Vented cap assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10358267-B2
Application number	US-201815890400-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 7, 2018
Priority date	Aug 15, 2014
Publication date	Jul 23, 2019
Grant date	Jul 23, 2019

Abstract

A vented cap adapted to accumulate an overflow of liquid from a reservoir and vent gas from the reservoir to atmosphere. The vented cap includes an insert and a shell. The insert includes a projection extending longitudinally from a floor pan. The shell includes an outer skirt joined to and extending longitudinally outwardly from the floor pan and is attached to a top. The top and the outer skirt define a headspace between the floor pan and the top. The projection extends into a portion of the headspace and defines a projection aperture, allowing liquid and gas to flow into the headspace. The vented cap further includes a vent in fluid communication between the headspace and atmosphere.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vented cap having a longitudinal axis, the vented cap comprising:
an insert, wherein the insert comprises:
a floor pan;
an inner retainer wall extending from a wall proximal end joined to the floor pan to a wall distal end longitudinally remote therefrom;
a projection extending from a projection proximal end joined to the floor pan to a projection distal end longitudinally remote therefrom;
wherein the projection defines a projection aperture extending therethrough in fluid communication with a reservoir aperture of a reservoir comprising a liquid;

a shell, wherein the shell comprises:
an outer skirt joined to and extending longitudinally outwardly from the floor pan;
a top joined to the outer skirt;
wherein the top and the outer skirt define a headspace between the floor pan and the top;
wherein the projection extends into a portion of the headspace;
wherein the outer skirt and the inner retainer wall define a channel therebetween;

an attachment member for joining the vented cap to an external reservoir;
a vent in fluid communication between the headspace and the channel;
a notch in fluid communication between the channel and atmosphere,
wherein only a gas can flow through the vent and the notch.

2. The vented cap of claim 1 , wherein the wall distal end defines the vent and allows a gas to flow from the headspace to the channel.

3. The vented cap of claim 1 , wherein the outer skirt comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer skirt inner surface defines the vent allowing a gas to flow from the headspace to the channel.

4. The vented cap of claim 1 , further comprising a flange surrounding the wall proximal end and defining the notch extending therethrough, wherein the flange is configured to allow a gas to flow from the channel to atmosphere.

5. The vented cap of claim 1 , wherein the outer skirt comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer skirt inner surface defines the notch allowing a gas to flow from the channel to atmosphere.

6. The vented cap of claim 1 , wherein the vent and the notch are circumferentially offset.

7. The vented cap of claim 1 , wherein the vented cap is attached to a reservoir containing a liquid and the vented cap is adapted to accumulate overflow of the liquid and allow a gas to vent to atmosphere.

8. The vented cap of claim 1 , wherein the vented cap prevents visually perceptible leakage of a liquid during storage at about 40° C. and about 75% relative humidity for a period of about 90 days.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Hamdoun Karim

Classifications

• B65D23/06 Primary

  Integral drip catchers or drip-preventing means · CPC title

• B65D41/02 Primary

  Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices · CPC title

• B65D51/24

  combined {or co-operating} with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes · CPC title

• B65D51/1605

  whereby the interior of the container is maintained in permanent gaseous communication with the exterior · CPC title