Bottle Top Apparatus
A bottle top apparatus comprising a first top closure connected to a lower end of a twisting member, conforming to a profile of a second top closure integrated on a bottle opening, and slidably positioned over the second top closure, is provided. A first flow opening and a first vent opening of the first top closure are configured to geometrically align with a second flow opening and a second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to pour out the bottle contents. Rotation of a screw top lid around a rim section extending from an upper end of the twisting member for removing the screw top lid, turns the twisting member to rotate the first top closure over the second top closure and misalign the first flow opening and the first vent opening with the second flow opening and the second vent opening respectively to seal the bottle opening.
A conventional bottle having a sealing strip at the top of the bottle is typically configured to operate with the top in a completely open position or in a completely closed position. The completely open position of the bottle often results in uncontrolled pouring of the contents, for example, fluids from the bottle, which causes spillage and loss of the contents from the bottle in the vicinity of a receptacle into which the contents are being poured out. For example, when a fluid such as engine oil, an engine operating fluid, etc., is poured from an oil container or a fluid container into a cylinder manifold of an engine, spillage of the fluid frequently occurs near the manifold opening when the top of the bottle is inverted over the manifold opening, resulting in loss of the fluid poured and spillage of the fluid around the manifold opening. Moreover, when the sealing strip at the top of the bottle is removed, the contents of the bottle often spill out due to the force applied to tear out the sealing strip, especially if the bottle is not held in an upright position.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a bottle top apparatus that regulates and controls flow of contents from a bottle, while preventing spillage of the contents from the bottle. Furthermore, there is a need for a bottle top apparatus that prevents immediate and complete exposure of the contents in the bottle when the bottle is opened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above mentioned needs for regulating and controlling flow of contents, for example, fluids from a bottle into a receptacle, while preventing spillage of such contents. As used herein, the term “contents” refers, for example, to fluids such as engine oil, engine operating fluids, other liquids, etc., or solid contents such as fine grains, powder, etc., contained within the bottle. The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein also prevents immediate and complete exposure of the contents in the bottle when the bottle is opened.
The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein comprises a twisting member, a first top closure, and a screw top lid. The first top closure is connected to a lower end of the twisting member. The first top closure is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure integrated on an opening of a bottle. In an embodiment, the bottle top apparatus disclosed herein further comprises gripping members extending from the lower end of the twisting member for engageably gripping a neck extension of the bottle. The bottle top apparatus disclosed herein is engaged with the bottle via the gripping members such that the first top closure of the bottle top apparatus is slidably positioned over the second top closure integrated on the opening of the bottle. The first top closure comprises a first flow opening and a first vent opening. The second top closure comprises a second flow opening and a second vent opening. The first top closure communicates with the second top closure for exposing or sealing the opening of the bottle. The first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure are configured to geometrically align with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to expose the opening of the bottle to allow the contents of the bottle to be poured out of the bottle in a controlled manner into a receptacle, when the bottle is inverted.
The screw top lid is removably engaged with a rim section that extends from an upper end of the twisting member. The rotation of the screw top lid around the rim section, for example, in an counterclockwise direction for removing the screw top lid, turns the twisting member in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the first top closure over the second top closure in the counterclockwise direction and misalign the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to seal the opening of the bottle.
The twisting member is turned, for example, in a clockwise direction to rotate the first top closure over the second top closure in the clockwise direction and align the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to partially or selectively expose the opening of the bottle to allow the contents of the bottle to be poured out of the bottle into a receptacle when the bottle is inverted. The geometrical alignment of the first flow opening of the first top closure and the second flow opening of the second top closure partially aligns the first vent opening of the first top closure and the second vent opening of the second top closure for creating a partial opening for the controlled pouring of the contents from the bottle when the bottle is inverted.
The rotation of the first top closure over the second top closure in a first direction, for example, a counterclockwise direction misaligns the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to seal the opening of the bottle. The rotation of the first top closure over the second top closure in a second direction, for example, a clockwise direction aligns the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively to expose the opening of the bottle to allow the contents of the bottle to be poured out of the bottle into a receptacle when the bottle is inverted. The alignment and the misalignment of the first flow opening and the first vent opening of the first top closure with the second flow opening and the second vent opening of the second top closure respectively controls the flow of the contents contained in the bottle.
In an embodiment, the bottle top apparatus further comprises one or more stops, for example, positive stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery of the twisting member. The stops on the lower periphery of the twisting member engage with one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on the upper end of the bottle for controlling the rotation of the first top closure over the second top closure.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and components disclosed herein.
The bottle top apparatus 100 is snapped onto the bottle 109 that comprises the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 integrated on the opening 109c of the bottle 109. The bottle top apparatus 100 secured to the bottle 109 can be moved to an open position or a closed position. As used herein, the term “open position” refers to a position of the bottle top apparatus 100 where the first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 are geometrically aligned with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively to selectively expose the opening 109c of the bottle 109 to allow the contents of the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 when the bottle 109 is inverted. Also, as used herein, the term “closed position” refers to a position of the bottle top apparatus 100 where the first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 are misaligned with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively to seal the opening 109c of the bottle 109 and prevent the contents from being poured out of the bottle 109. Also, as used herein, the term “contents” refers, for example, to fluids such as engine oil, engine operating fluids, other liquids, etc., or solid contents such as fine grains, powder, etc., contained within the bottle 109.
The first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 are configured to geometrically align with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively to expose the opening 109c of the bottle 109 to allow the contents, for example, a fluid from the bottle 109 to be poured out of the bottle 109 into a receptacle, for example, an engine manifold that receives the fluid, when the bottle 109 is inverted. The first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 are in fluid communication with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively when the bottle top apparatus 100 is in the open position. The bottle top apparatus 100 is configured to engageably grip a bottle 109 of different types, sizes, and materials. For example, the bottle top apparatus 100 can be configured or adapted to engage with a plastic bottle, a quart oil bottle, etc., of different sizes. The bottle top apparatus 100 in the closed position enables the user to invert the bottle 109 and insert the bottle top apparatus 100 engaged with the bottle 109 into a receptacle 113, for example, a filler tube exemplarily illustrated in
Rotation of the screw top lid 104 around the rim section 105 exemplarily illustrated in
In an embodiment, rotation of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102, for example, in a clockwise direction misaligns the first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively, thereby sealing the bottle 109 for defining the closed position of the bottle top apparatus 100, while rotation of the first top closure 101 of the bottle top apparatus 100 over the second top closure 102, for example, in a counterclockwise direction aligns the first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively, thereby opening the bottle 109 for defining the open position of the bottle top apparatus 100. The stops 107a on the upper end 109a of the bottle 109 regulate and control the rotation of the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 by engaging with the stops 107b located on the lower periphery 103d of the twisting member 103 as exemplarily illustrated in
As exemplarily illustrated in
Furthermore, as exemplarily illustrated in
The positive stop 107b positioned on the lower periphery 103d of the twisting member 103 engages with one of the positive stops 107a proximal to the marker 501 defined by the label “open” on the upper end 109a of the bottle 109 when the bottle top apparatus 100 reaches the open position, and stops the movement of the twisting member 103. The positive stop 107b positioned on the lower periphery 103d of the twisting member 103 engages with the other one of the positive stops 107a proximal to the marker 502 defined by the label “closed” on the upper end 109a of the bottle 109 when the bottle top apparatus 100 reaches the closed position, and stops the movement of the twisting member 103. When the twisting member 103 is rotated in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the positive stop 107b positioned on the lower periphery 103d of the twisting member 103 encounters one of the positive stops 107a on the upper end 109a of the bottle 109 and prevents the twisting member 103 from rotating completely around.
The screw top lid 104 is rotated 1503 around the rim section 105 for removing the screw top lid 104. The rotation of the screw top lid 104 around the rim section 105 in a first direction, for example, a counterclockwise direction, turns 1504 the twisting member 103 in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the first top closure 101 over the second top closure 102 in the counterclockwise direction and misalign the first flow opening 101a and the first vent opening 101b of the first top closure 101 with the second flow opening 102a and the second vent opening 102b of the second top closure 102 respectively to seal the opening 109c of the bottle 109. The bottle 109 is then inverted and inserted 1505 into an intended receptacle 113, for example, into a filler tube, a reservoir opening, an engine manifold, etc., exemplarily illustrated in
Consider an example where a user uses the bottle top apparatus 100 secured to a bottle 109 for pouring out a fluid 112, for example, engine oil, from the bottle 109 into a receptacle 113 as exemplarily illustrated in
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.
Claims
1. A bottle top apparatus, comprising:
- a twisting member;
- a first top closure connected to a lower end of said twisting member, wherein said first top closure is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure integrated on an opening of a bottle and is slidably positioned over said second top closure, wherein said first top closure comprising a first flow opening and a first vent opening communicates with said second top closure comprising a second flow opening and a second vent opening for one of exposing and sealing said opening of said bottle, wherein said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure are configured to geometrically align with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to expose said opening of said bottle to allow contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted; and
- a screw top lid removably engaged with a rim section that extends from an upper end of said twisting member, wherein rotation of said screw top lid around said rim section for removing said screw top lid, turns said twisting member to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure and misalign said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle.
2. The bottle top apparatus of claim 1, wherein said geometrical alignment of said first flow opening of said first top closure and said second flow opening of said second top closure partially aligns said first vent opening of said first top closure and said second vent opening of said second top closure for creating a partial opening for controlled pouring of said contents from said bottle when said bottle is inverted.
3. The bottle top apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery of said twisting member, wherein said one or more stops on said lower periphery of said twisting member engage with one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end of said bottle for controlling said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure.
4. The bottle top apparatus of claim 1, further comprising gripping members extending from said lower end of said twisting member for engageably gripping a neck extension of said bottle.
5. A method for controlling flow of contents contained in a bottle, comprising. whereby said alignment and said misalignment of said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively controls said flow of said contents contained in said bottle.
- providing a bottle top apparatus, comprising: a twisting member; a first top closure connected to a lower end of said twisting member, wherein said first top closure is configured to conform to a profile of a second top closure integrated on an opening of said bottle, wherein said first top closure comprising a first flow opening and a first vent opening communicates with said second top closure comprising a second flow opening and a second vent opening for one of exposing and sealing said opening of said bottle; and a screw top lid removably engaged with a rim section that extends from an upper end of said twisting member;
- engaging said bottle top apparatus with said bottle, wherein said first top closure of said bottle top apparatus is slidably positioned over said second top closure integrated on said opening of said bottle;
- rotating said screw top lid of said bottle top apparatus around said rim section for removing said screw top lid, wherein said rotation of said screw top lid around said rim section turns said twisting member to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure and misalign said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle; and
- geometrically aligning said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to expose said opening of said bottle to allow contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted;
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said geometrical alignment of said first flow opening of said first top closure and said second flow opening of said second top closure partially aligns said first vent opening of said first top closure and said second vent opening of said second top closure for creating a partial opening for controlled pouring of said contents from said bottle when said bottle is inverted.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising controlling said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure by engaging one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on a lower periphery of said twisting member with one or more stops positioned at predetermined locations on an upper end of said bottle.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure in a first direction misaligns said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said rotation of said first top closure over said second top closure in a second direction opposing said first direction aligns said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to expose said opening of said bottle to allow said contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein said rotation of said screw top lid around said rim section in a first direction for removing said screw top lid, turns said twisting member in said first direction to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure in said first direction and misalign said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to seal said opening of said bottle.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising turning said twisting member in a second direction opposing said first direction to rotate said first top closure over said second top closure in said second direction and align said first flow opening and said first vent opening of said first top closure with said second flow opening and said second vent opening of said second top closure respectively to selectively expose said opening of said bottle to allow said contents of said bottle to be poured out of said bottle when said bottle is inverted.
12. The method of claim 5, wherein said bottle top apparatus further comprises gripping members extending from said lower end of said twisting member for engageably gripping a neck extension of said bottle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 18, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 18, 2013
Inventor: Brent Bunderson Clark (Las Vegas, NV)
Application Number: 13/353,304
International Classification: B65D 51/18 (20060101); B65D 51/16 (20060101);