Bottle Cap Restrictor

Abstract

A system and method for restricting and controlling the flow rate of liquid from a bottle. The bottle is coupled to a cap. The cap has at least one opening which allows the flow of liquid from the inside of the bottle to the outside of the bottle. This allows the flow rate from the bottle to be controlled to allow and object to be properly cleaned, sanitized, etc. by the flow of liquid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for restricting and controlling the flow of a fluid from a bottle.

Description of Related Art

Bottles of drinking liquid, particularly bottled water, are always available. They are in offices, cars, homes, and often carried in purses, backpacks, etc. However, one downside of bottled water is that when it is inverted it is very difficult to control the flowrate of water from the bottle. Consequently, it is desirable to have a system to control the flowrate of liquid exiting from an inverted bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inverted bottle featuring a cap in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a cap in one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cap with a valve in one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap with two connectors in one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cap with two connectors in one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inverted bottle featuring a cap in one embodiment. The bottle 101 can comprise any bottle known in the art. The bottle 101 can comprise virtually any material suitable for housing a liquid, including but not limited to, plastic, glass, rubber, etc. The liquid can comprise virtually any pourable liquid. In one embodiment the liquid comprises a drinkable liquid such as water. The liquid can further comprise salt water, cleaners, soap, etc.

As depicted, the bottle 101 is inverted such that the bottle opening is pointed in the downward direction. Coupled to the bottle 101 is the cap 102, which is discussed in more detail below. The cap 102 provides a path through which the liquid can flow from within the bottle 101 to outside of the bottle 101. As depicted, a stream 103 of liquid is shown exiting the cap 102.

If the cap 102 were not present, liquid would flow unrestricted from the bottle opening. Removing the cap from a bottled water, and inverting the bottle, provides at most a few seconds of flow of water. The time for an inverted bottle to become empty is referred to as the flow time. As noted, the flow time for a standard bottle of water is about 5 seconds.

Often, as discussed in more detail below, a consumer will not have ready access to a sink, for example, to wash their hands. A bottled water provides water, but as noted above, the flow time is too limited to provide an adequate washing. Thus, if a painter, for example, desires to wash her hands with a bottled water, the result is a messy and inefficient attempt. Consequently, a cap 102, in one embodiment, is used to provide a restriction to the flow rate and increase the flow time. Further, in some embodiments, the cap 102 also divides the flow into two or more streams which can more efficiently be used to wash hands, etc. These and other uses will be described in more detail below.

Turning now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a cap in one embodiment. The cap 102 can comprise virtually any material. It can comprise plastic, rubber, metal, etc. Virtually any material which can couple to the bottle 101 can be utilized.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the cap 102 has at least one opening 104. As depicted, the cap 102 comprises a plurality of openings. An opening, as used herein, refers to a channel, hole, or void which fluidly connects the inside of a coupled bottle to outside of a bottle. Thus, fluid can flow from the inside of the bottle to the outside of the bottle through the opening.

The openings 104 can be formed via any method or device known in the art. For example, the openings 104 can be made by piercing the cap 102 to form the opening. In other embodiments the openings 104 are formed simultaneously with the formation of the cap 102. For example, if the cap is blow molded, the openings 104 can be formed during the blow molding process. In other embodiments the cap can be injection molded. One skilled in the art will understand the various methods which can be used to form the openings 104.

The number, size, and configuration of the openings 104 can be adjusted depending on the desired flow time, flow rate, flow pattern, etc. Generally, smaller and fewer openings 104 result in increased flow time. Larger openings 104 increase the flow rate of fluid through that particular opening 104. In some applications an increased flow rate will be preferred while in other applications a slower flow rate will be preferred.

In some embodiments the openings 104 are linear such that the fluid flows in a straight pattern, similar to the pattern shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, however, the openings 104 have a non-linear pattern such that a swirl is imparted into the exiting liquid. A swirl or other similar feature, in some embodiments, can aid in the cleaning of hands, for example.

In one embodiment the openings 104 are configured to resemble a shower head. In this fashion, the pattern is sufficiently large to allow a user to wash an object such as a utensil, their hands, their children's hands, etc. In other embodiments, however, the openings 104 are configured to have fewer streams such that the streams will be comparatively more concentrated. As noted, the size and configuration of the openings 104 can be adjusted depending upon the application, the object to be cleaned, etc.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cap with a valve in one embodiment. A valve 106, as used herein, refers to a device which can open and close to control the flow of fluid through an opening. The valve 106 can comprise any valve known in the art. For example, the valve 106 can comprise a ball valve, a gate valve, etc. In one embodiment the valve 106 allows only for extreme positions: open or closed. In other embodiments, however, the valve 106 allows for additional positions such as partially open, partially shut, etc. This allows a further control and refinement of the flow of liquid. In one embodiment the flow pattern can be controlled with the valve 106. As an example, with some valves 106 the liquid will only flow through certain openings 104 on the cap 102. This allows the pattern of the stream to be adjusted by adjusting the valve 106.

A valve 106 provides the ability to stop the flow of fluid when the cap 102 is installed. Without a valve 102, in one embodiment, the cap 102 will allow a liquid to flow through the cap 102. As such, if the bottle becomes tilted accidentally, liquid can leak through the cap 102. A valve 106, however, provides the user the ability to control and stop the flow of fluid when desired. Thus, the cap 102 can be coupled to the bottle 101 and stored in a bag without fear of leakage, for example. When the user desires to use the bottle 101, the user can retrieve the bottle 101, open the valve 106, and invert the bottle.

Coupled to the cap 102 is a connector 105. A connector 105 is any device which is used to couple the cap 102 to the bottle 101. In one embodiment the connector 105 comprises internal threads which couple to the external threads on the bottle's 101 neck. In this fashion, the bottle's original cap can be removed and replaced with the cap 102 which comprises openings 104.

As noted the connector 105 can comprise threads. It can also comprise a snug-fit cap which uses friction to secure and couple to the top of the bottle 101. In other embodiments, the cap 102 comprises a clamp which fits and clamps over the neck of the bottle. Virtually any device which couples a cap to a bottle 101 can be used as the connector 105.

As depicted the connector is upstream of the valve 106 and the opening 104. As used herein, the terms upstream and downstream refer to relative locations along the cap. An upstream portion is closer to the bottle 101 whereas a downstream portion is further from the bottle 101. As seen in the embodiment depicted, the opening 104 is downstream of the connector 105 and the valve 106. In other embodiments, however, the valve 106 is downstream of the opening 104.

In one embodiment, the valve 106 comprises a sleeve, lid, or covering which fits downstream of the openings 104 to prevent the flow of liquid. The valve 106 in this embodiment comprises no moving parts. Instead, it either allows or disallows the flow of liquid depending on whether the valve 106 is coupled to the cap 102. If the valve 106 is coupled to the cap 102, then the flow of liquid is stopped. If the valve 106 is removed, however, then the liquid is allowed to flow through the cap 102.

As noted, the valve 106 can be integrally formed within the cap 102 as shown in FIG. 3, or it can comprise an external piece which removably couples to the cap 102. In one embodiment the valve 106 comprises an anchor line which maintains the valve 106 removably secured to the cap 102. In one embodiment, for example, the anchor line (not shown) tethers the valve 106 to the cap 102 such that the valve 106 remains tethered even when it is not coupled to the openings 104 in such a way as to prevent the flow of fluid. Such an embodiment prevents the valve 106 from being lost when not in use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap with two connectors in one embodiment. As depicted, the cap comprises two dissimilarly sized connectors. This increases the likelihood that the cap 102 will fit various bottles. As an example, in one embodiment the top connector 105b has a diameter and/or threading which is dissimilar from the bottom connector 105a. In this fashion, the odds are increased that the cap 102 can be coupled to a bottle. Thus, in one embodiment the cap comprises a top thread size which is dissimilar from a bottom thread size in that the top and bottom will be different bottles with different threads.

As depicted, the bottom connector 105a couples to the bottle whereas the top connector 105b does not function as a connector. If the cap 102 is inverted, the top connector 105b could be used as a connector to couple to a dissimilar bottle. The cap 102 depicted in FIG. 4 does not comprise a valve, and does not comprise any moving pieces.

The cap 102 in FIG. 4 further comprises a coupler 107. As depicted this is a hole but it can comprise a hoop, loop, hook, etc. which can couple to an anchor as described above. The anchor can be directly or indirectly coupled to a zipper, backpack, etc. so that the cap 102 can be found when needed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cap with two connectors in one embodiment. As can be seen with the cap 102 of FIG. 5, the flow pattern comprises a three by three matrix of openings 104. The flow pattern is three openings wide by three openings tall. As noted, the pattern on the cap 102 can be adjusted to achieve the desired flow pattern.

Now that the cap 102 has been described, various methods of using the cap 102 will now be described. First, the cap 102 is installed and coupled to a bottle. In one embodiment the bottle 101 comprises a bottle which already has fluid and which is sealed and confined within its own sealed bottled cap. A sealed bottle cap is a cap which does not have openings such that when the bottle is inverted fluid does not flow through the cap. The sealed bottle cap is removed. If desired or required, fluid can be added or removed from the bottle.

Thereafter, the cap 102 is installed onto the bottle 101 via the connector 105 discussed above. In one embodiment, this comprises the step of threading the cap 102 onto the threads of the bottle 101.

After the cap 102 is installed, the bottle 101 can be stored or stowed for future use. As noted, the bottle 101 can be placed in a backpack, purse, car, etc.

Once the bottle 101 is needed, the user inverts the bottle 101, opens the valve 106, and allows liquid to pour out of the cap 102. The user can place an object to clean underneath the flow of liquid. The object can be an item such as a knife, utensil, other container, food, etc. Likewise, the object can comprise a body part such as a finger, hand, foot, etc. Even still, the object can comprise another animal such as a dog, cat, etc. Virtually any item, object, person, or thing which can be cleaned can be cleaned, sanitized, treated, or rinsed with the cap 102 discussed herein.

Suppose, for example, a hunter is in a remote location and has just killed and field dressed a deer. The hunter does not have ready access to a sink. The hunter can now use the bottle to clean and wash his or her hands. Absent the cap 102 discussed above, the flow of water, for example, from the bottle 101 cannot be controlled or restrained. Thus, the hunter will have inadequate flow time to wash their hands. However, with the controlled flow rate through the cap 102, and the increased flow time, the hunter has increased time to efficiently wash their hands. When the hunter is finished, the hunter can thereafter wash a knife or other object which needs to be cleaned. Once completely finished, the hunter can close the valve 106 and store the bottle 101 for future use.

Consider also a mother and a toddler at the park. If the toddler has a sticky candy the toddler's hands will become very sticky. Accordingly, the mother can use the bottle with the cap 102 and provides a stead, constant flow of liquid from a bottle to allow the toddler to wash its hands.

Further consider a hiker who falls and gets a cut on their leg. The hiker is undoubtedly carrying water. A cap 102 can be coupled to the bottle 101 and the wound can be properly washed and treated.

As can be seen, the cap 102 provides ready ability to clean an object when a sink or running water is not available or convenient. A common bottle of water can be instantly converted to a portable washing station. In embodiments comprising a valve 106, the portable washing station can be controlled even further by providing the ability to stop the flow of liquid.

The size of the cap 102 can vary depending upon the application. As noted, in one embodiment the cap 102 is sized to fit traditional bottles of water. In other embodiments, however, the cap 102 is sized to fit a canteen or work-out bottle such as a wide lipped neoprene bottle. In still other embodiments the cap 102 is sized to couple to a CamelBak® or other such hydration pack. The cap 102 can be sized to couple to virtually any container which houses a liquid.

As noted, in one embodiment the bottle 101 is coupled to the cap 102 in advance in anticipation of future need. In other embodiments, however, the cap 102 is simply carried as an additional tool which may be needed in the future. Accordingly, the hiker may not attach the cap 102 until it is needed. The hiker will carry the bottled water and use it for hydration and will also carry the cap 102 in a backpack. If the cap 102 becomes necessary, the hiker can then couple the cap 102 to the bottle 101.

In one embodiment the cap 102 can be removably tethered to a bottle, container, etc. In this fashion, the cap 102 remains tethered or otherwise connected to the bottle even when in its uninstalled position. This ensures the cap 102 is handy when the cap 102 becomes necessary.

In one embodiment, and as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap 102 comprises a single connected piece. In one embodiment the cap 102 comprises a single piece integrally made. In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 2, the cap 102 comprises no moving parts. This is an advantage in some embodiments as a piece with no moving parts is often easier to assemble and is less prone to malfunction during use.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Additional Description

The following clauses are offered as further description of the disclosed invention.

Clause 1. A system for controlling the flow rate of liquid from a bottle, said system comprising:

• • a bottle;
  • a cap coupled to said bottle;
  • wherein said cap comprises at least one opening to allow the flow of liquid from inside the bottle to outside of the bottle;
  • and wherein said cap has a connector to couple said cap to said bottle.

Clause 2. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause further comprising a valve.

Clause 3. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said valve is upstream of said at least one opening.

Clause 4. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said valve is downstream of said at least one opening.

Clause 5. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said cap comprises a single connected piece.

Clause 6. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said cap comprises two dissimilarly sized connectors,

Clause 7. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein cap further comprises a coupler.

Clause 8. The system of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said cap comprises threads.

Clause 9. A cap configured to couple to at least one bottle, said cap comprises:

• • at least one opening to allow the flow of liquid form inside a bottle to outside the bottle;
  • at least one connector for coupling to a bottle.

Clause 10. The cap of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said cap comprises a first connector at an upper most end, and a second connector at a lower most end.

Clause 11. The cap of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said first connector comprises a first connector thread size, and wherein said second connector comprises a second connector thread size, and wherein said first connector thread size is different than said second connector thread size.

Clause 12. The cap of any proceeding or preceding clause wherein said first connector thread size is sized to fit a bottle which comprises threads.

Clause 13. The cap of any proceeding or preceding clause further comprises a coupler.

Clause 14. The cap of any proceeding or preceding clause further comprising a valve.

Clause 15. The cap of any proceeding or preceding clause which does not comprise any moving parts.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the flow rate of liquid from a bottle, said system comprising: a bottle;a cap coupled to said bottle;wherein said cap comprises at least one opening to allow the flow of liquid from inside the bottle to outside of the bottle;and wherein said cap has a connector to couple said cap to said bottle.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a valve.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve is upstream of said at least one opening.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said valve is downstream of said at least one opening.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said cap comprises a single connected piece.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said cap comprises two dissimilarly sized connectors,

7. The system of claim 1 wherein cap further comprises a coupler.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said cap comprises threads.

9. A cap configured to couple to at least one bottle, said cap comprises: at least one opening to allow the flow of liquid form inside a bottle to outside the bottle;at least one connector for coupling to a bottle.

10. The cap of claim 9 wherein said cap comprises a first connector at an upper most end, and a second connector at a lower most end.

11. The cap of claim 10 wherein said first connector comprises a first connector thread size, and wherein said second connector comprises a second connector thread size, and wherein said first connector thread size is different than said second connector thread size.

12. The cap of claim 11 wherein said first connector thread size is sized to fit a bottle which comprises threads.

13. The cap of claim 9 further comprises a coupler.

14. The cap of claim 9 further comprising a valve.

15. The cap of claim 9 which does not comprise any moving parts.