U.S. patent application number 10/702409 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for closure for a bottle.
Invention is credited to Roth, Donna, Roth, Henry.
Application Number | 20040217139 10/702409 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300274 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040217139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roth, Donna ; et
al. |
November 4, 2004 |
Closure for a bottle
Abstract
A closure for a bottle that defines a cavity opening to a mouth.
The closure includes a closure body having a base portion
configured to engage the bottle with the closure body positioned
over the mouth. A liquid passageway is defined by the base portion
and extends at least partially therethrough. A connector is
disposed on the closure body and is adapted to allow the closure
body to be detachably connected to an object.
Inventors: |
Roth, Donna; (Duxbury,
MA) ; Roth, Henry; (Duxbury, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
46300274 |
Appl. No.: |
10/702409 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10702409 |
Nov 5, 2003 |
|
|
|
29180775 |
Apr 30, 2003 |
|
|
|
D485757 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.7 ;
215/228; 215/237; 215/387; 215/399; 224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/243 20130101;
B65D 47/066 20130101; A45F 3/18 20130101; B65D 81/3484 20130101;
B65D 47/0842 20130101; B65D 51/242 20130101; B65D 23/003 20130101;
B65D 47/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.7 ;
215/228; 215/237; 215/387; 215/399; 224/269 |
International
Class: |
B65D 051/00; B65D
023/12; A45F 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A closure for a bottle defining a cavity opening to a mouth, the
closure comprising: a closure body having a base portion configured
to engage the bottle with the closure body positioned over the
mouth; a liquid passageway defined by the base portion and
extending at least partially therethrough; and a connector disposed
on the closure body and adapted to allow the closure body to be
detachably connected to an object.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the connector is located on the
closure body to extend generally outwardly away from the
bottle.
3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the connector is generally
symmetrically aligned about a longitudinal axis of the bottle.
4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the connector is a snap
hook.
5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the snap hook is integrally
formed with the closure body.
6. The closure of claim 4, wherein the closure body and the snap
hook are formed by a polymer, a portion of the snap hook having a
sufficiently thin cross-section to allow the portion to be
deflected.
7. The closure of claim 4, wherein the snap hook includes a lateral
support member that is connected to opposing lateral sides of the
snap hook and to a surface of the closure body that supports the
snap hook.
8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the connector is a U-shaped
member having first and second legs, the first leg being pivotably
connected to the closure body and the second leg being detachably
engageable with the closure body.
9. The closure of claim 8, wherein the connector incorporates a
bolt clip that is configured to detachably engage the closure
body.
10. The closure of claim 1, further comprising: a drinking spout
disposed on the base portion of the closure body and forming at
least part of the liquid passageway; the closure body including a
lid that is moveably connected to the base portion for motion
between a first position, in which the lid engages the base portion
and prevents access to the drinking spout, and a second position,
in which the lid is at least partially disengaged from the base
portion to allow access to the drinking spout.
11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the drinking spout is a
tube.
12. The closure of claim 10, wherein the drinking spout is a pull
top drinking spout.
13. The closure of claim 10, wherein the drinking spout is formed
by part of a straw.
14. The closure of claim 10, wherein the drinking spout is a
rotatable tube.
15. The closure of claim 10, wherein a surface of the lid, which
faces the base portion when the lid is in the first position, seals
the drinking spout while in the first position.
16. The closure of claim 15, wherein the surface includes a seal
which substantially prevents fluid flow from the bottle past the
lid when the lid is in the first position.
17. The closure of claim 10, wherein the closure further comprises
an annular envelope adapted to receive a portion of the bottle
defining the mouth therein.
18. The closure of claim 17, wherein the closure further comprises
a seal located within the envelope to generally reduce any liquid
transfer between the closure body and the bottle.
19. The closure of claim 17, wherein the annular envelope includes
at least one thread for engaging the bottle.
20. The closure of claim 17, further including an annular shroud
adapted to cover any interface between the annular envelope and the
bottle.
21. The closure of claim 20, wherein the closure body further
comprises a latch for detachably securing the lid in the first
position.
22. The closure of claim 21, wherein the annular shroud further
comprises a depressible section that releases the latch to allow
the lid to be moved from the first position.
23. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a thermal energy
storage member detachably connected to the base portion of the
closure body, wherein the base portion is configured to support the
thermal energy storage member within the cavity of the bottle when
the base portion is engaged with the bottle.
24. The closure of claim 10, wherein the lid and connector are
rotatable about a central closure axis regardless of whether the
lid is in the first or second position.
25. The closure of claim 24, wherein the base portion includes a
first part that is adapted to engage the bottle and a second part
that is rotationally connected to the first part.
26. The closure of claim 25, wherein the second part of the base
portion is rotationally connected to the first part via the
drinking spout.
27. The closure of claim 8, wherein the connector incorporates a
fastener on the second leg that is configured to detachably engage
the closure body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part and claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 from U.S. Design patent
application Ser. No. 29/180,775, filed Apr. 30, 2003, and entitled
"Lid for a Bottle", which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety as if fully set forth.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention is directed to closures for bottles
and, more specifically, to closures that allow bottles to be
detachably connected to objects.
[0003] Drinking bottles are typically carried by hand when their
owners are traveling and wish to bring along a beverage. In some
cases, drinking bottles are stored in backpacks or purses to
simplify carrying. However, while storing drinking bottles in
backpacks or the like may simplify carrying, it also increases the
amount of time necessary to drink from the bottle. Specifically, it
is necessary to open the backpack, locate the bottle, remove the
bottle from the backpack, and then open the bottle to begin to
drink.
[0004] It would be advantageous to provide a bottle that could be
attached to objects, for example, a belt loop or a purse strap, to
simplify the removal and reattachment of the bottle to facilitate
drinking therefrom.
SUMMARY
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
closure for a bottle that defines a cavity opening to a mouth. The
closure includes a closure body having a base portion configured to
engage the bottle with the closure body positioned over the mouth.
A liquid passageway is defined by the base portion and extends at
least partially therethrough. A connector is disposed on the
closure body and is adapted to allow the closure body to be
detachably connected to an object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,
there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently
preferred. It is understood, however, that the present invention is
not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown. In the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view a first preferred embodiment of
a closure according to the present invention; the closure includes
a closure body formed by a lid and a base portion with a connector
located on the lid; the connector is formed by a snap hook; the lid
is shown in a first position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 1 with the
lid pivoted away from the base of the closure body to allow access
to a drinking spout; the lid is in a second position in which the
lid is at least partially disengaged from the base portion;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 1 as
taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and illustrates a preferred
engagement of the closure of FIG. 1 with a bottle; a thermal energy
storing member can also be attached to the closure; the lid is in
the first position, in which the lid engages the base portion and
prevents access to the drinking spout;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of the closure of the present invention and illustrates
the liquid passageway through the base portion being part of a pull
top drinking spout;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 4
similar to that of FIG. 3 and illustrates a snap lever in a closed
position (shown in solid lines) and in an open position (shown in
dashed lines) to allow the snap hook to be engaged or disengaged
from an object;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3
illustrating a third preferred closure according to the present
invention; this closure has an enlarged U-shaped member that can
have one end detached from the base portion to allow the closure to
be attached to an object; the pull top drinking spout preferably
remains exposed regardless of whether the enlarged U-shaped member
is fully engaged with or partially disengaged from the base
portion;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3
illustrating a fourth preferred embodiment of the closure of the
present invention in which the snap lever is spring biased;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3
illustrating a fifth preferred embodiment of the closure of the
present invention in which the liquid passageway 38 is formed by a
straw 48;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth preferred
embodiment of the closure of the present invention in which the lid
and connector are configured to swivel about a longitudinal axis of
the bottle to simplify the engagement and disengagement of the
closure with an object;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3
illustrating a seventh preferred embodiment of a closure member
according to the present invention in which an enlarged U-shaped
snap member incorporates a fastener type connection;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3
illustrating an eighth preferred embodiment of a closure according
to the present invention in which the enlarged U-shaped member
incorporates a bolt clip;
[0018] FIG. 11A is cross-section a view similar to that of FIG. 3
illustrating an alternative embodiment of a closure according to
the present invention in which the snap hook is disposed on a side
of the closure;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3
illustrating a ninth preferred embodiment of a closure according to
the present invention in which the connector is disposed on the
bottle; and
[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3
illustrating a tenth preferred embodiment of a closure according to
the present invention in which the connector is located on an end
of the bottle opposite from the closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left,"
"top," and "bottom" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to
directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center
of the closure and designated parts thereof. The words "a" and
"one" are defined as including one or more of the referenced item
unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminology includes the
words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words
of similar import.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-13, wherein like numerals indicate like
elements throughout, ten preferred embodiments of a closure
according to the present invention are shown and generally
designated 20:1-20:10 respectively. Briefly stated, the present
invention is directed to a closure 20:1-20:10 for a bottle 34 that
increases the ease and enjoyment with which a user can carry and
drink from the bottle 34.
[0023] Many of the features of the closure 20:1-20:10 of the
present invention are similar and operate in a generally similar
fashion. For simplicity, the first preferred closure 20:1 will be
described and, thereafter, generally only the differences between
the first preferred closure 20:1 and the remaining preferred
closure assemblies 20:2-20:10 will be discussed. Accordingly, it is
understood that those features discussed in connection with any one
the embodiments of the closure 20:1-20:10 will operate generally
the same in the remaining embodiments unless otherwise
described.
[0024] It is preferred that the closure 20:1-20:10 be formed of a
durable, non-corrosive, compatible with food material, such as a
suitable polymer. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate from this disclosure that the closures 20:1-20:10 of the
present invention may be formed of any suitable material, such as
stainless steel or the like without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first preferred closure 20:1 of
the present invention is adapted for use with a bottle 34 that
defines a cavity 54 which opens to a mouth 56. The closure 20:1
includes a closure body 32 having a base portion 26 that is
configured to engage the bottle 34 with the closure body 32
positioned over the mouth 56.
[0026] As best shown in FIG. 3, the closure 32 preferably includes
an annular envelope 58 adapted to receive a portion of the bottle
34 which defines the mouth 56 therein. While the annular envelope
58 is shown being as generally rectilinear in cross-section, those
of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure
that the annular envelope 58 may be parabolic or otherwise
non-rectilinear in cross-section without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0027] It is preferred that the closure 20:1 include a seal 60 that
is positioned within the upper portion of the annular envelope 58
to create a generally liquid tight seal between the top of the
bottle mouth 56 and the closure 32 when the bottle 34 is fully
inserted into the annular envelope 58. The seal 60 generally
reduces any liquid transfer between the closure body 32 and the
bottle 34.
[0028] It is preferred that the annular envelope 58 include at
least one thread 62 for engaging the bottle 34. It is also
preferred that the closure 32 include an annular shroud 64 that is
adapted to cover any interface between the annular envelope 58 and
the bottle 34. It is preferred the annular shroud 64 flare
outwardly as one moves along the outer surface of the annular
shroud 64 downwardly toward the bottle and away from a drinking
spout 30 (further described below).
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, it is preferred that the closure body
32 include a latch 66 for detachably securing the lid 28 in a first
position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and further described below). It
is preferred that the annular shroud 64 include a depressible
section 68 that releases the latch 66 to allow the lid 28 to be
moved from the first position.
[0030] Referring again to FIG. 3, a liquid passageway 38 is defined
by the base portion 26 and extends at least partially therethrough.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 7-10, and 12, the liquid passageway 38 can
have various shapes without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a connector 24 is disposed on the
closure body 32 and is adapted to allow the closure body 32 to be
detachably connected to an object, such as a belt loop, a carry
strap, a purse strap, a cord, a loop, or the like. It is preferred
that the connector 24 is located on the closure body 32 to extend
generally outwardly away from the bottle 34. As shown in FIG. 1 the
connector 24 preferably extends generally upwardly from the lid 28.
However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from
this disclosure that the connector 24 can extend from a lateral
side of the closure body 32 or from a lateral side of the annular
shroud 64 without departing from the scope of the present
invention. It is preferable that the connector 24 is generally
symmetrically aligned about a longitudinal axis (the axis is shown
in FIG. 9 and identified by reference numeral "X") of the bottle
34.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, 8, 9, 12, and 13, it is preferable
that the connector 24 is a snap hook 22. It is preferred that the
snap hook 22 include a portion 42, also referred to as snap lever,
having a sufficiently thin cross section to allow the snap hook
portion 42 to be deflected (as shown in dashed lines). It is
preferred that the snap hook 22 is integrally formed with the
closure body 32. It is also preferred that the closure body 32 and
the snap hook 22 are formed by a suitable polymer. As best shown in
FIG. 1, it is also preferred that the snap hook 22 include a
lateral support member 70 that is connected to opposing lateral
sides 72 of the snap hook 22 and to a surface 74 of the closure
body 32 that supports the snap hook 22.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is preferred that a drinking
spout 30 is disposed on the base portion 26 of the closure body 32
and forms at least part of the liquid passageway 38. The closure
body 32 preferably includes a lid 28 that is moveably connected to
the base portion 26 due to a hinge connection 76. While the hinge
connection 76 is shown as a living hinge formed by a portion of the
closure body 32 those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that any hinge, torsion hinge, or suitable pivotable connector can
be used to moveably secure the lid 28 to the base portion 26
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0034] The lid 28 is moveable between a first position (shown in
FIG. 3), in which the lid 28 engages the base portion 26 and
prevents access to the drinking spout 30, and a second position
(shown in FIG. 2), in which the lid 28 is at least partially
disengaged from the base portion 26 to allow access to the drinking
spout 30. It is preferred that a surface 78 of the lid 28, which
faces the base portion 26 when the lid 28 is in the first position,
seals the drinking spout 30 while in the first position (shown in
FIG. 3). It is also preferred that the surface 78 include a seal 80
which substantially prevents fluid flow from the bottle 34 past the
lid 28 when the lid 28 is in the first position. Any known suitable
seal material may be used in conjunction with the lid surface
78.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the drinking spout 30 may be a tube 82
or the like. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the drinking spout 30 may
be a pull top 40 as well. Alternatively, the drinking spout may be
formed by part of a straw 48 as shown in FIG. 8. A drinking end 48A
of the straw is preferably bendable about an abutment 84 when the
lid 28 is in the first position. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate from this disclosure that the drinking spout may be
any known mechanism, such as a rotatable tube or the like, without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, a sixth preferred embodiment of the
closure 20:6 has a lid 28 and connector 24 that are rotatable about
a central axis "X" regardless of whether the lid 28 in the first or
second position. It is preferred that the base portion 26 include a
first part 86 that is adapted to engage the bottle and a second
part 88 that is rotatably connected to the first part 86. It is
preferred that the second part 88 of the base portion 26 is
rotatably connected to the first part 86 via the drinking spout
30.
[0037] It is preferred that the second part 88 have an inner ridge
90 that extends generally upwardly and inwardly in an annular
fashion about the drinking spout 30. It is also preferred that the
drinking spout 30 include a circumferential lip 92 that abuts the
inner ridge 90 of the second part 88 of the base portion 26 to
prevent the second part 88 from being disconnected from the first
part 86 of the base portion 26. An inwardly facing surface of the
inner ridge 90 forms a beveled surface 94 that faces generally
diagonally downwardly and inwardly toward the bottom center of the
closure body 32.
[0038] During assembly, the beveled surface 94 in combination with
the circumferential ridge 92 allows the second part 88 of the
closure body 32 to be downwardly depressed over the drinking spout
30 to snap into place for ease of manufacturing. Once the second
part 88 has been pressed downwardly so that beveled surface 94 is
past the circumferential lip 92, the top edge of the inner ridge 90
abuts the circumferential lip 92 and prevents removal of the second
part 88 from the drinking spout 30 that is preferably integrally
formed with the first part 86 of the closure body 32.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, a third embodiment of the closure body
32 includes a connector formed by an enlarged U-shaped member 44.
The right side of the enlarged U-shaped 44 member detachably
engages the base portion 26 to secure the connector 24 in the
closed position. To engage the closure 20:3 with an object, the
right side of the enlarged U-shaped member 44 is disengaged from
the base portion 26 so that the object can be inserted between the
lateral sides 72 of the enlarged U-shaped member 44. Then, the
right side of the enlarged U-shaped member 44 is reengaged with the
base portion 26 so that the latch 66 of the U-shaped member 44 is
secured thereto.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 7, as an alternative to the snap lever 42
being an integral part of the connector 24 and the lid 28, the snap
lever 42 may be a separate piece that is rotatably secured to the
lid 28 and biased into the closed position by an elastic member,
such as spring 46. Referring to FIG. 11, the connector 24 may be a
bolt clip or may be an enlarged U-shaped member 44 which
incorporates a bolt clip 52 therein. The bolt clip 52 may be
incorporated into the right leg of the U-shaped member 44 so that a
bolt 96 is sidably positioned therein. It is preferable that the
bolt 96 be biased downwardly by an elastic member 46 or the like. A
button 98 preferably protrudes through a slot 100 to allow a user
to manually move the bolt 96 upwardly to disengage the bolt 96 from
a bolt receptacle 102 disposed on either a lid or the base portion
26.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 10, the enlarged U-shaped member 44 may
use a fastener type connection 50 to secure the unhinged side to
the lid 28 or the base portion 26. For example, a threaded
projection 104 may be located on the base portion 26 to threadably
engage a sleeve to secure the right lateral side 72 of the U-shaped
member 44 in the closed position.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the closures 20:9-20:10 of the
present invention may include connectors 24 that are located on the
bottle 34. The placement of connectors 24 on the bottle 34 is
within the scope of the present invention.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 13, a thermal energy storing
member 36 may be attached to the inside of the inner wall which
preferably forms a part of the annular envelope 58. Details of the
engagement of the thermal energy storing member 36 with the closure
20:1-20:10 of the present invention are provided in U.S. Pat. No.
6,584,800, issued to Donna Roth and Hank Roth on Jul. 1, 2003,
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety as
if fully set forth.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of the present
invention operates as follows. A user attaches the bottle closure
20:1 to an object, such as a backpack strap, by depressing the snap
lever 42 to allow the back pack strap or the like to be placed
within the snap connector 22. Once the closure 20:1 and any
accompanying bottle is secured, a user may carry the closure 20:1
with ease. When a drink is desired, the snap lever 42 is depressed
to allow the closure 20:1 to be disengaged from the back pack strap
or the like. Then, the user presses the depressible section 68 to
disengage the latch 66 from the base portion 26. Then, the lid 28
is rotated from the first position (shown in FIG. 3) into the
second position (shown in FIG. 2) to allow the user to access the
drinking spout 30. Once the user is finished drinking from the
drinking spout 30, the lid 28 is moved into the first position such
that the latch 66 is engaged with the base portion 26. Then, the
closure 20:1 and accompanying bottle can be secured for transport
by depressing the snap lever 42 to engage the snap hook 22 with a
portion of an object. As detailed above, a few examples of the sort
of objects to which the closures can be attached are: backpacks,
clothes lines, purses, belts, belt loops, luggage straps,
drawstrings, loops, and the like.
[0045] While various shapes, connectors, drinking spouts, liquid
passageways, and types of base portions have been described above
and shown in the drawings for the various embodiments of the
closure 20:1-20:10 of the present invention, those of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any
combination of the above features, connectors, base portions or the
like can be used, in any combination, without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is recognized by
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that changes may be
made to the above described embodiments of the invention without
departing from the inventive concept thereof It is understood,
therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications
which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined by the appended claims and/or as shown in the attached
drawings.
* * * * *