WO2023192377A1

WO2023192377A1 - Screw-top cap for container, and method of using and making same

Info

Publication number: WO2023192377A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/016721
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Huber
Original assignee: Csp Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-04-01
Filing date: 2023-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-05
Also published as: FR3134084A3; FR3134084B3

Abstract

A screw-top cap for a bottle assembly can include a bottom portion having a bottom base that has a bottom skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery thereof and a neck protruding upwardly from an inner periphery of the bottom base. The inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap. The neck can further have a neck rim extending radially outwardly from an upper end of the neck. A lid can be pivotably attached to the bottom portion via a hinge. The lid can have a lid base and a lid skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery of the lid base. The hinge can be elevated from an upper surface of the bottom base via a riser fixedly attached thereto such that the lid is elevated to mate the neck rim in a closed position.

Description

SCREW-TOP CAP FOR CONTAINER, AND METHOD OF USING AND MAKING SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/362,344, filed April 1, 2022 and titled “SCREW-TOP CAP FOR CONTAINER, AND METHOD OF USING AND MAKING SAME”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The presently disclosed technology relates generally to caps or lids for containers. More particularly, in one embodiment, the presently disclosed technology relates to screw-top caps including a flip-top lid having a first seal member, a bottom portion having a second seal member, and an active polymer component.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Commercial medicament containers, e.g., for tablets and capsules, are typically provided as glass or plastic bottles with removable caps (often having some type of childresistance configuration). For example, over the counter (OTC) pain relief tablets, allergy medications, as well as nutraceuticals and vitamins, are often provided in such bottles. Generally, the complexity, and correspondingly the cost, of such containers increases as the ability of such containers to resist moisture infiltration increases.

[0004] Typically, to ensure that the contents of the bottle have not been tampered with, a flexible seal (typically composed of foil, paper, flexible/thin plastic, cardboard, or a composite of one or more of the foregoing) provides a seal to the container opening. The first time a user desires to access the contents of the container, the user may permanently puncture the seal or remove it at least in part. An intact seal protects the contents of the container from the ambient environment and provides users with a visual indicator that the container has not been tampered with.

[0005] Depending on the nature of the container contents, the environment inside the container may need to be controlled. For example, a desiccant or other active material may be needed to control the moisture density within the container. Typically, a desiccant is provided in the form of a desiccant containing sachet or cylindrical canister, which loosely sits within the body of the container, along with the container’s contents. However, having such sachet or canister loosely placed within the container is cumbersome and inconvenient as the sachet or canister may fall out of the container or, at times, block the opening of the container, prompting a user maneuver to either remove or reposition the sachet or canister to extract the contents. As such, the sachet or canister may be lost or the user may forget to place the sachet or canister back within the container after use, thereby resulting in loss of the desiccant and thus reducing the shelf life of the container contents. There is thus a need for providing a desiccant to be constantly present within the container without the inconvenience or loss associated with having the sachet or cannister within the bottle.

[0006] Further, containers as described above are typically filled via automated processing. Tamper proof seals, such as foil seals, are often applied to cover the container openings postfilling. Various methods and means for securing a seal are known, e.g., via adhesives or heat. The most common method for applying the seal is by induction sealing. Induction sealing is a process that relies on electrical currents within a material, e.g., foil and/or cardboard, to produce heat. Induction sealing and other sealing means require special apparatus and materials in a filling line. These types of seals tend to be necessary to preserve the shelf-life of the contents of the containers.

[0007] Not all filling lines have induction sealing equipment and a foil seal is not always desired.

[0008] Further, where foil seals are desirable, once the seal is broken (upon initial use), moisture tightness of the bottle is compromised, even if the cap is replaced thereon. Conventional bottle caps do not provide moisture tight seals.

SUMMARY

[0009] There is a need to create improved caps for container, as described above. There is thus a need for a bottle and cap assembly that provides desirable shelf life to bottle contents without the need for a foil seal. These and other needs are addressed by the presently disclosed technology.

[0010] In one aspect, the presently disclosed technology is directed to a cap, optionally a screw-top cap, for a bottle assembly. The cap can include a bottom portion including a bottom base that has a bottom skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery thereof and a neck protruding upwardly from an inner periphery of the bottom base, the inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap. The neck can further have a neck rim extending radially outwardly from an upper end of the neck. A lid can be pivotably attached to the bottom portion via a hinge. The lid can have a lid base and a lid skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery of the lid base. Optionally, the hinge is elevated from an upper surface of the bottom base via at least one riser fixedly attached thereto such that the lid is elevated to mate the neck rim and run perpendicular to the neck in a closed position.

[0011] Optionally, the hinge has a flap extending from the riser by a distance that is substantially equal to a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid base fully covers the opening in the closed position.

[0012] Optionally, the riser can include one or more walls having at least the same height as the neck.

[0013] Optionally, the one or more walls can include one wall attached to a portion of the outer periphery of the bottom base.

[0014] Optionally, the one or more walls can include a pair of walls extending inwardly towards the neck from side edges of the one wall by a distance that is substantially equal to but less than a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid skirt fits between the pair of walls and a neck skirt of the neck in the closed position.

[0015] Optionally, the riser includes a thermoset.

[0016] Optionally, the riser includes a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0017] Optionally, the lid skirt has a flange extending radially inwardly and mates with the neck rim in the closed position.

[0018] Optionally, the lid includes a tab at a distal end opposite the hinge.

[0019] Optionally, the lid includes a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base, the first seal member comprising thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member comprises an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.

[0020] In another aspect, the presently disclosed technology is directed to a bottle assembly. The bottle assembly can include a bottle having a bottle base, a sidewall extending from the bottle base and terminating in a bottle neck having an end portion disposed opposite and distal the bottle base. The bottle neck can define an opening leading to an interior of the bottle. The bottle neck can have an outer portion including one or more threads. The screwtop bottle cap can be fixedly disposed over the bottle neck such that internal threads of the screw-top cap can threadably engage the threads on the bottle neck to removably couple the screw-top cap to the bottle, thereby forming the bottle assembly.

[0021] Optionally, the hinge has a flap extending from the riser by a distance that is substantially equal to a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid base fully covers the opening in the closed position.

[0022] Optionally, the riser includes one or more walls having at least the same height as the neck.

[0023] Optionally, the one or more walls include one wall attached to a portion of the outer periphery of the bottom base.

[0024] Optionally, the one or more walls include a pair of walls extending inwardly towards the neck from side edges of the one wall by a distance that is equal to or substantially equal to but less than a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid skirt fits between the pair of walls and a neck skirt of the neck in the closed position.

[0025] Optionally, the riser includes a thermoset.

[0026] Optionally, the riser includes a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0027] Optionally, the lid skirt has a flange extending radially inwardly and mates with the neck rim in the closed position.

[0028] Optionally, the lid includes a tab at a distal end opposite the hinge.

[0029] Optionally, the lid includes a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base. The first seal member can include a thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member can include an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.

[0030] In one aspect, the presently disclosed technology is directed to a cap, optionally a screw-top cap, for a bottle assembly. The cap can include a lid including a planar lid base, an annular lid skirt extending downwardly at an outer periphery of the planar lid base, the annular lid skirt having a flange extending radially inward, and a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base. A bottom portion of can be pivotably connected to the lid by a hinge. The bottom portion can include (i) a planar bottom base including an outer annular edge, an inner annular edge forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap, and a second seal member disposed at a first portion of an interior surface of the bottom base; (ii) an annular bottom skirt extending downward at the outer annular edge of the bottom base, the bottom skirt including one or more threads extending radially inward from an interior surface of the bottom skirt; and (iii) a neck having an annular neck skirt extending upward from the inner annular edge of the bottom base and a neck rim extending radially outward from an upper end of the neck skirt, opposite the inner annular edge of the bottom base. In a closed position, the first seal member can be configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of the neck rim and the second seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The following detailed description of the presently disclosed technology, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals designate like elements throughout. For the purpose of illustrating the presently disclosed technology, there are shown in the drawings various illustrative embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0032] Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a screw-top cap and container assembly according to an optional aspect of the presently disclosed technology;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the screw-top cap shown in Fig. 1, wherein a flip-top lid of the screw-top cap is shown in a first or open position;

[0034] Fig. 3 A is a top plan view of the screw-top cap of Fig. 1;

[0035] Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional elevation view of the screw-top cap shown in Fig. 2 taken along line A-A of Fig. 3 A and an inner view of the flip-top lid of Fig. 3A;

[0036] Fig. 3C is a magnified view of part Pl of Fig. 3B;

[0037] Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3B according to an alternative embodiment of the presently disclosed technology;

[0038] Fig. 5A is an elevation view of a screw-top cap with a flip-top lid in a second or closed position in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presently disclosed technology;

[0039] Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional elevation view of the screw-top cap of Fig. 5A taken along line B-B of Fig. 5 A; and

[0040] Fig. 5C is a magnified view of part P2 of Fig. 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] While systems, devices and methods are described herein by way of examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. Rather, the presently disclosed technology covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features of any one embodiment disclosed herein can be omitted or incorporated into another embodiment. [0042] Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to) rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

[0043] As used herein, “and/or” means that either or both of the items separated by such terminology are involved. For example, the phrase “A and/or B” would mean A alone, B alone, or both A and B.

[0044] As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs.

[0045] As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.

[0046] As used herein, “about” in a phrase such as “disposed about [an element, point or axis]” or “extend about [an element, point or axis]” or “[X] degrees about an [an element, point or axis],” means encircle, extend around, or measured around. When used in reference to a measurement or in a similar manner, “about” means “approximately,” i.e., in an approximate range relevant to the measurement as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0047] As used herein, “generally” means “in a general manner” relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0048] As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single (optionally monolithic) piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.

[0049] As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components.

[0050] As used herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).

[0051] As used herein, the phrases “sealingly engage” or “sealing engagement” shall refer to elements which contact each other in a manner such that a generally moisture-tight seal is formed therebetween. [0052] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

[0053] Generally speaking, as used herein, the term “moisture tight” is defined as having a moisture ingress (after three days) of less than 1500 pg of water, in another embodiment, less than 500 pg of water, in a further embodiment, less than 300 pg of water, in yet another embodiment, less than 150 pg of water, as determined by the following test method: (a) place one gram plus or minus 0.25 grams of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b) fully close the container; (c) place the closed container in an environmental chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 72°F; (d) after one day, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (e) after four days, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; and (f) subtract the first day sample from the fourth day sample to calculate the moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms of water. A preferred rate of ingress of moisture into a moisture tight sealed container produced according to an aspect of the disclosed concept is in the range of about 200-300 pg/day of water or less. A “moisture tight” seal therefore is a sealing engagement that alone, or in combination with additional sealing engagements, help to render a container “moisture tight” per the above definition.

[0054] As used herein, the term “resealable” means the lid of the container can be opened or reopened and closed or reclosed many times (e.g., more than 10 times) and still retain its moisture-tight properties.

[0055] Referring now in detail to the various figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, Figs. 1-3B show a cap and container, generally designated 1. The assembly 1 can include a bottle 10 and cap 100 removably attachable and securable attachable thereto. While the bottle 10 depicted in Fig. 1 is one contemplated or exemplary type of container that may be used in conjunction with the presently disclosed technology, other types of containers are also contemplated. Where the term “bottle” is used to describe an exemplary embodiment, the broader, more generic term “container” may also be used in its place. The bottle is optionally made from plastic, glass, or even a metallic material. While the cap 100 is depicted in Figs. 1-3B and often referred to herein as a screw-top cap, that is merely one contemplated or exemplary type of cap that may be used in conjunction with the presently disclosed technology, as other types of caps (e.g., snap or fully separable) are also contemplated. [0056] The bottle 10 can include a body 12 having a base 14 and one or more sidewalls 16 extending upwardly therefrom leading to a rim (for example and without limitation, a bottle rim 18 of Figs. 3C, 4, and 5C) surrounding an upper opening (for example and without limitation, opening 20 as shown in Figs. 3B and 5B) of the bottle 10. The embodiment shown is cylindrical and thus has a round, unitary sidewall 16. However, containers according to the disclosed concept may be other shapes, e.g., rectangular cuboid, and thus have more than a single continuous (e.g., round) sidewall.

[0057] The bottle 10 can include a neck (for example and without limitation, a bottle neck 22 of Figs. 3B, 4, and 5B) including one or more threads (for example and without limitation, threads 26 in Figs. 3B-C, 4, 5B-C) for providing a threaded engagement with corresponding or complementary threads (for example and without limitations, threads 146, 246, 346 in Figs. 3B-C, 4, 5B-C) of the cap 100 when the cap 100 is secured to the bottle 10.

[0058] The body 12 of the bottle 10 can define an interior space (not shown) configured to store contents (not shown) therein, such as a plurality of medicinal or nutraceutical tablets, capsules, or powder, or solid or liquid products in the food, pharmaceutical or chemical industries. The interior space of the bottle 10 may be accessed through the upper opening 20 or lid opening (for example and without limitation, a lid opening 138 of Fig. 3A).

[0059] In one optional embodiment, the screw-top cap 100 can include a flip-top lid 110, which can move between a first or open position (see Figs. 2, 3A, and 3B) and a second or closed position (see Figs. 1 and 3C). In particular, the cap 100 can include a bottom or base portion 130 to which the lid 110 is pivotally attached via a hinge 119. A neck or lip 150 can extend upwardly from a bottom base 134 and can be spaced-apart radially inwardly from an outer periphery 132 of the base portion 130. An inner periphery of the neck 150 can form an opening 138 leading to an interior of the cap 100. Since the neck 150 is elevated from and/or above an upper surface of the bottom base 134, at least a top portion of the hinge 119 is also elevated from and/or above the upper surface of the bottom base 134 via at least one or one or more spaced-apart risers 115 and/or other features, such that the flip-top lid 110 is elevated to properly or conveniently mate with the raised neck 150 and extend perpendicularly to the neck 150 in a closed position.

[0060] In one optional embodiment, the riser(s) 115 is/are fixedly attached to the portion of the upper surface of the bottom base 134. The bottom portion 130 and the flip-top lid 110 are discussed further in detail later. In one optional embodiment, the hinge 1 19 can be a living hinge. In another optional embodiment, the hinge 119 can include a pin or axis by which other portions of the hinge 119 rotate. An axis of the hinge 119 can extend perpendicularly to an axis of the bottle 10 when the cap 100 is attached to the bottle 10. Optionally, a neck 150 can extend upwardly from the bottom portion 130. In one embodiment, the neck 150 is cylindrical or circular when viewed from above, and is surrounded by and/or in engagement with a portion of the lid 110 when the lid 110 is in the closed position.

[0061] The embodiment shown includes the bottle 10 and the bottom portion 130 of the cap 100 as being removably attachable to each other via, for example and without limitation, the threaded engagement. However, containers according to the disclosed concept may include a unitary unit integrating the bottle 10 and the cap 100 at manufacturing, and the assembly 1 can be opened or closed by actuating a flip-top lid 110 for accessing the container contents.

[0062] In one embodiment, the cap 100 is optionally made primarily or partially from one or more injection moldable thermoplastic materials, including, for example, a polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0063] For certain uses, a child-resistant cap may be desired, but may not be necessary for all applications. Thus, child-resistant and non-child-resistant caps are contemplated. If a childresistant feature is provided, the child-resistant feature optionally requires that force in more than one single direction is applied to the cap to remove the cap from the container. For example, the cap may require a user to press downward (first direction) before rotating the cap (second direction) to remove the cap from the container. Alternative chi Id- resistant features, if desired, are also contemplated.

[0064] While the screw-top cap 100 illustrated in Figs. 2-3C is removably attachable to the bottle 10, for ease and completeness of the description, Figs. 2-3C also includes the components (e.g., without limitation, a bottle rim 18, an opening 20 leading to an interior of the body of the bottle 10, a bottle neck 22) of the bottle 10 that would be shown if the screw-top cap 100 is attached to the neck of the bottle 10 via, e.g., without limitation, the threaded engagement as discussed with respect to Fig. 1.

[0065] In one optional embodiment, the flip-top lid 110 is pivotably attached to the bottom portion 130 via the hinge 119. The lid 110 includes a lid base 114 and an annular lid skirt 124 depending downwardly at an outer periphery of the lid base 114. Optionally, the hinge 119 is elevated from an upper surface of the bottom base 134 via one or more risers 115 fixedly attached thereto, such that the lid 110 is elevated to mate with a neck rim 158 and extend perpendicularly to the neck 150 in a closed position.

[0066] Optionally, the hinge 119 includes at least one flap 116 extending from the riser(s) 115 by a distance that is substantially equal to a lateral distance between the outer periphery 132 and an inner periphery 131 of the bottom base 134, such that the lid base 114 fully covers the opening 138 when the lid 110 is in the closed position. Optionally, the hinge 119 and/or the riser(s) 115 include one or more rear walls 117 having at least the same height as the neck 150. Optionally, the one or more rear walls 117 can be attached to a portion of the outer periphery 132 of the bottom base 134. Optionally, one or a pair of sidewalls 118 extend inwardly towards the neck 150 from side edges of the one or more rear walls 117 by a distance that is substantially equal to or less than a distance between the outer periphery 132 and the inner periphery 131 of the bottom base 134 such that the lid skirt 124 is configured to fit between the one or pair of walls 118 and a neck skirt 164 of the neck 150 when the lid 110 is in the closed position. Optionally, the riser(s) 115 and one or more other portions of the hinge 119 includes or is formed of a thermoset. Optionally, the riser(s) 115 and one or more other portions of the hinge 119 includes or is formed of a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. Optionally, the lid skirt 124 has a flange 126 extending radially inwardly and is configured to contact and/or mate with the neck rim 158 when the lid 110 is in the closed position.

[0067] Optionally, the lid 110 can include a first seal member 120. Optionally, the lid base 114 can be flat or planar, and the lid skirt 124 can be cylindrical or circular. The annular lid skirt 124 can include an annular flange 126 extending radially inwardly. The flip-top lid 110 can further include a fixed protrusion (also referred to as a thumb tab) 1 12 at a distal end opposite the hinge 119. The protrusion 112 can extend radially outwardly from the lid base 114 and/or the lid skirt 124. The thumb tab 112 can be configured to be actuated and/or engaged to place the lid 110 in open or closed position. Optionally, the first seal member 120 is disposed on an interior surface of the lid base 114. The first seal member 120 can include or be a thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base 114. Optionally, the thermoplastic elastomer seal member 120 includes an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim 158.

[0068] In one optional embodiment, the bottom base 134 can have a bottom skirt 144 depending downwardly at the outer periphery 132 (see Fig. 3A) thereof and the neck 150 can protrude upwardly from the inner periphery 131 of the bottom base 134 and/or the bottom portion 130. The inner periphery 131 can form the opening 138 leading to an interior of the cap 100. Optionally, the neck 150 can further include the neck rim 158 extending radially outwardly from an upper end of the neck 150. Optionally, the neck 150 includes the annular neck skirt 164 that extends upwardly from the inner periphery 131 of the bottom base 134 and the neck rim 158 can extend radially outwardly from an upper end of the neck skirt 164. Optionally, the bottom base 134 can be flat or planar. The opening 138 may have a size substantially equal to or less than the size of the lid base 114. In the embodiments in which the cap 100 is fixedly attached to the bottle 10, the opening 138 leads to an interior (not shown) of the bottle 10 via an upper opening 20 (see Fig. 3B) of the bottle 10.

[0069] The bottom skirt 144 can optionally include one or more threads extending radially inwardly from an interior surface thereof. The one or more threads can be configured to sealingly engage with one or more bottle threads disposed on an upper portion of a sidewall 12 of the bottle 10. Optionally, the neck skirt 164 can include a lower neck skirt 165 (see Fig. 3C) that extends downwardly below the bottom base 134 and into the interior of the cap 100.

[0070] Optionally, the cap 100 can include no seal members, only the first seal member 120, or two or more seal members. For example, the cap 100 can include the first seal member 120 disposed on an interior surface of the lid base 114. In the closed position, the flip-top lid 110 is pivoted about the hinge 119 so that the lid 110 covers the opening 138, while the first seal member 120 sealingly engages at least a portion of the neck rim 158. Optionally, the flange 126 can engage or contact an exterior surface of the neck skirt 164, and can secure the lid 110 to the neck 150 via, e.g., without limitation, a friction fit, and causes the first seal member 120 to compress against an upper engagement surface of the neck rim 158. This can create a moisture tight seal between the lid 110 and the neck 150 of the cap 100, and thus, between the cap 100 and the bottle 10, when the lid is in the closed position.

[0071] Optionally, as shown in Figs. 3C and 3B, the bottom base 134 of the bottom portion 130 can also include a second seal member 140 disposed on a first portion of an interior surface (underside) of the bottom base 134. Optionally the second seal member 140 can be in the form of an annular ring or an O-ring, and have a generally square or rectangular cross-sectional shape. In the closed position, engagement between threads 146 of the bottom skirt 144 and corresponding threads 26 on the neck 22 of the bottle 10 tightly secures the cap 100 to the bottle 10 and causes the second seal member 140 to at least slightly compress as it firmly presses against an upper engagement surface 19 of the rim 18 of the neck 22. This creates an additional moisture tight seal between the cap 100 and the bottle 10, further improving the moisture tightness of the environment within the assembly 1.

[0072] Optionally, the bottom base 134 can also include an active component 142, such as but not limited to an active polymer component, on a second portion 135 of the underside of the bottom base 134, which is surrounded by and, optionally contacts an inner annular edge of the second seal member 140 or is spaced at least slightly radially inwardly from the second seal member 140. Optionally, the active component 142 can surround the lower neck skirt 165. Optionally, the bottom base 134 can include a ridge 148 extending downwardly from a third portion of the interior surface of the bottom base 134 and disposed between the second seal member 140 and the active component 142. The active component 142 and the first and second sealing members 120, 140 are discussed further in detail below.

[0073] The active component 142 can be affixed to or molded in the second portion 135 of the underside of the bottom base 134. The active component 142 allows the container assembly 1 to provide improved capabilities in terms of protection against moisture ingress to, for example and without limitation, medicine contained in the interior of the bottle 10.

[0074] The active component 142 can include a base polymer entrained with one or more active agents, and thus may be referred to herein as a polymer entrained with an active agent or entrained polymer. The active agent in the active component 142 may include an absorbing material, a releasing material and/or an activation material. Optionally, the active component 142 is a three phase desiccant entrained polymer.

[0075] The active component 142 can be provided in different shapes, volumes and/or configurations. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the active component 142 can be in the form of a ring concentric to the annular bottom skirt 144. The active component 142 can surround, and optionally contact an outer annular edge of the lower neck skirt 165 of the neck 150. In one embodiment, the active component 142 can extend into and/or be exposed to an interior space of the bottle 10 to desiccate the environment within the bottle 10. Optionally , the active component 142 surrounds, and optionally contacts, an inner annular edge of the ridge 148. As such, the lower neck skirt 165, a portion of the underside of the bottom base 134, and the ridge 148 optionally form a cavity allowing the active component 142 to be molded onto the cavity.

[0076] In one embodiment, the active component 142 is a desiccant entrained polymer that is a unitary component made of a single piece of material. An entrained polymer, whether entrained with desiccant or another active agent, may include a base polymer (for structure), a desiccant (or other active agent) and optionally a channeling agent. These types of active polymer components and methods of making and using the same are disclosed, e.g., in Applicant’s U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,937, 6,214,255, 6,130,263, 6,080,350, 6,174,952, 6,124,006 and 6,221 ,446, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0039955. Optionally, the entrained polymer may be in the form of a film that is loose or optionally heat staked to a surface. [0077] Alternatively, the desiccant may include loose desiccant beads or a sachet containing the same. While the exemplary embodiments herein reflect active component 142 being located on the second portion 135 of the bottom base 134 and around the lower neck skirt 165 of the neck 150, it is contemplated that one or more active agents can be located at other locations and/or positions, such as on a sidewall 16 of the body 12 or the neck 22 of the bottle 10.

[0078] In the embodiment where each active component 142 contains a desiccant, moisture absorption is desired. However, where moisture absorption is not desired, the active component 142 can include alternative active agents. For example, in another embodiment, the active component 142 contains a material selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, carbon black, ketjenblack, and diamond powder. In a further embodiment, an active agent including one or more layers of the active member contains a material such as absorption microspheres, BaTiO3, SrTiO3, SiO2, A12O3, ZnO, TiO2, MnO, CuO, Sb2O3, silica, calcium oxide and ion exchange resins. In yet another embodiment, the absorbing agent containing layer of the active component 142 contains two or more types of absorbing agents. The suitable absorbing agent is chosen to achieve absorption of the desired vapor or gas for the desired end use (e.g., absorption of moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other undesired gases or vapors).

[0079] The active member (whether desiccant, oxygen scavenger, a releasing material or ingredient, etc., or combination thereof) is capable of acting on, interacting or reacting with a selected material (e.g., moisture or oxygen). Examples of such actions or interactions may include absorption, adsorption (sorption, generally) or release of the selected material. Each active member can be extruded or molded, for example. Optionally, the active member can be formed in a desired shape or pattern (e.g., on a backing) via an in-line melt adhesion thermal bonding process.

[0080] The active component 142 can include an “active ingredient” in a base material. The active ingredient(s) (i) can be immiscible with the base material (e.g., polymer) and when mixed and heated with the base polymer and a channeling agent, will not melt, i.e., has a melting point that is higher than the melting point for either the base polymer or the channeling agent, and/or (ii) acts on, interacts or reacts with a selected material. The term “active ingredient” may include but is not limited to materials that absorb, adsorb or release the selected material(s). Active ingredients, according to the presently disclosed technology, may be in the form of particles such as minerals (e.g., molecular sieve or silica gel, in the case of desiccants), but the presently disclosed technology should not be viewed as limited only to particulate active agents. For example, in some embodiments, an oxygen scavenging formulation may be made from a resin which acts as, or as a component of, the active agent.

[0081] As used herein, the term “base material” is a component (preferably a polymer) of an entrained active material, other than the active agent, that provides structure for the entrained material.

[0082] As used herein, the term “base polymer” is a polymer optionally having a gas transmission rate of a selected material that is substantially lower than, lower than or substantially equivalent to, that of the channeling agent. By way of example, such a transmission rate would be a water vapor transmission rate in embodiments where the selected material is moisture and the active ingredient is a water absorbing desiccant. The primary function of the base polymer is to provide structure for the entrained polymer. Suitable base polymers may include thermoplastic polymers, e.g., polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polybutene, polysiloxane, polycarbonates, polyamides, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfones, polyacrylic ester, acrylic, polyurethane and polyacetal, or copolymers or mixtures thereof.

[0083] Referring to such a comparison of the base polymer and channeling agent water vapor transmission rate, in one embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least two times that of the base polymer. In another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least five times that of the base polymer. In another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least ten times that of the base polymer. In still another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least twenty times that of the base polymer. In still another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least fifty times that of the base polymer. In still another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least one hundred times that of the base polymer.

[0084] As used herein, the term “channeling agent” or “channeling agents” is defined as a material that is immiscible with the base polymer and has an affinity to transport a gas phase substance at a faster rate than the base polymer. Optionally, a channeling agent is capable of forming channels through the entrained polymer when formed by mixing the channeling agent with the base polymer. Optionally, such channels are capable of transmitting a selected material through the entrained polymer at a faster rate than in solely the base polymer. [0085] As used herein, the term “channels” or “interconnecting channels” is defined as passages formed of the channeling agent that penetrate through the base polymer and may be interconnected with each other.

[0086] As used herein, the term “entrained polymer” is defined as a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer with an active agent and optionally also a channeling agent entrained or distributed throughout. An entrained polymer thus includes two-phase polymers and three phase polymers. A “mineral loaded polymer” is a type of entrained polymer, wherein the active agent is in the form of minerals, e.g., mineral particles such as molecular sieve or silica gel. The term “entrained material” is used herein to connote a monolithic material comprising an active agent entrained in a base material wherein the base material may or may not be polymeric.

[0087] As used herein, the term “monolithic,” “monolithic structure” or “monolithic composition” is defined as a composition or material that does not consist of two or more discrete macroscopic layers or portions. Accordingly, a “monolithic composition” does not include a multi-layer composite.

[0088] As used herein, the term “phase” is defined as a portion or component of a monolithic structure or composition that is uniformly distributed throughout, to give the structure or composition its monolithic characteristics.

[0089] As used herein, the term “selected material” is defined as a material that is acted upon, by, or interacts or reacts with an active agent and is capable of being transmitted through the channels of an entrained polymer. For example, in embodiments in which a desiccant is used as an active agent, the selected material may be moisture or a gas that can be absorbed by the desiccant. In embodiments in which a releasing material is used as an active agent, the selected material may be an agent released by the releasing material, such as moisture, fragrance, or an antimicrobial agent (e.g., chlorine dioxide). In embodiments in which an adsorbing material is used as an active ingredient, the selected material may be certain volatile organic compounds and the adsorbing material may be activated carbon.

[0090] As used herein, the term “three phase” is defined as a monolithic composition or structure including three or more phases. An example of a three phase composition according to the presently disclosed technology would be an entrained polymer formed of a base polymer, active agent, and channeling agent. Optionally, a three phase composition or structure may include an additional phase, e.g., a colorant.

[0091] Entrained polymers may be two phase formulations (i.e., comprising a base polymer and active ingredient, without a channeling agent) or three phase formulations (i.e., comprising a base polymer, active agent and channeling agent). Entrained polymers are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,911,937, 6,080,350, 6,124,006, 6,130,263, 6,194,079, 6,214,255, 6,486,231, 7,005,459, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0039955.

[0092] An entrained material or polymer includes a base material (e.g., polymer) for providing structure, optionally a channeling agent and an active agent. The channeling agent forms microscopic interconnecting channels through the entrained polymer. At least some of the active ingredient is contained within these channels, such that the channels communicate between the active ingredient and the exterior of the entrained polymer via microscopic channel openings formed at outer surfaces of the entrained polymer. The active ingredient can be, for example, any one of a variety of absorbing, adsorbing or releasing materials, as described in further detail below. While a channeling ingredient is preferred, the presently disclosed technology broadly includes entrained materials that optionally do not include channeling agents, e.g., two phase polymers.

[0093] In any embodiment, suitable channeling agents may include a polyglycol such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), glycerin polyamine, polyurethane and polycarboxylic acid including polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid. Alternatively, the channeling agent can be, for example, a water insoluble polymer, such as a propylene oxide polymerisate-monobutyl ether, such as Polyglykol B01/240, produced by CLARIANT. In other embodiments, the channeling agent could be a propylene oxide polymerisate monobutyl ether, such as Polyglykol B01/20, produced by CLARIANT, propylene oxide polymerisate, such as Polyglykol D01/240, produced by CLARIANT, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon 6, nylon 66, or any combination of the foregoing.

[0094] Suitable active ingredients according to the presently disclosed technology include absorbing materials, such as desiccating compounds. If the active agent is a desiccant, any suitable desiccant for a given application may be used. Typically, physical absorption desiccants are preferred for many applications. These may include molecular sieves, silica gels, clays and starches. Alternatively, the desiccant may be a chemical compound that forms crystals containing water or compounds which react with water to form new compounds.

[0095] Optionally, in any embodiment, the active agent may be an oxygen scavenger, e.g., an oxygen scavenging resin formulation.

[0096] Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3A-C, to provide a moisture tight seal between cap 100 and bottle 10, the cap 100 can include the first seal member 120 and/or the second seal member 140 to provide a moisture tight environment within the interior of the container 1. The first and second seal members 120, 140 can be made from an elastomer, such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or any other material that is capable of providing the desired functionality, such as any material that is able to be repeatedly compressed without sacrificing its integrity. [0097] As used herein, the TPE may optionally have a Shore A hardness from 20 to 50, preferably from 20 to 40, more preferably from 20 to 35. The TPE may be preferably injection moldable soft and resilient materials appropriate for creating a compression seal against a harder (for example and without limitation, thermoplastic) surface of the cap 100 and/or the bottle 10. In any embodiment, the TPE should be configured for repeated use, i.e., should not degrade over several cycles (e.g., at least 10, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 50 cycles) of opening and closing. By incorporating the TPE to create elastomer-thermoplastic seals (e.g., without limitation, a seal between the first seal member 120 and the upper engaging surface of the neck rim 158 or a seal between the second seal member 140 and the upper engaging surface 19 of the bottle rim 18), the assembly 1 allows the TPE seal 120, 140 to further reduce moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), and thus requires less, if any, moisture protection via any method of desiccation to achieve a targeted shelf life. Further, the assembly 1 including both the first and second seal members 120, 140 provides an even lower MVTR than a container including only one of these TPE seals 120, 140.

[0098] Referring back to Figs. 2-3C, the first seal member 120 is optionally a compressible seal affixed to or integral with at least a portion of the underside of the lid base 114. The first seal member 120 can include an annular portion 121 and a linear portion 122 extending across the annular portion 12E The annular portion 121 can be located on an interior surface or underside of the lid base 114 of the flip-top lid 110. The annular portion 121 engages and forms a seal, such as a moisture tight seal, with the rim 158 of the neck 150 of the cap 100. The linear portion 22 can extend across the lid 110 and beneath a geometric center of the lid 110. When the lid 110 is secured to the neck 150 of the cap 100 to close the opening 138, the first seal member 120 engages the neck rim 158. Simultaneously, the flange 126 of the lid skirt 124 engages an exterior surface of the neck skirt 164, secures the lid 110 to the neck 150, and/or causes the first seal member 120 to compress against an upper engagement surface of the neck rim 158. This causes a moisture tight seal between the lid 110 and the neck 150, and thus, between the cap 100 and the bottle 10 in the closed position.

[0099] In one optional embodiment, the second seal member 140 is a compressible seal affixed to or integral with at least a portion of the underside of the bottom base 134. Optionally, the second seal member 140 can be in the shape of a ring, which surrounds and optionally contacts an outer annular edge of the active polymer component 142. When the cap 100 is secured to the bottle 10 to cover the opening 20 of the bottle 10, the second seal member 140 contacts the upper engagement surface 19 of the rim 18 of the bottle 10. That is, engagement between threads 146 of the cap 100 and threads 26 on the neck 22 of the bottle 10 tightly secures the cap 100 to the bottle 10 and/or causes the second seal member 140 to compress as it firmly presses against the upper engagement surface 19 of the bottle rim 18.

[00100] As such, the first seal member 120 or the second seal member 140 alone can provide a moisture tight seal between the cap 100 and bottle 10, providing a lower MVTR than a container without these TPE seals 120, 140. When both the first and second seal members 120, 140 are present in the cap 100, these seals ensure the moisture tight seal and thus reduce MVTR even more, thereby prolonging and reaching the optimal target shelf life of the bottle contents. [00101] The presently disclosed technology has simplified the manufacturing process as compared to the prior art. According to the presently disclosed technology, the cap 100 may be made in a variety of ways. One optional method of forming or making the cap 100 includes injection molding. More particularly, a method of forming or making the cap 100 includes multi-shot injection molding. For example, the cap 100 can be made in a two-shot injection molding process if the active component is not included, or a three-shot injection molding process if the active component is included.

[00102] Optionally, in a three-shot manufacturing process, the first shot in the mold would be the active component 142 (e.g., desiccant entrained polymer with channeling agent). The second shot in the mold would be one or both of the compressible seals 120, 140 (e.g., TPE). The third shot would be the remainder of the cap (e.g., using a polyolefin material). The three- shot injection molding process is described, for example, in International Publication No. WO 2021/076874 and other relevant techniques are described in U.S. Publication No. 2021/0008771, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[00103] In at least one embodiment, the disclosed concept creates an improved seal as compared to prior art containers, and obviates the need for a foil seal or other type of heat sealed material over the opening for storage. The first and second seal members 120, 140 are configured to provide sufficient and/or improved closure integrity over the shelf life of the contents of the bottle 10 so as not to require a foil seal or the like.

[00104] Optionally, a tamper evident mechanism can be provided on the cap 100. For example, an integral polymer tamper evident ring, such as is typically found on a water bottle, may be provided. During production, optionally after the above -recited process is carried out and the cap 100 is ejected from the mold, a molded tamper evident ring may be placed directly onto the cap by an automated process (e.g., without limitation, a robot). Alternatively, a shrink seal may be provided over/around the cap 100. In the embodiments including a removably attachable screw-top cap 100, the tamper evident feature can be integrated at a lower end of the bottom skirt 144, the lower end being at opposite to the outer periphery 132 of the bottom base 134. In the embodiments including the screw-top cap 100 fixedly attached to the bottle 10, the shrink seal may be used.

[00105] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a screw-top cap 200 of the presently disclosed technology. The screw-top cap 200 is substantially similar to the screw-top cap 100 of Figs. 2-3C, discussed above. As such, similar or identical features between the two embodiments is distinguished in Fig. 4 by a reference number with a magnitude one hundred (100) greater than that of Figs. 2-3C. Only certain distinctions between the two embodiments will be discussed herein for the sake of brevity and convenience only, which is not limiting or an implication that a certain feature or component is not present in this embodiment.

[00106] The screw-top cap 200 of Fig. 4 differs from the screw-top cap 100 of Figs. 2-3C in that the screw-top cap 200 does not include the active component 142 of the screw-top cap 100. However, the effect of the absence of the active component 142 to the container content is minimized in that having one or both of the first and second seal members 120, 140 reduces the MVTR than a container without such TPE seal(s). As such, even without the active component 142, the container 1 may provide the targeted shelf-life with only one or both the first and second seal member 120, 140.

[00107] Figs. 5A-C show another embodiment of a screw-top cap 300 of the presently disclosed technology. The screw-top cap 300 is substantially similar to the screw-top cap 100 of Figs. 2-3C discussed above. As such, similar or identical features between the two embodiments is distinguished in Figs. 5A-C by a reference number with a magnitude two hundred (200) greater than that of Figs. 2-3C. Only certain distinctions between the two embodiments will be discussed herein for the sake of brevity and convenience only, which is not limiting or an implication that a certain feature or component is not present in this embodiment.

[00108] The screw-top cap 300 of Figs. 5A-C differs from the screw-top cap 100 of Figs. 2- 3C in that, while cap 300 includes the active component 342, the screw-top cap 300 does not include one or both of the first and second seal members 120, 140. As such, the screw-top cap 300 provides a seal created by the threaded engagements between the one or more threads 346 on the internal surface of the bottom skirt 344 and the one or more threads 26 on the neck 22 of the bottle 10 as well as the engagement between the flange 326 of the lid skirt 324 and the exterior surface of the neck skirt 364. However, with the active component 342 embedded within the cap 300 (particularly, the bottom base 334 of the cap 300), the assembly 300 is capable of providing constant desiccation, for example, to the environment of the assembly 300 in the closed position, thereby prolonging the shelf-life of the contents of the bottle 10. [00109] The following exemplary embodiments further describe optional aspects of the presently disclosed technology and are part of this Detailed Description. These exemplary embodiments are set forth in a format substantially akin to claims (each with numerical designations followed by a letter), although they are not technically claims of the present application. The following exemplary embodiments refer to each other in dependent relationships as “embodiments” instead of “claims.”

[00110] 1A. A screw-top cap for a bottle assembly, comprising: a bottom portion including a bottom base that has a bottom skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery thereof and a neck protruding upwardly from an inner periphery of the bottom base, the inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap, the neck further having a neck rim extending radially outwardly from an upper end of the neck; and a lid pivotably attached to the bottom portion via a hinge, the lid having a lid base and a lid skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery of the lid base; and an active component disposed on or at a portion of an interior surface of the bottom base.

[00111] 2A. The screw-top cap of embodiment 1A, wherein the neck has a lower annular neck skirt depending downwardly from the inner periphery of the bottom base and the active component surrounds the lower annular neck skirt.

[00112] 3A. The screw-top cap of embodiment 1A, wherein the active component includes or is a desiccant.

[00113] 4A. The screw-top cap of embodiment 1A, wherein the lid includes a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base, the first seal member comprising thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member comprises an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim. [00114] 5A. The screw-top cap of embodiment 4A, wherein the lid includes a second seal member disposed at a first portion of an interior surface of the bottom base.

[00115] 6A. The screw-top cap of embodiment 5A, wherein in a closed position, the first seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of the neck rim and the second seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle.

[00116] 7 A. The screw-top cap of embodiment 5 A, wherein the second seal member is configured to surround the active component.

[00117] 8 A. The screw-top cap of any one of embodiment 1A-7A, wherein the bottom base includes a ridge extending downwardly from a third portion of the interior surface of the bottom base and disposed between the second seal member and the active component.

[00118] IB. A screw-top cap for a bottle assembly, comprising: a lid including a planar lid base, an annular lid skirt extending downward at an outer periphery of the planar lid base, and a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base; a bottom portion pivotably connected to the lid by a hinge, the bottom portion including:

(i) a planar bottom base including an outer periphery, an inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap, and a second seal member disposed at a first portion of an interior surface of the bottom base;

(ii) an annular bottom skirt extending downward at the outer periphery of the bottom base, the bottom skirt including one or more threads extending radially inward from an interior surface of the bottom skirt; and

(iii) a neck having an annular neck skirt extending upward from the inner periphery of the bottom base and a neck rim extending radially outward from an upper end of the neck skirt, wherein, in a closed position, the first seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of the neck rim and the second seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle.

[00119] 2B. The screw-top cap according to embodiment IB, wherein the first seal member comprises thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member comprises an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim. [00120] 3B. The screw-top cap according to embodiment IB, wherein the lid skirt includes a flange extending radially inward and configured to contact an exterior surface of the neck skirt.

[00121] 4B. The screw-top cap according to embodiment IB, wherein the flange of the lid skirt engages an exterior surface of the neck skirt and secures the lid to the neck and causes the first seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the neck rim, the engagement between the flange and the neck skirt and the compression of the first seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the lid and the neck.

[00122] 1C. A bottle assembly comprising: a bottle having a bottle base, a sidewall extending from the bottle base and terminating in a bottle neck having an end portion disposed opposite and distal the bottle base, the bottle neck defining an opening leading to an interior of the bottle, the bottle neck having an outer portion comprising one or more threads; and the screw-top bottle cap of any previous embodiments fixedly disposed over the bottle neck such that the internal threads of the skirt threadably engage the threads on the bottle neck to couple the screw-top cap to the bottle, thereby forming the bottle assembly.

[00123] 2C. The bottle assembly according to embodiment 1C, further comprising an active polymer component disposed on the interior surface of the lid base.

[00124] 3C. The bottle assembly according to embodiment 1 C, wherein the first seal member is a thermoplastic elastomer seal member around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and comprises the annular portion and a linear portion across the annular portion, the annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.

[00125] 4C. The bottle assembly according to embodiment 1C, wherein threaded engagement between the threads secures the cap to the bottle and causes the second seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the bottle rim, the threaded engagement and the compression of the second seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the cap and the bottle.

[00126] ID. A screw-top cap configured to be removably attachable to a bottle, the screw-top cap comprising: a lid including a planar lid base, an annular lid skirt extending downward at an outer periphery of the planar lid base, the annular lid skirt having a flange extending radially inward, and a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base; and a bottom portion pivotably connected to the lid by a hinge, the bottom portion including:

(iii) a neck having an annular neck skirt extending upward from the inner periphery of the bottom base and a neck rim extending radially outward from an upper end of the neck skirt, wherein, in a closed position, the first seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of the neck rim and the second seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle. [00127] 2D. The screw-top cap of embodiment ID, further including an active component disposed on a second portion of the interior surface of the bottom base and configured to surround the second seal member.

[00128] 3D. The screw-top cap of embodiment ID or 2D, further comprising a ridge extending downward from a third portion of the interior surface of the bottom base and disposed between the active polymer component and the second seal member, wherein the ridge, the active component and the second seal member are disposed internally and concentric to the bottom skirt of the bottom portion.

[00129] 4D. The screw-top cap of any one of embodiments 1D-3D, wherein the neck skirt includes an annular internal neck skirt extending downward into the interior of the cap, and the internal neck skirt, the second portion of the interior surface of the bottom base and the ridge form a cavity allowing the active polymer component to be molded onto the cavity.

[00130] 5D. The screw-top cap of any one of embodiments 1D-4D, wherein the first seal member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base.

[00131] 6D. The screw-top cap of embodiment 5D, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer seal member comprises an annular portion and a linear portion across the annular portion, the annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.

[00132] 7D. The screw-top cap of embodiment 6D, wherein the flange of the lid skirt is configured to engage an exterior surface of the neck skirt, secure the lid to the neck, and cause the first seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the neck rim, the engagement between the flange and the neck skirt and the compression of the first seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the lid and the neck.

[00133] 8D. The screw-top cap of embodiment ID, wherein the second seal member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer seal member.

[00134] 9D. The screw-top cap of any one of embodiment 1D-8D, wherein the one or more threads are configured to sealingly engage with one or more bottle threads disposed on an upper portion of a sidewall of the bottle and threaded engagement between the threads secures the cap to the bottle and causes the second seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the bottle rim, the threaded engagement and the compression of the second seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the cap and the bottle.

[00135] 10D. The screw-top cap of any one of embodiment 1D-9D, wherein the bottom skirt includes a tamper evident feature attached to the bottom skirt and configured to be separable from the bottom skirt.

[00136] 11D. The screw-top cap of any one of embodiment 1D-10D, further comprising a thumb tab radially extending outward from the lid, the thumb tab configured to be actuated upward to place the lid in open position.

[00137] IE. A screw-top cap configured to be removably attachable to a bottle, the screw-top cap comprising: a lid including a planar lid base and an annular lid skirt extending downwardly at an outer periphery of the planar lid base, the annular lid skirt having a flange extending radially inward; and a bottom portion pivotably connected to the lid by a hinge, the bottom portion including:

(i) a planar bottom base including an outer periphery, an inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap, and an active component disposed in a first portion of an interior surface of the bottom base;

(iii) a neck having an annular neck skirt extending upward from the inner periphery of the bottom base and a neck rim extending radially outward from an upper end of the neck skirt, wherein the one or more threads are configured to sealingly engage with one or more bottle threads disposed on an upper portion of a bottle neck of the bottle and threaded engagement between the threads secures the cap to the bottle.

[00138] 2E. The screw-top cap of embodiment IE, further comprising a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base around the entire periphery of the lid base.

[00139] 3E. The screw-top cap of embodiment IE or 2E, further comprising a second seal member disposed on a second portion of the interior surface around the entire periphery of the bottom base.

[00140] 4E. The screw-top cap of embodiment 3E, further comprising a ridge extending downward from a third portion of the interior surface of the bottom base, the ridge surrounding an inner annular edge of the second seal member and an outer annular edge of the active component, wherein the second seal member, the ridge, and the active component are disposed internally and concentric to the bottom skirt.

[00141] 5E. The screw-top cap of embodiment 4E, wherein the neck skirt includes an annular internal neck skirt extending downward into the interior of the cap, and the internal neck skirt, the first portion of the interior surface of the bottom base and the ridge form a cavity allowing the active component to be molded onto the cavity.

[00142] 6E. The screw-top cap of embodiment 2E, wherein the first seal member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer seal member having an annular portion and a linear portion across the annular portion, the annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.

[00143] 7E. The screw-top cap of embodiment 6E, wherein the flange of the lid skirt is configured to engage an exterior surface of the neck skirt, secure the lid to the neck and cause the first seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the neck rim, the engagement between the flange and the neck skirt and the compression of the first seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the lid and the neck.

[00144] 8E. The screw-top cap of embodiment 7E, wherein the second seal member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer seal member configured to engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle.

[00145] 9E. The screw-top cap of embodiment 8E, wherein threaded engagement between the threads causes the second seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the bottle rim, the threaded engagement and the compression of the second seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the cap and the bottle.

[00146] 10E. The screw-top cap of embodiment IE, wherein the cap includes a tamper evident feature attached to the bottom skirt and configured to be separable from the bottom skirt.

[00147] HE. The screw-top cap of embodiment IE, further comprising a thumb tab radially extending from the lid, the thumb tab configured to be actuated upwardly to place the lid in open position.

[00148] IF. A bottle assembly comprising: a bottle having a bottle base, a sidewall extending from the bottle base and terminating in a bottle neck having an end portion disposed opposite and distal the bottle base, the bottle neck defining an opening leading to an interior of the bottle, the bottle neck having an outer portion comprising one or more threads; and a screw-top configured to be removably attachable to a bottle, comprising:

(a) a lid including a planar lid base, an annular lid skirt extending downward at an outer periphery of the planar lid base, the annular lid skirt having a flange extending radially inward, and a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base; and

(b) a bottom portion pivotably connected to the lid by a hinge, the bottom portion including:

(i) a planar bottom base including an outer periphery, an inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap, an active component disposed at a first portion of an interior surface of the bottom base, and a second seal member;

(hi) a neck having an annular neck skirt extending upward from the inner periphery of the bottom base and a neck rim extending radially outward from an upper end of the neck skirt, wherein, in a closed position, the first seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of the neck rim and the second seal member is further configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle.

[00149] 2F. The bottle assembly of embodiment IF, wherein the screw-top cap further includes a ridge extending downward from a third portion of the interior surface of the bottom base, the ridge surrounding an inner annular edge of the second seal member and an outer annular edge of the active component, wherein the second seal member, the ridge and the active component are disposed internally and concentric to the bottom skirt.

[00150] 3F. The bottle assembly of embodiment 2F, wherein the first and second seal members each comprise a thermoplastic elastomer seal member.

[00151] 4F. The bottle assembly of embodiment 3F, wherein the flange of the lid skirt is configured to engage an exterior surface of the neck skirt, secure the lid to the neck, and cause the first seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the neck rim, the engagement between the flange and the neck skirt and the compression of the first seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the lid and the neck.

[00152] 5F. The bottle assembly of embodiment 4F, wherein the threaded engagement between the threads causes the second seal member to compress against the upper engagement surface of the bottle rim, the threaded engagement and the compression of the second seal member creating a moisture tight seal between the cap and the bottle.

[00153] 6F. The bottle assembly of embodiment 5F, wherein the screw-top cap includes a tamper evident feature attached to the bottom skirt and configured to be separable from the bottom skirt.

[00154] 7F. The bottle assembly of embodiment 6F, wherein the screw-top cap further includes comprising a thumb tab radially extending from the lid, the thumb tab configured to be actuated upwardly to place the lid in open position.

[00155] While the presently disclosed technology has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present presently disclosed technology.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A screw-top cap (100) for a bottle assembly (1), the cap (100) comprising: a bottom portion (130) including a bottom base (134) having a bottom skirt (144) depending downwardly from an outer periphery (132) thereof and a neck (150) protruding upwardly from the bottom base (134) and radially inwardly from the outer periphery (132), the neck (150) defining an opening (138) leading to an interior of the cap (100), the neck (150) further having a neck rim (158); and a lid ( 110) pivotably attached to the bottom portion ( 130) via a hinge ( 119) , the lid ( 110) being pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid (110) having a lid base

(114) and a lid skirt (124) depending downwardly from an outer periphery thereof, the hinge (119) extending upwardly from an upper surface of the bottom base (134) via at least one riser

(115) such that the lid ( 110) is configured to contact or mate with the neck rim (158) and extend perpendicularly to the neck (150) in the closed position.

2. The screw-top cap (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge (119) includes at least one flap (116) extending from the riser (115).

3. The screw-top cap (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge (119) comprises one or more walls having at least the same height as the neck (150).

4. The screw-top cap (100) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more walls comprise at least one end wall (117) attached to a portion of the outer periphery (132) of the bottom base (134).

5. The screw-top cap (100) according to claim 4, wherein the one or more walls comprise a pair of sidewalls (118) extending inwardly towards the neck (150) from side edges of the end wall (117) such that at least a portion of the lid skirt (124) fits between the pair of sidewalls (118) and a neck skirt (164) of the neck (150) when the lid (110) in the closed position.

6. The screw-top cap (100) according to any previous claim, wherein the riser (115) comprises or is formed of a thermoset or a thermoplastic material.

7. The screw-top cap (100) according to any previous claim, wherein the lid skirt (124) has a flange (126) extending radially inwardly and is configured to contact or mate with the neck rim (158) when the lid (1 10) is in the closed position.

8. The screw-top cap (100) according to any previous claim, wherein the lid (110) includes a tab (112) opposite the hinge (119).

9. The screw-top cap (100) according to any previous claim, wherein the lid (110) includes a first seal member (120) disposed on an interior surface of the lid base (114), the first seal member (120) comprising a thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base (114) and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member (120) comprises an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim (158).

10. The screw-top cap (110) according to any previous claim, wherein a neck skirt (165) extends downwardly from the bottom base (134) and spaced- apart radially inwardly from the bottom skirt (144), wherein an active material (142) surrounds the neck skirt (165), the active material including desiccant.

11. The screw-top cap (110) according to claim 10, wherein the neck skirt (165), a portion of an underside of the bottom base (134), and a ridge (148) extending downwardly from the base portion (134) and radially spaced-apart from the neck skirt (165) form a cavity to receive the active material (142).

12. A bottle assembly (1) comprising: a bottle (10) having a bottle base (14), a sidewall (16) extending upwardly from the bottle base (14) and terminating in a bottle neck (22), the bottle neck (22) defining an opening (20) leading to an interior of the bottle (10), the bottle neck (22) having an outer portion comprising one or more threads (26); and a screw-top bottle cap (100) removably disposed over the bottle neck (22) such that internal threads of the screw-top cap (100) are configured to threadably engage the threads (26) on the bottle neck (22) to couple the screw-top cap (100) to the bottle (10), thereby forming the bottle assembly (1), the screw-top bottle cap (110) comprising: a bottom portion (130) including a bottom base (134) having a bottom skirt (144) depending downwardly from an outer periphery (132) thereof and a neck (150) protruding upwardly from the bottom base (134) and radially inwardly from the outer periphery (132), the neck (150) defining an opening (138) leading to an interior of the cap (100), the neck (150) further having a neck rim (158); and a lid (110) pivotably attached to the bottom portion (130) via a hinge (119), the lid (110) being pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid (110) having a lid base (114) and a lid skirt (124) depending downwardly from an outer periphery thereof, the hinge (119) extending upwardly from an upper surface of the bottom base (134) via at least one riser (115) such that the lid (110) is configured to contact or mate with the neck rim (158) and extend perpendicularly to the neck (150) in the closed position.

13. The bottle assembly (1) of claim 12, wherein the hinge (119) has a flap (116) extending from the riser (115).

14. The bottle assembly (1) of claims 12 or 13, wherein the hinge (119) comprises one or more walls having at least the same height as the neck (150).

15. The bottle assembly (1) of claim 14, wherein the one or more walls comprise at least one end wall (117) attached to a portion of the outer periphery (132) of the bottom base (134).

16. The bottle assembly (1) of claim 14 or 15, wherein the one or more walls comprise a pair of sidewalls (118) extending inwardly towards the neck (150) from side edges of the end wall (117) such that at least a portion of the lid skirt (124) fits between the pair of sidewalls (118) and a neck skirt (164) of the neck (150) when the lid (110) in the closed position.

17. The screw-top cap (100) according to any one of claims 12-16, wherein the riser (115) comprises or is formed of a thermoset or a thermoplastic material.

18. The bottle assembly (1) of any one of claims 12-17, wherein the lid skirt (124) has a flange (126) extending radially inwardly and is configured to contact or mate with the neck rim (158) when the lid (110) is in the closed position.

19. The bottle assembly (1) of any one of claims 12-18, wherein the lid (110) includes a tab (112) opposite the hinge (119).

20. The bottle assembly (1) of any one of claims 12-19, wherein a neck skirt (165) extends downwardly from the bottom base (134) and spaced-apart radially inwardly from the bottom skirt (144), wherein an active material surrounds the neck skirt (165), the active material including desiccant.