Self-sealing toothpaste cap

Abstract

A container cap includes a nozzle portion having a cavity, a closed end, an open end, and a self-closing opening formed in the closed end. The open end provides access to the cavity. The nozzle portion is expandable to receive at least a portion of a nozzle of a container through the open end and into the cavity to provide connection there between. The container may be a toothpaste tube and the connection may be an interference fit connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container cap, comprising:
 a nozzle portion having a cavity, closed end, and an open end, the open end providing access to the cavity, a self-closing opening being formed in the closed end;   wherein the nozzle portion is expandable to receive at least a portion of a nozzle of a container through the open end and into the cavity to provide an interference fit connection.   
     
     
         2 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the container cap comprises silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The container cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a base portion configured to contact a shoulder of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The container cap of  claim 3 , wherein the base portion is positioned adjacent to the open end. 
     
     
         5 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the self-closing opening has a Y-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the self-closing opening has one of a T-shape, an X-shape, an L-shape, a linear shape, and a star shape. 
     
     
         7 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein at least the nozzle portion comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the self-closing opening includes at least one movable flap. 
     
     
         9 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a tube of toothpaste. 
     
     
         10 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a length that is greater than a length of the container nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the closed end includes a convex outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the closed end includes a tapered surface. 
     
     
         13 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the a portion of the nozzle adjacent to the open end is configured to roll onto itself prior to mounting the nozzle portion to the container nozzle. 
     
     
         14 . The container cap of  claim 1 , wherein the container cap has an integral, single-piece construction. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a container cap, comprising:
 forming a nozzle portion, the nozzle portion comprising a cavity, a closed end, an open end, and a self-closing opening formed in the closed end, the open end providing access to the cavity by a nozzle of a container, the self-closing opening comprising at least one movable flap that moves between open and closed positions as contents of the container are forced out through the self-closing opening.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the nozzle portion is configured to provide an interference fit connection between the nozzle portion and the container nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming a base portion, the base portion being connected to the nozzle portion, the base portion being configured to contact a shoulder of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle portion comprises silicone and has elastic properties. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cavity of the nozzle portion is formed having an internal diameter when in a rest state that is smaller than an external diameter of the nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the closed end of the nozzle portion is formed having a contoured shape.