Tamperproof double cap capable of adding additive

A tamperproof double cap, capable of being used to add an additive, comprises: a lower cap, which is coupled to close the mouth of a beverage container, is provided with an additive storage cavity in the middle thereof, and has a hinge split notch in the bottom of the storage cavity; and a press cap, which is fitted into the storage cavity, and separates the hinge split notch when pressed. The lower cap is provided with first and second lips formed on the upper end of the storage cavity holding a tubular part of the press cap, and has vertical ribs protruding from the inner wall of a cavity tube defining the storage cavity at regular intervals. The press cap includes grooves formed in the tubular part so as to vertically move along ribs of the lower cap, and an external press thread in the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force. An upper cap encloses the press cap and the first and second lips, and includes an external thread, which is screwed with the external press thread and vertically moves the press cap when rotated.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive and, more particularly, to a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, in which first and second lips are formed on the upper end of a cavity tube having a hole containing the additive in a manner such that the first lip is coupled with an upper cap, and such that the second lip is coupled with a split strip supported by the upper cap and a split line, thereby preventing the upper cap from being tampered with, and in which a press cap, lowered linearly when the upper cap is rotated, is interposed between the upper and lower caps, thereby performing sealable coupling through a fastening force when the lower and upper caps are coupled with each other, and lowering the press cap to maximize sealability through the rotating force when the lower and upper caps are partly released from each other.

2. Description of the Related Art

A double cap for being used to add an additive is illustrated in FIG. 1, in a sectional view, by way of example. The double cap is adapted to add an additive to a beverage container, and comprises: a lower cap 20, which is coupled to close the mouth of the beverage container 12, is provided with an additive storage cavity 24 in the middle thereof, and has a hinge split notch 28 in the bottom 29 of the storage cavity 24; and a press cap 40, which is fitted into the storage cavity 24, and separates the hinge split notch 28 when pressed. More particularly, the double cap comprises:

the lower cap 20, which is provided with first and second lips 25 and 26 formed on the upper end of the storage cavity 24, holding a tubular part 42 of the press cap 40, and has vertical ribs 24-2 protruding from the inner wall of a cavity tube 24-1, defining the storage cavity 24, at regular intervals;

the press cap 40, which includes the grooves 43 formed in the tubular part 42 so as to vertically move along the ribs 24-2, and an external press thread 41 in the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force; and

an upper cap 30, which encloses the press cap 40 and the first and second lips 25 and 26, and includes an external thread 35 screwed with the external press thread 41 and vertically moving the press cap 40 when rotated.

The external thread 35, which is screwed with the external press thread 41, is formed in the auxiliary inner tube 34, which extends downward from the top of the upper cap 30 so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the first lip 25.

Preferably, the external thread 35 in the inner wall of the auxiliary inner tube 34 is long enough to be screwed with the external press thread 41 to make it possible to move the press cap 40 in a downward direction.

The tubular part 42 of the press cap 40 is provided with at least one stopper 44. The stopper 44 prevents the bottom 29 from being pushed into the tubular part 42, and protrudes from the inner wall of the tubular part 42 to a predetermined height.

An inner sealing dam 27 is formed between the bottom of the inner wall of the second lip 26 of the lower cap 20 and the cavity tube 24-1, defining the storage cavity 24, so as to seal the inner wall of the mouth of the container 12.

In this configuration, the press cap 40 is first capped with the upper cap 30, such that the external press thread 41 of the press cap 40 is screwed with the external thread 35 of the upper cap 30. In this state, the additive (e.g. powdered, granulated, etc.) is put into the space inside the tubular part 42 of the press cap 40. Then, the tubular part 42 of the press cap 40 is inserted into the storage cavity 24 of the lower cap while the first and second lips 25 and 26 of the lower cap 20 are inserted into the outer space of the auxiliary inner tube 34 of the upper cap 30.

The double cap, which results from the integration of the lower cap 20, the upper cap 30, and the press cap 40 in the state in which the additive is present therein, is used to cap the outer circumference of a neck of the container 12 in which contents are stored. Then, the upper and lower caps 30 and 20 are sterilized. The beverage container is put on the market.

When the beverage container is opened, the upper cap 30 is turned first. A split strip 32 is not separated due to mutual frictional force between a knurl 33 of the separation strip 32 and the outer surface of the second lip 26, but only a split line 31 is cut. Thereby, the upper cap 30 is separated from the lower cap 20. At the same time, the external thread 35, formed in the inner surface of the auxiliary inner tube 34 of the upper cap 30, is unscrewed from the external press thread 41 of the press cap 40. At this time, the upper cap 30 is rotated without vertical movement, because a hook 36 protruding from the inner wall of the lower end of the upper cap 30 is hooked with a hook 25-1 protruding from the outer wall of the first lip 25 so as to correspond to the hook 36.

In spite of the rotation of the upper cap 30, the press cap 40, which has the external press thread 41 screwed with the external thread 35 of the auxiliary inner tube 34, is not rotated, due to the grooves 43 in the outer wall of the tubular part 42 and the ribs 24-2 in the inner wall of the cavity tube 24-1, defining the storage cavity 24. More specifically, because the grooves 43 are splined with the ribs 24-2, the press cap 40 only moves up and down. Thus, the lower end of the tubular part 42 presses and cuts the hinge split notch 28, and thereby the bottom 29 is partially separated. When the bottom 29 is separated, the additive falls down into the container 12, as in FIG. 2, and thus is naturally mixed with the content of the container.

Then, the additive is uniformly mixed with the content of the container by shaking the container 12. Afterwards, a split strip 22 in the lower cap 20 is split. In order to split the split strip 22, the split strip 22 is provided with a grip (not shown), which can be pulled for tearing, or a knurl so that a split line 21 can be torn when the lower cap 20 is turned. In this manner, when the lower cap 20 is turned and opened, the press cap 40, coupled to the storage cavity 24 of the lower cap 20, is simultaneously opened to expose the mouth of the container 12. Then, the user need only drink the content through the mouth of the container.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a known double cap. This double cap comprises:

the lower cap 20, which is provided with first and second lips 25 and 26 formed on the upper end of the storage cavity 24 holding the tubular part 42 of a press cap 40, has vertical ribs 24-2 protruding from the inner wall of a cavity tube 24-1 defining the storage cavity 24 at regular intervals, and is formed with a crush part 24-3 on the bottom of the cavity tube 24-1, having ribs 24-31 tearing off a thin bottom 29 when the press cap 40 is lowered and through-holes 24-32 through which an additive drops;

the press cap 40, which includes the grooves 43 formed in the tubular part 42 so as to vertically move along the ribs 24-2, an external press thread 41 in the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force, and the thin bottom 29 of the tubular part 42, which is torn off when it comes into contact with the crush part 24-3; and

an upper cap 30, which encloses the press cap 40 and the first and second lips 25 and 26, and includes an external thread 35 screwed with the external press thread 41 and vertically moving the press cap 40 when rotated. Here, no reference number is given to parts that are the same as in the previous embodiment.

In this embodiment, when the tubular part is lowered, the thin bottom 29 comes into contact with the crush part 24-3, and thus is torn off. Thereby, the additive goes through the through-holes 24-32, and is then added to the content of the container.

This embodiment has an advantage in that the press cap is lowered in cooperation with the lower cap, tears off the thin bottom of the press cap, and adds the additive to the content of the container. Further, this embodiment has a disadvantage in that the press cap does not provide compressive force accompanying friction, in light of the structure of the press cap, and thus the sealability is reduced when used and stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, in which a press cap, lowered by the rotation of an upper cap, opens a bottom plate, forming the bottom of a lower cap, and thus the additive is added into a container, thereby performing sealable coupling through a fastening force when the lower and upper caps are coupled with each other, and rotating the upper cap without vertical movement when a press cap is pressed by releasing the upper cap from the lower cap, thus realizing sealing and rotation at the same time.

Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, which avoids confusion as to the use thereof when opening a container, and enables visual checking of the additive as well as the opening process.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, in which a first lip is provided with a press threaded hook for screw coupling in the intermediate part of an outer surface thereof, an upper cap is provided with a threaded hook, corresponding to the press threaded hook, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook, and the first lip has a rotation space, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by a fastening force when the lower cap is coupled with the upper cap, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap is released from the upper cap.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, which comprises:

a lower cap, which is coupled to close a mouth of a beverage container, includes first and second lips formed on the upper end of a cavity holding a tubular part of a press cap, in the middle of which an additive storage hole is formed;

the press cap, which includes grooves formed in the tubular part so as to vertically move along ribs of the lower cap, and an external press thread in the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force; and

an upper cap, which encloses the press cap and the first and second lips, and includes an external thread, which is screwed with the external press thread and vertically moves the press cap when rotated,

wherein the first lip is provided with a press threaded hook for screw coupling in the intermediate part of an outer surface thereof, the upper cap is provided with a threaded hook, corresponding to the press threaded hook, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook, and the first lip has a rotation space, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by fastening force when the lower cap is coupled with the upper cap, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap is released from the upper cap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, which comprises:

a lower cap, which is coupled to close the mouth of a beverage container, includes a cavity tube having first and second lips formed on the upper end of a cavity holding a tubular part of a press cap, in the middle of which an additive storage hole is formed, and is provided with a crush part, on the bottom of the cavity tube, having ribs tearing off a thin bottom plate when the press cap is lowered, and through-holes through which an additive drops;

the press cap, which includes grooves formed in the tubular part so as to enable vertical movement of the press cap, and an external press thread in the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force, and the bottom plate, which is torn off when it comes into contact with the crush part, on the bottom of the tubular part; and

an upper cap, which encloses the press cap and the first and second lips, and includes an external thread, which is screwed with the external press thread and vertically moves the press cap when rotated,

wherein the first lip is provided with a press threaded hook for screw coupling in the intermediate part of an outer surface thereof, the upper cap is provided with a threaded hook, corresponding to the press threaded hook, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook, and the first lip has a rotation space, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by a fastening force when the lower cap is coupled with the upper cap, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap is released from the upper cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an example of a known double cap;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating another example of the known double cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partly cut-away sectional view illustrating a lower cap of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating part A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partly cut-away sectional view illustrating a lower cap of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating part A of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of FIG. 4.

The tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive comprises:

a lower cap 20, which is coupled to close the mouth of a beverage container, includes first and second lips 25 and 26 formed on the upper end of a cavity 24 holding the tubular part 42 of a press cap 40, in the middle of which an additive storage hole is formed;

the press cap 40, which includes grooves 43 formed in the tubular part 42 so as to vertically move along ribs 24-2 of the lower cap 20, and an external press thread 41 on the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force; and

an upper cap 30, which encloses the press cap 40 and the first and second lips 25 and 26, and includes an external thread 35, which is screwed with the external press thread 41 and vertically moves the press cap 40 when rotated,

wherein the first lip 25 is provided with a press threaded hook 25-2 for screw coupling in the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, the upper cap 30 is provided with a threaded hook 36-1, corresponding to the press threaded hook 25-2, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook 25-2, and the first lip 25 has a rotation space 25-3, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by fastening force when the lower cap 20 is coupled with the upper cap 30, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap 20 is released from the upper cap 30.

A cavity tube 24-1 of the lower cap 20, which makes it possible to contain the additive, has a bottom in the form of a circular bottom plate 29, which is separated by a split hole 29-6, except for a part connected with a hinge bar 29-5.

The circular bottom plate 29 is provided with a hook 29-4, which prevents it from moving into the cavity tube 24-1, on the outer circumference thereof, and the cavity tube 24-1 is provided with a stopper 29-3, which corresponds to the hook 29-4, so as to maintain the initially coupled state at the lower end thereof.

Further, the circular bottom plate 29 is provided with an injection hole 29-1 for injecting the additive at the center thereof, and is coupled with a sealing film 29-2 for sealing on a lower surface thereof.

The interface between the first and second lips 25 and 26 of the lower cap 20 is provided with an auxiliary shoulder 25-4. The auxiliary shoulder 25-4 is provided with a sealing groove 25-5.

The sealing groove 25-5 is sealably coupled with the end of an inner threaded tube 35-1, which is screwed with the press cap 40 at the upper cap 30.

The present invention realizes sealability caused by compression in a manner such that the lower end of the inner threaded tube 35-1 is sealably coupled to the sealing groove 35-5 when the press threaded hook 25-2 of the lower cap 20 is screwed with the threaded hook 36-1 in the early stage, as in FIG. 5. In the meantime, when the upper cap 30 is rotated by a user (the rotating direction can be set if necessary, but is in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5), the threaded hook 36-1 is screwed with the press threaded hook 25-2. When the threaded hook 36-1 enters the rotation space 25-3, the upper cap 30 is merely rotated, and does not move vertically. Here, the rotation of the upper cap 30 without vertical movement causes the press cap 40 to move downward. The downward movement of the press cap 40 separates the sealing film 29-2, which sealably couples the circular bottom plate 29 and the cavity tube 24-1. Thereby, the additive is added into the container, as in FIG. 8.

Once the additive is added, the user opens the lower cap 20, and drinks part of the contents of the container. Then, the lower cap is closed again, and the upper cap 30 is turned in the opposite direction, thus returning to the state of FIG. 4. The sealing groove 25-5 of the auxiliary shoulder 25-4 of the lower cap 20 is sealed with the inner threaded tube 35-1. The threaded hook 36-1, located in the rotation space 25-3, is screwed with the press threaded hook 25-2 again, so that the seal can last a long time, and thus stably prevent the contents of the container from leaking out. Further, the upper cap 30 is physically sealed with the press cap 40 by a sealing groove 37. Thus, another means (for example, a push-pull means, a straw, or a coupling means with another accessory) can be installed using an external exposure of the press cap 40.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive comprises:

a lower cap 20, which is coupled to close the mouth of a beverage container, includes a cavity tube 24-1 having first and second lips 25 and 26 formed on the upper end of a cavity 24 holding the tubular part 42 of a press cap 40, in the middle of which an additive storage hole is formed, and is provided with a crush part 24-3, on the bottom of the cavity tube 24-1, having ribs 24-31 tearing off a thin bottom plate 29 when the press cap 40 is lowered, and through-holes 24-32 through which an additive drops;

the press cap 40, which includes grooves 43 formed in the tubular part 42 so as to enable vertical movement of the press cap 40, an external press thread 41 on the upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force, and the bottom plate 29, which is torn off when it comes into contact with the crush part 24-3, on the bottom of the tubular part 42; and

an upper cap 30, which encloses the press cap 40 and the first and second lips 25 and 26, and includes an external thread 35, which is screwed with the external press thread 41 and vertically moves the press cap 40 when rotated,

wherein the first lip 25 is provided with a press threaded hook 25-2 for screw coupling at the intermediate part of an outer surface thereof, the upper cap 30 is provided with a threaded hook 36-1, corresponding to the press threaded hook 25-2, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook 25-2, and the first lip 25 has a rotation space 25-3, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by fastening force when the lower cap 20 is coupled with the upper cap 30, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap 20 is released from the upper cap 30.

In this embodiment, the basic function of being used to add the additive is the same as in FIG. 3, and the compressive action caused by coupling and release between the press threaded hook 25-2 and the threaded hook 36-1 is the same as the first embodiment of FIG. 4, and thus the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, an upper cap 30 is configured as illustrated in FIG. 10, and a press cap 40 is configured based on the same principle as in FIG. 4. However, the press cap 40 is fitted into the upper cap 30.

The press cap 40 is operated on the principle illustrated in FIG. 10. The press cap 40 performs a compressive action, and the additive is put in the cavity tube 24-1 of a lower cap 20. A bottom plate 29 is pressed when the press cap 40 is lowered, and thus is opened in the same manner as in FIG. 8, so that the additive is added to the content of a container.

As is apparent from the above description, the tamperproof double cap according to the present invention is configured so that the upper cap can be rotated at the upper end of the lower cap, and simultaneously the press cap is lowered when the upper cap is rotated due to the screw engagement with the upper cap. Thus, the press cap is pressed by the rotation of the upper cap, so that the user can conveniently add the additive without encountering any trouble when adding the additive. Accordingly, the tamperproof double cap enhances the convenience of use.

Further, the tamperproof double cap according to the present invention is configured so that the upper cap and the lower cap are coupled in a double coupling system, in which compression and rotation are possible. Thus, when compressed, sealability is secured. When rotated, the press cap is lowered to provide the sealability and the function of being used to add the additive at the same time.

In addition, the user can visually recognize the downward movement of the press cap when the press cap is lowered, so that confusion as to the operation thereof can be prevented.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, comprising:

a lower cap, which is coupled to close a mouth of a beverage container, includes first and second lips formed in an upper end of a cavity holding a tubular part of a press cap, in a middle of which an additive storage hole is formed;
the press cap, which includes grooves formed in the tubular part so as to vertically move along ribs of the lower cap, and an external press thread in an upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force; and
an upper cap, which encloses the press cap and the first and second lips, and includes an external thread, which is screwed with the external press thread and vertically moves the press cap when rotated,
wherein the first lip is provided with a press threaded hook for screw coupling at an intermediate part of an outer surface thereof, the upper cap is provided with a threaded hook, corresponding to the press threaded hook, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook, and the first lip has a rotation space, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by fastening force when the lower cap is coupled with the upper cap, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap is released from the upper cap.

2. The tamperproof double cap according to claim 1, wherein:

the lower cap includes a cavity tube, which makes it possible to contain the additive, and a bottom of which is formed as a circular bottom plate, which is separated by a split hole, except for a part connected with a hinge bar;
the circular bottom plate includes a hook, which prevents movement thereof into the cavity tube, on an outer circumference thereof; and
the cavity tube is provided with a stopper, which corresponds to the hook, so as to maintain an initially coupled state at a lower end thereof.

3. The tamperproof double cap according to claim 2, wherein the circular bottom plate includes an injection hole for injecting the additive at a center thereof, and is coupled with a sealing film for sealing on a lower surface thereof.

4. A tamperproof double cap capable of being used to add an additive, comprising:

a lower cap, which is coupled to close a mouth of a beverage container, includes a cavity tube having first and second lips formed on an upper end of a cavity holding a tubular part of a press cap, in a middle of which an additive storage hole is formed, and is provided with a crush part, on a bottom of the cavity tube, having ribs tearing off a thin bottom plate when the press cap is lowered and through-holes through which an additive drops;
the press cap, which includes grooves formed in the tubular part so as to enable vertical movement of the press cap, and an external press thread on an upper outer circumference thereof so as to apply a vertical movement force, and the bottom plate, which is torn off when coming into contact with the crush part, on a bottom of the tubular part; and
an upper cap, which encloses the press cap and the first and second lips, and includes an external thread, which is screwed with the external press thread and vertically moves the press cap when rotated,
wherein the first lip is provided with a press threaded hook for screw coupling in an intermediate part of an outer surface thereof, the upper cap is provided with a threaded hook, corresponding to the press threaded hook, so as to be partly screwed with the press threaded hook, and the first lip has a rotation space, which is not screwed, above the intermediate part of the outer surface thereof, so that sealability is secured by fastening force when the lower cap is coupled with the upper cap, and so that the additive falls down into the container when the lower cap is released from the upper cap.

5. The tamperproof double cap according to claim 1, wherein:

the lower cap includes an auxiliary shoulder at an interface between the first and second lips thereof,
the auxiliary shoulder includes a sealing groove; and
the sealing groove is sealably coupled with an end of an inner threaded tube, which is screwed with the press cap at the upper cap.

6. The tamperproof double cap according to claim 4, wherein:

the lower cap includes an auxiliary shoulder at an interface between the first and second lips thereof,
the auxiliary shoulder includes a sealing groove; and
the sealing groove is sealably coupled with an end of an inner threaded tube, which is screwed with the press cap at the upper cap.
Patent History
Publication number: 20080142473
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 13, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 19, 2008
Inventor: Young kook CHO (Marietta, GA)
Application Number: 12/001,849
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Twist-off Motion Frees Reusable Closure (215/252); Removably Attached To Receptacle By Relative Rotation Between Keepers (e.g., Screw Threads Or Lugs) (215/329)
International Classification: B65D 41/02 (20060101); B65D 41/04 (20060101);