U.S. patent application number 15/171211 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-08 for multi-drink bottles.
This patent application is currently assigned to TSI Manufacturing, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is TSI Manufacturing, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew Hoskins.
Application Number | 20160355305 15/171211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57451614 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160355305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoskins; Matthew |
December 8, 2016 |
MULTI-DRINK BOTTLES
Abstract
A drink bottle for fluid replenishment is described featuring
multiple ports to access the bottle's contents. The drink bottle
features a screw-on closure that when removed offers access to the
bottle's entire top port. The closure itself includes a mouthpiece
port and a fill/pour port. The drink bottle closure is constructed
in such a way as to protect its multiple ports from the environment
when they are not in use.
Inventors: |
Hoskins; Matthew; (Bend,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TSI Manufacturing, LLC |
Bend |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TSI Manufacturing, LLC
Bend
OR
|
Family ID: |
57451614 |
Appl. No.: |
15/171211 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62170395 |
Jun 3, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/2037 20130101;
B65D 51/1683 20130101; B65D 47/088 20130101; B65D 47/066 20130101;
B65D 47/0871 20130101; B65D 51/242 20130101; B65D 47/089
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 47/08 20060101 B65D047/08; B65D 47/14 20060101
B65D047/14; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02 |
Claims
1. A drink bottle for fluid replenishment comprising multiple ports
to access the bottle's contents, the drink bottle including a
screw-on closure that when removed offers access to the bottle's
entire top port, the closure itself including a mouthpiece port and
a fill/pour port, the drink bottle closure being constructed in
such a way as to protect its multiple ports from the environment
when they are not in use.
2. The closure of claim 1.
3. Any new and nonobvious device, system, or process described
herein.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/170,395, entitled MULTI-DRINK BOTTLES,
filed on Jun. 3, 2015, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to drink bottles and bottle
caps/closures, such as for everyday use and sports hydration.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Drink bottles are used in all sorts of situations as a
convenient means of hydration. Hikers and travelers carry drink
bottles for hydration on-the-go. Runners and cyclists utilize drink
bottles to replenish fluid loss. Office workers and students use
drink bottles at their desks and in class. Personal drink bottles
typically comprise a container and a screw-top cap, which may
feature a mouthpiece or smaller port for accessing the bottle's
contents.
[0004] Types of bottle cap ports include sipper ports, bite valves,
push/pull spouts, check valves, and simple pour spouts. Sipper
ports typically connect to a straw and fluid is drawn up through
mouthpiece via suction. Sipper ports are simple and offer
reasonable flow, but are prone to spillage, unless they are
manually closed off. Bite valves are similar to sipper ports in
that they must go in the drinker's mouth, require suction and use a
straw connection. Bite valves however, are designed not to leak
unless activated and as a result minimize spillage. Push/pull
spouts offer mouth or hand actuated shut-off capability. They are
typically not as comfortable in the mouth as sippers and bite
valves, but do work satisfactorily in squeezable squirt bottles. An
alternative squirt bottle port is a check valve that releases fluid
when the use generates a sufficient amount of pressure within the
bottle.
[0005] To prevent leakage and contamination of bottle contents,
many bottle cap ports feature valves that open or close off the
fluid conduit from the bottle to the port. Types of valves include
stopcocks, push/pull stoppers, pinched tubes, check valves, and
mouth-actuated valves.
[0006] Additional protection from contamination and in some cases
leakage may come in the form of a cover or cap that goes over the
bottle cap port to shield it from the environment. For simple open
ports, a push on cap or screw cap is used to both enclose the spout
and seal off fluid access. Mouthpiece type ports may be covered
with a removable cap or they may be designed to articulate into a
covered recess within the bottle cap. Port covers are often
tethered to the cap so that they are not mislaid. Another approach
is to employ a pivoting cover over the bottle's drink port. The
cover protects, and in some designs, seals the mouthpiece.
[0007] Drink bottle designs seek to meet the goals of leak
protection and hygiene while at the same time offering a vessel
that is easy to drink from, fill, and clean. Designers have
addressed drinkability with easy-to-access mouthpieces. In some
designs, the mouthpiece can be articulated out from the bottle cap
to orient the mouthpiece at a convenient drinking angle. Other
designs include mouthpieces that flip out from covered recesses.
Many hinged covers are spring-loaded so that they flip open with
the touch of a button.
[0008] There is a wide variety of drink bottle designs at every
level of price and complexity directed at providing convenient
drinking, preventing spills, minimizing contamination, and other
considerations. While many bottles are successful at one or two of
these functions, none meet all these use needs in an ergonomic and
comprehensive fashion. Thus, improved bottles and bottle caps are
needed that offers convenient fluid access, protective shielding of
mouth-contacting surfaces, easy cleaning, one-handed filling, and
leak and spill protection.
SUMMARY
[0009] The disclosed multi-drink bottles and bottle caps offer
convenient fluid access, protective shielding of mouth-contacting
surfaces, easy cleaning, one-handed filling, leak and spill
protection, improved hygiene, and other advantages. Some disclosed
drink bottles feature a screw-top cap for wide mouth access to the
bottle, a smaller fill/pour (and sip) port, and a mouthpiece port
with a thru channel to the bottle's contents. In some embodiments,
the fill/pour and mouthpiece port can both be mounted on a
screw-top cap. The caps can be non-threaded in some embodiments,
and can couple to the bottle in other ways besides being threaded
on by rotation.
[0010] Each of the access ports can provide convenient, ergonomic
access and can be configured to minimize contamination of the fluid
and mouth contacting surfaces. Both the mouthpiece port and
fill/pour port can be enclosed when not in use. When needed, either
port can be easily deployed by the user with the hand grasping the
drink bottle.
[0011] Some embodiments include a wide mouth bottle with a cap. The
diameter of the mouth of the bottle and the cap is roughly the same
as the bottle, providing access to the entire inner girth of the
bottle. The cap features a mouthpiece port and a fill/pour port.
The mouthpiece can be attached to a flexible conduit which passes
through the cap and into the bottle. The mouthpiece can mounted on
a tongue piece, which is hinged at its base to the top of the cap.
Sharing this pivot point is a mouthpiece cover which sits on the
top of the cap and is releasably anchored in place. The tongue and
mouthpiece nest within the mouthpiece cover such that the
mouthpiece is entirely protected from the environment when not in
use. In its anchored position, the mouthpiece cover encloses and
seals a fill/pour port. The fill/pour port is a spout mounted on
the bottle cap which is sized and shaped for easy drinking,
pouring, and filling. A handle may be attached to the same pivot
point as the tongue and mouthpiece cover.
[0012] The bottle's contents may be accessed in three different
ways with the disclosed multi-drink cap. The cap may be removed to
provide a wide-mouth access to the bottle's interior.
Alternatively, the mouthpiece may be rotated out of its stowed
position cover to a convenient angle for sipping or squirting
fluid. In a third mode, the mouthpiece cover, along with the nested
mouthpiece, may be pivoted upward, to uncover and unseal the
fill/pour port for drinking or re-filling.
[0013] In some embodiments, the flexible conduit is designed such
that it acts as a spring force on the mouthpiece tongue and
mouthpiece cover. This force acts in the direction of mouthpiece
deployment and mouthpiece cover opening. In some embodiments, one
or more catch mechanisms can act against this spring force and hold
the mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover in place when they are in their
non-deployed positions. The catch mechanisms can include release
buttons allowing the mouthpiece and/or mouthpiece cover to be
deployed by the user. The release buttons can be positioned on the
cap such that the user can easily activate them with their
bottle-holding hand or the other hand. When the mouthpiece is in
its stowed position, the flexible conduit bends back on itself and
folds to block flow to the mouthpiece. Both mouthpiece and
mouthpiece cover can be designed to be manually returned to their
non-deployed position.
[0014] In some embodiments, the bottle cap may be a screw-top cap
which can feature a thread arrangement where cap removal requires
less than 360 degrees of rotation. The mouthpiece may comprise an
open channel/tube, a bite valve, or a squirt valve, for examples.
The flexible conduit can be an elastomeric tube mounted to the
tongue and connected to the mouthpiece. Alternatively, the flexible
conduit, tongue, and mouthpiece may be integrated into one piece.
In any case, the cap can provide for easy user removal and
replacement of the mouthpiece and/or flexible conduit when they are
dirty or worn out.
[0015] When a bite valve or squirt valve is employed, the cap can
include an inlet that allows re-pressurization of the bottle. The
inlet may be a sealable conduit or a one way valve. The inlet can
be located on cap or the mouthpiece cover. If located in the
mouthpiece cover, the inlet may be designed to act as a drain, such
that fluid within the mouthpiece cover drains back into the bottle.
The interior of the mouthpiece cover may include features for
opening the bite valve so that any fluid captured within, drains
into the mouthpiece cover.
[0016] The disclosed multi-drink bottle caps can offer improved
convenience by allowing the user to use the bottle and cap
one-handed, for example to deploy the mouthpiece to and from a
drink ready position using their bottle-grasping hand, such as when
the other hand is not available. Similarly, the design allows the
user to open the fill/pour port with the same ease. The bottle caps
can also offer improved cleanliness, storing the mouthpiece in an
enclosed space when not in use. The fill/pour spout can also be
covered when not in use. The disclosed bottle caps can safeguard
against leakage by automatically sealing off the flexible conduit
when the mouthpiece is in its stowed position. The mouthpiece cover
can lock in place to plug the fill/pour port when the port is not
in use. The bottle caps described herein can also achieve these
features and advantages using a minimum of parts and materials, and
can do so within a size range common to most sports bottles.
[0017] Various other design approaches can be employed in
alternative bottle caps to achieve the some or all of the herein
described features. In one alternate embodiment, the mouthpiece and
tongue can seat over the fill/pour port to seal it off until
pivoted out of the way. The mouthpiece can be enclosed by a
separate, removable cover.
[0018] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the disclosed technology will become more apparent from the
following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to
the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIGS. 1A-1C show front, side, and top views of an exemplary
drink bottle.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the drink bottle assembly
of FIG. 1A.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows the drink bottle cap of FIG. 1A with its handle
deployed.
[0022] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the drink bottle of FIG. 1A with the
mouthpiece in a drink-ready position.
[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the drink bottle of FIG. 1A with the
mouthpiece cover raised to provide access to the fill/pour
port.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows the location of release buttons for the
mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover of the drink bottle of FIG. 1A.
[0025] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate an alternative drink bottle
embodiment.
[0026] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another alternative drink bottle
embodiment.
[0027] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate another alternative drink bottle
embodiment.
[0028] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an alternative bottle cap
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 11 shows another alternative bottle cap embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 12 shows another alternative bottle cap embodiment.
[0031] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate yet another alternative bottle
cap embodiment.
[0032] FIGS. 14-16 show various views of a cap base of the bottle
cap shown in FIG. 10A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] FIGS. 1A-1C show side and top views an exemplary multi-drink
bottle 8 that comprises a bottle 10 and bottle cap assembly 12.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the drink bottle 8. The cap
assembly 12 includes a cap 14 seals an upper opening of bottle 10.
Cap 14 includes hinge feature 16, which accepts hinge pin 18.
Flexible conduit 20 passes thru cap 14 and is in fluid
communication with mouthpiece 26. Cap 14 includes fill/pour port 15
which is open to the bottle's interior. Mouthpiece cover 22 is
pinned at hinge feature 16 via hinge pin 18 and can seal and
surround fill/pour port 15. Tongue 24 is also hinged via hinge
feature 16 and hinge pin 18. Mouthpiece 26 mounts on to tongue 24
and both can nest into a recess within mouthpiece cover 22. Handle
28 can connect to hinge feature 16 via hinge pin 18 as well.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates handle 28 in its extended position. In
FIG. 3, mouthpiece cover 22 sits over fill/port 15 (not seen),
while tongue 24 and mouthpiece 26 (not seen) nest within.
[0036] In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the mouthpiece assembly including tongue
24, mouthpiece 26, and flexible conduit 20 has been pivoted forward
to place mouthpiece 26 at a convenient position for drinking.
Flexible conduit 20 connects to passageway 29 on tongue 24.
Passageway 29 is in fluid communication with mouthpiece 26.
Flexible conduit 26 is shaped to include a right angled bend just
before it passes through cap 14. The force exerted by this right
angled bend on tongue 24 helps positions the mouthpiece assembly as
shown for drinking.
[0037] FIGS. 5A and 5B show mouthpiece cover 24 pivoted up and away
from cap 14 to unseal and uncover fill/pour port 15. Fill/pour port
15 features gasket 30 which enhances sealing when mouthpiece cover
15 is in its closed position. Flexible conduit 20 (not seen) pushes
on mouthpiece cover 24 to raise it into its extended position
unless otherwise secured. Air inlet valve 31 can be incorporated
into mouthpiece cover 24 or cap 14.
[0038] FIG. 6 depicts possible locations for a mouthpiece cover
release button 32 and a mouthpiece release button 34.
[0039] FIGS. 7A-7D shows another exemplary multi-drink bottle and
cap. In this embodiment, hollow handle 36 pivots to cover and
uncover mouthpiece 40. To access mouthpiece 40, handle 36 is
rotated backwards (as shown in FIG. 7B) then side-to-side (as shown
in FIG. 7C) at pivot point 38 to contact the side of the bottle 10
and form a handle. Handle 36 can be spring-loaded and secured with
a catch mechanism such that it is locked in place over mouthpiece
40 until release button 37 is pressed. To access fill/pour port 44,
handle 36 is brought to the closed position shown in FIG. 7A.
Mouthpiece release button 41 is then actuated, which releases both
handle 36 and mouthpiece 40, as shown in FIG. 7D. Holding features
within hollow handle 36 secure the mouthpiece 40 so that the
mouthpiece remains captured within the handle 36 as the handle
pivots away from port 44.
[0040] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another exemplary multi-drink bottle
and cap. In this embodiment, bottle cap assembly 12 includes cap
base 46 and cap top 48. Cap base 46 and cap top 48 are hinged via
hinge feature 52. Actuation of release button 54 releases
spring-loaded cap top 48 to reveal mouthpiece 40. To access
fill/pour port 60, cap top release button 58 is pressed so that
spring-loaded mouthpiece base 56 swings upward. The release buttons
54 and 58 can be positioned next to each other and/or one can be
nested within the other for ease of use.
[0041] FIGS. 9A-9D show another exemplary multi-drink bottle and
cap. In this configuration bottle cap assembly 12 includes
mouthpiece cover 62 which pivots around pivot point 63 such that
mouthpiece 62 can be uncovered for drinking. Pivot point 63 is
supported by support member 65. Cover release button 64 can be
pressed to cause spring-loaded mouthpiece cover 62 to swing up and
away from mouthpiece 66. To access fill/pour port 72, mouthpiece
release button 74 is activated allowing spring-loaded mouthpiece
support piece 68 to rotate around pivot point 63 and uncover
fill/pour port 72.
[0042] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate an exemplary multi-drink bottle cap
assembly 100 that includes a cap base 102, a cover 104, and a
mouthpiece platform 106. The cover 104 and platform 106 pivot at
hinge 108 relative the base 102. As shown in detail in FIGS. 14-16,
the base 102 includes a raised rim 110 that extends partially
around a fill/pour port 111 and a straw port 119. The platform 106
includes a front lip 112 that is releasably engagable with a
mechanism 114 on the base, such that pressing release button 116
can free the platform to pivot up and back and expose the fill/pout
port 111 and rim 110. The platform 116 includes a mouthpiece 118
and a sealing member 120 that covers the ports 111 and 119 when the
platform is closed, sealing off the port 111 and coupling the port
119 to the mouthpiece. The sealing member 120 can comprise a
silicone gasket, and it can be molded with the mouthpiece 118. When
the platform 106 is pivoted open, the platform and the mouthpiece
can nest within the cover 104. When the cover 104 is closed, the
cover can bend or kink the mouthpiece to seal off the conduit
within and prevent leakage. The front of the cover can catch/engage
with the front of the platform and/or the front of the base to hold
the cover closed. The base can also include handle 122 for
conveyance and handling. The platform 106 and the cover 104 can be
opened and closed together for quick access to the port 111 from
the closed position.
[0043] The mouthpiece 119 can comprise a bite valve, a squirt
valve, or an open channel/tube. In the case of an open tube, the
cover can cause the tube to fold and kink in order to seal the tube
and prevent leaking. In other embodiment, the cover can press
against the top of the tube to seal off the outlet of the tube
without causing the tube to fold down.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a cap assembly 130 that is similar to cap
assembly 100, except that the handle 132 of the base 102 is
positioned to support the cover 104 in a desired open position.
[0045] FIG. 12 shows a cap assembly 140 that is similar to cap
assembly 100, except that the cover 142 is minimal is width and
configured to cover the area around the rim 110, fill port 111, and
mouthpiece 118, while leaving lateral surfaces of the base 102
exposed.
[0046] FIGS. 13A and 13B show a cap assembly 150 that is similar to
cap assembly 100, except that the cover 152 is shaped to include a
loop 154 at its rear. The loop 154 can be sized to fit a user's
finger and/or to couple the cap assembly 150 to another device. The
loop 154 can also be shaped to contact the back of the base 102 to
limit the opening motion of the cover 152.
[0047] FIGS. 14-16 shows the cap base 102 is various views, and
FIGS. 14 and 15 provide some example dimensions for the base 102.
All dimensions shown are in millimeters. "MIN" means an exemplary
minimum dimension. As shown in FIG. 14, the sealing member 120
(FIG. 10B) can contact a perimeter surface around the fill-pour
port 111 and mouthpiece port 119, and inside of the rim 110 to
couple the mouthpiece 118 to the port 119.
[0048] For purposes of this description, certain aspects,
advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this
disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods,
apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any
way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel
and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed
embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations
with one another. The methods, apparatuses, and systems are not
limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof,
nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more
specific advantages be present or problems be solved.
[0049] Integers, characteristics, materials, and other features
described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or
example of the disclosed technology are to be understood to be
applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described
herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed
in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract
and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so
disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations
where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually
exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any
foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or
any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and
drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any method or process so disclosed.
[0050] Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are
described in a particular, sequential order for convenient
presentation, it should be understood that this manner of
description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering
is required by specific language. For example, operations described
sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed
concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached
figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed
methods can be used in conjunction with other methods.
[0051] As used herein, the terms "a", "an", and "at least one"
encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of
a particular element are present, one of these elements is also
present and thus "an" element is present. The terms "a plurality
of" and "plural" mean two or more of the specified element. As used
herein, the term "and/or" used between the last two of a list of
elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example,
the phrase "A, B, and/or C" means "A", "B,", "C", "A and B", "A and
C", "B and C", or "A, B, and C." As used herein, the term "coupled"
generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude
the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items
absent specific contrary language.
[0052] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the
principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be
recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.
Rather, the scope of this disclosure is at least as broad as the
full scope of the following claims, including all equivalents.
Accordingly, I claim all that falls within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *