Abstract:
A reusable bottle cap system includes a bottle cap and a bottle cap cover. The bottle cap includes a stem portion extending downwardly from a flanged portion. When in use the stem portion is used to seal a bottle mouth. When the bottle cap is not in use the bottle cap cover encloses and houses the stem portion to protect it from debris. The flanged portion includes a complementary mating structure. The bottle cap cover includes a mating structure that engages the complementary mating structure to secure the bottle cap cover to the flanged portion. When the bottle cap cover is secured to the flanged portion the stem portion extends substantially to a closed bottom end of an inside surface of the bottle cap cover.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/321,726, filed on Jul. 1, 2014, which is a divisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/852,261 filed on Aug. 6, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,831, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/289,927, filed on Dec. 23, 2009, and which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains generally to methods of environmental preservation and saving of natural resources (specifically water), in addition to preserving manufactured and raw materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a reusable bottle cap device providing identification of own bottle to a user, minimizing or eliminating waste associated with any unused portions of the contents therein and encouraging reuse of disposable drinking bottles, especially water bottles. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many reusable bottle caps have been introduced heretofore also employing identification means. One early example was proposed by Brixious and was granted U.S. patent protection in 1961, entitled “Identifying Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 2,976,629. 
     According to Brixious, in bowling alleys, particularly during team play in league competition, spectators and players alike are present in large numbers. On such occasions, as well as similar gatherings, beverages such as soft drinks, beer and the like are purchased by both spectators and players who are constantly moving about, and during consumption thereof often set their drinks down at the most convenient location with the intention of returning thereto. Due to the large number of drinks that may be temporarily deposited in a relatively restricted area, and the fact that the players and spectators move about during the period of play, confusion as to the ownership of the various drinks often arises. 
     In more recent times, the dominant beverage consuming activity has become drinking water from bottles comprised of polyethylene or polyurethane plastic in such gatherings such as: company picnics, sporting events, hiking, camping, boating, industry and political conventions, trade shows, academic conferences, construction sites, professional groups, and a myriad of networking and social gatherings. The total bottled water consumption has grown vastly in our most recent history. According to the Bottled Water—Global Industry Guide, the market for bottled water grew by 7% in the year 2006 alone. Additionally, they provide a market forecast of an increase in consumption every year with a total increase of 51% by 2011 since the 2006 levels. This comes to approximately 174 billion liters of water consumed in a year from bottled water. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to minimize the waste associated with beverage (especially water) drinkers losing track of a beverage (especially water) bottle after the contents have been only partially or marginally consumed. Also, the practice of washing, rinsing, and reusing beverage (especially water) bottles is increasing in practice. Hence, it is an additional object of the present invention to promote this practice and therefore reduce non-biodegradable landfill waste and raw material consumption. 
     Not surprisingly, more recent efforts to gain patent protection on beverage identification means have emerged. Two such examples are U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,505, entitled “Color Coded Beverage Cap Collection with Permanent Passive Indicia Indicating Beverage Bottle User Identities,” to Moran; and U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No. 2009/0026104, entitled “Bottle-Cap Identification System,” disclosed by Cassidy. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a novel alternative design to those that have been proposed in the prior art that can be can be configured to different beverage (especially water) bottles having varied thread configurations and varied diameter openings at the top, through which the contents are delivered. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a design that may be inexpensively cast to a mold and mass produced and therefore comparatively cost effective. It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a bottle cap cover to protect the bottle cap from dirt and debris while not in use, thereby maintaining hygiene and thus maximizing the usable life of the present invention. It is still further noted that the present invention will be sufficiently sturdy to withstand repeated washings, thereby encouraging multiple uses. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention, in a first aspect is directed to a reusable bottle cap system (bottle plus cover) comprising: a bottle cap portion comprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ring portion about an upper end of the stem portion, wherein the stem portion further comprises a plurality of successive U-shaped grooves along a length thereof, the U-shaped grooves forming a crest and a trough, the crest between two adjacent troughs forming a point. 
     The reusable bottle cap system is further characterized wherein the plurality of successive U-shaped grooves are aligned perpendicular to the vertical axis. The invention in this aspect is additionally characterized in that the flanged ring portion comprises an outside surface that extends outwardly and downward smoothly and continuously to form a rounded ring from a lateral side to a top surface. Still further the invention is characterized wherein the lateral side comprises a lip that extends inward toward the stem portion. The stem also comprises a slight taper. 
     Furthermore, the reusable bottle cap system of this invention aspect is characterized wherein the stem is hollow throughout its length from a top end to a bottom end, further except wherein a hollow stem is closed at the bottom end. Also, stem may be hollow throughout its length from a top end to a bottom end; or alternatively hollow except that it is closed at either a top end or a bottom end. 
     The reusable bottle cap system herein is further characterized as comprising a bottle cap cover to house and enclose the stem portion, the bottle cap cover further comprising: a crown at a top end thereof; a mid-portion comprising a surface having a convex shape; and a mouth having a lip wherein the lip comprises a groove, the groove configured to mate with complementary structure of the bottle cap, wherein the bottle cap cover is designed to keep the bottle cap free from dirt and debris when not in use. 
     The cover to the bottle cap is also characterized as comprising an eyelet protruding from the crown, the eyelet designed to link to a key chain of a user. Alternatively, the eyelet protrudes from the mid-portion of the cover. 
     In a second aspect, the invention is characterized as a reusable bottle cap comprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ring portion about an upper end of the stem portion, wherein the stem portion further comprises a two semi-circular grooves along a length thereof, the semi-circular grooves configured to receive two O-rings. The invention in this aspect is characterized wherein the flanged ring portion comprises a plurality of lengthwise ridges, the ridges designed to improve grasping of the bottle cap. 
     The invention is additionally characterized in that the flanged ring portion further comprises a top portion, the top portion having a circular recess configured to receive a marker of the present invention. The flanged ring portion also has a lateral side, the lateral side having a lip protruding inward toward the stem portion, the lip configured to mate with complementary structure on a bottle cap cover. The invention is also characterized wherein the stem is hollow throughout its length from a top end to a bottom end, wherein a hollow portion in the stem is further tapered from a top end to a bottom end. The reusable bottle cap in this aspect further comprises polyethylene or polyurethane material, the polyethylene or polyurethane material being pliable to allow for compression of the cap to form an effective seal to the mouths of bottles of varying diameter. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention is characterized as reusable bottle cap comprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ring portion about an upper end of the stem portion, wherein the flanged ring portion further comprises a top portion and a lateral side, wherein the lateral side extends downward and outward from the top portion at a substantially constant negative slope, and wherein the top portion comprises a circular recess configured to receive a circular identification marker. The invention in this aspect is further characterized wherein the recess further comprises a lip around a rim thereof, and wherein the recess further comprises a plurality of cavities to receive a plurality of pins configured to the circular identification marker. 
     Additionally in this aspect, the stem further comprises a cylindrical base having a plurality of radial ridges protruding therefrom, wherein at an area where the ridges meet with the cylindrical base is devoid of a smooth and continuous transition. Also in this embodiment, the stem portion is hollow throughout its length from a top end to a bottom end, further except wherein a hollow stem is closed at the top end. 
     In still another aspect, the invention is characterized as a bottle cap cover to house and enclose a bottle cap stem portion, the bottle cap cover comprising: a crown at a top end thereof; a mid-portion; and a mouth having a lip wherein the lip comprises a groove, the groove configured to mate with complementary structure of the bottle cap, wherein the bottle cap cover is designed to keep the bottle cap free from dirt and debris when not in use. 
     The cover is further characterized wherein the mid-portion comprises a surface having a convex shape. Also, the cover further comprises an eyelet protruding from the crown, the eyelet designed to link to a key chain of a user. Alternatively, the eyelet protrudes from the mid-portion. 
     In yet still another aspect, the invention is a reusable bottle cap comprising: a stem portion about a vertical axis; and a flanged ring portion about an upper end of the stem portion, the flanged ring portion having an opening at a top end configured to receive an identification marker, the identification marker coupled to the flanged ring portion top end via a living hinge. 
     The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective illustration of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention with a corresponding bottle cap cover; 
         FIG. 1B  is a profile view of the invention embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line  1 C- 1 C in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a profile view of a second preferred bottle cap system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line  2 B- 2 B in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates an enlarged view of an area as identified in  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a profile view of a first preferred bottle cap cover; 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap cover of present invention taken along sectional line  2 E- 2 E in  FIG. 2D ; 
         FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of the second preferred bottle cap embodiment illustrated of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2G  illustrates a profile view of the second preferred reusable bottle cap; 
         FIG. 2H  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line  2 H- 2 H in  FIG. 2F  and again in  FIG. 2G ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective illustration of a third preferred reusable bottle cap of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a profile view of the invention embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line  3 C- 3 C in FIG.  3 A and again in  FIG. 3B ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective illustration of another preferred bottle cap system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematical illustration of another preferred embodiment employing a marker as identification means; 
         FIGS. 6A through 6E  illustrate how the present invention may be applicable to a variety of beverage (especially water) bottle designs; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective view of an additional bottle cap embodiment from an above vantage point; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a perspective view of the bottle cap embodiment from a side vantage point; 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the reusable bottle cap embodiment with an identification marker removed; 
         FIG. 7D  is an additional perspective view of the reusable bottle cap from an underneath vantage point; 
         FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of an additional bottle cap cover embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a variation of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2H ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a living hinge embodiment applicable to an identification marker. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIG. 1A , a first preferred reusable bottle cap  110  system  100  of the present invention is illustrated in perspective. The upper portion of the drawing shows a reusable bottle cap  110  while the lower portion comprises a bottle cap  130  cover to protect the cap  100  from dirt and debris while not in use. The cap cover may further include an eyelet  131  for connecting to a key chain of a user as desired. 
     With regard to  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 1C , profile and sectional views of the first preferred bottle cap  110  are illustrated respectively. The cap  110  generally includes a stern portion  115  and a flanged ring portion  111  about an upper end of the stem portion  115 . The stem  115  is configured to mate with an inner rim of a beverage (especially water) bottle opening, as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6E . The stem portion  115  is additionally characterized in that it is hollow  120  through its length except that its bottom end is closed  121  ( FIG. 1C ). In this and in other embodiments, the stem further has a slight taper  218  ( FIG. 2G ) from top to bottom  121  to fit the inner rim of the mouth of beverage (especially water) bottles of varying inner diameters ( FIGS. 5 and 6A through 6E ). This particular stem embodiment  115  comprises two grooves machined around a circumference thereof; the grooves are additionally configured to receive two O-rings  116  wherein the O-rings assist in forming a seal in the top opening of a beverage (especially water) bottle ( FIG. 6B ). 
     Also referring to  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1C , a flanged ring portion  111  of the bottle cap  110  generally extends outwardly from the upper stem and then extends downward to surround an upper rim of a bottle cap opening. A lateral side of the ring  111  extends slightly inward forming a lip  119 . This lip  119  is configured to be received by the bottle cap cover  130 ,  230  similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2C . It is additionally contemplated herein that the bottle cap  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910  may be comprised of polyethylene or polyurethane material of sufficient pliability to allow for compression of the cap to form an effective (i.e., watertight) seal to the mouths of bottles of varying inner diameter. Also in a preferred embodiment, the bottle caps  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810  and covers  130 ,  230 ,  430 ,  730  herein are comprised of biodegradable plastic and can be configured to soda bottles or beer bottles etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2C , a second preferred reusable bottle cap system  200  is illustrated. This embodiment includes ridges  213  along a lateral side of the flanged ring portion  211 . The ridges  213  may be useful to aid in grasping of the bottle cap  210  by a user. Further, the stem portion comprises successive U-shaped grooves  216 ,  217  along its length; the U-shaped grooves being directly adjacent to one another forming a crest  216  and a trough  217 ; the crest  216  between two adjacent troughs  217  forming a point  216 . 
     Further to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the bottle cap  210  is illustrated coupled to a bottle cap cover  230  for storage of the bottle cap when not in use. The cover  230  may optionally include an eyelet  231  so that the cover  230  and bottle cap  210  together may be conveniently carried on a key chain. The cover  230  is generally bell shaped, but could also be conical in shape, or barrel shaped  430 ,  730 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 2C , an enlarged view of a lip portion  219  of the bottle cap ring mating with a groove  233  of a rim  232  of the bottle cap cover is illustrated ( FIG. 2D  and  FIG. 2E ). As stated, the lip portion  219  extends inward slightly to form a complementary union with the rim  232  and groove  233  encircling the outer circumference of the open end of the cover  230 . The mating is sized and configured such that the two pieces  210 ,  230  can snap together with a minimal amount of force. It is further contemplated herein that a bottle cap  210  and cover  230  comprised of different colors would serve a purpose of identification. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2H , the bottle cap  210  herein may have a hollow  220  stem  215 , however closed  221  at a bottom end. Alternatively with reference to  FIG. 8 , the bottle cap  810  hollow  820  stem may be closed  822  at a top end. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of a third preferred bottle cap  310  embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 3B  is a profile view of the third preferred embodiment  310 ; and  FIG. 3C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line  3 C- 3 C. In this embodiment, the flanged ring portion  311  has an outside surface that extends outwardly and downward smoothly and continuously to form a rounded ring from lateral side to a top surface. Stated differently, the flanged ring portion  311  has a surface having a slope  312 , the slope is continuously increasing and negative from a top to a lateral side without a step change in slope  312 . Further, the flanged ring portion  311  is configured to fit around mouths of bottles of varying outer diameter. Additionally, the stem  315  is hollow  320  throughout its vertical axis through which a user may dispense of the contents or so that a straw would be permitted to fit through the stern  315 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates yet another reusable bottle cap system  400  comprising bottle cap  410  and cover  430 . It should be readily appreciated that many cap embodiments  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910  could be coupled to different cover embodiments  130 ,  230 ,  430 .  FIG. 4  is further illustrative of a bottle cap cover  430  having an eyelet  431  on a side thereof. In this configuration, the cover  430  is generally in the shape of a tea cup having a flat bottom end continuously curving to an open upper end comprising a rim  432  and groove  433 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 5 , a schematic illustration of yet another invention embodiment is shown. In this variation, the bottle cap top comprises a circular recess  522  to receive a color coded or labeled marker  523 . This labeling may further comprise one or more of the following: an individual&#39;s name/initials/monogram; a company name/moniker/emblem and/or contact information and/or website and/or social networking page (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and/or logo; any or all of the same information for a sports team, a musical artist/band, or a fictional/real character. The recess  522  is sized such that the marker  523  will fit snugly thereto. Further, a relief may be provided to the recess  522  to assist a user in removing the marker  523 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6E , a manner in which the bottle cap  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910  can mate to the inside of the opening of a beverage (especially water) bottle is illustrated with various examples. Since the bottle cap contains a slight taper  218 , it can mate with a variety of water bottles available at retail having a slightly different size opening. Also, the invention will fit a water bottle regardless of the thread configuration on the outer part of the opening. 
     Now turning to  FIG. 7A  through  FIG. 7E , another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and generally comprises reusable bottle cap  710  with a cover  730  thereto.  FIG. 7A  more specifically illustrates an identification marker  723  coupled to a flanged ring portion  711 . Close inspection of  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  reveals that the stem portion  715  comprises different structure than in previous embodiment. More particularly, the stem  715  has a cylindrical base  717  and therefore the surface between adjacent peaks  716  is substantially flat. The peaks  716  themselves are additionally different than previous embodiment in that they protrude outward with a slight convex surface; whereas the previous embodiment  215  comprises a concave surface  217  to a peak  216  also comprising a point  216 ,  716 . Additionally, since the peaks  716  comprise a surface that is slightly convex, then also the peaks  716  are not flat or thin like a wafer. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7C , a perspective view of the reusable bottle cap embodiment with an identification marker  723  removed is shown. Identification marker  723  is configured to be received by a recess  722  carved out of the flanged ring portion  711 . More specifically, the marker  723  comprises a plurality of pins  725  configured to be received by a respective plurality of cavities  724 . With regard to  FIG. 7D , the flanged ring portion  711  and stem  715  are hollow  720  so that into which a straw could fit if the marker  723  was removed. As with other embodiments, the underside of the flanged ring portion  711  has a lip  719  configured to connect to a lip  732  and groove  733  of a bottle cap cover  730  ( FIG. 7E ). In this embodiment  730 , the bottle cap cover  730  is barrel shaped and not bell shaped  230  or cone shaped. The barrel shape  730  in this modification will result in more usable surface area to affix a logo or a design thereto. The embodiment similarly comprises an eyelet  731 . It is still further contemplated that marker  523 ,  723  and/or bottle cap  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910  may comprise cold-activated material, in which a temperature change will cause a chemical within the material to change color, further providing identification means of own bottle ( FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6E ). 
     With regard to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment that has an identification marker  923  coupled to a bottle cap  910  with a living hinge  929 . The living hinge comprises a thin, narrow plastic material that is able to pivot forming a hinge. Stem  915  is illustrated as an example and could be replaced with other stem designs of the present invention. It is further contemplated that identification marker  923  could act as a lid to the bottle cap  910 , so that the cap  910  itself would not have to be removed to expel bottle contents. Marker  923  further comprises a vertical surface  928  to mate with a vertical surface  922  on flanged ring portion  911 . 
     Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     While the particular Reusable Bottle Cap Having Identification Means as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.