Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTAINER CAP AND COMPOUNDS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application claims priority to United States Patent Application
No.: 16/712,504,
entitled "Container Cap and Compounds," filed December 12, 2020, which is
hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to caps for containers. More
particularly, the
present disclosure relates to caps including a compound as described herein.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various caps are known for dispensing a compound into a container.
Previous caps
generally included a lid and a body that substantially form a cap. Within the
lid and the body
of the cap is the compound, which is selected to dispense into the container.
To prevent
tampering or contamination of the compound, previous caps are designed for
single use, such
that a force is required to separate the lid and the body, and therefore
dispose a further
compound into the cap, such a force is so great as to discourage the user.
Furthermore,
previous caps required users to perform complex operations to dispense the
compound, such
as a combination of rotational and translational movements of the lid relative
to the body.
[0004] Given the above background, what is needed in the art are cap devices
that allow for
improved operations for dispensing of a compound. In particular, there is a
need for enabling
a user to utilize a cap device for dispensing a compound into a container with
an improved
operation, and reusing the cap device for further dispensing operations.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure addresses the above-identified need in the art.
In the present
disclosure cap devices and methods thereof are provided.
[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cap device for
accommodating and
dispensing a compound into a container. The cap device includes a body. The
body includes
an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an opening. The opening defines
a volume for
accommodating the compound. Further, the opening penetrates through a central
axis of the
body by a first length. The opening penetrates from the upper end portion to
the lower end
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portion of the body. A membrane is disposed at a lower end portion of the
opening. The
membrane includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening, such that
the
membrane seals the lower end portion of the opening. A lid is removably
coupled and
moveable relative to the upper end portion of the body. The lid includes an
upper end portion
including an exterior surface and an interior surface. The lid further
includes a protrusion
extending downwardly from the interior surface of the lid. The protrusion
having a second
length greater than the first length of the opening of the body. Moreover, a
diameter of the
protrusion corresponds to the diameter of the opening. As such, the opening of
the body
accommodates a lower end portion of the protrusion. A spacer removably engages
the upper
end portion of the lid. The spacer interposes between the upper end portion of
the lid and the
upper end portion of the body. Moreover, the spacer is configurable between a
first state and
a second state. In the first state, the spacer engages with the lid,
increasing a distance
between the upper end portion of the lid and the lower end portion of the
opening by the third
length. This increase in distance prevents the protrusion from penetrating the
membrane, or
the seal formed by the membrane. In the second state, the spacer is disengaged
with the lid,
removing the third length from the distance between the upper end portion of
the lid and the
lower end portion of the opening. With the spacer disengaged, the protrusion
of the lid
penetrates the membrane of the body. Accordingly, the compound dispenses from
the cap
device into the container.
[0007] In some embodiments, the body further includes a gate disposed at the
lower end
portion of the opening. The gate is movable between a first position, in which
the gate
occupies a first portion of the opening, and a second position, in which the
gate occupies a
second portion of the opening.
[0008] In some embodiments, the gate is internally disposed at the lower end
portion of the
opening above the membrane.
[0009] In some embodiments, a first end portion of the gate is coupled to the
lower end
portion of the opening, and a second end portion of the gate is free.
[0010] In some embodiments, a lower end portion of the protrusion further
includes a wedge
configured to abut the second end portion of the gate.
[0011] In some embodiments, the opening of the body includes a first diameter
at an upper
end portion of the opening and a second diameter at a lower end portion of the
opening. As
such, the diameter of the protrusion corresponds to the second diameter of the
opening.
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[0012] In some embodiments, a transition region of the opening from the first
diameter to the
second diameter occurs over a portion of the first length of the opening.
[0013] In some embodiments, the lid and body are moveable relative to a first
translational
degree of freedom.
[0014] In some embodiments, the protrusion further includes a gasket. The
gasket interposes
between an inner surface of the opening of the body and an outer surface of
the protrusion.
[0015] In some embodiments, the spacer is integrally formed with the lid.
Accordingly, an
interface between the spacer and the lid includes a first strength less than a
second strength of
the spacer and the lid.
[0016] In some embodiments, the interface includes a plurality of
perforations.
[0017] In some embodiments, the interface includes a first thickness less than
a second
thickness of the spacer and the lid.
[0018] In some embodiments, the spacer is a shaft collar.
[0019] In some embodiments, the exterior portion of the lid includes a
cylindrical portion
including a third diameter. Accordingly, the spacer is cylindrical object of
the third diameter
having a gap at a portion of a circumference of the cylinder forming the
spacer. The gap
defines a chord length of the cylinder. The chord length of the gap in the
first state of the
spacer is less than the third diameter. Further, the chord length of the gap
in the second state
of the spacer is greater than or equal to the third diameter.
[0020] In some embodiments, the spacer is elastically deformable, allowing the
spacer to
transition between states one or more times.
[0021] In some embodiments, the diameter of the spacer is in a range of from
85% to 100%
of the third diameter.
[0022] In some embodiments, an exterior surface of the upper end portion of
the body and the
interior surface of the upper end portion of the lid include a corresponding
mating
mechanism.
[0023] In some embodiments, the corresponding mating mechanisms of the body
and the lid
allow the cap device to be configurable between a first state and a second
state. In the first
state, the body and the lid are free to couple and decouple with each other.
In the second
state, the body and the lid are prevented from decoupling with each other.
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[0024] In some embodiments, a transition from the first state to the second
state of the cap
device is provided through a relative rotational movement of the lid.
[0025] In some embodiments, the second state of the cap restricts the relative
movement of
the lid by one translational degree of freedom.
[0026] In some embodiments, the first state restricts a relative movement of
the lid to one
translational degree of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom. Further,
the second
state restricts a relative movement of the lid to the one translational degree
of freedom.
[0027] In some embodiments, the compound includes a fluid, a solid, a
granulate, and/or a
combination thereof
[0028] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of
dispensing a dosage of
a compound accommodated in a cap device of a container. The cap device
includes a body
including an opening. The cap device further includes a lid including a hollow
protrusion and
a spacer removably coupled to an upper end portion of the lid. The spacer
interposes
between the upper end portion of the lid and the body. Accordingly, the method
includes
sealing a lower end portion of the opening of the body with a membrane. Either
of the
opening or the hollow of the protrusion is filled with the dosage of the
compound. The lid
and the body of the cap device couple by accommodating the hollow protrusion
of the lid
within the opening of the body, such that the compound is accommodated in the
cap device.
A lower end portion of the body and the container are coupled, such that the
cap device is
coupled to the container. The spacer is removed from the upper end portion of
the lid. The
lid is depressed further towards to the body, forcing the protrusion to pierce
the seal formed
by the membrane. Accordingly, the dosage of the compound is dispensed into the
container.
[0029] In some embodiments, an internal surface of one of the opening or the
hollow
protrusion of the cap device further includes a plurality of indicia. Each
respective indicia
defines a unique predetermined dosage. Accordingly, the filling includes
filling the one of
the opening or the hollow protrusion to one of the indicia of the plurality of
indicia with the
compound.
[0030] In some embodiments, the coupling further includes coupling the spacer
to the upper
end portion of the lid.
[0031] In some embodiments, the spacer is coupled to the upper end portion of
the lid prior to
coupling the lid and the body.
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[0032] In some embodiments, the coupling allows a relative movement between
the lid and
the body with one translational degree of freedom.
[0033] In some embodiments, the coupling allows a relative movement between
the lid and
the body with the one translational degree of freedom and one rotational
degree of freedom.
Further, prior to the removing, the one translational degree of freedom of the
relative
movement between the lid and the body is restricted to one direction.
[0034] In some embodiments, the coupling allows a relative movement between
the lid and
the body with one translational degree of freedom.
[0035] In some embodiments, a force required for the coupling is less than or
equal to a force
required for piercing of the depressing.
[0036] In some embodiments, the method further includes decoupling the cap
device from
the container. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the method further includes
repeating the
sealing through the depressing of the method for either a second dosage of the
dispensed
compound or a dosage of a second compound.
[0037] In some embodiments, the decoupling further includes decoupling the
body and the
lid of the cap.
[0038] In some embodiments, the sealing of the repeating includes removing the
pierced
membrane from the lid and sealing with a second membrane different from the
first
membrane.
[0039] In some embodiments, the sealing of the repeating includes resealing
the lower end
portion of the opening of the body with the membrane, thereby reforming the
pierced seal.
[0040] In some embodiments, the repeating omits the removing.
[0041] In some embodiments, the spacer is integrally formed with the upper end
portion of
the lid. Accordingly, the method further includes decoupling both the body
from the
container and the lid from the body. Further, in some embodiments, the method
includes
repeating the sealing through the depressing of the method with a second lid
different from
the lid of the dispensed compound.
[0042] In some embodiments, the container includes a consumable liquid.
Accordingly, prior
to the decoupling of either of the body from the container or the lid from the
body, the
method further includes consuming a solution including and/or comprising the
consumable
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liquid and the compound.
[0043] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cap device for
accommodating
and dispensing a compound into a container. The cap device includes a body.
The body
includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an opening. The
opening penetrates
through an axis of the body by a first length from the upper end portion to
the lower end
portion of the body. A membrane is disposed at a lower end portion of the
opening. The
membrane includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening, such that
the
membrane seals the lower end portion of the opening. A lid is removably
coupled and
moveable relative to the upper end portion of the body. The lid includes an
upper end portion
including an exterior surface and an interior surface. The lid further
includes a protrusion
extending downwardly from the interior surface of the lid. The protrusion
having a second
length greater than the first length of the opening of the body. Moreover, a
diameter of the
protrusion corresponds to the diameter of the opening. As such, the opening of
the body
accommodates a lower end portion of the protrusion. A spacer is removably
coupled to the
upper end portion of the lid and interposes between the upper end portion of
the lid and the
upper end portion of the body. The spacer is configurable between a first
state and a second
state. In the first state, the spacer is engaged with the lid, increasing a
distance between the
upper end portion of the lid and the lower end portion of the opening by the
third length,
preventing the protrusion from penetrating the membrane. In the second state,
the spacer is
disengaged with the lid, removing the third length from the distance between
the upper end
portion of the lid and the lower end portion of the opening, allowing the
protrusion of the lid
to penetrate the membrane of the body and dispense the compound into the
container.
[0044] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cap device for
accommodating
and dispensing a compound into a container. The cap device includes a body.
The body
includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and an opening. The
opening penetrates
through an axis of the body by a first length from the upper end portion to
the lower end
portion of the body. A membrane is disposed at a lower end portion of the
opening. The
membrane includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening, such that
the
membrane seals the lower end portion of the opening. A lid is removably
coupled and
moveable relative to the upper end portion of the body. The lid includes an
upper end portion
including an exterior surface and an interior surface. The lid further
includes a protrusion
extending downwardly from the interior surface of the lid. The protrusion
having a second
length greater than the first length of the opening of the body. As such, the
opening of the
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body accommodates a lower end portion of the protrusion. A spacer is
configurable between
a first state and a second state. In the first state, the spacer is engaged
with the lid, increasing
a distance between the upper end portion of the lid and the lower end portion
of the opening
by the third length, preventing the protrusion from penetrating the membrane.
In the second
state, the spacer is disengaged with the lid, removing the third length from
the distance
between the upper end portion of the lid and the lower end portion of the
opening, allowing
the protrusion of the lid to penetrate the membrane of the body and dispense
the compound
into the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrated by way of example, and
not by way
of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Like reference
numerals refer to
corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
[0046] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cap device, in accordance
with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a cap device, in accordance with an
embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0048] Figure 3A illustrates a top view of a lid of a cap device, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0049] Figure 3B illustrates a bottom view of a lid of a cap device, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] Figure 4A illustrates a top view of a body of a cap device, where
dashed lines are
projections of a corresponding length, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
disclosure.
[0051] Figure 4B illustrates a bottom view of a body of a cap device, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cap device in a first
state, where
dashed lines are projections of a corresponding length, in accordance with an
embodiment of
the present disclosure.
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[0053] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cap device in a second
state, where
dashed lines are projections of a corresponding length, in accordance with an
embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0054] Figure 7 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of a cap
device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0055] Figure 8 illustrates a first partially exploded side view of a cap
device, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0056] Figure 9 illustrates a second partially exploded side view of a cap
device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0057] Figure 10 illustrates another partially exploded perspective view of a
cap device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0058] Figure 11 provides a flow chart of processes and features of a cap
device for
accommodating and dispensing a compound into a container, where dashed boxes
are
optional, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0059] The present disclosure provides cap devices that accommodate a compound
and
dispense the compound into a container. To this end, United States Patent
Application No.:
29/706,749, entitled "Container Cap," filed September 23, 2019, is hereby
incorporated by
reference in its entirety. The cap devices include a spacer that either allows
or inhibits the
cap device from dispensing the compound. If the spacer allows the user to
dispense the
compound, the cap device is operated with an improved, simple operation by the
user. The
improved user operation allows for the dispensing of the compound with minimal
user input,
such as requiring no rotational movement. Furthermore, the improved user
operation allows
the user to disengage and reengage various portions of the cap device together
without
exerting a significant force. This allows for further containers and/or
compounds to be
utilizable by the cap device, allowing the user to reuse a cap device and
conduct multiple
dispensing operations over a time period, in some embodiments with the same
cap device.
[0060] A cap for accommodating a compound includes a body with an opening. The
opening
extends downwardly from an upper end portion to a lower end portion of the
body by a first
length. A membrane seals a lower end portion of the opening. A lid is
removably coupled
and moveable relative to the body. The lid includes a protrusion extending
downwardly from
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an interior surface of the lid by a second length. This second length is
greater than or equal to
the first length. The opening accommodates a lower end portion of the
protrusion, which in
combination with the membrane further accommodates the compound within the cap
device.
A spacer removably couples with the lid and engages with the lid interposing
between the lid
and the body. A first state of the spacer includes the spacer engaging with
the lid, which
prevents the protrusion from penetrating the membrane. A second state of the
spacer
includes the spacer disengaged from the lid, which allows the protrusion of
the lid to
penetrate the membrane of the body. As such, a user dispenses the compound by
disengaging
the spacer and the lid, allowing the lid to depress downwardly and penetrate
the membrane.
[0061] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which
are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed
description, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
the present
disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present
disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known
methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been
described in detail so
as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
[0062] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or
structures described
herein as a single instance. Finally, boundaries between various components
are somewhat
arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of
specific illustrative
configurations. Other forms of functionality are envisioned and may fall
within the scope of
the implementation(s). In general, structures and functionality presented as
separate
components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined
structure or
component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single
component may be
implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications,
additions,
and improvements fall within the scope of the implementation(s).
[0063] It will also be understood that, although the terms "first," "second,"
etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by
these terms.
These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For
example, a first
compound could be termed a second compound, and, similarly, a second compound
could be
termed a first compound, without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. The
first compound and the second compound are both compounds, but they are not
the same
compound.
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[0064] Furthermore, when a reference number is given an "ith" denotation, the
reference
number refers to a generic component, set, or embodiment. For instance, an
indicium termed
"indicium i" refers to the ith indicium in a plurality of indicia (e.g., an
indicia 800-i in a
plurality of indicia 800).
[0065] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments
only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the
description of the
embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
are intended
to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise. It will also
be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses
any and all
possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will
be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements, and/or
components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof
[0066] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been
described with
reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions below
are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms
disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The
embodiments
are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and their
practical
applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the
embodiments and
various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular
use
contemplated.
[0067] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the
embodiments described
herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the
development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in
order to
achieve the designer's specific goals, such as compliance with use case- and
business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation
to another and
from one designer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a
design effort might
be complex and time-consuming, but nevertheless be a routine undertaking of
engineering for
those of ordering skill in the art having the benefit of the present
disclosure.
[0068] For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended
claims, the
terms "upper," "lower," "up," "down," "upwards," "downwards," "laterally,"
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"longitudinally," "inner," "outer," "inside," "outside," "inwardly,"
"outwardly," "interior,"
"exterior," "front," "rear," "back," "forwards," and "backwards" are used to
describe features
of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features
as displayed in
the figures.
[0069] Referring to Figure 1 through Figure 10, a cap device 10 is illustrated
in accordance
with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The cap device 10 is
configured to
removably engage with a container. Containers of the present disclosure
include drinkware,
such as glassware, and laboratory ware. For instance, in some embodiments, a
container
includes a beaker, a bottle, a drinking glass such as a tumbler, a flask,
ajar, a tube, and the
like. Once engaged with the container, the cap device 10 and the container are
dis-engagable,
allowing the cap device 10 to be reused with any number of a variety of
containers.
[0070] In some embodiments, the cap device 10 accommodates one or more
compounds
(e.g., compound 700 of Figure 5) within a portion of the cap device 10. By
transitioning the
cap device 10 between various states (e.g., from a first state of Figure 5 to
a second state of
Figure 6), a compound 700 accommodated within the cap device 10 is dispensed
into the
container. In some embodiments, the container accommodates a solvent (e.g., a
potable fluid
such as water) and the compound 700 includes a material that is soluble in the
solvent of the
container. Accordingly, upon dispensing the compound 700 from the cap device
10 into the
container (e.g., method 1100 of Figure 11), a solution forms. In some
embodiments, the
solution is a consumable (e.g., potable) solution for a user of the cap device
10.
[0071] The compound 700 includes a variety of materials including one or more
fluids
materials, one or more solid materials, or a combination thereof For instance,
in some
embodiments, the compound 700 includes one or more concentrated liquids, one
or more
pastes, one or more granulated solids, one or more emulsions, or the like. In
some
embodiments, the compound 700 is a consumable compound, such as a material
that provides
one or more physiological benefits upon consumption by a user. Consumable
compounds
700 include pharmaceutical compounds, nutritional compounds such as vitamins
and
minerals, organic compounds, and the like. In some embodiments, the compound
700
includes one or more prebiotics, with each prebiotic including one or more
respective
populations of bacteria. In some embodiments, the compound 700 includes an
active
material (e.g., an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition).
[0072] The cap device 10 includes a body 100 and a lid 200 that removably
engage with each
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other, allowing a user to repeatedly disposed a compound 700 into, or
similarly dispense the
compound 700 from, the cap device 10. In some embodiments, this repeated use
(e.g.,
engagement and disengagement of the lid 200 and the body 100) of the cap
device 10 allows
the user to utilize the same body 100 and/or the same lid 200 for more than
one dispensing
operation (e.g., block 1116 of the method 1100 of Figure 11). Furthermore,
having the body
100 and the lid 200 removably engage with each other allows the cap device 10
to be utilized
with a variety of containers and/or a variety of compounds 700 in multiple
dispensing
processes, improving the utility of the cap device 10.
[0073] In some embodiments, the cap device 10 is configured to engage with a
predetermined
container, or a predetermined size of a container (e.g., a predetermined mouth
size of a
container, such as a 40 millimeter (mm) standard mouth container). In some
embodiments,
the body 100 portion of the cap device 10 is configured to engage with a
predetermined
container, or a predetermined size of a container, whereas the lid 200 portion
of the body is a
generic component configured to engaging with a sized body 100. For instance,
in some
embodiments, a first cap device 10-1 is configured using a first body 100-1
and a first lid
200-1 while a second cap device 10-2 is configured using a second body 100-2
and a second
lid 200-2. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first cap device 10-1 is
configured using the
first body 100-1, the second body 100-2, the first lid 200-1, the second lid
200-2, or a
combination thereof (e.g., the cap device 10 allows for interchangeable
components). As
such, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides cap devices 10
suitable for a
variety of containers and/or components of various cap devices 10 (e.g.,
bodies 100 and/or
lids 200).
[0074] As illustrated in Figure 1 through Figure 10, in some embodiments, an
external
surface of the cap device 10 includes a cylindrical shape, allowing the cap
device 10 to be
grasped by a user. For instance, in some embodiments, each edge or lip of the
external
surface of the cap device 10 includes a rounded of chamfered edge. Moreover,
and as
described in more detail infra, in some embodiments, the external surface of
the cap device
includes a slope, such that the external surface of the cap device 10 is
formed in a shape of
a cone. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto as one skilled
in the art will
know of other configurations of the external surface of the cap device 10
within the present
disclosure. Collectively, the body 100 and the lid 200 form an internal cavity
that
accommodates the compound 700 within the cap device 10. In some embodiments,
the
internal cavity includes a portion of an opening 110 of the body 100 and/or a
portion of a
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protrusion 210 that extends downwardly from a surface of the lid 200. For
instance, as
illustrated in Figure 5, in some embodiments, the internal cavity that
accommodates the
compound 700 includes an internal portion (e.g., a hollow) of the protrusion
210 and/or a
lower end portion of the opening 110.
[0075] The opening 110 is disposed at an upper end portion of the body 100,
and configured
to accommodate a portion of the lid 200 (e.g., a portion of the protrusion
210). In some
embodiments, the opening 110 is formed as a through hole that spans from the
upper end
portion to the lower end portion of the body 100. For instance, referring
briefly to Figure
4A, a top view of the body 100 illustrates a through hole for the opening 110,
which is sealed
at a lower end portion by a membrane (e.g., membrane 400 of Figure 10) and
partially
obstructed by a gate (e.g., gate 500 of Figure 10). Accordingly, the through
hole opening
110 allows the compound 700 to pass from the upper end portion to the lower
end portion of
the body 100 by the force of gravity alone.
[0076] The opening 110 has a first length (e.g., length Li of Figure 5) that
defines a distance
from an upper end portion to a lower end portion of the opening 110. In some
embodiments,
the first length Li of the opening 110 is in a range of from 5 millimeters
(mm) to 60 mm,
from 5 mm to 55 mm, from 10 mm to 55 mm, from 15 to 55 mm, from 15 mm to 50
mm,
from 20 mm to 50 mm, from 25 mm to 50 mm, from 25 mm to 45 mm, from 30 mm to
45
mm, from 30 mm to 40 mm, from 32 mm to 38 mm, or 34 mm to 36 mm. In some
embodiments, the first length Li of the opening 110 is 34.5 0.4 mm (e.g.,
34.66 mm).
[0077] In some embodiments, the opening 110 defines a volume for accommodating
the
compound 700, such as a maximum volume, a dosage volume, and the like. In some
embodiments, the volume defined by the opening 110 is a volume of the internal
cavity of the
cap device 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the volume of the opening
110 is a
function of the first length Li of the opening 110 and a diameter (e.g., Di of
Figure 5) of the
opening 110. The opening 110 penetrates through an axis (e.g., axis 160 of
Figure 6) of the
body 100 spanning from a first end portion to a second end portion of the body
100, allowing
a fluid (e.g., compound 700) or free flowing material (e.g., a granulated
solid) to pass from
the first end portion through the body 100 and exit via the second end portion
of the body
100. In some embodiments, the first end portion of the body 100 includes a
side surface of
the body 100 or the upper end portion of the body 100. Similarly, in some
embodiments, the
second end portion of the body 100 includes the side surface of body 100 or
the lower end
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portion of the body 100. In some embodiments, the axis 160 is a central axis
from the upper
end portion to the lower end portion of the body 100. However, the present
disclosure is not
limited thereto. For instance, in some embodiments, the opening 110 includes
one or more
internal curves that redirect a path through the opening 110.
[0078] In some embodiments, the cap device 10 further includes one or more
indicia (e.g.,
indicia 800-1 of Figure 5) that identify various features of the cap device
10. In some
embodiments, one or more of the indicia 800 is disposed within the internal
cavity of the cap
device 10, such as on an internal surface of the opening 110 and/or an
internal portion (e.g.,
hollow) of the protrusion 210. In some embodiments, each respective indicia
800 defines a
unique predetermined dosage of a compound 700, such as a unique predetermined
volume.
In some embodiments, each unique predetermined volume of a corresponding
indicia 800 is
in a range of from 0.5 milliliters (mL) to 25 mL, from 1 mL to 25 mL, from 1
mL to 20 mL,
from 1 mL to 15 mL, from 1 mL to 10 mL, from 2 mL to 10 mL, or from 4 mL to 6
mL (e.g.,
mL). In some embodiments, each unique predetermined volume of a corresponding
indicia
800 is a corresponding portion of the volume of the internal cavity (e.g., a
first indicia 800-1
indicates a portion of ten percent of the volume of the internal cavity, a
second indicia 800-2
indicates a portion of fifteen percent of the volume of the internal cavity, a
third indicia 800-3
indicates a portion of twenty percent of the volume of the internal cavity,
etc.). While the
illustrated embodiments of the indicia 800 disposed internally within the cap
device 10 are
illustrated as dashed lines, the present disclosure is not limited thereto as
one skilled in the art
will recognize that other such representations of the indicia 800 are within
the realm of the
present disclosure.
[0079] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the external surface of the cap
device 10 includes
one or more indicia 800 (e.g., indicia 800-4 of Figure 8) that each identify a
degree of
freedom of motion of the cap device 10. For instance, in some embodiments, an
external
surface of a spacer (e.g., spacer 300 of Figure 8) of the cap device 10
includes a third indicia
800-3 identifying a direction of motion of a corresponding degree of freedom
of the spacer
300. Similarly, in some embodiments, an external surface of the lid 200 of the
cap device 10
includes a fourth indicia 800-4 that identifies a direction of motion of a
corresponding degree
of freedom of the spacer 300, which in this illustrated embodiment of Figure 8
is a first
translational degree of freedom. In some embodiments, one or more of the
external indicia
800 includes a first identifier illustrating the corresponding degree of
freedom (e.g., an
arrow), a second identifier illustrating a corresponding operation in a series
of orders of
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operations (e.g., method 1100 of Figure 11) for utilizing the cap device
(e.g., an numerical
number and/or a letter), or a combination thereof For instance, the third
indicia 800-3
includes a corresponding first identifier "a" identifying a clockwise
direction and a
corresponding second identifier "1" identifying a first operation in an order
of operations
(e.g., block 1112 of method 1110 Figure 11). Moreover, the fourth indicia 800-
4 includes a
corresponding first identifier "4" identifying a downward (e.g., depressing)
direction and a
corresponding second identifier "2" identifying a second operation in an order
of operations
(e.g., block 1112 of Figure 11).
[0080] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the one or more one or more of the
external
indicia 800 includes a fifth indicia (e.g., fifth indicia 800-5 of Figure 2),
that identifies a
relative orientation of the body 100 with respect to the lid 200. For
instance, in some
embodiments, the fifth indicia 800-5 is disposed on a portion of the body 100
(e.g., an
external surface of a skirt 120). As such, in some embodiments, the relative
orientation of the
fourth indicia 800-4 of the lid 200 and the fifth indicia 800-5 of the body
100 allows a user of
the cap device 10 to determine an orientation of the protrusion 210 within the
opening 110 of
the body 100 within needing to visible inspect the protrusion 210 (e.g., align
a wedge portion
230 of the protrusion 210 with a gate 500 of the cap device 10). In some
embodiments,
alignment of the fourth indicia 800-4 of the lid 200 and the fifth indicia 800-
5 of the body
100 allows the cap device to transition from a first state to a second state
(e.g., from a first
state of Figure 5 to a second state of Figure 6), such that the cap device 10
is preventing
from transitioning to the second state if at least the fourth indicia 800-4 of
the lid 200 and the
fifth indicia 800-5 are unaligned (e.g., and a spacer 300 is engaged with the
cap device 10).
[0081] In some embodiments, the opening 110 of the body 100 is formed in a
cylindrical
shape (e.g., a cylinder with straight walls, a cone with sloped walls, etc.)
that includes a first
diameter (e.g., D1 of Figure 4A). In some embodiments, the first diameter D1
is a diameter
as measured from an internal surface of the opening 110, as measured from an
external
surface of the opening 110, or as measured from a mean thickness of a wall
(e.g., a wall
forming the external and internal surfaces) of the opening 110. Moreover, in
some
embodiments, the first diameter D1 spans a length of the opening 110, allowing
the opening
110 to form at least a partially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the
length of the
opening 110 having the first diameter D1 is an entire length of the opening
110 (e.g., first
length Li of Figure 5). In some embodiments, the length of the opening 110
having the first
diameter D1 is a portion of the entire length Li of the opening 110, such as a
lower end
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portion of the opening 110. In some embodiments, the first diameter D1 of the
opening 110
is in a range of from 5 mm to 50 mm, from 5 mm to 45 mm, from 10 mm to 45 mm,
from 10
mm to 40 mm, from 10 mm from 35 mm, from 10 mm to 35 mm, from 15 mm to 35 mm,
from 20 mm to 40 mm, from 20 mm to 35 mm, from 25 mm to 40 mm, from 25 mm to
35
mm, from 28 mm to 35 mm, from 28 mm to 33 mm, from 30 mm to 35 mm, from 30 mm
to
33 mm, from 31 mm to 32 mm, from 27 mm to 33 mm, or from 29 mm to 32 mm (e.g.,
30
mm). In some embodiments, the first diameter D1 of the opening 110 is 31.5
0.4 mm (e.g.,
31.43 mm).
[0082] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the opening 110 includes a second
diameter (e.g.,
D2 of Figure 4A) that is different from the first diameter D1 of the opening
110. In some
embodiments, the second diameter D2 is greater than the first diameter D1 of
the opening
110. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some
embodiments, the
second diameter D2 is disposed at an upper end portion of the opening 110.
Furthermore, in
some embodiments, the second diameter D2 of the opening is greater than a
diameter of the
protrusion 210 of the lid 200, which allows for improved (e.g., easier)
accommodation of the
protrusion 210 into the opening 110 of the body 100. In some embodiments, the
second
diameter D2 of the opening 110 is in a range of from 10 mm to 75 mm, from 15
mm to 75
mm, from 20 mm to 75 mm, from 20 mm to 65 mm, from 25 mm to 65 mm, from 25 mm
to
60 mm, from 25 mm to 55 mm, from 20 mm to 50 mm, from 25 mm to 50 mm, from 30
mm
to 45 mm, from 35 mm to 40 mm, or from 37 mm to 39 mm (e.g., 38 mm). In some
embodiments, the second diameter D2 of the opening 110 is 38.5 0.4 mm (e.g.,
38.56 mm).
[0083] In some embodiments, the opening 110 includes the first diameter D1 and
the second
diameter D2, with a transition region (e.g., transition region 112 of Figure
5) interposing
between the first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2 (e.g., a region
transitioning from
the first diameter D1 to the second diameter D2). In some embodiments, a lower
end portion
of an exterior portion of the transition region 112 abuts a portion of the
container (e.g., a
spout or a mouth of the container) if the cap device 10 and the container are
engaged with
each other. In some embodiments, the transition region 112 spans a length of
the opening
112. In some embodiments, the length of the transition region 112 includes an
entire length
of the opening 110 (e.g., first length Li of Figure 5), such that the opening
110 is formed in a
shape of a truncated sphere or cone (e.g., a frustum). In some embodiments,
the transition
region 112 includes a linear slope and/or a smooth curve (e.g., parabolic
curve), such that the
transition region 112 provides a smooth transition from the first diameter D1
to the second
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diameter D2, allowing for improved accommodation of the protrusion 210 of the
lid 200 into
the opening 110 of the body 100. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the
transition region
112 funnels a flow of the compound 700, allowing for improved disposal and/or
dispensing
of the compound 700. For instance, in some embodiments, the opening 110
includes a slope
(e.g., a portion of transition region 112) at a predetermined angle from the
axis 160. In some
embodiments, the predetermined angle of the opening 110 is in a range of from -
0.1 degrees
( ) to -15 , from -0.5 to -15 , from -0.5 to -10 , from -0.5 to -7.5 , from
-0.5 to -5 , from -
0.5 to -3 , from -1 to -3 , or from -1 to -2 . In some embodiments, the
predetermined
angle of the opening 110 is -1 0.4 (e.g., -1.2 ).
[0084] Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more indicia 800 are
associated with the
transition region 112. For instance, in some embodiments, a first indicia 800-
1 is associated
with a first portion of the body 100 at and/or above the transition 112, a
second indicia 800-2
is associated with a second portion of the body 100 at the transition 112, a
third indicia 800-3
is associated with a third portion of the body 100 at and/or below the
transition 112, or a
combination thereof
[0085] One skilled in the art will recognize that, while the present
disclosure is described in
terms of diameters and circular cross-sectional areas, the present disclosure
is not limited
thereto. For instance, in some embodiments, each of the describe openings
and/or
components of the cap device 10 (e.g., opening 110 of body 100, protrusion 210
of lid 200,
etc.) and their corresponding diameters are instead formed as a cross-
sectional area of any
polygon with a characteristic length equal to the corresponding described
diameter (e.g.,
instead of the first diameter D1 of the opening 110 having a circular cross-
section with a
diameter of 1 centimeter (cm) the first diameter D1 of the opening 110 has a
square cross-
section with a similar length and width of 1 cm).
[0086] In some embodiments, the body 100 includes a skirt 120 that protrudes
outwardly
from an exterior surface of the body. The skirt 120 provides a region of the
body 100 for
receiving a portion of a container, such as a mouth of the container. In some
embodiments,
the skirt 120 is disposed at the upper end portion of the body 100, the lower
end portion of
the body 100, or interposing between the upper end portion and the lower end
portion of the
body 100. Moreover, in some embodiments, the skirt 120 protrudes outwardly
from the
external surface of the opening 110. Further, in some embodiments, the skirt
120 is disposed
protruding outwardly from a portion of the opening including the transition
region 112. In
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some embodiments, the skirt 120 extends outwardly from the external surface of
the opening
110 by a distance (e.g., a difference between D3 and either of D1 or D2 of the
opening 110 of
Figure 4A) in a range of from 1 mm to 30 mm, from 1 mm to 25 mm, from 1 mm to
20 mm,
from 2 mm to 20 mm, from 1 mm to 15 mm, from 2 mm to 15 mm, from 2 mm to 10
mm,
from 5 mm to 15 mm, from 5 mm to 10 mm, or from 6 mm to 8 mm. In some
embodiments,
the skirt 120 extends outwardly from the external surface of the opening 110
by a distance of
7.75 0.4 mm (e.g., 7.83 mm). Moreover, in some embodiments the external
surface
opposing the internal surface of the skirt 120 includes a slope at a
predetermined angle from
the axis 160. In some embodiments, the predetermined angle of the skirt 120 is
in a range of
from 0.50 to 25 , from 0.50 to 25 , from 0.5 to 20 , from 0.5 to 15 , from
0.5 to 10 , from
1 to 10 , from 1 to 7.5 , from 1 to 6 , from 2 to 6 , or 3 to 5 . In some
embodiments, the
predetermined angle of the skirt 120 is 4 0.4 (e.g., 4.05').
[0087] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the body 100 includes a mating
mechanism (e.g.,
first mating mechanism 130 of Figure 1) that facilitates removably engaging
the cap device
and the container together (e.g., block 1110 of Figure 11). In some
embodiments, the
container includes a corresponding first mating mechanism that engages with
the first mating
mechanism 130 of the body 100. For instance, in some embodiments, the first
mating
mechanism 130 of the body 100 includes a female mating mechanism and the
corresponding
first mating mechanism of the container includes a corresponding male mating
mechanism.
Similarly, in some embodiments, an opposite female-male configuration is
employed for the
first mating mechanism 130. Likewise, in some embodiments, the first mating
mechanism
130 of the body 100 includes an internal mating mechanism (e.g., an inwardly
facing
mechanism such as internal threads) and the corresponding first mating
mechanism of the
container includes a corresponding external mating mechanism (e.g., an
outwardly facing
mechanism such as external threads). In some embodiments, the first mating
mechanism 130
of the body 100 is configured to mate with a predetermined corresponding
mating mechanism
of the container, such as a predetermined container with a standard mouth
(e.g., 55 mm to 70
mm diameter mouth) or wide mouth (e.g., 70 mm to 90 mm diameter mouth)
container. In
some embodiments, the first mating mechanism 130 of the body 100 is a
continuous thread
mating mechanism, such that a full relative rotation of the lid 200 about the
body 100 is
required to disengage and engage the lid 200 and the body 100 together. In
some
embodiments, the first mating mechanism 130 of the body 100 is a lug thread
mating
mechanism, such that a partial relative rotation of the lid 200 about the body
100 is required
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to disengage and engage the lid 200 and the body 100 together.
[0088] In some embodiments, the skirt 120 of the body 100 includes the first
mating
mechanism 130 for engaging (e.g., fastening) the body 100 to the container. In
some
embodiments, the first mating mechanism 130 of the skirt 120 is disposed on an
internal
surface of the skirt 120, such that the corresponding first mating mechanism
of the container
is accommodated by a portion of the skirt 120, maintaining sanitation of the
container. In
some embodiments, the first mating mechanism 130 of the skirt 120 includes an
interference
mating mechanism (e.g., a press fit or friction fit mating mechanism), such as
a latch
mechanism or a pin mechanism.
[0089] As illustrated in Figure 5, in some embodiments, the opening 110
extends
downwardly past a lower end portion of the skirt 120. For instance, in some
embodiments,
the opening 110 extends downwardly past one or more protrusions of the skirt
120 (e.g.,
protrusions 140). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the opening 110 extends
downwardly
past the first mating mechanism 130 of the skirt 120. As such, upon engaging
the cap device
with the container, the lower end portion of the opening 110 is received by a
portion the
container and extends into an internal cavity of the container past the
corresponding first
mating mechanism of the container. This receiving of the opening 110 into the
cavity of the
container allows for the compound 700 to dispense from the cap device 10 into
the container
100 with a reduced risk of residual portions of the compound 700 remaining at
the neck
and/or mouth of the container (e.g., the compound 700 is dispensed directly
into a solvent of
the container). Moreover, having the opening 110 extend downwardly past the
lower end
portion of the skirt 120 allows for improved inspection of the membrane 400
and/or viewing
of the dispensing of the compound 700 from the cap device 10.
[0090] Further, in some embodiments, the skirt 120 includes a plurality of
protrusions 140,
each of which extends downwardly from a lower end portion of the skirt 120. In
some
embodiments, the protrusions 140 engage with an external surface of the
container, such as a
portion of the neck of the container. The engagement of the protrusions 140
with the surface
of the container increases a surface area of the body 100 in contact with the
container, which
increases an amount of force required to disengage the body 100 from the
container. For
instance, in some embodiments the protrusions 140 restrict a movement of the
body 100
relative to the container if a user engages a lid (e.g., lid 200 of Figure 1)
of the cap device 10.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more of the protrusions 140 impart
one or more
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indicia (e.g., a marking such as an imprint and/or a scratch) on a portion of
the container,
which acts as evidence that the cap device 10 was coupled to the container
(e.g., evidence of
tampering, use, etc.). In some embodiments, the protrusions 140 include one or
more
perforations (e.g., embodiments of one or more perforations 320 of Figure 2),
such that a
second spacer couples with the cap device 10. In some embodiments, the
protrusions 140
include a number of protrusions in a range of from 2 to 150, from 3 to 150,
from 4 to 150,
from 5 to 150, from 10 to 150, from 10 to 100, or from 20 to 50. In some
embodiments, each
protrusion 140 extends from the lower end portion of the skirt 120 by a
distance in a range of
from 0.01 mm to 10 mm, from 0.01 mm to 5 mm, from 0.05 mm to 3 mm, from 0.1 mm
to 3
mm, from 0.1 mm to 2 mm, from 0.1 mm to 1 mm, or from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. In
some
embodiments, each protrusion 140 extends from the lower end portion of the
skirt 120 by a
distance of 0.5 0.4 mm (e.g., 0.50 mm).
[0091] As described above, the lid 200 of the cap device 10 removably engages
with the body
100, allowing respective compounds 700 to be repeatedly disposed and
accommodated within
the cap device 10 (e.g., block 1106 of Figure 11) for dispensing (e.g., block
1114 of Figure
11). The lid 200 includes an upper end portion including an exterior surface
(e.g., one or
more surfaces of Figure 3A) and an interior surface (e.g., one or more
surfaces of Figure
3B). In some embodiments, an upper end portion of the exterior surface (e.g.,
surfacing
including logo 240 of Figure 3A) includes a planar portion that provides a
substantially flat
(e.g., within an acceptable tolerance such as 1 mm) surface for a user of
the cap device 10
to apply a force (e.g., an applied force for depressing the lid 200 further
towards a portion of
the body 100, such as block 1114 of Figure 11), allowing for a reduced force
for the user to
apply. For instance, in some embodiments, the planar portion of the upper end
portion of the
exterior surface is parallel to a plane of the first state of the gate 500, or
intersects the plane of
the first state of the gate 500.
[0092] Referring briefly to Figure 3A, the exterior surface of the upper end
portion of the lid
200, and, in some embodiments, the exterior surfaces of the body 100, allows
for great
flexibility for fashionable elements. In some embodiments, the exterior
surface of the lid 200
includes fashionable elements such as distinctive colors, textures,
ornamentation (e.g., marks,
logos, etc.), or a combination thereof For instance, in the illustrated
embodiment of Figure
3A, the exterior surface of the upper end portion of the lid 200 includes
ornamentation
including a logo 240 or mark (e.g., a fluid droplet 240-1 encompassed in one
or more
concentric circles or grooves 240-2). However, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto.
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For instance, in some embodiments, a portion of the exterior surface of the
upper end portion
of the lid 200 includes a transparent or translucent material, allowing for
inspection of the
contents of the cap device 10 (e.g., inspection of the compound 700 within the
internal cavity
of the cap device 10) after engaging the body 100 and the lid 200 together.
[0093] As described above, the lid 200 further includes the protrusion 210
that extends
downwardly from the interior surface of the lid 200. Depending on a state of
the cap device
(e.g., if the lid 200 and the body 100 are in, or transitioning to, the second
state), the
protrusion 210 is accommodated within a portion of the opening 110, allowing
the protrusion
210 to traverse in a linear direction (e.g., parallel to axis 160) within the
opening 110. In
accordance with a force provided to the lid 200, the lid 200, and therefore
the protrusion 210,
is depressed downwardly towards the lower end portion of the opening 110.
[0094] The protrusion 210 extends downwardly from the upper end portion of the
lid 200 by
a second length (e.g., L2 of Figure 5). An axis that the protrusions extends
about includes a
central axis of the upper end portion of the lid 200 (e.g., axis 160 of Figure
5) or an axis
offset from the central axis of the upper end portion of the lid 200. In some
embodiments, the
protrusion 210 is formed as a hollow protrusion, such that the protrusion
extends downwards
from the upper end portion of the lid 200 in the shape of a circumference of a
cylinder,
providing an open end portion at a lower end portion of the protrusion 210.
However, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. For instance, in some embodiments,
the protrusion
210 is formed as a solid cylindrical object with a closed end portion of the
lower end portion
of the protrusion 210. This cylindrical configuration allows the protrusion
210 to reduce an
internal volume of the interval cavity of the cap device 10 while depressing
the lid 200.
[0095] In some embodiments, the second length L2 of the protrusion 210 is
greater than or
equal to the first length Li of the opening 110 of the body 100. In some
embodiments, the
second length L2 of the protrusion 210 is in a range of from 10 mm to 75 mm,
from 15 mm to
75 mm, from 20 mm to 75 mm, from 20 mm to 70 mm, from 25 mm to 70 mm, from 25
mm
to 65 mm, from 30 mm to 65 mm, from 30 mm to 60 mm, from 25 mm to 60 mm, from
25
mm to 55 mm, from 30 mm to 55 mm, from 30 mm to 50 mm, from 35 mm to 50 mm,
from
35 mm to 45 mm, or from 40 mm to 45 mm. In some embodiments, the second length
L2 of
the protrusion 210 is in 42 0.4 mm (e.g., 41.95 mm). In some embodiments,
the second
length L2 is measured by a distance from an upper end portion of the
protrusion 210 (e.g., an
interface between the protrusion 210 and the upper end portion of the lid
200), and a portion
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of the lower end portion of the protrusion (e.g., a mean length of a wedge
230, a first edge
232 of the wedge, a second edge 234 of the wedge 230, etc.).
[0096] Moreover, in some embodiments, a diameter of the protrusion 210
corresponds to the
diameter of the opening 110 (e.g., diameter Dl) of the body 100. For instance,
in some
embodiments, the diameter of the protrusion 210 is within a predetermined
tolerance of the
diameter Dl of the opening 110, allowing for the protrusion 210 to be
accommodated by the
opening 110 with a close, or snug, fit.
[0097] In some embodiments, the protrusion 210 of the lid 200 further includes
a gasket 220,
which forms a seal between the protrusion 210 and the opening 110. If the lid
200 is engaged
with the body 100 (e.g., such that the protrusion 210 is accommodated within
the opening
110), the gasket 220 interposes between an inner surface of the opening 110 of
the body 100
and an outer surface of the protrusion 210 and preventing a departure of the
compound 700
through an interface of the protrusion 210 and the opening 110. In some
embodiments, the
gasket 220 is integrally formed with an exterior surface of the protrusion
210, such that the
gasket 220 is formed as an outwardly protrusion of the exterior surface of the
protrusion 210.
In some embodiments, the gasket 220 includes an 0-ring or a closure liner,
which provides a
seal between the protrusion 210 and the opening 110 of the cap device 10.
[0098] In some embodiments, the cap device 10 includes a membrane (e.g.,
membrane 400 of
Figure 10) that seals a portion of the body 100 (e.g., block 1104 of Figure
11). For instance,
in some embodiments, the membrane 400 is disposed at a lower end portion of
the opening
110, sealing the opening 110. In some embodiments, the membrane 400 is
integrally formed
with a lower end portion of the opening 110 (e.g., the membrane 400 is formed
as a thin-
walled surface orthogonal to the walls of the opening 110). The membrane 400
includes a
diameter greater than the first diameter Dl of the opening 110, allowing the
membrane 400 to
seal the lower end portion of the opening 110 and couple (e.g., adhere to) an
external surface
of the opening 110. Moreover, in some embodiments, the diameter of the
membrane 400 is
greater than an internal diameter of the opening 110 (e.g., Dl of opening 110)
and less than
or equal to an external diameter of the opening 110.
[0099] In some embodiments, a surface of the membrane 400 includes an adhesive
material
(e.g., glue) or a waxy material that allows for the membrane 400 to removable
engage with
the lower end portion of the opening 110. In some embodiments, the membrane
400 includes
a metal material (e.g., an aluminum foil membrane 400) or a plastic material.
The membrane
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400 is configured such that a strength of the seal between the membrane 400
and the lower
end portion of the opening 110, or similarly a rigidity of the membrane 400,
is sufficient to
support an applied load of the compound 700, and optionally the gate 500,
under gravity.
Further, the strength of the seal need also be sufficient to yield to a force
applied through the
protrusion 210 of the lid 200, such that the seal is capable of being pierced.
Furthermore, in
some embodiments, the membrane 400 includes a semi-permeable portion. For
instance, in
some embodiments, the semi-permeable portion of the membrane 400 allows for
fluidic
communication between an environment and the internal cavity of the cap device
10, such
that an internal pressure of the internal cavity of the cap device 10 and an
atmospheric
pressure are equal.
1001001 Additionally, the cap device 10 includes a spacer (e.g., spacer 300 of
Figure 2)
disposed at an upper end portion of the lid 200. The spacer 300 interposes
between a portion
of the lid 200 and a portion of the body 100 (e.g., the upper end portion of
the lid 200 and a
skirt 120 portion of the body 100), acting as a mechanical stop between the
lid 200 and the
body 100 of the cap device 10, such as a shaft collar. This spacer 300 is
configured to inhibit
the cap device 10 from transitioning from a first state (e.g., an engaged
state of Figure 5) in
which a portion of the lid 200 and a portion of the body 100 are prevented
from traversing to
a position of close proximity, and a second state (e.g., a disengaged state of
Figure 6) in
which the spacer is disengaged from the cap device 10 allowing the portion of
the lid 200 and
the portion of the body 100 to traversing to the position of close proximity,
and, therefore,
pierce a seal of the membrane 400. As such, the spacer 300 is configurable
between a first
state (e.g., an engaged state of Figure 5) and a second state (e.g., a
disengaged state of
Figure 6). In the first state, the spacer 300 is engaged with the lid cap
device 10, increasing a
distance between the upper end portion of the lid 200 a portion of the body
100 (e.g., an
upper end portion of the skirt 120 of the body 100), such that the lid 200 is
arrested by the
spacer 300. In the second state, the spacer 300 is disengaged with the lid
200, which removes
the third length L3 from the distance between the upper end portion of the lid
200 and the
lower end portion of the opening 110 (e.g., block 1112 of Figure 11). With
this removed
third length L3 provided by the spacer 300, the protrusion 210 of the lid 200
is allowed to
penetrate the membrane 400 of the body 100, which in turn dispenses the
compound 700
from the cap device 10 into the container (e.g., block 1114 of Figure 11).
[00101] The spacer 300 includes a third length (e.g., length L3 of Figure 5).
In some
embodiments, the third length L3 of the spacer 300 is less than or equal to a
length of a
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portion of the opening having the second diameter D2. In some embodiments, the
third
length L3 of the spacer 300 is in a range of from 0.5 mm to 20 mm, from 1 mm
to 20 mm,
from 0.5 mm to 17.5 mm, from 1 mm to 17.5 mm, from 1 mm to 15 mm, from 1 mm to
15
mm, from 1 mm to 10 mm, from 2 mm to 8 mm, from 2.5 mm to 7.5 mm, or from 4 mm
to 6
mm (e.g., 5 mm). In some embodiments, the third length L3 of the spacer 300 is
5.0 0.4
mm (e.g., 5.24 mm, 4.73 mm, etc.).
[00102] In some embodiments, the spacer 300 includes a mechanism (e.g.,
mechanism 310 of
Figure 9) that assists the user in engaging and/or disengaging the spacer 300
from the cap
device 10 (e.g., block 1112 of Figure 11). In some embodiments, the mechanism
310 of the
spacer 300 includes a protrusion extending outwardly from a surface of the
spacer 300. In
some embodiments, the protrusion of the mechanism 310 includes a holding
portion (e.g., a
pull-tab) configured for the user to grasp. In some embodiments, the
protrusion of the
mechanism 310 includes a planar surface portion (e.g. a raised incline)
configured to provide
an enlarged area for the user to apply a force for disengaging the spacer 300.
In some
embodiments, the mechanism 310 is disposed at an end portion of the spacer 300
(e.g., the
mechanism 310 of Figure 1) or at an intermittent portion of the spacer 300.
Moreover, in
some embodiments, the protrusion of the mechanism 310 is oriented with respect
to the logo
240 of the lid 200, such that if the cap device 10 is laid longitudinally on a
flat on a surface
(e.g., the length L2 of the opening 110 is parallel to a plane of the flat
surface), the
mechanism 130 arrests the cap device 10 such that the logo 240 is oriented in
a direction that
is legible to the user, such as an orientation of the mechanism 310 of Figure
3A. Further, in
some embodiments, the mechanism 310 includes one or more of the external
indicia (e.g., the
mechanism 310 includes the third indicia 800-1) for identifying various
features of the cap
device 10.
[00103] Moreover, in some embodiments, an interface (e.g., interface 320 of
Figure 5) is
formed between the spacer 300 and the lid 200. The interface 320 includes a
mechanism
interface, a magnetic interface, or a combination thereof, that assisting
providing a removably
engaging spacer 300. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated third length
L3 of Figure
5, the interface 320 is included within the third length L3 of the spacer 300.
However, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[00104] In some embodiments, the spacer 300 is integrally formed with the lid
200. For
instance, in some embodiments, the spacer 300 and the lid 200 are formed
during an additive
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manufacturing process (e.g., a three-dimensional printing process, an
injection molding
process, a vat photopolymerization process, etc.), allowing for the spacer 300
to the lid 200 to
be formed as a single integrally formed component. In some embodiments, the
integral
forming of the spacer 300 and the lid 200 provides the interface 320 with a
first material
strength that is different from a second strength of the spacer 300 and/or the
lid 200, such that
a portion of the cap device 10 deforms in accordance with a provided force
(e.g., a force
required for disengaging the spacer 300 and the lid 200). In some embodiments,
difference in
strength between the lid 200, the spacer 300, the interface 320, or a
combination thereof is
provided through a difference in relative materials and/or a difference in
physical design
(e.g., a difference in material thickness, a deformity, etc.). For instance,
in some
embodiments, the first strength of the interface 320 is less than the second
material strength
of the second strength of the spacer 300 and/or the lid 200, allowing for a
portion of the
interface 320 to fracture under the provided force. In some embodiments, the
first strength of
the interface 320 is greater than the second material strength of the second
strength of the
spacer 300, allowing for a portion of the spacer to fracture under the
provided force.
[00105] Referring briefly to Figure 3B and Figure 7, in some embodiments, an
upper end
portion of the lid 200 includes a first thickness (e.g., a wall thickness) and
the spacer 300
includes a second thickness (e.g., wall thickness), which are either equal or
unequal. In some
embodiments, the interface 320 includes a third thickness that is different
from the first
thickness and/or the second thickness. In some embodiments, this third
thickness of the
interface 320 is less than the first thickness of the lid 200 and/or the
second thickness of the
spacer 300, creating a material weakness at the interface 320 for disengaging
the spacer 300
from the lid 200 of the cap device 10.
[00106] Referring to briefly to Figure 2, in some embodiments, the interface
320 includes a
plurality of perforations interposing between the spacer 300 and the upper end
portion of the
lid 200. In some embodiments, the perforations of the interface 320 provide a
material
weakness (e.g., difference in strength) between the spacer 300 and the lid
200, allowing the
spacer 300 to disengage from the lid 200. In some embodiments, the
perforations of the
interface 320 are as described with respect to the protrusions 140 of the
skirt 120. In some
embodiments, each perforation of the interface 320 extends from a lower end
portion of the
upper end portion of the lid 200 to the spacer 300 by a distance in a range of
from 0.01 mm to
mm, from 0.01 mm to 5 mm, from 0.05 mm to 3 mm, from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, from 0.1
mm
to 2 mm, from 0.1 mm to 1 mm, or from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. In some embodiments,
each
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perforation of the interface 320 extends from a lower end portion of the upper
end portion of
the lid 200 to the spacer 300 by a distance of 0.5 0.4 mm (e.g., 0.50 mm).
[00107] In some embodiments, the exterior portion of the lid 200 includes a
cylindrical
portion of a third diameter (e.g., D3 of Figure 3B). For instance, in some
embodiments, a
portion of the upper end portion of the lid 200 extends downwardly at a third
diameter D3,
which is greater than the first diameter D1 of the protrusion 210. In some
embodiments, the
third diameter D3 of the lid 200 is greater than the second diameter D2 of the
opening 110 of
the body 100, allowing the upper end portion of the opening 110 to be
accommodated within
an interior portion of the lid 200. In some embodiments, a diameter of the
spacer 300 is in a
range of from 60% to 100% of the third diameter D3 (e.g., D3 of Figure 4A),
from 65% to
100%, from 70% to 100%, from 75% to 100%, from 80% to 100%, from 85% to 100%,
from
90% to 100%, or from 95% to 100% of the third diameter D3. In some
embodiments, the
above describes ranges for the dimeter of the spacer 300 include a maximum
diameter to 99%
of the third diameter D3 (e.g., from 75% to 99%, from 80% to 99%, etc.). In
some
embodiments, a diameter of the spacer 300 is in a range of from 100% to 300%
of the second
diameter D2 of the opening 110 (e.g., D2 of Figure 4A), from 100% to 250%,
from 100% to
200%, from 100% to 190%, from 100% to 180%, from 100% to 170%, from 100% to
160%,
from 100% to 150%, from 100% to 140%, from 100% to 130%, from 100% to 120%,
from
100% to 115%, from 100% to 110%, or from 100% to 105% of the third diameter D3
of the
opening. In some embodiments, the above describes ranges for the dimeter of
the spacer 300
include a minimum diameter from 101% of the second diameter D2 of the opening
110 (e.g.,
from 101% to 140%, from 101% to 130%, etc.).
[00108] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the spacer 300 is a cylindrical
object of the third
diameter D3 having a gap (e.g., gap 330 of Figure 2) formed at a portion of a
circumference
of the spacer 300. For instance, in some embodiments, the spacer 300 as an
annular object
with the gap 330 formed at a portion of the circumference of the spacer 300.
In some
embodiments, this gap 300 defines a chord length of the cylinder formed by the
spacer 300.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the spacer 300 includes an elastic material,
such as a
plastic material or a rubber material, allowing the spacer 300 to deform
during transition
between the first state and the second state. As such, in some embodiments,
the length of the
gap 330 varies depending on a state of the spacer 300 and/or during a
transition between the
states of the spacer 300. For instance, in some embodiments, the chord length
of the gap 330
in the first state of the spacer 300 is less than the third diameter D3, such
that the spacer 300
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forms a snug or tight fit about a portion of the cap device 10 having the
third diameter D3
(e.g., the lid 200). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the chord length of the
gap 330 in the
second state, or transitioning about the first state and the second state, of
the spacer 300 is
greater than or equal to the third diameter D3, such that the spacer 300
temporarily deforms
to a diameter greater than the third diameter D3 allowing the spacer 300 to
disengage, or
similarly engage, the cap device 10.
[00109] In some embodiments, the lid 200 and the spacer 300 engage through
corresponding
magnetic fields. For instance, in some embodiments, each of the spacer 300 and
the lid 200
each include one or more magnets disposed on, or imbedded within,
corresponding surfaces,
such as an upper surface of the spacer 300 and a lower surface of the lid 200.
1001101 In some embodiments, the lid 200 and the body 100 each include a
corresponding
mating mechanism (e.g., a second mating mechanism) that allow the lid 200 and
the body
100 to engage with each other (e.g., block 1108 of Figure 11). For instance,
in some
embodiments, the body 100 includes a second mating mechanism (e.g., second
mating
mechanism 150 of Figure 5), and the lid 200 further includes a second mating
mechanism
(e.g., second mating mechanism 250 of Figure 7). In some embodiments, the
second mating
mechanism 150 of the body 100 is disposed on external surface of the upper end
portion of
the opening 110. Moreover, in some embodiments, the upper end portion of the
opening 110
having the second mating mechanism 150 includes a portion of the opening
having then
second diameter D2. In some embodiments, the second mating mechanism 150 of
the body
100 and the second mating mechanism 250 of the lid 200 are as described with
respect to the
first mating mechanism of the container and the first mating mechanism 130 of
the body 100,
respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
1001111 For instance, referring briefly to Figure 7 and Figure 10, in some
embodiments, the
second mating mechanism 250 of the lid 200 includes a protrusion extending
inwardly (e.g.,
towards axis 160). As such, the second mating mechanism 150 of the body 100
includes a
groove 152 configured to accommodate (e.g., receive) the protrusion of the
second mating
mechanism 250 of the lid 200. Furthermore, the groove 152 is configured to
restrict
movement of the protrusion of the second mating mechanism 250, such that the
lid 200 and
the body 100 are further restricted from one or more degrees of freedom. In
some
embodiments, the second mating mechanism 150 of the body 100 includes a
protrusion 154,
which assists in restricting the relative movement of the lid 200 and the body
100 of the cap
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device 10. In some embodiments, the protrusion 152 extends from a first edge
portion of the
groove 152 towards a second edge portion of the groove 152 opposite the first
end portion.
As illustrated in Figure 7, in some embodiments, the protrusion 152 partially
extends
towards the second edge portion of the groove 152. This partial extension of
the protrusion
152 allows the protrusion of the second mating mechanism 250 of the lid 200 to
pass from a
first side portion to a second side portion of the protrusion 152 via a void
formed between an
end portion of the protrusion 152 and the second edge portion of the groove
152.
[00112] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second mating mechanism 150 of
the body
100 includes a first number of grooves 152 and the second mating mechanism 250
of the lid
200 includes a second number of protrusions. In some embodiments, the second
number of
the second mating mechanism 250 of the lid 200 is greater than or equal to the
first number of
grooves 152 of the second mating mechanism 150 of the body 100. However, the
present
disclosure is not limited thereto. For instance, in some embodiments, the
second number of
the second mating mechanism 250 of the lid 200 is less than the first number
of grooves 152
of the second mating mechanism 150 of the body 100. In some embodiments, the
first
number of grooves 152 of the second mating mechanism 150 of the body 100 and
the second
number of the second mating mechanism 250 of the lid 200 are in a range of
from 1 to 20,
from 1 to is, from 1 to 10, from 1 to 8, from 1 to 7, from 2 to 8, from 3 to
6, from 3 to 5 (e.g.,
4). As such, the second mating mechanism provide great flexibility in
orienting and engaging
the lid 200 and the body 100 together.
[00113] In some embodiments, if the lid 200 and the body 100 are engaged with
each other,
the lid 200 and the body 100 are movably relative to each other with at least
one degree of
freedom. In some embodiments, the lid 200 and the body 100 are restricted to
one degree of
freedom if in an engaged state. Moreover, in some embodiments, the one degree
of freedom
is a translational degree of freedom, such as a translational degree of
freedom parallel to the
axis 160 of Figure 6. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[00114] For instance, in some embodiments, the engaging of the lid 200 and the
body 100
allows for a relative movement between the lid 200 and the body 100 with the
one
translational degree of freedom (e.g., a translational degree of freedom
parallel to the axis
160 of Figure 6) and one rotational degree of freedom (e.g., a rotational
degree of freedom
orthogonal to the axis 160 of Figure 6).
[00115] In some embodiments, the body 100 further includes a gate (e.g., gate
500 of Figure
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4A) disposed at a lower end portion of the body 100. The gate 500 is formed at
the lower end
portion of the opening 110 of the body 100 proximate to the membrane 400,
allowing for the
gate 500 to engage with the membrane 500 in accordance with a movement of the
lid 200
from the first state to the second state.
[00116] Accordingly, the gate 500 is movable between a first position (e.g., a
first position of
gate 500 as illustrated in Figure 5) and a second position (e.g., second
position of gate 500 as
illustrated Figure 6). In the first state of the gate 500, the gate 500
occupies a first portion of
the opening 110, such as a first portion of an inlet area of a lower end
portion of the opening
110. As such, the gate 500 in the first position supports a load of the
compound 500 that
would otherwise be supported by the membrane 400. In some embodiments, the
occupied
area of the gate 500 is in a range of from 40% to 100% of the inlet area of
the lower end
portion of the opening 110, from 45% to 100%, from 50% to 100%, from 55% to
100%, from
65% to 100%, from 70% to 100%, from 75% to 100%, from 80% to 100%, from 85% to
100%, from 90% to 100%, or from 95% to 100% of the inlet area of the lower end
portion of
the opening 110.
[00117] The gate 500 in the second position occupies a second portion of the
opening 110
that is less than the first portion. For instance, in some embodiments, the
gate 500 rotates
about a portion of the lower end portion of the opening 110 from the first
state to the second
state, such that the gate 500 no longer occupies the inlet area of the lower
end portion of the
opening 110. As such, the gate 500 assists the protrusion 210 of the lid 200
in disengaging
the membrane 400 from the opening 110, providing improved dispensing of the
compound
700.
[00118] In some embodiments, the gate 500 is internally disposed at the lower
end portion of
the opening 110 above the membrane 400 (e.g., as illustrated in Figure 1, such
that the load
from the compound 700 forms an indentation 530 of the gate 500 on the membrane
400).
[00119] In some embodiments, a first end portion of the gate 500 (e.g.,
portion 510 of Figure
10) is coupled to the lower end portion of the opening 110 and a second end
portion of the
gate 500 (e.g., portion 520 of Figure 4A) is free from the opening 110.
Moreover, in some
embodiments, the first end portion of the gate 500 includes a portion 512
having a material
weakness, such as a reduced thickness, providing a region for the gate 510 to
rotate about.
As such, the gate 500 acts as a hinge device rotating about the first end
portion 510 of the
gate. Referring to Figure 4A, in some embodiments, the gate 500 is formed with
one or
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more edges (e.g., edges 520), or corners, that assist in disengaging the
membrane 400 from
the opening 110. In some embodiments, the one or more edges 522 of the gate
500 are
disposed at the first end portion 510 and/or the second end portion 520 of the
gate. In some
embodiments, the one or more edges 522 are formed about a circumference of the
gate 500,
such that the circumference of the gate 500 forms a serrated edge, which
assists in piercing
the seal of the membrane 400.
[00120] In some embodiments, a lower end portion of the protrusion 210 further
includes a
wedge (e.g., wedge 230 of Figure 8) that is configured to pierce the sealing
of the membrane
400 and/or abut a portion of the gate 500 (e.g., the first end portion 510 of
the gate 500). In
some embodiments, the wedge 230 is formed as a protrusion extending outwardly
from an
interior surface of the hallow 110. However, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto.
For instance, in some embodiments, the wedge 230 is formed from a
circumference of the
lower end portion of the protrusion 210. In some embodiments, the wedge 230 of
the
protrusion 210 includes a first edge (e.g., edge 232 of Figure 9) at a first
end portion of the
wedge 230. This first edge 232 of the wedge 230 is formed with a smooth or
blue shape,
allowing the seal of the membrane 400 to be pierced without permanently
deforming the
membrane 400. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For
instance, in some
embodiments, the first end 232 of the wedge is formed including one or more
sharp edges or
tips. In some embodiments, the first edge 232 of the wedge 230 includes a
maxima length of
the opening 110, such that the first edge 232 of the wedge 230 is the first
portion of the lid
200 to engage the membrane 400 while depressing the lid 200 further towards
the body 100
(e.g., block 1114 of method 1100 of Figure 11).
[00121] In some embodiments, the cap device 10 includes a metal material, a
plastic material,
a rubber material, or a combination thereof For instance, in some embodiments,
the body
100 and the lid 200 of the cap device 10 includes a plastic material
configured for medical
and/or pharmaceutical applications. Moreover, in some embodiments, a portion
of the upper
end portion of the lid 200 and/or the skirt 120 of the body 100 includes a
rubber material,
providing an improved grip for the user of the cap device 10. In some
embodiments, the
spacer 300 includes an elastic material (e.g., rubber), allowing the spacer
300 to elastically
deforms during transition between states (e.g., elastically deform to
disengage from the lid
200).
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[00122] Now that details of a cap device 10 for accommodating and dispensing a
compound
700 into a container have been disclosed, details regarding a flow chart of
processes and
features for implementing a method 1100 of utilizing the cap device 10, in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure, are disclosed with reference to
Figure 11.
[00123] Block 1102. Referring to block 1102 of Figure 11, a cap device (e.g.,
cap device 10
of Figure 10) is provided for dispensing a first compound 700-1 into a
container. The cap
device 10 includes a body (e.g., body 100 of Figure 4B) and a lid (e.g., lid
200 of Figure
3A), that removably engage to form the cap device 10. The body 100 includes an
opening
(e.g., opening 110 of Figure 1) that is configured to accommodate a compound
(e.g.,
compound 700 of Figure 5). The lid 200 includes a protrusion (e.g., a hollow
protrusion 210
of Figure 210 of Figure 5) extending downwardly from an upper end portion of
the lid 200.
In some embodiments, the protrusion 210 is configured to accommodate the
compound 700,
such as embodiments including a hollow protrusion. The cap device 10 further
includes a
spacer (e.g., spacer 300 of Figure 2) that removably engages (e.g., removably
coupled) with
an upper end portion of the lid 200. Accordingly, the spacer 300 interposes
between the
upper end portion of the lid 200 and the body 100 of the cap device 10, which
acts as a
mechanical stopper preventing the lid from depressing further towards a
portion the body 100
(e.g., an upper end portion of the skirt 120 of the body 100). Furthermore,
the spacer 300
allows the cap device 10 to transition from the first stage to the second
stage without
requiring an intermittent stage (e.g., a rotational stage), providing an
improved operation for a
user of the cap device 10 (e.g., block 1114 of Figure 11).
[00124] Block 1104. The method 1100 includes sealing a lower end portion of
the opening
110 of the body 100. For instance, in some embodiments a membrane (e.g.,
membrane 400
of Figure 1) engages with the lower end portion of the opening 110, sealing
the opening 110.
In some embodiments, an adhesive material is disposed on an upper surface of
the membrane
400, allowing the membrane 400 to removably engage with the lower end portion
of the
opening 110. In some embodiments, the sealing the lower end portion of the
opening 110
includes positioning a gate (e.g., gate 500 of Figure 4A) in a first state,
such that the gate
occupies a portion of an inlet area of the lower end portion of the opening
110. This sealing
of the lower end portion of the opening 110 not only provides isolation for a
compound 700
from contaminates, but also allows for the cap device 10 to engage a container
without
having the compound 700 prematurely dispensing the compound 700.
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[00125] Block 1106. Once the lower end portion of the opening 110 is sealed
(e.g., the
membrane 400 engages the lower end portion of the opening 110), either of the
opening 110
or the hollow of the protrusion 210 is filled with a first dosage of the first
compound 700-1.
[00126] In some embodiments, an internal surface of one of the opening or the
hollow
protrusion of the cap further includes one or more indicia (e.g., indicia 800
of Figure 5).
Each respective indicia defines a unique predetermined dosage, such as unique
volumes of
fluids that correspond to varying dosages. Accordingly, the filling of the cap
device 10 with
a compound 700 includes filling the one of the opening 110 or the protrusion
210 to one of
the indicia of various indicia 800 with the compound 700. As such, the user is
provide with a
proved mechanism for measuring dosages of compounds 700.
[00127] In some embodiments, the opening 110 and/or the protrusion 210
includes a first
diameter at a lower end portion (e.g., D1 of Figure 5) and a second diameter,
greater than the
first diameter, at an upper end portion (e.g., D2 of Figure 5), which forms a
funnel for
improved dispensing of the first dosage of the first compound 700-1 into the
cap device 10,
or optionally, improved flow of the first compound 700-1 from the cap device
10 into the
container. In some embodiments, the above funnel is formed as a transition
region (e.g.,
transition region 112 of Figure 5) from the first diameter D1 to the second
diameter 112,
which provides the above improved dispensing and flow.
[00128] Furthermore, in some embodiments, depending on which portion of the
cap device
receives the compound 700, the method 1110 conducts the engaging of block 1106
prior
to the sealing of block 1104. For instance, in some embodiments, the
protrusion 210 receives
the compound 700 instead of the opening 110, allowing the sealing of the lower
end portion
of the opening 110 to be conducted after the disposing of the compound 700
into the
protrusion 210 of the lid 200.
[00129] Block 1108. The lid 200 and the body 100 of the cap device 10 are
engage by
accommodating the protrusion 210 of the lid 200 within a portion of the
opening 110 of the
body 100. With the lid 200 and the body 100 engaged, the first compound 700-1
in
accommodated with in the cap device 10. In this engaged state of the lid 200
and the body
100, the first compound 700 is prevented from escaping the device 10 unless,
for instance, the
lid 200 and the body 100 are disengaged or the cap device 10 is otherwise
altered (e.g.,
disengaging the spacer 300 of the cap device 10, such as block 1312 of the
method 1100 of
Figure 11).
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[00130] In some embodiments, the spacer 300 is coupled to the upper end
portion of the lid
200 prior to engaging the lid 200 and the body 100 (e.g., prior to block 1308
of the method
1100 of Figure 11).
[00131] In some embodiments, the engaging of the lid 200 and the body 100
further includes
coupling the spacer to the upper end portion of the lid. In some embodiments,
the engaging
of the lid 200 and the body 100 allows a relative movement between the lid and
the body with
one translational degree of freedom. In some embodiments, the engaging of the
lid 200 and
the body 100 allows a relative movement between the lid and the body with one
translational
degree of freedom.
[00132] In some embodiments, this state of the spacer 300 engaged with the cap
device 10
restricts a relative movement between the lid 200 and the body 100 to one
degree of freedom.
In some embodiments, this restricted one degree of freedom is a translational
degree of
freedom parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap device 10 (e.g., axis 160
of Figure 5). In
some embodiments, this restricted one degree of freedom is a rotational degree
of freedom
orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cap device 10 (e.g., axis 160 of
Figure 5).
[00133] In some embodiments, a first force is required for the engaging the
lid 200 and the
body 100 (e.g., a force required for conducting block 1108 of the method
1100), while a
second force is required for piercing the seal of the membrane 400 by the
depressing of the
lid 200 (e.g., a force required for conducting block 1114 of the method 1100).
In some
embodiments, the first force is less than or equal to the second force. Since
the second force
required for piercing the seal of the membrane 400 is relatively small (e.g.,
easily applied by
an user of the cap device 10), the lid 200 and the body 100 are easily
disengage with minimal
effort by the user of the cap device 10, providing reusability of the cap
device 10.
[00134] Block 1110. A lower end portion of the body 100 and the container
engage, such
that the cap device 10 is coupled to the container. In some embodiments, the
engagement
between the body 100 and the container is facilitated through corresponding
mating
mechanisms (e.g., first mating mechanism 130 of the body 100). For instance,
in some
embodiments, engaging the body 100 and the container includes receiving an
upper end
portion of the container (e.g., a mouth) at an internal portion of the body
100, such as the skirt
120. In some embodiments, one or more protrusions (e.g., protrusions 140 of
Figure 6),
engage an upper end portion of the container upon engaging the cap device 10
and the
container.
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[00135] Block 1112. The spacer 300 is disengaged from the upper end portion of
the lid 200.
In some embodiments, the spacer 300 includes a mechanism (e.g., mechanism 310
of Figure
2), that provides the user of the cap device 10 an improved grip for
disengaging the spacer
300 and the lid 200. In some embodiments, this disengagement of the spacer 300
from the lid
200 includes deforming an interface (e.g., interface 320 of Figure 2) formed
between the
spacer 300 and the lid 200 or removably coupling the spacer from the lid 200.
For instance,
in some embodiments, the interface 320 includes one or more protrusions that
fracture
through the disengaging the spacer 300 from the lid 200.
[00136] Block 1114. With the spacer 300 disengaged from the cap device 10, the
lid 200 is
allowed to depress further towards to the body 100. If a user applies a force
on the lid 200,
the protrusion 210 depresses towards the lower end portion of the opening,
piercing the seal
formed by the membrane 400. Accordingly, the dosage of the first compound 700-
1 is free to
escape the cap device 10 and dispense into the container.
[00137] In some embodiments, the protrusion 210 engages with the gate 500,
which in turn
engages and pierces the seal of the membrane 400. In some embodiments, the
wedge 230 of
the protrusion 210 engages with the gate 500, reducing a force the user must
apply to pierce
the seal of the membrane 400. For instance, in some embodiments, the second
end portion
520 of the wedge 530 rotates about the first end portion 510, which is coupled
to the lower
end portion of the opening 110, amplifying a force applied from the protrusion
210 towards
the membrane 400.
[00138] In some embodiments, the penetrating the membrane 400 punctures the
membrane
400, reducing the structural integrity of the membrane 400. In some
embodiments, the
puncturing of the membrane 400 forms one or more through holes on the membrane
400,
allowing the membrane 400 to remain engaged with the lower end portion of the
body 100
while also permitting the dispensing of the compound 700 from the cap device
10 into the
container. In some embodiments, the penetrating the membrane 400 removes, or
decouples,
at least a portion of the membrane 400 from the lower end portion of the body
100. For
instance, in some embodiments, a first portion of the membrane 400 proximate
to the first
edge 232 of the wedge 230 disengages from the lower end portion of the opening
110, while
a second portion of the membrane 400 proximate to the second edge 234 of the
wedge 230
remains engaged with the lower end portion of the opening 110 during the
depressing of the
lid 200. As such, the membrane 400 remains partially engaged with the lower
end portion of
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the body 100, allowing the compound 700 to dispense from the cap device 10 to
the container
without having the membrane 400 also dispense (e.g., fall into) the
container).
[00139] Block 1116. In some embodiments, the method 1100 further includes
decoupling the
cap device 10 from the container upon dispensing the compound 700 into the
container. In
some embodiments, a period of time elapses prior to the decoupling of the cap
device 10
from the container, allowing for the compound 700 and a solvent (including,
for example, a
consumable liquid) to completely react (e.g., completely dissolve the compound
700). The
complete reaction can form a consumable solution.
[00140] In some embodiments, the container includes a consumable liquid (e.g.,
a solution
including a solute compound 700 and a solvent of the container). As such, the
decoupling of
the cap device 10 from the container 10 further includes decoupling the body
100 and the lid
200 of the cap device 10. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the user decouples
the lid 200
from the cap device 10 prior to decoupling the body 100 from the container. As
such, prior to
the decoupling of either of the body 100 from the container or the lid 200
from the body 100,
the method 1100 further includes consuming the solution of the compound 700.
For instance,
in some embodiments, the upper end portion of the opening 110 forms a mouth
for the user
for the cap device 10 to utilizing while conducting the consumption of the
solution.
[00141] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the method 1100 further includes
repeating the
sealing of the membrane 400 (e.g., block 1104 of Figure 11) through the
depressing (e.g.,
block 1114 of Figure 11) of the lid 200 of the method 1100 for either a second
dosage of the
first compound 700-1 (e.g., a further dosage of a previously dispensed
compound 700) or a
first dosage of a second compound 700-2. As such, the cap device 10 is
reusable with a
multitude of different compounds 700 and dosages of each respective compound
700
according to a selection of the user. In some embodiments, this repeating of
the sealing
through the depressing of the method 1100 includes sanitizing a portion of the
cap device 10
prior to the sealing of this repeating of the method 1100.
[00142] In some embodiments, the sealing the lower end portion of the opening
110 using the
membrane 400 includes removing the pierced first membrane 400-1 from lower end
portion
of body 100. In some embodiments, the sealing the lower end portion of the
body 100 of the
repeating includes resealing the lower end portion of the opening of the body
with the
membrane, thereby reforming the pierced seal. Accordingly, the membrane 400 is
reusable
for more than one sealing and dispensing operation of the cap device 10. With
the first
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membrane 400-1 disengaged from the cap device 10, a second membrane 400-2
different
from the first membrane 400-1 is applied to the cap device 10, allowing for
further disposal
of a second compound 700-2 into the cap device 10 (e.g., repeating block 1106
of Figure 11).
[00143] In some embodiments, the repeating of a dispensing of a compound 700
omits the
removing of the membrane 400. For instance, in some embodiments, the gate 500
is
repositioned to the first position, which seals the lower end portion of the
opening 110.
[00144] In some embodiments, the spacer 300 is integrally formed with the
upper end portion
of the lid 200. Accordingly, the method 11000 further includes decoupling both
the body 100
from the container and the lid 200 from the body 100 (e.g., disengaging the
components of
the cap device 10). Further, in some embodiments, the method 1100 includes
repeating the
sealing of the membrane 400 (e.g., block 1104 of Figure 11) through the
depressing (e.g.,
block 1114 of Figure 11) of the method 1100 with a second lid 200-2 different
from the lid
200 used for the dispensed compound 700-1 and/or a second body 100-2 different
from the
body 100 used for the dispensed compound 700-1. This second lid 200-2 and/or
second body
100-2 removes any contamination issues that arise during the repeating of the
dispensing of a
second compound 700-2 if the first lid 200-1 and/or the first body 100-1 are
not properly
sterilized.
REFERENCES CITED
[00145] All referenced cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety and
for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or
patent or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference in its
entirety for all purposes.
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