Container cap with aqua tissue

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container cap with tissue used for drinking container. According to one preferred embodiment (FIG. 2), the container is a bottle (10) and the bottle cap with tissue of the invention comprises a bottle cap (11) a pre-compressed coined tissue (12), and a shrink wrap (13). The outer diameter of the tissue (12) is smaller than that of the cap (11), thereby the tissue can nicely sit on the bottle cap (11). After the bottle (10) is closed by the cap with tissue, both the tissue and the bottle cap are covered by the shrink wrap (13) that is heated to cause shrinkage and tight fit to the shoulder of the bottle. As a result, it is possible to protect the tissue from dirt and contamination and keep it clean and hygienic for end consumers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a container cap used for drinking containers. More particularly, the invention relates to a container cap with tissue that comprises a container cap, a pre-compressed tissue that is suitably attached to the container cap. The pre-compressed tissue is covered by an outer cover or a plastic film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is very usual that consumers when drinking beverage from drinking bottles/containers may need a tissue or a towel to clean and refresh their face and/or to wipe their mouth and/or hands. Especially in case of outing, traveling around in vehicles, doing exercise in the fitness centers, or the like, tissue or towel may be needed not only for refreshing and cleaning face and/or hands, but also needed for cleaning the beverage spills, for other cleaning applications such as cleaning tables, counters, cars, or the like.

A bottle and towel combination should require as minimum amount of space as possible to form a more compact and convenient package as a whole for use. Also, the tissue/towel should be kept out of dirt and ambient air where they might be in the way of a hygienic hazard. Some of the prior art disclose towels/absorbent wraps that are attachable to bottles at the neck or the body thereof. However, none of the prior art reports an arrangement of towel on the cap of the container to provide a more compact and convenient package while the tissue/towel is able to be completely protected from possible dirt and contamination to keep it hygienic for users.

PCT/US2006/040736 discloses a towel that is attachable to a baby bottle or a sports bottle at the neck of the bottle. The towel is easily accessible for wiping up and absorbing water or other fluid and has means for removable attachment to a bottle at the neck. The means comprise a pair of straps attached to one end of the towel that can be constructed of elastic material, hook and loop and/or snap attachment elements. These elements, plus the design of the towel, allow it to fit snugly around a drinking bottle or a baby bottle. However, the tissue is constructed in the form of sheets that are attached to the attaching straps of the attachment means and completely exposed to ambient air. Since the tissue is completely exposed to ambient air, it cannot be well protected from contamination. Another problem is that during transportation the tissue may touch other items resulting to causing the tissue falling off the bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,459 discloses an absorbent wrap for placement on a neck of a drinking bottle includes a flexible, absorbent sheet having a configuration that permits the absorbent wrap to be wrapped around the neck of the bottle. The wrap can absorb drips and spillage of the beverage running down the neck of the bottle. Again, since the absorbent wrap is completely exposed to ambient air, it can readily be contaminated and may be no longer hygienic for use to wipe face and/or hands. Another problem is that the bottles with the absorbent wrap when packed in the box may touch each other resulting to causing the absorbent wrap falling off the bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,452 discloses apparatus for attachment to drinking vessels, such as baby bottles, which is designed to absorb excess liquid beverage spilled or dripped from the drinking vessel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,452 discloses a bib that slides onto a drinking bottle to form a protective barrier against spills or spit-up by the person drinking. The bib is made of lightweight, soft, and absorbent materials. Both inventions still have problems with the hygiene as well as the compactness as discussed above.

U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0081748 and 2006/0081749 disclose apparatus and method for a combined bottle and towel holder that can be removably attached to various support structures in an exercise or fitness center; and slip-resistant releasably self-adhering straps for the removable attachment. Although convenient for use, the towel disclosed is completely exposed to ambient air, therefore there might be a hygienic problem. Additionally, since this configuration provides with the towel holding portion at one side of the apparatus, the whole package is not sufficiently compact to facilitate its transportation around individually or in a box.

It is apparent from the prior art that when the tissue/towel is not pre-compressed prior to attaching to the apparatus and arranged at one side of the apparatus, compactness of the package as a whole is an issue in the design. In many cases, when the tissue or towel is hang over the neck of the bottle, or just strapped to one side of the apparatus, the tissue/towel cannot be protected from potential dirt or contamination on their entire exposure to ambient air.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned limitations of the prior art by providing a container cap combined with a tissue that is used to close drinking containers. The cap with tissue of the invention contains a tissue that is pre-compressed and suitably attached to the container cap. The pre-compressed tissue can sit on the top surface of the container cap, or disposed in a storage compartment defined by a depression formed in the container cap. The pre-compressed tissue shall be covered by an outer cover that covers over the pre-compressed tissue and a part or the entirety of the container cap or by a plastic film that closes and seals up the top opening of the storage compartment of the container cap. Thereby the pre-compressed tissue shall be protected from dirt and contamination and provider safety seal for the container as well. Also, it cannot be failed off the container during transportation and/or distribution prior to the end use.

It is a further object of the present invention that the tissue of the invention is pre-compressed into a pre-determined shape prior to attaching to the container cap, therefore, a more compact combination of the cap with tissue is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a container cap with tissue used for container is provided comprising a container cap, a pre-compressed tissue which is suitably attached to the container cap, and an outer cover to cover the pre-compressed tissue and the container cap.

According to one aspect of this embodiment, the pre-compressed tissue of the cap with tissue of the invention is formed into a pre-determined shape in order to sit nicely on the top surface of the container cap. Preferably, the pre-compressed tissue is formed into a coin shape wherein the outer diameter of the coin is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the container cap. The outer cover of the cap with tissue of the invention shall cover over both the pre-compressed tissue and the container cap after the cap with tissue closes the container to ensure a tight fit on the container.

In an another embodiment, the invention provides a container cap with tissue used for container which comprises a container cap having a depression to define a storage compartment therein, a pre-compressed tissue that can be suitably received in the storage compartment of the container cap, and an outer cover to cover over the pre-compressed tissue and the container cap. The pre-compressed tissue can be entirely immerged in the storage compartment or partially protrudes out thereof. When the cap with tissue closes the container, according to one aspect, an outer cover shall cover over entirely both the pre-compressed tissue and the container cap. According to another aspect, the outer cover shall cover over the pre-compressed tissue and only a part of the container cap.

In a further embodiment, a container cap with tissue used for container is provided which comprises a container cap having a depression to define a storage compartment therein, a pre-compressed tissue that can be entirely disposed in the storage compartment of the container cap, and a plastic film that covers and seals up the top opening of the storage compartment. In one aspect of this embodiment, the pre-compressed tissue is formed into a pre-determined shape that can be entirely immerged in the storage compartment of the container cap. In another aspect, the film is an easily tearable film that can be easily and manually torn off in order to obtain the pre-compressed tissue.

According to the invention, the pre-compressed tissue can be made of material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wood fiber, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic materials, or combination thereof.

Further according to the invention, the pre-compressed tissue can be a dry tissue or a wet tissue.

Since the pre-compressed tissue is covered by an outer cover that covers over the pre-compressed tissue and a part or the entirety of the container cap or sealed up by a plastic film that closes and seals up the top opening of the storage compartment of the container cap, its exposure to ambient air can be limited. Therefore, it is possible to protect the tissue from dirt and contamination to make it hygienic for use in wiping face and/or hands. Also, the pre-compressed tissue cannot be failed off the container during transportation and/or distribution prior to the end use. In addition, since the tissue has been pre-compressed into a pre-determined shape that is suitably attached to the top surface of the container cap or disposed in the storage compartment of the container cap, it is possible to provide an extra compact combination that is still convenient for end users and meets the aesthetic requirements.

Other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent in reference to the following figures and description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the bottle cap with tissue according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottle with the bottle cap with tissue according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention in the state that the tissue has been sit on the top surface of the bottle cap;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bottle cap with tissue according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottle with the bottle cap with tissue according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention where the bottle is closed by the bottle cap with tissue of the invention wherein the tissue entirely immerged in the depression of the bottle cap.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the bottle cap with tissue of the invention of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the bottle cap with tissue of the invention of FIG. 4 where the bottle is closed by the bottle cap with tissue of the invention wherein the tissue entirely immerged in the depression of the bottle cap.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-section view of the bottle cap with tissue according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-section view of the bottle closed by the bottle cap with tissue according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODES

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments only.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is illustrated one exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention, which solves the various above-mentioned problems of the prior art. More specifically, a container cap with tissue used for the container is shown, wherein the container is the water drinking bottle 10. Such bottle cap with tissue comprises a bottle cap 11 and a coin-shaped and pre-compressed tissue 12. The coin-shaped and pre-compressed tissue 12 has the outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottle cap and is nicely sit on the top surface of the cap 11. The bottle cap 11 has a threaded inner surface to be threaded into the threaded neck of the bottle 10. After the bottle 10 is closed by the cap with the coin tissue, both the coin-shaped and pre-compressed tissue 12 and the bottle cap 11 are covered by a shrink wrap 13 that is heated to cause shrinkage and tight fit to the shoulder of the bottle. As a result, it is possible to protect the tissue from dirt and contamination and keep it clean and hygienic for the end consumers. Also, as the pre-compressed tissue sits suitably on the bottle cap and covered by the shrink wrap, it cannot be failed off the bottle during transportation and/or distribution prior to the end use.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, a container cap with tissue used for container is illustrated, wherein the container is the water drinking bottle 20. The bottle cap with tissue according to this embodiment comprises a bottle cap 21 having a depression 211 defining a storage compartment therein, a pre-compressed tissue 22 and a shrink wrap 23. More specifically, the depression 211 of the bottle cap 21 has a bottom extending towards the interior of the bottle 20 when the cap with the tissue closes the bottle to define a coin-like hollow storage compartment in order to receive the pre-compressed tissue 22 therein. Prior to being fit into the coin-like hollow storage compartment of the depression 211 of the bottle cap 21, the pre-compressed tissue 22 is shaped into a coin shape that can snugly fit into the storage compartment. The cylindrical wall of the lower portion of the bottle cap 21 has a threaded inner surface to be threaded into the threaded neck of the bottle 20. After the bottle 20 is closed by the cap with the coin tissue, both the coin-shaped and pre-compressed tissue 22 and the bottle cap 21 are covered by the shrink wrap 23 that is heated to cause shrinkage and tight fit to the shoulder or the body of the bottle. Due to the depression 211 in the bottle cap 21, when the cap with the tissue is threaded into the threaded neck of the bottle 20, the tissue 22 entirely immerged in the coin-like hollow storage compartment, thereby a more compact and convenient drinking bottle 20 containing the tissue 22 in the bottle cap 21 is formed while aesthetic requirements are still satisfied. As the pre-compressed tissue is entirely immerged in the storage compartment of the bottle cap, and covered by the shrink wrap, the tissue can be protected from falling off the bottle during transportation and/or distribution prior to the end use.

Referring now to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention, a container cap with tissue used for container is illustrated, wherein the container is the water drinking bottle 30. The bottle cap with tissue according to this embodiment comprises a bottle cap 31, a pre-compressed tissue 32, and a plastic film 33 to close and seal up the top opening of the storage compartment of the bottle cap to house the pre-compressed tissue 32 therein. Prior to being disposed inside the storage compartment of the bottle cap 31, the pre-compressed tissue 32 is shaped into a pre-determined shape that can be entirely immerged therein. The plastic film 33 is an easily tearable film that can be easily and manually torn off in order to remove the pre-compressed tissue from the bottle cap. The cylindrical wall of the lower portion of the bottle cap 31 has a threaded inner surface to be threaded into the threaded neck of the bottle 30. Since the pre-compressed tissue 32 is entirely immerged inside the storage compartment of the bottle cap 31, a more compact and convenient combination is produced and the tissue 32 cannot be failed off the bottle during transportation and/or distribution prior to the end usage. Also, as the pre-compressed tissue 32 is not exposed to the ambient air, it can be effectively protected from dirt and contamination and remained clean and hygienic for end consumers.

In use, the tissues 12, 22, 32 can be removed by the users at the time of their choosing. The end users only need to tear off the shrink wrap 13, 23 to obtain the tissues 12, 22 or tear off the plastic film 33 to obtain the tissue 32 in order to use them as a hand and face cloth for cleaning and refreshing on a hot day with a variety of drinking liquids for a variety of functions. For example, the tissue of the invention may be used for a number of cleaning applications, such as, for example, for cleaning tables, counters, cars, etc. The tissue of the invention can also be used in other applications such as any commercially sold wipes.

The tissue 12, 22, 32 of the invention can be made of any suitable material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wood fiber, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic materials, or combination thereof.

Optionally, the pre-compressed tissue 12, 22, 32 of the invention can be folded or rolled prior to being pre-compressed into a pre-determined shape.

The tissue 12, 22, 32 of the invention can be a dry tissue or a wet tissue. In case of a dry tissue, the end users can use the water in the bottle to wet the tissue prior to the use. When the water bottle 10, 20, 30 is placed in a refrigerator, the tissue 12, 22, 32 will be cooled down to provide a refreshing cool tissue when wetted with the accompanying cool water in the bottle.

The tissue 12, 22, 32 can be printed on for advertising/information purposes. This can give an advertiser an 8″×8″ or larger space that the end user will see when using the tissue. Both sides of the tissue 12, 22, 32 can be printed on. The tissue 12, 22, 32 will provide a quick and easy method of delivery of the advertisement, contest information, instructions for us, or the like. This is helpful in brand association and product brand relationships and development. This will provide a place in close proximity to the beverage for an advertisement or contest information or other information.

The tissue 12, 22, 32 of the invention can be shaped into any suitable size. The common size is ¼″ high and ¾″ in diameter and weighing approximately 2 grams. These dimensions are not limits in size or weight. The tissue 12, 22, 32 of the invention can have different shapes depending oh the application or the size and shape of the container cap provided that the tissue 12, 22, 32 can be compressed and shaped into a desired shape that can suitably sit on the container cap. The tissue can be compressed into any size and shape other than a coin shape. They can be compressed into a mold wet or dry with high weight or compressed air with a metal ram. They can be put into a vacuum to remove the gases in proximity of the towel and pre-compressed in to mold. The wet tissue will dry in the molds to retain their shape. They can be folded or rolled into a desired shape.

The container 10, 20, 30 can be made from any conventional material such as glass, natural fibers, clay, pottery, plastics, wax treated paper-products, paper products, metals, tin, aluminums, steel, alloys.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail with reference to the drawings and several preferred embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that such description is considered as illustrative only and not restrictive in character. The description is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms set forth. For example, in addition to the water drinking bottle, the container that is to be closed by the container cap with tissue according to the invention can be any suitable kind of containers such as jars, jugs, or the like. Thus, the present invention is intended to comprise all alternatives, alterations, modifications, and equivalents thereof that come within the spirit of the present invention as defined within the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container cap with tissue used for drinking container comprising a container cap, a pre-compressed tissue which is suitably attached to said container cap, and an outer cover to cover over said pre-compressed tissue and said container cap.

2. The cap with tissue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-compressed tissue is formed into a pre-determined shape so as to sit nicely on the top surface of said container cap.

3. The cap with tissue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer cover covers over both said pre-compressed tissue and said container cap after the cap with tissue closes the container.

4. A container cap with tissue used for container comprising a container cap having a depression defining a storage compartment therein, a pre-compressed tissue that snugly fits into said storage compartment of said container cap and an outer cover to cover over said pre-compressed tissue and said container-cap.

5. The cap with tissue as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pre-compressed tissue is formed into a pre-determined shape that snugly fits into said storage compartment of said container cap.

6. The cap with tissue as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pre-compressed tissue is entirely immerged in said storage compartment or protrudes partially out of said storage compartment.

7. The cap with tissue according to claim 6, wherein said outer cover covers over said pre-compressed tissue and a part or the entirety of said container cap.

8. The cap with tissue according to claim 1 or 4, wherein said outer cover is a shrink wrap that is heated to cause shrinkage to cover over both said tissue and said container cap and tight fit to the container body.

9. A container cap with tissue used for container comprising a container cap having a depression to define a storage compartment therein a pre-compressed tissue that is entirely disposed in the storage compartment of the container cap, and a plastic film to cover and seal up the top opening of the storage compartment of said container cap.

10. The cap with tissue according to claim 9, wherein said pre-compressed tissue is formed into a pre-determined shape, thereby said tissue is entirely immerged in said storage compartment of said container cap.

11. The cap with tissue according to claim 10, wherein said film is an easily tearable film that can be easily and manually torn off in order to obtain said pre-compressed tissue.

12. The cap with tissue according to any of claims 1, 4, or 9, wherein said pre-compressed tissue is folded or rolled prior to being pre-compressed into a pre-determined shape.

13. The cap with tissue according to any of claims 1, 4, or 9, wherein said tissue is printed on with logo or advertisement information.

14. The cap with tissue according to any of claims 1, 4, or 9, wherein said tissue is made of any material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wood fiber, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic materials, or combination thereof.

15. The cap with tissue according to any of claims 1, 4, or 9, wherein said tissue is a dry or wet tissue.