CN117412905A - Storage container - Google Patents
Storage container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN117412905A CN117412905A CN202280039445.3A CN202280039445A CN117412905A CN 117412905 A CN117412905 A CN 117412905A CN 202280039445 A CN202280039445 A CN 202280039445A CN 117412905 A CN117412905 A CN 117412905A
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- neck
- bottle
- lip
- stopper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 67
- 239000003571 electronic cigarette Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 241001411320 Eriogonum inflatum Species 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 11
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N (-)-Nicotine Chemical compound CN1CCC[C@H]1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229960002715 nicotine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N nicotine Natural products CN1CCCC1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/12—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/12—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
- B65D47/122—Threaded caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D51/243—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes combined with an opening device
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A storage container is described that includes a reservoir for storing a fluid, the reservoir including a neck defining an opening through which the reservoir may be filled with the fluid or emptied of the fluid. The reservoir further includes a removable closure to seal the opening defined by the neck. The closure includes a lip, wherein the lip is spaced apart from the neck of the reservoir when the closure is secured to the neck. The reservoir also includes a removable cap to close the storage container. The cap is shaped to fit over the closure. The cap includes a catch configured to engage the lip of the closure upon removal of the cap, thereby allowing a user to engage the catch with the lip, apply force to the lip, and pry the closure from the container.
Description
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a storage container that may be used to store and dispense fluids. In particular, the storage container may be used to store e-cigarette fluid for use in an e-cigarette device.
Background
While most consumables are sold in disposable containers, sometimes consumers wish to refill or modify the contents of the consumable they purchase.
In the case of e-cigarette liquids used in e-cigarette devices, these liquids are fixed in standard formulations. However, some users of e-cigarette liquids may wish to modify the formulation of the e-cigarette liquid they purchase.
Disclosure of Invention
In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a storage container is provided. The storage container includes: a reservoir for storing a fluid, the reservoir comprising a neck defining an opening through which the reservoir may be filled with a fluid or may be emptied of a fluid; a removable closure for sealing an opening defined by the neck, wherein the closure comprises a lip, wherein the lip is spaced apart from the neck of the reservoir when the closure is secured to the neck; and a removable cap for closing the storage container, the cap being shaped to fit over the closure, wherein the cap comprises a catch configured to engage with a lip of the closure.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a stopper is provided for sealing a bottle having a neck defining an opening through which the bottle may be filled with fluid or emptied of fluid from the bottle. The plug includes: a nib defining an outlet through which fluid stored in the bottle can be dispensed; a sealing part for closing the opening of the neck; and a lip spaced from the neck of the bottle and arranged to engage with a catch of the cap, the catch being configured to apply a force applied by a user to the cap by the lip in use to pry the stopper from the neck of the bottle, the cap being shaped to fit over the stopper and, when the stopper is covered, to block the outlet to prevent fluid stored in the bottle from being dispensed.
In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cap for a storage container, the cap being shaped to fit over a stopper that seals an opening of a neck of a bottle. The cap includes a catch at the tip of the cap arranged to engage with a lip on the stopper and configured to apply a force to the cap applied by a user to pry the stopper from the neck of the bottle in use.
In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes filling a bottle with a fluid, the bottle having a neck defining an opening through which the bottle can be filled; sealing the neck of the bottle with a stopper according to the second aspect; and covering the plug with a cap according to the third aspect.
In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of using a storage container is provided. The storage container comprises a bottle, a stopper according to the second aspect and a cap according to the third aspect. The method comprises the following steps: removing the cap from the stopper and/or bottle; engaging the catch of the cap with the lip of the stopper; and applying a force to the lip by the catch to lift the stopper from the bottle.
The selection of optional features is set out in the dependent claims.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Drawings
Fig. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate examples of a storage container according to the present disclosure in various assembled states.
Fig. 4 illustrates one example of a storage container according to the present disclosure having a cap disengaged and in use.
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a tip and clasp of one example of a cap according to the present disclosure.
Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the lip of the stopper according to the present disclosure relative to the neck of the bottle.
Fig. 7 illustrates other embodiments of a clasp according to another example of a cap of the present disclosure.
Fig. 8 shows the cap of fig. 7 in use.
Fig. 9-11 illustrate prying a stopper from a bottle using a cap, all in accordance with the present disclosure.
Detailed Description
Consumer product suppliers will typically supply consumable fluids in sealed containers that will be disposed of by the user after the container is emptied. However, in some cases, a consumer may wish to replenish or refill the sealed container. For example, where available with an e-vaping fluid for an e-vaping device, there are circumstances where a user of the e-vaping device may wish to refill or replenish the contents of the e-vaping fluid container in some way. Thus, a user of the e-cigarette device may control the proportion of compounds in the e-cigarette liquid that they wish to dispense to the e-cigarette device. For example, a user of an e-cigarette device may wish to add a nicotine supplement to an e-cigarette fluid container to increase the concentration of e-cigarette fluid stored in the container. In another example, a user may wish to add a flavoring to an e-cigarette fluid stored in a container. An e-cigarette fluid is a fluid, such as a liquid, that may be vaporized or atomized by the e-cigarette device such that the generated vapor/aerosol may be inhaled by a user of the e-cigarette device.
In order to ensure that fluid from the storage container does not spill or leak from the container, the vessel storing the fluid is typically well sealed by a closure. In the case of e-cigarette liquids, it is undesirable for these liquids to leak from the container in which they are stored prior to dispensing, as the compounds and/or components of the e-cigarette liquid may damage personal electronic items, clothing, or other items. However, the user may still wish to adjust the contents of the e-cigarette liquid storage container. If the opening of the dish storing the e-cigarette fluid is firmly sealed, this presents an obstacle or difficulty to the user when he wishes to adjust or refill the fluid stored in the storage container. If the closure is difficult to remove-or impossible to remove without damage-then the user may eventually spill the remaining contents of the storage vessel when attempting to open the storage vessel.
A storage container is described herein that allows a user to access a fluid storage reservoir in a controlled and predictable manner. In some cases, the storage container may be used to store e-cigarette fluid. The storage container includes a reservoir for storing a fluid, a removable closure for sealing an opening to the reservoir, and a removable cap for covering the closure to close the storage container. The closure may have a dispenser through which fluid stored in the reservoir may be dispensed. The applicant has found that providing a first engagement feature on the closure configured to engage with a second engagement feature on the cap allows a user to engage the catch and lip and pry the closure from the reservoir.
Each of the reservoir, closure and cap may be manufactured separately and then assembled for delivery to the consumer. The reservoir may be filled with a fluid, such as an e-cigarette fluid, and then sealed with a closure. The cap may then be assembled to the closure and/or the reservoir and the storage container delivered to the consumer. Accordingly, a method of filling a storage container may include: filling the reservoir with a fluid; sealing the reservoir with a closure (such as by sealing a neck of the reservoir, as described below); and covering the closure with a cap (in some cases, including blocking the dispenser to prevent dispensing of fluid from the dispenser). Filling may include filling the reservoir with an e-cigarette fluid.
A reservoir for storing a fluid includes a neck, which in some cases may be narrower than the body of the reservoir. The neck defines an opening through which the reservoir may be filled with fluid or may be emptied of fluid.
In use, the closure is removably secured to the neck of the reservoir, thereby sealing the opening. The closure includes a lip. When the closure is secured to the neck of the reservoir, the lip is spaced from the neck, allowing the lip to engage with the catch on the cap. The lip may be spaced from the neck by overhanging the neck. The lip may be spaced from the neck by a gap provided between the neck and the lip. For example, a gap may be between the top surface of the neck and the lip. In some examples, the lip may be spaced from the neck by overhanging the neck and by a gap disposed between the neck and the lip. In some cases, the lip is spaced from the neck only by providing a gap between the neck and the lip. In an example, the width dimension of the closure, such as the diameter, may be wider than the width dimension of the neck, creating a overhang. In another example, the lowermost edge of the closure, either the exposed portion or the outer portion, may be displaced over the top or rim of the neck, creating a gap. In another example, the closure may include a groove around the perimeter of the closure, such as the perimeter of a cylindrical closure, wherein the downwardly facing surface of the groove forms a lip and the distance between the downwardly facing surface and the top of the neck is a gap. Thus, in some cases, the neck and the closure member may have the same diameter, or the closure member may have a smaller diameter than the neck.
The closure may comprise a dispenser. In use, fluid stored in the reservoir may be dispensed from the dispenser. The dispenser may include an outlet through which fluid may pass as it is dispensed. In some examples, the dispenser includes a nozzle through which the fluid may be ejected.
The closure may be shaped and formed to fit within a removable cap. The dispenser may be blocked by the cap when the cap covers the closure to prevent dispensing of fluid from the dispenser when the storage container is closed by the cap. For example, when the storage container is closed, the dispensing aperture in the dispenser may be blocked by the cap.
The removable cap is shaped and formed to fit over the closure. The cap includes a catch that is engageable with the lip of the closure when the cap is removed, allowing a user to engage the catch with the lip, apply force to the lip, and pry the closure from the reservoir. The clasp may be located at the tip of the cap. In some examples, the clasp includes a ridge protruding from an outer surface of the cap. In other examples, the clasp includes a groove or notch into the surface of the cap. In some examples, the cap includes a tapered portion, wherein the cap narrows toward the tip.
As described above, when the cap covers the closure to close the storage container, the dispenser may be blocked by the cap to prevent fluid from being dispensed from the dispenser. In some examples, the cap includes a stopper or pin to block the dispensing aperture when the cap is assembled to the closure and/or the reservoir.
In use, a user may remove the cap from the remainder of the storage container and pry the closure from the reservoir. To pry the closure from the container, the user engages the catch of the cap with the lip and applies a force to the lip through the catch to lift the closure from the container. In some cases, the tip of the cap may act as a fulcrum about which the cap may rotate. The user may place a finger or other portion of the hand under the cap to ensure that the clasp remains engaged with the lip. In some cases, the user may use a finger or other portion of the hand located under the cap as a fulcrum about which the cap may rotate. Where the cap includes a tapered portion, the tapered portion provides guidance to ensure that the user positions their finger in a desired location, and may also provide comfort to the user as the cap is rotated. Accordingly, a method of using a storage container may include: removing the cap from the closure and/or the reservoir of the storage container; engaging the clasp of the cap with the lip of the closure; and applying a force to the lip by the catch to lift the closure from the reservoir. The method may include modifying or adding the contents of the reservoir.
Fig. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate examples of a storage container 10 according to the present disclosure in a plurality of assembled states. The illustrated storage container 10 includes a reservoir, a closure, and a cap.
Fig. 1 shows the storage container 10 in a disassembled state. The reservoir is a bottle 20 for containing a fluid. In some examples, the bottle 20 is for containing e-cigarette liquid for use in an e-cigarette device. In the example shown, the bottle 20 is substantially cylindrical and extends substantially along the axial direction of the cylinder. The bottle 20 includes a neck 22 defining an opening 24 to the bottle 20. The bottle 20 may be filled with fluid through the opening 24 or emptied of fluid through the opening. In some examples of the bottle 20, and as shown, the neck 22 of the bottle 20 is narrower than the body portion of the bottle 20. In the example shown in the figures, the wall of the bottle 20 immediately collapses towards the narrower neck 22 at the shoulder 26, and thus the shoulder 26 takes a substantially vertical shape. It should be appreciated that other suitable collapsed shapes are possible. In some examples, there may be no constriction between the body portion of the bottle 20 and the neck 22.
The closure is a stopper 30 for sealing the opening 24 of the bottle 20 and containing fluid in the bottle 20. The stopper 30 includes a nib 32 through which fluid may be dispensed from the bottle 20. The nib 32 defines an outlet through which fluid may be ejected from the storage container 10. The outlet defined by the nib 32 may be relatively small compared to the opening in the neck 22 of the bottle, allowing the amount of fluid dispensed from the bottle 20 to be controlled. The fluid may be dispensed from the bottle 20 in the form of a jet. In the example shown in the figures, the tip 32 comprises a stem extending away from the base of the plug 30.
The stopper 30 may include a seal to close the opening 24 of the neck 22. For example, the plug 30 may include a sealing flange 34 that is inserted into the opening 24 of the neck 22. The sealing flange 20 is compressed against the inside of the portion of the wall of the bottle 20 forming the neck 22, thereby preventing fluid from exiting the bottle 20 without passing through the nib 32. It should be understood that other sealing features may be implemented instead. For example, a compressible gasket may be used on the underside of the stopper 20 to seal against the rim of the neck 22. In some examples, a ridge 25 may be provided on the outer neck 22, which the wall of the plug 30 may push against to retain the plug 30 and maintain the compressive force on the implemented sealing feature.
The stopper 30 includes a lip 36 that allows the stopper 30 to be pried or pried from the opening 24 of the neck 22 of the bottle 30. As described further below, a catch 46 is provided on the cap 40 of the storage container 10. The catch 46 engages the lip 36 so that a user can apply a force through the lip 36 to pry the stopper 30 from the bottle 20. To allow the clasp to engage the lip 36, the lip is separated or spaced apart from the neck 22 of the bottle 20. This spacing provides room for the clasp 46 to engage the lip 36. In the example shown, the lip 36 overhangs the neck 22 and provides a gap between the neck 22 and the lip 36 such that the clasp 46 can engage the lip 36. A detailed illustration of the lip 36 is provided in fig. 6, which will be described further below. Removal of the stopper 30 from the bottle 30 by application of force on the lip 36 through the catch 46 allows a user to controllably access the bottle 20, allowing the user to modify or add to the contents of the bottle 20 without spilling or causing damage to the storage container 10.
The cap 40 is used to close the storage container 10, for example, when the user no longer wishes to dispense fluid from the nib 32-or no longer wishes to modify or add to the contents of the bottle 20. The cap 40 is shaped to cover and fit over the stopper 30 and, in this example, over the neck 22 of the bottle 20. Thus, the cap 40 has a shape complementary to the stopper 30 and the neck 22 of the bottle 20. In some examples, the cap 40 includes a stopper or pin that blocks the outlet in the nib 32 when the storage container 10 is fully assembled, thereby preventing the fluid stored in the bottle 20 from being dispensed.
As shown in fig. 1-3, cap 40 includes a tip 42 that is distal to bottle 20 when cap 30 is assembled onto bottle 20. In the example shown, the cap 30 includes a tapered portion 44 that begins at an intermediate location along the length of the cap 40. The tapered portion 44 narrows the cap 40 toward the tip 42. The tapered portion 40 may be conical or bell-shaped. In one example, the remainder 48 of the outer surface of the cap may be knurled to allow a user to grasp and rotate the cap 40. It should be appreciated that alternative gripping surfaces may be provided, such as a relief surface.
As described above, the cap 40 includes a catch 46 that engages the lip 36 of the stopper 30 so that a user can apply a force through the lip 36 to pry the stopper 30 from the bottle 20. In the example shown in fig. 1-3, the clasp 46 includes a groove in the outer surface of the cap 40 and proximate the tip 42. As can be seen in fig. 4 and 9-11, the groove provides a rail that can engage the lip 36 of the plug 36. It should be understood that alternative hook and loop arrangements may be implemented. For example, a ridge or rib may protrude from a surface of the cap 40, e.g., near the tip 42. Other embodiments of the clasp are shown below in fig. 7.
Although fig. 1 shows the storage container 10 in a disassembled state, fig. 2 shows the storage container 10 when the stopper 30 is secured to the bottle 20, for example, after a user modifies the contents of the bottle 20. In the example shown, the neck 22 of the bottle 20 includes threads 28 onto which the cap 40 can be screwed, as indicated by arrow T in fig. 2, allowing the cap 40 to be removably attached to the bottle 20 and the stopper 30. It should be appreciated that other suitable attachment methods may be employed, such as a press fit or the like, which allows the cap 40 to be pressed onto the stopper 30 and/or neck 22 of the bottle 20. In fig. 1, the cap 40 includes a tamper evident band 49 or skirt. After the first filling of the bottle 20 with fluid during manufacture, the cap 40 is assembled to the stopper 30 and the bottle 20 and the tamper evident band 49 is pushed over the retaining ring 29 on the neck 22 of the bottle 20. The coupling between the tamper evident bands 49 is frangible. In fig. 2, the cap 40 is shown separated from the neck 22 of the bottle 20, and when the cap 40 is unscrewed from the thread 28 of the bottle 20, the tamper evident band 49 has been disengaged and retained by the ring 29 on the neck 22 of the bottle 20. Fig. 3 shows the storage container 10 in a fully assembled state, for example just after manufacture.
Fig. 4 shows the storage container 10 in use. Cap 40 has been removed from stopper 30 and clasp 46 is engaged with lip 36 so that a user can apply force through lip 36 to pry stopper 30 from bottle 20.
Fig. 5 illustrates the area of the tip 42 of one example of a cap 40. In this cross-sectional view of the tapered portion 44 of the cap 40, the clasp 46 including the groove and the rail defined by the groove are shown in detail. In this embodiment, the groove is provided on only one side of the tip 42 of the cap 40. An alternative embodiment of the clasp 46 is shown in fig. 7 and 8. The clasp 46 shown in fig. 7 also includes a recess and thereby defines a rail that can engage the lip 36 of the stopper 36 in use. In fig. 7, the groove surrounds the entire circumference of the tip 32. This arrangement allows the user to use the cap 40 in any orientation, thereby avoiding the need to align the catch on the cap 40 with the lip 36 when prying the stopper from the neck 22 of the bottle 20. Fig. 8 shows the cap 40 of fig. 7 in use, with the catch 46 engaged with the lip 36.
Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of the relative position of the lip 36 and the neck 22 of the bottle 20. In the example shown, the lip 36 is suspended a distance d relative to the neck 22, and a gap g is provided between the neck 22 and the lip 36. This spacing between the lip 36 and the neck 22 allows the clasp 46 to engage the lip 36 in use. In this example, both the suspension and the gap are provided. However, it should be understood that the lip 36 may be spaced from the neck 22 by merely overhanging the neck 22 by a distance d, or the lip 36 may be spaced from the neck by merely a gap g provided between the neck and the lip.
Fig. 6 also shows that in some examples of the storage container 10, the neck 22 of the bottle may be provided with a recess 23. The recess 23 is an increase in clearance and/or overhang at a location around the circumference (or perimeter) of the neck 22 of the bottle. For example, the recess 23 may be located at a point on the rim of the neck 22. As shown in fig. 6, the shape of the recess may be semi-circular or semi-spherical. The recess 23 allows a user to easily position the catch 46 against the neck 22 and lip 36 when the user wishes to pry the stopper 30 from the neck of the bottle 20. The recess 23 is also shown in fig. 2 and 10.
Turning to fig. 9-11, it is shown how a user may pry the stopper from the bottle 20 using the cap 40. Fig. 9 shows an area F indicated by a dashed line in which a user may place a finger or other portion of the hand under the cap to ensure that the catch remains engaged with the lip and apply a force to the lip 36 through the catch 46 to lift the stopper from the neck 22 of the bottle 20. Fig. 11 shows the result of removing the stopper 30 from the neck 22 of the bottle 20.
As shown in phantom in fig. 9, the tapered portion 44 of the cap 40 assists the user in locating his or her finger and may make the prying operation of the stopper 30 from the neck 22 of the bottle more comfortable. Fig. 10 shows how, in some examples, the tip 42 of the cap 40 against the neck 22 of the bottle 20 may act as a fulcrum about which the cap may rotate. In some cases, the user may use a finger or other portion of the hand located under cap 40 as a fulcrum about which cap 40 may be rotated to apply a removal force to lip 36. The user may employ one or the other or a combination of both of these fulcrum positions in one operation to pry the stopper 30 from the neck 22 of the bottle 20.
The components of the storage container 20 may be made of any suitable material. For example, the bottle 20, stopper 30, and cap 40 may be made of any suitable plastic. In some examples, the bottle 20 may be a glass bottle. It should be appreciated that other materials may be used to make the storage container 20.
The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (25)
1. A storage container, comprising:
a reservoir for storing a fluid, the reservoir comprising a neck defining an opening through which the reservoir can be filled with or emptied of fluid;
a removable closure for sealing the opening defined by the neck, wherein the closure comprises a lip, wherein the lip is spaced apart from the neck of the reservoir when the closure is secured to the neck; and
a removable cap for closing the storage container, the cap being shaped to fit over the closure, wherein the cap comprises a catch configured to engage the lip of the closure upon removal of the cap, thereby allowing a user to engage the catch with the lip, apply a force to the lip, and pry the closure from the reservoir.
2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the removable closure comprises a dispenser by which fluid stored in the reservoir can be dispensed.
3. The storage container of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dispenser comprises a nozzle through which the fluid can be ejected.
4. A storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the removable cap covers the removable closure, the dispenser is blocked by the cap to prevent fluid from being dispensed.
5. The storage container of claim 4 wherein the removable cap comprises a bottle stopper to block the dispenser when the removable cap covers the removable closure.
6. The storage container of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lip is spaced from the neck by overhanging the neck.
7. The storage container of any of claims 1-6, wherein the lip is spaced from the neck by a gap disposed between the neck and the lip.
8. The storage container of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the clasp is located at a tip of the cap that is removable.
9. The storage container of any of claims 1-8, wherein the clasp comprises a groove recessed into an outer surface of the removable cap or comprises a ridge protruding from the outer surface of the removable cap.
10. The storage container of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the removable cap comprises a tapered portion that narrows towards the tip.
11. The storage container of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the reservoir is filled with an e-cigarette fluid.
12. A stopper for sealing a bottle having a neck defining an opening through which the bottle can be filled with fluid or emptied of fluid, the stopper comprising:
a nib defining an outlet through which fluid stored in the bottle can be dispensed;
a sealing portion for closing the opening of the neck portion; and
a lip spaced from the neck of the bottle and arranged to be engageable with a catch of a cap, the catch being configured to apply a force applied by a user to the cap by the lip in use to pry the stopper from the neck of the bottle, the cap being shaped to fit over the stopper, and the cap, when covering the stopper, blocking the outlet to prevent fluid stored in the bottle from being dispensed.
13. The stopper of claim 12, wherein the sealing portion comprises a sealing flange for insertion into the neck.
14. The plug of claim 12 wherein the seal comprises a compressible gasket.
15. Stopper according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the lip depends from the neck and/or a gap is provided between the neck and the lip.
16. A cap for a storage container, the cap being shaped to fit over a stopper that seals an opening of a neck of a bottle, the cap comprising:
a catch at the tip of the cap, the catch being arranged to be engageable with a lip on the stopper and configured to apply a force applied to the cap by a user to pry the stopper from the neck of the bottle in use.
17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the cap comprises a stopper to block an outlet located in the stopper and prevent fluid stored in the bottle from being dispensed.
18. The cap of claim 16 or 17, wherein the cap comprises a tapered portion that begins at an intermediate location along the length of the cap and narrows the cap toward the tip.
19. The cap of claim 18, wherein the tapered portion is conical or bell-shaped.
20. The cap of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the clasp comprises a groove in an outer surface of the cap.
21. The cap of claim 20, wherein the groove surrounds the outer circumference of the tip.
22. The cap of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the clasp comprises a ridge protruding from an outer surface of the cap.
23. A method, comprising:
filling a bottle with a fluid, the bottle having a neck defining an opening through which the bottle can be filled;
sealing the neck of the bottle with the stopper of any one of claims 12 to 15; and
the plug is covered with a cap according to any one of claims 16 to 22.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the filling step comprises filling the bottle with an e-cigarette fluid.
25. A method of using a storage container comprising a bottle, a stopper according to any one of claims 12 to 15 and a cap according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the method comprises:
removing the cap from the stopper and/or the bottle;
engaging the catch of the cap with the lip of the stopper; and
force is applied to the lip by the catch to lift the stopper from the bottle.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB2104743.6A GB2609383A (en) | 2021-04-01 | 2021-04-01 | A storage container |
GB2104743.6 | 2021-04-01 | ||
PCT/GB2022/050840 WO2022208114A1 (en) | 2021-04-01 | 2022-04-01 | A storage container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CN117412905A true CN117412905A (en) | 2024-01-16 |
Family
ID=75883657
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CN202280039445.3A Pending CN117412905A (en) | 2021-04-01 | 2022-04-01 | Storage container |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4313791A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN117412905A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2609383A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022208114A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2020205A (en) * | 1933-11-04 | 1935-11-05 | Alfred W Perkins | Bottle attachment |
US4384653A (en) * | 1981-11-12 | 1983-05-24 | The West Company | Tip-off cap and closure for containers |
US7404345B1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2008-07-29 | Calibre International, Llc | Combination bottle/can beverage cooler and bottle cap opener |
IT1394520B1 (en) * | 2008-12-18 | 2012-07-05 | Casa Del Dolce S R L | CONTAINER FOR DRINKS IN GENERAL, WITH EASY OPENING MEANS. |
US10723526B1 (en) * | 2019-03-29 | 2020-07-28 | Chubby Gorilla, Inc. | Bottle and cap arrangement |
-
2021
- 2021-04-01 GB GB2104743.6A patent/GB2609383A/en active Pending
-
2022
- 2022-04-01 EP EP22724834.1A patent/EP4313791A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2022-04-01 CN CN202280039445.3A patent/CN117412905A/en active Pending
- 2022-04-01 WO PCT/GB2022/050840 patent/WO2022208114A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2022208114A1 (en) | 2022-10-06 |
EP4313791A1 (en) | 2024-02-07 |
GB2609383A (en) | 2023-02-08 |
GB202104743D0 (en) | 2021-05-19 |
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