Abstract: A closure cap defining a dispenser port. A stopper tab is pivotally mounted to the closure cap for selectively closing the port. The closure cap includes an end wall having a concave portion defining a camming surface. A resilient finger is provided on the stopper tab and includes a tip portion slidably engaging the camming surface. The finger tip is deflected by its engagement with the camming surface when the stopper tab is arranged in the port-closing disposition so as to bias the stopper tab toward the axis of the pivot portion. The finger tip coacts with the camming surface further to bias the stopper tab pivotally toward an open position wherein the stopper portion is spaced from the port as a result of the stopper tab being moved from the port-closing disposition. The camming surface further coacts with the stopper tab to releasably retain the stopper tab in the fully open pivotal position.

Abstract: A safety dispensing conversion device for converting storage containers of inflammable fluids such as gasoline or the like, such as the well-known "jerry can", into a container with safety dispensing features. A pour spout, a flame arrester extending from the pour spout interiorly of the container, a safety cap in a normally closed relation to the pour spout, and a spring-biased control handle and linkage arrangement mounted on the upper end of the container and connected to the safety cap to cause opening of the safety cap upon movement of the control handle in an opening direction, and insuring closing of the safety cap due to the action of the biasing spring when the control handle is released, in modular form, is integrated into such a container.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a dispenser for viscous fluids.

Abstract: A snap cover hinged to the neck of a collapsible tube such as a tube of toothpaste. The cover is hinged by a plurality of hinge members located to apply spring bias to the cover in both the open and closed positions of the cover so as to maintain the cover in the manually set position. A sleeve collar projects from the top inside face of the cover of a size to fit about the neck of the tube in the closed position so as to restrain contents of the tube from spreading along the inside face of the cover beyond the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controllable flow pourer mechanism.This pourer mechanism comprises a valve mounted on an actuating device, of such construction that in closed position, the valve is kept in fluid-tight contact upon the lip of the pourer spout and that, from this position, in a first phase, the valve slides upon the lip of the pourer spout and, in a second phase, the valve carries out a rocking movement.The invention is applied especially to effect mixtures of liquid products.

Abstract: A unitary dispensing closure having a lid mounted on a closure part or base in such a manner that the lid will automatically move toward either a closed or an opened position when it is released after being manipulated to any position between these two positions can be constructed so as to utilize the resiliency within a "live" hinge to provide the force necessary to move the lid. In any position intermediate these two positions the hinge connects to the lid and closure part or base so that contact between the lid and closure part causes temporary deformation of the hinge. As a result of the resiliency of the material in the hinge such temporary deformation is adequate to move the lid as described.

Abstract: A one piece child resistant closure for containers in which the closure is permanently attached to a container and dispensing of the container contents is through an orifice closed and sealed by a plug. Removing the plug from the orifice requires pressing of the closure in a specific location to expose an edge of a hinged cover permitting gripping and swinging of the cover member and plug to a fully opened position. During pressing to expose a lifting edge, the plug remains in sealing engagement with the dispensing orifice.

Abstract: An improved ice dispensing mechanism for an ice hopper is characterized by a door or gate which is moved by a variable force to cover and uncover an opening in the hopper. A lever is pivotally mounted at one end and connected at an opposite end with the door, and a solenoid plunger is coupled through a spring with a medial portion of the lever, such that actuation of the solenoid retracts the plunger to extend the spring in one embodiment, and to compress the spring in another, to exert a variable force on the lever to pivot the lever and open the door. Should the door be stuck closed because of ice pressure, by virtue of the spring minimum retraction forces are initially encountered by the plunger when the solenoid is initially energized and the plunger fully extended. This enables the plunger to move into the solenoid, whereupon increased forces are exerted on the plunger by the solenoid, and therefore on the spring, to free the door.

Abstract: The present invention is a bottle closure means which utilizes a cap hinged to a collar which is in turn mounted on the bottle. The invention has a spring-action strip which yieldably forces the cap into a closed position, thus sealing the bottle.

Abstract: A dispensing enclosure 12 for holding a liquid container 14 in an inverted position is disclosed. In the inverted position, the dispensing opening 22 of the liquid container 14 is disposed downwardly. The enclosure 12 is formed as a two part housing having a first portion 26 and a second portion 86. A plug 70 selectively closes the dispensing opening 22.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing metering valve for attachment to the outlet of an inverted beverage bottle has upper and lower chambers separated by an apertured opening. The lower chamber has a dispensing opening closed by a ball plug movable in the chamber and having a portion protruding out through the opening so that it can be lifted from its seat by contact with ice cubes in a glass or the like. A buoyant ball in the upper chamber descends to partially block the opening between the chambers as the chambers empty into a glass. When the dispensing opening closes, liquid leaking past the buoyant ball fills the lower chamber and then it floats to the top of the upper chamber as it fills for re-use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bottle stopper for automatically sealing the pouring spout of a bottle which in a preferred form includes a liquid within the bottle that is carbonated. The stopper is suitably formed of a single piece of material including a capsule which overlies the bottle neck and its associated toroidal lip of the bottle, a lever operatively connected to the capsule by means of a resilient tongue, in which the lever is biased to normally provide a stopper connected at a terminal extremity of the lever into sealing engagement with the top portion of the capsule.

Abstract: A somewhat resilient stopper seals the throat of a conventional glass coffee-maker flask and is provided with a pouring passage. The passage is valved by a horizontally swingable blade spring-biased toward its passage-closing position but movable to its passage-opening position by a timer-controlled mechanism. The timer can be set for different time periods by a manually movable member which can either be normally fixed to the timer or be easily removable so that it can be retained at the coffee-making station to insure against purpose-defeating resetting.

Abstract: A lid made of a synthetic resin and swingable like a cover for a book to open or close the opening of a container. A leg or legs of desired length extending rearwardly from the rear end of a lid plate renders the lid plate capable of maintaining a desired open position, and moving automatically into its open and closed positions. Such capabilities of the lid plate depend on the force created by a flat surface carrying a hinge base to urge the free end of the leg upwardly, the elasticity of a hinge and the hinge base, and the distance defined between the hinge and the free end of the leg which has been moved. The lid is particularly suitable for a compact for a cosmetic, or the like.

Abstract: A wall mounted coffee dispenser; which includes a container suspended at its upper end by bearings of a stationary bracket, so that when a lower end of the container is rearwardly pushed, it slides in a track that is abutted against the wall, and which is integral with a flat disc which normally intercepts a dispensing opening at a bottom of the container, in order that when the container is rearwardly pushed, the dispensing opening clears the disc allowing coffee to pour out.

Abstract: A dispensing spout which may readily be coupled to the opening of a liquid container. The spout has a closure and a venting tube, the latter of which is adapted to be located in the container at a position to allow atmospheric air to flow into the container to facilitate dispensing of the liquid when the closure is opened for dispensing purposes.

Abstract: A one-piece dispensing closure has an annular skirt on the inner side of which there are threads which co-operate with threads on a container neck for retaining the closure on the container. The closure has a disc-like top in which there is a dispensing opening and a lid for the opening which is an integral part of the closure and is hinged to the closure top at one edge thereof. The lid has an integral plug adapted to close the dispensing opening when the lid is swung into closing position overlying the closure top. The closure top and the underside of the lid have co-operating projections, for example, ears and a post, which function to prevent the lid from swinging to closing position when the closure is turned over to position for dispensing content material and which can be manually interengaged for retaining the lid in closing position when desired.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for molding lids for containers of the kind of those intended for holding tiny articles such as dragees, pills, tablets and the like. The lid is molded with the drawer which is intended for masking and ummasking an article-dispensing port, in a position which is different from the normal operative position of the drawer, so as to exploit the resiliency of the plastics material for having the drawer preloaded and causing it to press against the article-dispensing port when the latter is masked by the drawer. A small force is only required to lift the drawer and to swing it so as to unmask the article-dispensing port.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent dispensing bottle which includes a flexible container having an elongated cap mounting neck which is closed by a pierceable or punctureable membrane. A membrane-piercing-and-droplet-dispensing spike is also provided. The spike includes a conically-shaped orifice and a sharp membrane piercing point. The spike is carried by an elongated cap which has a body portion for mounting on the neck of the container. The neck and cap cooperate to position the spike in either (1) a shipping or non-piercing position or (2) a dispensing position wherein the spike pierces the membrane so that the reagent within the container can flow through the spike for dispensing. The cap also includes a cover or closure for closing the bottle which is hingedly connected to the cap body so that the cover is selectively positionable in either an open or closed position. Both detent and thread systems are disclosed for cooperation with the cap and neck to position and guide the spike relative to the pierceable membrane.

Abstract: A complete closure including a closure member formed as a bottle cap or integrally with a container and lid connected to the closure member by a hinge or hinge-type structure may be constructed so as to utilize a spring structure and a cam structure serving to cooperate to hold the lid in either a closed position in which the lid covers an opening through the closure member or an open position in which the lid is spaced significantly from the opening. Preferably the complete closure is formed as an integral unit out of a polymer such as polypropylene in such a manner that the spring structure consists of upstanding resilient posts on the top of the closure member and so that the cam structure consists of substantially non-bending or rigid portions of the lid which are located so as to contact and deform the posts during movement of the lid.

Abstract: A body and cap connected by a hinge are integrally molded from plastic. The body is adapted to be connected to a container and has a dispensing spout which may be centered or offset. At the distal end of the spout is a tubular portion surrounded by a channel. Capillary bores extend generally parallel to the axis of the spout from the base of the channel to an interior in the spout. Adjacent the distal end of the spout is a spherical bulge. The cap has an internal opening complementary to this bulge so that the cap fits sealingly thereabout. The body and cap have annular exterior walls which meet in a plane inclined at about fifteen degrees to the horizontal (when the top of the container to which the body is secured is horizontal). Several forms of hinges and components biasing the cap are disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow container having an open top is provided with a cap releasably secured thereto. The cap, in turn, includes an open top having an inwardly and downwardly extending lip surrounding the opening. A lid is positioned in the opening and includes a peripheral lip that extends upwardly and outwardly to engage the lip of the cap to form a liquid seal therebetween. A spring member is seated within an annular groove within the cap and contacts the lid to urge the lid upwardly toward the cap. A slight air gap is maintained between the lips; the force of liquid in the container pushing against the lid when the container is tilted causes the lips to engage and maintain a liquid seal therebetween.

Abstract: A dispensing closure having a cap with an opening extending through the top of the cap and having a lid mounted on the cap so that it is capable of being moved between a closed position in which the lid closes off the opening and an open position in which the opening is exposed can be constructed so as to utilize a spring mounting the lid on the cap. One of the ends of the spring employed is secured to the cap so that the spring is incapable of being pivoted relative to the cap while the other of the ends of the spring is pivotally connected to the lid. The spring is connected to the lid at a location such that the spring has to be bent and such that the lid has to be pivoted relative to the spring in order for the lid to be moved between the noted open and closed position. The spring serves to hold the lid relative to the top of the cap so that the lid is held against movement in the open position by the spring.

Abstract: A cup having a manually actuated cover is disclosed. The cover is associated with an actuating system disposed in the handle so that thumb pressure on a push rod causes the cover to move upwardly and rotate to one side to uncover the cup and allow the user to drink therefrom. The cover is associated with the actuating system by a socket arrangement to allow removal of the cover for cleaning of the cup and cover separately.

Abstract: An improved integral snap action hinge comprises first and second main parts joined together by a plurality of hinge straps each of which includes a flexible intermediate portion which portions are aligned to define a hinge line which accommodates opening and closing of the hinge. Improved hinge also includes first and second hinge members, at least one of which is comprised of a flexible, resilient material. The first hinge member extends upward from the first main part between two of the hinge straps. The second hinge member extends upward from the second main part between the same two hinge straps, and confronts the first hinge member when the hinge is in the open position.

Abstract: A cover for a drinking vessel of heat-insulating material comprising a cylindrical wall with elements at its lower end which cooperate with complemental elements at the upper end of a drinking vessel to provide a detachable bayonet joint. Integral with the upper end portion of the cylindrical wall is an inclined flat wall formed with a drinking opening and a relief vent in diametric alignment. Depending from the inclined wall substantially midway between said opening and vent are a pair of spaced lugs each having a journal recess opening onto its lower edge. A lever has a pair of studs extending from its opposite side faces and received in said recesses with snap fits. Upstanding from one end of the lever is an arm which projects through the drinking opening and carries a valve member on its upper end which is of greater extent than said drinking opening and normally engages the upper surface of the inclined wall about the drinking opening.

Abstract: A "toggle" type dispensing closure can be constructed so as to utilize a first closure part such as a cap or the top of a container upon which there is pivotally mounted a second closure part such as a lid so that the second closure part may be pivoted between a closed position in which an opening through the first part is closed off and an open position in which material may be moved through the opening. With such a closure one end of a spring is pivotally connected to the first closure part and the other end of the spring is pivotally connected to the other closure part. The spring is connected to these two parts at spaced locations such that the distance between the ends of the spring is decreased as the second closure part is moved between these positions.

Abstract: A top enclosure for drinking vessels is disclosed. The enclosure enables young children to drink from the drinking vessel only when handles on opposing sides of the vessel are depressed. If only one handle is depressed, such as if the vessel drops on the floor and rolls over on one handle, then the top enclosure remains closed and fluids cannot run out of the vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to automatic closures of the type in which finger pressure applied to a portion of the closure opens an aperture of a container to which the closure is attached thereby permitting dispensing of granular material from the container. Upon release of finger pressure, the closure self-closes, preventing accidental dispensing of material from the container.

Abstract: A food dispenser including a relatively large hopper for holding a supply of dry or granular type food, and a downwardly tapering section leading to a manually movable control door which dispenses a predetermined quantity of the food. Attached to the control door, and actuated thereby, are a plurality of intermeshing pegs, movable in the tapering section, to break up dry products which have a tendency to stick or pack together, thereby always assuring that the control door will dispense an accurate amount.

Abstract: An upright hollow cylindrical body is provided including a hollow laterally outwardly projecting prong on one side. The prong tapers outwardly from the body and is pointed at its outer end. Further, the prong is generally in the shape of a three-sided pyramid somewhat elongated in a direction extending longitudinally of the hollow body. Two sides of the prong extend longitudinally of the body and a short side of the prong extends transversely of the body. The interior of the prong opens directly into the interior of the body and the two long sides of the prong are provided with openings therethrough whereby, when the prong is pushed through the side wall of a container for granular material, granular material may flow through the openings, into the interior of the prong and then directly into the interior of the hollow body. The lower end of the hollow body includes a manually actuatable dispensing door whereby granular material within the body may be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser metering valve, particularly for dispensing measured amounts of liquids from bottles, having a floatable ball in a metering chamber, a valve seat at the valve outlet on which the ball can seat, a biased normally closed cover extending over the outlet, a lever connected to the cover for actuating the cover to an open position, and a vent tube open to atmosphere at the valve housing and extending to the bottom of the liquid container to which the valve is connected.

Abstract: A hand-held pressurized fluid powered audible alarm includes a housing in which is mounted a pressurized container having a deflection responsive valve and outlet member projecting therefrom. A horn body is mounted on and in fluid communication with the member and a spring loaded plunger carried by the housing is provided to contact and displace the horn body thereby deflecting the member to supply pressurized fluid for sounding the alarm. The plunger is normally retained spaced from the alarm by a removeable pin passing transversely through the plunger shaft. A ring coupled to the pin is pulled to rapidly remove the pin and irreversibly activate the alarm.

Abstract: A pourer-stopper consists of a one-piece moulding having a stoppering device and an integrally hinged cap provided with a spring blade which cooperates with a tongue on the stoppering device to cause the cap to spring from a partially open position to a fully open position; the blade obstructs free return of the cap from the fully open position regardless of the attitude of the device in pouring.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device in animal feeding apparatuses comprising dosage containers having foldable bascules or scuttles, which are adjustable and fixable at different heights in the containers for the purpose of changing the volume of the containers, wherein an operating means striving always to hold the scuttle in a closing position is associated to and actuatable by a loop of a cord or band member or the like extending within the container, one end of said band member being applied to an attachment situated at or near the lower part of the container and the other end thereof being connected to a release mechanism, which may be common to a plurality of dosage containers, whereby a pulling force transmitted from the release mechanism to the band member causes independently of the height adjustment of the scuttle, a decrease of the size of the loop, which in turn causes the operating means to be moved away and the scuttle to be opened.

Abstract: A fuel pump nozzle anti-dribble device for mounting to the end of the nozzle on a conventional fuel delivery pump, such as a gasoline pump to eliminate dripping and spillage of fuel therefrom upon withdrawal of the nozzle from a vehicle fuel tank. The anti dribble device has a flap which is lightly spring loaded to the closed position to close off the flow area of the nozzle upon the shutting off of the nozzle. The flap is spring loaded so as to allow movement to an open position upon the turning on of the nozzle without tripping the automatic shut-off device normally found on such nozzles.

Abstract: A closure for a container including a cover half with base and cover portions and a spout half with base and spout portions. A pouring orifice extends through the spout portion of the spout half. An integral hinge connects the cover half to the spout half so as to form an integral one-piece closure with the halves having been pivoted into engagement. Mating surfaces are on the bases of the cover and spout halves to facilitate cooperative interengagement therebetween and to form the closure with the cover in position for removable engagement with the spout so as to permit opening and closing of the pouring orifice as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrally molded captive cap assembly including a threaded base for attachment to a container and a lead tube which projects into a hollow cap which is pivotally connected to the base. An integrally molded pair of spring members are disposed between the cap and the base and have end portions pivotally connected to the base and to the cap. The spring members bias the cap toward one of two positions. When the cap is in a closed position, the spring members bias the cap toward the closed position and when the cap is opened past an intermediate position, the spring members bias the cap toward an open position.