# US 9,750,398 B2 · Universal cap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,398 B2 - Document ID: US9750398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/164,766 - Filed: 2011-06-20 - Published: 2012-04-19 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-14 - Assignees: Medivators Inc. - Applicants: Christopher Steven Adams; Travis Henry Bendele; Don Byrne - Inventors: Christopher Steven Adams; Travis Henry Bendele; Don Byrne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750398B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation - A61B 1/00119: {Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope} - A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes} - A61B 1/00137: {End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A combined tube set for a disposable water bottle for an endoscope includes a cap with threads suitable for attachment to various water bottles. The combined tube set provides a first tube set for rinsing that includes an air and water tubes, air/water connector, and anchor. The combined tube set also provides a second tube set for irrigation that includes an irrigation connector, backflow valve(s), and flexible tubing section. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cap comprising: a thread on an inner surface of said cap; and a one-piece liner formed from a single material inside said cap capable of sealing on multiple surfaces, said liner comprising a top surface that engages an upper wall of the cap and an outer surface being substantially vertically oriented that engages a side wall of said cap and said liner comprising an inclined inner surface to provide a tapered configuration, a gap being formed between the upper wall of the cap and the top surface of the liner opposing the upper wall, said side wall extending transversely from said upper wall, wherein said upper wall comprises at least two openings and said top surface comprises at least one aperture receiving a tube set assembly having a first tube set comprising an air/water tube, a second tube set comprising an irrigation tube, and a third tube set comprising a gas tube, one of the at least two openings and the at least one aperture receives the first tube set, one of the at least two openings and the at least one aperture receives the second tube set or the third tube set, the air/water tube comprising a water tube and an air tube in a coaxial arrangement, the water tube having a diameter smaller than the air tube, the irrigation tube and the gas tube, the cap having a reinforced rim above each opening to receive the first tube set, the second tube set and the third tube set, wherein the inclined inner surface of the liner is configured to engage a variety of bottle necks of varying heights and diameters, and the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant, the liner comprising at least one aperture to receive the first, the second and the third tube set. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is for water bottles for medical applications. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cap of claim 2, wherein the cap is for water bottles for endoscopic systems. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap and the liner are made of the same material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap and the liner are made of different material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein said liner contains at least one rib on the external surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is made from a plastic material, elastomeric material, thermoplastic material, rigid polymer, or combination thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is made of methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, rubber, nylon, or silicon. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap and the liner are one contiguous body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein said inner diameter, which is not constant, decreases axially toward said top end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the thread is a positive thread. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a substantially L-shaped cross section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1 further comprising an air filter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the thread has a trapezoid geometry comprising a first base and a second base, wherein the first base is larger than the second base and wherein the first base is adjacent to the wall of the cap. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the thread comprises a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the thread comprises about 1.75 revolutions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The cap of claim 14, wherein the trapezoidal geometry comprises rounded corners. ### Claim 18 A cap comprising a thread on an inner surface, a one-piece liner formed from a single material positioned above the thread, said liner comprising a top surface that engages an upper wall of the cap and an outer surface being substantially vertically oriented that engages a side wall of said cap, a gap being formed between the upper wall of the cap and a top surface of the liner opposing the upper wall, said side wall extending transversely from said upper wall, said liner comprising an inclined inner surface to provide a tapered configuration such that the inclined inner surface of the liner is configured to engage a variety of bottle necks of varying heights and diameters; wherein said upper wall comprises at least three holes and said top surface comprises at least one aperture, one of the at least three holes and the at least one aperture receives an air/water tube, one of the at least three holes receives an irrigation tube, and the air/water tube comprises a water tube and an air tube in a coaxial arrangement, the water tube having a diameter smaller than the air tube and the irrigation tube, wherein the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant, wherein the cap has a reinforced rim above each hole to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube, the liner comprising at least one aperture to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein at least one of the holes fits a tubing for insufflation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18 wherein at least one of the holes fits a gas tube. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein the cap and the liner are made of the same material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein the cap and the liner are made of different material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein the cap is made from a plastic material, elastomeric material, thermoplastic material, rigid polymer, or combination thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein the cap is made of methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, rubber, nylon, or silicon. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein the cap and the liner are one contiguous body. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The cap of claim 18, wherein the liner comprises a substantially L-shaped cross section. ### Claim 27 A cap capable of sealing on multiple surfaces comprising: a one-piece liner formed from a single material comprising a top surface that engages an upper wall of the cap and an outer surface being substantially vertically oriented that engages a side wall of said cap, a gap being formed between the upper wall of the cap and the top surface of the liner opposing the upper wall, said side wall extending transversely from said upper wall, and said liner comprising an inclined inner surface to provide a tapered configuration; a thread on said inclined inner surface, wherein the thread is adapted for engaging a variety of bottles; wherein said upper wall comprises at least two openings and said top surface comprises at least one aperture, and one opening of the at least two openings and the at least one aperture receives an irrigation tube and a second opening of the at least two openings receives an air/water tube comprising a water tube and an air tube in a coaxial arrangement, the water tube having a diameter smaller than the air tube and the irrigation tube and the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant, wherein the cap has a reinforced rim above each opening to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube, the liner comprising at least one aperture to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The cap of claim 27 wherein said engaging occurs with no more than two revolutions. ### Claim 29 A cap comprising an inner surface having positive threads, wherein the threads are adapted for engaging a variety of sterile water containers; a one-piece liner formed from a single material inside said cap capable of sealing on multiple surfaces, said liner comprising a top surface that engages an upper wall of the cap and an outer surface being substantially vertically oriented that engages a side wall of said cap and said liner comprising an inclined inner surface to provide a tapered configuration, said side wall extending transversely from said upper wall, a gap being formed between the upper wall of the cap and the top surface of the liner opposing the upper wall, the inclined inner surface of the liner is configured to engage a variety of bottle necks of varying heights and diameters; and the upper wall comprising two openings and said top surface comprising at least one aperture; one opening and said aperture having a flexible irrigation tubing disposed therein, and a second opening receiving and air/water tube comprising a water tube and an air tube in a coaxial arrangement, the water tube having a diameter smaller than the air tube and the flexible irrigation tubing, and the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant, wherein the cap has a reinforced rim above each opening to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube, the liner comprising at least one aperture to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube. ### Claim 30 A cap for sealing a sterile water bottle comprising: a thread on an inner surface providing less than 720° of thread engagement with said sterile water bottle; a one-piece liner formed from a single material inside said cap capable of sealing on multiple surfaces, said liner comprising a top surface that engages an upper wall of the cap and an outer surface being substantially vertically oriented that engages a side wall of said cap, said side wall extending transversely from said upper wall, a gap being formed between the upper wall of the cap and the top surface of the liner opposing the upper wall, and said liner comprising an inclined inner surface to provide a tapered configuration such that the inclined inner surface of the liner is configured to engage a variety of bottle necks of varying heights and diameters, the upper wall comprising at least one hole and the top surface having at least one opening in alignment with the hole, the hole and opening configured to fit an air/water tube and an irrigation tube, wherein the air/water tube comprises a water tube and an air tube in a coaxial arrangement; and at least two sealing surfaces above said thread, and the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant, wherein the cap has a reinforced rim above each opening to receive the air/water tube, the liner comprising at least one aperture to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30 further comprising an air filter. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30, wherein the thread has a trapezoid geometry comprising a first base and a second base, wherein the first base is larger than the second base and wherein the first base is adjacent to the wall of the cap. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The cap of claim 32, wherein the first base is about 0.090″. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The cap of claim 32, wherein the second base is about 0.035″. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The cap of claim 32, wherein the first base is about 0.090″ and the second base is about 0.035″. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30, wherein the thread comprises a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30 wherein the first diameter is about 1.490″ and the second diameter is about 1.375″. ### Claim 38 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30, wherein the first diameter is about 1.420″ and the second diameter is about 1.300″. ### Claim 39 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30, wherein the thread has a pitch of about 0.16″. ### Claim 40 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30, wherein the thread comprises about 1.75 revolutions. ### Claim 41 (depends on 32) The cap of claim 32, wherein the trapezoidal geometry comprises rounded corners. ### Claim 42 (depends on 30) The cap of claim 30, wherein the inclined inner surface is tapered at an angle of about 2 degrees such that a diameter of a bottom end of the liner is larger than a diameter of a top end of the liner. ### Claim 43 A cap comprising: a one-piece liner formed from a single material capable of sealing on multiple surfaces, said liner comprising a top surface that engages an upper wall of the cap and an outer surface being substantially vertically oriented that engages a side wall of said cap, said side wall extending transversely from said upper wall, a gap being formed between the upper wall of the cap and the top surface of the liner opposing the upper wall, an inclined inner surface of said liner to provide a tapered configuration to engage a variety of bottle necks of varying heights and diameters; a thread on said inclined inner surface; wherein the upper wall comprises at least one hole fit for an irrigation tube, and an air/water tube and the top surface comprises an opening configured to fit the irrigation tubing, wherein the liner is spaced apart from the opening, and the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant, wherein the cap has a reinforced rim above the opening to receive the irrigation tube, the liner comprising at least one aperture to receive the air/water tube and the irrigation tube. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a single deformable material. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the air/water tube and the irrigation tube are secured to the cap by an adhesive material. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two openings fits a gas tube. ### Claim 47 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the inclined inner surface of the liner comprises decreasing thickness in a direction transverse from the upper wall of the cap.