BOTTLE CAPS WITH VALVES

Abstract

Fluid couplings such as threaded bottle cap devices can be configured for attachment to bottles or containers of fluids. In some embodiments, such threaded bottle cap devices can include an integrated valve mechanism and/or anti-removal features.

Claims

1. A bottle cap device comprising: a main body defining an open end configured for receiving an outlet of a bottle having an external thread, wherein the main body comprises: (i) an internal thread arranged to threadedly couple with the external thread of the bottle and (ii) a hub extending within a periphery of the internal thread, wherein the hub defines an internal space; and a valve member disposed within the internal space defined by the hub, wherein the valve member is movable relative to the main body between a closed position in which the valve member blocks fluid flow through the hub of the bottle cap device and an open position in which fluid is allowed to flow through the hub of the bottle cap device.

2. The bottle cap device of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a one-way tooth feature that configures the bottle cap device to resist being unthreaded from the bottle to which the bottle cap device is threadedly coupled.

3. The bottle cap device of claim 2, wherein the main body comprises at least four of the one-way tooth features that configure the bottle cap device to resist being unthreaded from the bottle to which the bottle cap device is threadedly coupled.

4. The bottle cap device of claim 1, wherein the valve member defines a seal groove in which an annular seal member is seated.

5. The bottle cap device of claim 4, wherein an end of the hub includes a frustoconical surface against which the seal member is seated when the valve member is in the closed position.

6. The bottle cap device of claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed within the internal space defined by the hub, wherein the spring biases the valve member towards the closed position.

7. The bottle cap device of claim 1, further comprising an annular cap seal member disposed around the hub and arranged to seal against the outlet of the bottle.

8. The bottle cap device of claim 1, further comprising a removable member adhered to the main body and covering an end of the internal space defined by the hub.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example bottle cap device in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the bottle cap device taken along the cut-plane 4-4 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main body of the bottle cap device of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of the main body of FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of the main body of FIG. 5.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the main body taken along the cut-plane 8-8 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a valve member of the bottle cap device of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a top view of the valve member of FIG. 9.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of the valve member of FIG. 9.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the valve member taken along the cut-plane 12-12 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example bottle cap device in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a top view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 13.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a side view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 13.

[0025] FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the bottle cap device taken along the cut-plane 16-16 as shown in FIG. 15.

[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main body of the bottle cap device of FIG. 13.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a top view of the main body of FIG. 17.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a side view of the main body of FIG. 17.

[0029] FIG. 20 is a cross-section view of the main body taken along the cut-plane 20-20 as shown in FIG. 19.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a valve member of the bottle cap device of FIG. 13.

[0031] FIG. 22 is a top view of the valve member of FIG. 21.

[0032] FIG. 23 is a side view of the valve member of FIG. 21.

[0033] FIG. 24 is a cross-section view of the valve member taken along the cut-plane 24-24 as shown in FIG. 23.

[0034] FIG. 25 is a top view of a removable membrane of the bottle cap device of FIG. 13.

[0035] FIG. 26 is a side view of the removable membrane of FIG. 25.

[0036] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another example bottle cap device in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

[0037] FIG. 28 is another perspective view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 27.

[0038] FIG. 29 is a right side view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 27.

[0039] FIG. 30 is a left side view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 27.

[0040] FIG. 31 is a top view of the valve member of FIG. 27.

[0041] FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 27.

[0042] FIG. 33 is an alternative bottom view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 27.

[0043] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the bottle cap device of FIG. 33.

[0044] Like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] This document describes fluid couplings such as threaded bottle cap devices. In some embodiments, such threaded bottle cap devices can include an integrated valve mechanism and/or anti-removal features.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an example bottle cap device 100 includes a main body 110, a valve member 120, a spring 130, a valve seal member 140, a cap seal member 150, and an optional removable membrane 160. As best seen in FIG. 4, the spring 130 biases the valve member 120 to a closed position in which the valve seal member 140 is sealed against an inner hub 112 of the main body 110.

[0047] When pressure/force is applied against the valve member 120 to compress the spring 130, as represented by arrow 10 (FIG. 4), the valve member 120 moves to an open position in which fluid can flow past the valve member 120 (e.g., to allow fluid to exit from a bottle to which the bottle cap device 100 is coupled). When the pressure/force is discontinued, the valve member 120 moves back to the closed position (as shown in FIG. 4) because of the spring 130.

[0048] The materials from which one or more of the components of the bottle cap device 100 (and other bottle cap devices described herein) are made of include thermoplastics or thermosets. In particular embodiments, the materials from which the components of the bottle cap device 100 is made of are thermoplastics, such as, but not limited to, acetal, ABS, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyether ether ketone, polysulphide, polyester, polyvinylidene fluoride (PV DF), polyethylene, Perfluoropolymers (PFA, PTFE, PCTFE and the like), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU; e.g., Radel), polyetherimide (PEI; e.g., Ultem), polypropylene, polyphenylene, polyaryletherketone, Perfluoropolymers (PFA, PTFE, PCTFE and the like) and the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the thermoplastics can include one or more fillers such as, but not limited to, glass fiber, glass bead, carbon fiber, talc, etc.

[0049] In some embodiments, the materials from which one or more of the components of the bottle cap device 100 (and other bottle cap devices described herein) are made of include metals such as, but not limited to stainless steel, brass, aluminum, plated steel, zinc, and the like. In particular embodiments, the bottle cap device 100 is metallic-free.

[0050] In some embodiments, the bottle cap device 100 (and other bottle cap devices described herein) includes one or more plastic (e.g., PEEK, PPS, etc.) or metallic spring members (e.g., spring steel, stainless steel such as 316L, piano/music wire, beryllium copper, titanium, Hastelloy, Inconel, and the like).

[0051] In certain embodiments, the bottle cap device 100 (and other bottle cap devices described herein) includes one or more gaskets or seals that are made of materials such as, but not limited to, silicone, fluoroelastomers (FK M), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), perfluoroelastomers (e.g., FFK M, Kalrez, Chemraz and the like), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), buna, buna-N, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), and the like. In some embodiments, the gaskets or seals can have a cross-sectional shape that is an hourglass-shape, an oval shape, a circular shape, D-shaped, X-shaped, square, rectangular, U-shaped, L-shaped, V-shaped, a polygonal shape, a multi-lobe shape, or any other suitable shape, without limitation.

[0052] In some embodiments, the bottle cap device 100 (and other bottle cap devices described herein) is designed for applications where the bottle cap device 100 is attached to a container (e.g., bottle, a bag-in-box, etc.) that contains liquid chemicals used in a specific industrial process such as, but not limited to, medical diagnostic equipment (e.g., reagents, cleaners, etc.), printing (e.g., ink, cleaners/solvents, etc.), cleaning equipment (e.g., cleaners, additives, etc.), food machines (e.g., concentrates, additives, etc.), and any kind of liquid dispensing.

[0053] In some examples, the bottle cap device 100 is installed (threaded) onto a bottle which is installed into a piece of equipment with the cap pointing downward (e.g., an arrangement in which the fluid can be gravity fed out of the bottle). In some cases, the bottle is installed by users on a regular basis onto a piece of equipment and removed when the bottle is empty and then disposed of. In some such cases, the mating receptacle for the bottle and bottle cap device 100 assembly is on the equipment side and is considered a fixed or permanent installation.

[0054] In some embodiments, the main body 110 includes a one-way thread feature that prevents or inhibits users from removing the bottle cap device 100 from a bottle to refill the bottle with fluid. In the depicted embodiment, this is done with a one-way tooth feature 114 of the main body 110 that will interfere with a mating feature on the bottle that prevents the bottle cap device 100 from being easily removed from the bottle. Each tooth of the tooth feature 114 has a ramp such that installation of the main body 110 onto a bottle is reasonably simple and can be done without tools or by automated equipment. When threading the bottle cap device 100 onto a bottle, the main body 110 will flex as the teeth of the tooth feature 114 pass over the corresponding features on the bottle. However, the ramps of the tooth feature 114 resist unthreading of the bottle cap device 100 from the bottle. There is a spiral clearance groove defined by the main body 110 that the corresponding features on the bottle travel along after passing over the tooth feature 114.

[0055] The depicted design of the bottle cap device 100 also incorporates an optional removable membrane 160 that is intended to keep particulate and debris out of the valve area of the bottle cap device 100 during shipping and storage of the filled bottles. In some embodiments, the removable member 160 is made of a material that is ultrasonic welded to the main body 110 or a pressure-sensitive adhesive based (sticker) type of removable member 160. In the depicted embodiment, there is a recessed feature in the cap main body 110 that allows for ease of application/installation of the removable membrane 160 to the main body 110.

[0056] In the depicted embodiment, there are two primary molded components of the bottle cap device 100: the main body 110 with the threads and locking feature(s), and the valve member 120. In the depicted embodiment, the main body 110 is designed with a female thread to mate with an industry-standard male bottle thread. In some embodiments, the main body 110 is designed and fabricated with a custom thread.

[0057] The valve member 120 is a design that is specific to this application of the bottle cap device 100. The valve spring 130 is retained within the hub 112 of the main body 110 (between the hub 112 and the valve member 120). There is an O-ring seal member 140 (or other type of annular seal member) installed within a seal groove defined by the valve member 120 to fluidly seal the valve member 120 to the main body 110 when the valve member 120 is in its closed position as shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 5-8 show the main body 110 in isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

[0058] FIGS. 9-12 show the valve member 120 in isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

[0059] Now referring to FIGS. 13-16, another example bottle cap device 200 includes a main body 210, a valve member 220, a spring 230, a valve seal member 240, a cap seal member 250, and an optional removable membrane 260. As best seen in FIG. 16, the spring 230 biases the valve member 220 to a closed position (as shown) in which the valve seal member 240 is sealed against a frustoconical surface of an inner hub 212 of the main body 210.

[0060] When pressure/force is applied against the valve member 220 to compress the spring 230, as represented by arrow 10 (FIG. 16), the valve member 220 moves to an open position in which fluid can flow past the valve member 220 (e.g., to allow fluid to exit from a bottle to which the bottle cap device 200 is coupled). When the pressure/force is discontinued, the valve member 220 spontaneously moves back to the closed position (as shown in FIG. 16) because of the spring 230.

[0061] In some embodiments, the bottle cap device 200 is designed for applications where the bottle cap device 200 is attached to a container (e.g., bottle) that contains liquid chemicals used in a specific industrial process. The cap seal member 250 seals against the mouth/spout of the container. In some examples, the bottle cap device 200 is installed (threaded) onto a bottle which is then installed into a piece of equipment with the cap pointing downward (e.g., an arrangement in which the fluid can be gravity fed out of the bottle). In some cases, the bottle is installed by users on a regular basis onto a piece of equipment and removed when the bottle is empty (and then disposed of or recycled). In some such cases, the mating receptacle for the bottle and bottle cap device 200 assembly is on the equipment side and is considered a fixed or permanent installation.

[0062] In some embodiments, the main body 210 includes a one-way thread feature that prevents or inhibits users from removing the bottle cap device 200 from a bottle to refill the bottle with fluid. In the depicted embodiment, this is done with a one-way tooth feature 214 of the main body 210 that will interfere with a mating feature on the bottle that prevents the bottle cap device 200 from being easily removed from the bottle. Each tooth of the tooth feature 214 has a ramp such that installation of the main body 210 onto a bottle is reasonably simple and can be done without tools or by automated equipment. However, the backsides of the ramps of the tooth feature 214 resist unthreading of the bottle cap device 200 from the bottle. There is a spiral clearance groove defined by the main body 210 that the corresponding features on the bottle travel along after passing over the tooth feature 214.

[0063] The depicted design of the bottle cap device 200 also incorporates an optional removable membrane 260 that is intended to keep particulate and debris out of the valve area of the bottle cap device 200 during shipping and storage of the filled bottles. In some embodiments, the removable member 260 is made of a material that is ultrasonic welded to the main body 210 or a pressure-sensitive adhesive based (sticker) type of removable member 260. In the depicted embodiment, there is a recessed feature in the cap main body 210 that allows for ease of application/installation of the removable membrane 260 to the main body 210.

[0064] In the depicted embodiment, there are two primary molded components of the bottle cap device 200: the main body 210 with the threads and locking feature(s), and the valve member 220. In the depicted embodiment, the main body 210 is designed with a female thread to mate with an industry-standard male bottle thread. In some embodiments, the main body 210 is designed and fabricated with a custom thread.

[0065] The valve member 220 is a design that is specific to this application of the bottle cap device 200. The valve spring 230 is retained within the hub 212 of the main body 210 (between the hub 212 and the valve member 220). There is an O-ring seal member 240 (or other type of annular seal member) installed within a seal groove defined by the valve member 220 to fluidly seal the valve member 220 against the main body 210 when the valve member 220 is in its closed position as shown in FIG. 16.

[0066] FIGS. 17-20 show the main body 210 in isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

[0067] FIGS. 21-24 show the valve member 220 in isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

[0068] FIGS. 25 and 26 shown the optional removable membrane 260 in isolation so that its features are more readily visible. The optional removable membrane 260 can be glued on or welded onto the main body 210. The removable membrane 260 can be porous or a solid film. In some embodiments, the removable membrane 260 is a film sticker that has adhesive on it and that is applied to the main body 210 to later be removed by the user.

[0069] Now referring to FIGS. 27-33, another example bottle cap device 200 includes a main body 210, the valve member 220, the spring 230, the valve seal member 240, the cap seal member 250, and the removable membrane 260 (which is optional).

[0070] The bottle cap device 200 is the same as the bottle cap device 200 (as described above) except that the main body 210 of the bottle cap device 200 has four (4) of the tooth features 214. The valve member 220, the spring 230, the valve seal member 240, the cap seal member 250, and the removable membrane 260 of the bottle cap device 200 are the same as those of the bottle cap device 200.

[0071] The spring 230 biases the valve member 220 to a closed position (as shown) in which the valve seal member 240 is sealed against a frustoconical surface of an inner hub 212 of the main body 210. When pressure/force is applied against the valve member 220 to compress the spring 230, as represented by arrow 10 (e.g., see FIG. 16), the valve member 220 moves to an open position in which fluid can flow past the valve member 220 (e.g., to allow fluid to exit from a bottle to which the bottle cap device 200 is coupled). When the pressure/force is discontinued, the valve member 220 spontaneously moves back to the closed position because of the spring 230.

[0072] In some embodiments, the bottle cap device 200 is designed for applications where the bottle cap device 200 is attached to a container (e.g., bottle) that contains liquid chemicals used in a specific industrial process. The cap seal member 250 seals against the mouth/spout of the container. In some examples, the bottle cap device 200 is installed (threaded) onto a bottle which is then installed into a piece of equipment with the cap pointing downward (e.g., an arrangement in which the fluid can be gravity fed out of the bottle). In some cases, the bottle is installed by users on a regular basis onto a piece of equipment and removed when the bottle is empty or beforehand (and then disposed of or recycled). In some such cases, the mating receptacle for the bottle and bottle cap device 200 assembly is on the equipment side and is considered a fixed or permanent installation.

[0073] In some embodiments, the main body 210 includes a one-way thread feature that prevents or inhibits users from removing the bottle cap device 200 from a bottle to refill the bottle with fluid. In the depicted embodiment, this is done with four of the one-way tooth features 214 of the main body 210 that will interfere with a mating feature on the bottle that prevents the bottle cap device 200 from being easily removed from the bottle. In some embodiments, the tooth features 214 are arranged at 90 relative to each other around the inner diameter of the main body 210.

[0074] Each tooth of the tooth feature 214 has a ramp such that installation of the main body 210 onto a bottle is reasonably simple and can be done without tools or by automated equipment. However, the backsides of the ramps of the tooth feature 214 resist unthreading of the bottle cap device 200 from the bottle. There is a spiral clearance groove defined by the main body 210 that the corresponding features on the bottle travel along after passing over the tooth feature 214.

[0075] In some embodiments, the depicted design of the bottle cap device 200 also incorporates an optional removable membrane 260 (e.g., see FIGS. 33 and 34) that is intended to keep particulate and debris out of the valve area of the bottle cap device 200 during shipping and storage of the filled bottles, and that can also serve as a back-up against leakage of the valve prior to use. In some embodiments, the removable member 260 is made of a material that is ultrasonic welded or heat-staked to the main body 210 or a pressure-sensitive adhesive based (sticker) type of removable member 260. In the depicted embodiment, there is a recessed feature in the cap main body 210 that allows for ease of application/installation of the removable membrane 260 to the main body 210.

[0076] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0077] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.