Abstract:
An adapter to be pressed into the neck of a bottle to receive a syringe for accessing the bottle contents by a syringe. The adapter has a distal end that extends into the bottle and a normally closed valve located at that distal end to prevent the contents from leaking out of the bottle if the bottle is inverted. An upper flange of the adapter seats against the top of the bottle and is recessed into the top of the bottle to prevent easy access to pry the adapter out of the bottle. A cap is also disclosed that is adapted to be pressed into the neck of a bottle. The cap has an upper lid that is hinged to a lower body to allow the upper hinge to move between a closed position sealing the bottle and an open position where the bottle is accessible by a syringe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/221,728 filed Jun. 30, 2009, entitled “Press in Bottle Adapters” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to adapters that are pressed into the open end of a bottle neck to allow the use of a dispenser such as a syringe with a bottle, and, more particularly, to a press in adapter that can be pressed into the open end of a bottle which restricts leakage from the bottle and resists removal from the bottle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are, today, bottle adapters that are used for children&#39;s medications and allows a bottle to be accessed by a syringe so that the caregiver can administer that dosage of the medicine to the child. Basically, the adapter is located at the top of the bottle neck to create a syringe accessibility to that bottle. They are pressed into the open top of the bottle to make assembly relatively cost effective and have a central opening through which a dispenser or syringe can be inserted to reach and withdraw the medicine from the bottle. 
         [0004]    With the present adapters, however, there are some problems, in that children can bypass the adapter and access the content of the bottle, either by effecting some bypass method or by the removal of the adapter in its entirety. It is estimated that about 180,000 children each year are seen for medication overdoses and the main issue in such overdoses is the unsupervised ingestion of the medicine. 
         [0005]    For example, one issue with existing adapters is that the central opening can be used by a child to access the medicine by inverting the bottle and shaking, sucking or otherwise manipulating the bottle to access the medicine. There is, also the possibility that the bottle may be overturned, either deliberately or inadvertently, and the contents leak out of that central opening. 
         [0006]    Another problem with the present adapters, is that there is an upper flange that sits atop the upper edge of the neck of the bottle such that a child, or other person can insert a tool, fingernail, or even teeth to pry the adapter out of the bottle neck and thus expose the medicine to a child. 
         [0007]    It would therefore be advantageous to have an improved bottle adapted that can be pressed into the bottle and which provides enhanced protection against access to the content of the bottle by persons, such as children. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the difficulties heretofore encountered with present press in bottle adapters. With the present invention, the adapter has a valve located at its distal end that resides within the neck of the bottle. The valve prevents the spillage of medicine from the bottle if the bottle is inadvertently overturned or there is a deliberate attempt by a child to gain access to the medicine within the bottle. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the valve can be of different constructions and is not limited to the specific configurations disclosed. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the valve may be a two piece construction. In this embodiment, the adapter has a two-piece valve, such as a duck bill valve at its distal end that is snapped or molded on to the adapter. The valve is opened as the dispenser or syringe penetrates the duck bill valve so that access can be gained by the dispenser or syringe to the medicine within the bottle. 
         [0010]    In an alternative embodiment, the valve can be constructed as a unitary adapter such that the adapter and valve are molded together in a one-piece design. 
         [0011]    In another exemplary embodiment, the valve has a dome-shaped valve member that is flexible and is distorted by the dispenser or syringe as it is introduced into the bottle. The dome shaped member flexes inwardly by the advancement of the distal end of the dispenser or syringe to open a passageway for the dispenser or syringe to access the medicine within the bottle. 
         [0012]    As a advantageous feature, the adapters heretofore described, have an upper flange that is recessed or countersunk with the top of the neck of the bottle so that it is considerably difficult to gain access to the underside of the upper flange to pry the adapter out of the neck of the bottle to gain access to the medicine. 
         [0013]    There is a further exemplary embodiment comprising a molded cap that is adapted to be affixed to the neck of a bottle. In this embodiment, the cap has a lower body and an upper lid that is hingedly affixed to the lower body, such as by the use of a living hinge. The upper lid can then be moved between a closed position where the central opening in the cap is closed and an upper position where the central opening is open and accessible by a syringe. There is a locking system that locks the upper lid in its closed position and the locking system requires a deliberate action by the user to open the upper lid to gain access to the medicine within the bottle. 
         [0014]    Again, with the embodiment of a cap covering the neck of the bottle, there is a valve at the distal end of the cap that extends into the bottle and the valve can be opened by the physical insertion of a dispenser or syringe in the manner described with respect to the adapters. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the adapter does not utilize a valve at the distal end, but instead relies on a reduced opening in conjunction with the other features disclosed to restrict the inadvertent or unintentional flow of fluid from the bottle. 
         [0016]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional bottle adapter in its operative position interfitted into the top of a bottle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a bottle adapter of the present invention in its operative position interfitted into the top of a bottle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a bottle adapter of the present invention in its operative position interfitted into the top of a bottle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of a bottle adapter of the present invention in its operative position interfitted into the top of a bottle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a still further alternative embodiment of a bottle adapter of the present invention in its operative position interfitted into the top of a bottle; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a cap with its upper lid in the closed position closing the top of a bottle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 6  with the upper lid in the open position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a is a cross-sectional view of an other embodiment of a cap of the present invention with its upper lid in the closed position closing the top of a bottle; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 9  with the upper lid in the open position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 9  and 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a bottle adapter of the present invention in its operative position interfitted into the top of a bottle; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a conventional bottle adapter  10  currently being used commercially. As can be seen, the bottle  12  has an upstanding neck  14  having an upper, cylindrical surface  16 . The adapter  10  includes a plurality of fins  18  that extend outwardly from a cylindrical portion  20  of the adapter  10  and press against the inside surface  22  of the neck  14  to retain the adapter  10  firmly in position after being pressed into the neck  14  of the bottle  12 . 
         [0030]    The adapter  10  has an upper flange  24  that closes the neck  14  of the bottle  12  and which has a central opening  26  through which a syringe can be inserted in gaining access to the medicine that is contained within the bottle  12 . 
         [0031]    Accordingly, there is a disadvantage with the conventional adapter  10  of  FIG. 1  since the upper flange  24  overlaps the upper cylindrical surface  16  of the neck  14  and, therefore, present an opportunity for someone, such as a child, to pry the adapter  10  out of the bottle  12  by inserting a tool, fingernail, or by use of teeth between the upper flange  24  and the upper cylindrical surface  16  of the bottle. 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an adapter  28  constructed in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, the adapter  28  of this embodiment has been pressed into the neck  30  of a bottle  32  so as to be tightly secured thereto. Again, there is a cylindrical portion  34  having fins  36  extending outwardly therefrom to contact and be secured to the inside surface  38  of the neck  30 . There is a central opening  40  to allow access by a dispenser or syringe to the medicine within the bottle  32 . 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 2 , there can also be seen the upper cylindrical surface  42  of the neck  30  and there is a ledge  44  formed inwardly thereof having an inner cylindrical surface  46 . In the interfitting of the adapter  28  to the bottle  32 , the upper flange  48  of the adapter  28  thus seats atop of the inner cylindrical surface  46  such that the upper surface  50  of the upper flange  48  is generally aligned and contiguous with the upper cylindrical surface  42 , thus making it very difficult to pry the adapter  28  out of its operative position pressed into the neck  30  of bottle  32 . In effect, the upper flange  48  is countersunk or recessed into the neck  30  of the bottle  32 . The adapter  28  further includes an inner cylindrical portion  52  extending downwardly from the upper flange  48  in the direction toward the bottle  32 . 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, adapter  28  also includes a valve  53  to prevent the medicine from spilling out of the bottle  32  in case the bottle  32  is inadvertently tipped over or a child tries to access the contents by inverting the bottle  32 . The valve  53  is comprised of a valve body  54  made of a molded material having an inner surface  56  of a diameter that fits closely over the inner cylindrical portion  52 . An annular projection  58  is formed on the inner surface  56  of the valve body  54  that interfits into an annular depression  60  formed on the inner cylindrical portion  52  such that the valve body  54  can be readily snapped on to the inner cylindrical portion  52  in constructing the adapter  28  additionally, valve  53  may be molded directly on to adapter  28  forming a single contiguous unit. 
         [0035]    The lower portion of the valve body  54  is formed as a duck bill valve  61  that is normally closed but opens when an object such as a dispenser is inserted therethrough and the function and purpose of the duck bill valve  61  will later become clear. 
         [0036]    As also can be seen in  FIG. 2 , there is a dispenser  62  that is positioned within the adapter  28  just short of full penetration into the adapter  28  and, of course, into the central opening  40  and into the bottle  32 . The dispenser  62  has a distal end  64  that is adapted to be inserted into the bottle  32  to reach the medicine therein and to withdraw the desired amount of the medicine. In the position of  FIG. 2 , the distal end  64  is shown to be just contacting the duck bill valve  61  and further penetration into the bottle  32  allows the distal end  64  to penetrate the duck bill valve  61  to enter the bottle  32 . 
         [0037]    The dispenser  62  also includes a cylindrical flange  66  that interfits into an enlarged cylindrical opening  68  that is larger in diameter than the central opening  40 . As such, when the dispenser  62  is fully inserted into its operable position into the bottle  32 , the cylindrical flange  66  seats in the enlarged cylindrical opening  68 . 
         [0038]    A key  72  is formed on the dispenser  62  that interfits into a keyway  74  formed in the upper flange  48  of the adapter  28  such that the dispenser  62  must be accurately radially oriented to align the key  72  with the keyway  74  in order to be able to insert the dispenser  62  further into the bottle  32  so as to have the distal end  64  access the medicine. Thus, the dispenser  62  cannot simply be inserted into the bottle  32  but must be carefully oriented, as an adult could do, to actually have the dispenser  62  open the valve to access and remove any medicine within the bottle  32 . 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention where like identification numbers are used on the same components described and explained with respect to  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the adapter  76  has a plurality of annular bumps  78  formed on the exterior of a cylindrical portion  80  that has a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion  34  of  FIG. 2  such that the annular bumps  78  interfit into annular recesses  82  formed in the interior surface  84  of the neck  30  of the bottle  32 . As such when the adapter  76  is pressed into the neck  30 , the annular bumps  78  snap into the annular recesses  82  to positively secure the adapter  76  to the bottle  32 . 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, again using like numbers for those previously used on corresponding components. In this embodiment, however, the adapter  86  is a one-piece molded construction and the valve  88  is molded into the adapter  86  as a single molded piece. 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a shown a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention and, again like numbers are used to identify corresponding components described in the previous Figures. In this embodiment, the adapter  94  is pressed into the neck  30  of the bottle  32  in the same manner as previously described. With this embodiment, however, the valve  96  comprises a two piece unit, with the cylindrical portion  98  having a plurality of annular recesses  100  formed at is lower portion  102 . A dome-shaped valve member  104  interfits into the lower portion  102  and has annular ribs  106  formed thereon that snap into the annular recesses  100  in the lower portion  102  of the valve  96 . The dome shaped valve member  104  therefore snaps onto the lower portion  120  of the cylindrical portion  98  to securely join the two components. 
         [0042]    The dome shaped valve member  104  has an upper portion  108  forming a plurality of serrations  110  that, in turn, create a plurality of upper surfaces  112 . Accordingly, as the distal end  64  of dispenser  62  moves downwardly, that distal end  64  contacts the upper surfaces  112  of the dome shaped valve member  104  and further downward movement causes upper portion  108  of the dome shaped valve member  104  to distort and move downwardly, thereby opening a passageway from the bottle  32  through the serrations  110  to enter the dispenser  62 . 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a cap  116  constructed in accordance with the present invention, a cross-sectional view of the cap  116  of  FIG. 6  in the open position and a perspective view of the  FIG. 6  cap  116 , respectively. 
         [0044]    Accordingly, as can be seen in  FIGS. 6-8 , the cap  116  is comprised of a lower body  118  and an upper lid  120  that is movable between a closed position and an open position as will be later explained. In this embodiment, the lower body  118  has an outer cylindrical portion  122  the surrounds the neck  124  of the bottle  126 . There is a indention  128  formed in the lower body  118  that interfits with a projection  130  provided on the neck  124  of the bottle  126  such that the lower body  118  can be easily snapped onto the bottle neck  124  to securely assemble the cap  116  to the bottle  126 . 
         [0045]    As can also be seen, the lower body  118  includes an inner cylindrical portion  132  having a plurality of annular recesses  134  formed at its lower portion  136 . A dome-shaped valve member  138  interfits into the lower portion  136  and has annular ribs  140  formed thereon that snap into the annular recesses  134  in the lower portion  136  of the lower body  118 . The dome shaped valve member  138  therefore snaps onto the lower portion  136  of the inner cylindrical portion  132  to securely join the two components. 
         [0046]    The dome shaped valve member  138  has an upper portion  142  forming a plurality of serrations  144  that, in turn, create a plurality of upper surfaces  146 . Accordingly, as the distal end  145  of the dispenser  143  moves downwardly, that distal end  145  contacts the upper surfaces  146  of the dome shaped valve member  138  and further downward movement causes upper portion  142  of the dome shaped valve member  138  to distort and move downwardly, thereby opening a passageway from the bottle  126  through the serrations  144  to enter the dispenser  143  in the same manner as described with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0047]    The lower body  118  also includes a central opening  148  that receives the dispenser  143  in accessing the medicine within the bottle  126 . There is also a pair of upward latches  150  provided on the lower body  118  that extend upwardly and serve a purpose to be later explained. 
         [0048]    Taking then, the upper lid  120 , the upper lid  120  is hingedly affixed to the lower body  118  and in the exemplary embodiment that hinged connection can be by means of a living hinge  152 . The upper lid  120  has a closed position as shown in  FIG. 6  and an open position as shown in  FIG. 7 . As can be seen, in the closed position of  FIG. 6 , the upper lid  120  includes a downwardly extending plug  154  that interfits into and closes the central opening  148 . 
         [0049]    Also, in the closed position of  FIG. 6 , there are downward latches  156  that latch with the upward latches  150  of the lower body  118  to retain the upper lid  120  in its closed position. In order to move the upper lid  120  from its latched, closed position of  FIG. 6  to its open position of  FIG. 7 , there are release buttons  158  formed in the upper lid  120  that are adapted to be pressed inwardly so as to move the downward latches  156  inwardly to disengage from the upward latches  150 , thereby releasing the upper lid  120  from its latched, closed position so that the upper lid  120  can readily be moved to its open position. 
         [0050]    Turning now to  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a cap  160  constructed in accordance with the present invention, a cross-sectional view of the cap  160  of  FIG. 9  in the open position and a perspective view of the  FIG. 9  cap  160 , respectively. 
         [0051]    Accordingly, as can be seen in  FIGS. 9-11 , the cap  160  is comprised of a lower body  162  and an upper lid  164  that is movable between a closed position and an open position as will be later explained. In this embodiment, the lower body  162  has an outer cylindrical portion  166  that surrounds the neck  168  of the bottle  170 . There is a fin  171  formed on the lower body  162  the interfits with a projection  172  provided on the neck  168  of the bottle  170  such that the lower body  162  can be easily snapped onto the bottle neck  168  to securely assemble the cap  160  to the bottle  170 . 
         [0052]    As can also be seen, the lower body  162  includes an inner cylindrical portion  174  having an annular recesses  176  formed at is lower portion  178 . A valve  180  is located in the lower portion  178  of the inner cylindrical portion  174  and is comprised of a valve body  184  made of a molded material having an inner surface  186  of a diameter that fits closely over the inner cylindrical portion  174 . An annular projection  188  is formed on the inner surface of the valve body  184  that interfits into the annular recess  176  formed on the inner cylindrical portion  174  such that the valve body  184  can be readily snapped on to the inner cylindrical portion  174  in constructing the cap  160 . 
         [0053]    The lower portion of the valve body  184  is formed as a duck bill valve  192  that is normally closed but opens when an object is inserted therethrough and the function and purpose of the duck bill valve  192  is the same as that discussed with respect to  FIG. 2  as will be appreciated buy those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the use of duckbill valves as other valve configurations and shapes maybe used without departing form the spirit of the invention. 
         [0054]    The lower body  162  also includes a central opening  194  that receives a dispenser or syringe  196  in accessing the medicine within the bottle  170 . Again, as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 6-8 , there is a pair of upward latches  198  provided on the lower body  162  that extend upwardly 
         [0055]    Again the upper lid  164  is hingedly affixed to the lower body  162  and in the exemplary embodiment that hinged connection can be by means of a living hinge  200 . The upper lid  164  has a closed position as shown in  FIG. 9  and an open position as shown in  FIG. 10 . As can be seen in the closed position of  FIG. 9 , the upper lid  164  includes a downwardly extending plug  202  that interfits into and closes the central opening  194 . 
         [0056]    Also, in the closed position of  FIG. 9 , there are downward latches  204  that latch with the upward latches  198  of the lower body  162  to retain the upper lid  164  in its closed position. In order to move the upper lid  164  from its latched, closed position of  FIG. 9  to its open position of  FIG. 10 , there are release buttons  206  formed in the upper lid  164  that are adapted to be pressed inwardly so as to move the downward latches  204  inwardly to disengage from the upward latches  198 , thereby releasing the upper lid  164  from its latched, closed position so that the upper lid  164  can readily be moved to its open position. 
         [0057]    Turning now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention where like identification numbers are used on the same components described and explained with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In this embodiment, the adapter  210  has an annular bump  212  formed on the exterior of a cylindrical portion  213  that has a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion  34  of  FIG. 2  such that the annular bump  212  interfits into annular recesses  211  formed in the interior surface  84  of the neck  30  of the bottle  32 . As such when the adapter  210  is pressed into the neck  30 , the annular bump  212  snaps into the annular recesses  211  to positively secure the adapter  210  to the bottle  32 . The adapter  210  further includes an inner cylindrical portion  214  extending downwardly from the upper flange  48  in the direction toward the bottle  32 . Cylindrical portion  214  has a inwardly sloping bottom portion  215  that narrows central opening  40  to orifice  216 . In this embodiment, when key  72  on dispenser  62  is properly aligned with keyway  74 , dispenser  62  can be inserted completely into cylindrical portion  214 . In this position, distal end  64  contacts bottom portion  215  and medicine from bottle  32  can be dispensed through orifice  216  into dispenser  62 . The reduction in the diameter of central opening  40  down to the diameter of orifice  216  severely limits and greatly reduces access to the medicine within bottle  32 . 
         [0058]    Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the pressed in bottle adapter, bottle and dispenser of the present invention which will result in an improved adapter, bottle and dispenser, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.