Closure with secondary compartment

Abstract

A closure for a container includes a body portion and a lid portion that is hingedly attached to the body portion for sealing and unsealing an orifice that is defined in the body portion for opening and closing the container. A removable cover is advantageously attached to the lid portion so as to define a supplemental compartment between the lid portion and the removable cover. The coverage is preferably substantially transparent, and a graphic element may be placed within the supplemental compartment so that it will be viewable by a consumer. Alternatively, product such as a lip balm could be situated within the supplemental compartment. In one embodiment, the removable cover is completely removable from the rest of the closure, while in a second embodiment it is hingedly mounted to the lid portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of packaging and dispensing. More specifically, this invention relates to improve closure for dispensing a viscous liquid such as a lotion.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Technology

[0004] Containers that are used to store and dispense viscous liquids such as lotions employ a wide variety of closures in the United States and throughout the world. Many commercially popular closures have a pivotally mounted snap-lid that is capable of being moved between a closed position and an open dispensing position. In the closed position, the lid covers the dispensing opening and in the open position, the lid is moved away from the opening to allow the product in the container to be dispensed.

[0005] While many such closures are generally effective, consumer tastes and particular product requirements will continue to dictate the need for additional innovation in this area. For example, many manufacturers of product such as skincare lotion or suntan lotion might be interested in displaying certain information or a graphic element that is easily noticeable by a consumer. The top of the closure is the most conspicuous place for such a graphic, but it is difficult to place such a graphic on the lid of a conventional closure, which is typically fabricated from a plastic such as polypropylene.

[0006] Additionally, manufacturers of certain products such as suntan lotion might desire to market a different but related product, such as a lip balm together with the lotion. This could be done by conventional packaging methods, such as by combining a container of lotion with a container of lip balm within a single shrinkwrap, but the products would be separated after having been opened by the consumer.

[0007] A need exists for an improved closure for dispensing viscous liquids such as lotions that better permits the manufacturer to provide a graphic element that is easily noticeable by a consumer. In addition, a need exists for an improved closure that would permit dispensing of a different product in addition to the product that is being dispensed from the container to which the closure is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved closure for dispensing viscous liquids such as lotions that better permits the manufacturer to provide a graphic element that is easily noticeable by a consumer. It is further an object of the invention to provide an improved closure that would permit dispensing of a different product in addition to the product that is being dispensed from the container to which the closure is attached.

[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention a closure for a container according to a first aspect of the invention includes a body portion having securing structure for securing the closure to a container, the body portion further defining an orifice through which material may flow during dispensing from the container; a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion, the lid portion being movable between a first, closed position in which the lid portion seals said orifice and a second, open position, and a removable cover that is attached to the lid portion, the removable cover defining a supplemental compartment between the removable cover and the lid portion.

[0010] A consumer product according to a second aspect of the invention includes a container having a first product therein; a closure mounted on the container, the closure including a body portion, a lid portion, and a removable cover that is attached to the lid portion, the removable cover defining a supplemental compartment between the removable cover and the lid portion; and a second product that is situated in the supplemental compartment.

[0011] These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure that is constructed according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure that is depicted in FIG. 1, shown in a second operational position;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure that is depicted in FIG. 1, shown in a third operational position; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closure that is constructed according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, a closure 10 that is constructed according to a first embodiment of the invention includes a body portion 12 that is constructed and arranged to be secured on a container 13. In the preferred embodiment, body portion 12 includes securing structure, preferably an interior thread, for screwing the body portion 12 to the container 13. As may be seen in FIG. 1 and as is conventional, body portion 12 has an orifice 14 defined in a top surface thereof through which material may flow during dispensing from the container 13. This material may be, for example, a lotion or a sunscreen, but could alternatively be any one of a myriad of possible products.

[0017] Referring again to FIG. 1, closure 10 further includes a lid portion 16 that is hingedly attached to the body portion 12 by means of a hinge 18, which is of known construction and is preferably unitary with both the body portion 12 and the lid portion 16. Body portion 12 and lid portion 16 are preferably fabricated from a plastic material, must preferably a polypropylene homopolymer. Lid portion 16 is consequently movable between a first, closed position such is that which is shown in FIG. 2 and a second, open position as shown in FIG. 1 for dispensing material from the container through the orifice 14. As shown in FIG. 1, lid portion 16 includes an integral plug 24 for sealing the orifice 14 when the lid portion 16 is in the closed position.

[0018] According to one particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, a removable cover 20 is hingedly secured to the lid portion 16 by means of a hinge 22 that is positioned on an opposite side of lid portion 16 from the hinge 18 that is used to connect the lid portion 16 to the body portion 12. Removable cover 20 is in the preferred embodiment transparent, but with a slight tinting for aesthetic purposes and is preferably fabricated from a plastic material such as polypropylene. As is shown in FIG. 2, the removable cover 20 is preferably dome-shaped and defines a supplemental compartment 33 by its interior concave surface, for purposes that will be discussed in greater detail below. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the upper area of lid portion 16 includes an upper rim 26 that has an inside surface 28, while the removable cover 20 includes a downwardly depending annular flange 30 having an outer surface 32. The outer surface 32 is sized and configured so as to create an interference fit between the removable cover and the upper portion of lid portion 16 when the removable cover is in its closed position affixed to the lid portion 16. In other words, when in the closed position the annular flange 30 and its outer surface 32 fit tightly within and against the inside surface 28 of upper rim 26.

[0019] In the embodiment of the invention that is shown in FIGS. 1-3, a supplemental product 34 is preferably provided within the supplemental compartment 33. For example, the closure 10 could be used to dispense a sunscreen from the container, while the supplemental compartment 33 could be used to dispense a lip balm. Accordingly, such a closure provided according to the invention would be both visually attractive and provide dual functionality.

[0020] In the embodiment of the invention that is depicted in FIG. 4, a closure 40 is identical in all respects to the closure 10 discussed above in reference to the first embodiment, except that there is no permanent connection such as a hinge between the removable cover 44 and the lid portion 42. In other words, the removable cover 44 is releasably secured to the upper portion of the lid portion 42 by means of the interference fit only. To remove the removable cover 44 from the lid portion 42, a consumer will grip the outer surface of the removable cover 44 and simply pull it upwardly as indicated by the arrow 48 away from the lid portion 42. To replace the removable cover 44, the consumer will simply reverse this motion, pressing it on to the lid portion 42

[0021] In the embodiment of the invention that is shown in FIG. 4, the supplemental compartment that is defined within the removable cover 44 is used to display a graphic element 46, which could create an ornamental effect or convey information to the consumer. It is to be understood that such a graphic element 46 could be used in the first embodiment of the invention as well, and that the supplemental product 34 could alternatively be used in the second embodiment of the invention instead of the graphic element 46. 4. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said removable cover is releasably attached to said lid portion so that a consumer may completely removed said removable cover from said closure.

[0022] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A closure for a container, comprising:

a body portion, said body portion comprising securing means for securing the closure to a container, said body portion further defining an orifice through which material may flow during dispensing from the container;

a lid portion hingedly attached to said body portion, said lid portion being movable between a first, closed position in which said the portion seals said orifice and a second, open position; and

a removable cover that is attached to said lid portion, said removable cover defining a supplemental compartment between said removable cover and said lid portion.

2. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said removable cover is substantially transparent, and further comprising a graphic element that is positioned within said supplemental compartment.

3. A closure according to claim 1, further comprising a product that is situated within said supplemental compartment.

4. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said removable cover is releasably attached to said lid portion so that a consumer may completely removed said removable cover from said closure.

5. A closure according to claim 4, wherein said removable cover is releasably attached to said lid portion by an interference fit.

6. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said removable cover is hingedly attached to said lid portion.

7. A closure according to claim 6, wherein said closure includes a first hinge mechanism between said body portion and said lid portion and a second hinge mechanism between said lid portion and said removable cover, and wherein said second hinge mechanism is positioned on an opposite side of said lid portion from said first hinge mechanism.

8. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said body portion and said lid portion are fabricated from a plastic material.

9. A closure according to claim 8, wherein said plastic material comprises a polypropylene homopolymer.

10. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said removable cover is fabricated from a plastic material.

11. A closure according to claim 10, wherein said plastic material comprises polypropylene.

12. A closure according to claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises at least one internal thread.

13. A consumer product, comprising:

a container having a first product therein;

a closure mounted on said container, said closure including a body portion, a lid portion, and a removable cover that is attached to said lid portion, said removable cover defining a supplemental compartment between said removable cover and said lid portion; and

a second product that is situated in said supplemental compartment.

14. A closure according to claim 13, wherein said removable cover is releasably attached to said lid portion so that a consumer may completely removed said removable cover from said closure.

15. A closure according to claim 14, wherein said removable coverage is releasably attached to said lid portion by an interference fit.

16. A closure according to claim 13, wherein said removable cover is hingedly attached to said lid portion.

17. A closure according to claim 16, wherein said closure includes a first hinge mechanism between said body portion and said lid portion and a second hinge mechanism between said lid portion and said removable cover, and wherein said second hinge mechanism is positioned on an opposite side of said lid portion from said first hinge mechanism.

18. A closure according to claim 13, wherein said body portion and said lid portion are fabricated from a plastic material.

19. A closure according to claim 18, wherein said plastic material comprises a polypropylene homopolymer.