Spray and splash reducing cap

Abstract

Described herein is a closure for the reduction of spray and splash when substances such as tomato ketchup and other substances are being squeezed out of a container. In one embodiment of the invention, the closure has a chamber, a pliable structure that has an opening for substances to flow into the chamber, and an outlet. The invention, allows the substances from the container to be squeezed out in a smooth flow, resulting in significantly reduced spray or splash.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The closures presently available result in unsightly and inconvenient spray and splash when substances such as tomato ketchup are being squeezed out of a container. This spray and splash increases when the quantity of the substance in the container decreases. The present invention, compared to any other presently in use, decreases the spray and splash very significantly, resulting in a smooth flow of the substance while it is being squeezed out of the container even after the quantity of the substance in the container decreases. Using this invention the spray and splash is either non existent or extremely negligible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described the present invention comprises of a spray and splash reducing closure. The closure has a chamber which has a pliable structure that has an opening for substances to flow into the chamber, and an outlet. The invention, allows substances to be squeezed out of the container in a smooth flow, resulting in significantly reduced spray or splash.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a combination including a container having a neck forming an opening and the closure for sealing the opening. An internal configuration on an inner surface of the closure is shaped to mate with the external configuration of the neck of the container.

Another aspect of the invention uses a non pliable structure with an opening, through which substances flow into the chamber of the closure.

Yet another aspect of the invention is that the closure can be produced through the injection moulding (molding), blow moulding (molding) process or using a 3D printer, with the pliable or the non pliable structure with the opening, being integrated into the cap during production process, or the pliable or non pliable structure with the opening, being installed into the cap as a separate component. The materials used may be thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers or other composite materials. However, the production is not limited to the above process and materials.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a combination of components, including a disc which forms the pliable or the non pliable structure with an opening. This disc is fixed into the closure as a separate component and the closure is made up of several components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure having a conical shape in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure having a cylindrical shape in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure having a conical shape in which the pliable or the non pliable disc is installed separately in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure having a cylindrical shape in which the pliable or the non pliable disc is installed separately in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure with a conical shape for which the components are moulded separately and then assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure with a cylindrical shape for which the components are moulded separately and then assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the spray and splash reducing closure having a conical shape for which the components are moulded separately and then assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the spray and splash reducing closure with a cylindrical shape for which the components are moulded separately and then assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the spray and splash reducing closure having a conical shape for which the components are moulded separately and then assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the spray and splash reducing closure with a cylindrical shape for which the components are moulded separately and then assembled in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure with a conical shape using a closing cap in place of the closing flap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of the spray and splash reducing closure with a conical shape wherein the cap can be turned to close the outlet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 of the spray and splash reducing closure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the spray and splash reducing closure mated with a container and shows a partial view of the container in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The closures presently available result in unsightly and inconvenient spray and splash when substances such as tomato ketchup are being squeezed out of a container. This spray and splash increases when the quantity of the substance in the container decreases. The present invention decreases the spray and splash significantly, resulting in a smooth flow of the substance while it is being squeezed out of the container even after the quantity of the substance in the container decreases.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1. a spray and splash reducing closure in the form of a bottle cap in accordance with the present invention forms a closure for capping off a spout or the neck of the container (not shown). The closure has a chamber (1), a pliable structure (2), the inlet for substances to flow into the chamber (3), the outlet for substances to flow out of the closure (4), the closing flap (5), the internal side wall of the skirt of the closure shows conventional spiral threads (6) that mate with a container (not shown).

When the container is squeezed, the substance contained in the container first flows into the chamber of the closure through the orifice in the pliable structure before flowing out. The reduced content of air in the chamber as compared to the content of air in the container, further aided by the downward thrust of the pliable structure, through which substances flow into the chamber, results in a smooth flow of substances when the container is squeezed, facilitating a significant reduction of spray and splash of the substances when the substances such as tomato ketchup are squeezed out of the container, on to a plate, for example.

Referring to FIG. 2. illustrates an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a spray and splash reducing closure in the form of a bottle cap which functions the same as the closure shown in FIG. 1 except that the closure in FIG. 2 has a cylindrical shape. In this case, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice in the pliable structure as (3), the outlet as (4) and the closing flap as (5).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. illustrate alternative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, a spray and splash reducing closure in the form of a bottle cap which function the same as the closure shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 except that the pliable structure (2) in the form of a disc with an orifice, is installed as a separate component. In these figures, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice as (3), the outlet as (4) and the closing flap as (5).

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. illustrate alternative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, a spray and splash reducing closure in the form of a bottle cap which function the same as the closure shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 except that the components are moulded separately and then assembled. In this case, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice in the pliable structure as (3), the outlet as (4), the closing flap as (5), the threads in the internal wall of the skirt that mate with the container as (6), the threads in the internal wall of the component that mate with the threads in the external wall of the component as (7), the threads in the external wall of the component that mate with the threads in the internal wall of the component as (8).

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 are of exploded views of FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the components are moulded separately. In this case, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice in the pliable structure as (3), the outlet as (4), the closing flap as (5), the threads in the internal wall of the skirt that mate with the container as (6), the threads (7) in the internal wall of the component (A) that mates with the threads (8) in the external wall of the component (B).

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate yet more alternative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, a spray and splash reducing closure in the form of a bottle cap which functions the same as the closure shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 wherein the components are moulded separately and fused together. In this case, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice in the pliable structure as (3), the outlet as (4) and the closing flap as (5).

Referring to FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, of the spray and splash reducing closure, wherein the closing flap is replaced with a closing cap. In this case, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice in the pliable structure as (3), the outlet as (4) and the closing cap as (5).

Referring to FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment in accordance with the present invention of the spray and splash reducing closure wherein a cap with a turning mechanism is used for closing the outlet in place of the closing flap. In this case, the chamber is marked as (1), the pliable structure as (2), the orifice in the pliable structure as (3), the outlet as (4) and the turning arrangement to close the outlet as (5).

Referring to FIG. 13 illustrates a sectional view of one of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention of the spray and splash reducing closure.

Referring to FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of one of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention of the spray and splash reducing closure mated with a container where the closure is marked by (1) a partial view of the container that is shown is marked by (2).

Referring to all of the figures it may be noted that the pliable structure with an orifice can be replaced with a non pliable structure.

Claims

1. A closure for closing the opening of a container, said closure comprising: a skirt with spiral threads on the internal wall that are adapted to mate with a container, a pliable structure resembling a disc with an orifice, a chamber into which substances flow in through the orifice of the pliable structure, an outlet from the chamber for substances to flow out, a closing flap for the outlet.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the closure is moulded as one composite unit.

3. The closure of claim 1 wherein the pliable structure in the form of a round disc or a disc of any other shape with an orifice is fitted as a separate component.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein the closure is comprised of several components.

5. The closure of claim 1 wherein the pliable structure with an orifice is replaced with a non pliable structure with an orifice.

6. The closure of claim 1 wherein the skirt comprises ribs on the internal wall or mating with the container.

7. The closure of claim 1 wherein the closing flap is replaced with a cap.

8. The closure of claim 1 wherein the closing flap is replaced with an outer cap to be turned to close the outlet.

9. The closure of claim 3 wherein the pliable structure in the form of a round disc or a disc of any other shape with an orifice is replaced with a non pliable structure in the form a round disc or a disc of any other shape with an orifice.