Cap insert with internal compartment

Abstract

An insert having a compartment that can be secured into a cap of a container is disclosed. The compartment can be used to store a humectant, desicant, or other material, which can be used to help preserve the contents of the container, such a food product or a pharmaceutical. The insert has a main body, a sidewall that surrounds the main body and extends upwards to define the compartment. A flange extends outwardly from the top of the sidewall that engages with the inner surface of the cap. The insert can be comprised of a resilient material to allow it to deform to fit within the cap and to secure it within the cap.

1 . An insert for insertion into a cap for a container, the cap having an inner surface, the insert comprising:
 a main body;   a sidewall surrounding the main body and extending upwards to define a compartment; and   a flange extending outwardly from a top of the sidewall to engage the inner surface of the cap.   
     
     
         2 . The insert of  claim 1 , the insert comprised of resilient material to allow the insert to deform to place the insert within the cap and to bias the flange against the inner surface of the cap to secure the insert within the cap. 
     
     
         3 . The insert of  claim 2 , wherein any one or more of the main body, the sidewall, and the flange are comprised of resilient material. 
     
     
         4 . The insert  claim 2 , wherein the insert is comprised of plastic and the plastic is any one of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). 
     
     
         5 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the main body defines apertures to allow communication between the compartment and the container. 
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 4 , wherein the apertures are any one of round, square, and rectangular. 
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 4 , wherein the compartment contains a satchel having any one of a humectant, a desiccant, an oxygen absorber, and an odor absorber. 
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the flange extends from the sidewall to provide clearance to mating threads on the cap and a neck of the container. 
     
     
         9 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the cap has a lip on the inner surface to support a liner and the flange fits between the lip and the liner. 
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the main body is any one of a round, square, and rectangular. 
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is any one of flat, concave, and convex.