Closure with Structure Improving Drainage

Abstract

A closure including a base and a cap that pivot with respect to each other via a hinge. The closure includes a structure that lowers the amount of spilled liquids by reducing locations where the liquid can adhere to the closure and amounts of liquid that can adhere to the closure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure comprising:
 an axis;   a cap comprising:
 a top panel centered on the axis; 
 a plug extending downward from the top panel, wherein the plug extends a first height downward from the top panel, wherein the first height is less than 0.125″; and 
 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; and   a base pivotally coupled to the cap via the hinge, the base comprising:
 a second wall centered on the axis, 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 third wall interfacing with the top panel to seal contents within a container that the closure is coupled to. 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug extends a uniform height from the top panel. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first height is at least 0.02″. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein the first height is less than 0.1″. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first height is less than 0.1″. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the first height is at least 0.05″. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the plug extends a uniform height from the top panel. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug extends circumferentially around the axis. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plug defines a circular shape extending circumferentially around the axis. 
     
     
         10 . A closure comprising:
 an axis;   a cap comprising:
 a top panel centered on the axis; 
 a plug extending downward from the top panel, wherein the plug extends a first height downward from the top panel, wherein the first height is less than 0.125″; and 
 a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis, wherein the first wall is distinct from the plug; 
   a hinge; and   a base pivotally coupled to the cap via the hinge, the base comprising:
 a second wall centered on the axis, 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 third wall interfacing with the top panel to seal contents within a container that the closure is coupled to. 
   
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the first height is at least 0.02″. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the first height is at least 0.05″. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the first height is less than 0.1″. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the first height is less than 0.1″. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the plug extends circumferentially around the axis. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the plug defines a circular shape extending circumferentially around the axis. 
     
     
         17 . A closure comprising:
 an axis;   a cap comprising:
 a top panel centered on the axis; 
 a plug extending downward from the top panel, wherein the plug extends a first height downward from the top panel, wherein the first height is less than 0.125″; and 
 a first wall extending downward from the top panel, the first wall centered on the axis, wherein the plug is closer to the axis than the first wall; 
   a hinge; and   a base pivotally coupled to the cap via the hinge, the base comprising:
 a second wall centered on the axis, 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 third wall interfacing with the top panel to seal contents within a container that the closure is coupled to. 
   
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the first height is at least 0.02″. 
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the first height is at least 0.05″. 
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the plug defines a circular shape extending circumferentially around the axis.