Bottle cap

Abstract

A bottle cap, and a method for making it, the bottle cap including a cap member having internal screw threads adapted for sealing engagement with a neck of a beverage bottle; and a bi-directional tubing coupler integrally formed with the cap member, the tubing coupler including a first coupling element for coupling a first tube inside the bottle and including a second coupling element coupling a second tube outside the bottle, to permit drinking of a beverage from inside the bottle through the tubes and the tubing coupler.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bottle caps, in general and, in particular, to bottle caps for bottles through which a liquid in the bottle can be drunk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When drinking from conventional water or soft drink bottles, the user must frequently release his or her mouth from the bottle neck or drinking nipple provided in the bottle cap, in order to permit the inflow of air to release the vacuum which builds up inside the bottle. In addition, in order to drink, the cap must be removed or the drinking nipple opened each time it is desired to drink.

There is known on the market an hydration system known as SmarTube®, marketed by BlueDesert Ltd., of Kfar Monash, Israel. This hydration system includes a special cap, tube, and mouthpiece for attachment to a standard water bottle. The cap includes a hole through which a tube is inserted, like a straw, for drinking through a mouthpiece on the tube. While this system provides a convenient and hygienic drink from any standard water bottle during activity, the bottle must be held upright during use in order to prevent leakage through the hole in the cap around the tube.

Bottles holding carbonated beverages provide an additional problem, in that the pressurizing gas can escape from the bottle through the cap, particularly around the straw.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a bottle cap which permits drinking as desired from a beverage bottle without leakage around the cap, and it would be very desirable if the bottle cap permitted the inflow of air to fill the vacuum left by the drunk beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bottle cap for a beverage bottle having an integrally formed bi-directional tubing coupler.

There is provided according to the present invention a bottle cap including a cap member having internal screw threads adapted for sealing engagement with a neck of a beverage bottle, and a bidirectional tubing coupler integrally formed with the cap member, the tubing coupler being adapted and configured for coupling a first tube inside the bottle and coupling a second tube outside the bottle, to permit drinking of a beverage from inside the bottle through the tubes and the tubing coupler.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottle cap further includes an aperture for receiving a check valve for inlet of air to replace the removed beverage during drinking.

Preferably, the beverage bottle is any conventional soft drink bottle.

Most preferably, the bidirectional tubing coupler is adapted and configured for sealingly coupling the first and second tubes.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the check valve is a pressure-resistant valve, which permits the inflow of air when the pressure inside the bottle is reduced due to drinking of liquid therefrom, and which is urged to a closed position when pressure inside the bottle is high. This cap is particularly suitable for containing carbonated and other pressurized beverages.

There is also provided a method for forming a bottle cap, the method include forming a cap member with internal screw threads adapted for sealing engagement with a neck of a beverage bottle, and integrally forming a bi-directional tubing coupler with the cap member, the tubing coupler being adapted and configured for coupling a first tube inside the bottle and coupling a second tube outside the bottle, to permit drinking of a beverage from inside the bottle through the tubes and the tubing coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bottle cap constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bottle cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional illustration of a bottle cap constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bottle cap of FIG. 3 ready for use;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a bottle cap constructed and operative in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of a valve in the bottle cap of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bottle caps for permitting drinking of a beverage from a beverage bottle through a straw-like tube. The bottle cap includes a bi-directional tubing coupler which permits a user to drink without fear of leakage around the tubing through the cap. One exemplary embodiment of the invention permits drinking of a carbonated beverage, or other beverage under pressure, while substantially preventing the escape of the pressurizing gas and of the liquid.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown respective plan and sectional views of a bottle cap 10 constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Bottle cap 10 includes a cap member 12 having internal screw threads 14 and is suitably sized for screw coupling to the neck of a bottle (not shown). Preferably, cap member 12 is adapted and configured for coupling to a conventional small or large soft drink bottle. The cap member may be configured for coupling to a bottle for holding and dispensing a liquid under pressure.

Bottle cap 10 further includes an integrally formed bi-directional tubing coupler 20. Tubing coupler 20 includes a first coupling element 22 for coupling to a tube (not shown) inside the bottle, and a second coupling element 24 for coupling to a tube (not shown) outside the bottle and leading towards the mouth of a user. It is a particular feature of the invention that the tubing coupler 20 is an integral part of cap member 12, so that no leakage of liquid is possible through the cap around the tubing coupler.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional illustration of a bottle cap 30 constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Bottle cap 30 includes a cap member 32 having internal screw threads 34 and is suitably sized for screw coupling to the neck of a bottle (not shown). Bottle cap 30 further includes an integrally formed bi-directional tubing coupler 40. Tubing coupler 40 includes a first coupling element 42 and a second coupling element 44. The embodiment of FIG. 3 also includes an aperture 46 through cap member 32 for receiving a check valve (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bottle cap of FIG. 3 ready for use. As can be seen, a check valve 48 has been inserted in aperture 46. Check valve 48 may be any check valve suitable for permitting the inflow of air when the pressure inside the bottle is reduced due to drinking of liquid therefrom. One particularly suitable check valve is the combination duckbill/umbrella valve manufactured and marketed by Vernay Laboratories, Inc., USA. It will be appreciated that the one-way valve can be formed of silicon, an elastomeric material, or any other suitable material.

To prepare the bottle cap for use, a first tube 50 is sealingly coupled to first coupling element 42. A second tube 52 is sealingly coupled to second coupling element 44. Tubes 50 and 52 are illustrated as being of slightly smaller diameter than coupling elements 42 and 44 and mounted outside the mounting elements. Preferably, second mounting element 44 defines a nipple 45 to improve the adhesion of tube 52 to mounting element 44. Alternatively, tube 50 may be of slightly larger diameter than coupling element 42 and mounted inside the mounting element, if desired. Any suitable mouthpiece (not shown) may be provided on the other end of tube 52 for drinking, as through a straw, from the bottle.

The bottle caps of FIGS. 1-4 are suitable for use with bottles holding liquid which is not under pressure. However, a liquid under pressure, such as a carbonated beverage, would cause the check valve 48 to pop out of the cap and /or would lose its carbonation rapidly.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a sectional illustration of a bottle cap 60 constructed and operative in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Bottle cap 60 includes a cap member 62 having internal screw threads 64 and is suitably sized for screw coupling to the neck of a bottle (not shown). Bottle cap 60 further includes an integrally formed bi-directional tubing coupler 70. Tubing coupler 70 includes a first coupling element 72 and a second coupling element 74. The embodiment of FIG. 5 also includes a chamber 66 in cap member 62 serving as a housing for a pressure-resistant check valve 80.

Check valve 80 may be any pressure-resistant check valve suitable for permitting the inflow of air when the pressure inside the bottle is reduced due to drinking of liquid therefrom, and which is urged to a closed position when pressure inside the bottle is high. In the illustrated embodiment, check valve 80 includes an annular elastomeric seal 82 disposed about the opening of chamber 66 and held in place by a removable apertured cover 68. A gas passage 76 is provided between chamber 66 and the interior of the cap leading into the neck opening of the bottle. A reciprocating pin member 84 is disposed in chamber 66. Pin member 84 is configured and adapted to prevent air flow into chamber 66 when pin member 84 is urged against the elastomeric seal 82, and to permit air flow into chamber 66 when pin member 84 disengages from elastomeric seal 82. This can be accomplished by providing a serrated edge around a head of the pin member, or by providing an eccentric pin member 84′ in a cylindrical chamber 66′, as illustrated by way of example only in FIG. 6, by providing a pin having a diameter smaller in at least one portion than the diameter of the chamber, or in any other suitable fashion whereby air can flow around the pin and into the bottle when the pin disengages from the elastomeric seal.

It is a particular feature of the cap of the embodiment of FIG. 5, that it can be used with bottles holding carbonated beverages substantially without permitting the pressurizing gas to escape from the bottle through the cap, while preventing the pressure from the gas from causing the tubes to come loose from the tubing coupler.

Operation of this cap is substantially similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 4. In use, a first tube (not shown) is sealingly coupled to first coupling element 72 of the tubing coupler, and a second tube (not shown) is sealingly coupled to second coupling element 74 of the tubing coupler. The first and second tubes may be of slightly smaller diameter than the coupling elements and mounted outside the mounting element, or the first tube may be of slightly larger diameter than the coupling element 72 and mounted inside the mounting element. One or both mounting element may define a nipple to improve the adhesion of the tube to the mounting element. Any suitable mouthpiece (not shown) may be provided on the other end of outside tube for drinking, as through a straw, from the bottle. Preferably, the mouthpiece will also be pressure-resistant.

When the bottle is filled with a carbonated beverage, the gas pressure inside the bottle urges pin member 84 into engagement with the elastomeric seal 82. This seal, together with a seal in the mouthpiece, retains the bottle substantially hermetically sealed, thereby preventing leakage of liquid or gas. When a user drinks from the bottle through the tubing coupler, the pressure inside the bottle is reduced. When the pressure inside the bottle goes below the atmospheric pressure, pin member 84 disengages from elastomeric seal, thereby permitting the inflow of air through the aperture in cover 68, through gas passage 76, and into the interior of the bottle, thus preventing the build-up of vacuum inside the bottle. It will be appreciated that cover 68 can be removed when necessary for cleaning and/or to replace elastomeric seal 82 or pin 84.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A bottle cap comprising: a cap member having internal screw threads adapted for sealing engagement with a neck of a beverage bottle; and a bi-directional tubing coupler integrally formed with the cap member, the tubing coupler including a first coupling element for coupling a first tube inside the bottle and including a second coupling element coupling a second tube outside the bottle, to permit drinking of a beverage from inside the bottle through the tubes and the tubing coupler.

2. The bottle cap according to claim 1, and further comprising an aperture for receiving a check valve for inflow of air to replace beverage removed during drinking.

3. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein said bi-directional tubing coupler is adapted and configured for sealingly coupling the first and second tubes.

4. The bottle cap according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure resistant check valve permitting inflow of air to replace beverage removed during drinking, said check valve being urged into a sealed position when contents of the bottle are under pressure.

5. The bottle cap according to claim 4, wherein said pressure resistant check valve includes a chamber having an opening formed in the cap, an annular elastomeric seal disposed against said opening of the chamber and held in place by an apertured cover, and a reciprocating pin member disposed in said chamber and arranged to seat against said elastomeric seal when pressure in the bottle is higher than atmospheric pressure to seal said chamber opening.

6. The bottle cap according to claim 5, wherein said chamber is substantially cylindrical, and at least a portion of said pin member has a smaller diameter than said chamber, whereby air can flow around said pin member into said chamber when said pin member does not engage said elastomeric seal.

7. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein said beverage bottle is a conventional soft drink bottle.

8. The bottle cap according to claim 4, wherein said beverage bottle is a conventional soft drink bottle.

9. A method for forming a bottle cap, the method comprising: forming a cap member with internal screw threads adapted for sealing engagement with a neck of a beverage bottle; and integrally forming a bidirectional tubing coupler with the cap member, the tubing coupler including a first coupling element for coupling a first tube inside the bottle and a second coupling element for coupling a second tube outside the bottle, to permit drinking of a beverage from inside the bottle through the tubes and the tubing coupler.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising coupling a first tube to said first coupling element and coupling a second tube to said second coupling element.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising mounting a check valve in said cap member to permit inflow of air to replace beverage removed during drinking.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising mounting a check valve in said cap member to permit inflow of air to replace beverage removed during drinking.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising mounting a pressure resistant check valve in said cap member to permit inflow of air to replace beverage removed during drinking, said check valve being urged into a sealed position when contents of the bottle is under pressure.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising mounting a pressure resistant check valve in said cap member to permit inflow of air to replace beverage removed during drinking, said check valve being urged into a sealed position when contents of the bottle is under pressure.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of mounting includes forming a chamber having an opening in the cap, disposing an annular elastomeric seal against said opening of the chamber, holding said elastomeric seal in place by an apertured cover, and disposing a reciprocating pin member in said chamber arranged to seat against said elastomeric seal when pressure in the bottle is higher than atmospheric pressure to seal said chamber opening.

16. The bottle cap according to claim 15, wherein said wherein said chamber is substantially cylindrical, and at least a portion of said pin member has a smaller diameter than said chamber, whereby air can flow around said pin member into said chamber when said pin member does not engage said elastomeric seal.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of mounting includes forming a chamber having an opening in the cap, disposing an annular elastomeric seal against said opening of the chamber, holding said elastomeric seal in place by an apertured cover, and disposing a reciprocating pin member in said chamber arranged to seat against said elastomeric seal when pressure in the bottle is higher than atmospheric pressure to seal said chamber opening.

18. The bottle cap according to claim 17, wherein said chamber is substantially cylindrical, and at least a portion of said pin member has a smaller diameter than said chamber, whereby air can flow around said pin member into said chamber when said pin member does not engage said elastomeric seal.