The present invention relates generally to the field of analgesic solutions and, more particularly, to an aqueous solution of an analgesic which is developed within a bottle prior to ingestion and to a dispenser for such an analgesic solution.
Aspirin is the most widely used analgesic preparation in the world. It is available without prescription and is marketed under a host of trade names. It has also recently been found to have many other benefits to human health beyond its pain-relieving properties. For example, it is an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-clotting agent for the bloodstream, a heart-health enhancer, a colon-cancer deterrent, an it may have other positive effects on the human body, which effects are currently under scientific study.
One drawback in the use of aspirin is its harsh effect on the stomach lining. Aspirin is the common name of salicylic acid, C9H8O4. In tablet form, it poses a concentrated assault upon the stomach when swallowed. Antacid buffering agents are often incorporated in the tablets to lessen the damaging effect.
Unfortunately, the most commonly used forms of aspirin rapidly degrade in aqueous solution. Thus, if one is to gain the maximum benefit of aspirin, it must remain in a dry form immediately prior to ingestion. In response, some manufacturers provide analgesics in a power form packaged in a tear-open packet. This packet is then poured into a glass of water so that it may be dissolved and then drunk. For many active people, this is inconvenient.
A similar kind of answer to this problem was suggested by Sorenson et al. in their U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,958. That patent taught an apparatus and a method for associating a supplement compartment with a liquid container. The supplement may be a vitamin, mineral, analgesic, antibiotic or other medicine, flavor or color additive or nutritional in nature, and may be readily accessible and retrievable for use with the liquid such as water or other beverage. The compartment may be nested atop a cap that covers the dispenser of the container or may be otherwise associated with the container in a secure but temporary and accessible manner. Unfortunately, the same kind of difficulty is encountered in using this compartment, in that the user accesses the contents of the compartment, and then if it is to be dissolved in water in the dispenser, then it must be poured into the dispenser much as the packet of power is poured in.
Thus, there remains a need for a means of maintaining the efficacy of an analgesic, yet have the analgesic readily available for ingestion by the user. Such a means should minimize or at least reduce the harmful effects of the concentrated analgesic on the lining of the stomach, yet provide the helpful effects of the medical ingredients. The present invention is directed to filling this need in the art.
The present invention addresses these and other needs in the art by providing a bottle cap adapted to retain a quantity of an additive, such as for example aspirin or the like. The additive is retained in an isolated condition within a sealed chamber or within a bladder inside the bottle cap. The isolated condition of the additive is maintained by a membrane or a bladder which is fluid communication with the liquid retained within the bottle. Means are provided to breech the seal of the chamber or the bladder, thereby releasing some or all of the additive retained within the bottle cap. Thus, one feature of the present invention is the provision of a user-releasable quantity of an additive retained within a bottle cap, until released by a user.
Typical aspirin tablets contain 325 milligrams (5 grains) of aspirin compounded with various binders and fillers to permit tablet formation. Water-borne aspirin requires no such inert ingredients. Thus, the additive comprising aspirin within the bottle cap can be stored in a more concentrated form that would be available in tablet form, yet is less deleterious to the stomach of the user because it is diluted immediately prior to ingestion.
However, the additive may include a buffering agent, if desired, for example calcium carbonate, commonly used as an over the counter antacid in tablet and liquid form. Concentration in suspension with the aspirin would be sufficient to render the mixture approximately neutral pH. Calcium carbonate has been proven to offer many health benefits, including bone strength, heart health, colon health, emotional calmness, and the like.
The dispenser of the present invention may include a plastic bottle of approximately six fluid ounces. A convenient approach includes two bottles stacked “piggy-back” with the cap of the lower bottle nestled into a depression in the bottom of the upper bottle. The pair may thus be joined by an easily broken seal. This pairing reflects the usual one-or-two tablet dosage regimen recommended by both aspirin manufacturers and doctors.
Flavoring agents may be used with appropriate caution to prevent beverage use by children. The bottle cap of the present invention easily lends itself to child-proof arrangements.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art from a review of the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawing figures.
The inner cap 24 is also hollow to provide a chamber or cavity 46 for extra contents of the powdered additive. The upper end of the cavity 46 is sealed by a molded lip 48, which presses with an innermost edge 50 against the barrel 30. The lower end of the cavity 46 is closed by the membrane 26.
The seal ring 28 defines a flange portion 54 which is press fit into an enlarged cavity 52 of the inner cap 24. The seal ring also defines a lower extension 62 which includes a rounded seal 56, which engages an inner surface 58 of a bottle neck 60. The seal 56 is molded for an interference fit inside the bottle neck 60, but is flexible enough to slide along the surface 58 because of the relatively thin wall of the lower extension 62 that extends between the seal and the upper ring 54.
The inner cap 24 is equipped with female threads 66, which engage male threads 67 at the upper end of the bottle neck 60. Together, the threads 66 and 67 define a threaded interface between the cap 20 and the neck of the bottle. The lower end of the inner cap 24 is equipped with a thin wall portion 68, which is perforated by holes 70 (See also
An enlarged ring portion 76 of the inner cap 24 is equipped with a plurality of angled recesses 78, which serve to transmit torque when the pre-assembled cap 20 is being installed onto the neck of a bottle (see also
In the next step in the operation of this invention, to open the bottle, the cap 20 is rotated counter-clockwise, as shown by an arrow in
Now referring to
Subsequent counter-clockwise rotation of the cap 22 moves the protrusions 34 to the opposite end 92 of the slot 88, from which point on the counter-clockwise torque is transmitted into the inner cap 24 to unscrew it from the bottle neck 60.
By applying clockwise torque to the cap 106 as shown by an arrow 121, the cap 106 moves down on the bottle neck 120 by way of threads 124, an outer ring region 126 of the plate 104 is pushed up by the bottle neck 120, while the sealing lip 112 slides along the surface 114. Note the position of the sealing lip 112 just under the bottom surface on the cap 106 in
A cap assembly 200 is defined by a cap 201, which is divided in its upper end into two compartments 202 and 204. The compartments 202 and 204 are sealed against the underside of the cap 200 by a membrane 206. A cavity 208 is provided beneath the membrane 206 and the cavity 208 is further defined at its bottom by a ring plate 210. The ring plate 210 is slidably mounted inside a cylindrical surface 212 of the cap 201, which also serves as the vertical wall of the cavity 208. On top of the ring plate 210 are two cutting blades 214 and 216, which are different in height, the higher one 214 in close proximity to the membrane 206.
A conical protrusion 218 extends below the underside of the ring plate 210. The conical protrusion 218 engages a conical mating chamfer 220 inside a bottle neck 222.
When clockwise torque is applied to the cap 201, as shown by an arrow 221 in
At this point, the ring plate 210 has reached detent protrusions 224, which provide a noticeable increase in resistance to the clockwise torque, indicating that the second compartment 204 is about to be opened, if the applied torque is increased. This situation is illustrated in
If the user continues to apply clockwise torque to the cap 201, the blade 216 penetrates the membrane 206 beneath the second cavity 204.
It may be desirable to provide an additive in liquid form, such as for example certain liquid medications.
The cap assembly 300 includes a cap 301 which defines a cavity 302, enclosing a bladder 304 which retains a quantity of a liquid additive 306. The cap 301 includes a top plate 308, including a plurality of downwardly protruding circular cutting edges 310. The cutting edges are open to one side, as best seen in
As clockwise torque is applied to the cap 301, it is moved downward onto a bottle neck 316, thereby forcing cutting edges 310 to slice through the bladder 304, and squeezing additive contents out of the bladder 304, as illustrated in
It will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that many other structures may be used to retain a quantity of an additive within a bottle cap for release by a user. For example, a plunger may be deployed from the top of the bottle cap down into a membrane retaining the additive. Furthermore, multiple cavities may be used to tailor the amount of the additive to be dissolved within the liquid in the bottle, and a plurality of different additives may be retained within the bottle cap.
The chamber or cavity may also be used to enclose other types of additives. For example, some users may wish additional vitamins, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweetener, lemon extract, vanilla, cherry flavoring, or other types of additives commonly used in soft drinks. The present invention is particularly well adapted to including one or a plurality of these types of additives, if desired. Furthermore, the chamber of cavity may be positioned within a bottom of the bottle, rather than in a cap, if desired, fully within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The principles, preferred embodiment, and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since these are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/596,060 filed Aug. 29, 2005.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3510021 | Silver | May 1970 | A |
3809276 | Landen | May 1974 | A |
5829608 | Clerget | Nov 1998 | A |
6354450 | Zielinski et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6679375 | Coory | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6681958 | Sorenson et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
20030213709 | Gibler et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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1532424 | Mar 1975 | DE |
WO 0108996 | Aug 2001 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070045134 A1 | Mar 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60596060 | Aug 2005 | US |