U.S. patent application number 13/517353 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-08 for bottle cap.
Invention is credited to Jeong-Min Lee, Seong-Jae Lee.
Application Number | 20120279939 13/517353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42128995 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120279939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Jeong-Min ; et
al. |
November 8, 2012 |
BOTTLE CAP
Abstract
A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter holes formed above and below
the storage space to keep the additives within the storage space;
and the additives in the storage space is soluble in the liquid in
the container and discharged through a spout above, and the flow
path of the liquid is characterized by being configured to lead the
liquid to the storage space of the additives to facilitate
dissolution of the additives.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jeong-Min; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee; Seong-Jae; (Seoul, KR) |
Family ID: |
42128995 |
Appl. No.: |
13/517353 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2008/007518 |
371 Date: |
June 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/0025 20130101;
B65D 51/28 20130101; B65D 81/3211 20130101; B65D 2251/08 20130101;
B65D 2251/0093 20130101; B65D 51/2807 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/227 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0106200 |
Nov 27, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0120231 |
Nov 28, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0120827 |
Dec 1, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0121546 |
Dec 5, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0124353 |
Claims
1. A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body to be
combined with the container; a storage member inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter holes formed above and below
the storage member to keep the additives within the storage member;
and the additives in the storage member are soluble in the liquid
in the container and discharged through a spout above, and the flow
path of the liquid is characterized by being configured to lead the
liquid to the storage space of the additives to facilitate
dissolution of the additives.
2. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being shaped in a
cochlea-type tube.
3. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being comprised of
multiple number of compartments connected in a series and the last
compartment is connected to the spout.
4. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plural
storage spaces formed in the storage member are further partitioned
by the upper or lower part of the main body or by space sealing
members.
5. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spout of
said main body is characterized by being formed with filtering
discharge hole or holes.
6. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
spaces in the storage member are comprised of the first storage
space in the center and one or more storage spaces around the first
storage space, and said storage spaces are connected by connecting
paths, and the storage spaces are further partitioned by the upper
or lower part of the main body or by space sealing members.
7. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 6, wherein said space
sealing member formed above the storage space is formed with a
discharge outlet at the end of the space, so that the solution in
the storage space can flow out to the discharge hole of the spout
of the main body of the cap.
8. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spout of
said main body is characterized by being formed with a lid for
closing.
9. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 8, wherein said closing
lid is structured to be separated from the spout or open and close
by upward and downward movement.
10. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said main body
is characterized by being formed with a sealing member, on its
bottom, to retain the content in the storage space.
11. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said main body
is characterized by being formed with two or more types of screw
threads on its inner wall to be applicable to the containers whose
necks are of different standards.
12. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein a lower space
where straw or similar can be connected is formed beneath the
suction hole formed on said storage member.
13. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being comprised of
multiple number of compartments connected in a series, and the
intake hole is formed to begin from the center.
14. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being comprised of
multiple number of compartments connected in a series, and the
intake hole is formed to begin from the outer side of the storage
space.
15. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
member is characterized by being assembled to the main body.
16. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
member is characterized by being integrated with the main body.
17. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 16, wherein the bottom of
said storage member is sealed by the space sealing member when said
storage member is integrated into the main body.
18. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being a crisscross
type.
19. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 18, wherein the
crisscross formation of said storage member leads the liquid
incoming through the suction hole to flow upward and downward, and
then upward again and exit through the spout of the main body.
20. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 19, wherein a discharge
path is provided to crisscross the flow path in said storage
member.
21. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
cochlea-type storage space is formed in said storage member,
filter-type suction hole are through which liquid can enter are
formed outer part, and the liquid entering the suction hole flow up
while rotating.
22. A bottle cap combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter holes formed above and below
the storage space to keep the additives within the storage space;
and the additives in the storage space are soluble in the liquid in
the container and discharged through a spout above, and the storage
space in the storage member contains a certain volume of soluble
solid substances.
23. A bottle cap combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a opening-closing lid formed above the
main body, a storage space inside the main body which contains
additives, and; filter-type discharge hole formed above and below
the storage space to keep the additives within the storage space;
and the additives in the storage space are soluble in the liquid in
the container and discharged through a spout above, and the storage
space in the storage member contains a certain volume of soluble
solid substances.
24. A bottle cap combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container, a opening-closing lid formed above the
main body, an assembly-type storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter-type discharge hole formed
above and below the storage space to keep the additives within the
storage space; and the additives in the storage space are soluble
in the liquid in the container and discharged through a spout
above, and the storage space in the storage member contains a
certain volume of soluble solid substances.
25. A bottle cap combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a opening-closing lid formed above the
main body, an integrated-type storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter-type discharge hole formed
above and below the storage space to keep the additives within the
storage space; and the additives in the storage space are soluble
in the liquid in the container and discharged through a spout
above, and the storage space in the storage member contains a
certain volume of soluble solid substances.
26. A bottle cap combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container, a opening-closing lid formed above the
main body, an assembly-type storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter-type discharge hole formed
above and below the storage space to keep the additives within the
storage space; and the additives in the storage space are soluble
in the liquid in the container and discharged through a spout
above, the storage space in the storage member contains a certain
volume of soluble solid substances, and the content in the storage
member can be sucked up through the spout of said main body.
27. A bottle cap combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a opening-closing lid formed above the
main body, an integrated-type storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter-type discharge hole formed
above and below the storage space to keep the additives within the
storage space; and the additives in the storage space are soluble
in the liquid in the container and discharged through a spout
above, the storage space in the storage member contains a certain
volume of soluble solid substances, and the content in the storage
member can be sucked up through the spout of said main body.
28. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 26, wherein the bottom of
said storage member which is formed in the lower part of said main
body is designed to be connected with a straw to suck up the
content in said storage member into the storage space of said
storage member.
29. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 27, wherein the bottom of
said storage member which is formed in the lower part of said main
body is designed to be connected with a straw to suck up the
content in said storage member into the storage space of said
storage member.
30. A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a storage space inside the main body
which contains additives, and; filter holes formed above and below
the storage space to keep the additives within the storage space;
and the additives in the storage space is soluble in the liquid in
the container and discharged through a spout above, and the when
the user tilts the container and sucks the spout of the main body,
the liquid in the container flows into the storage member to
facilitate dissolution of the additives in the storage space.
31. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 30, wherein the liquid in
the container assembled with said bottle cap, when the spout of the
main body is sucked up, flows through the straw connected to the
bottom of said storage member, dissolve the content in the storage
space in the storage member, and the solution exits through the
spout formed at the top of the cap.
32. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 30, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is so shaped as to make the liquid,
flowing into the suction hole circulate the storage space or
crisscross vertically, while flowing through the compartments of
the storage space.
33. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 32, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being a Cochlea
type.
34. A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of a main body
combined with the container; a lid which can move up and down for
opening and closing; a storage space inside the main body which
contains additives, and; filter holes formed above and below the
storage space to keep the additives within the storage space; and
the additives in the storage space is soluble in the liquid in the
container and discharged through a spout above, and the when the
user tilts the container and sucks the spout of the main body, the
liquid in the container flows into the storage member to facilitate
dissolution of the additives in the storage space.
35. A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container; a hinged lid which can open and close
the spout a storage space inside the main body which contains
additives, and; filter holes formed above and below the storage
space to keep the additives within the storage space; and the
additives in the storage space is soluble in the liquid in the
container and discharged through a spout above, and the when the
user tilts the container and sucks the spout of the main body, the
liquid in the container flows into the storage member to facilitate
dissolution of the additives in the storage space.
36. A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of; a main body
combined with the container, a closure which can open and close the
spout by raising up and lowering down; a storage space inside the
main body which contains additives, and; filter holes formed above
and below the storage space to keep the additives within the
storage space; and the additives in the storage space is soluble in
the liquid in the container and discharged through a spout above,
and the when the user tilts the container and sucks the spout of
the main body, the liquid in the container flows into the storage
member to facilitate dissolution of the additives in the storage
space.
37. A bottle cap which is combined with a beverage container in the
direction of discharge or drinking, comprised of a main body
combined with the container; a lid which can open and close the
spout a storage space inside the main body which contains soluble
additives; said storage space in the storage member is closed
tightly by a sealing member, which is opened by touching or opening
said lid to connect the space in the container and the storage
space, so that the solution in the storage member can be sucked up
by tilting the container and sucking through the spout.
38. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
member is characterized by being formed with filter-type suction
and discharge hole above and below it.
39. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said lid
formed on said spout of the main body, when raised up, removes the
sealing member which is closing the lower suction hole of the
storage member with the connecting rod extending from the bottom of
the lid, to connect the storage space and the space in the
container.
40. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said sealing
member is opened when said lid is opened, and when the user tilts
the container and sucks the lid, the lid is raised to allow the
solution in said storage space in the storage member flow out
through the discharge hole.
41. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein if said
closing lid is once opened, reclosing it does not make the sealing
member close the suction hole.
42. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 41, wherein the
prevention of the reclosing of the suction hole is ensured by the
configuration where the sealing ring or discharge rod is caught by
a reclose-prevention member or by the inner wall of the spout.
43. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being a Cochlea
type.
44. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being a spiral
type.
45. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being a vertical
crisscross type.
46. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
member is characterized by being partitioned into plural storage
spaces.
47. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being assembled to
the main body.
48. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being integrated
with the main body.
49. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein the bottom of
said suction hole which is formed in the lower part of said storage
member is designed to be connected with a straw which connects the
container and the storage space of said storage member.
50. A bottle cap in accordance with the claim 37, wherein said main
body is characterized by being formed with one or more coupling
member on its inner wall to be applicable to the containers whose
necks are of different standards.
51. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 50, wherein said coupling
member is characterized by being formed with the first screw
threads on the top and the second screw threads on the lower inner
wall.
52. A bottle cap in accordance with the claim 37, wherein said
storage member is characterized by being formed with filter-type
suction and discharge holes above and below it.
53. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said
discharge hole is characterized by being formed on the inner wall
of the spout of the main body.
54. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said
discharge hole is characterized by being formed on the inner wall
of the discharge rod connected to the lid.
55. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage
space in the storage member is characterized by being filled with
pellet-type solid content which is soluble in the liquid in the
container.
56. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bottle
caps are designed to be able to be distributed separately from
containers in air-tight packing.
57. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is characterized by
being a foaming type.
58. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is characterized by
being a foaming type.
59. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is characterized by
being flavoring substance.
60. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is characterized by
being flavoring substance.
61. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is shaped in sphere,
pellet, granule, or tablet, whose diameter is at least 2 mm.about.5
mm.
62. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is shaped in sphere,
pellet, granule, or tablet, whose diameter is at least 2 mm.about.5
mm.
63. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is shaped in sphere,
pellet, granule, or tablet, whose diameter is at least 5 mm.about.7
mm.
64. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is shaped in sphere,
pellet, granule, or tablet, whose diameter is at least 5 mm.about.7
mm.
65. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is shaped in sphere,
pellet, granule, or tablet, whose diameter is at least 7 mm.
66. A bottle cap in accordance with claim 37, wherein said content
in the storage space in the storage member is shaped in sphere,
pellet, granule, or tablet, whose diameter is at least 7 mm.
67. A bottle neck in accordance with the claim 1, wherein the inner
volume of said storage space in the storage member is at least 5 cc
(mL).
68. A bottle neck in accordance with the claim 37, wherein the
inner volume of said storage space in the storage member is at
least 5 cc (mL).
69. A bottle neck in accordance with the claim 1, wherein the inner
volume of said storage space in the storage member is less than 5
cc (mL).
70. A bottle neck in accordance with the claim 37, wherein the
inner volume of said storage space in the storage member is less
than 5 cc (mL).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle cap which contains
one or more flavor substances formed in pellets in a storage space
formed inside the cap.
[0002] In addition, the present invention relates to a technology
which configures said storage space in a selective manner so that
the liquid in a container, in the course of drinking, can easily
pass through and dissolve the flavor pellets, and deliver the
flavor to the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve the known
art disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,109,538, 6,333,050, 6,482,451,
5,156,335 and 5,989,590.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Technical Object
[0004] A related art disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,109,538 and
6,333,050 provide filters at the top and bottom of the storage
space of the flavor substance in the straw, so that the flavor
substance is not discharged at once but melted slowly in the flow
of the beverage. However, this kind of art has the disadvantage of
flow resistance caused by the filter elements.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,451--provides another related art,
wherein the filter elements are formed with additional closures and
assembled and jointed onto the inner top and bottom of straw, which
leads to rather excessive cost compared to the benefit and has
limited effect in the appearance of the product.
[0006] U.S. Design Pat. No. 487,375 describes an art wherein the
top portion of straw is adhered and a part of side wall is formed
with small holes to prevent the flavor substance from being
discharged out before being dissolved. The disadvantage of this are
is the complicated structure and manufacturing process, and the
possibility of the flavor granules clogging the small holes while
sucking the beverage.
[0007] U.S. Design Pat. No. 487,375 further describes pressing the
end of straw to retain the flavor substance. However, a straw is
extruded in thin film, cut to desired length, and bored or formed
with folded part by press or roller. Therefore, simple pressing of
thin straw end leads to closing of the end by sucking pressure. To
solve this problem, the straw wall must be formed thicker than
normal straws.
[0008] In addition, said related arts disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,109,538, 6,333,050, 6,482,451, 5,156,335, and 5,989,590 are
substantially limited to the applications to beverage straws, not
applicable, or applicable with limited effect, to the bottle caps
in compliance with the present invention.
[0009] Said known arts relate to a technology where the liquid in a
container flows through a straw by the suction force of the user,
dissolves and delivers the flavor substance or substances contained
in the straw to the user. When any one of said arts is applied to a
bottle cap, the user can suck the liquid in the bottle, but cannot
drink it, which the bottle cap in compliance with the present
invention enables. Therefore, the art pursued in the present
invention is a different technology from the technologies disclosed
in said patents.
[0010] For information purpose, the related arts set forth and
described hereinabove have been designed and implemented partially,
for example, to add flavor, such as chocolate, banana, strawberry,
etc., to milk at off-line to eliminate the flushing process of
production facilities.
[0011] The present invention relates to a technical variation of
the above described arts, by implementing the arts in a cap which
is applicable to plastics or glass bottles, carton packs, pouches,
or metal cans.
Technical Solution
[0012] As an embodiment of the present invention, the bottle caps
can be implemented in various shapes in accordance with the bottle
or container, and as a means of configuration, the caps in
compliance with the present invention can be a screw type,
one-touch type, or applied to containers by assembling, bonding,
welding, etc.
[0013] In addition, solid flavor pellets are filled in the storage
space formed in said cap, and the ends of the storage space are
sealed, leaving holes for the flow path of the liquid, to hold the
pellets within the space, and all these can be designed and
implemented in various configurations according to the packaging
method of the cap on bottle.
[0014] In addition, said caps can be distributed being assembled
with the containers (bottles), or separately so that the users can
apply them to available containers. To enable the caps to be
coupled with various shapes of container necks, the main body is
designed in multiple bottle neck adaptation configuration.
[0015] In addition, the diameter of the flavor pellets to be filled
in the storage space of the cap is preferable 5 mm or larger (or 2
mm-5 mm according to the application). The pellets can incorporate
foam generating agent for foaming and dissolving when contacting
liquid, or only aromatic substance which will be dissolved out
gradually. The pellets can be made of a polymer or a mineral
material. If a mineral is used, it may be magnetized to magnetize
the liquid. However, the selection of the mineral type is another
field of art and not included in the present invention.
[0016] In addition, said storage space in the cap can be shaped in
a long, spiral tubular structure to provide long contact between
the liquid and the pellets to facilitate dissolution, and the
method and design of the extension of the contacting path need not
be specified specifically.
[0017] In addition, said storage space in the cap can be formed as
an integral part of the cap, or produced separately and assembled
with the cap by various methods including insertion or bonding, to
achieve the functional object.
[0018] In addition, the method of discharging the ingredients of
the pellets contained in the cap can be removing the lid formed on
the spout of the main body, or lift up or lower down the cap or
closure assembled to the spout, or rotating the cap or closure,
however, these variations apply only to a limited part of the
present invention and do not limit the expansive interpretation of
the present invention.
Effect of the Present Invention
[0019] The cap in compliance with the present invention has flavor
substance or substances in the storage space inside the cap to
allow drinking or sucking the flavor substance(s), as appropriate,
easily and promptly, whenever and wherever.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 show an embodiment of the present
invention, wherein FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross section of the
cap in compliance with the present invention,
[0021] FIG. 2 shows the state of use--drinking the content in the
cap,
[0022] FIG. 3 shows the state of use--sucking the content in the
cap,
[0023] FIG. 4 is a view of the bottle cap in compliance with the
present invention coupled with another container neck,
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage member,
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
storage member, and
[0026] FIG. 7 is a view of the assembly of the storage space and
the sealing above the space.
[0027] FIGS. 8(a, b) show another embodiment of the present
invention, where FIG. 8(a) is a longitudinal cross section and FIG.
8(b) is a perspective view of the storage space.
[0028] FIGS. 9(a, b, c) show longitudinal cross section of another
embodiment of the bottle cap in compliance with the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 10 to FIG. 15 show longitudinal cross sections of other
embodiments of the bottle cap in compliance with the present
invention.
[0030] FIGS. 16(a, b) show another embodiment of the present
invention, where FIG. 16(a) is a view of drinking the content in
the storage space and FIG. 16(b) is a view of sucking up the
content in the storage space.
[0031] FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show longitudinal cross sections of
other embodiments of the bottle cap in compliance with the present
invention.
[0032] FIGS. 19(a, b) show another embodiment of the present
invention, where FIG. 19(a) is a longitudinal cross section and
FIG. 19(b) is a view of the use of the bottle cap.
[0033] FIG. 20 to FIG. 22 show longitudinal cross sections of other
embodiments of the bottle cap in compliance with the present
invention.
[0034] FIGS. 23(a, b) show another embodiment of the present
invention, where FIG. 23(a) is a longitudinal cross section and
FIG. 23(b) is a view of the use of the bottle cap.
[0035] FIG. 24 to FIG. 27 show longitudinal cross sections of other
embodiments of the bottle cap in compliance with the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0036] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described in detail referring to the attached drawings.
[0037] To describe an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
referring to the attached drawings, as presented in FIG. 1, the cap
(1) consists with the main body (100) and a cover (200), and said
main body (100) is formed with a storage member (300).
[0038] The content in the storage member (300) can be spherical
shape, such as pellets or tablets, and preferably, can afford the
flow paths within them and can be dissolved in the liquid. As long
as the content can be dissolved or emit flavor substance into the
liquid, the configuration is not specifically limited in any
case.
[0039] In addition, the storage member (300) is preferably a long
tubular shape to promote dissolution of the content into the liquid
flow. For example, the storage member (300) can be a spiral tube,
that is a cochlea.
[0040] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of said storage member
(300). As illustrated, the first storage space (301) and the second
storage space (302) are formed at the center and outer part,
respectively, and connected with a connection path (303) whose size
or shape can be implemented in a wide range of variation and are
not limited to a specific design.
[0041] In addition, filter holes (304) are formed at the bottom of
the first storage space (301), the first (301) and second (302)
storage spaces are filled with flavor pellets, and preferably, can
afford the flow paths within them and can be dissolved in the
liquid. As long as the content can be dissolved or emit flavor
substance into the liquid, the configuration is not specifically
limited.
[0042] In addition, filtering holes (101) are formed inside the
spout (102) of the main body (100) to keep the content in the first
(301) and second (302) storage spaces, a space sealing part (305)
is formed in the upper part to facilitate the liquid flow from the
first storage space (301) to the second (302) storage spaces, and
an outlet (306) is provided as the path of the liquid into the
discharge opening (101).
[0043] In addition, the spout (102) at the cap (1) is to be shaped
as to enable sucking up of the content in the storage member (300),
therefore, the spout (102) can be designed in a wide variety of
shapes and configurations, not departing from the spirit of the
present invention.
[0044] In addition, the suction hole (304) formed in said storage
member (300) need not be positioned at the center. For example,
when said suction hole (304) is formed on the bottom of said second
storage space (302), the outlet (306) above it is preferable
positioned at the upper part of the first storage space (301),
however, the discharge opening (101) formed on the spout (102) may
take the role of the outlet (306), or the outlet (306) itself may
take the role of the discharge opening (101).
[0045] To explain an embodiment of the present invention, under the
condition shown in FIG. 1, assume removing the sealing member (S),
designed to preserve the flavor, formed at the bottom of the main
body (100) and connect the main body (100) directly to the spout
(401) of the container (400). In this state, if the user tilt the
cap (1) sideways and suck the spout (401), the liquid in the
container (400) flows to the first storage space (301) of the
storage member (300) through the suction hole (304), and then to
the second storage space (302) through the connection path (303),
and dissolves the contents in the storage spaces.
[0046] For supplementary description, the liquid flows into said
storage member (300) dissolves the flavor ingredient in the first
storage space (301) and then into the second storage space (302),
and to the discharge opening (101) via the outlet (306, and exit
through the spout (102)
[0047] Therefore, the first and second storage spaces (301, 302)
can be filled with diverse kinds of substances according to their
rate of dissolution. An additional storage space (103) can be
formed below the discharge opening (101) to contain other flavor
substance, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0048] When the cap (1) is jointed with the container (400) and
distributed, the lower space (307) below the suction hole (304) is
preferable sealed, or the cap (1) should be packed to maintain
air-tightness.
[0049] For a still another embodiment of the present invention, the
straw (500) is extended to or separately assembled with the lower
space (307) at the bottom of the storage member (300) for sucking,
as shown in FIG. 3. In this state, when the user sucks the spout
(102), the liquid in the container (400) flows into the storage
member (300) through the straw (500).
[0050] And, the liquid moved into the storage member (300) flows
through the first and second storage spaces (301, 302) and exit
through the spout (102), and said straw (500) is inserted and fixed
on the interior or exterior of the lower space (307) and its length
can be adjusted according to the shape of the container (400).
[0051] For a still another embodiment of the present invention, in
FIG. 4, the cap (1) is combined with the neck of another container
(400) whose size is different from that of the previous container
(400). In the state of FIG. 4, the first thread (104) is engaged
with the spout (402) of the container (400) neck, and in FIG. 3,
the second thread (105) is engaged with the spout (401) of a
container (400) of difference size.
[0052] In addition, the design and application of the first threads
(104) and the second threads (105) formed on the inner side wall of
the main body (100) can be varied in various ways. For example, two
or more threads can be formed to be able to be assembled to the
container necks of different size, or shaped differently in latches
for one-touch coupling and decoupling.
[0053] For a still another embodiment of the present invention as
shown in FIGS. 8(a, b), the internal volume of the storage member
(300) can be implemented in a large volume. Referring to the
drawing, the first storage space (308) is formed above the central
suction hole (312), and connected to the second storage space (309)
through the connection path (311), and the second storage space
(309) is connected to the third storage space (310) through the
connection path (311), too.
[0054] To facilitate smooth functioning of said storage spaces, the
storage member (300) can be provided with a space sealing part
(313) above, and the discharge part (314) which facilitates the
liquid flowing to the storage spaces (308, 309, 310) to be
discharged through the spout (102).
[0055] When using the cap described hereinabove, remove the sealing
member (S) beneath the storage member (300), assemble the cap (1)
at the center of the container, tilt the container and suck the
spout (102). The liquid in the container will enter the suction
hole (312), flow through the first storage space (308), second
storage space (309), and third storage space (310), dissolve the
flavor substances contained in the spaces, and flow through the
discharge part 314), discharge opening (101) and exit through the
spout (102).
[0056] In addition, said bottle cap (1), as shown in FIG. 8(a), can
be combined with a straw (500) beneath the suction hole (312), and
the internal space of the storage member (300) assembled into the
main body (100) of the bottle cap (1) can be designed in various
shapes and sizes according to the characteristics of the
content.
[0057] For a still another embodiment of the present invention as
shown in FIG. 9(a), the configuration of the storage member (300)
can be varied. For example, the suction hole below can be designed
in diverse shapes, or as shown in FIG. 9(b), the first (315),
second (316) and third (317) storage spaces can be provided from
the outer side into the inner side of the storage member (300), and
suction hole (318) can be formed at an arbitrary position of the
first storage space (315).
[0058] For a still another embodiment of the present invention as
shown in FIG. 9(c), the internal space of the storage member (300)
can be formed in folding type, instead of spiral type, and the
method can be varied in diverse ways. For example, the first (319),
second (320) and third (321) storage spaces can be provided, in
up/down wave form, from outer to inner direction, as shown in the
drawing.
[0059] It is preferable that, at a place beneath the first storage
space (319) is formed a suction hole (322), and the internal design
of the main body (100) is important for the interconnection between
the storage spaces (319, 320, 321), however, the interconnection is
substantially implemented by the connection paths (323, 324), the
bottom of the storage member (300) is sealed by the sealing member
(S), and the suction hole (322) opens for use.
[0060] In addition, said sealing member (S) is preferable formed
with a cutting line (SC) so that, when opening, the connection path
(324) is closed (see the designation "S1" in the drawing), and
other part only is opened.
[0061] In still another embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 10, the storage member (300) is formed with
plural storage spaces (325) in various shapes, and each storage
space (325) is formed with a suction hole (326) on the bottom, and
the top of said storage member (300) is formed with a certain shape
of connection path (327) which is a discharge path to facilitate
the discharge of the flavor substances through the discharge
opening (101) formed on the inner wall of the spout (102) on the
main body (100).
[0062] In still another embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 11, the bottle caps (1) provided with various
types of storage members (300) can have different final discharging
outlets. In an exemplary embodiment presented in FIG. 11 showing
the spout (102) of the main body (100), the closure (201) can close
or open the discharge hole (202) according to the vertical
displacement of the lid (200). The lid (200) can be structured to
open or close the discharge hole (202) by moving up or down, or by
a slight rotation.
[0063] The method of using the bottle cap shown in FIG. 11 is
described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member (S), assemble the
bottle cap (1) with the spout of the container, lift up the lid
(200), tilt the container, and suck the lid (200). Then, the liquid
in the container will flow through the suction hole (331) and the
first storage space (328), second storage space (329) and third
storage space (330), dissolve the active agent in the storage
spaces, and finally exit through the discharge hole (202).
[0064] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 12. The storage member (300) formed in the main
body (100) provided by the known arts so far have been an assembly
type. However, the storage member (300) according to the present
invention is characterized by being an integral part of the main
body (100). Referring to FIG. 12, the bottoms of the first (332)
and second (333) storage spaces formed in the main body (100) are
sealed air-tight by a spatial sealing member (334) which is a
film-shape or an injection molded part, and the spatial sealing
member (334) of the first storage space (332) is formed with a
suction hole (335).
[0065] The method of using the bottle cap shown in FIG. 12 is
described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member (S), assemble the
bottle cap (1) with the spout of the container, lift up the lid
(200), tilt the container. Then, the liquid in the container will
flow through the suction hole (335) and the first storage space
(332), second storage space (333) and finally exit through the
discharge opening (101) and spout (102).
[0066] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 13. Regarding the bottle cap (1) integrated
with the storage member (300) and the main body (100) as shown in
FIG. 12, wherein said spout (102) is not applied with the lid (200)
but covered with a film-type sealing member (336) to achieve
air-tightness, and at the bottom of the spatial sealing member
(334) of the storage member (300) is formed an auxiliary lid (106)
in which the straw (500) can be inserted.
[0067] The method of using the bottle cap of this exemplary
embodiment is described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member (S),
assemble the bottle cap (1) with the neck of the container, remove
the sealing member (336) which is sealing the spout (102) of the
cap (1), tilt the container, and suck the spout (102). Then, the
liquid in the container will flow through the first storage space
(332), second storage space (333) and finally exit through the
discharge opening (101) and spout (336).
[0068] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the storage member (300) is
integrated with the main body (100), or regardless or not of the
assembly of the storage member (300), the storage member (300) is
expanded upward to a certain level, and the expanded space
incorporates a spiral storage space (337), and the bottom of the
storage member (300) is formed with a suction hole (338).
[0069] The method of using the bottle cap of this exemplary
embodiment is described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member (S),
assemble the bottle cap (1) with the container, remove the lid
(200), tilt the container, and suck the spout (102). Then, the
liquid in the container will flow through suction hole (338) and
storage member (300), and flows in the spiral path of the spiral
storage space (337), dissolve the content in the storage member
(300), and exit through the spout (102).
[0070] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 15, wherein the storage member (300) formed in
the main body (100) is a single space (339) formed with filter-type
suction holes.
[0071] The method of using the bottle cap of this exemplary
embodiment is described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member, if
any, from the bottom of the cap (1), assemble the cap (1) to the
neck of the container, remove the lid (200), tilt the container and
suck the spout (102). The liquid in the container will flow through
the suction hole (340) into the storage space (339), dissolve the
content in the storage space (339), and discharged through the
discharge opening (101) and spout (102). Here, the suction hole
(340) on the bottom of the storage member (300) can be coupled with
the straw (500).
[0072] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 16(a, b), wherein the storage member (300)
formed with a storage space (341) is integrated with the main body
(100), and the storage member (300) is provided with a spatial
sealing member (342), which is formed with the suction hole (343),
on its bottom, and above the storage space (341) is the spout (102)
formed with the discharge opening (101).
[0073] The method of using the bottle cap of this exemplary
embodiment is described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member (S),
assemble the bottle cap (1) with the container, remove the lid
(200), tilt the container, and suck the spout (102). Then, the
liquid in the container will flow through suction hole (343) and
storage member (300), and flows in the spiral path of the spiral
storage space (341), dissolve the content in the storage member
(101), and exit through the spout (102).
[0074] And if necessary, as illustrated in FIG. 16(b), an auxiliary
lid (344) which can be assembled with the straw (500) can be
provided below the storage member (300).
[0075] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 17, wherein the spout (102), which is above the
storage member (300) comprising storage space (341) and spatial
sealing member (342) and also above the main body (100), is formed
with a up/down opening/closing type lid (200).
[0076] The method of using the bottle cap of this exemplary
embodiment is described hereinbelow. Remove the sealing member (S),
assemble the bottle cap (1) with the spout (401) of the container
(400), raise the lid (200) to make the discharge hole (204) come
out of the closure (203), and suck the lid (200). Then, the liquid
in the container (400) will flow through the suction hole (343)
into the storage space (341), dissolve the content in the storage
space, and exit through the discharge opening (101) and discharge
hole (204).
[0077] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 18, which is substantially the same as that
presented in FIG. 17. However, the present embodiment shows that
the shapes of the lid (200) and the spatial sealing member (346),
formed with the suction hole (345), at the bottom of the storage
member (300) can be varied in diverse ways. When using the present
embodiment, remove the sealing member (S) if exists, assemble the
bottle cap (1) with the spout (401) of the container (400), raise
and suck the lid (200). Then, the liquid in the container (400)
will flow through the suction hole (345) into the storage space
(341), dissolve the content in the storage space, and exit through
the discharge hole (204).
[0078] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 19(a, b), wherein the bottle cap (1) is
assembled with container and distributed. The user can open the lid
(200) on the cap (1) for drinking the liquid in the container. The
cap consist of the main body (100), spout (102), and the lid (200)
which can close or open the discharge hole (348) by being lifted up
or lowered down. At the same time, the suction hole (350) on the
bottom of the storage member (300) formed with the storage space
(347) is closed by the lifting-up of the lid (200), and when the
lid (200) is lowered down, the notch projection (351) opens the
sealing ring (352).
[0079] The FIG. 19(b) is a view of the lid (200) of the cap (1)
opened and then closed, and then lifted up again. As shown in the
drawing, the connecting rod (353) extended into the upper sealing
member (349) is inserted with a member having a sealing ring (352).
In the state of the drawing, reclosing the lid (200) cannot make
the sealing ring re-seal the suction hole (350).
[0080] The purpose of this configuration is to prevent foreign
material entering the storage space (347) unwantedly. This
intention will be able to be overcome by different technical design
changes, which will extend the application of the present
invention.
[0081] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 20, which is a variation of the embodiment
presented in FIG. 19(a, b). The present embodiment is provided with
a discharge rod (600) which closes the suction hole (354) formed on
the bottom of the storage member (300), and the rod (600) is
connected with the lid (200) above. When using this embodiment,
lifting the lid (200) up will raise the discharge rod (600) with
the discharge rod connector (206) formed with a discharge groove
(205), by the liquid in the container, and the suction hole is
opened.
[0082] In more particular, the liquid entering the suction hole
(354) dissolves the content in the storage space (355) and comes
out through the discharge groove (205) and discharge hole (207).
When the lid (200) is lowered again, the discharge rod (600) does
not go down, thus, said suction hole (354) is not closed.
[0083] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 21, which is a variation of the embodiment
presented in FIG. 19. When the lid (200) is raised, the sealing
member (359), which is positioned beneath the connecting rod (356)
to close the suction hole (358), is opened, and the liquid in the
container (400) flows into the storage space (360), dissolves the
content in the storage space (360) and exits through the discharge
hole (362), which is isolated from the sealing closure (361) and
opened. If desired, a straw (500) can be connected on the bottom of
the suction hole (358), as illustrated with the dotted line in the
drawing.
[0084] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 22. When the lid (200) is raised, the sealing
member which has been closing the suction hole (364) is lifted up
by the connecting rod (363). The liquid in the container (400)
enters and dissolves the content in the storage space (366), and
then flows out through the discharge hole (367) and (368).
[0085] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 23(a, b). When the lid (200) is opened, the
sealing member (701) closing the suction hole (369) is lifted up.
The liquid in the container enters through the suction hole (369)
and dissolves the content in the storage space (370), and then
flows out through the discharge hole (371) above.
[0086] In the course described above, when the lid (200) opens the
spout (102), the notch projection (208) catches the discharge spout
(702) and rises until the fixed projection (703) of the discharge
rod (700) is caught and stopped by the bottom end of the pout
(102). In this state, if the lid (200) is opened wider, the
discharge rod (700) is separated from the lid (200), as shown in
FIG. 23(b).
[0087] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 24, which is a variation of the embodiment
presented in FIGS. 23(a, b). The difference is that the sealing
member (701) is opened when the discharge rod (700) is raised and
then lowered. When using this embodiment, if the discharge rod
(700) is raised, the gap between the projections (372) is open to
the outside, and for example, the liquid in the container can be
transferred to the storage space (370), and when the discharge rod
(700) is lowered, the sealing member (701) is caught by the
projection (373) and separated from the discharge rod (700).
[0088] As described above, because the sealing member (701) is
separated by the projection (373), the sealing member (701) cannot
seal the storage space (370) again, consequently, the mechanism
cannot be reused. In addition, a straw can be inserted into the
slot (373) below the suction hole.
[0089] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 25, which is a variation of the embodiment
presented in FIG. 23(a). Here, when the discharge rod (700) is
raised, the suction hole (369) is opened and when the discharge rod
(700) is lowered, the sealing member is caught by the projection
(375) and separated from the discharge rod (700).
[0090] The intention of this mechanism is to prevent reclosing of
the storage space (370) to prohibit the illegal reuse of the bottle
cap (1).
[0091] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 26, which is a variation of the embodiment
presented in FIG. 23(a). Here, when the discharge rod (700) is
raised, the suction hole (378) is opened because the sealing member
(376) is raise by the connecting rod (377). Consequently, the
liquid in the container flows in through the suction hole (378)
into the storage space (370), dissolves the content in the storage
space (370), and flows out of the discharge rod (700) through the
discharge hole (107, 704).
[0092] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 27, which is a variation of the embodiment
presented in FIG. 26. Here, when the discharge rod (700) is raised,
the suction hole (379) is opened because the sealing member (380)
is raise. Consequently, the liquid in the container flows into the
storage space (370), dissolves the content in the storage space
(370), and flows out of the discharge rod (700) through the
discharge hole (107, 704). When the discharge rod (700) is lowered,
the sealing member (380) connected with the connecting rod (108)
does not reclose the suction hole (379). A straw (500) or similar
can be connected below the suction hole (379).
[0093] In the description of the bottle cap (1) in compliance with
the present invention, above, if omitted, and if the application or
intention of the cap is to dissolve the flavor substance (content)
contained in the storage space and drink the liquid together with
the flavor, it would be more than natural to tilt the container
combined with the cap in a direction.
[0094] In addition, if any description regarding the filling of the
content into said storage space is omitted or insufficient, the
storage space can be filled with the content and then assembled
with the main body (100), or the storage space can be filled with
the content through the spout (102) or through the discharge rod
(600, 700), and/or the filter member formed with discharge hole or
holes can be assembled.
[0095] In addition, the main body of the cap was described to have
the first screw threads (104) or the second screw threads (105), or
general screw threads, however, the screw thread can be implemented
in accordance with the shape of the container neck, or the main
body (100) can have a quick coupling mechanism, or can be bonded to
paper cartons.
[0096] In addition, it should be noted that the inside of the
storage member (300) set forth and described from the FIG. 19 and
afterwards can be designed with multiple number of storage space
set forth and described in FIG. 1 through FIG. 18.
[0097] In addition to the description above, the shape of the
contents in the storage space of the storage member (300) is
preferable balls, pellets or tablets, and can be added with foam
agent to facilitate dissolution as required, and the average
diameter of the balls, pellets or tablets can be 2.about.5 mm or
5.about.7 mm, or larger. The inner volume of the storage member may
be around 5 cc (mL), or larger or smaller.
EFFECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0098] The bottle cap in compliance with the present invention is
applicable for various drinks, including beverages, milk, alcoholic
beverages, etc. Especially, when applied to drinking water, the
user can drink the water added with the flavor or aroma added from
the cap, which will promote the sales of the product.
* * * * *