Abstract
Cork inserts for friction fit caps have advantages over conventional thermoplastic inserts. These include: a unique sensorial feel for the user; avoiding the expenses associated with tooling and molding of plastic inserts; and reducing the amount of plastic in the waste stream. The cork insert is particularly attractive when used with caps that are made of natural materials, but can also used to reduce the carbon footprint of any cap that would otherwise us a plastic insert.
Claims
1. A friction fit cap that comprises: an outer cap (1) that has one or more side walls (1a) that form an inner surface (3), a closed top (1b), and an opened bottom (1c) that, together, define an interior (2) that is able to receive a container finish or collar (7a); a cork insert (4) affixed to a portion of the inner surface (3) of the one or more side walls (1a).
2. The friction fit cap of claim 1 wherein the cork insert (4) is in the form of one or more strips of cork that have a thickness from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
3. The friction fit cap of claim 2 wherein the width of the one or more cork strips is from 2 mm to 15 mm.
4. The friction fit cap of claim 1 wherein: the inner surface (3) of the one or more side walls (1a) is cylindrical, and the cork insert is a single strip of cork that is substantially equal in length to the circumference of the inner surface.
5. The friction fit cap of claim 3 wherein: the one or more side walls (1a) have a shoulder (5) that defines a lower portion (3a) of the inner surface (3) between the shoulder and the opened bottom (1c), and the cork insert is affixed to the lower portion (3a) of the inner surface (3).
6. The friction fit cap of claim 5 wherein the inner surface (3) is non-cylindrical.
7. The friction fit cap of claim 1 wherein the one or more side walls (1a) and closed top (1b) are made of one or more of wood, ceramic and stone.
8. The friction fit cap of claim 1 wherein the one or more side walls (1a) and closed top (1b) are made of biodegradable materials.
9. A friction fit cap comprising: an outer cap (21) that has an inner surface (23); a cork insert (24) that has: an interior (22) that is bounded by an inner surface (24b), and a lateral portion (24a) that is affixed to the inner surface (23) of the outer cap (21), wherein the interior is able to receive a collar (27a) by forming a friction fit engagement between the collar (27a) and a portion of the inner surface (24b).
10. The friction fit cap of claim 9 wherein the outer cap (21) is made of one or more of wood, ceramic and stone.
11. The friction fit cap of claim 9 wherein the outer cap (21) is made of biodegradable materials.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a container with pump dispenser, and a first embodiment of a friction fit cap, with cork insert in cross section.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the friction fit cap of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a friction fit cap with cork insert.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the friction fit cap of FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a container with pump dispenser, and a third embodiment of a friction fit cap, with cork insert in cross section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Throughout the specification, the term comprising means that a collection of objects may not be limited to those explicitly recited.
[0015] A cap according to the present invention may be applied directly to a container finish or to a collar that has been fastened to the container finish. One type of container system that uses a collar is a container that has an attached pump dispenser. The pump dispenser attaches to the container finish, and a cap is applied to the collar of the pump dispenser. While the present invention is not limited to containers with pump dispensers, the following description will describe the situation where the cap is applied to a collar. However, applying a cap of the invention directly to a container finish is also possible.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container (10) is closed by a pump dispenser (7) that supports a collar (7a). A friction fit cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer cap (1), a cork insert (4) and an optional overshell (6). The outer cap has one or more side walls (1a), a closed top (1b) and an opened bottom (1c) that, together, define an interior (2). The interior is able to receive the collar (7a) of the pump dispenser (7). The one or more side walls form an inner surface (3) that faces the interior of the outer cap. Preferably, the cross sectional shape of the inner surface will match the cross sectional shape of the collar. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner surface (3) and may be understood to be cylindrical, and characterized by a diameter, D, but this shape is not essential, so that the inner surface formed by the one or more side walls may be non-cylindrical. An insert (4) in the form of a cork strip or cork liner is affixed to a portion of the inner surface (3). The cork liner may be held in place with adhesive. The cork insert is preferably a single strip of cork that is substantially equal in length to the circumference of the inner surface (3). Alternatively, the insert may comprise more than one strip of cork, the total length of all strips being equal to or less than the circumference of the inner surface. An optional overshell (6) is shown.
[0017] A second family of embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprises an outer cap (1) and a cork insert (4). The outer cap has one or more side walls (1a), a closed top (1b) and an opened bottom (1c) that together, define an interior (2). The interior is able to receive the collar of a pump dispenser (not shown). The one or more side walls form an inner surface (3) that faces the interior of the cap. A shoulder (5), located in the side wall, defines a lower portion (3a) of the inner surface (3), between the shoulder and the opened bottom (1c). Preferably, the cross sectional shape of the lower portion of the inner surface matches the cross sectional shape of the collar. In this case, the cross sectional shape of the lower portion is square, which is appropriate when the collar that is to be inserted into the interior is square. The square shape of the lower portion of inner surface is characterized by a perimeter whose length is equal to four times the length, L, of one side of the square. An insert (4) in the form of a cork strip or cork liner is affixed to the lower portion (3a) of the inner surface (3). The cork strip liner may be held in place with adhesive. The cork insert is preferably a single strip of cork that is substantially equal in length to the perimeter of the lower portion (3a) of the inner surface (3). Alternatively, the insert may comprise more than one strip of cork, the total length of all strips being equal to or less than the perimeter of the lower portion.
[0018] The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 replace the conventional plastic molded cap insert with one or more flexible cork strips that easily conform to the shape of the cap opening and the collar. This is a big advantage, because the plastic cap inserts must be molded to the shape of the opening and the collar. Different caps and different collars require different plastic inserts, one molded for the specific combination of cap and collar. This is a costly, time consuming process. In contrast, given a specific outer cap and collar, the outer cap has only to be lined with a cork strip of a certain thickness, to ensure the right amount of friction. The cork liner provides a unique, up scale sensorial feedback to the user, while eliminating plastic components. When the side walls (1a) and closed top (1b) of the outer cap (1) are made of wood, stone, or other natural, biodegradable materials, then the whole cap assembly is environmentally friendly. Preferably, entire outer cap (1) is made of biodegradable materials.
[0019] Cork stock can be purchased in rolls that are several millimeters up to one meter wide. As the cork stock is fed from a roller, strips can be cut to the required length and width. The cork strips can be rolled onto a mandrel, and held in place by suction. Adhesive can then be applied to one side of the cork strip. The outer caps are fed from down a line, and the opened bottom end of each outer cap is made to align with the mandrel. The mandrel is then moved inside the outer cap. Next, the suction is released to allow the cork strip to open, and adhere to the inner surface of the outer cap.
[0020] A strip of cork liner that is useful in the present invention may typically have the following dimensions. The thickness of the cork strip may be from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. This makes the strip flexible, so that it will easily contour to the shape of the surface to which it is applied. The width of the cork strip may be from 2 mm to 15 mm, preferably 5 mm to 10 mm. When assembled into the outer cap (1), the diameter (d, or other relevant lateral dimension) of the exposed surface (4a) of the cork strip (4) should be smaller than the outer diameter of the collar (7a). When the collar is forced into the interior (2) of the outer cap, the cork strip compresses around the collar and effects a firm grip on the collar. When the outer cap is removed from the collar, the cork strip will return to its original dimensions, and can be used again and again. Generally, the diameter (d) of the exposed surface (4a) of the cork strip (4) will be smaller than the outer diameter of the collar (7a) by about 0.1 m to 1.0 mm, preferably by about 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, and more preferably by about 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.
[0021] A third embodiment of the invention is represented in FIG. 5, where a container (20) is closed by a pump dispenser (27) that supports a collar (27a). This embodiment does not use a strip of cork liner. Rather a machined cork component is used as an insert for an outer cap. Referring to FIG. 5, an outer cap (21) has an inner surface (23) that supports a cork insert (24). A lateral portion (24a) of the cork insert is affixed to the inner surface of the outer cap by an adhesive or other means. The cork insert is machined to have an opened bottom (24d) and an interior (22) that is bounded by an inner surface (24b). The interior is able to receive the collar (27a) of a pump dispenser (27) by forming a friction fit engagement between the collar and a portion of the inner surface (24b). The engagement is such that the cap will not separate from the collar if the container (20) is inverted. Preferably, the cross sectional shape of the inner surface (24b) of the cork insert will match the cross sectional shape of the collar. When the collar is inserted through the opened bottom (24d) of the cork insert (24), a portion of the inner surface (24b) will compress around the collar and effect a firm grip on the collar. When the outer cap is removed from the collar, the cork insert will return to its original dimensions, and can be used again and again. The inner surface (24b) may have a shoulder (25) that defines a lower portion (24c) of the inner surface between the shoulder and the opened bottom (24d) of the cork insert. In this case, the friction fit occurs between the collar this lower portion of the inner surface. Generally, the inner diameter of that portion of the cork insert that contacts the collar (27a) will be smaller than the outer diameter of the collar by about 0.1 m to 1.0 mm, preferably by about 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, and more preferably by about 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.
[0022] The embodiment of FIG. 5 replaces the conventional plastic molded cap insert with a machined cork insert that easily conforms to the shape of a collar that is inserted into it. This is a big advantage. The cork insert provides a unique, up scale sensorial feedback to the user, while eliminating plastic components. When the side walls and closed top of the outer cap (21) are made of wood, stone, or other natural, biodegradable materials, then the whole cap assembly is environmentally friendly. Preferably, entire outer cap (21) is made of biodegradable materials.
