The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for dispensing liquids from tamper evident containers, and more specifically to a dual tamper evident container that recaptures unused liquids.
Tamper evident, or tamper-evident, is a term used to describe devices or processes that make unauthorized access to the protected object easy to detect. Access may want to be restricted to avoid those without authorization (such as with children) from accessing protected materials. Access may also want to be restricted to prevent crimes, such as poisoning or stealing the contents. Tamper evident devices may be used with liquid containers. The tamper evident devices may include seals, markings, frangible bridges, tape, using colors to indicate tampering, and rupturing of perforated seals. Further, some of the tamper evident containers use at least two of these tamper evident devices on the same container. However, prior to the devices and systems of the present disclosure, there were no liquid containers with two or more readily visible tamper evident devices while at the same time providing a way for the draining excess liquid back into the container.
Thus, there is a need for a new and useful liquid container that has two or more tamper evidence mechanisms and provides for draining excess liquid back into the container.
To minimize the limitations in the cited references, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present specification discloses a new and improved tamper evident container that provides for capturing excess liquid back into the container.
The device of the present disclosure may be a tamper evident container that has two tamper evident devices, one on a valve portion and one on a cap portion. The tamper evident devices may comprise a ring and frangible bridges that are connected to either the valve or the cap. When the valve is twisted or removed from the container, the bridges break and it is clearly evident that the device has been tampered with or opened. When the cap is open, twisted, moved, or removed from the valve, the bridges break and it is clearly evident that the device has been tampered with or opened.
The cap and the valve may define a void or cap interior space that is configured to recapture excess liquid after liquid delivery is complete. The liquid is preferably drained from the cap interior space, through the valve and back into the container. The cap and valve may be entirely separated or only partially separable.
One embodiment may be a tamper evident device, comprising: a container; a valve; and a cap; wherein the container comprises a shoulder and a neck, wherein the shoulder is just below the neck; wherein the valve comprises a collar, a valve body, one or more valve frangible bridges, and a valve stem; wherein the valve is configured to removeably engage with the container; wherein the cap comprises a ring, an intermediate body, one or more cap frangible bridges and a top opening; wherein the cap is configured to moveably engage with the valve, such that there is an open configuration, in which the valve stem blocks the top opening, and a closed configuration, in which the valve stem is unengaged from the top opening; wherein the cap, the valve, and the bottle are substantially hollow and are configured to contain and deliver a liquid; wherein the one or more valve frangible bridges interconnect the valve body and the collar, and wherein the one or more valve frangible bridges are configured to break, such that the collar is partially or completely removed from the valve body; and wherein the one or more cap frangible bridges interconnect the intermediate body and the ring, and wherein the one or more cap frangible bridges are configured to break, such that the ring is partially or completely removed from the intermediate body. A cap interior space is formed between a top of the valve and an interior surface of the cap, such that any excess of the liquid may be captured and directed back through the valve and into the container. The cap may further comprises an internal cap thread, the valve may comprise an internal valve thread and an external valve thread, the container may comprise a medial thread, the internal cap thread may be configured to matingly engage with the external valve thread, and the internal valve thread may be configured to matingly engage with the medial thread. Preferably, an exterior of the intermediate body is knurled and an exterior of the valve body is knurled. Preferably, the valve stem may comprise one or more support struts, wherein the support struts may be spaced apart around a top valve opening. The valve stem may further comprise a closure tip, wherein the closure tip is configured to matingly engage with the opening of the cap when in the closed configuration.
Another embodiment may be a tamper evident device, comprising: a container; a valve; and a cap; wherein the container comprises a shoulder and a neck, wherein the shoulder is just below the neck; wherein the valve comprises a collar, a valve body, and one or more valve frangible bridges; wherein the valve is configured to removeably engage with the container; wherein the cap comprises a ring, an intermediate body, and one or more cap frangible bridges; wherein the cap is configured to moveably engage with the valve, such that there is an open configuration, and a closed configuration; wherein the one or more valve frangible bridges interconnect the valve body and the collar, and wherein the one or more valve frangible bridges are configured to break, such that the collar is partially or completely removed from the valve body; and wherein the one or more cap frangible bridges interconnect the intermediate body and the ring, and wherein the one or more cap frangible bridges are configured to break, such that the ring is partially or completely removed from the intermediate body. A cap interior space may be formed between a top of the valve and an interior surface of the cap, such that any excess liquid may be captured and directed back through the valve and into the container. The valve may further comprise a valve stem and wherein the cap may further comprise a top opening. The valve stem may be configured to block the top opening in the closed configuration. The cap, the valve, and the bottle may be substantially hollow and are configured to contain and deliver the liquid. The cap may further comprises an internal cap thread, the valve may comprise an internal valve thread and an external valve thread, and the container may comprise a medial thread. The internal cap thread may be configured to matingly engage with the external valve thread and the internal valve thread may be configured to matingly engage with the medial thread. Preferably, some portion of the exterior of the intermediate body may be knurled, and an exterior of the valve body may be knurled. The valve stem may comprise one or more support struts, wherein the support struts may be spaced apart around a top valve opening. The valve stem may further comprise a closure tip, wherein the closure tip may be configured to matingly engage with the opening of the cap when in the closed configuration.
Another embodiment may be a tamper evident device, comprising: a container; a valve; and a cap; wherein the container comprises a shoulder and a neck, wherein the shoulder is just below the neck; wherein the valve comprises a collar, a valve body, one or more valve frangible bridges, and a valve stem; wherein the valve is configured to removeably engage with the container; wherein the cap comprises a ring, an intermediate body, one or more cap frangible bridges and a top opening; wherein the cap is configured to moveably engage with the valve, such that there is an open configuration, in which the valve stem blocks the top opening, and a closed configuration, in which the valve stem is unengaged from the top opening; wherein the cap, the valve, and the bottle are substantially hollow and are configured to contain and deliver a liquid; wherein the one or more valve frangible bridges interconnect the valve body and the collar, and wherein the one or more valve frangible bridges are configured to break when the valve is removed from the bottle, such that the collar is partially or completely removed from the valve body; wherein the one or more cap frangible bridges interconnect the intermediate body and the ring, and wherein the one or more cap frangible bridges are configured to break when the device is first put in the open configuration, such that the ring is partially or completely removed from the intermediate body; wherein a cap interior space may be formed between a top of the valve and an interior surface of the cap, such that any excess of the liquid is captured and directed back through the valve and into the container; wherein the cap further comprises an internal cap thread; wherein the valve comprises an internal valve thread and an external valve thread; wherein the container comprises a medial thread; wherein the internal cap thread is configured to matingly engage with the external valve thread; and wherein the internal valve thread is configured to matingly engage with the medial thread. Some portion of the exterior of the intermediate body may be knurled. Some portion of the exterior of the valve body may be knurled. The valve stem may comprise one or more support strut, wherein the support struts may be spaced apart around a top valve opening. The valve stem may further comprise a closure tip, wherein the closure tip may be configured to matingly engage with the opening of the cap when in the closed configuration.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the method of refreshing roasted coffee that is claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps, which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.
In the following detailed description of various embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the embodiments. However, these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still others will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the graphs, figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about,” may refer to a deviance of between 0.0001-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are signified both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
Disclosed are components that may be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all embodiments of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that may be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps may be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.
The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.
Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that the various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate describing these embodiments. It is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “frangible bridge” generally refers to breakable link between two different structures that is configured to visibly show when the two different structures have been separated. Although the frangible bridges are preferably a type of plastic that has been weakened at one or more points, they may be a softer type of metal or natural fiber material.
The term “knurled” refers to a surface that has ridges, knots, or nodules, and/or some other type of grip or grip pattern.
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of tamper evident devices, systems, and methods. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to dual tamper evident device and system that may recapture excess liquid.
As shown in
The cap 30 may comprise a ring (or collar) 44, frangible bridges 52, intermediate body 46, conical top 48, opening 50, and knurled portion 54. The knurled portion is preferably gripping or ridges that make it easier for a user to turn, grip, or hold the cap 30.
With more particularity, the container or bottle 12 may include a body 14 and a reduced diameter neck 15, which may be integral with and extending upwardly from the top of the container 12. The container 12 may have a shoulder 16 formed at the junction between the neck 15 and the body 14 of the container 12. The neck 15 may have a medial thread 18. The container 12 may have an open interior in which may be removably stored any suitable liquid or fluid such as tattoo ink or the like.
As shown in
As shown in
By providing the two frangible bridges 26, 52 that are connected to collar 22 and ring 44, two visible tamper evident structures are provided, both of which may inform the user that the device 10 has been opened, used, or tampered with. Furthermore, the cap 30, by including a threaded engagement with the valve 20, enables vertical movement of the cap, both up and down, in a smooth manner, which may prevent the excess liquid from squirting out of opening 50 as the cap 30 is put in a closed configuration. Other up and down mechanisms or devices may be used, such as a friction snap and the like.
Similarly, lip or protrusion 400 may engage with ring 44 such that ring 44 is prevented from traveling upward with the rest of cap 30 when the cap is first opened. This causes the frangible bridges 52 to break and the ring 44 is partially or completely disassociated from the valve 20. In this manner the user can clearly and visibly see when the cap 30 has been opened with respect to the valve 20.
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications, which set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range, which is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes the illustrative embodiments. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more additional embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection is not limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/940,529, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, titled “Dual Tamper-Evident Container,” the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62940529 | Nov 2019 | US |