U.S. patent application number 14/464612 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for fluid container cover.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lifefactory, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daren Edward Joy, Jeffrey Kapec, Kazuna Tanaka.
Application Number | 20140353323 14/464612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50192675 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140353323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joy; Daren Edward ; et
al. |
December 4, 2014 |
Fluid Container Cover
Abstract
A fluid container includes a spout and a cap, where the spout
has an actuation portion that is inclined with respect to a
drinking portion of the spout. The spout is actuated from a closed
position to an open position with an external force applied on the
actuation portion. A channel through the spout encompasses an
oblique angle, and the spout is pivotally coupled to the cap at a
fulcrum point. The fulcrum point is laterally offset from an
aperture in the cap, where the aperture forms a passageway through
a thickness of the cap. The channel adjoins the aperture when the
spout is in the open position.
Inventors: |
Joy; Daren Edward;
(Sausalito, CA) ; Tanaka; Kazuna; (Cos Cob,
CT) ; Kapec; Jeffrey; (Westport, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lifefactory, Inc. |
Sausalito |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50192675 |
Appl. No.: |
14/464612 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14080184 |
Nov 14, 2013 |
8827099 |
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14464612 |
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13781758 |
Mar 1, 2013 |
8668106 |
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14080184 |
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61728452 |
Nov 20, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/708 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2266 20130101;
B65D 47/305 20130101; B65D 51/242 20130101; B65D 51/24 20130101;
A47G 19/2272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/708 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/24 20060101
B65D051/24 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A drinking container cover comprising: a cap adapted to be
coupled to a drinking container, the cap having a top surface, the
top surface having a cap diameter; and a spout having a drinking
end, an actuation end and a fulcrum point, wherein the spout is
pivotally coupled to the cap at the fulcrum point, and wherein the
spout further comprises a channel extending through the spout from
the actuation end to the drinking end of the spout; wherein the cap
comprises an aperture forming a passageway that allows fluid to
pass from an underside of the cap and through the spout; wherein
the fulcrum point of the spout is positioned between the aperture
in the cap and the actuation end of the spout, the fulcrum being
laterally offset from the aperture in a radial direction with
respect to a circumference of the cap; wherein the spout is capable
of being actuated by an external pushing force applied on the spout
near the actuation end of the spout; wherein the spout moves from a
closed position to an open position when actuated; wherein when in
the closed position, the drinking end of the spout is within the
cap diameter; and wherein when in the open position, (i) the
aperture in the cap is in fluid communication with the channel
through the spout and (ii) the drinking end of the spout extends
past the cap diameter such that the drinking end overhangs the
cap.
22. The drinking container cover of claim 21, wherein the cap
further comprises a depression on the top surface of the cap, and
wherein the depression is shaped to receive the spout and comprises
a raised lip.
23. The drinking container cover of claim 22, wherein in the closed
position, the drinking end of the spout is surrounded by the raised
lip of the depression.
24. The drinking container cover of claim 22, wherein the raised
lip encloses all of the depression.
25. The drinking container cover of claim 21, wherein the spout
further comprises an actuation portion extending from the actuation
end to less than the fulcrum point, and wherein the actuation
portion is inclined with respect to the drinking portion.
26. The drinking container cover of claim 25, wherein the inclined
actuation portion has a height configured to allow actuation of the
spout by one hand, and wherein the hand holds a drinking container
with the drinking cover attached and actuates the spout with a
finger of the same hand.
27. The drinking container cover of claim 21, wherein the channel
extends from the drinking end to the actuation end of the spout,
and wherein the channel forms an oblique angle.
28. The drinking container cover of claim 21, wherein the drinking
end of the spout is capable of being rotated substantially more
than 90 degrees to the open position.
29. The drinking container cover of claim 21, wherein the spout
pivots upwardly with respect to the top surface of the cap, when
moving from the closed to the open position.
30. The drinking container cover of claim 21, further comprising a
handle positioned on an outside perimeter of the cap.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/080,184, entitled "Fluid Container Cover"
and filed on Nov. 14, 2013; which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/781,758, entitled "Fluid Container Cover"
and filed on Mar. 1, 2013, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,668,106;
which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/728,452 filed Nov. 20, 2012 and entitled "Straw Cap Bottle", all
of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Active lifestyles necessitate that those who engage in them
constantly be on the go. Good health demands that those
participating in such active living imbibe a large quantity of
liquids, such as water and other well-known sports drinks. Being on
the go, however, often presents the problem of needing to quench
one's thirst and yet not having access to a source of liquid
refreshment. Accordingly, fluid containers, such as drinking
bottles, have been developed to meet such demands of active living
and thereby enable those who would not ordinarily have access to
liquid refreshment to store, transport and make use of such
refreshments at their convenience.
[0003] Portable drinking bottles have increased in popularity over
the years not only because of increasingly active lifestyles, but
also due to environmental concerns with disposable bottles. For
example, replacing disposable water bottles with a single beverage
container that may be cleaned and refilled many times greatly
reduces the amount of waste produced. Fluid containers which can
meet the needs of a person's or a family's activities while also
being reusable is an increasingly growing market.
[0004] Drinking bottles are used by all ages--from children through
adults--and in many situations. For example, these bottles are used
for travel, recreation, sports, school and everyday activities.
Straws or spouts that flip open on a bottle cover are known in the
art. Conventional designs involve pulling the tip of the spout
upward with one's finger, with the spout pivoting at its lower end
where it is attached to the cap. These designs often require two
hands to open the bottle--one hand to hold the bottle and the other
hand to pull open the spout. Other designs have included rotating
covers to fold and enclose a spout, push button actuation in which
a spring assembly pops open the spout, or a flange or loop on the
spout to assist a user in pulling the spout upward.
SUMMARY
[0005] A fluid container includes a spout and a cap, where the
spout has an actuation portion that is inclined with respect to a
drinking portion of the spout. The spout is actuated from a closed
position to an open position with an external force applied on the
actuation portion. A channel through the spout encompasses an
oblique angle, and the spout is pivotally coupled to the cap at a
fulcrum point. The fulcrum point is laterally offset from an
aperture in the cap, where the aperture forms a passageway through
a thickness of the cap. The channel adjoins the aperture when the
spout is in the open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary bottle with an
embodiment of a straw cap assembly;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a user actuating the spout from a closed
position, in one embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cover
assembly, with the spout in an open position;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top view of the cap assembly of FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of fluid container
designs in the art;
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cover
assembly in one embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a detailed side view of one embodiment of a
spout;
[0014] FIGS. 9A-9B are cross-sectional views of embodiments of the
spout of
[0015] FIG. 8;
[0016] FIG. 10 provides a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cap;
and
[0017] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the cap of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] A cover for a fluid container is described herein. The cover
includes a straw and a cap, and the straw pivots upward from a cap.
The straw, which may also be referred to as a spout in this
disclosure, features a raised actuation area that facilitates the
ease of opening the spout. The cover is also designed to provide
improved leverage for opening the spout without sacrificing the
spout's drinking length. While the design of the cover and method
of opening shall be described in reference to a personal beverage
bottle, the design and method can be used on a variety of devices
for drinking or dispensing fluids. For instance, other applications
may include pitchers, jugs, hot/cold drink dispensers, fluid
storage containers, or other hydration systems that could be used
to pour liquids in situations where lengthened spouts or ease of
opening could be beneficial.
[0019] The present disclosure describes a pivoting spout that is
actuated by a pushing force, and is conducive to a one-handed
operation. The actuation area may be an upwardly angled back end
that is easily reachable by various users, including those with
smaller hands. A drinking channel through the spout has an angle
through the spout, corresponding to the angled back end. The
ability to open the drinking bottle with a single hand is a
valuable feature for busy or physically active consumers because
they can more easily stay hydrated while in the midst of their
activities. The fulcrum point of the spout is specifically designed
to increase leverage, to reduce the force required to open the
spout and increase user-friendliness. The spout may be seated in a
raised depression that allows increasing the length of the spout
while adding minimal additional material, thereby avoiding
significant increases in costs. The design lengthens the spout to
allow for easier drinking without increasing the total height of
the cap, while still allowing sufficient space in the cap for the
threads that are needed to attach the cap to the bottle. The raised
depression also encloses the end of the spout, keeping the spout
cleaner, and furthermore provides an aesthetically pleasing design
in that the overall height of the cap visually appears the same as
without the raised depression. The location of the axis/fulcrum
point and the angled spout actuation area relative to the drinking
portion of the spout allow a user to gain easier leverage and open
the spout with one hand.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary drinking bottle
assembly 100 in one embodiment. The bottle assembly 100 includes a
bottle assembly 110 and a cover 120, where the cover includes cap
130, straw or spout 140, and optional handle 150. The bottle
assembly 110 includes a bottle 160 and an optional sleeve 170.
Bottle 160 may be made of, for example, glass or plastic, and
furthermore may be free of bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) or other chemicals. Glass and clear plastics enable
a user to see the contents and level of fluid inside the bottle
160, as well as to view the cleanliness of the interior of the
bottle. Glass also provides a safe material, in that it is free of
any materials leaching from it compared to, for example, some
plastics.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an optional sleeve 170
may be placed over the bottle 160 to protect the bottle 160 from
damage and to enhance gripping of the bottle. The sleeve 170 may be
made of, for example, silicone or other suitable materials. In some
embodiments, the sleeve 170 may be a protective sleeve such as that
disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0057257, entitled
"Protective Sleeve for Containers", published Mar. 5, 2009, and
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
[0022] A drinking tube 180 allows liquid to be pulled from bottle
110 through cap 120 and out of spout 140. The drinking tube 180 may
be fabricated from, for example, plastic or glass, and furthermore
may be free of bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) or other chemicals. FIG. 1 shows that spout 100 moves between
a closed position 141 to the open position as shown by spout 140,
through a pivoting motion as indicated by arrow 143. The spout 140
rotates in an approximately vertical plane with respect to the
plane of the cap 130. In this embodiment, its final position of
spout 140 forms an oblique angle from its horizontal starting
position, for easy drinking access to the user. In some
embodiments, the oblique or non-vertical position of the spout 140
in the open position facilitates ease of drinking for the user
while keeping the bottle comfortable in the user's hand. For
example, the design of the spout 140 angles the tip toward the
user's mouth without the user having to tip the bottle 110 for
drinking. In other embodiments, the spout 140 may also have a
length that overhangs or extends past the diameter of the cap 120
in the open position. This clearance between the drinking end of
the spout 140 and the cap 120 created by this overhang may provide
additional ease of drinking for the user. The spout in its sipping
position may be, for example, rotated up to 135.degree. or more
from its initial closed position. Other values of rotation angles
are possible for different uses of the bottle, such as for children
rather than adults, or for use in specific sports. Note that the
closed position 141 is shown as approximately horizontal in this
embodiment. However, in other embodiments the closed position may
be inclined, such as elevated above or declined below the plane of
cap 120.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the cover 120 with
the spout 140 in the closed position. The spout 140 has a drinking
portion 142 and an actuation portion 144. As can be seen in FIG. 2,
actuation area 144 at the back end of the spout 100 is higher than
the rest of the spout 140 when closed. That is, the height of the
actuation area is elevated above the top surface 132 of the cap 130
in the closed position. This raised actuation area improves the
leverage compared to a spout that would be a uniform height across
the entire width of the cap. In operation, a user pushes downward
on this actuation area 144 as shown in FIG. 3, which then lifts the
tip of the spout 140 upward to enable a user to drink from a
drinking channel in spout 100. In some embodiments, a user's finger
may push downward to rotate the spout partially towards its final
open position, and then the user may place their mouth on the tip
of the spout to rotate it the remainder of the way.
[0024] In the exemplary method of operation of the spout shown in
FIG. 3, the design of the cap enables a user to hold the bottle 110
with one hand and use a finger of the same hand to engage the
actuation area of the spout. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
user's index finger is lifted onto the cap, and presses downward on
the raised actuation portion 144 at the back end of the spout. The
height `H` from the bottom edge of the cap to the top of the
actuation area 144 is designed to enable a user to easily reach the
top of the actuation area while maintaining their grip on the
bottle with the same hand. The height `H` from the bottom edge of
the cap to the top of the actuation area may be, for example, less
than 6.5 cm, such as 4.0-5.5 cm, or such as 4.0-4.5 cm. In other
embodiments the height `H` may be adjusted for specific
demographics, such as being designed for a smaller reach of women
or children.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 provide further views of an exemplary cover or
cap assembly 120, which in this embodiment includes the drinking
tube 180 through which liquid from the bottle will be drawn when a
user drinks from the spout. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the
spout 140 in an open position, while FIG. 5 illustrates a top view.
In FIGS. 4 and 5 a drinking channel 146 in the spout 140 is visible
at the tip of the spout 140, and a depression 190 for receiving the
spout 140 can also be seen. This depression 190 receives spout 140,
where spout 140 is pivotally coupled to depression 190. Depression
190 may have a raised lip 195 around some or all of depression 190.
Raised lip 195 may, for example, surround the tip of spout 140 when
the spout 140 is closed, thus promoting cleanliness of the drinking
area.
[0026] The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5 include an optional
handle 150. The handle 150 is positioned on an outside perimeter of
the cap 130. Compared to other known designs in which a loop or
handle may be incorporated on the top surface of a cap, or even as
part of the spout or mouthpiece, placing the handle on the side
surfaces, at the perimeter of the cap, allows for a wider radius
handle and thus more gripping space for a user. Placing the handle
150 separately from the mouthpiece or straw 140 also reduces the
risk of opening the bottle while it is carried, particularly if the
container is being swung back and forth by a child or by an adult
undergoing physical activities. The handle 150 may be coupled to
the cap 130 using, for example, protrusions fitting into mating
holes, fasteners such as pins, loops at the ends of the handle
placed through slots in the cap, or by other suitable methods.
[0027] Now turning to details of the straw and cap design, FIG. 6
shows a cross-sectional schematic of a drinking bottle cover 200
that is representative of known bottle covers with pivoting straws.
In prior art designs, a spout 210 pivots in a cap 220 at a pivot
point 230, indicated by the cross-hair symbol. The spout 210 is
shown in its open position, with the dashed lines showing it in a
closed position 215. A drinking channel 212 runs through spout 210.
The pivot point 230 is directly over--that is, vertically aligned
with--an aperture 240. Aperture 240 serves as the passageway
through which liquid is brought from the bottle (not shown),
through the cap 220, and out of the spout 210. With this pivoting
arrangement, the spout 210 is typically opened with a pulling
action, such as using tab 250. In other prior art examples not
shown, a user may pull up spout 210 with a loop attached to the
spout 210, or a user's finger may engage tip 214 to pull up spout
210. This pulling action requires a two-handed operation because of
the force required to open the spout, and because of the distance
that a user's finger must extend to reach tab 250 or other
engagement area. That is, to gain enough leverage to pull the spout
210 upward, the engagement point must be positioned toward tip 214,
which increases the reach required for a user. In another type of
prior art design, not shown, a spring-loaded mechanism is triggered
by a push button on a vertical side wall of the cap, thus allowing
one-handed opening of a drinking straw. However, this push
button/spring-loaded design requires numerous parts, which adds
cost.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified cross-sectional view of a
cover assembly 300 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The
cover assembly 300 includes a spout 310 and a cap 320, where spout
310 is shown in an open position for drinking, and where the dashed
lines show spout 310 in a stored or closed position 315. The spout
310 has a drinking channel 312 through its body, extending from a
drinking end 314 to an actuation end 316. Spout 310 rotates at a
pivot point or fulcrum point 330 that is positioned at a fulcrum
distance D1 from a back end 302 of the spout, wherein the back end
302 is the opposite the drinking end 314. The distance D1 between
fulcrum point 330 and actuation end 316 enables a user to gain
sufficient leverage to open the spout 310 by a pushing action,
which is more conducive to one-handed operation than pulling. In
contrast, a design in which the fulcrum point is simply moved
toward the tip of a linear spout--such as if the fulcrum point 230
in FIG. 6 were moved toward tip 214--would decrease the usable
length of the spout. In the present embodiment of FIG. 7 the
actuation portion of spout 310 is angled or inclined relative to
channel 312 to compensate for the location of the fulcrum point
330. The angled design increases the length of the drinking portion
of spout 310 and the length available for actuation, compared to a
linear spout. Accordingly, the channel 312 is non-linear, in that
an axis running through its center has a bend in it. To accommodate
this angled spout design, aperture 340 is laterally offset from
pivot point 330 by the offset distance D2, where D2 is greater than
zero. When in the open position as shown, channel 312 adjoins
aperture 340 so that aperture 340 can serve as a conduit through
which fluid is brought from an adjoining bottle through spout
310.
[0029] The fulcrum distance D1 and offset distance D2 beneficially
provide for increased leverage compared to known pivoting spout
designs, and enables a user to actuate the spout with a pushing
action in a one-handed operation. This improves ease of use over
existing designs in which a pulling action is required, often with
two hands. Additionally, the number of parts for enabling this
actuation is reduced compared to, for example, one-handed designs
that operate using spring mechanisms. Also shown in FIG. 7 is that
the angle and length of the spout may enable the tip 314 to
overhang the edge of the cap in some embodiments, which can also
provide more comfort to the user compared to the open spout tip
being over the surface of the cap.
[0030] FIGS. 8 and 9A-B show side and cross-sectional views,
respectively, of an embodiment of a spout 400. In FIG. 8, straw or
spout 400 has a drinking portion 410, where a user will place their
mouth for drinking, and an actuation portion 420, where a user
pushes to open the spout 400. The combination of the drinking
portion 410 and actuation portion 420 shall be referred to in this
disclosure as the spout length. Note that for usages in which the
fluid container cover may be used for dispensing, drinking portion
410 may function as a spout for pouring liquid. A channel 412,
shown in FIG. 9A, runs through spout 400, from a drinking end 414
to an actuation end 416. Channel 412 may be configured with various
cross-sectional shapes, such as circular, ovular or rectangular. An
axis 418 through the center of channel 412 in FIG. 9A is seen to be
non-linear--that is, having a bend in it--so that axis 418
encompasses an oblique angle 419. In other words, the two ends of
channel 412 are offset from each other. Angle 419 may be chosen to
achieve a desired height for actuation. Oblique angle 419 may be up
to 180 degrees, such as between 150-180 degrees. While the path of
channel 412 is shown as forming a curved or non-linear path, in
other embodiments the channel 412 may have an axis that is formed
with two linear segments intersecting to define the angle 419. FIG.
9B shows another embodiment of a spout 401, in which the channel
412 has two portions 413a and 413b with axes 418a and 418b,
respectively. In this embodiment, portions 413a and 413b have
cross-sectional areas that are tapered toward the central portion
of spout 401, and overlap in this central portion. The axes 418a
and 418b are offset from each other but still form the oblique
angle 419. The angled channel 412 increases the usable length
available along spout 400, compared to a linear spout having the
same horizontal length as channel 412. This increased usable length
allows for more surface area that can be used for actuating the
spout. Thus, the angled channel design increases the leverage that
a user is able to impart on the spout 400, improving the ease of
use and functionality of the fluid container cover.
[0031] FIG. 8 also shows features of spout 400 that enable it to
rotate between its stored and drinking positions. In this
embodiment, a raised disk 432 serves as a coupling element to
pivotally connect spout 400 to a cap. Raised disk 432 is depicted
in FIG. 8 as a circular extension centered on the fulcrum point 430
of the spout 400. Another raised disk 432 is placed on the opposite
face (not shown) of the spout 400. In other embodiments, the raised
disk 432 may be replaced by other rotational joining mechanisms,
such as but not limited to, a pin or a bearing. Furthermore, the
male/female coupling between spout 400 and the cap in which it is
placed may be interchangeable. For example, the raised disk 432 on
spout 400 may be seated in a corresponding recessed seat in the
cap, or alternatively, spout 400 may have a recessed seat and the
raised disk may be on the cap. Spout 400 also includes a protrusion
440 shown as a nub in this embodiment, that travels in a track in
the cap and limits the extent of rotation of the spout 400 when
moving between its closed and open positions. An optional groove
extension 450 adjacent to protrusion 440 is also shown in this
embodiment, which lengthens the amount of rotation through which
the spout can move.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 8, the fulcrum distance D1 is
measured from the fulcrum point 430 to a back end 402 of spout 400.
Back end 402 is taken to be the farthest end of the spout 400 from
the drinking end 414, taken along a line parallel to the axis of
the drinking portion 410. D1 may be, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 cm,
with the value chosen to meet desired specifications such as
actuation forces, target customers (e.g., adult or child), and cap
diameter (e.g. bottle sizes). In terms of the actuation portion 420
where a user will be placing a finger to open the spout, the
actuation area 420 may have a length of, for example, 2-6 cm,
although other values are possible depending on the desired size of
the spout and cap. In some embodiments, the length of actuation
area 420 may be determined by the size of the rotational portion of
the spout 400. For example, actuation area 420 may have a length
approximately equal to twice the fulcrum distance D1. The specific
values chosen depend on the specifications for the particular type
of container and user being targeted.
[0033] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a vertical cross-sectional view
and a top perspective view, respectively, of one embodiment of a
cap 500. Cap 500 includes a top surface 510, a bottom surface 520,
a depression 530, a raised lip 540, and an aperture 550. Depression
530 is shaped to receive a spout, such as spout 400 of FIG. 8. In
the embodiment shown, depression 530 includes an elongated area 532
for the drinking portion of the spout and a pivoting area 534 for
the actuation portion of the spout. As a spout pivots on the cap,
the actuation area of the spout rotates within pivoting area 534.
In some embodiments a user's finger may push the actuation area of
the spout partially into the pivoting area 534, and then the user
may place their mouth on the tip of the spout to move the spout to
its final position. Although pivoting area 534 is shown as a
rounded track, in other embodiments the pivoting area 534 may be
shaped otherwise to provide sufficient space for the actuation area
of the spout to rotate, but need not be rounded.
[0034] A coupling element 536 in depression 530 serves to pivotally
engage the spout. In this embodiment, the coupling element 536 is
shown as a recessed area to mate with the raised disk 432 of FIG.
8. In other embodiments, the coupling element 536 may be configured
as, for example, a pin joint or a ball joint. A groove 560 in
depression 530 receives protrusion 440 of FIG. 8. When a user
pushes on the actuation area of the spout, the protrusion 440 on
the spout slides in groove 560 in the side walls of the depression
530. The additional groove 450 on the spout may optionally provide
extended pivoting motion of the spout. The nubs 565 near the ends
of groove 560 serve as stops for the rotation of the spout, by
engaging protrusion 440 and therefore assisting in locking the
spout in its open and closed positions. In other embodiments, other
mechanisms may be used as stops instead of nubs 565. For example,
the groove 560 may terminate in an L-shaped end to secure the
spout, or the end wall 545 of raised lip 540 may provide a stopping
surface for the spout in its open position.
[0035] Aperture 550 in FIG. 10 is a passageway allowing fluid to
pass through the thickness of the cap 550, from the underside of
cap 500 to depression 550. Aperture 550 is configured as a tubular
channel in this embodiment, extending from the pivoting area 534 of
the through the base of the cap, for connecting a tube or straw
into the bottle that will be attached to the cap 500. Aperture 550
is vertically unaligned with coupling element 536, being laterally
offset by the distance D2. This offset accommodates the oblique
angle of the drinking channel in the spout when the spout is in the
open position. D2 is any amount greater than zero and may be, for
example, 0.1-3 cm. Other values are possible, such as larger values
for wide-mouth bottles, or smaller values for children's
bottles.
[0036] When the spout is in its closed position, lying in
depression 530, the drinking channel (e.g., 412 of FIG. 9) within
the spout will not be in communication with aperture 550, thus
making the bottle spill-proof. When the spout is in its open
position pivoted upward from the cap 500, the drinking channel of
the spout will adjoin with aperture 550, allowing liquid to be
drawn from the bottle, through aperture 550 and out of the spout.
Aperture 550 may optionally include a seal such as an O-ring at
seat 552, near the junction of aperture 550 and pivoting area 534,
to assist in making the bottle spill-proof. An air vent 570 is also
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, to facilitate the drawing of fluid from
the bottle.
[0037] Cap 500 also includes threads 580 for coupling the cap 500
to a container such as, but not included to, a water bottle, a
beverage cup, or other liquid container. The threads 580 are
located in the region from the bottom surface 520 to the top
surface 510 of the cap 500. Depression 530, or at least a majority
of the depression 530, is elevated above the top surface 510. This
elevation ensures that there is sufficient space for the threads
580 in the underside of cap 500, without increasing the height of
the cap between top surface 510 and bottom surface 520. Depression
530 may be bordered by a raised lip 540 that encloses all the
depression 530 as shown in this embodiment, or in other embodiments
the raised lip 540 may surround only a portion of the depression
530. For example, the raised lip 540 may enclose the drinking end
of the spout to protect it from contamination or damage. As seen in
FIG. 11, the raised lip 540 is a wall in the vicinity of the
depression only, and does not span across the entire top surface
510 of the cap 500. Thus, the elevated depression 530 provides
functional support to the spout without aesthetically increasing
the overall height of the cap. Reducing the amount of material
added to the cap 500 reduces cost of the product. Elevating the
depression 530 above the top surface 510 of the cap also provides
space for the spout to extend across a majority of the diameter of
the cap 500, such as at least 70% of the cap, since the depression
does not impact the space for threads below the cap. Utilizing as
much of the diameter of the cap as possible enables utilizing a
longer spout than existing designs. A longer spout assists both in
providing a longer drinking surface for the user, thus improving
user comfort, and the longer spout also enables gaining leverage
for lifting the spout. Yet the spout still fits within the diameter
of the cap, so that cleanliness of the spout can be preserved
within the depression and an overall compact design of the bottle
is maintained.
[0038] FIG. 11 also shows holes 590 on the side walls of the cap
500, for receiving a handle. Positioning a handle at the perimeter
of the cap 500 allows more space for the spout on the top surface
510, and consequently a longer spout length as described above. A
handle on the perimeter also enables the handle to have a larger
radius, thus improving user comfort. For example, a user may hold
the handle (e.g., handle 150 of FIG. 4) with four fingers rather
than one finger as in existing loop handle designs. The handle may
be coupled to holes 590 with mating snap-fit protrusions, pins, or
other means. In yet other embodiments, a strap may be coupled to
the cap instead of a handle.
[0039] In other embodiments, the spout design described herein may
be utilized with a proportionally larger cap. In such embodiments,
the spout may occupy a smaller portion of the cap diameter while
still maintaining the design features such as an oblique channel
and offset drinking aperture. A large cap may be utilized in, for
example, a bulk fluid storage container or a liquid dispensing
carton. A large cap may also be used in, for example, a wide-mouth
beverage container to facilitate ease of filling or cleaning the
container.
[0040] The various components of the cap assembly in this
disclosure, such as the spout, cap and drinking tube, may be made
of suitable plastics including but not limited to polypropylene,
silicone, polyethylene, polycarbonate, or nylon. In other
embodiments, the components may be made from, for example, glass,
wood, stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium. The components may be
produced by, for example, injection molding or other plastic
manufacturing methods known in the art.
[0041] While the specification has been described in detail with
respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be
appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an
understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations
to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. These and
other modifications and variations to the present invention may be
practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing
from the scope of the present invention, which is more particularly
set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is
by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the
invention.
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