U.S. patent application number 12/134956 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for stainless steel container and plastic cap with finger loop and stainless steel plug.
Invention is credited to Donald G. Carlson, Jeff Cresswell, Chris Kalberer.
Application Number | 20090301990 12/134956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41399333 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090301990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cresswell; Jeff ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINER AND PLASTIC CAP WITH FINGER LOOP AND
STAINLESS STEEL PLUG
Abstract
A plastic cap with inside threads removably attaches to a
stainless steel container with mating rolled steel external
threads. A center stainless steel plug inside the cap fits down
into the container. A silicone O-ring on the cap creates a
watertight seal with the top of the container. The contents of the
stainless steel container only contact the stainless steel plug and
never reach the plastic portion of the cap. A finger loop is built
into the outer periphery of the plastic cap for ease in carrying or
suspending the container.
Inventors: |
Cresswell; Jeff; (Chico,
CA) ; Carlson; Donald G.; (Chico, CA) ;
Kalberer; Chris; (Chico, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DONALD W. MEEKER
924 EAST OCEAN FRONT, # E
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92661
US
|
Family ID: |
41399333 |
Appl. No.: |
12/134956 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/344 ;
215/306; 215/329; 215/364; 220/23.88; 220/304 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/18 20130101; B65D
41/28 20130101; B65D 55/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/344 ;
215/306; 215/329; 215/364; 220/304; 220/23.88 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04; B65D 51/24 20060101 B65D051/24; B65D 53/00 20060101
B65D053/00 |
Claims
1. A cap device for a stainless steel container having external
threads, the device comprising: a substantially plastic cap
comprising a top surface having and a downwardly extending
peripheral annular rim around the top surface, the annular rim
having internal threads inside the annular rim for engaging mating
external threads around a mouth of a stainless steel container to
secure them together and cover the stainless steel container with
the cap; a stainless steel plug secured to an underside of the cap
centered under the cap top surface and spaced apart from the
annular rim so that with the cap screwed onto the stainless steel
container the stainless steel plug extends down into the stainless
steel container thereby preventing contact of liquid in the
stainless steel container with the plastic of the cap; a silicone
O-ring on the cap sealing the top of the rim of the container so
that the contents of the stainless steel container only contact the
stainless steel plug and never contact any plastic surfaces of the
cap.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises a rigid
finger grip loop extending upwardly and outwardly from the top
surface of the cap for holding and hanging the cap with the cap
attached to and covering a stainless steel container for carrying
and storing the covered stainless steel container by the loop.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for securing the
cap to the container with the cap removed from covering the
container.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the means for securing the cap to
the container with the cap removed from covering the container
comprises a flexible cord looped around an outer surface of a neck
of the container and looped around a capped pin extending from the
cap.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the stainless steel plug is
recessed inside a bottom edge of the rim of the cap so that when
the cap is placed on a flat surface with the bottom edge of the rim
contacting the flat surface the stainless steel plug does not
contact the flat surface thereby preventing contamination of the
stainless steel plug.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the stainless steel container
comprises a bottle.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the stainless steel container
comprises a bowl.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the cap of the stainless steel
bowl is flat on top so that a number of covered stainless steel
bowls of diminishing sizes can fit inside one another in a nested
array for storage and transportation of empty stainless steel
bowls.
9. A stainless steel externally threaded container and a mating
internally threaded plastic cap having an internal stainless steel
plug, comprising in combination: a wide mouth stainless steel
container having roll formed stainless steel outside threading
around an outside perimeter of the mouth; a substantially plastic
cap comprising a top surface having and a downwardly extending
peripheral annular rim around the top surface, the annular rim
having internal threads inside the annular rim for engaging the
mating external threads around the mouth of the stainless steel
container to secure them together and cover the stainless steel
container with the cap; a stainless steel plug secured to an
underside of the cap centered under the cap and spaced apart from
the annular rim so that with the cap screwed onto the stainless
steel container the stainless steel plug extends down into the
stainless steel container thereby preventing contact of liquid in
the stainless steel container with the plastic of the lid; a
silicone O-ring on the cap sealing the top of the rim of the
threaded portions of the container so that the contents of the
stainless steel container only contact the stainless steel plug and
never reach the plastic threaded ring.
10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the cap further comprises a
rigid finger grip loop extending upwardly and outwardly from the
top surface of the cap for holding and hanging the cap with the cap
attached to and covering a stainless steel container for carrying
and storing the covered stainless steel container by the loop.
11. The combination of claim 9 further comprising means for
securing the cap to the container with the cap removed from
covering the container.
12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the means for securing the
cap to the container with the cap removed from covering the
container comprises a flexible cord looped around an outer surface
of a neck of the container and looped around a capped pin extending
from the cap.
13. The combination of claim 9 wherein the stainless steel plug is
recessed inside a bottom edge of the rim of the cap so that when
the cap is placed on a flat surface with the bottom edge of the rim
contacting the flat surface the stainless steel plug does not
contact the flat surface thereby preventing contamination of the
stainless steel plug.
14. The combination of claim 9 wherein the stainless steel
container comprises a bottle.
15. The combination of claim 9 wherein the stainless steel
container comprises a bowl.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein the cap of the stainless
steel bowl is flat on top so that a number of covered stainless
steel bowls of diminishing sizes can fit inside one another in a
nested array for storage and transportation of empty stainless
steel bowls.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to container closures and
particularly to a container closure for a stainless steel container
comprising a plastic cap with inside threads to mate with the
outside threads of a stainless steel container, a center stainless
steel plug which fits down into the container, a silicone O-ring on
the cap sealing the top of the rim of the threaded portions of the
container so that the contents of the stainless steel container
only contact the stainless steel plug and never reach the plastic
cap; a finger loop is built into the outer periphery of the plastic
cap for ease in carrying or suspending the container. Description
of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97
and 1.98
[0005] Sports bottles and other beverage containers have been
primarily made from plastics in recent years. It has recently been
a concern that leaching from plastic containers into fluids can
cause cancer among other things. Prior art patents fail to address
the problem of preventing liquid in a stainless steel container
from contacting a plastic cap.
[0006] U.S. Patent Application #20060226110, published Oct. 12,
2006 by Choi, indicates drink bottles with bite-actuated
mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the mouthpieces are self-sealing
mouthpieces that are biased to return from a dispensing
configuration to a closed configuration. The bottles may be rigid
or collapsible and may include a removable cap assembly. In some
embodiments, the bottles include a manual on/off valve adapted to
prevent drink fluid from being dispensed regardless of the
mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the bottles
include a straw extending into the bottle and/or a drink tube
extending from external of the bottle and/or an air return system.
In some embodiments, the bottles include a dispensing spout that is
pivotally coupled to the cap of the drink bottle. In some
embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the
mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual
on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the
bottle regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration.
[0007] U.S. Patent Application #20020084241, published Jul. 4, 2002
by Yu-Hsien, claims a plastic bottle neck ring with a molded
pull-up ring extended either vertically or horizontally from the
top and the rim of the plastic bottle top. The end of the pull-up
ring is free end and the other is the connecting end which connects
to the bottle top. The free end forms a bigger and wider ring and
the connecting end can be one or two. Moreover, at the connecting
end, users can add one narrow space. When the pull-up ring is
horizontal, users can install at both ends of the narrow space a
protruding block and a withholding restrainer. When the pull-up
ring becomes a perpendicular angle, it becomes easier for users to
carry the container.
[0008] U.S. Patent Application #20030146254, published Aug. 7, 2003
by Blondeel, describes a cap for closing an opening in a liquid
container. The cap is provided with coupling means for coupling the
cap to the liquid container, comprising a top element, and an outer
skirt connectable to the top element, and projecting carrying
means, which projecting carrying means are adapted to engage
releasably on an object not connected to the cap.
[0009] U.S. Patent Application #20040217139, published Nov. 4, 2004
by Roth, discloses a closure for a bottle that defines a cavity
opening to a mouth. The closure includes a closure body having a
base portion configured to engage the bottle with the closure body
positioned over the mouth. A liquid passageway is defined by the
base portion and extends at least partially therethrough. A
connector is disposed on the closure body and is adapted to allow
the closure body to be detachably connected to an object.
[0010] U.S. Patent Application #20060180567, published Aug. 17,
2006 by Ott, indicates a bottle tote for a bottle having a mouth,
and a neck ring of enlarged diameter. The tote includes a collar
adapted to engage the neck ring; a handle with a finger hole
operably connected to the collar; and a cap carried by the handle
adapted to close off the mouth. The handle is moveable between an
open position, and a closed position wherein the cap is pressed
against the mouth. An apparatus for carrying a liquid includes a
bottle having a mouth; a handle with a finger hole operably
connected to the bottle; and a cap carried by the handle adapted to
close off the mouth. The handle is moveable between an open
position and a closed position wherein the cap is pressed against
the opening. A belt clip includes at least one arm adapted to be
suspended from a belt, and a hook extending outward from the
arm.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,820, issued Jun. 8, 1999 to Yeh, is for
a beverage container with a grooved lid. Both the beverage
container body and the lid may be made from stainless steel. The
beverage container includes a body defining a hollow interior for
holding liquids, and a curved annular wall attached to the top rim
of the body, the curved annular wall having an upper end that
defines a drinking mouth. The inner diameter of the curved annular
wall is greater at the upper end than at a central portion thereof.
The lid includes a core having an annular outer wall which has a
generally curved configuration, and at least one groove provided
along the annular outer wall and extending from the top end of the
core to the bottom end of the core. The lid further includes a top
plate attached to the top end of the core and completely covering
the groove, with the top plate having an outer circumferential
edge.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,917, issued Jul. 27, 2004 to Blewitt,
Ill., shows a bottle closure having an integrally attached hinged
hook for convenient carrying of the bottle or container when not in
use.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,714, issued Apr. 19, 2005 to
Blanchester, claims a carrying device for attaching to a bottle
around a bottle neck. The carrying device has a ring segment that
is received by the neck below the bottle cap and a hook segment
attached to the ring segment. The ring segment is shaped as a
substantially thin planar disc, and the hook segment is planar and
thin. The hook segment and the ring segment extend in a common
plane and are foldable along an axis line between the hook segment
and the ring segment. The axis line is perpendicularly to a
connection line between centers of the openings of the hook segment
and the ring segment. The planar ring segment and hook segment can
be folded toward each other and be secured around bottle neck by a
cap. In use, the carrying device is unfolded and having the hook
segment available for attachment.
[0014] Two U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,069 issued Jul. 12, 1994 and
5,167,354 issued Dec. 1, 1992 to Cohanfard, describe a
beverage-container carrier and sipping assembly that is designed to
replace the cap on a conventional bottle-type beverage container or
to be directly attached to the circumferential edge of a sport
bottle or an opened beverage can. The assembly consists of a dome
shaped cover that has attached a carrying strap and a straw bore on
its upper surface that to accepts a drinking straw. The strap can
be adjusted to an optimum length to hand carry the cover or to a
length that allows the assembly to be placed around a person's neck
or shoulders. In either case, the strap is attached to the
containers cover at points that correspond to the container
shoulder or center-of-gravity. Therefore, the container is
comfortably balanced and supported when held by the strap. A
vertically or horizontally oriented handle can be added to the
cover to increase the assembly utility.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 364,552, issued Nov. 28, 1995 to Mathiassen,
discloses the ornamental design for a hook for suspending or
carrying bottles containing beverages.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,403, issued Mar. 6, 2001 to Yamaguchi,
indicates a bottle having a hanging tool. The hanging tool
comprises a flat and long connection portion extending sideways
from the neck portion and having a length shorter than an outer
diameter of the bottom of the bottle, and a separately molded wide
annular handle portion. The connection portion is provided at its
intermediate portion with a narrow portion crossing the connection
portion transversely to reduce a thickness thereof, thereby making
the connection portion vertically bendable at the narrow portion, a
free end of the connection portion and the handle portion are
formed at their predetermined locations with joint portions
comprising a pair of engagement means, and the handle portion is
detachable attached to the connection portion. Thereby an injection
mold for molding a preform can be simple in structure and is
suppressed from being enlarged.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,152, issued Nov. 12, 1996 to Arnold,
puts forth a bottle strap that is adapted to detachable engagement
with the neck of a bottle. The neck has a bottle neck ring with a
neck region disposed below the ring. The strap is a flat elongated
flexible thin member having two opposite ends with an enlargement
at one end. The enlargement has an opening therein. The opening has
a serrated periphery and is adapted to be snap-fitted over the
bottle neck ring so that the enlargement is firmly secured to the
neck region, the other end of the member being adapted to
detachably engage the member at a position intermediate its ends,
thereby forming a closed loop.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 511,457, issued Nov. 15, 2005 to Biesecker,
illustrates the ornamental design for a container closure with a
handle.
[0019] What is needed is a stainless steel container with external
threads having a plastic cap with a stainless steel plug fitting
into the container to prevent contact of the liquid in the
container with the plastic cap.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a stainless
steel container with external rolled stainless steel threads around
the outside perimeter of the wide mouth top opening and a plastic
cap with a downward extending annular rim having mating internal
threads for removable securing the cap to the bottle and a
stainless steel plug extending downwardly from the interior of the
cap fitting into the container to prevent contact of the liquid in
the container with the plastic cap.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
O-ring between the cap and the container to seal the cap with a
watertight fit and further assist in preventing contact of the
contents of the container with the plastic cap.
[0022] One more object of the present invention is to provide an
upwardly extending finger loop built into the outer periphery of
the plastic cap extending out past the outer perimeter of the cap
rim for ease in carrying or suspending the bottle from a belt or
hook.
[0023] An alternate object is to provide a flat plastic cap with a
stainless steel plug and a cord pivotally attached to the top of
the cap and to the neck of the stainless steel container to retain
the cap with the container and allow the cap to be screwed onto and
off of the stainless steel container.
[0024] In brief, a cap for a stainless steel container comprises a
plastic cap with inside threads to mate with the rolled stainless
steel outside threads of a large mouth stainless steel container. A
stainless steel plug extends downwardly from the center of the cap
interior to fit down into the bottle to prevent contact of the
contents in the stainless steel container with the plastic of the
cap. A finger loop is built into the outer periphery of the plastic
cap for ease in carrying or suspending the container. A silicone
O-ring between the cap and the bottle rim creates a watertight seal
and further prevents the contents in the stainless steel container
from contacting the plastic of the cap.
[0025] An advantage of the present invention is that it prevents
contact of the contents of the stainless steel container with the
plastic of the cap.
[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a cap with a watertight fit.
[0027] One more advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a covered stainless steel container that is easy to carry
or suspend from a belt or hook.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] These and other details of my invention will be described in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only
by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and
in which drawings:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic cap having a
stainless steel plug of the present invention, showing the top of
the cap with a loop with a finger grip hole;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plastic cap of FIG. 1,
showing the underside of the cap showing a stainless steel plug
extending from the underside of the cap, and showing the internal
threads inside the cap ring;
[0031] FIGS. 3A-3D each show side elevational views of the cap of
FIG. 1 installed on various sizes of wide mouthed stainless steel
bottles;
[0032] FIG. 4. is a side elevational view of the cap of FIG. 1
showing the outside of the cap with ridges or grooves on the rim
for gripping to tighten or loosen the cap;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1
installed on a stainless steel bottle, showing the stainless steel
plug on the underside of the cap, an O-ring encircling the
stainless steel plug, and mating threads on the interior of the cap
and the exterior of the bottle neck;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside of the cap of FIG. 1,
showing the stainless steel plug;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1,
showing how the stainless steel plug is recessed from the bottom
edge of the cap rim so that when the cap is removed from the bottle
and set down on a flat surface the stainless steel plug will not
contact the surface;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of the cap of the present invention installed on a stainless steel
bottle, showing the stainless steel plug on the underside of the
flat top cap with no finger loop, an O-ring encircling the
stainless steel plug, and mating threads on the interior of the cap
and the exterior of the bottle neck, and a retaining cord between
the container neck and the cap;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the plastic cap of FIG. 8,
showing the underside of the cap showing a stainless steel plug
extending from the underside of the cap top, and showing the
internal threads inside the cap ring;
[0038] FIGS. 10A-10D each show side elevational views of the cap of
FIG. 8 installed on various sizes of wide mouthed stainless steel
bottles;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a flat top plastic cap
having a stainless steel plug of the present invention, showing the
cap aligned for installation on a stainless steel bowl;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the flat top plastic
cap installed on the stainless steel bowl of FIG. 11 showing a
nested array of capped bowls of diminishing sizes inside the outer
capped bowl;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the plastic cap of FIG. 11
showing the stainless steel plug on the underside of the cap;
[0042] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the underside of the cap of
FIG. 11 showing the stainless steel plug and the internal threads
on the inside of the cap rim;
[0043] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 11,
showing how the stainless steel plug is recessed from the bottom
edge of the cap rim so that when the cap is removed from the bottle
and set down on a flat surface the stainless steel plug will not
contact the surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] In FIGS. 1-15, a cap 20, 20A, and 20B which can be used on
any externally threaded stainless steel container, or a combination
cap and stainless steel container device 10, 10A comprises a
substantially plastic cap 20, 20A, and 20B a stainless steel plug
24 extending downwardly from the interior surface of the cap top,
and a silicone O-ring 27.
[0045] In FIGS. 1-7, the exterior of the plastic cap 20 has an
upwardly extending loop 22 with a finger grip hole 23 for holding
and hanging the cap 20, with the cap attached to and covering a
wide mouth stainless steel bottle 30 for carrying and storing the
covered stainless steel bottle 30 by the loop. In a preferred
embodiment, the upwardly extending loop 22 extends upwardly away
from the annular rim 21 and outwardly away from the center of the
cap 20 to a position beyond an outer perimeter of the annular rim
21, providing for easy hand grasping and easy encircling by a strap
or a hook for suspending the covered stainless steel bottle 10, 10A
using the loop 22.
[0046] In FIGS. 1-15, the cap 20, 20A, and 20B has a downwardly
extending peripheral annular rim 21, which has external vertical
ridges 26 or grooves that a user can grip when tightening or
loosening the cap 20, 20A and 20B on the bottle 10 or bowl 10A. The
ridges 26 may either partially encircle the exterior of the rim 21,
as show in FIGS. 1 and 10, or may completely encircle the exterior
of the rim 21, as shown in FIG. 4. The annular rim 21 also has
internal threads 25 inside the annular rim for engaging mating
external threads 35 around a mouth of a wide mouth stainless steel
bottle 30, as shown in FIG. 3, or stainless steel bowl 30A, as
shown in FIG. 11, to cover the stainless steel bottle 30 or bowl
30A with the cap 20, 20A.
[0047] A stainless steel plug 24 is secured to the underside of the
cap 20, 20A centered under the cap and spaced apart from the
annular rim 21 so that with the cap screwed onto the stainless
steel bottle 30 or bowl 30A, the stainless steel plug 24 extends
down into the stainless steel bottle 30 or bowl 30A, thereby
preventing contact of liquid in the stainless steel bottle or bowl
with the plastic of the cap 20, 20A and 20B.
[0048] In FIGS. 7, 8, and 15, each of the stainless steel plugs 24
of the plastic caps 20, 20A and 20B is recessed from the bottom rim
18 of the cap so that when the cap is removed from the bottle and
placed on a flat surface, the stainless steel plug does not contact
the flat surface to maintain the stainless steel plug in a sanitary
condition so that the contents of the container contacting the
stainless steel plug will not be exposed to unsanitary
conditions.
[0049] A silicone O-ring 27 encircles the stainless steel plug 24
on the cap 20, 20A, and 20B and creates a seal between the cap and
the neck 31 of the bottle 30 or bowl 30A, creating a watertight
seal between the cap 20, 20A and 20B and the bottle 30 or bowl 30A
when the external threads 35 of the bottle or bowl neck are mated
with internal threads 25 of the cap 20, 20A, and 20B so that the
contents of the stainless steel bottle or bowl only contact the
stainless steel plug 24 of the cap 20, 20A and never contact the
plastic cap.
[0050] In FIGS. 5 and 8, the device of the present invention has a
wide mouth stainless steel bottle 30 (or bowl 30A as seen by
viewing both FIGS. 11 and 14) with roll formed stainless steel
external threads 35 around the outside perimeter of the mouth of
the bottle or bowl 30, 30A that mates with the internal threads 25
of the plastic cap 20, 20A, and 20B.
[0051] In FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, the plastic cap 20 has the upwardly
extending loop 22 with finger grip hole 23 which loop extends above
the cap and beyond the outer perimeter of the cap rim for ease of
gripping and hanging. In FIGS. 8-15, the plastic cap 20A and 20B
has a substantially flat top surface of the cap with no loop and
finger grip hole.
[0052] In FIG. 8, a retaining cord 15 preferably of natural "green"
fiber connects the cap 20B to the container 30 to prevent loss of
the cap when the container is opened for use. A first cord loop 16A
at one end of the cord 15 is secured around the neck 31 of the
container 30 and a second cord loop 16B at the other end of the
cord 15 is secured around a capped pin 14 which may be molded on
the cap during manufacturing. At least the second cord loop 16B
pivots freely around the capped pin 14 to enable the cap 20B to be
turned relative to the container 30 for installation and removal of
the cap.
[0053] In FIG. 12, a nested array of capped bowls 30A of
diminishing sizes fits inside the outer capped bowl for storage of
the bowls.
[0054] It is understood that the preceding description is given
merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the
invention and that various modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.
* * * * *