MULTIPLE FLIP-TOP CAP

Abstract

A cap for a container includes at least two openings. A first top is movable between a closed position in which it covers a first opening and an open position in which the first opening is exposed. A second top is movable between a closed position in which it covers a second opening and an open position in which the second opening is exposed. Hinges connect the first top and second top to the top surface of the base. The hinges are positioned such that neither the first top nor the second top opens beyond a periphery of the base. In another embodiment, the hinges are positioned on a front edge of the base and a rear edge of the base, respectively. A third top may be included to cover a third opening.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a cap for use with a bottle or other container, where the cap includes multiple openings with multiple flip-tops covering the multiple openings. In particular, the cap includes multiple flip-tops that are positioned such that they are easily opened regardless of the orientation of the cap on the container or bottle.

2. Related Art

Flip-top caps are commonly used on containers for various consumer products including food, cosmetics, hygiene products and various sundries. Flip-tops allow users a relatively easy way to access the contents of the container by providing for quick opening as well as secure closure to prevent accidental release of the contents of the container. The flip-top is typically connected to a cap body via a living hinge on an edge of the top surface of the cap body. The flip-top generally opens such that it extends beyond the peripheral edge of the cap. It is preferred that the flip-top is positioned on the container such that it opens away from a user viewing the front of the container, since this simplifies the opening process for the user. If the cap is mounted on the container such that the flip-top opens toward the front of the container, a user looking at the front of the container will find it awkward to open the flip-top. This may affect a consumer's choice to purchase the product including the flip-top cap.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a flip-top cap for a container in which the flip-top need not be opened toward the front of the container regardless of the cap's orientation on the container.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cap for a container that includes multiple tops (flip-tops) such that there is always at least one top that does not open toward a front of the container regardless of orientation of the cap on the container.

A cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein, a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed, a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed, a first hinge connecting the first top to the base and a second hinge connecting the second top to the base. The first hinge and the second hinge are positioned adjacent to each other on the base.

A cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein, a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed, a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed, a first hinge connecting the first top to the base and positioned proximate a front edge of the top surface of the base and a second hinge connecting the second top to the base and positioned proximate a rear edge of the top surface of the base.

A method of making a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes providing a base including a top surface, forming at least two openings in the top surface, connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed, connecting a second top to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed and positioning the first hinge and the second hinge substantially adjacent to each other on the base.

A method of making a cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes providing a base including a top surface, forming at least two openings in the top surface, connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed, connecting a second top to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed and positioning the first hinge proximate a front edge of the top surface and the second hinge proximate a rear edge of the top surface.

A cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein, a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed, a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed, a first hinge connecting the first top to the base and a second hinge connecting the second top to the base, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of a centerline of the cap.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-sectional front view of the cap in FIG. 1 with flip-tops of the cap open.

FIG. 3 illustrates the cross-sectional front view of the cap in FIGS. 1-2 with the cap positioned on a container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of an alternative embodiment of the cap illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 6-7 with flip-tops of the cap in an open position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 6-8 secured to the top of a container.

FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 6-9 and the container of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded rear view of the cap of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 11-12 with flip-tops on the cap in an open position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 11-13 secured to the top of a container.

FIG. 15 illustrates is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 11-14 and the container of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates the front view of the cap of FIG. 16 with flip-tops of the cap in an open position.

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 16-17.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 16-18 secured to the top of a container.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 16-19 and container of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIG. 21 with flip-tops on the cap in an open position.

FIG. 23 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 21-22 secured to the top of a container.

FIG. 24 illustrates is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 21-22 and the container of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a cap 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cap 1 is preferably configured for mounting on a container, such as the container C illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. The cap 1 of FIGS. 1-5 is substantially oval-shaped, as is the container C, however, other shapes may be used.

The cap 1 preferably includes a base 10, including sidewalls 12 extending downward from a periphery of a top surface 14 thereof. The top surface 14 includes at least two openings 16a, 16b. The openings 16a, 16b are preferably positioned adjacent to each other in a center of the top surface 14, as can be seen in FIG. 2, for example. While it is preferred that the openings 16a, 16b are of different sizes, they may be the same size. While the openings 16a, 16b are illustrated substantially adjacent to each other, the openings may be spaced further away from each other, if desired.

The cap 1 includes a first flip-top 20a movable between a closed position in which it covers the first opening 16a and an open position in which the first opening 16a is exposed and a second flip-top 20b movable between a closed position in which it covers the second opening 16b and an open position in which the second opening 16b is exposed. The first flip-top 20a is connected to the top surface 14 of the base 10 via a first hinge 22a. The second flip-top 20b is connected to the top surface 14 of the base 10 via a second hinges 22b. Any suitable hinge element may be used. The hinges 22a, 22b are illustrated as positioned adjacent to each other and parallel to each other on opposite edges of a protrusion 14a that extends upward at or near the center of the top surface 14 of the base 10, however, the hinges need not necessarily be provided at or near the center of the top surface 14. The flip-top 20a would extend over the hinge 22b if fully extended in the direction of opening. The flip-top 20b would extend over the hinge 22a if fully extended in the direction of opening. Neither of the flip-tops 20a, 20b, however, will extend over any edge of the cap 1 when extended in the opening direction. Thus, regardless of the orientation of the cap 1 on the container C, none of the flip-tops 20a, 20b open toward the front of the container C. While the present disclosure discusses the use of “flip-tops” any suitable top element that is movable between the open and closed positions discussed above may be used. The flip-tops 20a, 20b are preferably mounted in a symmetrical orientation such that orientation of the cap on the container C is irrelevant. As can be seen in FIG. 4, for example, in an embodiment, the flip tops 20a and 20b are symmetrically positioned on the cap 1 relative to a centerline CL thereof. The line CL is illustrated as extending through a center of the base 10 from front to back, however, is not limited to this orientation, and may extend diagonally, for example, through the center of the base, if desired. This symmetrical arrangement of the flip tops 20a, 20b renders the orientation of the cap 1 on the container C irrelevant. That is, since the flip tops 20a. 20b are symmetrically positioned, the cap 1 may be positioned on container C in any orientation and none of the flip-tops 20a, 20b will open in a direction toward the front of the container.

To aid in opening the flip-tops 20a, 20b, thumb depressions 12a, are provided in the sidewall 12 of base 10, positioned under the end of the flip-tops 20a, 20b respectively. These depressions 12a allow a user to easily lift up the ends of the flip-tops 20a, 20b to make opening the flip-tops easy. The flip-tops 20a, 20b may include complimentary depressions, or slots, D1, D2 formed at the ends of the flip-tops as well. Further, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, there is preferably a small space S between the bottom surface of each of the flip-tops 20a, 20b and the top surface 14 of the cap base 10. This space S allows the flip-tops 20a, 20b to flex slightly, which also aids in opening the flip-tops 20a, 20b.

The container C preferably includes a substantially cylindrical neck C1 positioned substantially in the center of the top of the container as illustrated in FIG. 3. The base 10 preferably includes a neck skirt 18 that couples with the neck C1 of the container C. This coupling is preferably accomplished via a snap-fit connection, however, any other suitable coupling or connection element may be used. In addition, the sidewall 12 may include a coupling structure 12b formed on a bottom edge that interacts with container coupling structure C2 formed on a top portion of the outer edge thereof to secure the cap 1 to the container C. This interaction may be a snap-fit or any other desired coupling. While the neck C1 is preferably cylindrical, any shape may be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the base 10 further includes channels 30a, 30b that extend from the area of the neck C1 and neck skirt 18, when the cap 1 is connected thereto, to the openings 16a, 16b, respectively. Otherwise the cap 1 of FIG. 5 is substantially the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The channels 30a, 30b provide a smooth path for the contents of the container C to flow from the neck C1 to the openings 16a, 16b. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated, each of the channels 30a, 30b is substantially symmetric with a relatively constant width along its length such that flow through the respective channels is smoothed. Where the openings 16a, 16b are of different sizes, the channels 30a, 30b may be sized to provide for more, or less, of the contents to flow therethrough, as appropriate. Regardless of the size, however, the width of each channel 30a, 30b is preferably substantially constant and symmetric as note above.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, no separate channels are provided in the base 10 to the openings 16a, 16b and the contents of the container simply flow from the neck C1 to the openings 16a, 16b. The contents of the container C may be liquid or solid, as desired. As noted above, the container C is preferably an oval shape, similar to that of the cap 1, however, other shapes may be used in both the container and the cap.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cap 101 that includes two flip-tops 120a, 120b that are used to open and close openings 116a, 116b, respectively. The flip-tops 120a, 120b are connected to the cap base 110 via the hinges 122a, 122b respectively. In this embodiment, the hinges 122a, 122b are connected to the base 110 at or near the front and rear edges of the top surface 114 thereof, respectively, such that the tops 120a, 120b move smoothly between the open and closed positions to cover and expose the openings 116a, 116b. The hinges 122a, 122b are preferably offset from each other such that one of the flip-tops 120a, 120b opens toward or over the rear edge of the cap base 110 and the other one of the flip-tops opens toward or over the front edge of the cap base. In this embodiment, regardless of the orientation of the cap 101 on the container C, there will always be a flip-top 120a, 120b that opens away from the front of the container. The sidewall 112 of the base 110 may include thumb depressions 112a that are positioned in alignment with corresponding depressions D1, D2 in the free ends of the flip-tops 120a, 120b to make opening the flip-tops easier. An inner skirt 118 may be provided for coupling to the neck C1 in much the same manner as the skirt 18 described above. The sidewall 112 preferably includes a coupling structure 112b that interacts with a corresponding structure C2 of the container in much the same manner as the structure 12b described above. In this embodiment, the openings 116a, 116b are formed in a raised portion of the top surface 114 of the base 110 that coincides with the skirt 118, however, this portion need not be raised. The flip tops 120a, 120b and hinges 122a, 122b are preferably positioned on the cap 101 symmetrically with respect to a center line CL2 thereof. The line CL2 is illustrated extending through the center of the base 110 from side to side but is not limited to this orientation. The symmetrical positioning of the flip tops 120a, 120b and hinges 122a, 122b ensures that regardless of the orientation of the cap 101 on the container C, at least one flip top 120a, 120b will open away from the front of the container C.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate another embodiment of a cap 201. The cap 201 is structured and operates in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to the cap 101, except that it has a substantially rectangular shape. The flip tops 220a, 220b have a substantially rectangular shape as well. As noted above, while an oval shape is preferred, the cap of the present application may be provided in many different shapes, including the rectangular shape illustrated in FIGS. 11-15. The container C may also have a similar rectangular shape, if desired. In this embodiment, the flip-tops 220a, 220b are mounted to the top surface 214 of the base 210 via the hinges 222a, 222b to cover and uncover the openings 216a, 216b. The sidewall 212 may include thumb depressions 212a that cooperate with slots D1, D2 on the ends of the flip-tops 220a, 220b to aid the user in opening the flip-tops. The coupling element 212b at the bottom of the sidewall 212 may cooperate with the structure C2 on the container C to help secure the cap 201 to the container. An inner skirt 218 may be provided for coupling to the neck C1. FIGS. 22-24 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the cap 201 in which the flip tops 220a, 220b have a rectangular shape, however, are somewhat wider than those shown in FIGS. 11-15. Otherwise the embodiment of FIGS. 21-24 operates in substantially the same manner as that discussed above in FIGS. 11-15.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cap 301. The cap 301 includes three flip-tops 320a, 320b, 320c mounted on a top surface 314 of a cap base 310 that is secured to the container C. The flip-tops 320a, 320b, 320c cover the openings 316a, 316b and 316c, respectively. The openings 316a, 316b and 316c may be of the same size or of different sizes, as desired. In addition, any of the individual openings 316a, 316b and 316c may be embodied as a plurality, or group, of small openings, if desired. As illustrated in dotted lines in the top view of FIG. 18, for example, the opening 316a is configured to receive a spoon that may be used to remove material from the container C. The opening 320b is configured for pouring relatively large amounts of material form the container C. The opening 316c is configured as a plurality of small openings suitable for sifting the material in the container C.

In this embodiment, the flip-tops 320a, 320b and 320c are secured to the base 310 via the hinges 322a, 322b, 322c, respectively. The hinges 322a, 322b, 322c are preferably positioned in a central section of the top surface 314 of the base 310 and parallel to each other. As can be seen in FIG. 18, the flip-top 320a is preferably larger than the flip-tops 320b and 320c. The hinge 322a is positioned adjacent to the hinges 322b and 322c such that the flip-top 320a opens toward the hinges 322b and 322c and the flip-tops 320b, 320c open toward the hinge 320a. The flip tops 320a, 320b and 320c operate in a manner similar to that of the flip tops 20a, 20b of FIGS. 1-5.

In this embodiment, the cap 301 has a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the cap 301 is preferably secured to the container C via the coupling structure 312a of the sidewall 312 of the base 310 and the corresponding structure C2 on the top of the container C. As illustrated, a snap-fit connection secures the base 310 to the container C, however, any suitable connection maybe used. As illustrated in FIG. 21, for example, the neck C1 of the container C is preferably rectangular in shape, consistent with the shape of the container C, however, other shapes may be used, as desired.

Since none of the flip-tops 320a, 320b or 320c open over either the front edge or rear edge of the cap 301, the orientation of the cap 301 on the container C is irrelevant. In any orientation, none of the flip-tops will be opened toward the front of the container C.

The use of multiple flip-tops in the cap 1, 101, 201, 301 of the present disclosure and the positioning of the hinges as disclosed herein avoids the problem of having to open a flip-top toward a front of the bottle. In addition, providing multiple flip-tops to cover and uncover multiple openings, which may be of different sizes, provides the additional benefit of allowing for dispensing of different portion sizes from the container C using different opening sizes.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cap for a container comprises:

a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein;

a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;

a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed;

a first hinge connecting the first top to the base; and

a second hinge connecting the second top to the base,

wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are positioned adjacent to each other.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first hinge and second hinge are positioned substantially in a center of the base.

3. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first hinge and second hinge are positioned parallel to each other.

4. The cap of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a sidewall extending downward around a periphery of the top surface.

5. The cap of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion positioned substantially in the center of the top surface of the base and extending from a front to a rear of the cap, wherein the first hinge is positioned on a first side of

the protrusion and the second hinge is positioned on a second side of the protrusion, opposite the first side.

6. The cap of claim 4, wherein the sidewall further comprises:

a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the first top, opposite the first hinge; and

a second thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top, opposite the second hinge.

7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the first top further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression.

8. The cap of claim 7, wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the second thumb depression.

9. The cap of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the first top is positioned a predetermined distance above the top surface of the base when in the closed position such that there is a first air gap between the bottom surface of the first top and the top surface of the base, and

a bottom surface of the second top is positioned the predetermined distance above the top surface of the base when in the closed position such that there is a second air gap between the bottom surface of the second top and the top surface of the base.

10. The cap of claim 1, further comprising:

an inner skirt configured for mating with a neck of a container on which the cap is mounted.

11. The cap of claim 10, further comprising

a first channel extending from the inner skirt to the first opening; and

a second channel extending from the inner skirt to the second opening.

12. The cap of claim 4, wherein the sidewall further comprises a coupling element positioned at a bottom end thereof and configured to engage a container on which the cap is mounted.

13. The cap of claim 4, further comprising:

a third opening formed in the top surface of the base;

a third top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers the third opening and an open position in which the third opening is exposed;

a third hinge connecting the third top to the base,

wherein the first hinge, the second hinge and third hinge are positioned substantially in the center of the base and parallel to each other.

14. The cap of claim 13, wherein one of the first top, second top and third top is larger than the other two of the first top, second top and third top.

15. The cap of claim 13, wherein the third opening includes a plurality of small perforations.

16. The cap of claim 13, wherein the sidewall further comprises:

a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the first top opposite the first hinge;

a second thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top opposite the second hinge; and

a third thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the third top opposite the third hinge.

17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the first top further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression.

18. The cap of claim 17, wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the second thumb depression.

19. The cap of claim 18, wherein the third top further comprises a third thumb slot formed at the end of the third top opposite the third hinge and above the third thumb depression.

20. A cap for a container comprises:

a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein;

a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;

a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed;

a first hinge connecting the first top to the base of the base and positioned proximate a front edge of the top surface of the base; and

a second hinge connecting the second top to the base of the base and positioned proximate a rear edge of the top surface of the base.

21. The cap of claim 20, wherein the base further comprises a sidewall extending downward around a periphery of the top surface thereof.

22. The cap of claim 21, wherein the sidewall further comprises:

a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the first top, opposite the first hinge; and

a second thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top, opposite the second hinge.

23. The cap of claim 22, wherein the first top further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression.

24. The cap of claim 23, wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the second thumb depression.

25. The cap of claim 21, wherein the cap is oval shaped.

26. The cap of claim 21, wherein the cap is rectangular shaped.

27. A method of making a cap comprising:

providing a base including a top surface;

forming at least two openings in the top surface;

connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;

connecting a second top to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed; and

positioning the first hinge and the second hinge adjacent to each other.

28. A method of making a cap comprising:

providing a base including a top surface;

forming at least two openings in the top surface;

connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;

connecting a second top to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed; and

positioning the first hinge proximate a front edge of the top surface and the second hinge proximate a rear edge of the top surface.

29. A cap for a container comprises:

a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein;

a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;

a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed;

a first hinge connecting the first top to the base; and

a second hinge connecting the second top to the base,

wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of a centerline of the cap.