Abstract:
A seal breaker to break the seal of a container includes the container cap having either one or more slots with an adjacent rigid portion capable of penetrating the seal or one or more pointed projections capable of penetrating the seal or one or more pointed projections.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/283,144, filed Nov. 30, 2009 and provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/455,488, filed Oct. 21, 2010, which applications are incorporated by reference herein. Applicant claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. §119(e) and claims priority therefrom. This application is also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from application Ser. No. 12/927,877 filed Nov. 29, 2010. The aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to medicine and other commodity container caps adapted to puncture factory packed seals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many containers that are factory packaged are sealed by a tamper evident seal adhesively attached over the opening. This is typical of medicine bottles, jars of peanut butter or other food items, and even some items sold in plastic containers such as yogurt. Other industries also use similar packaging using seals; these include automotive, marine, manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceutical &amp; medical products, biotech, and others. These packaging containers may contain liquid, powder, or solid products. These seals may be aluminum foil, cardboard, or plastic membranes. When a screw-on cap is used, they are to be found sealing the opening underneath the cap. Although some seals have integral tabs or removal attachments, they are typically difficult to grasp and require excessive force to remove. Other seals have no removal means whatsoever leaving the consumer to improvise some apparatus and method such as using a pointed object including scissors, knife, pencil, pen, tooth brush handle, etc. Besides the inconvenience of not having such objects handy, with an aging population some of these devices are an injury hazard. They may also contaminate the very product being protected from contamination by the seal. 
         [0004]    Among related patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,311 of Butler, which discloses a cap which has an array of protruding pointed blades inside a well recess in the cap, which, when the cap is inverted, puncture the seal of the container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,505 of Gilliland describes a cap which has a pivotable blade that lifts up from the cap to act as a blade to puncture the seal. U.S. Pat. No. 1,100,433 of Johnson describes a toothpaste tube cap with a well in the top having a sharp spur or point, which, when the cap is inverted, punctures the seal at the top of the toothpaste tube. U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,218 of Henderson describes a similar cap which does not need to be inverted. As the cap is screwed downward on the neck of the tube, a point  15  punctures the seal at the neck of the tube. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,147 of McIntosh is similar to Johnson except it has a pointed tip, which pierces a seal at the top of a non-squeeze tube hollow container. U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,013 of Bar-Kokhba describes a small blade  32  which is inside the cap for cutting a seal and a slit  38 . However, the slit is provided for liquid flow, not for piercing the seal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,822 of Vataru describes a child-resistant tamper-proof cap for a bottle, which has a small blade attached to the cap to puncture a seal. A similar blade in a cap is in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,582 of Art. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,234 of Rink and U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,198 of Wolfe each describe caps which also have a recess with a blade to puncture the seal of a tamper-proof container. U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,071 of Seib describes a cap which has a triangular blade for opening a seal. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,330 of Buono, D405,371 of Herr and D519,843S of Forte each describe medicine container caps with a pair of vertically extending slits, wherein between each respective pair of slits is a non-rigid, malleable flap which is inwardly compressible for release of the cap from the container. 
         [0008]    However, the prior art patents do not disclose a medicine or other commodity holding container cap having a pair of slits wide enough to engage over the edge of the medicine or other commodity container, with a rigid section between the slits capable of urging force against the seal of the container with sufficient force to rupture the seal. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a medicine or other commodity holding container cap having a pair of slits wide enough to engage over the edge of the medicine or other commodity container, with a rigid section between the slits capable of urging force against the seal of the container with sufficient force to rupture the seal. 
         [0010]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cap opener in a cap which does not require inversion of the cap to puncture a seal. 
         [0011]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomically easy opener for tight seals extending over a medicine or other commodity container. 
         [0012]    Other objects which become apparent from the following description of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The object of this invention is to provide several embodiments of seal breakers or removers. Except for the last embodiment, these devices are packaged as part of the container itself so that they are always available when needed. They are ergonomically designed and minimize the occasion of injury or contamination of the product. 
         [0014]    In the first embodiment, the bottom edge of the cap has a straight notch going across forming a short outer segment. The notch is wide enough and deep enough to permit the short outer segment with or without a knife edge to easily penetrate the seal when pushed into it at a point where the seal meets the bottle. Then by twisting the bottle or the cap, the seal is easily cut away and removed. 
         [0015]    In the second embodiment, a curved slot on the side of the cap near the top surface is used to cut the seal by holding the cap vertically. The slot is wide enough to fit over the thread on the bottle and deep enough to break through the seal; the slot forms a narrow curved segment at the top edge. With or without a knife edge, this segment pushes through the seal at any point along the edge where the seal meets the bottle; then either the bottle or the vertically held cap is twisted to remove the rest of the seal. Note that in the first or second embodiment material is removed from the cap to form the features of this invention. Since less material is then used to form the cap, there are consequent savings in material, energy and pollution. 
         [0016]    In the third embodiment, two points are formed along the periphery of the cap 180 degrees apart. While not sharpened, either point is sufficient to push through and easily penetrate the seal. By ergonomically blending the points into the round perimeter, this also enhances the leverage at lower grasping force to twist open the bottle cap thereby attracting an aging consumer set. 
         [0017]    In the fourth embodiment, a point is formed at the lower edge of the side of the cap facing downward. This point is then used to penetrate the seal for removal. 
         [0018]    In the fifth embodiment of this invention, a rigid flat tab with a pointed molded edge on one surface near one end is attached to the seal with the pointed line against the seal. Pressure at the end with the pointed line will tear through the seal whereupon the seal can be torn away easily. 
         [0019]    In the sixth embodiment, a rigid tab with sharp edges is laminated into the surface of the seal. Pressure on the tab will cut through the seal for removal. 
         [0020]    The seventh embodiment deviates from the other six in that it is not part of the packaging. It is a multi-purpose tool which is also capable of removing a packaging seal. It is a flat molded rigid plastic item with some edges formed as a knife edge. Alternatively, tins tool can be made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum for example. At the back end is a long flat handle with a hole for a key ring, chain, or lanyard for easy access. At the front end is a short pointed extension with cutting edges along the sides and point. Also at the front is a claw branching out from one side of the pointed extension with a slot separating the extension from the claw root. The claw has a knife edge on its inner curvature. 
         [0021]    To remove a seal, the point is used to pierce it near the edge where edge of the seal meets the bottle opening. The tool is twisted slightly such that the slot rides the edge of the bottle opening. Then the tool is simply rotated around the opening cutting the seal by the sharp inner edge of the pointed extension. 
         [0022]    The claw has two purposes. Often, bottles are sealed with a shrink outer wrap around the cap. The edge is sometimes hard to see and to grasp with finger nails. The claw point easily gets between the outer wrap and the cap whereby the sharpened inner curve can cut it away. A second use of the claw section is to remove cotton that might be used inside a pill bottle; it is inserted to snag the cotton to pull it out. 
         [0023]    The outer sharpened edge of the pointed extension serves well as a letter opener. 
         [0024]    An optional sliding cover that is inexpensive to manufacture and keeps the front end away from contaminants is also described for this embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a bottle cap with a bottom slot of the first embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the cap of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation illustrating the use of bottle cap of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in cutting through a seal. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bottle cap with a side slot of the second embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a crossectional side view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 4   
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a bottle cap of the third embodiment with points molded into its periphery. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a bottle cap of the fourth embodiment with a downward facing point on the side. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a rigid tab of the fifth embodiment of this invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation of the tab of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the tab of  FIGS. 8 and 9  attached to the top of a seal. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the sixth embodiment illustrating a rigid tab laminated inside a seal. 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the multi-purpose tool of the seventh embodiment of this invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the optional cover for the tool of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIGS. 1-3  show the bottle cap  1  of the first embodiment. Notch  2  separates the bottom edge of cap  1  into the main cap and a short segment  3  (which may be pointed as shown). By placing notch  2  over the edge of the opening of bottle  8  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) seal  7  can be penetrated and then removed by twisting bottle  8 . 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , cap  10  has a top wall  10   a  and a descending annular side wall  10   b  with bottom edge  10   c.  There are two spaced notched slits  2  with a portion  10   d  of said bottom edge  10   c  between the spaced notched slits  2  and having a cutting edge. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show bottle cap  10  of the second embodiment with curved side slot  11 . This cap is used in the vertical position fitting slot  11  over the edge of a sealed bottle and pushing segment  12  through the seal (segment  12  can be pointed to aid in this action). Note that the circular contour  13  of segment  12  which forms one side of slot  11  matches the inside diameter of the bottle opening for easier guidance around during cutting of the seal. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows the molded points  21  around the periphery of cap  20  of the third embodiment. Either of the points  21  can be used to penetrate the seal. Note how easily it can be grasped using the contour for increased leverage. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows point  26  molded onto the bottom edge of cap  25  comprising the fourth embodiment. Point  26  is used to penetrate the seal. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate the use of rigid tab  30  to remove seal  7  as per embodiment number  5 . The bottom surface of tab  30  has a pointed region, such as line  31 , protruding from the bottom surface. The pointed region can also be a pointed projection extending down from said tab. Tab  30  is bonded to the top surface of seal  7 . When pressed in the vicinity of line  31  or other region, tab  30  will penetrate seal  7  and it can then be removed by grasping the torn edges. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  shows a sixth embodiment of a laminated rigid tab  35  with sharp edges. Pressure on this tab will cause it to penetrate and tear seal  7 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  shows multi-purpose tool  40  which is the seventh embodiment of this invention. This is a flat rigid plastic (or metal) tool with handle  45 , pointed extension  46  with point  41 , slot  48 , and claw  43 . Edges that are knife edges (or somewhat sharp) are illustrated by the array of short lines along the edge. Hole  49  permits attachment of chain, key ring, or lanyard. To remove a seal, the seal is pierced by point  41  near an edge with slot  48  riding the edge of the bottle. By twisting tool  40  with edge  42  in the desired direction and following the bottle edge around, cutting edge  42  will quickly remove the seal. 
         [0047]    Claw  43  is used to get underneath an over-cap shrink wrap and then cut through with edge  44  to remove it. Claw  43  can also be used to remove cotton wadding from a pill bottle by pushing it inside and snagging the cotton to pull it out. 
         [0048]    Point  41  and outside extension side  46  serve as an excellent letter opener. 
         [0000]    An optional cover  50  shown in  FIG. 13  can be used to keep the front end of tool  40  away from contaminants which may be picked up on a counter-top, a drawer, or a purse for example. This simple cover is preferably dip molded of plastisol. It is designed to stay on handle  45  during use and to be slid over the front end when tool  40  is not in use. A tight fit slot at edge  52  permits it to slide along handle  45 , while a self-closing slit at edge  51  closes over the working parts and opens easily when required. It can be removed completely if not desired. 
         [0049]    In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0050]    It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.