Multi-Stage Opening and Dispensing Closure

Abstract

Described is a multi-stage opening and dispensing closure including a base portion configured to couple the closure to a container and including a first opening having a first diameter, an intermediate portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and including a second opening having a second diameter, and a cap portion configured to couple to the intermediate portion. Also described is a container including a body having at least one wall defining an internal cavity, a neck coupled to the body and defining an opening for access to the internal cavity, and a v-shaped seal coupled to a rim of the neck. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.

1 . A multi-stage opening and dispensing closure comprising:
 a base portion configured to couple the closure to a container and including a first opening having a first diameter;   an intermediate portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and including a second opening having a second diameter; and   a cap portion configured to couple to the intermediate portion.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises a pour spout coupled to the first opening. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion further comprises a pour spout coupled to the second opening. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the cap portion is hingedly coupled to the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 5 , wherein the cap portion is hingedly coupled to the intermediate portion by a hinge pin. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 5 , wherein the cap portion is removably coupled to the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion is integrally molded with the base portion. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion is hingedly coupled to a top side of the base portion, and wherein a bottom side, opposite the top side, of the base portion is configured to couple the closure to the container. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 9 , further comprising a v-shaped seal coupled to the bottom side of the base portion, the v-shaped seal being configured to abut a rim of an opening of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 10 , wherein the v-shaped seal includes a first side having a continuous channel, and a second side having a continuous ring. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 11 , wherein the second side of the v-shaped seal is coupled to bottom side of the base portion, and wherein the first side of the v-shaped seal is configured to abut the rim of the opening of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes a bayonet-type connector configured to couple the closure to a container having a bayonet-type fitment. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes a threaded connector configured to couple the closure to a container having a threaded fitment. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-stage opening and dispensing closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion and the intermediate portion are coupled by a first hinge, wherein the intermediate portion and the cap portion are coupled by a second hinge, and wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are disposed on a same side of the closure. 
     
     
         16 . A container comprising:
 a body having at least one wall defining an internal cavity;   a neck coupled to the body and defining an opening for access to the internal cavity; and   a v-shaped seal coupled to a rim of the neck, wherein the v-shaped seal includes a first side having a continuous channel, and a second side having a continuous ring.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the continuous channel is coupled to the rim of the neck such that at least a portion of the rim is disposed within the continuous channel. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the neck includes a bayonet-type fitment. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the neck includes a threaded fitment. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the neck includes a snap-fit fitment.