Thermochromic cap

• US 20030127416A1
• Filed: 01/08/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fabricas Monterrey, S.A. De C.V. (Crown Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fabricas Monterrey, S.A. De C.V. (Crown Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Salazar-Leal, Rita Lorena
• Granted Patent: US 6,929,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/230
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/245 provided with decoration, information or contents indicating devices, labels B65D81/366 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02

Abstract

The present invention provides a cap, which includes:

a cap body of a plastic composition; and

at least one thermochromic material in contact with or admixed with the plastic composition, the thermochromic material selected such that the cap has a visually altered appearance when the cap temperature changes within a temperature range of −25 to 85° C.; wherein the cap is adapted to be removably secured to a beverage container, the container having an opening through which a beverage in the container can be dispensed from the container, and to cover the opening of the beverage container.

Claims

1. A cap, comprising:

a cap body comprised of a plastic composition; and

at least one thermochromic material in contact with or admixed with said plastic composition, said thermochromic material selected such that the cap has a visually altered appearance when the cap temperature changes within a temperature range of −

25 to 85°

C.;

wherein said cap is adapted to be removably secured to a beverage container, the container having an opening through which a beverage in the container can be dispensed from the container, and to cover the opening of the beverage container.

2. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature range is −

10 to 50°

C.

3. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature range is 0 to 25°

C.

4. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature range is 5 to 20°

C.

5. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plastic composition comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer resin.

6. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said material comprising said cap further comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, and combinations thereof.

7. The cap as claimed in claim 6, wherein said polyethylene is selected from the group consisting of linear, high density, low density polyethylene, and combinations thereof.

8. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visibly altered appearance comprises a change in a color of said cap.

9. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cap is a one-piece cap.

10. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cap comprises more than one piece.

11. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cap is adapted to provide a hermetic seal on said container.

12. An article, comprising:

a beverage container having an opening through which a beverage in the container can be dispensed from the container; and

a cap adapted to be removably secured to said container to cover said opening,

wherein a material comprising said cap comprises at least one thermochromic material, said thermochromic material selected such that the cap has a visually altered appearance when the cap temperature changes within a temperature range of −

25 to 85°

C.

13. The article as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a beverage, and wherein said beverage is carbonated or non-carbonated.

14. A method for making the article as claimed in claim 12, comprising contacting said cap with said container.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising, prior to said contacting, filling said container with said beverage.

16. A cap, comprising:

a cap body comprised of a plastic composition;

a means for having a visually altered appearance when the cap temperature changes within a temperature range of −

25 to 85°

C.;

a means for removably securing said cap to a beverage container, the container having an opening through which a beverage in the container can be dispensed from the container; and

a means for covering said opening.

17. An article, comprising:

a beverage container having an opening through which a beverage in the container can be dispensed from the container; and

a cap, comprising;

a means for removably securing said cap to said container,

a means for covering said opening, and

a means for having a visually altered appearance when the cap temperature changes within a temperature range of −

25 to 85°

C.

18. A method for making the article as claimed in claim 17, comprising contacting said cap with said container.