Closure with Removable and Interchangeable Fitment

Abstract

A closure with a removable and interchangeable fitment that is used for dispensing particulate matter from a container. The closure has a base, and the fitment is coupled to the base. The closure has an interior sidewall, and the fitment has an exterior sidewall that extends from a dispensing face. The dispensing face defines a plurality of dispensing apertures that are configured to dispense particulate matter. In specific embodiments, the interior sidewall is annular and the exterior sidewall is circumferential. The interior sidewall defines interior mating geometry and the exterior sidewall defines exterior mating geometry. The interior mating geometry releasably mates with the exterior mating geometry. In specific embodiments the interior mating geometry defines a lip and the exterior mating geometry defines a corresponding groove that the lip engages. In specific embodiments, the engagement is a snap fit engagement. In specific embodiments, the groove and the lip are annular.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure for dispensing particulate matter from a container, the closure comprising:
 a base configured to releasably mate with a neck of the container, the base comprising:
 an interior sidewall, and 
 a groove formed in the interior sidewall; and 
   a fitment releasably coupled to the base, the fitment comprising:
 a dispensing face that defines a plurality of dispensing apertures configured to dispense particulate matter, 
 an exterior sidewall extending from the dispensing face, and 
 a lip formed in the exterior sidewall, the lip engaging the groove. 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the interior sidewall of the base further comprises an upper interior sidewall and a lower interior sidewall, wherein the groove is formed in the upper interior sidewall, wherein an interior ledge is formed between the upper interior sidewall and the lower interior sidewall, wherein the fitment further comprises a flange extending outwardly from the exterior sidewall, and wherein the flange engages the interior ledge. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the lower interior sidewall includes one or more threads configured to form a threaded mating connection with the neck of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement between the lip and the groove is a snap fit engagement. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the interior sidewall is an annular interior sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the groove is an annular groove. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the exterior sidewall is a circumferential sidewall, and wherein the lip is an annular lip that surrounds the exterior sidewall in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         8 . A closure for dispensing particulate matter from a container, the closure comprising:
 a base configured to form a threaded connection with a neck of the container, the base comprising an annular interior sidewall defining interior sidewall mating geometry; and   a fitment nested within the base, the fitment comprising:
 a dispensing face that defines a plurality of dispensing apertures configured to dispense particulate matter, and 
 a circumferential exterior sidewall extending from the dispensing face, the exterior sidewall defining exterior sidewall mating geometry that complements the interior sidewall mating geometry such that the exterior sidewall of the fitment mates with the interior sidewall of the base in a snap-fit engagement. 
   
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 8 , wherein the interior sidewall mating geometry comprises a groove and the exterior sidewall mating geometry comprises a projection. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the groove is a concavely rounded groove, and wherein the projection is a convexly rounded projection. 
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the groove is annular, extending around the circumference of the interior sidewall, and wherein the projection is annular, extending along the circumference of the exterior sidewall. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the interior sidewall further comprises an upper interior sidewall and a lower interior sidewall, wherein the groove is formed in the upper interior sidewall, wherein an interior ledge is formed between the upper interior sidewall and the lower interior sidewall, wherein the fitment further comprises an annular flange extending outwardly from the exterior sidewall, and wherein the flange engages the interior ledge. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the upper interior sidewall is angled inwardly, such that the diameter of the upper interior sidewall is smaller at the top of the upper interior sidewall than at the bottom of the upper interior sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . A closure kit comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a first annular sidewall that forms a first opening for receiving a fitment, 
 a circumferential groove defined on the interior of the first annular sidewall, and 
 a second annular sidewall extending from the first annular sidewall, the second annular sidewall forming a second opening for receiving a neck of a container for storing and dispensing particulate matter; and 
   a fitment configured to nest within the first opening of the base, the fitment comprising:
 a dispensing face that defines a plurality of dispensing apertures configured to dispense particulate matter, 
 an exterior sidewall extending from the dispensing face, and 
 a projection formed in the exterior sidewall and configured to releasably mate with the groove. 
   
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein the exterior sidewall is a circumferential exterior sidewall, and wherein the projection extends along at least a portion of the exterior sidewall in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 15 , wherein the projection surrounds the exterior sidewall in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein the exterior sidewall includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion positioned further from the dispensing face than the upper portion, and wherein the projection is defined by a protrusion of the upper portion beyond the lower portion in a radially outward direction. 
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 14 , further comprising a lid configured to transition between a closed position coupled to the base and covering the fitment opening and an open position at least partially decoupled from the base and uncovering at least a portion of the fitment opening. 
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more threads defined on an interior of the second annular sidewall and configured to form a threaded connection with the neck of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein a ledge is defined between the first annular sidewall and the second annular sidewall, wherein the fitment further comprises an annular flange extending outwardly from the exterior sidewall, and wherein the flange comprises an upper surface configured to abut the ledge when the projection is mated with the groove. 
     
     
         21 . A closure for dispensing particulate matter from a container, the closure comprising:
 a base configured to releasably mate with a neck of the container, the base comprising:
 an interior sidewall, and 
 a groove formed in the interior sidewall; 
   a fitment releasably coupled to the base, the fitment comprising:
 a dispensing face that defines a plurality of dispensing apertures configured to dispense particulate matter, 
 an exterior sidewall extending from the dispensing face, and 
 a lip formed in the exterior sidewall, the lip engaging the groove; 
   a cover configured to transition between a closed position covering the dispensing apertures, such that particulate matter is not allowed to be dispensed through the dispensing apertures, and an open position at least in part uncovering the dispensing apertures, such that particulate matter is allowed to be dispensed through the dispensing apertures; and   a hinge that couples the cover to the base.   
     
     
         22 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein the hinge is a butterfly hinge. 
     
     
         23 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein a portion of the cover opposite the hinge is configured to snap fit to the base when the cover is transitioned to a closed position. 
     
     
         24 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein the base further comprises one or more threads protruding from the interior sidewall, the one or more threads configured to releasably mate with corresponding grooves formed on the neck of the container. 
     
     
         25 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein the engagement between the lip and the groove is a snap fit engagement. 
     
     
         26 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein the interior sidewall is an annular interior sidewall, wherein the groove is an annular groove, wherein the exterior sidewall is a circumferential sidewall, and wherein the lip is an annular lip that surrounds the exterior sidewall in the circumferential direction.