Patent Publication Number: US-2020290778-A1

Title: Cap for a Container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/818,360 filed on Mar. 14, 2019. The above identified patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bulbous cap for a container, and a method of opening or closing the container using the bulbous cap. 
     Many individuals struggle to open or close containers due to the container including an ordinary cap thereon. These ordinary caps include a minimal radius, and when a rotational force is applied to the ordinary cap to remove it from the container, a resulting torque is minimal which requires more effort from the individual. Many of these individuals may have arthritis or may otherwise be unable to grip the cap and open or close the container, and frustration or injury may occur as a result. Accordingly, there is a need for a cap with an enlarged radius for enabling the individual to more easily remove the cap from the container. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a cap with an enlarged radius for enabling the individual to more easily remove the cap from the container. The present invention addresses this unmet need. 
     Articles have been disclosed in the art that relate to caps for containers. These include articles that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These articles are often difficult to operate, and difficult to open or close a container having these articles thereon. In view of the articles disclosed in the art, it is submitted that there is a need for an improvement to existing caps for containers. In view of the present disclosure, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in structural and functional elements from articles in the art, and substantially fulfills an unmet need in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of container caps in the art, the present invention provides a new and improved bulbous cap for a container, wherein the same can be utilized for assisting an individual with or enabling the individual to open or close the container. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bulbous cap for a container that is easy to use and enables individuals with physical limitations to open and close containers, including but not necessarily limited to bottles and jars. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a bulbous cap for a container, comprising a grip portion and a cylindrical mouth portion. The grip portion comprises a first radius along a first horizontal axis thereof that is greater than a second radius along a second horizontal axis thereof. In addition, the first horizontal axis is perpendicular to the second horizontal axis, and both the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis are each perpendicular to a vertical axis that extends through a center of the cylindrical mouth portion. The cylindrical mouth portion is sized to fit over a mouth of the container and includes a threading thereon that is complementary to a threading of the mouth of the container. 
     Upon application of a rotational force about the first horizontal axis of the grip portion, a torque is applied to the cylindrical mouth portion that is greater than a torque that would be applied to the cylindrical mouth portion if the rotational force were applied about the second horizontal axis of the grip portion. In this manner, the bulbous cap provides an individual with greater torque when opening or closing a container. The bulbous cap may be sized and configured for use with any container of any size, though hand-held containers are particularly contemplated herein. Exemplary hand-held containers include, but are not particularly limited to, bottles and jars. In various embodiments, the rotational force applied to the grip portion may be countered by an opposing rotational force applied to a portion of the container, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In some embodiments, the grip portion further comprises a third radius along the first horizontal axis that is greater than a fourth radius along the second horizontal axis, wherein the first radius is equal to and parallel with the third radius, and wherein the second radius is equal to and parallel with the fourth radius. In such embodiments, the third radius extends outward from a central point of the bulbous cap, in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which the first radius extends outward from the central point of the bulbous cap. 
     In addition, in such embodiments, the fourth radius extends outward from the central point of the bulbous cap, in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which the second radius extends outward from the central point. In this manner, in such embodiments, an individual using the bulbous cap to open or close the container can apply more than one force to the grip portion, such as a first force applied to the grip portion about the first radius, and a second force applied to the grip portion about the third radius. Accordingly, a twisting motion may be employed that maximizes use of the grip portion to maximize the torque applied to the cylindrical mouth portion. 
     In some embodiments, a first cross section of the grip portion along the first horizontal axis is circular. In this manner, the grip portion may be sized and/or shaped to fit within a palm of a hand of the individual. In addition, in this manner, a manufacturing of the bulbous cap may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a second cross section of the grip portion along the second horizontal axis is oval. In this manner, the grip portion may be further sized and/or shaped to fit within the palm of the hand of the individual, and manufacturing may be facilitated. 
     In some embodiments, a third cross section of the grip portion along the vertical axis is oval. In such embodiments, and in a particular aspect, the bulbous cap may be shaped similar to a shape of a football, and generally may be sized to fit within the palm of the hand of the individual. In this respect the bulbous cap includes two apexes with a bulbous middle portion, and may preferably not include additional structure thereon. In this manner, the bulbous cap may not be overly complicated to use, and may be easier to manufacture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bulbous cap that may be readily manufactured from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manners in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a first exemplary bulbous cap reversibly attached to a bottle. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a left or right side view of the first exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a front or rear view of the first exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a top view of the first exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a bottom view of the first exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross sectional view of the first exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of a second exemplary bulbous cap reversibly attached to ajar. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a left or right side view of the second exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a front or rear view of the second exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a top view of the second exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a bottom view of the second exemplary bulbous cap. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a cross sectional view of the second exemplary bulbous cap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the invention. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered limiting in any respect. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , there are depicted several views of a first exemplary bulbous cap according to the present invention. A first exemplary bulbous cap  1  is sized and configured for use with a smaller container, such as a bottle  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, the first exemplary bulbous cap  1  may fit into a smaller palm of a hand of a first individual more effectively than a cap of a different size or shape, thereby facilitating its use. Further, the first exemplary bulbous cap  1  is sized for the smaller container (i.e., the bottle  2 ), and is configured to increase the applied torque accordingly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11 , there are depicted several views of a second exemplary bulbous cap according to the present invention. A second exemplary bulbous cap  3  is sized and configured for use with a larger container, such as a jar  4 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this manner, the second exemplary bulbous cap  3  may fit into a larger palm of a hand of a second individual more effectively than a cap of a different size or shape, thereby facilitating its use. Further, the second exemplary bulbous cap  3  is sized for the larger container (i.e., the jar  4 ), and is configured to increase the applied torque accordingly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a perspective view of a first exemplary bulbous cap reversibly attached to a bottle. A bulbous cap  1  for a container  2  comprises a grip portion and a cylindrical mouth portion. The bulbous cap  1  is sized and configured to fit snugly against the cylindrical mouth portion of the container  2  to close the container  2 . The size and shape of the bulbous cap, e.g., the grip portion, enables an individual to more easily open or close the container, as described elsewhere herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-6 , there are depicted a left or right side view ( FIG. 2 ), a front or rear view ( FIG. 3 ), a top view ( FIG. 4 ), a bottom view ( FIG. 5 ), and a cross sectional view ( FIG. 6 ) of the first exemplary bulbous cap. The bulbous cap  1  is bisymmetrical about a central vertical axis  19 , and as such, the left side appears the same as the right side, and the front side appears the same as the rear side. 
     The grip portion  11  comprises a first radius  5  along a first horizontal axis  15  thereof that is greater than a second radius  6  along a second horizontal axis  16  thereof. In addition, the first horizontal axis  15  is perpendicular to the second horizontal axis  16 , and both the first horizontal axis  15  and the second horizontal axis  16  are each perpendicular to a vertical axis  19  that extends through a center of the cylindrical mouth portion  9  ( 19  of  FIG. 6 ). The cylindrical mouth portion  9  is sized to fit over a mouth of the container and includes a threading  10  thereon that is complementary to a threading of the mouth of the container. 
     In the shown embodiment, the grip portion  11  further comprises a third radius along the first horizontal axis  15  that is greater than a fourth radius along the second horizontal axis, wherein the first radius is equal to and parallel with the third radius, and wherein the second radius is equal to and parallel with the fourth radius. In such embodiments, the third radius extends outward from a central point of the bulbous cap  1 , in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which the first radius extends outward from the central point of the bulbous cap  1 . 
     In addition, in such embodiments, the fourth radius extends outward from the central point of the bulbous cap  1 , in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which the second radius extends outward from the central point. In this manner, in such embodiments, an individual using the bulbous cap  1  to open or close the container can apply more than one force to the grip portion  11 , such as a first force applied to the grip portion  11  about the first radius, and a second force applied to the grip portion  11  about the third radius. Accordingly, a twisting motion may be employed that maximizes use of the grip portion to maximize the torque applied to the cylindrical mouth portion  9 . 
     In the shown embodiment, a first cross section of the grip portion  11  along the first horizontal axis  15  is circular (i.e., before or after an arcuate cutout portion of the cylindrical mouth portion  9 ). In this manner, the grip portion  11  may be sized and/or shaped to fit within a palm of a hand of the individual. In addition, in this manner, a manufacturing of the bulbous cap  1  may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a second cross section of the grip portion  11  along the second horizontal axis is oval. In this manner, the grip portion  11  may be further sized and/or shaped to fit within the palm of the hand of the individual, and manufacturing may be facilitated. In the shown embodiment, the cylindrical mouth portion  9  includes an arcuate cutout portion, such that the arcuate cutout portion extends into the grip portion  11  a certain distance, and a portion of the cylindrical mouth portion  9  having threading  10  thereon is sized to leave a gap between the threading  10  and a lower end of the cylindrical mouth portion  9 . In this manner, the cylindrical mouth portion  9  may more easily or effectively fit over a mouth of a bottle during use. 
     In some embodiments, a third cross section of the grip portion  11  along the vertical axis  19  is oval. In such embodiments, and in a particular aspect, the bulbous cap  1  may be shaped similar to a shape of a football, and generally may be sized to fit within the palm of the hand of the individual. In this respect the bulbous cap  1  includes two apexes with a bulbous middle portion, and may preferably not include additional structure thereon. In this manner, the bulbous cap  1  may not be overly complicated to use, and may be easier to manufacture. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is depicted a perspective view of a second exemplary bulbous cap reversibly attached to a jar. A bulbous cap  3  for a container  4  comprises a grip portion and a cylindrical mouth portion. The bulbous cap  1  is sized and configured to fit snugly against the cylindrical mouth portion of the container  2  to close the container  2 . The size and shape of the bulbous cap, e.g., the grip portion, enables the individual to more easily open or close the container, as described elsewhere herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-12 , there is depicted a left or right side view ( FIG. 8 ), a front or rear view ( FIG. 9 ), a top view ( FIG. 10 ), a bottom view ( FIG. 11 ), and a cross sectional view ( FIG. 12 ) of the second exemplary bulbous cap. The bulbous cap  3  is bisymmetrical about a central vertical axis  20 , and as such, the left side appears the same as the right side, and the front side appears the same as the rear side. 
     The grip portion  14  comprises a first radius  7  along a first horizontal axis  17  thereof that is greater than a second radius  8  along a second horizontal axis  18  thereof. In addition, the first horizontal axis  17  is perpendicular to the second horizontal axis  18 , and both the first horizontal axis  17  and the second horizontal axis  18  are each perpendicular to a vertical axis  20  that extends through a center of the cylindrical mouth portion  12  ( 20  of  FIG. 12 ). The cylindrical mouth portion  12  is sized to fit over a mouth of the container and includes a threading  13  thereon that is complementary to a threading of the mouth of the container. 
     In the shown embodiment, the grip portion  14  further comprises a third radius along the first horizontal axis  17  that is greater than a fourth radius along the second horizontal axis  18 , wherein the first radius is equal to and parallel with the third radius, and wherein the second radius is equal to and parallel with the fourth radius. In such embodiments, the third radius extends outward from a central point of the bulbous cap  3 , in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which the first radius extends outward from the central point of the bulbous cap  3 . 
     In addition, in such embodiments, the fourth radius extends outward from the central point of the bulbous cap  3 , in a direction that is opposite to a direction in which the second radius extends outward from the central point. In this manner, in such embodiments, an individual using the bulbous cap  3  to open or close the container can apply more than one force to the grip portion  14 , such as a first force applied to the grip portion  14  about the first radius, and a second force applied to the grip portion  14  about the third radius. Accordingly, a twisting motion may be employed that maximizes use of the grip portion to maximize the torque applied to the cylindrical mouth portion  12 . 
     In the shown embodiment, a first cross section of the grip portion  14  along the first horizontal axis  17  is circular (i.e., before or after a flat cutout portion of the cylindrical mouth portion  12 ). In this manner, the grip portion  14  may be sized and/or shaped to fit within a palm of a hand of the individual. In addition, in this manner, a manufacturing of the bulbous cap  3  may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a second cross section of the grip portion  14  along the second horizontal axis is oval. In this manner, the grip portion  14  may be further sized and/or shaped to fit within the palm of the hand of the individual, and manufacturing may be facilitated. In the shown embodiment, the cylindrical mouth portion  12  includes a flat cutout portion, such that the flat cutout portion may not extend into the grip portion  14  a certain distance, and a portion of the cylindrical mouth portion  12  having threading  13  thereon is sized to not leave a gap between the threading  13  and a lower end of the cylindrical mouth portion  12 . In this manner, the cylindrical mouth portion  12  may more snugly fit over a mouth of a bottle during use, and engage therewith by friction fit. 
     In some embodiments, a third cross section of the grip portion  14  along the vertical axis  20  is oval. In such embodiments, and in a particular aspect, the bulbous cap  3  may be shaped similar to a shape of a football, and generally may be sized to fit within the palm of the hand of the individual. In this respect the bulbous cap  3  includes two apexes with a bulbous middle portion, and may preferably not include additional structure thereon. In this manner, the bulbous cap  3  may not be overly complicated to use, and may be easier to manufacture. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its embodiments with modifications as suited to the use contemplated. 
     It is therefore submitted that the present invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary embodiments. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.