Two-flap closure

Abstract

An injection-molded thermoplastic closure with shake-and-spoon apertures and associated flaps for selectively closing and opening the apertures. The flaps are releasably retained in their closed positions by catch elements which provide retention forces that are relatively insensitive to dimensional and shape variations in the body resulting from the molding process. In one embodiment, the cap has “freeze points” and a gate location that reduce the tendency of the cap to assume an oval condition when cooled from molding temperatures. A wide sealing ledge cooperates with a central support for a liner seal positioned in the cap to seal the mouth of a container.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A two-mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded thermoplastic one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, each of said sides having an associated hinged flap, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close said relatively large aperture, the spoon flap having a free edge defining with the line of the associated hinge substantially the full boundary of the spoon flap, the spoon flap including catch means spaced along a line adjacent its free edge, the catch means being arranged to releasably secure the spoon flap in a closed position relative to the spoon aperture and extending along said adjacent line a distance substantially at least as great as one-half of the length of the free edge whereby the Flap is uniformly retained along its free edge. 
     
     
       2. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said catch means comprise discrete elements spaced from one another along said free edge. 
     
     
       3. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said catches have a length which is smaller than the spacing between them. 
     
     
       4. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said adjacent line is a generally circular arc and said catch means subtend an arc on said adjacent line through an angle in excess of 90 degrees. 
     
     
       5. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said catches engage an edge of the spoon aperture. 
     
     
       6. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said spoon flap includes a marginal area that extends outwardly of said spoon aperture. 
     
     
       7. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said spoon flap includes a thin skirt adapted to cooperate with said spoon aperture to avoid sifting of product through said spoon aperture when said spoon flap is in a closed condition. 
     
     
       8. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said catches are disposed on said thin skirt. 
     
     
       9. A two-mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded thermoplastic one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, each of said sides having an associated hinged flap, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close or open relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close or open said relatively large aperture, one of said flaps having a generally uniform wall thickness not substantially greater than the nominal wall thickness of the remainder of the cap and being free of significant stiffening structure, a plurality of individual catch means spaced on a lower face of the flap, the catch means being arranged to releasably secure the flap in a closed position, the flap being sufficiently flexible to allow it to be peeled open manually by overcoming the retention forces of said catch means progressively with the force of fewer than all of the catches being overcome at any given time. 
     
     
       10. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said spoon flap includes said catch means spaced along a line adjacent its free edge, said catch means being arranged to engage the edge of said spoon aperture. 
     
     
       11. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said shake flap includes plug elements arranged to fit into said small apertures, said catch means being provided on said plug elements and being adapted to engage said small apertures. 
     
     
       12. A two-mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded thermoplastic one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, a chordal land area between the spoon and shake sides, each of said sides having an associated flap hinged on said land, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close or open said relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close said relatively large aperture, an internally threaded skirt depending from the perimeter of said end wall, an annular sealing ledge on the lower side of the end wall interior of said skirt, the land area having a lower surface generally coplanar with said sealing ledge and adapted to cooperate with said sealing ledge to support a sealing sheet received in said cap. 
     
     
       13. A two-mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded thermoplastic one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, each of said sides having an associated hinged flap, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close or open relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close said relatively large aperture, an internally threaded skirt depending from the perimeter of said end wall, an annular sealing ledge on the lower side of the end wall interior of said skirt, the sealing ledge having a flat surface extending radially a distance substantially equal to at least twice the nominal wall thickness of the cap. 
     
     
       14. A two-mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded thermoplastic one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, a chordal land area between the spoon and shake sides, each of said sides having an associated flap hinged on said land, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close or open relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close said relatively large aperture, the thickness of the cap at the ends of the land area being substantially less than the average thickness of the land area whereby the plastic material in such end areas freezes at a relatively early stage in a molding cycle to reduce the tendency of the cap to assume an oval condition. 
     
     
       15. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 14 , the lower face of the chordal land area having a recessed area surrounding a gate vestige point, the axial depth of its recess being of sufficient depth to ensure that the gate vestige is above surrounding areas of the chordal land area. 
     
     
       16. A two- mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection - molded thermoplastic one - piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, a chordal land area between the spoon and shake sides, each of said sides having an associated flap hinged on said land, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close or open said relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close said relatively large aperture, an internally threaded skirt depending from the perimeter of said end wall, an annular sealing ledge on the lower side of the end wall interior of said skirt, the land area having a lower surface generally coplanar with said sealing ledge and adapted to cooperate with said sealing ledge to support a sealing sheet received in said cap, and catch structure for releasably retaining the spoon flap closed against accidental opening, the catch structure including surface area that produces a gripping action between an area on the end wall and an area on the spoon flap when the spoon flap is closed, the spoon flap area engaged in the gripping action underlying the end wall area engaged in the gripping action and thereby creating an axially interfering fit to hold said spoon flap closed.   
     
     
       17. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said catch structure includes surface area arranged in a manner such that the catch structure is relatively tolerant of dimensional variations due to a tendency towards ovality. 
     
     
       18. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the catch structure is dimensioned to provide a relatively large interference fit between an area of the end wall and an area of the spoon flap. 
     
     
       19. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the end wall area engaged in the gripping action is complementary in form to the spoon flap area engaged in the gripping action. 
     
     
       20. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the spoon flap area engaged in the gripping action, when the spoon flap is closed, and the end wall area engaged in the gripping action lie in generally radial planes. 
     
     
       21. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the area of the end wall engaged in the gripping action is adjacent an edge of the end wall forming the spoon opening. 
     
     
       22. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the catch structure is on the spoon flap. 
     
     
       23. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the sealing ledge is formed by an underside of an area of the end wall having a thickness greater than other areas of the end wall. 
     
     
       24. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein areas of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge have a thickness less than an area of the end wall overlying the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       25. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the sealing ledge extends in a radial direction inwardly of the skirt a distance less than the radius of the end wall. 
     
     
       26. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein areas of the lower side of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge are above the plane of the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       27. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the axial thickness of the end wall at the sealing ledge is greater than the nominal wall thickness of the cap. 
     
     
       28. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , the sealing ledge being capable of positively sealing the mouth of the container with a liner positioned in the cap regardless of any expected ovality. 
     
     
       29. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the sealing ledge is capable of positively sealing the mouth of the container with a liner positioned in the cap regardless of any expected ovality. 
     
     
       30. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the sealing ledge is formed by an underside of an area of the end wall having a thickness greater than other areas of the end wall. 
     
     
       31. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein areas of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge have a thickness less than an area of the end wall overlying the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       32. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the sealing ledge extends in a radial direction inwardly of the skirt a distance less than the radius of the end wall. 
     
     
       33. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein areas of the lower side of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge are above the plane of the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       34. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the axial thickness of the end wall at the sealing ledge is greater than the nominal wall thickness of the cap. 
     
     
       35. A two- mode dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection - molded thermoplastic one - piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall, the end wall having a spoon dispensing side and a shake dispensing side, the shake dispensing side including a plurality of relatively small apertures for dispensing therethrough a pourable product carried in the container, the spoon dispensing side including a relatively large aperture of a size sufficient for allowing passage of a spoon therethrough for spooning out product, each of said sides having an associated hinged flap, the flap of the shake side being arranged to selectively close or open relatively small apertures, the flap of the spoon side being arranged to selectively close said relatively large aperture, an internally threaded skirt depending from the perimeter of said end wall, an annular sealing ledge on the lower side of the end wall interior of said skirt, the sealing ledge having a flat surface extending radially a distance substantially equal to at least twice the nominal wall thickness of the cap, and catch structure for releasably retaining the spoon flap closed against accidental opening, the catch structure including surface area that produces a gripping action between an area on the end wall and an area on the spoon flap when the spoon flap is closed, the spoon flap area engaged in the gripping action underlying the end wall area engaged in the gripping action and thereby creating an axially interfering fit to hold said spoon flap closed.   
     
     
       36. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein said catch structure includes surface area arranged in a manner such that the catch structure is relatively tolerant of dimensional variations due to a tendency towards ovality. 
     
     
       37. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein the catch structure is dimensioned to provide a relatively large interference fit between an area of the end wall and an area of the spoon flap. 
     
     
       38. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the end wall area engaged in the gripping action is complementary in form to the spoon flap area engaged in the gripping action. 
     
     
       39. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the spoon flap area engaged in the gripping action, when the spoon flap is closed, and the end wall area engaged in the gripping action lie in generally radial planes. 
     
     
       40. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the area of the end wall engaged in the gripping action is adjacent an edge of the end wall forming the spoon opening. 
     
     
       41. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the catch structure is on the spoon flap. 
     
     
       42. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , the sealing ledge being capable of positively sealing the mouth of the container with a liner positioned in the cap regardless of any expected ovality. 
     
     
       43. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the sealing ledge is formed by an underside of an area of the end wall having a thickness greater than other areas of the end wall. 
     
     
       44. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein areas of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge have a thickness less than an area of the end wall overlying the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       45. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the sealing ledge extends in a radial direction inwardly of the skirt a distance less than the radius of the end wall. 
     
     
       46. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein areas of the lower side of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge are above the plane of the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       47. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the axial thickness of the end wall at the sealing ledge is greater than the nominal wall thickness of the cap. 
     
     
       48. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the sealing ledge is capable of positively sealing the mouth of the container with a liner positioned in the cap regardless of any expected ovality. 
     
     
       49. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein the sealing ledge is formed by an underside of an area of the end wall having a thickness greater than other areas of the end wall. 
     
     
       50. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein areas of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge have a thickness less than an area of the end wall overlying the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       51. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein the sealing ledge extends in a radial direction inwardly of the skirt a distance less than the radius of the end wall. 
     
     
       52. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein areas of the lower side of the end wall radially inward of the sealing ledge are above the plane of the sealing ledge. 
     
     
       53. A dispensing cap as set forth in  claim 48 , wherein the axial thickness of the end wall at the sealing ledge is greater than the nominal wall thickness of the cap.