US20140131302A1 - Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment - Google Patents
Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140131302A1 US20140131302A1 US13/859,910 US201313859910A US2014131302A1 US 20140131302 A1 US20140131302 A1 US 20140131302A1 US 201313859910 A US201313859910 A US 201313859910A US 2014131302 A1 US2014131302 A1 US 2014131302A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sealing member
- cap assembly
- container
- bottle
- removable
- 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
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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
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/26—Caps or cap-like covers serving as, or incorporating, drinking or measuring vessels
- B65D41/265—Caps or cap-like covers serving as, or incorporating, drinking or measuring vessels with integral internal sealing means
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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
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/24—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat
- B65D47/241—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat the valve being opened or closed by actuating a cap-like element
- B65D47/243—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat the valve being opened or closed by actuating a cap-like element moving linearly, i.e. without rotational motion
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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
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/26—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by sliding over a port, e.g. formed with slidable spouts
- B65D47/28—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by sliding over a port, e.g. formed with slidable spouts having linear movement
- B65D47/283—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with slide valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by sliding over a port, e.g. formed with slidable spouts having linear movement between tubular parts
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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
- 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
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
-
- 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
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
- B65D51/2814—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2828—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a film or a foil
-
- 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
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
- B65D51/2814—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2828—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a film or a foil
- B65D51/2835—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a film or a foil ruptured by a sharp element, e.g. a cutter or a piercer
-
- 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
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
- B65D51/2814—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2842—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being provided with a preformed weakened line
- B65D51/285—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being provided with a preformed weakened line ruptured by a sharp element, e.g. a cutter or a piercer
-
- 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
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
- B65D51/2857—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by displacing or removing an element enclosing it
-
- 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
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
- B65D51/2857—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by displacing or removing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2892—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by displacing or removing an element enclosing it the element, e.g. a valve, opening an aperture of the auxiliary container
-
- 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
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
- B65D81/3205—Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces
Definitions
- the exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relate generally to removable caps for plastic and other types of bottles, and particularly such caps which have a separate compartment for storing liquids or powders separately from any contents of the bottle.
- a removable bottle cap may include a separate sealed chamber or bladder for storing an additive such that breaching the sealed chamber will allow the additive to be released into a separate bottle onto which the cap is attached. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,681,958 and 7,614,496; U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0321380; and U.S. Design Patent Nos. D640,552 and D640,553.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,958 provides a supplement compartment in a nesting relationship atop a cap that covers the bottle/container. A liquid is disposed in the supplement compartment and it appears the user is required to fully remove the nested compartment/cap assembly before manually mingling the contents of the supplement compartment with the contents of the bottle.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,496 and the two referenced design patents build on this in that a twisting motion by the user breaches a seal between the supplement compartment and the bottle cap so the supplement falls into the bottle without necessitating removal of the cap.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,496 implies a friction grip between the user's fingers and the lateral cylindrical exterior surface of the cap which causes knuckles to be driven downward in a rotating fashion to breach a plate into segments along score lines, which releases contents of the cap into the bottle.
- the two design patents provide larger lateral surfaces so that application by the user of a rotational force causes a circular cut along a score line of a divider between the cap compartment and the bottle, until a protrusion pushes the breached divider into an open position to release the cap contents into the bottle.
- Two problems are perceived in this design. Firstly, a twisting motion may not be suitable for some persons, particularly those with arthritis or who lack sufficient finger strength to impart enough rotational force to cause the breach these prior art teachings disclose.
- the rotational force needed for the Activate® line of drinks, which appear to implement the above design patents, is not insubstantial.
- the extent of the rotational force necessitates that those lateral surfaces be fairly large so the user can properly apply the needed rotational force. This takes excessive material to form the cap due to that large size and also a sufficient thickness that the lateral surfaces do not deform under normal operation.
- U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0321380 provides for a linear force by the user downward on the cap, which via gates and slots causes two gates to rotate relative to one another and align apertures in each so as to allow contents of the cap to fall into the bottle.
- Such an aperture-alignment approach does not appear suitable for liquids since it would appear that liquid would leak through even the misaligned apertures before the user intended to mix the cap contents into the bottle.
- the examples given in U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0321380 provide for solids in the cap compartment such as aspirin and powder.
- exemplary embodiments of these teachings provide a removable cap assembly for a container, the assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion.
- the first portion defines a central axis and is configured to removably interface with a container opposite a mating surface of the first portion.
- the second portion is adjacent to the mating surface, and the second portion comprises lateral sidewalls and a top surface.
- the removable cap further comprises a lower sealing member opposite the top surface.
- the lateral sidewalls and the top surface and the lower sealing member define an internal compartment within the second portion.
- the removable cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the second portion is movable linearly with respect to the central axis so as to breach the internal compartment.
- exemplary embodiments of these teachings provide a removable cap assembly for a container.
- the cap assembly includes a screw ring configured to removably interface with a container, a drinking nipple, a sealing member which in combination with the drinking nipple defines an internal compartment, and a cutting element arranged to breach the sealing member when the screw ring is used to drive the drinking nipple towards a container to which it is interfaced.
- exemplary embodiments of these teachings provide a removable flow-through cap assembly for a container.
- the assembly comprises a first portion configured to removably interface with a container and a second portion which is securable to a container by the first portion and defining sidewalls and a top surface defining a top aperture.
- the assembly further comprises a lower sealing member affixed to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the lower sealing member defining with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment.
- the removable flow-through cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the first portion or of the second portion is movable between a first position and a second position so as to breach the internal compartment and allow fluid to flow through opposed ends of the assembly.
- FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a bottle cap assembly having an internal compartment according to these teachings, in which the compartment remains sealed respecting contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be removably affixed.
- FIG. 1B is similar to FIG. 1A but showing the compartment breached to allow mixing with contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be affixed.
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bottle cap assembly having an internal compartment according to these teachings, in which the compartment remains sealed respecting contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be removably affixed
- FIG. 2B is similar to FIG. 2A but showing the compartment breached to allow mixing with contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be affixed.
- FIG. 3A-F illustrate an alternate implementation of the second embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A-B are sectional views with the compartment sealed, FIG. 3C is a sectional view with the compartment breached, FIG. 3D is a sectional view with the assembly in a flow through configuration, and FIG. 3E-F illustrating plan views of the respectively assembled and separated components.
- FIG. 4A-C illustrate a third embodiment in which a drinking nipple is used for forming the internal compartment
- FIG. 4A illustrates exploded and exploded sectional views
- FIG. 4B is a sectional view with the internal compartment intact
- FIG. 4C is a sectional view with the internal compartment breached.
- FIG. 1A-B illustrate a first embodiment of a removable bottle cap assembly 100 having an internal compartment which is waterproof and suitable for storing liquids.
- a first portion 102 having lateral sidewalls 104 , a mating surface 110 for mating with the second portion 122 to be detailed further below, and a bottom opposed surface 108 which defines an aperture for receiving and mating with a neck of a bottle or similar container.
- the first portion 102 of the removable bottle cap assembly 100 ay be largely conventional.
- interior portions (not shown) of the lateral sidewalls 104 define an inclined plane wrapped about that interior portion which mates with a similar inclined plane wrapped about an exterior surface of a bottle neck sidewall. This enables them to mate in a screw type fashion, and to prevent leakage of liquid between those mating screw surfaces under expected normal operating conditions of ambient temperature and pressure.
- the extent of the bottom opposed surface 108 of the first portion 102 is in this case simply a ring having a surface area substantially smaller than the 2-dimensional interior area that is circumscribed by the ring which is the aperture that receives the neck of the bottle.
- At least part of the mating surface 110 of the first portion 102 is common with the second portion 122 as shown at FIG. 1A , and preferably (but not essentially) these two portions 102 , 122 are made as a unitary body so they are not rotatable relative to one another.
- a central axis 101 runs through the first 102 and second 122 portions, about which they are circularly symmetric as illustrated but this circular symmetry is not necessary in all embodiments (for example, if the top or bottom sectional view of either portion 102 , 122 revealed other than a circular shape).
- the second portion also has lateral sidewalls 124 and a top surface 128 opposite the mating or common surface 110 . While not shown as such in any of the drawings the top of the second portion 122 may not have any top aperture 130 , in which case a user would need to remove the bottle cap assembly 100 from the bottle prior to imbibing of the mixed contents.
- the top aperture 130 is detailed further below.
- Penetrating the lateral sidewalls 124 of the second portion 122 are a pair of opposed lateral apertures 125 through which a slideable plate 140 is disposed.
- the plate 140 has a solid portion 142 and a flow through portion 144 and is slideable between a first position shown at FIG. 1A and a second position shown at FIG. 1B .
- the solid portion 142 of the plate spans the entire distance between the opposed lateral apertures 125 .
- the second portion 122 defines an internal and watertight compartment 150 with the internal surfaces of the lateral sidewalls 124 and the opposed top surface 128 .
- Such an internal compartment 150 may be used to store powders or liquids separate from any contents of the bottle which may be mated to the removable bottle cap assembly 100 via the first portion 102 as detailed above.
- Such types of plastics include but are not limited to polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PPTE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE, including linear LDPE) which are commonly used in caps for water bottles, as well as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which is used for liquid container caps less commonly.
- PP polypropylene
- PPTE polyethylene terephthalate
- LDPE low-density polyethylene
- HDPE high-density polyethylene
- the flow through portion 144 of the plate 140 divides the internal compartment 150 from the bottle, allowing the power or liquid within to flow via gravity into the bottle. While a plurality of apertures are shown for the flow through section 144 of the plate 140 at FIG. 1A-B , in another embodiment there is only one large aperture to allow passage of the power or liquid.
- a removable plastic strip which retains the movable plate 140 in the first position until such a strip is removed by the user.
- the top surface 128 of the second portion 122 is shown at FIG. 1A-B as being slideable along the central axis 101 such that liquid or power may also pass through the top aperture 130 .
- the bottle cap assembly 100 forms a flow through arrangement.
- the user first moves the plate 140 into the second position of FIG. 1B to allow the powder or liquid stored within the internal compartment 150 to fall into and mix with the contents of the bottle, and thereafter raises the top opposed surface 128 which is defined on a separate plug 146 so that the mixture can flow in the reverse direction so as to pass through the top aperture 130 which is also on the plug 146 .
- the plug 146 slides inside the lateral sidewalls 124 of the second portion 122 until stopped by a lip laterally protruding from the top opposed surface 128 .
- a similar lateral protrusion at the bottom of the plug 146 prevents it from being inadvertently separated from the second portion 122 entirely.
- FIG. 1A-B illustrate an embodiment of the assembly 100 in which the internal compartment 150 is breached due to linear movement of a component (the plate 140 ) perpendicular to the central axis 101 .
- FIG. 2A-B and 3 A-F illustrate an embodiment of the bottle cap assembly 200 , 300 in which the internal compartment 150 is breached due to linear movement of a component parallel to the central axis 101 .
- the first portion 102 of FIG. 2A-B with its mating surface 110 is substantially similar to those same elements already detailed with respect to FIG. 1A-B .
- the plug 146 with the top surface 128 and the top aperture 130 of the second portion 122 are substantially similar to those shown in FIG. 1A-B but in another embodiment detailed below the plug is different.
- FIG. 2A-B and 3 A-F differ in that instead of a laterally slideable plate 140 there is one or more vertically slideable plungers or cutters 240 which are used to breach the seal of the internal compartment 150 .
- FIG. 2A-B and 3 A-F differ in that instead of a laterally slideable plate 140 there is one or more vertically slideable plungers or cutters 240 which are used to breach the seal of the internal compartment 150 .
- This lower sealing member 252 which is penetrated by the plungers/cutters 240 when the plungers/cutters 240 are extended downward through the mating surface 110 of the first portion 102 or through a plane defined by that mating surface 110 .
- This lower sealing member 252 may be made from a same plastic as the remainder of the bottle cap assembly 200 , 300 , or it may be an aluminum foil or a foil of some other disparate material secured to mate with the lateral sidewalls 124 with an adhesive to assure a water tight seal.
- FIG. 2A-B show a bottle cap assembly 200 with the plungers or cutters 240 exterior of the lateral sidewalls 124 of the second portion 122 while in other embodiments they may be disposed interior of the lateral sidewalls 124 .
- the plunger/cutter 240 is advantageously attached to the plug 146 and moves with it.
- the plug 146 moves both upward and downward.
- a removable plastic ring may circumscribe the plug 146 near the top opposed surface 128 to retain the plug 146 in a mid-range position for shipping and to ensure against tampering.
- a similar ring 303 is shown at FIG. 3A .
- a portion of the plunger 240 may have an inwardly extending protrusion so as to fold a major portion of the lower sealing surface 252 downward after it is penetrated. This will allow rapid flow of the powder or liquid from the internal compartment 150 into the bottle.
- the mid-range position of the plug 146 is the sealed position in which powder or liquid is retained within the internal compartment 150 .
- the top aperture 130 may be blocked by a nipple 132 as is conventional for sports bottles. Depressing the plug 146 downward toward the bottle breaches the lower sealing surface 252 to release the contents of the powder or liquid within the internal compartment 150 into the bottle which is attached to the first portion 102 . If the top aperture 130 is sealed by a nipple 132 it may remain sealed when the plug 130 is so depressed downward, in which case the user will then raise the plug 130 beyond the mid-range position so as to open the top aperture 130 and pour or drink from the bottle through the flow through compartment 150 .
- the top aperture 130 is sealed by a removable plastic film or by a flipable slideable cover.
- the top aperture 130 will be open anytime the film is removed or the flip/slide cap is flipped/slid open, and the user can pour or drink the contents of the bottle through the flow through internal compartment 150 once the plug 146 is depressed and the lower sealing surface 252 is breached.
- the removable plastic ring will retain the plug 146 in the extended position as shown at FIG. 2B , at which time the cap or film prevents leakage of the contents through the top aperture 130 . Removal of the retaining ring allows the user to depress the plug 146 which drives the plunger(s)/cutter(s) 240 downward to breach the lower sealing member 252 . In one embodiment the user then raises the plug 146 so the mixture can flow from the bottle through the compartment 150 and out the top aperture 130 .
- the nipple 132 seals the top aperture 130 when the plug is in the raised position as in FIG. 2B to prevent leakage during shipping.
- the plug 146 may be driven downward from the position shown in FIG. 2B by depressing the plug 146 to the position shown at FIG. 2A , thereby breaching the lower sealing member 252 .
- the nipple 132 is flared at the top edge so that when the plug 146 is depressed as in FIG. 2A the nipple 132 will protrude slightly above the top aperture 130 and allow the mixture to flow from the bottle through the internal compartment 150 and through the top aperture 130 about the narrower stem of the nipple 132 which is not flared.
- the solid portion 142 of the plate 140 operates as a sealing member when the plate 140 is in the first position ( FIG. 1A ) and the internal chamber or compartment 150 is breached when the plate 150 is moved to the second position ( FIG. 1B ) in which at least a portion of the flow through portion defines the internal compartment 150 .
- the plate 140 is movable between the first and second positions by an external force that is applied substantially perpendicular to the central axis 101 . Substantially in this regard means within about 10 degrees of true perpendicular.
- the plunger/cutter 240 is movable between a first position ( FIG. 2A ) in which the sealing member 242 is intact and a second position ( FIG. 2B ) in which the plunger 240 is depressed to penetrate and deform the sealing member 252 .
- the external force is applied substantially parallel to the central axis 101 . Substantially in this regard means within about 10 degrees of true parallel.
- FIG. 3A-F illustrate another implementation of the second embodiment.
- the implementation of FIG. 3A-F is similar to FIG. 2A-B in that the linear motion to breach the lower sealing member 252 is also substantially parallel to the central axis 101 .
- the plug 146 of FIG. 2A-B is formed of two different components in the implementation of FIG. 3A-F , the plunger/cutter takes the shape of a sleeve 346 with the cutter 240 being a lower portion of that sleeve 346 , and there is a separate cap 304 that defines the top surface of the second portion 322 .
- FIG. 3A additionally illustrates the removable retaining ring 303 and shows the cap or cover 304 mentioned above.
- the sleeve 346 with the lower sealing member 252 define the lateral and lower bounds of the internal compartment 150
- the cover 304 overlies the sleeve 346 to define the upper bound of the compartment 150 and to seal the top from leakage when closed.
- the lateral sidewalls 124 of the second portion 322 which define in part the internal compartment 150 are sidewalls of the sleeve 346 , and the exterior surfaces of the second portion 322 are formed mostly by the cover 304 .
- the lower sealing member 252 is affixed to a portion of the first portion 302 .
- FIG. 3A illustrates the bottle cap assembly 300 mated with a bottle.
- the compartment 150 is fully sealed because the lower sealing member 252 remains intact and the cap 304 is in a lowered or closed position. Presence of the ring 303 prevents the cutter portion 340 of the sleeve 346 from being moved downward to breach the lower sealing member 252 .
- FIG. 3B is a line drawing similar to FIG. 3A with the internal compartment 150 still sealed but with the ring 303 removed.
- the cutter portion 340 of the sleeve 346 defines several gaps 340 a which allow its cross section to expand outward once moved the lowered position and unconstrained by the first section 302 as will be shown at FIG. 3C .
- FIG. 3B illustrates the first position in which the sealing member 252 is intact.
- FIG. 3C illustrates breaching of the lower sealing member 252 alter removing the ring 303 shown at FIG. 3A the user depresses the cap 304 as shown by the arrow and this action also moves the sleeve 346 downward towards the lower sealing member 252 . Specifically, the cap 304 pushes against an extension 346 a of the sleeve 346 so that in one motion the sleeve 346 and cap 304 move relative to the first section 302 . As can be seen at FIG. 3A , this extension 346 a was the means by which the removable retaining ring 303 prevented this same downward movement.
- FIG. 3C illustrates breaching of the lower sealing member 252 alter removing the ring 303 shown at FIG. 3A the user depresses the cap 304 as shown by the arrow and this action also moves the sleeve 346 downward towards the lower sealing member 252 . Specifically, the cap 304 pushes against an extension 346 a of the sleeve 346 so
- FIG. 3C illustrates the second position in which the sealing member 252 is breached and the external force is applied downward and parallel to the central axis 101 .
- This downward movement causes the cutter portion 340 of the sleeve 346 to breach the scaling member 252 which FIG. 3C shows is moved to the side as compared to FIG. 3B .
- This breaching allows the contents of the compartment 150 to fall into the attached bottle.
- the cap 304 and nipple 132 still remain sealed so the contents of the bottle and compartment 150 , which are now combined within the bottle, can be shaken for a thorough mixing.
- Movement of the sleeve 346 downwards as in FIG. 3C allows its cutter portion 340 to extend inside the bottle. In this position the first portion 302 no longer physically constrains the cutter portions 340 and the gaps 340 a allow the cutter sections 340 to expand away from the central axis 101 .
- a protrusion 340 b on the outboard side of at least some of these cutter sections 340 catches against a portion of the first section 302 to prevent the sleeve 346 from moving upward back to the position shown at FIG. 3B .
- the user has raised the cap 304 as shown by the arrow.
- the sleeve 346 remains in the lowered position, with the extension 346 a remaining against the mating surface 110 of the first portion 302 , so the cap 304 is moved relative to the sleeve 346 and first section 302 .
- the nipple 132 is attached to the sleeve 346 and so remains in the lowered position also.
- the overall integrated cap assembly 300 is now flow through in that the lower sealing member 252 is breached and fluid can pass through the top aperture 130 and around the nipple 132 .
- FIG. 3E is a plan view of the integrated cap assembly 300 described at FIG. 3A-D
- FIG. 3F is a view of the four distinct components which are assembled into the bottle cap assembly 300 : the first portion 302 , the sleeve 340 , the ring 302 , and the cap 304 .
- FIG. 3F best shows how the nipple 132 is made one with the sleeve 346 while still allowing flow-through when the cover 304 is raised.
- FIG. 4A-C illustrate a third embodiment in which the external force is rotation about the central axis, which the assembly 400 converts to a linear force parallel to the central axis 101 to breach the sealing member.
- This specific embodiment uses a baby bottle nipple or other such drinking nipple with a foil or other type of sealing member to form the internal compartment. There may be a wax coating over the top aperture/small hole at the tip of the drinking nipple to prevent contents of the compartment from leaking out.
- the contents of the internal compartment 150 is in a powder form.
- the bottle cap assembly 400 in this third embodiment consists of three components shown in exploded and exploded sectional views at FIG. 4A : a screw cap 410 , a drinking nipple 420 , and a cutting element 430 .
- the screw cap 410 forms the first portion 402 in this embodiment 400 and the drinking nipple 420 with the cutting element 430 for the second portion 422 .
- FIG. 4A additionally shows the mating portion of a bottle for context.
- the cutting element 430 defines an outwardly extending lip 432 to prevent it from dropping fully into the bottle.
- the drinking nipple 420 is pliable, and defines lateral sidewalls 124 which meld gradually into a top surface that defines the top aperture 130 .
- FIG. 4B illustrates the assembly 400 according to the third embodiment attached to the bottle and all of the components with their reference numbers, including the internal compartment 150 .
- a retaining ring 403 which is removably attached to the screw cap 410 at a lowermost surface (shown at FIG. 4C ); this ring 403 functions as a physical spacer from the bottle itself to prevent the screw cap 410 from being tightened too much.
- FIG. 4B illustrates the first position in which the internal compartment 150 is filled with the contents and the sealing foil/member 252 is intact and not breached.
- FIG. 4C illustrates the second position.
- the external force is rotational about the central axis 101 and is applied to the screw cap 410 after the retaining ring 402 is removed.
- This drives the drinking nipple 420 further towards the bottle as the screw ring 410 is tightened.
- the sealing member 252 is affixed to the drinking nipple 420 and is breached by the cutting element 430 which extends above the lip 432 for this purpose.
- the cutting element 430 is shown with this extension above the lip 432 defining a plane parallel to a plane defined by the bottle opening and/or the sealing member 432 ; in another embodiment the plane of that extension is angled with respect to the plane of the bottle/sealing member so as to not fully separate a portion of the sealing member 432 when breached. The user can simply shake the bottle which now has the mixture of the contents of the bottle and of the compartment 150 .
- any of the above embodiments may be made disposable. Additionally, the first portion of any of the assembly embodiments may be made to fit different sized bottles and/or different thread dimensions. This can be done for example by having multiple concentric threaded rings, each similar to the screw cap shown at FIG. 4A-C , arranged in a layered or staggered fashion such as layers of a traditional wedding cake. When such an assembly is mated to a small bottle one of the smaller inboard screw cap rings will mate with the bottle, and for a larger bottle one of the larger outboard screw cap rings will mate. Being made in one piece there will be no leakage regardless. In this manner the same cap assembly can for example mate with a standard 16 ounce water bottle, a standard one-gallon milk container, and a standard five-gallon jerry can.
- a first portion configured to removably interface with a container
- a second portion which is securable to a container by the first portion and defining side walls and a top surface defining a top aperture
- a lower sealing member affixed to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the lower sealing member defining with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment.
- the removable flow-through cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the first portion or of the second portion is movable between a first position and a second position so as to breach the internal compartment and allow fluid to flow through opposed ends of the assembly.
- the at least one component of the above paragraph is of the second portion 122 and comprises the plate 140 having a solid portion 142 which forms the lower sealing member and a flow-through portion 144 .
- the plate was slideable between the first position ( FIG. 1A ) in which the solid portion defines the internal compartment and the second position ( FIG. 1B ) in which at least a portion of the flow-through portion defines the internal compartment, which in that case is breached. Fluid flows through the opposed ends of the entire assembly 100 via the flow-through portion 144 of the plate and the top aperture 130 .
- the at least one component noted above is of the second portion and comprises a plug 146 defining the top surface with the top aperture and at least one plunger or cutter 240 internal or external of the lateral sidewalls.
- the plunger/cutter was movable with the plug between the first position ( FIG. 2A ) in which the sealing member is intact and a second position ( FIG. 2B ) in which the plunger/cutter is depressed to breach the sealing member.
- FIG. 3B additionally shows the cap raised to allow the fluid to flow through the opposed ends of the entire assembly 300 via the breached sealing member 252 and the top aperture 130 .
- the second portion comprises a cap 304 and a sleeve 346 .
- the at least one component noted above then comprises the sleeve 346 which defines the lateral sidewalls 146 and a nipple 132 and which has cutting portions 340 .
- the sleeve is movable between a first position in which the sealing member is intact while the nipple 132 seals against the top aperture 130 , and a second position in which the cutting portion 340 of the sleeve 346 breach the sealing member.
- 3A-F plug 240 from the first position ( FIG. 3B ) to the second position ( FIG. 3C ) and is further movable from the second position back to the first position ( FIG. 3D ) while the sleeve 340 remains in the second position and the nipple is not sealed against the top aperture.
- fluid similarly flows through the opposed ends of the entire assembly 300 via the breached sealing member 252 and the top aperture 130 .
- the second portion comprises a pliable drinking nipple 420 defining the lateral sidewalls 124 and the top surface with the top aperture 130 , and the sealing member 252 is affixed to the drinking nipple opposite the top surface.
- the at least one component mentioned above is the first portion which comprises a screw ring 410 .
- This embodiment of the removable flow-through cap assembly 400 further comprises a cutting element 430 arranged to breach the sealing member when the screw ring is moved from a first position ( FIG. 4B ) relative to a container/bottle to which the screw ring is interfaced, and a second position ( FIG.
- FIG. 4C Similar to FIG. 2A-B and 3 A-F, the fluid flow through the opposed ends of the entire FIG. 4A-C assembly 400 is then via the breached sealing member 252 and the top aperture 130 which is a small hole in the pliable drinking nipple 420 .
Abstract
A removable cap assembly 100, 200, 300 includes a first portion 102, 302 defining a central axis 101 and configured to removably interface with a container opposite a mating surface 110 of the first portion; a second portion 122, 322, adjacent to the mating surface, and comprising lateral sidewalls 124 and a top surface 128; and a lower sealing member 142, 252 opposite the top surface that, with the lateral sidewalls 124 and the top surface, define a compartment 150 within the second portion. The removable cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the second portion is movable linearly with respect to the central axis so as to breach the internal compartment.
Description
- This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/686,751 (filed Apr. 11, 2012), and also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) and 37 CFR 1.55 from UK Patent Application Serial No. GB 1215148.6 (filed Aug. 24, 2012).
- The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relate generally to removable caps for plastic and other types of bottles, and particularly such caps which have a separate compartment for storing liquids or powders separately from any contents of the bottle.
- It is known that a removable bottle cap may include a separate sealed chamber or bladder for storing an additive such that breaching the sealed chamber will allow the additive to be released into a separate bottle onto which the cap is attached. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,681,958 and 7,614,496; U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0321380; and U.S. Design Patent Nos. D640,552 and D640,553.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,958 provides a supplement compartment in a nesting relationship atop a cap that covers the bottle/container. A liquid is disposed in the supplement compartment and it appears the user is required to fully remove the nested compartment/cap assembly before manually mingling the contents of the supplement compartment with the contents of the bottle.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,496 and the two referenced design patents build on this in that a twisting motion by the user breaches a seal between the supplement compartment and the bottle cap so the supplement falls into the bottle without necessitating removal of the cap. As illustrated, U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,496 implies a friction grip between the user's fingers and the lateral cylindrical exterior surface of the cap which causes knuckles to be driven downward in a rotating fashion to breach a plate into segments along score lines, which releases contents of the cap into the bottle. The two design patents provide larger lateral surfaces so that application by the user of a rotational force causes a circular cut along a score line of a divider between the cap compartment and the bottle, until a protrusion pushes the breached divider into an open position to release the cap contents into the bottle. Two problems are perceived in this design. Firstly, a twisting motion may not be suitable for some persons, particularly those with arthritis or who lack sufficient finger strength to impart enough rotational force to cause the breach these prior art teachings disclose. The rotational force needed for the Activate® line of drinks, which appear to implement the above design patents, is not insubstantial. Secondly, the extent of the rotational force necessitates that those lateral surfaces be fairly large so the user can properly apply the needed rotational force. This takes excessive material to form the cap due to that large size and also a sufficient thickness that the lateral surfaces do not deform under normal operation.
- U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0321380 provides for a linear force by the user downward on the cap, which via gates and slots causes two gates to rotate relative to one another and align apertures in each so as to allow contents of the cap to fall into the bottle. Such an aperture-alignment approach does not appear suitable for liquids since it would appear that liquid would leak through even the misaligned apertures before the user intended to mix the cap contents into the bottle. The examples given in U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0321380 provide for solids in the cap compartment such as aspirin and powder.
- What is needed in the art is a cap having a compartment suitable for storing a liquid separate from contents of a bottle which is breathable by a less forceful user action. Moreover, none of the above disclosures appears to provide for a flow through compartment in the cap such that a user may mix the cap contents with that of the container and then drink the mixture without ever having to remove the cap. Such a flow through cap is a popular convenience in sports bottles.
- The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages are realized, by the use of the exemplary embodiments of this invention.
- In one aspect of the invention, exemplary embodiments of these teachings provide a removable cap assembly for a container, the assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines a central axis and is configured to removably interface with a container opposite a mating surface of the first portion. The second portion is adjacent to the mating surface, and the second portion comprises lateral sidewalls and a top surface. The removable cap further comprises a lower sealing member opposite the top surface. The lateral sidewalls and the top surface and the lower sealing member define an internal compartment within the second portion. The removable cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the second portion is movable linearly with respect to the central axis so as to breach the internal compartment.
- In another aspect of the invention, exemplary embodiments of these teachings provide a removable cap assembly for a container. In this aspect the cap assembly includes a screw ring configured to removably interface with a container, a drinking nipple, a sealing member which in combination with the drinking nipple defines an internal compartment, and a cutting element arranged to breach the sealing member when the screw ring is used to drive the drinking nipple towards a container to which it is interfaced.
- In a further aspect of the invention, exemplary embodiments of these teachings provide a removable flow-through cap assembly for a container. In this aspect the assembly comprises a first portion configured to removably interface with a container and a second portion which is securable to a container by the first portion and defining sidewalls and a top surface defining a top aperture. The assembly further comprises a lower sealing member affixed to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the lower sealing member defining with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment. In this aspect the removable flow-through cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the first portion or of the second portion is movable between a first position and a second position so as to breach the internal compartment and allow fluid to flow through opposed ends of the assembly.
- Different embodiments of these aspects are illustrated in the several examples which are detailed more fully below.
-
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a bottle cap assembly having an internal compartment according to these teachings, in which the compartment remains sealed respecting contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be removably affixed. -
FIG. 1B is similar toFIG. 1A but showing the compartment breached to allow mixing with contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be affixed. -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bottle cap assembly having an internal compartment according to these teachings, in which the compartment remains sealed respecting contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be removably affixed -
FIG. 2B is similar toFIG. 2A but showing the compartment breached to allow mixing with contents of a bottle to which the bottle cap assembly might be affixed. -
FIG. 3A-F illustrate an alternate implementation of the second embodiment, whereinFIG. 3A-B are sectional views with the compartment sealed,FIG. 3C is a sectional view with the compartment breached,FIG. 3D is a sectional view with the assembly in a flow through configuration, andFIG. 3E-F illustrating plan views of the respectively assembled and separated components. -
FIG. 4A-C illustrate a third embodiment in which a drinking nipple is used for forming the internal compartment, whereFIG. 4A illustrates exploded and exploded sectional views,FIG. 4B is a sectional view with the internal compartment intact andFIG. 4C is a sectional view with the internal compartment breached. - The description herein particularly details three distinct embodiments illustrated in the drawing figures as well as various modifications to those illustrated embodiments and different implementation thereof. These illustrations are exemplary only and not limiting to the broader teachings enabled by those illustrations and of the modifications thereto which are detailed in text below.
-
FIG. 1A-B illustrate a first embodiment of a removablebottle cap assembly 100 having an internal compartment which is waterproof and suitable for storing liquids. There is afirst portion 102 havinglateral sidewalls 104, amating surface 110 for mating with thesecond portion 122 to be detailed further below, and a bottom opposedsurface 108 which defines an aperture for receiving and mating with a neck of a bottle or similar container. Apart from the mating surface 106 thefirst portion 102 of the removablebottle cap assembly 100 ay be largely conventional. - When specifically implemented to replace a conventional screw top of a water bottle or the like, interior portions (not shown) of the
lateral sidewalls 104 define an inclined plane wrapped about that interior portion which mates with a similar inclined plane wrapped about an exterior surface of a bottle neck sidewall. This enables them to mate in a screw type fashion, and to prevent leakage of liquid between those mating screw surfaces under expected normal operating conditions of ambient temperature and pressure. The extent of the bottom opposedsurface 108 of thefirst portion 102 is in this case simply a ring having a surface area substantially smaller than the 2-dimensional interior area that is circumscribed by the ring which is the aperture that receives the neck of the bottle. - At least part of the
mating surface 110 of thefirst portion 102 is common with thesecond portion 122 as shown atFIG. 1A , and preferably (but not essentially) these twoportions central axis 101 runs through the first 102 and second 122 portions, about which they are circularly symmetric as illustrated but this circular symmetry is not necessary in all embodiments (for example, if the top or bottom sectional view of eitherportion - The second portion also has
lateral sidewalls 124 and atop surface 128 opposite the mating orcommon surface 110. While not shown as such in any of the drawings the top of thesecond portion 122 may not have anytop aperture 130, in which case a user would need to remove thebottle cap assembly 100 from the bottle prior to imbibing of the mixed contents. Thetop aperture 130 is detailed further below. - Penetrating the
lateral sidewalls 124 of thesecond portion 122 are a pair of opposedlateral apertures 125 through which aslideable plate 140 is disposed. Theplate 140 has asolid portion 142 and a flow throughportion 144 and is slideable between a first position shown atFIG. 1A and a second position shown atFIG. 1B . In the first position shown atFIG. 1A thesolid portion 142 of the plate spans the entire distance between the opposedlateral apertures 125. Thus when the plate is in the first position ofFIG. 1A , thesecond portion 122 defines an internal andwatertight compartment 150 with the internal surfaces of thelateral sidewalls 124 and the opposedtop surface 128. Such aninternal compartment 150 may be used to store powders or liquids separate from any contents of the bottle which may be mated to the removablebottle cap assembly 100 via thefirst portion 102 as detailed above. - So long as the relative sectional dimensions of the
plate 140 and thoseapertures 125 are sufficiently close, they will form a seal against leakage of liquid from thatinternal compartment 150. Forming theplate 140 and thelateral sidewalls 124 of the second portion from any of the various plastics commonly used for disposable water bottles will provide an effective seal in this respect, given sufficiently close tolerances in the physical dimensions of theplate 140 andlateral apertures 125 of thesecond portion 122. Such types of plastics include but are not limited to polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PPTE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE, including linear LDPE) which are commonly used in caps for water bottles, as well as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which is used for liquid container caps less commonly. In an embodiment there may also be a sealing film disposed at least at the interface between theplate 140 and thelateral apertures 125 to better assure they seal against liquid leakage. Such a sealing film is then breached when the plate is moved from theFIG. 1A first position. - In the second position shown at
FIG. 1B , the flow throughportion 144 of theplate 140 divides theinternal compartment 150 from the bottle, allowing the power or liquid within to flow via gravity into the bottle. While a plurality of apertures are shown for the flow throughsection 144 of theplate 140 atFIG. 1A-B , in another embodiment there is only one large aperture to allow passage of the power or liquid. - For shipping and tamper resistance, there may be a removable plastic strip which retains the
movable plate 140 in the first position until such a strip is removed by the user. - The
top surface 128 of thesecond portion 122 is shown atFIG. 1A-B as being slideable along thecentral axis 101 such that liquid or power may also pass through thetop aperture 130. In this manner thebottle cap assembly 100 forms a flow through arrangement. The user first moves theplate 140 into the second position ofFIG. 1B to allow the powder or liquid stored within theinternal compartment 150 to fall into and mix with the contents of the bottle, and thereafter raises the topopposed surface 128 which is defined on aseparate plug 146 so that the mixture can flow in the reverse direction so as to pass through thetop aperture 130 which is also on theplug 146. As illustrated theplug 146 slides inside thelateral sidewalls 124 of thesecond portion 122 until stopped by a lip laterally protruding from the topopposed surface 128. A similar lateral protrusion at the bottom of theplug 146 prevents it from being inadvertently separated from thesecond portion 122 entirely. -
FIG. 1A-B illustrate an embodiment of theassembly 100 in which theinternal compartment 150 is breached due to linear movement of a component (the plate 140) perpendicular to thecentral axis 101.FIG. 2A-B and 3A-F illustrate an embodiment of thebottle cap assembly internal compartment 150 is breached due to linear movement of a component parallel to thecentral axis 101. - The
first portion 102 ofFIG. 2A-B with itsmating surface 110 is substantially similar to those same elements already detailed with respect toFIG. 1A-B . As shown also theplug 146 with thetop surface 128 and thetop aperture 130 of thesecond portion 122 are substantially similar to those shown inFIG. 1A-B but in another embodiment detailed below the plug is different.FIG. 2A-B and 3A-F differ in that instead of a laterallyslideable plate 140 there is one or more vertically slideable plungers orcutters 240 which are used to breach the seal of theinternal compartment 150. Specifically for the embodiment ofFIG. 2A-B , there is alower sealing member 252 which is penetrated by the plungers/cutters 240 when the plungers/cutters 240 are extended downward through themating surface 110 of thefirst portion 102 or through a plane defined by thatmating surface 110. Thislower sealing member 252 may be made from a same plastic as the remainder of thebottle cap assembly lateral sidewalls 124 with an adhesive to assure a water tight seal. -
FIG. 2A-B show abottle cap assembly 200 with the plungers orcutters 240 exterior of thelateral sidewalls 124 of thesecond portion 122 while in other embodiments they may be disposed interior of thelateral sidewalls 124. In theFIG. 2A-B embodiment the plunger/cutter 240 is advantageously attached to theplug 146 and moves with it. In one particular embodiment atFIG. 2A-B theplug 146 moves both upward and downward. A removable plastic ring may circumscribe theplug 146 near the topopposed surface 128 to retain theplug 146 in a mid-range position for shipping and to ensure against tampering. Asimilar ring 303 is shown atFIG. 3A . - In the embodiment in which the plunger(s)/cutter(s) lie within the
lateral sidewalls 124, a portion of theplunger 240, or one of the plungers/cutters if there are multiple plungers/cutters 240, may have an inwardly extending protrusion so as to fold a major portion of thelower sealing surface 252 downward after it is penetrated. This will allow rapid flow of the powder or liquid from theinternal compartment 150 into the bottle. - In the
FIG. 2A-B embodiment the mid-range position of theplug 146 is the sealed position in which powder or liquid is retained within theinternal compartment 150. In this mid-range position thetop aperture 130 may be blocked by anipple 132 as is conventional for sports bottles. Depressing theplug 146 downward toward the bottle breaches thelower sealing surface 252 to release the contents of the powder or liquid within theinternal compartment 150 into the bottle which is attached to thefirst portion 102. If thetop aperture 130 is sealed by anipple 132 it may remain sealed when theplug 130 is so depressed downward, in which case the user will then raise theplug 130 beyond the mid-range position so as to open thetop aperture 130 and pour or drink from the bottle through the flow throughcompartment 150. - In another embodiment, instead the
top aperture 130 is sealed by a removable plastic film or by a flipable slideable cover. In this embodiment thetop aperture 130 will be open anytime the film is removed or the flip/slide cap is flipped/slid open, and the user can pour or drink the contents of the bottle through the flow throughinternal compartment 150 once theplug 146 is depressed and thelower sealing surface 252 is breached. In this embodiment the removable plastic ring will retain theplug 146 in the extended position as shown atFIG. 2B , at which time the cap or film prevents leakage of the contents through thetop aperture 130. Removal of the retaining ring allows the user to depress theplug 146 which drives the plunger(s)/cutter(s) 240 downward to breach thelower sealing member 252. In one embodiment the user then raises theplug 146 so the mixture can flow from the bottle through thecompartment 150 and out thetop aperture 130. - In another embodiment there need not be a film or cap over the top
opposed surface 128 of the second portion. Instead thenipple 132 seals thetop aperture 130 when the plug is in the raised position as inFIG. 2B to prevent leakage during shipping. Once the user removes the retaining ring theplug 146 may be driven downward from the position shown inFIG. 2B by depressing theplug 146 to the position shown atFIG. 2A , thereby breaching thelower sealing member 252. In this embodiment thenipple 132 is flared at the top edge so that when theplug 146 is depressed as inFIG. 2A thenipple 132 will protrude slightly above thetop aperture 130 and allow the mixture to flow from the bottle through theinternal compartment 150 and through thetop aperture 130 about the narrower stem of thenipple 132 which is not flared. - In the
FIG. 1A-B embodiment thesolid portion 142 of theplate 140 operates as a sealing member when theplate 140 is in the first position (FIG. 1A ) and the internal chamber orcompartment 150 is breached when theplate 150 is moved to the second position (FIG. 1B ) in which at least a portion of the flow through portion defines theinternal compartment 150. Theplate 140 is movable between the first and second positions by an external force that is applied substantially perpendicular to thecentral axis 101. Substantially in this regard means within about 10 degrees of true perpendicular. - In the
FIG. 2A-B embodiment the plunger/cutter 240 is movable between a first position (FIG. 2A ) in which the sealing member 242 is intact and a second position (FIG. 2B ) in which theplunger 240 is depressed to penetrate and deform the sealingmember 252. In this embodiment the external force is applied substantially parallel to thecentral axis 101. Substantially in this regard means within about 10 degrees of true parallel. -
FIG. 3A-F illustrate another implementation of the second embodiment. The implementation ofFIG. 3A-F is similar toFIG. 2A-B in that the linear motion to breach thelower sealing member 252 is also substantially parallel to thecentral axis 101. Theplug 146 ofFIG. 2A-B is formed of two different components in the implementation ofFIG. 3A-F , the plunger/cutter takes the shape of asleeve 346 with thecutter 240 being a lower portion of thatsleeve 346, and there is aseparate cap 304 that defines the top surface of thesecond portion 322.FIG. 3A additionally illustrates theremovable retaining ring 303 and shows the cap or cover 304 mentioned above. Thesleeve 346 with thelower sealing member 252 define the lateral and lower bounds of theinternal compartment 150, and thecover 304 overlies thesleeve 346 to define the upper bound of thecompartment 150 and to seal the top from leakage when closed. InFIG. 3A-F thelateral sidewalls 124 of thesecond portion 322 which define in part theinternal compartment 150 are sidewalls of thesleeve 346, and the exterior surfaces of thesecond portion 322 are formed mostly by thecover 304. Thelower sealing member 252 is affixed to a portion of thefirst portion 302. -
FIG. 3A illustrates thebottle cap assembly 300 mated with a bottle. Thecompartment 150 is fully sealed because thelower sealing member 252 remains intact and thecap 304 is in a lowered or closed position. Presence of thering 303 prevents thecutter portion 340 of thesleeve 346 from being moved downward to breach thelower sealing member 252. -
FIG. 3B is a line drawing similar toFIG. 3A with theinternal compartment 150 still sealed but with thering 303 removed. Thecutter portion 340 of thesleeve 346 definesseveral gaps 340 a which allow its cross section to expand outward once moved the lowered position and unconstrained by thefirst section 302 as will be shown atFIG. 3C .FIG. 3B illustrates the first position in which the sealingmember 252 is intact. -
FIG. 3C illustrates breaching of thelower sealing member 252 alter removing thering 303 shown atFIG. 3A the user depresses thecap 304 as shown by the arrow and this action also moves thesleeve 346 downward towards thelower sealing member 252. Specifically, thecap 304 pushes against anextension 346 a of thesleeve 346 so that in one motion thesleeve 346 andcap 304 move relative to thefirst section 302. As can be seen atFIG. 3A , thisextension 346 a was the means by which theremovable retaining ring 303 prevented this same downward movement.FIG. 3C illustrates the second position in which the sealingmember 252 is breached and the external force is applied downward and parallel to thecentral axis 101. This downward movement causes thecutter portion 340 of thesleeve 346 to breach the scalingmember 252 whichFIG. 3C shows is moved to the side as compared toFIG. 3B . This breaching allows the contents of thecompartment 150 to fall into the attached bottle. AtFIG. 3C thecap 304 andnipple 132 still remain sealed so the contents of the bottle andcompartment 150, which are now combined within the bottle, can be shaken for a thorough mixing. - Movement of the
sleeve 346 downwards as inFIG. 3C allows itscutter portion 340 to extend inside the bottle. In this position thefirst portion 302 no longer physically constrains thecutter portions 340 and thegaps 340 a allow thecutter sections 340 to expand away from thecentral axis 101. Aprotrusion 340 b on the outboard side of at least some of thesecutter sections 340 catches against a portion of thefirst section 302 to prevent thesleeve 346 from moving upward back to the position shown atFIG. 3B . - At
FIG. 3D the user has raised thecap 304 as shown by the arrow. Thesleeve 346 remains in the lowered position, with theextension 346 a remaining against themating surface 110 of thefirst portion 302, so thecap 304 is moved relative to thesleeve 346 andfirst section 302. Thenipple 132 is attached to thesleeve 346 and so remains in the lowered position also. The overallintegrated cap assembly 300 is now flow through in that thelower sealing member 252 is breached and fluid can pass through thetop aperture 130 and around thenipple 132. -
FIG. 3E is a plan view of theintegrated cap assembly 300 described atFIG. 3A-D , andFIG. 3F is a view of the four distinct components which are assembled into the bottle cap assembly 300: thefirst portion 302, thesleeve 340, thering 302, and thecap 304.FIG. 3F best shows how thenipple 132 is made one with thesleeve 346 while still allowing flow-through when thecover 304 is raised. -
FIG. 4A-C illustrate a third embodiment in which the external force is rotation about the central axis, which theassembly 400 converts to a linear force parallel to thecentral axis 101 to breach the sealing member. This specific embodiment uses a baby bottle nipple or other such drinking nipple with a foil or other type of sealing member to form the internal compartment. There may be a wax coating over the top aperture/small hole at the tip of the drinking nipple to prevent contents of the compartment from leaking out. In a specific embodiment the contents of theinternal compartment 150 is in a powder form. - The
bottle cap assembly 400 in this third embodiment consists of three components shown in exploded and exploded sectional views atFIG. 4A : ascrew cap 410, adrinking nipple 420, and acutting element 430. Thescrew cap 410 forms thefirst portion 402 in thisembodiment 400 and thedrinking nipple 420 with the cuttingelement 430 for thesecond portion 422.FIG. 4A additionally shows the mating portion of a bottle for context. The cuttingelement 430 defines an outwardly extendinglip 432 to prevent it from dropping fully into the bottle. There is afoil sealing member 252 affixed across a major opening of thedrinking nipple 420. Thedrinking nipple 420 is pliable, and defineslateral sidewalls 124 which meld gradually into a top surface that defines thetop aperture 130. -
FIG. 4B illustrates theassembly 400 according to the third embodiment attached to the bottle and all of the components with their reference numbers, including theinternal compartment 150. There is also shown aretaining ring 403 which is removably attached to thescrew cap 410 at a lowermost surface (shown atFIG. 4C ); thisring 403 functions as a physical spacer from the bottle itself to prevent thescrew cap 410 from being tightened too much.FIG. 4B illustrates the first position in which theinternal compartment 150 is filled with the contents and the sealing foil/member 252 is intact and not breached. -
FIG. 4C illustrates the second position. In this case the external force is rotational about thecentral axis 101 and is applied to thescrew cap 410 after the retainingring 402 is removed. This drives thedrinking nipple 420 further towards the bottle as thescrew ring 410 is tightened. The sealingmember 252 is affixed to thedrinking nipple 420 and is breached by the cuttingelement 430 which extends above thelip 432 for this purpose. While the cuttingelement 430 is shown with this extension above thelip 432 defining a plane parallel to a plane defined by the bottle opening and/or the sealingmember 432; in another embodiment the plane of that extension is angled with respect to the plane of the bottle/sealing member so as to not fully separate a portion of the sealingmember 432 when breached. The user can simply shake the bottle which now has the mixture of the contents of the bottle and of thecompartment 150. - Any of the above embodiments may be made disposable. Additionally, the first portion of any of the assembly embodiments may be made to fit different sized bottles and/or different thread dimensions. This can be done for example by having multiple concentric threaded rings, each similar to the screw cap shown at
FIG. 4A-C , arranged in a layered or staggered fashion such as layers of a traditional wedding cake. When such an assembly is mated to a small bottle one of the smaller inboard screw cap rings will mate with the bottle, and for a larger bottle one of the larger outboard screw cap rings will mate. Being made in one piece there will be no leakage regardless. In this manner the same cap assembly can for example mate with a standard 16 ounce water bottle, a standard one-gallon milk container, and a standard five-gallon jerry can. - All of the above embodiments have certain common elements when arranged for the flow-through feature. In this case the removable flow-through cap assembly for a container can be described generically as comprising:
- a first portion configured to removably interface with a container;
- a second portion which is securable to a container by the first portion and defining side walls and a top surface defining a top aperture; and
- a lower sealing member affixed to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the lower sealing member defining with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment.
- Common to all the above flow-through embodiments is that the removable flow-through cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the first portion or of the second portion is movable between a first position and a second position so as to breach the internal compartment and allow fluid to flow through opposed ends of the assembly.
- For the embodiment of
FIG. 1A-B , the at least one component of the above paragraph is of thesecond portion 122 and comprises theplate 140 having asolid portion 142 which forms the lower sealing member and a flow-throughportion 144. Recall that the plate was slideable between the first position (FIG. 1A ) in which the solid portion defines the internal compartment and the second position (FIG. 1B ) in which at least a portion of the flow-through portion defines the internal compartment, which in that case is breached. Fluid flows through the opposed ends of theentire assembly 100 via the flow-throughportion 144 of the plate and thetop aperture 130. - For the embodiment of
FIG. 2A-B , the at least one component noted above is of the second portion and comprises aplug 146 defining the top surface with the top aperture and at least one plunger orcutter 240 internal or external of the lateral sidewalls. Recall that the plunger/cutter was movable with the plug between the first position (FIG. 2A ) in which the sealing member is intact and a second position (FIG. 2B ) in which the plunger/cutter is depressed to breach the sealing member.FIG. 3B additionally shows the cap raised to allow the fluid to flow through the opposed ends of theentire assembly 300 via the breached sealingmember 252 and thetop aperture 130. - For the embodiment of
FIG. 3A-F , the second portion comprises acap 304 and asleeve 346. In this case the at least one component noted above then comprises thesleeve 346 which defines thelateral sidewalls 146 and anipple 132 and which has cuttingportions 340. ForFIG. 3A-F the sleeve is movable between a first position in which the sealing member is intact while thenipple 132 seals against thetop aperture 130, and a second position in which the cuttingportion 340 of thesleeve 346 breach the sealing member. In this embodiment it was theseparate cap 304 which defined the top surface with the top aperture, and thecap 304 is movable with theFIG. 3A- F plug 240 from the first position (FIG. 3B ) to the second position (FIG. 3C ) and is further movable from the second position back to the first position (FIG. 3D ) while thesleeve 340 remains in the second position and the nipple is not sealed against the top aperture. LikeFIG. 2A-B , forFIG. 3A-F fluid similarly flows through the opposed ends of theentire assembly 300 via the breached sealingmember 252 and thetop aperture 130. - For the embodiment of
FIG. 4A-C , the second portion comprises apliable drinking nipple 420 defining thelateral sidewalls 124 and the top surface with thetop aperture 130, and the sealingmember 252 is affixed to the drinking nipple opposite the top surface. In this embodiment the at least one component mentioned above is the first portion which comprises ascrew ring 410. This embodiment of the removable flow-throughcap assembly 400 further comprises acutting element 430 arranged to breach the sealing member when the screw ring is moved from a first position (FIG. 4B ) relative to a container/bottle to which the screw ring is interfaced, and a second position (FIG. 4C ) in which the screw ring is tightened against the container which drives the sealing member against the cutting element to effect the breach. Similar toFIG. 2A-B and 3A-F, the fluid flow through the opposed ends of the entireFIG. 4A- C assembly 400 is then via the breached sealingmember 252 and thetop aperture 130 which is a small hole in thepliable drinking nipple 420. - The above are non-limiting embodiments which are presented to give an understanding of the more general principles of the invention, some of which are set forth in the claims below. Some of the features of the various non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.
Claims (5)
1. A removable flow-through cap assembly for a container, the assembly comprising:
a first portion configured to removably interface with a container;
a second portion which is securable to a container by the first portion and defining lateral sidewalls and a top surface defining a top aperture; and
a lower sealing member affixed to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the lower sealing member defining with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment:
wherein the removable flow-through cap assembly is arranged such that at least one component of the first portion or of the second portion is movable between a first position and a second position so as to breach the internal compartment and allow fluid to flow through opposed ends of the assembly, wherein:
the second portion comprises a pliable drinking nipple defining the lateral sidewalls and the top surface with the top aperture, and the lower sealing member is affixed to the drinking nipple opposite the top surface; and
the at least one component is the first portion which comprises a screw ring, 15 and the removable flow-through cap assembly further comprises:
a cutting element arranged to breach the sealing member when the screw ring is moved from a first position relative to a container to which the screw ring is interfaced and a second position in which the screw ring is tightened against the container which drives the sealing member against the cutting element.
2. The removable cap assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a retaining ring removably affixed to a surface of the screw ring.
3. The removable cap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting element defines an outboard lip and an extension above the lip facing the sealing member so as to breach the sealing member when the screw cap is tightened on the container.
4. The removable cap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises multiple concentric threaded rings of different internal diameter arranged in a staggered fashion, wherein each concentric threaded ring is configured to removably interface with a different type of container.
5. The removable cap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the removable cap assembly is disposable.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/859,910 US20140131302A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2013-04-10 | Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment |
US14/256,188 US20140224797A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2014-04-18 | Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261686751P | 2012-04-11 | 2012-04-11 | |
GB1215148.6 | 2012-08-24 | ||
GB1215148.6A GB2501138B (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2012-08-24 | Removable bottle cap assembly |
US13/859,910 US20140131302A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2013-04-10 | Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/256,188 Continuation-In-Part US20140224797A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2014-04-18 | Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140131302A1 true US20140131302A1 (en) | 2014-05-15 |
Family
ID=47045379
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/859,910 Abandoned US20140131302A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2013-04-10 | Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140131302A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB2501138B (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016106433A1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-07-07 | Moradi Consulting Gmbh | Discharging element in the form of a capsule for discharging additives into a liquid |
US11135131B2 (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2021-10-05 | Board Of Trustees Of Michigan State University | Medication bottle with anti-tampering features |
AU2020200733B2 (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2021-10-21 | Instrumentation Laboratory Company | Reagent component dispensing caps for reagent containers used in automated clinical analyzers |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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FR2622546B2 (en) * | 1987-05-25 | 1990-03-16 | Emballages Conseils Etudes | CLOSING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS |
JP3024089B2 (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 2000-03-21 | 株式会社ファンケル | Closed cap structure of container |
US6527110B2 (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2003-03-04 | Brett Moscovitz | Device for storing and dispensing a substance by mating with a container and associated methods |
US6540070B1 (en) * | 2001-08-20 | 2003-04-01 | Christopher J Conwell | Water bottle attachment with releasable concentrated flavor |
US6926138B1 (en) * | 2003-08-18 | 2005-08-09 | Mark Floyd Basham | Bottle cap including an additive dispenser |
EP1682443B1 (en) * | 2003-10-27 | 2010-05-19 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Twist-open closure having inclined frangible membrane |
KR100593245B1 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2006-06-28 | 조영국 | bottle cap assembly for simultaneously dissolve additives |
US7308915B2 (en) * | 2005-04-21 | 2007-12-18 | Jpro Dairy International, Inc. | Packaging system for storing and mixing separate ingredient components |
US20080135424A1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-12 | Dan Ostrowski | Dispensing Tube For A Powdered Drink Mix |
US8276748B2 (en) * | 2007-03-16 | 2012-10-02 | The Coca-Cola Company | Ingredient release spout |
US7882976B1 (en) * | 2007-10-16 | 2011-02-08 | Armand Jean Goede | Container cap system with releasable modification composition |
WO2010041812A1 (en) * | 2008-10-08 | 2010-04-15 | Lee Sang Jin | Mixing container |
DK2477908T3 (en) * | 2009-09-14 | 2014-05-12 | Nestec Sa | WRAPPING WITH FOIL SEALING AND DROPPING BODY |
US8141700B2 (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2012-03-27 | Tap the Cap, Inc. | Bottle cap for dispersing powdered supplement in situ |
-
2012
- 2012-08-24 GB GB1215148.6A patent/GB2501138B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-10-09 GB GB1218093.1A patent/GB2501140A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2013
- 2013-04-10 US US13/859,910 patent/US20140131302A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016106433A1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-07-07 | Moradi Consulting Gmbh | Discharging element in the form of a capsule for discharging additives into a liquid |
WO2016106436A1 (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-07-07 | Moradi Consulting Gmbh | Discharging element in the form of a capsule for discharging additives into a liquid |
US11338993B2 (en) | 2014-12-30 | 2022-05-24 | Moradi Consulting Gmbh | Discharging element for discharging substances into a liquid |
AU2020200733B2 (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2021-10-21 | Instrumentation Laboratory Company | Reagent component dispensing caps for reagent containers used in automated clinical analyzers |
US11135131B2 (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2021-10-05 | Board Of Trustees Of Michigan State University | Medication bottle with anti-tampering features |
US20220000715A1 (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2022-01-06 | Board Of Trustees Of Michigan State University | Medication bottle with anti-tampering features |
US11779517B2 (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2023-10-10 | Board Of Trustees Of Michigan State University | Medication bottle with anti-tampering features |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201215148D0 (en) | 2012-10-10 |
GB2501138A (en) | 2013-10-16 |
GB201218093D0 (en) | 2012-11-21 |
GB2501138B (en) | 2014-07-30 |
GB2501140A (en) | 2013-10-16 |
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Owner name: TAMM, INC., CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MALONEY, TIMOTHY;CONNELL-GIAMMATTEO, MATTHEW;LACHAPELLE, CHAD;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20121226 TO 20130104;REEL/FRAME:030186/0872 |
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Owner name: C-CAP TECHNOLOGIES, INC., CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TAMM, INC;REEL/FRAME:033536/0540 Effective date: 20140814 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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