Abstract
The water bottle cap puncturing device is a device and method to quickly and easily convert a standard 500 ml non-pressurized food grade water bottle into a liquid spray dispensing or liquid filtration device. The device consists of a metallic circular cap-like structure, with an array of pins of varying sizes. When the device is attached the cap of the bottle, inverted, and then struck on or by a hard surface, the pins penetrate the bottle, thus perforating the cap and converting the bottle into a liquid spray dispensing or liquid filtration device.
Claims
1. A portable water bottle cap puncturing device comprising a cylindrical case attached to a circular base with a protective cover with lock and clasp where to the base are attached thirteen (13) pins of varying sizes, and a loop or fob for attachment to a keychain, lanyard, or other such small item aggregating device; wherein the number, height or size, and placement of the said pins is the ideal number and placement to achieve the optimum balance between liquid volume and liquid flow; wherein the three specific heights, or sizes of the staggered pin-height pattern distributes the force among the three pin heights, thereby preventing damage to the bottle; wherein the largest number of pins (8), are situated at the periphery of the base whose closer proximity to the lip of the bottle provides more support where the greatest amount of force to the bottle cap is applied; wherein the structure of a pin consisting of three (3) sections: cone, torus, or anchoring ring, and cylinder where the conical sections' angles from centreline are constant within their respective sizes allowing for easier removal of the device and the torus' and cylinders' sections dimensions within and among their respective sizes is identical; wherein the insertion of a fine screen or membrane into the cap of the water bottle will allow the water bottle to act as a portable liquid filtration device.
2. A process or method to convert a standard 500 ml non-pressurized water bottle into a liquid spray dispensing or liquid filtration device wherein the device is aligned to the bottle; wherein the device is attached to the bottle; wherein the bottle is struck, or “punched,” on or by a hard surface; wherein the device is removed from the bottle; wherein the bottle is converted into a liquid spray dispensing device; wherein a fine screen or membrane is inserted into the cap of the water bottle and the bottle is converted into a liquid filtration device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a top, isometric “see-through,” or wire view of the water bottle cap puncturing device with all of its elements in view in the open position.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a top, isometric solid, or shaded view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the open position.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a top, isometric solid, or shaded view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the closed position.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the open position.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the open position.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the closed position.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the open position.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the water bottle cap puncturing device in the open position.
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the base of the water bottle cap puncturing device.
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of the base and the perforating pins of the water bottle cap puncturing device.
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a profile view of the perforating pins of the water bottle cap puncturing device to illustrate the height differential of the pins.
[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates the first step in the water bottle cap puncturing process: aligning the device with the water bottle cap.
[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates the second step in the water bottle cap puncturing process: pressing onto, or attaching the device to the water bottle cap.
[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates the third step in the water bottle cap puncturing process: striking the water bottle with force, or “punching” on or by a hard surface.
[0030] FIG. 15 illustrates the forth step in the water bottle cap puncturing process: removing the device form the water bottle cap.
[0031] FIG. 16 illustrates the fifth and final step in the water bottle cap puncturing process: the water bottle being used as a liquid spray, or filtration device.
[0032] FIG. 17 illustrates positioning of a fine screen or membrane for placement into the water bottle cap.
[0033] FIG. 18 illustrates a fine screen or membrane having been inserted into the water bottle cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE
[0034] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
[0035] Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
[0036] Detailed reference will now be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1-11.
[0037] The water bottle cap puncturing device consists of a metallic (brass, aluminum or stainless steel) cylindrical case FIGS. 1-8, #1 whose exterior diameter is approximately 30.0 mm and whose interior diameter, approximately 28.5 mm, is slightly larger than the standard water bottle's cap. It has a circular metallic (brass, aluminum or stainless steel) base FIGS. 1-8, #2, FIG. 9 to which thirteen (13) conical stainless steel pins of three (3) varying sizes are attached FIGS. 1-8, #4, FIGS. 10 & 11. The thickness of the base and case, which may, or may not be one piece, is 1.5 mm; the base's exterior outside edge has a 0.5 mm fillet, or bevel. The base's exterior outside edge also has a 0.5 mm fillet, or bevel, as well as a small loop, or fob FIGS. 1-8, #8, whose exterior diameter at approximately 6 mm, allows it to be attached to a keychain.
[0038] The device has a metallic (brass, aluminum or stainless steel) protective cover FIGS. 1-8, #3, whose thickness is also 1.5 mm, and is attached to the device by a hinge, allowing it to open and close, FIGS. 1-8, #7 with a clasp FIGS. 1-8, #6 and lock FIGS. 1-8, #5. Attached to the inside of the protective cover is a spring retaining clamp FIGS. 9 & 10 measuring approximately 4 mm width by approximately 11 mm length by 0.5 mm thickness that can hold several fine metal screens. The screens have a diameter of 20 mm and fit securely into the cap of the water bottle when used as a filtration device.
[0039] The pins FIGS. 10 and 11 attached to the base FIG. 9 are arrayed outward from the center in a concentric pattern, with the tallest being in the center, and the shortest being on the periphery. The taller size of the single center, or king pin, allows for the easy attachment of the device to the bottle cap by a simple press of the thumb or palm. The bottle is then inverted and struck, or “punched” on or by a hard surface, which forces the 12 remaining pins through the plastic cap, producing the holes.
[0040] Due to the nature of the bottle's thin, light plastic construction, were the pins all of the same height, an equal amount of force applied to each pin during the striking procedure would result in compression of the bottle to the point of damage or destruction of the bottle. However, the staggered pin-height pattern FIG. 9, distributes the force among the two remaining pins heights, thereby preventing damage to the bottle. Furthermore, the largest number of pins (8), are situated at the periphery FIG. 9, whose closer proximity to the lip of the bottle provides more support where the greatest amount of force to the bottle cap is applied. The conical shape of the pins from tip to base at shallow angles allows for the easy removal of the device, which leaves 13 pin-prick size holes in the bottle cap. When squeezed, this forces the contents of the bottle out in a spray pattern. The number (13) and size of hole(s) (<1 mm), has been determined by extensive experimentation to be the ideal balance between liquid flow, liquid use and force application, when using liquids that are the general consistency of water.
[0041] The generic structure of a (1) pin consists of 3 sections: cone FIG. 11, 4C, 4B, 4A, torus, or anchoring ring, FIG. 11, 4D, and cylinder FIG. 11, 4E. The conical sections of the pins vary in height FIG. 11, 4C=5 mm, 4B=7 mm, 4A=9 mm, as do their angles FIG. 11, 4C=6°, 4B=5°, 4A=4° from centreline. The base, or largest diameter of the conical section FIG. 11, 4C, 4B, 4A, is 1 mm, as is the diameter of the cylinder FIG. 11, 4E; the torus FIG. 11, 4D is 2 mm in diameter.
[0042] The pins are attached to the base FIG. 9 by virtue of thirteen holes in the base through which the cylinders of the pins are inserted. The cylinder portion of the pins FIG. 11, 4E is a constant 1.5 mm in height. Once the cylinder portion of the pin is inserted into the base, the protruding portion FIG. 5 is then stamped to secure it in place, while the torus acts as a counterforce block and support.
