One piece unit dose liquid dispensing closure and packaging system

Abstract

A single-piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product includes a main body portion, a downwardly depending apron that is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container and a unit dose reservoir that has a filling window defined therein. A pouring spout is provided that is unitary with the unit dose reservoir. A lid member is provided that is connected to the main body portion by a flexible hinge and that is adapted to step on to and seal against the pouring spout. Venting structure may also be provided for venting the unit dose reservoir.

1 . A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product, comprising:
 a main body portion;   a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container;   a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein;   a pouring spout, said pouring spout being unitary with said unit dose reservoir;   a lid member, said lid member being adapted to snap on to and seal against said pouring spout; and   a flexible hinge, said flexible hinge being unitary with both said main body portion and said lid member.   
   
   
       2 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible claw seal member that is unitary with said main body portion, said flexible claw seal number being adapted to engage and seal against an upper rim of a container. 
   
   
       3 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said downwardly depending apron comprises a circumferential inwardly extending snap bead for securing said closure onto a container. 
   
   
       4 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said pouring spout comprises an upper flange portion that extends radially upwardly and outwardly. 
   
   
       5 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said pouring spout is constructed and arranged to minimize dripping. 
   
   
       6 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said closure is fabricated from a plastic material. 
   
   
       7 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir. 
   
   
       8 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted. 
   
   
       9 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose reservoir. 
   
   
       10 . A container assembly comprising the closure of  claim 1  and a container. 
   
   
       11 . A container assembly for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product, comprising:
 a container; and   a closure having a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and that is secured to the container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir; a pouring spout; and a lid member.   
   
   
       12 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising a flexible claw seal member that is unitary with said main body portion, said flexible claw seal number being adapted to engage and seal against an upper rim of a container. 
   
   
       13 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said downwardly depending apron comprises a circumferential inwardly extending snap bead for securing said closure onto a container. 
   
   
       14 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said pouring spout comprises an upper flange portion that extends radially upwardly and outwardly. 
   
   
       15 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said pouring spout is constructed and arranged to minimize dripping. 
   
   
       16 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said closure is fabricated from a plastic material. 
   
   
       17 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted. 
   
   
       18 . A container assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose reservoir. 
   
   
       19 . A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product, comprising:
 a main body portion;   a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container;   a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein;   a pouring spout, said pouring spout being attached to said unit dose reservoir; and   venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir.   
   
   
       20 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 19 , wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted. 
   
   
       21 . A single piece metering closure according to  claim 19 , wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose reservoir.