The flap member  20  includes, as principal components, a cap member  21  which is substantially cylindrical in shape and a shaped arm member  22  adapted to extend therefrom and from one side thereof. The arm member  22  includes opposed tracks  23  each having a plurality of ramp sections formed therein. The flap member  20  further includes, at or in the vicinity of the free end of the arm member  22 , opposed lugs or the like protrusions  24  which, in use, are adapted to be located in apertures  7  of the main body member  1 , whereby to allow for releasable connection therebetween. 
     The seal  30  is preferably in the form of a cap member which is adapted, in use, to be disposed within and preferably retained within the cap member  21  of flap member  20  and to be disposed over the spout or neck  4  of the main body member  1 , to prevent unwanted egress of the contents of the container. The seal  30  may be formed from any suitable material. 
     As shown in the drawings, a track  23  of the arm member  22  includes a number of specific elements or sections. The first of these is a disengaging ramp section  25 , sited closest to the cap member  21 , which ramp section  25  in use allows the flap member  20  to lift in an upward direction so as to disengage the seal  30  from the spout or neck  4  of the main body member  1 . The next ramp section is a track or flat which allows the flap member  20  to swing away from and return into engagement with the spout or neck  4  of the main body member  1 . There is also included an anti-tamper ramp  26  which allows the lever member  10  to continue and lock the flap member  20  in place should that flap member  20  be snapped closed by action directly thereon. The fourth section is a locking ramp and interface section  27 . 
     The further seal  40  is shaped as shown and is intended, in use, to be interposed between the main body member  1  and the top or neck portion of the container, whereby to enhance sealing of the container. The seal  40  may be formed from any suitable material. 
     In use the assembly of components  1 ,  10 ,  20 ,  30  and  40  is appropriately disposed around/on the top or neck portion of a suitable container. Application of hand pressure to the lever member  10  will result in rotation of that lever member  10  relative to the main body member  1 , which in turn will result in movement of the lug members  15  and  16  of lever member  20 , with those lug members  15  and  16  being able to move along the tracks  23  of flap member  20 . As a consequence that flap member  20  is movable into and out of engagement with the spout or neck  4  of the main body member  1 . 
     The principle of operation of the assembly in accordance with the invention will now be described in more detail, this with particular reference to  FIGS. 5 to 9  of the drawings. 
     The application of hand or finger pressure to the lever member  10  allows for controlled movement thereof along the tracks  23  of the flap member  20 . When the lever member  10  is, for example, in the position shown in  FIG. 8 , then the flap member  20  can be pushed into its “closed” position, thereby to seal the spout or neck  4  of the main body member  1 . As the lever member  10  is moved further, to for example the position as shown in  FIG. 9 , it can be returned to the locking position, with the actuating pins or lug members  15  and  16  engaging the anti-tamper ramp section  25 , lifting the flap member  20  and allowing the lever member  10  to pass through that section without any possibility of jamming. 
     Turning then to the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 to 13 , a cap or closure assembly in accordance with this embodiment of the invention includes four (4) principal components, namely a main body member  100 , a lever member  110  which is adapted, in use, to be releasably associated with the main body member  100 , a flap member  120  which is adapted, in use, to be releasably associated with the lever member  110  and to be selectively and progressively movable into and out of relationship/engagement with the main body member  100 , and a sealing means  130  which is adapted to co-operate with both the flap member  120  and the main body member  100 . These various components will now each be described in more detail. 
     The main body member  100  is adapted, in use, to be removably/releasably attachable to a container. That main body member  100 , as shown in the drawings, is preferably in the form of a substantially cylindrical member  101  of any suitable material, as for example plastics or stainless steel, having substantially diametrically opposed lugs  102  disposed at or in the vicinity of the lower free end thereof. The main body member  100  further includes, at the other end thereof, a neck or spout  103  extending substantially normally from the upper closed surface  104  thereof and, in the preferred embodiment shown, such spout  103  is located at or in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the surface  104  to allow for dispensing of the contents of a container to which the cap or closure assembly may be releasably attached. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings the main body member  100  further includes, at the side edge of the surface  104  thereof and diametrically opposed to said spout  103 , a pair of upwardly extending eyelets  105 . In the alternative, the main body member  100  could include a recessed section, with opposed apertures, similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. I to  9 . 
     The main body member  100  further includes, disposed internally thereof and extending substantially normally from the upper closed surface  104  thereof towards the lower free end of the main body member  100 , a truncated protrusion or projection  106  which creates, with the outer wall of the main body member  1 , an annular region into which may be disposed a threaded neck portion of a container (not shown). In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 9  the protrusion or projection  8 , dependent downwardly from the closed surface  5 , extends to at least the free outer end of the side wall of the main body member  1 , preferably extending to a limited extent beyond that free outer end. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 to 13  the main body member  100  includes, on the inner surface thereof and extending over at least a portion of the length thereof, a threaded section which is intended in use to co-operate with a complementary threaded section of the neck portion of the container to which the cap assembly is to be releasably attachable. 
     The lever member  110 , of any suitable material and preferably of a plastics material, is shaped as shown and includes a centrally disposed and substantially U-shaped section  111  which has shaped, opposed leg members  112  and  113  extending angularly from opposed free ends thereof. Each leg member  112 ,  113  includes, at or in the vicinity of the free end thereof, an aperture  114 . The lever member  110  also includes opposed lug members  115  and  116  disposed, as shown, at or in the vicinity of the junction of the U-shaped section  111  with the leg members  112 ,  113 . The lever member  10  can also function as a carry member for the container. 
     The flap member  120  includes, as principal components, a cap member  121  which is substantially cylindrical in shape and a shaped arm member  122  adapted to extend therefrom and from one side thereof. The arm member  122  includes opposed tracks  123  each having a plurality of ramp sections formed therein. The flap member  120  further includes, at or in the vicinity of the free end of the arm member  122 , opposed lugs or the like protrusions  124  which, in use, are adapted to be located in apertures  101  of the main body member  100 , whereby to allow for releasable connection therebetween. 
     The seal  130  is preferably in the form of a cap member which is adapted in use to be disposed within and preferably retained within the cap member  121  of flap member  120  and to be disposed over the spout or neck  103  of the main body member  100 , to prevent unwanted egress of the content of the container. The seal  130  may be formed from any suitable material. 
     As shown in the drawings, a track  123  of the arm member  122  includes a number of specific elements or sections. The first of these is a disengaging ramp section  125 , sited closest to the cap member  121 , which ramp section  125  in use allows the flap member  120  to lift in an upward direction so as to disengage the seal  130  from the spout or neck  103  of the main body member  100 . The next ramp section is a track or flat which allows the flap member  120  to swing away from and return into engagement with the spout or neck  103  of the main body member  100 . There is also included an anti-tamper ramp  124  which allows the lever member  110  to continue and lock the flap member  120  in place should that flap member  120  be snapped closed by action directly thereon. The fourth section is a locking ramp and interface section. 
     In use, and as with the earlier embodiment; the assembly of components  100 ,  110 ,  120 , and  130  is appropriately disposed around/on the top or neck portion of a suitable container. Application of hand or finger pressure to the lever member  110  will allow for rotation of that lever member  110  relative to the main body member  100 , which in turn will allow for movement of the lug members  115  and  116  of lever member  120 , with those lug members  115  and  116  being able to move along the tracks  123  of flap member  120 . As a consequence that flap member  120  is movable into and out of engagement with the spout  103  of the main body member  100 . 
     The principle of operation of the assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 to 13  is the same as that with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
     The cap or closure assembly in accordance with the present invention exhibits a number of advantages when compared with the prior art arrangements. 
     Firstly, since the lever member  10  is operable by the user to open and close the flap member  20 , then unwanted contamination of the drinking or dispensing spout  4 , and the contents of the container, is minimised, if not removed altogether. 
     Secondly the lever member, which also functions as a carry handle, by having a “kink” in its side profile (as shown in the drawings), provides a biased load on the locking mechanism (the flap) member when the container or flask is being carried. This ensures a load in the direction of locking during any impact, as for example as might be incurred by the container or flask when carried by a jogger or the like. 
     Finally, it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.