Convertible pump dispenser and method

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing liquids or high viscous products from a container. The apparatus includes a pump dispenser that is manually convertible into a cap dispenser. When desired, the pump dispenser is removed from the rest of the cap construction. The hole in the cap left by the removed pump dispenser can then be covered by a cap dispenser. In an uncapped position, the hole allows the contents of the container to be emptied when the container is inverted.

1 . A container comprising a cap having defined therein a central passageway, at least a portion of which is a threaded surface capable of receiving and securing therein a threaded portion of a pump dispenser and said threaded portion of said passageway capable of providing a flowpath for contents therethrough when said pump dispenser is not secured in said threaded portion of said passageway. 
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump dispenser having a threaded portion which is capable of engaging with said threaded portion of said passageway such that in such engaged position, said pump dispenser can pump contents therethrough. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container includes a neckportion which includes said threaded portion. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said threaded portion of said passageway is used to dispense residual contents inside said container by inverting said container. 
   
   
       5 . A container comprising a cap construction including a neck portion containing blades which are capable of twisting such that said blades move in a radial direction, and when said blades radially move sufficiently in an outward direction, a large enough aperture is defined inside said neck portion to receive and secure therein a threaded portion of a pump dispenser and said aperture is capable of providing a flowpath for contents therethrough when said pump dispenser is not secured in said aperture. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein further comprising a pump dispenser which is capable of passing through said aperture and thereby being secured by said blades and said pump dispenser designed to pump contents of said container therethrough. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said aperture is used to dispense residual contents inside said container by inverting said container. 
   
   
       8 . A cap subassembly comprising a sealing and unsealing component having defined thereon an aperture that allows contents to flow through said component and a sealing portion that does not allow contents to flow through said component, wherein said component is capable of being displaced from a first position to a second position such that in said first position, said component allows contents to pass therethrough and in said second position, said component does not allow contents to pass therethrough. 
   
   
       9 . The cap subassembly of  claim 8 , wherein said aperture of said component is capable of being aligned with an aperture defined in a container such that contents inside said container can pass through said apertures when said component is in said first position. 
   
   
       10 . The cap subassembly of  claim 8 , wherein said sealing portion is capable of being out of alignment with an aperture defined in a container such that contents inside said container cannot pass through said apertures when said component is in said second position. 
   
   
       11 . The cap assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a cap to cover said component. 
   
   
       12 . The cap assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said component is an open and close radial valve element that adjusts to quarter locking turns of said component. 
   
   
       13 . The cap assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said component is a disk-top dispensing cap. 
   
   
       14 . The cap assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said aperture of said component is capable of receiving and securing therein a pump dispenser that is designed to pump contents out of a container.