Universal Closure Apparatus With Delivery System

Abstract

A universal bottle cap capable of threadably engaging two or more bottles of a different thread arrangement having a substance retained therein. The universal bottle cap threadedly engages a bottle containing a beverage therein. Such universal bottle cap includes a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof. There is a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member for engaging a threaded end of such bottle. A capsule like device is disposed inside the cylindrical member adjacent the closed end for retaining a substance to be dispensed into a beverage in such bottle. A device for piercing the capsule engages each of the threaded portion of the bottle cap and the capsule for piercing the capsule as the universal bottle cap is threaded onto such bottle thereby releasing contents of the capsule into such beverage for mixing therewith.

Claims

1. A universal bottle cap having a predetermined substance retained therein, said universal bottle cap capable of threadably engaging two or more bottles having a different thread arrangement, the two or more bottles containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end to receive the universal bottle cap, said universal bottle cap comprising: a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof, said cylindrical member having each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter; a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of said cylindrical member, beginning adjacent said open end and extending inwardly a second predetermined length toward said closed end, to engage such threaded end of such bottle; a first means disposed inside said cylindrical member adjacent said closed end thereof to retain said predetermined substance therein to be dispensed into such preselected beverage contained within said bottle; and a second means engageable with each of said threaded portion of said bottle cap and said first means for retaining said preselected substance to pierce said first means as said bottle cap is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle thereby releasing contents of said first means into such beverage for mixing therewith.

2. The universal bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined substance is one of a flavor, a vitamin, and a medication.

3. The universal bottle cap according to claim 2, wherein said liquid vitamins are one of a multi-vitamin and a baby vitamin.

4. The universal bottle cap according to claim 2, wherein said medication is one of an aspirin, and an antibiotic.

5. The universal bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein said preselected beverage is one of a water, a juice and a soda.

6. The universal bottle cap according to claim 2, wherein said second predetermined length of said threaded portion is at least of a length sufficient to permit said second means to move upwards to pierce said first means.

7. The universal bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein said first means is a capsule.

8. The universal bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein said second means includes a pyramid shaped upper portion.

9. The universal bottle cap according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening in the first end thereof that is selectively opened or closed to provide access to said contents.

10. A universal bottle cap capable of threadably engaging two or more bottles of a different thread arrangement, the universal bottle cap having a predetermined substance retained therein and a threaded end, said universal bottle cap comprising: a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof, said cylindrical member having each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter; a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of said cylindrical member, beginning adjacent said open end and extending inwardly a second predetermined length toward said closed end; a first means disposed inside said cylindrical member adjacent said closed end thereof for retaining a preselected substance therein; and a second means engageable with said first means for retaining said preselected substance for piercing said first means thereby releasing contents of said first means.

11. The universal bottle cap according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined substance is one of a flavor, a vitamin and a medication.

12. The universal bottle cap according to claim 11, wherein said vitamins is one of a multi-vitamin and a baby vitamin.

13. The universal bottle cap according to claim 11, wherein said medication is one of an aspirin, a cough medicine and an antibiotic.

14. The universal bottle cap according to claim 10, wherein said second predetermined length of said threaded portion is at least of a length sufficient to permit said second means to move upwards to pierce said first means.

15. The universal bottle cap according to claim 10, wherein said first means is a capsule.

16. The universal bottle cap according to claim 20, wherein said second means includes a pyramid shaped upper portion.

17. A universal cap element capable of threadably engaging two or more bottles of a different thread arrangement, the universal cap element comprising: an upper wall and a lower wall; a peripheral skirt depending from the upper wall; a reservoir situated between the upper wall and lower wall; a reservoir opening element situated below the lower wall.

18. The cap element according to claim 17, the cap element further comprising: engagement means to permit the reservoir opening element to move upward and toward the lower wall.

19. The cap element according to claim 17, the cap element further comprising: one of a helical track or a vertical track to permit the reservoir opening element to be moved upward and toward the lower wall.

20. The cap element according to claim 17, the cap element further comprising: a substance housed within the reservoir that is releasable by the reservoir opening element.

21. The cap element according to claim 17, wherein the reservoir opening element has at least one aperture therethrough.

22. The cap element according to claim 17, further comprising: an opening in the upper wall that is selectively opened or closed to provide access to said reservoir.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] These and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, which illustrates a bottle cap formed according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present general inventive concept prior to being screwed onto the bottle;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the bottle cap, illustrated in FIG. 1, which is ready to be attached to the bottle top, but prior to piercing the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the bottle cap, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which has been attached to the bottle top and piercing of the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed has occurred;

[0054] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of an alternative embodiment for the bottle cap which is ready to be attached to the bottle top, but prior to piercing the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the bottle cap, illustrated in FIG. 4, which has been attached to the bottle top and piercing of the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed has occurred; and

[0056] FIG. 6 is a top view of the present general inventive concept for piercing the capsule.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a multi-thread cap design.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a multi-thread cap design.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a multi-thread cap design.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a multi-thread cap design illustrating starter bumps or starter threads.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a multi-thread cap design without starter bumps or starter threads.

[0062] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mold for the present general inventive concept.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a schematic of the present general inventive concept.

[0064] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a first thread.

[0065] FIG. 15 is a schematic of the present general inventive concept.

[0066] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a second thread.

[0067] FIG. 17 is a schematic of the present general inventive concept.

[0068] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a third thread.

[0069] FIG. 19 is a schematic of the present general inventive concept.

[0070] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a fourth thread.

[0071] FIG. 21 is a schematic of the present general inventive concept.

[0072] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a fifth thread.

[0073] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating internal threads.

[0074] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating internal threads.

[0075] FIG. 25 is a magnified perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating internal threads.

[0076] FIG. 26 is a magnified perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating internal threads.

[0077] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a punch in a deployed position within a cap.

[0078] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a punch.

[0079] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a punch with tabs engaging detent bumps in an unemployed position within a cap.

[0080] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a punch.

[0081] FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a spout.

[0082] FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a spout.

[0083] FIG. 33 is a top view of the present general inventive concept illustrating a spout.

[0084] FIG. 34 is a schematic view of the present general inventive concept.

[0085] FIG. 35 is a schematic view of the present general inventive concept.

[0086] FIG. 36 is a schematic view of the present general inventive concept.

[0087] FIG. 37 is a schematic view of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0088] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present general inventive concept it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

[0089] Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings. Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of a universal bottle cap, generally designated 10. The universal bottle cap 10 is preferably formed from plastic and has a predetermined substance retained therein. Such universal bottle cap 10 is selectively engageable with a plurality of different sized and/or shaped bottles such as bottle 12 (see FIG. 5) containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end 14 (see FIG. 5) for receiving the universal bottle cap 10.

[0090] The universal bottle cap 10 is a cylindrical member 16 closed at a first end 18 thereof and opened at a second end 20 thereof. The cylindrical member 16 has each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter.

[0091] A threaded portion 22 is disposed on an inner surface 24 of the cylindrical member 16, beginning adjacent such open end 20 and extending inwardly for a second predetermined length toward the closed end 18, for engaging such threaded end 14 of the bottle 12.

[0092] The threaded portion 22 is designed such that the universal bottle cap 10 can mate with two or more bottles each having a different thread design. For instance, a first bottle may have a single lead thread design, a second bottle may have a double lead thread design, and a third bottle may have a triple lead thread design, each mateable with the universal bottle cap 10.

[0093] In one embodiment, the threaded portion 22 consists of a first portion and a second portion.

[0094] The first portion of the universal bottle cap 10 has a thread pitch of 0.135″, a thread start point 0.060″ upwards from a bottom edge of the universal bottle cap 10, and a thread duration of 1.1 revolutions.

[0095] The second portion of the threaded portion 22 of the universal bottle cap 10 has a thread pitch of 0.125″, a thread start point 0.185″ upwards from a bottom edge of the universal bottle cap 10, and a thread duration of 1.3 revolutions.

[0096] In combination, each of the first and second portions of the threaded portion 22 have a width of 0.050″, a thread height of 0.045″, a major diameter inside of the universal bottle cap 10 of 1.090″, a minor diameter of a thread from peak to peak of 1.000″, and a total of 8 separate thread segments.

[0097] As illustrated in FIGS. 13-22, the present general inventive concept consists of five different sections or profiles.

[0098] The first profile illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 has a thread height to 0.050″, a thread width of 0.045″, a distance upward to a center of the profile of 0.040″, a helix start angle of 90 degrees, a helix duration of 0.2 revolutions, and a helix pitch of 0.175″.

[0099] The second profile illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 has a thread height to 0.050″, a thread width of 0.045″, a distance upward to a center of the profile of 0.100″, a helix start angle of 285 degrees, a helix duration of 0.32 revolutions, and a helix pitch of 0.180″.

[0100] The third profile illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 has a thread height to 0.050″, a thread width of 0.045″, a distance upward to a center of the profile of 0.180″, a helix start angle of 164 degrees, a helix duration of 0.32 revolutions, and a helix pitch of 0.175″.

[0101] The fourth profile illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 has a thread height to 0.050″, a thread width of 0.045″, a distance upward to a center of the profile of 0.260″, a helix start angle of 45 degrees, a helix duration of 0.32 revolutions, and a helix pitch of 0.175″.

[0102] The fifth profile illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 has a thread height to 0.025″, a distance upward to a center of the profile of 0.040″, a helix start angle of 90 degrees, a helix duration of 0.075 revolutions, and a helix pitch of 0.240″.

[0103] Further, there is a first means, generally designated 30, disposed inside such cylindrical member 16 adjacent such closed end 18 thereof for retaining the predetermined substance therein which is to be dispensed into such preselected beverage contained within the bottle 12. Such first means 30 is preferably a capsule 26.

[0104] A second means, generally designated 40, is engageable with each of such threaded portion 22 of the universal bottle cap 10 and such first means 30 retaining such preselected substance for piercing such first means 30 as the universal bottle cap 10 is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle 12 thereby releasing the contents of such first means 30 into such beverage for mixing therewith. In the presently preferred embodiment of the present general inventive concept such second means 40 includes a pyramid shaped upper portion 28.

[0105] Such second predetermined length of the threaded portion 22 is at least sufficient to force such second means 40 up far enough to pierce the first means 30.

[0106] In the preferred embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the predetermined substance is selected from the group consisting of preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications. Such preselected flavors are selected from the group consisting of cherry, strawberry, butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, lemon, lime and orange. The liquid vitamins are multi-vitamins and baby vitamins. The liquid medications include aspirin, cough medicine and antibiotics. Additionally, the preselected beverages include water, juices and soda.

[0107] Reference is now made more particularly to FIGS. 3-6. Illustrates therein is an alternative embodiment of a bottle cap, generally designated 10, having a predetermined substance retained therein. As described above, in the first embodiment, the universal bottle cap 10 is engageable with a bottle 12 containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end 14 for receiving the universal bottle cap 10.

[0108] In this embodiment of the present general inventive concept, each of the cylindrical member 16, the threaded portion 22 and the a first means 30 disposed inside such cylindrical member 16 are the same as in the embodiment provided supra.

[0109] However, in this embodiment, there is a second means, generally designated 50, which engages with each of an upper surface 32 of such bottle 12 and such first means 30 for retaining the preselected substance for piercing the outer surface of first means 30 as such universal bottle cap 10 is threaded onto such threaded portion 14 of such bottle 12 thereby releasing the 20 contents of such first means 30 into such beverage for mixing therewith.

[0110] In this embodiment of the present general inventive concept there is a retaining ring 34 that engages with a bottom surface 36 of such second means 30 and an upper surface 32 of such bottle 12 for retaining such second means 50 in position in such universal bottle cap 10 to pierce a capsule 26 containing a predetermined substance selected from the group consisting of preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications. The presently preferred preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications are the same as the ones discussed above with respect to the first embodiment.

[0111] Likewise in this second embodiment, the preselected beverages include water, juices and soda. Also the second predetermined length of such threaded portion 22 is at least sufficient to force such second means 50 up far enough to pierce such first means 30.

[0112] FIGS. 31-33 illustrate a spout 300 having an opening 310, such that upon engagement to a bottle and release of contents within the universal bottle cap 10, the spout 300 may be selectively opened by pulling the spout 300 away from the bottle and/or selectively closed by pushing the spout 300 toward the bottle, such that when the spout 300 is open, the contents may exit the bottle, e.g., for consumption by a user and the like, without removing the universal bottle cap 10 yet and when the spout is closed, the contents are securely stored within the bottle, e.g., for mixing, storage, and the like. It is foreseen that the spout 300 may also be opened and/or closed by twisting the spout 300 in a clockwise direction to close and a counterclockwise direction to open.

[0113] The spout 300 may also have its own cap 320 to provide a barrier between the spout 300 and unwanted debris. It is foreseen that the cap 320 may be designed to open and close the spout 300 such that when the cap 320 engages the spout 300, the cap seals the aperture 310, and when the cap 320 disengages the spout 300, the cap unseals the aperture 310.

[0114] The present general inventive concept also provides an opening in an upper side of the cap, such as a spout, such that upon engagement to a bottle and release of contents within the cap, the spout may be selectively opened by pulling the spout away from the bottle and/or selectively closed by pushing the spout toward the bottle, such that when the spout is open, the contents may exit the bottle, e.g., for consumption by a user and the like, without removing the cap yet and when the spout is closed, the contents are securely stored within the bottle, e.g., for mixing, storage, and the like.

[0115] While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the present general inventive concept or the scope of the appended claims.