US20060108363A1 - Source selecting cap and closure for multiple chamber bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

A source selecting cap and closure for multiple cavity bottles incorporates a first element sealingly engaging a first opening in a first cavity of a bottle and a second opening in a second cavity of the bottle. A second element is movably engaged by the first element and provides an outlet and one or more channels connected to the outlet for selectively communicating with the first cavity of the bottle in a first position and communicating with the second cavity of the bottle in a second position.

Description

• RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/942,332 filed on Sep. 15, 2004 entitled MULTIPLE CAVITY BOTTLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME which claims priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/502,892 filed Sep. 15, 2003 entitled “BOTTLE HAVING MULTIPLE CAVITIES” and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/551,166 filed Mar. 08, 2004 entitled MULTIPLE CAVITY BOTTLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. This application is co-pending with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/163,464 having attorney docket no. Y002 100179 filed Oct. 20, 2005 and entitled MULTIPLE CHAMBER BOTTLE AND METHOD OF FILLING AND ASSEMBLING SAME which claims the priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/627877 filed on Nov. 15, 2004 entitled COAXIAL DUAL CAVITY BOTTLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME having a common inventor with the present application, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority of that provisional application. This application is also co-pending with U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/229152 filed on May 4, 2005 entitled A NECK AND CAP ARRANGEMENT AND ASSOCIATED NESTED BOTTLE BOTTOM FOR A BOTTLE IN A BOTTLE and having a common inventor with the present application, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention generally relates to liquids containers, and more specifically to a cap for selective communication with multiple chambers in a common container for different commodities.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Liquid storage containers have been provided in numerous sizes and shapes for various liquid commodities. The most ubiquitous containers are presently plastic and provide multiple sizes and shapes with mass production capability and recyclable materials.
• In many endeavors, individuals use multiple commodities in combination. Sports enthusiasts are typically becoming aware of the benefits of combining the use of electrolyte replacing sports drinks with water for ultimate performance enhancement and refreshment. Children often desire to purchase more than a single flavor of soft drink or juices or combine a soft drink or juice with other liquid refreshment such as water or milk.
• Beverage companies frequently launch new product flavors and have the need to inform customers that the new flavors are associated with their existing well-known brand and comprise part of their product portfolio. Currently, these companies are limited to arranging single-cavity bottles containing the new flavors in close proximity to other single-cavity bottles containing the well-known brand at the point of purchase.
• Having multiple beverages or other commodities contained within a single bottle requires means for selective access to one or more of the commodities and a sealing arrangement for closure of the bottle. In the current state of the art, multiple chamber bottles are generally only dual-chambered and are limited to either having a single closure covering both openings with no ability to select between the openings, or two separate closures covering both openings with no common output or variable selection means.
• It is therefore desirable to provide a cap and selection system for integrated containers having multiple cavities or chambers for storage of different commodities. It is further desirable that such a cap be easily manufactured and applicable to various multiple chamber bottle configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A source selecting cap and closure for multiple cavity bottles incorporates a first element sealingly engaging a first opening in a first cavity of a bottle and a second opening in a second cavity of the bottle. A second element is movably engaged by the first element and provides an outlet and means connected to the outlet for selectively communicating with the first cavity of the bottle in a first position and communicating with the second cavity of the bottle in a second position.
• In one embodiment, the first element includes a wall covering the first and second opening, the wall including a first orifice in communication with the first cavity and a second orifice in communication with the second cavity. The second element incorporates a sealing face adjacently opposed to the wall and at least one channel in the second element extending from the outlet to an aperture in the sealing face, said aperture in alignment with the first orifice in said first position and in alignment with the second orifice in a second position for selectively communicating with the cavities.
• In an alternative embodiment, the first element incorporates a bore with a first channel communicating with the first opening and terminating at a first orifice in the bore and a second channel communicating with the second opening and terminating at a second orifice in the bore. The second element incorporates a hollow cylindrical stem, a portion of which is closely received within the bore with the outlet located adjacent a first end of the stem. An aperture in a side wall of the stem distal the outlet and aligned with the first orifice in a first angular orientation of the stem and with the second orifice in a second angular orientation of the stem provides the selective communication with the cavities and rotating the stem establishes the first and second angular orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
• FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a bottle with which the present invention is employed;
• FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the bottle ofFIG. 1 showing the interconnecting fit of the first and second elements;
• FIG. 3ais a side view of an embodiment of a bottle with which the invention is employed showing a top engagement feature;
• FIG. 3bis a top view of the embodiment ofFIG. 3a;
• FIG. 3cis a top view of a modification to the embodiment ofFIG. 3a;
• FIG. 3dis a side section view of a double bottle arrangement with which the present invention may be employed;
• FIG. 4 is a partial side section view of an alternative top engagement feature of the bottle ofFIG. 3aand a first sealing cap arrangement embodying the present invention;
• FIG. 5ais a partial side section view of an alternative embodiment of a bottle with which the present invention is employed with a second bottle embodiment;
• FIG. 5bis a lower perspective view of the cap elements in the embodiment ofFIG. 5a;
• FIG. 6 is a side section view of the bottle ofFIG. 3dwith an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 7a-7dare top, first side section, first side and second side views of the rotatable upper element of the embodiment ofFIG. 6;
• FIGS. 8aand8bare top and side section views of the fixed bottom element of the embodiment ofFIG. 6;
• FIG. 9ais a partial side section view of an embodiment of the present invention optimized for molding;
• FIG. 9bis a bottom view of the rotating upper element of the embodiment ofFIG. 9a;
• FIG. 9cis a top view of an intermediate sealing disc employed with the embodiment ofFIGS. 9aand9b;
• FIG. 9dis a top view of the intermediate sealing disc demonstrating various porting combinations;
• FIG. 9eis a bottom perspective view of the molded rotating upper element;
• FIG. 9fis a top exploded perspective view of the molded rotating upper element and seailing disk;
• FIG. 9gis a bottom perspective view of the fixed lower element;
• FIG. 9his a top perspective view of the fixed lower element;
• FIG. 9iis an exploded lower perspective view of the elements;
• FIG. 9jis a top perspective view of the elements as assembled;
• FIGS. 10a-10care partial side section views of embodiments of sealing features incorporated in the bottom element ofFIGS. 8aand8b;
• FIGS. 10dand10eare partial side section views of the o-ring sealing feature ofFIG. 10ademonstrating an additional “hard off” configuration;
• FIG. 11. is a side section view of yet another embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 12 is a side section view of another embodiment of the invention employing a rotatable stem;
• FIG. 13ais an exploded section view of a modification of the embodiment ofFIG. 12 providing alternative sealing elements and improved manufacturability;
• FIG. 13bis a side section view of the assembled cap elements of the embodiment ofFIG. 13a;
• FIG. 13cis a side section view of the assembled cap and bottle of the embodiment ofFIGS. 13aand13b;
• FIG. 14 is a side section view of another alternative embodiment of the invention; and,
• FIGS. 15aand15bare a side section view and top view of another embodiment of the invention for use with separately necked containers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring to the drawings,FIG. 1 is an isometric view of abottle10 incorporating the multiple chambers with which the present invention is employed. For the embodiment shown, elements or moieties of a combination forming the invention are afirst bottle half12, andsecond bottle half14 that are engaged to form the completed bottle having two separate cavities for storage and dispensing of two separate liquids.
• An exploded isometric view of the bottle for the embodiment described is shown inFIG. 2. Each half has anouter surface16 andmating surface18. The outer surface of the first bottle half, and second bottle half may be of any shape, but the example shown have a generally cylindrical outer surface. The mating surfaces of each bottle half are formed as complimentary shapes, allowing the bottle halves to adjacently seat together in a side-by-side relationship.
• In the embodiment shown,mating surface18 of each bottle half forms a generally flat plane with a helical twist or, alternatively described, the helical mating surface has a planar cross section. The flat shape is preferred because it allows both bottle halves to be manufactured as the same part. Alternately, the mating surface may be shapes other than flat, such as concave and convex and may have male and female joining features, but any such features or shapes that are not symmetrical require that the bottle halves are formed as two separate parts from different molds. When the bottle halves are seated together, their mating surfaces sit adjacently together along the flat twisted plane that is formed at the angle of helical rotation. This helical shaping, particularly if 180° of twist or greater, allows the contents of the two cavities of the combined bottle to be viewed from any aspect thereby enhancing the marketability of the products contained in the bottle by clearly demonstrating the presence to two distinct commodities in the single bottle.
• As shown in the drawings,first bottle half12 andsecond bottle half14 each have two ends, abottom end20 and atop end22. The bottom end is closed and is typically flat or concave, providing a base for standing the bottle upright. The top end of each bottle half has anopening24aand24bfor individually dispensing the contents of each bottle half. While the opening can be any shape, the opening shown is “D” shaped.Top portion22 may also have a threaded or unthreaded surface for receiving a cap mechanism for sealing the opening, as will be described in greater detail subsequently.
• The combined bottle can incorporate more than two bottle cavities, but the embodiments shown for this embodiment provide two cavities. The separate cavities of the combined bottle can be used to contain any substance that a person practicing the invention desires. One anticipated embodiment is as a beverage container holding, for example, an electrolyte replacing sports drink in one cavity and water in the second cavity.
• Since bothfirst bottle half12 andsecond bottle half14 are separate containers, each capable of holding a liquid and keeping the liquid sealed and separate from the contents of the other bottle half, there is a separate opening,24aand24b,in each cavity. In the embodiment shown, the opening of each cavity is generally “D” shaped and whenfirst bottle half12 andsecond bottle half14 are intertwined together, the combination of opening24afromfirst bottle half12 andopening24bfromsecond bottle half14 creates a generally cylindrical threaded or unthreaded neck.
• FIGS. 3athrough3ddemonstrate alternative connection and cavity configurations for various embodiments of bottles with which the present invention is employed.FIGS. 3aand3bshow a combined bottle incorporating two individually sealable bottle halves26 and28 with amating surface30. The two cavities need not be constructed as equally proportioned halves, they may be constructed in unequal halves as shown by largeleft half26′ and smallright half28′ demonstrated inFIG. 3c.The threads or snap feature of the cap hold both halves together and seal their contents. For additional strength beyond that which is provided by the application of a threaded or snap-on closure to secure the bottle halves together, the embodiment ofFIG. 3amay incorporate anoptional flange32 over which a collar34 (shown in section) is forced to circumferentially engage theneck36. An alternative embodiment of an upper engagement is shown inFIG. 4 wherein anoptional indentation38 is provided in the circumference of the neck in which a ring40 (shown in section) is engaged.FIG. 3dshows a coaxial bottle within a bottle arrangement wherein anouter bottle42 receives and surrounds aninner bottle44.
• FIG. 4 shows acap mechanism50 according to the present invention. A substantially cylindricallower element52 is received over the protrudingneck36 of the bottle halves. Awall54 seals the lower element withorifices56aand56bpositioned over the openings in the respective bottle halves. A rotatableupper element58 is received in the cylindrical body of the lower element and incorporates achannel60 which is positionable overorifice56afor communication with the cavity of the first bottle half or overorifice56bfor communication with the cavity of the second bottle half or intermediate the two apertures to re-seal the bottle. In alternative embodiments, the housing incorporates a circumferential protrusion which mates withindentation38 to eliminate the requirement for a separate securing ring. The housing is adhesively bonded or ultrasonically welded to the disk in alternative embodiments.
• A side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 5awherein the cap mechanism incorporates two elements as with the embodiment previously described. Anupper element52 is rotatably supported in alower element58. The lower element incorporates a substantiallycylindrical body62 with a sealingwall54 and is secured to the dual cavity bottle, in the embodiment shown by anengagement protrusion snap39 in the inner circumference of the body snapped into position over a matingfemale engagement indentation38 in the circumference of theneck36 of the bottle. One example of such a bottle that is formed from a single part having a vertical septum separating two equal cavities is manufactured by Owens Illinois and is presently commercially available containing such commodities as drain clog removing chemicals and carpet cleaning solutions. The Owens Illinois single-part bottle is manufactured by the extrusion blowmolding technique from a plastic resin such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and the septum is formed by a molding technique known to those skilled in the art of blowmolding containers as a “pinch off”. An example of this single-part bottle with a vertical septum is shown in partial cross section inFIG. 5a.The embodiment of the single-part bottle with a septum orcommon wall30 provides sealing engagement between the wall and opposed D-shaped channels create protrusions63 (best seen in the perspective view ofFIG. 5b) extending diametrically across the bottom of the lower element. These channels align the lower element with the corresponding “D” shaped neck openings in the bottle. During assembly the “D” shaped protrusions enter the neck of the bottle. After lowering the lower element down into the neck slightly, the snap engages and the bottle neck and septum collectively crush the soft underside sealing surface in the D-shaped channels of the lower element to create a tight seal against the top of the neck surface of the bottle and the top of the septum.
• Anupper element58 is received within the cylindrical body of the lower element. The upper element has a substantiallycircular face65 which sealingly engages the upper surface ofwall54 in the lower element. The wall in the lower element incorporates afirst orifice56acommunicating with opening24aof the first cavity of the bottle and asecond orifice56bcommunicating with opening24bof the second cavity of the bottle. Achannel60 extending through the upper element to a dispensingopening66 is positionable over a selected one of the orifices by rotation of the upper element. Rotation of the upper element to an intermediate position places the channel adjacent a blank portion of the wall while the circular face of the upper element seals the two orifices.
• For bottles with a configuration similar to the coaxial bottle in bottle ofFIG. 3d, the cap mechanism shown inFIG. 6 is employed.Lower element52 again incorporates a substantiallycylindrical body62 which receivesneck36aofouter bottle42. A secondcylindrical boss64 depends from thewall54 and receivesneck36bofinner bottle44. For the embodiment shown, the coaxial arrangement of the inner and outer bottles allows threaded engagement between mating moieties in the necks and the cylindrical body and boss. As in the embodiment described previously, a snap engagement is employed in alternative embodiments of the coaxial bottle arrangement.
• The upper element employs twochannels66aand66bin communication with the outlet. As will be described with respect toFIGS. 8aand8b,a first orifice in the wall communicates with the outer bottle while a second orifice in the wall communicates with the inner bottle. Angular arrangement of the channels for alignment with the associated orifice upon rotation of the upper element to a predetermined position allows selection of a connection between the outlet and the contents of the inner bottle or the outer bottle. Again, rotation to a non-aligning position with both channels and orifices, provides for sealing of the orifices by the circular face of the upper element.
• FIGS. 7a-7dshowupper element58 in more detail. To facilitate the rotation of the upper element, two parallelflat sides76 may be formed into the generally conically-shaped upper element for the embodiment shown. The flat sides of the upper element are grasped using the fingers in order to more easily rotate the cap between the three (or more) desired positions for example off position, drinking the beverage in the outer bottle, drinking the beverage in the inner bottle and mixing the contents of both. Flat sides or protruding tabs are also useful to help the consumer overcome the sealing resistance of the upper cap as it statically compresses the seals surrounding the ports. The amount of static seal compression may be adjusted to accommodate and prevent leakage of commodities of varying carbonation levels or to provide a “hard off” as will be described in greater detail subsequently.Outlet66 provides the selected contents to the user being provided bychannel66afrom the inner bottle when appropriately aligned for communication with the inner bottle and throughchannel66bfrom the outer bottle when properly aligned.
• FIGS. 8aand8bare top view and side section view taken throughplane8b-8bthat showlower element52 in more detail. It is apparent from the top view that the embodiment shown features two cylindrically-shaped orifices,inner orifice72 andouter orifice74. The orifices may be any shape desired for practicing the invention as will be described in greater detail subsequently. The orifices are positioned for access to the inner and outer bottles as previously discussed with respect toFIG. 6 withorifice72 accessing contents of the inner bottle andorifice74 accessing the contents of the outer bottle.Inner passageway66aandouter passageway66bofupper element58 align withorifaces72 and74 respectively when the upper element is rotated to the respective alignment position. When neither orifice is aligned, the cap seals both the inner and outer bottle.
• For the embodiment shown inFIGS. 7a-7dand8aand8b, the rotatable engagement between the upper and lower elements of the cap is accomplished byridge77 on the inner diameter of the lowerelement engaging groove78 in the circumference of the upper element. The lower element is secured to the neck of the inner bottle bythreads80 and secured to the outer bottle withthreads82. In alternative embodiments, a snap fit or alternative engagement mechanism is employed as previously described. Referring to FIGS.7aand8a,an arrow73(d) or other position indicating mark can be used onintermediate cap16 to align with a corresponding mark73(a),73(b) or73(c) onupper cap18 to indicate to the user which position the cap is in. In the example shown in the drawings, a high energy drink is contained in the inner bottle with the appropriate arrow73(b) labeled “ENERGY”. The outer bottle contains water and label73(a) provides the appropriate reference. The “off” position is identified by label73(c) (not marked as off in the drawing). In an alternate embodiment, a detent feature is used to allowupper cap18 to “click” into place as it is rotated relative tointermediate cap16 into positions such as 1) off, 2) inner bottle contents, and 3) outer bottle contents.
• The embodiment of the invention disclosed inFIGS. 7a-7dand8aand8bis easily optimized for molding using standard injection molding techniques. For example, groove78 inFIGS. 7b-7drepresents an “undercut” in an injection mold, however, it is a common practice to those skilled in the art of injection molding plastics to forcefully ejectupper element58 from an injection mold cavity with an ejector boss or elector sleeve relying on the elasticity and resilience of the molded plastic to flex off the mold without damaging or destroying the geometry ofgroove78. Similarly,threads80 and82 oflower element52 represent undercuts in an injection mold, however it is a common practice to those skilled in the art of injection molding bottle closures to form such threads as “strippable threads” and forcefully strip them off of the mold core with an ejector boss or ejector sleeve relying on the elasticity and resilience of the molded plastic to flex off the mold core without damaging or destroying the geometry ofthreads80 and82. The techniques described above allow for the construction of less expensive and simpler molds than molds containing unscrewing features, or collapsible cores.
• FIGS. 9a-9cprovide one such optimized embodiment. As shown inFIG. 9ain side section the channels for communication with the outlet are created by a dumbbell shapedkey slot90 in communication with abore92 extending downward from theoutlet66. As shown inFIG. 9bthe key slot is incorporated in aweb94 extending diametrically across the upper element creating open volume between the web and the cylindrical body. These “core outs” eliminate much of the sealing surface of the upper element disclosed in prior embodiments. The cylindrical openings of the key slot and the outlet bore are created within the web. This configuration provides a substantially constant wall thickness for the entire molded part. To maintain separation of the inlet ports for selective communication with the two orifices in the lower element asealing disk96, best seen inFIG. 9c,provides aninner aperture98 and anouter aperture100 for alignment with the inner and outer orifices in the lower element upon proper rotation of the upper element with respect to the lower element. As shown inFIGS. 9aand9b,the disk seals against the facingsurface102 of the molded walls of the upper element with the apertures (72,74) aligned with the inner and outer circular portions (104 and106) of the key slot. Forming the key slot directly into the flat disk potentially creates edges at the transition of the key way into the two round orifices that may hang up on the soft seals or o-rings surrounding the ports. The use of two unconnected round holes or kidney-bean shaped ports in the flat disk as shown in the embodiments and described below avoids this issue. For the embodiment shown, the sealing disk is mechanically attached to the upper element usingresilient tabs108 received inmating slots110. Alternatively, the disk is adhesively bonded or ultrasonically welded to the upper element. Coupling of the upper and lower element is accomplished using a rib and groove arrangement as previously described or acentral barb97 extending from the mating wall of the lower element through apertures in the disk and web as shown inFIG. 9a.
• The disk has sufficient thickness and flatness to maintain a rigidplanar sealing surface112 which interfaces with the wall of the lower element. The wall can incorporate multiple orifices for creating selective communication with either one or both of the containers created by the bottle as shown inFIG. 9d.The orifices in the wall are shown in phantom with the apertures in the disk shown in full line form. In afirst position120 with the upper element rotated to place the apertures in the right semicircle of the wall, nominally on the horizontal axis at 0 degrees, the apertures are adjacent blank portions of the wall and the bottle is sealed as indicated by two X marks. In asecond position122 with the upper element rotated to place the apertures in a 90 degree position, theinner orifice72 is aligned with the inner aperture providing communication with the contents of the inner bottle. In athird position124 with the upper element rotated to place the apertures in a 180 degree position, theouter orifice74 is aligned with the outer aperture providing communication with the contents of the outer bottle. Finally, with the upper element rotated to aforth position126 at 270 degrees, twoorifices72aand74aare aligned with the inner and outer apertures to allow access to the contents of both containers simultaneously. Theouter orifice74ashown in the figure may be smaller in diameter than theouter orifice74 providing less flow volume for the contents of the outer bottle in the mixed position than in the single flow condition atposition124. Additional pairs of orifices with varying diameters are oriented at different rotation angles in alternative embodiments to provide various mixtures of the contents of the inner and outer bottle. Alternatively, slots of varying width are placed under the arc of the inner and outer orifice for flow variation. Additionally, while circular orifices and apertures are shown in the drawings, oval, crescent or other alternative shaped openings for increased flow capacity are employed in alternative embodiments.
• The features of the described embodiment are seen in perspective views of the various elements and assemblies inFIGS. 9e-9j.The lower perspective view ofFIG. 9eshows the hog outs and wall thicknesses of the upper element withkeyway90 and inner and outercircular portions104 and106 forming the flow passages. Outlet bore92 andweb94 are also displayed as well asengagement slot110 for the locking tabs on the disk. The upper exploded perspective ofFIG. 9fshows molded case ofupper element58 in relation todisk96.Engagement tabs108 protrude from the disk for engagement inslots110 as previously described. Apertures98 and100 are surrounded by anelevated lip107 which is sealingly received in the female circular and joining portions of the keyway.
• Similarly, the bottom perspective oflower element52 as seen inFIG. 9g,showsports72 and74 and the associatedbody62 andboss64 receiving the outer and inner bottles respectively while the upper perspective ofFIG. 9hshows the ports in relation to the flat receiving wall engaging the disk in the upper element.Detents109 which receivedimple111 on the upper element (best seen inFIG. 9f) provide positive engagement at the rotated positions for selection of the inner and outer bottle contents and the “off” position.
• FIG. 9ishows a lower perspective exploded view of the upper element with the disk in place prior to insertion into the lower element whileFIG. 9jshows an upper perspective of the fully assembled cap. A plurality of vertical raised ribs are used on the outer diameter of thelower element52, as shown in the drawings, and are engaged by a capping chuck having a corresponding set of vertical female ribs for use in screwing the assembled cap shown inFIG. 9jonto an inner bottle during a first step, and later onto an outer bottle during a second step of the filling process for a coaxial dual cavity bottle as shown inFIG. 6.
• Additional features for sealing of the disk and orifices in the wall are employed in alternative embodiments as shown inFIGS. 10a-10c.An o-ring130 inserted in arelief132 surrounding theorifice72 or74 provides a reliable mechanical seal as shown inFIG. 10a.A first alternative is shown inFIG. 10bwhere a moldedcircular lip134 surrounds the orifice. The lip may be formed facing towards the port and with such geometry that the application of increased pressure from the inside of the bottle will cause a tighter seal and prevent leakage. In certain embodiments, a one step molding process is employed for the lip seal while in alternative embodiments, a two step co-injection molding process is employed to provide a softer durometer material in the lip seal than in the remainder of the wall.FIG. 10cshows a moldedcircular ridge seal136 employing multiple teeth of varying height. As for the lip seal, a two step process can be employed to provide a different durometer in the seal element than in the remainder of the wall.
• As shown inFIGS. 10dand10e,a “hard shutoff” is incorporated in certain embodiments of the present invention for shipment of the filled bottle to assure no leakage. As shown inFIG. 10d,disk96 incorporates depending plateaus133 which hyper-compresses o-ring130 to assure sealing over the associatedorifice72 or74. When the cap is initially rotated from the “hard off” position by the user to open the container for flow from one bottle as shown inFIG. 10e,the plateau is rotated off the o-ring which assumes its normal sealing shape engaging the bottom of the disk. The hard off position for the exemplary embodiments previously described with respect toFIGS. 7a-7dand8aand8babove could be placed opposite the “off” indicator with no marking.
• While the rotating closure mechanism provides closure for the separate cavities of the bottle, an alternative embodiment providing a positive closure on the outlet of the cap mechanism is shown inFIG. 11. The outlet incorporates anextended neck140 which is threaded to receive a mating threadedcap142. This allows the cap mechanism to remain aligned with one of the content orifices but be sealed at the outlet. In other alternative embodiments, the threaded cap is replaced by a standard “sports top” sliding closure.
• FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention employing a vertical hollow rotatablecylindrical stem150 received in acylindrical bore152 in abody154 of the cap mechanism. Aninput port156 oriented on a side wall of the stem is selectively positionable at afirst channel158 in the body communicating with a first cavity, in the embodiment shown aninner bottle44, or at asecond channel160 communicating with a second cavity, theouter bottle42 for the embodiment shown. A first angled o-ring162 mounted on a receivinggroove164 on the stem engages the wall of the bore to seal the input port while a horizontal o-ring166 mounted in a second groove seals the stem to the bore.Paddle tabs168 attached to the shaft facilitate rotation of the shaft for alignment of the input port. The stem is terminated at an end opposite the input port with one ormore outlet ports170 to communicate the selected commodity to the user. A closure mechanism, such as asports top172 as shown in the figure, or a threaded sealing cap in alternative embodiments, is provided to seal the outlet port. In alternative embodiments, the stem is axially movable to align the port with axially displaced channels for selection of the desired bottle contents.
• FIGS. 13a-13cdemonstrate a refined design for the embodiment of the invention disclosed inFIG. 12 in whichbody154 is molded to include threadedcylindrical receiver62 for the outer bottle and threadedboss64 for the inner bottle withchannels158 and160 for flow communication with the contents of the bottles. The angled o-ring of the embodiment of FIG.12 is replaced with triangular profile round seals174 and176 which encompass the outlets ofchannels158 and160 respectively.Stem150 is received withinbore152 in the body.Seals174 and176 sealingly engage the stem preventing flow from either bottle unlessport156 is aligned with one of the channels.
• Stem150 is integrated into ashell177 having sides received in an upwardly oriented mating boss178surrounding body158. As describe in previous embodiments, agroove76 in the mating boss receives arib78 on the shell for rotatable engagement, restraining the shell and stem in the body.Detents109 in the mating boss receive and engage adimple111 in the shell for positive positioning of the shell and stem with the port aligned with one of the channels or an intermediate “off” position as shown inFIG. 13b.
• In alternative embodiments two apertures on the stem at different elevations are alignable at predetermined rotational angles with the channels which are also arranged to terminate at different elevations and at different angles of rotation not horizontally opposed as shown in the drawings. In this configuration, plateaus added to the stem are also employed as previously described with respect toFIGS. 10dand10eto provide a “hard off” position for the stem.
• Additional features to facilitate rotation of the cap mechanism such as the tabs employed in the embodiment described with respect toFIG. 12 are also applicable in certain embodiments of the invention such as that shown inFIG. 14.Upper element58 of the cap mechanism employs anextended tab180 to provide additional leverage in rotating the upper element within the lower element for alignment of the respective orifice and aperture to select the desired commodity.
• Alternative container arrangements for separate cavities or commodity chambers are also accommodated by the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 15aand15b,a cap mechanism having a rotatableupper element58 and alower element52 secures a double bottle having two separate necks,36c,and36d.The lower element is elliptical and employsengagement elements182 in the inner circumference ofreceptacles184aand184bsnapped into position overmating engagement elements186 in the circumference of thenecks36cand36dof the bottle.Channels57aand57bin the lower element communicate withorifices56aand56bfor alignment with one orchannels60 in the upper element which communicate with anoutlet66. Multiple orifices and/or channels are employed in alternative embodiments for alternate selection and mixing of the commodities in the bottle chambers as previously described with respect toFIG. 9d.
• Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (29)

1. A source selecting cap and closure for multiple cavity bottles comprising:

a first element sealingly engaging a first opening in a first cavity of a bottle and a second opening in a second cavity of the bottle;

a second element movably engaged by the first element and having a single outlet;

means connected to the outlet for selectively communicating with the first cavity of the bottle in a first position and communicating with the second cavity of the bottle in a second position.

2. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 1 wherein the means for selectively communicating placed in a third position precludes communication from either cavity to the outlet.

3. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 1 wherein the first element includes a wall covering the first and second opening, the wall including a first orifice in communication with the first cavity and a second orifice in communication with the second cavity;

the second element incorporates a sealing face adjacently opposed to the wall and

the means for selectively communicating comprises at least one channel in the second element extending from the outlet to an aperture in the sealing face, said aperture in alignment with the first orifice in said first position and in alignment with the second orifice in a second position.

4. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 2 wherein the second element is rotatably engaged in the first element and the means for selectively communicating comprises:

a first channel extending from the outlet to a first aperture at a first radius from a center of rotation of the second element, said first orifice located at a radius equal to the first radius and at a first angular orientation; and,

a second channel extending from the outlet to a second aperture at a second radius from the center of rotation, said second orifice located at a radius equal to the second radius and at a second angular orientation.

5. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 4 wherein selective rotation of the upper element to a third angular orientation places the first aperture and second aperture adjacent the wall to create an “off” position.

6. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 1 wherein the multiple cavity bottle incorporates two cavities having a separating septum, said cavities and septum terminating in a common circular neck having a first substantially D-shaped opening formed by the septum and a first portion of a circumference of the neck and a second substantially D-shaped opening formed by the septum and a second portion of the circumference of the neck, the first element further comprising a substantially cylindrical body with a wall substantially bisecting the cylindrical body to sealingly cover the D-shaped openings.

7. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 6 wherein the wall includes

a first orifice adjacent the first D-shaped opening and a second orifice adjacent the second D-shaped opening;

the second element incorporates a sealing face adjacently opposed to the wall; and

the means for selectively communicating comprises at least one channel in the second element extending from the outlet to an aperture in the sealing face, said aperture in alignment with the first orifice in said first position and in alignment with the second orifice in a second position.

8. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 6 wherein at least one mating groove on the neck and at least one rib on an inner circumference of the cylindrical body to capture the neck in the body.

9. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 1 wherein the multiple cavity bottle incorporates a first outer bottle forming a first cavity and a second inner bottle forming the second cavity, each bottle having a neck with an opening, the first element further comprising:

a substantially cylindrical body sealingly receiving the neck of the first bottle;

a wall substantially horizontally bisecting the cylindrical body;

a substantially cylindrical receptacle depending from the wall and sealingly receiving the neck of the second bottle, the wall sealingly covering both openings.

10. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 9 wherein the wall includes

a first orifice adjacent the opening of the first bottle and a second orifice adjacent the opening of the second bottle;

the second element incorporates a sealing face adjacently opposed to the wall; and

the means for selectively communicating comprises a first channel in the second element extending from the outlet to a first aperture in the sealing face, said first aperture in alignment with the first orifice in said first position and a second channel in the second element extending from the outlet to a second aperture in the sealing face in alignment with the second orifice in said second position.

11. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 9 wherein mating threads on the neck of the first bottle and an inner circumference of the cylindrical body provide the sealing engagement for the first bottle.

12. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 9 wherein mating threads on the neck of the second bottle and an inner circumference of the cylindrical receptacle provide the sealing engagement for the second bottle.

13. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 1 wherein

the first element incorporates a bore and further comprises:

a first channel communicating with the first opening and terminating at a first orifice in the bore and a second channel communicating with the second opening and terminating at a second orifice in the bore; and

the second element further comprises:

a hollow cylindrical stem, a portion of which is closely received within the bore, the outlet located proximate a first end of the stem; and

means for rotating the stem; and

the means for selectively communicating comprises an aperture in a side wall of the stem distal the outlet and aligned with the first orifice in a first angular orientation of the stem and with the second orifice in a second angular orientation of the stem.

14. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 13 further comprising means for sealing the stem and orifices.

15. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 14 wherein the sealing means comprises:

a first seal mounted on the stem angled from above the aperture to a point diametrically distal and below the aperture to seal the aperture for interface with the orifices; and

a second horizontal seal mounted on the stem spaced outboard from the first angled seal to seal the stem and bore.

16. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 14 wherein the sealing means comprises a first seal circumferentially surrounding the first orifice and a second seal circumferentially surrounding the second orifice.

17. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 16 wherein the first and second seals have a substantially triangular cross section.

18. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 13 further comprising means for sealing the outlet.

19. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 10 further comprising:

a first seal operably surrounding the first orifice and a second seal operably surrounding the second orifice, the sealing face engaging the first and second seals.

20. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 19 further comprising:

at least one plateau depending from the sealing face, said plateau oriented and sized to engage and hyper compress one of said seals with the second element in a “hard off” position.

21. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 10 wherein the second element comprises:

a molded cover having a facing surface and a diametric web, said means for selectively communicating incorporating a keyway having a first cylindrical column and a second cylindrical column in said web, said keyway in communication with a third cylindrical column depending from said outlet; and

said sealing surface comprises a sealing disk engaging said molded cover on the facing surface and having a first aperture aligned with said first cylindrical column and a second aperture aligned with said second cylindrical column.

22. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 21 wherein the second element further incorporates indexing indicia for indicating said first and second position.

23. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 21 wherein the second element further incorporates a dimple received in one of at least two detents in the cylindrical body of the first element, each detent positioned for engaging the dimple at one of said first or second positions.

24. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 21 wherein said sealing disk incorporates a raised lip surrounding said first and second aperture, said lip sealingly received in said keyway.

25. A source selecting cap and closure for a multiple cavity bottle incorporating a first outer bottle forming a first cavity and a second inner bottle forming a second cavity, each bottle having a neck with an opening, said cap and closure comprising:

a first element having

a substantially cylindrical body sealingly receiving the neck of the first bottle;

a wall substantially horizontally bisecting the cylindrical body;

a substantially cylindrical receptacle depending from the wall and sealingly receiving the neck of the second bottle, the wall sealingly covering both openings, said wall further having a first orifice communicating with the opening of the first bottle and a second orifice communicating with the opening of the second bottle;

a second element movably engaged by the first element and having an outlet;

a molded cover having a facing surface and a diametric web, a keyway having a first column and a second column in said web, said keyway in communication with a third column depending from said outlet;

a sealing disk intermediate and engaging said molded cover on the facing surface and said wall, the disk having a first aperture aligned with said first column and a second aperture aligned with said second column; and

said first aperture in alignment with the first orifice in a first position and said second aperture in alignment with the second orifice in a second position.

26. A source selecting cap and closure as defined inclaim 10 wherein the wall includes a third orifice communicating with the first bottle and a forth orifice communicating with the second bottle, said third and forth orifices aligned with the first and second aperture in a third position.

27. A sealing system for a multiple cavity bottle comprising:

a surface sealing a first cavity in the bottle;

a first orifice in the surface communicating with a first cavity in the bottle;

a seal surrounding the first orifice;

a mating surface closely adjacent the sealing surface and having at least one aperture, the mating surface movable to align the first aperture with the first orifice in a first open position;

a plateau extending from the mating surface, intermediate the mating surface and the sealing surface, said plateau alignable with the first orifice in a second hard off position, the pleateau hyper compressing the seal in the second hard off position.

28. A sealing system as defined inclaim 27 wherein the mating surface engages the seal orientations other than the hard off position.

29. A sealing system as defined inclaim 27 further wherein the sealing surface has a second orifice communicating with a second cavity in the bottle, said mating surface movable to a third position to align the aperture with the second orifice.

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