Abstract:
A universal fluid transfer device is disclosed for transferring fluid from a first container to another utilizing gravity feed. The device comprises a first and second container-connecting cap adapted to securely connect to a receiving and emptying container opening, respectively. The caps preferably threadably engage each container opening, while a central transfer channel threadably connects to each cap to effectuate a path for fluid transfer therebetween. A plurality of cap sizes can be utilized in conjunction with the fluid transfer channel to accommodate various container opening sizes, providing transfer of fluid between identical or dissimilar container openings using a single device that can modularly adapt to different dimensions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/490,263 filed on May 26, 2011, entitled “Gravity Cap.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to gravity fed fluid transfer devices for communicating fluid from one container to another. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a fluid transfer device that comprises container opening attachment caps that are adapted to securely mount to a receiving and emptying container using independent caps, wherein the caps then connect together via a central channel to transfer liquid and air from one container to the other. Each cap can be sized to fit an intended container opening and operate with a differently sized second cap that attaches to a second container. 
         [0004]    Transferring liquid from one container or vessel to another is a common problem in the restaurant and food industry as well as in the home, wherein containers of condiments, dressings and sauces can be depleted from containers over time and require replenishment or evacuation of residual product prior to being cleaned. Generally a larger container of such items can be purchased and utilized to fill smaller vessels for individual use, or several containers can be consolidated into a single vessel in order to clean the vessel before refilling or discarding. The process of transferring viscous liquid between containers can be a delicate task that requires time and skill to ensure minimal spillage or waste. Users may utilize direct transfer methods, wherein one container is emptied into another by aligning the container openings, funnels may be utilized to direct larger quantities of liquid into smaller openings, or finally the residual liquid within a container may be washed out or the entire container may be discarded if transfer activities do not warrant the time and effort required to preserve the product. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Consolidation of such liquid products may be burdensome, and in some cases impossible. This results in wasted product and increased costs for a restaurant/establishment owner or homeowner, who must purchase more of the product or containers thereof than would otherwise be necessary if the entire product was otherwise capitalized on. A solution therefore is required that addresses this common problem. It is desired that such a solution be simple to utilize, be effective at transferring all contents from one vessel to another and be compatible with all types and sizes of container requiring transfer. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides such a device, wherein a modular set of liquid transfer and container-connecting elements are provided that are capable of adapting to any sized container opening and securely attaching thereto. Specifically, a pair of container-mateable caps is provided that are secured or otherwise placed in connection with a first and second container opening. The dimensions of each cap may be identical or of dissimilar size, depending on the application. Joining the two container-connecting caps is a fluid transfer channel that creates a pathway between the attached caps in order to affect a transfer of fluid between a receiving and emptying container. The elements of the present invention are separable from one another to accommodate different containers, and thus provide utility in a number of scenarios wherein a container must be refilled, emptied or utilized to distribute fluid product to several smaller containers. 
         [0008]    Several devices have been disclosed in the prior art that describe liquid transfer devices for providing transfer of fluid from one vessel or receptacle to another. These devices have similar design elements for the purposes of creating a pathway between two containers. These devices generally comprise larger apparatuses that secure to the exterior of the bottle, or alternatively provide a unitary fitting that attaches the container openings together to allow connection and direct transfer of fluid therebetween. Unitary structures and devices of this type generally do not accommodate large discrepancies between container sizes or openings thereof. They are not adapted to provide the modularity required to connect a first and second container of different dimension and create an efficient pathway therebetween. A clear need exists in the art of liquid transfer devices, which is addressed by the present invention. 
         [0009]    One such liquid transfer device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,941 to Catalano, which discloses a ketchup rapping apparatus comprising a pair of racks hinged to one another, wherein each are adapted to hold a ketchup bottle and hinge a first bottle overhead of a second bottle to effectuate transfer of ketchup therebetween. The racks are first positioned adjacent to one another, and then two bottles are placed into the rack and one of the racks is rotated 180 degrees to begin fluid transfer after both bottles are in vertical alignment. A guide cup is disposed between both bottle mouth ends to avoid direct bottle contact. The Catalano device is a complex apparatus having specifically design hinges and mechanisms for transferring fluid between two identical containers and having a certain height as designed by the height of the racks. Little modularity is provided with respect to the type or size of the bottles being utilized, which is a key component of the present invention: dissimilar bottles may be joined to afford a conduit for fluid transfer therebetween. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,879 to Blaser is another such device that describes a collar having opposite end opening adapted to receive the neck end opening of two bottles in vertical alignment to achieve a pathway for fluid transfer therebetween. The collar holds the bottle necks in alignment via a plurality of upstanding fingers that rest against the exterior of each bottle to prevent movement while transferring fluid. The device is constructed using a single molding operation such as injection molding, which creates a unitary structure that is not adaptable to different bottle size openings. Sufficiently large bottle openings are not able to joint with smaller bottle openings to transfer fluid, which may be necessary when transferring industrial or larger sized containers of fluid to serving size bottles. The present invention is of modular construction, wherein any size bottle opening is accommodated by a specifically sized cap, wherein a channel connects the caps to provide transfer of any two equal or dissimilar sized bottle openings. 
         [0011]    Further, U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,063 to Pascarella discloses a viscous liquid transfer device for emptying partially filled bottles and transferring fluid from one container to another. Similar to the Blaser device, an upwardly and downwardly flared cylinder is provided for mating two bottle openings in vertical alignment for fluid transfer. A vent tube projecting from the cylinder is adapted to enter the bottle being emptied to transfer air from the container being filled to the one being emptied, wherein a vacuum is prevented and fluid may freely transfer. While this device provides a novel means to transfer fluid and prevents air blockages, this device suffers from a similar drawback as the aforementioned devices, wherein secure connection between dissimilar bottle openings is not accounted for. The flared openings provide for slight deviations in opening between the receiving and filling bottles, but not large discrepancies. The present invention provides for such a mismatch, and further ensures air bubbles may pass through its connecting channel by providing a sufficiently large fluid transfer channel, and one that may be replaced with increasingly larger channels if desired to meet the needs of more viscous fluids and larger containers having a greater volume of displaced air. Further, the secure connection between the bottle openings allows the two containers to be shaken or knocked to disturb air pockets that are preventing fluid transfer. 
         [0012]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,600 to Downes describes an apparatus provided for emptying bottles containing semi-viscous fluids. Similar to the Catalano device, a large frame is provided with an upper and lower member for supporting an inverted bottle and allowing fluid to transfer therefrom into the interior of the frame wherein a receptacle or similar bottle structure may be positioned. The frame is collapsible for storage and is capable of holding the inverted bottle without user support. The Downes device does not provide any connection between the inverted bottle and target receptacle, making its operation prone to fluid spillage. Less viscous fluids would therefore quickly spill out of the inverted bottle before being capable of positioning into he upper member. The present invention provides secure connection between two bottles to prevent spillage, and further allow any two bottles opening sizes to be connected. 
         [0013]    The foregoing prior art patents are considered the most relevant structures in the art with regard to the present disclosure. These devices have similar failings that are particularly addressed by the present invention. It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing fluid transfer devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fluid transfer devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new universal fluid transfer device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when transferring liquid product from one container to another using a modular set of elements that accommodate any size container or discrepancy between involved containers. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fluid transfer device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention to provide a simple and modularly structured device that is adapted to connect one container to another to create a direct pathway for fluid exchange. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal fluid transfer device that comprises several separable elements that may be interchanged to accommodate container opening of different dimensions and attachment styles. 
         [0018]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide two embodiments of the present invention, wherein three elements are disclosed: a first and second cap, along with a central fluid transfer channel; or one in which two elements are disclosed: a first and second cap, wherein one of the caps has a channel integrally attached thereto. 
         [0019]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to disclose a channel that can accommodate a valve, wherein one container may be inverted without immediately evacuating its contents before connection with a receiving container is achieved. 
         [0020]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid transfer channel that is adapted to accommodate larger containers and allow transfer of both liquid and air between containers, preventing air pockets or vacuums from blocking flow. 
         [0021]    A final object of the present invention is to provide a fluid transfer channel that is of simple construction, requires little to no training to utilize and affects a secure connection between a first and second container. 
         [0022]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section view of the first embodiment of the present invention in a secured position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the present invention in a working position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the universal fluid transfer device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for transferring fluid from dissimilarly sized containers. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first and second container-connecting cap  11  is provided for mating to a first and second fluid vessel or container. The two caps  11  are independent structures that mateably attached to a receiving and emptying container opening. The structure in which the caps attach to the container openings may take several forms, including snap-on, threadable attachment or user-held connection.  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment utilizing threadable connections for both caps. The structure of the caps comprises a first opening  15  adapted to mate to a container opening, and a second opening  14  that is adapted to provide connection for a fluid transfer channel  13  that connects both caps and attached containers during operation. In a first embodiment, the first and second caps  11  are connected by an independent transfer channel  13  that connects therebetween to create a fluid pathway between containers. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first and second container-connecting cap  11  is provided in a similar fashion as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, a first cap includes an integrated channel  13  projecting therefrom to provide a unitary structure and reduce the number of independent parts in the assembly. A second cap  11  is provided that removably secures to the channel  13  of the first cap, providing two independent structures that connect and form a pathway for fluid transfer. The structure of the caps remains the same, wherein a first opening provides connection to a container, while a second opening includes a channel  13  or a second opening to connect to said channel. 
         [0031]    In both embodiments, there are common advantages and unique capabilities. Both embodiments provide a structure than can connect a first and second cap of different dimension, wherein the caps may be sized to fit onto container openings of dissimilar dimension. The central channel is adapted to fit caps of all dimensions, wherein the second opening remains uniform across all cap sizes. The channel provides the pathway for fluid transfer, wherein the caps provide the modularity required to attach to containers of different size. In use, the first and second caps are connected to a first and second container. The caps are then joined by the central channel, and the container being emptied of its contents is inverted to allow gravity to move its contents to the attached container therebelow. The secure connection between the containers allows a user to shake, rattle or otherwise disturb the container contents to allow improved transfer of fluid and air between joined containers. 
         [0032]    The channel itself must take into account viscosity considerations and air transfer between containers. As fluid moves from an inverted container to another, air is displaced from the receiving container. The air must travel through the channel while the fluid travels in an opposite direction and into the receiving container. If adequate sizing of the channel is not provided for, air pockets and vacuums may prevent proper flow of fluid through the device. The secure connection of the two containers achieved by the present invention allows a user to shake and disturb the attached containers during transfer, which can overcome some of these difficulties when faced with higher viscosity fluids. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross section view of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first and second caps  11  are connected via the central fluid transfer channel  13  to create a pathway for fluid between joined containers. In an exemplary embodiment, both caps  11  provide a first opening that employs a threaded connection to their respective containers, while providing a second opening having a threaded connection adapted to join the caps together via the threaded connection of the central channel  13 . The threaded connections ensure an air tight and secure connection, whereafter the elements may be disengaged from the containers and separated into individual components for cleaning and storage. The separatabliity of the elements further allows different sized caps  11  to be mated, providing for connection of dissimilar containers. 
         [0034]    The second embodiment of the present invention provides a cap having an integrated channel in place of its second opening. This provides two distinct styles of caps: a first style wherein a channel is provided, and a second style wherein an opening is provided adapted to connect to a channel. This configuration reduces part count and reduces the steps for setting up and utilizing the device. Further, the first style cap having the integrated channel may stay connected to a larger container of condiment fluid, wherein this larger container is utilized to refill and dispense fluid to smaller, more individualized containers for use by consumers. 
         [0035]    Within the channel of either embodiment of the present invention may be provided a valve that controls the flow of fluid and air from the attached container. This valve is controlled from the exterior of the channel and allows a user to attach the channel (or cap having an integrated channel) to a container desired to be emptied. When the valve is in a closed position, the container may be inverted without the risk of spillage prior to its connection to a receiving channel. Once connected and a pathway is established, a user may open the channel to allow the passage of fluid therethrough and allow transfer from the inverted container to the receiving container. This embodiment increases the complexity of the device, and is considered an alternate embodiment. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in a working position and in connection between a receiving container  17  and an inverted container  16 . As shown, the device provides a secure connection between pair containers such that shaking of the assembly can provide improved transfer of particularly viscous fluids. After transfer is complete to a user&#39;s satisfaction, the bottles may be separated and the elements of the device may be removed and cleaned if necessary. 
         [0037]    Overall, the present invention provides a universal fitting for joining two containers together to allow transfer of fluid product therebetween, while avoiding spillage and hardship on the user. In this way, product may be recovered and prevented from being discarded, saving money and resources for a household or business. Various sized containers may be utilized and accommodated for, allowing a larger vessel to serve as a means to distribute to smaller containers, or for smaller containers to be condensed into a larger container. The disclosed embodiments provided variation to the design of the universal fitting, increasing its functionality and utility across different applications and solving several known problems with similar items in the prior art. 
         [0038]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0039]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.