U.S. patent application number 12/792993 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for vented bottle.
Invention is credited to Casper Chiang, Andrew Doan.
Application Number | 20110297698 12/792993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45063699 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110297698 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiang; Casper ; et
al. |
December 8, 2011 |
VENTED BOTTLE
Abstract
Described is a bottle having a cap with an atmospheric venting
means comprising a venting receptacle and a porous thermoplastic
plug. The porous plug can be held in place with a retaining
ring.
Inventors: |
Chiang; Casper; (Danville,
CA) ; Doan; Andrew; (San Francisco, CA) |
Family ID: |
45063699 |
Appl. No.: |
12/792993 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/109 ;
215/308; 220/254.3; 220/371; 220/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20130101;
B65D 47/06 20130101; B65D 51/1616 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/109 ;
220/371; 215/308; 220/373; 220/254.3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 51/18 20060101 B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A bottle comprising: a container having a threaded neck; and a
dispensing closure having a base member, a cap, and a hinge
connecting the base member and the cap, wherein the base member
comprises a threaded skirt member and a deck member wherein the
deck member comprises a spout, wherein the cap has an outer wall
and a top surface having an cylindrical venting receptacle, the
venting receptacle having at least one small orifice fluidly
attached to the top surface and a larger orifice at the opposite
end wherein the venting receptacle holds a porous thermoplastic
plug.
2. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the porous thermoplastic plug is
molded, open-celled polyethylene having a nominal pore size of 1
micron to 25 microns.
3. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the porous thermoplastic plug is
compressible.
4. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the venting receptacle contains a
retaining ring.
5. The bottle of claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic plug is
inserted past the retaining ring.
6. The bottle of claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic plug is
compressed by the retaining ring.
7. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic plug extends
beyond the venting receptacle larger orifice.
8. The bottle of claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic plug has curved
ends.
9. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the cap outer wall has an
interior surface and the interior surface within the venting
receptacle has one or more ribs to abut the thermoplastic plug.
10. A bottle comprising: a container having a threaded neck and a
pour spout; and a dispensing closure having a cap with a cap top
surface and a threaded skirt member, wherein the cap top surface
has a venting receptacle, the venting receptacle containing a
porous thermoplastic plug.
11. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the porous thermoplastic plug
is molded, open-celled polyethylene having a nominal pore size of 1
micron to 25 microns.
12. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the porous thermoplastic plug
is compressible.
13. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the venting receptacle contains
a retaining ring.
14. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic plug extends
beyond the venting receptacle larger orifice.
15. The bottle of claim 14, wherein the thermoplastic plug has
curved ends.
16. A bottle comprising: a container having a neck; and a
dispensing closure comprising a cap, wherein the cap has an outer
wall and a top surface having an venting receptacle, the venting
receptacle having at least one small orifice fluidly attached to
the top surface and a larger orifice at the opposite end, wherein
the venting receptacle holds a porous thermoplastic plug.
17. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the porous thermoplastic plug
is molded, open-celled polyethylene having a nominal pore size of 1
micron to 25 microns.
18. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the venting receptacle contains
a retaining ring.
19. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the thermoplastic plug extends
beyond the venting receptacle larger orifice.
20. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the thermoplastic plug has
curved ends.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to vented bottle closures
on bottles for dispensing liquids, such as liquid cleaners and the
like. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to
flip top and screw top closures with atmospheric venting.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A variety of solutions have been disclosed for storage
venting of screw top closures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,870
to Pearce discloses ridges with slots or grooves on the inside top
horizontal surface of a screw cap to allow venting from inside the
bottle. Another example of screw cap venting is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,048,140 to Caldwell, where the screw cap is slotted
through the threads and on the inside top surface. Other venting
solutions applicable to screw top containers have used venting
liners, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,857, U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,728, and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,074. Venting for a flip-top closure is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,625 to Baird et al. All these
solutions achieve some level of success for passive venting with
minimal liquid loss through the venting mechanism.
[0005] These venting solutions primarily require expensive
technology to achieve passive venting through the cap threads or
the bottle outlet. Accordingly, what is needed is a simpler but
suitable venting during storage for a flip-top and screw top
closures having a pour spout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
in one embodiment, is a bottle comprising a container having a
threaded neck; and a dispensing closure having a base member, a
cap, and a hinge connecting the base member and the cap,
[0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
bottle comprises a container having a threaded neck and a pour
spout; and a dispensing closure having a cap with a cap top surface
and a threaded skirt member, wherein the cap top surface has a
venting orifice fitment, the orifice fitment containing a porous
thermoplastic plug.
[0008] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
a bottle comprises a container having a neck; and a dispensing
closure comprising a cap, wherein the cap has an outer wall and a
top surface having an cylindrical venting receptacle, the venting
receptacle having at least one small orifice fluidly attached to
the top surface and a larger orifice at the opposite end wherein
the venting receptacle holds a porous thermoplastic plug.
[0009] The use of the bottle of the present invention, from a
consumer perspective, would not differ from the use of any
conventional dispensing bottle known in the art. The closure could
be threaded or non-threaded, for example snap-on, or could be
removable or non-removable. The user would simply open the closure
mechanism to dispense fluid from the bottle.
[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view
of the detailed description of embodiments below, when considered
together with the attached drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing aspects and others will be readily appreciated
by the skilled artisan from the following description of
illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a side plan view of a bottle in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a closure portion according to
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a closure portion
according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the closure portion of FIG.
3;
[0016] FIG. 5A shows a sectional view of a closure portion;
[0017] FIG. 5B shows a sectional view of a closure portion;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a closure according to
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of a bottle in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a bottle in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
numerals refer to like parts throughout. For ease of description,
the components of this invention are described in the normal
(upright) operating position, and terms such as upper, lower,
horizontal, top, bottom, etc., are used with reference to this
position. It will be understood, however, that the components
embodying this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported,
used, and sold in an orientation other than the position
described.
[0022] Figures illustrating the components of this invention show
some conventional mechanical elements that are known and that will
be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed descriptions
of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the
invention, and accordingly, are herein presented only to the degree
necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of
the present invention.
[0023] All publications, patents and patent applications cited
herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety to the same extent as if
[0024] As used herein and in the claims, the term "comprising" is
inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional unrecited
elements, compositional components, or method steps. Accordingly,
the term "comprising" encompasses the more restrictive terms
"consisting essentially of" and "consisting of".
[0025] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include
plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, reference to a "surfactant" includes two or more
such surfactants.
[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although
a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice of the present
invention, the preferred materials and methods are described
herein.
[0027] The term "bottle", as used herein, is meant to mean and
include any plastic container and closure for holding a fluid.
[0028] In a suitable embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the bottle 100
comprises a container 102 for holding liquid contents and
dispensing closure 120 having a base member 122, a cap 124, and a
connecting hinge 118, where the closure 120 be securely mounted
onto the container 102 via its base member 122, using any means of
attachment commonly know to those skilled in the art including
cooperative threads, crimping, clipping means, heat sealing, force
fitting, clasp elements, snap-fit bead, groove arrangements, and
mixtures thereof. The dispensing closure 120 of the invention may
be used with many products, including but not limited to,
relatively low or high viscosity liquids, creams, gels,
suspensions, mixtures, lotions, pastes, particulates, granular
products, and mixtures thereof. Typical products for use in the
present invention may be those constituting a food product, a
personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product,
or other compositions of matter for use in
[0029] Showing the dispensing closure 120 in an open position in
FIG. 2 and a cross-sectional view in FIG. 3, the base member 122 is
comprised of two distinct parts, an annular skirt member 170 and a
deck member 172. The skirt member 170 generally forms the external
and surrounding wall of the base member 122 and extends
substantially towards the container direction. The deck member 172
which typically extends substantially transversely to the
longitudinal axis of the container 102 is generally substantially
flat and horizontal or slightly slanted.
[0030] More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the female
thread means 174 for attachment of the base member 122 to the
container 102 is suitably located onto the inner portion of the
outer wall 176 of the skirt member 170 of the base member 122. The
skirt member has an inner wall 177 connecting to the deck member
172. The deck member 172 comprises a beveled spout member 180 which
extends upward from the deck member 172 to dispense product from
the container 102 and a drainback orifice 178.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the top 184 of the cap 124 can
also have a porous thermoplastic plug 186 inserted into a venting
receptacle 188 for venting during storage. The venting receptable
may be cylindrical, rectangular or any other shaped cross section.
The venting receptacle 188 can have a retaining ring 190 that
compresses and retains the porous plug 186 when the porous plug 186
is inserted into venting receptacle 188. The venting receptacle 188
can have a small diameter orifice 192 in the cap top 184 and a
larger diameter orifice 194 at the other end on the interior of the
closed cap 124. The porous plug 186, when inserted into the venting
receptacle 188 can be compressed by the retaining ring 190 and can
extend beyond the larger diameter orifice 194 to allow a greater
flow path for venting. The porous plug 186 can also have rounded
ends 196 to potentially discourage drops of liquid from blocking
the flow path for venting.
[0032] FIG. 5A shows the top 384 of the cap 124 can also have a
porous thermoplastic plug 386 inserted into a cylindrical venting
receptacle 388 for venting during storage. The venting receptacle
388 can have a retaining ring 390 that compresses and/or
[0033] FIG. 5B shows the top 484 of the cap 124 can also have a
porous thermoplastic plug 486 inserted into a cylindrical venting
receptacle 488 for venting during storage. The venting receptacle
488 can have no retaining ring but the plug 486 can be contained in
the venting receptacle 488 by interference fit or my some other
means, such as a coating or welding by heat, friction, or sonic
welding. The venting receptacle 488 can have a small diameter
orifice 492 in the cap top 184 and a larger diameter orifice 494 at
the other end on the interior of the closed cap 124. The porous
plug 486, when inserted into the venting receptacle 488 can be
inserted against the interior wall 498 of the cap top 484 adjacent
to the small diameter orifice 492.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows the dispensing closure 120 in the closed
position and having a base member 122, a cap member 124, a hinge
118, small diameter orifice 192 and a child resistant closure tab
198.
[0035] In another embodiment in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottle 200
comprises a dispensing container 202 having an enclosed handle 204
in the container rear section 203 and a neck 206 in the container
front section 205 with a spout fitment 208 inserted into the
cylindrical neck 206. In this way, the consumer picks up the
container at the handle in the rear section and pours from the
spout in the front section of the container. The bottle 200 also
has a cap 210 which acts to close the pouring spout. The cap 210
has a cap top surface 230 with a small diameter orifice 232 leading
to the venting receptacle 234. The neck 206 has external threads
212 to receive complementary internal threads 214 (FIG. 7) on the
cap closure 210. As seen in FIG. 8, the spout fitment 208 includes
a generally tubular pouring spout 216 having pouring orifice 218
and disposed with an annular sheath 220. The lower end of the spout
216 and the lower end of the sheath 220 are joined by an annular
wall 222. The annular wall 222
[0036] The cap closure 210 has an annular wall 230 with internal
closure threads 214 and one or more locking tabs 234 at the lower
end. The annular wall 230 contains two or more differentiated
pressure points 236 where the annular wall 230 is flexible enough
to be deflected radially inwardly by pushing with the fingers.
Pushing the pressure points 236 inwardly causes the annular wall
230 to flex outwardly at the position of the locking tabs 234. This
allows the locking tabs 234 to move past the stop tabs 238 on the
container neck 206 and the cap closure 210 to be threadedly removed
from the container 202.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, the top surface 230 of the cap 210 can
also have a porous thermoplastic plug 236 inserted into a
cylindrical venting receptacle 234 for venting during storage. The
venting receptacle 234 can have a retaining ring 238 that
compresses and retains the porous plug 236 when the porous plug 236
is inserted into venting receptacle 234. The venting receptable 234
can have a small diameter orifice 232 in the cap top surface 230
and a larger diameter orifice 238 at the other end on the interior
of the cap 210. The porous plug 236, when inserted into the venting
receptacle 234 can be compressed by the retaining ring 238 and can
extend beyond the larger diameter orifice 238 to allow a greater
flow path for venting. The porous plug 236 can also have rounded
ends 240 to potentially discourage drops of liquid from blocking
the flow path for venting.
[0038] The venting plug is preferably a porous plastic plug
comprising a molded, open-cell thermoplastic. The molded open-cell
structure may be created in a sintering process. In a typical
sintering process, a powder is subjected to a thermal/compression
cycle that causes adjacent powder particles to adhere to one
another. By using the sintering process described above with a
variety of different raw materials, porous plastic components with
different pore size (the size of the
[0039] It is well known that to increase the pressure or force of
friction or sealing between two plastic parts can be accomplished
simply by increasing the "interference", the difference between the
dimensions of the two parts; ie. the part with larger dimension is
inserted into another part of smaller dimension, therefore create
the interference and the resulting forces. It is generally and well
accepted that increase the interference will resulted in higher
force. In this present invention, however, we have found that two
parts both with 0.012'' interference, one may leak and the other
had no leaks at 2 psi pressure after 24 hours. This surprising
finding was further studied with Instron force measurement. We have
found that these two parts, 0.195'' dia and 0.205 diameter, when
inserted into receptacles of 0.012'' interference, one with no
leaks actually has higher interference force of 25 lbf while the
one leaked had 16 lbf force. We also observed that one part with
higher "interference" still resulted lower forces. We also have
found that with higher interference did not prevent leakage nor had
higher interference forces. With further analysis and measurement
of the density, we have identified that the pressure is the direct
attribute of the seal effectiveness and most important attribute of
a venting
[0040] This invention has been described herein in detail to
provide those skilled in the art with information relevant to apply
the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized
components as are required. However, it is to be understood that
the invention can be carried out by different equipment, materials
and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the
equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without
departing from the scope of the invention itself.
* * * * *