U.S. patent application number 12/495369 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for safety closure for beverage containers.
Invention is credited to Christopher Schmitt, Erhard Schwartz.
Application Number | 20100294773 12/495369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42229178 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100294773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwartz; Erhard ; et
al. |
November 25, 2010 |
SAFETY CLOSURE FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
Abstract
A safety closure for a beverage container that prevents an
infant from ingesting the closure. The closure includes a
cylindrical cap body to be releasably securable to a beverage
container. The cap body includes lateral projections extending from
the cylindrical cap that are sufficiently long so as to prevent an
infant from ingesting the cap. The projections are provided to also
facilitate rotation of the cap releasably secure the body to a
container.
Inventors: |
Schwartz; Erhard; (Wiesloch,
DE) ; Schmitt; Christopher; (Weinheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP
180 MAIDEN LANE
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
42229178 |
Appl. No.: |
12/495369 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/288 ;
220/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2213/00 20130101;
B65D 41/04 20130101; B65D 25/2802 20130101; B65D 25/28 20130101;
B65D 81/366 20130101; B65D 51/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/288 ;
220/315 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04; B65D 45/00 20060101 B65D045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 19, 2009 |
DE |
202009007163.4 |
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. A safety closure for a beverage container comprising: a
cylindrical cap body that is adapted to be releasably secured to a
beverage container; at least one lateral projection extending from
the cylindrical cap body that is constructed and arranged to assist
in turning the closure and is of sufficient size to prevent an
infant from ingesting the closure.
19. A safety closure as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least two
lateral projections extend from the cap body in diametrically
opposite directions.
20. A safety closure as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lateral
projections are aligned in the same plane and are symmetrical with
respect to each other.
21. A safety closure as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lateral
projections are joined together by a lab to define an opening
between the lateral projections and the tab.
22. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the opening is
positioned above the cap.
23. A safety closure as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cap body
has a central axis and the opening is symmetrically disposed about
the axis of the cap body.
24. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the thickness
of the lateral projections increase as the lateral projections
extend from the cap body.
25. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the lateral
projections of the tab are substantially configured and will
approximate the shape of an isosceles triangle.
26. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the lateral
projections and the tab form a substantially triangular projection
with each side being a length in the range of 2.5 cm to 6 cm.
27. A safety closure as claimed in claim 26, wherein the thickness
of the projections and tab is greater at the periphery thereof.
28. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the width and
height of the closure are in the range of 2.5 cm and 6 cm.
29. A safety closure as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cap has
threads on the inner surface to permit the cap to be rotatable and
releasably secured to a container.
30. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cap body,
the lateral projections and the tab are all constructed of a
polymer from the group comprising PE, PP, a PP copolymer, a PP-PE
copolymer or a PP-PE blend.
31. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cap and
projections are made of a biodegradable material.
32. A safety closure as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cap body
includes a locking mechanism.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a safety closure
for a beverage container and in particular to a safety closure that
includes lateral projections that facilitate rotation of the
closure and also are configured to prevent an infant from ingesting
the closure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Beverages are often stored in containers that have screw
caps. When the beverage is consumed thereafter, the cap that is
removed from the container is often left in the proximity of an
infant. There is of course the risk of an infant ingesting the cap
into his/her mouth. This is particularly a concern when the
beverage in the container is one that is targeted toward children
and infants. Since the dimensions of most conventional closures are
only insignificantly larger in diameter when compared to the
respective opening in the container, the size of most conventional
bottle caps would make them ingestible by an infant. Accordingly, a
bottle closure that would avoid the risk of ingestion would be
desirable.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a
safety closure for a beverage container that would prevent an
infant from ingesting the cap is provided. The closure includes a
cylindrical cap body that is adapted to be releasably secured to a
beverage container. At least one lateral projection extends from
the cylindrical cap and is of a sufficient length to prevent an
infant from ingesting the cap and also facilitates rotation of the
cap to releasably secure the cap to the container. In a preferred
embodiment, the lateral projections face in opposite direction and
are aligned with each other and are of sufficient dimension to
prevent an infant from ingesting the safety closure.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
improved safety closure that prevents infants from ingesting the
closure.
[0005] It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a
safety closure that prevents ingestion by an infant for use with
containers that have food products.
[0006] It is still a further object of the instant invention to
have a safety closure with lateral projections that are
sufficiently dimensioned with respect to an infants' anatomy to
prevent a health hazard caused by swallowing.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a closure
cap that has an ergonomic configuration that is for use with a flat
container pouch that can store beverages and that permits a high
packing density.
[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a safety
closure that includes projections that form an opening for saving
material and for permitting the opening to receive a fastener or be
supported on a post.
[0009] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
is described further below. This summary section is meant merely to
illustrate certain features of the invention. It is not meant to
limit the scope of the invention in any way. The failure to discuss
a specific feature or embodiment of the invention or the inclusion
of one or more features in this summary section not be construed to
limit the invention claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the application will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For purposes of illustrating the device of the present
application there is shown in the drawings preferred embodiments.
It should be understood, however, that the application is not
limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown. In
the drawings
[0011] FIG. 1a is the side elevational view of a safety closure cap
constructed in accordance with the instant invention;
[0012] FIG. 1b is a front elevational view of a safety closure in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant
invention;
[0013] FIG. 1c is a top view of the safety closure of the preferred
embodiment of the instant invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the safety closure
constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
instant invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1a;
and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 1a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Reference is made to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 2 wherein a safety
closure, generally indicated at 1 that is constructed in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted. Safety
closure 1 includes a substantially cylindrical cap 3 and a lateral
wing generally indicated as 5 which is symmetrical relative to the
central access 3a of the cap 3. Wing 5 includes lateral projections
5a and 5b which are diametrically opposed and are aligned with one
another. Lateral projections 5a and 5b are connected by a tab
shaped section 5c and together define an opening 7.
[0018] As will be discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG.
2, the basic body cap 3 has an internal thread 9 so that the
closure can be screwed on to the external thread of a container
opening (not shown). Furthermore a conventional safety lock 11 can
be provided on the body cap. The lock primarily insures that a
closed container has not been previously opened and is provided for
safety purposes.
[0019] Reference is specifically made to FIG. 3 wherein the cross
section of the wing 5 is depicted. The thickness of the wing
construction is configured to increase in thickness outwardly from
a minimal thickness D.sub.1 with a central transmission region 5d
at the cylindrical wall of cap body 3 to a maximum thickness
D.sub.2 in the surrounding outer edge region 5e of the wing 5. This
configuration is easy to grip so that the fingers, particularly
those of infant, will slide off less easily on operation of the
cap. Moreover, the thicker end region 5e prevents a situation where
closures are often stored in bulk and are separated during
manufacture get wedged together, because the thickness D.sub.2 is
larger than the width of the gap formed between the basic cap body
3 and the safety lock 11. Accordingly, you obtain the benefit of
saving material when forming the wing 5 and at the same time the
wing cannot get wedged in the gap of another closure cap.
[0020] Reference is made to FIG. 4 wherein the cross section of
wing 5 at the level of the aperture 7 is depicted. As depicted
therein, the cross section of the wing 5 has a maximum thickness
D.sub.2 which provides a bead-like outer region 5e decreasing as it
extends inwardly toward the opening 7. This decreasing thickness
helps to save material while insuring an adequate stiffness for the
wing 5.
[0021] By using this configuration where the thickness of the wing
decreased from its outer periphery as it extends inwardly toward
the opening 7, material used to manufacture the product is saved on
the one hand and an opening is provided on the other hand to permit
a suspended hook to support the closing cap or a container with the
cap screwed on. Such a closure is particularly suitable for
flexible foil pouches that are used to store fruit beverages and
other food products. This closure configuration will facilitate
sales of the product as well as storage and transportation and
handling by the consumer. In an exemplary embodiment opening 7 is
preferably centrally arranged above the basic cap body 3 to
facilitate balanced suspended storage particularly desirable of the
upper region 7a (FIG. 2) of the opening, which during storage will
likely rest on a fastening hook.
[0022] It is however recognized that despite the advantages
described above, it is within the scope of the invention to form
the wing 5 without any recess, without a symmetrical opening or
with a plurality of openings. Similarly, the reduction of the
thickness of the wing as it extends towards the aperture is not a
requirement of the invention but does provide certain benefits
which have already been described above.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1b in an exemplary embodiment the
shape of the closure 1, and in particular that of wing 5,
corresponds to an isosceles triangle with rounded off edges (on the
bottom side of the wing 5, the container side) and a parabolic arc
with the vertex at the top. An essential triangle shape of the wing
has the advantage that the anti-ingestion protection afforded by
the closing cap is independent of the special orientation thereof.
Moreover this benefit is accomplished with a relatively small
amount of material used to form the wing.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment the width E and height F of this
substantially triangle shape are preferably 2.5 cm to 6 cm. In an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, in order to provide even a
greater safety factor, the dimensions are within a range of 3 cm to
6 cm.
[0025] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the shape of
the closing cap can be adapted to a particular container shape in
order to obtain the particularly advantageous ergonomic shape. For
example, the wing 5 need not be in symmetry with the main axis 3a
the basic cap body 3. Rather, there could be a projection at one
side or at both sides of a container. Similarly, the shape and size
ratio of the lateral wing sections 5a and 5b and of the tab section
5c may differ from the embodiment. For example, the opening 7 can
be smaller, the tab shaped section could be thicker. It is however
within the scope of the instant invention that the closing cap 1
should be configured to address an infant's anatomy so that
swallowing or ingestion is reliably prevented.
[0026] Although the invention is suitable for use with large
containers with wide openings and large closing caps, it is
particularly important in the case of small containers to provide a
large closing cap. The ingestion proof closing cap of the instant
invention is therefore particularly advantageous for containers
with contents of up to 1 liter and in particular with containers of
contents of 500 millimeters and for containers with contents of up
to 330 ml. Moreover the ratio of container volume to the volume of
the closing cap defined by the latter contours thereof is
preferably 50 to 1 and in an exemplary embodiment 10 to 2. The
ratio of a maximum dimension of an associated container such as the
height thereof to the width E and/or height F the wing 6 is
preferably 10 to 1 and in an exemplary embodiment 7 to 2. Moreover,
in another embodiment, advantages of the invention are
ergonomically obtained by a ratio of 4 to 2.
[0027] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c, the wing
is substantially triangular shaped so that the lateral regions are
substantially in alignment with each other and/or are aligned in a
plane. This is particularly advantageous when utilized with flat
beverage bags not only from the viewpoint of the ergonomic
standpoint but also from the standpoint of packaging technology.
However, depending on the particular shape of a container, the
instant invention also contemplates that the lateral wing sections
5a and 5b do not need to be in alignment with one another and that
several wings can be contemplated, for example, where the wings are
orthogonally oriented relatively to one another (not shown) and are
mounted on one particular closing cap body 3. In such an
embodiment, it is important that the shape of the closure cap
prevents swallowing by children, and particularly by infants.
[0028] Similarly, although the closing cap assembly can be provided
for an upright or suspended container such as a foil pouch with an
opening provided topside thereof such as a flat bag, the instant
invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment the
closing cap could also be used with a lateral container opening or
a container opening at the bottom of the bag, as long as the
lateral dimensions are selected to prevent ingestion by an
infant.
[0029] The instant invention is particularly desirable for screw
caps. However it could also be used for other caps. For example,
bayonet caps, clamp caps or push-pull caps. A closure according to
the invention would also provide a benefit if it has been fastened
to a container and is detached therefrom for example, after
improper use.
[0030] The closing cap of the instant invention is preferably made
from an elastic sealing material such as polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP), a PP copolymer, a PP-PE copolymer or a PP-PE
blend. Depending on the intended use, and in particular the
beverage stored therein, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
and polyoxymethylene are suited as materials for use in the closing
cap.
[0031] When used with food containers the closing cap 1 must
satisfy the relevant provisions and must in this case be made from
materials recognized to be safe for food products. However, the
closing cap in the instant invention is not limited to food
products. For example, it can also be used for containers storing
products, for body care, domestic and technical applications, such
as soaps, rinsing agents and adhesive. Accordingly, a swallow proof
closing cap which is made from biodegradable material might also be
appropriate given the environmentally friendly concerns that are
now present. Finally, the closing cap of the instant invention is
particularly suited for containers in which liquids or pourable
substances are stored or transported and reliably prevents the
situation where the infant might swallow or ingest the closing
cap.
[0032] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
figures are purely illustrative and that the device may be
implemented in any number of ways as long as the functionality is
retained.
* * * * *