Patent US4805790A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4805790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flip top cap
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-09-08
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Granted: 1989-02-21
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Expires: 2007-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A flip-top-type cap for containers which dispense products such as shampoo, lotion, liquid soap and condiments is disclosed. The cap is comprised of (a) a base portion containing an orifice, and (b) a top portion mounted to the base portion at one side by a hinge connection, with a stopper in the top portion to mate with the orifice; and an operating member mounted to the such that one end of the member is exposed at the same side of the closure as the hinge connection. Lateral pressure on the member forces it against a contact surface in the cap, which in turn forces the top and bottom portions apart, thereby disengaging the stopper from the orifice. Disengagement of the stopper from the orifice, swinging open of the cap, and closing the cap to reengage the stopper and orifice are all accomplished by a single thumb or finger of one hand, while that same hand alone holds the container to which the cap is secured.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank A. Leonetti
- 👤 Richard L. Leonetti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/08; B65D47/0804; B65D47/0809; B65D47/0814; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/10; B65D2251/1066; B65D2251/1075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A dispensing cap comprising: a closure comprising (a) a base portion containing an orifice, and (b) a top portion mounted to said base portion by a hinge connection at one side thereof and containing a stopper to mate with said orifice, said closure defining a longitudinal axis of said dispensing cap; an operating member mounted to said closure, having an exposed end at the same side of said closure as said hinge connection, said operating member being movable upon exertion of an externally applied force on said exposed end directed laterally with respect to said longitudinal axis to abut a contact surface on said closure and thereupon exert a contact force on said contact surface; and means for transmitting said contact force to said top and bottom portions in opposing directions to disengage said stopper from said orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A dispensing cap comprising: a closure comprising (a) a base portion containing an orifice, and (b) a top portion mounted to said base portion by a hinge connection at one side thereof and containing a stopper to mate with said orifice, said closure defining a longitudinal axis of said dispensing cap; an operating member mounted to said closure, having an exposed end at the same side of said closure as said hinge connection, said operating member being movable upon exertion of an externally applied force on said exposed end directed laterally with respect to said longitudinal axis to abut a contact surface on said closure and thereupon exert a contact force on said contact surface; and means for transmitting said contact force to said top and bottom portions in opposing directions to disengage said stopper from said orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating member is adapted to so move when said externally applied force is directed toward said longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating member is adapted to so move when said externally applied force is directed away from said longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said exposed end protrudes from said closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a finger grip on said top portion at the same side of said closure as said hinge connection for manually separating said top and bottom portions once said stopper is disengaged from said orifice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 5 in which said finger grip is a tab protruding from said exposed end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 5 in which said finger grip is said exposed end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said top portion has a lateral external surface and said exposed end is flush with said lateral external surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said hinge connection is a bi-stable hinge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said hinge connection is a bi-stable hinge, and said dispensing cap further comprises a finger grip on said bistable hinge for manually separating said top and bottom portions once said stopper is disengaged from said orifice.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said hinge connection is a bi-stable hinge and said operating member is a portion of said bistable hinge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating member contains at least one pivot joint.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating member contains a flexible curved portion to abut said contact surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said hinge connection pivots at a pivot axis and said contact surface is a lateral external surface region of said top portion below said pivot axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating member has a wedged-shaped end opposing said exposed end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 15 in which said operating member encircles said closure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said operating member is adapted to so move when said externally applied force is directed away from said longitudinal axis, and said operating member encircles said closure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said contact surface is a surface region of said base portion angled with respect thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said contact surface is a surface region of said top portion angled with respect thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said contact surface is a first surface region on said base portion, and said transmitting means comprises a second surface region in said top portion opposing said first surface region and angled with respect thereto, whereby said operating member wedges said first and second surface regions apart in response to said inwardly directed force.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said base portion is beveled at a region adjacent to said exposed end of said operating member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said top portion is beveled at a region adjacent to said exposed end of said operating member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said base portion and said top portion are each beveled at regions adjacent to said exposed end of said operating member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 1 in which said base portion and said top portion when closed define a cavity to receive said operating member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |