GB2426508A

GB2426508A - Non-spill bottle cap for water dispensers

Info

Publication number: GB2426508A
Application number: GB0510816A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abu-Turab Mirmohammadi; Nadir Mirmohammadi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-26
Filing date: 2005-05-26
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Also published as: GB0510816D0

Abstract

A plastic cap is used on containers, particularly of the type used commercially for five gallon bottles containing liquids such as drinking water. This is an improved, tamper evident version of the cap. The design is simple and very cost efficient compared to the existing caps available. It is light and easy to use and more hygienic besides being substantially cheaper. The central recess also includes a bottom portion that is in the form of a cone that projects from the guiding portion which allows splitting / opening of the caps when the container is installed onto the cooler/ dispenser and the cap is penetrated by the supply tube. This cap is versatile as it can be used in any kind of water dispenser, and is adaptable to a variety of filling lines in addition to being usable on three gallon and six gallon water bottles as well. The neck wall of the cap is shorter by 15mm resulting in a saving of about 30% in the usage of raw materials.

Description

NON-SPILL BOTTLE CAP FOR WATER DISPENSERS

TECHNICAL FIELD: The present invention relates to a one-piece cap for closing a water bottle of the type to be installed for supply purpose in upside down position onto a liquid dispenser. More particularly it relates to a closure used to seal the neck of a water bottle used as a source on a water cooler.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND: Water coolers are well known devices that are used as a clear and safe source of drinking water. Such devices usually comprise a housing including an internal water reservoir operatively connected to an external dispensing faucet. A supporting platform provided with a central opening extends on top of the water reservoir. This platform is devised to receive and support a water bottle in an inverted position, with the neck of the bottle projecting downwards through the central opening into a dispenser insert in liquid communication with the underlying reservoir so as to allow water to flow down by gravity. These water bottles having a volume of 5 gallon (18 liters) are heavy. At the time of loading the bottle onto the cooler there could be spilling of water. To avoid this spilling, these caps have either a small plug fitted in the centre of these caps, or alternatively they have a central recess formed as a cover which is provided with a few tearable lines in such a manner so as to allow splitting of the cover into a corresponding number of petal shaped segments which open up when the container is installed into the dispenser. The existing caps have a neck wall of 38mm to grip the bottle. To avoid any leakage of water, these caps are further fixed with foam liners attached inside the caps. Furthermore, these caps are also sealed with extra labels on the top to make the inner tube opening dust proof.

INTRODUCTION OF THE INVENTION: The object of this invention is three fold:- 1. Firstly to reduce the cost of these caps substantially by designing a new neck wall, which besides saving raw material usage also enhances the grip of the shrink wrap application and reduces the size of these wrappers resulting in extra cost savings for the bottlers. 2. Secondly, to eliminate the use of foam liners inside these caps by designing a new plastic grip inside the cap which fits snugly on the bottle top. 3. Lastly, to eliminate the use of extra labels being fixed on top of these caps by designing an inbuilt plastic membrane cover on top of the cap. Each of these new designs mentioned above shall result in a very substantial savings in the ultimate cost of the cap, without in anyway effecting its functional ability or usefulness. This cap is made of plastic material by injection moulding. The mould is devised in such a way that the top of the cap is thicker than the neck with a thin covering in the centre of the top to be pierced easily by the projection of the cooler. The inner neck has a double plastic lining protruding in such a way as to snugly fit in on the lip of the bottle. While only one preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in this art, that modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the cap showing a shortened neck of 23mm with a inner cone indicating the space for the opening of the cap. Figure 2 is a view similar to the figure I showing the shallow dip on top of the cap which shall be replacing the label. Figure 3 is also a view similar to figure 1 showing the special internal groove for hugging the lip of the water bottle which will eliminate the use of foam liners. Figure 4 shows the specifications and dimensions of the cap. Figure 5 shows the protruding opener of the cooler / dispenser which pierces the cap cone thus allowing the water to flow from the bottle to the dispenser.Figure 6 shows the grip of the cap on the neck of the bottle which holds the bottle snugly and cannot be removed without tearing Figure 7 explains the actual piercing and opening of the cap cover through the central cone which opens up like a flower petal. It highlights the supply tube fully engaged within the bottle neck.

MEANS OF PUTTING THE INVENTION IN HAND: 1. Inventors are already in the business of making plastic caps for 5 gallon bottled water. 2. In view of major increase in the price of plastic raw-material, the inventors were forced to find ways and means of reducing raw material consumption to control costs. 3. After many trials and errors, the inventors designed this new cap with a shorter neck wall without affecting its basic function.

METHOD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION: 1. The new cap shall be applied on the bottle in the same manner as the existing caps by the bottlers. 2. The present caper machine shall be used with some minor modifications in the feeding chute to adjust for the smaller neck wall. 3. The industrial application and use is already being tested successfully in collaboration with one of the major customers of the applicants.

Claims

1. The neck wall of the cap is shorter by 15mm resulting in a saving of about 30% in the usage of raw materials, consequently resulting in major cost efficiency.

2. The inner side of the neck wall is designed to give a better and closer grip around the neck of the bottle, thus avoiding the chance of slippage or removal of the cap while handling the bottle.

3. The elimination of the use of foam liners makes the cap more hygienic besides reducing the cost of the cap.

4. Replacing the extra label affixed on the top of the cap by an inbuilt central marked opening results in saving of the label cost plus the hassle of sticking of these labels. Furthermore, it makes the cap tamper proof as this cannot be reused once it is pierced through. Besides this, in lieu of the labels, this cap can be embossed with the name logo of the bottler thus enhancing the brand name.