Closure device

Abstract

A closure device and method includes a mounting member, a cap member and an actuator. The mounting member may be removably secured proximately to a container opening. The actuator is manually operable to move the cap member to open and close an opening in the container and is biased by a spring so that the cap member closes the opening but is movable to an open position. The closure device is especially adapted as part of a writing instrument that has a body to receive contents for dispensing, such as a marker. The mounting member may be annular piece that engages a neck of the container with the actuator being a pair of angled, parallel levers that pivot on the mounting member. In one embodiment, the cap member may be latched in the open position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for sealing containers that dispense materials. More particularly, this invention relates to a device which is attachable to or formed as part of a container in order to be actuated by a digit of a hand thus causing the container opening to be exposed and which reseals the container when the device is released. More specifically, this invention is for a device that can be used to seal and protect the tips of writing implements, and the invention is further directed to a writing instrument incorporating such a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Containers for both preserving and dispensing materials are found in virtually every aspect of life. Some typical examples of these materials are writing fluids, glues, sealants, lubricants, toothpastes, shampoos and foodstuffs. Many of these materials need to be protected from undesirable occurrences such as leakage, curing, evaporation or contamination, and yet it is most desirable to be able to conveniently dispense these materials while preventing such occurrences.

[0003] A problem or inconvenience with most existing containers is that they have caps, or lids which can be easily lost or which are not always convenient to remove and attach during their usage. One good example is a felt-tipped pen or marker. These instruments have separate, removable caps and hold writing fluids which tend to dry out when exposed to air and which can easily leave unwanted marks, for example shirt pocket stains, if one forgets to replace the cap when through using them.

[0004] Sometimes, persons who use various containers forget to replace the cap, often through absentmindedness. For example, it is not uncommon for children and teenagers to forget to replace the cap on a tube of toothpaste. This creates an unsightly and sometimes unhealthy conditions. It is not uncommon for a mouth of the toothpaste to harden around the tube opening which makes it difficult to replace the cap after the toothpaste is dried. The removal of this dried mass is often an unpleasant exercise.

[0005] Another type of container that has contents that are subject to curing are glue containers. When working with glue, both hands are typically needed to hold the container and remove the cap, and the cap is then set aside to free up one hand to hold the piece, or pieces, while the other holds the glue container. The glued pieces then need to be set aside to free a hand to reseal the container. Time and frustration would be reduced if only one hand was required to open, use, and reseal the glue container leaving the other hand free throughout the operation.

[0006] From the foregoing, it is clear that there has been a long felt need for a cap that is more convenient in use than existing container closures. There is a need for a cap device that can be formed integrally with the container or that is adapted to be retrofit thereon in order to permit opening and automatic resealing of the container. There is a further need for such a device that can be reused on a succession of containers after the contents of each container is depleted. The present invention is directed to meeting those needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful closure device for containers in order to protect the contents thereof.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a closure device that can either be formed as part of a container or retrofit onto a container for manual actuation whereby the contents of the container may be dispensed yet which will automatically reseal the dispensing opening.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful method for sealing a container.

[0010] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a closure device that may be reused on another container when a first container's contents are depleted.

[0011] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a manually actuated closure device that is especially adapted for use with writing and marking instruments, such as markers.

[0012] According to the present invention, then, a closure device is provided that is adapted to attach to a container or which is formed as part of a container in order to access the contents of the container for dispensing and to reseal a dispensing opening in the container. The present invention is also directed to a method for alternatively enclosing and exposing the writing tip of a marker.

[0013] In one form of the invention, a closure device is adapted to be removably attached to a container that has an opening through which contents in the container may be dispensed. Here, the closure device includes a mounting member that is adapted to be removably secured at a mounted location proximately to the opening of the container. A cap member is movable between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the cap member is operative to close the opening of the container and, when in the open position, the cap member is removed from the opening so as to allow access to the contents. An actuator is provided to engage the mounting member and the cap member. The actuator may be manually operated and moves between a first position wherein the cap member is in the closed position and a second position wherein the cap member is in the open position. The cap member is biased into the closed position. The closure device may also have a latching mechanism for holding the cap in the open position during use.

[0014] In this embodiment, the mounting member may include a portion that has a cylindrical interior surface that is sized and adapted to form an interference fit with a cylindrical outer surface portion of the container. For example, the mounting member may include an annular portion that provides the cylindrical inner surface. The container may have a cylindrical neck portion adjacent to the opening and the mounting member may be sized and adapted to secure to that neck.

[0015] A gasket may be provided to help seal between the interface of the mounting member and the cap member. Here, the gasket may be seated in one of the mounting member and the cap member and is operative in the closed position to form a relative seal therebetween. This resists in the inadvertent dispensing of the contents of the container. The cap member may also be constructed of a material having sufficient transparency so that contents located in the opening can be discerned by a user.

[0016] While a variety of structures are possible for the engagement of the mounting member and the cap member by the actuator, the actuator may be pivotally attached to the mounting member and mechanically linked to the cap member. The closure device can include a spring element that is operative to bias the actuator into the first position yet permit the manual movement of the actuator into the second position. By biasing the actuator into the first position, the cap member is biased into the closed position. The actuator may include two parallel levers with each lever including a first section and a second section joined at a common vertex at an obtuse angle with respect to one another. Here, also, each first section can have a slot formed therein with the cap member including a pair of oppositely projecting pins. Each pin is then received in a respective one of the slots. The second sections have free-end portions opposite the vertex with the free-end portions being joined by a bar extending therebetween. The levers are then pivotally attached to the mounting member by at least one axial element. Here, also, the slots in the pins are dimensioned for a loose-fitted engagement whereby registration of the cap member with the mounting member in the closed position is facilitated.

[0017] When the invention is combined as part of a writing instrument, the instrument is adapted to be grasped by a user's hand. The writing instrument then includes a container that has a body portion having an interior and an outlet opening. A reservoir of a substance to be used in writing is then disposed in the interior of the container with this reservoir in communication with the outlet opening whereby substance in the container may be dispensed therethrough. A closure device is then disposed on the container, either removably or affixed to the container and is structured as described above.

[0018] The closure device of the present invention is particularly adapted to attach to a marker that has a body portion with an interior forming a reservoir of a substance to be used in writing, a neck portion in fluid communication with the reservoir and terminating in an outlet opening and a wick extending outwardly from the outlet opening to define a writing tip for the marker. In such instance, the closure device of the present invention has an annular mounting member adapted to be removably secured around the neck of the marker in a mounted state. The cap member is then disposed on the mounting member and is movable between a closed position and an open position as described above. An actuator is pivotally disposed on the mounting member and may be manually operated to move between the first position when the cap member is closed and a second position wherein the cap member is open. A biasing element is operative to bias the cap member into the closed position.

[0019] The opening of the marker has an upper rim that is formed in the plane, and the mounting member includes an upper planar surface that is sized whereby the upper surface may be placed co-planar with the upper rim when in the mounted state. The cap member has a lower rim that is formed in the plane whereby the lower rim confronts the planar upper surface of the mounting member when the cap member is in a closed position. Again, a gasket may be interposed between the lower rim and the upper planar surface so as to facilitate a seal, with this gasket, for example, being an O-ring. The annular mounting member can include a clevis structure disposed thereon. In such instance, the cap member may include a knuckle piece received in the cleavous to be pivotally secured thereto by an axial piece. A spring element is operative to bias the actuator into the first position thereby biasing the cap member into the closed position. All these structures described above may be included in the embodiment wherein the closure device is used on a marker.

[0020] The present invention is also directed to a method for alternatively enclosing and exposing a writing tip of a maker that has a body and an opening provided with the writing tip. This method includes a first step of mounting a cap member to the body in a manner whereby the cap member may move between a closed position enclosing the writing tip and an open position exposing the writing tip. The method then includes a step of biasing the cap member towards the closed position with a biasing force. The method includes the step of manually moving the cap member to the open position and retaining the cap member in the open position during the use of the marker. The method then includes the step of releasing the cap member when the marker is not in use whereby the cap member is returned to the closed position under the influence of the biasing force.

[0021] The step of manually moving the cap member according to the present invention may be accomplished by grasping the marker with the hand and moving the cap member with a digit of the hand. The method may include the step of providing a lever actuator that mechanically engages the cap member and when the step of biasing the cap member is accomplished by resiliently biasing the actuator. Finally, the method of the present invention may accomplish the step of biasing the cap member by means of resilient spring.

[0022] These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exemplary closure device, mounted onto a marking pen and showing a mounting member, a cap member and an actuator;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure device mounted onto a marking pen and held in the open position by the thumb of a hand;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially broken-away, showing a mounting member, a cap member and an actuator including a spring;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation of the exemplary device with the cap member in the closed position, and correspondingly, the actuator in the first position;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation of the exemplary device with the cap member in the open position, and correspondingly, with the actuator in the second position;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a rear view in elevation showing the exemplary device with cap member in the closed position, and correspondingly, with the actuator in the first position;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a side view in cross-section showing the cap member in the closed position and the mounting member with gaskets for sealing the cap member and for affixing the mounting member to the marking device;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exemplary device shown with the cap member in the closed position;

[0031] FIG. 9 is an exploded view in perspective showing all parts of the closure device;

[0032] FIG. 10 is a side view in elevation showing an exemplary device with a latchable actuator; and

[0033] FIG. 11 is a top view (as indicated in FIG. 10) of the latchable actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention concerns a closure device for a container to prevent the contents of the container from being dispensed or to protect the contents against leakage, curing, or evaporation. When actuated the device exposes the opening so that the contents can be dispensed and, upon release, the opening is again sealed. The device is particularly adapted to be removably attached to a writing instrument to protect the writing tip and allow use of the tip when actuated and to reseal the tip when the actuator is released.

[0035] The invention is also directed to a closure device disposed on a writing instrument which is intended to be grasped by a hand and, when actuated by a digit of the hand, expose the tip and also seal the tip upon release of the actuator. In addition, the invention concerns a closure device which is removably attached to a marking pen and is operable by a digit of the hand. The present invention also includes the means for causing the closure device to operate by automatically enclosing the tip of the marking pen when not actuated and exposing the tip when actuated

[0036] Beginning with FIG. 1, an exemplary closure device 18 is shown removably attached to writing instrument 10 comprised of container 12 formed by a cylindrical body 14 and a necked portion 16. Container 12 thus provides a reservoir 17 (shown by way of the cut-out in FIG. 1) for the contents such as writing fluid. Closure device 18 is mounted on necked portion 16, and FIG. 1 shows the closure device 18 in the closed position. FIG. 2 shows writing instrument 10 with the closure device 18 being held in the open position by way of an actuator 20 depressed by a digit 22 of the hand 24 which is grasping the container 12 with digits 26. In this open position, the tip 28 of the writing instrument 10 is exposed thus allowing it to be used for marking. It should be appreciated that, when container 10 is a marker, tip 28 is in fluid communication with the contents of reservoir 17. An upper rim 29 of the container opening from which tip 28 protrudes is shown exposed in this figure. FIG. 2 also shows the lower rim 68 of cap member 32 and the planar upper surface 66 of mounting member 38 which mate together to provide a seal when the closure device 18 is in the closed position.

[0037] A detailed view of closure device 18 while in the biased, closed position is shown in FIG. 3. Closure device 18 is comprised of a mounting member 38, a cap member 32, and an actuator 20. Mounting member 38 and cap member 32 are shown comprised of cylindrical outer surfaces as one exemplary shape. The mounting member 38 has an annular opening 30 which mates with neck 16 for attachment to writing instrument 10. The cap member 32 has a cavity 34 which, when in the closed position, covers tip 28 without interference. actuator 20 is pivotally attached to a clevis structure 36 which is disposed on mounting member 38. Actuator 20 is movable between a first position, shown in FIG. 3, wherein closure device 18 is in the closed position and a second position, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein closure device 18 is in the open position. Actuator 20 is comprised of two parallel levers 40 and an interconnecting transverse bar 42. It is this bar 42 that digit 22 is pushing against in FIG. 2 in order to hold the actuator 20 in the second position. This bar is shown to be a rectangular structure but any cross-sectional shape of material which rigidly interconnects the levers 40 would suffice. The surface of bar 42 may also have an irregular, ribbed surface for enhancing the grip of digit 22 in depressing actuator 20. The mounting member 38, cap member 32, and actuator 20 can be constructed of any type of molded, plastic material with sufficient strength for the device to function properly. The cap member 32 can also be constructed from any molded, plastic material which has transparent properties such that the color and other properties of tip 28 can be reasonably discerned while the closure device 18 is in the closed position.

[0038] Further details of the closure device 18 are shown in side views in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a side elevation of closure device 18 while in the closed position. The actuator 20, best viewed in FIG. 3, is shown in FIG. 4 in its first position. One of the levers 40 of actuator 20 is seen here. The lever is comprised of two sections 44 and 46. The cap member 32 has a pair of oppositely projecting pins 50 where positioned on a common axis. The first section 44 has a slot located parallel to its longitudinal axis which engages its respective pin 50. The second section 46 is joined to the first section 44 at a vertex forming an obtuse angle &thgr;. The longitudinal dimension of slot opening 48, “a”, is sufficiently large such that the protruding pin 50 freely slides within the slot as the cap member moves from the closed to the open position and as the actuator 20 moves from its first position to the second position, respectively. The transverse dimension of the slot 48, “w”, is sufficiently oversized to create a wobble-fit such that the cap member 32 is able to fully mate with the mounting member 38 and provide an adequate seal when the closure device 18 is in the closed position. This would overcome any adverse effect on the sealing due to any non-symmetry of the levers 40 resulting from manufacturing or from a non-symmetric application of the biasing force on the actuator 20 when it is in the first position. FIG. 5 shows the closure device 18 in the open position as a result of the levers 40 of actuator 20 being held in their second position. As can be seen, the tip 28 is exposed when closure device 18 is in the open position. The actuator 20 pivots about the axis 52 in moving from one position to the other. FIG. 5 shows a planar surface “P” which is coplanar with the planar upper surface 66 of mounting member 38 and with upper rim 29. Upper planar surface 66 is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 9. The tip 28 extends upward from surface “P”.

[0039] A rear view in elevation of closure device 18, with cap member 32 in the closed position, is shown in FIG. 6. The two parallel levers 40 of actuator 20 straddle the cap member 32. The two pins 50, which protrude from the cap member 32, are of sufficient length to fully extend through the slots 48 of levers 40 despite any misalignment or flexure of the assembly comprised of the actuator 20, cap member 32, and mounting member 38. A knuckle piece 54, disposed on the cap member 32, is received by the clevis structure 36. An axle piece 56 extends through an opening in one side of clevis structure 36 through an opening in knuckle piece 54 into an opening in the other side of clevis structure 36. The axle piece 56 is mated with the knuckle piece 54 and clevis structure 36 with a sufficiently loose enough fit to allow clevis structure 36 and knuckle piece 54 to freely rotate relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of axle piece 56. The inner parallel surfaces of clevis structure 36 act to restrain the knuckle piece 54 (and hence the cap member 32) from rotating about any axis other than that of axle piece 56 and are sized accordingly. The pivotal connection of knuckle piece 54 to clevis structure 36 can also be accomplished by means of pins disposed on knuckle piece 54 and extending outwardly along the common axis into mating recesses within the two pieces comprising the clevis structure 36. It may also be accomplished by means of pins disposed on the two pieces of clevis structure 36 and which extend inwardly, along a common axis, into mating recesses in the knuckle piece 54. There also may exist other structures known in the mechanical art which accomplish the same functions as described above.

[0040] It should be apparent to one skilled in the mechanical art that mounting member 38 along with clevis structure 36 can be constructed as an integral piece (as in a molded plastic part) or as separate pieces that are attached by some means. The same is true of both cap member 32 with knuckle piece 54 and pins 50 and actuator 20 with levers 40 and bar 42.

[0041] An axle element 58 is used to pivotally attach the levers 40 of actuator 20 to the clevis structure 36. The axle element 58 is situated in openings located in levers 40 and an opening passing through clevis structure 36, these openings being centered on the rotation axis 52 (indicated in FIG. 5). FIG. 6 shows this axle element 58 as a nut and bolt assembly. However, this pivotal connection might also be accomplished by an axle or pin extending along axis 52 or by two pins which protrude inwardly, along axis 52, from the levers 40 and mate with recesses in the clevis structure 36. The purpose of any of these mechanisms being to affix the levers 40 to the mounting member 38 while allowing rotation of the actuator 20 about axis 52. It should be noted that, for proper operation of closure device 18, the axes of axle piece 56, axle element 58, and pins 50 are all parallel to one another.

[0042] Taking a sectional cut through the closure device 18, as indicated on FIG. 6, produces FIG. 7. Here the cavity 30, within mounting member 38, which receives neck 16 of writing instrument 10, can be seen. The diameter of cavity 30 is sized such that the closure device 18 can be easily attached to neck 16 yet still tightly engage neck 16 during use and provide a seal to prevent lose of writing fluid or intrusion of outside materials. Another method of sealing this mounting could be to provide a gasket, such as O-ring 62, seated within a recess located in the inner surface of mounting member 38. The O-ring 62 is sized to allow manual insertion of neck 16 and to prevent leakage of the contents of container 12 through opening 30.

[0043] When closure device 18 is in the closed position, the lower rim 68 of cap member 32 and the planar upper surface 66 of mounting member 38 are coplanar with plane “P” thus providing a seal for the contents of container 12. A seal can also be provided by an O-ring 64 seated into a recess in either the planar upper surface 66 of mounting member 38 (as is shown in FIG. 7) or into the lower rim 68 of cap member 32. As previously mentioned, upper rim 29 is also coplanar with “P”.

[0044] The actuator 20 is biased in the first position by a spring element 60. Spring element 60 is coiled around axle element 58, which provides its support, with one end contacting the bottom horizontal surface of mounting member 38 and the other end contacting the bottom surface of bar 42. There is sufficient flexion of the spring 60 to push against bar 42 and mounting member 38 and thus bias actuator 20 in the first position. Spring element 60 provides a resisting force to bar 42 throughout the movement from the first to second position (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, respectively) and returns actuator 20 to the first position upon release of actuator 20. Other geometries and means of using a spring or other resilient elastic materials to accomplish this biasing and return are possible. As one example, the spring biasing could also be provided by a planar, coiled spring secured relative to the clevis structure 36 and to a lever 40 of actuator 20. The spring biasing could be provided by a leaf spring with plastic resiliency which is attached on one end to the body of mounting member 38 and on the other end to bar 42 and positioned to bias the actuator 20 in the closed position.

[0045] A plan view of closure device 18, in the closed position, is shown in FIG. 8. Here again the actuator 20, consisting of levers 40 and bar 42 surrounds cap member 32. Bar 42 connects the two levers 40 and provides a convenient surface for contact with a digit 22 in order to provide movement of the closure device 18 from the closed, or biased, position shown in FIG. 4 to the open position in FIG. 5. The knuckle piece 54, disposed on cap member 32, is confined within the clevis structure 36.

[0046] An exploded perspective of the closure device 18, illustrating a construct of an exemplary embodiment, is provided in FIG. 9. The closure device is comprised of a mounting member 38, a cap member 32, an actuator 20, a spring element 60, an axle piece 56 and axle element 58. The closure device 18 can be removably attached to the neck 16 of a writing instrument 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) and it provides a means of automatically sealing the tip 28 of the writing instrument 10 when it is not in use. The actuator 20 is pivotally connected to the mounting member 38 such that in its first and biased position the cap member 32 mates with the mounting member 38 to provide an adequate seal. The spring element 60 is attached to the mounting member 38 and the actuator 20 such that it biases the actuator 20 in the first position and returns the actuator 20 to this position when the writing instrument 10 is not in use. Depressing the bar 42 of actuator 20 with a digit 22 of grasping hand 24 moves the actuator 20 into its second position which, in turn, moves the cap member 32 into the open position thereby exposing the tip 28 for use.

[0047] An additional embodiment of closure device 18 includes a latchable actuator 70 and tab catch 74 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Here, the latchable actuator 70 comprises the same components as actuator 20 with the addition of a tab 72 disposed onto bar 42. A tab catch 74 is disposed onto the outer surface of each piece of clevis structure 36. Latchable actuator 70 functions to open and close the cap member 32 in the same manner as actuator 20 when bar 42 is depressed with digit 22. However, it also has the added feature of being latchably retained in the second position thus holding cap member 32 in the open position without other aid.

[0048] Tab 72 is composed of a material with sufficient resilient flexibility and sized such that when pressure from digit 22 is applied to tab 42 the latchable actuator 70 moves into the second position and tab 72 bends downward and is captured by the lower edge 76 of tab catch 74. Upon release of pressure from tab 42 the latchable actuator 70 remains captured in the second position. When, in this latched position, digit 22 depresses bar 42, tab 72 returns upward sufficiently to clear the protrudence of tab 74 and allow the latchable actuator to return to the first position. However, this latching action can also be avoided by depressing bar 42 (instead of tab 72) when moving the latchable actuator 70. In this case, tab 72 will rotate with latchable actuator 70, without bending, and will contact tab 74 without engaging lower edge 76. In this manner, latchable actuator 70 functions the same as actuator 20.

[0049] The method of this invention includes the enclosing and exposing of the tip 28 of writing instrument 10. This includes the mounting of a cap member 32 to the writing instrument 10 whereby the cap member 32 can be moved from a closed position enclosing the tip 28 to an open position thus exposing tip 28. The method also includes biasing the cap member 32 in the closed position (as displayed in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6), manually moving cap member 32 to the open position (as displayed in FIGS. 2 and 5), retaining cap member 32 in the open position, and returning cap member 32 to the closed position upon release of closure device 18. The method includes moving the cap member by grasping the writing instrument 10 with hand 24 and moving the cap member 32 with a digit 22. The method can include moving the cap member 32 providing an actuator 20 which mechanically engages the cap member 32 and cap member 32 is biased by biasing the actuator 20. This biasing method is accomplished by spring element 60. The method can also include latching the cap member 32 in the open position and releasing the latchable actuator 70 to return the cap member 32 to the closed position. The method includes any steps inherent in the mechanical instructions described above.

[0050] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.

Claims

1. A closure device adapted to attach to a container that has an opening through which contents in the container may be dispensed, comprising:

(a) a mounting member adapted to be removably secured at a mounted location proximately to the opening of the container;

(b) a cap member movable between a closed position wherein said cap member is operative to close the opening and an open position wherein said cap member is removed from the opening; and

(c) an actuator engaging said mounting member and said cap member,

(1) said actuator adapted to be manually operated,

(2) said actuator being movable between

(i) a first position wherein said cap member is in the closed position and

(ii) a second position wherein said cap member is in the open position,

(3) said cap member being biased into the closed position.

2. A closure device according to claim 1 wherein said container has a cylindrical outer surface portion located proximately to the opening therein, said mounting member including a portion that has a cylindrical interior surface sized and adapted to form an interference fit with the cylindrical outer surface portion of the container.

3. A closure device according to claim 2 wherein said mounting member includes an annular portion that provides the cylindrical interior surface and that is sized and adapted to mate with the cylindrical outer surface of the container.

4. A closure device according to claim 1 wherein the container has a cylindrical neck portion adjacent to the opening, said mounting member sized and adapted to secure to said neck.

5. A closure device according to claim 1 wherein the cap member is constructed of a material having sufficient transparency whereby contents disposed in the opening can be discerned therethrough.

6. A closure device according to claim 1 wherein a gasket is seated in one of said mounting member and said cap member and operative in the closed position to form a relative seal therebetween thereby to resist inadvertent dispensing of the contents of the container.

7. A closure device according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is pivotally attached to the mounting member and is mechanically linked to said cap member, and including

(a) a spring element operative

(1) to bias said actuator into the first position

(2) yet to permit manual movement of said actuator into the second position.

8. A closure device according to claim 7 wherein the actuator includes two parallel levers, each said lever including a first section and a second section joined at a common vertex an obtuse angle to one another, each said first section having a slot formed therein, said cap member including a pair of oppositely projecting pins with each said pin received in a respective one of said slots, said second sections each having a free end portion opposite the vertex with the free end portions being joined by a bar extending therebetween.

9. A closure device according to claim 8 wherein said levers are pivotally attached to said mounting member by means of at least one axle element.

10. A closure device according to claim 8 wherein the slots and said pins are dimensioned for loose-fitted engagement whereby registration of said cap member with mounting member in said closed position is facilitated.

11. A closure device according to claim 1 including a latch structure associated with at least one of said cap member and said actuator and operative to selectively retain said cap member in the open position.

12. A writing instrument adapted to be grasped by a user's hand, comprising:

(a) a container including a body portion having an interior and an outlet opening;

(b) a reservoir of a substance to be used in writing disposed in the interior of said container,

(1) said reservoir in communication with the outlet opening to said container whereby said substance in the container may be dispensed therethrough;

(c) a closure device disposed on said container and including

(1) a mounting member disposed at a mounted location proximately to the opening of the container;

(2) a cap member movable between a closed position wherein said cap member is operative to close the opening and an open position wherein said cap member is removed from the opening; and

(3) an actuator engaging said mounting member and said cap member,

(i) said actuator adapted to be manually operated,

(ii) said actuator being movable between a first position wherein said cap member is in the closed position and a second position wherein said cap member is in the open position,

(4) said cap member being biased toward the closed position.

13. A writing instrument according to claim 12 wherein said cap member is constructed of a material having sufficient transparency whereby any of the substance disposed in the opening can be discerned therethrough.

14. A writing instrument according to claim 12 wherein a gasket is seated in one of said mounting member and said cap member and operative in the closed position to form a relative seal therebetween thereby to resist inadvertent dispensing of the substance from said container.

15. A writing instrument according to claim 12 wherein said actuator is pivotally attached to the mounting member and is mechanically linked to said cap member, and including

(a) a spring element operative

(1) to bias said actuator into the first position

(2) yet to permit manual movement of said actuator into the second position.

16. A writing instrument according to claim 15 wherein the actuator includes two parallel levers, each said lever including a first section and a second section joined at a common vertex an obtuse angle to one another, each said first section having a slot formed therein, said cap member including a pair of oppositely projecting pins with each said pin received in a respective one of said slots, said second sections each having a free end portion opposite the vertex with the free end portions being joined by a bar extending therebetween.

17. A writing instrument according to claim 16 wherein said levers are pivotally attached to said mounting member by means of at least one axle element.

18. A writing instrument according to claim 12 wherein said closure device is securable to said container by means of an interference fit.

19. A closure device adapted to attach to a marker that has a body portion with an interior having a reservoir of a substance to be used in writing, a neck portion in fluid communication with the reservoir and terminating in an outlet opening and a wick extending outwardly from the outlet opening and defining a writing tip for said marker, comprising

(a) an annular mounting member adapted to be removably secured around said neck in a mounted state;

(b) a cap member pivotally disposed on said mounting member and movable between a closed position wherein said cap member is operative to close the opening and an open position wherein said cap member is removed from the opening; and

(c) an actuator pivotally disposed on said mounting member,

(1) said actuator adapted to be manually operated,

(2) said actuator being movable between

(i) a first position wherein said cap member is in the closed position and

(ii) a second position wherein said cap member is in the open position,

(d) a biasing element operative to bias said cap member into the closed position.

20. A closure device according to claim 19 wherein said opening has an upper rim that is formed in a plane, said mounting member having a planar upper surface and being sized whereby the upper surface is coplanar with the upper rim when in the mounted state.

21. A closure device according to claim 20 wherein said cap member has a lower rim that is formed in a plane whereby said lower rim confronts said planar upper surface when said cap member is in the closed position.

22. A closure device according to claim 21 including a gasket interposed between said lower rim and said planar upper surface when said cap member is in the closed position.

23. A closure device according to claim 22 wherein said gasket is defined by an O-ring.

24. A closure device according to claim 19 wherein said annular mounting member includes a clevis structure disposed thereon, said cap member including a knuckle piece received in said clevis and pivotally secured thereto by axle piece.

25. A closure device according to claim 24 wherein said actuator is pivotally attached to the clevis structure and is mechanically linked to said cap member, and including

(a) a spring element operative

(1) to bias said actuator into the first position

(2) yet to permit manual movement of said actuator into the second position.

26. A closure device according to claim 25 wherein the actuator includes two parallel levers, each said lever including a first section and a second section joined at a common vertex an obtuse angle to one another, each said first section having a slot formed therein, said cap member including a pair of oppositely projecting pins with each said pin received in a respective one of said slots, said second sections each having a free end portion opposite the vertex with the free end portions being joined by a bar extending therebetween.

27. A closure device according to claim 26 wherein said levers are pivotally attached to the clevis structure by means of at least one axle element.

28. A closure device according to claim 27 wherein the slots and said pins are dimensioned for loose-fitted engagement whereby registration of said cap member with mounting member in said closed position is facilitated.

29. A closure device according to claim 19 wherein the cap member is constructed of a material having sufficient transparency whereby any contents disposed in the opening can be discerned therethrough.

30. A closure device adapted to attach to a container that has an opening through which contents in the container may be dispensed, comprising:

(a) a mounting member adapted to be removably secured at a mounted location proximately to the opening of the container;

(b) a cap means for closing the opening when in a closed position and exposing the opening when in an open position;

(c) a manually operable actuator means operatively interconnecting said mounting member and said cap means for moving said cap means from the closed position to the open position; and

(d) biasing means for biasing said cap means into the closed position.

31. A method for alternatively enclosing and exposing a writing tip of a marker having a body and an opening provided with the writing tip, comprising:

(a) mounting a cap member to the body is a manner whereby said cap member may move between a closed position enclosing the writing tip and an open position exposing the writing tip;

(b) biasing said cap member toward the closed position with a biasing force;

(c) manually moving said cap member to the open position;

(d) retaining said cap member in the open position during use of said marker; and

(e) releasing said cap member when said marker is not in use whereby said cap member returns to the closed position under influence of the biasing force.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the step of manually moving said cap member is accomplished by grasping said marker with the hand and moving said cap member with a digit of the hand.

33. A method according to claim 31 including the step of providing a lever actuator mechanically engaging said cap member and wherein the step of biasing said cap member is accomplished by resiliently biasing said actuator.

34. A method according to claim 31 wherein the step of biasing said cap member is accomplished by means of a resilient spring.

35. A method according to claim 31 wherein the cap is retained in the open position by means of a latchable actuator.