Container cap

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a container cap and includes a container engaging section, a spout section, a closure member, and a slidable hinge assembly. The spout section comprises a protrusion extends from the top surface of the cap, at least one outlet opening formed adjacent to the top surface of the protrusion, and a dispensing tip that is located adjacent to the outlet opening. The slidable hinge assembly formed between the spout section and closure member connects the closure member and the spout section. The slidable hinge assembly comprises a hinge member and a guide member that is fitted into a guide rail integrally formed on the outer surface of the spout section for guiding the guide member. The closure member is coupled to the spout section with the hinge member and the guide member. When the closure member is opened for dispensing the contents, the closure member can be positioned at the lower position by the slidable hinge assembly to keep the closure member clear of the emerging contents of the container.

1 . A cap for use on a container comprising:
 a container engaging section adapted for securing a cap to a container, said container engaging section being generally shaped to engage and extend over a top rim of said container;   a spout section comprising a protrusion extending upwardly from an upper surface of said container engaging section, said protrusion including at least one outlet opening located at a top portion of said protrusion;   a closure member connected with said spout section for sealing said cap; and   a slidable hinge assembly connecting said closure member and said spout section.   
     
     
         2 . The cap as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said slidable hinge assembly comprises:
 a guide rail member defining a pair of elongated recesses, said guide rail member being attached to an outer surface of said spout section;   a guide member slidably engaged within said elongated recesses; and   a hinge member attached on one side to said closure member and on an opposite side to said guide member.   
     
     
         3 . The cap as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said guide rail member is integrally formed with said spout section. 
     
     
         4 . The cap as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said guide member extends along at least half of a height of said spout section. 
     
     
         5 . The cap as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said spout section is tapered from said upper surface of said container engaging section to said top portion of said protrusion. 
     
     
         6 . The cap as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a dispensing tip surrounding said outlet opening. 
     
     
         7 . The cap as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said dispensing tip comprises an internal surface that tapers outwardly from said outlet opening. 
     
     
         8 . The cap as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said dispensing tip has a smaller cross-sectional area at an end adjacent said outlet opening relative to a cross-sectional area of said dispensing tip at an end opposite said outlet opening. 
     
     
         9 . The cap as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said closure member comprises a top and a skirt extending from said top and further comprising an extension extending from said top within said skirt, said extension being arranged to fit into and seal said outlet opening. 
     
     
         10 . The cap as set forth  claim 1 , wherein said container engaging section includes an exterior skirt portion which engages a peripheral rim formed on an upper edge of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The cap as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said guide member and said hinge member are integrally formed with said closure member. 
     
     
         12 . The cap as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said spout section has a height greater than an overall length of said integral closure member, guide member, and hinge member. 
     
     
         13 . A cap for use on a container comprising:
 a container engaging section adapted for securing a cap to a container, said container engaging section being generally shaped to engage and extend over a top rim of said container;   a spout section extending upwardly from said container engaging section, said spout section including at least one outlet opening therein;   a closure member connected with said spout section for sealing said cap; and   a slidable hinge assembly connecting said closure member and said spout section, said slidable hinge assembly comprising a guide rail member integrally formed with said spout section and a guide member integrally formed with said closure member, said guide member engagable with said guide rail member to allow movement of said guide member along said guide rail member.   
     
     
         14 . A method for opening and closing a container with a cap, comprising the steps of:
 engaging a top rim of said container with a container engaging section of a cap;   pivoting a closure member of said cap about a hinge member connected thereto away from an outlet opening of a spout section of said cap;   sliding a guide member connected to said closure member downward along a guide rail member connected to said spout section;   subsequently sliding said guide member upward along said guide rail member to a top end of said guide rail member; and   pivoting said closure member about said hinge member toward said outlet opening.