Cap with vent for dispenser and method of use thereof

Abstract

A vented cap (120) for a dispenser (110) or dispensing system (100) has a cap (210) and a vent plug (250) which are engaged in a sealed position in a delivery or non-use state and disengaged in a vented state; the vent plug is movable relative to the cap only after being engaged by the attached dispenser after the removal of the tamper-evident strip or tear strip (300).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to caps for dispensers, and more particularly to caps having vent features that allow venting of an interior space defined by the cap. Background Art

[0002] Dispensing devices are well known and used for a variety of purposes. Many dispensing devices, including sprayers, mist sprayers, droppers, and other such products, include or utilize a cap to cover the sprayer when not in use, during transportation, or when displayed on a shelf at a retail location. Such caps or covers can be removed by the user and discarded or reattached to the dispenser after using the dispenser for the desired purpose. The construction and use of such caps are well known and common in the industry.

[0003] In some markets, it is desirable to have a cap that can be ventilated and the inner part of the cap. Such ventilation can provide air circulation to dry or evaporate the product that remains on the dispenser surface after use. The ventilation of the inner cap space and the evaporation of the residual product can also help prevent the growth or formation of bacteria, mold or other undesirable medicaments on the dispenser or inner cap surface, and in some markets, ventilation may be required. For example, the dispenser used in some health care or pharmaceutical applications may need to have a cap with a ventilated feature to ensure that the ventilation of the dispenser surface can be achieved when the cap is placed on the dispenser during non-use or storage. The use may need to have a vent cap or may benefit from the good example of the product of the dispenser of the vent cap is an ophthalmic product. Such products may be preservative-containing or preservative-free. When used, the residual product can be retained on the surface of the dispenser for dispensing the product. In order to help reduce the formation, growth or capture of bacteria and other medicaments in the residual material on the dispenser surface or thereon, a vent cap may be required to allow air to flow through the dispenser head so that the residual product can evaporate. This can reduce the formation, growth or entrapment of unwanted materials on the dispenser, which can be passed to the user during subsequent use of the product and dispenser.

[0004] Although there are various vent caps or caps with vents in the market, there is still a need for improvement. In addition, existing vent systems may be difficult to manufacture, assemble and use with various dispenser systems. Therefore, alternative designs are desirable. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a cap with a vent includes a delivery state in which the vent cap is not ventilated and a vent state in which the vent cap is ventilated. The cap with a vent may include a cap portion and a vent plug portion. The vent plug portion may be assembled to the cap and connected to the cap in the interior space of the cap. When assembled and in the delivery state, the vent plug may be sealed against the cap to prevent ventilation into the interior of the cap. The movement of the vent plug relative to the cap positions the vent plug so that air or atmosphere can enter the interior space of the cap in the vent state.

[0006] According to various embodiments of the present invention, when a user removes the tear strip from the cap, the vent plug may move relative to the cap, thereby exposing a gap that allows the cap to move further relative to the dispenser to which the vented cap is attached. The dispenser flange on the vent plug seats against the dispenser to which the vented cap is attached. When the cap moves relative to the dispenser after the tear strip is removed, the dispenser flange is stopped by the dispenser, thereby stopping the movement of the vent plug, but not the movement of the cap. Continued movement of the cap causes the connection between the cap and the vent plug to move apart, opening a space between the vent plug and the cap that allows ventilation of the interior of the cap.

[0007] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the vent plug can be assembled into the cap by inserting the vent plug into the opening in the cap. When the vent plug is inserted, a portion of the vent plug can pass through the vent holder until the connector on the vent plug engages the vent holder and secures the vent plug in the cap. In such a position, the cap seal on the vent plug and the vent seal on the cap also engage, preventing air or atmosphere from flowing between the vent plug and the cap, thereby preventing ventilation. This is the delivery state.

[0008] The vented caps according to various embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured and sold as vented caps. In other embodiments, the vented caps may be assembled or connected to a dispenser, and a dispensing product including the dispenser and the vented cap may be sold. For example, an ophthalmic dispenser may be assembled with the vented cap and sold to a company that fills ophthalmic products. The dispensing product may then be assembled to a container containing the product, which may be dispensed by the dispenser in a dispensing mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim certain embodiments of the present invention, the various embodiments of the present invention may be more readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following description of the various embodiments of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a dispensing system according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 Caps according to various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated;

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a vent plug according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vented cap in a delivery state according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vented cap on a dispenser in a delivery state according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vented cap on a dispenser in a vented state according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 7 The dispensed product is illustrated in a delivery state;

[0017] Figure 8 The dispensing product is shown in a delivery state without a tear strip; and

[0018] Fig. 9 The diagram shows the dispensed product in the vented state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1 1 shows a dispensing system 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention. The dispensing system 100 may include a dispenser 110 attached to a container 900 or a bottle, and a cap 200 with a vent on the dispenser 110. The cap 200 with a vent may include a cap 210 as shown and a vent plug 250. According to various embodiments, the vent plug 250 may be disposed in a container 900 or a bottle. Figure 1 The illustrated delivery state seals against cap 210. In the vent state, vent plug 250 may be unseated from cap 210 such that the combination of vent plug 250 and cap 210 allows air or atmosphere to flow into and out of the interior space of vented cap 200.

[0020] Figure 2 2 shows a cap 210 according to various embodiments of the present invention. The cap 210 may include a cap wall 215 extending between a bottom opening 212 and a top opening 214. Figure 2, the cap wall 215 may extend rearwardly into the interior of the cap 210 to form a feature for holding the vent plug 250. The cap 210 may include a vent seal 230 adjacent the top opening 214. The vent seal 230 may be configured to seal with a portion of the vent plug 250. The cap 210 may also include one or more finger pads 248 located on the cap wall 215 to facilitate gripping of the cap 210 by a user, or to provide the user with markings on how to remove the cap 210 or where to place a finger to remove the cap 210 from the dispenser 110.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cap 210 in the delivery state may also include a tear strip 300. The tear strip 300 may provide a tamper-evident visual cue to the user, so that if the tear strip 300 is not present, the user knows that the vented cap 200 may have been previously used or removed from the dispenser 110. In some embodiments of the present invention, the tear strip 300 may be co-molded as part of the cap 210, with a crease or weakened portion or line of weakness that allows the tear strip 300 to be removed from the cap 210 during the first use. The use of tear strips 300 such as those shown is known and used to provide tamper evidence, and any commonly used tear strip 300 configuration may be used with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] While the use of tear strips 300 for tamper evidence purposes is known, using tear strips 300 with embodiments of the present invention provides additional benefits. When removed, tear strip 300 creates a gap or space between the upper portion of cap 210 and lower ring 211, which can remain attached to container 900. When cap 210 is attached to dispenser 110 after the gap has been exposed, cap 210 can continue to be pressed onto dispenser 110 so that cap 210 moves into the gap. In doing so, vent plug 250 can be moved away from its seat in cap 210, thereby forming a vent in vented cap 200.

[0023] Figure 3 The vent plug 250 according to various embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 250, but it should be understood that the vent plug 250 according to various embodiments of the present invention is not limited by the illustrated aesthetics or features. In addition, the vent plug 250 can be configured to facilitate efficient molding of the vent plug 250, efficient assembly of the vent plug 250 with the cap 210, or both.

[0024] As illustrated, a vent plug 250 according to various embodiments of the present invention may include a vent mask 252 having a cap seal 253 around its edge. The cap seal 253 may be configured to mate with or seal against the vent seal 230 of the cap 210. As illustrated, an outer skirt 255 or wall may extend away from or away from the underside of the vent mask 252. The outer skirt 255 may define a hollow interior space within the vent plug 250. The outer skirt 255 may terminate at or with a dispenser flange 280. The dispenser flange 280 may be configured to interact with a surface of the dispenser 110 during a delivery state, a vent state, or both.

[0025] One or more vent holes 290 may be located in the outer skirt 255, providing an opening from the exterior of the outer skirt 255 to the interior of the vent plug 250. In other embodiments, the vent holes 290 may include channels, grooves, or a series of ridges or grooves in the outer surface of the outer skirt 255 that are exposed to the atmosphere when the vent plug 250 is in the venting state, so that air or atmosphere can flow into the interior of the cap 210 through the one or more vent holes 290.

[0026] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the outer skirt 255 of the vent plug 250 may be configured to interact with the vent plug support 220 on the interior of the cap 210. In addition, the vent plug 250 may include a connector 275 that is configured to mate with the vent holder 220 in the delivery state and move away from the vent holder 220 in the venting state. Figure 3 , the connector 275 may include teeth features, such as teeth having a generally triangular cross-section, surrounding the outer wall 255 of the vent plug 250. The connector 275 may snap fit or otherwise engage the vent holder 225 in a delivery state.

[0027] Although the connector 275 illustrated in various embodiments of the present invention is of the toothed variety, it should be understood that other connector 275 shapes or configurations may be used with embodiments of the present invention. For example, the connector 275 may include one or more snap beads that can fit or snap into corresponding grooves or features on the interior of the cap 210 to form a fixed position between the vent plug 150 and the cap 210. In addition, multiple connectors 275 may be used as desired.

[0028] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the vented cap 200 in a delivery state (or a state in which the vented cap 200 is produced before being attached to the dispenser 110) is illustrated in FIG. Figure 5 10 shows the same cross-sectional view after being connected to the dispenser 110. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the dispensed product 150 may include a dispenser 150 disposed in a manner such as Figure 5 10 is a dispenser 110 connected to a cap 200 with a vent in the delivery state shown in FIG. The dispensed product 150 can be manufactured, assembled, and sold to be attached to a container 900 containing a product. For example, the dispensed product 150 can be sold to a filler who obtains a container 900, fills the container 900 with a product, and attaches the dispensed product 150 according to various embodiments of the present invention to the container 900 filled with the product.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown in , the vented cap 200 includes a cap 210 and a vent plug 250 movably attached to the cap 210. The vent plug 250 may include one or more connectors 275 that mate with or are seated in a vent retainer 225 on a vent plug support 220 of the cap 210. As shown, the connector 275 may include a tooth structure that mates with an opposing tooth structure defined by the vent retainer 225. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent retainer 225 includes teeth seated in a tooth-shaped gap that is part of the connector 275. In the seated position, the vent plug 250 is seated in the cap 210 so that the cap seal 253 mates with and seals against the vent seal 230 of the cap 210. In this configuration, the vent plug 250 and cap 210 are sealed adjacent to the vent cover 252 so that air or atmosphere cannot pass between the vent plug 250 and the cap 210 adjacent to the vent cover 252. The vented cap 200 is in a delivery state where ventilation will not occur between the cap 210 and the vent plug 250.

[0030] In the delivery state, the cap 210 may also include Figure 4 and Figure 5 . The tear strip 300 may include a strip of material defined by two thinned portions of material, such that applying a force on the tear strip 300 may cause the thinned portions of material to separate from the cap 210, thereby releasing the strip of material or the tear strip 300 from the cap 210.

[0031] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the vented cap 200 may be assembled by providing a cap 210, providing a vent plug 250, and inserting the vent plug 250 into an interior portion of the cap 210. The vent plug 250 may be inserted into the cap 210 through the bottom opening 212. When the vent plug 250 is inserted into the cap 210, the vent cover 252 or the outer skirt 255, or both, may apply a force to the vent retainer 225 and the vent support 220, causing them to flex and allow a portion of the vent plug 250 to pass through the vent retainer 225. When the vent plug 250 is in a position where the connector 275 is mated with the vent retainer 225 and the cap seal 253 is seated in the vent seal 230, the insertion of the vent plug 250 is stopped, thereby seating the vent plug 250 in the cap 210.

[0032] like Figure 5 , the dispensing product 150 may include a vented cap 200 attached to or otherwise locked on the dispenser 110. The positioning and attachment of the vented cap 200 may seal the interior space of the vented cap 200 relative to the atmosphere, so that air cannot enter the interior space defined by the vented cap 200, and the atmosphere within the dispensing product 150 is fixed and will not change until the vented cap 200 is removed from the dispenser 110.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the vented cap 200 is assembled on the dispenser 110, the dispenser flange 280 may be seated on a portion of the dispenser 110 (such as an upper surface thereof), such as Figure 5 In other embodiments, in the delivery state where the cap seal 253 is seated on and engaged with the vent seal 230, the dispenser flange 280 need not contact or rest on the dispenser 110.

[0034] Figure 6 200 is a dispensing product 150 with a vented cap 200 in a vented state. As shown, the tear strip 300 has been removed from the vented cap 200, and the vent plug 250 has been moved relative to the cap 210. In this vent position, the cap seal 253 has also been disengaged from the vent seal 230. The cap 210 can be pushed down on the dispenser 110 to a position where the dispenser retainer 240 engages with the dispenser 110. For example, the dispenser retainer 240 may include a protrusion that engages with a groove or channel on the dispenser 110, as shown. In this position, the dispenser flange 280 engages with the upper surface of the dispenser 110.

[0035] When the cap 200 with vent is first removed from the dispenser 110 and then reattached, the reattachment fixes the position of the vent plug 250, but allows the cap 210 to continue to move. For example, when the cap 200 with vent is reattached to the dispenser 110, the dispenser flange 280 engages the surface of the dispenser 110. The continued movement of the cap 210 and the ramp shape of the connector 275 push against the vent holder 225, allowing the vent holder 225 and the vent plug support 220 to flex, so that the cap 210 continues to move until the vent plug 250 connector 275 is positioned above the vent holder 225. In this position, one or more vent holes 290 are positioned above the surface of the cap 210, allowing air or atmosphere to flow into the interior space of the cap 210. The airflow into the cap 210 allows the residual product remaining on the dispenser 110 after use to evaporate.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present invention, once vented cap 200 is moved to the vent state, vent plug 250 is prevented from moving back to the position it was in during the delivery state. Vent retainer 225 and connector 275 may be shaped such that once connector 275 has passed vent retainer 225, it cannot move in the opposite direction. For example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , the vent retainer 225 and the connector 275 may include tooth formations that will allow the vent plug 250 to move in one direction but not in the opposite direction.

[0037] Figures 7 to 9 The dispensed product 150 is illustrated in a delivery state and a vented state. Figure 7 The dispensed product 150 is illustrated in a delivery state. As illustrated, the cap 200 with a vent is attached to the dispenser 110. The dispensed product 150 in this state can be sold or delivered to a filling line, where it can be attached to a container 900 containing a product. In order to use the dispenser 110 covered by the cap 210, the tear strip 300 must first be removed. In some embodiments of the present invention, the tear strip 300 may include a tear tab 310 that the user can grasp and use to pull the tear strip 300 away from the cap 200 with a vent.

[0038] Figure 8 10. The dispensed product 150 illustrated in FIG. 10 is shown in a delivery state in which the tear strip 300 has just been removed from the vented cap 200. The removal of the tear strip 300 allows the user to remove the vented cap 200 from the dispenser 110. The removal of the tear strip 300 also creates a gap 301 where the tear strip 300 was once. The gap may allow the cap 210 to be pushed further onto the dispenser 110.

[0039] Fig. 9The dispensed product 150 is illustrated in a vented state. With the tear strip 300 removed, the user can push the cap 210 further downward along the dispenser 110 into the gap left by the removal of the tear strip 300. The movement of the cap 210 into the gap allows the vent plug 250 to engage with the dispenser 110. For example, the dispenser flange 280 can engage the surface of the dispenser 110, causing the vent plug 250 to move relative to the cap 210. In the vented state, one or more vent holes 290 are opened relative to the vent plug 250 position of the cap 210, thereby allowing air or atmosphere to flow between the cap 210 and the vent plug 250 and enter the interior space of the cap 210. The flow of air or atmosphere entering and passing through the interior of the cap 210 can dry the dispenser 110 or promote the evaporation of residual product on the dispenser 110 after use.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vent plug 250 may extend above the vent surface of the cap 210, but not extend beyond the top opening 214 in the cap 210, such as Figure 6 . In the venting state, it is advantageous to position the vent plug 250 below or flush with the edge of the top opening 214 of the cap 210 because it presents a smooth or horizontal upper surface composed of the surface of the vent plug 250 and the edge of the cap 210. In this way, undesirable forces applied to the vent plug 250 can be avoided, and the vent plug 250 is less likely to get stuck during use. In other embodiments, it may be desirable or advantageous for the vent plug 250 to extend above the upper edge of the top opening 214 of the cap 210.

[0041] Cap 210 and vent plug 250 according to various embodiments of the present invention can be molded by plastic or resin material.The material of the molded parts that is usually used for distributor, sprayer, pump, cap and other such consumer products can be used together with various embodiments of the present invention.Cap 210 and vent plug 250 can be molded with the same material or different materials.In addition, colorant can be used during molding.In certain embodiments, cap 210 and vent plug 250 can be molded with the same color, and in other embodiments, they can be molded with different colors.

[0042] Cap 210, vent plug 250, or both may also be molded with additives included in or within their structures. For example, antimicrobial additives commonly used with dispensing systems, caps, and other components of dispensers, droppers, and pumps for healthcare or pharmaceutical preparations may be molded into cap 210, vent plug 250, or both. In addition, cap 210, vent plug 250, or both may be coated with an antimicrobial material as desired.

[0043] The cap 200 with vent according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used with any type of distributor, sprayer, dropper or other delivery device as required.In at least some embodiments, the cap 200 with vent can be used with a distributor for spraying or otherwise delivering a pharmaceutically active product.The distributor used together with the cap 200 with vent can include a nasal spray distributor, an ophthalmic distributor, a medical dropper or other types of distributors.For example, the cap 200 with vent according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used as a capo21_9018_Swith ophthalmic distributor, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 10,829,276, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Although some distributors are described herein, this is not limited to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] Having thus described certain specific embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the invention as defined by the appended claims is not limited to the specific details set forth in the foregoing description, since many obvious variations thereof are conceivable. On the contrary, the invention is limited only by the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods operating according to the principles of the invention as described.

Claims

1. A dispensing product comprising: Distributor; and A vented cap attached to the dispenser, the vented cap comprising: cap; and A vent plug wherein the vent plug is movable from a delivery state to a vent state.

2. The dispensing product of claim 1, wherein: The dispenser comprises an ophthalmic dispenser.

3. The dispensing product of claim 1 further comprising a tear strip in said cap.

4. The dispensing product of claim 1, wherein: The cap further comprises: Open bottom; Open top; a cap wall extending between the bottom opening and the top opening; a cap interior space defined by the cap wall; a vent retainer positioned within the cap interior space; and A vent seal is adjacent the top opening.

5. The dispensing product of claim 4, further comprising: a vent plug support extending from the top opening away from the cap wall and into the cap interior space, wherein the vent plug support terminates in the vent retainer; a dispenser holder surrounding a portion of the cap interior space adjacent to the bottom opening; and A finger pad is on the outer surface of the cap wall.

6. The dispensing product of claim 1, wherein: The vent plug also includes: Ventilation masks; a cap seal surrounding the ventilation mask; an outer skirt extending away from a lower surface of the ventilation mask; at least one vent hole in said outer skirt; a connector extending away from a portion of the outer skirt; and A distributor flange extends away from a bottom portion of the outer skirt.

7. The dispensing product of claim 1, further comprising: a bottom opening in the cap; a top opening in the cap; a cap wall extending between the bottom opening and the top opening; a cap interior space defined by the cap wall; a vent holder positioned within the cap interior space; a vent seal adjacent the top opening; a vent mask in said vent plug; a cap seal surrounding the ventilation mask; an outer skirt extending away from a lower surface of the ventilation mask; at least one vent hole in said outer skirt; a connector extending away from a portion of the outer skirt; and A distributor flange extends away from a bottom portion of the outer skirt.

8. The dispensing product of claim 47, wherein: The connector is attached to the vent holder and the cap seal is seated against the vent seal.

9. The dispensing product of claim 7, wherein: The connector is seated between the vent retainer and the top opening in the cap, and the cap seal is not seated against the vent seal.

10. The dispensing product of claim 7, further comprising: a delivery state in which the cap seal is seated against the vent seal; and A vent state in which the cap seal is not seated against the vent seal.

11. A cap with a vent, comprising: cap; and A vent plug is removably attached to the cap.

12. The vented cap of claim 11, wherein: The cap further comprises: Open bottom; Open top; a cap wall extending between the bottom opening and the top opening; a cap interior space defined by the cap wall; a vent retainer positioned within the cap interior space; and A vent seal is adjacent the top opening.

13. The vented cap of claim 11, wherein: The vent plug also includes: Ventilation masks; a cap seal surrounding the ventilation mask; an outer skirt extending away from a lower surface of the ventilation mask; at least one vent hole in said outer skirt; a connector extending away from a portion of the outer skirt; and A distributor flange extends away from a bottom portion of the outer skirt.

14. The vented cap of claim 11, further comprising: a bottom opening in the cap; a top opening in the cap; a cap wall extending between the bottom opening and the top opening; a cap interior space defined by the cap wall; a vent holder positioned within the cap interior space; a vent seal adjacent the top opening; a vent mask in said vent plug; a cap seal surrounding the ventilation mask; an outer skirt extending away from a lower surface of the ventilation mask; at least one vent hole in said outer skirt; a connector extending away from a portion of the outer skirt; and A distributor flange extends away from a bottom portion of the outer skirt.

15. The vented cap of claim 14, further comprising: a delivery state in which the cap seal is seated against the vent seal; and A vent state in which the cap seal is not seated against the vent seal.

16. A method for assembling a dispensing product, comprising: Provide caps; Provide vent plugs; and The vent plug is inserted into the cap until the vent plug is sealed with the cap, thereby forming a vented cap.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The cap include:

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The vent plug include:

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: Provide a dispenser; and The vented cap is assembled on the dispenser.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Provide a dispenser; Assembling the cap with vent on the dispenser; and Attach the assembled vented cap and dispenser to the container.

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