초록 ▼

A container closure assembly that includes a base that is adapted to be connected to a container, a spout extending upwardly from the base, and a cap removably secured on the spout. The spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane that includes at l

A container closure assembly that includes a base that is adapted to be connected to a container, a spout extending upwardly from the base, and a cap removably secured on the spout. The spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane that includes at least one score line defined therein. The cap includes a ring depending from and frangibly connected thereto, and includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof. Rotation of the cap in a first direction breaks the frangible connection between the cap and ring and causes the puncturing mechanism to puncture the membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane includes a pair of intersecting score lines that tear when the membrane is punctured. In another preferred embodiment, the container closure assembly includes a leash that connects the cap and ring and that has a thickness and a width. The leash includes a hinge that comprises a portion of the leash that has a thinner thickness than the remainder of the leash, thereby allowing the leash to bend at the hinge.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of dispensing a fluid from a container, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a container having a container closure assembly associated therewith, wherein the container closure assembly includes a cap and a spout, wherein the interior of the spout is span

What is claimed is: 1. A method of dispensing a fluid from a container, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a container having a container closure assembly associated therewith, wherein the container closure assembly includes a cap and a spout, wherein the interior of the spout is spanned by a sealed membrane that includes a plurality of score lines defined therein, wherein the cap includes a puncturing mechanism that extends downwardly from the top thereof, b. moving the cap downwardly, c. puncturing the membrane with the puncturing mechanism to break the score lines, thereby forming a plurality of flaps that define an opening, d. removing the cap from the spout, wherein after the cap is removed the material of the membrane causes the membrane to approximately retain its shape from before the membrane was punctured to restrict fluid flow through the opening, and e. dispensing the fluid through the opening. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the puncturing mechanism is generally cylindrical, defines a vertical axis and includes an end that comprises a contact cone having a contact surface, wherein the contact surface forms an angle of between about 40 degrees and 89 about degrees with the vertical axis. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the puncturing mechanism is generally cylindrical, defines a vertical axis and includes an end that comprises a contact cone having a contact surface, wherein the contact surface forms an angle of between about 65 degrees and 75 about degrees with the vertical axis. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the spout includes a lip and the cap includes a sealing ring, and wherein the method further includes the step of placing the cap back on the spout and receiving the lip between the sealing ring and the puncturing mechanism, thereby sealing the container. 5. A container closure assembly comprising: a. a base that is adapted to be connected to a container, b. a spout extending upwardly from the base, wherein the spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane that includes at least one score line defined therein, c. a cap removably secured on the spout, wherein the cap includes a ring depending from and frangibly connected thereto, and wherein the cap includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof, wherein rotation of the cap in a first direction breaks the frangible connection between the cap and ring and causes the puncturing mechanism to puncture the membrane. 6. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein the membrane includes a pair of intersecting score lines that tear when the membrane is punctured, wherein the torn membrane comprises a plurality of flaps. 7. The container closure assembly of claim 5 further comprising a leash having a first end connected to the cap and a second end connected to the ring. 8. The container closure assembly of claim 7 wherein the leash includes at least one hinge thereon. 9. The container closure assembly of claim 8 wherein the leash has a thickness and a width and the hinge comprises a portion of the leash that has a thinner thickness than the remainder of the leash, thereby allowing the leash to bend at the hinge. 10. The container closure assembly of claim 9 wherein the hinge also has a wider width than the remainder of the leash. 11. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein the puncturing mechanism is generally cylindrical, defines a vertical axis and includes an end that comprises a contact cone having a contact surface, wherein the contact surface forms an angle of between about 40 degrees and 89 about degrees with the vertical axis. 12. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein the puncturing mechanism is generally cylindrical, defines a vertical axis and includes an end that comprises a contact cone having a contact surface, wherein the contact surface forms an angle of between about 65 degrees and 75 about degrees with the vertical axis. 13. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein the puncturing mechanism contacts over 50% of the surface area of the top surface of the membrane when the membrane is punctured. 14. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein the cap includes a bottom surface, wherein a distance is defined between the ring and the bottom surface of the cap before the frangible connection therebetween is broken, wherein the ring includes a bumper extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the distance between the top of the bumper and the bottom surface of the cap in a vertical direction is less than the distance from the ring to the bottom surface of the cap. 15. A container closure assembly comprising: a. a base that is adapted to be connected to a container, but which is a separate component before being connected to the container, b. a spout extending upwardly from the base, wherein the spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane, c. a cap removably secured on the spout, wherein the cap includes a ring depending from and frangibly connected thereto, and wherein the cap includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof, wherein rotation of the cap in a first direction breaks the frangible connection between the cap and ring and causes the puncturing mechanism to puncture the membrane. 16. The container closure assembly of claim 15 wherein the base has a canoe-like shape and is connected to the interior of a pouch such that the spout extends upwardly from the pouch. 17. The container closure assembly of claim 15 wherein the base comprises a flange that is adhered to a container such that the spout extends outwardly from the container. 18. A container closure assembly comprising: a. a base that is adapted to be connected to a container, b. a spout extending upwardly from the base, wherein the spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane that includes at least one slit defined therein, and c. a cap removably secured on the spout, wherein the cap includes a ring depending from and frangibly connected thereto, and wherein the cap includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof, wherein rotation of the cap in a first direction breaks the frangible connection between the cap and ring and causes the puncturing mechanism to puncture the membrane. 19. The container closure assembly of claim 18 wherein the membrane includes a plurality of intersecting slits defined therein. 20. The container closure assembly of claim 18 wherein the membrane includes a plurality of slits defined therein that meet at a common point. 21. The container closure assembly of claim 20 wherein the plurality of slits are defined by a plurality of wedge shaped flaps. 22. A container comprising: a. a container portion that contains a liquid therein, b. a spout extending outwardly from the container portion, wherein the spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a sealed membrane, wherein the membrane is adapted to be broken, wherein after the membrane is broken it includes a plurality of flaps that cooperate to define a plurality of slits therein, c. a cap removably secured on the spout, wherein the cap includes a ring depending from and frangibly connected thereto, and wherein the cap includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof, wherein the liquid can only be dispensed through the slits by positive or negative pressure placed on the container portion. 23. A container comprising: a. a container portion, b. a spout extending upwardly from the container portion, wherein the spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane that includes at least one score line defined therein, and c. a cap removably secured on the spout, wherein the cap includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof, wherein the cap includes a ring frangibly connected thereto, and wherein a distance is defined between the ring and the cap before the frangible connection therebetween is broken, wherein rotation of the cap in a first direction causes the puncturing mechanism to puncture the membrane, wherein the distance between the ring and the cap is decreased when the cap is rotated in the first direction. 24. The container of claim 23 wherein the membrane includes intersecting score lines that tear when the membrane is punctured, wherein the torn membrane comprises a plurality of flaps. 25. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein a distance is defined between the ring and the cap before the frangible connection therebetween is broken, wherein the distance between the ring and the cap is decreased when the cap is rotated in the first direction. 26. The container closure assembly of claim 5 wherein the membrane is punctured and the frangible connection is broken approximately simultaneously.