PEEL-OFF BOTTLE CAP COLLAR APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A VARIETY OF CONTAINING ELEMENTS

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a peel-off biodegradable bottle cap collar comprised of an elongated collar having a first and second end including an adhesive portion to enable the user to peel off an adhesive cover and depress onto the smooth top surface of a bottle cap at the first end, and the body of the containing element at the second end to prevent the bottle cap from being exposed to a contaminated surface or becoming a choking hazard for small children.

Description

FIELD

The present embodiment relates to a peel-off bottle cap collar apparatus, and in particular, a peel-off bottle cap collar apparatus which is configured to provide mechanical communication between the body of a bottle and the corresponding cap when releasably attached, prevents the bottle cap from inadvertently becoming a choking hazard and harboring dangerous bacteria from ground surface exposure.

BACKGROUND

Plastic disposable bottles have been used for decades within the United States. These cheap plastic containers are often sold at local convenience and grocery stores and designed a single use before being discarded and recycled. However, many people often find themselves washing the bottle and using it again. These disposable bottles are equipped with a semi-flexible plastic cap which after a single use or when exposed to hot water become deformed and do not provide an adequate seal with the rim of the bottle. These deteriorated seals often lead to the cap being displaced on the floor.

The danger associated with lost caps is not limited to young children, every year many seniors are hurt from falls related to trying to pick up a misplaced bottle cap. The current invention provides both a leash and carrying means for children and seniors alike to account for their bottle caps while preventing inadvertent contamination.

Currently, there are several bottle cap tethering systems and devices on the market today which assist in preventing a bottle cap from falling off their containing elements. Specifically, U.S. Pat. App. No. 2015/0183561 to Tuyn; U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,483 to Bellafiore; and U.S. Pat. No. D451,943 to Stewart. Though each of these references discloses certain utility associated with tethering a bottle cap to its container, these references fail to disclose a user-friendly biodegradable bottle cap collar device which may be mounted onto a plurality of containing elements of various sizes and shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments provided herein illustrate a bottle cap securing apparatus which may be used with a variety of different sized and shaped bottles to prevent the caps from being lost on a dirty floor, or becoming a choking hazard. The “collar-like” apparatus provides an elliptically shaped first end and a second end with an adhesive portion protected by a peel-off adhesive sleeve which may be applied by aligning each end to the corresponding locations of the bottle, and pressing it against the bottle cap top and side respectively. The elongated collar which connects the first and second end may be configured in variety of length to accommodate varying sized bottles and bottle cap configurations.

The first end of the apparatus is configured to be releasably attached at the axis of the bottle cap and further includes a pivot to enable a user to selectively rotate the cap when attaching/detaching. The apparatus is designed to be packaged and sold separately from the bottle which enables utility with a plurality of bottle sizes including but not limited to a disposable water bottle, medicine bottle, cookware, and lid-covered storage devices. The apparatus may be comprised of a low durometer plastic or thermoplastic polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene material blow-molded to a desired dimension.

Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle cap retention apparatus for use with a variety of containing elements;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the apparatus attached to a bottle;

FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom side of the apparatus including the adhesive portions;

FIG. 4 is a view of the top side of the apparatus including the pivot at the first end;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus including the peel-off adhesive covering; and

FIG. 6 is a view of the first end of the apparatus including the aperture aligned for attachment onto the pivot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom. Furthermore, as used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship, or order between such entities or elements.

The embodiments provide a bottle cap collar which may be applied to bottles of varying size and shape by removing the adhesive covering and depressing onto the bottle cap and body of the bottle respectively. The apparatus is configured to allow a user to remove the apparatus from its packaging and align and depress onto the bottle to prevent the cap from falling on the ground surface and becoming contaminated, or even being swallowed by a child or pet. Traditional disposable bottles fail to provide a “tether” between the cap of the bottle and the body often leading to the caps falling off the bottles and being lost or having bacteria breed within the crevices of a bottle cap that has been placed on a surface. In addition, the flexible composition of the caps have often become a favorite “chew toy” for children and animials who are suspectible to inserting contaiminated objects found on floors into their mouth.

Most parents with small children are most often concerned with small toys when identifying household choking hazards and look beyond one of the most common objects within the home. The embodiments shown illustrate an apparatus which allows parents to not only releasably attach the apparatus to a bottle, but help account for each bottles said cap. The apparatus which is designed for use with a variety of bottle and sizes may be sold with the accompanying bottle or purchased separately. The easy application allows children and seniors alike to remove the apparatus from a packaging, remove the adhesive coverings at the first and second ends, and align and depress the apparatus onto disposable water and medication bottle alike to ensure a sterile environment to the contents of the container, but also prevent the cap from becoming a danger.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the views. There is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of the peel-off bottle cap collar apparatus 10 applied a containing element (i.e., bottle) 11 which the bottle cap 12 securely fastened to the top of the bottle 14. The apparatus 10 includes an elongated collar 16 having a first end 18 and second end 19. The first end 18 and second end 19 are on opposite sides of the elongated collar 16 and dimensioned to be placed onto the smooth top surface of the bottle cap 20 and neck region of the bottle 11 respectively.

The first end of the apparatus 18 which is designed to be fastened to the smooth top surface of the bottle cap 20 may be comprised of the above-mentioned plastic and plastic substitute materials. However, the preferred embodiment provide a high durometer photo-degradable material. This flexible material is then further molded into a disc-shape to accommodate the dimensions of most bottle configurations, and is selectively positionable onto the smooth top surface of the bottle cap 20 by aligning and depressing against the exterior surface. An adhesive portion 23 located on the bottle side of the first end 25 enables a hermetic seal against the exterior surface of the selected bottle when aligned and depressed.

As the bottle cap is fundamentally designed for attaching and detaching using a threaded lid, the first end 18 further includes a pivot which prevents any obstruction from the elongated collar 16 when securing/removing the bottle cap 20 from the top of the bottle 14. The pivot includes a pivot axis which allows for movement in both the clockwise and counterclockwise direction, and ensures the elongated collar is properly affixed with a pivot crown 29. Similar to the first end 18, the pivot 26, pivot axis 28, and pivot crown 29 are comprised of a plastic or substitute material which provides a durable, high durometer construction, and ensures that the elongated collar 16 is mechanically connected at all times to the first end 18. Though it is contemplated the both the first end 18 and pivot 26 are comprised of an elastic material, any durable and biodegradable material as shown in the preferred embodiments may be used as long its may support the weight of the bottle contents when attached.

Now shown in FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the apparatus 10 attached to a bottle having the first end 18 releasably attached to the smooth top surface of the bottle cap 20. As illustrated in the preferred embodiments, the optimal placement of the first end would be at the center of the cap to provide balanced rotation and structural integrity. Further illustrated is the adhesive portion 23 forming a uniform seal with the top surface of the bottle cap 20 to allow a uniform bond and prevent any moisture intrusion.

The second end 19 of the apparatus is illustrated with an elliptical configuration. However, any shape may be used as long as it may be releasably attached to the neck region of the bottle. The preferred embodiments illustrate this elliptical configuration to accommodate the coarse exterior portions of many blow-molded bottles. Similar to the composition of the first end 18, the second end 19 is comprised of low durometer and flexible material. The composition of the second end 19 has a lower durometer than the elongated collar 16 which provide for greater adhesive to uneven surfaces of blow-molded or glass bottles

Now shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the appartaus 10 including the first end 18 and second 19. As previously discussed, the elastic composition and unique shape allow the apparatus 10 to be packaged along with a specific bottle configuration, or sold as separate unit to prevent packaging restrictions. Consistent with the composition and environmental friendly intent of the apparatus 10, the adhesive portion 23 includes a biodegradable polymer or resin which is adhesive to both planar and coarse surfaces.

Now shown in FIG. 4 is a view of the top-side of the apparatus 10 including the outward protruding pivot 26 which enables the elongated collar 16 or bottle cap 20 which may rotated about the pivot axis 28 in both the clockwise and counter clockwise directions without any obstruction from the elongated collar 16.

Now shown in FIG. 5 is a view of the apparatus including the peel-off adhesive coverings 30 which protects the adhesive portion 23 from harboring contaminates including dust or airborne viruses. The lightweight design acts similar to a BAND-AID® wherein the user may remove the adhesive covering 30 and apply the sterile ends about the affected location.

Now shown in FIG. 6 is a view of the first end 18 with the dimensioned aperture 27 of the elongated collar 16 aligned for attachement onto the pivot crown 29 which may be configured with a blunt top surface or with an inverse V-shaped configuration. Further shown in FIG. 6 is the view with elongated collar 16 detached from the dimensioned aperature 27, it should be noted that the preferred embodiments contemplate the elongated collar 16 affixed around the pivot axis 28 without requiring the user to “snap” or attach the apparatus 10..

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.

Claims

1. A peel-off bottle cap collar apparatus, comprising:

an elongated collar having an adhesive portion at a first end and a second end configured to be releasably attached to a smooth surface of a container cap and a neck region of container and provide mechanical communication between a bottle cap and bottle body.

2. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further includes at least a disposable adhesive covering at both the first end and second end to prevent a contamination to an adhesive portion prior to use.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end includes a disc-shaped pivot having a pivot axis on a top side to provide rotational movement of the bottle cap while the apparatus is releasably attached.

4. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the disc-shaped pivot further includes a pivot crown to secure the elongated collar about the pivot axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end is configured to be releasably attached onto a coarse surface of a bottle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of a biodegradable material.

7. A peel-off bottle cap collar apparatus, comprising:

an elongated collar having a first end and second end further including an adhesive portion; the first end further including a cylindrically shaped pivot to enable 360-degree rotation of the elongated collar about the pivot while releasably attached to a containing element cap, and a second end configured to be releasably attached to a body of the containing element to prevent the containing element cap from falling onto a ground surface while a user is drinking from the containing element.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is comprised of photo-degradable material to provide for rapid disposal after use.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first end is disc-shaped to provide an optimal alignment and attachment onto a plurality of varying size bottles.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, further including a peel-off adhesive cover releasably affixed to the first end and the second end to provide a hermetic seal to the adhesive portion before use.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adhesive portion is comprised of a biodegradable polymer.

12. A biodegradable peel-off bottle cap collar for securing a bottle cap to a body of the containing element, apparatus comprising:

An elongated and flexible collar having a cylindrically shaped first end including a pivot mechanism, and an elliptically shaped second end; the first end and second end further including an adhesive portion on an inside portion to releasably attach a bottle cap to a bottle body.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the elongated collar is comprised of a biodegradable material.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to be releasably secured to a center of the bottle cap.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pivot mechanism further includes a pivot stem to provide an unobstructed 360-degree rotation of the elongated collar about the pivot stem.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first end is disc-shaped and dimensioned to fit a plurality of bottle cap sizes.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end further includes a biodegradable adhesive portion on a bottom side to provide a hermetic seal with the center of the bottle cap.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second end is further configured to be releasably attached to plurality of bottle body surfaces.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second end further includes a biodegradable adhesive portion on a bottom side.