Retainer for blank of split cap

• US 6,036,061 A
• Filed: 04/27/1998
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas F O'Donnell
• Original Assignee: Thomas F O'Donnell
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEREK, JOSEPH C
• Application Number:
  US09/067,539
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 220/86.1, 220/361, 220/363, 220/367.1, 220/369, 220/379, 220/375, 220/744, 222/482, 222/538, 222/539, 222/543, 215/274, 215/276, 215/305, 215/399, 215/329, 215/295, 138/89
• US Class Current: 222/539
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/061 with telescopic, retractable or reversible spouts, tubes or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/24 combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes

Abstract

A device for retaining the blank or sealing lid of a split cap used to cap a fluid container having an invertible spout. The device includes various means for ensuring that the blank will be retained in close proximity to the user so that it will not be lost. This is achieved by modifying the blank either to enable affixing it directly to the container, or to configure it to be easily attached to a site close to the container. The retaining device includes a threaded section affixed to the blank for coupling the blank to the standard vent port of a container. Optionally, the retaining device includes a tethering hole located in the gripping flange of the blank to enable tethering of the blank to the container or to a shop hanger. Alternative designs of the retaining device include placing attachment devices on the underside of the blank and on the container, such as hook-and-loop couplings, male/female nipple sets, and magnetized components. The container may also be modified to include a pocket for stowing of the blank.

Claims

1. A fluid container combination comprising:

a. a fluid container having a fill port with an upper surface thereof;

b. an invertible spout having a spout base and a spout body, wherein said spout base is designed to be in sealing engagement with said upper surface of said fill port and said spout body is designed to fit within said fill port and an interior of said fluid container when in an inverted position;

c. a split cap for sealing said fill port of said container, wherein said split cap includes a retaining ring for retaining said spout base in sealing engagement with said upper surface of said fill port, said retaining ring having inside threading for coupling to outside threading of said fill port; and

d. a sealing closure having a gripping flange for movement of said sealing closure, and a sealing closure attachment means for detachably connecting said sealing closure to said fluid container, wherein said sealing closure is retainable by said retaining ring on said upper surface of said fill port, and wherein said sealing closure attachment means is designed to fit within said fill port below said upper surface of said fill port without interfering with stowage of said invertible spout, and wherein said sealing closure includes an underside positionable within said fill port and an upper surface including said gripping flange exposed to the atmosphere when said retaining ring retains said invertible spout in said inverted position within said fluid container.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid container includes a vent port, said sealing closure attachment means comprising a threaded section, wherein inside threading of said threaded section is designed to couple said sealing closure to outside threading of said vent port, and wherein outside dimensions of said threaded section are smaller than inside dimensions of said spout body.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripping flange includes a tethering hole formed therein, wherein said tethering hole is designed to be coupled to a tether for linking said sealing closure to said container or to said retaining ring.

4. The split cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blank retaining means includes a male nipple affixed to said underside of said blank and a pair of opposing female coupling nipples affixed to a body of the container.

5. The split cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blank retaining means includes a first hook-and-loop section affixed to said underside of said blank and a second hook-and-loop section affixed to a body of the container.

6. The split cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blank retaining means includes a magnetic material encased within an insulative material affixed to said underside of said blank and a magnetically-attractive material affixed to a body of the container.