Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02464170 2004-04-08
~~fITLE: CAP A1~1D CLOSURE SYSTEM FAR ~Lr4SXN''Ca ~ 'LARGE
~'.i
. ~, p01 A~)<,~ x,rQ~UIJD BO'I'T~..>E
;geld of the invention
present invention relates to a threadless cap for closing a potable liquid
bottle, such
a water bottle for a water dispenser, and to a closure system including such a
#hreadlcss cap.
14 ~ackgr'oxcnd ofthe inverxtiorz
:.a
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~. potable liquid bottle, such as a water bottle for a vwater cooler or
similar dispenser, is
suatly Provided with a cap to close and seal a discharge opening on the neck
of the
ottle daring storage, transportation, and manipulation of the bottle. c~f
course, other than
I S ~ = ~~ater, the potable liquid contained in the bottle can also he juice,
soft drink, or any other
~E
.:~7
hype of drinkable liquid.
:_
;~,
~1'he cap prevents inadvertent spilling of Liquid from the bottle and
contamination of the
~i~~eid by exposl:re to the environment. The cap also ensures that hygiextic
conditions
~U ' exist on surfaces of the neck of the bottle and around the discharge
opening on which
~~itluid flowing out of tile bottle wil l come into direct contact with.
Typically, the cap is
'. ~ ~nad~ of a polymeric rnaxerial and it~ludes a tension ring or the like
that provides a radial
'":force far retaining the cap on the neck of the bottle. The cap also
generally ineiudes a line
vhf weakness that facilitates tearing or rupturing of the cap material by a
manual pull
25 v'pvrhen the cap is to be removed from the bottle_
';
Frequently, however, a tEar of t~ cap material propagating along the line of
weakness
'propagates along tlae ~a~tire periphery of the cap, which causes a first
portion of the cap
;'on which the manual pull is applied to be completely detached from. a second
portion of
3U vhe cap which remains fixed on the neck of the bottle. In other words,
conventional caps
' .F
.~la not include any means tt3 prevent complete separation of the first
portion of the cap
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
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ion which the zxtanual pull is applied from the second portion. It then
becoFnes diffZCUlt
.o remove tl~e second portion retnainin~ on the neck of the bottle sine~e
there no loner
s sufficient Cap material to provide a ~-ip to apply tl~e; nZanual pull.
Moreover, the
~Ciifticuity in removing the ctlp is compounded by the presence of the tension
rind which
y v Fusually remains on the cap as part of the second portion. In fact, oven
without the
:.~ ~idif~culty arising froth complete separation of the fizst and secvztd
portions of the cap,
iconventional caps do not include any means to zeducc the retaixting force
exerted lay the
ttension ring on the neck o~ tlxe bottle when the cap is to be removed from
the bottle,
:.r
:~~which often creates unnecessary cliff~culty in removing the Lap.
IO a~
1
'~In addition, in order to corrtplement the hygienic conditions ensured lay
the cap, ~t
:'~ ;protective sheath, sleeve, or wrap made of a polymeric material is
son~etimcs used to
:.~~eover a portion of the neck of the bottle and the cap, The protective
sheath typically
-F
covers the entire cap and a portion of the neck of the bottle below the cap,
since these
t5 :'v #clerrtents arc the ones most fretluently cotjtacted during
manipulation of tho botEle.
'o
_' ~Naw, the neck of the bottle aerae~ ~Ily has an annular recessed area below
the upper edge
:c~f the nc,~ck.1-Iawever, the dimezrsions of a conventional cap are such that
the cap extends
.id
'v ~ beyond the tower. limit ofthe azzn.ular eecessed area of the neck. As a
result, the protective
~:~;
2t7 v~~~sheath essentially conforms to 'the outer surface of the cap and is
prevented from
.id
canfortnin~ to at least a portion of the aamular recessed area of the mock.
The resulting
t configuration of the protective sheath i5 such that tk~ere is a tendency for
axial sliding of
t ~ the protective sheath on the c:ap and an the portion of the neck afi the
bottle bolow the eag
~~-~ during manipulation ofth4 battle. In turn, the axial sliding of the
protective sheath can
?5 ' 4 Iead to an increase in the area of the neck of the bottle and the cap
that is exposed to
direct contact with human hands during manipulation, of the battle, which is
detricnerttal
v' , to the hygienic conditions of the battle.
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:y WhzIe various solutions to the above pxoblems have been propa5ed, none of
these is
;.
30 =.r satisfactory and thus there remains a need in the industry to provide a
threadless cap for
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2
CA 02464170 2004-04-08
a potable liquid bottle tlut alleviates at least in part the problems
associated. with
caps.
of the dxeventiort
;' ~l:n. accordance with a first broad aspect, the invention provides a
tl~readless cap for
r closing a potable liquid bottle. Tlie potable liquid bottle has a neck with
an upper edge
~s;defining a discbu~rge opening. The tlzreadless cap comprises a lid for
overlying and
:~~setrlingly engaging the upper edge of the neck. The lid includes a tension
ring for
1 Q ' T retaining the cap on the neck of the lyottle, the tensiozz ring having
an inwardly extending
%rib for engaging the neck of the bottle. The threadless cap also comprises a
skirt
:v depending frarn the lid, the skirt including a line of weaicttess
facilitating a yanual tear
:r
~'lof the skirt. The threadiess oap further comprises a tear stop at a
location intersecting a
' ~ =line of tear propagatinf; a5 a result of a manual. pull applied on the
skirt, the tear stop
15 :'.~provcnting the line oftear to propagate beyond the tear stap_
:,
:~s
.;,
:R In accordance with a second broad aspect, the invention provides a
ihreadle5s cap for
~f ~ closing a. potable liquid bottle. The potable liquid bottle has a neck
with an c.ppcr edge
:;~a defining a discharge opening. The threadless cap comprises a lid for
overlying azad
.,
20 ;y sealingly engaging the upper edge of the neck. The lid includes a
tension rind for
'~ retaining the cap on the neck, the tension ring having art inwardly
extending rib for
v ~ engaginb the neck of the bottle. The threadless cap also comprises a skirt
depending from
!s
.~ the lid, the skirt including a line ofweakness faeilitatinQ a manual tear
oftl~o skirt. The
::~ line of weakness includes a portion extending across the teztsion rin.~;
to reduce a
~5 :.~~~ retaining farce exerted by the tension ring on the neck of the bottle
when a tear line
:,i :5 propagating as a result of a manual pull applied on the skirt extends
across the tension
wng.
i
~.~ In accordance with a third broad aspect, the invention. provides a closure
system for a
30 ' ~ potable liquid bottle. The potable liquid bottle Eras a neck ltavixs,g
an upper edge defining
a discharge opening and art annular recessed area below the upper edge, the
annular
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
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~eceased area having an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The closure
system
amprises a threadless cap having a lid for overlying and sealixzgly engaging
the upper
.dge. The tlrreadless cap also has a skirt depending 1'xom the lid, the skirt
hawing a Iower
The skirt has dimensions such that when the cap sealingly engabes the upper
edge
' ~ tof the neck, at least a portion of the lower edge of the skirt is located
between the upper
.: ~~nd portion and the lower end portion of the annular recessed area. The
cloaure system
eftzrClier comprises a protective slxeath for application on the cap and on a
portion of the
neck ofthe bottle below the yap. "1:'!ae protective sheath is shrinkable to
create a recessed
i ~ zone within the annular recessed area adjacent the portion of the lower
edge of the skirt
l A :' ~ located between the upper and portion and the lower end portion of
the annular recessed
::r
area.
va
rn accordance with a fourth broad aspect, the invention provides a water
bottle
F!i~
y4~ comprising a neck having art upper Edge defining a d.ischar~e opening and
an annular
~ recessed area on the neck below the upper edge, the annular recessed area
laving an
! upper edge portion az~d a lower edge portion. The water bottle also has a
threadless cap
1 '.~ liaving a lid overlying and seali~;ly engaging the upper edge. ThE
tlzreadless Cap also has
;a skirt depending from the lid, the skirt l~avin~ a lower edge, at least a
portion of the
lower edge being located vv~ithiz~ the annular recessed area between the
tFpper edge
ZU ' ~ portion and the lower edge portion. The water bottle ~fizrCher
comprises a. protective
sheath applied on tkte bottle, the protective sheath extending over the cap
and over a
~'. ~ portion of the neck Located below the cap. The protective sheath forms
a, recessed zone
::.>
'overlying the, annular recessed az~ea and being adjacent to the portion of
tba lowez edge
:,~ of the skirt located within tlae t3nnular recessed area between the upper
edge portion and
v~~ ttte lowez edge portion.
a In accordance with a fifth brt~ad aspect, the invention provides a
tl~readless Cap fox a
;4~water trottle having a neck with an upper edge detnii~g a discharge
opening, the neck
also inciudmg an annular recessed area below the upper edge. The threadless
aap
3tJ!? i corr~prises a lid for overlying attd sealingly engaging the topper
edge of the bottle. The lid
:::,
'' ~ includes a tension ring foz retaining the cap on the neck of the bottle,
the tension ring
4
?~~i
' d
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
i.~
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~:~avin ; an inwardEy extending rib for engagin ; the rreclc of the bottle.
Tho threadless cap
i Iso comprises a skirt depending &o>.n the Eid, the skirt having a lower
edge. a portion of
.;?.~e lower edge residing in the annular recessed area when the cap is
applied on the bottle
~;~a,nd the Eid sealingEy engages the upper edge of the bottle.
;7
~~"fhese and ether aspects and featu><~es of tlfe present invention will now
become apparent
:.i
.Pte those of ordinary skill in the art upon review ofthe foElowinb
description of specific
:Y iembodiments o~fthe invention in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
i
1 t) ~ ~.~rief'des~rfptian ~f the drasvr.'ng5
:i~
.i
y:A detailed description of specific embodixz~ents of the present invention is
provided
. ~~ herein below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings,
,~;~ in which:
:i
Figure 1 A shows an isometric view of a threadlsss cap fbr closing a potable
licEuid bottle
~in accordan.ce with a speczfic exannple of impEemez~tatian of the present
invention;
.,_
:.~ Figi.we 'I S shows an isometric view of the neck of the potable liquid
bottle shown in
2~.< ~ Figure lA~
;i'~
i ~ Figure 2 shows an isometric view ofthe underside of the threadlcss cap
shown in 1~igure
:i
~~ lA;
:.,
a~~~ ri~~r~ 3 shows an isornctric view of the tlareadless cap shown in l
figure 1 A;
:.
Figure 4 shows Rn elevation view of the threadless cap shown in Figure 3;
.:,
'< ~ Figure S shown a cross-sectional elevation view of the threadless cap
along line 5 -- 5 iri
3Q'~~ Figure 4;
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
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'~'s
.fin
sib
:; figure 6 shown a crass-sectional elevation view of the threa.dless cap
along line 6 - 6 in
i figure 3; and
~~~1
;yFigure 7 shows an isometric view of a closure systen3 for a potable liquid
bottle in
°'~aecortiance with a spoei~c example of impIcmentation of the present
invention.
:;; ~1'n the drawings, the embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way
of examples.
isilt is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings arc only
for ti3e purpose
r' .j of iIiustration and are an aid for understanding. They arc; not intended
to be a def nition
t E~ ~? s of the limits of the invention.
.~etrc~led rlescriptian of specific embadimenh
;'i
~,'~ Figure lA shows a tbreadiess c"xp lU for closing a potable liquid bottle;
12 in accordance
w +1-.~~~.7lann
~ ~ wStl~ a specific example of ~mpternentatlon c~r2~PG IFI~VGti~lVtt. Tit
tll,T~ rif:rjixivtso:~v n, ...
.i3
is intended to mean that the cap 10 does not have threads that are required to
retain the
;i
~' ~ cap 10 on the potable liquid bottle 12. The potable liquid c;ontau~.ed iu
the bottle 12 can
v% be water, juice, soft drink, or any other type of drinkable liquid. In the
specific
:,
embodi:xrEents described in the present description, the potable liquid bottle
l,2 on which
~ ~ ;~ the cap 10 is to be mounted is a bottle for a water cooler or other
liquid dispen;~er.
ra
As can be seen in Figure 1 B, the potable liquid bottle :l2 loos a main body
14 defining a
container (not shown) for holding liquid. The bottle 12 also has a neak 1$
ha~i ng an
,~~ k upper edge 27 defining ~t discharge opening ~0 through which liquid
captained in the
25i ~ ~ container can be discharged, and an anzPUIar recessed area 19 below
the upper edge 27.
.' r The annular recessed area I9, which extends around the perimeter of the
neck 1$, has an
::l
. ';; upper end portion 21 and a lower end portion 23. tlpvn installation of
the bottle 12 in a
'f dispenser device (not shown), actuation of the dispenser by a user causes
liquid contained
i
~; ; in container to flow through t3ie discharge opening 20 into the dispenser
and eventually
3D= through a faucet of the dispenser, where the liquid can be poured into a
glass, cup, or the
~f
:' ~ lll~e.
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
I2efernt~g to Figures 1.A andll"3 and to 1~igures 2 to 5, the cap 10 comprises
a lid 22 for
.~ovezlyin$ and sealingly engaging the upper edge 27 of the neck 1$ ofthe
bottle 12 and
~: ~a skirt 24 depending irorn the lid 2Z. In the specific embodiment shovsm,
the lid 22 and
~~,j Ethe skirt 24 are a unitary struchtre made of a polymeric material such
as polyethylene.
:~ The lid 22 and the skirt 24 can Iae integrally formed, for instance, via an
injection
~' ~i xoolding process. In other embodiments, the lid 22 and the skirt 24 are
made of separate
pieces and thereafter assembled to;ether using, for instance, a gluing or
sonic welding
;~ .' z operation. .Although not shown in the drawings, the lid 22 can be
provided with tt suitable
1 d ;.' ~ gasket to better seal the upper edge 27.
y ~ The Iid 22 includES a tension ring 26 for retaining the cap I O on the
neck 18 of the bottle
v~ 12. Upon positioning the cap lU an the neck ofthe bottle 12, the tension
ring 26 provides
a radial force that causes tlm cap 1 (? to be retained on the neck 1$. The
tension ring 26
v'y has an inwardly extending rib 28 fc?r engaging the neck I$ o~Fthe bottle
12. 'the rib 28 is
an intemai projection or protrusion. In the non-limiting exarrtplc of
implementation
,a
shown, the rib 28 is in the form of a Continuous projection extending along a
substantial
'.portion of the perimeter of the lid 22. rn other etnbodimertts, the rxb 28
can 'be segmented,
r:;
that is, the rib 28 can be fotxned of individual segments disposed along the
periphery of
2~,~ ~~ the lid 22 rather than a Continuous structure. Also, in this specii~ic
example of
:~ itxtplementatian, the tension rrng 26 extends over substantially the entire
periphery vfthe
'' ~ lid 22, although it is to be understood that the tension ring 26 can also
he desigr~.Cd to
:;~ extend along only a portion of xhe periphery of the !id 22. As well, while
the lid 22
;,; shown in Figures 1 to f is essentially a circular structure, it will be
appreciated that
25v ~ various other configuzations are possible without departing frorrt the
spirit of the
invention.
~,~ In Pig ores S and 6, the crass-sectionHl view of the cap 10 shows that the
thickness of the
., can 10 in the shoulder area R"~ is cnmau,~hstt rPr3mrF~r~I ftt~ rnmnaricnn
fa, ,~rin,~ Sr4 no.,v~ ",
30.~ ~ order to increase the flexl'bility of the cap 10 in that ragiort.
Accordingly, this allows the
. ~. I
i rib 28 to be made thicker and to project radially inwardly further such as
to create a
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
',':;stronger retention force on the neck 18 of the bottle 12. V~then the cap
l U is applied an
.:i
v 'the neck I8 of the bottle 12, the tension ring is progressively spread
radially until it snaps
v~ into place_ The increased flexibility of the shoulder area. $3 allows the
thicker retention
:;z
::ring to be conveniently applied ott the neclc 1$ of the bottle I2.
S ~3
~; The skirt 24 depends from the liil 22 and sunouz~ds the neck 18 of the
bottle 12 when the
cap t 0 is installed thereon, In the particular embodiment shown, the skirt 24
has a lower
.' '' edge 33 and is dirnensianed such that when the cap 10 sealin,gly engages
the uppez edge
i
v z of the neck T 8, at least a portion of the lower edge 33 of the skirt 24
is lo~oated between
la ;v! ~a the upper end portion 21 and the lower end portion 23 of the
an3~ular recessed area 19 of
a ~ the neck 18 of the bottle i 2_
;:
:, The skirt 2~t includes a line of weaianess 32 facilitating a manual tear of
the skirt 24. The
r~
°':; line of weakness 32 is a line slang which the slcirt material is
likely to tear or rupture
;;
IS ~':f when the skirt 24 is pulled. in the non-limiting exan3lSEe of
implementation shown in
.~.,
Figures 1 to S, the line of weakness 32 is realized by making the skirt
material thinner
.,;
_:i i along a certain. line selected to be the line of weakness 32 than at
other portions of the
skirt '24. Alternati vely, the line of weakness 32 can be realized by making a
series of
~T
indentations or a series of perforations in the skirt rr~terial along a
c:ertaiu line seleoted
20 ~ i ~ to tie the line of wcala~ess 32. rn tl3e speaif is embodiment shown,
tho line c~f weaIrness
32 extends along a portion of the periphery of thc; shirt 24 in the vicinity
of the tension
'' ~ ring; 26_ Mare sped really, tl~e line of weakness 32 extends along
approximately three
1 ~ quarters of the periphery of the skirt 24 in an arf;a adjacent to the
tension ring 26.
Furthermore, in this case, the line of weakness 32 includes a portion 3$
extending across
25s ~, the tension ring 26. When the skirt 24 is torn. and the material is
ruptured at the portion
.F
-,'E 38, the tension ring 26 is severed wl.~ieh reduces its ability to hold
the cap 10 on the bottle
12.
-i ~ In addition, in the non-limiting erryodiment shown, the skink 24 defunes
a pull tab 34 for
30~ facilitating a txzanual tear ofthe stcirt material along the line
ofweakness 32 when the cap
.v ~ 10 is removed from the bottle 12. The pull tab 34 projects down and
depending on its
8
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
size may extend down past the Lower en.d portion 23 of the annular recessed
area 19.
In the particular example of implementation shown in Figures 1 to 6, the cap
10 further
comprises a tear stop 36 at a location intersectinb a line of tear propabating
as a result of
~,~'a a manual. pull applied on the Blurt 24. The line of tear produced by a
manual pull of the
Y'~~ skirt ~4 is most Likely to follow the line ofweakness 32 of the skirt 2~.
The tear stop 36
~~ i prevents the line of tear to propagate beyond the tear stop 36. lvlore
spocifiaally, the tear
;~ stop 36 is a structure adapted to prevent propagatioyt of the line of tear
beyond the
. ~'~ location of the structure. In the specific embodirnent shown, the tear
stop 3~5 includes a
10~''~ thickened portion on the cap 10. ivlore speci~cahy, the tear stop 36 is
realized by a
:;a
;.' s thickening of the skitrt material in a certain area of the skirt 2~4.
Thickening of the skirt
i i material is intended to mean that the skirt material in that certain area
of the skirt 24 is
thicker than in adjacent areas of the skirt 24 through which the line of
weakness 32
extends. Once the propagating line of tear reaches the tear stop 36, the
thicker material
~ ~ of the skirt 24 at that location will prevent further tearing of the skirt
rnatcrial without a
:E significant increase in the pulling force applied on the skim: 24. In other
embodiments,
v ' the tear stop 36 can be realized by a separate piece of material affixed,
for example, by
gluing or sonic welding to a specific location c~f the cap ! 0. In yet ottaer
embodiments,
;the tear stop 36 can be realized by farming a hole of sufficien t dimensions
in the skirt
20~s material. When the tear reaches such a tear stop 36, the absence of
material in the hole
z negates availability of material througks which the tear can propagate and
thus prevents
further propagation of the tear beyond that location.
<y
In the specific ea~ampie of implementation, the tsar stop 36 is located
adjacent the rib 2$
.::<
ZS' ~ and as such ~sists the rib 28 in perfarrfting the function of a. tension
ring. The tear stop
~;a
.~ 35 has a cross-sectional shape that is analpgt>cts to the cross-sectional
shape afthe rib 2$.
;; f
~'~s More specifically, the tear stop 36 has a smooth ramp surface 37 and
allows the tension
j ring of the cap !0 to progressively spread radially outwardly as the cap is
being snap
;' i fitted on the neck t R ot'the bottle 12. above the ramp suxface 3T, the
tear stop 36 defnes
3Q: i.~ a tooth 39 that engages the neck 1$ of the bottle I2 to assist the
tension ring in retaininb
:aM
the cap on the nook 18 of the boirtle I2.
A Y
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
7
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~ It will thus be appreciated that tlz.e tension ring 26, the line
of°weakness 32, and the tear
~' ; stop 36 facilitate the rzzountinl;, retention, and removal of the cap 10
on or from the neck
.....
1$ of the bottle 12. in particular, the tension ring 26 f-acil.itates
installation and ensures
~: ~ ~~ retention of the cap 10 on the neck 18 of the 6ottl~ 12. For their
part, the line ofweakness
:.'
a 32 and tb.e tear stop 35 facilitate the removal of the cap 10 from tile neck
1 g of the bottle
.
::i i
i ~ 12.
'i
i specifically, when a user applios a pulling farce on the pull tab 34 of the
skirt 24, a tear
lt)! ~ or rupture ofthe skirt material is initiated and propagates along the
line of weakness 32
y ,{
udder continual application of the farce. In the particular errilwdirnent
shown, the line of
:, i
weakness 32 is configured such that a strip is formed wheiz the skirt 24 is
being torn.
'~'~ Upon reaching the tear stop 36, the tear of the skizrt rz~aterial, or
tear line, propagating
y along the line of weakness 32 is prevented from lE~rrlrer propagation
through the tear stop
15 ~' :~ 36. Advantageorzsly, this prevents a situation whereby a tear line
would propagate along
~~ the entire periphery of the skirt 24 causing for the Skirt to be
coz~3pletely detached from
the lid 22, with the latter remaining fixed an the neck 18 of the Llottie 12.
In other words,
:~ the tear stop 36 prevents complete separation of the strip formed from the
toxn skizt
material from the remainder of the cap 10. in addition, owing to the portion
3$ pf the line
.,
20 .y of weakness 32 exterzdirtg across the tension ring 26 which, in this
particular
embodiment, is located adjacent the tear :;top 36, the tear line propagates
along the
~a
. ° ~ pol-tion 38 and thus tears nr ruptures at least part of Che
tension ring 26. As a result, the
:~ retaining force exerted by the tension ring 26 on the neck 18 ofthe botti.e
l~ is reduced
;:.
~~~ thereby facilitating removal ofthe cap 10 front the neck 18.
25~~s
~~ The cap I D may also be part of a closure system for a potable liquid
bottle. figure 7
:j.;
y ; shows a closure system ~l0 for a potable liquid bottle 12, in accordance
with a specific
E exampke of irnplemontation of the invention.. 'fhe bottle 12 is essentially
identical to that
.~ ~~ described previously in connection with 1~i~;ure .113. The closure
system 40 comprises a
30 ~ ~ threaciless cap F0, such as the cap described. previously in connection
with Figures 1 to
~" fi, and a protecti a sheath. 42 far application on the cap 10 and on a
portion of the neck
.a
:; s
~~ i0
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
:, i
4 7
'~~ 18 of the bottle 12 below the cap I0. 'fhe protective sheath 42 is
shrinkable to create a
y y recessed zone 44 within the annular recessed a~a I ~ of the neck I $
adjacent the portion
:3 ~ of the lower edge 33 of the skirt 24 located betwean the upper end
portio~~ ~ I and the
i i lower end portion 23 of the annular recessed area 19.
Sa
;;,i
In a particular example of implementation, the portion of the lower edge 33 of
tha skirt
~~ 24 that is located between the upper emd portion 2I and the lower end
portion 23 of the
;,' ~ annular recessed area 19 includes the entirety of the lower edge 33
ofthe skirt 24 except
.~~ ~ the pull tab 34. Also, the sheafih 42 is heat shrinkable on the cap i0
and an the portion
.,v
~ ~~ of the ncclc '1$ of the bottle 12 below the cap 10. Furthem-~are, like
the skirt 24, the sheath
4~2 includes a line ofweakness 415 to facilitate tear and rcrno~al aftlte
sheath 42 after the
~, ~ sheath has been heat shrunk on ~tl~e c:ap 10 and on the portion of the
neck 18 of the bottle
f.
12 below the cap 10. The line afweakness 4fi is realized bra making the sheath
nnatezial
1y thinner along a certain line sClectecl to be the line of weakness 4~5 than
at other portions
I S . ~ ~ of the sheath 42. Alternatively, the line of weakness 46 coal be
rEalized by making a
series of indentations or a series of pertbrations in the; sheath material
along a certain line
selected to be the line of waeatcrtESS 46.
' ~ Advantageously, the recessed zone 44 within the annular recessed area 19
of the neck i $
~'# reduces the tendency of the sheath 42 to slide on the cap 10 and on the
portion of the
:< ~ neok I8 of tlxe bottle I2 below the cap 10. Thus, the recessed zone 44,
which is made
.i~,
possible by the dimensions ofthe skirt 24 of the c:ap 10, enhvnces retention
of the sheath
'! 42 on the cap LO aad on the portion ofthe neck 't 8 ol'the bottle 12 below
the cap 10. In
;.~ addition, the rib 28 of the tension ring 26 projects radially outwardly
out ofthe cap id
e~~ ~ which further enhances retention of the: sheath 42. ~"he enhanced
retention of the sheath
42 helps in ensuring that hybienic; conditions are maintained in the urea of
the neck I $
ofttte bottle I2 and the cap IO that is exposed to direct contact with human
hands during
manipulation of the bottle 12.
v:; ~ Altl~tough the above description related to a specific type of cap, it
will be appreciated
that the invention can also be applied to caps hawing other features. Mor
instance, the
il
___.______.__. m=.~ ~d~,.~~".~~~,.~.. ~~_~~ ,J..~~~,~~,,.~,~~~..-~~ ~.a ..__
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CA 02464170 2004-04-08
invention can he applied. to a cap which has a lid portion that is pierced
when a bottle on
which the cap is mounted is installed in a liquid dispenser. fhe invention can
also be
applied to caps having a central well as described, for instance, in (.J'.S.
patent no.
6,032,812.
The above description of the c~bodiments Shhc~uld not be interpzeted ia~ a
limiting manner
since other variations, ~nodificatior~,s and refinements are possible within
the spirit an,d
scope of the present inventxan, 'fhe scape of the invention is defined in the
appended
claims and tl-~eir equivalents.
1S
12
