Venting cap

Abstract

A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove (s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.

Description

Moreover, the grooves 76 shown in FIG. 6 are linear and extend transversely from each other. When the cap is torqued onto the bottle neck, the inner surface 46 of the cap top will seat against the rim 42 of the bottle neck. The inner surface 46 of the cap top portion will form a seal with the rim 42 of the bottle neck. The grooves 76, however, will provide a path for gasses formed in the bottle to escape across the rim of the bottle neck and through the threaded space 52 between the cap annular wall inner surface and the bottle neck.

The caps of the above described embodiments while allowing gas to vent would also allow some of the liquid to vent if the bottle were turned upside down and squeezed. When squeezed, the liquid material will travel through the slots formed on the ridges and in the later embodiment through the grooves 68. The liquid material would eventually gel in the slots and/or grooves sealing the slots and grooves. Thus, once the gas generated in the bottle has vented, the slots and/or grooves can be sealed by squeezing some of the liquid material through the slots or grooves as described above, thereby, preventing the escape of any further liquid from the capped bottle.

With all of these embodiments, the grooves, ridges and slots may be machined into the cap which is typically made of a hard plastic material. Alternatively, the grooves, ridges and slots may also be formed by a molding process. The cap with grooves, or ridges and slots may be formed by a single molding process. Alternative the grooves, or ridges and slots may be formed by a combination of molding and machining processes.

Because the grooves or ridges are made from the same hard plastic material as the cap, they are not susceptible to collapsing when under compression, as for example, when compressed against the rim 42 of the bottle mouth under normal cap torquing conditions.

With any of the aforementioned caps, a liner 84 may be used if necessary (FIG. 7). Typically, the liner will sit against the ridges or the grooved inner surface of the cap top portion. To allow for venting through the liner, at least a hole 80 86 should be formed through the liner thickness 88. The hole should preferably have a diameter between about 0.010 to 0.015 inch. The liner thickness should preferably be between about 0.015 and 0.020 inch.

Moreover, any of the aforementioned embodiments may be incorporated in non-conventional caps, such as caps having a flip top or a moveable spout. With flip caps 100, the top 120 of the cap is hingedly connected to the annular wall or rim 126 of the cap (FIG. 8). In this regard, the top can be flipped open to allow for the pouring out of the contents of the bottle. With spout caps 200, a spout 90 is incorporated on the cap top portion 220 of the cap 200 (FIG. 9). The spout can be rotated from a closed position 90 to an open position 92. When in an open position, a path is provided allowing for the pouring out of the contents of the bottle. With either type of cap, the ridges or grooves are also formed on the inner surface of the cap top portion as described herein.

Furthermore, the ridges or grooves may be formed, preferably by a molding or a machining process, on a disc 300 made from a hard or semi-hard material such as plastic (FIGS. 10,11,12,13 and 14). The disc is sized such that it can fit and sit against the inner surface 46 of the cap top portion 24 and such that the ridges 344 (FIGS. 11,12 and 14) or grooves 376 (FIG. 14) can mate with the bottle neck rim 42 which defines the bottle mouth 40 as described above. In this regard the disc may be used with conventional caps to provide the necessary venting so as to prevent bottle paneling. Moreover, since the disc is made from a hard or semi-hard material, the risk of collapsing of the ridges of grooves which may prevent the venting of gases is decreased. The thickness of the disc should preferably be in the order of 0.030 inch. The disc may be glued to the inner surface of the cap top portion using an adhesive compatible with the contents of the bottle.

The ridges 44 344 or grooves 376 are formed on one surface 302 of the disc, with the opposite surface 304 being flat (FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 14). In one embodiment, the disc can be mated to the cap with its flat surface 304 against the cap top portion 24 inner surface 46 (FIGS. 10 and 13). In another embodiment, the disc is mated to the cap with its ridged or grooved surface 302 against the inner surface 46 of the cap top portion (FIG. 11). With this embodiment, the flat surface side of the disc mates with the bottle mouth when the cap is torqued onto the bottle. Moreover, with this embodiment, the diameter of the disc should be smaller then than the inner diameter of the cap annular wall 26 such that a gap 306 is defined between the annular wall 26 and the disc edge 308. An opening 310 is formed through the thickness of the disc to allow the gases generated in the bottle to travel from the bottle through the opening and to the grooved or ridged surface 302 of the disc. From there the gas travels in the grooves or through the slots in the ridges and through the gap and through to the threaded space 52 (FIG. 3) between the cap annular wall inner surface and the bottle neck outer surface.

With this latter embodiment, i.e., the embodiment where the ridged surface is mated to the inner surface of the cap top portion, the ridges act as a spacer to separate the disc from the inner surface of the cap top portion. Moreover, with this embodiment, to prevent the bending of the disc when the cap is threaded onto the bottle, the disc should be positioned such that a ridge is located over the bottle neck rim 42.

Claims

1. A bottle cap for capping a bottle having a mouth having a rim, the cap comprising:

a top portion having an inner surface;

an annular wall extending from the top portion;

a plurality of concentric circular ridges formed on the top portion inner surface for registering with the rim; and

at least a slot formed across each of said plurality of ridges.

2. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 comprising, wherein at least one slot is formed across all the ridges.

3. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 wherein a slot in each ridge is aligned with a slot in a consecutive ridge for defining a single slot across said consecutive ridges.

4. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 wherein the slot formed across one ridge is circumferentially spaced apart from a slot formed across an adjacent ridge.

5. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 further comprising a liner fitted over the top portion inner surface, the liner having an opening formed through the liner thickness.

6. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 wherein the top portion is hingedly coupled to the annular wall.

7. A bottle cap as recited in claim 1 further comprising a moveable spout extending from the top portion.

8. A bottle cap comprising:

a top portion having an inner surface;

an annular wall extending from the top portion; and

a groove formed on the inner surface of the top portion said groove extending chordwise from a first point adjacent the annular wall to a second point adjacent the annular wall.

9. A bottle cap as recited in claim 8 comprising a plurality of grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion.

10. A bottle cap comprising:

a top portion having an inner surface;

an annular wall extending from the top portion;

a first set of parallel spaced apart grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion; and

a second set of parallel spaced apart grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion, wherein grooves of the first set intersect grooves of the second set.

11. A bottle cap comprising:

a top portion having an inner surface;

an annular wall extending from the top portion;

a plurality of grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion; and

a liner fitted over the top portion inner surface, the liner having an opening formed through its thickness.

12. A bottle cap as recited in claim 8 wherein the top portion is hingedly coupled to the annular wall.

13. A bottle cap as recited in claim 8 further comprising a moveable spout extending from the top portion.

14. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed on the neck outer surface;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between the outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall;

a plurality of concentric circular ridges formed on the inner surface of the top portion; and

a slot formed across each of said plurality of ridges, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the ridges sit on the bottle neck rim and the slots define a pathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neck rim and through the pathway.

15. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 14 wherein a slot in each ridge is radially aligned with a slot in an adjacent ridge.

16. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 14 wherein a slot in each ridge is circumferentially spaced apart from a slot in an adjacent ridge.

17. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 14 further comprising a liner fitted in the cap and having a hole through its thickness, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the liner sits on the bottle neck rim and wherein gases generated in the bottle escape through the hole, through the slot and through the pathway.

18. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed on the neck outer surface;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall; and

a groove formed on the inner surface of the top portion wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the groove extends outwardly beyond two locations of the rim of the bottle neck providing a pathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neck mouth and through the gas path.

19. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 18 comprising a plurality of grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion, wherein each groove extends radially beyond the rim of the bottle neck when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck.

20. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 19 comprising a first set of parallel grooves and a second set of parallel grooves formed on the inner surface of the top portion, wherein grooves of the first set intersect grooves of the second set.

21. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 18 further comprising a liner fitted in the cap and having a hole through its thickness, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the liner sits on the bottle neck rim and wherein gases generated in the bottle escape through the hole, through the groove and through the gas path.

22. A method for venting gases generated in a bottle having a rim defining a mouth and containing a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cap having a top portion, a plurality of circular ridges formed on an inner surface of the top portion and a slot formed across each of said plurality of ridges; and

torquing the cap on the bottle causing the plurality of ridges to sit on the rim, wherein the plurality of slots provide a pathway for the venting of gases.

23. A method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

forcing liquid in the slot; and

solidifying the liquid to block the pathway through at least one of said slots.

24. A method for venting gases generated in a bottle having a rim defining a mouth and containing a liquid the method comprising the steps:

providing a cap having a top portion and a groove formed on an inner surface of the top portion; and

torquing the cap on the bottle causing the inner surface of the top portion to sit on the rim, wherein the groove extends outwardly beyond two locations of the rim and provides a pathway for the venting of gases.

25. A method as recited in claim 24 further comprising the steps of:

forcing liquid in the groove; and

solidifying the liquid to block the pathway through the groove.

26. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed on the neck outer surface;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall;

a disc made of a material being at least semi hard fitted over the top portion inner surface, the disc having a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the first surface faces the top portion inner surface;

a circular ridge formed on the second surface of the disc; and

a slot formed across the ridge, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the ridge sits on the bottle neck rim and the slot forms a pathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neck rim and through the gas path.

27. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 26 comprising:

a plurality of concentric ridges formed in the second surface of the disc, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the plurality of ridges contact the bottle neck rim; and

at least a slot in each ridge.

28. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 27 wherein at least a slot in each ridge is radially aligned with a slot in an adjacent ridge.

29. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 26 further comprising a liner fitted in the cap over the disc and having a hole through its thickness, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the liner is sandwiched between the ridge and the rim and wherein gases generated in the bottle escape through the hole, through the slot and through the gas path.

30. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 26 wherein the disc is made from plastic.

31. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and having threads formed on the bottle neck outer surface;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck outer surface, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall;

a disc made of a material being at least semi hard fitted over the top portion inner surface, the disc having a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the first surface faces the top portion inner surface; and

a first set of parallel grooves and a second set of parallel grooves formed on the second surface of the disc, wherein grooves of the first set intersect grooves of the second set,

wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the grooves extend radially beyond the rim of the bottle neck providing pathways for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neck mouth.

32. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed on the neck outer surface;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck outer surface, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between the outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall;

a disc made from a material being at least semi hard fitted over the top portion inner surface, the disc having a circumferential edge and a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the first surface faces the top portion inner surface;

a gap between the annular wall and the circumferential edge;

an opening formed through the thickness of the disc, the opening located within the bottle mouth when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck;

a circular ridge formed on the first surface of the disc; and

a slot formed across the ridge, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the ridge is located over the bottle neck rim and the opening and slot form a pathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape across the bottle neck and through the gas path.

33. A bottle cap liner disc for use with a cap for capping a bottle having a rim defining a bottle mouth and having an inner and an outer diameter, the disc allowing for the venting of gases generated in a bottle when the cap is threaded on the bottle, the disc comprising:

a first surface opposite a second surface and a thickness therebetween;

an opening formed through the thickness;

a circular ridge formed on the first surface of the disc; and

a slot formed across the ridge.

34. A bottle cap liner disc for use with a cap for capping a bottle having a rim defining a bottle mouth and having an inner and an outer diameter, the disc allowing for the venting of gases generated in a bottle when the cap is threaded on the bottle, the disc comprising:

a first surface opposite a second surface; and

a plurality of concentric circular ridges formed on the first surface of the disc; and

a slot formed across each of said plurality of ridges.

35. An insert having an annular section for use with a cap for capping a bottle having a rim defining a bottle mouth and having an inner and an outer diameter, the insert allowing for the venting of gases generated in a bottle when the cap is threaded on the bottle, the disc defining a central opening and comprising:

a first surface opposite a second surface;

a circular ridge formed on the first surface of the annular section; and

a slot formed across the ridge.

36. An insert as recited in claim 35 comprising a plurality of concentric circular ridges and a slot formed across each of said plurality of ridges.

37. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth and threads formed on the neck outer surface;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall extending from the top portion, the annular wall having threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto the threads formed on the bottle neck, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck a gas path is formed between outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall;

a venting member having an annular section having a central opening and made of a material being at least semi hard, the annular section having a first surface opposite a second surface and sandwiched between the cap inner surface and the rim wherein the first surface faces the cap top portion inner surface;

a circular ridge formed on the first surface of the annular section; and

a slot formed across the ridge, wherein when the cap is threaded onto the bottle neck, the slot forms a pathway for gas generated in the bottle to escape through the opening and across the bottle neck rim and through the gas path.

38. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 37 comprising:

a plurality of concentric ridges formed in the first surface of the annular section; and

at least a slot in each ridge.

39. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 38 wherein at least a slot in each ridge is radially aligned with a slot in an adjacent ridge.

40. A vented bottle cap system as recited in claim 37 therein the insert is made from plastic.

41. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth;

a cap having a top portion comprising an inner surface and an annular wall having an inner surface and extending from the top portion, wherein when the cap is capping the bottle neck, a first gas path is formed between an outer surface of the bottle neck and the inner surface of the annular wall; and

a second gas path defined across the inner surface of the cap top portion in communication with the first gas path, said second gas path comprising a plurality of linear slots, each of said linear slots extending transversely from another of said linear slots defining a continuous groove on said inner surface, wherein gas in the bottle escapes via the second gas path to the first gas path.

42. A system as recited in claim 41 wherein a projection projects from the inner surface of the cap top portion for seating over the rim, and wherein the second gas path is formed across the projection.

43. A system as recited in claim 41 wherein said cap top portion inner surface is a surface of an insert inserted against the cap top portion.

44. A vented bottle cap system comprising:

a bottle having a neck having a rim defining a mouth;

a cap having a top portion having an inner surface and an annular wall having an inner surface and extending from the top portion;

an annular insert, said annular insert located between the cap top portion inner surface and the rim, wherein when the cap is capping the bottle neck, a first gas path is formed between an outer surface of the bottle neck and the annular wall; and

a second gas path defined on the annular insert in communication with the first gas path, said second gas path comprising a plurality of linear slots, each of said linear slots extending transversely from another of said linear slots defining a continuous groove on said annular insert, wherein gas in the bottle escapes via the second gas path to the first gas path.

45. A system as recited in claim 44 wherein a projection projects from the annular insert for seating over the rim, and wherein the second gas path is formed across the projection.