U.S. patent application number 11/471110 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for novelty bottle cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to Parlux Fragrances, Inc.. Invention is credited to Palmer McGuinness.
Application Number | 20080000869 11/471110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38875509 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080000869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McGuinness; Palmer |
January 3, 2008 |
Novelty bottle cap
Abstract
A cap assembly for a container, particularly a bottle for
dispensing an atomized spray of a fragrance product has an inner
member configured to engage the neck of the product container. An
outer member of the cap assembly has a cover portion and a retainer
portion, the retainer portion being axially retained on the inner
member, but free to rotate thereabout. The cover portion is
supported on the inner member by a bearing so that the cover
portion can rotate freely on the container. The cover portion may
be imprinted with graphic indicia to provide a pleasing and/or
intriguing effect when the cover portion spins.
Inventors: |
McGuinness; Palmer; (Coral
Springs, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
1279 OAKMEAD PARKWAY
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085-4040
US
|
Assignee: |
Parlux Fragrances, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38875509 |
Appl. No.: |
11/471110 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/317 ;
215/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2034/007 20130101;
A45D 34/02 20130101; A45D 33/18 20130101; A45D 2200/057
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/317 ;
215/230 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00; B65D 39/00 20060101 B65D039/00 |
Claims
1. A cap for a container comprising: an inner member configured to
engage a neck of a container; an outer member having a cover
portion and a retainer portion, the retainer portion axially
retained on the inner member, but free to rotate thereabout; the
inner member and the outer member having cooperating bearing means
for supporting the outer member on the inner member for
rotation.
2. The cap of claim 1 wherein the bearing means comprises a
centrally located projection on an inner surface of the cover
portion and a centrally located recess in an upper surface of the
inner member.
3. The cap of claim 1 wherein the cover portion and the retainer
portion of the outer member are separate pieces.
4. The cap of claim 3 wherein the cover portion and the retainer
portion are configured to snap together.
5. The cap of claim 1 wherein the inner member has a generally
cylindrical wall portion with a circumferential flange.
6. The cap of claim 5 wherein the retainer portion of the outer
member has a generally annular configuration with an inner
perimeter and an outer perimeter and includes a plurality of clips
disposed on the inner perimeter extending inwardly below the
circumferential flange of the inner member so as to be axially
retained thereunder.
7. The cap of claim 1 wherein the cover portion of the outer member
includes graphic indicia.
8. The cap of claim 7 wherein the graphic indicia create an optical
illusion when the outer member rotates.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of fluid
containers and, more particularly, to a novelty cap for a fragrance
dispensing container.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] Containers for fragrance and cosmetic products come in a
wide variety of styles. Containers for such products are often
highly stylized and the appearance of the container is an important
factor in consumer purchasing decisions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a novelty cap for a
container, particularly a bottle for dispensing an atomized spray
of a fragrance product. In an exemplary embodiment, the cap has an
inner member configured to engage the neck of the product
container. An outer member of the cap has a cover portion and a
retainer portion, the retainer portion being axially retained on
the inner member, but free to rotate thereabout. The cover portion
is supported on the inner member by a bearing so that the cover
portion can rotate freely on the container. The cover portion may
be imprinted with graphic indicia to provide a pleasing and/or
intriguing effect when the cover portion spins.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is side elevation view of a container incorporating
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container cap shown in FIG.
1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap assembly taken
through line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the retainer portion shown in FIG.
3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover portion shown in
FIG. 3.
[0011] FIGS. 6a-6e illustrate graphic indicia that may be applied
to the cover portion of the cap assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However,
it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from
these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions
of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure
the description of the present invention with unnecessary
detail.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a container 10 for a
product such as cologne or perfume that is dispensed with a
pump-action atomizer. While the present invention is described in
this context, it is not limited in this regard and may be employed
with containers for different products and with different types of
containers. Container 10 includes a decorative collar 12. A cap
assembly 14 is fitted to the top of the container and will be
described in greater detail below.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cap assembly 14. In this
view, only the cover portion 16 of the assembly is visible.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of cap assembly 14 taken
through line 3-3 of FIG. 2. The construction of cap assembly 14
will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-5 in addition to FIG.
3. The top portion of container 10 includes a neck portion 11 and a
pump-action atomizer 13 disposed therein. Cap assembly 14 comprises
an outer member 20 and an inner member 22. The outer member 20
includes cover portion 16 as previously mentioned and retainer
portion 18. The cover portion and the retainer portion may be
formed as two separate pieces that are snapped or otherwise secured
together as described below or outer member 20 may be formed as a
single piece.
[0016] The inner wall of inner member 22 has a plurality of
protrusions or beads 24 that mate within groove 23 in the neck
portion 11 of container 10. The cooperation of beads 24 and groove
23 holds the cap assembly securely in place on container 10, but
allows it to be readily removed when desired.
[0017] Retainer portion 18 fits within cover portion 16 and is held
in place by circumferential ridge 26. The retainer portion is
further located by a plurality of tabs 28 that fit within recesses
30 in the cover portion. The retainer portion can thus be snapped
into the cover portion where it is secured axially. Relative
rotation of the retainer portion and cover portion is prevented by
the fit of tabs 28 within recesses 30.
[0018] Retainer portion 18 includes a plurality of clips 32
disposed on its inner perimeter. These clips cooperate with
circumferential flange 34 on inner member 22 to axially capture the
outer member 20 on the inner member. Clips 32 are angled upwardly
so that the outer member can be snapped over the circumferential
flange 34.
[0019] Cover portion 16 has a centrally located projecting pin 36
that rests within a recess or journal 38 that is centrally located
on the top of inner member 22. Pin 36 and recess 38 comprise a
bearing assembly that allows the outer member to spin freely on the
inner member.
[0020] Cover member 16 may be decorated with graphic indicia on the
top surface and/or side wall thereof. These indicia may be designed
to provide a pleasing and/or intriguing appearance when the outer
member is spun on the inner member. Some examples of graphic
indicia that may be applied to the top surface of cover portion 16
are shown in FIGS. 6a-6e. Each of these creates a mesmerizing
optical illusion when rapidly rotated.
[0021] It will be recognized that the above-described invention may
be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the
spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is
understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing
illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended
claims.
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