Modular ratchet cap

Abstract

A method of assembling selected modular ratchet cap assemblies. In one aspect, the method includes the acts of providing identical threaded portions, providing identical cover portions, providing a first vent module, providing a second vent module different from the first vent module, selecting the first vent module and coupling together the first vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a first cap assembly, and selecting the second vent module and coupling together the second vent module with another one of the identical threaded portions and another one of the identical cover portions to form a second cap assembly. In other aspects, the method includes assembling first and second cap assemblies with identical cover portions and threaded portions, but having different pawl members providing different cap-installing torque limits. In other aspects, the method includes providing first and second cap assemblies with similar components, but having covers or portions thereof provided with different individualized characteristics for different applications.

1 . A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a first outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the first outer cover having a first characteristic;   providing a second outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the second outer cover having a second characteristic different from the first characteristic;   providing identical inner members, each having engaging threads formed thereon;   coupling the first outer cover with a first one of the identical inner members of a first cap assembly by snap engagement; and   coupling the second outer cover with a second one of the identical inner members of a second cap assembly by snap engagement;   wherein the first characteristic includes at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a first particular application to which the first cap assembly mounts, and wherein the second characteristic includes at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a second particular application to which the second cap assembly mounts.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first outer cover includes a first detachable portion containing the first characteristic and the second outer cover includes a second detachable portion containing the second characteristic, the first and second detachable portions being exchangeable between the first and second outer covers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first characteristic includes a color particularly adapted to match a color found on the first particular application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first characteristic includes at least one of a symbol and printed indicia indicative of a material contained by the first cap assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of providing mounting locations for internal and external tethers on both the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules. 
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a first outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the first outer cover having a first characteristic, the first outer cover including a first detachable portion containing the first characteristic;   providing a second outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the second outer cover having a second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second outer cover includes a second detachable portion containing the second characteristic;   providing identical inner members, each having engaging threads formed thereon;   coupling the first outer cover with a first one of the identical inner members of a first cap assembly by snap engagement, the first characteristic including at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a first particular application to which the first cap assembly mounts; and   coupling the second outer cover with a second one of the identical inner members of a second cap assembly by snap engagement, the second characteristic including at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a second particular application to which the second cap assembly mounts.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first detachable portion and the second detachable portion are exchangeable between the first outer cover and the second outer cover. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first characteristic includes a color particularly adapted to match a color found on the first particular application. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first characteristic includes at least one of a symbol and printed indicia indicative of a material contained by the first cap assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the act of providing mounting locations for internal and external tethers on both the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a first outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the first outer cover having a first characteristic, the first outer cover including a first detachable portion containing the first characteristic;   providing a second outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the second outer cover having a second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second outer cover includes a second detachable portion containing the second characteristic;   providing identical inner members, each having engaging threads formed thereon;   coupling the first outer cover with a first one of the identical inner members of a first cap assembly by snap engagement, the first characteristic including at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a first particular application to which the first cap assembly mounts; and   coupling the second outer cover with a second one of the identical inner members of a second cap assembly by snap engagement, the second characteristic including at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a second particular application to which the second cap assembly mounts;   wherein the first detachable portion and the second detachable portion are exchangeable between the first outer cover and the second outer cover.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first characteristic includes a color particularly adapted to match a color found on the first particular application. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first characteristic includes at least one of a symbol and printed indicia indicative of a material contained by the first cap assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of providing mounting locations for internal and external tethers on both the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules.