TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers and, more specifically, to a dispensing container wherein predetermined amounts of the container contents (in, for example, granular, particulate or powder form) may be poured into a hollow measuring cap mounted on the container.

BACKGROUND PRIOR ART

Dispensing containers are, of course, well known and are used in many different industries, for many different purposes. One such area is the food industry and a specific example includes jars and other similar containers which contain solid foods, such as spices, in particulate, granular or powder¬ like form. Typically, a measuring spoon or cup is utilized in conjunction with the jar or container so that the contents may be poured into the spoon or cup until a measured amount (as determined by the size of the spoon or gradations on the cup) is dispensed from the container.

While the integration of a measuring function into a container construction for the discharge of predetermined amounts of the container contents is not new (see for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 1,802,284; 2,804,103; 3,860,111; 4,613,057 and 4,635,828) the present invention provides an improved and simplified cap structure for accomplishing this result, while retaining the desirable option of substantiallyunrestricted pouring and/or shaking (i.e., sprinkling) of the container contents from the dispenser cap without regard to the amount discharged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates the need for measuring spoons or cups by providing a hollow cap or cover for an otherwise standard or conventional container which serves as its own measuring device.

The jar or container of this invention may include powdered or granular contents which may be any of a variety of substances characterized broadly as spices, but it should be understood that the jar and dispensing cap constructions in accordance with this invention are equally suitable for use with other powder and/or granulated materials which are to be dispensed in measured quantities, such as dietary powders, coffee, drink concentrates, medicinal powders, detergents and the like. With the incorporation of suitable seals, the dispensing cap of this invention may also be used to dispense liquid contents in similarly measured amounts.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a substantially cylindrical container body formed of glass, plastic, paper board, cardboard or other suitable material includes a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall and terminating at an upper open end. The upper open end typically includes means for securing a closure of the threaded or snap-on type. In conventional spice jars or containers of this type, a dispensing disk is usually inserted over the upper open end of the container (or is made an integral part of the closure) and is provided with one or more dispensing apertures for pouring or sprinkling the contents. In some conventional arrangements, a single relatively large dispensing aperture is provided while in still other arrangements, a plurality of variously sized apertures are provided for selective use by the user.

In accordance with this invention, the conventional screw or snap-on type closure is replaced with a dispensing cap which incorporates a volumetric

space to thereby permit precisely measured amounts of contents to be poured from the dispensing cap. The cap in this exemplary embodiment is constructed of a transparent plastic material and is provided with volume indicators to assist the user in measuring precisely desired amounts as the contents are transferred from the jar into a volumetric space provided in the dispensing cap.

In order to successfully dispense a measured amount of contents from the dispensing cap without further material being transferred into the dispensing cap from the jar or container, a dispensing door provided on the cap must be located in diametrically opposed relationship to the dispensing aperture in the container disk so that the disk in effect provides a dam or weir against further transfer of material through the container dispensing aperture into the volumetric space created in the cap.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the dispensing cap is provided with a pair of side-by-side dispensing doors. The second dispensing door is radially and axially aligned with the dispensing aperture in the bottle or container disk. Underlying the second door is a perforated plate so that the contents can be sprinkled through the dispensing cap without regard for the amount of material dispensed. Thus, the user has the flexibility in this second exemplary embodiment to utilize the dispensing cap as a measuring cup or simply as a traditional dispensing cap.

In a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, the top of the cap is formed with a pair of dispensing doors located on either side of the cap centerline and integrally hinged along parallel hinge lines to a bridge or connector strip through which the cap centerline passes. That door which lies on the opposite side of the cap centerline from the weir aperture, is provided with volume gradations in the form of level lines and suitable alpha and/or numeric characters, and is used to dispense the measured amounts of contents

from the cap as in the second embodiment. The opposite or second door, overlying the weir aperture, is used in an alternative mode of operation where it is desired to pour the container contents directly without concern for specific amounts, and without the perforated plate used in the second embodiment.

A fourth embodiment represents a modification of the third embodiment in that the top of the cap is formed as a separable transparent piece, which may be snap-fit onto an upper annular rim of a transparent or opaque cap skirt.

A fifth embodiment represents a further modification of the third embodiment in that a disc is located axially between the separable, transparent top piece and the cap skirt, with the disc having a pair of openings conforming to the shape of, and underlying the dispensing doors. One of the apertures in this intermediate disc is fitted with a panel provided with a plurality of openings. These shaker or sprinkler openings are used in the flow through mode where accurately measured amounts are not of concern.

A sixth embodiment represents an alternative to the fifth embodiment wherein the panel with the plurality of openings utilized in the flow through mode is made integral with the cap top and the cap skirt.

In a seventh exemplary embodiment, the dispenser cap includes a single door formed essentially by the entire top of the cap. The manner of which measured amounts of container contents are dispensed from the cap is similar to the other disclosed embodiments.

In an eighth embodiment, the weir panel is inclined from the weir edge to an upper rim of the skirt, so that when the cap door is opened, the container contents will flow more easily out of the measuring chamber.

With respect to all of the above described embodiments, various generally interchangeable arrangements are provided as between the cap top, dispensing doors and skirt.

In a ninth exemplary embodiment of the invention, the depending skirt incorporates an inverted dome-like weir panel provided with a weir aperture lying on one side of a center line extending through the cap. In this ninth embodiment, the cap top wall forms a fully openable dispensing door integrally hinged at the juncture of the cap skirt and cap top wall. The free edge of the cap, which is diametrically opposed to the integral hinge, lies on the opposite side of the cap center line from the weir aperture. Of particular significance is the utilization of a sifting disk, having a curvature complementary to that of the weir panel, which is snap-fit into (or otherwise suitably attached to) the dispensing cap in underlying engagement with the weir panel, for rotation relative thereto. This sifter disk is formed with a generally chord-shaped cut¬ out substantially of the same shape as the weir aperture in the weir panel, and rotatable into alignment with the weir aperture. At the same time, adjacent the cut-out, a series of sifter apertures are provided. In addition, a vertical tab is provided on the sifter disk which extends upwardly through the weir aperture in the weir panel. This permits the user to rotate the sifter disk to either of two positions: (1) a first position wherein the sifter disk cut-out underlies the weir aperture so that, with the dispensing door closed, the user can transfer measured amounts of container contents into the measuring chamber. With the dispensing door open, the user can simply free flow unrestricted amounts of container contents through the cap; and (2) a second position where the sifter apertures are superposed under the weir aperture enabling the user to dispense container contents through the sifter apertures, using a typical back and forth shaking motion. Here again, the dispensing door may be open or closed. If open, the user can sift unrestricted amounts of container contents through the cap and, if closed, the user can sift measured amounts into the measuring

chamber. In order to enable the free discharge of sifted or unsifted material from the cap, the dispensing door formed by the top wall of the cap may be fully opened and releasably held against the exterior of the depending skirt portion by means of a locking tab and cooperating locking groove channel arrangement.

In a preferred arrangement of this ninth embodiment, the dispensing cap is formed as a two-piece construction, i.e., the depending skirt and the top wall/dispensing door are formed as a single piece along with the weir panel; and the sifter disk is separately formed and insertable within the dispensing cap in the manner described above. In an alternative arrangement, the dispensing door could be formed separately and simply snap-fit onto the top of the cap, or hinged by a pin or other suitable means. In the preferred arrangement, the dispensing door and cap are integrally formed, and both components of this two-piece dispenser cap construction are made of transparent plastic material to facilitate accurate transfer the container contents from the container into the dispensing chamber. On the other hand, the sifter disk in this arrangement may be constructed of an opaque plastic material to create a contrast with the remainder of the dispensing cap. For that embodiment where the dispensing door/top wall is formed separately, the depending skirt portion, weir panel and sifting disk may be formed of opaque plastic material and the separately formed top wall/dispensing door formed of a transparent plastic material.

In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, therefore, there is provided a measuring/dispensing cap for use with a standard jar having a bottom and a peripheral side wall terminating at an open upper end, the jar including first means for receiving the cap; the measuring/dispensing cap including a top wall having at least one dispensing door pivotally mounted by an integral hinge within the top wall and including a free edge at the periphery of the top wall, and a peripheral depending skirt extending downwardly from

the top wall, the peripheral skirt being divided into upper and lower portions, the lower portion including second means cooperable with the first means for removably securing the portion including a volumetric space for receiving contents from the container body; and a partition disk having at least one dispensing aperture therein, the partition disk fixedly secured between the upper and lower portions of the skirt, and wherein the dispensing aperture and the free edge of the dispensing door are located on opposite sides of a horizontal center line through the cap in a direction parallel to the integral hinge.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a measuring/dispensing cap adapted for attachment to an open, upper end of a container, the cap comprises a top and a peripheral skirt extending downwardly from said top; a partition separating said peripheral skirt into upper and lower sections, the upper section comprising a measuring chamber defined by said top, said upper section of said skirt and said partition, and the lower section including means for attaching said cap to the open upper end of the container; and wherein at least one of said top and upper section of said peripheral skirt is provided with volume indicators; said partition formed with a weir aperture on one side of a diametrical centerline extending across said partition, said aperture defined in part by a weir edge extending parallel to and spaced from said centerline; and at least one dispensing door pivotally secured to said top and having a hinge axis parallel to said centerline and said weir edge, and wherein a portion of the door opposite said hinge lies on the other side of said diametrical centerline.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a measuring/dispensing cap adapted for attachment to an open, upper end of a container, the cap comprising first means for enabling an accurately determined amount of contents to be dispensed from the container, and second means for enabling substantially unrestricted pouring of contents from the container.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a measuring/dispensing cap adapted for attachment to an open, upper end of a container, the cap comprising first means for enabling an accurately determined amount of container contents to be dispensed from the cap in a first operating mode; second means for enabling substantially unrestricted pouring of container contents through the cap in a second operating mode; and third means for enabling sifting of container contents in either of said first or second modes.

A detailed description follows, from which additional objects and advantages may become apparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container, e.g., a spice jar and associated dispenser cap in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view, in section, of the spice jar and associated dispenser cap illustrated in Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a spice jar and associated dispenser cap in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view, in section, of the spice jar and associated dispenser cap illustrated in Figure 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of a dispensing cap and container in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a cap illustrated in Figure 5, but with a dispensing door shown in an open position;

FIGURE 7 is a partial perspective view of a dispensing cap and container in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the dispensing cap shown in Figure 7, but with one of the dispensing doors shown in the open position;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded view of a dispensing cap in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view of a dispensing cap of the type shown in Figure 9;

FIGURES 10A through IOC disclose alternative closure arrangements for the cap doors of the cap shown in Figures 9 and 10;

FIGURE 11 is a cross sectional view of a dispensing cap in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken along the line 11- 11 of Figure 12;

FIGURE 12 is an end view of the dispensing cap illustrated in Figure i i;

FIGURES 13 and 14 are enlarged details of the dispensing cap illustrated in Figures 11 and 12;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a dispensing cap in accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 16 is a cross section through a dispensing cap shown in Figure 15, but with the cap door in a closed position;

FIGURES 16A and 16B disclose alternative closure arrangements for the cap door illustrated in Figures 15 and 16;

FIGURE 17 is a cross section of a dispensing cap in accordance with a eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 18 is a side view of a dispensing cap in accordance with a ninth embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 19 is a top plan view of the dispensing cap shown in Figure 18 and with the sifter disk in a sifting position;

FIGURE 20 is a side section of the dispensing cap of this invention taken along the line 20-20 of Figure 19 but with the dispensing door shown in an open position;

FIGURE 21 is a top plan view of the dispensing cap shown in Figure 18 but with the sifter rotated to a flow thru position;

FIGURE 22 is a plan view of the cap shown in Figure 18, but with dispensing door and sifter panel removed for clarity; and

FIGURE 23 is a plan view of the cap shown in Figure 18, but with dispensing door and weir panel removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to Figures 1 and 2, the jar or container 10, which is of a conventional spice jar construction, includes a peripheral side wall 12 extending upwardly from a bottom wall 14, terminating in a threaded upper open end portion 16. The upstanding threaded portion 16 typically receives a conventional closure which, as described below, is replaced by the dispenser cap in accordance with this invention.

The jar is shown to include powdered or granular contents 18 which may be any of a variety of substances characterized broadly as spices, but it should be understood that the jar and cap construction in accordance with this invention is suitable for use with other powder and/or granulated materials as well.

In the conventional spice bottle jar, there is typically provided a dispensing disk 20 provided with a dispensing aperture 22 which overlies the upper open end of the jar and which would normally be utilized by the consumer to dispense the contents of the jar into a measuring cup or measuring spoon (or directly on a food product). In the event the dispensing disk 20 incorporates only a single relatively large opening as illustrated at 22, it may be retained for use with this invention. If, on the other hand, the dispensing disk is of the type which includes a plurality of various sized openings for selective use by the consumer, that disk would be replaced by a disk with a single relatively large opening of the type illustrated at 22.

Other conventional spice jars have dispensing caps with one or more built in dispensing apertures and associated hinged doors. For this type of

spice jar, the measuring/dispenser cap of this invention would simply replace the entire known dispenser cap.

The measuring/dispensing cap 24 is preferably made of a transparent plastic material and includes a depending skirt portion which is divided into upper and lower sections 26, 28, respectively, by an annular shoulder 30. The lower skirt portion 28 is provided with internal threads adapted to cooperate with the external threads on the upstanding dispensing portion of the jar in the manner of a typical threaded closure. The upper portion 26 of the cap defines a volumetric space 32 from which measured amounts of contents 18 can be dispensed as described in greater detail below. The disk 20 is clamped to the container rim by shoulder 30 of the measuring/dispensing cap.

The peripheral skirt 24 of the measuring/dispensing cap terminates at a top wall 34 which incorporates a flip open dispensing door 36 integrally hinged to the top wall 34 at 38.

Level or volume indicators 40 (for example 1/2 oz., 1 oz., 1 1/2 oz., etc.) are provided on the periphery of upper skirt portion 26 of the cap, and may if desired, extend across part or all of the top wall 34 (including the door 36) for ease of use.

In use, the measuring/dispensing cap 24 will be applied to the container 10 such that the dispensing door 36 will lie in diametrically opposed relationship to the dispensing aperture 22 in the disk 20 as best seen in Figure 1. With the door 36 in the closed position, the user may tilt the container 10 until contents spill over the disk edge 23 of aperture 22 and into the volumetric space 32 of the cap 24. In other words, the disk 20, aperture 22 and edge 23 act in the nature of a "weir dam". As also best seen in Figure 1, when the container is so tilted, the user may easily determine the volume of contents

transferred to the dispensing cap with the assistance of the level indicators 40. When the desired amount of contents have been transferred to the dispensing cap, the flip open door 36 may be opened and the contents poured out of the cap. Because of the relative location of the aperture 22 and the door 36, the contents within the cap may be poured out of the cap through the door 36 without additional contents spilling through the aperture 22 and into the volumetric space 32. In other words, the aperture 22 and the remote free edge 37 of the door 36 lie on opposite sides of a horizontal center line 39 of the cap extending parallel to a straight edge 23 of the aperture 22 (and also parallel to the door hinge).

It will be appreciated that, although not necessary, a second disk could be provided in either overlying or underlying relationship to the disk 20 and rotatable relative thereto in order to close off the aperture 22 following transferal of a measured amount of contents into the volumetric space 32. It will also be appreciated that where no additional underlying or overlying disk is employed, modifications may be made which will fix the relative position of the aperture 22 in disk 20 relative to the dispensing door 36. This can be done by appropriate locators for the disk, and/or insuring that the thread configuration by which the cap is attached to the jar is arranged so that the aperture 22 and door 36 are appropriately located upon full tightening of the cap 24.

The invention as described above thus provides an integral measuring/dispensing cap which is adapted for use with conventional spice jars/containers without change to the jar or container. This construction eliminates the requirement for a separate utensil such as a measuring spoon or measuring cup and allows the user to simply and conveniently dispense measured amounts of spices or other powdered or granular substances from a container in a simple two-step process. :

Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein reference numerals similar to those used in Figures 1 and 2 are employed, but with the prefix "1" added. This second exemplary embodiment of the invention differs from the first described embodiment in that a second flip type door is provided in side-by-side relationship to the door 136. This second dispensing door 42 (which may also be integrally hinged to the cap top wall 134) has an underlying perforated plate-like member 46 provided with a plurality of small dispensing holes 48. As apparent from Figures 3 and 4, the array of apertures 48 are aligned with the dispensing aperture 122, thereby enabling the user to utilize the spice jar and associated measuring/dispensing cap in a different operating mode than that described above in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In other words, the user now has the option to dispense measured amounts through the door 136 or to simply rotate the jar and dispense contents through the aperture 122 and dispensing apertures 48 directly without concern for specific measured amounts. The use of a plurality of small apertures 48 permits the contents to be sprinkled where desired and, during this mode of operation, the dispensing door 136 would, of course, remain closed.

With reference now to Figures 5 and 6, a jar or container 210, which may be of conventional jar-like construction, includes a peripheral side wall 212 extending upwardly from a bottom wall (not shown), terminating in an externally threaded upper open end. The upstanding threaded portion typically receives a conventional closure which, as described below, is replaced by the unique dispenser cap 214 in accordance with this invention.

The measuring/dispensing cap 214 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 is also preferably made of a transparent plastic material, and includes a top or cover 216 and a depending skirt portion which is divided into upper and lower sections 218, 220, respectively, by an annular double-stepped shoulder 222.

The lower skirt portion 220 is provided with internal screw threads 224 adapted to cooperate with the external threads on the upstanding dispensing portion of the jar 210 in the manner of a typical threaded closure.

The upper portion 220 of the cap defines a volumetric space or chamber 226 from which measured amounts of contents can be dispensed as described in greater detail below. The volumetric space or measuring chamber 226 is defined by the upper skirt section 218, the top 216 and a planar disk or weir panel 228 which may be inserted into the cap from the lower threaded end thereof, and into flush, frictional engagement with an interior annular shoulder 230 (radially adjacent the annular exterior shoulder 222). The weir panel 228 may be held in place by a simple friction fit, or a lip may be provided opposite the shoulder 230 to create a snap-in groove for receiving the panel. Panel 228 is formed with an aperture 232 which has a chordal shape, and which is partially defined by a weir edge 234. Weir edge 234 lies to the aperture side of a diametrical centerline 239 (Figure 5) extending across the cap, i.e., the aperture lies wholly on one side of the centerline, and the weir edge 234 is spaced from that centerline, thereby enabling the weir panel to effectively perform a dam function as described in greater detail below.

The top 216 incorporates a pair of flip open dispensing doors 236, 238 integrally hinged to the top wall 216 along parallel hinge lines 240, 242 lying symmetrically on either side of the cap diametrical centerline. Each of the doors has a substantially chordal shape, each extending partially about the periphery of the cap and hinged, as noted above, along the parallel hinge lines 240, 242 which define a bridge strip 241.

In this third embodiment, each door 236, 238 has a peripheral, depending flange 244, 246, respectively, and since these doors are identical (with minor noted exceptions), only the door 238 will be described in detail.

The flange 246 is frictionally engageable with a peripheral edge or rim 248 at the upper end of the section 218 of the cap skirt. The rim 248 is formed by a radially inward shoulder 250 and an upstanding free edge 252. As a result of this configuration, the door flange 246 fits flush with the upper skirt portion 18 when closed. The upstanding edge 252 in this embodiment is formed with a radially outwardly projecting bead 254, over which a radial inward bead 256 of the flange 246 snaps to releasably hold the door 238 in the closed position. An integral tab 247 extends radially outwardly from the flange 246 and facilitates opening of the door 238.

Level or volume indicators 258 (for example 1/2 oz., 1 oz., 1 1/2 oz., etc.) are provided on the door 236 in the form of lines (parallel to the centerline 239) and suitable alpha and/or numeric legends and may, if desired, be extended to run axially down the upper skirt portion 218 to the shoulder 222. The manner in which the doors 236, 238 are used is described in greater detail below.

The measuring/dispensing cap 214 will be assembled initially so that the door 238 and aperture 232 are in overlying relationship as seen in Figures 5 and 6. It follows, then, that door 236 is diametrically opposed to the panel aperture 232. With the cap in place on the container 210, and with doors 236 and 238 in the closed position, the user may tilt the container 210 in such a way (i.e., door 236 below door 238) that contents will spill over the weir edge 234 through aperture 232 and into the volumetric space or measuring chamber 226. When the container is so tilted, the user may easily determine the volume of contents transferred to the chamber 226 with the assistance of the level indicators 258. When the desired amount of contents have been transferred to the chamber 226, the door 236 may be flipped opened (door 238 remaining closed) with the aid of tab 249, and the contents poured out of the cap. Because of the diametrically opposed relationship between the panel aperture

232 and the door 236, the contents within the chamber 226 may be poured out of the cap through the door 236, without additional contents spilling over the weir edge 234. In other words, the weir panel 228 (in this tilted orientation) acts as a dam, the height of which (as defined by weir edge 234) is sufficient to block unwanted flow of material into chamber 226 as the already measured amount is discharged through the door 236. The reason for this is simply that the degree of tilt required to discharge the measured amount out of the cap via door 238 is less than the degree of tilt required to cause the contents to spill over the weir edge 234 and into the chamber 226.

In an alternative mode of operation, the container may be re-oriented (with door 238 below door 236), and the container contents poured straight through the panel aperture 232 and door 238 (door 236 remaining closed), when dispensing accuracy is not a concern.

It will further be appreciated that weir panel 228 may be formed with smaller or larger apertures, so long as the weir edge 234 is retained on that side of the centerline 239 remote from door 36.

As a further convenience to the user, tabs 247 and 249 may be printed (or engraved) with the words "POUR" and "MEASURE", respectively.

Turning now to Figure 7 and 8, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein reference numerals similar to those used in Figures 5 and 6 are employed, but with the prefix "3" added. This fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention differs from the third described embodiment in that the top 316, including doors 336, 338 is formed as a separate piece that can be snapped into place over the rim 348 of the upper skirt section 318. More specifically, the upper rim 348 of the skirt has been continued around the entire periphery of the skirt, and the connecting or bridge

strip 341 has an interior configuration identical to the door flanges 344, 346, thereby enabling the entirety of the top 316 to be snapped into place on the rim 348. Following attachment of the top wall 316, it may be permanently secured in place by heat staking, ultrasonic welding, interlocking key or other suitable means, preferably at diametrically opposed locations on either side of the bridge strip 341.

Because of the removable nature of top 316, the weir panel 328 may be formed integrally with the cap skirt portions 318, 320. Moreover, it is now possible to have the top wall 316 transparent and the remainder of the cap opaque, thereby permitting additional flexibility in the creative packaging aspects of the cap. Otherwise, the construction and manner of use of the cap remains substantially as described above in connection with the first embodiment.

Turning now to Figures 9 thru IOC, a fifth embodiment in the form of a "double top" configuration is illustrated wherein the top of the cap is formed as two snap-on, disc-like members. For the sake of convenience and understanding, similar reference numerals as used in the previously described embodiments are employed in Figures 9 thru IOC where appropriate, but with the prefix "4" added. More specifically, the cap 414 has an open-ended skirt with upper portion 418 and lower portion 420 (flush on their outer surfaces), separated internally by an integral partition or weir panel 428, (creating the volumetric space or measuring chamber 426) having an aperture 432 and a weir edge 434. In this third embodiment, top 416 is formed with dispensing doors 436, 438 which are similar to doors 336, 338 in that they are integrally hinged along parallel hinge lines 440, 442 on either side of a connector or bridge strip 441. In addition, the doors have peripheral flanges 444, 446 which are similar to rims 344, 346.

The upper end of skirt section 418 is provided with an upper rim 448 (Figure 10) including a radial inward shoulder 450 and an upstanding free edge 452 formed with a radial outwardly bead 454.

A significant structural difference in this fifth embodiment relates to the incorporation of an intermediate disk or plate 460 axially between the skirt section 418 and the top or cover 416. This intermediate disc is formed with a peripheral rim 462, the lower edge of which is provided with a radially inward bead 464, enabling the disc 460 to be snap fit over the edge 452 and bead 454 and into seated engagement on the shoulder 450.

The upper edge of the peripheral rim 462 is formed with beads 466 which "outline" a pair of chord-shaped apertures 468, 470, enabling the top or cover 416, and specifically the radially inward bead 456 to be snap fit over the beads 466 as best seen in Figure 10. The openings 468, 470 substantially underlie the similarly shaped doors 436, 438, respectively. The aperture 468 allows unrestricted pouring of contents from the container, as described further below. The aperture 478, on the other hand, receives a panel 480 which can be friction fit or snap fit into seated engagement with a shoulder 482 extending about the periphery of the aperture. Panel 480 is formed with a plurality of openings 484, the exact size and quantity of which can vary depending on the consistency, granule size, etc. of the contents to be dispensed.

The disc or plate 480 also includes a diametrical connector or bridge strip 486 extending between the apertures 468, 470 and adapted to underlie the bridge strip 441 on the top 416. As best seen in Figures 9 and 10, the beads 466 surrounding apertures 468, 470 create undercuts or grooves which are adapted to receive beads 488 located at free edges of corresponding straight portions of flanges 444, 446 (underlying the hinge lines 440, 442) of the cap 416.

With continued reference to Figures 9 and 10, it will be appreciated that the top or cover 416 is attached to the disc or plate 460 so that door 436 with volume indicators 458 overlies the opening 486 which, in turn, is located diametrically opposite the weir opening 432 as defined by edge 434. As a result, the user may pour contents over the edge 434 into the chamber 426 until the desired volume is transferred to the chamber 426. The container may then be reoriented and tilted with the door 436 opened to dispense the accurately measured volume. The weir panel 428 prevents additional contents from being dispensed with the measured amount, in the same manner as described hereinabove.

Alternatively, with door 436 closed, the container may be reoriented and door 438 may be opened, so that contents can be shaken directly through the weir opening 432, the openings 484 in disc panel 480, and the door 438.

Another feature of this embodiment of the invention is the optional inclusion of plugs 490 on the lower surface of door 438, each adapted to plug or close a corresponding opening 484 in the removable panel 480. In this way, the openings 484 are prevented from being clogged with container contents and are, in fact, wiped clean each time the door 438 is closed.

Figure 10A illustrates a minor variation in the disc 460' in the sense that the cross sectional profile of disc 460' has been adjusted so that the flange 444' of the top 416' lies flush with the rim 462' and skirt sections 418' and 420'. Figure 10B illustrates another alternative arrangement where the bead arrangement on the top or cover 416" and the intermediate disc 460" is reversed. In other words, bead 456" on the rim 444" is a radially outward bead received inside the intermediate disc or plate, while the bead 466" on the disc or plate 460" is a radially inward bead. Thus, the top or cover 416" fits inside the disc 460" (and inside the apertures corresponding to 468, 470).

Figure IOC illustrates yet another alternative which is similar to Figure 10 except that an internal skirt 457 has been added to engage inside the disc 469 so that the top 417 has a flange arrangement which straddles the beads 467 (one shown) on the disc 469. This arrangement provides a substantially airtight seal about both apertures in the disc (corresponding to apertures 468, 470).

Turning now to Figures 11 through 14, another embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein the sprinkling openings are made integral with the cap. More specifically, the cap 510 includes a skirt 512 which is divided into upper and lower skirt portions 514, 516, about an external double step shoulder 518. The lower skirt portion 514 is provided with an internal screw thread 520 for attaching the cap to a container. The upper skirt portion 516 forms a volumetric measuring chamber 522 which is also defined by the chord- shaped weir panel 524 which seats in a groove 526 as defined by a shoulder 528 and a plurality of projections 530 (preferably three in number - two are shown in Figure 11), best seen in Figure 14. It will be appreciated that the panel 524 may also be molded integrally with the cap. Weir panel 524 also includes a weir edge 532, over which container contents are spilled into the measuring chamber 522.

The top or cover 534 of the cap is formed with integral doors 536 and 538 on either side of a connector or bridge strip 541, as defined by parallel hinge edges 540, 542. Edge 540 lies on the diametric centerline 539 of the cap while hinge line 542 lies on the same side of the centerline 539 as weir edge 532. The thinned areas of the top which form the hinge lines 540 and 542 are shown in detail in Figure 13.

Underlying the door 538, there is an integral chord-shaped sprinkler or shaker panel 548 which extends between the strip 540 and the peripheral wall

of the cap, at the uppermost edge 550 of skirt portion 514. The shaker panel 548 is provided with a plurality of sprinkling holes 552 which permit direct sprinkling of contents from the container, through holes 552 and through the door 538. At the same time, in an alternative mode of operation, contents may be spilled over the weir edge 532 into chamber 522 until a desired amount is transferred to the chamber, as indicated by volumetric gradations 554 on the door 536. Door 538 may then be opened and the measured volume of contents poured from the chamber 522 and through the door 536, with weir panel 524 preventing additional container contents from spilling into the chamber 522.

Diametrically oppositely located tabs 556 and 558 facilitate opening of their respective doors 536, 538. In this instance, the doors 536, 538 fully nest within the open end of the skirt portion, while tabs 556, 558 lie within notches formed in the skirt rim. As best seen in Figure 12, bumps or nubs 560 may be formed on the peripheral surfaces of the doors 536, 538, on opposite sides of the tabs 558, 568 for snap-in engagement with complimentary recesses formed on the inside surface of the cap skirt portion 512. While the bumps or numbs 560 hold the doors in a closed position, the tabs 556, 558 also serve to prevent overdosing of the doors.

With reference now to Figures 15 through 16B, yet another embodiment of the invention is disclosed. Here, a transparent cap 610 includes a skirt 612 divided internally into upper and lower portions 614, 616 by an integral, chord- shaped weir panel 618. The panel 618 is formed with a weir edge 620 defining, in cooperation with part of the skirt wall, a chord-shaped weir opening 622. The upper portion 614 of the skirt in cooperation with weir panel 618 and the top or cover 624 define a volumetric measuring chamber 626 similar to those described in previous embodiments. The internal surface of the lower skirt portion 616 is formed with a screw thread 628 for attaching the cap to a container in the usual manner.

The top or cover 624 in this embodiment is provided as a single dispensing door, secured to the skirt 612 by an integral hinge 630. The top or cover 624 is formed with peripheral rim 632 provided on its interior surface with a radial inward bead 634 which is designed to snap over a radial outwardly bead 636 at the upper edge of the skirt 612 and to seat on the shoulder 638. The cover or top 624 is provided with volume gradations 640 which may, if desired, continue along adjacent portions of the skirt section 614. A radial tab 642 facilitates opening of the cap for dispensing a measured amount of contents from the chamber 626. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the top or cover must open from the side opposed to the weir opening 622 in order to function properly. Stated otherwise, the hinge 630 must be located on the same side of the cap as the weir opening 622.

Figures 16A and 16B illustrate alternative closing arrangements. In Figures 16A, the rim 632' of the top or cover 624' fits inside the skirt rim (similar to Figure 10B) and, in Figures 16B, an inside/outside arrangement is illustrated (similar to Figure IOC). More specifically, an internal flange 633 is used in conjunction with rim 632" to thereby straddle the annular bead 636" on the upper edge of the skirt.

Now turning to Figure 17, a cap 710 is illustrated which is similar in all respects to the cap illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 (similar reference numerals are used but with the prefix "7") with the exception that weir panel 718 angles or curves from the weir opening 722 upwardly to the upper edge of the upper skirt section 714. This arrangement allows the measured contents within measuring chamber 726 to flow more easily out of the cap when the top or cover 724 is opened. Here again, as with all of the disclosed embodiments, the doors may use outside, inside or straddle connections with the skirt.

With reference now to Figures 18 and 19, a measuring/dispensing cap 810 in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention includes a top or cover 812 and a depending skirt portion 814. The depending skirt portion includes an annular shoulder 816 defining a lower skirt portion 18 with internal screw threads 820 adapted to cooperate with external threads on the upstanding dispensing portion of a container or a jar (not shown) in the manner of a typical threaded closure. Substantially all of the dispensing cap defines a volumetric space or chamber from which measured amounts of contents can be dispensed as described in greater detail below. The volumetric space or chamber 821 is defined by an upper portion 822 of the depending skirt, the cap top wall/dispensing door 812, and a weir panel 824 which may be integrally formed with the cap. This weir panel 824 has an inverted dome-like shape and a dispensing or weir aperture 826 of generally chordal shape partially defined by a weir edge 828. The edge 828 lies to the aperture side of a diametrical center line 829 extending across the cap, i.e., the aperture lies wholly on one side of the center line, and the edge 828 is spaced from that center line, thereby enabling the weir panel to effectively perform a dam function as also described in greater detail below.

The dispensing door for the cap in this exemplary embodiment includes the entire top wall or cover 812 which is pivotally secured to the depending skirt 818 by an integral hinge 830. The dispensing door is formed with a peripheral rim 832 which is designed to telescope over the uppermost edge 834 of the depending skirt 818 and to seat on an annular radial shoulder 836. It will be appreciated, however, that the dispensing door 812 and the uppermost edge of the cap depending skirt may be provided with cooperating snap elements or other releasable locking means to hold the dispensing door in a closed position when not in use. The dispensing door is also provided with volume gradations 838 which may, if desired, continue along adjacent portions of the depending skirt 818.

In the area of the integral hinge 830, a thickened rib extends axially downwardly along the depending skirt and this rib is provided with a relatively thin locking channel 840 extending downwardly along the depending skirt. At the same time, the exterior surface of the dispensing door is provided with a locking tab 842 adjacent the hinge. This enables the dispensing door to be swung to a fully open position with the locking tab 842 releasably secured within the locking channel 840.

In accordance with this embodiment, a sifter disk 844 is provided which has an inverted dome-like shape substantially similar to the shape of the weir panel 824. The sifter panel or disk 844 is insertable within the dispensing cap from below the depending skirt 818 to the position shown in Figure 18 where the sifter disk is shown in underlying relationship to the weir panel 824. Disk retainers in the form of or a solid annular rib 846 seated in an annular groove in the interior surface of skirt 818 hold the sifter disk in place within the dispensing cap. By reason of the complementary shape of the sifter disk 844, the latter is rotatable about a vertical axis, relative to the stationary weir panel 824.

The sifter disk 844 is formed with a cut-out 848 (Figure 23) having a shape substantially similar to the weir aperture 826 formed in the weir panel 824. This cut-out 848 terminates at an angled edge 852 where a thin upstanding tab 850 or handle extends vertically relative to the disk. This tab 850, which extends upwardly through the weir aperture 826, enables the user to rotate the sifter disk from above (with the dispensing door 812 open) to the desired position without having to remove the dispensing cap 810 from the container. Adjacent the tab 850, and extending in a direction away from the sifter disk cut-out, there are a plurality of sifter apertures 854. These apertures are spaced and numbered such that when the sifter disk 844 is moved to the

position shown in Figure 19, the sifter apertures are substantially centered within the weir aperture 826.

With specific reference to Figure 19, it will be appreciated that by moving the tab 850 in a counterclockwise direction to the Figure 21 position, the sifter disk apertures 854 will be moved under a solid portion of the weir panel 824 and the sifter disk cut-out 848 will be moved into substantially underlying relationship with the weir aperture 826. In this position (or first operating mode), the dispensing cap is used to transfer measured amounts of container contents from the container into the volumetric dispensing or measuring chamber 821. This is done with the top wall/dispensing door 812 in the closed position. The user may then tilt the container in such a way that the contents will spill over the weir edge 828 through the weir aperture 826 and into the volumetric space or measuring chamber 821. When the container is so tilted, the user may easily determine the volume of contents transferred to the chamber 821 with the assistance of the volumetric indicators 838. When the desired amount of contents have been transferred to the chamber 821, the dispensing door 812 may be flipped open with the aid of tabs 852 and 854, and the contents poured out of the dispensing cap. Because of the diametrically opposed relationship between the weir panel aperture 826 and the dispensing door free edge (the edge opposite the hinge), the contents within the chamber may be poured out of the cap through the door without additional contents spilling over the weir edge 828. In other words, the weir panel 826 in this tilted orientation acts as a dam, the height of which (as defined by the weir edge 828), is sufficient to block unwanted flow of material into the chamber 821 as the already measured amount is discharged through the dispensing door. The reason for this is simply that the degree of tilt required to discharge the measured amount out of the cap via door 812 is less than the degree of tilt required to cause the contents to spill over the weir edge 828 and into the chamber 821. This action, of course, is facilitated by the curvature provided in

the weir panel 826 which in effect provides a ramp for the measured amount to slide toward the dispensing door.

With the sifter disk 844 in this first position, the user may also simply pour the container contents straight through the weir aperture 826, cut out 848 and through the open door 812 without regard for the amount dispensed. To facilitate such unrestricted pouring, the door 812 may be swung to its fully open position, with tab 842 frictionally engaged in channel or groove 840.

In an alternative second mode of operation, the user may rotate the sifter disk to the position illustrated in Figure 19. In this position, and with the door 812 closed, the user may shake an accurately measured amount of container contents through the sifting apertures 854 and into the chamber 821. Alternatively, the door 812 again may be opened fully (with the locking tab 842 is frictionally engaged within the locking channel 840), so that the user may then shake the container in the usual manner to allow sifted material to flow directly from the container out of the dispensing cap without concern for the amounts dispensed.

It will be appreciated that the above described cap constructions provide cost effective designs which are easy to use and easy to manufacture, and which enable dispensing of precisely measured amounts from a container, thereby eliminating the need for separate measuring devices such as cups and spoons.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications

and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.