HK1190686B - Dispensing cap for a container - Google Patents

Description

Dispensing cap for a container

Cross-referencing of related cases

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No.61/438440, filed on 1/2/2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to container closures and more particularly to a connectable container lid having a compartment for containing, storing and dispensing an additive.

Background

Containers of various designs are known for separately containing the additive until the additive is ready to be mixed with the solvent fluid. However, many containers are limited in their ability to hold different quantities of component substances and are impractical in a configuration for efficient manufacturing. Thus, there is a need for an improved lid for a container.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing cap for a container includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a closed top end and an open bottom end, the closed top end being integrally formed with the body portion and including a septum portion. A generally cylindrical inner wall extends axially from the closed top end toward the open bottom end of the body portion and defines a chamber for containing an additive, wherein the chamber has an opening toward the open bottom end of the body portion. The body portion and the inner wall define a receptacle therebetween for receiving and sealing a mouth of the container from the open bottom end of the body portion. A plunger extends axially from the diaphragm portion toward the opening of the chamber, wherein the diaphragm and the plunger have a closed position and an open position. A chamber closure member for sealing the opening of the chamber is connected to the plunger, wherein the chamber closure member is configured for cooperating with the inner wall and sealing the chamber when the diaphragm and the plunger are in a closed position. The body portion, the closed top end, and the inner wall are integrally formed.

Drawings

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout. All figures are schematic and are not intended to show actual dimensions or the actual dimensional relationships between these structures.

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a dispensing cap according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional isometric view of the dispensing cap of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of another dispensing cap according to another embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap of fig. 3 with some additive contained in its chamber and attached to the container.

Fig. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap and container of fig. 5 with the flip top lid of the dispensing cap in an open position.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap and container of fig. 6, wherein the chamber of the dispensing cap is unsealed and an additive is being dispensed from the chamber.

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view of the region a shown in fig. 7.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of a chamber closure member according to one embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a top view of the chamber closure member of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the chamber closure member of fig. 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of a sealing surface of the chamber closure member of fig. 9 and 10 according to one embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the sealing surface of the chamber closure member of fig. 9 cooperating with the inner wall of the dispensing cap and sealing the chamber.

Detailed Description

The present invention describes a new design for a single-compartment dispensing cap for a container that is configured to contain an additive that can be dispensed into the container when desired. Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of such a dispensing cap 10. The dispensing cap 10 has a generally cylindrical body 11 forming the outer wall of the cap structure, a closed top end 19a and an open bottom end. The dispensing cap 10 is configured to engage and fit over an opening of a container, such as a beverage bottle. The body 11 can be configured and adapted to engage with or be screwed onto the opening of the container by means of a snap fit. As shown in fig. 2, the body 11 and the inner wall 13 form a container receiving portion 12 that is open at the bottom side of the dispensing cap 10. The container receiving portion 12 allows the cap 10 to receive a mouth of a container (not shown). The container receiving portion 12 is configured with threads 30 along the inner surface of the body 11. The threads 30 cooperate with corresponding threads on the mouth of the container to secure the dispensing cap 10 thereto and seal the container contents, which are typically liquid.

The inner wall 13 extends axially from the closed top end of the dispensing cap 10 towards the open bottom end of the dispensing cap and defines a chamber 50 for containing an additive. The dispensing cap 10 is typically used as a closure for a container, such as a bottle, that contains a liquid beverage (e.g., water, juice, etc.).

The chamber 50 is sealed by a chamber closure member 60. The chamber closure member 60 forms a liquid tight seal so that the substance contained inside the chamber 50 remains separated from the liquid beverage in the container. This enables the dispensing cap 10 to be prefilled with a desired substance and mounted to a container without contacting or otherwise being associated with the substance contained within the dispensing cap 10.

The chamber closure member 60 is connected to the plunger 22. The plunger 22 is configured to be in one of two positions: namely an open position (fig. 1) and a sealed position (fig. 2). When the dispensing cap 10 is screwed down onto the mouth of the container (not shown), depressing the plunger 22 from the top of the dispensing cap 10 causes the plunger 22 to push the chamber closure member 60 further down into the container and unseal the chamber 50. This causes the contents of the chamber 50 to fall into the container and mix with the liquid contents of the bottle.

The plunger 22 is urged to its open position by pressing down on the flexible diaphragm 21 of the dispensing cap. The flexible diaphragm 21 is preferably configured to snap into the open position when depressed, and thus maintain the open position even when the downward pushing of the diaphragm 21 ceases.

According to one embodiment, body 11, closed top end 19a, plunger 22 and inner wall 13 are integrally formed as a one-piece construction.

In another embodiment, the dispensing cap 10 is configured with a flip top cover 17. The flip top cover 17 prevents accidental actuation of the plunger 22. This enables the contents of the dispensing cap 10 to be released when it is desired to ingest the contents of the container. The flip top cover 17 can also be integrally formed with the body 11, the closed top end 19a and the inner wall 13.

Referring to fig. 3-13, a dispensing cap 100 for a container according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The dispensing cap 100 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 111 having a closed top end 119a and an open bottom end 119 b. The closed top end 119a is integrally formed with the body portion 111 and includes a diaphragm portion 121, the diaphragm portion 121 being depressible downwardly (i.e., in a direction toward the open bottom end 119b as shown) to actuate the dispensing cap 100 and dispense the contents of the cap. The dispensing cap 100 is preferably molded from a suitable plastic or polymer material, and the body 111, closed top end 119a, plunger 122 and inner wall 113 are integrally formed by being molded as a unitary construction. This allows for simpler product design and more cost-effective manufacturing. The integrally formed construction can also reduce dispensing cap assembly costs, as only two components, namely the chamber closure member 160 and the remainder of the structure, need to be assembled.

As shown in fig. 4, a generally cylindrical inner wall 113 extends axially from the closed top end 119a of the body portion 111 toward the open bottom end 119b of the body portion and defines a chamber 150 for containing an additive. As used herein, "axially extending" means extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the dispensing cap 100.

Because of the integrally molded construction of the body portion 111, the closed top end 119a and the inner wall 113, the diaphragm portion 121 forms a closed top of the chamber 150, and the chamber 150 has a sealable opening toward the open bottom end of the body portion 111.

The body portion 111 and the inner wall 113 define therebetween a receiving portion 112 for receiving and sealing the mouth of the container from the open bottom end 119b of the body portion. The interior of the chamber 150 is provided with a plunger 122 extending axially from the diaphragm portion 121 towards the opening of the chamber 150, wherein the diaphragm 121 and the plunger 122 have a closed position and an open position. Fig. 4 shows the diaphragm 121 and the plunger 122 in a closed position. Fig. 7, discussed below, shows the diaphragm 121 and plunger 122 in an open position.

In the closed position shown in fig. 4, a chamber closure member 160 for sealing the opening of the chamber is connected to the plunger 122. The chamber closure member 160 is configured to cooperate with the inner wall 113 and seal the chamber 150 when the diaphragm 121 and the plunger 122 are in the closed position.

Referring to fig. 9-13, the chamber closure member 160 is a disc-like structure having a sealing surface 167 along its outer periphery that cooperates with the inner wall 113 for sealing the chamber 150. The inner wall 113 has a corresponding sealing surface that cooperates with the sealing surface 167 of the chamber closure member 160 for sealing the chamber 150.

The sealing surface 167 of the chamber closure member 160 includes an inner sealing surface 167a and an outer sealing surface 167 b. The inner sealing surface 167a is configured to cooperate with a corresponding inner sealing surface 113a on the inner wall 113, and the outer sealing surface 167b is configured to cooperate with a corresponding outer sealing surface 113b on the inner wall 113. These sealing surfaces are referred to as "inner" and "outer" because of their respective proximity to the interior of the chamber 150. The sealing surfaces 167a and 113a are closer to the interior of the chamber 150 than the sealing surfaces 167b and 113 b.

The inner sealing surfaces 167a and 113a form a seal against situations where the external ambient pressure is higher than the internal ambient pressure inside the chamber 150. The outer sealing surfaces 167b and 113b form a seal against the situation where the internal ambient pressure in the chamber 150 is higher than the external ambient pressure. This is achieved by the particular geometry and configuration of the sealing surfaces 167a, 167b, 113a and 113b as described further below.

These cooperating sealing surfaces on the chamber closure member 160 and the inner wall 113 are configured to seal against each other by an interference fit. This means that the diameter of the chamber closure member 160 along its sealing surface 167 is a predetermined amount greater than the inner diameter of the opening formed by the sealing surface on the inner wall 113. Thus, when the chamber closure member 160 is inserted into the chamber opening formed by the inner wall 113, the sealing surface 167 of the chamber closure member 160 presses outwardly against a corresponding sealing surface on the inner wall 113 and creates an interference fit. Fig. 13 illustrates this state by showing the sealing surfaces 167a, 167b of the chamber closure member 160 overlapping with the corresponding sealing surfaces 113a, 113b of the inner wall 113. In one embodiment, the chamber closure member 160 and the inner wall 113 form a liquid tight seal.

As shown in fig. 12, the mating inner sealing surfaces 167a and 113a are inclined at about 30-32 deg. relative to the longitudinal axis L of the body portion 111 according to one embodiment. This angle of inclination is labeled in fig. 12. The mating outer sealing surfaces 167b and 113b are inclined at about 10-12 deg. relative to the longitudinal axis L. This angle of inclination is labeled β in fig. 12. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination is 31 ° and the angle of inclination β is 11 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

Referring to fig. 7-11, the chamber closure member 160 has a top side facing the closed top side of the body portion and a bottom side facing away from the chamber. The plunger is connected to the chamber closure member 160 near the center of the chamber closure member 160. In one embodiment, the plunger and the chamber closure member are configured to be press-fit together with each other as shown in detail in fig. 7 and 8. By way of example, the chamber closure member 160 is provided with a plunger receiving cavity 165 shown in fig. 9 and 11, and the plunger 122 is provided with a protruding member 122a having an annular rib 122b for press-fitting into the cavity 165. The region a of the junction of the plunger 122 and the chamber closure member 160 shown in fig. 7 is shown in an enlarged detail view in fig. 8.

According to one embodiment, the chamber closing member 160 is provided with stress relief recesses 162, 163 at the top side. The stress relief recesses 162, 163 enable the chamber closure member to resiliently collapse and facilitate unsealing of the chamber closure member 160 from the inner wall 113 when an actuation force is applied to the diaphragm and the plunger 122 pushes the chamber closure member 160 downward to move from the closed position to the open position. By "resiliently collapse" is meant that the chamber closure member 160 collapses like an umbrella, although not to a great extent, but also facilitates the release of the chamber closure member 160 from sealing with the inner wall 113. The tilting of the outer seal members 167b and 113b enables the seal of the chamber closure member 160 to be released as the chamber closure member is pushed away from the closed position by the plunger 122, the collapsing of the chamber closure member further facilitating this unsealing action.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the stress relief recesses 162, 163 may include an annular recess 162 and a plurality of radially oriented recesses 163. In one embodiment, the radially oriented depressions 163 are arranged about 45 ° apart from each other and taper radially outward from the center of the chamber closure member 160 in order to optimize the collapsing effect of the chamber closure member.

Referring back to fig. 4, the dispensing cap 100 has a receiving portion 112 defined between the body portion 111 and the inner wall 113 for receiving the mouth of the container. As shown in the example of fig. 5, the receptacle 112 may include threads 130 for threadingly engaging with corresponding threads 230 on the mouth of the container 200 and connecting the dispensing cap 100 to the mouth of the container 200. In this way, when the dispensing cap is mounted on the container 200 for use, the mouth of the container 200 forms a seal at the distal end 112a of the receptacle 112, thereby sealing the contents 400 in the container 200. In fig. 5, the dispensing cap 100 is fully assembled and the chamber 150 contains an additive 300. The additive may be in liquid form or in powder form.

Fig. 7 shows the dispensing cap 100 in an open configuration, wherein an additive 300 is being dispensed into the container 200 and mixed with the contents 400 of the container 200. The contents 400 may be a liquid beverage or a medicine. As shown, the diaphragm 121 and plunger 122 are urged downward and are in their open positions. The plunger 122 has pushed the chamber closure member 160 downward, unsealing the chamber closure member 160 from the sealing surface of the inner wall 113.

As shown in fig. 4-7, according to another embodiment, the dispensing cap 100 can further include a tamper ring 135 for preventing unintentional dislodgement of the dispensing cap 100 from the mouth of the container 200. Tamper ring 135 has the same structure as many tamper rings on various beverage containing containers. A tamper ring 135, if provided, is removably connected to the bottom end of the body portion 111 and has a plurality of tabs 137. When the dispensing cap 100 is mounted onto the mouth of the container 200, the flaps 137 are folded inwardly and upwardly as shown in fig. 5 and 6 and the flaps 137 interfere with the annular protrusion on the mouth of the container 200 and prevent inadvertent release of the dispensing cap 100. To remove the dispensing cap 100 from the container 200, after the dispensing cap 100 is actuated and the contents of the chamber 150 are dispensed into the container 200, the user can forcibly unscrew the dispensing cap 100 from the container, which tears the breakable connection between the tamper ring 135 and the body portion 111.

In another embodiment, the receptacle 112 is configured for snap-fitting onto the mouth of the container 200, thereby sealing the contents of the container when the dispensing cap is mounted for use on the container.

In another embodiment, the dispensing cap 100 can further include a flip-top lid 117 connected to the body portion 111 by a hinge 118. A locking ridge 115 is provided on the body portion 111 for locking the flip top cover 117 closed on the diaphragm 121 and preventing accidental actuation of the diaphragm 121.

The chamber closure member 160 and plunger 122 are configured to be press-fit onto each other and the flip-top lid 117 is provided with a diaphragm support base 117a for supporting the diaphragm 121 when the chamber closure member is pressed onto the plunger and seals the chamber during assembly of the dispensing cap.

Existing bottle designs can be used without modification, the bottles can be easily recycled, no contaminants will be molded into them, and are environmentally friendly. The container lids disclosed herein can be made from a number of materials including, but not limited to, polymers, composites, and flexible metal alloys.

According to another embodiment, a dispensing cap for use with a container is described, wherein the dispensing cap is filled with a quantity of an additive. The dispensing cap includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a closed top end and an open bottom end. The closed top end is integrally formed with the body portion and includes a diaphragm portion. A generally cylindrical inner wall extends axially from the closed top end toward the open bottom end of the body portion and defines a chamber. The chamber has an opening toward the open bottom end of the body portion, the opening being removably sealed by the chamber closure member. Some of the additive is provided within the chamber. The body portion and the inner wall define a receptacle therebetween for receiving and sealing the mouth of the container from the open bottom end of the body portion. A plunger extending axially from the diaphragm portion toward the opening of the chamber is disposed in the chamber. The diaphragm and plunger have a closed position and an open position; while containing the additive in the chamber, the diaphragm and the plunger are in a closed position until a user actuates the diaphragm and the plunger to dispense the additive.

The proportions of the structure of the dispensing cap of the present invention can be designed for several different sizes of liquid containers. The volume of the single chamber design allows for dispensing additives such as flavorings, vitamins, energy boosting ingredients, pharmaceuticals, purging and calming beverages or any combination of these ingredients.

It should be recognized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the dispensing cap described herein, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

While the invention has been described with several exemplary embodiments, the scope of the invention described herein is defined and limited only by the appended claims, and includes other modifications and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A dispensing cap for a container, the dispensing cap comprising:

a generally cylindrical body portion having a closed top end and an open bottom end, the closed top end including a diaphragm portion;

a generally cylindrical inner wall extending axially from the closed top end toward the open bottom end of the body portion and defining a chamber for containing an additive, wherein the chamber has an opening toward the open bottom end of the body portion;

a receiving portion defined between the body portion and the inner wall for receiving and sealing the mouth of the container from the open bottom end of the body portion;

a plunger extending axially from the diaphragm portion toward the opening of the chamber, wherein the diaphragm portion and the plunger have a closed position and an open position; and

a chamber closure member connected to the plunger for sealing an opening of the chamber, wherein the chamber closure member is configured for cooperating with the inner wall and sealing the chamber when the diaphragm portion and the plunger are in a closed position;

wherein the body portion, the closed top end, the plunger, and the inner wall are integrally formed;

wherein the chamber closure member is a disc-like structure having a sealing surface along its periphery, the inner wall having a corresponding sealing surface cooperating with the sealing surface of the chamber closure member for sealing the chamber when the diaphragm portion and the plunger are in the closed position; and is

Wherein the chamber closure member has a top side facing the closed top end of the body portion and a bottom side facing away from the chamber, and further wherein the chamber closure member is provided with a stress relief depression on the top side such that when an actuation force is applied to the diaphragm portion and the plunger is moved from the closed position to the open position, the stress relief depression enables the chamber closure member to resiliently collapse and facilitates unsealing of the chamber closure member from the inner wall.

2. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surfaces of the chamber closure member comprise an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner sealing surface is configured to cooperate with a corresponding inner sealing surface on the inner wall to seal against high external ambient pressure conditions and the outer sealing surface is configured to cooperate with a corresponding outer sealing surface on the inner wall to seal against high internal ambient pressure conditions.

3. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, wherein the chamber closure member and the inner wall form a liquid-tight seal.

4. The dispensing cap according to claim 2, wherein the inner sealing surface is inclined at 30-32 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

5. The dispensing cap according to claim 2, wherein the outer sealing surface is inclined at 10-12 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

6. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, wherein the stress relief recess comprises an annular recess and a plurality of radially oriented recesses.

7. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises threads for threadably connecting the dispensing cap to a mouth of the container, thereby sealing contents of the container when the dispensing cap is installed for use on the container.

8. The dispensing cap according to claim 7, further comprising a tamper-evident ring for preventing unintentional release of the dispensing cap from the mouth of the container.

9. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured to snap fit onto a mouth of the container to seal contents of the container when the dispensing cap is installed for use on the container.

10. The dispensing cap according to claim 1, further comprising a flip-top lid connected to the body portion by a hinge and a locking ridge provided on the body portion for locking the flip-top lid closed on the septum portion and preventing accidental actuation of the septum portion.

11. The dispensing cap according to claim 10, wherein the chamber closure member and the plunger are configured to be press-fit into each other, and the flip-top cover is provided with a diaphragm portion support seat for supporting the diaphragm portion when the chamber closure member is pressed onto the plunger and seals the chamber during assembly of the dispensing cap.

12. A dispensing cap for a container, the dispensing cap comprising:

a generally cylindrical body portion having a closed top end and an open bottom end, the closed top end including a diaphragm portion;

a generally cylindrical inner wall extending axially from the closed top end toward the open bottom end of the body portion and defining a chamber, wherein the chamber has an opening toward the open bottom end of the body portion;

an amount of additive disposed in the chamber;

a receiving portion defined between the body portion and the inner wall for receiving and sealing the mouth of the container from the open bottom end of the body portion;

a plunger extending axially from the diaphragm portion toward the opening of the chamber, the diaphragm portion and the plunger having a closed position and an open position, wherein the diaphragm portion and the plunger are in the closed position; and

a chamber closure member connected to the plunger and sealing an opening of the chamber,

wherein the body portion, the closed top end, the plunger, and the inner wall are integrally formed;

wherein the chamber closure member is a disc-like structure having a sealing surface along its periphery, the inner wall having a corresponding sealing surface cooperating with the sealing surface of the chamber closure member for sealing the chamber when the diaphragm portion and the plunger are in the closed position; and is

Wherein the chamber closure member has a top side facing the closed top end of the body portion and a bottom side facing away from the chamber, and further wherein the chamber closure member is provided with a stress relief depression on the top side such that when an actuation force is applied to the diaphragm portion and the plunger is moved from the closed position to the open position, the stress relief depression enables the chamber closure member to resiliently collapse and facilitates unsealing of the chamber closure member from the inner wall.

13. The dispensing cap according to claim 12, wherein the sealing surfaces of the chamber closure member comprise an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, wherein the inner sealing surface is configured to cooperate with a corresponding inner sealing surface on the inner wall to seal against a high external ambient pressure condition and the outer sealing surface is configured to cooperate with a corresponding outer sealing surface on the inner wall to seal against a high internal ambient pressure condition.

14. The dispensing cap according to claim 12, wherein the chamber closure member and the inner wall form a liquid tight seal.

15. The dispensing cap according to claim 13, wherein the inner sealing surface is inclined at 30-32 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

16. The dispensing cap according to claim 13, wherein the outer sealing surface is inclined at 10-12 ° relative to a longitudinal axis of the body portion.

17. The dispensing cap according to claim 12, wherein the stress relief recess comprises an annular recess and a plurality of radially oriented recesses.

18. The dispensing cap according to claim 12, wherein the receptacle comprises threads for threadably connecting the dispensing cap to a mouth of the container, thereby sealing contents of the container when the dispensing cap is installed for use on the container.

19. The dispensing cap according to claim 18, further comprising a tamper ring for preventing unintentional release of the dispensing cap from the mouth of the container.

20. The dispensing cap according to claim 12, wherein the receptacle is configured to snap fit to a mouth of the container to seal contents of the container when the dispensing cap is installed for use on the container.

21. The dispensing cap according to claim 12, further comprising a flip-top lid connected to the body portion by a hinge and a locking ridge provided on the body portion for locking the flip-top lid closed on the septum portion and preventing accidental actuation of the septum portion.

22. The dispensing cap according to claim 21, wherein the chamber closure member and the plunger are configured to be press-fit into one another, and the flip-top cover is provided with a diaphragm portion support seat for supporting the diaphragm portion when the chamber closure member is pressed onto the plunger and seals the chamber during assembly of the dispensing cap.