US20250376310A1

US20250376310A1 - Cap Tap Seal Puncturing and Removal Device

Info

Publication number: US20250376310A1
Application number: US19/225,285
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Goodwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-06-10
Filing date: 2025-06-02
Publication date: 2025-12-11

Abstract

A cap tap seal puncturing and removal device is disclosed that is a manual device for puncturing, piercing, and/or removing safety seals from a container. The cap tap seal puncturing and removal device comprises a cylindrical device that has a container capping component at one side or end and a puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component at an opposing side or end. The cap seal puncture and removal component comprises a protruding point or cone and a barb or seal removal feature. The device is employed by hand via a twisting motion to puncture and completely remove a safety seal from a container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/658,020, which was filed on Jun. 10, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container cap with the capability of puncturing and removing the safety seal applied to various types of containers. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in container cap devices by providing the end user with the capability of puncturing and removing the safety seal from a container. Generally, end users or consumers who purchase products in containers manufactured with a safety seal to prevent product leakage or tampering are confronted with the problem of safely and conveniently removing the safety seal before the product can be dispensed. Further, after removing the cap from a container, the end user or consumer is faced with the dilemma of removing the safety seal. Often the safety seal can be difficult to pierce or remove in a safe and efficient manner. Additionally, end users or consumers may not have a suitable implement or means to remove the safety seal prior to dispensing the contents of the container.
Containers employing safety seals below the container capping mechanism are in widespread use today. Products such as medicine, juices, condiments, and certain foods contain safety seals. Additionally, automotive fluids such as anti-freeze, oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid and battery acid utilize safety seals below the container cap to prevent leakage during handling and shipping, and the possibility of tampering with the contents of the container. Safety seals in general serve a valuable purpose by preventing the contents of the container from leaking, or spoiling by providing an air and liquid tight seal thus ensuring the end user or consumer is receiving a fresh, pure, and unadulterated product.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved container cap that incorporates the features necessary to safely and efficiently puncture and remove the safety seal from the container prior to dispensing the product contained therein. More particularly, there is a demand for a safety seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device that will not only enable for the safe and efficient removal of the safety seal but will also prevent contamination of the product while removing the safety seal.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device that provides end users and consumers with a safe, efficient, and convenient means for puncturing and removing safety seals used in conjunction with traditional container caps. There is also a long felt need in the art for a container cap that incorporates the necessary features to enable the end user or consumer an immediate means of accessing the contents of the container without adulterating the contents contained therein. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal tool that is accessible when needed, convenient, effective, efficient and simple to use. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that improves safety seal puncturing by utilizing a pointed cone shape for puncturing the safety seal in an efficient, uniform manner. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that not only incorporates the use of a pointed cone shape for puncturing the safety seal but additionally incorporates a barbed feature for complete removal of the seal.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a safety seal cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device. The device is a handheld and hand actuated mechanical device designed to safely and efficiently puncture and remove a safety seal from a container so equipped. The device generally is comprised of two major components. One end of the device is a container cap similar to a threaded cap with an attached safety tab as used on a container of milk or anti-freeze. The opposite end of the cap features a non-threaded tube shape that serves as a guide to enable the effective use of the cap seal puncturing feature of the device. The bottom of the non-threaded tube shape contains a raised, pointed or cone like protrusion to be used as a cap seal puncturing feature of the device. After removal of the cap from the container, the non-threaded end of the device if placed over the neck of the container and using hand motion to twist or press the device firmly against the safety seal will enable the seal to be punctured. Additionally, the outer diameter of the tube is fashioned with a protruding barb shape. The barb shape is hand rotated around the circumference of the safety sealed portion of the container to completely remove the seal.
In this manner, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention accomplishes all the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that effectively caps a container, punctures the safety seal, and removes the seal in its entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device. The device is a mechanical device utilized to puncture and remove the safety seal from a container if so equipped. The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device comprises at one end a container cap with a safety tab. The opposite end of the cap comprises the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal feature. The container cap portion of the device is cylindrical in shape and contains an internal or female thread to match the external or male thread as utilized on the container employing the cap. Additionally, the cap portion of the device will employ a safety tab feature. The safety tab feature is to be broken prior to removal of the cap from the container. The opposite end of the container cap is comprised of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device. This end of the device is also cylindrical in shape and contains a smooth counterbored section to act as a guide over the threaded portion of the container. The bottom of the counterbore contains a point or protruding cone shape which acts as the safety seal puncturing device. Additionally, the cylindrical shape contains a notch or barb feature that acts as the seal removal device.
It can be beneficial in a variety of applications to provide the manufacture with a safe means of sealing a product within a container while providing the end user or consumer a convenient and safe means of opening the container, puncturing and removing the safety seal prior to dispensing the contents contained therein. The device described herein provides all the above-mentioned benefits for both manufacturer and end users or consumers. By utilizing this inexpensive device, a manufacturer or seller can provide added value, convenience and safety for the end user or consumer and provide a more user-friendly product consumption experience. Furthermore, the device not only provides a user-friendly experience, but prevents remnants of the safety seal from adulterating the contents of the container when less efficient means of safety seal removal are employed. Such inefficient means of seal removal include but are not limited to puncturing the seal with a knife or screwdriver, utilizing a finger, fingernail or stick or other implement not specifically designed for the task. For example, puncturing a safety seal on a container of anti-freeze by a consumer using their finger may place them in direct contact with a poisonous or harmful substance increasing the risk of illness or death.
The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device may be configured in a variety of ways to facilitate safety seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal. Such devices may be configured to be stored for a protracted period before use, to be fabricated at low cost, to be fabricated from a variety of materials, in a variety of configurations, or according to some other considerations.
In one embodiment, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device has a round or cylindrical external shape and is made of plastic. One end of the device comprises the container cap feature similar to a milk container screw cap. The one end of the device contains a removable safety tab that is to be broken and removed prior to removal of the container cap end of the device. The internal portion of the container cap end of the device is also round and comprises internal or female threads that match the external or male threads on the neck of the container. Once the safety tab is removed from the cap end of the device the end user or consumer will employ a counterclockwise twisting motion with their hand to unscrew the device from the container so affixed. Specifically, once the device has been removed from the container, the safety seal will be exposed and ready for removal or piercing with the opposite end of the device.
In one embodiment, the external shape of the device may have a square, hexagonal, octagonal, or other geometric shape to aid the end user or consumer in obtaining an enhanced grip on the device. Such a feature is important to assist the elderly, infirm, or those individuals with arthritis or wrist and hand problems in accessing the product. Furthermore, by varying the external shape of the device the consumer or end user will have additional gripping power to actuate the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal feature of the device. Additionally, varying the external shape of the device may be contingent upon the environment in which the container may be opened. Specifically, the consumer or end user may have wet or oily hands limiting the grip on a round shaped cap thus making removal difficult. The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device can become much more versatile by altering the external shape of the device to more suit the environment in which the device will be employed.
In one embodiment, the external portion of the device may be knurled or fluted to assist the end user or consumer in obtaining an enhanced grip during usage. The knurling or fluting of the device would be performed during the manufacturing process. Again, this feature would enable individuals with limited gripping ability to effectively access the product. As an example, one possible configuration of the external portion of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device can be described as round or cylindrical in shape with knurls or flutes applied to the exterior of the device. In one embodiment, the external shape of the device may be hexagonal with knurls or flutes manufactured into the exterior providing the end user or consumer with far greater gripping ability while removing the cap from the container and employing the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal features of the device.
In one embodiment, the device may be manufactured from a wide variety of engineered plastics. Plastics have proven to be a cost effective and versatile method of manufacture. In addition, many plastics can withstand exposure to a myriad of chemicals, including, but not limited to caustics, cleaners, oils, fuel, and acids to name but a few. Plastic manufacturing techniques employed today permit the cost-effective production of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device in practically any configuration imagined. In general, the device can be manufactured from any solid material depending on the proposed application and environment in which the device will be used. For example, the device may be made of metal or metal alloys if additional strength is needed. In another embodiment the cap may be made of glass if necessary for use in a laboratory environment.
In one embodiment, the cap seal puncture and removal device comprise a plastic container cap at one end and cap seal puncture and removal feature at the opposite end. The cap seal puncture and removal end of the device can be generally described as having a round or cylindrical exterior. As stated above other geometric shapes may be employed. Other enhancements to the exterior such as knurling or fluting may be employed. The interior portion of the container cap portion of the device has an internal thread matching the external thread on the container to facilitate attachment of cap to container. Additionally, this portion of the cap will contain a safety tab to be removed prior to use. The interior portion of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal end of the device is round or counterbored and smooth walled to an approximate depth matching the external thread on the container. At the base of the counterbore a protruding cone or point is manufactured into the device. The protruding cone or point is best described as the cap seal puncturing feature of the device. The angle and diameter of the cone can vary depending upon many factors. For example, a one-quart plastic oil container has a much smaller neck than a one-gallon plastic oil container therefore it is necessary to alter the diameter and angle of the cone portion of the device to enable proper performance. Additionally, the device incorporates a barb feature into the circumference of the exterior of this portion of the device. This barb can best be described as the safety seal removal feature of the device. The barb can be manufactured in a wide variety of configurations and geometric shapes based on the application.
In one embodiment, the device can be manufactured as two separate components. For example, the cap end and the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal end can be joined together by means of a removable mechanical attachment or chemically joined by way of an adhesive product.
In yet another embodiment, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device comprises a plurality of indicia.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the device attached to a container in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing an expanded view of the safety tab, barb feature, and protruding point or cone and how the device is applied to a container in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the safety tab broken prior to its removal in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the safety tab released and the cap portion of the device removed from the container exposing the safety seal in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the device inverted and being employed to puncture and remove the safety seal in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the device removed from the container and illustrating the clean precise puncturing, piercing, and/or removal of the safety seal in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the device removed from the container and the safety seal removed in its entirety in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the device and a brief flowchart illustrating the device's use; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device of the present invention showing the device and featuring an explanation of the device's use and benefits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above there exists a long felt need in the art for a cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device that provides end users and consumers with a safe, efficient and convenient means for puncturing and removing safety seals used in conjunction with traditional container caps. There is also a long felt need in the art for a container cap that incorporates the necessary features to enable the end user or consumer an immediate means of accessing the contents of the container without adulterating the contents contained therein. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal tool that is accessible when needed, convenient, effective, efficient and simple to use. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that improves safety seal puncturing by utilizing a pointed cone shape for puncturing the safety seal in an efficient, uniform manner. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that not only incorporates the use of a pointed cone shape for puncturing the safety seal but additionally incorporates a barbed feature for complete removal of the seal without adulterating the product contained therein.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device. The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device comprises a container cap component that is configured in a round or cylindrical shape and designed to be secured to a neck of a container with an internal thread that corresponds to the external thread as manufactured onto the container neck. The cap seal puncture and removal component is affixed to the container cap component of the device either by manufacturing the device as a unitized construction or joining both components with a mechanical or adhesive bonding process. The cap seal puncture and removal component of the device comprises a smooth cylindrical shaped bore. At the bottom of the bore is a protruding point or cone shape which acts as a puncturing tool to pierce the safety seal of the container. The exterior of the cylindrical portion of the device contains a barb feature which is utilized to remove the safety seal from the container after the seal has been punctured with the protruding point or cone component. The present invention provides a novel way of removing a safety seal from a container by combining a container cap with a safety seal or cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component providing the consumer or end user a safe, convenient and efficient means of accessing the contents of containers employing safety seals.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate perspective views of one embodiment of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 is an improved cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 that provides a consumer or end user with a convenient and efficient device for removing the safety seal of a container prior to accessing the contents of the container. Specifically, the cap seal puncture and removal device 103 comprises a container cap component 104 with a safety seal or cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component 105 secured to a container 100. Referring again to FIG. 4 , the cap seal puncture and removal component 105 comprises a protruding point or cone 109 and a barb, hook, or removal component of the device 110. It is to be appreciated that the tip of the cone 109 is recessed below a top edge of the container cap component 104. When employed, the cap is removed from the container 100, inverted, and the cap seal puncture and removal device 103 is then applied to the safety seal 108 of the container 100 permitting safe, convenient, efficient and complete removal of the safety seal 108 without adulterating the contents of the container.
It can be beneficial in a variety of applications to puncture and remove safety seals 108 in a safe and efficient manner that protects not only the consumer or end user from coming into contact with the contents of the container 100, but also preventing contamination of the contents of the container 100. For example, products such as anti-freeze, weed killer, and certain acids (i.e. battery acid) are typically sold to consumers and end users in plastic containers 100. Containers 100 are typically filled with the product by the manufacturer or bottler and a safety seal 108 is applied to the container 100 prior to installing the container cap 104. Products such as these can be hazardous to the health of the consumer or end user. If the product were to come into contact with the skin while the consumer or end user is attempting to remove the safety seal 108 in an inefficient or unsafe manner irritation, rash or burning may occur. Furthermore, employing improper safety seal 108 removal techniques may permit the product to splash into the eyes or mouth of the consumer or end user causing blindness, poisoning, or death. By providing the consumer or end user with a safe and efficient means of puncturing and removing the safety seal 108 from a container 100, the consumer or end user is protected from these hazards. The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 provides the consumer or end user with the means to safely and efficiently puncture and remove a safety seal 108 from a container 100.
The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 may be configured in a variety of ways to facilitate safety seal 108 puncturing, piercing, and/or removal. Such devices 103 may be configured to be stored for a protracted period of time before use, to be fabricated at low cost, or according to some other considerations. Additionally, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 may be fabricated from a variety of materials or in a variety of configurations or geometric shapes depending upon the application. The barb is adjacent a top edge of the container cap component 104.
Generally, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 comprises a container cap component 104 that includes internal threads 107 and a breakable safety tab 106. The cap component 104 of the device 103 is designed to be affixed to the externally threaded 102 neck 101 of a container 100. The manufacturer or bottler of the product will fill the container 100 with the product and seal the outlet of the container with a safety seal 108. The seal may be made of foil, plastic or other materials. Once the safety seal is affixed to the container 100 the manufacturer or bottler will install the cap component of the device 104 with a twisting motion exerted upon the cap engaging the internal threads 107 with the external threads 102 of the container 100. The twisting motion may be performed by hand or machine during the time of manufacture or bottling. Once the cap component 104 is installed upon the container the safety tab 106 is engaged by the manufacturer or bottler. The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 is typically configured in a round or cylindrical shape but could be any suitable shape as is known in the art. Specifically, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 comprises two halves (i.e., an inner or lower side 104 and an outer or upper side 105)—the container cap component half 104 and the seal or cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component half 105. The two halves (i.e., an inner or lower side 104 and an outer or upper side 105) may be joined during the manufacturing process as a unitized or monolithic construction or manufactured as two separate components joined by a mechanical means such as a tear away strip or a chemical or adhesive means of joining.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component 105 contains a smooth internal bore 111 which is designed to fit over the major diameter of the external threads 102 of the container neck 101. Upon removing the cap seal puncture and removal device from 103 from the container 100 the device 103 is inverted by the consumer or end user. The cap seal puncture and removal device 103 is placed over the neck 101 of the container 100 guided by the smooth internal bore 111. The consumer or end user applies a downward hand pressure on the device while simultaneously employing a twisting motion. This action engages the protruding point or cone 109 and the barb, hook, or removal component 110 against the safety seal 108. The rotation of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 may be clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the application. Upon completing the action, the safety seal 108 will be effectively punctured and removed from the neck 101 of the container 100. The safety seal may now be disposed of in an environmentally conscious manner and the contents of the container 100 can be dispensed. The container cap component 104 may be reinstalled on container 100 after dispensing the needed product to avoid spilling or contaminating any product remaining in the container. Additionally, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 could include other means for puncturing and removing safety seals 108 or could include multiple means for safety seal removal, as is known in the art.
Further, the cap seal puncture and removal device 103 of the present invention could be sized to fit a variety of containers 100. The container 100 may require various sizes or diameters of container necks 101 depending upon the product contained therein. For example, a container 100 of antifreeze generally has a larger diameter of neck 101 than a container 100 holding a quart of engine oil. The design of container 100 is determined by the manufacturer to enable the consumer or end user to effectively dispense the product. Oil containers typically have a long neck to serve as a funnel when dispensing the product while antifreeze containers do not, the common feature of both containers is the use of safety seals 108 that need to be punctured and removed prior to dispensing the product. The cap seal puncture and removal device 103 can be manufactured in any size and can be used on any container 100 configuration.
The cap seal puncture and removal device 103 may be attached to the container by a variety of methods. In the present example device 103 contains internal threads 107 to match the external threads 102 of the container 100. In this embodiment the cap seal puncture and removal device 103 is attached to the container 100 by rotating the device around the container with a twisting or threading motion. Additionally, device 103 may be attached to the container by lugs, snap fit, partial threads, straps or any other cap attachment methods as is known in the art.
The cap seal puncture and removal device's 103 external shape can be configured in many ways. In one embodiment, the external shape of the device may be round or cylindrical. However, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or other geometric shape to aid the end user or consumer in obtaining an enhanced grip on the device 103. Such a feature is important to assist the elderly, infirm, or those individuals with arthritis or wrist and hand problems in accessing the product. Furthermore, by varying the external shape of the device 103 the consumer or end user will have additional gripping power to actuate the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component 105 of the device 103. Additionally, varying the external shape of the device may be contingent upon the environment in which the container 100 may be opened. Specifically, the consumer or end user may have wet or oily hands limiting the grip on a round shaped cap thus making removal difficult. The cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 can become much more versatile by altering the external shape of the device to more suit the environment in which the device will be employed.
In one embodiment, the external portion of the device 103 may be knurled or fluted to assist the end user or consumer in obtaining an enhanced grip during usage. The knurling or fluting of the device would be performed during the manufacturing process. Again, this feature would enable individuals with limited gripping ability to effectively access the product. As an example, one possible configuration of the external portion of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 can be described as round or cylindrical in shape with knurls or flutes applied to the exterior of the device. In one embodiment, the external shape of the device may be hexagonal with knurls or flutes manufactured into the exterior providing the end user or consumer with far greater gripping ability while removing the cap from the container and employing the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal features of the device.
In one embodiment, the device 103 may be manufactured from a wide variety of engineered plastics. Plastics have proven to be a cost effective and versatile method of manufacture. In addition, many plastics can withstand exposure to a myriad of chemicals, including, but not limited to caustics, cleaners, oils, fuel and acids to name but a few. Plastic manufacturing techniques employed today permit the cost-effective production of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device in practically any configuration imagined. In general, the device 103 can be manufactured from any solid material depending on the proposed application and environment in which the device will be used. For example, the device may be made of metal or metal alloys if additional strength is needed. In another embodiment the cap may be made of glass if necessary for use in a laboratory or medical environment.
In one embodiment the cap seal puncture and removal device 103 may employ one configuration of angle and design for the protruding point or cone 109 and in yet another application the angle and shape of the protruding point or cone 109 may be altered to reflect the needed design parameters to effectively puncture and remove the safety seal 108. Furthermore, the barb, hook, or removal component 110 of the device 103 can be reconfigured to best match the intended application. The design parameters of the components will therefore be varied depending on container 100 type, size and design shape. Additionally, the safety seal 108 material employed can be considered a factor as well. A foil safety seal 108 may require design parameters that differ from those of a paper safety seal 108.
In yet another embodiment, the cap seal puncture and removal device 103 comprises a plurality of indicia 300. The device 103 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the device 103, or any other indicia 300 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 300 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be diaper, sensor, or brand related.
FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of the method of employing the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103. The method includes the steps of removal of the device 103 from the container 100 by a twisting motion. The method also comprises using the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal component of the device 105 to puncture and remove the safety seal 108 from the container 100. Finally, the container 100 is shown with the safety seal 108 removed from the container in its entirety.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the cap tap seal puncturing and removal device 103 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 as shown in FIGS. 1-9 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 are important design parameters for user convenience, the cap seal puncturing, piercing, and/or removal device 103 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cap seal puncturing and removal device comprising:

a container cap component;

a cap safety seal puncturing component; and

a container including a container safety seal;

wherein said container safety seal capping a neck of said container;

wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component integrated to said container cap component; and

further wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component having a protruding point for piercing said container safety seal while prohibiting physical contact with the contents of the container.

2. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 1, wherein said protruding point having a shape of a cone.

3. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 2, wherein said cone having a tip; and further wherein said tip recessed below a top edge of said container cap component.

4. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 3, wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component having a barb.

5. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 4, wherein said barb adjacent said top edge of said container cap component.

6. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 2, wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component on an exterior surface of said container cap component when said container cap component is threaded over a neck of said container.

7. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 6, wherein the contents of the container selected from the group consisting of an anti-freeze, a weed killer, and a battery acid.

8. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 6, wherein said container cap component, said cap safety seal puncturing component, and said container having a material of plastic.

9. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 8, wherein said container cap component having internal threads and a breakable safety tab for affixing said container cap component to external threads of the neck of said container.

10. A cap seal puncturing and removal device comprising:

a container cap component;

a cap safety seal puncturing component; and

a container including a container safety seal;

wherein said container safety seal capping a neck of said container;

wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component integrated to said container cap component;

wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component having a protruding point for piercing said container safety seal while prohibiting physical contact with the contents of the container; and

further wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component having a barb.

11. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 10, wherein said protruding point having a shape of a cone.

12. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 11, wherein said cone having a tip; and further wherein said tip recessed below a top edge of said container cap component.

13. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 12, wherein said barb adjacent said top edge of said container cap component.

14. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 13, wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component on an exterior surface of said container cap component when said container cap component is threaded over a neck of said container.

15. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 14, wherein the contents of the container selected from the group consisting of an anti-freeze, a weed killer, and a battery acid.

16. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 14, wherein said container cap component, said cap safety seal puncturing component, and said container having a material of plastic.

17. The cap seal puncturing and removal device of claim 14, wherein said container cap component having internal threads and a breakable safety tab for affixing said container cap component to external threads of the neck of said container.

18. A method of puncturing and removing a cap seal, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a container cap component, a cap safety seal puncturing component including a barb, and a container including a container safety seal, wherein said container safety seal capping a neck of said container;

integrating said cap safety seal puncturing component with said container cap component, wherein said cap safety seal puncturing component having a protruding point for piercing said container safety seal while prohibiting physical contact with the contents of the container;

removing said container cap component from a neck of said container;

inverting said container cap component;

pushing said cap safety seal puncturing component onto said container safety seal;

piercing said container safety seal;

twisting said cap safety seal puncturing component around said container safety seal;

cutting said container safety seal with said barb; and

removing said container safety seal.

19. The method of puncturing and removing a cap seal of claim 18, wherein said protruding point having a shape of a cone.

20. The method of puncturing and removing a cap seal of claim 18, wherein said cone having a tip recessed below a top edge of said container cap component, and further wherein said barb adjacent said top edge of said container cap component.