US2016340089A1PendingUtilityA1

Multiple flip-top cap

43
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: May 20, 2015Filed: May 20, 2015Published: Nov 24, 2016
Est. expiryMay 20, 2035(~8.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Kenneth J. Herzog
B65D 1/023B65D 43/164B65D 23/102B65D 47/0838
43
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A cap for a container includes at least two openings. A first top is movable between a closed position in which it covers a first opening and an open position in which the first opening is exposed. A second top is movable between a closed position in which it covers a second opening and an open position in which the second opening is exposed. Hinges connect the first top and second top to the top surface of the base. The hinges are positioned such that neither the first top nor the second top opens beyond a periphery of the base. In another embodiment, the hinges are positioned on a front edge of the base and a rear edge of the base, respectively. A third top may be included to cover a third opening.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cap for a container comprises:
 a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein;   a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;   a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed;   a first hinge connecting the first top to the base; and   a second hinge connecting the second top to the base,   wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are positioned adjacent to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge and second hinge are positioned substantially in a center of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge and second hinge are positioned parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a sidewall extending downward around a periphery of the top surface. 
     
     
         5 . The cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion positioned substantially in the center of the top surface of the base and extending from a front to a rear of the cap, wherein the first hinge is positioned on a first side of
 the protrusion and the second hinge is positioned on a second side of the protrusion, opposite the first side.   
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the sidewall further comprises:
 a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the first top, opposite the first hinge; and   a second thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top, opposite the second hinge.   
     
     
         7 . The cap of  claim 6 , wherein the first top further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression. 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 7 , wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the second thumb depression. 
     
     
         9 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the first top is positioned a predetermined distance above the top surface of the base when in the closed position such that there is a first air gap between the bottom surface of the first top and the top surface of the base, and
 a bottom surface of the second top is positioned the predetermined distance above the top surface of the base when in the closed position such that there is a second air gap between the bottom surface of the second top and the top surface of the base.   
     
     
         10 . The cap of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner skirt configured for mating with a neck of a container on which the cap is mounted.   
     
     
         11 . The cap of  claim 10 , further comprising
 a first channel extending from the inner skirt to the first opening; and   a second channel extending from the inner skirt to the second opening.   
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the sidewall further comprises a coupling element positioned at a bottom end thereof and configured to engage a container on which the cap is mounted. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third opening formed in the top surface of the base;   a third top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers the third opening and an open position in which the third opening is exposed;   a third hinge connecting the third top to the base,   wherein the first hinge, the second hinge and third hinge are positioned substantially in the center of the base and parallel to each other.   
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein one of the first top, second top and third top is larger than the other two of the first top, second top and third top. 
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein the third opening includes a plurality of small perforations. 
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein the sidewall further comprises:
 a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the first top opposite the first hinge;   a second thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top opposite the second hinge; and   a third thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the third top opposite the third hinge.   
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the first top further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression. 
     
     
         18 . The cap of  claim 17 , wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the second thumb depression. 
     
     
         19 . The cap of  claim 18 , wherein the third top further comprises a third thumb slot formed at the end of the third top opposite the third hinge and above the third thumb depression. 
     
     
         20 . A cap for a container comprises:
 a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein;   a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;   a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed;   a first hinge connecting the first top to the base of the base and positioned proximate a front edge of the top surface of the base; and   a second hinge connecting the second top to the base of the base and positioned proximate a rear edge of the top surface of the base.   
     
     
         21 . The cap of  claim 20 , wherein the base further comprises a sidewall extending downward around a periphery of the top surface thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The cap of  claim 21 , wherein the sidewall further comprises:
 a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the first top, opposite the first hinge; and   a second thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top, opposite the second hinge.   
     
     
         23 . The cap of  claim 22 , wherein the first top further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression. 
     
     
         24 . The cap of  claim 23 , wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the second thumb depression. 
     
     
         25 . The cap of  claim 21 , wherein the cap is oval shaped. 
     
     
         26 . The cap of  claim 21 , wherein the cap is rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         27 . A method of making a cap comprising:
 providing a base including a top surface;   forming at least two openings in the top surface;   connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;   connecting a second top to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed; and   positioning the first hinge and the second hinge adjacent to each other.   
     
     
         28 . A method of making a cap comprising:
 providing a base including a top surface;   forming at least two openings in the top surface;   connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;   connecting a second top to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed; and   positioning the first hinge proximate a front edge of the top surface and the second hinge proximate a rear edge of the top surface.   
     
     
         29 . A cap for a container comprises:
 a base including a top surface with at least two openings formed therein;   a first top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed;   a second top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at least two openings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed;   a first hinge connecting the first top to the base; and   a second hinge connecting the second top to the base,   wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of a centerline of the cap.

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