Caps and containers

Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides a cap comprising: a lower member adapted for coupling to a bottle, the lower member having a first orifice, a second orifice, and a piercable seal coupled to the second orifice; and an upper member having a piercing member adapted to pierce the piercable seal, thereby establishing fluid communication with the bottle. Another aspect of the invention provides a container comprising a bottle and a cap. The cap includes: a lower member adapted for coupling to the bottle, the lower member having a first orifice, a second orifice, and a piercable seal coupled to the second orifice; and an upper member having a piercing member adapted to pierce the piercable seal, thereby establishing fluid communication with the bottle.

1 . A cap comprising:
 a lower member adapted for coupling to a bottle, the lower member having a first orifice, a second orifice, and a piercable seal coupled to the second orifice; and   an upper member having a piercing member adapted to pierce the piercable seal, thereby establishing fluid communication with the bottle.   
     
     
         2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice is formed on the end of a spout. 
     
     
         3 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the piercable seal comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The cap of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
         5 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the piercable seal includes one or more slits. 
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the lower member further includes a straw in fluid communication with the piercable seal. 
     
     
         7 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member further includes a compressible member adapted to seal the first orifice when the upper member is pressed against the lower member. 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 7 , wherein the compressible member is an elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member further includes a sipper member rotatable to establish fluid communication with the piercing member. 
     
     
         11 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member and the lower member define a loop. 
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member is hingedly attached to the lower member. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the lower member includes one or more latches adapted to releasably hold the upper member in contact with the lower member. 
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein the lower member includes two or more latches adapted to releasably hold the upper member in contact with the lower member. 
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the lower member includes a threaded portion for coupling with a bottle. 
     
     
         16 . A cap comprising:
 a lower member adapted for coupling to a bottle, the lower member having:
 a first orifice formed on the end of a spout; 
 a second orifice; 
 a piercable seal coupled to the second orifice; and 
 a straw in fluid communication with the piercable seal; and 
   an upper member hingedly coupled to the lower member, the upper member having:
 a piercing member adapted to pierce the piercable seal when the upper member is pressed against the lower member, thereby establishing fluid communication with the bottle via the straw; 
 a sipper member rotatable to establish fluid communication with the piercing member; and 
 a compressible member adapted to seal the first orifice when the upper member is pressed against the lower member. 
   
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the upper member and the lower member define a loop. 
     
     
         18 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the lower member includes one or more latches adapted to releasably hold the upper member in contact with the lower member. 
     
     
         19 . A container comprising:
 a bottle; and   a cap comprising:
 a lower member adapted for coupling to the bottle, the lower member having a first orifice, a second orifice, and a piercable seal coupled to the second orifice; and 
 an upper member having a piercing member adapted to pierce the piercable seal, thereby establishing fluid communication with the bottle. 
   
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a straw diverter assembly comprising:
 a nipple positioned to mate with a lower end of the piercable seal; 
 a straw; and 
 a fluidic path between the nipple and the straw.