Background of the Invention A babies bottle normally consists of a plastic bottle with a screw-on cap having a teat or nozzle. A baby sucking on the teat is able to withdraw milk which is located in the bottle.

A baby drinking from a bottle as described above frequently encounters the problem of colic.

This occurs when milk and air is ingested by the baby.

The problem with existing babies bottles is that the bottle cap with the teat cannot prevent air passing in through the hole in the teat to the interior of the bottle.

Such a flow of air occurs automatically due to the partial vacuum which is created in the nozzle when the baby sucks milk through the hole in the teat.

The present invention aims at producing a closure for a container which reduces problems associated with conventional closures.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a closure for a container of a fluid comprising a first cap component having at least one opening in an upper region and a second cap component having an outlet nozzle which is adapted to fit over the first component, and wherein the first cap component is adapted to fit over an opening in the container and when the second cap component is located over the first cap component, a channel extends from the upper region of the first cap component between the first cap component and the second cap component to permit a flow path for air between the first and second cap components.

Preferably a flow path exit is provided between the

first cap component and the second cap component for air to escape to the external environment.

Preferably the outlet is in the form of a nozzle.

Preferably the channel comprises a gap created between the outer peripheral surface of the first cap component and the inner peripheral surface of the second cap component.

Preferably the upper region includes the upper face.

Preferably the first cap has two openings.

The channel preferably includes a groove in the outer peripheral surface of the first cap component.

The groove may include an axial slit in the outer peripheral surface of the first cap component.

The channel may extend approximately more than 360° around the peripheral surface of the first cap component.

The slit may extend into a circumferential groove in the first cap component.

Preferably the channel extends from the upper face to an exit to the external environment.

It is preferred that the exit is a gap between a bottom edge of the second cap component and the opposing outer surface of the first cap component.

The exit may comprise a groove in a lower outer peripheral surface of the first cap component.

The first and second cap components may have a central longitudinal axis.

The first cap component may have a plurality of axial slits in the outer peripheral surface.

The channel may provide a flow path for air from the external environment to one of the openings.

Preferably the channel follows a serpentine path.

The first cap component may have at least one circumferential rib.

According to an alternative embodiment the first cap component has an angled slit.

According to another embodiment the first cap

component comprises a meandering groove or path for air flow.

The channel may comprise at least one axial path and one at least partial circumferential path.

The channel preferably comprises one or more slits or grooves extending from the upper circumferential groove.

The channel preferably includes a split on the opposite side of the circumferential groove.

According to one embodiment slits are provided above and below the circumferential groove.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the second cap component has one or more slits or air flow paths formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof.

The second cap component may have at least one circumferential rib/ridge on an inner surface thereof.

Preferably the second cap component has lower and upper ribs adapted to form a circumferential flow path channel therebetween when located over the first cap component.

It is preferred that the upper ridge forms an air tight seal with the opposing surface of the first cap component, except where there is a slit in the opposing surface of the first cap component.

Preferably the first cap component is a screw-on cap.

The second cap component is preferably a snap on cover.

The second cap component preferably includes a fluid delivery portion.

It is preferred that the second cap component includes a flexible fluid delivery portion.

According to one embodiment the second cap component is able to slide or twist over the first cap component.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the first cap component is formed as part of the container.

The second cap component preferably comprises a

nozzle or teat.

The container is preferably a bottle for liquid.

Preferably the second cap component is slidable over the first cap component.

The second cap component preferably comprises a gripping portion on an external surface thereof.

The gripping portion may be a peripheral external rib.

The second cap component preferably comprises an inner sealing means for closing the openings through the first cap component when the second cap component is in a non-operational position.

It is preferred that the second cap component is able to slide to a second position whereby fluid is able to flow through the openings in the first cap component.

It is preferred that the closure prevents access of air into the chamber between the nozzle and upper surface of the first cap component when the second cap component is in the first position.

It is preferred that the channel is adapted to provide a flow path for air which eliminates or substantially reduces the amount of air which is able to enter the nozzle through the hole in the nozzle.

It is preferred that the when the second cap component is in the first position liquid is unable to leak from between the first and second cap components to the outside environment through the bottom edges of both cap components.

It is preferred that the first cap component has a sealing rib which is adapted to abut with the inner periphery lower surface of the second cap component to prevent liquid from leaking therebetween.

According to an alternative embodiment the second cap component comprises an inner peripheral rib or sealing means which is adapted to abut with the opposing outer peripheral surface of the first cap component to prevent leakage of liquid therebetween when the second cap component

is in the first position.

The words"comprising, having, including"should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, meaning that additional features may also be added.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows components of a closure device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic angled side view of an overcap of the closure device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a bottom angled view of a nozzle cap of the closure device shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows one side view of an overcap according to the preferred embodiment ; Figure 5 shows another side view of the overcap shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a side view of another overcap according to the present invention ; Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a first method of operation of the closure shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of air r and liquid flow for the first method of operation of the closure shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 9 shows a top view of an overcap according to a further embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 10 shows side schematic view of an overcap according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 shows a front view of the overcap shown in Figure 10 ; Figure 12 shows a front angled view of an overcap according to a further embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional front view of an assembled closure device according to another embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a nozzle cap

of the closure device shown in Figure 13 ; and Figure 15 shows a nozzle cap of the closure device shown in Figure 13.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention As shown in Figure 1 a closure device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of an overcap 11 which is screwed onto a bottle 12 and a nozzle cap 13a, 13b which fits over the overcap 11. Nozzle 13b and cap 13a fit together to form the nozzle cap 13a, 13b.

According to one embodiment as shown schematically in Figure 2, the overcap 15 is generally cylindrical with two symmetrically arranged holes 14,15 in the upper face 16.

An air flow path 18 extends from hole 15 part way around the periphery 17 of the upper surface 16 to a vertical groove 19 which extends three quarters of the way down the outer side surface 20.

The arrowed line 21 shows the direction of flow of air.

Figures 4 and 5 show the preferred embodiment of the overcap 11 in which a circumferential groove 22 is s provided around the upper surface 17.

This results in a thin collar 23 being formed.

A vertical slit 24 extends from the upper face to the groove 22.

Around 160° from the slit 24, another pair of slits 25,26 are provided.

Slit 25 extends vertically down from groove 22 to just above a circumferential ridge 27.

The other slot 26 extends down through and below the ridge 27.

Figure 3 shows the inner periphery of nozzle cap 13a, b.

The nozzle cap 13a, b is provided with an inner circumferential ridge 28 at a lower end thereof followed by a spaced apart stepped region 29 which is located above it.

An area of reduced diameter 30 is located above stepped region 29 and this terminates in an annular seal area

31 which forms the base of nozzle 13b.

The annular seal area 31 is a flat horizontal surface with a large central hole.

The seal area 31 is adapted to cover both of the openings 14,15 when the nozzle cap 13a, 13b is pushed onto the overcap as far as it will go.

Furthermore lower outer circumferential ridge 32 of the overcap 11 forms a seal with the inner circumferential ridge 28 of the nozzle cap 13a, 13b.

An example will now be provided of the operation of the closure device when connected to a bottle containing a liquid such as milk.

If the bottle is turned upside down with the nozzle cap 13a, 13b pushed down onto the overcap 11 as far as it will go, no milk will be able to escape through holes 14,15.

Initially the nozzle cap 13a, 13b is moved upwardly. As a consequence the inner circumferential ridge 28 moves away from contact with the outer circumferential ridge 32 of overcap 11.

As shown in Figure 7b a gap 33 is created between the inside wall of the nozzle cap 13a, 13b and the opposing outer peripheral surface of overcap 11.

When the bottle is inverted, milk flows out through hole 16 into chamber 34.

As shown in Figure 7a air 33 is then able to pass into slits 25,26 and then travel around the groove 22 into slit 24 and finally into a chamber 34 which is created in the nozzle cap 13a, 13b above the top surface of the overcap 11.

Because of the air flow path 33 which is created, air passes down through hole 15 to fill the void left in the bottle as a result of liquid leaving through hole 14.

Any milk leaving through the nozzle 35 effectively sucks more air 33 in through the bottom of the nozzle cap 13a, 13b along the flow path previously described and into the bottle.

Because air follows a path of least resistance, there is a greater tendency for air to pass into the bottle

from between nozzle cap 13a, 13b and overcap 11 as opposed to through the opening in nozzle 35.

As a result only liquid such as milk passes through the opening in the nozzle 35 and a baby suckling on the nozzle 35 does not ingest air along with the milk.

This is because there is no air present in the tip of nozzle 35.

Figure 7b accentuates the gap which is created between the inner surface of nozzle cap 13a, 13b and the opposing surface of the overcap 11 in the region of the slits 25,26.

It should be noted that in Figure 3 a reverse configuration is possible whereby slits or grooves are provided in the nozzle cap 13a, 13b in order to provide a flow path for air entering underneath the nozzle cap 13a, 13b.

Thus in Figure 3 inner circumferential groove 36 is shown between stepped region 29 and area 30. Above the groove 36 a vertical slit 37 is provided. Below the groove 36 and laterally distal to slit 37, a downwardly extending vertical groove 38 is provided.

When the nozzle cap 13a, 13b is lifted upwardly so that a gap exists between the inner surface of cap nozzle 13a, 13b and opposing surface of overcap 11, air is able to pass into slit 38 along groove 36, up slit 37 and to the chamber 34.

In such an embodiment the outer surface of the overcap 11 would be configured to prevent air flow except through the slits and channels as described above.

In another mode of operation of the closure device, the bottle is placed in an upright position so that milk is able to drain back into the interior of the bottle. When this occurs milk drains back to the interior of the bottle through one of the holes 14,15 and any air is able to escape along the air flow path in the reverse direction to that described previously. It is preferred that the channels and slits are sized so that milk or whatever other liquid is

being drained back into the bottle is unable to leak out through the gap created between the nozzle cap 13a, 13b and the opposing outer surface of the overcap 11.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the overcap 40 is provided with a circumferential channel 41 which extends close to 360° around the outer periphery of the cap 40.

Vertical slit 42 which extends from upper surface 43 to the circumferential channel 41 is located adjacent to downwardly extending slit 44. In this way air flow travels a maximum distance around the outer periphery of the nozzle 40.

Figure 8 shows how liquid 45 is able to enter through one hole 46 as air 47 passes downwardly to the interior of the bottle through the other hole 48.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which holes 14 and 15 are replaced by a series of curved slots 50,51,52 and 53. To service each of these slots a slit 60,61,62 and 63 is provided for air flow paths.

The number of holes, slots or other openings in the upper surface of the overcap may be varied. In a similar fashion one or more air flow paths may be created in order to enhance flow of liquid in and out of the bottle to which the cap is connected.

Embodiments of the present invention will vary depending on the type of container they are to be used with.

For example as shown in Figure 10 the invention may be embodied in an overcap used for a pop-up closure device for a drinking bottle. Such a closure device 64 consists of a cap which is screwed onto the top of a bottle and has a nozzle 65 with a central circular disc located over a circular opening 67. The disc 66 is held across the opening by thin webs which together form arcuate slots which allow entry of liquid therethrough. A nozzle cap (not shown) fits over the nozzle.

When this nozzle cap is pressed down as far as it will go the arcuate slots are covered and liquid is unable to pass therethrough. In the alternative when the nozzle cap is

lifted liquid is able to pass through the arcuate slots and out through a hole located in the nozzle cap.

According to this embodiment the overcap 64 is provided with an air flow channel 68 which is shown more clearly in Figure 11. Thus air is able to pass between the overcap and nozzle cap to permit an air flow path to be created which assists with passage of fluid out through the nozzle cap in a similar manner to that previously described.

It should be noted with the above embodiment that the configuration of the opening in the nozzle may be changed to take greater advantage of the provision of an air flow path through the air flow channel 68.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 12 an overcap 69 may be provided with an external screw thread which is adapted to engage with an internal screw thread of a nozzle cap to be placed thereover. As before an air-flow channel may be created from the upper surface 70 of the overcap 69 part way around the periphery of the overcap 69 and to an exit opening between the overcap 69 and a nozzle cap placed thereover.

The air flow channel may be provided adjacent the screw thread of the overcap 69.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a closure device is provided which assists with filling a container with fluid. In this version of the invention the nozzle cap is adapted to allow entry of fluid therethrough. This may mean that the overcap is able to be screwed onto an outlet of a conduit having fluid or alternatively that the conduit delivering the fluid is able to fit inside the opening in the nozzle cap.

It is preferred that an air tight connection is provided between the nozzle cap outlet (which in this case will be an inlet) and a conduit or any other device or container delivering fluid. An overcap will still be provided over the top of a container and the overcap and nozzle cap will again provide an air flow channel which enables liquid to be forced into the container while air

escapes through the air flow channel.

It also envisaged that the closure device can be modified to make it easier to deliver liquid into a container. For example the overcap could be modified so that it has a main inlet which allows easy entry of liquid or fluid from a fluid delivery device. In such a situation a small airhole may be provided which is able to communicate with an air flow channel in the manner previously described.

According to another embodiment the air flow channel could be modified so that an escape outlet is provided in the nozzle cap, which escape opening may be opened or closed by a separate sealing device.

According to another variation of the present invention only part of the nozzle cap is required to be moved in order to open and close the air flow channel. For example a side wall of the nozzle cap may be moveable to block or unblock the air flow channel to control movements of air therethrough or therealong.

It should be noted that the nozzle cap does not need to be shaped like a conventional nozzle but may include a cap having an opening for entry or exit of fluid.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the nozzle cap includes a moveable sealing means.

The moveable sealing means may include a seal.

The seal may be part of a slidable closure which fits over the nozzle cap.

The moveable seal may be a screw-on seal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the nozzle cap includes a valve opening for limiting flow of fluid to one direction. This may be in or out of the container to which the closure device is connected.

The closure device 71 shown in Figure 13 shows an overcap 72 suitable for a bottle having a straight neck.

The periphery of the overcap 72 is provided with a short section of thread 73 which engages with an inside threaded section 74 of the nozzle 75.

In contrast to previous embodiments the nozzle cap is able to be screwed with respect to the overcap 72 in order to raise or lower the nozzle cap 75 and therefore move the collar 76 of the nozzle 77 up or down.

Vertical groove 78 extends from the top surface 79 of the overcap 72 and forms the beginning of an airflow channel 80 which is formed in the outer periphery of the overcap and exits at a location 81 slightly above the lowermost point of the nozzle cap 75.

The bevelled top surface 79 of the overcap 72 also has a scalloped region 83.

By screwing the nozzle cap 75 in one direction the nozzle 77 and collar 76 are raised to provide a space between the collar 76 and the upper surface 79.

Liquid is therefore able to pass out of the holes 84 in the top surface of the overcap 71.

The bevelled top surface 79 and scalloped region 83 assist with airflow to the airflow passage 80.

When the nozzle cap 75 is screwed in the opposite direction the collar 76 moves down to block the holes 84 and therefore prevent passage of liquid from the bottle on which the closure device is attached.

A hole may be provided in the side wall of the nozzle cap 75 in order to align with the exit point 81 so as to provide an easy exit to the outside environment.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.