US20080073345A1 - Spill proof container cap - Google Patents
Spill proof container cap Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080073345A1 US20080073345A1 US11/862,005 US86200507A US2008073345A1 US 20080073345 A1 US20080073345 A1 US 20080073345A1 US 86200507 A US86200507 A US 86200507A US 2008073345 A1 US2008073345 A1 US 2008073345A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- membrane
- cap
- container cap
- spill
- spill proof
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003203 everyday effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
- B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure
Definitions
- the present invention relates to container caps and in particular to a container cap which reduces or prevents spilling.
- Self sealing valves have been developed to provide a positive seal to fluid openings (U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,783 Seaquist).
- a design also exist with a positive seal valve on the fluid opening and on a vent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,706 Alcoa). This design potentially allows equalizing air to enter the vessel, but is even more expensive than the Seaquist closure and is possibly too complex to manufacture.
- the present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a solution to the three fold problems of low cost, unrestricted draw and no spill.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,694 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/260,071 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/786,291, which define a non pouring vented closure, it is not necessary to have expensive self sealing valves. The problem then is simplified to preventing surging of beverage from the fluid opening.
- the '694 patent, and '071 and '291 applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- spill resistant container cap including a passage, a normally closed membrane blocking the passage, and a slice through the membrane.
- the slice allows the membrane to open when pressure is applied to a volume below the membrane and when vacuum is applied to a volume above the membrane.
- a preferred slice is an “X”.
- FIG. 1 shows a cap including a spill proof membrane according to the present invention in a closed position.
- FIG. 2 shows the spill proof membrane open to allow a flow through the cap.
- FIG. 3 shows a three quarter view of the spill proof membrane.
- FIG. 4 shows a top view of a second spill proof membrane.
- a container cap 10 includes a thin plastic membrane 12 obstructing a fluid passage 14 .
- the membrane 12 has an “X” shape slit cut through the membrane 12 .
- Other shaped cuts, for example, a “Y” or star patterns may also be used, and preferably, the cuts are two-dimensional (i.e., not a straight line when viewed from above the membrane) so that at least one flap created by the slit opens under pressure from below or vacuum from above.
- FIG. 2 A second view of the cap 10 is shown in FIG. 2 , with the membrane 12 open under pressure of squeezing the bottle or drawing (vacuum) a drink, to allow release of the beverage.
- Stiffening ribs (or contours) 16 residing on a surface of the membrane 12 are shown in FIG. 3 .
- the ribs 16 may further aid material flow across the thin membrane 12 and to maintain alignment for closing by preventing the membrane 12 sections from warping or taking a set from use.
- membrane 12 forms the bottom of a recessed area defined by sidewall 20 .
- the recessed area is shaped to provide hinges 18 , for each section of the membrane.
- FIG. 4 shows a top view of a second spill proof membrane 12 a having inwardly curved hinges 18 a and stiffening ribs 16 a .
- the combination of the curved ribs 18 a and the ribs 16 a results in an over center condition in which the membrane 12 a is biased to a closed position and to an open position.
- a Young closure modified to include the new membrane had a 90% to 95% reduction in spillage over an unobstructed Young closure or a standard push/pull sport top, while retaining the unique unrestricted continuous flow offered by the Young vented design.
- the membrane 12 is preferably from approximately 0.005 inches to approximately 0.015 inches in thickness and preferably made of polypropylene or polyethylene, although other suitable flexible materials may be used.
- the fluid opening is preferably between approximately 0.30 inches in diameter approximately 0.45 inches in diameter, but the effective opening is smaller because the presence of membrane 12 greatly reduces the actual open area of the fluid opening.
- the integral membrane configuration and thickness is designed to be molded as part of the cap 10 , although it could also be affixed to the cap 10 after molding as a separate piece.
Abstract
A spill resistant cap includes a normally closed membrane. The membrane normally restricts a flow through the cap. The membrane includes a cut or slice through the membrane. The cut or slice is preferably and “X”. When pressure is applied to a volume below the membrane and when vacuum is applied to a volume above the membrane, the “X” opens outward, and a flow is allowed to pass through the resulting opening.
Description
- The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/847,847 filed Sep. 27, 2006, which application is incorporated in it's entirely herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to container caps and in particular to a container cap which reduces or prevents spilling.
- A need exists for a sport closure, as used on beverage containers, which prevents or minimizes the everyday drips, leaks and spills that are so common with the cover in the open position. Self sealing valves have been developed to provide a positive seal to fluid openings (U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,783 Seaquist). Experience shows such valves to have three notable short comings: cost; not allowing a satisfying quantity of beverage to be drawn from the vessel; and not allowing equalizing air to reenter the vessel to replace the liquid volume removed.
- A design also exist with a positive seal valve on the fluid opening and on a vent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,706 Alcoa). This design potentially allows equalizing air to enter the vessel, but is even more expensive than the Seaquist closure and is possibly too complex to manufacture.
- The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a solution to the three fold problems of low cost, unrestricted draw and no spill. By utilizing features of Young, U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,694, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/260,071 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/786,291, which define a non pouring vented closure, it is not necessary to have expensive self sealing valves. The problem then is simplified to preventing surging of beverage from the fluid opening. The '694 patent, and '071 and '291 applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided spill resistant container cap including a passage, a normally closed membrane blocking the passage, and a slice through the membrane. The slice allows the membrane to open when pressure is applied to a volume below the membrane and when vacuum is applied to a volume above the membrane. A preferred slice is an “X”.
- The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 shows a cap including a spill proof membrane according to the present invention in a closed position. -
FIG. 2 shows the spill proof membrane open to allow a flow through the cap. -
FIG. 3 shows a three quarter view of the spill proof membrane. -
FIG. 4 shows a top view of a second spill proof membrane. - Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.
- The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , acontainer cap 10 includes a thinplastic membrane 12 obstructing afluid passage 14. Themembrane 12 has an “X” shape slit cut through themembrane 12. Other shaped cuts, for example, a “Y” or star patterns may also be used, and preferably, the cuts are two-dimensional (i.e., not a straight line when viewed from above the membrane) so that at least one flap created by the slit opens under pressure from below or vacuum from above. - A second view of the
cap 10 is shown inFIG. 2 , with themembrane 12 open under pressure of squeezing the bottle or drawing (vacuum) a drink, to allow release of the beverage. - Stiffening ribs (or contours) 16 residing on a surface of the
membrane 12 are shown inFIG. 3 . Theribs 16 may further aid material flow across thethin membrane 12 and to maintain alignment for closing by preventing themembrane 12 sections from warping or taking a set from use. - Referring again to
FIG. 3 , it can be seen thatmembrane 12 forms the bottom of a recessed area defined bysidewall 20. The recessed area is shaped to providehinges 18, for each section of the membrane. -
FIG. 4 shows a top view of a second spillproof membrane 12 a having inwardlycurved hinges 18 a andstiffening ribs 16 a. The combination of thecurved ribs 18 a and theribs 16 a results in an over center condition in which themembrane 12 a is biased to a closed position and to an open position. - In tests, a Young closure modified to include the new membrane had a 90% to 95% reduction in spillage over an unobstructed Young closure or a standard push/pull sport top, while retaining the unique unrestricted continuous flow offered by the Young vented design.
- The
membrane 12 is preferably from approximately 0.005 inches to approximately 0.015 inches in thickness and preferably made of polypropylene or polyethylene, although other suitable flexible materials may be used. The fluid opening is preferably between approximately 0.30 inches in diameter approximately 0.45 inches in diameter, but the effective opening is smaller because the presence ofmembrane 12 greatly reduces the actual open area of the fluid opening. - The integral membrane configuration and thickness is designed to be molded as part of the
cap 10, although it could also be affixed to thecap 10 after molding as a separate piece. - The advantages of the present invention include:
- No spill, No dribble, No pour, or reduces spill, reduced dribble or reduced pour;
- Simple one piece construction with valve molded in;
- Unequaled function and ease of use; and
- Cost significantly less than valved tops.
- While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.
Claims (4)
1. A spill resistant container cap comprising:
a passage;
a normally closed membrane blocking the passage; and
a slit through the membrane to allow the membrane to open when pressure is applied to a volume below the membrane and when vacuum is applied to a volume above the membrane.
2. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the slit is two-dimensional when viewed from above the membrane.
3. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the slit is an “X”.
4. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the slit results in at least one flap in the membrane opening when pressure is applied to a volume below the membrane and when vacuum is applied to a volume above the membrane.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/862,005 US20080073345A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-09-26 | Spill proof container cap |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US84784706P | 2006-09-27 | 2006-09-27 | |
US11/862,005 US20080073345A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-09-26 | Spill proof container cap |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080073345A1 true US20080073345A1 (en) | 2008-03-27 |
Family
ID=39223828
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/862,005 Abandoned US20080073345A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-09-26 | Spill proof container cap |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080073345A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020162839A1 (en) * | 2001-04-04 | 2002-11-07 | Gene Stull | Container closure having an air intake valve |
US6948643B1 (en) * | 2004-01-22 | 2005-09-27 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Fill-through container and closure package |
US20050279781A1 (en) * | 2004-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | Pugne Darin M | Dispensing closure, package and method of manufacture |
-
2007
- 2007-09-26 US US11/862,005 patent/US20080073345A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020162839A1 (en) * | 2001-04-04 | 2002-11-07 | Gene Stull | Container closure having an air intake valve |
US6948643B1 (en) * | 2004-01-22 | 2005-09-27 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Fill-through container and closure package |
US20050279781A1 (en) * | 2004-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | Pugne Darin M | Dispensing closure, package and method of manufacture |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |