Bottle cap and method therefor
A closure assembly includes an inner cap with threading along an inner surface. A threading profile extends along an outer surface of an inner cap sidewall. An outer cap is coupled with the inner cap. The outer cap includes an outer cap sidewall extending along at least a portion of the inner cap sidewall, and the outer cap sidewall is substantially cylindrical and uniformly smooth along at least an exterior face. The outer cap sidewall is sized and shaped to conceal the threading profile. An annular rim of the outer cap extends from an open end of the outer cap, and the annular rim is inwardly bent toward the inner cap. In another example, the annular rim extends over the inner cap sidewall and couples the outer cap with the inner cap with an interference fit.
Latest Patents:
Closures for vessels and in particular closures for drinking vessels such as bottles.
BACKGROUNDFluid containers, such as bottles, cans and the like are closed for storage, transportation and the like with closures, including bottle caps and corks. Corks, for instance, are deformable and pushed into the openings of containers (e.g., wine bottles) to seal a liquid, such as wine, away from the atmosphere to prevent spoiling of the liquid. One disadvantage of a cork is that a cork will allow leaking if it is improperly fitted in a bottle or if the cork prematurely dries and thereby shrinks and/or cracks in the bottle opening. Additionally, an improperly fitted cork or dried cork may allow premature spoiling of the liquid within, for instance, if the liquid is wine, exposure to the atmosphere will prematurely oxidize the wine. Another disadvantage with corks is the difficulty of replacing them in a bottle. To obtain a tight seal, the cork must be placed over the bottle opening and forced into the opening. Improper alignment of the cork with the opening or insufficient pushing force prevent adequate resealing of the bottle and can cause leakage and/or spoiling of the contents. Additionally, a cork will sometimes impart its own taste to liquids, such as wine, and taint the aroma and flavor of the liquids kept in a bottle.
In other examples, closure assemblies are used to seal containers. One disadvantage of many closure assemblies is the complex method of coupling an inner cap and an outer cap. Some examples of closure assemblies have features, such as threading, ratchet grooves and the like, along the exterior of the inner cap and corresponding features along the interior of the outer cap. The outer and inner caps are coupled together by engaging the corresponding features together. Using features (e.g., threading) to couple the outer and inner caps requires time consuming and expensive additional manufacturing steps to form the features. Additionally, extra assembly is needed to engage the features of the inner cap with the threading of the outer cap. Further, forming such features sometimes roughens the exterior of the outer cap with the profiles of the features and/or knurling needed for tooling to grasp the outer cap and form the threading. The profiles and/or knurling create a rough and unappealing appearance for the outer cap exterior. Moreover, some closure examples roll a portion of the open end of a cap to form a ring around the bottom of the closure. The ring extends from the cap and has a diameter larger than the cap itself thereby further roughening the appearance of the cap exterior.
What is needed is a closure assembly that provides a container with a tight and consistent seal that prevents leaking and spoiling of contents. What is further needed is a closure assembly with a smooth and aesthetically appealing exterior that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
In another option, the inner cap 202 includes a liner 314. The inner cap 202 is sized and shaped to receive the liner 314 adjacent to the inner cap lid 302. In one example, the liner 314 has slightly more area than the area defined by the inner cap sidewall 300 and thereby engages with the sidewall 300 by way of an interference fit. As shown in
In one option, the liner 314 includes, but is not limited to, SARANEX™ a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company. In another option, the liner 314 includes at least one material (e.g. polymers and the like) configured to prevent the passage of gases, water vapor and aromas when the closure assembly 100 is coupled with the container 102 (
In yet another option, the inner cap 202 is a stand-alone cap 202 that acts as a closure assembly without the outer cap 200. The cap 202 is substantially smooth at the juncture between the cap lid 302 and the cap sidewall 300. For example, when the threading 306 and threading profile 310 are formed the area between the threading profile 310 and the inner cap lid 302 is substantially free of knurling. The tooling used to form the threading 306 (described above) grasps the cap 202 as described without forming pronounced knurls on the inner cap sidewall 300 or the inner cap lid 302.
As shown in
Optionally, the blunt annular rim 316 is sized and shaped so at least a portion of the blunt annular rim profile, for instance, the leading edge 318, is substantially flush with the profile of the neck ring 105 (
The outer cap sidewall 400 has a substantially uniformly smooth exterior face 408. As described above the outer cap 200 slides over the threading profile 310. The substantially smooth exterior face 408 conceals the threading profile 310. The substantially smooth exterior face 408 provides a smooth profile for the closure assembly 100 that is aesthetically appealing while the closure assembly 100 provides a seal for the container 102. As described below, the substantially smooth exterior face 408 assists in providing a smooth appearance to wraps and the like used to tamper proof the container 102 and the closure assembly 100.
Referring again to
As shown in
In another option, the annular rim 208 is bent at around the same time the inner cap 202 is coupled with the outer cap 200. For instance, tooling is adapted to couple the inner cap 202 with the outer cap 200 and adapted to engage the annular rim 208 and inwardly bend it as described above. Coupling the caps 200, 202 and forming the bent annular rim 208 at the same time shortens manufacturing times and decreases costs by performing two operations at a single time.
As described above, in one option, the wrap 700 is a shrink wrap. The shrink wrap is positioned around at least a portion of the closure assembly 100 and the neck 103 and heat is applied to shrink the wrap 700 and couple it with the neck 103 and the assembly 100. In another option, the wrap 700 is a film or foil that is compressed and/or wrapped around the closure assembly 100 and the neck 100. The profile of the substantially uniformly smooth exterior face 408 shows through the wrap 700 and thereby presents an aesthetically appealing appearance. Additionally, the flush mating of the neck ring 10S and the closure assembly 100 shows through the wrap 700 to present a smooth and appealing profile across the neck ring 105 and the assembly 100.
Several options for the method 800 follow. In one option, the outer cap 200 is embossed and the inner cap 202 is free of embossing. For example, the outer cap 200 is embossed prior to assembly with the inner cap 202. Coupling the outer cap 200 with the inner cap 202 occurs at around the same time as bending the annular rim 208 toward the inner cap 202, in another option. In yet another option, coupling the outer cap 200 with the inner cap 202 includes adhering the caps 200, 202, for instance with an adhesive, such as adhesive 206.
CONCLUSIONUsing examples described above, a number of advantages are realized. One advantage includes a closure assembly that provides a tight and consistent seal with a container. The closure assembly substantially prevents spoiling of a liquid, such as wine, because of premature oxidation. Additionally, the closure assembly substantially prevents leaking of the container contents. Moreover, the closure assembly allows for easier resealing of a container by, for instance, screwing the closure assembly onto the container. Further the closure assembly does not taint the contents of the container (e.g., wine) with the taste of the assembly, thereby substantially preventing alteration of the flavor and aroma of the contents.
Furthermore, the closure assembly is easy to manufacture and assemble because the outer cap sidewall moves over the threaded profile of the inner cap and the adhesive and/or the bent annular rim is used to couple the inner and outer cap together. In one option, the bent annular rim is formed at the same time the inner cap is engaged to the outer cap, thereby further expediting manufacturing. Because the outer cap is coupled to the inner cap with an adhesive and/or bending of the annular rim, expensive features such as mated threading, grooves, ratcheting and the like are unnecessary to couple the inner and outer caps together. The bent annular rim provides a blunted surface around the opening of the closure assembly for easy coupling and removal of the assembly with the container.
The outer cap conceals the threading profile of the inner cap and thereby provides a smooth aesthetically appealing appearance for the closure assembly. The smooth cylindrical surface of the outer cap mates well with tamper proofing foils, wraps and the like to provide a tamper proof and attractive seal to containers. Further, because the annular rim is inwardly bent the ridge does not alter the attractive appearance of the closure assembly with the tamper proofing features described above because the closure assembly exterior is smooth.
In another option, the outer cap is personalized with different colors, printed on designs, labels, logos and the like. Optionally, the outer cap is embossed without correspondingly embossing the inner cap that is substantially concealed. For example, the outer cap is embossed prior to assembly with the inner cap to leave the inner cap free of embossing.
Although selected advantages are detailed above, the list is not intended to be exhaustive. Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above examples, and other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and fabrication methods are used.
Claims
1. A closure assembly comprising:
- an inner cap with threading along an inner surface and a threading profile along an outer surface of an inner cap sidewall;
- an outer cap coupled with the inner cap, wherein the outer cap has an outer cap sidewall extending along at least a portion of the inner cap sidewall, wherein the outer cap sidewall is substantially cylindrical and uniformly smooth along at least an exterior face, and the outer cap sidewall conceals the threading profile; and
- wherein an annular rim of the outer cap extends from an open end of the outer cap, and the annular rim is inwardly bent toward the inner cap.
2. The closure assembly of claim 1, further comprising a liner engaged against an inner cap lid, and the inner cap sidewall extends around the liner.
3. The closure assembly of claim 2, wherein the inner cap sidewall grasps the liner.
4. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer cap sidewall is substantially cylindrical and uniformly smooth along an interior face.
5. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the annular rim extends over the inner cap sidewall and couples the outer cap with the inner cap with an interference fit.
6. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner cap lid is adhered to an outer cap lid.
7. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer cap includes printing along at least one of the outer cap sidewall and an outer cap lid.
8. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer cap includes embossing along an outer cap lid and the inner cap is free of the embossing.
9. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure assembly is coupled with a container, and the closure assembly substantially seals the container.
10. The closure assembly of claim 9, further comprising a wrap extending between the closure assembly and the container, wherein the wrap extends around at least a portion of the closure assembly and around at least a portion of the container.
11. A closure assembly comprising:
- an inner cap with threading along an inner surface and a threading profile along an outer surface of an inner cap sidewall;
- an outer cap having an outer cap sidewall extending along at least a portion of the inner cap sidewall, wherein the outer cap sidewall is uniformly smooth along at least an exterior face, and an interior face of the outer cap sidewall is sized and shaped to slidably couple over the threaded profile parallel to an inner cap vertical axis; and
- wherein an annular rim of the outer cap extends from an open end of the outer cap sidewall, and the annular rim is inwardly bent over at least a portion of the inner cap sidewall, and the annular rim is engaged against the inner cap sidewall.
12. The closure assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer cap sidewall is substantially cylindrical and uniformly smooth along an interior face.
13. The closure assembly of claim 11, wherein an inner cap lid is adhered to an outer cap lid.
14. The closure assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer cap includes embossing along an outer cap lid and the inner cap is free of the embossing.
15. The closure assembly of claim 11, further comprising a liner engaged against an inner cap lid, and the inner cap sidewall extends around the liner.
16. The closure assembly of claim 15, wherein the inner cap sidewall grasps the liner.
17. A closure assembly comprising:
- a cap with threading along an inner surface and a threading profile along an outer surface of a cap sidewall, wherein the cap is substantially smooth at the juncture between a cap lid and the cap sidewall;
- a blunt annular rim of the cap extending from an open end of the cap sidewall, wherein the blunt annular rim is outwardly bent away from at least a portion of the cap sidewall, and the blunt annular rim is free of curling toward the cap sidewall.
18. The closure assembly of claim 17, further comprising a liner engaged against the cap lid, and the cap sidewall extends around the liner.
19. The closure assembly of claim 18, wherein the cap sidewall grasps the liner.
20. The closure assembly of claim 17, wherein the closure assembly is coupled with a container including a neck ring substantially adjacent to the blunt annular rim, and at least a portion of a blunt annular rim profile is substantially flush with a neck ring profile.
21. The closure assembly of claim 20, further comprising a wrap extending between the closure assembly and the container, wherein the wrap extends around at least a portion of the closure assembly and around at least a portion of the container, and the at least the portion of the blunt annular rim profile and the neck ring profile are visible through the wrap and substantially flush.
22. A method comprising:
- forming an inner cap, wherein the inner cap includes threading along an inner surface and a threading profile along an outer surface of an inner cap sidewall;
- forming an outer cap, wherein the outer cap has an outer cap sidewall, and the outer cap sidewall is substantially cylindrical and uniformly smooth along at least an exterior face;
- coupling the outer cap with the inner cap;
- concealing at least the threading profile; and
- bending an annular rim toward the inner cap, wherein the annular rim extends from an open end of the outer cap.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising embossing the outer cap and the inner cap is free of embossing.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein concealing at least the threading profile includes covering the threading profile with the outer cap sidewall.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein bending the annular rim toward the inner cap includes extending the annular ring over the inner cap sidewall.
26. The method of claim 22, wherein coupling the outer cap with the inner cap is at the same time as bending the annular rim toward the inner cap.
27. The method of claim 22, wherein coupling the outer cap with the inner cap includes adhering the outer cap to the inner cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 19, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: David Reed (Wheeling, WV), Louis Comadena (Burr Ridge, IL)
Application Number: 11/109,610
International Classification: B65D 53/00 (20060101); B65D 39/00 (20060101); B65D 51/00 (20060101);