Abstract:
A cap structure includes a capping body, for covering a container mouth of a container. The capping body includes a base layer, a plurality of protruding members disposed on the base layer, and a sidewall joined to a periphery of the base layer. A liner layer having coupling structures is locked with the protruding members. A space is formed between the base layer and the liner layer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a cap structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cap structure with multiple functions, such as adapting a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    As usually known, cap is used to cover a container. The container usually contains some materials, such as medicine pill or any other objects. The conventional cap basically has a sealing function to air-tightly seal the opening of the container, so that the medicine pills are kept inside without directly contact the humid air, for example. In the actual applications, the cap may have the printed tag to identify the content inside the container. How to tight the cap to the container neck has been well developed. Various mechanical structures have been proposed, such as by screw or gear mechanisms. 
         [0005]    When electronic technology is further developed, the cap&#39;s function is accordingly updated. For example, RFID tag has been successfully developed to electronically carry some information. In order to identify the content inside the container, the RFID tag is integrated into the cap for replacing the printed tag. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 7,342,501 has disclosed the cap with the RFID tag. Further, in order to actually seal the opening of the container, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,478, the cap can carry the heat-melt adhesive layer, which can be melt by heat and then tightly seal the opening. 
         [0006]    However, the cap is still under developing to fit various purposes in use. The cap then can have more functions and be in convenient use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention provides cap structure, which can be easily formed by molding process and the cap can have multiple functions in use. 
         [0008]    In an aspect, the invention provides a cap structure including a capping body for covering a container mouth of a container. The capping body includes a base layer, a plurality of protruding members disposed on the base layer, and a sidewall joined to a periphery of the base layer. A liner layer having coupling structures is locked with the protruding members. A space between the base layer and the liner layer is formed for containing an auxiliary object. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect, the invention provides a container. The container comprises a containing body having a containing space for containing an object and a container mouth with a mouth ring. A plug can be inserted to the container mouth, wherein the plug has a through hole for air circulation. A capping body, for covering the container mouth by fixing to the mouth ring. The capping body comprises a base layer, a plurality of protruding members disposed on the base layer, a sidewall joined to a periphery of the base layer, and a liner layer having coupling structures in locking with the protruding members. A space between the base layer and the liner layer is formed for adapting a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag for identifying the object, such as a plant. 
         [0010]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a container, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a container for containing a plant, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded drawing, schematically illustrating a container with a functional cap, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a cap structure from an opening side based on one-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is the top and side views, schematically illustrating one-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6 . is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a cap structure from an opening side based on multiple-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is drawings in different views, schematically illustrating a cap structure based on one-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is drawings in different views, schematically illustrating a cap structure based on multiple-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    In the invention, the present invention proposes a cap structure, which has multiple functions, such as carrying a RFID tag or the desiccant. The RFID tag can be a passive RFID tag operating at different frequency band, for example, the UHF passive RFID tag can be more freely scanned at a long distance. It is helpful to identify the objects contained in containers, which are put together in mix. 
         [0021]    Several embodiments are provided for describing the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the provided embodiments, and the embodiments can also be properly combined to each other. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a container, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 1 , a container  100  usually has a container mouth, which is covered by a cap  102 . Conventionally, the cap can be fixed to the container mouth. However, in order to have more function, the cap can have, for example, a liner layer  104 , which is fixed within the cap  102  to have a space between the liner  104  and a base layer of the cap  102 . The RFID tag  106  is disposed on the liner layer. As a result, when the liner  104  is locked to the cap  102 , the RFID tag  106  can be carry in the cap  102 . The RFID tag  106  carries the information, for example, about an object contained in the container  100  or any other useful information, depending on the actual use. In addition, other object  108  can also be adapted in the space of the cap  102 . For example, the desiccant can be carried. Desiccant is usually used for keeping dry for the container. However, in some situations such as containing plant, it needs a little degree of air circulation. In other words, by implement the liner layer  104  with proper fixing members, the space between the liner layer  104  and the base layer of the cap  102  can be formed for general use to adapt the RFID tag or any other material or device. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a container for containing a plant, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, a container  120  to contain plant  122  is provided as the example. Since the plant, for example, needs the humid air with function of air circulation. The cap  130  is not necessary to air-tightly seal the container mouth. The plug  126  can be inserted into the container mouth. However, the plug has a through hole  128  for air circulation. The cap  130  is fixed to the rim  124  of the container mouth by a hooking mechanism by the rib  140  and hooking member  138 , as to be described later. The rib  140  in dashed line is just for indicating the existence of them but not actually appeal in this cross-section view, as to be described later drawings. A liner layer  132  is fixed inside the cap  130  by locking mechanism. As previously mentioned, a RFID tag  134  is disposed on the liner layer  132 . The desiccant  136  or any other useful piece can be for example put in, as well. The RFID tag can be detected to obtain the stored information, which can identify the plant, for example. However, plant is just an example of object, carried by the container  120 . If the cap  130  needs to air-tightly seal the container mouth, it has other conventional structure to seal the container mouth by other designs. However, the liner layer  132  is used to allow the cap  130  to have more function in use. 
         [0024]    It should be also noted that the liner layer  132  can be fixed to the cap  130  with or without being detachable. For one-time locking mechanism, once the liner layer is coupled with the cap  130 , the liner layer  132  basically is not detachable except breaking the liner layer, for example. In this situation, the RFID tag is always carried by the cap  130 . The liner layer  132  would be possibly broken if the liner layer is detached, according to this one-time use mechanism. In other words, the liner layer  132  is permanently engaged to the cap  130  without being detached for repeat use. However, in other design of multiple-time locking mechanism, the liner layer  132  can be locked to the cap  130  when it is needed. And then, the liner layer  132  can be detached for changing the RFID tag, for example. The cap structure of the cap  130  and liner later  132  can be repeatedly used. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is an exploded drawing, schematically illustrating a container with a functional cap, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 3 , the plug  126  is inserted into the container mouth of the container  120  for the usual function. The cap  130  can further cover the container  120 . The liner layer  132  in this example is detachable from the cap  130 . The liner layer  132  can be, for example, locked to the cap  130  by rotating into it, as to be described later. The liner layer  132  has, for example, a hand-operational protrusion  132   a  for hand to hold it and rotate it in use. In addition, the liner layer  132  can, for example, further have an indent region  132   b  for adapting the RFID tag  134 . The indent region  132   b  of the liner layer  132  can increase the space between the liner layer  132  and the base layer of the cap  130 . In this situation, the liner layer  132  can be more closely locked to the cap  130 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a cap structure from an opening side based on one-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 4 , the cap structure, based on one-time locking mechanism, is described in more detail by an embodiment as an example. The cap structure has a cap  130  and a liner layer  132 . The cap  130  is formed by a base layer and a sidewall. However, in order to lock the liner layer  132 , there are several coupling structures  144  between the cap  130  and the liner layer  132 .  FIG. 5  is the top and side views, schematically illustrating one-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment. Further referring to  FIG. 5 , for the one-time locking mechanism, the coupling structures  144  include a protruding member  144   b  from the base layer of the cap  130 . The protruding member  144   b  can be, for example, a pole with a height. The height determines the space between the liner layer  132  and the base layer of the cap  130 . The counter-portion of the coupling member in the liner layer  132  is, for example, a set of intersecting cutting lines  144   a,  such as the cross cutting lines. The intersectional cutting lines  144   a  comprises an opening at an intersection point. For example, the set of intersecting cutting lines  144   a  allows the protruding member  144   b  to penetrate. When the protruding member  144   b  penetrates through the set of intersecting cutting lines  144   a,  the tips at the intersecting region of the cutting lines  144   a  can lock the liner layer  132  and prevent the liner layer  132  from dropping away. In addition, for easy assembly and alignment, the intersection region of the cutting lines  144   a  may have a hole. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , after the liner layer  132  is locked with the cap  130  by the coupling structure  144 , the liner layer  132  is held by the protrusion members  144   b.  In addition, the hand-operationable protrusion  132   a  can be formed at the outer side of the liner layer  132 , so that the liner layer  132  can be easily held by hand of user, for example, for aligning and pushing the liner layer  132  to the cap  130 . 
         [0027]    The structure for locking the liner layer to the cap by one-tine locking mechanism has been described. However, when the cap  130  may have addition structure for covering to the container mouth in different mechanism, depending on the actual need in option. If the cap  130  is to tightly cover the container mouth, then several mechanism, such as screwing mechanism, can be taken. However, if it is not necessary to tightly cover the container mouth, as described in  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 3 , the cap structure has further locking members. 
         [0028]    The ribs  140  and hooking members  138  can be formed on the sidewall of the cap  130  at the inner side. The gap between the ribs  140  and the hooking members  138  is to adapt the rim of the container mouth. Each of the hooking members  138  has a sliding surface for easily hooking into the rim of the container mouth. Depending on the actual need of the cap  130 , the liner layer  132  may have indent for allowing the ribs  140  to pass through, so that the liner layer  132  can also be guided to the locking positions of the coupling structure  144 . In addition, in order to have air circulation, the sidewall of the cap  130  at inner side can have the air circulation channels  146 , at which a thinner wall is formed, so that the air can flow through the air circulation channels  146 . As a practical application, for example, the air circulation channels  146  are useful for contained live plant or insect, which usually needs water or fresh air in circulation. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6 . is a perspective view, schematically illustrating a cap structure from an opening side based on multiple-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 6 , for multiple-time locking mechanism, the coupling structure  146  allows the liner layer  132  to be locked or unlocked from the cap  130 . The coupling structure  146  is based on the mechanism by rotating the liner layer into a blocking structure of the protrusion member in lock, for example. More details are to be described in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  for both locking mechanisms. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is drawings in different views, schematically illustrating a cap structure based on one-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The cap  130  is designed to be easily formed by molding process for reducing cost. However, in order to adapt the molding process, the structure should be in association with the molding technology. In  FIG. 7(   a ), the protrusion members  144   b,  such as poles, is protruding from the base layer of the cap  130 . The rib  140  extends from the base layer of the cap  130  to a predetermined height. The hooking member  138  is formed at the different height, so that a gap between the rib  140  and the hooking member  138  can adapt the rim of the container mouth. The air circulation channel  146  is at the inner side of sidewall of the cap  130 , so that once the cap  130  covers the container mouth, the air circulation channel  146  allows a small portion of the air circulation. In  FIG. 7(   b ), the liner layer  132  has the hand-operationable protrusion  132   a,  of which a crossing structure is shown as an example but not the only choice. In further consideration for air circulation, a further concave region at the center can be made. This is because the hand-operationable protrusion  132   a  may touch to the plug  126  in  FIG. 2 , then the concave region does not touch to the through hole  128 . The cutting lines  144   a  of the liner layer  132  as a hole is at the position corresponding to the protrusion members  144   b  of the cap  130 . The side indent  132   b  is for adapting the rib  140 . However, if the size of the liner layer  132  is sufficiently smaller, the periphery of the liner layer may be not touching to the rib and then the side indent  132   b  is not necessary as a choice. As a result, the liner layer  132  can be locked to the protrusion member  144   b  of the cap  130 . The structure of the cap  130  and the liner layer  132  are easily made by molding process. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is drawings in different views, schematically illustrating a cap structure based on multiple-time locking mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 8(   a ), the cap  130  of the cap structure is similar to the cap  130  in  FIG. 7 . However, the protruding member  150  is different from the pole structure. The protruding member, as for example shown in  FIG. 7(   b ) at the cross-section, can be a protrusion wall  150 , preferable in circle shape at the inner side in accordance with the circle periphery of the liner layer  132 . The top of the protrusion wall  150  can have a blocking protrusion  150   a.  In  FIG. 8(   c ), the counter part of the coupling structure at the liner layer  132  has a periphery indent region  152  and an anchor wall  154 . The periphery indent region  152  allows the liner layer to pass the protrusion wall  150 . Once the liner layer  132  passes the protrusion wall  150 , the liner layer  132  can rotated by hand via the hand-operationable protrusion  132   a.  After rotating the liner layer  132 , the anchor wall  154  slides into the inner wall surface of the protrusion wall  150  and stops due to the angle anchor. At the same time, the blocking protrusion  150   a  of the protrusion wall  150 , as shown in  FIG. 8(   b ), blocks the liner layer  132  at the normal direction. In  FIG. 8(   c ), a top view of the liner layer  132  is shown. The periphery of the liner layer  132  has the protrusion wall  132   c  with a proper height and is disconnected at the disconnection region  132   d.  The anchor wall  154  is formed at the disconnection region  132   d.  As a result, the liner layer  132  is locked and prevention from dropping. However, the liner layer  132  can be rotated backward, so that the liner layer can be detached from the cap  130  for changing the RFID tag or any other action. In one example, since the RFID tag can be thin like a paper. The RFID tag  134  can be adhered on the liner layer  132  at the other side (see  FIG. 3)  without significantly occupying the space. However, the space between liner layer  132  and the base layer of the cap  130  can be adjusted by changing the design parameters under the same design principle. 
         [0032]    As can be understood, the liner layer is locked to the cap to adapt the RFID tag, for example. The RFID tag can be easily adhered to the liner layer, for example. The liner layer can also be constantly locked to the cap or detachably locked to the cap. If it is necessary, the air circulation channel can also be formed while the cap is semi-tightly covering the container mouth by hooking, for example. 
         [0033]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing descriptions, it is intended that the present invention covers modifications and variations of this invention if they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.