WO2006087740A1

WO2006087740A1 - Push-pull cap for bottles

Info

Publication number: WO2006087740A1
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrey Kolakov
Original assignee: Andrey Kolakov
Priority date: 2005-02-17
Filing date: 2005-02-17
Publication date: 2006-08-24

Abstract

The present invention relates to a push-pull cap (1) for a bottle (2) intended to contain beverages. The cap comprises a fixed portion (10) and an axially movable spout (20). The fixed portion comprises, in turn, a first wall (11) suitable to be connected to the neck (4) of the bottle, an inner wall (12) suitable to be arranged within the bottle neck and having at least one radial aperture (13), a ring (14) suitable to structurally connected the first wall to the inner wall, and a transversal bottom wall (16) connected to the inner wall. The spout comprises an intimate wall (21) suitable to be arranged within the inner wall of the fixed portion, and an outlet (22). The spout can take a first closed position wherein the intimate wall tightly closes the radial apertures, and a second opened position wherein it sets the inner cavity of the bottle in fluid communication with the outlet.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Push-pull cap for bottles"

[0001] . The subject of the present invention is a cap for liquid containers, particularly bottles intended to contain carbonated beverages.

[0002] . For those bottles intended to contain beverages, it is known to use push-pull caps having a fixed portion upon the mouth of the bottle and a spout movable between a closed position and an opened position. [0003] . This type of cap is particularly comfortable, since the user can open and close the bottle using only one hand, and optionally using his teeth to pull out the spout. Since push-pull caps are comfortable, their use is quite widespread mainly during prolonged sports activity.

[0004] . On the other hand, however, this type of cap is not without defects. For example, when filling a bottle with a carbonated beverage, the risk exists that the spout may spontaneously move from the closed position to the opened position, due to the thrust applied by the gas developing within the bottle .

[0005] . Furthermore, right because push-pull caps are easy to use during sports activity, the user often tends to neglect cleaning the spout before pulling it out with his teeth or setting his lips thereon to drink. [0006] . Again, due to the particular configuration of the spout of the known type, which is intended to be completely put into the mouth as a straw, it is quite impossible that the air may enter the bottle while the user is drinking. Accordingly, though being very appreciated, the use of push-pull caps is structurally restricted to bottles with collapsible walls, such as polyethylene terephtalate (PET) , but using these caps with rigid bottles, such as made of glass, is structurally impossible.

[0007] . The object of the present invention is to devise and provide a push-pull cap for bottles allowing to overcome the drawback stated above with reference to prior art . [0008] . Particularly, the task of the present invention is to provide a push-pull cap for bottles that are intended to contain carbonated liquids.

[0009] . Another task of the present invention is to provide a push-pull cap that ensures a good level of cleaning to the spout even when the user does not take care of it .

[0010] . Still another task of the present invention is to provide a push-pull cap that can be used with rigid bottles, such as made of glass. [0011] . This object and these tasks are achieved by means of a cap for bottles in accordance with claim 1.

[0012] . Further characteristics and advantages of the cap according to the invention will become apparent from the description of preferred embodiments thereof, which are merely illustrative and non-limiting, with reference to the annexed figures, in which:

[0013] . Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a cap according to the invention in a first position thereof;

[0014] . Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the cap from Figure 1 in a second position thereof;

[0015] . Figure 3 shows an elevational side view of a cap according to the invention;

[0016] . Figure 4 shows a plan view of the cap from Figure 1; [0017] . Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a cap according to the invention in a first position thereof;

[0018] . Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the cap from Figure 5 in a second position thereof;

[0019] . Figure 7 shows an elevational side view of a cap according to the invention;

[0020] . Figure 8 shows a plan view of the cap from Figure 5;

[0021] . Figure 9 shows a sectional view of a cap according to the invention; [0022] . With reference to the above mentioned figures, with 2 there has been designated a bottle. This bottle comprises, as is known, a cavity 3 and a neck or tubular wall 4 defining a mouth 5 suitable for a liquid to pass therethrough. If the bottle neck is axial- asymmetric (such as cylindrical or having the shape of a truncated cone) it clearly and unequivocally defines an axis X-X of the mouth 5. On the contrary, if the bottle neck had a different shape (such as prismatic or having the shape of a truncated pyramid) it would however be possible to define an axis X-X of mouth 5, for example as the perpendicular to the section of mouth 5 passing through the center of the maximum circle contained in the section.

[0023] . After the axis X-X has been defined, the axial and radial directions are univocally defined. The axial direction is that of any straight line parallel to the axis X-X, whereas the radial direction is that of any half-line perpendicular to the axis and leaving therefrom. [0024]. With reference to the figures, with 1 there has been designated a cap according to the invention as a whole. The cap 1 comprises an axially fixed portion 10 intended to be locked to the neck 4 of bottle 2, and a spout 20 axially movable between a first closed position and a second opened position. [0025] . The axially fixed portion 10 comprises, in turn, a first wall 11 suitable to be firmly connected to the neck 4 of bottle 2. The axially fixed portion 10 further comprises an inner wall 12, suitable to be arranged within the neck 4, having at least one radial aperture 13. The portion 10 also comprises a ring 14 structurally connecting the first wall 11 to the inner wall 12. Finally, the portion 10 comprises a bottom wall 16 that is transversal relative to the axis X-X and connected to the inner wall 12, for example along the perimeter of the bottom wall 16.

[0026] . In accordance with an embodiment, the axially fixed portion 10 further comprises sealing means 15 suitable to prevent that any liquid contained within the cavity 3 may percolate between the tubular wall 4 of bottle 2 and the axially fixed portion 10 of cap 1.

[0027] . The spout 20, axially moving on the fixed portion 10, comprises an intimate wall 21 defining a recess 33 provided with an outlet 22. The intimate wall 21 is suitable to be arranged within the inner wall 12 of the fixed portion 10.

[0028] . The intimate wall 21 is suitable to tightly seal each radial aperture 13 when the spout 20 is in the first closed position, such as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The intimate wall 21 is further suitable to open each radial aperture 13 when the spout 20 is in the second opened position, such as shown in Figures 2 and 5. In this way, the opening of radial apertures 13 sets the inner cavity 3 of the bottle 2 in fluid communication with the recess 33 and thereby with the outlet 22.

[0029] . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a push-pull cap in accordance with the invention described above cannot open spontaneously as a consequence of the inner pressure applied by the gas. In fact, the pressure (indicated with the arrows P in Figure 1) radially acts on the intimate wall 21, i.e. in a direction which is perpendicular to the axial opening direction of the cap.

[0030] . In accordance with an embodiment, the spout 20 and the fixed portion 10 further comprise, in a manner known per se, means limiting the travel of the spout 20 along the fixed portion 10. For example, the spout can comprise a relief 30. In this case, the fixed portion 10 comprises a couple of abutments 31' and 31" on which the relief 30 rests when the spout is in the first closed position and the second opened position, respectively.

[0031] . In accordance with an embodiment, the spout 20 further comprises a radially protruding flange 28. This flange 28 facilitates pulling the spout, mainly when the user performs this operation using only one hand and his teeth.

[0032] . In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 5, the cap 1 according to the invention further comprises a vent 24. The vent 24, for example formed on the spout 20, is set in communication with the cavity 3 within the bottle 2 by moving the spout 20 to the opened position. In other words, the vent 24 and the outlet 22 work in parallel, by remaining both opened or both closed at the same time. The vent 24 serves for the air to enter the cavity 3; this introduction of air, which is suitable to compensate the progressive reduction in the liquid volume as the latter is extracted, is required when the bottle has rigid walls, such as made of glass. [0033] . In accordance with a particular embodiment, the vent 24 further comprises an extension 32 running down along the cavity 3 of the bottle 2. This extension 32 facilitates the introduction of air that compensates the reduction in liquid volume, and thereby the use of .cap 1 with rigid bottles is made even easier.

[0034] . A further optional characteristic of the invention is the presence of at least one pre-softened portion 23, possibly provided with a tab 25, both of them being depicted in Figure 7. This solution is particularly suitable for those caps according to the invention which are intended for use on bottles made of glass or a material of a nature completely different from that of the cap. When the user has finished to use the bottle and the cap, he can easily tear off the pre-softened portion 23, for example by pulling the tab 25, thereby separating the cap from the bottle. The different materials can be thus separated for selective waste collection purposes.

[0035] . In accordance with the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figures 3 and 7, with 26 has been indicated an optional cover. The cover 26 is suitable to be snap-closed on cap 1, such as to keep the spout 20 clean. The cover 26 is connected to the cap 1 by means of a flap 27, which in the first place is suitable to avoid that the cover 26 may get lost upon use, and secondly to keep the cover 36 in such a position that the user can replace it on cap 1 by using only one hand.

[0036] . In accordance with an embodiment, the cover 26 comprises a projection 38 suitable to be inserted in the outlet 22 such as to tightly seal the recess 33.

[0037] . The recess 33 may be intended to contain a substance that is soluble in the liquid contained in the bottle. Thereby, upon moving the spout 20 from the first closed position to the second opened position, the soluble substance drops in the cavity 3 of bottle 2 thus mixing with the liquid contained therein.

[0038] . Both the cover 26 and the spout 20 can be optionally provided with a safety seal 29 that is intended to be broken at first use. In this way, a user can check at a glance whether the bottle had already been opened or it is still sealed. In Figure 1 there is shown a cap 1 according to the invention, the spout 20 thereof having the safety seal 29 still intact. In Figure 3 there is shown a cap 1 according to the invention with the cover 26 opened and thus exhibiting the safety seal 29 broken.

[0039] . In accordance with an embodiment, the cap 1 is suitable to carry advertising signs on its surface.

[0040] . In accordance with an embodiment, the cap 1 is made of a polymeric material additioned with fragrant essences, the perfume thereof being capable of making the beverage contained within the bottle more attractive and agreeable.

[0041] . From the above description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides a push-pull cap 1 for bottles 2 allowing to overcome the drawbacks cited with reference to the prior art.

[0042] . Particularly, the cap 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable not only for those bottles intended to contain carbonated liquids, but also non-carbonated liquids.

[0043] . Furthermore, the cap according to the invention ensures a good level of cleaning to the spout and can be employed with any type of containers, both with soft walls (such as PET or cardboard) and rigid walls (such as glass) .

[0044] . Finally, the cap according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with bottles intended to contain liquids more viscous than water.

[0045] . All the characteristics described above as optional are independent from each other and are to be intended as being freely associable to each other, in order to best meet the specific requirements according to the intended use of the particular embodiment of the cap according to the invention.

[0046] . To the preferred embodiments of the push- pull cap described above, those skilled in the art, aiming at satisfying contingent and specific needs, may carry out a number of modifications, variants and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent, without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1. A cap (1) for bottle (2), said bottle having an inner cavity (3) and a tubular wall (4) defining a mouth (5) and an axis X-X, said cap (1) comprising: - an axially fixed portion (10) having:

- a first wall (11) suitable to be connected to said tubular wall (4) ,

- an inner wall (12) suitable to be arranged within said tubular wall (4) and having at least one radial aperture (13) ,

- a ring (14) suitable to structurally connect said first wall (11) to said inner wall (12) , and

- a bottom wall (16) that is transversal to the axis X-X and connected to said inner wall (12) ; and - an axially movable spout (20) that can take a first closed position (A) and a second opened position (B) , said spout (20) having:

- an intimate wall (21) suitable to be arranged within said inner wall (12) of said fixed portion (10) , and

- an outlet (22) , said intimate wall (21) being further suitable to tightly close said at least one radial aperture (13) when said spout (20) is in said first closed position and to open said at least one radial aperture (13) when said spout (20) is in said second opened position such as to set in fluid communication said inner cavity (3) of said bottle with said outlet (22) .

2. The cap according to claim 1 wherein said axialIy fixed portion (10) further comprises sealing means (15) suitable to prevent that a liquid may percolate between said tubular wall (4) of said mouth (5) and said axially fixed portion (10) .

3. The cap according to any preceding claim, wherein said spout (20) and said axially fixed portion (10) comprise means for limiting the travel of said spout (20) on said axially fixed portion (10) .

4. The cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said axially fixed portion (10) comprises a couple of abutments (31', 31") and said spout (20) comprises a relief (30) suitable to rest against one of said abutments (31') when said spout (20) is in the first closed position and rest against the other of said abutments (31") when said spout (20) is in the second opened position.

5. The cap according to any preceding claim, wherein said spout (20) further comprises a radially protruding flange (28) .

6. The cap according to any preceding claim, further comprising a vent (24) suitable to be communicated with said cavity (3) within said bottle (2) when said spout (20) is in said second opened position.

7. The cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said vent (24) comprises an extension (32) suitable to run down along said cavity (3) of said bottle (2) .

8. The cap according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least a pre-softened portion (23) suitable to be easily torn off such that the cap (1) is separated from bottle (2) .

9. The cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said pre-softened portion (23) comprises a tab (25) .

10. The cap according to any preceding claim, further comprising a cover (26) suitable to be snap- closed on the cap (1) such as to keep said spout (20) clean.

11. The cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said cover (26) is connected to the cap (1) by means of a flap (27) suitable to avoid that said cover

(26) may get lost upon use.

12. The cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said flap (27) is further suitable to keep said cover (26) in such a position that it can be replaced on the cap (1) by using only one hand.

13. The cap according to any claim 10 to 12 wherein said cover (26) comprises a projection (38) suitable to be inserted in said outlet (22) .

14. The cap according to any preceding claim, wherein said intimate wall (21) of said spout (20) defines a recess (23) .

15. The cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said projection (38) is suitable to tightly close said recess (33) .

16. The cap according to any claim 10 to 15, wherein said cover (26) is provided with a safety seal (29) suitable to be broken at first use.

17. The cap according to any preceding claim, wherein said spout (20) is provided with a safety seal

(29) suitable to be broken at first use.

18. The cap according to any preceding claim, wherein said cap (1) is made from a polymeric material additioned with fragrant essences.