U.S. patent application number 14/653902 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for improved bottle.
This patent application is currently assigned to ABBOTT LABORATORIES. The applicant listed for this patent is ABBOTT LABORATORIES. Invention is credited to CHRISTOPHER COX, JAMES PERRY.
Application Number | 20160185496 14/653902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49943505 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160185496 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COX; CHRISTOPHER ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
IMPROVED BOTTLE
Abstract
An apparatus includes a bottle, a cap, and a tamper evident
film. The bottle forms an opening having a lip that extends
circumferentially around the opening. The cap is able to cover and
seal the opening. The cap has a top with an outer surface, an inner
surface, and a side wall. The outer surface and the side wall
define a recessed region of the cap. The tamper evident film
includes a perforated tear strip. The perforated tear strip is
positioned to overlap a portion of the recessed region. The cap may
also include a combination of micro knurls and/or micro knurls
along the side wall of the cap. The lip may have a beveled profile
able to interface with a gasket on the underside of the cap.
Inventors: |
COX; CHRISTOPHER;
(Westerville, OH) ; PERRY; JAMES; (Gahanna,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ABBOTT LABORATORIES |
Abbott Park |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Abbott Park
IL
|
Family ID: |
49943505 |
Appl. No.: |
14/653902 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
December 11, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2013/074365 |
371 Date: |
June 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61740214 |
Dec 20, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/230 ;
215/316; 215/329; 215/341 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/0253 20130101;
B65D 41/045 20130101; B65D 55/0818 20130101; B65D 41/0435 20130101;
B65D 41/0485 20130101; B65D 55/0854 20130101; B65D 2203/00
20130101; B65D 1/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/08 20060101
B65D055/08; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An apparatus comprising: a bottle forming an opening, the
bottle having a lip extending circumferentially around the opening;
a cap configured to cover and hermetically seal the opening in the
bottle, wherein the cap includes a flat top having an outer surface
and an inner surface, wherein the cap further includes a side wall,
wherein the outer surface of the flat top and the side walls define
a recessed region of the cap; and a tamper evident film including a
perforated tear strip, wherein the perforated tear strip is
positioned to overlap a portion of the recessed region.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the
side walls comprise a plurality of micro knurls.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the
side walls comprise a plurality of macro knurls.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the
side walls comprises an alternating pattern of a first quantity of
micro knurls and a second quantity of macro knurls.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first quantity of micro
knurls includes about 5 to 6 knurls for every 1 knurl of the second
quantity of macro knurls.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the recessed region extends
around the circumference of the cap.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the recessed region includes
markers, wherein the markers are operable to act as directional
indicators for turning the cap.
28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cap further comprises a
gasket operable to seal the cap against the bottle.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the gasket is disc shaped
and operable to cover an inner portion of the flat top of the
cap.
30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the lip has a beveled
profile with a wider base and a thinner top, wherein the thinner
portion of the lip is operable to engage the gasket.
31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the recessed region is sized
to encompass a substantial portion of the surface area of the flat
top.
32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cap has a generally
cylindrical shape and the bottle has a contoured shape with a waist
extending around the circumference of the bottle.
33. An apparatus comprising: a body operable to hold a fluid; and a
cap operable to engage the body and form a hermetic seal with the
body; wherein the cap comprises a side wall, wherein at least a
portion of the exterior of the side wall has a plurality of knurls
that extend along the side wall of the cap, and wherein the cap
includes a recessed region having a circular shape.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the plurality of knurls
comprises both micro knurls and macro knurls.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the micro knurls and the
macro knurls are uniformly spaced apart along the cap.
36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the micro knurls and the
macro knurls extend along the circumference of the cap.
37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the micro knurls and the
macro knurls comprise ribbing that extends vertically along the
side wall of the cap.
38. A bottle comprising: a body defining a mouth and the body
having a beveled lip extending circumferentially around the mouth
of the body; a cap operable to engage the body, the cap having a
flat top and a side wall, the cap having an outer surface and an
inner surface; and a gasket positioned on the inner surface of the
cap, wherein the gasket is disc-shaped and configured to engage the
beveled lip to form a hermetic seal with the cap.
39. The bottle of claim 38, wherein the bottle further comprises a
tamper evident film having a perforated tear strip, wherein the
perforated tear strip is positioned to overlap a portion of a
recessed portion defined by the outer surface of the flat top and
the side wall.
40. The bottle of claim 38, wherein the side wall comprises a
portion having a plurality of micro knurls and a plurality of macro
knurls.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and any benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/740,214, filed Dec. 20, 2012, the
entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bottles are used in a variety of contexts. For instance,
bottles may be used to store beverages or other similar fluids. In
cases where the contents of a bottle may be consumed by the public,
measures are taken to ensure that the bottle has not been tampered
with. From the standpoint of a consumer that may be purchasing a
bottled liquid, it may be desirable to know whether a bottle cap
has been tampered with prior to purchasing a bottled product. In
some instances, the bottle cap may be covered with a tamper evident
film such that a purchaser may know whether the bottle has been
previously opened. Oftentimes, the tamper evident film may be
difficult to break or remove. Furthermore, once the tamper evident
film is removed, depending on the friction between the bottle cap
and the user's hand or the overall manual dexterity of the user, it
may be difficult for the user to easily remove the cap from the
bottle.
[0003] While a variety of bottles have been made and used, it is
believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used an
invention as described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] While the specification concludes with claims which
particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is
believed the present invention will be better understood from the
following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
identify the same elements and in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary
bottle;
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a top plan view of a cap of the bottle of
FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the underside of the
cap of FIG. 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 1
with the cap removed;
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged side view of the bottle of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged, perspective side view of the
bottle of FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 7 depicts a side, cross sectional view of a lip of the
bottle of FIG. 1.
[0012] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and
it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be
carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not
necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings
incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate
several aspects of the present invention, and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it
being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following description of certain examples of the
invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present
invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and
advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled
in the art from the following description, which is by way of
illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out
the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
[0014] As users purchase products stored in bottles, often the
bottles are wrapped in a tamper evident film that needs to be
removed before the user has access to the contents of the bottle.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary bottle (100) having a cap (110) and a
body (120). A seal (104) covers a portion of cap (110). Seal (104)
comprises a plastic or other elastomeric film that covers cap
(110). Seal (104) comprises a perforated tear strip (105) that
extends along the side of seal (104). While in the exemplary
version, tear strip (105) extends fully along the side of seal
(104), it will be understood that tear strip (105) may extend down
only a portion of seal (104). Furthermore, tear strip (105) of the
exemplary version has a generally rectangular shape, though it will
be understood that a triangular, V-shape, rounded shape, or any
other suitable shape as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art in view of the teachings herein may be used. Tear strip
(105) is connected with the rest of seal (104) such that a user may
pull on tear strip (105) to detach tear strip (105) from seal
(104). It will be understood that a fluid may be stored in body
(120). The fluid may be a beverage or any other fluid where it may
be desirable to place a tamper evident film on cap (110). Cap (110)
has a generally cylindrical shape and engages body (120) as seen in
FIG. 1. Body (120) has an elongated curved shape such that the user
may be able to easily grasp body (120). Cap (110) and body (120)
may be constructed of a plastic or other similar material, but it
will be understood that any suitable material able to store a fluid
may be used. Cap (110) and body (120) will be discussed in further
detail below.
[0015] An enlarged top view of cap (110) is shown in FIG. 2. Cap
(110) comprises a flat top (112) and side walls (114). Cap (110)
has a circular footprint, but it will be appreciated that cap (110)
may have any suitable footprint operable to cover and seal body
(120) of bottle (100). In some versions, cap (110) is operable to
form a hermetic seal with body (120) of bottle (100). Flat top
(112) is circular in shape and meets with side walls (114). Side
walls (114) have a cylindrical shape and are positioned such that
side walls (114) extend generally perpendicular in relation to flat
top (112). Flat top (112) of the exemplary version comprises a
plurality of markers (116) shaped as arrows pointing in a
counter-clockwise direction. It will be appreciated that markers
(116) may be used to indicate to the user the appropriate direction
to turn cap (110) for removing cap (110) from body (120). For
instance, in the illustrated version, markers (116) indicate that
cap (110) should be turned in the counter-clockwise direction, but
it will be understood that markers (116) could be pointed in the
clockwise direction. Furthermore, in the exemplary version, markers
(116) are shaped as thick arrows, but it will be understood that
markers (116) may have any suitable shape including thin arrows,
triangles, or any other shape. In some versions, markers (116) need
not necessarily be included at all.
[0016] Flat top (112) of cap (110) is slightly recessed within cap
(110) as can be seen in FIGS. 1-2. It will be appreciated that
recessed nature of flat top (112) may be operable to allow easier
removal of seal (104) that may cover cap (110). While the exemplary
version shows flat top (112) being recessed for a substantial
portion of the surface area of flat top (112), it will be
understood that smaller portions of flat top (112) may be recessed
including such as, for instance, just the portion underneath tear
strip (105), half of flat top (112), or any other suitable portion
as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of
the teachings herein. For instance, recessed flat top (112) may
allow a user to more easily position his or her finger to remove
perforated tear strip (105) from seal (104) in communication with
cap (110). After, during, or before tearing perforated tear strip
(105), the user may wedge his or her finger or fingernail under
perforated tear strip (105) due to recessed flat top (112)
providing a slight clearance for the finger or fingernail. Then the
user may simply pull to remove the remainder of perforated tear
strip (105) from cap (110) as well as remove seal (104). While one
suitable level of recess for flat top (112) is shown in FIGS. 1-2,
it will be understood that deeper or shallower recesses may be used
for flat top (112) as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art. Furthermore, cap (110) may be recessed in certain portions
of top (112) without necessarily being recessed through the
entirety of top (112).
[0017] FIG. 3 shows cap (110) flipped over. Side walls (114)
comprise a plurality of micro knurls (118) and a plurality of macro
knurls (122). Macro knurls (122) generally refer to larger
texturized portions of side walls (114) where micro knurls (118)
generally refer to smaller, more "micro" texturized portions of
side walls (114). Furthermore, a disc-shaped gasket (124) is
located on the inside of flat top (112). Cap (110) also includes
threading (126), which is complementary to threading on body (120)
such that cap (110) may be screwed onto body (120). Micro knurls
(118) extend vertically along side walls (114), and in the
exemplary version, micro knurls (118) include six uniformly spaced
ribs that fit between macro knurls (122). It will be understood
that micro knurls (118) can have more or less than six ribs. It
will further be understood that while micro knurls (118) in the
illustrated version comprise vertical ribbing, horizontal,
diagonal, or any combination of ribbing thereof may also be used
for micro knurls (118). Furthermore, micro knurls (118) need not
necessarily comprise ribbing. In other instances, micro
indentations, cross hatching, grids, or any other suitable
texturing may be used that might allow a user to more easily grasp
and turn cap (110). Macro knurls (122) in the exemplary version
include a uniform arrangement of larger ribbing circumferentially
around side walls (114). Macro knurls (122) are also shown to
extend substantially along the width of cap (110). In the exemplary
version, macro knurls (122) are uniformly spaced around cap (110)
with an equal number of micro knurls (118) placed in between
adjacent pairs of macro knurls (122). However, it will be
understood that any suitable arrangement of micro knurls (118) and
macro knurls (122) may be used. For instance, more macro knurls
(122) or more micro knurls (118) could be located around one area
of cap (110) with fewer macro knurls (122) and fewer micro knurls
(118) at another area of cap (110). Furthermore, it will be
understood that not necessarily an equal number of micro knurls
(118) need to be positioned between macro knurls (122). Micro
knurls (118) and macro knurls (122) also need not necessarily be
positioned uniformly around cap (110). High concentrations of macro
knurls (122) may be used in some portions with lesser
concentrations in other portions.
[0018] It will be appreciated that as a user attempts to screw open
cap (110) to remove cap (110) from body (120), micro and macro
knurls (118, 122) may provide increased friction, which thereby
provides a better grip for a user to turn cap (110) relative to
body (120) to loosen cap (110). It will further be appreciated that
in many cases, different users may not necessarily grip cap (110)
in a similar manner. For instance, a user may grip cap (110) by
wrapping his or her fingers and thumb around cap (110). Another
user may attempt to open cap (110) by putting his or her palm
firmly on flat top (112) and clawing the fingers down along macro
knurls (122) and micro knurls (118) prior to twisting cap (110) to
remove cap (110) from body (120). It will be understood that other
suitable ways of gripping and removing cap (110) may be used as
would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of
the teachings herein. Indeed, it will be understood that the use of
both macro knurls (122) and micro knurls (118) may increase the
ability for a user to obtain a proper grip on cap (110).
[0019] Disc-shaped gasket (124) covers the inside portion of flat
top (112). In the exemplary version, disc-shaped gasket (124)
comprises a rubber or flexible plastic material. However, it will
be understood that any material suitable to form a hermetic seal
between cap (110) and body (120) may be used as would be apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings
herein. Furthermore, while the exemplary version shows gasket (124)
being disc-shaped, it will be understood that a ring shaped gasket
may also be used. Threads (126) extend rotationally around the
inside of cap (110). Threads (126) are operable generally to
complement threads (134) of body (120) such that cap (110) may be
turned to remove cap (110) from body (120). It will be understood
that while the exemplary version uses gasket (124) between body
(120) and cap (110), other exemplary versions may exclude gasket
(124) such that body (120) and cap (110) are in direct contact with
each other to form a seal, which may include a hermetic seal. In
some exemplary versions, rather than flat top (112), the inner
portion of cap (110) may instead have a contoured top, plug-style
top, or any other suitable top shape for forming a seal between cap
(110) and body (120) as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art in view of the teachings herein.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows body (120) of bottle (100). Body (120) has a
generally contoured cylindrical shape with a waist (130) extending
around the middle of body (120). Waist (130) provides an area of
body (120) that may be easily gripped. However, in other versions
of bottle (100), waist (130) need not necessarily be included.
Bottle (100) has a neck (136) that leads to a mouth (138).
[0021] Neck (136) includes a ratcheted and/or knurled region (132)
that extends part of the way around neck (136), though it will be
understood that ratcheted region (132) may extend completely around
neck (136). Ratcheted region (132) of neck (136) has a plurality of
straight ribs spaced along ratcheted region (132). It will be
understood that ratcheted region (132) may be operable to provide a
better grip when a user grasps bottle (100). It will further be
understood that ratcheted region (132) may be operable to serve as
an interface to engage machinery and/or other devices, which may be
involved, for instance, in the manufacturing, filling, and/or
closing of bottle (100). As cap (110) turns, it will further be
appreciated that ratcheted region (132) may serve as a tactile
indicator that the user is successfully turning cap (110) due to
the user's fingers brushing against ratcheted region (132) as cap
(110) turns. Ratcheted region (132) may also provide better
gripping in instances where a user picks up bottle (100).
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a closer view of ratcheted region (132) showing
how ratcheted region (132) is constructed of roughly equally spaced
apart ribs. In other exemplary versions, ratcheted region (132) may
include ribs more closely spaced together. In addition to or in the
alternative, other suitable forms of texturing operable to aid in
gripping bottle (100) and/or cap (110) may be used as would be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the
teachings herein. For instance, a cross hatch or gritty texture may
be used for ratcheted region (132) to further aid in gripping or
turning of cap (110) by the user. In some versions, ratcheted
region (132) may extend circumferentially around the entirety of
bottle (100).
[0023] Body (120) defines and leads to a mouth (140) operable to
receive a fluid for storing within bottle (100). Additionally,
mouth (140) may be used to pour out a fluid from bottle (100). A
lip (138) encircles mouth (140) as seen in FIG. 6. A side view of
lip (138) can be seen in FIG. 7. Lip (138) has a beveled shape as
also seen in FIG. 7 which tapers toward the edge of lip (138). Lip
(138) may have a rounded and beveled shape as seen in the
illustrated version, but lip (138) may also have a sharpened
beveled shape with a more pointed edge. Other suitable shapes for
lip (138) will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in
view of the teachings herein. When cap (110) is screwed onto body
(120), gasket (124) forms a seal with lip (138). It will be
understood that in some instances, due to lip (138) having a
narrowing profile from the beveled shape, the interface between lip
(138) and gasket (124) may have a lower coefficient of static
friction than if lip (138) had a flat profile. As a result, turning
cap (110) to loosen seal between lip (138) may require less force
than if lip (138) has a flat profile. In the exemplary version, lip
(138) is beveled around the entire circumference of lip (138).
However, it will be understood that in some versions, only portions
of lip (138) around the circumference of lip (138) may be beveled.
For instance, lip (138) may be constructed such that beveled
regions alternate with flat regions of lip (138) around the
circumference of mouth (140). Other suitable variations for lip
(138) for reducing the friction between lip (138) and gasket (124)
will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the
teachings herein.
[0024] It should be understood that any one or more of the
teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described
herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings,
expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein.
The following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments,
examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative
to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein
may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and
variations are intended to be included within the scope of the
claims.
[0025] Having shown and described various embodiments of the
present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems
described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications
by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Several of such potential
modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments,
geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like
discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly,
the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of
the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the
details of structure and operation shown and described in the
specification and drawings.
* * * * *