U.S. patent application number 13/003458 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-12 for cap for a container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nestec S.A.. Invention is credited to Jean-Paul Cerveny, Christian Detrois.
Application Number | 20110108510 13/003458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40090314 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110108510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cerveny; Jean-Paul ; et
al. |
May 12, 2011 |
CAP FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
Cap intended to be secured to the mouth (20) or neck of a
container, particularly a bottle (2), containing a more or less
liquid product. It comprises a cap body (1) of plastic of
cylindrical overall shape, one of the ends (11) of which is open to
accept the mouth (20) of the bottle (2) and the other end of which
consists of at least one end wall (10) forming a means of
dispensing the product contained in the said bottle (2) and in
which end wall at least one orifice (15) is made, the said cap body
(1) containing a cylindrically or slightly frustoconically-shaped
means of closing off the mouth (20).
Inventors: |
Cerveny; Jean-Paul; (Vittel,
FR) ; Detrois; Christian; (Golbey, FR) |
Assignee: |
Nestec S.A.
Vevey
CH
|
Family ID: |
40090314 |
Appl. No.: |
13/003458 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
July 2, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/058313 |
371 Date: |
January 10, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/243
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/316 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 10, 2008 |
EP |
08360024.7 |
Claims
1. Cap intended to be secured to container containing a more or
less liquid product, comprising: a cap body having a cylindrical
overall shape, one of the ends of which is open to accept a mouth
of the container and the other end of which consists of at least
one end wall forming at least one dispensing orifice in the end
wall; and the cap body comprising a cylindrically or slightly
frustoconically-shaped member closing off the mouth, the member
surrounding the mouth in a sealed manner while at the same time
being capable of being moved axially from a closed position in
which the closing-off member is fitted tightly into the mouth of
the container to an open position for dispensing the liquid, in
which position the closing-off member is freed, and vice versa, the
axial movement of the cap body being limited by the end wall which
comes into abutment with the edge of the mouth of the container
when the cap is in the closed position and by at least one stop
secured to the internal face of the cylindrical wall of the cap
body coming into abutment with at least one stop member secured to
the external face of the mouth of the bottle when the cap is in the
open position.
2. Cap according to claim 1, made as a single piece of plastic.
3. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the stop secured to the
internal face of the cylindrical wall of the cap body constitutes,
with the stop member secured to the external face of the mouth of
the container, snap-fastening means.
4. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the stop secured to the
internal face of the cylindrical wall of the cap body and the stop
member secured to the external face of the mouth are each in the
form of an annular flange.
5. Cap according to claim 4, wherein the annular flange comprises a
flat face perpendicular to the axis of the cap and a chamfered
face.
6. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the end wall of the cap body
has one or several dispensing orifices located between the
closing-off member and the cylindrical wall.
7. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the end wall of the cap body
is flat or substantially flat.
8. Cap according to claim 1, comprising an external extension of
the end wall of the cap body comprising a secondary wall connected
to the end wall in a sealed manner, in the middle of which
secondary wall a secondary orifice is formed for dispensing the
product contained in the container.
9. Cap according to claim 8, wherein the secondary wall is
substantially flat or in the form of a mushroom cap.
10. Cap according to claim 1, comprising an internal extension of
the end wall of the cap body consisting of a cylindrical skirt
secured to the internal face of the end wall around the closing-off
member concentrically with respect to the axis of the cap and of a
diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the mouth
of the container, the height of the skirt being defined in such a
way that this skirt remains in contact with the mouth of the
container when the cap is in the open position and in that the end
wall comprises a central circular orifice, the cylindrically-shaped
closing-off member being closed at its free end to prevent the
product contained in the container from passing when the cap is in
the closed position, the orifices are made in the cylindrical wall
of the closing-off member so that the product can pass towards the
central product-dispensing orifice when the cap is in the open
position.
11. Cap according to claim 1, comprising, on the internal face of
the cylindrical wall of the cap body, at least one annular sealing
bulge designed to enhance the sealing between the cap and the
container and/or to limit the build-up, in the cap body, of dust or
other undesirable substances liable to adversely affect cap
hygiene.
12. Cap according to claim 1, which is detachably secured, by
virtue of a tamperproofing ring, to the mouth of the container
before it is actually used.
13. Cap according to claim 12, wherein the tamperproofing ring is
connected by at least a weakened region of material to the free end
edge of the cap body so as to make the cap body easier to detach
from the tamperproofing ring which is molded as one with the cap
body and, once the cap is in place, held firmly secured to the
mouth of the container by an annular retaining member.
14. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the end wall of the cap body
extends laterally beyond the cylindrical wall of the cap body to
form a rim, giving the user a better purchase on the cap.
15. Cap according to claim 1, comprising a protective element
intended to cover the dispensing orifice or orifices so as to
protect them.
16. Cap according to claim 15, wherein the protective element is a
lid or a removable film.
17. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing orifice has an
annular shape.
18. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing orifice
consists of a succession of circular orifices distributed
concentrically around the axis of the cap.
19. Cap according to claim 1, wherein the end wall comprises at
least one protrusion extending in an outwardly direction from the
external face of the end wall.
Description
[0001] The subject of the present invention is a cap for a
container with a mouth or neck and, in particular, for a bottle
containing a more or less liquid product and more particularly, a
cap commonly known as a "sport cap".
[0002] Caps known as "sport caps" for bottles with conventional
mouths, that is to say bottles which have a generally cylindrical
neck that is small in size with respect to the body of the bottle
are currently known and generally consist of a supporting structure
screwed onto the neck of the bottle of a rigid and protruding
liquid-dispensing end-piece mounted on the said supporting
structure and which is opened for dispensing by pulling or turning
the said end-piece, closure on the other hand being effected by
pushing on this end-piece, and a protective element such as a
thermoformed film or a lid when the bottle is not being used.
[0003] Document US 2005/0236440 describes a cap such as this
consisting of a cylindrical base intended to be secured to the
mouth of a bottle by screwing, of an operating element mounted so
that it can rotate axially on the said base and having a passage
through which the liquid contained in the bottle can flow and an
opening element that can rise or fall in response to a
predetermined turning of the operating element in order to open or
close the duct along which liquid is dispensed.
[0004] However, these caps have the disadvantage of forcing the
user to use both hands and perform the manipulation in a number of
steps involving a fair amount of effort and, on the other hand,
because of the prominence of the end-piece, of being exposed to
impact and dirt.
[0005] Document FR 2 826 638 proposes a cap consisting of a
supporting structure intended to be fixed on a container that has a
mouth or neck, of a means of dispensing the liquid or pasty product
contained in the said container, which means is connected to the
said supporting structure by an elastically deformable device that
tends automatically to bring the dispensing means from a position
retracted inside the supporting structure into a deployed position
that allows the liquid or the pasty product to be dispensed with
very little effort or manipulation, the container being opened and
closed by way of a lid collaborating with the said supporting
structure.
[0006] However, these so-called "sport" caps which have a structure
essentially made up of three individual parts, are more complicated
and more expensive than ordinary screw caps or lids that allow the
contents of the container to be dispensed directly from the mouth
of the bottle.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to alleviate these
disadvantages by reducing the complexity of the structure of a cap
and the cost of its manufacture while at the same time offering the
main functionalities and advantages of present-day so-called
"sport" caps.
[0008] The cap according to the present invention, which is
intended to be secured to the mouth or neck of a container,
particularly a bottle, containing a more or less liquid product,
comprises a cap body of plastics being of cylindrical overall
shape, one of the ends of which is open to accept the mouth of the
bottle and the other end of which consists of at least one end wall
forming a means of dispensing the product contained in the said
bottle and in which end wall at least one dispensing orifice is
made, the said cap body containing a cylindrically or slightly
frustoconically-shaped means of closing off the mouth, this means
surrounding this mouth in a sealed manner while at the same time
being capable of being moved axially from a closed position in
which the closing-off means is fitted tightly into the mouth of the
bottle to an open position for dispensing the liquid, in which
position the closing-off means is freed, and vice versa, the axial
movement of the said cap body being limited by the end wall which
comes into abutment with the edge of the mouth of the bottle when
the cap is in the closed position and by at least one stop means
secured to the internal face of the cylindrical wall of the said
cap body coming into abutment with at least one stop means secured
to the external face of the mouth of the said bottle when the cap
is in the open position.
[0009] According to the present invention, the cap will be fitted
onto the mouth of the bottle, after the bottle has been filled, by
snap-fastening the stop means thus allowing the mouth of the bottle
to be inserted quickly and easily into the cap body via its open
free end and preventing it from being removed thereafter.
[0010] The stop means secured to the internal face of the
cylindrical wall of the cap body and the stop means secured to the
external face of the mouth are each in the form of an annular
flange each possibly comprising a flat face perpendicular to the
axis of the cap and a chamfered face; the annular flange of the cap
body will preferably be located at its free end edge comprising the
opening intended to accept the mouth of the bottle.
[0011] The end wall of the cap body may be advantageously flat or
substantially flat and may comprise one or a plurality of orifices
located between the closing-off means and the cylindrical wall. The
end wall may also have at least one protrusion extending in an
outwardly direction from external face of said end wall.
[0012] In a second embodiment of the dispensing means, the cap
according to the present invention will further comprise an
external extension of the end wall of the cap body comprising a
secondary wall connected to the said end wall in a sealed manner,
in the middle of which secondary wall a secondary orifice will be
formed for dispensing the product contained in the bottle. The
secondary wall may be substantially flat or, for example, may be in
the shape of a mushroom cap.
[0013] In a third embodiment of the dispensing means, the cap
according to the present invention will further comprise an
internal extension of the end wall of the cap body which may
consist of a cylindrical skirt secured to the internal face of the
said end wall around the closing-off means concentrically with
respect to the axis of the cap and of a diameter substantially
equal to the external diameter of the mouth of the bottle, the
height of the skirt being defined in such a way that this skirt
remains in contact with the mouth of the bottle when the cap is in
the open position and a central circular orifice will be made in
the said end wall, the cylindrically-shaped closing-off means being
closed at its free end to prevent the product contained in the
bottle from passing when the cap is in the closed position, whereas
the orifices will be made in the cylindrical wall of the
closing-off means so that the product can pass towards the central
product-dispensing orifice when the cap is in the open
position.
[0014] Furthermore, in order to enhance the sealing between the cap
and the bottle and limit the build-up of dust or other undesirable
substances that may affect cap hygiene, this cap may comprise, on
the internal face of the cylindrical wall of the cap body, at least
one annular sealing bulge and/or at least one annular
projection.
[0015] Furthermore, in order that the user can satisfy himself that
the bottle fitted with a cap according to the present invention has
not been opened before he uses it, the cap body will be secured
detachably, particularly via its free end edge, to a tamperproofing
ring which may be connected by at least a weakened region of
material to the said free end edge of the cap body to make the cap
body easier to detach from the tamperproofing ring. According to
the present invention, the tamperproofing ring will be moulded as
one with the cap body and held firmly by an annular retaining means
secured to the mouth of the bottle once the cap is in place.
[0016] In addition also, in order to form a rim that offers the
user a better purchase on the cap, the end wall of the cap body may
preferably extend laterally beyond the cylindrical wall of the said
cap body.
[0017] In addition also, in order to protect the dispensing orifice
or orifices, the cap according to the present invention may
comprise a protective element, such as a lid or a removable film
that is disposable or can be put back after first use, intended to
cover the dispensing orifice or orifices in order to protect
it/them.
[0018] Finally, the dispensing orifice may be in the form of an
interrupted or uninterrupted annulus, or may consist of a
succession of circular orifices distributed concentrically about
the axis of the said cap.
[0019] Finally also, the cap according to the present invention may
be made advantageously as a single piece of plastic.
[0020] The invention will be better understood by virtue of the
following description which relates to a preferred embodiment and
is given by way of non-limiting example and explained with
reference to the attached schematic drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic sectioned view of a cap according
to the present invention in the closed position in a first
embodiment of the dispensing means;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectioned depiction of a cap according
to the present invention in the open position in a first embodiment
of the dispensing means;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectioned depiction of a cap according
to the present invention in a first embodiment of the dispensing
means and in an alternative form of embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectioned depiction of a cap according
to the present invention in a first embodiment of the dispensing
means, associated with a tamperproofing system;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectioned view of a cap according to
the present invention in a second embodiment of the dispensing
means; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectioned depiction of a cap according
to the present invention in a third embodiment of the dispensing
means.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows that a cap according to the present invention
secured to the mouth 20 of a bottle 2 consists of a single piece of
plastic formed by moulding and comprises a cap body 1 which is of
cylindrical shape, one of its ends comprising a flat or
substantially flat wall 10 and its other end comprising an opening
11 via which the neck 20 of the bottle 2 can be inserted into the
cylindrical cap body 1 so that the cap can be fitted onto the mouth
20 of the bottle 2.
[0028] The flat wall 10 of the cap body 1 is equipped, in the
middle of its internal face, with a closing-off means 3 of
cylindrical or frustoconical shape extending axially and, by
fitting tightly into the mouth 20 of the bottle 2, sealing off the
said mouth 20.
[0029] It may also be seen that the flat wall 10 extends laterally
beyond the cylindrical wall 12 of the cap body 1 in such a way as
to form a rim 13 giving the user a better purchase on the cap,
particularly so that he can pull the latter in order to bring the
cap into the open position as may be seen in FIG. 2.
[0030] Furthermore, the external face of the cylindrical wall of
the mouth 20 of the bottle 2 comprises an annular flange 21
intended to collaborate with an annular flange 14 located at the
edge of the opening 11 forming one of the ends of the cylindrical
cap body 1, each annular flange 21, 14 comprises a flat face, 210,
140, respectively, which is perpendicular to the axis 1' of the cap
and a chamfered face 211, 141, respectively, which annular flanges
21, 14 are oriented in opposite directions so that when the mouth
20 of the bottle is introduced into the cylindrical part 12 of the
cap body 1 in order to fit the cap, the thrust exerted on the cap
and the elastic deformation of the cap body 1 which is made of
plastic, causes the annular flange 21 of the cap body 1 to
snap-fasten onto the annular flange 14 of the mouth 20 of the
bottle thereby preventing, once snap-fastening has been performed
and as a result of the mutual contact between the flat faces 210,
140 of the two annular flanges 21, 14 respectively, prevents the
cap from being removed. The only permitted movement is axial
movement of the cap between, on the one hand, the position in which
the flat wall 10 is in abutment against the edge of the mouth 20 of
the bottle, and the position in which the flat face 140 of the
annular flange 14 is in abutment against the flat face 210 of the
annular flange 21.
[0031] The flat wall 10 of the cap body 1 forms a means of
dispensing the product contained in the bottle 2 and for this
purpose comprises one or more orifices 15 located between the
closing-off means 3 and the cylindrical wall 12 so that when the
closing-off means 3 is housed in the mouth 20 of the bottle, the
product contained in the bottle 2 cannot be dispensed, as may be
seen in FIG. 1, and when the closing-off means 3 is free of the
mouth 20 of the bottle, as a result of the cap having been pulled,
the product contained in the bottle 2 can be dispensed, entering
the space 4 delimited by the internal surface of the cylindrical
cap body 10 and the closing-off means 3 and the mouth 20 of the
bottle and then passing through the orifice or orifices 15 made in
the flat wall 10 of the cap body 1, as indicated by the arrows
depicted in FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 2 also shows that when the cap body 1 is in the open
position, sealing between the cap body 1 and the mouth 20 of the
bottle is provided by contact between the two flat faces 210, 140
of the annular flanges 21, 14, respectively, and by contact between
the latter and, respectively, the internal surface of the
cylindrical wall 12 of the cap body 1, and the external surface of
the mouth 20 of the bottle.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a cap according to the present invention in the
open position and further comprising an annular projection 14'
partially depicted and secured to the internal face of the
cylindrical wall 12 of the cap body 1 and which is intended to be
in contact with the external surface of the mouth 20 of the bottle
so as to enhance the sealing between the cap and the bottle 2. It
will be noted that the number of annular sealing projections 14'
can be increased according to the level of sealing expected, and
that these may also have the additional function of preventing
foreign bodies from getting into the cap body 1.
[0034] If reference is now made to FIG. 4, it may be seen that a
cap according to the present invention is secured detachably via
its free end edge 10' to a tamperproofing ring 16 that constitutes
evidence that the cap has been opened before it is actually
used.
[0035] The tamperproofing ring 16 is connected by a weakened region
of material 17 to the free end edge 15 of the cap body 1 to make it
easier for the cap to be detached from the tamperproofing ring 16
which is moulded as one with the cap and held fixedly by virtue of
an annular retaining means 22 secured to the mouth 20 of the bottle
once the cap is in place.
[0036] At the time of first use, the user will twist the cap body 1
about its axis 1' and pull it, and this will break the connection
between the cap body 1 and the tamperproofing ring 16 at the
weakened region 17 and thus free the cap body 1 so that it can
actually be used.
[0037] However, the cap according to the present invention and
depicted in the figures described hereinabove does not offer the
user the dispensing of the product via a central orifice as offered
by present-day so-called "sport" caps because of the orifice or
orifices 15 situated between the closing-off means 3 and the
cylindrical wall 12 and therefore offset from the central axis 1'
of the cap.
[0038] To avoid this situation a second embodiment of the
dispensing means proposes a cap according to the present invention,
as can be seen in FIG. 5, which further comprises an external
extension 18 of the flat wall 10 of the cap body 1 which comprises
a flat additional wall 180 parallel to the flat wall 10 and
connected thereto in a fluidtight manner, this additional wall at
its middle having a secondary orifice 181, preferably of a diameter
smaller than that of the mouth 20 of the bottle 2 and allowing the
product, depicted by arrows, contained in the bottle 2 to be
conveyed towards the secondary orifice 181 centred about the axis
1' of the cap as is the case in present-day caps. The product will
therefore be conveyed from the outlet of the mouth 20 of the bottle
through a first chamber 4 identical to the one depicted in FIG. 2
and then a second chamber 5 corresponding to the interior space of
the extension 18 in order thereafter to be discharged via the
central secondary orifice 181 so that it can be dispensed.
[0039] It will be noted that the additional wall 180 may have a
substantially flat or some other shape, for example the shape of a
mushroom cap.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a cap according to the present invention in a
third embodiment of the dispensing means which further comprises an
internal extension 19 of the flat wall 10 forming one of the ends
of the cap body 1 which consists in a cylindrical skirt secured to
the internal face of the flat wall 10 about the closing-off means 3
concentrically with respect to the axis 1' of the cap and of a
diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the mouth
20 of the bottle 2, the height of the skirt being defined in such a
way that this skirt remains in contact with the mouth 2 of the
bottle when the cap is in the open position.
[0041] This figure also shows that the flat wall 10 has just one
circular orifice 15' made centrally and that the
cylindrically-shaped closing-off means 3 is closed at its free end
to prevent product contained in the bottle 2 from flowing when the
cap is in the closed position on account of the central orifice
situated along the axis of the mouth 20 of the bottle whereas
orifices 30 are made in the cylindrical wall of the closing-off
means 3 to allow the product, represented by arrows, to pass
towards the central product-dispensing orifice 15' when the cap is
in the open position as is the case with present-day sport caps.
The product will therefore be conveyed, when the cap is in the open
position, from the outlet of the mouth 20 of the bottle into a
first chamber 6 delimited by the internal wall of the cylindrical
skirt 19, the internal face of the flat wall 10 and the dispensing
means 3 and then into a second chamber 7 corresponding to the
interior space of the closing-off means 3 in order finally to be
dispensed via the central orifice 15' which opens into the interior
space of the closing-off means 3.
[0042] The cap body 1 is therefore moved axially by pulling on the
cap body 1 in order to bring it into the position in which the
mouth 20 of the bottle 2 is open, and by pushing it to bring it
into the position in which the mouth 20 of the bottle is closed. It
should be noted that the cap body could, in an alternative form of
embodiment, further comprise on its internal face a screw thread
cooperating with a screw thread made on the external surface of the
mouth of the bottle so as to allow the cap body 1 to move axially
by twisting it about its axis 1', in the same way as a conventional
cap screwed onto a mouth of a bottle.
[0043] In order to prevent dirt or dust from entering the cap body
and ensure hygienic use, this cap body may comprise a removable lid
or film such as, for example, a heat-sealed film secured to the top
surface of the cap body comprising the dispensing orifice or
orifices, covering this orifice or these orifices in order to
protect it or them and prevent dust or other particles from
entering the cap body.
[0044] Naturally, the cap according to the present invention can be
manufactured from any suitable material, preferably a plastic of
the polymer or copolymer type, using any conventional technique
such as moulding or injection moulding.
[0045] Of course, the invention is not restricted to the
embodiments described and depicted in the attached drawings.
Modifications can still be made, particularly in terms of the
construction of the various elements or by substituting technical
equivalents without thereby departing from the field of protection
of the invention.
* * * * *