Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02675546 2009-08-14
CAP FOR A CONSUMABLE LIQUID CONTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cap for a bottle or a container and in
particular to
a cap for a consumable liquid container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumable liquids, such as oil, vinegar or dressing, are typically kept in
1o containers for pouring out as needed during preparation, serving or
consuming of
food. Consumable liquid containers may take the form of bottles that are
closed
with a cork or twist-on cap and opened for pouring when needed. However,
because bottles only have one opening air must enter in the same place as
consumable liquid escapes, thus causing uneven pouring due to bubbles of air
entering the bottle. Furthermore, the shape of a bottleneck often causes the
consumable liquid to pour in an uncontrolled flow, or to pour down the side of
the
bottle, soiling the bottle. Certain bottles are shaped with a spout-like
pouring rim
but in such bottles, the cork must be inserted deeper in the neck, below the
rim
thus requiring the user to potentially soil his or her hands while opening and
closing the bottle. In certain cases, consumable liquid bottles do not have
any
cork or cap or closing mechanism of any kind, and stored liquids are exposed
to
impurities, such as dust, falling into the bottle via the opening.
In the context of the above, it can be appreciated that there is a need in the
industry for an improved mechanism for closing consumable liquid containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a cap
for a container defining an interior for storing consumable liquid and having
an
upper portion defining a mouth. The cap comprises an inner member having a
top portion with a peripheral wall extending downwardly for covering the mouth
of
the container and defining an opening having a first central axis, the
peripheral
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wall of the inner member having means for retaining the cap onto the
container,
the inner member further comprising a first aperture for facing the interior
of the
container and a second aperture defined by a spout extending upwardly from the
top portion, the first and second apertures being in liquid communication for
allowing passage of the consumable liquid. The cap further comprises an outer
member having a top portion, an inner peripheral wall defining an inner
aperture
having a second central axis spaced apart from the first central axis, and an
external peripheral wall extending downwardly from the top portion of the
outer
member for covering at least partially the peripheral wall of the inner
member.
1o The cap further comprises a seal made of a flexible material. The seal
comprises
a top section having a depressible portion and a flange portion having an
external
edge, the depressible portion being located around the second central axis and
the flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion for
overlapping the spout. The seal further comprises a peripheral wall extending
downwardly from the top section and having a lower end mounted to the outer
member in an area adjacent the inner aperture of the outer member. The seal is
in closed position where the depressible portion is above the flange portion
and
the flange portion covers the spout and has a portion of its external edge
contacting the spout for hampering the outward flow of the consumable liquid
outwards from the interior of the container. Upon pressure of a user on the
depressible portion, the depressible portion is moved downwardly along the
second central axis such that the flange portion is above the depressible
portion
and frees the spout for allowing unimpeded passage of the consumable liquid
outwards from the interior of the container.
The invention also provides a cap for a container defining an interior for
storing
consumable liquid and having an upper portion defining a mouth, the cap
comprising: an inner member having a top portion with a peripheral wall
extending downwardly for covering the mouth of the container and defining an
opening, the peripheral wall of the inner member having means for retaining
the
cap onto the container, the inner member further comprising a first aperture
for
facing the interior of the container and a second aperture defined by a spout
extending upwardly from the top portion, the first and second apertures being
in
liquid communication for allowing passage of the consumable liquid; an outer
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member having a top portion, an inner peripheral wall defining an inner
aperture,
and an external peripheral wall extending downwardly from the top portion of
the
outer member for covering at least partially the peripheral wall of the inner
member; and a seal made of a flexible material and comprising a top section
having a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially
surrounding the
depressible portion for overlapping the spout and a peripheral wall extending
downwardly from the top section and having a lower end mounted to the outer
member in an area adjacent the inner aperture of the outer member; wherein the
seal is in closed position where the depressible portion is above the flange
portion and the flange portion has a portion covering the spout for hampering
the
outward flow of consumable liquid through the spout, and wherein, upon
pressure
of a user on the depressible portion, the depressible portion is moved
downwardly such that the flange portion is above the depressible portion and
frees the spout for allowing unimpeded passage of the consumable liquid
outwards from the interior of the container; wherein the top portion of the
inner
member is defined by an inclined surface converging towards a lower opening
communicating with the interior of the container; wherein the spout is free
from
surrounding elements; and wherein the inner member further comprises a lip
located below the spout and projecting outwardly such that consumable liquids
dripping from, or running down, the spout are collected by the lip and
directed
towards the lower opening of the top portion of the inner member.
These and other aspects and features of the present invention will now become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following
description of specific embodiments of the invention and the accompanying
drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of examples of implementation of the present invention
is
provided hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1A shows a side elevation view of a cap in a closed configuration in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
Figure 1 B shows a side elevation cross-sectional view of the cap;
Figure 2A shows a side elevation view of the cap in an open configuration;
Figure 2B shows a side elevation cross-sectional view of the cap in the open
configuration;
Figure 3A shows a front perspective view of the cap in the closed
configuration;
Figure 3B shows a front perspective view of the cap in the open configuration;
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the cap;
Figure 5 shows a top plan view of an inner member of the cap with no other
components shown;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a consumable liquid container; and
Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of the cap mounted to a consumable
liquid container.
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example.
It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only
for
purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended
to
be a definition of the limits of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1A to 3B show a cap 10 for a container. The cap 10 is suitable for use
with a container for holding consumable liquid such as oil, vinegar, or
dressing.
An example of a suitable container 2 is shown in Figure 6. The container 2 has
an upper portion 4 defining a mouth 6 which is to be covered by the cap 10.
The cap 10 can be mounted to the container 2 and has a seal 16 that is movable
between a closed position, shown in Figures 1A, 113, 3A, and 6, and an open
1o position, shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 3B. As will be described more fully
below,
when the cap 10 is mounted to the container 2, the closed configuration is
generally intended to give the cap a closed appearance, to block falling dust
and
other debris from penetrating within the container 2 and to impede the outward
flow of consumable liquid through the cap from the interior of the container
to the
exterior, while in the open configuration, the passage of consumable liquid is
unimpeded.
Unless explicitly or implicitly suggested otherwise, the various elements
described herein are described from the perspective of a consumable liquid
container that is standing upright on a flat surface and onto which the cap is
affixed at a top portion. As such, orientationally descriptive terms such as
`upward', 'top', 'vertical' or 'upper', will generally refer to this
particular frame of
reference. However, it should be understood that this orientation is used only
as
an example to facilitate understanding of the invention, but that the
invention is
not limited to any particular orientation of its elements. For example,
although the
mouth 6 of the container described above is described as being defined at the
upper portion 4, it should be understood that the container could be
reoriented or
otherwise shaped such that the portion defining the mouth 6 is no longer "up"
without departing from the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the
term
longitudinal, as used herein designates a direction transversal to the mouth 6
of
the container 2, the container interior and the cap 10. In the example shown,
longitudinal refers to a direction relative to the cap 10 that is generally
vertical
when the cap 10 is mounted to the container 2 and the container 2 rests
upright
on a flat surface. However, it is to be understood that the present invention
is not
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to be limited to the particular embodiment shown. Accordingly, alternate
embodiment may comprise a mouth, cap and container that are curved or angled
relative to one another.
The cap 10 comprises an inner member 12, and outer member 14, and the seal
16. In the example shown, these parts are shown in a particular configuration;
however, it should be understood that all parts of the cap 10 and the cap 10
itself
may vary in shape and relative size and that the invention is not intended to
be
limited to the particular shape shown in the figures.
The inner member 12 comprises a top portion 18 and a peripheral wall 20
extending downwardly from the top portion 18. The cap 10 is suited for
attachment to container 2 at a mouth 6 of the container 2 by any appropriate
retaining mean. When the cap is attached to the container, the peripheral wall
20
of the inner member 12 is said to cover the mouth 6 of the container. The
peripheral wall 20 defines an opening 21 for receiving the mouth 6 of the
container 2. The opening 21 is located around a first central axis 19. In the
example shown, the central axis 19 of the opening 21 corresponds to the
longitudinal central axis of the cap 10 and the container 2. In a non-limiting
example, the peripheral wall 20 of the inner member 12 has threading 22 and
can
be twisted into matching threading 24 provided on the upper portion 4 of
container 2. However, the particular retaining means used is not meant to
limit
the invention and in any arrangement when the mouth 6 of the container is
covered by the cap, it is said that the peripheral wall of the member covers
the
mouth 6 of the container.
As best seen in Figures 1 B and 2B, the inner member 12 comprises a first
aperture 31 for facing the interior of the container 2 and a second aperture
32
defined by a spout 30, the first and second apertures 31, 32 being in liquid
communication via a passage 33 provided in the inner member 12 for allowing
consumable liquid to flow from the interior of the container 2 through the
passage
33 and outwards. As such, when the seal 16 in the open position, and the cap
10
is mounted to the container 2, the container 2 can be tilted to pour out
consumable liquid unimpededly from the interior of the container.
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As best seen in figure 1 B, 2B, 4 and 5 the top portion 18 of the inner member
12
is defined by an inclined surface 25 converging at a lower opening 27
communicating with the interior of the container 2. The inclined surface 25
has a
recess 26 extending transversely and in which the lower opening 27 is located.
In
the embodiment shown here, the lower opening 27 is in communication with a
tubular passage 28 that extends towards the interior of the container 2.
However,
passage 28, is optional, the lower opening 27 may open directly into the
interior
of container 2. When consumable liquid, such as oil, drips onto the top
portion 18
of the inner member 12, the inclined surface 25 directs it towards the lower
opening 27, where it re-enters into the interior of container 2.
The spout 30 has four walls projecting upwardly from the top portion 18 to a
top
surface comprising the second aperture 32 defined by the spout. The spout 30
is
free from surrounding elements, that is, it is surrounded by an area devoid of
other elements such that it stands alone on the top portion 18. As such,
consumable liquid dripping from the spout 30, or running down the sides of the
spout 30 will fall down onto the top portion 18 of the inner member 12, where
it
will be collected and directed into the lower opening 27 due to the inclined
surface 25 and recess 26.
As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of guiding walls 62 project upwardly
from
the top surface 18 and extend transversely on either side of the spout 30. The
space over the top surface 18 between the guiding walls 62 and respective
walls
of the spout form a pair of channels 36 on respective sides of the spout 30.
On
either sides of the spout 30, a pair of posts 60 consisting of a left and a
right post
also project upwardly from the top surface 18 adjacent and on each side of
said
spout.
3o The inner member 12 also comprises a lip 34 located below the spout 30 and
projecting outwardly from the inner member 12. The lip 34 is dimensioned so as
to receive drops of consumable liquid dripping from the spout 30. Accordingly,
the
lip 34 projects from the inner member beneath the spout 30 and further than
the
spout 30 and is adapted to direct consumable liquid collected thereupon
towards
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the channels 36, whereupon the consumable liquid, being on the inclined
surface
25, is directed downwards into the lower opening 27 where it reenters into the
interior of the container 2.
Thus the lip 34, channels 36, recess 26 and lower opening 27 cooperate to
ensure that after consumable liquid is poured out of the spout, if one or more
drops of liquid drip from the spout, they will not fall out of the cap or
container or
run down the side of the cap or container, but will be collected back into the
interior of the container. It is to be noted that even if consumable liquid
does not
drip off the spout but rather runs down along the outside of the spout, it
will still
be received by the lip 34 or channels 36. The arrangement of the lower opening
27, recess 26, second aperture 32, spout 30, lip 34, and channels 36 is best
seen
on Figure 5, which is a top plan view of the inner member 12.
Reverting to Figure 3B and 4, the outer member 14 comprises a top portion 38
and an external peripheral wall 40 extending downwardly therefrom. The top
portion 38 of the outer member 14 partially covers the top portion 18 of the
inner
member 12 and the external peripheral wall 40 covers at least partially the
peripheral wall 20 of the inner member 12. The external peripheral wall 40 of
the
outer member 14 extends downwardly over most of the longitudinal length of,
and
around most of the periphery of, the peripheral wall 20 of the inner member
12.
However, as best seen in Figure 4, the external peripheral wall 40 of the
outer
member 14 does not completely surround the peripheral wall 20 of the inner
member 12 and an opening 42 is provided in the outer member 14 in which the
posts 60, lip 34, and spout 30 are received. By virtue of the opening 42, the
spout
30, lip 34 and channels 36 are not covered by the external peripheral wall 40.
Furthermore, the opening 42 encompasses the posts 60 such that an edge of the
external peripheral wall 40 abuts each of the posts 60 to prevent rotation of
the
outer member 14 relative to the inner member 12. It is to be understood that
posts 60 are optional and that other means of preventing relative rotation
between the inner member 12 and the outer member 14 may be provided, such
as matching vertical ridges and grooves at the interface between the
peripheral
wall 20 of inner member 12 and the external peripheral wall 40 of the outer
member 14.
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The top portion 38 of the outer member 14 is adapted to direct any consumable
liquid on it towards the channels 36. In particular, as seen in Figures 3B and
4 the
top portion 38 is angled downwardly from first and second upper edge sections
68, 69 adjacent a peripheral portion of the top portion 38, and is angled
towards
the interior and opening 42 such that consumable liquid on the top portion 38
is
urged towards the top portion 18 of the inner member 12.
As best seen in Figures 1 B, 2B, and 4, the top portion 38 comprises an inner
1o peripheral wall 44. The inner peripheral wall defines an inner aperture 46
having
a second central axis 48 which is spaced apart from the first central axis 19.
The
inner aperture 46 defined by the inner peripheral wall 44 of the outer member
14
is not centered relative to the cap 10 and container 2 and is rather slightly
offset
relative to the first central axis 19. That is, the inner aperture 46 is not
centered
along the same longitudinal axis as the lower opening 21. As such the first
central
axis 19 and the second central axis 48 can be said to be spaced apart from one
another.
In Figure 5, the opening 21 defined by the peripherals wall 20 of the inner
member 12 is hidden by the top portion 18 of the inner member 12, however it
is
approximately in the center of the cap 10. The inner aperture 46 of the outer
member 14 is offset from the center of the cap 10.
The seal 16 is made of a flexible material and it comprises a top portion 58,
which
is the only portion of the seal 16 visible in Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, and 6. The
top
portion 58 comprises a depressible portion 56 located around the second
central
axis 48 and overlying the inner aperture 46.
The seal 16 further comprises a flange portion 54 which overlaps and covers
the
spout 30 when the seal 16 is in the closed position for obstructing the liquid
passage through the spout 30 and for hampering the outward flow of liquids
through the cap 10, as shown in Figures 1 A and 1B. The flange portion 54 at
least partially surrounds the depressible portion 56. In the example shown,
the
flange portion 54 extends around a majority of the periphery of the
depressible
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portion 56, but does not surround the entire depressible portion 56. Indeed,
the
flange portion 54 does not extend to the part of the periphery of the
depressible
portion 56 that is opposite the spout 30. However, it is to be understood that
the
flange portion 54 could extend around the entire periphery of the depressible
portion 56. In such a case, because the depressible portion 56 surrounds the
second central axis 48, which is not central to the cap 10 in the present
example,
the flange portion 54 may not be of equal width all around the depressible
portion
56, even though it would surround it.
The flange portion 54 has an external edge 72. When the seal 16 is in the
closed
position, the external edge 72 at least partially contacts the top surface of
the
walls of the spout 30 for obstructing the liquid passage through the spout 30
and
hampering the outward flow of liquids through the cap 10. As best seen in
Figures 1 B, 3A and 7, the external edge 16 of the seal contacts the outermost
wall of the spout 30. Due to this contact, when the seal 16 is in the closed
position and in normal use, liquid will not pass through the spout outwards
even
as the container 2 is slightly tilted or shaken, for example as it is
transported from
one place to another. When in the closed position, the external edge 72 also
contacts the top surface of the posts 60 and the first and second upper edge
sections 69, 69 of the top portion 38 of the outer member 14. Thus, even if
consumable liquid is, by tilting of the container 2, urged out of the spout 30
and
into the area over the top portion 38, it will be prevented from flowing to
the over
the posts 60 or the upper edge sections 68, 69 by the contact between the
external edge 72 with the posts 60 and upper edge sections 68, 69 and, within
a
normal range of motion and orientation of the container 2, will be directed
through
the opening 42 back onto the top portion 18 of the inner member 12 by the top
portion 38 of the outer member 14 whereupon it will be directed back into the
interior of the container 2 through the lower opening 27, as already described
above. In the particular embodiment shown, if the container 2 experiences an
extreme tilt or shake, liquid may still flow outward through the spout 30,
over the
top portion 18 of the inner member 12 on the inward side of the spout 30 and
out
through the channels 36. Liquid may also flow out through the lower opening 27
over the top portion 18 of the inner member 12 and out through the channels
36.
In an alternate embodiment, the external edge 72 could completely cover the
CA 02675546 2009-08-14
second aperture 32 and thus prevent outward flow of liquid through the spout
altogether when in the closed position. Channels 36 may also be absent or
equally covered by the seal 16 such that no liquid whatsoever can flow
outwards
when the seal 16 is in the closed position.
The seal 16 further comprises a peripheral wall 52 extending downwardly from
the top portion 58. An upper end 64 of the peripheral wall 52 joins the top
portion
58 between the flange portion 54 and the depressible portion 56 in an area
surrounding the depressible portion 56. The peripheral wall 52 extends
1o downwardly from the upper end 64 to a lower end 68 in an area adjacent the
inner aperture 46.
The lower end 68 of the peripheral wall 52 can be held against the inner
peripheral wall 44 by any suitable means. In the example shown here, the
peripheral wall 52 is held against the entire periphery of the inner
peripheral wall
by a ring 70 received in the inner aperture 46. The lower end 68 of the
peripheral
wall 52 is sandwiched between the inner peripheral wall 44 and the ring 70
such
that it is held in place and such that consumable liquid cannot flow between
the
peripheral wall 52 and the inner peripheral wall 44. Thus, the inner aperture
46 is
completely sealed by the peripheral wall 52 such that no consumable liquid can
flow outward to the exterior of the cap 10 and the container 2 through the
inner
aperture 46. Therefore, the only passages between the interior of the
container 2
and the exterior are via the first aperture 31, passage 33, and second
aperture
32, and via the channels 36, recess 26, lower opening 27 and tubular passage
28.
In the example shown here, the peripheral wall 52 extends downwardly around
the entire periphery of the depressible portion 56, however it is to be
appreciated
that in alternate embodiments, the peripheral wall 52 may be disposed
differently.
For example, the peripheral wall 52 could extend only below the area of the
top
portion 58 where the flange portion 54 and the depressible portion 56 meet;
the
top portion 58 being itself held or glued against the outer member 14 around
the
area of the periphery of the depressible portion 56 not surrounded by the
flange
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portion 54. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 52 may be held against the inner
peripheral surface 44 by means other than a ring such as gluing or
overmolding.
The upper end 64 of the peripheral wall 52 comprises a live hinge 66. When a
user applies pressure on the depressible portion 56 of the seal 16, the
depressible portion 56 is moved downwardly along the second central axis 48
and the flange portion 54 moves upwardly to free the spout 30. The seal 16
thus
adopts the open position shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 3B. Passage of
consumable liquid outwards from the interior of the container 2 through the
first
1o aperture 31, the passage 33 and the second aperture 32 is thus unimpeded
when
the seal 16 is in the open position. In the example shown, when the seal is
moved from the closed position to the open position, the entire flange portion
54
moves from a downward angle relative the live hinge 66 to an upward angle and
its external edge 72 disengages the top portion 38 of the outer member 14. The
container 2 with the cap 10 can then be tilted to allow outward flow of the
consumable liquid held in the interior of the container 2 outward through the
first
aperture 31, the passage 33 and the second aperture 32.
Thus, when the seal 16 is in the closed position, the depressible portion 56
is
above the flange portion 54, and the flange portion 54 covers the spout 30, as
shown in Figure 1 B. When the seal 16 is in the open position, the flange
portion
54 extends upwardly above the depressible portion 56 so as to free the second
opening 32 and to allow unimpeded passage of consumable liquid outwards from
the interior of the container 2 through the spout 30.
In addition to allowing consumable liquid to be poured out of the spout 30 and
to
permit consumable liquid to be collected back into the container 2, the inner
member 12 and outer member 14 also permit air to flow into the container 2
while
pouring, as will now be described.
As best seen on Figures 1 B, 2B and 5, the pair of channels 36, recess 26,
lower
opening 27, and tubular passage 28 together form a liquid passage between the
interior of the container 2 and the exterior through the cap 10. More
specifically,
the channels 36 form a liquid communication passage between the recess 26
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and the exterior of the container 2 and cap 10 while the lower opening 27 and
passage 28 form a liquid communication passage between the interior of the
container 2 and the recess 26. When consumable liquid is poured from the spout
30, air can also penetrate into the interior of the container 2 through the
lower
opening 27 and passage 28 to replace the volume of consumable liquid being
poured out. As a result, consumable liquids can pour out through the spout 30
smoothly, without the risk of bubbles interrupting the flow.
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the cap 10. An optional container insert 76
is
1o shown here. The container insert 76 is a piece of rubber or rubber-like
material
sized to fit in the mouth 6 of the container 2 and to cover the top of the
container
2 around the mouth 6. When the cap 10 is screwed, or otherwise fastened onto
the container 2, it is pressed against the container insert 76 and thus forms
a tight
seal against the mouth 6 of the container 2, thus preventing consumable liquid
from escaping between the mouth 6 of the container 2 and the cap 10.
The seal 16 can be made of injection molded silicone, compression molded
silicone, thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or natural rubber.
It is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiment shown here and that the seal 16 may prevent the flow of
consumable liquid outward in any suitable manner. For example, in the
alternate
embodiment suggested above, where when the seal 16 is in the closed position,
the external edge 72 completely covers the second aperture 32, the flange need
only extend around the portion of the periphery of the depressible portion 56
where the spout is located, and there may be no upper edge sections 68 and 69.
Although a particular embodiment has been illustrated, this was for the
purpose
of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications will
become
apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this
invention,
which is defined more particularly by the attached claims.
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