Patent Publication Number: US-2010108700-A1

Title: Sipper cap with a reciprocally movable
 nozzle

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sipper caps for containers and more specifically for bottles used in the beverage industry. As will be readily apparent the sipper cap could be used in industries other than the beverage industry so this should not be seen as limiting. The invention also relates to a means to assist in preventing removal of the nozzle in a sipper cap thus enhancing the safety of such caps. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Sipper caps have found considerable application in the beverage industry. Sipper caps are commonly fitted to the top of drink bottles and provide access to the content of the bottle. By moving a nozzle member, which forms part of the sipper cap assembly, the content of the bottle can be accessed by the user or retained within the bottle as desired. Such caps could be attached to a variety of other containers as well, however, they are commonly used with drink bottles. 
     Induction seals and/or foils are often secured to the neck of drink bottles to which sipper caps are attached. The induction seal contains the content of the bottle within the bottle prior to purchase of the drink bottle by the consumer. The seal is provided to prevent contact by air and/or contaminants with the contents in the bottle. Induction seals also provide the consumer with a quality assurance. 
     Sipper caps have also been developed which have the ability to pierce the induction seal. This is advantageous as it overcomes the need to remove the cap manually, remove the seal, and replace the cap before drinking from the sipper cap. 
     Currently available sipper caps both with and without piercing means can have a number of disadvantages. The content of the bottle often leaks out of the bottle via the sipper cap due to inadequate sealing between the nozzle of the cap and the body of the sipper cap that houses the nozzle. Another is the need for a seal at the top of the bottle to which the cap is attached. Piercing options for caps have been used to address the need to remove the seal on the bottle before use but the closure seal in the cap itself is often not as secure as might be desired. 
     There would be an advantage in providing a sipper cap that includes a secure seal to prevent problems with leakage and which may also offer an alternative to the need to seal the bottle separately to the cap. 
     There is also a problem with sipper caps as the nozzle can sometimes be removed by vigorous movement when opening the sipper cap. It would be an advantage to assist in prevention of such removal. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a sipper cap which overcomes or at least reduces at least some of the disadvantages of presently available sipper caps or which at least provides the public with a useful alternative. 
     Other objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a sipper cap for engagement with container, the sipper cap including a housing and a nozzle reciprocally movable in the housing and wherein the sipper cap is adapted to provide a releasable seal between the housing and the nozzle capable of preventing passage of liquid through the sipper cap. 
     Preferably a single point seal is provided about the nozzle. 
     Preferably the single point seal is formed by interaction of a concentric extension from the housing that is adapted to interact with a sealing face about the nozzle. 
     Preferably the concentric extension includes an angled surface that interacts directly with a sealing face on the nozzle. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of between about 30° and about 70° from the central longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     Preferably the angled surface is an angle of between about 45° and about 60°. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of about 55° to the central longitudinal axis of the sipper cap. 
     In another aspect the invention provides a sipper cap including a nozzle and a housing wherein the nozzle is reciprocally movable in the housing from a closed position to an open position and, when in the closed position, a seal is created by an interaction between a concentric extension from the housing and the external surface of the nozzle. 
     Preferably the sipper cap includes an induction seal at the point of interaction between the concentric extension and the nozzle surfaces. 
     Preferably the concentric extension includes an angled surface that interacts directly with sealing face on the nozzle. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of between about 30° and about 70° from the central longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     Preferably the angled surface is an angle of between about 45° and about 60°. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of about 55° to the central longitudinal axis of the sipper cap. 
     In another aspect the invention provides a container including a sipper cap as described above wherein the sipper cap includes an induction seal at the point of interaction between the concentric extension and the nozzle and optionally another induction seal at the point of contact between the container and the sipper cap. 
     Preferably the nozzle for use in the sipper cap described above includes at least two windows for passage of fluid through the sipper cap, the passage of fluid through the window being preventable by the interaction of the concentric extension from the housing and the nozzle. 
     In a further embodiment the invention provides a sipper cap for attachment to a container, the sipper cap including a nozzle and a housing, wherein the nozzle is reciprocally movable within the housing from a first to a second open position, and from the second open position to a closed position, and wherein the nozzle is restricted in movement from the first open position to the second open position, and to and from the closed position, and wherein when the nozzle is in the closed position a seal is created by an interaction between a concentric extension from the housing, and the external surface of the nozzle preventing passage of liquid through the sipper cap. 
     Preferably the container does not have a seal independent of the sipper cap and the container is purchased with the sipper cap having the nozzle in the closed position. 
     Preferably the container does have a seal independent of the sipper cap and the container is purchased with the sipper cap having the nozzle in the first open position. 
     Preferably the concentric extension includes an angled surface that interacts directly with sealing face on the nozzle. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of between about 30° and about 70° from the central longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     Preferably the angled surface is an angle of between about 45° and about 60°. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of about 55° to the central longitudinal axis of the sipper cap. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a housing for a sipper cap nozzle, the housing including a concentric extension with an angled end surface, the extension adapted to interact with the nozzle at the angled end surface to provide a releasable seal preventing passage of liquid through the nozzle and sipper cap. 
     Preferably the concentric extension includes an angled surface that interacts directly with sealing face on the nozzle. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of between about 30° and about 70° from the central longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     Preferably the angled surface is an angle of between about 45° and about 60°. 
     Preferably the angled surface is at an angle of about 55° to the central longitudinal axis of the sipper cap. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a sipper cap for attachment to a container, the sipper cap including a housing and a nozzle, the nozzle being reciprocally movable within the housing from an open position allowing passage of liquid to a closed position preventing passage of liquid from the container, wherein the nozzle includes a retention part adapted to prevent removal of the nozzle from the housing. 
     Preferably the retention part is at the end of the nozzle which, when the sipper cap is attached to the container, is adapted to be positioned adjacent the container. 
     Preferably the nozzle includes a nozzle housing adapted to allow passage of liquid therethrough, the nozzle housing having an open end and a partially closed end, wherein the nozzle also includes an arm extending from the partially dosed end of the nozzle housing through the open end of the nozzle housing, the arm including at least one wing extending from the end of the arm distal the partially closed end of the nozzle and being capable of preventing removal of the nozzle from the sipper cap. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a nozzle for a sipper cap, the nozzle including a housing adapted to allow passage of liquid therethrough, the housing having an open end and a partially closed end, wherein the nozzle also includes an arm extending from the partially closed end through the housing and the open end of the nozzle, the arm including at least one wing extending from the end of the arm distal the partially closed end of the nozzle and being capable of preventing removal of the nozzle from the sipper cap. 
     Preferably the wing extends at an angle of between about 70° and about 110°, more preferably about 90°, from the central longitudinal axis of the arm. 
     Preferably the arm includes two wings and the end of the arm distal the partially closed end of the nozzle is substantially a “T” shape. 
     Preferably the arm extends along the central longitudinal axis of the nozzle. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention may be better understood with reference to the following Figures which illustrate the preferred embodiment, in which: 
         FIG. 1 : shows a cross-section of a sipper cap of a preferred embodiment where the sipper cap is in an “open/purchase” conformation on a container having a seal; 
         FIG. 2 : shows a cross-section of the sipper cap of  FIG. 1  in which the cap is in a open/seal pre-piercing position; 
         FIG. 3 : shows a cross-section of the sipper cap of  FIGS. 1 and 2  where the sipper cap is in an intermediate conformation in which the seal has just been pierced; 
         FIG. 4 : shows a cross-section of the sipper cap, in which the sipper cap is in a “closed” conformation that prevents the content of the bottle escaping from the bottle; 
         FIG. 5 : shows an alternative cross-section through section B-B of the sipper cap of  FIG. 1 , 90° to section D-D; 
         FIG. 6 : shows a perspective view of the external features of the nozzle of the sipper cap of  FIGS. 1 to 5 ; 
         FIG. 7 : shows a perspective view of an alternative form of the nozzle of the sipper cap excluding seal piercing means. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9 : show a cross-section of a standard sipper cap, in which the nozzle includes a retention part preventing the nozzle being easily removed from the cap. 
         FIG. 10 : shows a nozzle of use in the sipper cap of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention of the present application is broadly directed to a sipper cap that includes an improved flow position and an improved seal in comparison to existing options. The invention can be applied to sipper caps that include an induction foil piercing means, or that do not. Manufacture of a bottle/cap arrangement without induction foil on the bottle can be achieved using the improved seal arrangement of the present invention. 
     It will be appreciated that the sipper cap herein described is not restricted to use with containers which hold consumable beverages. This sipper cap may have application in any industry where liquid (or gas) is to be stored in a bottle and released as required. The sipper cap as herein described may be fitted to any number of different bottles, or types of bottles, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 
     The cap itself and/or any part thereof may be made of any suitably rigid material including plastics, stainless steel or aluminium, as would be known to a person skilled in the art. The cap and its component parts are preferably produced using a plastics material and formed by injection moulding or compression moulding. The plastics material used will preferably be a polypropylene or a polyethylene of a variety of grades as will be well known. Alternative methods of moulding can also be used as will be known by those skilled in the art. 
     A sipper cap of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The sipper cap  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5  is adapted for use with a container including an induction seal not shown but which would be positioned at  90 . Where an induction seal has been fitted to the bottle, as is standard at present, the sipper cap  10  attached to the bottle may be purchased by a consumer in the conformation as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The sipper cap  10  of  FIG. 1  includes a cap section  30 ; a nozzle member  50 ; and an overcap  70 . It will be appreciated that the overcap  70  is not essential to the operation of the sipper cap  10  and is present merely to reduce incidental damage to the nozzle member  50  which may allow leakage from the sipper cap  10 . The overcap  70  also includes a tamper evident ring  71  which is integrally associated with the overcap  70 , via connection means  72 . The overcap  70  may be removed from the cap section  30  by breaking the connection means  72 . This breaks the connection between overcap  70  and the tamper evident ring  71 . If the overcap  70  has been removed, and/or tampered with, the ring  71  drops towards cap surface  31 . It is therefore visually apparent that the association between the tamper evident ring  71  and the overcap  70  has been broken. Other tamper evident means as will be well known (eg shrink wrap plastic etc) could also be used. Alternatively the overcap, if present, need not have tamper evident means but this is less preferred. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the cap section  30  includes a neck section  38 ; a top section  39 ; and the bottle engagement means  32 . Neck section  38  provides a vertical guide for movement of the nozzle member  50  within the sipper cap  10 . Top section  39  provides support for overcap  70  and extends to include bottle engagement means  32 . 
     The bottle engagement means  32  includes a screw thread  33 , engageable with a bottle thread screw top (not shown). Also included is tamper evident ring  34  which is attached to sipper cap  10  via tabs  32   a . Tabs  32   a  are frangible and will break leaving the ring  34  as visual evidence of use (ie its absence or presence on the bottle). 
     As mentioned previously, the sipper cap  10  may be integrally associated with a bottle. In this case the bottle engagement means  32  and tamper evident ring  34  will not be necessary. To this extent the invention can be seen to provide a housing which is adapted to receive a nozzle, the housing being optionally integral with a container such as a bottle, the housing and nozzle being as described herein. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the nozzle member  50  includes an outlet end  51  and a sealing end  52 . The outlet end  51  includes a grip  53  adapted to allow the nozzle member  50  to be gripped by the user and moved manually within the sipper cap  10 . The grip  53  is contoured to allow the user to easily move the nozzle member  50  with their teeth or fingers for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sealing end  52  of the nozzle member  50  includes a seal piercing part  54 , distal to outlet end  51  on nozzle member  50 , adapted to pierce a seal, such as induction seal  90 , at the top of the bottle (not shown) to which the sipper cap  10  is attached. It will be appreciated that when an induction seal  90  is not required, it will be unnecessary for the sealing end  52  to include a piercing part  54 . This is best seen with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The piercing part  54  resides between seal support arms  35  formed in tip section  30 . The piercing part  54  includes the piercing means  55 . The piercing means  55  may be of any design but will need to be capable of piercing the foil and/or the induction seal  90  which isolates the liquid in the bottle (not shown) from the sipper cap  10 . Seal support arms  35  protect seal  90  from piercing means  55  when the product as a whole is put together. As a secondary effect, the arms  35  protect piercing means  55  when the cap  10  itself is being formed or stored. 
     The piercing part  54  of nozzle member  50  also includes a retention part  56 , distal piercing means  55  on piercing part  54 . The retention part  56  contacts with the extension  43  to prevent removal of the nozzle member  50  from the cap section  30 . This is a safety feature of value to the use of sipper caps. There is an advantage in being able to prevent ready removal of the nozzle from the sipper cap as, if the nozzle is accidentally removed when opening the cap using the user&#39;s teeth for example, there is the possibility that the nozzle would be swallowed and possibly cause the user to choke. Less important issues include spillage on the user amongst other factors. 
     Nozzle member  50  has a contoured, stepped, outer wall  57  adapted to engage with the inner wall  36  of the neck section  38  of the cap section  30 . 
     It will be understood that the outer wall  57  is not restricted exactly to the form and/or shape illustrated in the Figures, however it will be appreciated that outer wall  57  should be adapted to allow for movement of the nozzle member  50  within the neck section  38  of the sipper cap  10 . Outer wall  57  includes shoulder  57   b  and sealing face  57   a , as well as a series of protrusions adapted to form a number of seals and clips with associated protrusions on inner wall  36 . 
     The neck section  38  includes a wiper seal  40 ; a retention clip seal  41 ; and a locking clip  42 . Each is formed by the interaction of a series of protrusions on inner wall  36  and outer wall  57  of nozzle member  50 . 
     The wiper seal  40  is created by protrusion  40   a  at the top end of neck section  38 , that forms a tight, friction seal with the outer wall  57  of nozzle member  50 . The wiper seal  40  is adapted to ensure that no residue leaks out between the nozzle member  50  and the cap section  30  when the sipper cap  10  is in an open conformation. 
     The clip seal  41  provides a method of retaining the nozzle member  50  in a first open conformation, restricting movement, and assisting in preventing accidental damage of the seal  90  when in the purchase condition. In the preferred embodiment, the clip seal  41  is formed by engagement of protrusion  41   a  on inner wall  36  with a ring  60  formed on the outer wall  57  of the nozzle member  50 . Damage and/or pressure applied to the nozzle member  50  may cause the induction seal  90  to be broken. The clip seal  41  increases the force required to move the nozzle member  50  from the first open position to the second open position ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) and further toward seal  90 , thus minimising the risk of unintended nozzle movement. In this way additional protection for seal  90  to that provided by overcap  70  is given. 
     The ring  60  of the nozzle member  50  also engages with protrusion  42   a  on inner wall  36  to form lock clip  42  (See  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 ). In the closed conformation, shown in  FIG. 4 , lock clip  42  via ring  60  firmly holds the nozzle member  50  in the desired dosed conformation restricting further movement of the nozzle member  50  toward the bottle (not shown) and toward the open nozzle positions. 
     A closure seal is formed by interaction of the outer wall  57 , and extension  43  having an angled surface  44 . Extension  43  extends inwardly towards the nozzle member  50  and downwardly toward the bottle (not shown) at an angle of about 45° to vertical axis D-D, and engages with sealing face  57   a  of outer wall  57  of nozzle member  50  when the sipper cap  10  is in the closed conformation ( FIG. 4 ). The 45° angle is not essential and can vary as will be apparent to the skilled person. An angle of between about 30° and about 60° will be preferred however. A surface at 90° to the vertical axis D-D would work to an extent but would create problems in use. The sealing surface of extension  43  in this option would simply abut surface  57   b  which would also preferably be at 90° to axis D-D. 
     The extension  43  and the angled surface  44  are concentric and the angled surface  44  is at an angle of substantially 55° to the vertical axis D-D, although this specified angle can be varied (as will be apparent to the skilled person). An angular aspect is preferred as this allows ease of use and maximises the sealing with face  57   a , resulting in maximised sealing effect. The angle could vary quite widely (eg 30° to 70°) but will preferably be between about 45° and about 60°. As will be appreciated, the angled surface  44  could tie parallel to axis D-D. In this option, which is less preferred, it would be preferable for sealing face  57   a  to also lie parallel to axis D-D. The interference created between the surfaces would be sufficient to create a seal but it would not be as secure as preferred options. 
     The closure seal is created at a single point about the nozzle member  50  of cap  10  and is capable of preventing passage of liquid through the cap  10 . A single point seal is preferable but, provided sufficient interference is created between the nozzle and the housing this may suffice. 
     The nozzle member  50  includes at least two windows  58   a  and  58   b  positioned in the wall  57  of the nozzle member  50  to allow passage of liquid. The windows  58   a / 58   b  are adapted to allow liquid to pass from the bottle via support arms  35  and inner chamber  37  of the cap section  30  to an inner chamber  59  of the nozzle member  50  and out through outlet end  51 , when the sipper cap  10  is in the open conformation ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 ). When in its closed conformation ( FIG. 4 ) liquid is prevented from reaching the windows  58   a / 58   b.    
     In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , the windows  58   a  and  58   b  are oppositely disposed on nozzle member  50 . In this preferred form the windows  58   a  and  58   b  act to lessen the vacuum created by passage of liquid from the outlet end  51  of the sipper cap  10 . The size, shape and number of the windows  58  may depend on a number of factors including the liquid stored in the bottle; the size of the bottle and the size of the sipper cap  10 . 
     The stepped shape of the outer wall  57  of the nozzle member  50  and its interaction with the inner wall  36  of cap section  30  reduces the likelihood of drips spills that may occur when the sipper cap  10  is lowered from the consumer&#39;s mouth. Wall  57  channels liquid from the inner chamber  37  of the cap section  30  back into the bottle once the bottle is lowered from the consumer&#39;s mouth. 
     An induction seal  90  may be affixed to the top of the bottle (not shown), to which the sipper cap  10  is attached, by known means, although this is not essential with the cap according to the instant invention. Alternatively if the sipper cap  10  is integrally formed with the bottle, an induction seal or seals could be directly associated with the sipper cap  10  as will be discussed later herein. 
     Preferably the induction seal  90  is formed from foil. The foil may be manufactured from aluminium and include a heat sensitive adhesive layer on one side. The induction seal  90  may preferably be fitted into the cap section  30 , resting on a suitable ledge which, when a sipper cap  10  is fitted to the bottle, allows the induction seal  90  and adhesive layer to rest on the open neck of the bottle. The heat sensitive adhesive may, when passed through or by an electromagnetic field and/or any other method known to those skilled in the art, fuse the induction seal  90  to the bottle via the adhesive. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , movement of the sipper cap  10  from a first position (open-seal not broken) to a second position (closed-seal pierced) is shown. Reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  shows movement from a first open position, where movement of nozzle  50  is restricted in direction of arrow A, to a second open position, where movement of nozzle  50  is less restricted in direction of arrow A. 
       FIG. 2  shows the sipper cap  10  in an intermediate position where the seal  90  is about to be broken by piercing means  55 . In this position the clip seal  41  has changed position (with respect to the position shown in  FIG. 1 ) from a first to a second open position. 
       FIG. 3  shows the sipper cap  10  with the seal  90  pierced. This is again an intermediate position between the first open position ( FIG. 1 ) and the closed position ( FIG. 4 ). Ring  60  has not passed protrusion  42   a  to move to the confirmation for lock clip  42  to hold the nozzle member  50  in the final, dosed position. 
       FIG. 4  then shows the sipper cap in the closed position. The lock clip  42  is in place releasably holding the nozzle member  50  in position. In this position the interaction between extension  43  at angled surface  44  and face  57   a  of outer wall  57  of nozzle member  50  provides a firm seal preventing flow of liquid from the bottle (not shown). The interaction between extension  43  at angled surface  44  and face  57   a  blocks channel  120 . The extension  43  is adapted to flex in response to urging, first by shoulder  57   b  and then face  57   a  thus forming a firm and secure seal between surface  44  and extension  43 . The nozzle member  50  is held at this position by lock clip  42  and friction/interference within the seal formed. 
     The seal formed is at a single point about nozzle member  50  and is sufficient to allow for the option of preparing a bottle and sipper cap combination that does not require an induction seal at the top of the bottle. This may result in a shorter product shelf life if an induction seal of some sort is not used, but this may be acceptable commercially. 
     The seal will preferably form a point seal between the end of angled surface  44  and face  57   a  with the pressure being applied to the point of contact by the urging of extension  43 . In one embodiment the cap could be attached to the bottle in this dosed position at point of sale, and simple upward movement would open the bottle for use. The provision of an induction or similar seal between extension  43  and face  57   a  is also an option. This could be coupled with a similar seal in the contact area between the bottle and the sipper cap (eg engagement area  32 ) if desired. This would result in simplicity of consumer use while maintaining product integrity and shelf life. Removal of the need for a piercing means in the cap would result in lower material costs as well. 
     When the sipper cap does include the single point seal ( FIGS. 1 to 7 ) extension  43  has a dual role. The first role is to interact via angled surface  44  with sealing face  57   b  on nozzle  50  to form the single point concentric seal preventing liquid flow through the sipper cap. The second role is to interact with retention part  56  on piercing part  54  to prevent removal of nozzle  50  from the sipper cap. 
     In use and with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the nozzle member  50  is held by neck section  38  of the cap section  30  above and/or in close proximity to the induction seal  90  (open/purchase conformation  FIG. 1 ). 
     The induction seal  90  is pierced by the nozzle  50  of sipper cap  10  moving from the first open/purchase conformation ( FIG. 1 ) to the “closed” conformation shown in  FIG. 4  via the intermediate positions shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     The induction seal  90  is broken by the user applying downward pressure to the outlet end  51  of the nozzle member  50  in the direction of arrow A. When pressure is applied in this way the engagement at clip seal  41  is broken. This pressure also brings the piercing means  55  into contact with the induction seal  90  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Continued pressure in the direction of arrow A pushes the piercing means  55  through the induction seal  90  ( FIG. 3 ). Shoulder  57   b  then forces concentric extension  43  away from its rest position and, as nozzle member  50  continues in the direction of arrow A, face  57   a  comes into sealing contact with angled surface  44  of extension  43 . The angled surface  44  prevents the escape of the liquid from the bottle as pressure is exerted at this point by face  57   a  pressing on extension  43 . This allows secure contact between the face  57   a  and angled surface  44 . There will be maximised force applied to the contact area between these two parts as a result of this interaction. 
     To prevent the content of the bottle escaping via the sipper cap  10  once the induction seal  90  has been pierced, the sipper cap  10  is closed.  FIG. 4  illustrates the closed conformation of the preferred embodiment. 
     The movement of fluid from the bottle into the cap section  20  may be better understood with reference to  FIG. 5  which shows a cross section of the cap  10  of  FIG. 1  through line B-B. Upturning the bottle or applying pressure to the sides of the bottle facilitates movement of liquid from the bottle into the sipper cap  10  as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5 . Liquid passes by supporting arms  35  of cap section  30  and enters the inner chamber  37  of the cap section  30  via channel  120 . Once in the inner chamber  37 , liquid passes into the chamber  59  of the nozzle member  50  via windows  58   a  and  58   b . Liquid exits the sipper cap  10  via the outlet end  51  of the nozzle member  50 . 
     When the consumer lowers the bottle, liquid in the lower part of the inner chamber  59  of the nozzle member  50  passes back through windows  58   a  and  58   b  into inner chamber  37  and then back into the bottle (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 6  a perspective external view of the nozzle member  50  of sipper cap  10  is shown. As can be seen, the nozzle member  50  includes piercing part  54  having piercing means  55 . Shoulder  57   b  and sealing face  57   a  are also visible as is one of windows  58   a / 58   b . The other window is not visible from this perspective. Also clearly visible is the retention part  56  on piercing part  54 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7  a perspective external view of an alternative form of nozzle member  50  for sipper cap  10 . The difference between  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 6  resides in the absence of piercing means  55  in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . As can be seen a flat surface  55   a  is present instead. Such a nozzle part would be used should the option of using the cap  10  with a bottle not having a seal to be pierced be used. Alternatively, the cap  10  could be removed and the seal then removed. This is clearly less preferred. 
     As is readily apparent, retention part  56  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  can be used in known sipper cap devices that do not utilise the single point seal option. This allows the important safety aspects of assisting in nozzle removal prevention to be transferred to sipper caps where the use of the single point seal is not necessary or is otherwise undesired. 
       FIGS. 8 to 10  show embodiments in which a retention part is utilised in a sipper cap not including the single point seal. 
     The means by which known sipper caps operate to allow and prevent passage of fluid is well known to persons skilled in the art. This alternative is directed to assisting in the prevention of removal of the nozzle from the sipper cap. 
     As seen in  FIG. 8 , a cross-section of a sipper cap  100  is shown including a nozzle  101  and a housing  102 . The nozzle  101  is adapted to reciprocally move within housing  102  from an open to a dosed position formed by known means. 
     The nozzle  101  includes retention part  104  on end  103   a  of arm  103 . The retention part  104  includes wings  104   a  and  104   b  positioned to interact with an extension  105  on housing  102  to prevent removal of nozzle  101  from housing  102 , thus increasing the safety aspects of the known sipper cap arrangement. As seen in  FIG. 8 , wings  104   a  and  104   b  extend from arm  103  at about 90° from the central axis of nozzle  101 . While the retention part  104  and wings  104   a  and  104   b  take a substantially inverted frustoconical shape, it will be appreciated that other conformations would also be able to be used. Wings  104   a  and  104   b  include surface  110  which are adapted to abut extension  105 . Surface  110  extends at 90° from the central longitudinal axis of arm  103 . 
     Extension  105  of housing  102  is provided to prevent nozzle  101  from moving too far out of the housing  102  before retention part  104  stops removal. Extension  104  is optional however, if such an extension is not used, the nozzle  102  will move from the housing an extended distance prior to wings  104   a  and  104   b  Impacting on the housing. The use of an extension such as that shown at  105  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is preferred. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective cutaway view of the sipper cap shown in  FIG. 8 . Nozzle  101  is shown in an open position in housing  102  and the wing  104   b  of retention part  104  on nozzle  101  is adjacent extension  105  of housing  102 . Wing  104   a  is not shown in this Figure. The retention part  104  being positioned to prevent movement of nozzle  101  that would result, or likely result, in nozzle  101  being removed from housing  102 . The extension of arm  103  from the partially closed end  107  of nozzle  101 , along the central longitudinal axis of housing  102 , and past the open end  108  of nozzle  101  can be readily seen in this Figure. 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of nozzle  101  including retention part  104  and wings  104   a  and  104   b . As seen in this view, partially closed end  107  of nozzle  101  includes openings  109  adapted to allow passage of liquid through the nozzle, as would be well known to a person skilled in this art. Again, the extension of arm  103  from open end  108  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ) of nozzle  101  is shown, as are wings  104   a  and  104   b  which form substantially a “T” shape together with arm  103 . 
     As will be readily be apparent, the arm  103  will preferably extend along the central longitudinal axis of nozzle  101  (or housing  102 ) but could lie adjacent, or be attached to, an internal wall of housing  102 . In addition, only one wing  104   a  or  104   b  could be used, as could more than 2 wings if desired. However, a balance needs to be drawn between securing the nozzle within the sipper cap and allowing passage of liquid when desired. 
     The angle and shape of wings  104   a  and  104   b  from arm  103  is not critical except to the extent that the wings need to be able to retain the nozzle within a sipper cap. As such angles of surface  110  between 60° and 110° to the central longitudinal axis of the nozzle are preferred with about a 90° angle (as seen in  FIGS. 8 to 10 ) being preferable. Reference to  FIGS. 1-7  show an angular aspect to retention part  56  which is present on the “wings” of the nozzle  50 . 
     The arm  103  as shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10  extends across a substantial amount of the central area encompassed by housing  102 . This is best seen in  FIG. 8 . The width of arm  103  is provided to allow for increased strength and ease of manufacture The conformity of fit between the extension  105  and arm  103  allows wings  104   a  and  104   b  to have increased strength that maximises removal resistance. As will be apparent, the shape of arm  103  could vary from a narrow pencil shape to the type of shape shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , however the arm must be strong enough to hold the retention part  104  securely to prevent breakage, which would allow the nozzle to be removed. The strength needed would be within the knowledge of the skilled person in this art. 
     While in the foregoing description there has been made reference to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. 
     Although this invention has been described by way of example only and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.