Closure with Improved Drainage

Abstract

A closure including a base and a cap that pivot with respect to each other. The closure includes a material that lowers the amount of spilled liquids retained on the closure, such as via adding a compound within the closure and/or adding a coating to one or more surfaces of the closure, thereby reducing an amount of liquid that is retained on the closure after a use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure comprising:
 an axis;   a top panel centered on the axis;   a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis;   a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall;   a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position; and   a securing element extending from the second wall, the securing element configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container;   wherein the closure is formed from a first material that comprises a polymer and a first compound, and wherein the first compound lowers a surface energy of a first liquid interfacing with the closure compared to a surface energy of the first liquid interfacing with only the polymer.   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first compound comprises a surfactant that is a lubricant, silicon-based, or wax-based. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first compound is selected from a group consisting of a lubricant and a surfactant that acts like a lubricant. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid comprises a coffee creamer. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid comprises lactose. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the first liquid comprises fat. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid comprises fat. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         9 . A closure comprising:
 an axis;   a top panel centered on the axis;   a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis;   a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall;   a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position; and   a securing element extending from the second wall, the securing element configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container;   wherein the closure is formed from a first material that includes a polymer and a first compound, and wherein the first compound lowers a coefficient of adhesion between a first liquid and the closure compared to a coefficient of adhesion of the first liquid interfacing with only the polymer.   
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the first liquid comprises a coffee creamer. 
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the first liquid comprises lactose. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the first liquid comprises fat. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the first liquid comprises lactose. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein the first liquid further comprises fat. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the first liquid further comprises fat. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the first liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first compound comprises a surfactant that is silicon-based and/or wax-based. 
     
     
         18 . A closure comprising:
 an axis;   a top panel centered on the axis;   a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis;   a hinge extending from and coupled to a rear portion of the first wall;   a second wall centered on the axis, the second wall pivotally coupled to the first wall via the hinge, the first wall and top panel pivoting with respect to the second wall via the hinge between an open position and a closed position;   a securing element extending from the second wall, the securing element configured to couple the second wall to a container neck of a container;   a spout rigidly coupled to the second wall, the spout configured to permit a first liquid inside the container to exit the container; and   a coating applied to the spout, wherein the spout is formed from a first material, and wherein the coating has a coefficient of adhesion with respect to the first liquid that is lower than a coefficient of adhesion between the first liquid and the first material.   
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein the first liquid comprises lactose. 
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein the first liquid comprises fat and water.