Bottle cap having a toy shape

Abstract

 Herein disclosed is a bottle cap (1), comprising: a bottle cap body (3) having a center axis (3c) to be screwed into a bottle housing (2), and a cover member (4) outwardly formed in a toy shape. The bottle cap body (3) is revolvable around the center axis (3c) of the bottle cap body (3) with respect to the bottle housing (2) to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state and a cap opening state. The toy-shaped cover member (4) is movable to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which the toy-shaped cover member (4) is moved with respect to the bottle cap body (3) to have the first complementary fastening means (6a) of the bottle cap body (3) held in engagement with the second complementary fastening means (5a) of the toy-shaped cover member (4), and a cover removing state in which the first complementary fastening means (6a) are out of engagement with the second complementary fastening means (5a).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle cap formed in a toy shape, and more particularly to a bottle and a bottle cap comprising a bottle cap body to be fitted into the bottle and a cover member formed in a toy shape and detachably coupled with the bottle cap body.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Up until now, there have been proposed a wide variety of bottle caps available for bottles containing soft drink therein. The conventional bottle caps thus proposed are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-40315, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-169971, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 11-171232.

[0003] One typical example of the bottle caps comprises a bottle cap body to be fitted into a bottle, and a cover member formed in a toy shape and fixedly connected with the bottle cap body. The bottle cap body is movable with respect to the bottle to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which the bottle cap body is moved downwardly to have the opening of the bottle held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body, and a cap opening position in which the bottle cap body is moved upwardly to have the opening of the bottle held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body. The conventional bottle cap thus constructed encounters a drawback that the conventional bottle cap discourages potential customer resulting from the fact that the toy-shaped cover member is fixedly connected with and inseparable from the bottle cap body although the cover member is made in the form of a toy shape with the intention of arousing customer interest. The conventional bottle cap thus constructed encounters another drawback that the toy-shaped cover member fixedly connected with the bottle cap body tends to stand in the way of opening the bottle cap body resulting from the fact that it requires a great strength especially for a child or an elderly person to move the bottle cap body with respect to the bottle to have the bottle cap body assume the cap opening position in which the bottle cap body is moved upwardly to have the opening of the bottle held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body.

[0004] Another typical example of conventional bottle caps comprises a bottle cap body to be fitted into a bottle and a cover member detachably coupled with the bottle cap body. The bottle cap body is movable with respect to the bottle to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which the bottle cap body is moved downwardly to have the opening of the bottle held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body, and a cap opening position in which the bottle cap body is moved upwardly to have the opening of the bottle held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body. The bottle has a peripheral portion downwardly extending along the center axis of the bottle and formed with an annular groove in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis of the bottle. The cover member has a central portion, and a peripheral portion integrally formed with the central portion and downwardly extending along the center axis of the cover member. The peripheral portion of the cover member is inwardly formed with an annular projection in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis of the cover member. The cover member is detachably coupled with the bottle with the annular projection of the cover member received in the annular groove of the bottle to define a hollow chamber having the bottle cap body received therein in order to prevent dust from entering into the bottle cap body. Such the bottle with the cover member is made with the intention of being carried by a consumer.

[0005] The conventional bottle cap thus constructed encounters a drawback that fluid contained in the bottle is apt to leak out from the bottle by the reason that the bottle cap body and the cover member could be inadvertently detached from the bottle while being carried, for example, in a bag resulting from the fact that the cover member is detachably coupled with the bottle merely with the annular projection of the cover member received in the annular groove of the bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a bottle cap which can arouse customer interest.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a bottle cap which can be easily opened with a small strength.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bottle cap which can prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottle.

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bottle cap, comprising: a bottle cap body having a center axis and to be screwed into a bottle housing, the bottle cap body being revolvable around the center axis of the bottle cap body with respect to the bottle housing to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state in which the bottle cap body is revolved in a cap closing direction to have the bottle housing completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body, and a cap opening state in which the bottle cap body is revolved in a cap opening direction opposite to the cap closing direction to have the bottle housing released by and held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body, the bottle cap body having first complementary fastening means; and a toy-shaped cover member outwardly formed in a toy shape, and having second complementary fastening means, the toy-shaped cover member being movable with respect to the bottle cap body to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which the toy-shaped cover member is moved with respect to the bottle cap body to have the first complementary fastening means of the bottle cap body held in engagement with the second complementary fastening means of the toy-shaped cover member under the state that the toy-shaped cover member and the bottle cap body collectively define a cylindrical hollow chamber having at least part of the bottle cap body received therein, and a cover removing state in which the toy-shaped cover member is moved with respect to the bottle cap body to have the first complementary fastening means of the bottle cap body held out of engagement with the second complementary fastening means of the toy-shaped cover member under the state that the toy-shaped cover member and the bottle cap body are separable from each other.

[0010] In the aforementioned bottle cap, the toy-shaped cover member has a center axis and may be revolvable around the center axis of the toy-shaped cover member with respect to the bottle cap body to assume two different operation positions including a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member is revolved in a cover closing direction opposite to the cap closing direction to assume the cover closing state, and a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member is revolved in a cover removing direction opposite to the cover closing direction to assume the cover removing state.

[0011] The toy-shaped cover member has a center axis and may be movable with respect to the bottle cap body to assume two different operation positions including a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member is upwardly moved to assume the cover removing state, and a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member is downwardly moved to assume the cover closing state.

[0012] The aforementioned bottle cap may further comprise: a ledge member made of a plastic substance and formed in a cylindrical hollow shape. The ledge member may be fixedly connected with the toy-shaped cover member to reinforce the cylindrical hollow chamber. The center axis of the bottle cap body may be inclined with respect to the center axis of the toy-shaped cover member.

[0013] In the aforementioned bottle cap, the bottle cap body may have a fluid passageway member axially extending outwardly of the bottle cap body and the bottle housing along the center axis of the bottle cap body and including an opening at its axial end, and a cap head member positioned at the axial end of the fluid passageway member. The cap head member may be movable along the center axis of the bottle cap body with respect to the fluid passageway member to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which the cap head member is moved downwardly along the center axis of the bottle cap body with respect to the fluid passageway member under the state that the cap head member is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member and a cap opening position in which the cap head member is moved upwardly along the center axis of the bottle cap body with respect to the fluid passageway member under the state that the cap head member is held out of hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member. The fluid passageway member and the cap head member may be received in the cylindrical hollow chamber collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member and the bottle cap body when the toy-shaped cover member is moved with respect to the bottle cap body to assume the cover closing state. The bottle cap body may have a peripheral member arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis of the bottle cap body and the peripheral portion of the bottle cap body is formed with the first complementary fastening means. Alternatively, the fluid passageway member may be formed with the first complementary fastening means at its lower portion.

[0014] In the aforementioned bottle cap, the toy-shaped cover member may be moved along the center axis of the bottle cap body to have the cap head member assume the cap closing position in which the cap head member is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member when the toy-shaped cover member is revolved around the center axis of the toy-shaped cover member with respect to the fluid passageway member to assume the cover closing state. The cylindrical hollow chamber collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member and the bottle cap body may be substantially equal in height to the fluid passageway member along the center axis of the bottle cap body.

[0015] In the aforementioned bottle cap, the bottle cap body may have a cylindrical peripheral portion downwardly extending along the center axis of the bottle cap body, the peripheral portion of the bottle cap body has third complementary fastening means to be engaged with the bottle housing. The bottle cap may further comprise: a bottle cap cover member in the form of a bell shape and detachably coupled with the bottle housing to define a hollow chamber having the peripheral portion of the bottle cap body accommodated therein. The bottle cap cover member may have a peripheral portion downwardly extending along the center axis of the bottle cap body and inwardly formed with an annular projection in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis of the bottle cap body. The annular projection of the bottle cap cover member may be smaller in diameter than a corresponding annular part of the bottle housing to ensure that the bottle cap cover member is fitted into the bottle housing. The bottle cap body may further have a straw member extending inwardly of the bottle cap body and the bottle housing and held in fluid communication with the fluid passageway member.

[0016] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bottle comprising the aforementioned bottle cap and a bottle cap housing having fourth complementary fastening means to be engageable with the third complementary fastening means of the bottle cap body. The bottle housing may have a peripheral portion downwardly extending along the center axis of the bottle cap body and formed with an annular groove in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis of the bottle cap body to ensure that the bottle cap cover member is fitted into the bottle housing with the annular projection of the bottle cap cover member received in the annular groove of the bottle housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when take in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a bottle cap according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the bottle cap showing that a bottle cap body assumes a cap closing state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the bottle cap showing that the bottle cap body assumes a cap opening state;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the bottle cap similar to FIG. 3 but showing that a cover member assumes a cover removing state;

FIG. 5 (a) is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the bottle cap in which the bottle cap body has a peripheral portion formed with an external thread;

FIG. 5(b) is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the bottle cap equipped with a ledge member;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the bottle cap in which the center axis of the bottle cap body is inclined with respect to that of the bottle housing;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a bottle cap according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the bottle cap showing that a bottle cap body assumes a cap closing state;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the bottle cap showing that the cover member assumes a cover removing state;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the bottle cap similar to FIG. 9 but showing that the bottle cap body assumes a cap opening state;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a bottle cap according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the bottle cap showing that a bottle cap body assumes a cap closing state;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a bottle cap according to the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the bottle cap showing that a bottle cap body assumes a cap closing state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the bottle cap embodying the present invention.

[0019] The first embodiment of the bottle cap is shown to bear a reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a bottle cap body 3 having a center axis 3c and to be screwed into a bottle housing 2, and a toy-shaped cover member 4 outwardly formed in a toy shape and detachably connected with the bottle cap body 3. The bottle housing 2 has a hollow chamber and capable of containing fluid such as for example, water, soft drink, or the like therein. The bottle cap body 3 is formed in a cylindrical hollow shape, and has a circular center portion substantially perpendicular to the center axis 3c of the bottle cap body 3 and a peripheral portion integrally formed with the circular center portion, and arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 3c of the bottle cap body 3. The peripheral portion of the bottle cap body 3 is inwardly formed with an internal thread 3a and outwardly formed with a plurality of grooves 3b extending in substantially parallel relationship with the center axis 3c of the bottle cap body 3. The bottle housing 2 has an external thread 2a. The bottle cap body 3 is revolvable around the center axis 3c of the bottle cap body 3 with respect to the bottle housing 2 to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state in which the bottle cap body 3 is revolved in a cap closing direction shown by an arrow A to have the bottle housing 2 completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 3 under the state that the external thread 2a of the bottle housing 2 is held in engagement with the internal thread 3a of the bottle cap body 3, and a cap opening state in which the bottle cap body 3 is revolved in a cap opening direction shown by an arrow B opposite to the cap closing direction A to have the bottle housing 2 released by and held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 3 under the state that the external thread 2a of the bottle housing 2 is held out of engagement with the internal thread 3a of the bottle cap body 3. The bottle cap body 3 further has a peripheral member 6 protruded from the center portion of the bottle cap body 3 and extending in substantially coaxial relationship with the center axis 3c of the bottle cap body 3. The peripheral member 6 of the bottle cap body 3 is formed with an external thread 6a. The toy-shaped cover member 4 has inwardly an internal thread 5a formed therein. The external thread 6a of the bottle cap body 3 and the internal thread 5a of the toy-shaped cover member 4 respectively constitute first and second complementary fastening means according to the present invention. The bottle cap 1 and the bottle housing 2 may be made of metal material or resin such as for example plastic substance.

[0020] The toy-shaped cover member 4 is movable with respect to the bottle cap body 3 to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 4 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 3 to have the external thread 6a of the bottle cap body 3 held in engagement with the internal thread 5a of the toy-shaped cover member 4 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 4 and the bottle cap body 3 collectively define a cylindrical hollow chamber 5 having at least part of the bottle cap body 3 received therein, and a cover removing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 4 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 3 to have the external thread 6a of the bottle cap body 3 held out of engagement with the internal thread 5a of the toy-shaped cover member 4 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 4 and the bottle cap body 3 are separable from each other. This means that the toy-shaped cover member 4 is revolvable around the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 with respect to the bottle cap body 3 to assume two different operation positions including a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 4 is revolved in a cover closing direction B opposite to the cap closing direction A to assume the cover closing state, and a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 4 is revolved in a cover removing direction A opposite to the cover closing direction B to assume the cover removing state. Here, it is needless to mention that the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction may be any directions as long as the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are respectively opposite to the cover closing direction and the cover removing direction though the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are shown by the arrows A and B in FIG. 1 by way of example.

[0021] The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the bottle cap body 3 when the bottle cap body 3 is opened with reference to FIG. 3.

[0022] The toy-shaped cover member 4 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 with respect to the bottle cap body 3 in the cap opening direction B opposite to the cover removing direction A in order to open the bottle cap body 3, while the toy-shaped cover member 4 maintains to assume the cover closing state.

[0023] The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the bottle cap body 3 when the toy-shaped cover member 4 is removed from the bottle cap body 3 with reference to FIG. 4.

[0024] The toy-shaped cover member 4 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 with respect to the bottle cap body 3 in the cover removing direction A opposite to the cap opening direction B in order to remove the toy-shaped cover member 4 from the bottle cap body 3, while the bottle cap body 3 maintains to assume the cap closing state.

[0025] As will be seen from the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the bottle cap 1 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 4 around the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 with respect to the bottle cap body 3 in the cap opening direction B opposite to the cover removing direction A in order to open the bottle cap body 3, while ensuring that the toy-shaped cover member 4 assumes the cover closing state as shown in FIG. 3. In the bottle cap 1 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 4 does not stand in the way of opening the bottle cap body 3, but assists the consumer in opening the bottle cap 1 with a less strength manageable even for a child or an elderly person in comparison with the conventional bottle cap body.

[0026] Furthermore, the bottle cap 1 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 4 around the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 with respect to the bottle cap body 3 in the cover removing direction A opposite to the cap opening direction B in order to remove the toy-shaped cover member 4 from the bottle cap body 3, while ensuring that the bottle cap body 3 assumes the cap closing state as shown in FIG. 4. In the bottle cap 1 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 4 is easily removable from the bottle cap body 3, and the consumer can collect the toy-shaped cover members as toys separately from the bottle cap body3, thereby arousing customer interest.

[0027] Though it has been described in the present embodiment that the bottle cap body 3 has an external thread 6a and the toy-shaped cover member 4 has an internal thread 5a as first and second complementary fastening means, in the bottle cap 1 according to the present invention, the bottle cap body 3 and the toy-shaped cover member 4 may have respectively an internal thread and an external thread to be engaged with each other, or any other forms of the first and second complementary fastening means as long as the first and second complementary fastening means can detachably fasten the toy-shaped cover member 4 to the bottle cap body 3. The bottle cap body 3 and the toy-shaped cover member 4 may be detachably fitted to each other with adhesive material such as, for example, hot melt adhesives.

[0028] While it has been described in the present embodiment that the toy-shaped cover member 4 is detachably fitted into to the peripheral member 6 of the bottle cap body 3 as shown in FIG. 1, in the bottle cap 1 according to the present invention, the peripheral portion 7 of the bottle cap body 3 may be formed with an external thread 7a, and the toy-shaped cover member 4 may be detachably fitted into the peripheral portion 7 of the bottle cap body 3 as shown in FIG. 5(a). Moreover, the whole of the bottle cap body 3 can be received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 5 when the toy-shaped cover member 4 assumes the cover closing state. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the internal thread 5a of the toy-shaped cover member 4 may be held in engagement with the external thread 7a of the bottle cap body 3, and the whole of the bottle cap body 3 may be received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 5 when the toy-shaped cover member 4 assumes the cover closing state. In this case, the internal thread 5a of the toy-shaped cover member 4 and the external thread 7a of the bottle cap body 3 respectively constitute first and second complementary fastening means according to the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the toy-shaped cover member 4 may have, in place of the internal thread 5a, a plurality of protruded portions extending in substantially parallel relationship with the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 to be engaged with the grooves 3b of the bottle cap body 3 when the toy-shaped cover member 4 assumes the cove closing state (see FIG. 1). In this case, the protruded portions of the toy-shaped cover member 4 and the grooves 3b of the bottle cap body 3 respectively constitute first and second complementary fastening means according to the present invention. The toy-shaped cover member 4 is movable with respect to the bottle cap body 3 to assume two different operation positions including a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 4 is upwardly moved to assume the cover removing state, and a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 4 is downwardly moved to assume the cover closing state.

[0030] According to the present invention, the bottle cap 1 may further comprise a ledge member 8 made of a plastic substance and formed in a cylindrical hollow shape to reinforce the cylindrical hollow chamber 5 of the bottle cap body 3 as shown in FIG. 5(b) when the toys-shaped cover member 4 is insufficient in hardness. In FIG. 5(b), the ledge member 8 is fixedly connected with the toy-shaped cover member 4 by way of, for example, adhesive material, to reinforce the cylindrical hollow chamber 5 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 4 and the bottle cap body 3 when the toy-shaped cover member 4 assumes the cover closing state.

[0031] Although the present embodiment shows that the center axis 3c of the bottle cap body 3 is in coaxial relationship with the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4, in the bottle cap 1 according to the present invention, the center axis of the bottle cap body may be inclined with the center axis 4c of the toy-shaped cover member 4 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0032] Although there has been described in the above about the first embodiment of the bottle cap according to the present invention, the present embodiment may be replaced by second to fourth embodiments of the bottle cap according to the present invention in order to attain the objects of the present invention. The second to fourth embodiments of the bottle cap will then be described hereinlater.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10 of the drawings, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the bottle cap embodying the present invention.

[0034] The second embodiment of the bottle cap is shown to bear a reference numeral 50 in FIGS. 7 and 8 and comprises a bottle cap body 13 having a center axis 13c and to be screwed into a bottle housing 11, and a toy-shaped cover member 17 outwardly formed in a toy shape and detachably connected with the bottle cap body 13. The bottle housing 11 has a hollow chamber and capable of containing fluid such as for example, water, soft drink, or the like therein. The bottle cap body 13 is formed in a cylindrical hollow shape and has a circular center portion 13a substantially perpendicular to the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 and a peripheral portion integrally formed with the circular center portion 13a and arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13. The peripheral portion of the bottle cap body 13 is inwardly formed with an internal thread 20 and outwardly formed with a plurality of grooves 3b extending in substantially parallel relationship with the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13. The bottle housing 11 has an external thread 12. The bottle cap body 13 is revolvable around the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 with respect to the bottle housing 11 to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state in which the bottle cap body 13 is revolved in a cap closing direction shown by an arrow A to have the bottle housing 11 completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 13 under the state that the external thread 12 of the bottle housing 11 is held in engagement with the internal thread 20 of the bottle cap body 13, and a cap opening state in which the bottle cap body 13 is revolved in a cap opening direction shown by an arrow B opposite to the cap closing direction A to have the bottle housing 11 released by and held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 13 under the state that the external thread 12 of the bottle housing 11 is held out of engagement with the internal thread 20 of the bottle cap body 13. The bottle cap body 13 further has a peripheral member 14 protruded from the center portion 13a of the bottle cap body 13 and arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13. The peripheral member 14 of the bottle cap body 13 is formed with an external thread 14a. The toy-shaped cover member 17 has inwardly an internal thread 19 formed therein. The external thread 14a of the bottle cap body 13 and the internal thread 19 of the toy-shaped cover member 17 respectively constitute first and second complementary fastening means according to the present invention. The bottle cap 50 and the bottle housing 11 may be made of metal material or resin such as for example plastic substance.

[0035] The toy-shaped cover member 17 is movable with respect to the bottle cap body 13 to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 17 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 13 to have the external thread 14a of the bottle cap body 13 held in engagement with the internal thread 19 of the toy-shaped cover member 17 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 17 and the bottle cap body 13 collectively define a cylindrical hollow chamber 18 having at least part of the bottle cap body 13 received therein, and a cover removing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 17 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 13 to have the external thread 14a of the bottle cap body 13 held out of engagement with the internal thread 19 of the toy-shaped cover member 17 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 17 and the bottle cap body 13 are separable from each other. This means that the toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolvable around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the bottle cap body 13 to assume two different operation positions including a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolved in a cover closing direction B opposite to the cap closing direction A to assume the cover closing state, and a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolved in a cover removing direction A opposite to the cover closing direction B to assume the cover removing state. Here, it is needless to mention that the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction may be any directions as long as the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are respectively opposite to the cover closing direction and the cover removing direction though the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are shown by the arrows A and B in FIG. 7 by way of example.

[0036] The bottle cap body 13 has a fluid passageway member 15 axially extending outwardly of the bottle cap body 13 and the bottle housing 11 along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 and including an opening at its axial end, and a cap head member 16 positioned at the axial end of the fluid passageway member 15. The cap head member 16 is movable along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 with respect to the fluid passageway member 15 to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which the cap head member 16 is moved downwardly along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 with respect to the fluid passageway member 15 under the state that the cap head member 16 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 15 and a cap opening position in which the cap head member 16 is moved upwardly along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 with respect to the fluid passageway member 15 under the state that the cap head member 16 is held out of hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 15. The fluid passageway member 15 and the cap head member 16 are received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 18 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 17 and the bottle cap body 13 when the toy-shaped cover member 17 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 13 to assume the cover closing state.

[0037] The chamber 18 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 17 and the bottle cap body 13 is substantially equal in height to the fluid passageway member 15 along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 as best shown in FIG. 8. Preferably, the cap head member 16 should be downwardly moved by a consumer along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 with respect to the fluid passageway member 15 under the state that the cap head member 16 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 15 when the bottle is not used or carried by the consumer. In the bottle cap 50 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 17 is moved along the center axis 13c of the bottle cap body 13 to have the cap head member 16 assume the cap closing position in which the cap head member 16 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 15 when the toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolved around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the fluid passageway member 15 to assume the cover closing state, regardless of the consumer has failed to close the bottle cap body 13 or not.

[0038] The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the bottle cap body 13 when the toy-shaped cover member 17 is removed from the bottle cap body 13 with reference to FIG. 9.

[0039] The toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the bottle cap body 13 in the cover removing direction A opposite to the cap opening direction B in order to remove the toy-shaped cover member 17 from the bottle cap body 13, while the bottle cap body 13 maintains to assume the cap closing state.

[0040] The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the bottle cap body 13 when the bottle cap body 13 is opened with reference to FIG. 10.

[0041] The toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the bottle cap body 13 in the cap opening direction B opposite to the cover removing direction A in order to open the bottle cap body 13, while the toy-shaped cover member 17 maintains to assume the cover closing state.

[0042] As will be seen from the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the bottle cap 50 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 17 around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the bottle cap body 13 in the cover removing direction A opposite to the cap opening direction B in order to remove the toy-shaped cover member 17 from the bottle cap body 13, while the bottle cap body 13 maintains to assume the cap closing state as shown in FIG. 9. In the bottle cap 50 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 17 is easily removable from the bottle cap body 13 and the internal thread 19 is formed in toy-shaped cover member 17, thereby making it possible for the consumer to collect the toy-shaped cover members as toys separately from the bottle cap body 13, and accordingly arousing customer interest.

[0043] Furthermore, the bottle cap 50 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 17 around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the bottle cap body 13 in the cap opening direction B opposite to the cover removing direction A in order to open the bottle cap body 13, while the toy-shaped cover member 17 maintains to assume the cover closing state as shown in FIG. 10. In the bottle cap 50 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 17 does not stand in the way of opening the bottle cap body 13, but assists the consumer in opening the bottle cap 50 with a less strength manageable even for a child or an elderly person in comparison with the conventional bottle cap body.

[0044] In the bottle cap 50 according to the present invention, the cap head member 16 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 15 when the toy-shaped cover member 17 is revolved around the center axis 17c of the toy-shaped cover member 17 with respect to the fluid passageway member 15 to assume the cover closing state, regardless of a consumer has failed to close the bottle cap body 13 or not, thereby preventing fluid from leaking out from the bottle housing 11 as well as preventing dust from entering into the bottle cap body 13 and/or the bottle housing 11 for hygiene purpose.

[0045] Though it has been described in the present embodiment that the bottle cap body 13 has an external thread 14a and the toy-shaped cover member 17 has an internal thread 19 as first and second complementary fastening means, in the bottle cap 50 according to the present invention, the bottle cap body 13 and the toy-shaped cover member 17 may have respectively an internal thread and an external thread to be engaged with each other, or any other forms of the first and second complementary fastening means as long as the first and second complementary fastening means can detachably fasten the toy-shaped cover member 17 to the bottle cap body 13. The bottle cap body 13 and the toy-shaped cover member 17 may be detachably fitted to each other with adhesive material such as, for example, hot melt adhesives.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, there is shown a third preferred embodiment of the bottle cap embodying the present invention.

[0047] The third embodiment of the bottle cap is shown to bear a reference numeral 60 in FIGS. 11 and 12 and comprises a bottle cap body 23 having a center axis 23c and to be screwed into a bottle housing 21, and a toy-shaped cover member 27 outwardly formed in a toy shape and detachably connected with the bottle cap body 23. The bottle housing 21 has a hollow chamber and capable of containing fluid such as for example, water, soft drink, or the like therein. The bottle cap body 23 is formed in a cylindrical hollow shape and has a circular center portion 23a substantially perpendicular to the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 and a peripheral portion integrally formed with the circular center portion and arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23. The peripheral portion of the bottle cap body 23 is inwardly formed with an internal thread 30 and outwardly formed with a plurality of grooves 23b extending in substantially parallel relationship with the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23. The bottle housing 21 has an external thread 22. The bottle cap body 23 is revolvable around the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 with respect to the bottle housing 21 to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state in which the bottle cap body 23 is revolved in a cap closing direction shown by an arrow A to have the bottle housing 21 completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 23 under the state that the external thread 22 of the bottle housing 21 is held in engagement with the internal thread 30 of the bottle cap body 23, and a cap opening state in which the bottle cap body 23 is revolved in a cap opening direction shown by an arrow B opposite to the cap closing direction A to have the bottle housing 21 released by and held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 23 under the state that the external thread 22 of the bottle housing 21 is held out of engagement with the internal thread 30 of the bottle cap body 23.

[0048] The bottle cap body 23 has a fluid passageway member 25 axially extending outwardly of the bottle cap body 23 and the bottle housing 21 along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 and including an opening at its axial end, and a cap head member 26 positioned at the axial end of the fluid passageway member 25. The cap head member 26 is movable along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 with respect to the fluid passageway member 25 to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which the cap head member 26 is moved downwardly along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 with respect to the fluid passageway member 25 under the state that the cap head member 26 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 25 and a cap opening position in which the cap head member 26 is moved upwardly along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 with respect to the fluid passageway member 25 under the state that the cap head member 26 is held out of hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 25. The fluid passageway member 25 and the cap head member 26 are received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 28 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 27 and the bottle cap body 23 when the toy-shaped cover member 27 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 23 to assume the cover closing state. The fluid passageway member 25 is formed with an external thread 24. The toy-shaped cover member 27 has inwardly an internal thread 29 formed therein. The external thread 24 of the bottle cap body 23 and the internal thread 29 of the toy-shaped cover member 27 respectively constitute first and second complementary fastening means according to the present invention. The bottle cap 60 and the bottle housing 21 may be made of metal material or resin such as for example plastic substance.

[0049] The toy-shaped cover member 27 is movable with respect to the bottle cap body 23 to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 27 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 23 to have the external thread 24 of the bottle cap body 23 held in engagement with the internal thread 29 of the toy-shaped cover member 27 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 27 and the bottle cap body 23 collectively define a cylindrical hollow chamber 28 having at least part of the bottle cap body 23 received therein, and a cover removing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 27 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 23 to have the external thread 24 of the bottle cap body 23 held out of engagement with the internal thread 29 of the toy-shaped cover member 27 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 27 and the bottle cap body 23 are separable from each other. This means that the toy-shaped cover member 27 is revolvable around the center axis 27c of the toy-shaped cover member 27 with respect to the bottle cap body 23 to assume two different operation positions including a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 27 is revolved in a cover closing direction B opposite to the cap closing direction A to assume the cover closing state, and a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 27 is revolved in a cover removing direction A opposite to the cover closing direction B to assume the cover removing state. Here, it is needless to mention that the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction may be any directions as long as the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are respectively opposite to the cover closing direction and the cover removing direction though the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are shown by the arrows A and B in FIG. 11 by way of example.

[0050] The chamber 28 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 27 and the bottle cap body 23 is substantially equal in height to the fluid passageway member 25 along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 as best shown in FIG. 12. Preferably, the cap head member 26 should be downwardly moved by a consumer along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 with respect to the fluid passageway member 25 under the state that the cap head member 26 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 25 when the bottle is not used or carried by the consumer. In the bottle cap 60 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 27 is moved along the center axis 23c of the bottle cap body 23 to have the cap head member 26 assume the cap closing position in which the cap head member 26 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 25 when the toy-shaped cover member 27 is revolved around the center axis 27c of the toy-shaped cover member 27 with respect to the fluid passageway member 25 to assume the cover closing state in which the external thread 24 of the fluid passage way member 25 is held in engagement with the internal thread 29 of the toy-shaped cover member 27, regardless of the consumer has failed to close the bottle cap body 23 or not.

[0051] The operation of the bottle cap body 23 is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment of the bottle cap body 13. Therefore, the operation of the bottle cap body 23 substantially the same as that of the second embodiment of the bottle cap body 13 will not be described to avoid tedious repetition.

[0052] The toy-shaped cover member 27 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 27c of the toy-shaped cover member 27 with respect to the bottle cap body 23 in the cap closing direction A in order to close the bottle cap body 23 to have the bottle housing 21 completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 23 under the state that the external thread 22 of the bottle housing 21 is held in engagement with the internal thread 30 of the bottle cap body 23 as shown in FIG. 12. The fluid passageway member 25 and the cap head member 26 are received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 28 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 27 and the bottle cap body 23.

[0053] As will be seen from the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the bottle cap 60 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 27 around the center axis 27c of the toy-shaped cover member 27 with respect to the bottle cap body 23 in the cover closing direction B opposite to the cap closing direction A in order to open the bottle cap body 23, while ensuring that the toy-shaped cover member 27 assumes the cover closing state as shown in FIG. 11. In the bottle cap 60 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 27 does not stand in the way of opening the bottle cap body 23, but assists the consumer in opening the bottle cap 60 with a less strength manageable even for a child or an elderly person in comparison with the conventional bottle cap body.

[0054] Furthermore, the bottle cap 60 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 27 around the center axis 27c of the toy-shaped cover member 27 with respect to the bottle cap body 23 in the cover removing direction A opposite to the cap opening direction B in order to remove the toy-shaped cover member 27 from the bottle cap body 23, while ensuring that the bottle cap body 23 assumes the cap closing state as shown in FIGS. 11. In the bottle cap 60 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 27 is easily removable from the bottle cap body 23 and the toy-shaped cover member 27 has the internal thread 29 inwardly formed therein, thereby making it possible for the consumer to collect the toy-shaped cover members as toys separately from the bottle cap body 23, and accordingly arousing customer interest.

[0055] In the bottle cap 60 according to the present invention, the cap head member 26 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 25 when the toy-shaped cover member 27 is revolved around the center axis 27c of the toy-shaped cover member 27 with respect to the fluid passageway member 25 to assume the cover closing state, regardless of a consumer has failed to close the bottle cap body 23 or not, thereby preventing fluid from leaking out from the bottle housing 21 as well as preventing dust from entering into the bottle cap body 23 and/or the bottle housing 21 for hygiene purpose.

[0056] Though it has been described in the present embodiment that the bottle cap body 23 has an external thread 24 and the toy-shaped cover member 27 has an internal thread 29 as first and second complementary fastening means, in the bottle cap 60 according to the present invention, the bottle cap body 23 and the toy-shaped cover member 27 may have respectively an internal thread and an external thread to be engaged with each other, or any other forms of the first and second complementary fastening means as long as the first and second complementary fastening means can detachably fasten the toy-shaped cover member 27 to the bottle cap body 23. The bottle cap body 23 and the toy-shaped cover member 27 may be detachably fitted to each other with adhesive material such as, for example, hot melt adhesives.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 of the drawings, there is shown a fourth preferred embodiment of the bottle cap embodying the present invention.

[0058] The fourth embodiment of the bottle cap is shown to bear a reference numeral 70 in FIGS. 13 and 14 and comprises a bottle cap body 33 having a center axis 33c and to be screwed into a bottle housing 31, and a toy-shaped cover member 37 outwardly formed in a toy shape and detachably connected with the bottle cap body 33. The bottle housing 31 has a hollow chamber and capable of containing fluid such as for example, water, soft drink, or the like therein. The bottle cap body 33 is formed in a cylindrical hollow shape and has a circular center portion 33a substantially perpendicular to the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 and a cylindrical peripheral portion 33b integrally formed with the circular center portion and arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33. The cylindrical peripheral portion 33b of the bottle cap body 33 is downwardly extending along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 and inwardly formed with an internal thread 40 and outwardly formed with a plurality of grooves, not shown, extending in substantially parallel relationship with the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33. The bottle housing 31 has an external thread 32. The internal thread 40 of the bottle cap body 33 and the external thread 32 of the bottle housing 31 respectively constitute third and fourth complementary fastening means according to the present invention. The bottle cap 70 further comprises a bottle cap cover member 45 in the form of a bell shape and detachably coupled with the bottle housing 31 to define a hollow chamber 46 having the cylindrical peripheral portion 33b of the bottle cap body 33 accommodated therein. The bottle cap body 33 is revolvable around the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 with respect to the bottle housing 31 to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state in which the bottle cap body 33 is revolved in a cap closing direction shown by an arrow A to have the bottle housing 31 completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 33 under the state that the external thread 32 of the bottle housing 31 is held in engagement with the internal thread 40 of the bottle cap body 33, and a cap opening state in which the bottle cap body 33 is revolved in a cap opening direction shown by an arrow B opposite to the cap closing direction A to have the bottle housing 31 released by and held out of hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 33 under the state that the external thread 32 of the bottle housing 31 is held out of engagement with the internal thread 40 of the bottle cap body 33.

[0059] The bottle cap body 33 has a fluid passageway member 35 axially extending outwardly of the bottle cap body 33 and the bottle housing 31 along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 and including an opening at its axial end, and a cap head member 36 positioned at the axial end of the fluid passageway member 35. The bottle cap body 33 further has a straw member 33d extending inwardly of the bottle cap body 33 and the bottle housing 31 and held in fluid communication with the fluid passageway member 35. The cap head member 36 is movable along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 with respect to the fluid passageway member 35 to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which the cap head member 36 is moved downwardly along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 with respect to the fluid passageway member 35 under the state that the cap head member 36 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 35 and a cap opening position in which the cap head member 36 is moved upwardly along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 with respect to the fluid passageway member 35 under the state that the cap head member 36 is held out of hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 35. The fluid passageway member 35 and the cap head member 36 are received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 38 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 37 and the bottle cap body 33 when the toy-shaped cover member 37 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 33 to assume the cover closing state. The fluid passageway member 35 is formed with an external thread 34 at its lower portion. The toy-shaped cover member 37 has inwardly an internal thread 39 formed therein. The external thread 34 of the bottle cap body 33 and the internal thread 39 of the toy-shaped cover member 37 respectively constitute first and second complementary fastening means according to the present invention. The bottle cap 70 and the bottle housing 31 may be made of metal material or resin such as for example plastic substance.

[0060] The toy-shaped cover member 37 is movable with respect to the bottle cap body 33 to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 37 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 33 to have the external thread 34 of the bottle cap body 33 held in engagement with the internal thread 39 of the toy-shaped cover member 37 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 37 and the bottle cap body 33 collectively define a cylindrical hollow chamber 38 having at least part of the bottle cap body 33 received therein, and a cover removing state in which the toy-shaped cover member 37 is moved with respect to the bottle cap body 33 to have the external thread 34 of the bottle cap body 33 held out of engagement with the internal thread 39 of the toy-shaped cover member 37 under the state that the toy-shaped cover member 37 and the bottle cap body 33 are separable from each other. This means that the toy-shaped cover member 37 is revolvable around the center axis 37c of the toy-shaped cover member 37 with respect to the bottle cap body 33 to assume two different operation positions including a cover closing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 37 is revolved in a cover closing direction B opposite to the cap closing direction A to assume the cover closing state, and a cover removing position in which the toy-shaped cover member 37 is revolved in a cover removing direction A opposite to the cover closing direction B to assume the cover removing state. Here, it is needless to mention that the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction may be any directions as long as the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are respectively opposite to the cover closing direction and the cover removing direction though the cap closing direction and the cap opening direction are shown by the arrows A and B in FIG. 13 by way of example.

[0061] As best shown in FIG. 14, the bottle housing 31 has a peripheral portion 31b downwardly extending along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 and formed with an annular groove 31a in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33. The bottle cap cover member 45 has a peripheral portion 45b downwardly extending along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 and inwardly formed with an annular projection 45c in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33. The annular projection 45c of the bottle cap cover member 45 is smaller in diameter than a corresponding annular part of the bottle housing 31, i.e., annular groove 31 a, to ensure that the bottle cap cover member 45 is fitted into the bottle housing 31 with the annular projection 45c of the bottle cap cover member 45 received in the annular groove 31a of the bottle housing 31.

[0062] The chamber 38 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 37 and the bottle cap body 33 is substantially equal in height to the fluid passageway member 35 along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 as best shown in FIG. 14. Preferably, the cap head member 36 should be downwardly moved by a consumer along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 with respect to the fluid passageway member 35 under the state that the cap head member 36 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 35 when the bottle is not used or carried by the consumer. In the bottle cap 70 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 37 is moved along the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 to have the cap head member 36 assume the cap closing position in which the cap head member 36 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 35 when the toy-shaped cover member 37 is revolved around the center axis 37c of the toy-shaped cover member 37 with respect to the fluid passageway member 35 to assume the cover closing state in which the external thread 34 of the fluid passage way member 35 is held in engagement with the internal thread 29 of the toy-shaped cover member 37, regardless of the consumer has failed to close the bottle cap body 33 or not. Furthermore, the cylindrical peripheral portion 33b of the bottle cap body 33, i.e., the internal thread 40 of the bottle cap body 33 and the external thread 32 of the housing 31, are accommodated in the hollow chamber 46 defined by the bottle cap cover member 45 and the bottle housing 31 when the bottle cap cover member 45 is fitted into the bottle housing 31, thereby further preventing fluid from leaking out from the bottle housing 31.

[0063] The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation when the bottle housing 31 is closed by the bottle cap body 33 and the bottle cap cover member 45.

[0064] Firstly, the bottle cap body 33 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 33c of the bottle cap body 33 with respect to the bottle housing 31 in the cap closing direction A in order to close the bottle cap body 33 to have the bottle housing 31 completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with the bottle cap body 33 under the state that the external thread 32 of the bottle housing 31 is held in engagement with the internal thread 40 of the bottle cap body 33 as shown in FIG. 14. Secondly the toy-shaped cover member 37 is revolved by a consumer around the center axis 37c of the toy-shaped cover member 37 with respect to the bottle cap body 33 in the cover closing direction B in order to attach the toy-shaped cover member 37 to the bottle cap body 33. The fluid passageway member 35 and the cap head member 36 are received in the cylindrical hollow chamber 38 collectively defined by the toy-shaped cover member 37 and the bottle cap body 33.

[0065] Then, the bottle cap cover member 45 is fitted into the bottle housing 31 with the annular projection 45c of the bottle cap cover member 45 received in the annular groove 31a of the bottle housing 31.

[0066] The operations of the bottle cap body 33 when the bottle cap cover member 45 is removed from the bottle housing 31 and when the bottle cap body 33 is opened are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment of the bottle cap body 13 because of the fact that the bottle cap cover member 45 is merely fitted into the bottle housing 31 with the annular projection 45c of the bottle cap cover member 45 received in the annular groove 31a of the bottle housing 31, and the bottle cap cover member 45 can easily removed from the bottle housing 31 together with the bottle cap body 33 in the same manner as described in the second embodiment. Therefore, the operations of the bottle cap body 33 when the bottle cap cover member 45 is removed from the bottle housing 31 and when the bottle cap body 33 is opened will not be described to avoid tedious repetition.

[0067] As will be seen from the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the bottle cap 70 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 37 around the center axis 37c of the toy-shaped cover member 37 with respect to the bottle cap body 33 in the cap opening direction B opposite to the cover removing direction A in order to open the bottle cap body 33, while ensuring that the toy-shaped cover member 37 assumes the cover closing state as shown in FIG. 13. In the bottle cap 70 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 37 does not stand in the way of opening the bottle cap body 33, but assists the consumer in opening the bottle cap 70 with a less strength manageable even for a child or an elderly person in comparison with the conventional bottle cap body.

[0068] Furthermore, the bottle cap 70 according to the present invention permits a consumer to revolve the toy-shaped cover member 37 around the center axis 37c of the toy-shaped cover member 37 with respect to the bottle cap body 33 in the cover removing direction A opposite to the cap opening direction B in order to remove the toy-shaped cover member 37 from the bottle cap body 33, while ensuring that the bottle cap body 33 assumes the cap closing state as shown in FIG. 13. In the bottle cap 70 thus constructed, the toy-shaped cover member 37 is easily removable from the bottle cap body 33 and the toy-shaped cover member 37 has the internal thread 39 inwardly formed therein, thereby making it possible for the consumer to collect the toy-shaped cover members as toys separately from the bottle cap body 33, and accordingly arousing customer interest.

[0069] Though it has been described in the present embodiment that the bottle cap cover member 45 is detachably fitted into the bottle housing 31 with the annular projection 45c of the bottle cap cover member 45 received in the annular groove 31a of the bottle housing 31, the bottle cap cover member 45 may be fitted into the bottle housing 31 by any other means as long as the bottle cap cover member 45 can prevent dust from entering into the bottle cap body 33 and/or the bottle housing 31.

[0070] In the bottle cap 70 according to the present invention, the cap head member 26 is held in hermetical contact with the opening of the fluid passageway member 35 when the toy-shaped cover member 37 is revolved around the center axis 37c of the toy-shaped cover member 37 with respect to the fluid passageway member 35 to assume the cover closing state, regardless of a consumer has failed to close the bottle cap body 33 or not, thereby preventing fluid from leaking out from the bottle housing 31 as well as preventing dust from entering into the bottle cap body 33 and/or the bottle housing 31 for hygiene purpose. Furthermore, the cylindrical peripheral portion 33b of the bottle cap body 33, i.e., the internal thread 40 of the bottle cap body 33 and the external thread 32 of the housing 31, are accommodated in the hollow chamber 46 defined by the bottle cap cover member 45 and the bottle housing 31 when the bottle cap cover member 45 is fitted into the bottle housing 31, thereby further preventing fluid from leaking out from the bottle housing 31 while being carried as well as preventing dust from entering into the bottle cap body 33 and/or the bottle housing 31 while being displayed in a shop or touched by a customer.

[0071] The present embodiment of the bottle cap body 33 is the same as the third embodiment of the bottle cap body 23 except for the fact that the bottle cap member 45 is added to the second embodiment of the bottle cap body 23. It is needless to mention that the bottle cap member 45 is also applicable to the second embodiment of the bottle cap body 13.

[0072] Though it has been described in the present embodiment that the bottle cap body 33 has an external thread 34 and the toy-shaped cover member 37 has an internal thread 39 as first and second complementary fastening means, in the bottle cap 70 according to the present invention, the bottle cap body 33 and the toy-shaped cover member 37 may have respectively an internal thread and an external thread to be engaged with each other, or any other forms of the first and second complementary fastening means as long as the first and second complementary fastening means can detachably fasten the toy-shaped cover member 37 to the bottle cap body 33. The bottle cap body 33 and the toy-shaped cover member 37 may be detachably fitted to each other with adhesive material such as, for example, hot melt adhesives.

[0073] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is in terms of preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bottle cap (1), comprising:

a bottle cap body (3) having a center axis (3c) and to be screwed into a bottle housing (2), said bottle cap body (3) being revolvable around said center axis (3c) of said bottle cap body (3) with respect to said bottle housing (2) to assume two different operation states including a cap closing state in which said bottle cap body (3) is revolved in a cap closing direction (A) to have said bottle housing (2) completely screwed up by and held in hermetical contact with said bottle cap body (3), and a cap opening state in which said bottle cap body (3) is revolved in a cap opening direction (B) opposite to said cap closing direction (A) to have said bottle housing (2) released by and held out of hermetical contact with said bottle cap body (3), said bottle cap body (3) having first complementary fastening means (6a); and

a toy-shaped cover member (4) outwardly formed in a toy shape, and having second complementary fastening means (5a), said toy-shaped cover member (4) being movable with respect to said bottle cap body (3) to assume two different operation states including a cover closing state in which said toy-shaped cover member (4) is moved with respect to said bottle cap body (3) to have said first complementary fastening means (6a) of said bottle cap body (3) held in engagement with said second complementary fastening means (5a) of said toy-shaped cover member (4) under the state that said toy-shaped cover member (4) and said bottle cap body (3) collectively define a cylindrical hollow chamber (5) having at least part of said bottle cap body (3) received therein, and a cover removing state in which said toy-shaped cover member (4) is moved with respect to said bottle cap body (3) to have said first complementary fastening means (6a) of said bottle cap body (3) held out of engagement with said second complementary fastening means (5a) of said toy-shaped cover member (4) under the state that said toy-shaped cover member (4) and said bottle cap body (3) are separable from each other.

2. A bottle cap (1) as set forth in claim 1, in which
   said toy-shaped cover member (4) has a center axis (4c) and is revolvable around said center axis (4c) of said toy-shaped cover member (4) with respect to said bottle cap body (3) to assume two different operation positions including a cover closing position in which said toy-shaped cover member (4) is revolved in a cover closing direction (B) opposite to said cap closing direction (A) to assume said cover closing state, and a cover removing position in which said toy-shaped cover member (4) is revolved in a cover removing direction (A) opposite to said cover closing direction (B) to assume said cover removing state.

3. A bottle cap (1) as set forth in claim 1, in which
   said toy-shaped cover member (4) has a center axis (4c) and is movable with respect to said bottle cap body (3) to assume two different operation positions including a cover removing position in which said toy-shaped cover member (4) is upwardly moved to assume said cover removing state, and a cover closing position in which said toy-shaped cover member (4) is downwardly moved to assume said cover closing state.

4. A bottle cap (1) as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a ledge member (8) made of a plastic substance and formed in a cylindrical hollow shape, said ledge member (8) being fixedly connected with said toy-shaped cover member (4) to reinforce said cylindrical hollow chamber (5).

5. A bottle cap (1) as set forth in claim 1, in which
   said center axis (3c) of said bottle cap body (3) is inclined with respect to said center axis (4c) of said toy-shaped cover member (4).

6. A bottle cap (50) as set forth in claim 1, in which
   said bottle cap body (13) has a fluid passageway member (15) axially extending outwardly of said bottle cap body (13) and said bottle housing (11) along said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13) and including an opening at its axial end, and a cap head member (16) positioned at the axial end of said fluid passageway member (15), said cap head member (16) being movable along said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13) with respect to said fluid passageway member (15) to assume two different positions including a cap closing position in which said cap head member (16) is moved downwardly along said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13) with respect to said fluid passageway member (15) under the state that said cap head member (16) is held in hermetical contact with said opening of said fluid passageway member (15) and a cap opening position in which said cap head member (16) is moved upwardly along said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13) with respect to said fluid passageway member (15) under the state that said cap head member (16) is held out of hermetical contact with said opening of said fluid passageway member (15), and
   said fluid passageway member (15) and said cap head member (16) are received in said cylindrical hollow chamber (18) collectively defined by said toy-shaped cover member (17) and said bottle cap body (13) when said toy-shaped cover member (17) is moved with respect to said bottle cap body (13) to assume said cover closing state.

7. A bottle cap (50) as set forth in claim 6, in which
   said bottle cap body (13) has a peripheral member (14) arranged in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13) and said peripheral portion of said bottle cap body (13) is formed with said first complementary fastening means (14a).

8. A bottle cap (60) as set forth in claim 6, in which
   said fluid passageway member (25) is formed with said first complementary fastening means (24) at its lower portion.

9. A bottle cap (50) as set forth in claim 6, in which
   said toy-shaped cover member (17) is moved along said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13) to have said cap head member (16) assume said cap closing position in which said cap head member (16) is held in hermetical contact with said opening of said fluid passageway member (15) when said toy-shaped cover member (17) is revolved around said center axis (17c) of said toy-shaped cover member (17) with respect to said fluid passageway member (15) to assume said cover closing state.

10. A bottle cap (50) as set forth in claim 6, in which
   said chamber (18) collectively defined by said toy-shaped cover member (17) and said bottle cap body (13) is substantially equal in height to said fluid passageway member (15) along said center axis (13c) of said bottle cap body (13).

11. A bottle cap (70) as set forth in claim 6, in which
   said bottle cap body (33) has a cylindrical peripheral portion (33b) downwardly extending along said center axis (33c) of said bottle cap body (33), said peripheral portion (33b) of said bottle cap body (33) has third complementary fastening means (40) to be engaged with said bottle housing (31), and which further comprises:

a bottle cap cover member (45) in the form of a bell shape and detachably coupled with said bottle housing (31) to define a hollow chamber having said peripheral portion (33b) of said bottle cap body (33) accommodated therein.

12. A bottle cap (70) as set forth in claim 11, in which
   said bottle cap cover member (45) has a peripheral portion (45b) downwardly extending along said center axis (33c) of said bottle cap body (33) and inwardly formed with an annular projection (45c) in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from said center axis (33c) of said bottle cap body (33),
   said annular projection (45c) of said bottle cap cover member (45) is smaller in diameter than a corresponding annular part of said bottle housing (31) to ensure that said bottle cap cover member (45) is fitted into said bottle housing (31).

13. A bottle cap (70) as set forth in claim 6, in which
   said bottle cap body (33) further has a straw member (33d) extending inwardly of said bottle cap body (33) and said bottle housing (31) and held in fluid communication with said fluid passageway member (35).

14. A bottle comprising a bottle cap (70) as set forth in claim 13 and a bottle cap housing (31) having fourth complementary fastening means (32) to be engageable with said third complementary fastening means (40) of said bottle cap body (33).

15. A bottle as set forth in claim 14, in which
   said bottle housing (31) has a peripheral portion (31b) downwardly extending along said center axis (33c) of said bottle cap body (33) and formed with an annular groove (31a) in concentric relationship to and radially spaced apart from said center axis (33c) of said bottle cap body (33) to ensure that said bottle cap cover member (45) is fitted into said bottle housing (31) with said annular projection (45c) of said bottle cap cover member (45) received in said annular groove (31a) of said bottle housing (31).

Drawing