Dispenser cap

Abstract

A dispenser, including a bottle having a closed end and a dispensing end, the dispensing end terminating in a spout; a cap joined to the bottle, the cap including an inner cap portion joined to an outer cap portion, the inner cap portion being adapted to close the spout; and mechanism for releasing fluid adapted to allow fluid to escape from the outer cap portion while fluid is prevented from escaping the bottle, the fluid releasing mechanism being defined through the outer cap portion, the fluid releasing mechanism allowing air to enter into the outer cap in a first location while water exits in a second location and a method of releasing fluid from a bottle cap, including closing a bottle by joining an inner cap portion of a cap to a bottle. the inner cap portion being joined to an outer cap portion, the inner cap portion defining a fluid releasing mechanism, the bottle having a closed end and a dispensing end; defining a plurality of openings through the outer cap portion about a circumference of the outer cap portion; and positioning the closed end of the bottle above the dispensing end in any canted position with at least one opening positioned above a water level.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to bottle caps and more particularly bottle caps attached to the bottom of bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Caps have long been used to close containers, preventing the contents thereof from escaping, while allowing a user to access the contents when desired. Most caps are attached to the top of the bottle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,467 (Ekkert et al) discloses a bottle cap that attaches to the top of the bottle and allows fluid from the cap to drip back into the bottle.

[0003] As the container is emptied, however, the contents become difficult to access. Gravity moves the contents to the bottom of the container. Solutions such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,568 (Ringuette) have been designed to access the bottom of the container out through the top with a pump system.

[0004] However, it was soon discovered that inverting the bottle, when not in use, allowed gravity to guide the contents to the spout. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,753 (Takei), teaches a stand that may be wall mounted and used to hold bottles in an inverted position so that product gravitates to the closure. This avoided the need for a pump, but added complexity in other manners.

[0005] Today, some bottles are made with caps on the bottom of the bottle for the purpose of using gravity to migrate the contents to the opening U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,687 (Fitten et al.) discloses a cap with a valve that attaches to the bottom of the container, allowing gravity to move the contents toward the valve.

[0006] Positioning bottles in an inverted orientation has created a new problem in wet environments such as a shower. That is, water gains access into the cap. While this does not necessarily harm the product, it does cause a pool of water to gather in the cap where the water cools to room temperature between uses. When a user attempts to remove the cap, a quantity of cold water is prepared to splash on the unsuspecting.

[0007] Incomplete solutions to this problem have been proposed by a common group of inventors. All use a single hole in the cap to release water from the cap. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,687 (Fitten et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,288 (Redmond, Sr. et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,262 (Fitten et al.). This has a couple subtle of problems, that have thus far gone unnoticed by research and development departments of industry.

[0008] First, the single opening is easily plugged with drippings from the contents of the bottle, eliminating the value of the opening. Most bottles in a home have some residue on the cap. The residue easily plugs the opening rendering the hole useless.

[0009] Second, hydrogen bonding tends to cause water to seal the opening on occasion, again destroying the purpose of the opening. Water tension adheres over and around the opening slowing or ceasing the flow of water out of the opening. This problem increases in severity as the opening becomes plugged by the residue from the bottle.

[0010] Third, the single opening is a poor pattern for allowing air to enter one opening while air is also exiting an opening. Such a situation fails to take advantage of air currents of allowing air in one opening and out another. If air does not circulate in the cap, the water film in the cap fails to dry. One hole does not allow air to flow into and out of the opening simultaneously, allowing moisture to remain in the cap. The moisture leads to mold and disease opportunities.

[0011] Fourth, positioning of the opening selectively limits the ability of water flow due to user error. A hole located on the bottom surface of the cap is only beneficial when the bottle is carefully set down so as to have the hole at the bottom of the water build-up instead of above it. Rarely, does the consumer exercise this level of care, placing the container canted in a soap dish, laying the container on its side on the bottom of a sloped shower floor, or leaning the container against a shower wall. When the hole is elevated above the water, gravity prevents water from flowing out the opening.

[0012] Fifth, positioning the hole on the bottom of the cap subjects the opening to plugging. The opening in the prior art is positioned on the bottom of the cap. When the bottle is positioned upright, the hole is sealed against the surface below the cap. Moreover, the hole is more subject to plugging when placed in a messy soap dish.

[0013] Sixth, the prior art fails to show how to define openings in containers with flip caps. Flip capped containers have at least one and often two areas that collect water. A single hole defined through a single wall cannot evacuate two separate chambers, leaving undesired water in the cap.

[0014] Seventh, caps are often manufactured with internal ribs for structural integrity. This creates compartments within the cap where water can hide and avoid being removed. A single opening is insufficient to drain each of the compartments.

[0015] What is needed is a cap for a bottom of a container that allows air to freely flow through the cap, the openings should be patterned to allow water to escape regardless of whether or not the container is canted, the holes should be of sufficient number, location to minimize plugging from hydrogen bonding or excess bottle contents. Desirably, the holes should also be patterned and located to provide evacuation of caps with flip caps. Moreover, a manner for evacuated water to escape the bottom of the cap is desired to avoid water build-up under the cap which blocks evacuation of all the water. These features are desired improvements to minimize cold water splashes, mold and disease build-up in the bathroom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is a dispenser that is provided with a bottle, a cap and mechanism for releasing fluid. The bottle has a closed end and a dispensing end with the dispensing end having a shoulder terminating in a spout.

[0017] The cap may be removably joined to the bottle. The cap includes an inner cap portion joined to an outer cap portion. The inner cap portion may be adapted to close the spout. The outer cap portion may be adapted to cover at least a portion of the shoulder of the bottle.

[0018] The mechanism for releasing fluid is adapted to allow fluid to escape from the outer cap portion while fluid is prevented from escaping the bottle. The fluid releasing mechanism preferably is operable white the closed end of the bottle is positioned above the dispensing end and while the bottle is canted in any direction.

[0019] The method of use releases fluid from a bottle cap. A user may close a bottle by joining an inner cap portion of a cap to a bottle, the inner cap portion being joined to an outer cap portion, the bottle having a closed end and a dispensing end; defining a plurality of openings through the outer cap portion about a circumference of the outer cap portion; and positioning the closed end of the bottle above the dispensing end in any canted position with at least one opening positioned above a water level.

[0020] Advantageously, the present invention provides a cap for a bottom of a container that allows air to freely flow through the cap.

[0021] Also an advantage is that the openings may be patterned to allow water to escape regardless of whether or not the container is canted.

[0022] A further advantage is that the holes are of sufficient number and location to minimize plugging from hydrogen bonding or excess bottle contents.

[0023] Yet another advantage is that the holes are patterned and located to provide for evacuation of caps with flip caps.

[0024] Still yet another advantage is that the cap includes a manner for evacuated water to escape the bottom of the cap to avoid water build-up under the cap which blocks evacuation of all the water.

[0025] Another advantage is that the present invention provides an opening adjacent each rib to evacuate each rib defined compartment.

[0026] These features are desired improvements to minimize cold water splashes, mold and disease build-up in the bathroom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial phantom, showing a first embodiment of the present invention with the holes positioned on a side wall of the outer cap portion together with the bottle.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention with the holes positioned through the bottom wall of the cap.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of present invention showing a cap with a flip top with hole through the side wall of the outer cap portion and through the side wall of the flip cap.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing holes through the bottom wall of the outer cap portion and holes through the bottom portion of the flip cap.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing holes through the bottom wall of the outer cap portion and passages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The dispenser 10 may be provided with a bottle 12, a cap 30 and a mechanism for releasing fluid 60. The dispenser 10 is intended to be a combination of the bottle 12 joined to the cap 30 in such a manner that the dispenser 10 is rested on a counter-top, shower floor, soap dish or other surface with the cap 30 supporting the bottle 12 above it, e.g., inverted. The components will be discussed in serial fashion.

[0033] The bottle 12 may have a closed end 14 and a dispensing end 16. The dispensing end 16 may have a shoulder 18 terminating in a spout 20. Alternatively, the bottle 12 may be of generally uniform cross-section throughout the length of the bottle 12, terminating in a spout 20. The spout 20 may include spiraling 22 or other mechanism for permanently or selectively securing to the cap 30. The spout 20 defines an opening 24 through which the contents of the bottle 12 may be expelled.

[0034] The cap 30 may be permanently or removably joined to the bottle 12. The cap 30 including an inner cap portion 32 selectively, permanently, integrally or homogeneously joined to an outer cap portion 34. The inner cap portion 32 may be adapted to at least partially close the spout 20 via engagement with spiraling 22 or otherwise. The outer cap portion 34 preferably is adapted to cover at least a portion of the shoulder 18 of the bottle 12 if the bottle 12 has a shoulder 18. The cap 30 may further have a flip lid 36 hingedly joined to the outer cap portion 34. The flip lid 36 closes a nozzle 33 of the inner cap portion 32, where such nozzle 33 provides access for expulsion of the contents of the bottle 12. The outer cap portion 34 may further include a bottom wall 38, a rim 40 and a side wall 42. The rim 40 may permanently, integrally or homogeneously join the bottom wall 38 to the side wall 42.

[0035] The mechanism for releasing fluid 60 is adapted to allow fluid, e.g. water, to escape from the outer cap portion 34 while fluid, e.g., bottle contents, is prevented from escaping the bottle 12. The fluid releasing mechanism 60 desirably is operable while the closed end 14 of the bottle 12 is positioned above the dispensing end 16 and while the bottle 12 is canted in any direction as opposed to a single direction. The fluid releasing mechanism 60 may be defined through the outer cap portion 34. Desirably, the fluid releasing mechanism 60 allows air to enter into the outer cap 34 in a first location 62 while water exits in a second location 64. As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid releasing mechanism 60 may be defined adjacent each rib 48 to drain each rib defined compartment 50.

[0036] The mechanism for releasing fluid 60 may include a plurality of openings 44 defined in the outer cap 34, which may be about the periphery thereof and preferably are in a circular pattern. For instance, the openings 44 may be defined through the bottom wall 38 rim 40, and/or side wall 42. Where the cap 30 includes a flip lid 36 the plurality of openings 44 may be defined through the flip lid 36, e.g. through the flip lid side wall 37a or the flip lid bottom wall 37b. If the openings 44 are defined through a flip lid 36, openings 44 may also be defined through the outer cap portion 34.

[0037] Particularly useful when the rim 40 is not coplanar with the bottom wall 38 are water passages 46 defined around the rim 40. The water passages 46 allow water, which has exited through the outer cap portion 34, to escape from under the rim 40 should the rim 40 be sealed against the supporting surface, e.g., counter top.

[0038] In operation, fluid may be released from the cap 30 with the following steps: closing the bottle 12 by joining the inner cap portion 32 of the cap 30 to the bottle 12. defining (before or after the step of joining) a plurality of openings 44 through the outer cap portion 34 and positioning the closed end 14 of the bottle 12 above the dispensing end 16 in any canted position with at least one opening 44 positioned above a water level 66 inside the cap 30.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A dispenser, comprising:

a bottle having a closed end and a dispensing end, the dispensing end having a shoulder terminating in a spout;

a cap removably joined to the bottom, the cap including an inner cap portion joined to an outer cap portion, the inner cap portion being adapted to close the spout, the outer cap portion adapted to cover at least a portion of the shoulder of the bottle; and

means for releasing fluid adapted to allow fluid to escape from the outer cap portion while fluid is prevented from escaping the bottle, the fluid releasing means being operable while the closed end of the bottle is positioned above the dispensing end and while the bottle is canted in any direction.

2) The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the inner cap portion and the outer cap portion are integral.

3) The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the outer cap portion further comprises a bottom wall, a rim and a side wall, the rim joining the bottom wall to the side wall.

4) The dispenser of claim 3 wherein a plurality of openings are defined through the bottom wall in a circular pattern.

5) The dispenser of claim 4 further comprising water passages defined around the rim.

6) The dispenser of claim 3 wherein a plurality of openings are defined through the side wall in a circular pattern.

7) The dispenser of claim 3 wherein a plurality of openings are defined through the rim in a circular pattern.

8) The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises a flip lid.

9) The dispenser of claim 8 wherein a plurality of openings are defined through the flip lid in a circular pattern.

10) The dispenser of claim 6 wherein a plurality of openings are defined through the outer cap in a circular pattern.

11) The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cap further defines a nozzle.

12) A dispenser, comprising:

a bottle having a closed end and a dispensing end, the dispensing end terminating in a spout;

a cap joined to the bottle, the cap including an inner cap portion joined to an outer cap portion, the inner cap portion being adapted to close the spout; and

means for releasing fluid adapted to allow fluid to escape from the outer cap portion while fluid is prevented from escaping the bottle, the fluid releasing means being defined through the outer cap portion, the fluid releasing means allowing air to enter into the outer cap in a first location while water exits in a second location.

13) The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the fluid releasing means comprises a plurality of openings defined through the outer cap portion.

14) The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the openings are defined through a bottom wall of the outer cap portion about the periphery thereof.

15) The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the openings are defined through a side wall of the outer cap portion about the periphery thereof.

16) The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the openings are defined in a rim of the outer cap portion about the periphery thereof.

17) The dispenser of claim 13 wherein openings are defined through a flip lid joined to the outer cap portion and openings are defined through the outer cap portion.

18) A method of releasing fluid from a bottle cap, comprising:

closing a bottle by joining an inner cap portion of a cap to a bottle, the inner cap portion being joined to an outer cap portion, the bottle having a closed end and a dispensing end;

defining a plurality of openings through the outer cap portion about a circumference of the outer cap portion; and

positioning the closed end of the bottle above the dispensing end in any canted position with at least one opening positioned above a water level.

19) The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:

closing a flip lip to close the bottle.

20) The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of defining a plurality of openings through the flip cap.