US4478358A — Dispensing closure mechanism for resiliently sque…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 359 words

In combination with an elongate receptacle for fluid that comprises resiliently deflectable wall means surrounding a longitudinally extending central-axis and comprises as its two longitudinally separated terminii a leadward open-neck surrounding and a trailward closed bottomwall intersecting said central-axis, a dispensing closure mechanism for the receptacle open-neck and comprising: A. cap means provided with a leadward outlet-opening for fluid delivery and surrounding said central-axis and being secured to the receptacle open-neck; B. an elongate spindle extending and having a fixed longitudinal position along said central-axis, said spindle length including: i. a lead-end providing the spindle nearest proximity to the cap means outlet-opening, ii. a leadward-length located trailwardly of said lead-end and being surrounded by the receptacle open-neck, and iii. a trailward-length located trailwardly of said leadward-length and terminating at a spindle trail-end located leadwardly remote of the receptacle bottomwall, said spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end being pivotably secured to the cap means; C. a centrally-open gasket providing a yieldable seat for the spindle and being secured to the cap means trailwardly of the outlet-opening, said gasket in both transverse and lateral normal-directions intersecting the central-axis and being resiliently stretchable, and said gasket constrictably surrounding the spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end thereof; D. said receptacle deflectable wall means between said receptacle terminii being provided with visual indicator means to indicate where manual pressure is to be correctly exerted for causing ultimate fluid delivery through the cap means outlet-opening; and E. shoulder means attached to the spindle remotely trailwardly of the gasket, said shoulder means being in longitudinal alignment with said visual indicator means and being normally-directionally offset from the spindle whereby a finite-gap exists between said shoulder means and said wall means in alignment with the visual indicator means, said finite-gap providing at least about one-tenth the distance between the receptacle central-axis and deflectable wall means whereby maintenance of normally directed manual pressure exerted against the visually indicated wall means contacts said shoulder means causing it and the attached spindle to move normally-directionally and resiliently stretch the gasket central-opening to permit fluid delivery therethrough and thence untimately through the gap means outlet-opening.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 359 words

In combination with an elongate receptacle for fluid that comprises resiliently deflectable wall means surrounding a longitudinally extending central-axis and comprises as its two longitudinally separated terminii a leadward open-neck surrounding and a trailward closed bottomwall intersecting said central-axis, a dispensing closure mechanism for the receptacle open-neck and comprising: A. cap means provided with a leadward outlet-opening for fluid delivery and surrounding said central-axis and being secured to the receptacle open-neck; B. an elongate spindle extending and having a fixed longitudinal position along said central-axis, said spindle length including: i. a lead-end providing the spindle nearest proximity to the cap means outlet-opening, ii. a leadward-length located trailwardly of said lead-end and being surrounded by the receptacle open-neck, and iii. a trailward-length located trailwardly of said leadward-length and terminating at a spindle trail-end located leadwardly remote of the receptacle bottomwall, said spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end being pivotably secured to the cap means; C. a centrally-open gasket providing a yieldable seat for the spindle and being secured to the cap means trailwardly of the outlet-opening, said gasket in both transverse and lateral normal-directions intersecting the central-axis and being resiliently stretchable, and said gasket constrictably surrounding the spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end thereof; D. said receptacle deflectable wall means between said receptacle terminii being provided with visual indicator means to indicate where manual pressure is to be correctly exerted for causing ultimate fluid delivery through the cap means outlet-opening; and E. shoulder means attached to the spindle remotely trailwardly of the gasket, said shoulder means being in longitudinal alignment with said visual indicator means and being normally-directionally offset from the spindle whereby a finite-gap exists between said shoulder means and said wall means in alignment with the visual indicator means, said finite-gap providing at least about one-tenth the distance between the receptacle central-axis and deflectable wall means whereby maintenance of normally directed manual pressure exerted against the visually indicated wall means contacts said shoulder means causing it and the attached spindle to move normally-directionally and resiliently stretch the gasket central-opening to permit fluid delivery therethrough and thence untimately through the gap means outlet-opening.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 67 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein the deflectable wall means includes generally parallel opposed sidewalls at least one of which is provided with a transversely directionally extending indentation to provide an intended style visual indicator means; and wherein the shoulder means takes the form of a rim generally circularly surrounding a trailward-length of the spindle and spaced said finite-gap from the indented sidewall style visual indicator means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 76 words

The combination of claim 2 wherein the rim geometric center is laterally directionally offset from the receptacle central-axis; and wherein both receptacle opposed sidewalls are provided with transversely inwardly extending indentations that are in longitudinal alignment with each other and with said rim, whereby maintenance of said transversely directed pressure to the opposed sidewalls indentations cams against the rim causing it and the attached spindle to move directionally laterally and laterally resiliently stretch the gasket central-opening.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 83 words

The combination of claim 3 wherein the cap means comprises an outer-skirt removably surrounding the receptacle open-neck and an inner-shirt surrounded by the receptacle open-neck; wherein the gasket is securely surrounded by the inner-skirt; wherein the spindle leadward-length trailwardly of the gasket is provided with a flange that is pivotably associated within a fixed longitudinal position of the inner-skirt; and wherein the inner-skirt incompletely surrounds the spindle so as to permit fluid flow leadwardly past the flange toward the gasket resiliently stretchable central-opening.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The combination of claim 4 wherein the spindle leadward-length leadwardly of the pivotably associated flange is provided with separated webs bearing against the gasket to retain the gasket in the leadward direction.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The combination of claim 5 wherein at least one of said receptacle sidewalls is provided with a transversely extending bore adapted to be removably engaged at selectable attitude with an exteriorally mountable carrier means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

The combination of claim 3 wherein the cap means comprises an outer-skirt removably surrounding the receptacle open-neck; wherein the cap means includes a leadwardly terminal snout defining said outlet-opening; and wherein the spindle leadward-length is pivotably associated within a fixed longitudinal position of a radially ribbed portion of said snout.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 49 words

The combination of claim 7 wherein the cap means includes a trailward boss surrounding the spindle; wherein the gasket leadwardly abuts said boss and is provided with a trailward groove surrounding the gasket central-opening; and wherein the receptacle open-neck is sharply tapered and presses against the gasket trailward groove.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

The combination of claim 8 wherein at least one of said receptacle sidewalls is provided with a transversely extending bore adapted to be removably engaged at a selectable attitude with an exteriorally mountable carrier means for said combination.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 69 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein there is a shield removably associated with the receptacle and comprising a lead-panel positioned leadwardly of the cap means outlet-opening, said lead-panel being provided with an access-opening means in longitudinal alignment with said outlet-opening, said shield removable association with the receptacle being provided by an apron terminating trailwardly from the lead-panel whereby the entire shield is located leadwardly of the visual indicator means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

The combination of claim 10 wherein the shield apron is non-opaque and completely surrounds the cap means; and wherein the lead-panel has a uniplanar leadface perpendicularly intersecting the receptacle central-axis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 86 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein there is a shield comprising an apron removably frictionally engaged about an inverted said receptacle between the visual indicator means and the cap means, said apron including a front-panel having a cutout portion in horizontal registry with the cap means and outlet-opening, said apron having an annular bottom-end in vertical registry with the outlet-opening, and said apron including a rearwardly extending upright spacer part mountable to a room-wall whereby the outlet-opening might be spaced liberally away from a said room-wall.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 287 words

In combination with an elongate receptacle for fluid and that includes resiliently deflectable wall means surrounding a longitudinally extending central-axis and includes as its two longitudinal separated terminii a leadward open-neck surrounding and a trailward closed bottomwall intersecting said central-axis, a removably secured dispensing closure mechanism for the receptacle open-neck and comprising: A. cap means provided with a leadward outlet-opening for fluid delivery and surrounding said central-axis and being removably secured to the receptacle open-neck; B. an elongate spindle extending along said central-axis, said spindle length including: i. a lead-end located trailwardly of and providing the spindle nearest proximity to the cap means outlet-opening, ii. a leadward-length located trailwardly of said lead-end and being surrounded by the receptacle open-neck, and iii. a trailward-length located trailwardly of said leadward-length and terminating at the spindle trail-end; C. a yieldable seat for the spindle and located in surrounding relationship to the spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end thereof; D. said receptacle deflectable wall means between said receptacle terminii being provided with visual indicator means to indicate where manual pressure is to be correctly exerted for causing ultimate fluid delivery through the outlet-opening; and E. a rim type shoulder surrounding and attached to the spindle remotely trailwardly of said yieldable seat, said shoulder being co-longitudinal with said visual indicator means and being normally-directionally offset from the spindle whereby a finite-gap exists between said shoulder and said visually indicated wall means, whereby maintenance of manual pressure exerted against the visually indicated wall means contacts the rim type shoulder causing it and the spindle to move so as to thereby overcome the yieldable seat to permit fluid flow past the spindle leadward-length and thence ultimately through the cap means outlet-opening.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 287 words

In combination with an elongate receptacle for fluid and that includes resiliently deflectable wall means surrounding a longitudinally extending central-axis and includes as its two longitudinal separated terminii a leadward open-neck surrounding and a trailward closed bottomwall intersecting said central-axis, a removably secured dispensing closure mechanism for the receptacle open-neck and comprising: A. cap means provided with a leadward outlet-opening for fluid delivery and surrounding said central-axis and being removably secured to the receptacle open-neck; B. an elongate spindle extending along said central-axis, said spindle length including: i. a lead-end located trailwardly of and providing the spindle nearest proximity to the cap means outlet-opening, ii. a leadward-length located trailwardly of said lead-end and being surrounded by the receptacle open-neck, and iii. a trailward-length located trailwardly of said leadward-length and terminating at the spindle trail-end; C. a yieldable seat for the spindle and located in surrounding relationship to the spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end thereof; D. said receptacle deflectable wall means between said receptacle terminii being provided with visual indicator means to indicate where manual pressure is to be correctly exerted for causing ultimate fluid delivery through the outlet-opening; and E. a rim type shoulder surrounding and attached to the spindle remotely trailwardly of said yieldable seat, said shoulder being co-longitudinal with said visual indicator means and being normally-directionally offset from the spindle whereby a finite-gap exists between said shoulder and said visually indicated wall means, whereby maintenance of manual pressure exerted against the visually indicated wall means contacts the rim type shoulder causing it and the spindle to move so as to thereby overcome the yieldable seat to permit fluid flow past the spindle leadward-length and thence ultimately through the cap means outlet-opening.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 36 words

The combination of claim 13 wherein said deflectable wall means includes generally parallel opposed sidewalls, at least one of which is provided with a transversely extending inward indentation to provide an indented style visual indicator means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 75 words

The combination of claim 14 wherein the yieldable seat comprises a centrally-open gasket secured to the cap means trailwardly of the cap means outlet-opening and in both transverse and lateral normal-directions intersecting the central-axis, the gasket in normal-directions being resiliently stretchable and constrictably surrounding the spindle, whereby maintenance of inward manual pressure against said indented visual indicator means resiliently stretches the gasket central-opening to permit fluid flow therethrough and thence through the cap means outlet-opening.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 61 words

The combination of claim 15 wherein there is a shield comprising an apron removably frictionally engaged with an inverted said receptacle between the visual indicator means and the cap means; and wherein at least one of said receptacle sidewalls is provided with an inwardly extending splined bore adapted to be removably engaged at selectable attitude with an exteriorally mountable carrier means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 306 words

In combination with an elongate receptacle for fluid that comprises a resiliently deflectable wall means surrounding a longitudinally extending central-axis and comprises as its two longitudinally separated terminii a leadward open-neck surrounding and a trailward closed bottomwall intersecting said central-axis, a removably secured dispensing closure mechanism for the receptacle and comprising: A. cap means provided with a leadward outlet-opening for fluid delivery and surrounding said central-axis and being secured to the receptacle open-neck; B. an elongate spindle extending and having a fixed longitudinal position along said central-axis, said spindle length including: i. a lead-end located trailwardly of and providing the spindle nearest proximity to the cap means outlet-opening, ii. a leadward-length located trailwardly of said lead-end and being surrounded by the receptacle open-neck, and iii. a trailward-length located trailwardly of said leadward-length and terminating at a spindle trail-end located nearer to the outlet-opening than to the bottomwall, said spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end being pivotably secured to the cap means; C. a centrally-open gasket secured to the cap means trailwardly of the outlet-opening thereof and in both transverse and lateral normal-directions intersecting said central-axis, said gasket in the normal-directions being resiliently stretchable, said gasket providing a yieldable seat for the spindle and constrictably surrounding the spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end thereof; and D. said receptacle wall means between said receptacle terminii and in substantial longitudinal alignment with the spindle trail-end being provided with visual indicator means to indicate where manual pressure is to be correctly exerted toward the spindle trailward-length and for causing spindle movement normal to said central-axis whereby maintenance of normally directed manual pressure exerted against the visually indicated wall means causes said spindle to move normally-directionally and resiliently stretch the gasket central-opening to permit fluid delivery therethrough and thence ultimately through the cap means outlet-opening.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 306 words

In combination with an elongate receptacle for fluid that comprises a resiliently deflectable wall means surrounding a longitudinally extending central-axis and comprises as its two longitudinally separated terminii a leadward open-neck surrounding and a trailward closed bottomwall intersecting said central-axis, a removably secured dispensing closure mechanism for the receptacle and comprising: A. cap means provided with a leadward outlet-opening for fluid delivery and surrounding said central-axis and being secured to the receptacle open-neck; B. an elongate spindle extending and having a fixed longitudinal position along said central-axis, said spindle length including: i. a lead-end located trailwardly of and providing the spindle nearest proximity to the cap means outlet-opening, ii. a leadward-length located trailwardly of said lead-end and being surrounded by the receptacle open-neck, and iii. a trailward-length located trailwardly of said leadward-length and terminating at a spindle trail-end located nearer to the outlet-opening than to the bottomwall, said spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end being pivotably secured to the cap means; C. a centrally-open gasket secured to the cap means trailwardly of the outlet-opening thereof and in both transverse and lateral normal-directions intersecting said central-axis, said gasket in the normal-directions being resiliently stretchable, said gasket providing a yieldable seat for the spindle and constrictably surrounding the spindle nearer to the lead-end than to the trail-end thereof; and D. said receptacle wall means between said receptacle terminii and in substantial longitudinal alignment with the spindle trail-end being provided with visual indicator means to indicate where manual pressure is to be correctly exerted toward the spindle trailward-length and for causing spindle movement normal to said central-axis whereby maintenance of normally directed manual pressure exerted against the visually indicated wall means causes said spindle to move normally-directionally and resiliently stretch the gasket central-opening to permit fluid delivery therethrough and thence ultimately through the cap means outlet-opening.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

The combination of claim 17 wherein there is a shield comprising an apron removably engaged with a leadward portion of the receptacle at the open-neck thereof and for supporting the receptacle-equipped closure mechanism in an inverted condition.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 62 words

The combination of claim 18 wherein said apron includes a front-panel having a cutout portion in horizontal registry with the cap means and outlet-opening, said apron having an annular bottom-end in vertical registry with the outlet-opening, and said apron including a rearwardly extending upright spacer part mountable to a room-wall whereby the outlet-opening might be spaced liberally away from a said room-wall.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 69 words

The combination of claim 19 wherein the deflectable wall means includes generally parallel opposed sidewalls at least one of which is provided with a transversely directionally extending indentation to provide an indented style visual indicator means; and wherein there is a rim like shoulder means generally circularly surrounding and attached to the spindle trailward-length, and said shoulder means being spaced a finite-gap from the indented sidewall visual indicator means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1987-10-23	1988-04-23	1988-10-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1991-10-23	1992-04-23	1992-10-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1995-10-23	1996-04-23	1996-10-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dispensing closure mechanism for resiliently squeezable receptacles

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