AU713718B3 - A container for a bottle cap - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT A cO-1AiNTFR Invention Title: AN- AT+2+TA Mbi- FOR A BOTTLE CAP Name of Applicant: THE TOM COBB DISTILLING CO PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 4%.

r A CONTAINER FOR A BOTTLE CAP FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container for a bottle cap, typically a bottle cap that is already prefitted to a bottle. Preferably, but not exclusively, the container provides both aesthetic and functional characteristics when fitted to a bottle and bottle cap combination.

BACKGROUND

ART

Attachments for bottle caps are known in the art. For example, sometimes leaflets or other promotional tags are fitted to bottles prior to fitting the cap thereto, and the fitting of the cap then attaches the leaflet or tag to the bottle/bottle cap.

The Medley Distilling Co. produced a separate attachment for a bottle/bottle cap arrangement. The spirit contained in the bottle was tequila, and the attachment was provided in the form of a Mexican sombrero, which was then push-fitted to the bottle cap. However, such an arrangement was purely aesthetic, and was adopted to provide the Medley Distilling Co.'s tequila (marketed under the "EL TORO" registered trade mark) with a marketing difference to competitive tequila brands.

Various attachments to bottles etc are shown in the patent literature. For example, DE 19530158, EP 261713, EP 447091, EP 286843, DE 2813940, FR 2586231, FR 2593146 and JP 08-276948.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a container for releasable attachment to a bottle cap of the type that is, independent of the container, fastenable to and removable from a bottle at a spout outlet thereof, and which maintains liquid contents therein after the container has been removed from the cap, the container when removed from the bottle being adapted for holding liquid contents poured thereinto from the bottle and being further adapted for ,1 completely enclosing the cap therewithin when fitted to the cap, wherein the container is adapted for interferingly engaging the cap to releasably attach the container thereto.

Preferably the adaptation of the container for interferingly engaging the cap includes at least one, and optionally three, internal projection(s).

By providing at least one internal projection that is adapted for interferingly engaging the bottle cap, a robust and sturdy fastening of the attachment can be achieved, and also the container may be removed readily when it is desired to subsequently open the bottle by unscrewing the bottle cap).

Preferably the container is cup-shaped for holding liquid therein. Thus, the container can provide a separate drinking vessel, measuring vessel etc. when detached from the bottle cap and may also provide a vessel for holding promotional literature etc. when attached to the bottle cap.

Preferably a mark is provided within the container for indicating a predetermined amount of liquid when filled to the mark. In this regard, typically the mark is positioned so that the predetermined amount of liquid corresponds to a standard nip measure. Thus, the container can be used in hotels, clubs and other commercial establishments as a functional item to provide a nip measure when detached from the bottle cap, and after use can be re-attached to the bottle cap to be fitted to the bottle for safe keeping).

Preferably, the cup-shape includes a flared open end for facilitating the pouring of liquid thereout and thereinto. The flared end can also assist in the drinking of liquid contents out of the container.

Preferably the projection is at least one and preferably three discrete lugs evenly spaced within the container, each for engaging the cap. The provision of evenly spaced and discreet lugs provides for an even 4'i> fitting of the container to the cap. However, a single lug can be provided in the form of an internally projecting endless circumferential rib so that discrete lugs are not employed), but the formation of discrete lugs is easier from a manufacturing perspective.

Typically the container is fitted to a bottle cap of a knurled-type, such knurls usually being provided for gripping of the cap during screwing and unscrewing (or for other removal movement for the cap). Often such knurled type bottle caps have a circumferential indentation near an in use upper end thereof, and the lug(s) can be adapted such that the or each lug is received into the indentation (in an interference or snap fit).

Preferably one or more spacing projections are also provided inside the container for spacing the container from an in-use upper face of the bottle cap when the container is fitted to the cap. The spacing projections can cause the container to be tilted on the bottle cap for aesthetic purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a frontside elevation of a preferred container in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a backside elevation of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a plan elevation of the container of Fig.

1; Fig. 4 shows an underside plan of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional side elevation through the container of Fig. 1 taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; and Figs. 6 and 7 show schematically the fitting and removal of the preferred container of Fig. 1 to a bottle/bottle cap arrangement.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, container for fitting on a bottle cap is shown in the form of cup 10. The cup has a Sflared end 12 and a hollow interior 14. Decoration 16 may 34070 be provided on a front face (Fig. 1) of the cup.

As.illustrated in Figs 4 and 5, the cup is provided with internal.projections in the form of lugs 20, which are arranged close to upper end 22 of the cup (although the lugs may be arranged at any suitable location within the cup, depending on the bottle cap to which the cup is to be fitted). As can be seen, each lug is spaced 1200 from each other lug, so that an even snap-fitting of the cup to the bottle cap can be achieved.

In addition, a spacing projection in the form of fingers 24 is provided on the underside of cup end 22, and these fingers abut an upper end E of bottle cap BC (see Fig. 7) when the cup is fitted to the cap. The fingers are typically provided directly behind the decoration 16, so that when the cup is pressed onto the bottle cap, it tilts slightly upwardly, thereby presenting the decorative face at a more easily viewed angle to a user the purchaser consumer of the bottle and its contents).

The cup is also provided with a circumferential line marking 26 therewithin. When the cup is inverted, it can be filled with liquid up to the level of the line marking.

Typically the line marking is formed on the cup at a position which corresponds to a standard measure such as a standard nip measure as used in hotels, clubs and other commercial establishments for the serving of alcoholic beverages, especially spirits).

However, a series a line markings can be provided so that the cup functions like a measuring flask or cylinder where the bottle is used for storage and measuring out of chemicals, medicines, etc.).

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, the cup is shown in cross-section whereas a bottle B with the bottle cap BC attached thereto (typically screwed there onto) is shown in outline.

The bottle cap as shown is of the knurled type having two rows of spaced knurlings K formed circumferentially around the cap. The knurlings facilitate gripping of the 34070 cap during fitting to and removal from the bottle (typically during screwing and unscrewing).

Typically such a bottle cap is also provided with a circumferential indentation I extending therearound and adjacent to end E. The lugs 20 are positioned within cup so that they can be snap-fitted (interference fitted) to project into the indentation (as shown in Fig. 7) when the cup is fitted on the cap.

Thus, when fitting cup 10 to bottle cap BC, the cup is introduced over the bottle cap so that the cap projects into the interior 14 and until end E abuts lugs 20. The cup is then push-fitted so that either or both of the lugs and knurling top row deform, and the lugs then snap-back project back) into indentation I. Thus the cup is securely fitted to the cap and is therefore unlikely to be dislodged during transportation, storage and display.

When it is desired to remove the cup, a force is simply applied upwardly by grasping the cup and pulling upwardly thereon), thereby releasing the snap-fit.

As stated above, the cup can then be inverted, the bottle top unscrewed, and liquid contents can be poured into the cup either for drinking and/or measurement purposes. The flared end assists in the pouring and drinking operations by providing a wider pour-catching area, and can also assist during pouring out of (providing a spout) and drinking from the cup.

As stated above, the internal projection can be provided in the form of an internally projecting endless circumferential ridge, or in any other projecting manner which enables the cup to be interference-fitted to the bottle cap using ball detents, optionally spring loaded; using finger-like longitudinally extending flanges which are squash-fitted around the cap etc.).

Typically the container is formed from injection moulded plastics material, although it may be formed from timber, metal, etc.

The container also need not be cup shaped and can be 34070 -7used for advertising purposes.

In a most preferred application of the container, it is used with bottles containing alcoholic spirits, liqueurs or other beverages, and is used both as an aesthetically appealing marketing device and as a nip-pourer or drinking vessel.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

J,4070

Claims (2)

1. 2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adaptation of the container for interferingly engaging the cap includes at least one, and optionally three, international projections(s).
2. 3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 that is cup-shaped for holding the liquid therein, with a mark being provided within the container for indicating a predetermined amount of liquid when filled to the mark. Dated this 21st day of April 1999 THE TOM COBB DISTILLING CO. PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia Ii/'