# US 5,706,979 A · Tube cap and hanger > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,979 A - Document ID: US5706979A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/656,945 - Filed: 1996-06-06 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-06-06 - Assignees: J.W. Harris Co., Inc. - Inventors: Joseph W. Harris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706979A ## CPC - A47F 1/08: dispensing from bottom - B65D 41/22: Caps or cap-like covers with elastic parts adapted to be stretched over the container - B65D 51/242: {provided with means for facilitating lifting or suspending of the container} - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A flexible cap adapted to enclose a tube having an open end and used for storing items consists of an enclosure having an opening at one end, a closed end, and side walls and enclosing a space. A pair of aligned apertures through the side walls form with the space a bore through the enclosure transverse to the axis of the enclosure between the opening and the closed end. The opening is adapted to engage the open end of the tube. To dispense an item, the cap is bent by lateral flexion so as to align one of the apertures with the open end of the tube and the tube is inverted so that an item falls out under the influence of gravity. The amount of lateral flexion controls the alignment of the aperture with the open end so as to permit only one item at a time to fall out. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tube with a flexible cap adapted to enclose the tube, the tube having an open end and used for storing items, the cap being adapted to permit dispensing an item from the tube without removing the cap from the tube and to prevent more than one item from being dispensed, the cap comprising: a flexible housing having an outer wall, and an inner wall enclosing a space, a bore transecting the outer wall, the inner wall, and the space and forming two apertures at the intersection of the bore with the walls, and an opening through the outer wall and inner wall and intersecting the space, the opening being adapted to engage the open end of the tube, and whereby the cap may be bent by lateral flexion to align one of the apertures with the open end of the tube, thereby allowing an elongate item to be dispensed from the tube under the influence of gravity without removing the cap, the alignment of the aperture being controlled by the amount of lateral flexion so as to prevent more than one item from being dispensed accidentally. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the bore is adapted to receive a hook for hanging the cap and tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is made of rubber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is made of flexible plastic. ### Claim 5 A flexible cap adapted to enclose a tube having an open end and used for storing items, the cap being adapted to permit dispensing an item from the tube without removing the cap from the tube, the cap comprising: an enclosure having an opening at one end, a closed end, and a side wall and enclosing a space, an aperture through the side wall, intersecting the space between the opening and the closed end, the opening being adapted to engage the open end of the tube, and whereby the cap may be bent by lateral flexion to align the aperture with the open end of the tube, thereby allowing an item to be dispensed from the tube under the influence of gravity without removing the cap, the alignment of the aperture being controlled by the amount of lateral flexion so as to prevent more than one item from being dispensed accidently. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cap of claim 5, wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a hook for hanging the cap and tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The cap of claim 5, wherein the cap is made of rubber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The cap of claim 5, wherein the cap is made of flexible plastic. ### Claim 9 A flexible cap adapted to enclose a tube having an open end and used for storing items, the cap being adapted to permit dispensing an item from the tube without removing the cap from the tube, the cap comprising: an enclosure having an opening at one end, a closed end, and side walls and enclosing a space, a pair of aligned apertures through the side walls, forming with the space a bore through the enclosure transverse to the axis of the enclosure between the opening and the closed end, the opening being adapted to engage the open end of the tube, and whereby the cap may be bent by lateral flexion to align one of the apertures with the open end of the tube, thereby allowing an item to be dispensed from the tube under the influence of gravity without removing the cap, the alignment of the aperture being controlled by the amount of lateral flexion so as to prevent more than one item from being dispensed accidently. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cap of claim 9, wherein the apertures are adapted to receive a hook for hanging the cap and tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The cap of claim 9, wherein the cap is made of rubber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The cap of claim 9, wherein the cap is made of flexible plastic. ### Claim 13 A flexible cap adapted to enclose a tube having an open end and used for storing items, the cap being adapted to permit dispensing an item from the tube without removing the cap from the tube, the cap comprising: a flexible housing having an outer wall and an inner wall enclosing a space, a pair of aligned apertures through the outer wall and inner wall and a bore through the housing transverse to the axis of the housing and meeting said apertures. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cap of claim 13, wherein the apertures are adapted to receive a hook for hanging the cap and tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The cap of claim 13, wherein the cap is made of rubber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The cap of claim 13, wherein the cap is made of flexible plastic.