Abstract:
A bottle is assembled with an existing cap on its threaded neck to seal the contents in the bottle. A decorative top fits onto the existing cap and bottle for holding a decorative body, such as a figurine or the like, on a stem of the top. To open the bottle and use the decorative top, a removable rim comes off the top allowing it to be removed from the existing cap. The cap then twists off the bottle&#39;s neck and can be discarded. To reseal the bottle and allow drinking of its contents, the top with the removable rim detached threads onto the bottle&#39;s neck. A spout or valve of the top&#39;s stem can then be opened so contents of the bottle can be drunk from the stem.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 61/449,318, filed 4 Mar. 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to a container for dispensing liquid and, more particularly to, a beverage bottle top having a forecap arrangement for use on a lid of a bottle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Decorative bottle tops enhance beverage bottles for children. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for example, a decorative bottle  20  according to the prior art illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a cap  22 , a stem  24 , a spout or valve  30 , and a decorative body  40 . The cap  22  threads onto a beverage bottle  10  and can be removed so that the bottle  10  and cap  22  can be cleaned and reused. Portions of the top  20  are also shown in various views in  FIGS. 2A-2C , and a top view of the bottle  10  is shown in  FIG. 2D . 
         [0004]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the cap  22  has internal thread  23  for threading onto the neck of the bottle  10 . The stem  24  extends from the cap  22  and defines an internal passage  28  that conveys liquid from the bottle  10 . The spout or valve  30  on the end of the stem  24  permits or restricts the liquid from leaving the passage  28 . The spout  30 , which fits on the distal end of the stem  24 , can be shifted up or down thereon or can have a diaphragm for allowing fluid to pass out of the spout  30 . The stem  24  also includes keys or tabs  26  adjacent the cap  22  for holding a decorative body  40 , such as a figurine. 
         [0005]    For its part, the decorative body  40  defines a hollow  42  having first and second openings  44  and  46  for passage of the stem  24 . To fixedly attach the body  40  to the cap  22 , the body&#39;s first opening  44  engages the retaining tabs  26  on the stem  24 . Meanwhile, the spout  30  extends beyond the second opening  24 , enabling a person to access the spout  30  for drinking. 
         [0006]    To seal and assemble the top  20  on the bottle  10  as shown, the bottle  10  is filled with beverage, and a foil seal ( 12 :  FIG. 2D ) attaches to the rim ( 14 ) of the bottle  12 . The cap  22  is then preferably preassembled with the spout  30 , and the assembled top  20  is threaded onto the bottle  10 . At this point, the decorative body  40  can be attached to the top  20  as described above. Alternatively, the decorative body  40  may be attached to the top  20  before the top  20  is threaded on the bottle  10 . 
         [0007]    Due to the shape of the top  20  with its long stem  24  and flat cap  22 , the top  20  can be cumbersome to thread onto the bottle  10 . This makes assembly of the top  20  to the bottle  10  difficult so that conventional assembly cannot be used. Instead, the top  20  must be manually applied in most instances directly on the sealed bottle  10 . As expected, this process can be time consuming and inaccurate. 
         [0008]    To use the bottle  10 , the top  20  is twisted off the bottle  10 , and the foil seal ( 12 :  FIG. 2D ) is removed. The top  20  is then threaded back on the bottle  10  so it can be used for drinking. For sanitary purposes, the foil seal  12  is typically adhered quite firmly to the bottle  10  and may be hard to remove. As a result, some of the foil seal  12  may be left on the bottle  10 , compromising the fit and seal of the repositioned top  20  on the bottle  10 . Additionally, the bottle  10  and top  20  can often be washed and reused so that leaving any foil seal  12  can be undesirable. 
         [0009]    Moreover, the top  20  preferably has an internal crab seal  25  as shown in  FIG. 2B  on its inside surface. When the foil seal  12  has been removed and the top  20  is repositioned on the bottle  10 , this crab seal  25  helps engage and seal against the bottle&#39;s rim ( 14 :  FIG. 2D ). However, when the top  20  is initially installed on the bottle  10  while the foil seal  12  is still present, the top&#39;s seal  25  tends press against the foil seal  12 . Therefore, the foil seal  12  as shown in  FIG. 2D  must be indented to define enough space and must be firm enough across the top of the bottle&#39;s rim  14  to avoid damage when the top  20  is first assembled on the bottle  10 . This requires more robustness to the foil seal  19  and further complicates the assembly of the top  20  to the bottle  10 . 
         [0010]    Having the top  20  threaded onto the bottle  10  over the foil seal  19  can make the assembly susceptible to tampering, theft, and damage. For example, while the bottle  10  is stored on a shelf, the top  20  can be readily threaded off the bottle  10  and stolen, misplaced, damaged, or the like. This may be the case even if a plastic shrink wrap is used around the outside of the top  20  and bottle  10 . When the top  20  is removed, the bottle  10  is left on the shelf with only the foil seal  12  in place so that the bottle  10  cannot be sold. Moreover, having only the foil seal  12  over the contents makes the bottle  10  prone to damage and tampering. 
         [0011]    Bottle tops having a fixed, decorative body such as discussed above provide an effective way to enhance a beverage bottle. However, manufacturers are continually striving to improve or enhance products. For this reason, the subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    A bottle is assembled with an existing lid on its threaded neck to seal the contents in the bottle. A decorative forecap or top fits onto the existing lid and bottle for holding a decorative body, such as a figurine or the like, on a stem of the top. To open the bottle and use the decorative top, a removable strip on the top&#39;s rim can be removed, allowing the top to be removed from the existing lid. The lid then twists off the bottle&#39;s neck and can be discarded. To reseal the bottle and allow drinking of its contents, the top with the strip removed can thread onto the bottle&#39;s neck in place of the lid. As an option, a manual spout or a one-way flow valve on the top&#39;s stem can then allow the contents of the bottle to be drunk from the stem. The top can include two threads formed inside the top&#39;s rim. One thread can be formed in a narrow portion of the rim for threading on a narrow-neck bottle, while another thread can be formed on a wide portion of the rim, below the narrow portion, for threading on a wide-beck bottle. 
         [0013]    The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a bottle top according to the prior art attached to a beverage bottle. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A-2C  show perspective, cross-sectional, and elevational views of portion of the prior art bottle top. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2D  shows a top end of a beverage bottle with a foil seal attached to the upper rim according to the prior art. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3E  show perspective, elevational, cross-sectional, and two detailed views of a reusable bottle top according to the present disclosure disposed on a beverage bottle having an existing lid. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A through 4G  show the reusable bottle top in front, first elevational, cross-section, second elevational, perspective, bottom, and top views. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional detail of a portion of the reusable bottle top. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A-6C  shows further details of a catch mechanism on the reusable bottle top. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A-7B  show cross-sectional details of the reusable bottle top having alternative catch mechanisms. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 8A-8D  show assembly steps of the reusable bottle top on a beverage bottle having an existing lid. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9A  shows the reusable bottle top attached to the beverage bottle. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9B  shows the reusable bottle top removed from the bottle while the existing lid remains. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9C  shows the existing lid removed from the bottle. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows the reusable bottle top reattached to the open bottle. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11A-11B  show cross-sectional and perspective views of a dual beverage bottle top according to the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12A  shows a cross-sectional view of the neck of a narrow-neck bottle for use with the dual bottle top. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12B  shows a cross-sectional view of the neck of a wide-neck bottle for use with the dual bottle top. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 13A-13B  show cross-sectional and elevational views of the dual bottle top disposed on the narrow-neck bottle. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 14A-14B  show cross-sectional and elevational views of the dual bottle top disposed on the wide-neck bottle. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 15A-15B  show cross-sectional views of two techniques for constructing the dual bottle top. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 16A-16B  show cross-sectional views of the dual bottle top disposed on the narrow-neck and wide-neck bottles using removable rims. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view of a reusable, dual bottle top according to the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 18A-18B  shows cross-sectional views of the reusable, dual bottle top attached in two ways to a narrow-neck bottle, which has an existing lid. 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  shows a cross-sectional view of the reusable, dual bottle top attached to a wide-neck bottle, which has an existing lid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]      FIGS. 3A-3E  show perspective, elevational, cross-sectional, and detailed views of a beverage container  50  according to the present disclosure. The container  50  has a bottle  52  having a neck  54  with an external thread  55  and a stop or ledge  56  (as best shown in  FIGS. 3D-3E ). The neck  54  is open to dispense liquid from the bottle  52 . In  FIG. 3D , the bottle  52  is formed with a circumferential ledge or stop  58  disposed thereabout, while the bottle  52  as depicted in  FIG. 3E  may lack this ledge or stop. 
         [0038]    A lid  60  attaches to (i.e., threads onto) the bottle&#39;s threaded neck  54  in a customary manner. Rather than attaching a foil seal as in the prior art, the lid  60  threaded onto the neck  54  seals on the bottle  52  using internal threads  65  and a twist-off rim  66 . As best shown in  FIG. 3D , the twist-off rim  66  engages the bottle&#39;s stop  56  around the threaded neck  54 . When the lid  60  is twisted off, however, this rim  66  tears away and stays in place as the lid  60  is removed from the bottle&#39;s neck  54  as described below. 
         [0039]    To give the container  50  its decorative features, a reusable bottle top  70 - 1  fits temporarily onto the lid  60  and the bottle  52  after they have been preassembled. ( FIGS. 4A through 4G  show front, first elevational, cross-section, second elevational, perspective, bottom, and top views of the reusable top  70 - 1 , and  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional detail of a portion of the reusable top  70 - 1 .) The reusable top  70 - 1  has two ways or modes of installing on the bottle  52 . In a first mode for delivery, display, and sale of the container  50 , the reusable top  70 - 1  installs on the bottle  52  while the lid  60  is still present on the bottle  52 . In a second mode for use and drinking, the reusable top  70 - 1  installs on the bottle  52  with the lid  60  absent. 
         [0040]    The reusable top  70 - 1  has a forecap  72  with a rim  80  depending downward therefrom. The forecap  72  defines a passage through which the bottle&#39;s beverage can be dispensed. The rim  80  has an upper portion or rim  82 , which may also be referred to herein as a narrow portion or rim. Depending from this upper rim  82 , the rim has a lower portion or rim  84 , which may be referred to herein as a wide portion or rim. Inside the rim  80 , the upper rim  82  has an internal thread  85  for threading to the threaded neck  54  of the bottle  52  in place of the lid  60  as discussed below. 
         [0041]    Opposite the rim  80 , a stem  74  extends from the forecap  72  for conveying liquid from the forecap&#39;s passage. The stem  72  can also hold a decorative body (not shown) on the forecap  72  using retainers  76  as discussed above. On its distal end, the stem  74  optionally has a movable spout or a one-way flow valve  78 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . The movable spout  78  can be manually opened and closed on the stem  74 , whereas the one-way flow valve  78  uses a diaphragm or the like to permit fluid flow out of the stem  74 . 
         [0042]    To hold the top  70 - 1  on the assembled lid  60  and bottle  52 , the lower rim  84  has a strip  86  removably affixed thereto. This removable strip  86  can tear away from the lower rim  84  using a handle  88  and a precut crease, perforations, or other feature that weakens the connection of the strip  86  to the lower rim  84  and allows a person to tear the strip  86  therefrom. 
         [0043]    To engage the reusable top  70 - 1  on the bottle  52 , this strip  86  has a catch mechanism  90  with one or more catches depending inward and preferably toward an upward direction. As discussed below, the catch mechanism  90  allows the reusable top  70 - 1  to install in a first direction onto the lid  60  during assembly. Then, the catch mechanism  90  engages the ledge  58  of the bottle  52  (as shown in  FIG. 3D ) or engages the lid  60  (as in  FIG. 3E ) to prevent removal of the top  70 - 1  in an opposite direction. In this way, the reusable top  70 - 1  installs temporarily on the assembled lid  60  and bottle  52 . 
         [0044]    Several types of catch mechanisms  90  can be used on the removable strip  86  to hold the top  70 - 1  temporarily on the assembled lid  60  and bottle  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 3D-3E , for example, the catch mechanism  90  can include a fold with a proximal end attached inside the removable strip  86 . In  FIG. 3D , the distal end of the fold for the catch mechanism  90  can engage under the bottle&#39;s ledge  58  on the bottle  52 . In  FIG. 3E , however, the distal end of the fold for the catch mechanism  90  can engage under the rim  66  of the existing lid  60  as an alternative. More details of these arrangements are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6C , for example. 
         [0045]    Other than a fold, the catch mechanism  90  can include a lip, ledge, shoulder, stop, or other engaging feature defined around the inside of the removable strip  86 . When the reusable top  70 - 1  installs on the lid  60 , the engaging feature can fit with an interference fit against the bottle&#39;s ledge  58  or the lid&#39;s rim  66 . These and other options for the catch mechanism  90  can be used. 
         [0046]    As best shown in  FIG. 3D , the top&#39;s upper rim  82  having the internal thread  85  has a first internal diameter D 1  comparable to an outer diameter of the bottle&#39;s threaded neck  54  so the two can thread together when the reusable top  70 - 1  is used in place of the lid  60 . However, the lower rim  84  has a second internal diameter D 2  greater than the first internal diameter D 1 , which allows the reusable top  70 - 1  to fit partially on the lid  60  as shown. An inner transition from the first internal diameter D 1  to the second internal diameter D 2  can have a plurality of inward depending grips  91 . As best shown on the reusable top  70 - 1  in  FIG. 4F  with the catch mechanism ( 90 ) not visible, these grips  91  can be disposed equally around the inside of the reusable top  70 - 1 . One shape for such grips  91  can be seen in  FIG. 5 . In use, the grips  91  can help hold the top  70 - 1  in place and can prevent it from rotating when engaged with the lid  60 . Also, the grips  91  and the transition on the reusable top  70 - 1  keep the top  70 - 1  at a stand-off on the lid  60 , preventing the top  70 - 1  from be forced further onto the lid  60 . 
         [0047]    With the reusable top  70 - 1  affixed to the bottle  52  and lid  60  as shown in  FIGS. 3C-3E , the assembly is less prone to tampering, theft, and damage. For example, removing the reusable top  70 - 1  requires a concerted effort because a person must remove the strip  86  on the rim  80  to take off the top  70 - 1  from the bottle  52 . This inhibits tampering, theft, and damage. 
         [0048]    Even if the reusable top  70 - 1  is removed, the remaining container  50  with its sealed lid  60  still protects the bottle&#39;s contents from tampering and damage. Should the removed top  70 - 1  be lost, stolen, or damaged, the remaining bottle  52  with lid  60  need not be discarded, and a replacement top  70 - 1  with an intact strip  86  can be readily attached to the bottle  52  according to the assembly steps disclosed herein. These unexpected benefits that lessen the tampering and theft of the assembled top  70 - 1  on the bottle  52  further add to the manufacturing benefits discussed below. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 6A-6C  shows additional details of the reusable top  70 - 1  and its assembly. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the top  70 - 1  with its rim  80  can have a serrated seam  87  or similar feature temporarily connecting the removable strip  86  thereon. The tab  88  for the strip  86  can be a handle extending out from the strip  86  as opposed to downward extension shown above. As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the tab  88  fits at a split  92  in the strip  86  that allows the strip  86  to be removed, while interconnecting members  89  across this split  92  can connect the ends of the strip  86  together. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the interconnecting members  89  are broken when the tab  88  is used to break the spilt  92  and remove the strip  86  from the rim  80  along the serrated seam  87 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 6A , the catch mechanism  90  can be an extension of the removable strip  86  and can have a thinner wall then the rest of the rim  80  and strip  86 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the catch mechanism  90  folds inward into the reusable top  70 - 1  to form the angled fold around the inside of the top  70 - 1  as described above. It may also have interconnecting members  89  at the split  92  that break when the strip  86  is removed. 
         [0051]    Although the catch mechanism  90  can be continuous around the circumference of the strip  86  as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , alternative forms of catch mechanisms  90  can be used. For example,  FIG. 7A  shows a cross-sectional detail of the disclosed top  70 - 1  having an alternative catch mechanism  90 A. Here, the catch mechanism  90 A uses a number of extended tabs  94  from the strip  86  that fold inward into the reusable top  70 - 1 . In  FIG. 7B , the catch mechanism  90 B on the inside surface of the strip  86  defines a shoulder, lip, stop, or ledge  96  molded thereon. The shoulder  96  can be segmented as shown or continuous around the inside of the strip  86 . The shoulder  96  can also preferably define an angle that facilities fitting the shoulder over the lid ( 60 ) as described herein. 
         [0052]    With the benefit of the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that other forms of catch mechanisms  90  could be used. The catch mechanism  90  is preferably flexible, either alone as in  FIG. 6A  or  7 A or in conjunction with the strip  86  as in  FIG. 7B . Either way, the catch mechanism  90  preferably allows the reusable top  70 - 1  to fit onto the lid ( 60 ) during assembly. 
         [0053]    For additional stability, the reusable top  70 - 1  as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7B  can have mounts  75  extending downward inside the rim  80 . When the top  70 - 1  is fit onto the bottle  52  and the lid  60 , these mounts  75  can engage the lid  60 , provide stability, and keep the top  70 - 1  at a stand-off from the lid  60 . Moreover, when the top  70 - 1  is threaded directly onto the bottle&#39;s neck  54 , the mounts  75  can help engage the top  70 - 1  thereon. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 8A-8B  show assembly steps of the reusable top  70 - 1  on the bottle  52  having the existing lid  60 . The assembly is greatly simplified from the prior art where foil seals and manual or cumbersome assembly is required. Instead as shown in  FIG. 8A , a lid  60  threads to the bottle  52  with the retaining rim  66  engaging the neck&#39;s stop ( 56 ;  FIG. 3D ). This can be done in a customary manner and can effectively seal the bottle  52 . 
         [0055]    The reusable top  70 - 1  then fits on the lid  60  assembled to the bottle  52  in a direct manner (e.g., pushing or snapping the top  70 - 1  on in one direction on the lid  60 ), rather than needing manual and/or cumbersome assembly steps. Being able to fit in one direction on the lid  60 , the top  70 - 1  can be manually installed thereon, or this can be done in an automated fashion. When fitting the top  70 - 1  as shown in  FIG. 8B , the catch mechanism  90  on the removable strip  86  first passes the lid  60  and then engages the underside of the bottle&#39;s ledge  58  disposed about the bottle&#39;s neck  54  (or engages the lid&#39;s rim  66  as noted below). 
         [0056]      FIGS. 8C-8D  show assembly steps of the reusable top  70 - 1  on the bottle  52  having the existing lid  60  when the bottle  52  lacks the ledge ( 58 ) discussed above. The same assembly steps are used. When fitting the top  70 - 1  as shown in  FIG. 8D , however, the catch mechanism  90  on the removable strip  86  passes the lid  60  and then engages the underside of the lid&#39;s rim  66 . 
         [0057]    Once the reusable top  70 - 1  is pressed onto the lid  60  in either arrangement, the wider portion  84  of the rim  80  can accommodate the width of the existing lid  60 , and the grips  91  can help hold the top  70 - 1  in place. The stand-off features (e.g., transition, grips  91 , and mounts  75 ) can provide stability and keep the top  70 - 1  from being pushed further on the lid  60 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 9A , the spout or valve  78  can affix to the distal end of the stem  74 , and the reusable top  70 - 1  can be outfitted with the decorative body (not shown) on the stem  74  and retainers  76 . Depending on the desired assembly, either one or both of the spout  78  and the decorative body can assemble on the top  70 - 1  before or after installation of the top  70 - 1  on the bottle  52  and the lid  60 . 
         [0059]    At this point, the bottle  52 , the lid  60 , and the top  70 - 1  can be shipped, stored, displayed, and sold. To then drink the beverage in the bottle  52 , the reusable top  70 - 1  is removed from the bottle  52  while the existing lid  60  remains on the neck  54  as shown in  FIG. 9B . To do this, the removable strip  86  is pulled off the rim  80  of the top  70 - 1  by pulling the strip&#39;s tab  88  and tearing the strip  86  from the rim  80  via a seam, perforations, cuts, serrations, indentations, or the like. The top&#39;s grips ( 91 ) on the inside transition may prevent rotation of the top  70 - 1  on the existing lid  60  and help to hold the top  70 - 1  on the lid  60  temporarily until the strip  86  is pulled free. 
         [0060]    When the strip  86  pulls free, the catch mechanism  90  on the strip  86  come free of the neck&#39;s ledge  58  or the lid&#39;s rim  66  depending on the arrangement. This allows the top  70 - 1  to be lifted off the existing lid  60 . Now with the top  70 - 1  removed, the existing lid  60  can be removed from the bottle  52  as shown in  FIG. 9C . As the lid  60  unthreads from the neck  54 , the separable rim  66  breaks free and remains on the neck  54 . The removed lid  60  exposes the neck  54  so the top  70 - 1  can then rethread onto the open bottle  52 . 
         [0061]    As shown by the reassembled bottle  52  and top  70 - 1  of  FIG. 10 , the top&#39;s internal thread  85  threads onto the neck&#39;s thread  55 , and the crab seal  73  on the inside surface of the top&#39;s forecap  72  engages a distal edge of the bottle&#39;s neck  54 . The seal  73  is intended to create a leak proof seal with the neck  54 . The wider rim portion  84  fits around the bottle&#39;s ledge  58  (if present) and the remaining lid rim  66 . The grips  91  can also press against the lid&#39;s rim  66  to hold and seal the top  70 - 1  in place. At this point, beverage from the bottle  52  can come out of the stem  74  to the spout or valve (not shown) through the stem&#39;s bore  77 . 
         [0062]    Turning now to  FIGS. 11A-11B , another bottle top  70 - 2  according to the present disclosure can be used to attach to two types of beverage bottles of a container. This dual bottle top  70 - 2  includes many of the same features as in the above-embodiments so like reference numerals are used for similar components, which are not described again here. This dual bottle top  70 - 2  is also reusable, but includes a wide thread  89  in the wide portion  84  of the top&#39;s rim  80 . Thus, the inner surface of the rim  80  includes narrow thread  85  at the narrow rim  82  and wide thread  89  at the wide rim  84 . A crab seal  83   a  or other sealing element can be formed inside the rim  80  at the transition of these two rims  82  and  84  for engaging a bottle&#39;s neck as described below. 
         [0063]    Having the two threads  85  and  89 , the dual top  70 - 2  can be used on different sized bottles  52 - 1  and  52 - 2 , which are shown in  FIGS. 12A-12B . A narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1  of  FIG. 12A  has a neck  54  that is narrower than the neck  54  of the wide-neck bottle  52 - 2  of  FIG. 12B . The narrow thread  85  inside the narrow portion  85  of the top&#39;s rim  80  is adapted to thread onto the thread  55  of the narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1 , whereas the wide thread  89  inside the wide portion  85  of the top&#39;s rim  80  is adapted to thread on the thread  59  of the wide-neck bottle  52 - 2 . 
         [0064]    To provide example dimensions, the narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1  can have a neck  54  with a width W 1  of 38-mm wide and a height h 1  of 25-mm tall, while the wide-neck bottle  52 - 2  can have a neck  54  with a width W 2  of 45-mm wide and a height h 2  of 12-mm tall. The top  70 - 2  has comparable inner diameters D 1  and D 2  for the rim portions  82  and  84  to thread on the bottles  52 - 1  and  52 - 2 . Other dimensions can be used. The narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1  having the taller neck  54  may include an external ledge  58  as shown, while the wide-neck bottle  52 - 2  may not. 
         [0065]    To help illustrate the dual use of the bottle top  70 - 2 ,  FIGS. 13A-13B  show the dual top  70 - 2  disposed on the narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1 . The rim&#39;s wide portion  84  and its wide thread  89  can fit over the neck  54  of the narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1  and can avoid engaging the ledge  58  (if present). Meanwhile, the narrow thread  85  on the rim&#39;s narrow rim  82  can thread to the neck&#39;s thread  55 . To help seal the top  70 - 2  on the bottle  52 - 1 , the crab seal  73  on the inside of the forecap  72  can engage the distal rim of the neck  54 . 
         [0066]    In a similar fashion,  FIGS. 14A-14B  show the dual bottle top  70 - 2  disposed on the wide-neck bottle  52 - 2 . Here, the rim&#39;s wide portion  84  and its wide thread  89  thread onto the thread  59  on the wide-neck bottle  52 - 2 . Meanwhile, the narrow thread  85  on the top&#39;s narrow rim  82  stands off from the neck  54 . To help seal the top  70 - 2  on this bottle  52 - 2 , a crab seal  83   a  at the transition of the rim  80  can engage the distal rim of the neck  54 . 
         [0067]    The dual purpose top  70 - 2  disclosed above can be constructed in a number of ways. For example,  FIG. 15A  shows the top  70 - 2  constructed using a mono-injection molding process of Polypropolene (PP). This top  70 - 2  has the crab seals  73  and  83   a  formed integrally inside the top  70 - 2 . Alternatively,  FIG. 15B  shows the dual bottle top  70 - 2  constructed using a bi-injection molding process. The forecap  72 , the upper rim  82 , and the lower rim  84  are constructed of Polypropolene (PP), while an intermediate component  83   b  is composed of a Thermoplastic Elastomiser (TPE). This intermediate component  83   b  can act as a seal for engaging the wide-neck bottle&#39;s neck  54 . 
         [0068]    The dual bottle top  70 - 2  disclosed above can initially be disposed on a bottle to which it is affixed for commercial sale. As shown in  FIG. 16A , for example, the top  70 - 2  can be sold disposed on a narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1  disclosed above. As shown, the lower rim  84  has a removable strip  86 - 1  (e.g., twist-off rim), which can be similar to the twist-off rim  66  of  FIGS. 3D-3E  and  8 A- 8 D. This twist-off rim or removable strip  86 - 1  can be used to seal the top  70 - 2  on the bottle  52 - 1  and can engage an appropriate stop  56  (e.g., similar to the stop  56  of  FIGS. 3D-3E ) on the bottle  52 - 1  for engaging the twist-off rim or strip  86 - 1 . By twisting the top  70 - 2 , a person can remove the top  70 - 2  from the bottle  52 - 1  so that the twist-off rim or strip  86 - 1  is broken and left on the bottle  52 - 1 . A foil seal (if present) on the bottle  52 - 1  can then be removed, and the top  70 - 2  can be reattached to the same bottle  52 - 1  for use in drinking a beverage. Later, the top  70 - 2  can be removed for cleaning. At this point, the top  70 - 2  can be used on the same bottle  52 - 1  to which it was originally attached, or it can be used with a different bottle (e.g., wide-neck bottle) having a different sized neck for which the top  70 - 2  is adapted to install on. This makes the dual bottle top  70 - 2  particularly useful with a number of different bottles. 
         [0069]    In a similar fashion,  FIG. 16B  shows how the top  70 - 2  can be sold disposed on a wide-neck bottle  52 - 2  disclosed above. Again, the lower rim  84  has a removable strip  86 - 1  (e.g., twist-off rim), which can be similar to the twist-off rim  66  of  FIGS. 3D-3E  and which can be used to seal the top  70 - 2  on the bottle  52 - 2 . Likewise, the bottle  52 - 2  can have an appropriate stop  56  (e.g., similar to the stop  56  of  FIGS. 3D-3E ) for engaging a catch of the twist-off rim  86 - 1 . 
         [0070]    The above dual bottle top  70 - 2  can also include a form of temporary retention such as disclosed above with reference to the reusable tops  70 - 1  of  FIGS. 3A through 10  so that the top  70 - 2  can be disposed and held on an existing lid of a bottle. To that end,  FIG. 17  shows a beverage bottle top  70 - 3 , which is reusable and can be used on multiple bottles according to the present disclosure. This top  70 - 3  includes similar features to those discussed above so that like reference numerals are used for similar components, which are not readdressed in detail here. The top  70 - 3  includes a strip  86  removably affixed to the rim&#39;s lower portion  84 . As detailed above, this strip  86  can tear away from the rim portion  84  using a handle  88  and a precut crease, perforations, or other feature that weakens the connection of the strip  86  to the rim portion  84  and allows a person to tear the strip  86  therefrom. 
         [0071]    To engage the top  70 - 3  on a bottle, this strip  86  has a catch mechanism  90 , which allows the top  70 - 3  to install in a first direction onto an existing lid and which temporarily holds the top  70 - 2  on the bottle. Any of the various catch mechanisms  90  disclosed herein can be used for this top  70 - 3 . Finally, the top  70 - 3  also includes the narrow thread  85  and the wide thread  89  discussed above on the inside of the rim  80  so the top  70 - 3  can be used on bottles having different sized necks. 
         [0072]    Use of this top  70 - 3  is similar to the other tops disclosed herein. As shown in  FIGS. 18A-18B , for example, the top  70 - 1  can fit onto an existing lid  60  threaded onto a bottle, which in this case is a narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1 . The catch mechanism  90  on the top&#39;s removable strip  86  engages the underside of the lid&#39;s rim (as shown) or the bottle&#39;s ledge ( 58 ) depending on the arrangement. Because the bottle  52 - 1  has a narrow neck  54 , the wide portion  84  of the rim  80  accommodates the width of the existing lid  60 , and the seal  83   a  or grip  83   b  can help hold the top  70 - 3  in place, providing a stand-off and preventing the top  70 - 3  from being rotated. 
         [0073]    To use the top  70 - 3  for drinking, the removable strip  86  is pulled off the rim  80  so that the catch mechanism  90  releases the top  70 - 3  from the existing lid  60 . Now with the top  70 - 3  removed, the existing lid  60  can be removed from the bottle  52 - 1 , and the top  70 - 3  can then reattach to the open bottle  52 - 1  by threading the narrow thread  85  to the neck&#39;s thread  55 . As noted above, this top  70 - 3  can be removed and cleaned and can then be reused on the same narrow-neck bottle  52 - 1  or on a wide-neck bottle  52 - 1  as disclosed above, due to its two internal threads  85  and  89 . 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIG. 19 , the bottle top  70 - 3  can be initially used on a wide-neck bottle  52 - 2  having an existing lid  60 . In this case, the rim  80  stands off from the existing lid  60 . Likewise, the removable strip  86  extends the height of the lid  60  and accommodates the lid&#39;s width so that the catch  90  can engage the rim  66  of the lid  60  (as shown) or a ledge or other portion of the bottle  52 - 2 . As will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure, modifications to the height and width of the various components may be needed. 
         [0075]    It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter. As will also be appreciated, various components of the disclosed bottle tops can be composed of a suitable plastic material and can be formed by traditional molding techniques known in the art so that these are not detailed herein. 
         [0076]    Although disclosed for use with a container and bottles for drinking a beverage, the disclosed bottle tops can be used for other types of containers from which a liquid is to be dispensed. 
         [0077]    The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.