Bottle cap

Abstract

A cap for bottles containing liquid includes a cylindrical wall defining a liquid inlet. The cylindrical wall is attachable to an open end of the bottle. An upper wall extends across a portion of the upper opening of the cylindrical wall to define a liquid outlet. The cap has a slidable cover which can be manually opened or closed along a horizontal plane so as to provide access to the liquid within the bottle or seal the liquid within the bottle.

Description

BOTTLE CAPRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63 / 763,143, filed on February 25, 2025 and 63 / 891 ,524, filed on October 1 , 2025.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to caps and lids for bottles containing liquid, such as water, fruit juice, soft drinks or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bottle cap having a sliding member that creates a horizontal opening in the cap enabling liquid within the bottle to be consumed or otherwise poured out.

[0003] For many decades, water and other liquids have been stored in bottles having a detachable lid or cap to either close off the contents of the bottle or to enable it to be poured out. Originally, such bottles were typically comprised of glass and the lids or caps comprised of metal. More recently, both the bottles and the lids have been comprised of plastic. However, glass bottles are still widely in use. Such bottles are often used in connection with water, soft drinks, and other beverages and the like.

[0004] In the past, such bottle caps were usually detachably connected to the bottle, such as by a threaded connection at the open end of the bottle. This required the user to unscrew the bottle cap before drinking from the bottle or otherwise pouring out its contents. This required the user to have to hold the unscrewed bottle cap while pouring out or drinking the liquid contents and then screwing back on the lid to the bottle if the contents were not completely consumed or poured out. Another drawback is that the lids were often discarded after use, creating unnecessary waste. This also created litter as even if the bottles were recycled, the lids were oftentimes not.

[0005] To overcome these drawbacks, bottle caps were designed having a lower base portion which would remain attached to the bottle while an upper portion could be lifted upwardly along a longitudinal axis of the cap and bottle and / or pivoted away from the lid while remaining tethered to the lid in order to enable the user to drink from thebottle or pour out its contents. The lid could then be resealed by reversing the steps to seal the lid to prevent liquid from being inadvertently released from the bottle. While such lids could be detached from the bottle, in many instances they were left attached to the bottle, eliminating, at least to a degree, some of the litter and unrecycled waste that was experienced previously.

[0006] However, such caps also have drawbacks. These caps are relatively complicated in design and manufacture and increase the cost of the product. Such caps often prohibit the user from placing his or her mouth entirely over the bottle opening. When drinking from the bottle, the tethered portion of the bottle cap can come into contact with the user’s lips, nose or face and scratch those areas or otherwise be an annoyance to the user.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a bottle cap which overcomes these drawbacks. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is generally directed to a cap for a bottle of liquid. The cap of the present invention is designed so as to enable a user to merely slidably move or rotate a cover of the cap in order to expose a liquid outlet, overcoming many of the drawbacks discussed above.

[0009] A cap of a bottle of liquid embodying the present invention generally comprises cylindrical wall defining a liquid inlet. The cylindrical wall may include threads for threaded attachment to a threaded end of an open end of the bottle, such that the liquid inlet is in fluid communication with liquid within the attached bottle.

[0010] An upper wall extends generally horizontally across a portion of an upper opening of the cylindrical wall to define a liquid outlet. The upper wall may be generally planar.

[0011] A cover is disposed generally parallel to the upper wall and manually movable along a horizontal plane from a first position closing the liquid outlet to a second position opening the liquid outlet. The cover forms a liquid seal over the liquid outlet when in the closed position. The cover may be generally planar.

[0012] The cover includes a grip to facilitate manual movement of the cover from the first and second positions. The grip may comprise a projection extending from an upper surface of the cover. A stop may be used to limit the movement of the cover. The projection, forming the grip, may comprise the stop.

[0013] At least a portion of the cover may be engaged with a track of the upper wall or cylindrical wall. The track may comprise an open-faced groove.

[0014] The cover may be manually slidable from the first closed position, extended from the upper wall, to the second open position generally parallel below or above the upper wall. Alternatively, the cover may be manually rotated from the first closed position, extended from the upper wall, to the second open position generally parallel above or below the upper wall. In this case, the cover may be rotatably connected to the upper wall.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bottle cap embodying the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of the bottle cap of FIG. 1 ;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a bottle cap having a smaller dimension or height;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another bottle cap embodying the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, having a smaller dimension or height;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another bottle cap embodying the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another bottle cap embodying the present invention; and

[0026] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 10-10 of FIG.9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a bottle cap, generally referred to by the reference number 100. The bottle cap 100, as will be more fully discussed herein, enables selective opening and closing of the bottle to enable access to the liquid inside of the bottle. Such liquid may comprise a beverage, such as water, juice, soft drinks, etc. The bottle may be comprised of any suitable material, including metal, glass, or plastic. Similarly, the bottle cap 100 may be comprised of any suitable material, including metal, plastic, or the like. Typically, however, the bottle cap 100 is comprised of plastic.

[0028] With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the bottle cap 100 of the present invention is shown. The bottle cap 100 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 102. Cylindrical wall 102 is of a height and dimension so as to be attached to a top open end of a bottle. The cylindrical wall 102 defines a liquid inlet 104 at a lower end thereof, such that the liquid inlet 104 is in fluid communication with liquid within the attached bottle when the cap 100 is attached to a bottle of liquid.

[0029] The bottle cap 100 may be detachably connected to a bottle. This may be by, for example, threaded connection between internal threads 106 of the cap 100 and external threads at the end of the bottle near the opening thereof, as is well known. Alternatively, the bottle cap 100 may be permanently attached to the bottle, or snap-fit onto the bottle, etc. The benefit of the detachable connection of the bottle cap 100 of the present invention to the bottle is the ability to remove the cap 100 and completely open the end of the bottle in order to more quickly pour out the contents of the bottle, or use the bottle cap 100 on another bottle.

[0030] The dimensions of the cap 100, and particularly the cylindrical wall 102 may be varied, as needed, in order to be able to attach it to open ends of bottles ofvarying sizes and configurations. For example, the width of the cylindrical wall 102 may be adjusted to accommodate opening necks of bottles of varying widths. Additionally, the height of the cylindrical wall 102 may be varied, as needed. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a cylindrical wall 102 of a bottle cap 100 having a greater height or length than that illustrated in FIG. 3. As an example, the cylindrical wall 102 of the cap of FIG.2 may have a 1 / 2-inch height whereas the bottle cap 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 may have a 1 / 4-inch height so as to fit onto necks of bottles of varying heights or lengths.Regardless of the height or length of the vertical wall 102, the vertical wall 102 creates a vertical or longitudinal axis of the cap 100.

[0031] An upper wall extends generally horizontally across a portion of an upper opening of the cylindrical wall 102 to define a liquid outlet 110. The upper wall 108, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, may extend from an uppermost edge of the cylindrical wall 102. The upper wall 108 may be generally planar. Thus, absent any obstructions, liquid is able to pass from an attached bottle through the liquid inlet 104 and out of the liquid outlet 110. This would be, for example, when the bottle is tilted or inverted, allowing the liquid of the bottle to pass through the inlet 104 and outlet 110 of the cap 100.

[0032] In accordance with the present invention, a cover 112 is positioned relative to the fluid outlet 110 and selectively manually movable to cover and uncover the liquid outlet 110 to prevent or allow liquid from the bottle to pass therethrough. The cover is generally planar and extends horizontally, or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cap 100 and generally parallel to the upper wall 108. The cover 112 is manually movable along a horizontal plane from a first position closing the liquid outlet, as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 and also in FIG. 3, to a second position, illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, to open the liquid outlet 110.

[0033] The cover 112 is manually movable by means of a user placing his finger or thumb, or fingernail or thumbnail, on a portion of the cover 112 and slidably moving the cover 112 between its closed first position and open second position in order to open the cap and expose the liquid outlet 110, enabling liquid to pass therethrough. Reverse steps are taken by the user in order to close the bottle cap, such that the cover 112 obstructs the liquid outlet 110.

[0034] The cover 112 may be relatively thin, so as to be unobtrusive at the top of the bottle cap 100. However, the slidable cover 112 has sufficient gripability or a configuration so as to be readily manually slid open or closed by the user. The cover may include a grip 114 to facilitate manual movement of the cover between the first closed and second open positions. Such a grip 11 may comprise a projection or knob extending upwardly from the surface of the cover 112, as illustrated. Such projection or knob, forming the grip 114, projects vertically or upwardly so as to be easily engaged by a portion of the user’s finger or thumb to enable the user to slide the cover 112 into open and closed positions, as desired.

[0035] Typically, at least a portion of the cover 112 is engaged with or supported by a track 116 extending along at least a portion of the length of travel by the cover 112 between its first and second positions. The track 116 may extend from or be formed in the side cylindrical wall 102 and / or upper wall 108. The track 116 may comprise or have the configuration of a bracket, ledge, open-faced groove or the like in which at least a portion, such as peripheral edges, of the cover 112 may rest on or in and be supported by the track 116 and enable controlled slidable movement along a length of the track so that the cover may be slid between its first closed position and second open position.

[0036] The cap 100 includes a stop to limit the movement of the cover, such as when the cover 112 is moved to its fully opened second position, as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such stop 118 may comprise an exposed edge 118 of wall 108, into which the projecting grip 114 comes into contact with. The stop may take other forms, such as being formed as part of the track 116, such as a projection formed in the track or a closed wall of the track 116 or the like.

[0037] Preferably, the cover 112 forms a liquid seal over the liquid outlet 110 when the cover 112 is in its fully closed position. Such seal may be formed due to the geometry and / or engagement of the cover 112 with the track 116, the engagement of the cover 112 with cylindrical side wall 102 and / or upper wall 108 or the like. The cap 100 may also include gaskets, seals or the like comprised of an appropriate material, such as an elastomeric material, to provide a fluid tight closure when the cover 112 is moved into its first, closed position fully obstructing the liquid outlet 110.

[0038] With reference now to FIGS. 4-6, the upper wall 108 may extend inwardly from the cylindrical side wall 102 a distance below a top peripheral edge 120 thereof so as to form an indent or depression 122 between an upper surface of the upper wall 108 and the upper edge of the cylindrical wall 102. This indent or depression 122 is still present when the cover 112 is moved into the second, open position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and enables a user to place his or her upper lip on the indent or depression 122 when drinking liquid from the bottle. This allows the user’s upper lip to rest more comfortably on the top of the cap 100 when drinking.

[0039] It will be noted that the cover 112 in FIGS. 1-3 is moved generally parallel to the upper wall 108 so as to be below the upper wall 108 when the upper wall 108 extends from an upper edge of the peripheral wall 102. However, in FIGS. 4-6, the upper wall 108 being spaced from the upper peripheral edge 120 of the side wall 102, the cover 112 may be slidably moved horizontally so as to be generally parallel to the upper wall 108, but positioned above the upper wall 108. However, it will be understood that the cover 112 could also be sized and positioned such so as to extend below the upper wall 108, even when the indent or depression 122 is formed. It will also be understood that the cover 112 could be configured such so as to have a slot formed therein and extend above and below the upper wall 108 when moved into its second, open position.

[0040] With reference now to FIGS. 7-10, the cover 112, instead of being manually slid horizontally from a first closed position to a second closed position, may instead be rotated between a first closed position and a second open position. Thus, when the user desires to take a drink from the bottle to which the bottle cap 100 of the present invention is attached, the user will utilize a portion of his thumb or finger to rotate the cover 112 between its closed and open positions, such as using a grip 114, which may be in the form of a knob or the like, as illustrated, to facilitate such rotational movement of the cover 112.

[0041] The cover 112 may be rotatably connected to the upper wall 108, such as by attachment 124. Attachment 124 may comprise a post or pin extending into a corresponding aperture 128. The post 126 may extend from the upper wall 108 and into an aperture 128 formed in the cover 112. The reverse may also be used in the sensethat the post 126 extends from the cover 112 and into an aperture 128 of the upper wall 108, or another structure extending from the side wall 102 or upper wall 108. Such pivotal or rotational attachment 124 enables the cover 112 to be rotated with respect to the upper wall 108 and thus be moved between its first, closed position and its second, open position.

[0042] As such, the cover 112 is manually rotatable from the first closed position, extended from the upper wall 108 to the second open position, generally parallel below, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 or above, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper wall 108. The upper wall 108 may be disposed at the top of the cylindrical wall 102 or below the upper peripheral edge 120 thereof, so as to create the indent or depression 122, as described above. Also, a sealing arrangement may be formed, as described above, by virtue of the sealing arrangement between the track 116, upper wall 108, and / or peripheral wall 106. The peripheral wall 106 may include an inwardly directed ledge or protrusion 130 which may form such seal, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, but applicable to any of the embodiments illustrated herein. Gaskets, seals or the like may be added, as deemed necessary, to provide a sealed barrier to prevent liquid from exiting the liquid outlet 110 when the cover 112 is in its first, closed position.

[0043] The bottle cap 100 of the present invention may be of single use and disposed when the bottle is disposed. Alternatively, the bottle cap 100 may be considered as a retrofit and replace bottle caps of existing bottles, but have the use and functionality and benefits of the invention, as described above.

[0044] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cap of a bottle of liquid, comprising:a cylindrical wall defining a liquid inlet, the cylindrical wall being attachable to an open end of a bottle such that the liquid inlet is in fluid communication with liquid within the attached bottle;an upper wall extending generally horizontally across a portion of an upper opening of the cylindrical wall to define a liquid outlet; anda cover disposed generally parallel to the upper wall and manually movable along a horizontal plane from a first position closing the liquid outlet to a second position opening the liquid outlet.

2. The cap of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the cylindrical wall includes threads for threaded attachment to a threaded end of the bottle.

3. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the upper wall is generally planar.

4. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the cover is generally planar.

5. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a grip to facilitate manual movement of the cover from the first and second positions.

6. The cap of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cover is engaged with a track of the upper wall or cylindrical wall.

7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the track comprises an open-faced groove.

8. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the cover is manually slidable from the first closed position extended from the upper wall to the second open position generally parallel below or above the upper wall.

9. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the cover is manually rotated from the first closed position extended from the upper wall to the second open position generally parallel above or below the upper wall.

10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the upper wall.

11. The cap of claim 5, wherein the grip comprises a projection extending from an upper surface of the cover.

12. The cap of claim 1, including a stop to limit the movement of the cover.

13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cover forms a liquid seal over the liquid outlet when in the closed position.

14. A cap of a bottle of liquid, comprising:a cylindrical wall defining a liquid inlet, an inner surface of the cylindrical wall having threads that are threaded ly attachable to thread of an open end of a bottle such that the liquid inlet is in fluid communication with liquid within the attached bottle;a generally planar upper wall extending generally horizontally across a portion of an upper opening of the cylindrical wall to define a liquid outlet; anda generally planar cover disposed generally parallel to the upper wall and including a grip to facilitate manual movement of the cover along a horizontal plane from a first position closing the liquid outlet to a second position opening the liquid outlet.

15. The cap of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the cover is engaged with a track of the upper wall or cylindrical wall.

16. The cap of claim 14, wherein the cover is manually slidable from the first closed position extended from the upper wall to the second open position generally parallel below or above the upper wall.

17. The cap of claim 14, wherein the cover is manually rotated from the first closed position extended from the upper wall to the second open position generally parallel above or below the upper wall.

18. The cap of claim 17, wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the upper wall.

19. The cap of claim 14, wherein the grip comprises a projection extending from an upper surface of the cover.

20. The cap of claim 14, including a stop to limit the movement of the cover.

21. The cap of claim 14, wherein the cover forms a liquid seal over the liquid outlet in the second position.

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