U.S. patent application number 12/542220 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for cap and closure system for closing a large potable liquid bottle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Crealise Packaging-Conditionnement Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerard Perrin, Henri Pionchon.
Application Number | 20100032399 12/542220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35059481 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100032399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perrin; Gerard ; et
al. |
February 11, 2010 |
Cap and Closure System for Closing a Large Potable Liquid
Bottle
Abstract
A threadless cap for closing a potable liquid bottle is
provided. The potable liquid bottle has a neck with an upper edge
defining a discharge opening. The threadless cap comprises a lid
for overlying and sealingly engaging the upper edge of the neck.
The lid includes a tension ring for retaining the cap on the neck
of the bottle, the tension ring having an inwardly extending rib
for engaging the neck of the bottle. The threadless cap also
comprises a skirt depending from the lid, the skirt including a
line of weakness facilitating a manual tear of the skirt. The
threadless cap further comprises a tear stop at a location
intersecting a line of tear propagating as a result of a manual
pull applied on the skirt, the tear stop preventing the line of
tear to propagate beyond the tear stop. The line of weakness may
include a portion extending across the tension ring to reduce a
retaining force exerted by the tension ring on the neck of the
bottle when a tear line propagating as a result of a manual pull
applied on the skirt extends across the tension ring. Also,
provided is a closure system that includes such a threadless cap
and a protective sheath for application on the cap.
Inventors: |
Perrin; Gerard; (Meyzieu,
FR) ; Pionchon; Henri; (Lyon, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILLER, MATTHIAS & HULL
ONE NORTH FRANKLIN STREET, SUITE 2350
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Crealise Packaging-Conditionnement
Inc.
Rawdon
CA
|
Family ID: |
35059481 |
Appl. No.: |
12/542220 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10822211 |
Apr 8, 2004 |
7581653 |
|
|
12542220 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/43 ; 215/253;
215/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 55/0854 20130101;
B65D 2401/30 20200501; B65D 41/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/43 ; 215/253;
215/316 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02; B65D 43/00 20060101 B65D043/00; B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A closure system for a potable liquid bottle, the potable
liquid bottle having a neck having an upper edge defining a
discharge opening and an annular recessed area below the upper
edge, the annular recessed area having an upper end portion and a
lower end portion, said closure system comprising: a) a threadless
cap, having: i) a lid for overlaying and sealingly engaging the
upper edge; ii) a skirt depending from said lid, said skirt having
a lower edge, said skirt having dimensions such that when said cap
sealingly engages the upper edge of the neck, at least a portion of
the lower edge of said skirt is located between the upper end
portion and the lower end portion of the annular recessed area; b)
a protective sheath for application on said cap and on a portion of
the neck of the bottle below the cap, said protective sheath being
shrinkable to create a recessed zone within the annular recessed
area adjacent the portion of the lower edge of said skirt located
between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the
annular recessed area.
22. A closure system as defined in claim 21, wherein said sheath is
heat shrinkable on said cap and on the portion of the neck of the
bottle below the cap.
23. A closure system as defined in claim 22, wherein said sheath
includes a line of weakness to facilitate tear and removal of said
sheath after said sheath has been heat shrunk on said cap and on
the portion of the neck of the bottle below the cap.
24. A closure system as defined in claim 22, wherein said skirt
includes a line of weakness facilitating a manual tear of said
skirt.
25. A closure system as defined in claim 24, including a pull tab
on said skirt for initiating a tear of said skirt.
26. A closure system as defined in claim 25, wherein the portion of
the lower edge of said skirt that is located between the upper end
portion and the lower end portion of the annular recessed area
includes the entirety of the lower edge of said skirt except said
pull tab.
27. A closure system as defined in claim 24, wherein said line of
weakness is configured such that a strip is formed when said skirt
is being torn.
28. A closure system as defined in claim 27, including a tear stop
at a location intersecting the line of tear propagating as a result
of a manual pull applied on said skirt, said tear stop preventing
the line of tear to propagate beyond said tear stop.
29. A closure system as defined in claim 28, wherein said tear stop
includes a thickened portion on said cap.
30. A closure system as defined in claim 29, wherein said tear stop
prevents complete separation of said strip from a remainder of said
cap.
31. A closure system as defined in claim 30, wherein said strip
extends partially around the perimeter of said cap.
32. A closure system as defined in claim 31, wherein said lid and
said skirt are integrally formed.
33. A closure system as defined in claim 32, wherein said lid and
said skirt are integrally formed by injection molding.
34. A closure system as defined in claim 24, wherein said lid
includes a tension ring for retaining said cap on the neck of the
bottle, said tension ring having an inwardly extending rib for
engaging the neck of the bottle, said line of weakness including a
portion extending across said tension ring to reduce a retaining
force exerted by said tension ring on the neck of the bottle when a
tear line propagating as a result of a manual pull applied on said
skirt extends across said tension ring.
35. A water bottle, comprising: a) a neck having an upper edge
defining a discharge opening; b) an annular recessed area on said
neck below said upper edge, said annular recessed area having an
upper edge portion and a lower edge portion; c) a threadless cap,
having: i) a lid overlaying and sealingly engaging said upper edge;
ii) a skirt depending from said lid, said skirt having a lower
edge, at least a portion of said lower edge being located within
said annular recessed area between said upper edge portion and said
lower edge portion; d) a protective sheath applied on said bottle,
said protective sheath extending over said cap and over a portion
of said neck located below said cap, said protective sheath forming
a recessed zone overlaying said annular recessed area and being
adjacent to the portion of said lower edge of said skirt located
within said annular recessed area between said upper edge portion
and said lower edge portion.
36. A water bottle as defined in claim 35, wherein said sheath is
heat shrunk on said cap and on a portion of the neck of the bottle
below said cap.
37. A water bottle as defined in claim 36, wherein said sheath
includes a line of weakness to facilitate tear and removal of said
sheath.
38. A water bottle as defined in claim 35, wherein said skirt
includes a line of weakness facilitating a manual tear of said
skirt.
39. A water bottle as defined in claim 38, including a pull tab on
said skirt for initiating a tear of said skirt.
40. A water bottle as defined in claim 39, wherein the portion of
the lower edge of said skirt that is located between said upper end
portion and said lower end portion includes the entirety of the
lower edge of said skirt except said pull tab.
41-60. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a threadless cap for
closing a potable liquid bottle, such as a water bottle for a water
dispenser, and to a closure system including such a threadless
cap.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A potable liquid bottle, such as a water bottle for a water
cooler or similar dispenser, is usually provided with a cap to
close and seal a discharge opening on the neck of the bottle during
storage, transportation, and manipulation of the bottle. Of course,
other than water, the potable liquid contained in the bottle can
also be juice, soft drink, or any other type of drinkable
liquid.
[0003] The cap prevents inadvertent spilling of liquid from the
bottle and contamination of the liquid by exposure to the
environment. The cap also ensures that hygienic conditions exist on
surfaces of the neck of the bottle and around the discharge opening
on which liquid flowing out of the bottle will come into direct
contact with. Typically, the cap is made of a polymeric material
and includes a tension ring or the like that provides a radial
force for retaining the cap on the neck of the bottle. The cap also
generally includes a line of weakness that facilitates tearing or
rupturing of the cap material by a manual pull when the cap is to
be removed from the bottle.
[0004] Frequently, however, a tear of the cap material propagating
along the line of weakness propagates along the entire periphery of
the cap, which causes a first portion of the cap on which the
manual pull is applied to be completely detached from a second
portion of the cap which remains fixed on the neck of the bottle.
In other words, conventional caps do not include any means to
prevent complete separation of the first portion of the cap on
which the manual pull is applied from the second portion. It then
becomes difficult to remove the second portion remaining on the
neck of the bottle since there no longer is sufficient cap material
to provide a grip to apply the manual pull. Moreover, the
difficulty in removing the cap is compounded by the presence of the
tension ring which usually remains on the cap as part of the second
portion. In fact, even without the difficulty arising from complete
separation of the first and second portions of the cap,
conventional caps do not include any means to reduce the retaining
force exerted by the tension ring on the neck of the bottle when
the cap is to be removed from the bottle, which often creates
unnecessary difficulty in removing the cap.
[0005] In addition, in order to complement the hygienic conditions
ensured by the cap, a protective sheath, sleeve, or wrap made of a
polymeric material is sometimes used to cover a portion of the neck
of the bottle and the cap. The protective sheath typically covers
the entire cap and a portion of the neck of the bottle below the
cap, since these elements are the ones most frequently contacted
during manipulation of the bottle.
[0006] Now, the neck of the bottle generally has an annular
recessed area below the upper edge of the neck. However, the
dimensions of a conventional cap are such that the cap extends
beyond the lower limit of the annular recessed area of the neck. As
a result, the protective sheath essentially conforms to the outer
surface of the cap and is prevented from conforming to at least a
portion of the annular recessed area of the neck. The resulting
configuration of the protective sheath is such that there is a
tendency for axial sliding of the protective sheath on the cap and
on the portion of the neck of the bottle below the cap during
manipulation of the bottle. In turn, the axial sliding of the
protective sheath can lead to an increase in the area of the neck
of the bottle and the cap that is exposed to direct contact with
human hands during manipulation of the bottle, which is detrimental
to the hygienic conditions of the bottle.
[0007] While various solutions to the above problems have been
proposed, none of these is satisfactory and thus there remains a
need in the industry to provide a threadless cap for closing a
potable liquid bottle that alleviates at least in part the problems
associated with existing caps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with a first broad aspect, the invention
provides a threadless cap for closing a potable liquid bottle. The
potable liquid bottle has a neck with an upper edge defining a
discharge opening. The threadless cap comprises a lid for overlying
and sealingly engaging the upper edge of the neck. The lid includes
a tension ring for retaining the cap on the neck of the bottle, the
tension ring having an inwardly extending rib for engaging the neck
of the bottle. The threadless cap also comprises a skirt depending
from the lid, the skirt including a line of weakness facilitating a
manual tear of the skirt. The threadless cap further comprises a
tear stop at a location intersecting a line of tear propagating as
a result of a manual pull applied on the skirt, the tear stop
preventing the line of tear to propagate beyond the tear stop.
[0009] In accordance with a second broad aspect, the invention
provides a threadless cap for closing a potable liquid bottle. The
potable liquid bottle has a neck with an upper edge defining a
discharge opening. The threadless cap comprises a lid for overlying
and sealingly engaging the upper edge of the neck. The lid includes
a tension ring for retaining the cap on the neck, the tension ring
having an inwardly extending rib for engaging the neck of the
bottle. The threadless cap also comprises a skirt depending from
the lid, the skirt including a line of weakness facilitating a
manual tear of the skirt. The line of weakness includes a portion
extending across the tension ring to reduce a retaining force
exerted by the tension ring on the neck of the bottle when a tear
line propagating as a result of a manual pull applied on the skirt
extends across the tension ring.
[0010] In accordance with a third broad aspect, the invention
provides a closure system for a potable liquid bottle. The potable
liquid bottle has a neck having an upper edge defining a discharge
opening and an annular recessed area below the upper edge, the
annular recessed area having an upper end portion and a lower end
portion. The closure system comprises a threadless cap having a lid
for overlying and sealingly engaging the upper edge. The threadless
cap also has a skirt depending from the lid, the skirt having a
lower edge. The skirt has dimensions such that when the cap
sealingly engages the upper edge of the neck, at least a portion of
the lower edge of the skirt is located between the upper end
portion and the lower end portion of the annular recessed area. The
closure system further comprises a protective sheath for
application on the cap and on a portion of the neck of the bottle
below the cap. The protective sheath is shrinkable to create a
recessed zone within the annular recessed area adjacent the portion
of the lower edge of the skirt located between the upper end
portion and the lower end portion of the annular recessed area.
[0011] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect, the invention
provides a water bottle comprising a neck having an upper edge
defining a discharge opening and an annular recessed area on the
neck below the upper edge, the annular recessed area having an
upper edge portion and a lower edge portion. The water bottle also
has a threadless cap having a lid overlying and sealingly engaging
the upper edge. The threadless cap also has a skirt depending from
the lid, the skirt having a lower edge, at least a portion of the
lower edge being located within the annular recessed area between
the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion. The water bottle
further comprises a protective sheath applied on the bottle, the
protective sheath extending over the cap and over a portion of the
neck located below the cap. The protective sheath forms a recessed
zone overlying the annular recessed area and being adjacent to the
portion of the lower edge of the skirt located within the annular
recessed area between the upper edge portion and the lower edge
portion.
[0012] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect, the invention
provides a threadless cap for a water bottle having a neck with an
upper edge defining a discharge opening, the neck also including an
annular recessed area below the upper edge. The threadless cap
comprises a lid for overlying and sealingly engaging the upper edge
of the bottle. The lid includes a tension ring for retaining the
cap on the neck of the bottle, the tension ring having an inwardly
extending rib for engaging the neck of the bottle. The threadless
cap also comprises a skirt depending from the lid, the skirt having
a lower edge, a portion of the lower edge residing in the annular
recessed area when the cap is applied on the bottle and the lid
sealingly engages the upper edge of the bottle.
[0013] These and other aspects and features of the present
invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon review of the following description of specific
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A detailed description of specific embodiments of the
present invention is provided herein below, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of a threadless cap for
closing a potable liquid bottle in accordance with a specific
example of implementation of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1B shows an isometric view of the neck of the potable
liquid bottle shown in FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the underside of the
threadless cap shown in FIG. 1A;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the threadless cap shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows an elevation view of the threadless cap shown
in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 shown a cross-sectional elevation view of the
threadless cap along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 shown a cross-sectional elevation view of the
threadless cap along line 6-6 in FIG. 3; and
[0022] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a closure system for a
potable liquid bottle in accordance with a specific example of
implementation of the present invention.
[0023] In the drawings, the embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood
that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of
illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not
intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0024] FIG. 1A shows a threadless cap 10 for closing a potable
liquid bottle 12 in accordance with a specific example of
implementation of the invention. In this application, threadless is
intended to mean that the cap 10 does not have threads that are
required to retain the cap 10 on the potable liquid bottle 12. The
potable liquid contained in the bottle 12 can be water, juice, soft
drink, or any other type of drinkable liquid. In the specific
embodiments described in the present description, the potable
liquid bottle 12 on which the cap 10 is to be mounted is a bottle
for a water cooler or other liquid dispenser.
[0025] As can be seen in FIG. 1B, the potable liquid bottle 12 has
a main body 14 defining a container (not shown) for holding liquid.
The bottle 12 also has a neck 18 having an upper edge 27 defining a
discharge opening 20 through which liquid contained in the
container can be discharged, and an annular recessed area 19 below
the upper edge 27. The annular recessed area 19, which extends
around the perimeter of the neck 18, has an upper end portion 21
and a lower end portion 23. Upon installation of the bottle 12 in a
dispenser device (not shown), actuation of the dispenser by a user
causes liquid contained in container to flow through the discharge
opening 20 into the dispenser and eventually through a faucet of
the dispenser, where the liquid can be poured into a glass, cup, or
the like.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B and to FIGS. 2 to 6, the cap 10
comprises a lid 22 for overlying and sealingly engaging the upper
edge 27 of the neck 18 of the bottle 12 and a skirt 24 depending
from the lid 22. In the specific embodiment shown, the lid 22 and
the skirt 24 are a unitary structure made of a polymeric material
such as polyethylene. The lid 22 and the skirt 24 can be integrally
formed, for instance, via an injection molding process. In other
embodiments, the lid 22 and the skirt 24 are made of separate
pieces and thereafter assembled together using, for instance, a
gluing or sonic welding operation. Although not shown in the
drawings, the lid 22 can be provided with a suitable gasket to
better seal the upper edge 27.
[0027] The lid 22 includes a tension ring 26 for retaining the cap
10 on the neck 18 of the bottle 12. Upon positioning the cap 10 on
the neck of the bottle 12, the tension ring 26 provides a radial
force that causes the cap 10 to be retained on the neck 18. The
tension ring 26 has an inwardly extending rib 28 for engaging the
neck 18 of the bottle 12. The rib 28 is an internal projection or
protrusion. In the non-limiting example of implementation shown,
the rib 28 is in the form of a continuous projection extending
along a substantial portion of the perimeter of the lid 22. In
other embodiments, the rib 28 can be segmented, that is, the rib 28
can be formed of individual segments disposed along the periphery
of the lid 22 rather than a continuous structure. Also, in this
specific example of implementation, the tension ring 26 extends
over substantially the entire periphery of the lid 22, although it
is to be understood that the tension ring 26 can also be designed
to extend along only a portion of the periphery of the lid 22. As
well, while the lid 22 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is essentially a
circular structure, it will be appreciated that various other
configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of
the invention.
[0028] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross-sectional view of the cap 10
shows that the thickness of the cap 10 in the shoulder area 83 is
somewhat reduced by comparison to prior art caps in order to
increase the flexibility of the cap 10 in that region. Accordingly,
this allows the rib 28 to be made thicker and to project radially
inwardly further such as to create a stronger retention force on
the neck 18 of the bottle 12. When the cap 10 is applied on the
neck 18 of the bottle 12, the tension ring is progressively spread
radially until it snaps into place. The increased flexibility of
the shoulder area 83 allows the thicker retention ring to be
conveniently applied on the neck 18 of the bottle 12.
[0029] The skirt 24 depends from the lid 22 and surrounds the neck
18 of the bottle 12 when the cap 10 is installed thereon. In the
particular embodiment shown, the skirt 24 has a lower edge 33 and
is dimensioned such that when the cap 10 sealingly engages the
upper edge of the neck 18, at least a portion of the lower edge 33
of the skirt 24 is located between the upper end portion 21 and the
lower end portion 23 of the annular recessed area 19 of the neck 18
of the bottle 12.
[0030] The skirt 24 includes a line of weakness 32 facilitating a
manual tear of the skirt 24. The line of weakness 32 is a line
along which the skirt material is likely to tear or rupture when
the skirt 24 is pulled. In the non-limiting example of
implementation shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the line of weakness 32 is
realized by making the skirt material thinner along a certain line
selected to be the line of weakness 32 than at other portions of
the skirt 24. Alternatively, the line of weakness 32 can be
realized by making a series of indentations or a series of
perforations in the skirt material along a certain line selected to
be the line of weakness 32. In the specific embodiment shown, the
line of weakness 32 extends along a portion of the periphery of the
skirt 24 in the vicinity of the tension ring 26. More specifically,
the line of weakness 32 extends along approximately three-quarters
of the periphery of the skirt 24 in an area adjacent to the tension
ring 26. Furthermore, in this case, the line of weakness 32
includes a portion 38 extending across the tension ring 26. When
the skirt 24 is torn and the material is ruptured at the portion
38, the tension ring 26 is severed which reduces its ability to
hold the cap 10 on the bottle 12.
[0031] In addition, in the non-limiting embodiment shown, the skirt
24 defines a pull tab 34 for facilitating a manual tear of the
skirt material along the line of weakness 32 when the cap 10 is
removed from the bottle 12. The pull tab 34 projects down and
depending on its size may extend down past the lower end portion 23
of the annular recessed area 19.
[0032] In the particular example of implementation shown in FIGS. 1
to 6, the cap 10 further comprises a tear stop 36 at a location
intersecting a line of tear propagating as a result of a manual
pull applied on the skirt 24. The line of tear produced by a manual
pull of the skirt 24 is most likely to follow the line of weakness
32 of the skirt 24. The tear stop 36 prevents the line of tear to
propagate beyond the tear stop 36. More specifically, the tear stop
36 is a structure adapted to prevent propagation of the line of
tear beyond the location of the structure. In the specific
embodiment shown, the tear stop 36 includes a thickened portion on
the cap 10. More specifically, the tear stop 36 is realized by a
thickening of the skirt material in a certain area of the skirt 24.
Thickening of the skirt material is intended to mean that the skirt
material in that certain area of the skirt 24 is thicker than in
adjacent areas of the skirt 24 through which the line of weakness
32 extends. Once the propagating line of tear reaches the tear stop
36, the thicker material of the skirt 24 at that location will
prevent further tearing of the skirt material without a significant
increase in the pulling force applied on the skirt 24. In other
embodiments, the tear stop 36 can be realized by a separate piece
of material affixed, for example, by gluing or sonic welding to a
specific location of the cap 10. In yet other embodiments, the tear
stop 36 can be realized by forming a hole of sufficient dimensions
in the skirt material. When the tear reaches such a tear stop 36,
the absence of material in the hole negates availability of
material through which the tear can propagate and thus prevents
further propagation of the tear beyond that location.
[0033] In the specific example of implementation, the tear stop 36
is located adjacent the rib 28 and as such assists the rib 28 in
performing the function of a tension ring. The tear stop 36 has a
cross-sectional shape that is analogous to the cross-sectional
shape of the rib 28. More specifically, the tear stop 36 has a
smooth ramp surface 37 and allows the tension ring of the cap 10 to
progressively spread radially outwardly as the cap is being snap
fitted on the neck 18 of the bottle 12. Above the ramp surface 37,
the tear stop 36 defines a tooth 39 that engages the neck 18 of the
bottle 12 to assist the tension ring in retaining the cap on the
neck 18 of the bottle 12.
[0034] It will thus be appreciated that the tension ring 26, the
line of weakness 32, and the tear stop 36 facilitate the mounting,
retention, and removal of the cap 10 on or from the neck 18 of the
bottle 12. In particular, the tension ring 26 facilitates
installation and ensures retention of the cap 10 on the neck 18 of
the bottle 12. For their part, the line of weakness 32 and the tear
stop 36 facilitate the removal of the cap 10 from the neck 18 of
the bottle 12.
[0035] Specifically, when a user applies a pulling force on the
pull tab 34 of the skirt 24, a tear or rupture of the skirt
material is initiated and propagates along the line of weakness 32
under continual application of the force. In the particular
embodiment shown, the line of weakness 32 is configured such that a
strip is formed when the skirt 24 is being torn. Upon reaching the
tear stop 36, the tear of the skirt material, or tear line,
propagating along the line of weakness 32 is prevented from further
propagation through the tear stop 36. Advantageously, this prevents
a situation whereby a tear line would propagate along the entire
periphery of the skirt 24 causing for the skirt to be completely
detached from the lid 22, with the latter remaining fixed on the
neck 18 of the bottle 12. In other words, the tear stop 36 prevents
complete separation of the strip formed from the torn skirt
material from the remainder of the cap 10. In addition, owing to
the portion 38 of the line of weakness 32 extending across the
tension ring 26 which, in this particular embodiment, is located
adjacent the tear stop 36, the tear line propagates along the
portion 38 and thus tears or ruptures at least part of the tension
ring 26. As a result, the retaining force exerted by the tension
ring 26 on the neck 18 of the bottle 12 is reduced thereby
facilitating removal of the cap 10 from the neck 18.
[0036] The cap 10 may also be part of a closure system for a
potable liquid bottle. FIG. 7 shows a closure system 40 for a
potable liquid bottle 12, in accordance with a specific example of
implementation of the invention. The bottle 12 is essentially
identical to that described previously in connection with FIG. 1B.
The closure system 40 comprises a threadless cap 10, such as the
cap described previously in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6, and a
protective sheath 42 for application on the cap 10 and on a portion
of the neck 18 of the bottle 12 below the cap 10. The protective
sheath 42 is shrinkable to create a recessed zone 44 within the
annular recessed area 19 of the neck 18 adjacent the portion of the
lower edge 33 of the skirt 24 located between the upper end portion
21 and the lower end portion 23 of the annular recessed area
19.
[0037] In a particular example of implementation, the portion of
the lower edge 33 of the skirt 24 that is located between the upper
end portion 21 and the lower end portion 23 of the annular recessed
area 19 includes the entirety of the lower edge 33 of the skirt 24
except the pull tab 34. Also, the sheath 42 is heat shrinkable on
the cap 10 and on the portion of the neck 18 of the bottle 12 below
the cap 10. Furthermore, like the skirt 24, the sheath 42 includes
a line of weakness 46 to facilitate tear and removal of the sheath
42 after the sheath has been heat shrunk on the cap 10 and on the
portion of the neck 18 of the bottle 12 below the cap 10. The line
of weakness 46 is realized by making the sheath material thinner
along a certain line selected to be the line of weakness 46 than at
other portions of the sheath 42. Alternatively, the line of
weakness 46 can be realized by making a series of indentations or a
series of perforations in the sheath material along a certain line
selected to be the line of weakness 46.
[0038] Advantageously, the recessed zone 44 within the annular
recessed area 19 of the neck 18 reduces the tendency of the sheath
42 to slide on the cap 10 and on the portion of the neck 18 of the
bottle 12 below the cap 10. Thus, the recessed zone 44, which is
made possible by the dimensions of the skirt 24 of the cap 10,
enhances retention of the sheath 42 on the cap 10 and on the
portion of the neck 18 of the bottle 12 below the cap 10. In
addition, the rib 28 of the tension ring 26 projects radially
outwardly out of the cap 10 which further enhances retention of the
sheath 42. The enhanced retention of the sheath 42 helps in
ensuring that hygienic conditions are maintained in the area of the
neck 18 of the bottle 12 and the cap 10 that is exposed to direct
contact with human hands during manipulation of the bottle 12.
[0039] Although the above description related to a specific type of
cap, it will be appreciated that the invention can also be applied
to caps having other features. For instance, the invention can be
applied to a cap which has a lid portion that is pierced when a
bottle on which the cap is mounted is installed in a liquid
dispenser. The invention can also be applied to caps having a
central well as described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No.
6,032,812.
[0040] The above description of the embodiments should not be
interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations,
modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is
defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
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