U.S. patent application number 10/199741 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for cinch caps.
Invention is credited to Wallace, James.
Application Number | 20040011758 10/199741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30443395 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040011758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wallace, James |
January 22, 2004 |
Cinch caps
Abstract
A cap for sealing the top opening of a fluid-carrying vessel,
the vessel having an upstanding narrow neck with a central opening
leading into the vessel, the neck of the type wherein it is
surrounded by a short, thickened border of circular periphery about
the opening, the cap including a substantially non-flexible top cap
portion for positioning transversely atop the neck of the vessel to
cover the central opening therein, the top cap portion defined by
an outer perimeter, extending beyond the periphery of the border,
and spaced-apart top and bottom surfaces, a circular, flexible
bottom cap portion, adapted to extend about the outside of the neck
of the vessel, a flexible center band joining the top cap portion
and the bottom cap portion, extending about the neck of the vessel
below the border thereof and having an outer perimeter
substantially less than the respective perimeters of the top cap
portion and the bottom cap portion and to form a groove
therebetween, a planar, stretchable cinch ring surrounding the neck
of the vessel for location in the groove, and a lever defined by
first and second spaced-apart terminal ends engaging the cinch ring
between the terminal ends and moveable between a first position
wherein the cinch ring is relaxed in the groove and a second
position wherein the cinch ring is tightened against the groove to
seal the cap tightly about the neck of the vessel.
Inventors: |
Wallace, James; (Oceanside,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MURPHEY & MURPHEY, A.P.C.
701 PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD, SUITE 260
CARLSBAD
CA
92009
US
|
Family ID: |
30443395 |
Appl. No.: |
10/199741 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/275 ;
215/287; 215/291; 215/293; 215/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 45/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/275 ;
215/287; 215/291; 215/293; 215/319 |
International
Class: |
B65D 045/32 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cap for sealing the top opening of a fluid-carrying vessel,
said vessel having an upstanding narrow neck with a central opening
leading into the vessel, said neck of the type wherein it is
surrounded by a short, thickened border of circular periphery about
the opening, said cap comprising: (a) a substantially non-flexible
top cap portion for positioning transversely atop the neck of the
vessel to cover the central opening therein, said top cap portion
defined by an outer perimeter, extending beyond the periphery of
the border, and spaced-apart top and bottom surfaces; (b) a
circular, flexible bottom cap portion, adapted to extend about the
outside of the neck of the vessel; (c) a flexible center band
joining said top cap portion and said bottom cap portion, extending
about the neck of the vessel below the border thereof and having an
outer perimeter substantially less than the respective perimeters
of said top cap portion and said bottom cap portion and to form a
groove therebetween; (d) a planar, stretchable cinch ring
surrounding the neck of the vessel for location in said groove;
and, (e) a lever defined by first and second spaced-apart terminal
ends engaging said cinch ring between said terminal ends and
moveable between a first position wherein said cinch ring is
relaxed in said groove and a second position wherein said cinch
ring is stretched and tightened about the neck of the vessel and,
as it is stretched, said cinch ring is pulled slightly above or
below said planar groove.
2. The cap of claim 1 wherein: (a) said bottom cap portion forms a
narrow slot, including a pair of spaced-apart slot walls with at
least one detent formed therein, said slot and said walls axially
aligned with said neck; and, (b) said lever has formed thereon a
pair of outwardly facing nubs on opposite sides thereof for
insertion in said detent, said nubs spaced-apart from said cinch
ring so that movement of said lever from said first position to
said second position causes said cinch ring to be stretched tightly
about the neck of the vessel.
3. The cap of claim 1 wherein said nubs are inside said cinch
ring.
4. The cap of claim 1 wherein said nubs are outside said cinch
ring.
5. The cap of claim 1 wherein said top cap top surface contains a
printable or smooth finish.
6. The cap of claim 1 wherein said top cap bottom surface protrudes
slightly into the central opening of the neck of the vessel.
7. The cap of claim 1 wherein said top cap top and bottom surfaces
have printable smooth outer finishes.
8. The cap of claim 1 wherein said bottom surface of said top cap
portion extends downward over the outer surface of the thickened
border of the vessel adjacent and is arranged to press tightly
against the short, thickened border, to seal the cap to the vessel,
when said lever is in said second position.
9. The cap of claim 1 wherein said groove is of the same diameter
as said cinch ring.
10. The cap of claim 1 wherein the mean diameter of said cinch ring
is sufficiently large to allow said cap to be slipped over the
thickened border of the vessel when said lever is in said first
position.
11. The cap of claim 1 wherein the mean diameter of said cinch ring
is sufficiently small to allow said flexible center band to enter
into an interference fit about the vessel when said lever is in
said second position.
12. The cap of claim 1 further including a handle located on said
lever.
13. The cap of claim 1 further including a handle formed on said
lever.
14. A cap for sealing the opening of a fluid-carrying or
solid-carrying container of the type having a generally pliable
tubular body at one end of which is located a narrow neck about the
opening, for squeezing out the contents thereof, the narrow neck of
the type that is surrounded by a short, thickened outer collar at
the distal end thereof, said cap comprising: (a) a central outer
cap portion for positioning transversely across the open end of the
neck of the container to cover the opening therein, said outer cap
portion defined by a top surface terminating at an outer periphery
and a spaced-apart bottom surface; (b) a circular, flexible inner
cap portion extending about the outside of the neck of the
container spaced below the border; (c) a thin, flexible center band
joining said outer cap portion and said inner cap portions and
extending about the neck of the container to form a groove between
said outer cap portion and said inner cap portion; (d) a
stretchable cinch ring surrounding the neck of the container in
said groove; and, (e) a lever defined by first and second
spaced-apart terminal ends and joined to said cinch ring
therebetween, said lever moveable between first and second
positions adjacent the outside surface of the container wherein
said first position allows said cinch ring to remain loose in said
groove and said second position causes said cinch ring to be
stretched tightly about the neck of the vessel and, as it is
stretched, said cinch ring is pulled slightly above or below said
planar groove.
15. The cap of claim 14 wherein: (a) said inner cap portion has a
narrow slot formed therethrough, including a pair of spaced-apart
slot walls with at least one detent formed in each said wall
therein, said slot and said walls axially aligned with said neck;
and, (b) said lever has formed thereon a pair of outwardly facing
nubs on opposite sides thereof for insertion in said detents, said
nubs spaced-apart from said cinch ring so that movement of said
lever from said first position to said second position causes said
cinch ring to be stretched tightly in said groove and about the
neck of the vessel.
16. The cap of claim 14 wherein said nubs are located inside said
cinch ring.
17. The cap of claim 14 wherein said nubs are located outside said
cinch ring.
18. The cap of claim 14 wherein said top cap top surface contains a
printable or smooth finish.
19. The cap of claim 14 wherein said outer cap portion further
includes a bottom surface that protrudes slightly into the central
opening of the neck of the vessel.
20. The cap of claim 14 wherein said bottom surface of said top cap
portion extends downward over the outer surface of the thickened
border of the vessel adjacent and is arranged to press tightly
against the short, thickened border, to seal the cap to the vessel,
when said lever is in said second position.
21. The cap of claim 14 wherein said groove is of the same diameter
as said cinch ring.
22. The cap of claim 14 wherein the mean diameter of said cinch
ring is sufficiently large to allow said cap to be slipped over the
thickened border of the vessel when said lever is in said first
position.
23. The cap of claim 14 wherein the mean diameter of said cinch
ring is sufficiently small to allow said flexible center band to
enter into an interference fit about the vessel when said lever is
in said second position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to the field of bottle and vessel
caps. More particularly, the invention pertains to a cap which acts
as a replacement for a wine bottle cork, fashioned in a way that is
elementary and easy to remove from a bottle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] For several centuries and throughout several cultures, wine
had been contained in bottles with cork stoppers. This deeply
rooted cultural custom to use wine bottle cork, evolved in a time
where cork was abundant and affordable. However, with a rising
worldwide demand for wine, cork has become a limited commodity, and
is becoming more expensive. As a result, the wine industry is now
seeking viable substitutes for the traditional wine bottle
cork.
[0005] Some wine bottlers and wine makers have resorted to the use
of a less expensive, lower quality cork. Unfortunately, the lower
quality cork is causing a significant percentage of wine to spoil
because the increased porosity and soft characteristics typical of
the poor-quality type cork, allows ambient air to penetrate the
bottle to cause spoiling of the wine. Wine makers suffer financial
losses, as the discriminatory wine consumer refuses to buy brands
associated with spoiled wine. An attempt to use recycled cork also
was found to be disappointingly inefficient. The production of
recycled wine bottle cork has resulted in poor quality corks and
has been shown to taint wine, as well.
[0006] Innovative wine bottlers attempted to substitute the cork
altogether but encountered a strong resistance by wine consumers
and wine makers to forego using the traditional cork. In an attempt
to retain the "look" of the cork, bottlers developed various types
of coatings to impregnate cheaper corks with plastics in an effort
to improve the sealant characteristics. However, these coatings
have proven to be imperfect and to cause leakage as a result of the
deterioration of the sealant over time.
[0007] There are several other problems with the use of cork. For
instance, the bleaching process of the cork involves chemicals that
may produce moldy taints in the wine, or "corked" wine. This
condition has been found to exist in approximately 10% of all
bottles of wine sold. In fact, it is estimated that corkiness
taints billions of dollars worth of wine each year.
[0008] Cork is also known to crumble or break when it is stored in
an environment or in a manner where ideal humidity is not
maintained. When cork dries out, it loses its hermetic
characteristic and causes the wine to spoil. The breakage also
causes cork splinters to drift on the surface of the wine making a
glass of wine appear unattractive and certainly noncompliant with
the rigid standards of wine drinking etiquette.
[0009] The opening of a bottle of wine also requires a separate and
independent device to remove the cork. Such a bottle opening device
is not always readily available which could result in a great
inconvenience to the wine consumer. Without it, the consumer cannot
remove the cork from the wine bottle, may even break the cork to
have access to the wine.
[0010] In addition, the removal of a cork from a wine bottle is not
user-friendly. There are several types of wine bottle openers in
the market, from the very inexpensive type to a more expensive,
easy-to-operate gadgets. Nevertheless, a weaker user, or an elderly
person sometimes does not have the capability to remove the cork
with either type of cork puller and often breaks the cork or pushes
it inside the bottle in an effort to pour the wine. Many times, a
dry cork breaks upon the insertion of the twisted wire shaft of the
bottle opener.
[0011] A user who consumes only a partial bottle of wine, usually
uses the same cork to seal the bottle again. However, because of
the expansion of the cork after its initial release from the wine
bottle, the user finds it difficult to fit the cork back into the
bottle. Even if this can be accomplished, the cork has lost most of
its hermetic function and may allow rapid spoiling of the wine.
[0012] The removal of cork, or of any plastic or polymeric
substitute, can be hazardous as well. The extraordinary escape
velocity of the cork upon removal from a bottle containing a
carbonated beverage, such as champagne, adds the risk of severe
injury to a person. Injuries to the eye or face have occurred.
[0013] Even though cork seems to be the preferred wine bottle
stopper, the appearance of cork is dull and unattractive. Wine
bottlers therefore use colored foil or plastic wrappers of various
types and sizes to cover the cork. This extra material is an
additional expense to the wine bottlers and ultimately, the
consumer. Notwithstanding, certain practice wrappers project sharp
edges when the wrapper is tom off prior to the removal of the cork,
and the user may cut their fingers from the sharp edges.
[0014] The prior art for replacing the limited and expensive cork
for wine bottles deals primarily with replacing cork with different
variances and qualities, or with plastic or synthetic substitutes.
Also, the prior art primarily requires an independent device to
remove the cork which is not always readily available. Moreover,
using the independent bottle opener sometimes proves to be
difficult to use by weaker or elderly persons as it requires a
tremendous effort to pull the cork out of the bottle. In addition,
the extra materials, used in wrapping or covering the unattractive
cork, increase the expenses to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] This invention is a polymeric or plastic-based cap for
sealing the opening of a wine bottle or other such vessel that
overcomes the problems set forth above with regard to wine bottle
corks. The inventive cap is useful in bottles where the opening of
the bottle is surrounded by a thickened border on the top part of
the neck. The cap has a top portion that is adapted to cover the
opening in the vessel. The cap further has a skirt portion that
surrounds the upper portion of the neck of the bottle. The skirt
extends below the thickened border to form a constriction below the
thickened border and above the bottom edge of the skirt to prevent
the cap from sliding unaided off the vessel. The cap further has a
pivot point located on the bottom edge of the skirt, and a
stretchable cinch ring located in the constriction. Extending from
the cinch ring at the pivot point, and attached to the pivot point,
is a short lever. Manipulation of this lever in a downward
direction passes the cinch ring into an interference fit in the
constriction to seal the cap around the neck. An upward
manipulation of the lever releases the tightly fit cinch ring to
release the cap.
[0016] The cap device is a simple, effective and inexpensive
replacement for a wine bottle cork. Wine will not spoil as the cap
is an effective non-porous device which prevents the transport of
ambient air to the inside of the bottle. The cap does not
disintegrate or "dry out," become bitter, nor break and leave
residue behind in the wine. It can easily be operated by any user,
including weaker or elderly persons who may not have the ability to
pull a cork out of a wine bottle. Neither does it require the use
of an independent bottle opener to remove the cap which eliminates
the predicament of not having a bottle opener at hand. Furthermore,
the cap of this invention easily can be replaced after its initial
opening to adequately seal the wine bottle numerous times, without
spoiling the wine.
[0017] This cap is not hazardous to the user either. Upon opening,
the trapped air in the bottle is released slowly, and accordingly,
the cap is restrained by the user, and it does not "pop" off. This
cap does not contain a sealant-type coating which could be toxic to
small children should they chew it.
[0018] The cap of this invention would cut additional costs and
expenses because it does not require the additional plastic or
foil-type wrapper currently used with corks. It can also be made
with identifying colors or logos of the winery, or with a trademark
or emblem stamped onto the top, flat part of the cap. It could have
a sleek, attractive design which is in direct contrast to the
common, dull unattractive cork used today. Additionally, plastic is
effectively recycled and therefore, the cap of this invention is
environmentally amendable as it can be recycled. The cap also saves
the natural resources of the tree producing cork.
[0019] Accordingly, the main object of this invention is a cap
which effectively replaces cork as a wine bottle stopper. Other
objects of the invention include the effortless opening and
re-sealing of the cap to the wine bottle; a means to tightly and
effectively reseal the cap after its initial opening to prevent the
spoiling of the wine; a means for releasing the trapped compressed
air inside the wine bottle in a slow manner to prevent the quick
release of the cap which may cause severe injuries; a cap device
that is lower in cost than a wine bottle cork as it does not
require additional plastic or foil wrappers; the elimination of the
spoilage and tainting of wine due to a low quality or defective
cork; a cap that does not break, become brittle nor dry out; a cap
that opens without the requirement of an independent bottle opener
device; a cap that replaces a dull and unattractive looking cork
with an innovative colored device or with an engraved identifying
trademark, logo, or emblem of the winery and is recyclable; a cap
that could be fashioned in various attractive sizes; a cap that may
be manufactured for any other container having the same
thickened-border characteristic of a wine bottle in the upper part
of the bottle neck.
[0020] These and other objects of the invention will become more
apparent when reading the description of the preferred embodiment
along with the drawings that are appended hereto. The protection
sought by the inventor may be gleaned from a fair reading of the
claims that conclude the specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of the upper portion of a
typical wine bottle to which this invention is useful showing it to
have a narrow neck with a thickened border on the upper periphery
thereof;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a typical tube of paint
to which this invention is also useful showing it to have a narrow
neck with a thickened border on the upper periphery thereof;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a partly sectional, partly illustrative view of
the cap of this invention on the top of a wine bottle showing two
positions that the lever and cinch take when the lever is moved
from one position to another position;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the cap, minus the cinch ring, of this invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the cinch ring of this invention;
[0026] FIG. 6a is cross-sectional view of the cap viewed from the
underside;
[0027] FIG. 6b is a sectional side view of the cap and the cinch
ring in loose position showing the relationship to the cap viewed
from the underside shown in FIG. 6a;
[0028] FIG. 6c is a sectional side view of the cap and the cinch
ring in tight position showing the relationship to cinch ring in
loose position as shown in FIG. 6b;
[0029] FIG. 6d is a top view of the cinch ring showing the
relationship to the cap as viewed from the underside shown in FIG.
6a;
[0030] FIG. 7a is a sectional side view of the upper portion of a
typical wine bottle;
[0031] FIG. 7b is a cross-section of the cap viewed from the
underside showing the relationship to the upper portion of a
typical wine bottle as shown in FIG. 7a;
[0032] FIG. 7c is a sectional side view of the cap showing the
relationship to the upper portion of a typical wine bottle as shown
in FIG. 7a and to the cap viewed from the underside as shown in
FIG. 7b;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a top view of the cinch ring useful in this
invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a side view of the cinch ring shown in FIGS. 8 and
10 showing the lever and cinch ring moved from one position to
another position;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a side view of the cinch ring in loose position
(x-x axis), in transition position (x-x axis), and in tight
position (x-y axis);
[0036] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the cap of this
invention in place on a tube container of the type shown in FIG.
2;
[0037] FIG. 12 is another side sectional view of the cap of this
invention in place on a tube container of the type shown in FIG. 11
showing the lever and cinch ring in both positions on the top of
the tube; and,
[0038] FIG. 13 shows perspective views of the different heights and
thicknesses of the cap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] Turning now to the drawings where elements or limitations
are identified with numbers and like elements or limitations are
identified with like numbers throughout the thirteen figures, FIGS.
1 and 2 show the general type of vessels to which this invention is
applicable. Shown in FIG. 1 is a fluid-carrying vessel 1, having an
upstanding narrow neck 3 with a central opening 5 leading into
vessel 1, wherein neck 3 is of the type wherein it is surrounded by
a short, thickened border 7 of circular periphery about opening 5.
Vessel 1 is often made of glass and comes in a variety of shapes
and sizes. It can be sized to hold various amounts of fluid, such
as wine in such volumes as 1.0 liters, 1.5 liters, 2 liters,
etc.
[0040] The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.
3 and 4 and is a cap 9 for sealing the top of opening 5 against
leakage or unwanted escape of the fluid contents contained in
vessel 1. FIG. 7a illustrates a side sectional view of a typical
wine bottle top and the relationship to cap 9, indicated by dotted
lines, as shown in FIGS. 7b and 7c. Cap 9 comprises a substantially
non-flexible top cap portion 13, having a rather flat, aspirin
tablet shape, for positioning transversely atop of or across neck 3
of vessel 1 to cover central opening 5 therein as seen in FIGS. 3
and 4. Top cap portion 13 is defined by an outer periphery or
perimeter 15, extending beyond the periphery of border 7 and is
further defined by spaced-apart top and bottom surfaces 17 and 19,
respectively. Top cap portion 13 may be made from a variety of
plastics and plastic/rubber blends that have a wide range of
flexibility and also present a top surface 17 that is printable or
scribable such that trade marks and other identifying indicia may
be easily placed thereon to help in identifying the fluid contents
in vessel 1.
[0041] A circular, flexible, bottom cap portion 21 is also
provided, set below and spaced-apart from top cap portion 13, and
is sized, shaped and otherwise adapted to extend completely about
the outside of vessel neck 3. Bottom portion 21 is ring-shaped in
overall design because it is located below the entrance to vessel
opening 5 and does not cover any opening, such as top cap portion
13 covers central opening 5. Bottom cap portion 21 may be made from
a variety of plastics and plastic/rubber blends that have a wide
range of flexibility and also present a surface that is printable
or scribable such that trade marks and other identifying indicia
may be easily placed thereon to help in identifying the fluid
contents in vessel 1. It is usually desirable to have bottom cap
portion 21 made more flexible as it will be squeezed against the
outside surface of vessel neck 3 when the cap is sealed against
vessel 1 and no folding, pinching, crinkling, of bottom cap portion
21 is desired under these conditions.
[0042] A flexible center band 25 is provided between top cap
portion 13 and bottom cap portion 21, extending about vessel neck
3, below border 7, and has an outer perimeter 27 substantially less
than the respective perimeters of top cap portion 13 and bottom cap
portion 21 so as to form a groove 29 therebetween. Top cap portion
13, center band 25 and bottom cap portion 21 are preferably formed
as a single, monolithic unit as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This may be
done by injection molding or other known techniques. Center band 25
may be made from a variety of plastics and plastic/rubber blends
that have a wide range of flexibility. It is usually desirable to
have center band 25 made more flexible as it will be squeezed
against the outside surface of vessel neck 3 as explained later
herein and no folding, pinching, crinkling, of center band 25 is
desired under these conditions. The thinness of center band 25 will
generally provide the necessary flexibility property thereto. Top
cap portion 13, flexible center band 25, and bottom cap portion 21
can be made in individual sections and joined together by melting,
adhesives, or other known processes. In addition, top cap portion
13 may have its bottom surface 19 extended by a molding process or
the like downward over the outer surface of thickened border 7 of
vessel 1 adjacent the surface of border 7 and arranged to press
tightly against border 7 to help seal cap 9 to vessel 1.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6d and 10, a planar, stretchable
cinch ring 31 is provided that surrounds vessel neck 3 and is
specifically made of a small diameter stretchable cord 33 for
location in groove 29. The cross-section of the cap viewed from the
underside in FIG. 6a shows the relationship to cinch ring 31,
detents 51 and handle 61 shown in FIGS. 6b and 6c. Groove 29 is
preferably made in a semi-circular form shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
having a semi-circular cross-section. The cinch ring 31 is also
preferably made with its cord 33 in a circular cross-section, shown
in FIG. 5. It is preferred that the circular cross-sectional
diameter of cord 33 be no larger than the cross-sectional diameter
of groove 29 so that cinch ring 31 fits tightly in groove 29. It is
further preferred that cinch ring 31 have the same mean diameter as
groove 29. By "mean" diameter is meant the diameter of the circle
made by a fibre that is located at the center of cord 33. In any
event, cinch ring 31 must be sufficiently large to allow cap 9 to
be slipped over thickened border 7 of vessel 1.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 10, a lever 37 is provided that
is defined by an elongated body 39 and first and second
spaced-apart terminal ends 41 and 43, respectively, that engage
cinch ring 31 somewhere along body 39, between terminal ends 41 and
43. Lever 37 is adapted to be pivotable or moveable between a first
position, shown in FIGS. 3, 6b, 9 and 10, wherein cinch ring 31 is
relaxed in groove 29 in plane x-x and a second position, also shown
in FIGS. 3, 6c, 9 and 10 wherein cinch ring 31 is stretched to
become tight in groove 29 in plane x-y, in an interference fit and
partially pulled from groove 29, to seal the cap tightly about
vessel neck 3. Cinch ring 31 may be made from a variety of plastics
and plastic/rubber blends that have a wide range of flexibility.
Often such a ring is made of flexible polymeric material that is
stretched along an axis before it is formed into ring 31. This
procedure permits cinch ring 31 to have considerable strength along
the axis of stretching without losing strength over a period of
time such as when the cap is sealed against vessel 1 during storage
and transportation. It is usually desirable to have center band 25
made more flexible than top cap portion 13 and/or bottom cap
portion 21 as it will be squeezed by cinch ring 31 against the
outside surface of vessel neck 3 during sealing. As cinch ring 31
is stretched, by pivot action of lever 37, ring 31 is tilted and
part of ring 31 is pulled slightly above or below planar groove 29
so that it is tightened in groove 29 to seal the contents of the
fluid in vessel 1.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, bottom cap portion 21 preferably forms a
narrow slot 45 defined by a pair of spaced-apart, parallel slot
walls 49a and 49b wherein slot 45 and side walls 49a and 49b are
all parallel and axially aligned with the axis y-y of vessel 1.
Also shown in FIG. 4 is a pair of detents 51a and 51b that are
formed in slot walls 49a and 49b for receipt therein of a pair of
outwardly extending nubs 53a and 53b (FIG. 5), that are formed on
opposite sides of lever body 39. As shown in FIG. 5, lever 37 is
preferably formed as a part of cinch ring 31 at juncture 55 and
nubs 53a and 53b, are located spaced-apart from juncture 55. Lever
37 is assembled with cinch ring 31 by pressing nubs 53a and 53b
into detents 51a and 51b, respectively, so that lever 37 is
moveable, between its first position and its second position, by
moving lever 37 in a general orthogonal path with respect to the
plane of cinch ring 31. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, nubs 53a
and 53b can be located inside juncture 55 or outside juncture 55
and be functional.
[0046] In another modification of this invention, FIG. 3 shows top
cap portion bottom surface 19 to have formed thereon a slight
protuberance 59 that extends slightly into central opening 5 of
vessel neck 3. Protuberance 59 aids in retaining cap 9 centered
over upstanding narrow vessel neck 3 when vessel 1 is subject to
handling or other movement that could knock top cap portion 13 from
its centered position on neck 3. Protuberance 59 is not designed to
extend so far down into central opening 5 as to contact any fluid
retained in vessel 1, but just to aid in retaining top cap portion
13 in its centered position.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, in another embodiment of the invention a
handle 61 may be located on lever 37 to aid in grasping and moving
said lever from its first position to its second position and vice
versa. Handle 61 may be made separate from lever 37 or formed as
part of it by molding them together.
[0048] The invention may be used to seal other vessels. For
instance, as shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12, cap 9 may be constructed
for sealing the opening 5 of a fluid-carrying or solid carrying
container 1 of the type having a generally pliable tubular body 63
at one end 65 of which is sealed by a seam 67 and at the other end
71 is located a narrow neck 3 about opening 5, for squeezing out
the contents thereof, such as paint or tooth paste. In this
embodiment, narrow neck 3 is of the type that is surrounded by a
short, thickened outer collar 73 at the distal end of neck 3.
[0049] FIG. 13 shows cap 9 fashioned in different heights and
different thicknesses.
[0050] In this embodiment, cap 9 comprises a central outer cap
portion 75 for positioning transversely across the open end of neck
3 to cover opening 5 as shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12. Outer cap
portion 75 is defined by a top surface 17 terminating at an outer
perimeter or periphery 15 and a spaced-apart bottom surface 19.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 11, a circular, flexible inner cap portion
77 extends about the outside of container neck 3 spaced below outer
collar 73. A thin, flexible center band 25 joins outer cap portion
75 and inner cap portion 77 and extends about container narrow neck
3 to form a groove 29 between outer cap portion 75 and inner cap
portion 77 in a plane y-y generally axially to the plane of top cap
top surface 17. Similarly, a stretchable cinch ring 31 surrounds
container neck 3 in groove 29. A lever 37 including a lever body 39
and further defined by first and second spaced-apart terminal ends
41 and 43, respectively, is joined to cinch ring 31 at a juncture
(not shown). Lever 37 is moveable between first and second
positions adjacent the outside surface of container tubular body 63
wherein the first position allows cinch ring 31 to remain loose in
groove 31 and the second position tightens ring 31 about container
neck 3, below outer collar 73, to seal against escape of the
contents therefrom. As cinch ring 31 is stretched, by pivot action
of lever 37, ring 31 is tilted and part of it is pulled slightly
above or below planar groove 29 so that ring 31 is tightened in
groove 29 to seal the contents of the fluid in tube body 63.
[0052] As in the first embodiment, inner cap portion 77 has a
narrow slot (not shown) formed there through, including a pair of
spaced-apart slot walls (not shown) with at least one pair of
detents, similar to those shown in FIG. 5, formed in each slot wall
so that the narrow slot and slot walls are axially aligned with
neck 3.
[0053] Also, in this embodiment, lever 37 has formed thereon a pair
of outwardly facing nubs, similar to those shown in FIG. 5, on
opposite sides thereof for insertion in the detents formed in the
slot walls for pivotal movement therein. The nubs are spaced-apart
from the cinch ring so that movement of lever 37 from the first
position to the second position causes cinch ring 31 to be
stretched tightly in groove 29 and about neck 3 of tubular body 63.
As cinch ring 31 is stretched, by pivot action of lever 37, ring 31
is tilted and part of it is pulled slightly above or below planar
groove 29 so that it is tightened in groove 29 to seal the contents
of the fluid in tube 63.
[0054] As in the first embodiment, the nubs may be located inside
or outside cinch ring 31. In addition, outer cap portion 75 may
contain a printable or smooth finish while outer cap portion 75 may
also include a bottom cap surface 19 that protrudes slightly into
central opening 5 of tubular body 63. Still further, this latter
embodiment may include outer cap portion 75 extending downward over
the outer surface of outer collar 73 to seal the cap to container
1.
[0055] While the invention has been described with reference to a
particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be
able to make various modifications to the described embodiment of
the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope
thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps
which perform substantially the same function in substantially the
same way to achieve substantially the same result are within the
scope of this invention.
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