Pouring closure

Abstract

A container closure according to the invention can have a top with an opening that has a skirt extending downwardly around the circumference of the top and defining an interior region of the closure. Within the interior region is a shelf positioned below the opening and having a shelf edge attached to the interior of the skirt, a curved portion sloping from the shelf toward the top, and a curved edge in the curved portion. The curved edge, together with the top, defines a channel and the shelf, skirt and top define a compartment in the interior region of the closure. The shelf can include a lip extending from the curved portion of the shelf into the compartment. The shelf can be formed from is a separate component from the top and skirt. The compartment is dimensioned to contain a predetermined amount of a substance to be dispensed from the container. The shelf can extend across about 50% of the interior region of the closure. The closure can be made by injection molding of two separate pieces.

1 . A container closure comprising 
 a top having an opening;    a skirt extending downwardly around the circumference of the top and defining an interior region of the closure; and    a shelf positioned below the opening and comprising 
 a shelf edge attached to the interior of the skirt;  
 a curved portion sloping from the shelf toward the top; and  
 a curved edge in the curved portion, the curved edge, together with the top, defining a channel;  
   wherein the shelf, skirt and top define a compartment in the interior region of the closure.    
   
   
       2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf extends across about 50% of the interior region of the closure.  
   
   
       3 . The closure of  claim 1 , the shelf further comprising a lip extending from the curved portion of the shelf into the compartment.  
   
   
       4 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a spout connected to the top at the opening by a hinge and positioned to seal the opening by folding about the hinge.  
   
   
       5 . The closure of  claim 4 , the spout further comprising spout sides positionable within the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The closure of  claim 5 , further comprising retaining hooks extending from the spout sides to prevent the spout sides from completely exiting the opening when the spout is opened.  
   
   
       7 . The closure of  claim 1 , the skirt comprising a circumferential ring for attaching the closure to a container at an end opposite the top.  
   
   
       8 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is dimensioned to contain a predetermined amount of a substance to be dispensed from the container.  
   
   
       9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf is a separate component from the top and skirt.  
   
   
       10 . A method for dispensing a substance comprising 
 providing a container filled with a substance to be dispensed and having a closure, the closure comprising: 
 a top having an opening;  
 a skirt extending downwardly around the circumference of the top and defining an interior region of the closure; and  
 a shelf positioned below the opening and comprising 
 a shelf edge attached to the interior of the skirt;  
 a curved portion sloping from the shelf toward the top; and  
 a curved edge in the curved portion, the curved edge, together with the top, defining a channel;  
 
 wherein the shelf, skirt and top define a compartment in the interior region of the closure;  
   sealing the opening;    inverting the container to allow the substance to enter the compartment;    righting the container;    unsealing the opening; and    dispensing the substance.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a predetermined amount of the substance is dispensed.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the closure further comprises a spout connected to the top at the opening by a hinge; and 
 sealing the opening comprises folding the spout downwardly about the hinge to cover the opening; and    unsealing the opening comprises folding the spout upwardly about the hinge.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the substance is a flowable solid.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the solid is a powder.  
   
   
       15 . A method of manufacturing a closure comprising 
 molding a lid comprising 
 a top having an opening;  
 a skirt extending downwardly around the circumference of the top and defining an interior region of the lid;  
   molding a shelf comprising 
 a shelf body having a curved portion;  
 a shelf edge; and  
 a curved edge in the curved portion; and  
   inserting the shelf into the lid such that the shelf edge contacts the skirt in the interior region of the lid, the curved portion slopes from the shelf toward the top; and the curved edge, together with the top, define a channel;    wherein the shelf, skirt and top define a compartment in the interior region of the closure.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising molding a spout into the lid.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the spout and lid are molded simultaneously.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the lid is molded by compression molding.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising molding spout sides on the spout.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising molding retaining hooks of the spout sides.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the spout, the spout sides and the retaining hooks are molded simultaneously.