Easy pour low profile flow control dispensing cap

Abstract

The inventions relate to containers that store liquids and/or particle solids and the removable caps that are used to stop contents from leaving the containers when the cap is in a closed position and to allow contents to be poured from the container in an open position. The caps may be used in a system that includes containers designed to stack together or to be otherwise stored together in a manner that minimizes the storage space required for such containers. The caps may include a base and a nipple having a low profile such that the top of the nipple does not protrude beyond the top of the base. The base may include a counterbore that is sufficiently large in diameter to allow the nipple to be grasped when in a closed position. The present inventions may be practiced with a stopper that interacts with the nipple to close the path through which fluid may flow.

1 . An apparatus for controlling the flow from a container, said apparatus comprising
 a base comprising
 a first base end located outside of the container and a second base end inserted into the container; 
 an annular opening having a first end and second end, said annular opening having an axis substantially perpendicular to said first or second base end; 
 a counterbore having a counterbore axis substantially parallel to said annular opening axis; and 
   a nipple comprising a first end and a second end, said second end inserted into the annular opening of said base, said nipple operably configured to move between positions comprising an open position and a closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the nipple is substantially flush with said first base end when the apparatus is in a closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is removably attached to said container. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said base further comprises threads for removably attaching said base to said container. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow from the container is retarded when said apparatus is in a closed position. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said counterbore is sufficient to allow said nipple to be grasped in a closed position. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises a stopper proximate to said second base end, wherein said nipple contacts said stopper when in a closed position to retard the flow of liquid from the container. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said stopper is circular. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said stopper is connected to the base with at least one support. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said nipple comprises an annular opening. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the wall of said nipple annular opening contacts the outer diameter of the stopper in a closed position to retard flow from the container. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said annular opening in contact with said stopper is chamfered. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said nipple further comprises a nipple counterbore at said second end, and wherein the wall of said nipple counterbore contacts the stopper in a closed position to retard flow from the container. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the wall of said nipple counterbore is chamfered. 
   
   
       15 . A method of retarding the flow of liquid from the container, said method comprising
 coupling a base and a nipple such that the nipple may move between positions comprising an open position and a closed position,   wherein said base comprises (i) a first base end located outside of the container and a second base end inserted into the container; (ii) an annular opening having a first end and second end, said annular opening having an axis substantially perpendicular to said first or second base end and (iii) a counterbore having a counterbore axis substantially parallel to said annular opening axis; and wherein said nipple comprises a first end and a second end; said the first end of the nipple is substantially flush with said first end of said base in a closed position and the diameter of said counterbore is sufficient to allow said nipple to be grasped in the closed position;   removably attaching the coupled base and nipple to said container; and   moving the nipple into a closed position.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said base comprises threads for removably attaching said base to said container and said method further comprises attaching the coupled base and nipple to said container with said threads. 
   
   
       17 . A packaging system comprising
 at least one flow control apparatus comprising
 a base comprising
 a first base end located outside of the container and a second base end inserted into the container; 
 an annular opening having a first end and second end, said annular opening having an axis substantially perpendicular to said first or second base end; 
 a counterbore having a counterbore axis substantially parallel to said annular opening axis; and 
 
 a nipple comprising a first end and a second end, said second end inserted into the annular opening of said base, said nipple operably configured to move between positions comprising an open position and a closed position; 
   at least one container configured to be stacked to minimize spacing between containers;   
     wherein when said flow control apparatus is attached to said container, the flow control apparatus is substantially flush with or below an adjacent surface or container. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a surface of said container is indented at the attachment of the flow control apparatus. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first end of the nipple is substantially flush with said first end of said base in a closed position and wherein the diameter of said counterbore is sufficient to allow said nipple to be grasped in the closed position.