How a Refillable Capsule Plug Seals Cleaning Concentrates
A specialized plug design for refillable cleaning product capsules that ensures a secure, leak-proof seal when the capsule is attached to a bottle.
Original patent title: “Capsule and plug for a concentrated refill capsule”
A specialized plug design for refillable cleaning product capsules that ensures a secure, leak-proof seal when the capsule is attached to a bottle. Granted to Conopco Inc in 2024 with 21 claims and 2 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a mechanical plug used in a refillable capsule system, such as those for concentrated cleaning liquids. The plug features a tubular body with a specific rim and skirt design that creates a recess, allowing it to interface perfectly with a bottle's opening. It includes a frangible (breakable) seal that acts as a gatekeeper; when the capsule is pressed onto the bottle, the plug's abutment surface pushes against this seal to open the flow of concentrated liquid into the bottle. The design ensures that the connection is stable and aligned, preventing leaks during the mixing process.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the chemical composition of the concentrated liquid inside the capsule.
- Does not cover non-frangible sealing mechanisms like screw-on caps or threaded closures.
- Does not cover the specific design of the refillable vessel itself, only the plug interface.
- Does not cover pump-action or spray-trigger mechanisms used to dispense the final product.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The plug uses a specific 'frangible sealing component' that breaks only when the plug is correctly seated, ensuring the concentrate is released cleanly into the bottle without dripping or premature exposure to air.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Refillable concentrated cleaning spray systems
Household detergent refill capsules
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As consumer goods companies move toward sustainability, refillable systems are becoming the standard for reducing plastic waste. This patent protects the mechanical reliability of the interface between a concentrated refill and a permanent bottle, which is the most common point of failure for these products.
Filed
May 22, 2020
Granted
April 16, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Conopco Inc (a subsidiary of Unilever) is the primary assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →. They are actively integrating these refill technologies into their global home care brands to meet plastic reduction goals.
Market impact
This patent supports the transition from single-use plastic bottles to concentrated refill models. By standardizing the interface, it helps manufacturers create a reliable ecosystem where consumers can reuse durable spray bottles while buying only the concentrated refills, directly impacting the supply chain for household cleaning products.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a mechanical plug used in a refillable capsule system, such as those for concentrated cleaning liquids. The plug features a tubular body with a specific rim and skirt design that creates a recess, allowing it to interface perfectly with a bottle's opening. It includes a frangible (breakable) seal that acts as a gatekeeper; when the capsule is pressed onto the bottle, the plug's abutment surface pushes against this seal to open the flow of concentrated liquid into the bottle. The design ensures that the connection is stable and aligned, preventing leaks during the mixing process.
The clever bit
The plug uses a specific 'frangible sealing component' that breaks only when the plug is correctly seated, ensuring the concentrate is released cleanly into the bottle without dripping or premature exposure to air.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the chemical composition of the concentrated liquid inside the capsule.
- Does not cover non-frangible sealing mechanisms like screw-on caps or threaded closures.
- Does not cover the specific design of the refillable vessel itself, only the plug interface.
- Does not cover pump-action or spray-trigger mechanisms used to dispense the final product.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
14/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$53K – $168K
Midpoint $105K · 13.9 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
21 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Bookelmann, M. L., Boer, S. W. J. D., & Zwartkruis, S. B. (2024). How a Refillable Capsule Plug Seals Cleaning Concentrates (U.S. Patent No. 11,958,662). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11958662/starlink-gen-3
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Refillable Capsule Plug Seals Cleaning Concentrates cover?
A specialized plug design for refillable cleaning product capsules that ensures a secure, leak-proof seal when the capsule is attached to a bottle.
Who owns patent US 11958662?
Conopco Inc owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 16, 2044, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11958662 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
As consumer goods companies move toward sustainability, refillable systems are becoming the standard for reducing plastic waste. This patent protects the mechanical reliability of the interface between a concentrated refill and a permanent bottle, which is the most common point of failure for these products.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the chemical composition of the concentrated liquid inside the capsule.
Same assignee
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