Liquid, fluid, and lotion container and applicator

Abstract

A re-sealable cap couples to a fluid dispensing container having an opening. The re-sealable cap has an inner cap and outer cap. A fluid path is defined through the inner cap and outer cap when the outer cap is in an open position; the fluid path is closed when the outer cap in the closed position. The inner cap and outer cap can cooperate to provide at least two points of closure of the fluid path. A plurality of different removable applicators can be provided, which can couple to the outer cap. A fluid dispenser can be formed by combining the container and re-sealable cap. And a fluid dispenser kit can include the container, re-sealable cap, and at least one applicator. The fluid can be, as examples, sunscreen, soap, cosmetics, medicine, food, and so on.

1 . A re-sealable cap for use with a fluid dispensing container having a container top defining an opening, the re-sealable cap comprising:
 an inner cap configured to secure to the container top; and   an outer cap movable between an open position and a closed position while remaining coupled to the inner cap;   wherein a fluid path is defined from the opening through the inner cap and the outer cap, when the outer cap is in the open position and the fluid path is closed when the outer cap in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cap and outer cap cooperate to provide at least two points of closure of the fluid path. 
     
     
         3 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an applicator portion configured to hold an applicator, the applicator portion comprising a holder cap configured to removably couple the applicator to the outer cap.   
     
     
         4 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 3 , wherein the holder cap removably attaches to the outer cap and comprises a lip that mates with a peripheral indentation in the applicator. 
     
     
         5 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 3 , wherein the holder cap is configured to hold any one of a plurality of different removable applicators. 
     
     
         6 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 3 , wherein the applicator comprises at least one of a brush, a sponge, and a pad. 
     
     
         7 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 3 , wherein the outer cap further comprises an outlet defining part of the fluid path, and the outlet is configured to engage the applicator to form a substantially no-leak seal with the applicator. 
     
     
         8 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cap is rotatable with respect to the inner cap between the closed and open positions, and at least one of the inner cap and outer cap includes at least one groove and the other of the inner cap and outer cap includes at least one corresponding tongue, which cooperate to limit the rotation of the outer cap with respect to the inner cap. 
     
     
         9 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 8 , wherein the limit of the rotation of the outer cap with respect to the inner cap is about a quarter turn or less. 
     
     
         10 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner cap comprises a protrusion outwardly projected from a well, the well having a base comprising at least one fluid opening; and   the outer cap comprises a valve opening surrounded by a wall, wherein the valve opening is closed by the protrusion when the outer cap is in the closed position and is open when the outer cap is in the open position, and wherein the wall fits within the well to form a portion of the fluid path.   
     
     
         11 . The re-sealable cap of  claim 10 , wherein the outer cap further comprises an outlet, opposite the wall, that extends from the valve opening to engage at least a portion of an applicator coupled to the outer cap. 
     
     
         12 . A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a flexible bottle having a bottle top defining an opening; and   a re-sealable cap comprising:
 an inner cap configured to secure to the bottle top; and 
 an outer cap movable with respect to the inner cap between an open position and a closed position; 
   wherein a fluid path is defined from the opening through the inner cap and outer cap when the outer cap is in the open position and the fluid path is closed when the outer cap in the closed position.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the inner cap and outer cap cooperate to provide at least two points of closure of the fluid path. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a holder cap configured to removably couple an applicator to the outer cap.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the outer cap further comprises an outlet defining part of the fluid path, and the outlet is configured to engage an applicator to form a substantially no-leak seal with the applicator. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the outer cap is rotatable with respect to the inner cap between the closed and open positions, and at least one of the inner cap and outer cap includes at least one groove and the other of the inner cap and outer cap includes at least one corresponding tongue, which cooperate to limit the rotation of the outer cap with respect to the inner cap. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the outer cap is rotatable with respect to the inner cap to open and close the fluid path;   the bottle opening is threaded and comprises a first retention member; and   the inner cap is threaded to rotatably engage the bottle opening and comprises a second retention member that engages the first retention member to maintain the inner cap in position with respect to the bottle top when the outer cap is rotated into the open position.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first retention member comprises at least one protrusion and the second retention member comprises at least one cutout configured to receive the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the inner cap comprises a protrusion outwardly projected from a well, the well has a base comprising at least one fluid opening; and   the outer cap comprises a valve opening surrounded by a wall, wherein the valve opening is closed by the protrusion when the outer cap is in the closed position and is open when the outer cap is in the open position, and wherein the wall fits within the well to form a portion of the fluid path.   
     
     
         20 . A fluid dispenser kit, comprising:
 a flexible bottle having a bottle top defining an opening;   at least one applicator; and   a re-sealable cap comprising:
 an inner cap configured to secure to the bottle opening; and 
 an outer cap configured to hold an applicator and is movable with respect to the inner cap between an open position and a closed position, 
   wherein a fluid path is defined from the bottle opening through the inner cap and the outer cap to the applicator when the outer cap is in the open position.   
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the inner cap and outer cap cooperate to provide at least two points of closure of the fluid path. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid path comprises a valve assembly formed by the inner cap and outer cap. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the outer cap further comprises a valve opening and an outlet that extends from the valve opening to an applicator opening formed in the applicator. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one applicator is a plurality of applicators including at least one brush or make-up pad. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the outer cap is rotatable with respect to the inner cap to open and close the fluid path;   the bottle opening is threaded and comprises at least one protrusion; and   the inner cap is threaded to rotatably engage the bottle opening and comprises at least one cutout configured to receive the at least one protrusion to maintain the inner cap in position with respect to the bottle opening when the outer cap is rotated between the open and closed positions.   
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the outer cap further comprises an outlet defining part of the fluid path, and the outlet is configured to engage the applicator to form a substantially no-leak seal with the applicator.