US20130180988A1

US20130180988A1 - Bottle Top Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20130180988A1
Application number: US13/353,304
Authority: US
Inventors: Brent Bunderson Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-18
Filing date: 2012-01-18
Publication date: 2013-07-18

Abstract

A bottle top apparatus comprising a first top closure connected to a lower end of a twisting member, conforming to a profile of a second top closure integrated on a bottle opening, and slidably positioned over the second top closure, is provided. A first flow opening and a first vent opening of the first top closure are configured to geometrically align with a second flow opening and a second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to pour out the bottle contents. Rotation of a screw top lid around a rim section extending from an upper end of the twisting member for removing the screw top lid, turns the twisting member to rotate the first top closure over the second top closure and misalign the first flow opening and the first vent opening with the second flow opening and the second vent opening respectively to seal the bottle opening.

Description

BACKGROUND

A conventional bottle having a sealing strip at the top of the bottle is typically configured to operate with the top in a completely open position or in a completely closed position. The completely open position of the bottle often results in uncontrolled pouring of the contents, for example, fluids from the bottle, which causes spillage and loss of the contents from the bottle in the vicinity of a receptacle into which the contents are being poured out. For example, when a fluid such as engine oil, an engine operating fluid, etc., is poured from an oil container or a fluid container into a cylinder manifold of an engine, spillage of the fluid frequently occurs near the manifold opening when the top of the bottle is inverted over the manifold opening, resulting in loss of the fluid poured and spillage of the fluid around the manifold opening. Moreover, when the sealing strip at the top of the bottle is removed, the contents of the bottle often spill out due to the force applied to tear out the sealing strip, especially if the bottle is not held in an upright position.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a bottle top apparatus that regulates and controls flow of contents from a bottle, while preventing spillage of the contents from the bottle. Furthermore, there is a need for a bottle top apparatus that prevents immediate and complete exposure of the contents in the bottle when the bottle is opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above mentioned needs for regulating and controlling flow of contents, for example, fluids from a bottle into a receptacle, while preventing spillage of such contents. As used herein, the term “contents” refers, for example, to fluids such as engine oil, engine operating fluids, other liquids, etc., or solid contents such as fine grains, powder, etc., contained within the bottle. The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein also prevents immediate and complete exposure of the contents in the bottle when the bottle is opened.
The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein comprises a twisting member, a first top closure, and a screw top lid. The first top closure is connected to a lower end of the twisting member. The first top closure is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure integrated on an opening of a bottle. In an embodiment, the bottle top apparatus disclosed herein further comprises gripping members extending from the lower end of the twisting member for engageably gripping a neck extension of the bottle. The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein is engaged with the bottle via the gripping members such that the first top closure of the bottle top apparatus is slidably positioned over the second top closure integrated on the opening of the bottle. The first top closure comprises a first flow opening and a first vent opening. The second top closure comprises a second flow opening and a second vent opening. The first top closure communicates with the second top closure for exposing or sealing the opening of the bottle. The first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure are configured to geometrically align with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to expose the opening of the bottle to allow the contents of the bottle to be poured out of the bottle in a controlled manner into a receptacle, when the bottle is inverted.
The screw top lid is removably engaged with a rim section that extends from an upper end of the twisting member. The rotation of the screw top lid around the rim section, for example, in an counterclockwise direction for removing the screw top lid, turns the twisting member in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the first top closure over the second top closure in the counterclockwise direction and misalign the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to seal the opening of the bottle.
The twisting member is turned, for example, in a clockwise direction to rotate the first top closure over the second top closure in the clockwise direction and align the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to partially or selectively expose the opening of the bottle to allow the contents of the bottle to be poured out of the bottle into a receptacle when the bottle is inverted. The geometrical alignment of the first flow opening of the first top closure and the second flow opening of the second top closure partially aligns the first vent opening of the first top closure and the second vent opening of the second top closure for creating a partial opening for the controlled pouring of the contents from the bottle when the bottle is inverted.
The rotation of the first top closure over the second top closure in a first direction, for example, a counterclockwise direction misaligns the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to seal the opening of the bottle. The rotation of the first top closure over the second top closure in a second direction, for example, a clockwise direction aligns the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to expose the opening of the bottle to allow the contents of the bottle to be poured out of the bottle into a receptacle when the bottle is inverted. The alignment and the misalignment of the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively controls the flow of the contents contained in the bottle.
In an embodiment, the bottle top apparatus further comprises one or more stops, for example, positive stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery of the twisting member. The stops on the lower periphery of the twisting member engage with one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on the upper end of the bottle for controlling the rotation of the first top closure over the second top closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and components disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of a bottle top apparatus secured to a bottle.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view of the bottle top apparatus secured to a bottle.

FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of the bottle top apparatus, showing removable engagement of a screw top lid with a rim section that extends from an upper end of a twisting member of the bottle top apparatus.

FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of the bottle top apparatus, showing a stop positioned at a predetermined location on a lower periphery of the twisting member of the bottle top apparatus.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of an embodiment of the bottle top apparatus comprising a longitudinally extended rim section.

FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of a bottle, indicating an open position and a closed position.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view of a bottle taken at a section XX′ from FIG. 5, showing a second top closure integrated on an opening of the bottle.

FIG. 7A exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of a first top closure of the bottle top apparatus.

FIG. 7B exemplarily illustrates a sectional view of the bottle top apparatus taken at a section YY′ from FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of the first top closure.

FIG. 8B exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of the second top closure.

FIGS. 9A-9B exemplarily illustrate top orthographic views of the first top closure slidably positioned over the second top closure for sealing or exposing an opening of a bottle.

FIG. 10A exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the first top closure of the bottle top apparatus.

FIG. 10B exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the second top closure.

FIGS. 10C-10D exemplarily illustrate top perspective views showing misalignment and alignment of the first top closure slidably positioned over the second top closure for sealing or exposing an opening of a bottle.

FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of the bottle top apparatus secured to a bottle, showing an open position and a closed position of the bottle top apparatus.

FIG. 12 exemplarily illustrates a side orthographic view of a bottle, showing the second top closure integrated on an opening of the bottle, and a stop positioned at a predetermined location on an upper end of the bottle.

FIG. 13 exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of a bottle, showing the second top closure integrated on an opening of the bottle, and stops positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end of the bottle.

FIG. 14 exemplarily illustrates controlled pouring of a fluid contained in a bottle into a receptacle via the bottle top apparatus.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method for controlling flow of contents contained in a bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of a bottle top apparatus 100 secured to a bottle 109. The bottle top apparatus 100 disclosed herein comprises a twisting member 103, a first top closure 101, and a screw top lid 104. The first top closure 101 is connected to a lower end 103 b of the twisting member 103. The first top closure 101 is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure 102 integrated on an opening 109 c of the bottle 109 and is slidably positioned over the second top closure 102. The bottle 109 with contents, for example, fluids is marketed with the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to the top of the bottle 109. The screw top lid 104 is removably engaged with a rim section 105 that extends from an upper end 103 a of the twisting member 103. A marker 106 is provided on the body 103 c of the twisting member 103 for indicating a closed position or an open position of the bottle top apparatus 100. The twisting member 103 is, for example, knurled, to provide an improved grip to a user when the user turns the twisting member 103 for opening and/or closing the bottle 109. In an embodiment, the bottle top apparatus 100 further comprises one or more stops 107 b, for example, positive stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3B. The stops 107 b on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 engage with one or more stops 107 a, for example, positive stops positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, for controlling the rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102. The bottle top apparatus 100 disclosed herein is engaged with the bottle 109 using gripping members 108. The gripping members 108 engage a neck extension 109 b of the bottle 109 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view of the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to a bottle 109. In an embodiment, the bottle top apparatus 100 disclosed herein further comprises gripping members 108 extending from the lower end 103 b of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 for engageably gripping a neck extension 109 b of the bottle 109. The bottle top apparatus 100 disclosed herein is engaged with the bottle 109 via the gripping members 108 such that the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 is slidably positioned over the second top closure 102 integrated on the opening 109 c of the bottle 109. The first top closure 101 comprises a first flow opening 101 a and a first vent opening 101 b. The second top closure 102 comprises a second flow opening 102 a and a second vent opening 102 b. The first top closure 101 communicates with the second top closure 102 for exposing or sealing the opening 109 c of the bottle 109.
The bottle top apparatus 100 is snapped onto the bottle 109 that comprises the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 integrated on the opening 109 c of the bottle 109. The bottle top apparatus 100 secured to the bottle 109 can be moved to an open position or a closed position. As used herein, the term “open position” refers to a position of the bottle top apparatus 100 where the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 are geometrically aligned with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to selectively expose the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 to allow the contents of the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 when the bottle 109 is inverted. Also, as used herein, the term “closed position” refers to a position of the bottle top apparatus 100 where the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 are misaligned with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 and prevent the contents from being poured out of the bottle 109. Also, as used herein, the term “contents” refers, for example, to fluids such as engine oil, engine operating fluids, other liquids, etc., or solid contents such as fine grains, powder, etc., contained within the bottle 109.
The first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 are configured to geometrically align with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to expose the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 to allow the contents, for example, a fluid from the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 into a receptacle, for example, an engine manifold that receives the fluid, when the bottle 109 is inverted. The first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 are in fluid communication with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively when the bottle top apparatus 100 is in the open position. The bottle top apparatus 100 is configured to engageably grip a bottle 109 of different types, sizes, and materials. For example, the bottle top apparatus 100 can be configured or adapted to engage with a plastic bottle, a quart oil bottle, etc., of different sizes. The bottle top apparatus 100 in the closed position enables the user to invert the bottle 109 and insert the bottle top apparatus 100 engaged with the bottle 109 into a receptacle 113, for example, a filler tube exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 14, and then turn the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 to align the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 of the bottle 109 respectively to allow the contents in the bottle 109 to pour out into the receptacle 113.
FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of the bottle top apparatus 100, showing removable engagement of a screw top lid 104 with a rim section 105 that extends from an upper end 103 a of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100. The screw top lid 104 is removably engaged with the rim section 105 to prevent tampering before purchase. A user may rotate the screw top lid 104 around the rim section 105 for removing the screw top lid 104. When the screw top lid 104 is removed, the user may dispose the screw top lid 104 as the screw top lid 104 is not needed to re-seal the bottle 109. The screw top lid 104 is tamper proof. In an embodiment, when the tamper proof screw top lid 104 is removed from the rim section 105 by turning the screw top lid 104 off, the screw top lid 104 may be used to turn the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 to seal the bottle 109.
FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of the bottle top apparatus 100, showing a stop 107 b positioned at a predetermined location on a lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100. The stop 107 b positioned at a predetermined location on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3B, engages with the stop 107 a on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, for controlling the rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102. The rim section 105 that extends from the upper end 103 a of the twisting member 103 is threaded for removably engaging the screw top lid 104 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of an embodiment of the bottle top apparatus 100 comprising a longitudinally extended rim section 105. The rim section 105 that extends from the upper end 103 a of the twisting member 103 is longitudinally extended by a long neck 110. This embodiment of the bottle top apparatus 100 allows pouring of the contents, for example, fluids contained in the bottle 109 that is engaged with the bottle top apparatus 100, into receptacles, for example, orifices or filler tubes that may be positioned, for example, in engine manifolds, engine compartments or other locations that may be difficult to access without the longitudinally extended rim section 105.
FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of a bottle 109, indicating an open position and a closed position. Markers 501 and 502 labeled “open” and “closed” respectively are positioned proximal to the stops 107 a on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 to indicate the open position and the closed position respectively of the bottle top apparatus 100 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1. The “open” marker 501 and the “closed” marker 502 indicate the direction the user needs to turn the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, to open and close the bottle 109 respectively. The second top closure 102 comprising the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b is also exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5.
Rotation of the screw top lid 104 around the rim section 105 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, for removing the screw top lid 104 turns the twisting member 103 to rotate the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102 of the bottle 109. The rotation of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102 in a first direction, for example, a counterclockwise direction misaligns the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109, thereby defining the closed position of the bottle top apparatus 100. The rotation of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102 in a second direction, for example, a clockwise direction aligns the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to expose the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 to allow the contents of the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 when the bottle 109 is inverted, thereby defining the open position of the bottle top apparatus 100.
In an embodiment, rotation of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102, for example, in a clockwise direction misaligns the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively, thereby sealing the bottle 109 for defining the closed position of the bottle top apparatus 100, while rotation of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102, for example, in a counterclockwise direction aligns the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively, thereby opening the bottle 109 for defining the open position of the bottle top apparatus 100. The stops 107 a on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 regulate and control the rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 by engaging with the stops 107 b located on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11.
FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view of a bottle 109 taken at a section XX′ from FIG. 5, showing the second top closure 102 integrated on an opening 109 c of the bottle 109. The second top closure 102 integrated on the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 comprises the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b that communicate with the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 respectively as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2. The second top closure 102 is stationary and allows the first top closure 101 to slidably rotate over the second top closure 102 for opening and closing the bottle 109.
FIG. 7A exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100. The first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 comprises the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b. The first flow opening 101 a is configured, for example, in the form of a sector of a circle. The first vent opening 101 b is, for example, a closed curve shaped opening. The first flow opening 101 a has a larger cross-sectional area than that of the first vent opening 101 b.
FIG. 7B exemplarily illustrates a sectional view of the bottle top apparatus 100 taken at a section YY′ from FIG. 7A. FIG. 7B shows the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 positioned at the lower end 103 b of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7B also shows the gripping members 108 extending from the lower end 103 b of the twisting member 103 for engageably gripping a bottle 109 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 8A-8B exemplarily illustrate top orthographic views of the first top closure 101 and the second top closure 102 respectively. The first top closure 101 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8A, is configured to conform to the profile of the second top closure 102 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8B. The second top closure 102 is integrated on the opening 109 c of a bottle 109 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 5-6. The first top closure 101 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8A is slidably positioned over the second top closure 102 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the bottle top apparatus 100 is engaged with the bottle 109. The first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8A comprises, for example, a sector shaped first flow opening 101 a and a closed curve shaped first vent opening 101 b that communicate with a sector shaped second flow opening 102 a and a closed curve shaped second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8B.
FIGS. 9A-9B exemplarily illustrate top orthographic views of the first top closure 101 slidably positioned over the second top closure 102 for sealing or exposing an opening 109 c of a bottle 109 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 6. When the user purchases a bottle 109 with the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to the bottle 109, the screw top lid 104 is in a sealed condition. As the screw top lid 104 is rotated, for example, in a counterclockwise direction, the first top closure 101 may also rotate over the second top closure 102 in a counterclockwise direction causing misalignment of the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9A, to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 6.
As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9B, a clockwise rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 geometrically aligns the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively. The geometrical alignment of the first flow opening 101 a of the first top closure 101 and the second flow opening 102 a of the second top closure 102 partially aligns the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 for creating a partial opening 111 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9B, for controlled pouring of the contents from the bottle 109 when the bottle 109 is inverted. The contents are poured out of the bottle 109 through the aligned first flow opening 101 a and the second flow opening 102 a and also through the partial opening 111 defined by the partial alignment of the first vent opening 101 b and the second vent opening 102 b.
FIGS. 10A-10B exemplarily illustrate top perspective views of the first top closure 101 and the second top closure 102 respectively. The first top closure 101 and the second top closure 102 have geometrically similar profiles to enable geometrical alignment of the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively for exposing the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 6.
FIGS. 10C-10D exemplarily illustrate top perspective views showing misalignment and alignment of the first top closure 101 slidably positioned over the second top closure 102 for sealing or exposing an opening 109 c of the bottle 109 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 6. The first top closure 101 is configured to conform to a profile of the second top closure 102 and is slidably positioned over the second top closure 102 when the bottle top apparatus 100 is engaged with the bottle 109. A counterclockwise rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 misaligns the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10C, to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109. A clockwise rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 geometrically aligns the first flow opening 101 a with the second flow opening 102 a and partially aligns the first vent opening 101 b with the second vent opening 102 b to create a partial opening 111 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10D, for pouring out the contents from the bottle 109.
FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to a bottle 109, showing an open position and a closed position of the bottle top apparatus 100. The bottle top apparatus 100 secured to the bottle 109 can be moved to an open position or a closed position. Markers 501 and 502 defined by the labels “open” and “closed” respectively are provided on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 to indicate a direction to rotate the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 to move the bottle top apparatus 100 to the open position or the closed position. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11, the marker 501 defined by the label “open” points in a clockwise direction to enable the user to rotate the twisting member 103 in a clockwise direction to align the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to expose the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 6, and allow the contents in the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 when the bottle 109 is inverted.
Furthermore, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11, the marker 502 defined by the label “closed” points in a counterclockwise direction to enable the user to rotate the twisting member 103 in a counterclockwise direction to misalign the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 and thereby prevent the contents from being poured out of the bottle 109. The marker 106 provided on the body 103 c of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4 lines up with the markers 501 or 502 defined by the labels “open” or “closed” to indicate the direction of movement of the twisting member 103 to the user for opening or closing the bottle 109.
The positive stop 107 b positioned on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 engages with one of the positive stops 107 a proximal to the marker 501 defined by the label “open” on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 when the bottle top apparatus 100 reaches the open position, and stops the movement of the twisting member 103. The positive stop 107 b positioned on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 engages with the other one of the positive stops 107 a proximal to the marker 502 defined by the label “closed” on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 when the bottle top apparatus 100 reaches the closed position, and stops the movement of the twisting member 103. When the twisting member 103 is rotated in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the positive stop 107 b positioned on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 encounters one of the positive stops 107 a on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109 and prevents the twisting member 103 from rotating completely around.
FIG. 12 exemplarily illustrates a side orthographic view of a bottle 109, showing the second top closure 102 integrated on an opening 109 c of the bottle 109, and a stop 107 a positioned at a predetermined location on an upper end 109 a of the bottle 109. The second top closure 102 is integrated on the opening 109 c defined by the neck extension 109 b of the bottle 109.
FIG. 13 exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of a bottle 109, showing the second top closure 102 integrated on an opening 109 c of the bottle 109, and stops 107 a positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end 109 a of the bottle 109. The stops 107 a positioned at predetermined locations on the upper end 109 a of the bottle 109, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 13, engage with a stop 107 b positioned on the lower periphery 103 d of the twisting member 103 for controlling the rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102.
FIG. 14 exemplarily illustrates controlled pouring of a fluid 112 contained in a bottle 109 into a receptacle 113 via the bottle top apparatus 100. To pour out the fluid 112 contained in the bottle 109 into the receptacle 113 in a controlled manner, a user may invert the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to the bottle 109, which is in the closed position, insert the rim section 105 of the bottle top apparatus 100 into the receptacle 113, and turn the twisting member 103, for example, in a clockwise direction, to align the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, to expose the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 and allow the fluid 112 in the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 into the receptacle 113.
FIG. 15 illustrates a method for controlling flow of contents contained in a bottle 109. A bottle top apparatus 100 comprising a twisting member 103 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A-3B, and FIG. 4, a first top closure 101 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 7A, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 10A, and a screw top lid 104 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3A is provided 1501. The bottle top apparatus 100 is engaged 1502 with the bottle 109 using the gripping members 108 such that the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 is slidably positioned over the second top closure 102 integrated on the opening 109 c of the bottle 109. The gripping members 108 extending from the lower end 103 b of the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 engageably grip the neck extension 109 b of the bottle 109.
The screw top lid 104 is rotated 1503 around the rim section 105 for removing the screw top lid 104. The rotation of the screw top lid 104 around the rim section 105 in a first direction, for example, a counterclockwise direction, turns 1504 the twisting member 103 in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 in the counterclockwise direction and misalign the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109. The bottle 109 is then inverted and inserted 1505 into an intended receptacle 113, for example, into a filler tube, a reservoir opening, an engine manifold, etc., exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 14, for pouring out the contents from the bottle 109 into the receptacle 113. The first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 are geometrically aligned 1506 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively, by turning the twisting member 103 in a second direction, for example, a clockwise direction, to rotate the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 in the clockwise direction, to selectively expose the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 to allow the contents of the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 into the receptacle 113 when the bottle 109 is inverted. The alignment and the misalignment of the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively controls the flow of the contents contained in the bottle 109 into the receptacle 113.
Consider an example where a user uses the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to a bottle 109 for pouring out a fluid 112, for example, engine oil, from the bottle 109 into a receptacle 113 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 14. Initially, the user turns the screw top lid 104, for example, in a counterclockwise direction to remove and dispose the screw top lid 104. The turning of the screw top lid 104 causes the twisting member 103 to turn in the counterclockwise direction, which in turn causes the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction over the second top closure 102 and misalign the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b respectively to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109. The user then inverts and inserts the bottle 109 into an intended receptacle 113, for example, into a filler tube, a reservoir opening, an engine manifold, etc., that receives the fluid 112 poured out of the bottle 109. The user then turns the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 to rotate the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102, for example, in a clockwise direction to geometrically align the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b of the second top closure 102 respectively to allow the fluid 112 from the bottle 109 to be poured into the receptacle 113. Once the fluid 112 in the bottle 109 has been poured into the receptacle 113, the user turns the twisting member 103 of the bottle top apparatus 100 to rotate the first top closure 101 in a counterclockwise direction over the second top closure 102 and misalign the first flow opening 101 a and the first vent opening 101 b with the second flow opening 102 a and the second vent opening 102 b respectively to seal the opening 109 c of the bottle 109 and allow the user to use the bottle 109 in the future. The bottle top apparatus 100 allows the user to partially open the bottle 109 and pour out a smaller amount than the total amount of the fluid 112 in the bottle 109 if desired. Partially opening the bottle 109 not only partially aligns the first flow opening 101 a and the second flow opening 102 a, but also partially aligns the first vent opening 101 b and the second vent opening 102 b to allow controlled pouring of the fluid 112 from the bottle 109, thereby preventing spillage of the fluid 112 around the opening 113 a of the receptacle 113 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 14, while the fluid 112 is being poured out of the bottle 109.
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

Claims

I claim:

1. A bottle top apparatus, comprising:

a twisting member;

a first top closure connected to a lower end of said twisting member, wherein said first top closure is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure integrated on an opening of a bottle and is slidably positioned over said second top closure, wherein said first top closure comprising a first flow opening and a first vent opening communicates with said second top closure comprising a second flow opening and a second vent opening for one of exposing and sealing said opening of said bottle, wherein said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure are configured to geometrically align with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to expose said opening of said bottle to allow contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted; and

a screw top lid removably engaged with a rim section that extends from an upper end of said twisting member, wherein rotation of said screw top lid around said rim section for removing said screw top lid, turns said twisting member to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure and misalign said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle.

2. The bottle top apparatus of claim 1, wherein said geometrical alignment of said first flow opening of said first top closure and said second flow opening of said second top closure partially aligns said first vent opening of said first top closure and said second vent opening of said second top closure for creating a partial opening for controlled pouring of said contents from said bottle when said bottle is inverted.

3. The bottle top apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery of said twisting member, wherein said one or more stops on said lower periphery of said twisting member engage with one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end of said bottle for controlling said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure.

4. The bottle top apparatus of claim 1, further comprising gripping members extending from said lower end of said twisting member for engageably gripping a neck extension of said bottle.

5. A method for controlling flow of contents contained in a bottle, comprising.

providing a bottle top apparatus, comprising:

a twisting member;

a first top closure connected to a lower end of said twisting member, wherein said first top closure is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure integrated on an opening of said bottle, wherein said first top closure comprising a first flow opening and a first vent opening communicates with said second top closure comprising a second flow opening and a second vent opening for one of exposing and sealing said opening of said bottle; and

a screw top lid removably engaged with a rim section that extends from an upper end of said twisting member;

engaging said bottle top apparatus with said bottle, wherein said first top closure of said bottle top apparatus is slidably positioned over said second top closure integrated on said opening of said bottle;

rotating said screw top lid of said bottle top apparatus around said rim section for removing said screw top lid, wherein said rotation of said screw top lid around said rim section turns said twisting member to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure and misalign said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle; and

geometrically aligning said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to expose said opening of said bottle to allow contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted;

whereby said alignment and said misalignment of said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively controls said flow of said contents contained in said bottle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said geometrical alignment of said first flow opening of said first top closure and said second flow opening of said second top closure partially aligns said first vent opening of said first top closure and said second vent opening of said second top closure for creating a partial opening for controlled pouring of said contents from said bottle when said bottle is inverted.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising controlling said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure by engaging one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery of said twisting member with one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end of said bottle.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure in a first direction misaligns said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure in a second direction opposing said first direction aligns said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to expose said opening of said bottle to allow said contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein said rotation of said screw top lid around said rim section in a first direction for removing said screw top lid, turns said twisting member in said first direction to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure in said first direction and misalign said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising turning said twisting member in a second direction opposing said first direction to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure in said second direction and align said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to selectively expose said opening of said bottle to allow said contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein said bottle top apparatus further comprises gripping members extending from said lower end of said twisting member for engageably gripping a neck extension of said bottle.