Dual Threaded Adapter

A dual-threaded adapter comprises a cylindrically-shaped body. The body includes an externally-threaded male connector and an internally-threaded female receptor, the male connector and female receptor mutually joined forming the body. The body also includes a channel formed internally within the body by the male connector and the female connector, the channel providing fluid communication therethrough.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses and describes a dual-threaded adapter for the neck of a beverage bottle.

III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The various beverage bottlers utilize a variety of neck-styles and cap arrangements. For example, cola bottles have caps that will not fit most water bottles, and vice versa. Moreover, many beverage companies utilize bottles having relatively short necks with few threads and a similarly formed cap. The shorter necks and thinner caps reduce manufacturing costs. However, the shorter necks and thinner caps introduce barriers for adaptation of the beverage bottle for other uses. Thus, developing a universal cap for each of the differently dimensioned bottle necks is not practical.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved beverage bottle adapter for the neck.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a dual-threaded adapter comprises a cylindrically-shaped body, the body having an externally-threaded male connector and an internally-threaded female receptor, the male connector and female receptor mutually joined forming the body, the male connector adapted to receive an internally-threaded cap, and the female receptor adapted to receive an externally-threaded beverage bottle neck, and, a channel formed internally within the body by the male connector and the female connector, the tubular channel providing fluid communication therethrough.

In such an embodiment, the male connector comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, the internal annulus defining the perimeter of the channel.

In such an embodiment, the female receptor comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, the external annulus and internal annulus forming an annular cavity therebetween. It is further envisioned that the annular cavity comprises internal threads that align and mate with external threads formed on the neck of a beverage bottle.

It is envisioned that the male connector comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus and the female receptor comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, wherein the internal annulus of the male connector and the internal annulus of the female receptor define the perimeter of the channel.

In another embodiment, a dual-threaded adapter comprises a cylindrically-shaped body, the body having an externally-threaded male connector and an internally-threaded female receptor, the male connector and female receptor mutually joined forming the body at a juncture having an angled surface, the male connector adapted to receive an internally-threaded cap, and the female receptor adapted to receive an externally-threaded beverage bottle neck, and, a channel formed internally within the body by the male connector and the female connector, the channel providing fluid communication therethrough.

In this embodiment, the male connector comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, the internal annulus defining the perimeter of the channel.

In this embodiment, the female receptor comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, the external annulus and internal annulus forming an annular cavity therebetween. It is further envisioned that the annular cavity comprises internal threads that align and mate with external threads formed on the neck of a beverage bottle.

It is envisioned that the male connector comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus and the female receptor comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, wherein the internal annulus of the male connector and the internal annulus of the female receptor define the perimeter of the channel.

In another embodiment, a dual-threaded adapter comprises a cylindrically-shaped body, the body having an externally-threaded male connector and an internally-threaded female receptor, the male connector and female receptor mutually joined forming the body at a juncture having an angled surface, the male connector adapted to receive an internally-threaded cap, and the female receptor having an annular cavity formed therein to receive an externally-threaded beverage bottle neck, and, a channel formed internally within the body by the male connector and the female connector, the channel providing fluid communication therethrough.

In this embodiment, the male connector comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, the internal annulus defining the perimeter of the channel.

In this embodiment, the female receptor comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, the external annulus and internal annulus forming an annular cavity therebetween. It is further envisioned that the annular cavity comprises internal threads that align and mate with external threads formed on the neck of a beverage bottle.

It is envisioned that the male connector comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus and the female receptor comprises an external annulus and an internal annulus, wherein the internal annulus of the male connector and the internal annulus of the female receptor define the perimeter of the channel.

For all embodiments, it is envisioned that the male connector and the female receptor have substantially equivalent diameters, wherein the external wall of the female receptor is coextensive with the widest margin of the external threads formed on the surface of the male connector.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In accordance with the drawings illustrating at least one embodiment of a coupling adapter, as depicted inFIG. 1throughFIG. 7, a dual-threaded adapter100is described and generally comprises a cylindrically-shaped body105. The body105includes an externally-threaded male connector110and an internally-threaded female receptor120. The male connector110and female receptor120are mutually joined, forming and defining the body105. The body105includes a channel130(as depicted inFIGS. 5-7) formed internally within the body105by the mutually joining of the male connector110and the female connector120. The channel130provides fluid communication therethrough for the ingress or egress of air or gas, liquid, solid, and/or a combination thereof.

The male connector110is adapted to receive an internally-threaded cap (C) (similar to that depicted inFIG. 3aandFIG. 3b). In one envisioned embodiment, the male connector110may include an external annulus111and an internal annulus113, wherein the internal annulus113defines the perimeter of the channel130in coextensive relationship with the internal annulus123of the female receptor120and generally forming a continuous tubular-shaped channel. The external annulus113includes external threads115for threadable mating with internal threads of a cap. In another envisioned embodiment, consistent withFIG. 8, the perimeter of the channel130is such that the perimeter (p-m) of the internal annulus of the male connector110is of greater diameter than the perimeter (p-f) of the internal annulus of the female receptor120, wherein the form is discontinuous and forms a step-down from the larger diameter portion of the channel130(within the male connector110) and the smaller diameter portion of the channel (within the female receptor120).

The female receptor120is adapted to receive an externally-threaded beverage bottle (B) neck (N). In one embodiment envisioned, the female receptor120may include an external annulus121and an internal annulus123, and an annular cavity122formed therebetween. The annular cavity122receives and houses the neck (N) of a beverage bottle (B). The annular cavity122includes internal threads125that align and mate with the external threads formed on the neck of a beverage bottle.

As best understood fromFIG. 3aandFIG. 3b, the adapter100is threadably coupled to the neck (N) of a beverage bottle (B), with the internal threads125of the female receptor120receiving the external threads formed on the neck (N) of the beverage bottle (B). Once secured, an internally-threaded cap (C) may be threadably coupled to the male connector110, whereby the internal threads of the cap (C) align with the external threads115of the male connector110.

In one specific embodiment, the cap (C) may comprise an inflation valve inserted through the center thereof, such as that utilized in the BIG BLAST™ caps. As depicted inFIG. 3aandFIG. 3b, such a cap (with an inflation valve) allows for coupling to a pump via an inflation needle, thereby allowing the pump to distribute air/gas into the internal volume of the beverage bottle (B). Once pressurized, the bottle (B) may be utilized for target shooting games or competitions.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.