WO2005043997A1

WO2005043997A1 - Cap for a container containing a substance which attracts insects

Info

Publication number: WO2005043997A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Carello
Original assignee: Ditta Carello Roberto
Current assignee: Ditta Carello Roberto
Priority date: 2003-11-05
Filing date: 2004-05-31
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2006-05-05

Abstract

The cap (10) comprises an end wall ;16) and selective engagement means associated to the lower part of the end wall (16) and capable of engaging with at least one portion of the neck (14) of the container (12) , in such a way as to fix the cap (10) to the container and to leave under the end wall (16) at least one interstice (34) which allows communication between the external environment and the inside of the container (12).

Description

Cap for a container containing a substance which attracts insects

The present invention relates to a cap for a container having a neck and containing a substance, particularly a liquid, which attracts insects.

It has now become common practice to re-use bottles made from plastics material, originally used for containing drinks, as containers for the use stated above.

These bottles are filled with a substance which is attractive to insects, and are then positioned, by being hung on tree branches for example, in desired places. The insects are thus attracted by the substance contained in the bottles and, having entered the bottles, remain trapped inside them.

However, in order to maintain the functional properties of the bottles prepared in this way, it is necessary to prevent penetration of water into them in case of rain. The bottles must therefore be installed in sheltered places, under a canopy for example, thus considerably limiting the range of their applications, and/or provided with improvised caps, whose effectiveness in functional terms and durability leaves much to be desired.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, the object of the present invention is a cap having the characteristics stated in the following claims .

The cap according to the present invention can be fixed by the selective engagement means - preferably made in the form of circumferentially spaced protuberances which protrude transversely from the end wall - to the neck of a bottle filled with the desired attractive substance, and is thus associated with the bottle in a durable and stable way. When installed, the end wall and the side wall, if present, of the cap prevent raindrops from falling into the bottle, while insects can enter it, when attracted by the substance contained therein, by passing through the interstice present, for example, between at least one free portion of the rim of the neck of the bottle and the end wall of the cap.

When the attractive substance is spent, the cap can be removed from the neck of the bottle to allow the bottle to be refilled, and can then be replaced on the neck.

Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be made clear by the following detailed description, which refers to the attached drawings provided by way of example and without restrictive intent, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of a cap according to the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view from below of the cap of Figure

1, Figure 3 is a sectional view through the line III-III of Figure 2 of the cap according to the invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cap according to the invention fixed on the neck of a. bottle, Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views, similar to Figure 1, of respective further embodiments of caps according to the invention, Figure 7 is a lateral elevation of yet another embodiment of the cap according to the invention, screwed on to the neck of a bottle, Figure 8 is a sectional view of the cap taken through the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a sectional view of the cap taken through the line IX-IX of Figure 8.

A cap 10 for a container - such as a bottle 12 with a neck 14 - containing a substance which attracts insects comprises an end wall 16 and an outer lateral wall 18.

The end wall 16 has a circular plan and a curved profile with the convexity facing downwards. The lateral wall 18 extends transversely from the outer edge of the end wall 16 and has a truncated conical sbape .

Three protuberances 20 extend transversely from the median portion of the end wall 14 radially inside the lateral wall 18, and are positioned at equal distances from each other in a circumferential arrangement . The total height of the protuberances 20 is greater than that of the lateral wall 18, so that they project below the lateral wall.

Each protuberance 20 has a flattened oblong shape and has a thickened proximal portion 22 adjacent to the end wall 16 and a distal portion 24 whose cross section is smaller than that of the proximal portion 22. A groove 26 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner face of each distal portion 2 .

The proximal portion 22 adjacent to the end wall 14 of each protuberance 20 is associated with a corresponding reinforcing rib 28 which extends radially outwards. Each rib 28 extends radially between tlie proximal portion 22 of the associated protuberance 20 and the facing portion of the inner surface of the outer lateral wall 18.

The cap 10 also comprises means of suspension made in the form of a ring 30 which protrudes externally from the end wall 16 on the opposite side from the protuberances 20.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, t ie cap 10 is fixed to the neck 14 of the bottle 12 filled with the desired attractive substance, and is thus selectively associated with the bottle in a durable and stable way. To secure the cap 10 to the bottle 12, use is made of the properties of elastic stretchability apart in the radial direction of the distal portions 24 of the protuberances 20, which are made to slide along the neck 14 until the grooves 26 engage with a corresponding portion of an external annular projection 32 on the neck 14 of the bottle 2.

In this configuration, the cap 10 is firmly fixed to the bottle 12, while corresponding interstices 34 remain open between portions of the rim of the neck 14 not engaged by the protuberances 20 and the end wall 16.

In use, the end wall 16 and side wall 18 prevent raindrops from falling into the bottle 12, enabling the bottle to be placed in the open without any particular restrictions . In this context it should be noted that the ring 30 enables the bottle 12 to be used in a suspended configuration if desired, e.g. from a branch of a tree. In any case, in embodiments of the invention which are not illustrated, it would be possible to use alternative means of suspending the bottle 12, such as a half-ring or the like.

Insects attracted by the substance contained in the bottle 12 can enter the bottle and remain trapped there, having passed through an annular gap 36 between the lateral wall 18 and the protuberances 20 and then through the interstices 34 between the portions of the rim of the neck 14 not engaged by the protuberances 20 and the end wall 16.

The cap 10 can be re-used any desired number of times. This is because, when the attractive substance contained in the bottle 12 is spent, the cap can be removed from the neck 14 by using again the properties of elastic stretchability apart of the protuberances 20. The bottle 12 can thus be refilled and then reclosed with the cap 10. Alternatively, the cap can be used to close another bottle .

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which numbers identical to those used with reference to the preceding figures indicate identical or equivalent parts. The only difference from the cap described previously consists in the fact that the outer lateral wall 18 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 38. These holes facilitate the entry of insects into the annular gap 36.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which numbers identical- to those used with reference to the preceding figures indicate identical or equivalent parts.

In this case, the cap 10 does not have an outer lateral wall, and the function of protection from raindrops is essentially provided by the end wall 16. The means of engagement with the bottle have a structure and functions similar to those described previously.

The cap according to this embodiment of the invention is simpler and more economical to produce than those described previously.

Figures 7 to 9 show a further embodiment of the invention, in which numbers identical to those used with reference to the preceding figures indicate identical or equivalent parts.

In this case, the selective engagement means comprise an inner lateral wall 20, which has a cylindrical tubular shape and a circular cross section and extends transversely from the median portion of the end wall 16. The inner lateral wall 20 is positioned radially inside the outer wall 18, in such a way that an annular gap 36 is formed between the lateral walls 20 and 1.8. The distal portion of the inner lateral wall 20 has an internal thread 40, while a plurality of apertures 34, spaced apart circumferentially, preferably at equal intervals, are formed in the proximal portion of this wall 20. The total height of the inner lateral wall 20 is greater than that of the outer wall 18.

The means of suspension are made in the form of a half-ring 30 which protrudes externally from the end wall 16 on the opposite side from the selective engagement means.

The cap 10 can be screwed by means of the thread 40 of the wall 20 on to the neck 14 of the bottle 12 filled with the desired attractive substance, and is thus associated durably and stably with the bottle .

In a similar way to the caps of the first two embodiments described, the walls 16 and 18 prevent raindrops from falling into the bottle 12, while insects can enter the bottle when attracted by the substance contained therein, by passing through the annular gap 36 and the apertures 34.

When the attractive substance is spent, the cap 10 can be unscrewed from the neck 14 of the bottle 12 to enable the bottle to be refilled, and can then be screwed back on to it, or can be screwed on to another bottle.

Clearly, the effects of the present invention extend to models providing the same utility and using the same innovative principle. For example, it is possible to use selective engagement means other than those illustrated and, when stretchable apart protuberances are used, it is possible for more than three of these to be present and/or for the protuberances to be positioned in an asymmetric way.

Claims

1. Cap (lO) for a container having a neck (14) and containing a substance which attracts insects, the said cap (10) comprising an end wall (16) and selective engagement means associated to the lower part of the end wall (16) and capable of engaging with at least one portion of the said neck (14) , to fix the cap (10) to the container and to leave under the end wall (16) at least one interstice (34) which allows communication between the external environment and the inside of the container.

2. Cap (10) according to Claim 1, additionally comprising an outer lateral wall (18) which extends transversely from the end wall (16) , in such a way that the said selective engagement means are located radially inside the outer lateral wall (18) .

3. Cap (10) according to Claim 2, in which the said outer lateral wall (18) is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes (38) .

4. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said selective engagement means comprise at least three protuberances (20) which extend transversely from the end wall (16) and are positioned at intervals in a circumferential arrangement in such a way that their distal portions (24) can engage with the said neck (14) so as to fix the cap (10) to the container and leave corresponding interstices (34) between the free portions of the rim of the neck (14) and the end wall (16) .

5. Cap (10) according to Claim 4, in which the said protuberances (20) can be stretched apart elastically outwards in a radial direction.

6. Cap (10) according to Claim 4 or 5, in which the said protuberances (20) have a flattened oblong shape and have, on the inner face of each distal portion (24) , a respective groove (26) extending circumferentially and capable of engaging with a portion of an annular external projection (32) of the neck (14) of the container.

7. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding Claims 4 to 6, in which the proximal portion (22) of each of the said protuberances (20) adjacent to the end wall (16) is associated with a corresponding reinforcing rib (28) which extends radially outwards .

S. Cap (10) according to Claim 7, in which each rib (28) extends radially between the proximal portion (22) of the associated protuberance (20) and the facing portion of the inner surface of the outer lateral wall (18) .

9. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding Claims 4 to 8, in which the proximal portion (22) of each of the said protuberances (20) is thickened and the distal portion (24) has a smaller cross section than the proximal portion (22) .

10. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding Claims 4 to 9, in which the said protuberances (20) are spaced circumferentially at equal intervals.

11. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding Claims 4 to 10, in which the total height of the protuberances (20) is greater than that of the outer lateral wall (18) .

12. Cap (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 , in which the said selective engagement means comprise an inner lateral wall (20) which extends transversely from the median portion of the end wall (16) , the distal portion of the inner lateral wall (20) having an internal thread (40) , and at least one aperture (34) being formed in the proximal portion of the inner lateral wall (20) .

13. Cap (10) according to Claim 12, in which the said inner lateral wall (20) has a cylindrical tubular shape and a circular cross section.

14. Cap (10) according to Claim 12 or 13, in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures (34) are formed in the proximal portion of the inner lateral wall (20) .

15. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding Claims 2 to 14, in which the said outer lateral wall (18) has a truncated conical shape .

16. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said end wall (16) has a circular plan and a curved profile with the convexity facing downwards.

17. Cap (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means of suspension.

18. Cap (10) according to Claim 17, in which the said means of suspension are made in the form of a ring or a half-ring (30) which protrudes outwards from the end wall (16) on the opposite side from the selective engagement means .