One-piece dosing cap

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a one-piece dosing cap comprising a top wall, side walls defining the top portion of a dosing compartment, and an attaching skirt extending from the base of the side walls, said skirt comprising substantially vertical walls and a stopping portion, characterized in that said dosing cap comprises at least one undercut portion. Preferably, the one-piece dosing cap of the present invention is manufactured by a one-step injection molding process. Also preferably, said cap comprises attachment means for securing, more preferably releasably securing said cap onto the neck of a container. More preferably, said attachment means are achieved by screw threads, which match cooperating screw threads of the container.

1 . A one-piece dosing cap ( 1 ) comprising a top wall ( 13 ), side walls ( 20 ) defining the top portion ( 15 ) of a dosing compartment ( 10 ), and an attaching skirt ( 11 ) extending from the base of the side walls ( 20 ), said skirt comprising substantially vertical walls and a stopping portion ( 21 ), characterized in that said dosing cap ( 10 ) comprises at least one undercut portion.  
     
     
         2 . A cap ( 1 ) according to    claim 1   , wherein the dosing compartment ( 10 ) comprises a bottom portion ( 14 ) extending downwardly from the inner edges of the stopping portion ( 21 ) of the attaching skirt ( 11 ).  
     
     
         3 . A cap ( 1 ) according to    claim 2   , wherein said attaching skirt ( 11 ) comprises attachment means ( 12 ) for securing said cap ( 1 ) onto the neck of a container.  
     
     
         4 . A cap ( 1 ) according to    claim 3   , wherein said attachment means ( 12 ) is achieved by screw threads.  
     
     
         5 . A cap ( 1 ) according to    claim 3   , wherein said attachment means ( 12 ) is achieved by ribs and/or grooves of the skirt, which clip onto corresponding grooves and/or ribs of the neck of a container.  
     
     
         6 . A cap ( 1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, which is made by a one-step injection molding process.  
     
     
         7 . A cap ( 1 ) according to    claim 6   , wherein said injection-molding process is a co-injection molding process.  
     
     
         8 . A process of making a cap ( 1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: 
 (i) molding a plastic cap in two halves attached by at least one portion, in open position;    (ii) ejecting said two attached halves from the injection mold;    (iii) closing said two attached halves and sealing them to make a one-piece dosing cap as described in the preceding claims.    
     
     
         9 . A process according to    claim 8   , wherein the sealing of the two halves to finish the dosing cap is achieved by heat sealing.