U.S. patent application number 11/391647 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for bottle cap system that facilitates suction-driven filling of a bottle with a fluid.
Invention is credited to James E. Gannon, A. Wharton Ramsey, Philip W. Ramsey.
Application Number | 20070235105 11/391647 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38573879 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070235105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramsey; Philip W. ; et
al. |
October 11, 2007 |
Bottle cap system that facilitates suction-driven filling of a
bottle with a fluid
Abstract
A bottle cap system for filling a bottle includes a cap adapted
to be sealably attached to the bottle's opening. The cap has first
and second openings formed therethrough with a first conduit being
sealably coupled to the first opening and a second conduit sealably
coupled to the second opening.
Inventors: |
Ramsey; Philip W.;
(Missoula, MT) ; Gannon; James E.; (Missoula,
MT) ; Ramsey; A. Wharton; (Roanoke, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PETER J. VAN BERGEN
402 WEST DUKE OF GLOUCESTER STREET
WILLIAMSBURG
VA
23185
US
|
Family ID: |
38573879 |
Appl. No.: |
11/391647 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20130101; C02F
1/002 20130101; A45F 2003/166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/323 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04; B65B 3/04 20060101 B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A bottle cap system for filling a bottle with a fluid,
comprising: a cap adapted to be sealably attached to a bottle at an
opening thereof, said cap having first and second openings formed
therethrough; a first conduit sealably coupled to said first
opening; and a second conduit sealably coupled to said second
opening wherein, when said cap is sealably attached to the bottle
at the opening, suction forces applied along said first conduit are
transferred to said second conduit.
2. A bottle cap system as in claim 1 further comprising a check
valve fitted in one of said first opening and said first conduit,
said check valve restricting fluid movement therethrough to a
single direction.
3. A bottle cap system as in claim 1 further comprising a filter in
line with said second conduit.
4. A bottle cap system as in claim 1 wherein said first opening and
said second opening are adjacent to one another.
5. A bottle cap system as in claim 1 wherein said first opening is
defined by a first nipple formed by said cap and said second
opening is defined by a second nipple formed by said cap.
6. A bottle cap system as in claim 5 wherein said first nipple and
said second nipple are recessed within the confines of said
cap.
7. A bottle cap system as in claim 6 wherein a single recess is
formed about both of said first nipple and said second nipple.
8. A bottle cap system as in claim 6 wherein a first recess is
formed about said first nipple, and a second recess is formed about
said second nipple.
9. A bottle cap system as in claim 1 wherein said cap is threaded
for engagement with the bottle at the opening thereof.
10. A bottle cap system for filling a bottle with a fluid,
comprising: a molded one-piece cap adapted to be sealably attached
to a bottle at an opening thereof, said cap having first and second
nippled openings formed therethrough; a first conduit press-fit on
one end thereof to said first nippled opening; and a second conduit
press-fit on one end thereof to said second nippled opening
wherein, when said cap is sealably attached to the bottle at the
opening, suction forces applied along said first conduit are
transferred to said second conduit.
11. A bottle cap system as in claim 10 further comprising a check
valve fitted in one of said first nippled opening and said first
conduit, said check valve restricting fluid movement therethrough
to a single direction.
12. A bottle cap system as in claim 10 further comprising a filter
in line with said second conduit.
13. A bottle cap system as in claim 10 wherein said first opening
and said second opening are adjacent to one another.
14. A bottle cap system as in claim 10 wherein each of said first
nippled opening and said second nippled opening are recessed within
the confines of said cap.
15. A bottle cap system as in claim 14 wherein a single recess is
formed about both of said first nippled opening and said second
nippled opening.
16. A bottle cap system as in claim 14 wherein a first recess is
formed about said first nippled opening, and a second recess is
formed about said second nippled opening.
17. A bottle cap system as in claim 10 wherein said cap is threaded
for engagement with the bottle at the opening thereof.
18. A bottle cap system for filling a bottle with a fluid,
comprising: a molded one-piece cap adapted to be sealably attached
to a bottle at an opening thereof, said cap having first and second
nippled openings formed therethrough and recessed within the
confines of said cap; a first conduit press-fit on one end thereof
to said first nippled opening; a check valve fitted in said first
conduit for restricting fluid movement therethrough to a single
direction; a second conduit press-fit on one end thereof to said
second nippled opening wherein, when said cap is sealably attached
to the bottle at the opening, suction forces applied along said
first conduit are transferred to said second conduit; and a fluid
filter in line with said second conduit.
19. A bottle cap system as in claim 18 wherein a single recess is
formed about both of said first nippled opening and said second
nippled opening.
20. A bottle cap system as in claim 18 wherein a first recess is
formed about said first nippled opening, and a second recess is
formed about said second nippled opening.
21. A bottle cap system as in claim 18 wherein said cap is threaded
for engagement with the bottle at the opening thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to transportable storage of
fluids, and more particularly to a bottle cap system that
facilitates filling of a conventional bottle with a fluid using
one's suction force.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Today's recreational sports include a wide variety of
activities (e.g., hiking, rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain
biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, white water rafting,
etc.) that take place in remote unpopulated regions and/or in harsh
environmental conditions. In these regions and/or conditions, it is
important for individuals to keep their bodies properly hydrated.
However, packing sufficient amounts of drinkable fluids for an
entire activity may be difficult or impractical. Typically,
individuals only want to carry a single container of fluid thereby
necessitating re-filling of the container at some point. However,
the container re-filing process can be messy or unsanitary.
Furthermore, although there may be water available from a variety
of nearby natural sources, such water is generally unpotable and/or
distasteful, and could cause serious illness if consumed.
[0003] A variety of water bottle or hydration systems have
incorporated a purification filter to remove unwanted chemicals or
organisms. That is, the unpotable and/or distasteful fluid is
stored in a container with a filter being provided such that the
fluid passes through the filter as it exits the container. However,
this means that the container is contaminated by the unpotable
and/or distasteful fluid. Thus, even after the unwanted fluid has
been emptied from the container, there is a chance that residual
contamination remains. Further, many current water
container/filtration systems use a pump or gravity feed to get the
unpotable and/or distasteful fluid through the system's filter.
However, a pump's moving parts are always subject to failure and
add extra weight. Gravity-feed systems can be slow. Still further,
many current water container/filtration systems are designed for
specific activities (e.g., on-land activities, on-water activities,
etc.), but are not versatile enough to function in a variety of
activities and/or environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a system that facilitates the filling of a conventional
container such as a bottle with a fluid.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
bottle cap system that facilitates filling of a conventional bottle
with a fluid using one's suction force.
[0006] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a bottle cap system that mounts on a conventional bottle to provide
for the filtering of a fluid prior to the fluid being deposited
into the bottle.
[0007] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and
drawings.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a bottle cap
system is provided for filling a bottle with a fluid. The system
has a cap adapted to be sealably attached to a bottle at an opening
thereof. The cap has first and second openings formed therethrough
with a first conduit being sealably coupled to the first opening
and a second conduit sealably coupled to the second opening. With
the cap sealably attached to a bottle at its opening, the free end
of the first conduit is placed in a user's mouth and the free end
of the second conduit is placed in a fluid supply. When the user
applies suction forces to the first conduit, the suction forces are
transferred to the second conduit and operate to draw the fluid
into the second conduit and ultimately into the bottle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon reference to the following
description of the preferred embodiments and to the drawings,
wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an embodiment of a
bottle cap forming the basis for a bottle cap system of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the bottle cap shown
in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap shown in
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of another embodiment of a
bottle cap forming the basis for a bottle cap system of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the bottle cap shown
in FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap shown in
FIG. 4; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the bottle cap system of the
present invention to include a check valve in the suction conduit
and a filter in the raw fluid inlet conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, simultaneous reference will
be made to FIGS. 1-3 where perspective and cross-sectional views of
a novel bottle cap that forms the basis of the bottle cap system of
the present invention are shown. The bottle cap is referenced
generally by numeral 10. To more clearly show the invention's
features, FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of bottle cap 10, FIG. 2
illustrates a bottom view of bottle cap 10, and FIG. 3 illustrates
a cross-sectional view of bottle cap 10. Bottle cap 10 will
typically be used when a user needs to fill a standard container
(e.g., a bottle such as a NALGENE bottle) with a fluid. As will be
explained further hereinbelow, the present invention can include a
filter to filter an unpotable fluid just prior to the storage
thereof. Accordingly, it is to be understood that bottle cap 10 can
be used to fill a container with any fluid without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0018] Bottle cap 10 is typically molded or cast from a material
(e.g., plastic, composite, metal, etc.) that is fairly rigid, will
not corrode, and does not contaminate the fluid being processed
through bottle cap 10. While bottle cap 10 can be shaped in a
variety of ways without limiting the scope of the present
invention, it is typically cylindrical and sized to cooperate with
a conventional bottle opening. The particular size of bottle cap 10
is not a limitation of the present invention.
[0019] Bottle cap 10 is defined by a cap housing 12 that includes
(i) a top 12A and an annular side 12B coupled to and substantially
perpendicular 10 top 12A, and (ii) two through-hole openings 14 and
16 that extend through bottle cap 10. Annular side 12B can have
ridges or knurls 12C formed about its exterior surface to
facilitate the gripping of bottle cap 10. On the interior periphery
of annular side 12B, threads 12D can be formed for threaded and
sealing engagement with a bottle opening (not shown) as will be
explained further below. It is to be understood, however, that the
present invention is not limited to the use of threads 12D as other
attachment/sealing arrangements can be provided for cooperation
with a bottle's opening without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, through-hole openings 14 and
16 are defined in a recessed portion 12E of top 12A where recessed
portion 12E extends into the volume of bottle cap 10 that is
essentially defined by top 12A and annular side 12B. More
specifically, openings 14 and 16 are formed through respective
nipples 18 and 20. Nipples 18 and 20 are positioned adjacent one
another within recessed portion 12E such that they are fully
contained within the confines of bottle cap 10 as defined by top
12A and annular side 12B as best seen in FIG. 3. In this way, the
respective tapered tops 18A and 20A of nipples 18 and 20 are
protected from damage during any rough handling of bottle cap 10.
Such protection of nipples 18 and 20 is important since conduits
(not shown) that will be coupled to nipples 18 and 20 need to form
a fluid-tight seal therewith. However, damage to nipples 18 and 20
could compromise the integrity of this seal.
[0021] Another embodiment of a bottle cap that can be used in the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6 and is referenced generally
by numeral 50. The elements of bottle cap 50 that are the same as
bottle cap 10 are referenced using the same numerals. Bottle cap 50
differs in that two separate recessed portions 12F and 12G are
provided. Each of recessed portions 12F and 12G extend into the
volume of bottle cap 50 that is essentially defined by top 12A and
annular side 12B. Nipple 18 is formed in recessed portion 12F and
nipple 20 is formed in recessed portion 12G. This embodiment
provides a greater degree of protection for nipples 18 and 20 as
any damaging blow would have to be very narrowly focused.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 7, the bottle cap system of the
present invention will be explained. By way of example and for ease
of illustration, bottle cap system 100 will be described using
bottle cap 10 although bottle cap 50 could also be used in the same
fashion. Bottle cap 10 is attached to (e.g., threaded onto) the
opening of a conventional bottle (e.g., a NALGENE bottle) 200 shown
in phantom to indicate that bottle 200 does not comprise part of
bottle cap system 100 and is not a limitation thereof.
[0023] A first conduit 30 is press-fit on one end thereof onto
nipple 18. Typically, conduit 30 will be flexible tubing, a variety
of which are well known in the art. Conduit 30 can have a one-way
check valve 32 positioned therein such that fluid movement through
conduit 30 is in one direction, i.e., from bottle cap 10 towards a
user 300 as indicated by flow arrow 34. Check valve 32 could also
be installed directly in opening 14 without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0024] A second conduit 40 is press-fit on one end thereof onto
nipple 20. Similar to conduit 30, conduit 40 is typically flexible
tubing. Conduit 40 is led from bottle cap 10 to a supply of fluid
400 that is to be used to fill bottle 200. Fluid 400 is can be a
supply of either a drinkable or unpotable fluid. When fluid 400 is
known to be a safe-drinking fluid, conduit 40 can define an open
path from fluid 400 to bottle cap 10. However, when the
drinkability of fluid 400 is uncertain or to assure that bottle 200
is filled with a safe, drinkable fluid, bottle cap system 100 can
incorporate a filter 42 into the fluid path defined by conduit 40.
The choice of filter 42 is not a limitation of the present
invention. Filter 42 can be positioned in or incorporated into
conduit 40, or could be positioned between and coupled to two
pieces 40A and 40B of conduit 40 as shown.
[0025] In operation, with bottle cap system 100 arranged and shown
as described, user 300 simply sucks on the free end of conduit 30.
The user's applied suction force F.sub.s is applied/transferred to
conduit 40 via bottle 200 since bottle cap 10 is sealed to bottle
200. As a result, fluid 400 is drawn into conduit 40 and flows
towards bottle cap 10 as indicated by flow arrow 44. Fluid 400 is
filtered by filter 42 (when filter 42 is present) and then travels
on and into bottle 200 as indicated by flow arrow 46.
[0026] Once bottle 200 has been filled, bottle cap 10 can be
removed from bottle 200 and the bottle's normal drinking cap (not
shown) can be placed thereon. Another post-filling option is to
ready bottle 200 for storage/transportation by removing conduits 30
and 40 from bottle cap 10 and then sealing openings 14 and 16 by,
for example, placing a cover on nipples 18 and 20 or plugs in
openings 14 and 16. Still another post-filing option is to utilize
bottle cap 10 to facilitate drinking from bottle 200. In this
option, conduit 40 is removed, and the user drinks using conduit
30. Note that this option would entail the coupling of another
conduit (not show) to opening 14 at the underside of bottle cap 10.
Accordingly, bottle cap 50 may be preferred in this instance as
recessed portion 12F accessible from the underside of bottle cap 10
(FIG. 5) can serve as an easy attachment point for a conduit.
[0027] The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The
bottle cap system is readily adaptable for use in a wide variety of
recreational sports or emergency conditions. The system allows a
user to fill a bottle without using a pump. When filter 42 is
provided, the fluid that fills a bottle will be filtered before
being deposited in the bottle. The user is isolated from the
unfiltered fluid and the use of check valve 32 assures that the
user's saliva cannot contaminate the filtered fluid. The bottle cap
system is simple, efficient, requires no power, and does not take
up much space.
[0028] Although the invention has been described relative to a
specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and
modifications that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art in light of the above teachings. For example, the nipples and
conduits used in the bottle cap system could be color-coded to
simplify assembly. Further, the conduits (to include check valve 32
and filter 42) could be integrally coupled to the bottle cap
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is
therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically
described.
* * * * *