Bottle-cap remover and holder

Application filed January

This invention relates to means for removing· paper caps such as ordinarily used for sealing milk bottles and its primary object is to provide a cap remover of a novel and 5 improved design by means of which a paper cap may easily and quickly be removed from the top of a bottle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bottle cap remover of a simple and 10 inexpensive construction, adapted to be used for removing paper caps and the like from the top of bottles sealed thereby and adapted at the same time to hold said cap so that it-may be used as a removable covering for 15 the bottle until such time when the bottle has been entirely emptied of its contents, when the paper cap may be removed from its holder and the device may be Used fori removing the cap from another bottle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

• A method very widely used for the seal25 ing of milk and cream bottles is that of forcing a paper disc or cap within a suitable recess provided at the top of the bottle neck. A disc thus placed in closing position remains firmly held in said position due to 30 the fact that it fits very tightly in the housing provided therefor.’ In order to remove such caps it'isgenerally necessary to insert a knife blade between the edge of the cap and the wall surrounding it and to force the 35 cap out using the knife as a lever. A cap removed in this manner is generally distorted and made unfit for further use, and the operation itself is rather, inconvenient’and apt to .cause soiling of the hands of the operator 40 by milk which has spilled or splashed or by the layer of cream which generally adheres to the cap. -

Devices for removing caps of this description have been made, utilizing the cork screw 45 action of a. spiral depending from a metal cap which may be placed on top of the bottle and rotated, the sharp end of the spiral entering the cap and gradually pulling it away from its seat. However, I. have found 50 such devices to be most inconvenient because the pulling action required to detach the cap from its seat is very considerable and, the paper is likely to be torn rather than removed. . -

Another objection of this type of cap re-

27,1926. Serial No. 84,127.

mover is that if the device is operative, the cap is moved away from its seat and is not held well enough by the cap remover to be again used as a covering for the bottle as long as a covering is needed. eo

The devices forming the object of the present invention afford an easier removal of the cap by forcing the same to rotate in the plane of its seat, previous to being actually detached from said seat, thus causing a 66 much more effective and gradual action, permitting the cap to leave its seat without any noticeable difficulty.

Another advantage is that the cap can be replaced in its closing position by means 70 of the cap remover and holder to which it has become temporarily attached, so that the cap thus becomes a permanent covering for the bottle as long as needed.

A still further advantage is the possibility 75 of easy removal of the cap from the holder so that when the cap is no longer needed, it can easily be detached and thrown away.

In the drawings, I show several embodiments of my inventive idea, which are in- 80 tended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense; and in the same

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a bottle cap remover and holder, of a simple design;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view in eleva- 85 tion of the same;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view in elevation of the same as applied to the top of a milk bottle previous to the removal of the cap; so

Fig. 4 is a side view in elevation of the same, moved away from the top of the bottle together with the cap;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a bottle cap remover and holder of a, somewhat different 05 construction, being means for the ejection of the cap from the holder when the cap is no longer needed;

Fig. 6 is across sectional view in elevation of the same ; 100

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view in elevation of the same as applied to the top of the bottle previous to the removal of the cap;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view in elevation 405 of the same moved away from the top of the bottle together with the cap;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view in elevation of a device similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in a modified form; no

1,047 able to have the prongs within the range of the diameter of opening 17 but quite close to the circumference of said opening.

It is also advisable instead of applying slow pressure to give a quick tap to the de- ⁷⁽¹vice to force its prongs through the paper, because this insures a quicker and more effective action; therefore, the top of the device is preferably made free from upward projections of any kind so as to be well ^7aadapted for this mode of operation.

By now rotating the device around its axis, the cap engaged thereby is also forced to rotate and by this action is loosened from . its seat and made easily detachable there- ⁸from; in fact, it is sufficient in order to detach the cap to rotate the device of. a small angle and then by removing the device from the top of the bottle, the cap will follow as a _ matter of fact being frictionally held by the prongs inserted through it.

In the form shown, the prongs are provided with a horizontally extending notch 19 at a point calculated to register with the ·.. thickness of the paper cap when the device ^Jhas been inserted in position and the inner surface of the same, rests against the top of the neck rim; or else the prongs are'formed with a lateral extension 20 on a level with the top edge of the notch,, or the device is '^l>otherwise provided with means for limiting its downward travel to a point where the. notches will register with the thickness of the paper cap.. . ,_f!(.

It is obvious that by means of this arrangement, once the device has been pressed downwardly, forcing, the prongs to pierce through the paper cap, until the means limiting the downward travel of the device come to abut against their arresting surface, a ^K'’ slight rotation of the device will cause its notches 19 to engage the paper cap and. to. hold it. against axial movement in. relation to the holder before the paper cap is actually . forced to follow the rotation of the holder; and when the holder is subsequently moved away from the bottle, the cap will also be. removed being actually carried away by the holder, due to its positive interlocking there- _]15with, due to the. thickness of the paper cap entering notches 19.

The paper cap is thus permanently, positioned in an axial direction in relation to the holder and the two together form a suit- _]Ο()able covering for the bottle which - can be used over and over again.

The arrangement thus described, therefore, provides a very convenient means of removing the cap of a- milk bottle without tearing it and at the same time it also affords ^Ja convenient means for preserving , said cap as long as. needed.

The cap is obviously a most . convenient means for. closing the bottle, not only because _r!Qit perfectly fits the seat provided. therefor,

Q ^i,6e

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a device somewhat similar to that of Fig. 9 made from a single piece of sheet metal;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view in eleva5 tion of the same;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a similar device further modified to receive cap ejecting means; .

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view in eleva10 tion of- the same through line 13—13 of

Fig. 12, with a cap attached; .

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view in elevation of the same, in a position where it is about to be inserted through a cap; .

Fig. 15 is a similar view illustrating the manner of ejecting the.cap from the holder;

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view in elevation of tlie device: of Fig. 12, through line 16—16 of Fig. 1.2, without the ejecting 20 means; . ,

Fiat 17 is a cross sectional view of a device of a simplified type, having an opening through which the thumb may be inserted in order to eject the cap; and

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary cross sectional view in elevation in an . enlarged scale illustrating the-manner of sharpening the prongs of the devices previously illustrated.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, 10 designates 30 a bottle cap remover.and' holder consisting of a disc or body portion 11 preferably formed with a beaded rim portion 12 adapted to fit upon the top of the bottle neck and provided with a plurality of depending lugs or clips 35 registering with the outer circumference of the neck of the bottle and acting therefore, as positioning means for the device when.it is placed in position, permitting axial displacement of the device only when the same 40 is centrally placed, in relation to the neck of the bottle. . .

The device. is. provided or formed with two or more, .downwardly projecting prongs . such as 14, adapted, to pierce the paper or 45 other .material of which the cap is made, when the device is forced against the. top of the neck of the bottle; the distance of said prongs from the center of the device is therefore slightly less than, the radius of the open50 ing in the bottle neck underneath the cap.

The device is. placed in position as shown in Fig. 3, where 15 designates the top portion. of the neck of an ordinary milk bottle and 16 designates a paper cap such as ordi55 narily used for, sealing such bottles, and, is forced at the top of opening 17 of neck portion .15, within an.upper recess 18, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the diameter of opening 17,

The device is forced downwardly upon the top. of the neck! of the bottle with sufficient pressure to -force its prongs 14 to pierce the paper : cap ; in order to obtain an effective piercing action it is. advisable to sharpen the 65 points of said prongs and it is also advis1,664 but also because it is thoroughly sanitary, having been sterilized before use. When the bottle has finally been emptied of its contents the cap can be removed from its holder 5 by hand and thrown away, leaving the holder free for use in connection with the next bottle.

In Figs. 5 to 8,1 illustrate another device designed for the same purpose but of a sonie10 what different construction. Like in the previous case, the same comprises a body portion, preferably provided with a beaded rim portion 22 and with guiding lugs 23, similar in every respect to the device previously dels scribed. Also in this case, the device, is formed or provided with means for piercing the paper cap which are. shown in the form of sharp points 24, projecting from the top of the device and distributed around a cir20 cumference which is slightly smaller than that of opening 17 in the neck of the bottle.

The features which distinguish the pres. ent device from the one previously described, are a cork screw member 25 rotatably mount25 ed centrally of the top of the device and operable by means of a handle or ring .26 projecting from said top and springs 27 interposed between the inner surface of the top of the device and the upper surface of 30 the paper cap, said springs being, forced inwardly by the paper cap when the device is pressed into position. .

The. device is inserted over the top or the bottle, being positioned centrally of said top 35 by lugs 23, and is then 'forced downwardly causing prongs or points 24 to pierce the paper cap. The cork screw member 25 is preferably shorter than prongs 24, therefore the prongs have already pierced the cap be40 fore the cork screw member reaches it. Now, while downward pressure upon the device is maintained by one hand, the cork screw member is rotated by the other hand and forced to penetrate the paper cap until the 45 lower surface of the top.of the device abuts against the top of the rim and the bottle..

It xvill be observed that the point at which the cork screxv member pierces the paper cap should be at a distance from the center equal 50 to the radius of the coil forming the cork screxv member; that is, the piercing point should be bent parallel to the axis of the coil from a point along its circumference. However, if preferable, the. piercing end of the 55 cork screxv member may be made centrally thereto and in this case the cork screw member should be attached loosely to the body of the device so as to be free to swing at an angle to the central line of the device from 60 its point of attachment to enable its coil to follow the opening through the paper xvithout tearing the paper itself.

In this position, which is illustrated m Fig. 7, springs 27 have been pressed in65 wardly due to the gradual diminishing dis,047 3 tance between the under surface of the device and the upper surface of the cap, the cap being maintained against axial displacement by the retaining action of the cork screw member. . . ⁷⁰

A slight rotation of the device will also in the present case cause the cap to follpw owing to the positive engagement of said cap by the prongs; and like in the previous case, the cap will first be loosened from its seat 75 and both cap and holder can then be bodily removed to be used as a removable stopper over and over again.

When the bottle has finally been emptied of its contents and the cap is no longer 80 needed, it is now sufficient to hold the device in one hand and to rotate the cork, screw member in the unscrewing direction xvith the other hand in order to detach the paper cap as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. 85

The action of the cork screw member xvhich is obvious, forces the cap outwardly, the cap being prevented from rotating by the prongs passing through it, and the energy accumulated in the springs will assist the «θ cork screw member in expelling; the cap, which can thus be disposed of without the necessity of touching it at any time. It will be understood that the use of the springs is optional, because the action of the cork screw 95 member is usually sufficient to expel the cap.

It will also be understood that xvhile the screw member acts as positioning and interlocking means holding the cap in a definiteaxial position in relation to the holder, said loo cork screw member is not the. means actually used to loosen the cap from its seat. It has been explained before, that a pulling action in an axial direction is likely to be ineffective due to the considerable resistance offered by ios the cap; but a slight angular movement of the cap around its axis is thoroughly effective in this respect and permits the easy subsequent removal of the cap by the cork member or by any other means. uo

Also in this case, it is preferable to operate the device by giving a quick tap against its upper surface, and therefore, ring 26 is preferably adapted to the cork screxv member by means of an eye connection 28, permitting 115 the ring to sxving to a flat position against the top of the device xvhen not in use.

In Fig. 9 I illustrate a device similar to the one shown in Figs. 1 to 4.but of a somewhat simpler design. The device consists, like in 120 the previous case, of a body portion 29 provided with a plurality of downwardly directed centering or guiding lugs 30, registering xvith the outer circumference of the neck of a milk bottle. From the underside 125 of said body portion 29, extend downwardly projecting prongs 31, which may be two, or three, or more in number arranged along a circumference of a diameter slightly less than that of opening. 17 in the neck of the 130

1,,664,.047 milk bottle,. These prongs are merely- made will) irregular shaped or rough edges, for instance., in the shape of an arrowhead, iillustrated.

The result is that when the paper is. pierced by these- prongs, it becomes frictionally attached thereto, due to the difficulty in extracting, the prongs from the openings made by them, and the cap will outright become a, part of the device: without. the necessity of providing the prongs with, horizontally retaining slots such, as 19»

This construction is somewhat less expensive than that of the device shown in Figs. 1. to 4, requiring dies and tools of less ex pensive construction for its production, and its action is quite as effective.

Prongs: 31, can, of course, be bent downwardly from, the top of the device as shown, in the case of prongs 14 in Figs. 1 to 4.. However, it may at. times be preferable· to make the body of the device of a /certain material selected on account of its appearance, while it may be preferable, to- make the prongs of some other material selected, on account of its strength;· for instance, the body of the device may be made of light gauge aluminum, which might not be strong enough for· the piercing action to be performed by the prongs,; therefore, the prongs may be produced from a piece of light sheet steel of the proper gauge and strength, which may be secured to the alum.inum body in any suitable manner. 1'ig. 9 illustrates a device built, along these lines, where prongs .31 are bent downwardly from a disk or plate 32 of sheet steel or of some other material having a. sufficient resistance, said disk 32 being attached to. the underside of the body portion of the device, for instance, by means of rivets 33.

It will be observed: that a device of this character,, must answer several requirements; one is an attractive appearance, another one is sufficient strength to perform the work of piercing the: paper, another one is the ease of cleaning and of keeping clean, and still, another one is to. be preferably made of metal not. attacked by· the contents of the bottle nor by the elements, so as to insure sanitary conditions throughout. If material of sufficiently heavy gauge is used, aluminum answers, all these conditions Avell,

For a lighter gauge- article, if aluminum is used for the body portion, the prongs should be of steel, preferably stainless steel ; or else the entire device may be made from a piece of sheet nickel or. Monel metal, both these materials., answering sanitary and appearance rquirements and having· the necessary strength.

In Figs. IQ and 11, I illustrate a. device somewhat· similar to. the one of Fig. 9 but having its prongs made integral with the. body thereof. In the same 34 designates the body proper which may be flat or beaded and which, like in the previous case is provided with depending centering or guiding, lugs 35 assisting in the proper positioning of the device·.. The prongs 36. are also in 70 this., case' arranged around a circumference of slightly less diameter than the opening in the . neck of the milk, bottle underneath the cap; but in this: instance,, the: prongs, are cut and/bent. directly downwardly from the body 75 of, the device,, as. shown.

The shape of the prongs is also different from that of prongs 31 in this, respect, that, prongs 31 have .the shape of an arrowhead comprising, a barb,, a narrow neck portion ^s0above the barb- and a tapering shank, while prongs. 36. are made in the shape of continuous tapering points, with side notches 37 at a suitable distance from, their' lower end to engage, and retain the cap. . ⁸³

The jailer shape has been found preferable because when arrowhead shaped prongs are used, the removal of the cap· therefrom has been found.to be extremely difficult and not entirely free from danger; with prongs ⁹⁰such as 36 instead, the frictional resistance of the cap is sufficient for the removal oFthe cap from the bottle and at the same time, the cap may be removed from the prongs with far greater ease. ⁸³

The device of Figs. 10 and 11 is also provided with one or more lateral extensions. 38, which provide convenient means for effecting the angular movement of the device, necessary to. loosen the cap. ion . It will be observed that, the devices so far described, separately illustrate features which are new and important in devices of this, charaeter ; one feature being the simplified construction of a device having a pin- ¹⁰⁵rality of prongs formed together .with the body from a .single, piece of sheet, metal, this providing an efficient, reliable and at the same,, time inexpensive construction. These prongs are naturally very thin and easy cut- ¹¹⁰ting, and furthermore, owing to the construction of the device they can be positioned So that they are quite close to. the side of the opening 17 of the milk bottle. This is quite important, because , if the prongs: are placed ¹¹⁵even at a moderate distance from the side of the opening, the paper .cap is likely to bulge and to give, especially when wet ; so, that no piercing action would take place and the very object for which the device is intended ^18,)would be defeated.

Another feature is the provision of means for ejecting the cap from the holder. I have found. that, the latter feature is extremely desirable because the cap can only be de- ¹²⁵tached. from the holder with difficulty, and the sharp prongs are apt to injure the fingers of the user.; However, the ejecting means shown, in Figs., 5 to 8, -while efficient are of a rather expensive character, and therefore, I ^1::ii

1,884,047 have developed a further design which em- vice, is also, provided with positioning or bodies both of these main features and which entails a relatively low cost of manufacture.

This device is illustrated, in Figs. 12 to 16 and consists of a body 39 which is substantially the same as that of the device of Figs. 10,11 except that it has a central opening 40 limited by downwardly and inwardly bent segmental sections 41, forming a guide for an ejector 42. Said ejector is capable of limited axial movement in relation to the body of the device and has its outer circumferential portion close to the inner side of the prongs; so that when the ejector is forced inwardly in an axial direction, its lower surface will bear against, the cap held by the prongs and will force the cap away from the holder. After the ejector is inserted in its housing it may ,, -., ., - .

be retained therein by means of inwardly form, the device possesses all. the desirable bent lugs such as 43 opened by piercing and features mentioned before and: very conyen-..8» · ·’ ’ · ” ieritly serves the purpose for which it has been designed.

It is obvious that the invention may be carried into practice in ways different from those shown; therefore, I reserve myself the ⁹⁹right to use my invention in any way or form which may come fairly within the