U.S. patent application number 10/355226 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for replacement cap for vessel.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIYOTA ENGINEERING CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kiyota, Hozumi.
Application Number | 20030168462 10/355226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27606494 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030168462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kiyota, Hozumi |
September 11, 2003 |
Replacement cap for vessel
Abstract
In a replacement cap for a vessel, in which a cap body 2 is
mounted on a mouth portion 1a of a vessel 1 so as to be replaceable
so that a liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk through a tube 5
provided on the cap body 2, the cap body 2 is provided with an air
supply port 4 having cup-shaped valve means 10 which is closed
normally and is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel 1
when the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a negative pressure.
Since the valve means 10 is opened to supply the outside air into
the vessel 1 when the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a
negative pressure, a liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk smoothly
through the tube 5.
Inventors: |
Kiyota, Hozumi; (Chiba,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
KIYOTA ENGINEERING CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
27606494 |
Appl. No.: |
10/355226 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/709 ;
215/311; 215/388; 220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/06 20130101;
B65D 47/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/709 ;
215/311; 215/388; 220/714 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 6, 2002 |
JP |
2002-029678 |
Claims
1. A replacement cap for a vessel, in which a cap body is mounted
on a mouth portion of said vessel so as to be replaceable so that a
liquid in said vessel can be drunk through a tube provided on said
cap body, wherein said cap body is provided with an air supply port
having cup-shaped valve means which is closed normally and is
opened to supply the outside air into said vessel when the interior
of said vessel becomes at a negative pressure.
2. The replacement cap for a vessel according to claim 1, wherein
said valve means is composed of a valve element which has
elasticity and is provided with an air hole in the top portion
thereof and a protrusion which opens and closes said air hole.
3. The replacement cap for a vessel according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein said tube is composed of an internal tube and an external
tube, and said internal and external tubes are connected to tube
connecting portions projectingly provided on the inside and outside
of said cap body, respectively.
4. The replacement cap for a vessel according to any one of claims
1 to 3, wherein said tube is formed of elastomer or a silicone
material.
5. The replacement cap for a vessel according to any one of claims
1 to 4, wherein the length of said internal tube is set so that the
tip end of said internal tube reaches a position near the inside
bottom portion of said vessel, and a sucking member is installed at
the tip end of said external tube.
6. The replacement cap for a vessel according to claim 5, wherein
said sucking member installed at the tip end of said external tube
consists of a nipple.
7. A replacement cap for a vessel, which is configured so that said
replacement cap has a cap body mounted on a mouth portion of the
vessel so as to be replaceable and a tube provided on said cap
body, and said cap body has an air supply port penetrating the
inside and outside faces of said cap body and valve means which is
provided in said air supply port so as to be capable of opening and
closing said air supply port according to the sucking operation of
said tube.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims all benefits accruing under Paris
Convention from the Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-29678,
filed on Feb. 6, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a replacement cap, which is
used by being mounted on a mouth portion of a vessel such as a PET
bottle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, as a replacement cap of this type, the
replacement cap disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication
No. 2001-80664 has been known publicly.
[0006] The replacement cap described in the above Publication is
constructed so that a cap in which at least two through holes are
open is mounted on a mouth portion of a PET bottle so that a straw
or a tube can be inserted in the mouth portion of the PET bottle,
one through hole being formed so that a straw or a tube can be
inserted, and the other through hole being provided with a
detachable seal. When a liquid in the PET bottle is drunk by using
a straw or a tube, by detaching the seal, air is supplied into the
PET bottle through the through hole, so that the liquid in the
vessel can be drunk smoothly.
[0007] When the liquid in the PET bottle is not drunk, by closing
the through hole by the seal, the liquid in the bottle does not
leak through the through hole even if the PET bottle falls
down.
[0008] For the replacement cap of a type such that the through hole
for supplying air into the PET bottle is closed by the detachable
seal as in the case of the replacement cap described in the
aforementioned Publication, however, in the case where the
detachment and attachment of the seal are repeated, the seal cannot
be used for a long time because of a decrease in bonding force of
seal. In addition, the PET bottle in which the through hole is
closed by a seal whose bonding force has been decreased falls down,
the liquid in the bottle leaks, and hence the leaking liquid soils
clothes etc.
[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above
problems, and accordingly an object thereof is to provide a
replacement cap for a vessel, which is constructed so that even if
the vessel falls down, a liquid in the vessel does not leak and is
capable of being used for a long period of time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To attain the above object, the present invention provides a
replacement cap for a vessel, which is configured so that the
replacement cap has a cap body mounted on a mouth portion of the
vessel so as to be replaceable and a tube provided on the cap body,
and the cap body has an air supply port penetrating the inside and
outside faces of the cap body and valve means which is provided in
the air supply port so as to be capable of opening and closing the
air supply port according to the sucking operation of the tube.
[0011] According to this configuration, since the valve means
enables the air supply port in the cap body to be opened and closed
according to the sucking operation of the tube, for example, by
mounting the cap body on the mouth portion of the vessel, a liquid
in the vessel can be drunk by sucking the tip end of the tube.
Further, when the interior of the vessel becomes at a negative
pressure according to the sucking operation of the tube, the valve
means is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel, so that
the liquid in the vessel can be drunk smoothly.
[0012] To attain the above object, the present invention provides a
replacement cap for a vessel, in which a cap body is mounted on a
mouth portion of the vessel so as to be replaceable so that a
liquid in the vessel can be drunk through a tube provided on the
cap body, wherein the cap body is provided with an air supply port
having cup-shaped valve means which is closed normally and is
opened to supply the outside air into the vessel when the interior
of the vessel becomes at a negative pressure.
[0013] According to this configuration, not only the liquid in the
vessel can be drunk by sucking the tip end of the tube but also the
liquid in the vessel can be drunk smoothly because the valve means
is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel when the
interior of the vessel becomes at a negative pressure.
[0014] Also, since the air supply port is normally closed by the
valve means, even if the vessel is laid down or turned down
mistakenly, the liquid in the vessel does not leak from the suction
port, so that there is no fear that the leaking liquid soils
clothes etc.
[0015] To attain the above object, in the replacement cap for a
vessel in accordance with the present invention, the valve means is
composed of a valve element which has elasticity and is provided
with an air hole in the top portion thereof and a protrusion which
opens and closes the air hole.
[0016] According to this configuration, even if the valve element
opens and closes repeatedly, the sealing function of the valve
element does not decrease. Therefore, the replacement cap can be
used for a long period of time, and can be provided at a low cost
because the valve means has a simple construction.
[0017] To attain the above object, in the replacement cap for a
vessel in accordance with the present invention, the tube is
composed of an internal tube and an external tube, and the internal
and external tubes are connected to tube connecting portions
projectingly provided on the inside and outside of the cap body,
respectively.
[0018] According to this configuration, there is no need for
forming a through hole for inserting the tube in the cap body, so
that there is no fear that the liquid in the vessel leaks from the
through hole.
[0019] To attain the above object, in the replacement cap for a
vessel in accordance with the present invention, the length of the
internal tube is set so that the tip end of the internal tube
reaches a position near the inside bottom portion of the vessel,
and a sucking member installed at the tip end of the external tube
consists of a nipple.
[0020] According to this configuration, the liquid in the vessel
can be drunk without leaving the liquid, and also the liquid in the
vessel that is contained in a rucksack etc. can be drunk by
increasing the length of the external tube. Further, even a patient
etc. who are in a bedridden state can drink the liquid in the
vessel through the external tube without raising himself/herself
Therefore, the replacement cap for a vessel in accordance with the
present invention can contribute greatly to nursing of a sick
person.
[0021] To attain the above object, in the replacement cap for a
vessel in accordance with the present invention, a nipple is
installed at the tip end of the external tube.
[0022] According to this configuration, by mounting the cap body on
a nursing bottle, the replacement cap can be used to feed milk to
an infant. Also, since the infant takes down less air due to the
internal tube reaching the inside bottom portion of the vessel,
there is scarcely a need for belching after feeding milk.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a state in which a
replacement cap for a vessel in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention is mounted on the vessel;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top view of a replacement cap for a vessel in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a replacement cap for a vessel in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A of FIG.
1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in circle B of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which a
sucking member is covered with a cover installed on a tube provided
on a replacement cap for a vessel in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for illustrating the operation
of a replacement cap for a vessel in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a
nipple is installed on a tube provided on a replacement cap for a
vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vessel on which a
replacement cap is mounted, FIG. 2 is a top view of the replacement
cap, FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 4 is a view taken in the
direction of arrow A of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in
circle B of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in
which a sucking member is covered with a cover installed on a tube,
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for illustrating the operation of the
replacement cap, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state
in which a nipple is installed on the tube provided on the
replacement cap.
[0033] A vessel 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a PET bottle
formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. For the vessel 1, a
mouth portion 1a is provided at the upper part thereof, and a
replacement cap body (hereinafter referred simply as to a cap body)
2 is detachably mounted on a screw portion 1b formed on the outer
peripheral surface of the mouth portion 1a.
[0034] The cap body 2 is formed into a short cylindrical shape such
that the upper face thereof is closed, and the lower face is open.
The whole of the cap body 2 is integrally formed of a synthetic
resin, and a screw portion 2a which is threadedly engaged with the
screw portion 1b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the
mouth portion 1a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the
cap body 2.
[0035] In the upper face of the cap body 2, a suction port 3 and an
air supply port 4 are formed at positions, which are opposed to
each other on the opposite sides of the center of the cap body
2.
[0036] The suction port 3 is composed of an internal tube
connecting portion 3a projectingly provided on the lower face of
the cap body 2 in such a manner as to be substantially vertical and
an external tube connecting portion 3b projectingly provided on the
upper face of the cap body 2 in such a manner as to be
substantially horizontal, and a flow path 3c is formed
substantially into an L shape in the internal and external tube
connecting portions 3a and 3b.
[0037] A tube 5 for sucking a drinking liquid contained in the
vessel 1 includes an internal tube 5a one end side of which is
fitted on the internal tube connecting portion 3a and the other end
side of which reaches a position near the inside bottom portion of
the vessel 1 and an external tube 5b one end side of which is
fitted on the external tube connecting portion 3b and the other end
side of which is connected with a sucking member 6, and is formed
of a soft tube such as a silicone tube. The external tube 5b is
configured so that the length thereof can be changed arbitrarily in
such a manner that the liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk even in
a state in which the vessel 1 is contained in, for example, a
rucksack.
[0038] The sucking member 6 connected to the other end of the
external tube 5b is composed of a mouthpiece 6a formed of a soft
material such as silicone and a tube connecting element 6b.
[0039] The mouthpiece 6a is projectingly provided with a lip
portion 6c, which is formed into a substantially elliptical shape,
in the tip end portion thereof as shown in FIG. 4. The lip portion
6c is put into a mouth and pressed vertically, by which a slit 6d
formed in front is opened so that the liquid in the vessel 1 can be
sucked. A cylindrical portion 6f, which is provided on one end side
of the tube connecting element 6b, is fitted in a cylindrical
portion 6e, which is projectingly provided on the back face side of
the mouthpiece 6a, in a liquid-tight manner.
[0040] The other end of the external tube 5b is fitted on a
connecting portion 6g projectingly provided on the other end side
of the tube connecting element 6b.
[0041] If a cover 8 which can be opened and closed freely as shown
in FIG. 6 is installed on the external tube 5b in advance, the
sucking member 6 is housed in the cover 8 when the liquid in the
vessel 1 is not drunk, by which dust, various bacteria, etc. are
prevented from adhering to the sucking member 6. Therefore, this
configuration is hygienic.
[0042] The air supply port 4 provided in the cap body 2 has an air
supply hole 4a penetrating the upper and lower faces of the cap
body 2. In an opening on the upper face side of the air supply hole
4a, a cross-shaped rib 4b is provided to prevent foreign matters
from entering.
[0043] In an opening on the lower face side of the air supply hole
4a, a cylindrical projecting portion 4c is projectingly provided at
the periphery of the opening, and valve means 10 is housed in the
projecting portion 4c.
[0044] The valve means 10 is composed of a thin film-shaped valve
element 10a formed of silicone rubber and a needle-shaped
protrusion 10b projectingly provided on the lower face of the
cross-shaped rib 4b.
[0045] The valve element 10a is formed into a cup shape whose upper
face is closed as shown in FIG. 5. The top portion of the valve
element 10a is formed with an air hole 10c which is opened and
closed by the protrusion 10b, and a flange portion 10d projectingly
provided in the lower end portion of the valve element 10a is held
between the lower end of the projecting portion 4c and a pressing
cap 11 mounted at the outer periphery of the projecting portion 4c.
In the bottom face of the pressing cap 11 is formed an opening 11a
having a diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the
projecting portion 4c.
[0046] Next, the operation of the replacement cap constructed as
described above will be explained.
[0047] In the case where the replacement cap is used by mounting
the cap body 2 on the mouth portion 1a of the vessel 1 such as a
commercially available PET bottle, an existing cap (not shown)
having been installed on the mouth portion 1a of the vessel 1 is
first removed, and the cap body 2 is mounted on the mouth portion
1a.
[0048] At this time, the length of the internal tube 5a having been
installed in advance on the lower face of the cap body 2 is made a
length such that the tip end of the internal tube 5a reaches the
inside bottom portion of the vessel 1, whereby the liquid in the
vessel 1 can be drunk without leaving the liquid. In the case where
the vessel 1 is a nursing bottle for feeding milk, an infant does
not take down air together with the liquid, so that there is
scarcely a need for belching after feeding milk.
[0049] Also, the external tube 5b installed on the upper face side
of the cap body 2 can have a length suitable for an environment in
which the liquid in the vessel 1 is drunk. When the liquid in the
vessel 1 is drunk, the sucking member 6 is taken out of the cover 8
and the mouthpiece 6a is held in the mouth, and the liquid is
sucked while the mouthpiece 6a is pressed vertically with the
lips.
[0050] Thereby, the liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk, and also
as the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a negative pressure, the
valve element 10a having been in a position indicated by an
imaginary line in FIG. 7 is elastically deformed to a position
indicated by a solid line so that the air hole 10c having been
closed by the protrusion 10b is opened and hence the outside air is
supplied into the vessel 1 through the air hole 10c, by which the
liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk smoothly.
[0051] When the drinking of the liquid in the vessel 1 is stopped,
the valve element 10a returns to the position indicated by the
imaginary line in FIG. 7, and hence the air hole 10c in the valve
element 10a is closed by the protrusion 10b. Therefore, even if the
vessel 1 is laid down or turned down mistakenly, the liquid in the
vessel 1 does not leak from the suction port 4.
[0052] In the above-described embodiment, explanation has been
given of the case where the replacement cap is used by mounting the
cap body 2 on the mouth portion 1a of the vessel 1 such as a PET
bottle. However, the replacement cap can also be used for feeding
milk by installing a nipple 12 as shown in FIG. 8 at the tip end of
the external tube 5b and mounting the cap body 2 on the mouth
portion of a nursing bottle.
[0053] Although the cap body 2 is mounted on the mouth portion 1a
of the vessel 1 such as a PET bottle in the above-described
embodiment, the vessel 1 of PET bottle sometimes has the mouth
portion 1a with a different diameter. In this case, it is a matter
of course that the same effect can be achieved by providing an
adapter fit for that diameter and connecting the cap body 2 to the
mouth portion 1a via this adapter.
[0054] Also, although the tube 5 is formed of a silicone material
in the above-described embodiment, the tube 5 may be formed of a
soft elastomer or the like.
[0055] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the external
tube 5b may be too long and be a hindrance. In such a case, the end
portion of the external tube 5b is fixed on the clothing or the
like with a fixing member such as a clip, by which the external
tube 5b can be prevented from being a hindrance.
[0056] As described above in detail, according to the present
invention, the cap body of the replacement cap, which is
constructed so that the liquid in the vessel can be drunk through
the tube, is provided with the air supply port having the valve
means which is closed normally and is opened to supply the outside
air into the vessel when the interior of the vessel becomes at a
negative pressure. Therefore, not only the liquid in the vessel can
be drunk by sucking the tip end of the tube but also the liquid in
the vessel can be drunk smoothly because the valve means is opened
to supply the outside air into the vessel when the interior of the
vessel becomes at a negative pressure. In addition, since the air
supply port is normally closed by the valve means, even if the
vessel is laid down or turned down mistakenly, the liquid in the
vessel does not leak, so that there is no fear that the leaking
liquid soils clothes etc.
[0057] Also, since the valve means is composed of the valve element
that has elasticity and is provided with the air hole in the top
portion thereof and the protrusion that opens and closes the air
hole, even if the valve element opens and closes repeatedly, the
sealing function of the valve element does not decrease. Therefore,
the replacement cap can be used for a long period of time, and can
be provided at a low cost because the valve means has a simple
construction. Also, since the tube is composed of the internal tube
and the external tube, and the internal and external tubes are
connected to the tube connecting portions projectingly provided on
the inside and outside of the cap body, respectively, there is no
need for forming a through hole. Therefore, there is no fear that
the liquid in the vessel leaks out through the through hole.
[0058] Further, since the length of the internal tube is set so
that the tip end of the internal tube reaches a position near the
inside bottom portion of the vessel, and the sucking member is
installed at the tip end of the external tube, the liquid in the
vessel can be drunk without leaving the liquid, and also the liquid
in the vessel that is contained in a rucksack etc. can be drunk by
increasing the length of the external tube.
[0059] Moreover, if a nipple is installed at the tip end of the
external tube, by mounting the cap body on a nursing bottle, the
replacement cap can be used to feed milk to an infant. Also, since
the infant takes down less air due to the internal tube reaching
the inside bottom portion of the vessel, there is scarcely a need
for belching after feeding milk.
* * * * *