CONTAINER CAP

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to container caps, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a cap for a rigid intermediate bulk container wherein the cap of the present invention provides venting of the interior volume of the intermediate bulk container and further inhibits coagulation of the product in the vent cap of the present invention.

BACKGROUND

Intermediate bulk containers also known as IBC totes are industrial grade containers engineered for the mass handling, transport, and storage of liquids, semi-solids, pastes, or other materials. The two main categories of IBC totes are flexible IBC's and rigid IBC's. Rigid intermediate bulk containers are stackable, reusable, versatile containers with an integrated pallet base mount that provides maneuverability of the IBC tote with a pallet jack or forklift. The IBC totes can be made from metal, plastic, or a composite construction of the two materials. Rigid IBC design types are manufactured across a volume range that is in between that of standard shipping drums and intermodal tank containers. IBC totes are authorized to be fabricated of a volume up to 3 cubic meters (793 US gallons) and still be considered an IBC tote for shipping and handling permits.

Intermediate bulk containers are standardized shipping containers often Department of Transportation (DOT) certified for the transport handling of hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Some exemplary materials for which IBC totes are employed to store and ship are bulk chemicals, food syrups, solvents and liquid fertilizers. All rigid IBC totes are equipped with a cap on the top that provide access to fill and these caps are further configured with a conventional vent as some of the products require venting subsequent being stored in the IBC tote. Products such as but not limited to liquid fertilizers can coagulate when vented which can lead to clogged vent caps creating a potentially hazardous issue. Conventional vent caps are not configured to permit venting of an IBC tote and inhibit coagulation of a product in the vented cap.

Accordingly, there is a need for a vented cap for an IBC tote wherein the cap of the present invention permits venting of the interior volume of the IBC and further inhibits coagulation of the materials in the passages of the vented cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a vented cap for use on an intermediate bulk container wherein the cap of the present invention includes a body manufactured from plastic or other suitable material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap for an intermediate bulk container that provides venting of the interior volume and further inhibits coagulation of product within the cap wherein the body of the present invention includes an upper portion and a lower portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vented cap for use on an intermediate bulk container wherein the upper portion is perpendicular to the lower portion and integrally formed therewith.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a cap for an intermediate bulk container that provides venting of the interior volume and further inhibits coagulation of product within the cap wherein the lower portion is cylindrical in shape having a lower surface distal to the upper portion.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vented cap for use on an intermediate bulk container wherein the lower portion includes an aperture formed therein proximate the lower surface.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a cap for an intermediate bulk container that provides venting of the interior volume and further inhibits coagulation of product within the cap wherein the lower portion includes an annular passage in the wall of the lower portion wherein the annular passage is fluidly coupled to the aperture.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a vented cap for use on an intermediate bulk container wherein the lower portion has formed therearound a plurality of vent apertures wherein the vent apertures are fluidly coupled to the annular passage.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a vented container cap 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the vented container cap 100 includes a body 10 having an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 15. The upper portion 12 and lower portion 15 are integrally formed and it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 is manufactured from plastic or other suitable material. The upper portion 12 is planar in manner having an upper surface 20 and a lower surface 22. The upper portion 12 is perpendicular to the lower portion 15 and includes a perimeter edge 25 that extends outward past the wall 30 of the lower portion 15. The perimeter edge 25 defines the shape of the upper portion 12 wherein in a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the shape of the upper portion 12 is hexagonal. While the upper portion 12 is hexagonal in shape in the Figures submitted herewith, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the upper portion 12 could be provided in alternate shapes. The upper portion 12 provides an element for a user to grasp the vented container cap 100 and either tighten or loosen onto an IBC tote or other container to which the vented container cap 100 is operably coupled.

The lower portion 15 is contiguous with the lower surface 22 of the upper portion 12 extending outward therefrom being perpendicular thereto. The lower portion 15 is annular in shape having wall 30 wherein the wall has integrally formed therewith the bottom member 40. The wall 30 includes exterior surface 32 wherein the exterior surface 32 has thread members 34 formed thereon. Thread members 34 facilitate the ability for the vented container cap 100 to be releasably secured to a container opening having mateable threads. A lower aperture 50 is formed in the bottom member 40 and a lower section 37 of the wall 30 distal to the upper portion 12. Lower aperture 50 is in fluid communication with void 52 wherein void 52 is disposed within the interior of the lower portion 15. Formed within the wall 30 is annular passage 60. Annular passage 60 is formed completely within the wall 30 extending fully therearound and is hollow providing fluid communication with the void 52.

Annular passage 60 extends substantially the height of the wall 30 and is in fluid communication with vent apertures 70. Vent apertures 70 are formed within the wall 30 proximate the upper end 33 thereof. The vent apertures 70 are formed around the wall 30 being approximately ninety degrees apart so as to have four vent apertures 70 formed in the wall 30. The vent apertures 70 being in fluid communication with the annular passage 60 which is in fluid communication with void 52 permits fluid communication with the interior volume of the container to which the vented container cap 100 is secured via lower aperture 50 wherein the lower aperture 50 is disposed within the container and as such fluidly coupled with the interior volume of the container with which the vented container cap 100 is secured.

The vent apertures 70 permit venting of the container to which the vented container cap 100 is secured and further inhibits any introduction of materials into the container due to the location of the vent apertures 70. The vent apertures 70 are adjacent the lower surface 22 of the upper portion 12. Subsequent installation, the vent apertures 70 are in a position such that the upper portion 12 is providing coverage thereof so as to inhibit an ability for debris and materials from entering the vent apertures 70. While four vent apertures 70 are discussed and illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the vented container cap 100 could have more or less than four vent apertures 70. The location of the vent apertures 70, which are in fluid communication with the annular passage 60, further inhibits liquids disposed in the container to which the vented container cap 100 is secured from splashing out.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.