Bottle Caps with Valves

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/637,609 filed Apr. 23, 2024, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/717,130 filed Nov. 6, 2024. The disclosures of the prior applications are considered part of (and are incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application.

This document relates to fluid couplings such as threaded bottle cap devices. In some embodiments, such threaded bottle cap devices can include an integrated valve mechanism and/or anti-removal features.

In some dispensing operations in which a fluid is dispensed from a bottle, the bottle is placed upside down (with the bottle's cap at the lowest elevation of the bottle).

This document describes fluid couplings such as threaded bottle cap devices. In some embodiments, such threaded bottle cap devices can include an integrated valve mechanism and/or anti-removal features.

In one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a bottle cap device comprising a main body and a valve member that is movable relative to the main body between an open position and a closed position as described in the figures and detailed description. In some embodiments, the main body comprises a one-way tooth feature that configures the bottle cap device to resist being unthreaded from a bottle to which the bottle cap device is threadedly coupled.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a bottle cap device that includes a main body and a valve member. The main body defines an open end configured for receiving an outlet of a bottle having an external thread. The main body includes: (i) an internal thread arranged to threadedly couple with the external thread of the bottle and (ii) a hub extending within a periphery of the internal thread, wherein the hub defines an internal space. The valve member is disposed within the internal space defined by the hub. The valve member is movable relative to the main body between a closed position in which the valve member blocks fluid flow through the hub of the bottle cap device and an open position in which fluid is allowed to flow through the hub of the bottle cap device.

Such a bottle cap device may optionally include one or more of the following features. The main body may include a one-way tooth feature that configures the bottle cap device to resist being unthreaded from the bottle to which the bottle cap device is threadedly coupled. In some embodiments, the main body includes at least four of the one-way tooth features that configure the bottle cap device to resist being unthreaded from the bottle to which the bottle cap device is threadedly coupled. The valve member may define a seal groove in which an annular seal member is seated. An end of the hub may include a frustoconical surface against which the seal member is seated when the valve member is in the closed position. The bottle cap device may also include a spring disposed within the internal space defined by the hub. The spring may bias the valve member towards the closed position. The bottle cap device may also include an annular cap seal member disposed around the hub and arranged to seal against the outlet of the bottle. The bottle cap device may also include a removable member adhered to the main body and covering an end of the internal space defined by the hub.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described herein. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description herein. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout.

This document describes fluid couplings such as threaded bottle cap devices. In some embodiments, such threaded bottle cap devices can include an integrated valve mechanism and/or anti-removal features.

Referring to, an example bottle cap deviceincludes a main body, a valve member, a spring, a valve seal member, a cap seal member, and an optional removable membrane. As best seen in, the springbiases the valve memberto a closed position in which the valve seal memberis sealed against an inner hubof the main body.

When pressure/force is applied against the valve memberto compress the spring, as represented by arrow(), the valve membermoves to an open position in which fluid can flow past the valve member(e.g., to allow fluid to exit from a bottle to which the bottle cap deviceis coupled). When the pressure/force is discontinued, the valve membermoves back to the closed position (as shown in) because of the spring.

The materials from which one or more of the components of the bottle cap device(and other bottle cap devices described herein) are made of include thermoplastics or thermosets. In particular embodiments, the materials from which the components of the bottle cap deviceis made of are thermoplastics, such as, but not limited to, acetal, ABS, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyether ether ketone, polysulphide, polyester, polyvinylidene fluoride (PV DF), polyethylene, Perfluoropolymers (PFA, PTFE, PCTFE and the like), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU; e.g., Radel®), polyetherimide (PEI; e.g., Ultem®), polypropylene, polyphenylene, polyaryletherketone, Perfluoropolymers (PFA, PTFE, PCTFE and the like) and the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the thermoplastics can include one or more fillers such as, but not limited to, glass fiber, glass bead, carbon fiber, talc, etc.

In some embodiments, the materials from which one or more of the components of the bottle cap device(and other bottle cap devices described herein) are made of include metals such as, but not limited to stainless steel, brass, aluminum, plated steel, zinc, and the like. In particular embodiments, the bottle cap deviceis metallic-free.

In some embodiments, the bottle cap device(and other bottle cap devices described herein) includes one or more plastic (e.g., PEEK, PPS, etc.) or metallic spring members (e.g., spring steel, stainless steel such as 316L, piano/music wire, beryllium copper, titanium, Hastelloy®, Inconel®, and the like).

In certain embodiments, the bottle cap device(and other bottle cap devices described herein) includes one or more gaskets or seals that are made of materials such as, but not limited to, silicone, fluoroelastomers (FK M), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), perfluoroelastomers (e.g., FFK M, Kalrez®, Chemraz® and the like), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), buna, buna-N, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), and the like. In some embodiments, the gaskets or seals can have a cross-sectional shape that is an hourglass-shape, an oval shape, a circular shape, D-shaped, X-shaped, square, rectangular, U-shaped, L-shaped, V-shaped, a polygonal shape, a multi-lobe shape, or any other suitable shape, without limitation.

In some embodiments, the bottle cap device(and other bottle cap devices described herein) is designed for applications where the bottle cap deviceis attached to a container (e.g., bottle, a bag-in-box, etc.) that contains liquid chemicals used in a specific industrial process such as, but not limited to, medical diagnostic equipment (e.g., reagents, cleaners, etc.), printing (e.g., ink, cleaners/solvents, etc.), cleaning equipment (e.g., cleaners, additives, etc.), food machines (e.g., concentrates, additives, etc.), and any kind of liquid dispensing.

In some examples, the bottle cap deviceis installed (threaded) onto a bottle which is installed into a piece of equipment with the cap pointing downward (e.g., an arrangement in which the fluid can be gravity fed out of the bottle). In some cases, the bottle is installed by users on a regular basis onto a piece of equipment and removed when the bottle is empty and then disposed of. In some such cases, the mating receptacle for the bottle and bottle cap deviceassembly is on the equipment side and is considered a fixed or ‘permanent’ installation.

In some embodiments, the main bodyincludes a one-way thread feature that prevents or inhibits users from removing the bottle cap devicefrom a bottle to refill the bottle with fluid. In the depicted embodiment, this is done with a one-way ‘tooth’ featureof the main bodythat will interfere with a mating feature on the bottle that prevents the bottle cap devicefrom being easily removed from the bottle. Each tooth of the tooth featurehas a ramp such that installation of the main bodyonto a bottle is reasonably simple and can be done without tools or by automated equipment. When threading the bottle cap deviceonto a bottle, the main bodywill flex as the teeth of the tooth featurepass over the corresponding features on the bottle. However, the ramps of the tooth featureresist unthreading of the bottle cap devicefrom the bottle. There is a spiral clearance groove defined by the main bodythat the corresponding features on the bottle travel along after passing over the tooth feature.

The depicted design of the bottle cap devicealso incorporates an optional removable membranethat is intended to keep particulate and debris out of the valve area of the bottle cap deviceduring shipping and storage of the filled bottles. In some embodiments, the removable memberis made of a material that is ultrasonic welded to the main bodyor a pressure-sensitive adhesive based (sticker) type of removable member. In the depicted embodiment, there is a recessed feature in the cap main bodythat allows for ease of application/installation of the removable membraneto the main body.

In the depicted embodiment, there are two primary molded components of the bottle cap device: the main bodywith the threads and locking feature(s), and the valve member. In the depicted embodiment, the main bodyis designed with a female thread to mate with an industry-standard male bottle thread. In some embodiments, the main bodyis designed and fabricated with a custom thread.

The valve memberis a design that is specific to this application of the bottle cap device. The valve springis retained within the hubof the main body(between the huband the valve member). There is an O-ring seal member(or other type of annular seal member) installed within a seal groove defined by the valve memberto fluidly seal the valve memberto the main bodywhen the valve memberis in its closed position as shown in.show the main bodyin isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

show the valve memberin isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

Now referring to, another example bottle cap deviceincludes a main body, a valve member, a spring, a valve seal member, a cap seal member, and an optional removable membrane. As best seen in, the springbiases the valve memberto a closed position (as shown) in which the valve seal memberis sealed against a frustoconical surface of an inner hubof the main body.

When pressure/force is applied against the valve memberto compress the spring, as represented by arrow(), the valve membermoves to an open position in which fluid can flow past the valve member(e.g., to allow fluid to exit from a bottle to which the bottle cap deviceis coupled). When the pressure/force is discontinued, the valve memberspontaneously moves back to the closed position (as shown in) because of the spring.

In some embodiments, the bottle cap deviceis designed for applications where the bottle cap deviceis attached to a container (e.g., bottle) that contains liquid chemicals used in a specific industrial process. The cap seal memberseals against the mouth/spout of the container. In some examples, the bottle cap deviceis installed (threaded) onto a bottle which is then installed into a piece of equipment with the cap pointing downward (e.g., an arrangement in which the fluid can be gravity fed out of the bottle). In some cases, the bottle is installed by users on a regular basis onto a piece of equipment and removed when the bottle is empty (and then disposed of or recycled). In some such cases, the mating receptacle for the bottle and bottle cap deviceassembly is on the equipment side and is considered a fixed or ‘permanent’ installation.

In some embodiments, the main bodyincludes a one-way thread feature that prevents or inhibits users from removing the bottle cap devicefrom a bottle to refill the bottle with fluid. In the depicted embodiment, this is done with a one-way ‘tooth’ featureof the main bodythat will interfere with a mating feature on the bottle that prevents the bottle cap devicefrom being easily removed from the bottle. Each tooth of the tooth featurehas a ramp such that installation of the main bodyonto a bottle is reasonably simple and can be done without tools or by automated equipment. However, the backsides of the ramps of the tooth featureresist unthreading of the bottle cap devicefrom the bottle. There is a spiral clearance groove defined by the main bodythat the corresponding features on the bottle travel along after passing over the tooth feature.

The depicted design of the bottle cap devicealso incorporates an optional removable membranethat is intended to keep particulate and debris out of the valve area of the bottle cap deviceduring shipping and storage of the filled bottles. In some embodiments, the removable memberis made of a material that is ultrasonic welded to the main bodyor a pressure-sensitive adhesive based (sticker) type of removable member. In the depicted embodiment, there is a recessed feature in the cap main bodythat allows for ease of application/installation of the removable membraneto the main body.

In the depicted embodiment, there are two primary molded components of the bottle cap device: the main bodywith the threads and locking feature(s), and the valve member. In the depicted embodiment, the main bodyis designed with a female thread to mate with an industry-standard male bottle thread. In some embodiments, the main bodyis designed and fabricated with a custom thread.

The valve memberis a design that is specific to this application of the bottle cap device. The valve springis retained within the hubof the main body(between the huband the valve member). There is an O-ring seal member(or other type of annular seal member) installed within a seal groove defined by the valve memberto fluidly seal the valve memberagainst the main bodywhen the valve memberis in its closed position as shown in.

show the main bodyin isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

show the valve memberin isolation so that its features are more readily visible.

shown the optional removable membranein isolation so that its features are more readily visible. The optional removable membranecan be glued on or welded onto the main body. The removable membranecan be porous or a solid film. In some embodiments, the removable membraneis a film sticker that has adhesive on it and that is applied to the main bodyto later be removed by the user.

Now referring to, another example bottle cap device′ includes a main body′, the valve member, the spring, the valve seal member, the cap seal member, and the removable membrane(which is optional).

The bottle cap device′ is the same as the bottle cap device(as described above) except that the main body′ of the bottle cap device′ has four (4) of the tooth features. The valve member, the spring, the valve seal member, the cap seal member, and the removable membraneof the bottle cap device′ are the same as those of the bottle cap device.

The springbiases the valve memberto a closed position (as shown) in which the valve seal memberis sealed against a frustoconical surface of an inner hubof the main body′. When pressure/force is applied against the valve memberto compress the spring, as represented by arrow(e.g., see), the valve membermoves to an open position in which fluid can flow past the valve member(e.g., to allow fluid to exit from a bottle to which the bottle cap device′ is coupled). When the pressure/force is discontinued, the valve memberspontaneously moves back to the closed position because of the spring.

In some embodiments, the bottle cap device′ is designed for applications where the bottle cap device′ is attached to a container (e.g., bottle) that contains liquid chemicals used in a specific industrial process. The cap seal memberseals against the mouth/spout of the container. In some examples, the bottle cap device′ is installed (threaded) onto a bottle which is then installed into a piece of equipment with the cap pointing downward (e.g., an arrangement in which the fluid can be gravity fed out of the bottle). In some cases, the bottle is installed by users on a regular basis onto a piece of equipment and removed when the bottle is empty or beforehand (and then disposed of or recycled). In some such cases, the mating receptacle for the bottle and bottle cap device′ assembly is on the equipment side and is considered a fixed or ‘permanent’ installation.

In some embodiments, the main body′ includes a one-way thread feature that prevents or inhibits users from removing the bottle cap device′ from a bottle to refill the bottle with fluid. In the depicted embodiment, this is done with four of the one-way ‘tooth’ featuresof the main body′ that will interfere with a mating feature on the bottle that prevents the bottle cap device′ from being easily removed from the bottle. In some embodiments, the tooth featuresare arranged at 90° relative to each other around the inner diameter of the main body′.

Each tooth of the tooth featurehas a ramp such that installation of the main body′ onto a bottle is reasonably simple and can be done without tools or by automated equipment. However, the backsides of the ramps of the tooth featureresist unthreading of the bottle cap device′ from the bottle. There is a spiral clearance groove defined by the main body′ that the corresponding features on the bottle travel along after passing over the tooth feature.

In some embodiments, the depicted design of the bottle cap device′ also incorporates an optional removable membrane(e.g., see) that is intended to keep particulate and debris out of the valve area of the bottle cap device′ during shipping and storage of the filled bottles, and that can also serve as a back-up against leakage of the valve prior to use. In some embodiments, the removable memberis made of a material that is ultrasonic welded or heat-staked to the main body′ or a pressure-sensitive adhesive based (sticker) type of removable member. In the depicted embodiment, there is a recessed feature in the cap main body′ that allows for ease of application/installation of the removable membraneto the main body′.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.