Abstract:
A cap assembly and method therefore is disclosed. The cap assembly preferably has a funnel coupled thereto. Preferably, the funnel is stored within the cap assembly so that it will always be available for use. Further preferably, the user could avoid getting any of the liquid on his/her hands because the funnel would be capable of being placed into position and stored without the user ever having to touch it.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to liquid containers and pertains in particular to an improved liquid container cap assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When filling a liquid container, spills often occur. One situation where this may prove to be messy is during engine maintenance. There are several liquids that must be added to an engine, such as oil, wiper fluid, clutch fluid, radiator water, etc. Currently, some use funnels to help avoid spillage. However, these funnels are separate instruments that have the potential of being misplaced or lost. Also, in order to use it, an individual must either take the time to locate and retrieve the funnel or the individual must keep it on his/her person. Furthermore, in order to use funnels for all of the types of liquid and to avoid mixing those liquids, a user must either use several funnels, or must wash the single funnel before using a different liquid. After use, the funnels must also be cleaned and stored away. 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need existed for a cap assembly that has a funnel coupled thereto. Preferably, the funnel would be stored within the cap assembly so that it would always be available for use. Further preferably, the user could avoid getting any of the liquid on his/her hands because the funnel would be capable of being placed into position and stored without the user ever having to touch it. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An object of the present invention is to provide a cap assembly that has a funnel coupled thereto. 
         [0005]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap assembly wherein the funnel would always be available for use. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap assembly wherein the funnel may be placed into position and stored without the user ever having to touch it. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0007]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cap assembly is disclosed. The cap assembly comprises a base dimensioned to be coupled to an opening of a liquid container, the base having a bottom portion and an annular side wall coupled to the bottom portion of the base, a lid having a top portion and an annular side wall coupled to the top portion, a telescoping funnel, a bottom portion of the telescoping funnel coupled to an inner surface of the bottom portion of the base, at least one slot defined by a top portion of the telescoping funnel, and at least one protrusion coupled to an inner surface of the annular side wall of the lid, the at least one protrusion dimensioned to engage the at least one slot so that the lid is detachably coupled to the top portion of the telescoping funnel. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cap assembly is disclosed. The cap assembly comprises a base dimensioned to be coupled to an opening of a liquid container, the base having a bottom portion and an annular side wall coupled to the bottom portion, a lid having a top portion and an annular side wall coupled to the top portion, threading coupled to the annular side wall of the base, threading coupled to an inner surface of the annular side wall of the lid and dimensioned to removably mate with the threading coupled to the annular side wall of the base, a tapered telescoping funnel comprising a series of slidably coupled concentric rings, each successive ring increasing in diameter, wherein a top ring of the telescoping funnel is rotatably coupled to a preceding ring and wherein a bottom ring of the telescoping funnel is coupled to an inner surface of the bottom portion of the base, four slots defined by the top ring of the telescoping funnel, each slot having a wide end, a tapered middle portion, and a narrow end, and four protrusions coupled to the inner surface of the annular side wall of the lid, each protrusion dimensioned to enter the wide end of one of the four slots when the top is placed onto the top ring of the telescoping funnel and to slide along the tapered middle portion by twisting the lid until the protrusion is gripped by the narrow end. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of adding liquid to a liquid container of an engine is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a base dimensioned to be coupled to an opening of a liquid container, the base having a bottom portion and an annular side wall coupled to the bottom portion, a lid having a top portion and an annular side wall coupled to the top portion, threading coupled to annular side wall of the base, threading coupled to an inner surface of the annular side wall of the lid and dimensioned to removably mate with the threading coupled to the annular side wall of the base, a telescoping funnel, a bottom portion of the telescoping funnel coupled to an inner surface of the bottom portion of the base, at least one slot defined by a top portion of the telescoping funnel, and at least one protrusion coupled to an inner surface of the annular side wall of the top, the at least one protrusion dimensioned to engage the at least one slot so that the lid being detachably coupled to the telescoping funnel, twisting the lid in a first direction to disengage the threading of the inner surface of the annular side wall of the lid from the threading of the annular side wall of the base, pulling upwardly on the lid to extend the telescoping funnel, twisting the lid in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, to disengage the at least one protrusion from the at least one slot, and pouring liquid into the top portion of the telescoping funnel. 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a cap assembly of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1  with the lid of the cap assembly shown in phantom lines. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the lid and telescoping funnel (shown in phantom lines) of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1  when the cap assembly is in a closed position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side interior view of the base of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the lid, the telescoping funnel (shown in phantom lines), and the base of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1  when the cap assembly is in a closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the lid (shown in phantom lines), the telescoping funnel (also shown in phantom lines), and the base of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1  when the cap assembly is in a closed position. A bottom portion of the telescoping funnel is shown coupled to an inner surface of a bottom portion of the base. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the lid, the telescoping funnel (shown in phantom lines), and the base of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1  when the cap assembly is in a closed position and the protrusions of the lid are engaging the slots of the funnel. A center protrusion of the lid is shown contacting an inner surface of the bottom portion of the telescoping funnel. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the lid (shown in phantom lines) of the cap assembly of  FIG. 1  having four protrusions on an inner surface of its annular side wall. The protrusions are shown positioned above the threading. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-9  together disclose a cap assembly, hereinafter cap assembly  10 , for a liquid container. The cap assembly  10  comprises a lid  12 , a base  28 , and a telescoping funnel  38  coupled to the base  28 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the cap assembly  10  is shown in an open position. The base  28  is shown as having a bottom portion  30  defining an aperture  35  that would lead to the liquid container (not shown) and having an annular side wall  34  coupled to the bottom portion  30 . The annular side wall  34  of the base  28  is shown as having threading  36 . The base  28  also has an attachment end  29  coupled to an opposite side of the bottom portion  30  of the base  28  for coupling the base  28  to the liquid container. The attachment end  29  is shown as being threaded in order to be screwed onto the opening of a liquid container, however, it should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from the base  28  being coupled to the liquid container by alternative means or from the base  28  being integral to the liquid container. 
         [0023]    The lid  12  is shown as having a top portion  14  and an annular side wall  18  coupled to the top portion  14  of the lid  12 . The lid  12  is also shown as having threading  24  coupled to an inner surface  18  of the annular side wall  18  of the lid  12  dimensioned to removably mate with the threading  36  coupled to the annular side wall  34  of the base  28 . The lid  12  is also shown as having several protrusions  22  coupled to an inner surface  20  of the annular side wall  18  of the lid  12 . While the lid  12  is shown as having four protrusions  22  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), is should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from any number of protrusions  22 . Preferably, these protrusions  22  are located above the threading  24  on the inner surface  20  of the annular side wall  18  of the lid  12 . The lid  12  is also shown as having a center protrusion  26  coupled to and extending downwardly from an inner surface  16  of the top portion  14  of the lid  12 . 
         [0024]    A telescoping funnel  38  is also shown with a bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38  coupled to an inner surface  32  of the bottom portion  30  of the base  28 . It should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may also be derived from the bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38  being integral to the inner surface  32  of the bottom portion  30  of the base  28 . The telescoping funnel  38  is also shown as having a top portion  40  defining several slots  50 . While it is shown that the top portion  40  of the telescoping funnel  38  defines four slots  50  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ), it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from any number of slots  50 . Each slot  50  is shown as having a wide end  52 , a middle portion  54 , and a narrow end  56 . Preferably, the wide end  52  of the slot  50  is larger than the protrusion  22  and dimensioned to receive the protrusion  22 . It is also preferred that the middle portion  54  be substantially tapered and that the narrow end  56  be dimensioned to tightly grip the protrusion  22 . While this is preferred, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a slot  50  that is uniform in width and from an alternative means of coupling the lid  12  to the top portion  40  of the telescoping funnel  38 . 
         [0025]    The telescoping funnel  38  is shown as being tapered, wherein the top portion  40  of the telescoping funnel  38  has a greater diameter than the bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38 . The telescoping funnel  38  is shown as comprising a series of slidably coupled concentric rings  46 , each successive ring  46  increasing in diameter. The slidably coupled concentric rings  46  that allow the telescoping funnel  38  to extend and to collapse. Preferably, a top ring  48  of the telescoping funnel  38  is rotatably coupled to a preceding ring  46  and a bottom ring  58  of the telescoping funnel  38  is coupled to an inner surface  32  of the bottom portion  30  of the base  28 . By having the top ring  48  rotatably coupled to a preceding ring  46 , the protrusions  22  remain gripped by the slots  50  while the lid  12  is being twisted. Preferably, twisting the lid  12  in one direction will disengage the lid  12  from the base  28  and twisting the lid  12  in an opposite direction after extending the telescoping funnel  38  will disengage the protrusions  22  from the slots  50  so that the lid  12  may be removed and liquid may be added to (or removed from) the liquid container. It should be clearly understood, however, that further substantial benefit may be derived from the protrusions  22  being disengaged from the slots  50  by twisting the lid  12  in the same direction as it was twisted when disengaging the lid  12  from the base  28 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows the lid  12  and the telescoping funnel  38  in a collapsed position.  FIG. 5  shows the base  28 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , the cap assembly  10  is shown in a closed position. When in a closed position, the protrusions  22  on the inner surface  20  of the annular side wall  18  of the lid  12  are gripped by the narrow ends  56  of the slots  50  on the top portion  40  of the telescoping funnel  38  (see  FIG. 8 ).  FIG. 8  also shows that the center protrusion  26  of the lid  12  is dimensioned to contact an inner surface  44  of the bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38  when the cap assembly  10  is in a closed position. This helps to prevent any vibration and potential detachment of the bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38  from the inner surface  32  of the bottom portion  30  of the base  28 . This would prove to be helpful if the cap assembly  10  was used in the engine of a vehicle or other mode of transportation. Further preferably, the bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38  has a diameter larger than that of the aperture  35  defined by the bottom portion  30  of the base  28  in order to prevent the bottom portion  42  of the telescoping funnel  38  from ever falling into the liquid container (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0028]    The cap assembly  10  is shown as having rubber seals  62  coupled to both the bottom portion  42  of the base  28  (see  FIGS. 5-8 ) and to the inner surface  16  of the top portion  14  of the lid  12  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 ). These rubber seals  62  help to avoid leaks. It should be clearly understood, however, that substantial benefit may nevertheless be derived from a cap assembly  10  with rubber seals  62  on either the bottom portion  42  of the base  28  or the inner surface  16  of the top portion  14  of the lid  12 , and from a cap assembly  10  having no rubber seals  62 . 
       Statement of Operation 
       [0029]    When using the present invention, a user will twist the lid  12  in a first direction (e.g. counter-clockwise) to disengage the threading  24  of the inner surface  20  of the annular side wall  18  of the lid  12  from the threading  36  of the annular side wall  34  of the base  28 . The user will then pull upwardly on the lid  12  to extend the telescoping funnel  38  that is stored within the cap assembly  10 . The user will then twist the lid  12  in a second direction (e.g. clockwise) that is preferably opposite from the first direction in order to disengage the protrusions  22  from the slots  50 . Once the lid  12  is removed, the user may pour liquid into (or remove liquid from) the top portion  40  of the telescoping funnel  38 . 
         [0030]    When finished, the user may place the lid  12  onto the top portion  40  of the telescoping funnel  38  so that the protrusions  22  are inserted into the wide ends  52  of the slots  50 . The user will then twist the lid  12  in the first direction (e.g. counter-clockwise) so that the protrusions  22  slide along the middle portions  54  of the slots  50  until the protrusions  22  are gripped by the narrow ends  56  of the slots  50 . Then, the user will push down onto the lid  12  to collapse the telescoping funnel  38  and will twist the lid  12  in the second direction (e.g. clockwise) to mate the threading  24  coupled to the inner surface  20  of the annular side wall  18  of the lid  12  to the threading  36  coupled to the annular side wall  34  of the base  28 . 
         [0031]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the cap assembly  10  of the present invention may be used with any liquid container, not just those used in the engine of a vehicle.