US5048730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moisture-resistant dispensing top
Assignee: Weatherchem Corp
•
Filing: 1990-05-10
•
Granted: 1991-09-17
•
Expires: 2010-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A screw on container closure has a hinged flap on a dispensing aperture for spooning out product. The flap and aperture have a sealing flash structure that provides a moisture resistant seal therebetween. An integral resilient sealing flange within the closure provides a moisture-resistant seal on the mouth of a container.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Forsyth
- 👤 Craig C. Wiedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/08; B65D47/0804; B65D47/0833; B65D47/0847; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
a dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall and a generally cylindrical skirt, an aperture in the end wall of a size sufficient to allow spooning out granular product from the container through the aperture, a generally planar flap closing the aperture, the flap being hinged on the end wall along a line generally parallel to a diametral line across the end wall between an open position clear of the aperture and a closed position over the aperture, the flap lying in a plane substantially parallel to the end wall when its closed position over the aperture; major areas of the skirt, end wall and flap each having a nominal wall thickness, a sealing flash extending around the aperture, the sealing flash having a thickness that is a minor fraction of the nominal wall thickness of any of the skirt, end wall and flap and a free length sufficient in comparison to its thickness to enable it to bend, the sealing flash having an interference fit between the end wall and the flap when the flap is in the closed position and being arranged to elastically deform in local bending deflection to accommodate closing of the flap and produce a resilient seal between the end wall and the flap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
a dispensing cap for a container comprising an injection-molded one-piece body, the body having a generally circular end wall and a generally cylindrical skirt, an aperture in the end wall of a size sufficient to allow spooning out granular product from the container through the aperture, a generally planar flap closing the aperture, the flap being hinged on the end wall along a line generally parallel to a diametral line across the end wall between an open position clear of the aperture and a closed position over the aperture, the flap lying in a plane substantially parallel to the end wall when its closed position over the aperture; major areas of the skirt, end wall and flap each having a nominal wall thickness, a sealing flash extending around the aperture, the sealing flash having a thickness that is a minor fraction of the nominal wall thickness of any of the skirt, end wall and flap and a free length sufficient in comparison to its thickness to enable it to bend, the sealing flash having an interference fit between the end wall and the flap when the flap is in the closed position and being arranged to elastically deform in local bending deflection to accommodate closing of the flap and produce a resilient seal between the end wall and the flap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing flash in a sealing position is arranged to increase its sealing force in proportion to an increase in pressure in the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing flash is formed on the end wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing flash is molded in a condition wherein it has a cantilevered length greater than its thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cap as set forth in claim 4, wherein the sealing flash is molded in a generally flat plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cap as set forth in claim 5, wherein the end wall and the sealing flash have upper faces that are molded in a substantially coplaner configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flap includes a depending lip and said sealing flash is arranged to seal against said lip when said flap is closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cap as set forth in claim 7, wherein said flap has a continuous free edge extending substantially from one end of the hinge to the other, said lip extending continuously on a line spaced inwardly from one free edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cap as set forth in claim 8, wherein said lip provides a seating surface substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flap, said sealing flash being arranged to sealingly engage said seating surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cap as set forth in claim 9, wherein sais lip includes a portion adjacent said hinge that with remaining portions of said lip defines a closed boundary for said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cap as set forth in claim 1, including a resilient sealing flange integrally formed therewith, the sealing flange being adapted to sealingly and resiliently engage the mouth of a container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB788148A
Cited
US4016996A
Cited
US4416383A
Cited
US4629081A
Cited
US4693399A
Cited
US4881688A
Cited
US4993606A
Cited
US4936494A
Cited
US4898292A
Cited
US4962869A
Cited
US4955513A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-03-18 | 1995-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-16 | 1999-03-18 | 1999-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-16 | 2003-03-18 | 2003-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |