U.S. patent application number 13/751092 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-31 for fully eversible beverage receptacle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Christopher John Plott, Jeffrey Stephen Plott. Invention is credited to Christopher John Plott, Jeffrey Stephen Plott.
Application Number | 20140209610 13/751092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51221811 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140209610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plott; Jeffrey Stephen ; et
al. |
July 31, 2014 |
FULLY EVERSIBLE BEVERAGE RECEPTACLE
Abstract
An elastomeric containment receptacle has at least one sidewall
defining a container substantially surrounding and enclosing a
predetermined volume for housing a substance to be contained within
the receptacle. The at least one sidewall includes a
substance-contacting surface. The receptacle is reversibly
transformable between a first stable conformation, wherein the
substance-contacting surface faces inward, and a second stable
conformation, wherein the substance-contacting surface faces
outward. In other words, the receptacle is fully eversible,
allowing for facile cleaning and drying of the receptacle interior.
The receptacle possesses sufficient structural strength to stand
without extraneous support. The eversible receptacle can be adapted
to serve as a nursing bottle or other beverage receptacle. The
receptacle can include a nipple or other receptacle cap, and an
attachment joint for securing the cap to the elastomeric
receptacle.
Inventors: |
Plott; Jeffrey Stephen;
(Algonac, MI) ; Plott; Christopher John; (Saint
Paul, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Plott; Jeffrey Stephen
Plott; Christopher John |
Algonac
Saint Paul |
MI
MN |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51221811 |
Appl. No.: |
13/751092 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/289 ;
220/200; 220/666 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2205 20130101;
A45F 3/16 20130101; A61J 11/008 20130101; A61J 9/005 20130101; A45F
3/20 20130101; A45F 3/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/289 ;
220/666; 220/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/08 20060101
B65D021/08 |
Claims
1. A receptacle for containing a substance comprising: at least one
sidewall having a contoured non-linear shape defining a container
substantially surrounding and enclosing a predetermined volume for
housing the substance contained within the receptacle, wherein the
at least one sidewall includes a substance-contacting surface,
wherein the container is reversibly eversible, such that the
container reversibly transforms between a first stable conformation
sufficiently stable to stand upright, wherein the
substance-contacting surface faces inward, and a second stable
conformation sufficiently stable to stand upright, wherein the
substance-contacting surface faces outward; and a buckle region of
the sidewall extending peripherally adjacent to a lower portion of
the container allowing the buckle region to strategically deform
making eversion of the container easier.
2. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is resilient,
and has sufficient yield strain to prevent permanent deformation
and fatigue failure of sidewall material after repeated
eversions.
3. A receptacle for containing a substance comprising: at least one
elastomeric sidewall having a contoured non-linear shape defining a
container having a first surface, the container being reversibly
eversible between first and second stable conformations, the first
stable conformation defined by the first surface facing inward, and
the second stable conformation defined by the first surface facing
outward, the at least one elastomeric sidewall having resilience,
wherein each of the first and second stable conformations is
sufficiently stable to stand upright with no additional support,
and having sufficient yield strain to prevent permanent deformation
and fatigue failure of the elastomeric sidewall after repeated
eversions; and a buckle region of the sidewall extending
peripherally adjacent to a lower portion of the container allowing
the buckle region to strategically deform making eversion of the
container easier.
4. A receptacle for containing a substance comprising: a
containment element including a contiguous containment wall having
a contoured non-linear shape defining an open end, the contiguous
containment wall having a first surface, the containment wall being
composed substantially of an elastomeric material, the containment
element being reversibly eversible, wherein the containment element
reversibly transforms between a normal stable conformation with the
first surface facing inward, and an everted stable conformation
with the first surface facing outward, wherein each of the first
and second stable conformations is sufficiently stable to stand
upright; and a buckle region of the sidewall extending peripherally
adjacent to a lower portion of the container allowing the buckle
region to strategically deform making eversion of the container
easier.
5. The receptacle of claim 4 further comprising: a capping element
having an attachable surface to removably cover the open end of the
containment element when in the normal stable conformation where
the first surface faces inward.
6. The receptacle of claim 5 further comprising: an attachment
member to reversibly join the capping element to the open end of
the containment element and provide a fluid tight seal between the
capping element and the containment element.
7. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the attachment member
includes a rigid sleeve of a size to encircle the containment
element, wherein a perimeter of the open end has an engagement lip
releasably engageable with the attachment member for reversibly and
sealingly engaging the capping element.
8. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the containment wall of the
containment element further comprises: a sidewall contiguous with
the open end, and an end wall contiguous with the sidewall opposite
from the open end.
9. The receptacle of claim 8, wherein the end wall further
comprises: a conical indentation, extending into an interior of the
receptacle when in the normal stable conformation.
10. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric material is
silicone.
11. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric material has
a Young's modulus between approximately 1 megapascal (MPa) to
approximately 7 megapascal (MPa).
12. The receptacle of claim 4 further comprising: a capping element
having a nipple shaped surface with an outwardly projecting annular
flange portion; and an attachment member including a first rigid
sleeve having an inwardly-facing threaded portion adjacent one end,
the first rigid sleeve of a size to encircle the nipple shaped
surface while engaging with the annular flange portion of the
capping element and fit over the open end of the containment
element, and a second rigid sleeve having an outwardly-facing
complementary threaded portion and of a size to be fit within the
threaded portion of the first sleeve, such that when the threaded
portions of the first and second sleeves are juxtaposed with
respect to one another, and the threaded portions of the first and
second sleeves are engaged and tightened via rotary displacement, a
fluid tight seal is formed between the annular flange portion of
the capping element and the open end of the containment
element.
13. The receptacle of claim 4 further comprising: a capping element
having a rigid body with a first threaded portion, a protruding
passage defining an aperture formed in the rigid body, and a cover
element for reversibly covering the protruding passage defining the
aperture, the covering element attached to the capping element; and
an attachment member having a rigid sleeve with a second threaded
portion complementary to the first threaded portion, and wherein
the sleeve is of a size to fit over the open end of the containment
element, such that when the threaded portions of the capping
element and attachment member are engaged and tightened via rotary
displacement, the capping element and the open end of the
containment element are reversibly brought into contact.
14. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the buckle region of the
containment wall further comprises: a buckle point defined by a
region of the containment wall having a first wall thickness, where
the buckle point having the first wall thickness is less than a
second wall thickness of other portions of the containment
wall.
15. The receptacle of claim 14, wherein the buckle point includes
the first wall thickness of approximately 1.5 millimeter (mm), and
other portions of the containment wall includes the second wall
thickness of at least approximately 2 millimeter (mm).
16. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the buckle region of the
containment wall further comprises: a buckle point defined by a
region of the containment wall having a first Young's modulus less
than a second Young's modulus of other portions of the containment
wall.
17. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the containment element is
resilient, and has sufficient yield strain to prevent permanent
deformation and fatigue failure of the containment wall after
repeated eversions.
18. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the sidewall further
comprises ridges defined by annular regions of increased sidewall
thickness relative to other portions of the sidewall.
19. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the containment wall further
comprises inserts of rigid material.
20. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the buckle region further
comprises: one of a decreased thickness region relative to other
portions of the sidewall and a decreased Young's modulus relative
to other portions of the sidewall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to receptacles, such as beverage
receptacles, which are constructed substantially of an elastomeric
material such that the receptacles are fully eversible and
resilient.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Beverage receptacles can be difficult to clean, as an
inherent consequence of the basic shape requirements. In
particular, the beverage contacting surface is not amenable to
manual washing, as the interior surface is recessed and difficult
to contact. This is particularly the case for beverage receptacles
which often contain powdered drinks, such as baby formula or
protein powder. Nursing bottles, for example, often need to be
washed with an extended scrubbing brush which is capable of
accessing the inner recesses of the receptacle. Failure to properly
clean the inner portion of a beverage receptacle can result in
microbiotic growth, and illness for subsequent users of the
receptacle.
[0003] Various solutions to these problems have been proposed by
those skilled in the art. For example, see U.S. Published
Application No. 2009/0108009; Japanese Published Application No.
JP200393477; PCT Published Application No. WO2012/115491; Korean
Publication No. 1020110024959; U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,271; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,591,110; PCT Published Application No. WO2010/121800; and a
commercialized product sold under the name of TIGEX
(http://www.tigex.com/uk/content/reversible-cup). While each of
these products appears suitable for its intended purpose, none of
these configurations provide a satisfactory solution to the need
for a simple and effective way to expose an interior surface of a
container for cleaning and drying purposes.
[0004] Thus, there has been a long felt, unresolved need for a
receptacle which provides facile access to, washability and drying
of, the inner, or beverage-contacting, surface.
SUMMARY
[0005] A beverage receptacle for easy cleaning and drying can
include a sidewall and an open end. The sidewall can be
manufactured substantially of an elastomeric material, such that
the receptacle can be fully eversible as well as resilient. The
receptacle can be transformed, via eversion, between two stable
conformations. The first stable conformation can be suitable for
containing a beverage, or other substance, and the second stable
conformation can expose the beverage contacting surface, thereby
facilitating cleaning and drying. The receptacle can be resilient,
having the capability of maintaining shape in either stable
conformation. When in the first stable conformation, the receptacle
can be capable of standing upright without assistance.
[0006] A capping element can be provided to reversibly cover an
open end of the receptacle. The capping element can be reversibly
joined to the open end of the receptacle by an attachment joint to
create a fluid tight seal between the open end of the receptacle
and the capping element. The receptacle can sometimes be referred
to herein as a "containment element".
[0007] The receptacle can define an easily cleanable nursing
bottle, including an eversible sidewall forming the receptacle, a
nipple shaped capping element, and an attachment member. The
receptacle, when in the first stable conformation, can be filled
with a fluid or liquid such as milk or baby formula, and the nipple
can be reversibly attached to the receptacle for drinking. When the
receptacle is emptied of fluid or liquid contents, the nipple can
be removed from the receptacle and the receptacle can be everted to
the second stable conformation. The beverage contacting surface can
then be easily and thoroughly cleaned, e.g. with a soapy
sponge.
[0008] A further aspect of the invention relates to an easily
cleaned or dried general use beverage receptacle, such as can be
used for a sports drink or a protein shake. In this aspect, the
beverage receptacle can include an eversible receptacle, a rigid
cap with a drinking opening, and an attachment member.
[0009] Other applications of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description
of a possible mode contemplated for practicing the invention is
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a receptacle in a first
stable conformation prior to undergoing eversion;
[0012] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a receptacle undergoing
eversion;
[0013] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a receptacle in a second
stable conformation after undergoing eversion;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
receptacle of FIG. 1A in the first stable conformation;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a nursing bottle including a
containment element, a nipple-shaped capping element, and an
attachment member having two sleeves;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the attachment member of FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified version of
the attachment member of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the receptacle
of FIG. 1A in the first stable conformation;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a general use bottle,
including a containment element, a rigid cap with an optional
protruding aperture and reversible aperture cover, and an
attachment member having one sleeve;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the receptacle
of FIG. 7, including inserts of rigid material in the receptacle
sidewall; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the receptacle of FIG.
7, additionally including molded ridges in the receptacle
sidewall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-9, a receptacle 10 is disclosed
and illustrated to be more amenable to interior cleaning and drying
than a typical receptacle. In particular, the receptacle 10 can
include at least one sidewall 12 defining an open end 14, where the
receptacle 10 is designed to surround and contain a fluid beverage
or other material. The receptacle 10 is eversible, wherein the term
"eversible" is used herein to describe a receptacle capable of
being reversibly "turned inside out", transforming the receptacle
10 between a material holding conformation 10a and an everted
conformation 10b for ease of cleaning and drying "interior"
surfaces 12a of the material holding conformation. In other words,
the everted conformation of the receptacle 10 enables facile
cleaning and drying of a first surface 12a which is interior in the
material holding conformation opposite from an "exterior" or second
surface 12b which faces outwardly in the material holding
conformation 10a. The receptacle 10 can be composed substantially
of a material which possesses a sufficient Young's modulus and
sidewall 12 thicknesses to avoid substantial transient deformation
of the sidewall 12 under the force of weight of the receptacle
10.
[0023] The term "receptacle", as used herein, can refer to a
container including at least one sidewall 12 defining at least one
open end 14. The container or receptacle 10 can be capable of
partly surrounding and thereby containing a material or substance.
The material or substance so contained can be a liquid, such as a
beverage or other liquid, a solid, a gas, or any mixture or other
combination of solid, liquid, and/or gas, or any intermediate
states thereof. The receptacle 10 can be eversible. When a
substance contacts the first surface 12a of the receptacle 10 when
the receptacle 10 is in the first stable state 10a, the receptacle
can be said to be containing the substance or housing the
substance.
[0024] The term "eversible" as used herein, can be defined as the
receptacle being completely "turned inside out". The term
"eversible" as used herein, can be further defined as the
receptacle 10 being reversibly transformable between two stable
conformations, wherein an interior surface and an exterior surface
are reversed with respect to one another. In the first stable
conformation 10a, the receptacle can have a material contacting
surface 12a facing inward, and a second surface 12b facing outward.
In the second stable conformation, the material contacting surface
12a faces outward, and the second surface 12b faces inward. Any
transformation of the receptacle 10 from the first stable state 10a
to the second stable state 10b, or vice versa, can be referred to
as an eversion. Any multiplicity of such eversions can be referred
to as repeated eversions.
[0025] The receptacle 10 can also be resilient. The term
"resilient", as used herein, can be defined as the receptacle 10
being resistant to permanent deformation. The term "resilient" as
used herein can be further defined as the receptacle 10 having a
tendency to return to one of the two stable conformations, if
deformed. The term "resilient" as used herein can further be
defined as the receptacle 10 having a tendency to resist
deformation, permanently or transiently, due to a weight of the
receptacle 10. The resilience of the receptacle 10 can be described
in terms of yield strain, which as used herein can be defined as
the stress or force at which the sidewall 12 begins to deform.
Specifically, the sidewall material can be described in terms of
fatigue failure. In such cases, the term "fatigue failure of the
sidewall material" can refer to the situation where eversion, or
repeated eversions, results in permanent deformation of the
sidewall material.
[0026] The receptacle 10 can also be described in terms of fatigue
failure. The term "fatigue failure" as used herein, can refer to
the situation where eversion, or repeated eversions, results in
permanent deformation of the receptacle 10.
[0027] The term "capping element" 16, as used herein, can be
defined as a physical structure reversibly engageable with the open
end 14 of the receptacle 10. The capping element 16 at least
partially covers the open end 14 of the receptacle 10, and at least
partially inhibits the exit of any contained material from the
receptacle 10. The capping element 16 can comprise at least one
surface, wherein the surface is capable of being attached to the
open end 14 of the receptacle. Such a surface can be referred to as
an "attachable surface". When attachment of the capping element 16
to the open end 14 of the receptacle 10 results in formation of a
fluid tight seal, it can be said that the receptacle is "sealingly
engaging" the capping element.
[0028] The term "attachment member" 30, as used herein, is defined
as at least one physical structure facilitating engagement of the
capping element 16 to the open end 14 of the receptacle 10, or
tending to inhibit disengagement of the capping element 16 from the
engagement member 30.
[0029] The receptacle 10 can include a sidewall 12 made
substantially of an elastomeric material. The term "elastomeric" is
well known to those skilled in the art. As used herein,
"elastomeric" or "elastomers" can include resilient polymeric
materials having a Young's modulus of between approximately 1
megapascal (MPa) to approximately 7 megapascal (MPa), inclusive.
Young's modulus, also known as tensile modulus or elastic modulus,
also sometimes referred to as the modulus of elasticity, is a
measure of stiffness of an elastic material. Young's modulus is
defined as the ratio of the uniaxial stress over the uniaxial
strain in the range of stress in which Hooke's law holds, which
states that the displacement of a spring is in direct proportion
with a load applied to the spring as long as the load does not
exceed an elastic limit of the material. Young's modulus can be
experimentally determined from the initial, linear slope portion of
a stress-strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a
sample of the material. By way of example and not limitation,
suitable elastomeric materials can include varieties of silicone,
or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or thermoplastic polyurethane
(TPU), or latex rubber. Suitable varieties of silicone can include
silicone rubber, liquid silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber,
silicone-modified ethylene propylene rubber, silicone polyester
resin, silicone alkyd resin, silicone epoxy resin, and any
combinations thereof. When the sidewall 12 comprises an elastomeric
material, this can be referred to as an elastomeric sidewall.
[0030] A capping element 16 can be made substantially of an
elastomeric material. Alternatively, the capping element 16 can be
made substantially of a rigid material. The term "rigid", as used
herein, can be defined to refer to a material which does not deform
during typical use, and can possess, but need not necessarily
possess, a Young's modulus of greater than approximately 1
gigapascal (GPa), inclusive. The receptacle 10 as disclosed herein
can be made substantially of an elastomeric material, and can
include inserts 45, as best seen in FIG. 8, of a rigid or
semi-rigid material. The term "semi-rigid", as used herein, is
defined to refer to a material with a Young's modulus of greater
than approximately 7 megapascal (MPa) and less than approximately 1
gigapascal (GPa), inclusive. The inserts 45 can be completely
embedded within the receptacle sidewall 12 of the receptacle 10.
Individual inserts can be annular in shape and can extend along an
entire periphery or perimeter of the receptacle containment
element. Inserts 45 can be included in any number, and with any
spacing between inserts. By way of example and not limitation, the
inserts can have equidistant spacing with respect to one
another.
[0031] The receptacle 10 can include a sidewall 12 defining an open
end 14, and an end wall 20 opposite the open end 14. Typically, the
sidewall will be contiguous to, or directly adjoining the open end.
If an end wall is present, it will typically be contiguous to, or
directly adjoining the sidewall. The phrase "containment wall" can
be used to refer to either the sidewall, or to the sidewall and the
end wall together. The end wall 20 can include an indentation 22 in
the end wall 20. The indentation 22 can extend inwardly with a
conical shape or can include any other shape, by way of example and
not limitation, such as semi-spherical, cylindrical, pyramidal, or
trapezoidal. When the shape of the indentation is conical, it can
be referred to as a "conical indentation". The end wall 20 can
include an eversion handle 24. The term "eversion handle" 24, as
used herein, is defined to refer to areas 24a of the sidewall 12 or
end wall 20 possessing localized increased thickness relative to
other portions of the sidewall 12 or end wall 20, and can be used
for facilitating manual eversion of the receptacle 10.
[0032] The receptacle 10 can include one or more buckle points 26,
as best seen in FIG. 6, formed integrally with the sidewall 12. The
term "buckle point" 26, as used herein, can be defined to refer to
a designed in transition point to a decreased thickness region 26a
relative to other portions of the sidewall 12 where the bottle will
tend to strategically deform, making eversion easier. If one or
more buckle points 26 are provided, the one or more buckle points
26 would tend to be a region 26a, as best seen in FIG. 6, first to
deform during eversion of the receptacle 10.
[0033] The receptacle 10 can include an annular engagement lip 28,
as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. The term "engagement lip" 28, as
used herein, can be defined to refer to an outward protrusion 28
around the perimeter 14a, as best seen in FIG. 1A, of the open end
14 of the receptacle 10. The engagement lip 28 can assist in
securing an attachment member 30 to the receptacle sidewall 12. The
engagement lip 28 can additionally include a sealing lip 29 as best
seen in FIG. 5. The term "sealing lip" 29, as used herein, can be
defined to refer to an upward protrusion 29a, or downward
protrusion 29b around the perimeter of the engagement lip 28. The
sealing lip 29 can tend to cause increased pressure between a
capping element 16 and the open end 14 of the receptacle 10, when
an attachment member 30 is engaged. An annular flange 34 can be
provided on a capping element 16. The term "annular flange" 34 as
used herein, can be defined to refer to a ring-shaped protrusion
34a around the base of the capping element 16 which holds an
attachment member 30 in position to effect reversible attachment of
a capping element 16 to the receptacle 10.
[0034] The receptacle 10 can include an open end 14 defined by one
or more sidewalls 12, and an end wall 20, wherein a thickness of
the end wall 20 is greater than a thickness of the sidewall 12. By
way of example and not limitation, a thickness of the end wall 20
can be approximately 2 millimeters (mm) and a thickness of the
sidewall can be approximately 1.5 millimeters (mm). In other words,
the buckle point 26 or region 26a can include a first wall
thickness of approximately 1.5 millimeter (mm), and other portions
of the containment walls include a second wall thickness of at
least approximately 2 millimeter (mm). Alternatively, the buckle
point 26 or area 26a can be defined by a region of the containment
wall having a first Young's modulus less than a second Young's
modulus of other portions of the containment wall.
[0035] The receptacle 10 can be configured to enclose a beverage.
When in a first stable conformation 10a, a first surface 12a of the
receptacle 10 can face inwardly toward an interior of the
receptacle 10. When in a second stable conformation 10b, the first
surface 12a can face outwardly toward an exterior of the receptacle
10 to be particularly amenable to cleaning and drying after
eversion of the receptacle 10 from the first stable conformation
10a (as best seen in FIG. 1A) to a second stable conformation 10b
(as best seen in FIG. 1C). The first stable conformation was
referred to above as the material holding conformation, and can
also be referred to as the normal stable conformation. The second
stable conformation was referred to above as the everted
conformation, and can also be referred to as the everted stable
conformation. By way of example and not limitation, the receptacle
10 can be made in the form of a nursing bottle, or other beverage
container for general beverage storing or drinking use. The
eversion of the receptacle 10 can facilitate cleaning milk, baby
formula, protein powder, or other liquid or solid beverage residues
from the beverage contacting surface 12a of the receptacle 10.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, a receptacle 10 is illustrated
undergoing reversible eversion, between a first stable conformation
10a and a second stable conformation 10b. By way of example and not
limitation, FIG. 1B illustrates a possible eversion midpoint 10c,
between a normal use first stable conformation 10a shown in FIG. 1A
and complete eversion stable conformation 10b shown in FIG. 1C used
for cleaning and drying. The possible eversion midpoint 10c
demonstrates a possible manner of eversion, but does not imply a
required direction, sequence, or manner of the manual eversion
process. The receptacle 10 includes a sidewall 12 defining an open
end 14. The sidewall 12 can include a contained
substance-contacting surface 12a and a non-contacting surface 12b.
In the first stable conformation 10a, the contained
substance-contacting surface 12a faces inwardly toward an interior
of the receptacle 10, while the non-contacting surface 12b faces
outward. In the second stable conformation 10b, the contained
substance-contacting surface 12a faces outward and the
non-contacting surface 12b faces inwardly toward an interior of the
receptacle 10.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-section of sidewall 12 is
illustrated. The receptacle 10 can include an end wall 20. The end
wall 20 can include an indentation 22, by way of example and not
limitation, such as of conical shape. The sidewall 12 can include a
buckle point 26, an engagement lip 28, and sealing lip 29.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, by way of example and not
limitation, the receptacle 10 can be made in the form of a nursing
bottle 10. The receptacle 10 can include a capping element 16 and
an attachment member 30. The capping element 16 can be formed in
the shaped of a nipple. Alternatively, the capping element 16 can
be formed in the shape of a disk, a cylinder, or any other shape
which would serve the purpose of inhibiting exit of contained
material from the receptacle 10. FIG. 3 additionally illustrates a
protrusion 18 on the capping element 16 to help in taking the cap
element 16 on and off from the receptacle 10. The protrusion 18
illustrated in FIG. 3 is incorporated into the attachment member
30. Additionally, receptacle 10 can include an optional one-way
valve to diminish negative pressure inside the receptacle created
as receptacle contents are evacuated, and can alternatively be
incorporated into a receptacle sidewall 12, end wall 20,
indentation 22, or capping element 16.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, a longitudinal detailed
cross-section view of the receptacle 10 of FIG. 2 is illustrated.
By way of example and not limitation, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the
attachment member 30 can include two sleeves 30a, 30b with
complementary threading 33. One sleeve 30a can engage with the
receptacle 10, while the other sleeve 30b can engage the capping
element 16.
[0040] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the attachment
member 30 can include a single threaded sleeve, wherein the
threading 33a on the attachment member 30 is complementary to
threading 33b on the capping element 16. Still referring to FIG. 5,
the attachment member 30 can include a single threaded sleeve,
which includes threading 33a, the threading 33a being complementary
to threading 33b which is directly molded onto the capping element
16.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 6, a detailed cross section view of
the sidewall 12 of the receptacle 10 is shown. The illustrated area
depicts a buckle point 26 in the sidewall 12. The buckle point 26
can be approximately 1.5 millimeters (mm) thick, while other
regions of sidewall 12 can be approximately 2 mm thick. In other
embodiments, buckle point 26 can have a first Young's modulus less
than a second Young's modulus of other regions of sidewall 12. The
buckle point 26 can extend along an entire periphery or perimeter
of the receptacle 10 to define a buckle region 26a.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 7, the receptacle 10 is illustrated in
a first stable conformation 10a with an attachment member 30, and a
capping element 16 composed substantially of rigid material. The
capping element 16 can include a protruding passage 40 defining an
aperture and a removable cap 41. The protruding passage 40 can
serve as an exit point for receptacle contents, for example for
drinking a beverage from the receptacle. The removable cap 41 can
serve to reversibly cover the protruding passage 40 to thereby
reversibly prevent evacuation of receptacle contents.
[0043] Referring again to FIGS. 3-4, the capping element 16 can
have a nipple shaped surface with an outwardly projecting annular
flange portion. An attachment member can include a first rigid
sleeve 30a having an inwardly-facing threaded portion 33 adjacent
one end. The first rigid sleeve can be of a size to encircle the
nipple shaped surface while engaging with the annular flange
portion of the capping element 16 and fit over the open end 14 of
the containment element 10. A second rigid sleeve 30b can have an
outwardly-facing complementary threaded portion 33 and can be of a
size to be fit within the threaded portion 33 of the first sleeve
30a, such that when the threaded portions 33 of the first and
second sleeves 30a, 30b are juxtaposed with respect to one another,
and the threaded portions 33 of the first and second sleeves 30a,
30b are engaged and tightened via rotary displacement, a fluid
tight seal is formed between the annular flange portion of the
capping element 16 and the open end 14 of the containment element
10.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 7-8, the capping element 16 can have a
rigid body with a first threaded portion. A protruding passage 40
can define an aperture formed in the rigid body. A cover element 41
can be provided for reversibly covering the protruding passage 40
defining the aperture. The covering element 41 can be attached to
the capping element 16. An attachment member 30 can have a rigid
sleeve with a second threaded portion 33b complementary to the
first threaded portion 33a. The sleeve can be of a size to fit over
the open end of the containment element, such that when the
threaded portions of the capping element 16 and attachment member
30 are engaged and tightened via rotary displacement, the capping
element 16 and the open end 14 of the containment element 10 are
reversibly brought into contact.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 8, a detailed longitudinal
cross-sectional view of sidewall 12 of the receptacle of FIG. 7 is
illustrated. The receptacle sidewall 12 can include inserts 45 of
rigid material. As used herein, the phrase "inserts of rigid
material" can be defined as referring to annular inserts of
material, fully embedded within the receptacle sidewall 12, and
composed substantially of material which is rigid or semi-rigid as
defined above. Such rigid inserts can improve the structural
stability of receptacle 10 when in stable conformation 10a. It
should be recognized that inserts 45 can be used in the sidewall 12
of any configuration of the receptacle 10, and are not limited to
use in the specific sidewall configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7
and 8.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 9, a detailed longitudinal
cross-sectional view of sidewall 12 of a receptacle 10 is depicted.
The receptacle sidewall 12 can include sidewall ridges 46. The
phrase "sidewall ridges" as used herein can be defined to refer to
annular regions of increased sidewall thickness, relative to other
portions of the sidewall 12, and which are substantially parallel
to the perimeter 14a of the open end 14 of the receptacle 10. The
sidewall ridges 46 can improve the structural stability of
receptacle 10 when in the stable conformation 10a, or can
facilitate holding of receptacle 10. It should be recognized that
the sidewall ridges 46 can be used in the sidewall 12 of any
configuration of the receptacle 10 and is not limited to use in the
specific sidewall configuration illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0047] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which
scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is
permitted under the law.
* * * * *
References