CLOSURE HAVING A VALVE WITH AN ARCUATE FRANGIBLE LINE

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a closure for a container. In one of the embodiments provided herein, the closure is provided with a cap having a roof portion and a cylindrical skirt. A well extends from the roof portion into the cap, the well having an inner wall structure that terminates at an edge and a frangible valve joined to the well by a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the frangible valve and by a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery. In another embodiment the frangible valve is defined as a dish-like member positioned at an inclination relative to a central axis defined by the well, such that the frangible section is joined about the inner wall structure of said well and the non-frangible section is joint about the edge of the well. Since the non-frangible section is stronger than the frangible section it does not substantially separate from the inner wall when the frangible valve is moved to an open position. In a further embodiment, the cap has a well having an inner wall structure that terminates into a base structure at an edge, the base structure having a frangible valve defined as having a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the edge and having a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery of the edge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/803,997 filed Jun. 6, 2006.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a closure for a container, and particularly to, a container used in the water bottling industry for water dispensers and water coolers, such as a five-gallon container.

Drinking water has been supplied to consumers for many years in large containers, which typically have volumes ranging from 2.5 to 6 gallons. These large containers are often mounted upside down on a dispensing device which may also cool or heat the water as desired. The dispensing devices also permit facile dispensing of the water. A typical large container has an upstanding neck, defining an opening for the container, and has an external snap formation for engagement with a closure. Closures for the large containers are also known and typically include a roof portion, a shoulder portion depending downwardly from the roof portion, and a skirt portion depending downwardly from the shoulder portion. Internally, the closure has a snap bead, located generally at the intersection between the skirt portion and the shoulder portion, for complementary engagement with the snap formation on the container neck.

The closure may either be a “flat-roof” or a “non-spill” closure, both of which are known in the industry. A flat-roof closure has a generally flat, closed-off roof portion, which is in the form of a disc. The flat-roof closure therefore needs to be removed from the neck of the container in order to discharge the fluid or contents of the container.

There is a relatively high degree of standardization in the water bottling industry, such that most closures for large containers have many corresponding, or similar features. In addition, many of the dimensions for closures are required to lie within relatively tight tolerances, in order for the closures to provide an effective liquid-tight seal on a range of conventional container neck finishes. Accordingly, design freedom for such closures is limited.

An issue associated with large containers is that the containers must be lifted and inverted in order to mount on the dispensing device. Lifting and inverting the open, heavy bottle is awkward and can lead to accidental spillage and/or an unsanitary condition if one attempts to cover the open end of the bottle with their hand.

A number of prior art approaches have been advanced to facilitate mounting of large containers onto dispensing devices. One of the first approaches may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,188, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The '188 patent teaches the use of a hygienic cap, for a container, which has a central recessed portion (cylindrical well) depending from its top and extending downward into the neck of the container. The well is closed at its bottom end by an integrally attached bottom portion. The dispensing device includes a feed probe having a sharp pointed upper end and a lower end that facilitates draining into the dispenser's reservoir. The probe is positioned axially within a cylindrical sleeve, which receives the inverted container neck (with cap attached) and snugly holds the container upright in its inverted position. When the large container is raised and inverted onto the dispenser, the probe pierces the bottom portion of the closure well allowing water to flow out of the container into the dispenser. The '188 patent does not enjoy significant commercial acceptance for a number of reasons. The sharpness of the upper end of the probe can be a safety concern. Possible attempts to soften the end would lead to increased difficulty in piercing the bottom portion of the closure well. This situation was aggravated in that the bottom portion of the closure well is essentially solid, having no structural feature to promote frangible penetration of the by the probe.

Another problem with the '188 patent is that there is no provision to reseal the closure well when the container, still having water within, is removed from the dispenser. Such a removal would inevitably result in significant spillage from a partially full container, leading to messy and possibly hazardous conditions. Spillage was even a problem when removing an essentially exhausted container. As fully mounted on the dispensing device, the opened upper end of the probe was well above the level of the inverted container closure top. Thus, when the contents of the container were effectively exhausted, a small amount of residual water still remained in the container, trapped between the inverted closure cap and the opening of the probe. This situation is best visualized by reference to FIG. 1 of the '188 patent. When the container was removed from the dispenser, a small amount of water is free to spill though the pierced bottom portion. Over time this spillage could result in excessive water gathering in the cup-like receptacle of the dispenser, leading to an unsanitary condition.

Given the problems of initial opening and reclosing associated with the '188 patent, a number of other systems teach a multiple piece closure wherein the end of the closure well is sealed by a resealable secondary cap. Typical systems comprising a resealable secondary cap include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,778; 5,031,676; and 5,232,125, the entire contents of these U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference. While various modifications and designs variations exist among these teachings, the essence of operation is similar. The dispensing probe, rather than being sharp to promote piercing, is designed to be complimentary to structural features incorporated into a cap, plug, or sliding member (hereinafter referred to as a “secondary cap”) that initially seals the central closure well. When the container is inverted onto the dispenser, the complimentary features on the probe and plug interact to initially attach the secondary cap to the probe. As the container moves further downward onto the probe, the secondary cap, still attached to the probe, is moved further into the container, upon which a dispensing port on the probe becomes exposed to the fluid contents of the container. The contents would then flow freely by gravity through the dispensing port to the inside of the probe and then to the dispensing reservoir.

When it is desired to remove the partially filled or exhausted container, the secondary cap, still attached to the probe, would be repositioned into a sealing position with the closure well. As the container is removed from the dispenser, the secondary cap is released from its attachment to the probe at which point the central closure well is resealed.

The multiple component closure systems taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,778; 5,031,676; and 5,232,125 have enjoyed substantial success in the marketplace. Nevertheless, the relatively high cost of these multiple component systems has challenged the packaging industry to devise improved, less costly alternatives. These closure systems are directed to providing a frangible opening on a base portion of a closure well defined on a closure.

A first of the concepts incorporating a frangible opening of the base portion of a closure well was taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,865 the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. The '865 patent teaches at least one frangible line or line of weakness extending across the base portion of a closure well. In addition, a projecting member was positioned adjacent one of the frangible lines. The projecting member was initially contacted upon insertion of the probe to concentrate force and facilitate initial tearing of the frangible line. The projecting member reduced the amount of downward force required to initially rupture the frangible line. The '865 patent further teaches a conical geometry for the opening portion. In the case of a single frangible line, the structure opened like a clamshell, best seen in FIG. 5 of the '865 patent. When the probe is removed, the clamshell like structure at least partially closed due to the material characteristics as it has a tendency to return to its original molded position. This thereby reduced spillage associated with removing a partially filled container.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,867, herein incorporated in its entirety by reference, shows four frangible lines extending downward over a conical base portion of the closure well. Insertion of the probe splits the conical base into four portions, described as “petals” in the '867 patent. While it is desired to have the petals partially return to their original position upon removal of the probe, thereby reducing spillage upon removal of a partially consumed bottle, in practice the petals do not re-close the well.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,849, herein incorporated in its entirety by reference, discloses a container closure with a central receiving bore closed by a base having frangible lines. In this patent the base comprises two frusto-conical portions extending in opposite directions. Insertion of the probe causes the base to turn “inside-out” as the three frangible lines rupture. The '849 patent teaches that this arrangement helps promote return of the three separate petals formed on probe insertion to a sealing position upon removal of the container from the probe.

Two problems are associated with the “non-spill” type closures comprising frangible lines intended to be penetrated by a standard blunt probe. First, the force required to initially puncture the frangible lines can be considerable. In general, the frangible lines must rupture under the weight of a full container. Second, the effectiveness of the partial reclosure when the probe is removed must be reasonably effective in order to prevent excessive spillage and/or contamination upon removal of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention offers the art an improved closure for a container and a dispensing system for large liquid containers such as the 5 gallon water container. Here the closure includes a central well sized to sealingly receive a probe such as those currently employed on many 5 gallon water dispensing apparatuses. The well has an open end for receipt of the probe and an integrally molded closed base structure. The closed base structure allows facile penetration by the inserted probe for the dispensing of fluid. Upon removal of the probe, satisfactory reseal is achieved through the unique design aspects of the base structure. Various aspects of the novel design aspects are embodied in the disclosure herein.

According to one aspect of the invention, a cap for a container used on a water dispenser is provided which includes a well extending from the roof portion into the cap. The well includes an inner wall structure that terminates at an edge and a frangible valve joined to the well by a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the frangible valve and by a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to the periphery.

The frangible valve may also be defined as a dish-like member positioned at an inclination relative to a central axis defined by the well, such that the frangible section is joined about the inner wall structure of the well and the non-frangible section is joined about the edge of the well. The non-frangible section is preferably stronger than the frangible section such that the non-frangible section does not substantially separate from the inner wall during probe penetration. The non-frangible section further has a tendency to act as a spring hinge during operation of the cap, such that during removal of the probe the valve tends to close.

In a further embodiment, the cap has a well having an inner wall structure that terminates into a base structure at an edge, the base structure having a frangible valve defined as having a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the edge and having a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery of the edge.

Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a prior art closure commonly used with a large container;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one component, the “primary cap” of a prior art “non-spill” closure commonly used on a large container;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a complimentary component, the “secondary cap”, used in conjunction with the component embodied in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the assembly of the components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as applied to the neck of a large container;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 4 after being inverted and mounted on a prior art dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another prior art “non-spill” closure useable on large containers;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing the closure of FIG. 6 inverted and mounted on a typical probe of a dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in partial section of an improved frangible valve of a “non-spill” closure according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational perspective view of the closure of FIG. 8 showing the functional structure taken substantially from the perspective of the encircled region identified as D-D in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10A through 10E are side elevational views in partial section showing the interaction of the improved frangible valve of FIGS. 8 and 9 with a dispensing probe;

FIG. 11A is a side elevational view in partial section showing an alternative embodiment for the functional structure for a frangible valve constructed in accordance to the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 11B is a top view showing the functional structure taken substantially from the encircled region identified as E-E in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a side elevational view in partial section showing the interaction of the frangible vale of FIGS. 11A and 11B with a dispensing probe;

FIG. 12A is a side elevational view in partial section showing an alternative embodiment for the functional structure for a frangible valve constructed in accordance to the teachings of the invention that is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 11A; and

FIG. 12B is a top view showing the functional structure taken substantially from the encircled region identified as F-F in FIG. 12A.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The aspects of the instant invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the descriptive figures. While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodiments illustrated.

Prior art FIGS. 1 and 2 show closures currently used with large containers. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a “flat-roof” closure. This type of closure is removed from the container prior to mounting on the dispensing apparatus. The closure 1 has a roof portion 2 and has a shoulder portion disposed outwardly from the roof portion 2. The shoulder portion includes a rounded corner 3, below which is a downwardly depending side wall 4. Depending from the side wall 4 is a skirt portion 5. The roof portion 2 is in the form of a circular disc. A tension ring, or snap bead 8, is located on the inside of the closure 1. The snap bead 8 is in a position to fit under the snap formation on the neck of a container (not shown in FIG. 1) and to draw the internal surface of the corner 3 towards the snap formation of the neck. The internal surface of the corner 3 is provided with an internal seal bead 9, which engages a lip (not shown) defined by the container to seal against leakage. A release tab 7 extends downwardly from the bottom edge of the skirt portion 5 for removal of the closure 1 from the neck of the container. By pulling upwards on the tab 7, the skirt portion 5 may be torn along score lines 6 so that the skirt portion releases its grip on the container neck. The closure 1 also is shown to have narrow “application ramps” 54 projecting slightly above the internal surface formed by the tension ring 8. These application ramps were first taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,316 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. In the '316 patent, such ramps on the tension bead are used to accommodate bottles of varying structural geometries. It was subsequently found that the ramps serve an additional function in facilitating capping of the container. The raised ramps also serve to remove the surface of the tension bead 8 slightly from the surface of the container neck locking bead (not shown in FIG. 1) as the cap 1 is pushed onto the neck. Without the ramps 54 the tension bead and container locking bead may form an airtight seal during expansion of the tension bead 8 over the outwardly directed container locking bead. The airtight seal prevents venting of air still remaining in the head space of the container, creating an internal pressure which can impede facile capping.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a “non-spill” closure 1a. Many of the features of the “non-spill” type closure 1a are similar to those of the “flat roof” closure 1 depicted in FIG. 1. In this specification, similar features among embodiments will be identified by the same numeral plus a letter designation indicative of the particular embodiment. In the FIG. 2 closure 1a, it is seen that the roof portion 2a is in the form of an annular disk, with a central well 60 formed therein. The well 60 has a cylindrical side wall 62 which extends down into the closure 1a to an open end 75. Fitted snugly within the well 60 is a displaceable plug 11, illustrated in FIG. 3. The plug 11 has a bottom 12 and a side wall 13 which when placed in the well 60 of closure 1a closes the open end 75.

The assembly of plug 11 and closure 1a is illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the plug 11 has been inserted into the originally open end 75 of well 60 in order to the seal the well 60 and complete the closure system. The completed closure is further shown mounted to a typical neck 14 of a container.

FIG. 5 illustrates the situation which results when the assembly of FIG. 4 is inverted and lowered onto a dispensing apparatus equipped to cooperatively function with the “non-spill” type closures. In FIG. 5, the container has been lowered into receptacle 15 whose dimensions help position the container neck 14 axially over a hollow probe 16. The probe 16 enters the well 60 of the closure 1a as the container is lowered onto the dispensing apparatus. Eventually, complimentary features on the plug 11 and probe 16 interact to result in attachment of the plug 11 to the probe 16. In its final position, the probe 16 has penetrated into the container neck 14 sufficiently to displace the plug 11 and expose ports 17 to the contents of the container. Fluid is then able to enter the inside region of probe 16 through the ports 17 and flow downwardly for dispensing.

A more detailed description of the structural details and function of the closure, container, and dispensing features embodied in FIGS. 2 through 5 are presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,125.

Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a prior art closure of the “non-spill” type. Many of the structural features present in the closure embodied in FIG. 6 are similar or identical to those of the closure of FIG. 4. Thus, many like features will be identified with the same numeral followed by a letter to designate the particular embodiment.

A major distinction between the closures of FIGS. 4 and 6 is in the functional aspects of the central well 60 depending from the closure roof. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, the well 60 comprises a short cylindrical portion 62b sized to form a slidable sealing surface with a standard diameter probe 16 of a dispenser. Extending downward from this short cylindrical portion is a lower base portion comprising a generally conical section 80 merging at its lower end with a truncated spherical-like portion 82. At least one frangible line 84 extends downward on the conical section 80, across the spherical portion 82, and continuing back upward on the conical portion 80.

FIG. 7 shows the condition resulting when the closure of FIG. 6, applied to a standard container (not shown), is inverted and placed on a “non-spill” dispensing device. Insertion of the probe 16 into the well 60 causes the initially integral well to split open along the frangible line 84 and open like a “clam shell” as the probe, and its exit ports 17 pass into the container. Obviously, if the well 60 were to comprise multiple score lines, a number of deformable sections would be formed as compared to the “clam-shell” description associated with a single line. When the probe 16 is eventually removed, the “clam shell” arrangement will close somewhat because of the tendency of the plastic material to return to its original molded shape. The functional and structural aspects of the closure depicted in FIG. 6 are taught in much greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,865.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 12, there is shown a novel closure which can be categorized as a “frangible valve non-spill” variety that is complimentary to dispensing probes currently existing in the marketplace.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in partial section of a 5-gallon type closure including a novel frangible valve 110. The valve 110, encircled as designated D-D in the FIG. 8 embodiment, is shown in additional detail in the perspective view of FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a view of the valve 110 from the bottom. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the valve 110 comprises a dish-like member 112 disposed within the central bore or well 60e of the closure 1e. The dish-like member 112 is positioned at an inclination relative to the axis of the central bore 60e. It is integrally joined to the inner wall of the bore 60e via a frangible line 114. The frangible line 114 extends around a major arcuate portion vicinal the periphery of the dish-like member 112. However, the frangible line does not extend 360 degrees. Rather, a portion 116 of the periphery of dish-like structure 112, preferably a short arcuate region, is included which is much stronger than the frangible line 114. This difference in frangible characteristics can be achieved by either thickening the connection between dish-like member 112 and the wall over the portion 116 or by increasing the width of the connecting material in the portion 116 to increase its resistance to tearing. The strengthened portion 116 also acts as a spring hinge 120 during operation of the closure, as best seen in FIGS. 10A through 10E.

FIGS. 10A through 10E show the action of the frangible valve 110 as it interacts with a dispensing probe 16. In FIG. 10A, the probe 16 is seen entering the bore 60e prior to interaction with the dish-like member 112 of the valve 110. In FIG. 10B, the probe 16 has contacted the dish-like member 112 and has begun the tearing action of the frangible line 114 associated with initial opening of the valve 110 in response to pressure from the probe. In FIG. 10C, the probe 16 has pushed the dish-like member 112 partially open, while in FIG. 10D the probe has penetrated sufficiently to cause the dish-like member 112 to be fully open and pressing itself against the side of the probe. As seen in FIG. 10D, the ports 17 are totally exposed to allow fluid contents to exit the container to a dispensing apparatus. As seen in the side elevational views of FIGS. 10A through 10E, a short extension 118 of the closure bore 60e is provided over the portion 116 corresponding to the spring-like hinge 120. This extension 118 forms a backstop for the dish-like member when fully opened as illustrated in FIG. 10D. The action of the backstop is to hold the dish-like member 112 in an essentially vertical orientation when fully open and to prevent excessive distortion of the spring-like hinge 120 should the probe enter the bore in a highly skewed position.

FIG. 10E illustrates the condition which arises during removal of the probe. The dish-like member 112 now effectively closes off the open end 75 of the bore 60e to prevent excess fluid from leaving the container through the bore 60e. The return of the dish-like member 112 to a sealing position covering the open end of the bore 60e is promoted by three factors. First, any fluid left in the bottle will exert pressure to move the member 112 to its closed position covering the bore 60e. Secondly, one will recognize that the dish-like member 112 has an effective diameter larger than the internal diameter of the bore 60e. This is a result of its original inclined positioning (FIGS. 8 and 9). Thus, as shown in FIG. 10E, when it returns to seal off the open end of the bore 60e, the member 112 is stopped from being pushed back inside the closure bore by contact of the dish-like member 112 with the top edge of the bore 60e. Finally, one notes that the hinge 120 preferably extends over a defined arcuate distance. The fact that the hinge is arcuate, rather than straight, gives the hinge 120 a spring like characteristic tending to drive the hinge back to the closed position shown in FIG. 10E. The spring like feature is a result of tension on opposite ends of the arcuate hinge when the dish-like member 112 is in its fully open position shown in FIG. 10D. The spring-like tension of the arcuate hinge 120 can be adjusted by selective choice of materials in addition to design choices such as the thickness and arcuate length of the hinge.

FIGS. 11A through 11B illustrate another embodiment to achieve a frangible valve complimentary to dispensing probes currently existing in the marketplace. FIG. 11A is a side elevational view in partial section of a closure including a novel frangible valve 130. The valve 130, encircled as designated E-E in FIG. 11A, is shown in additional detail in the top view of FIG. 11B. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the valve 130 comprises a disk-like member 132 disposed within the central bore or well 60f of the closure if. The disk-like member 132 is integrally joined to the inner wall 134 of the bore 60f at an end junction 136 substantially where the inner wall 134 terminates. A frangible line 138 extends around a major arcuate portion vicinal the periphery of the disk-like member 132 and the inner wall 134. However, the frangible line 138 does not extend 360 degrees. Rather, a portion or gap 140 of the periphery of disk-like structure 132, preferably a short arcuate region, is not frangible and thus stronger than the frangible line 138. This difference in frangible characteristics can also be achieved by either thickening the gap 140. In addition, the placement of the frangible line 138 in relation to the inner wall 134 may be made such that the two are substantially joined as illustrated or slightly away from the inner wall 134 (illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B). Various characteristics during tearing of the frangible line 138 and the ability of the disk-like member 132 to return to a closed position after use may be affected by the placement.

FIG. 11C shows the action of the frangible valve 130 and well 60F as they interact with a dispensing probe 16. As illustrated the probe 16 has torn the frangible line 138 pushed the disk-like member 132 to a fully open position. Since a portion of the disk-like member 132 is attached to the well 60F at gap 140 when the probe 160 is inserted, this portion bends and deforms such that it acts as a spring hinge 142. The spring hinge 142 has a tendency to push and return the disk-like member 132 back to a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 11A. Thus when the probe is removed, the disk-like member 132 will have the tendency to return to the closed position, close the frangible valve 130, and reduce the leaking of fluid within the container.

From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. A cap for a container used on a water dispenser, said cap having a roof portion and a cylindrical skirt, said cap comprising:

a well extending from said roof portion into said cap, the well having an inner wall structure that terminates at an edge and a frangible valve joined to said well by a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the frangible valve and by a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the frangible valve is defined as a dish-like member positioned at an inclination relative to a central axis defined by the well, such that the frangible section is joined about the inner wall structure of said well and the non-frangible section is joined about the edge of said well.

3. The cap of claim 2, wherein said frangible section is longer then said non-frangible section.

4. The cap of claim 3, wherein said frangible section extends about 320 degrees to about 340 degrees of said inner wall and said non-frangible section is complementary to a remaining 360 degree extension of said inner wall.

5. The cap of claim 2, wherein the non-frangible section is stronger than said frangible section such that the non-frangible section does not substantially separate from said inner wall.

6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the non-frangible section has a tendency to act as a spring hinge during operation of said cap.

7. The cap of claim 2, wherein the well further includes a member extending from said edge above at least a portion of said non-frangible section.

8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the frangible valve is defined as a dish-like member joined substantially about the edge of said well.

9. A cap for a container used on a water dispenser that has a dispensing probe used to penetrate said cap for dispensing fluid within said container, said cap having a roof portion and a cylindrical skirt, said cap comprising:

a well extending from said roof portion into said cap, the well having an inner wall structure that terminates at an edge and a frangible valve joined to said well by a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the frangible valve and by a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery,

wherein the frangible valve is defined as a dish-like member positioned at an inclination relative to a central axis defined by the well, such that the frangible section is joined about the inner wall structure of said well and the non-frangible section is joint about the edge of said well, and

wherein the non-frangible section is stronger than said frangible section such that the non-frangible section does not substantially separate from said inner wall when said frangible valve is moved to an open position.

10. The cap of claim 9, wherein said non-frangible section acts as a spring hinge and has a tendency to return said dish-like member to a closed position,

11. The cap of claim 9, wherein the dispensing probe used to penetrate said cap has a blunt end, such that the blunt end of the dispensing probe opens the valve along the frangible section during use.

12. The cap of claim 10, wherein the frangible valve has a tendency to move to the closed position when said dispensing probe is removed.

13. A cap for a container used on a water dispenser, said cap having a roof portion and a cylindrical skirt, said cap comprising:

a well extending from said roof portion into said cap, the well having an inner wall structure that terminates into a base structure at an edge, said base structure having a frangible valve defined as having a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the edge and having a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery of the edge.

14. The cap of claim 13, wherein said first portion abuts said edge.

15. The cap of claim 13, wherein the frangible valve is defined as a dish-like member.

16. The cap of claim 13, wherein said frangible section extends about 320 degrees to about 340 degrees around said edge and said non-frangible section is complementary to a remaining 360 degree extension of said edge.

17. The cap of claim 13, wherein the non-frangible section is stronger than said frangible section such that the non-frangible section does not substantially separate from said inner wall.

18. The cap of claim 17, wherein the non-frangible section has a tendency to act as a spring hinge during operation of said cap.