U.S. patent application number 14/044338 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for portable bottle system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kevin PETERSON. Invention is credited to Kevin PETERSON.
Application Number | 20150090711 14/044338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52739071 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150090711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PETERSON; Kevin |
April 2, 2015 |
PORTABLE BOTTLE SYSTEM
Abstract
The portable bottle system includes a vessel sleeve, a chamber
assembly, a shell attachment, and an adapter. The vessel sleeve has
a top rim and a bottom rim with external threads. The external
threads sealingly engage threads on the brim of the chamber
assembly. A cartridge or wedge section is loaded into the chamber
assembly to deliver additives to dissolve into the liquid in the
system. The chamber assembly also has a capped end to define an
interior volume, so that a cup is formed. The shell attachment has
an upper rim and a lower rim. The lower rim stacks on top of the
top rim of the vessel sleeve, forming a water tight seal and the
bottle shape of the shell attachment and the vessel sleeve. The
adapter removably attaches the shell attachment to release or to
receive liquids. The adapter may have a nipple, straw, or inlet
hole.
Inventors: |
PETERSON; Kevin; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PETERSON; Kevin |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52739071 |
Appl. No.: |
14/044338 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/202 20150501;
A61J 9/0669 20150501; A61J 9/0623 20150501; A61J 1/2096 20130101;
A47J 45/07 20130101; A61J 9/0638 20150501; A47G 19/2205 20130101;
A47G 19/2272 20130101; A61J 11/04 20130101; A61M 1/062
20140204 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.07 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/24 20060101
B65D006/24; B65D 8/00 20060101 B65D008/00; A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A portable bottle system comprising: a vessel sleeve with a top
rim and a bottom rim, said bottom rim having external threads, said
vessel sleeve being a generally cylindrical tubular; a chamber
assembly, having an interior volume defined by a brim and capped
end, said brim having threads compatible with said external threads
of said bottom rim of said vessel sleeve, wherein said chamber
assembly and said vessel sleeve form a cup for drinking liquid
within said cup, when said threads of said chamber assembly engage
said external threads of said bottom rim of said vessel sleeve,
forming a seal between said interior volume and said cylindrical
tubular; a shell attachment, being generally cylindrical and hollow
and having an upper rim and a lower rim, said lower rim being
removably engaged to said top rim of said vessel sleeve, forming a
water tight seal between said shell attachment and said vessel
sleeve; and an adapter means, being removably attached to said
upper rim of said shell attachment.
2. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
vessel sleeve further comprises a side groove and a handle means,
said side groove on an exterior of said vessel sleeve, said handle
means engaging said side groove by a slide member removably fitted
in said side groove.
3. The portable bottle system, according to claim 2, wherein said
handle means is comprised of a handle body and a plurality side
members supporting said handle body, wherein said side members have
ends attaching said handle body to said slide member, said slide
member being removeably engaged within said side groove of said
vessel sleeve.
4. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
vessel sleeve further comprises a bar member extending across a
diameter of said bottom rim.
5. The portable bottle system, according to claim 4, said bar
member forming semicircular openings at said bottom rim of said
vessel sleeve.
6. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, further
comprising: a cartridge removably positioned within said chamber
assembly, said cartridge being perforated and being in fluid
connection with said interior volume of said chamber assembly.
7. The portable bottle system, according to claim 6, said cartridge
being aligned against said bar member of said vessel sleeve so as
to maintain said cartridge within said interior volume of said
chamber assembly.
8. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, said chamber
assembly further comprising: a lid piece; and a plurality of wedge
sections formed in said interior volume, said lid piece being
removably mounted over and sealing against said wedge sections,
said lid piece being fixed in position by connecting said vessel
sleeve to said chamber assembly.
9. The portable bottle system, according to claim 8, wherein said
lid piece comprises a section inlet, said section inlet having an
opened position forming a fluid connection with at least one wedge
section and said vessel sleeve, said section inlet having a closed
position sealing at least one wedge section from said vessel
sleeve.
10. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, said lower
rim of said shell attachment being friction fit into said top rim
of said vessel sleeve.
11. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, said lower
rim of said shell attachment being in threaded engagement to said
top rim of said vessel sleeve.
12. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
shell attachment further comprises a latch member mounted on an
outer surface of said shell attachment, adjacent to said upper
rim.
13. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
adapter means is snap fit with said latch member of said shell
attachment, forming a water tight seal between said adapter means
and said shell attachment.
14. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
adapter means is friction fit with said latch member of said shell
attachment, forming a water tight seal between said adapter means
and said shell attachment.
15. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
adapter means is comprised of a nipple outlet on a top surface of
said adapter means and a plurality of handles, said handles having
ends attached to said top surface of said adapter means and being
on opposite sides of said nipple outlet.
16. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
adapter means is comprised of an actuatable mouthpiece, having a
closed position when flush with said top surface of said adapter
means and an open position when orthogonal to said top surface of
said adapter means.
17. The portable bottle system, according to claim 16, said adapter
means further comprising a cover, shielding said actuatable
mouthpiece.
18. The portable bottle system, according to claim 1, wherein said
adapter means is comprised of an inlet hole, and a closure tab,
said inlet hole being on said top surface of said adapter means,
said closure tab having a closed position when pushed inward to
seal said inlet hole and an open position when protruding from said
adapter means, opening said inlet hole.
19. The portable bottle system, according to claim 18, wherein said
adapter means further comprises an interface on said top surface of
said adapter means, said interface being a status indicator.
20. The portable bottle system, according to claim 18, said closure
tab have a circular marking, indicating alignment with said inlet
hole in said closed position.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a portable container to
hold liquids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
bottle system with adapters for dispensing liquid. The present
invention also relates to a bottle system with a loadable chamber
for mixing additives into the liquid.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
[0007] A bottle is used to hold liquids for a variety of purposes.
The bottle allows easy transport and storage of a liquid.
Typically, drinkable liquids are stored in bottles so that these
beverages can be consumed at a later time and/or in a different
location. Water bottles transport and carry water or other
beverages from one place to another, such as at home and at the
gym. Bottles can be made of plastic, glass, or metal, and bottles
can have various caps, lids, and dispensers. Other accessories
include straps, handles, and grips to improve the handling of the
water bottle.
[0008] Water is not the only drinkable liquid contained in bottles.
Sports drinks are also commonly transported from place to place in
water bottles. These beverages are packaged and pre-mixed so that
the bottled beverage can be consumed as soon as the bottle is
opened. Each bottle corresponds to a single flavor beverage. Access
to multiple flavors requires transport of multiple bottles.
[0009] Carrying a full bottle of liquid can be difficult, when the
bottle is carried for long distances and when the amount of liquid
is heavy. Carrying multiple bottles for multiple flavors of
beverages would similarly be too heavy and difficult. It may be
easier to carry an empty bottle, which can be later filled with
water, when the destination has been reached. In that situation,
the only liquid available is water, such as water from a drinking
fountain. Multiple flavors for beverages can be transported by
carrying mixes, powders, tablets, or droplets to be added to water
in the bottle. These additives can be dissolved in the water in the
bottle to allow multiple flavors of a sports drink without having
to transport multiple bottles of liquid. These bottle systems can
be either disposable or reusable.
[0010] In the past, various patents have issued in the field of
water bottles. U.S. Pat. No. 8,142,654, issued to Kohl on Mar. 27,
2012, discloses a water bottle with a filter. The bottle includes a
flexible sidewall, a neck with an open top and cap, and an open
bottom end. There is a filter cartridge at the bottom of the bottle
with filtration membranes between perforated plates. The bottle is
inverted for water to pass through the filter cartridge, and the
bottle collects the filtered water. Then, the bottle can be sealed
and returned upright so that the top of the bottle can dispense the
filtered water. The bottle has a filter cartridge and housing in
the bottle body to hold the filter membrane.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,727, issued to Gruenwald, et al. on Mar.
27, 2012, also describes a water bottle for dissolving additives
into the water. There is compartment on the top of the dispenser
cap of the bottle, which houses a tablet for flavoring or medicine.
The compartment can be rotated to drop the tablet into the water
within the bottle, while the bottle remains closed. The bottle can
be shaken to dissolve the tablet inside the bottle, so that the
tablet is fully dissolved, and the liquid is ready for consumption.
The bottle has an alternative structure for incorporating additives
in the water within the bottle.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,440, issued on Feb. 12, 2013 and U.S.
Pat. No. 8,413,803, issued on Apr. 9, 2013, both granted to
Questad, et al. disclose other versions of a storage and mixing
bottle. There are two separate compartments in the multi-functions
bottles of these two patents. A first compartment stores water or
liquid, and a second compartment stores powder. The second
compartment forms the base of the bottle and has an open top end
for storing the powder. The powder can also be released into the
water from this open top end. An agitator cap on the bottom of the
second compartment can be actuated to trigger the release of the
powder into the water. The bottle shows an alternative chamber for
additives to the water.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,785, issued to Weissich on Mar. 5, 2013,
teaches bottle system for infant formula. The bottle has two
chambers, one for infant formula storage and dispensing assembly,
and one for water. There is threaded attachment between the two
chambers and locking attachment by bolt and nut. The infant formula
storage and release is a prior art bottle system for mixing
additives into water.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,244, issued to Krasner on Feb. 12, 2013,
describes a pet water bottle with more than one chamber and a
tethered cap. There is a chamber for holding water and a chamber
with a pet valve to dispense water to the pet. The removable screw
cap selectively covers and uncovers the pet-operable drink
valve.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,058, issued to Toth, et al. on Nov. 27,
2012, describes a specialized water bottle for a cyclist. The
bottle allows for the contents to be dispensed, while the cyclist
is riding. The water bottle dispenses water from the top opening
and from a bottom valve. The bottom valve is accessible, while the
cyclist is riding. The bottle incorporates grips and extended
sections to allow dispensing fluids from the bottom valve.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,633, issued to Rogers Martijena, et al.
on Sep. 4, 2012, discloses an integral multipurpose plastic bottle.
There are three sections of the bottle defined by upper and lower
belts wrapped around an outside surface of the bottle body. The
belts define each of the three sections, creating a textured
surface and cutting guides. The bottle increases the ease and
efficiency of recycling the bottle after use.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable bottle system with multi-functionality.
[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable bottle system with adapters for dispensing liquid or
collecting liquid.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable bottle system with multiple configurations.
[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable bottle system for use as a cup or as a bottle.
[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable bottle system with a chamber assembly for dissolving
additives in water inside the bottle.
[0022] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a portable bottle system with a re-fillable chamber
assembly for multiple uses.
[0023] These and other objectives and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specifications and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention include a portable
bottle system for dispensing and storing liquids. The bottle system
can be used as a drinking vessel, such as a cup or mug or water
bottle. The bottle system can hold liquids, such as water, sports
drinks, or other beverages. The bottle system includes a vessel
sleeve, a chamber assembly, a shell attachment, and an adapter
means. The adapter means can dispense liquids through a straw or a
nipple for infants. The adapter means can also collect liquids
through an inlet and a tube from a breast milk pumping machine. The
multifunctional bottle system is transportable for liquids and has
various configurations to dispense and store those liquids.
[0025] The vessel sleeve has a top rim and a bottom rim with
external threads. In some embodiments, the vessel sleeve further
comprises a side groove and a handle means. The side groove on an
exterior of the vessel sleeve houses the handle means in a
retracted position. The handle means protrudes from the side groove
in an extended position for grasping by the user. The handle means
can include a handle body and a plurality slide members supporting
the handle body. The ends of the side members attach to a slide
member, removably engaged within the side groove of the vessel
sleeve. The attached position corresponds to the slide member being
fully mounted in the side groove, while the chamber assembly locks
the slide member in the side groove. Certain embodiments have the
vessel sleeve with a bar member across a diameter of the bottom
rim, forming semicircular openings at the bottom rim of the vessel
sleeve.
[0026] The chamber assembly has an interior volume defined by a
brim and capped end. The brim uses threads compatible with the
external threads of the bottom rim of the vessel sleeve to form a
seal between the interior volume and the interior of the vessel
sleeve. The chamber assembly and the vessel sleeve form a cup so
that a user can drink from the combined vessel sleeve and chamber
assembly. In some embodiments, the chamber assembly holds a
cartridge filled with additives to the liquid in the bottle system.
The additives can be tablets, powder, or flavor strips. The
cartridge is perforated so as to be in fluid connection with the
interior volume of the chamber assembly. The liquid can flow
through and around the cartridge to dissolve the additives into the
liquid. The cartridge remains in the chamber assembly because the
bar member of the vessel sleeve blocks the cartridge in place.
Embodiments show the cartridge having a semicircular shape, but
other shapes are possible. In other embodiments, there is a lid
piece and a plurality of wedge sections formed in the interior
volume. The lid piece can be mounted over and sealed against the
top of the wedge sections. The lid piece can be selectively aligned
with a particular wedge section. The lid piece can be opened to
allow mixture of the particular additives stored in the wedge
section with fluid contents of the vessel sleeve and chamber
assembly. The separate contents or additives can now be stored and
transported in isolated conditions along with the bottle
system.
[0027] The shell attachment is generally cylindrical and hollow. In
some embodiments, the shell attachment has an upper rim and a lower
rim. The lower rim removably engages to the top rim of the vessel
sleeve, stacking on top of the vessel sleeve and forming a water
tight seal between the shell attachment and the vessel sleeve. The
shell attachment connects to the adapter means at the upper rim and
the vessel sleeve at the lower rim. In some embodiments, the shell
attachment has a latch member to connect to the adapter means. The
latch member is mounted on an outer surface of the shell
attachment, adjacent to the upper rim. The latch member can be snap
fit or friction fit with adapter to form the water tight seal for
the bottle system.
[0028] The adapter means have variable structures. For using the
bottle system to feed infants, the adapter means can have a nipple
outlet and a plurality of curved handles attached to the top
surface of the adapter means and being on opposite sides of the
nipple outlet. These structures allow dispensing liquid to the
infant user and grasping of the bottle system by the infant user.
For using the bottle system as a water bottle, the adapter means
can be an actuatable mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is a pivoting straw
that can be flush with the top surface of the adapter means so as
to close the bottle system. The mouthpiece can be actuated upward
to open the bottle system. A cover can also be used to shield the
mouthpiece from damage and dirt. For using the bottle system to
store liquid, there is another adapter means for collecting breast
milk from a breast pump. This adapter means has an inlet hole with
a closure tab and an electronic interface as a status monitor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
portable bottle system according to the present invention, showing
the adapter as a mouthpiece for a straw.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vessel
sleeve of the present invention, showing the handle means in a
closed position.
[0031] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of an embodiment of the
vessel sleeve of the present invention, showing the handle means in
an opened position.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chamber assembly of the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the chamber assembly
of the bottle system, showing the cartridge and bottom rim of the
vessel sleeve.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
chamber assembly of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the
chamber assembly of the bottle system of FIG. 6, showing the lid
piece and section inlet relative to the vessel sleeve.
[0036] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the chamber
assembly of the bottle system, showing the cartridge, bar member
and bottom rim of the vessel sleeve.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vessel sleeve engaged to
the chamber assembly for a cup or mug configuration.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the shell attachment
of the present invention.
[0039] FIGS. 11-13 show perspective views of embodiments of adapter
means of the bottle system, including the nipple, straw mouthpiece
and inlet hole embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the shell attachment
engaged to the adapter means as the nipple for feeding an
infant.
[0041] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the shell attachment
engaged to the adapter means as the straw mouthpiece.
[0042] FIG. 16 shows an exploded perspective view of the adapter
means and the shell attachment.
[0043] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the latch member of the
shell attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, embodiments of the present
invention include a portable bottle system 10 with various
configurations to dispense and store liquids. The bottle system 10
is a drinking vessel, which can work as a cup or mug or sports
water bottle or infant feeding bottle. The bottle system 10 has the
flexibility to hold liquids of different types as well. Different
temperature liquids, and liquids requiring additives and mixing can
be accommodated by embodiments of the bottle system 10 of the
present invention. The bottle system 10 includes a vessel sleeve
12, a chamber assembly 14, a shell attachment 16, and an adapter
means 18.
[0045] FIGS. 1-9 show the vessel sleeve 12 as being a generally
cylindrical tubular 20 with a top rim 22 and a bottom rim 24 with
external threads 26. The external threads are shown in FIG. 9. In
the embodiments shown, the vessel sleeve 12 can also include a side
groove 28 and a handle means 30. The side groove 28 is on an
exterior 32 of the vessel sleeve 12 and houses the handle means 30
in a retracted position. The handle means 30 can also protrude from
the side groove 28 in the attached position. In the detached
position, the handle means 30 is released from the vessel sleeve
12. The bottle system 10 can be conveniently packed and transported
in either the attached position or detached position.
[0046] In some embodiments, the handle means 30 is comprised of a
handle body 34 and a plurality side members 36 supporting the
handle body 34. FIGS. 3 and 8 show the perspective and exploded
perspective views of the handle means 30. The ends of the side
members 36 attach to a slide member 38, removably engaged within
the side groove 28 of the vessel sleeve 12. The attached position
corresponds to the slide member 38 being fully mounted in the side
groove 28, while the chamber assembly 14 locks the slide member 38
in the side groove 28, shown in FIGS. 3 and 9. The attached
position corresponds to the removable attachment of the slide
member 38 so that the handle body 34 is elevated from the exterior
32 of the vessel sleeve 12 for grasping by the user.
[0047] The vessel sleeve 12 also can include a bar member 42
extending across a diameter of the bottom rim 24. The bar member 42
forms semicircular openings 44 at the bottom rim 24 of the vessel
sleeve 12. FIG. 8 shows the exploded view of the vessel sleeve 12
from the bottom rim 24.
[0048] FIGS. 1-9, particularly FIGS. 4-5, show the chamber assembly
14 having an interior volume 46 defined by a brim 48 and capped end
50. The brim 48 has threads 52 compatible with the external threads
26 of the bottom rim 24 of the vessel sleeve 12. FIGS. 8-9 show the
interaction between the external threads 26 and the threads 52 on
the chamber assembly 14. The threads 52 form a seal between the
interior volume 46 and the cylindrical tubular 20, when the threads
52 of the chamber assembly 14 engage the external threads 26 of the
bottom rim 24 of the vessel sleeve 12. The chamber assembly 14 and
vessel sleeve 12 can function as a cup or mug for drinking liquid
poured into the system 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9.
[0049] An alternative embodiment of the chamber assembly 114 is
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The chamber assembly 114 still has an
interior volume 146 defined by a brim 148 and capped end 150. The
brim 148 has threads 152 compatible with the external threads 26 of
the bottom rim 24 of the vessel sleeve 12. Additionally, this
embodiment includes a lid piece 147, and a plurality of wedge
sections 149 formed in the interior volume 146. The lid piece 147
can be mounted over and sealed against the top of the wedge
sections 149. The lid piece 147 isolates the wedge sections 149 for
storage of additives, such as tablets and powders. The lid piece
147 is fixed in position by connecting the vessel sleeve 12 to the
chamber assembly 114, as in FIG. 7. The separate contents or
additives can now be stored and transported in isolated conditions
along with the bottle system 10. The separate contents can be added
to the liquid in the bottle system 10 at any time for use.
[0050] In other embodiments, the lid piece 147 comprises a center
hole 151 in fluid connection with at least one wedge section 149.
The center hole 151 allows liquid from the vessel sleeve 12 to mix
and flow into wedge sections in a controlled manner. Liquid does
not flow freely through the wedge sections. Alternatively, the lid
piece 147 further comprises a section inlet 153. The section inlet
153 controls access to each wedge section 149, so that the user can
control when the separate contents are allowed to mix with the
liquid in the vessel sleeve 12. The section inlet 153 has an opened
position forming a fluid connection with at least one wedge section
and the vessel sleeve 12. The section inlet 153 has a closed
position sealing and isolating at least one wedge section from the
vessel sleeve 12. The structures of this embodiment allow for easy
transport and controlled mixing of the separate contents and
additives in whatever format.
[0051] Embodiments of the chamber assembly 14 include a cartridge
54 removably positioned within the chamber assembly 14, as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8. The cartridge 54 delivers additives to the liquid
stored and dispensed from the system 10. The additives can be
tablets, powder, or flavor strips placed in the cartridge 54. Since
the cartridge 54 is perforated, liquid in the interior volume 46 of
the chamber assembly 14 can dissolve the additives within the
cartridge 54. FIGS. 7-8 show the cartridge 54 with the perforations
as horizontal slots. Other perforation variations are possible
also. The cartridge 54 also interacts with the vessel sleeve 12.
The cartridge 54 is aligned against the bar member 42 of the vessel
sleeve 12, which holds the cartridge 54 within the interior volume
46 of the chamber assembly 14 instead of floating free through the
system 10, as shown in FIG. 8. A semicircular shape is one version
of the cartridge, which can be held in place in the chamber
assembly 14. The semicircular shape can also affect fluid flow
through and around the cartridge 54 for better dissolving of the
additives within the cartridge 54 by shaking and swirling the
bottle system 10.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows an upper perspective view of the shell
attachment 16 as an element of embodiments of the invention. The
shell attachment 16 adds additional volume and length so that the
bottle system 10 has more properties of a water bottle. The present
invention is not limited to a cup or mug configuration. The shell
attachment 16 is generally cylindrical and hollow. There is an
upper rim 56 and a lower rim 58, wherein the lower rim 58 removably
engages to the top rim 22 of the vessel sleeve 12 in FIG. 1. A
water tight seal is formed between the shell attachment 16 and the
vessel sleeve 12 at this connection for forming the bottle shape of
the system 10. The lower rim 58 can be friction fit, snap fit or
threadedly engaged to the top rim 22 to form the water tight seal.
Completing the bottle configuration, the adapter means 18 removably
attaches to the upper rim 56 of the shell attachment 16 as shown in
one embodiment in FIG. 16.
[0053] In some embodiments of the bottle system and as shown in
FIGS. 1, 14 and 15, the shell attachment 16 includes a latch member
60, mounted on an outer surface 62 of the shell attachment 16. FIG.
10 shows the space 61 for the latch member 60 on the outer surface
62. The latch member 60 is adjacent to the upper rim 56. The latch
member 60 and adapter means 18 can be cooperative, so that the
adapter means 18 is snap fit or friction fit by the latch member 60
of the shell attachment 16. FIG. 17 shows one embodiment of the
latch member 60 to snap fit the adapter means 18 to the shell
attachment 16. Another water tight seal is formed between the
adapter means 18 and the shell attachment 16. The enclosed bottle
shape of the bottle system 10 is set by creating this sealed volume
to transport and store liquids.
[0054] One embodiment of the adapter means 18 is for an infant
user. FIG. 11 shows the adapter means having a nipple outlet 64 on
a top surface 66 and a plurality of handles 68. The handles 68 have
ends 70 attached to the top surface 66 on opposite sides of the
nipple outlet 64. The handles 68 are arc-shaped or curved for
grasping on both sides of the bottle system 10 by the infant
user.
[0055] Another embodiment of the adapter means 18 is for a water
bottle user, such as someone using the bottle for water or a sports
drink at the gym. FIG. 12 shows the adapter means 18 with an
actuatable mouthpiece 70, which can function as a straw. The closed
position has the mouthpiece 70 flush with the top surface 66 of the
adapter means 18 for easy transport and storage. The mouthpiece 70
does not protrude, so the risk of damage and dirty is reduced. The
opened position has the mouthpiece 70 generally orthogonal to the
top surface 66 of the adapter means 18 so that the user can
dispenser liquid from the adapter means 18. Some embodiments
include a cover 72 to shield the actuatable mouthpiece 70. The
cover 72 is additional protection from damage and dirt during
transport and storage.
[0056] Still another embodiment of the adapter means 18 is for a
breast pump user. FIG. 9 shows the adapter means 18 with an inlet
hole 76, and a closure tab 78. The inlet hole 76 allows a tube from
a breast pump to be placed into the bottle system 10. The breast
milk can be safely collected in the bottle system 10 for use at a
later time. The inlet hole 76 and the closure tab 78 are on the top
surface 66 of the adapter means 18. The closure tab 78 opens and
closes the inlet hole 76 so that the breast milk is properly
secured in the bottle system. In some embodiments, there is a
circular indicator 80 on the closure tab 78. Alignment of the
circular indicator 80 over the inlet hole 76 indicates that the
bottle system 10 is closed and secure. When open, the closure tab
78 protrudes outwardly from the adapter means 18. The closure tab
78 is a sliding structure and a slot within the adapter means 18.
Some other embodiments include an interface 74 on the top surface
66 of the adapter means 18 as well. The interface 74 can be
electronic or manual, which is a variation for added monitoring.
The interface 74 can be a status indicator of temperature or date
of collecting or amount of milk. The user can enter labeling data
on the interface 74 to monitor and track the contents of the bottle
system 10.
[0057] Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable
bottle system with multi-functionality as a cup, mug, water bottle,
infant feeding bottle, and a milk storage device. The particular
structures and relationships between the structures allow the
present invention to achieve innovative results. A single device
can be transported and stored with ease as a bottle without
protruding parts. That same single device has the flexibility to
function as a drinking vessel or storage container. The type of
liquid can be hot or cold, and the amount of liquid can be adjusted
for various configurations. The cup or mug can be used for less
liquid, and the full bottle can be used for more liquid.
[0058] The portable bottle system of the present invention also
includes adapters, which further diversify the functionality of
embodiments of the bottle system of the present invention. Each
adapter connects to the bottle structures to dispense or collect
liquid in a particular way. The mouthpiece attachment is a
variation for treating the bottle system as a traditional water
bottle. The nipple attachment and the breast milk collecting
attachment allow for infants and mothers to have other uses for the
invention. The adapter is still a unified part of the invention
because of the common attachment means for the other parts of the
bottle system of the invention.
[0059] Other embodiments of the bottle system of the present
invention include a cartridge in the chamber assembly. The
innovation allows for sports drinks to be transported in a safe and
easy manner. The cartridge is loaded with additives for the liquid,
such as tablets, powders, and flavor strips for water. Those
additives can be sports drink flavors, vitamins, or other
nutritional supplements. The cartridge delivers the additives for
dissolving in the liquid without mess and without contamination.
Additionally, the particular cartridge structure facilitates
dissolving with perforations and fluid flow by stirring, shaking
and swirling. The structures of the present invention innovate the
merely pouring additives into the water. The structures are also
cooperative in unique ways, such as the bar member blocking the
cartridge in place for secure attachment. The cartridge in the
chamber assembly is also re-fillable and re-useable for more than
one use of the bottle system. The chamber assembly may alternative
include a lid piece and wedge section for the storage and transport
of additives in isolation. Later mixing of the additives can be
provided by the opened position of the lid piece to controlled
mixing of the wedge section with the vessel sleeve with different
patterns of liquid flow through the chamber assembly. Besides the
cartridge, additives can be delivered with differential liquid flow
through the chamber assembly.
[0060] The portable bottle system of the embodiments of the present
invention has multiple uses, and different types of user can
benefit. The structures of the bottle system are interactive and
combine to form more features than expected. The bottle system
remains easy for transport and storage in the same manner as a
prior art water bottle, while remaining compatible with other
drinking vessels and storage containers.
[0061] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated structures, construction and method can
be made without departing from the true spirit of the
invention.
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