Seal for reclosable cap enclosure

Abstract

A cap for a container is provided. The cap comprises a cap body having a bottom wall, a first dispensing aperture extending through the bottom wall, a second vent aperture extending through the bottom wall, and a seal positioned on the cap body and extending in the first and second apertures. A closure member is pivotally connected to the cap body and pivots between a first closed position and a second open position. The closure member has a stopper and a protuberance. In the first position the stopper engages the first seal in the dispensing aperture to close the dispensing aperture, and the protuberance engages the second seal about the second aperture to close the vent aperture.

1 . A cap for a container comprising: 
 a cap body having a first mating member adapted to mate with the container;    a closure member connected to the cap body, the closure member having a stopper;    a first aperture extending through a bottom wall of the cap body; and,    a first seal positioned about a wall of the first aperture, the first seal having a portion extending inward from a circumference of the first aperture wall and terminating a distance from a center of the first aperture, wherein the first seal engages the stopper when the stopper is inserted into the first aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal further has a plurality of blades spaced coaxially about the first aperture, the blades extending radially inward from the first aperture wall.  
   
   
       3 . The cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a second aperture extending through the bottom wall of the cap body.  
   
   
       4 . The cap of  claim 3 , further comprising a second seal positioned about the second aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the second seal is positioned about a wall of the second aperture.  
   
   
       6 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the first seal and the second seal are comprised of a unitary seal component extending from the first aperture to the second aperture.  
   
   
       7 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the closure member is hingedly connected to the cap body.  
   
   
       8 . The cap of  claim 4 , further comprising a protuberance extending from the closure member, the protuberance engaging the second seal to substantially close the second aperture.  
   
   
       9 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the protuberance has a height that is substantially less than a height of the stopper such that the protuberance becomes disengaged from the second seal prior to the stopper being disengaged from the first seal as the closure member is pivoted about the cap body.  
   
   
       10 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second apertures are positioned generally adjacent one another, wherein the closure member is connected to the cap body at a hinge position, and wherein the first and second apertures are positioned between the hinge position and a perimeter of the cap body.  
   
   
       11 . A cap for a container comprising: 
 a cap body adapted to mate with the container, the cap body having a bottom wall, a first aperture extending through the bottom wall of the cap body, a second aperture extending through the bottom wall of the cap body, and a seal positioned on the cap body and extending in the first and second apertures.    
   
   
       12 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the seal is unitary and extends between the first and second apertures about one of a first or second surface of the bottom wall of the cap body.  
   
   
       13 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the seal is unitary and extends between the first and second apertures about both a first and second surface of the bottom wall of the cap body.  
   
   
       14 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the seal in the first aperture has a blade extending radially inward from an inner circumference of the first aperture and terminating a distance from a center of the first aperture.  
   
   
       15 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the first seal in the first aperture has a plurality of blades extending radially inward of the first aperture, the blades being spaced coaxially about the first aperture.  
   
   
       16 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the second aperture comprises a pressure equalizing vent hole.  
   
   
       17 . The cap of  claim 11 , further comprising a closure member having a stopper and a protuberance, the stopper engaging the first seal in the first aperture, and the protuberance engaging the second seal about the second aperture.  
   
   
       18 . The cap of  claim 17 , wherein the stopper and the protuberance extend from a first side of the closure member.  
   
   
       19 . The cap of  claim 17 , wherein the closure member is rotatably connected to the cap body.  
   
   
       20 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises a component overmolded on the cap body.  
   
   
       21 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the seal is made of a rubber based material, and wherein the cap body is made of a polymer based material.  
   
   
       22 . A cap for a container comprising: 
 a cap body having a bottom wall, a generally cylindrical upstanding wall extending in a first transverse direction with respect to an upper surface of the bottom wall, a generally cylindrical peripheral flange extending in a second transverse direction with respect to a lower surface of the bottom wall;    a first aperture extending through the bottom wall, the first aperture being located in spaced, adjacent, radially interior relationship relative to the generally cylindrical upstanding wall;    a first seal in the first aperture, the first seal having a wiper blade extending radially inward in relation to the first aperture;    a closure plate pivotally connected to the cap body, the closure plate having a stopper extending from a first surface of the closure plate, and a pull ring connected to the closure plate for manipulating the closure plate about the cap body, wherein the stopper engages the first seal when the stopper is inserted into the first aperture.    
   
   
       23 . The cap of  claim 22 , wherein the first seal comprises a plurality of wiper blades spaced coaxially about the first aperture, the wiper blades extending radially inward in relation to the first aperture.  
   
   
       24 . The cap of  claim 22 , further comprising a second aperture, a second seal, and a protuberance, wherein the second aperture extends through the bottom wall and is located in spaced, distal, radially interior relationship relative to the generally cylindrical upstanding wall, wherein the second seal is disposed adjacent an opening of the second aperture, wherein the protuberance extends from the first surface of the closure plate and engages the second seal when the first surface of the closure plate is pivoted adjacent the upper surface of the bottom wall, and wherein the first and second seals are comprised of a unitary component extending from the first aperture to the second aperture.  
   
   
       25 . The cap of  claim 24 , wherein an extent of the generally cylindrical peripheral flange defines a substantially horizontal plane, and wherein at least a portion of the bottom wall is positioned in an angled transverse relationship relative to the substantially horizontal plane.  
   
   
       26 . The cap of  claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of mating members extending from a surface of the generally cylindrical peripheral flange, said mating members being adapted to engage portions of the container to connect the cap to the container.