Bottle cap with a flip lid

Abstract

A bottle cap with a flip top is provided that allows easier access to contents of a bottle than conventional twist-off caps. The bottle cap can be made from plastic materials including PET, HDPE, LDPE, or polypropylene. The cap includes a hole through its top surface, and a flip top that conforms to the shape of the hole and can be attached to the cap body by a flexible hinge. The perimeters of the flip top and the opening are provided with a plurality of ridges that interlock to form a mechanical seal when the flip top is pressed down. The area-to-perimeter ratio of the cap opening can be less than about 3/16 inches, to provide a seal that resists internal pressure from carbonated beverages. The cap can be affixed to a bottle using screw threads, an interlocking clamp, or adhesives. Tamper-resistant seals can also be provided on the cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottle cap, comprising:
 a cap body configured to be affixed to the top of a bottle; and   a flip top coupled to an upper surface of the cap body with a flexible hinge;   wherein the cap body is provided with an opening through a portion of the upper surface of the cap body;   
       wherein the flip top comprises a protruding seal on a bottom surface thereof that is configured to fit within the opening; and 
       wherein each of the perimeter of the protruding seal and the perimeter of the opening are provided with a plurality of ridges, such that the flip top forms a mechanical seal with the top of the bottle cap when it is pressed down over the opening. 
     
     
         2 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a tab provided on the perimeter of the flip top away from the flexible hinge to facilitate lifting of the flip top. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the bottle cap is configured to be affixed to the top of a bottle using at least one of screw threads, a mechanical clamping arrangement, or an adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the bottle cap is formed of a plastic material that includes at least one of polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein an area-to-perimeter ratio of the opening is less than about 3/16 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein an area-to-perimeter ratio of the opening is less than about ¼ inches. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein an area-to-perimeter ratio of the opening is less than about 5/16 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is provided with a teardrop shape. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is provided with a substantially round shape. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is provided with a shape that is at least one of oval or ovoid. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the flip top is substantially flush with a top surface of the bottle cap when it is in a closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the flip top is attached to a portion of the perimeter of the opening by at least one attachment point, wherein the at least one attachment point is configured to be separated when the flip top is raised for the first time. 
     
     
         13 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing film that is adhered to both the protruding seal on a bottom surface of the flip top and to a perimeter of the opening, wherein the sealing film is configured to be torn when the flip top is raised for the first time. 
     
     
         14 . The bottle cap of  claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a tapered wall that extends below the upper surface of the cap body.