U.S. patent application number 15/680874 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-22 for closure with detachable flip straw.
The applicant listed for this patent is O2COOL, LLC. Invention is credited to Aly Khalifa, Derrick Lawrence, Kelly Murosky.
Application Number | 20180050850 15/680874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61191312 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180050850 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murosky; Kelly ; et
al. |
February 22, 2018 |
CLOSURE WITH DETACHABLE FLIP STRAW
Abstract
A closure for a bottle has a straw portion with a ball coupling,
a sipper extending from the ball coupling, a rod extending from
opposite sides of the ball coupling, and a handle arranged on
opposite ends of the rod. The sipper is in fluid communication with
the ball coupling. A cap portion is attachable to the bottle and
has a reception area with a channel and a straw area. The channel
is configured to detachably receive the rod such that the rod is
rotatable within the channel. The straw area has a third aperture
and is configured to receive the ball coupling. The ball coupling
is rotatable within the straw area between an aligned position in
which the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with straw area
third aperture and a misaligned position in which the ball coupling
second aperture is misaligned with straw area third aperture.
Inventors: |
Murosky; Kelly; (Burlington,
VT) ; Lawrence; Derrick; (South Burlington, VT)
; Khalifa; Aly; (Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O2COOL, LLC |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61191312 |
Appl. No.: |
15/680874 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62376975 |
Aug 19, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/2043 20130101;
A47G 19/2266 20130101; B65D 51/242 20130101; B65D 41/0442 20130101;
B65D 47/305 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/20 20060101
B65D047/20; B65D 47/30 20060101 B65D047/30; B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04 |
Claims
1. A closure for a bottle, the closure comprising: a straw portion
including a ball coupling and a sipper extending from the ball
coupling, the ball coupling having a rod extending from opposite
sides of the ball coupling generally perpendicular to the sipper,
the rod having opposite ends and a handle arranged on the rod
opposite ends, the sipper including a first internal region and a
first aperture, the first internal region and the first aperture in
fluid communication with the ball coupling, the ball coupling
including a second aperture and a second internal region in fluid
communication with the sipper; and a cap portion adapted and
configured to be attachable to the bottle, the cap portion having a
top surface and including a reception area in the top surface, the
reception area including collectively a channel, a straw area, and
a closing area, the channel being adapted and configured to receive
the rod such that the rod is rotatable within the channel and
removable therefrom, the straw area having a third aperture and
being adapted and configured to receive the ball coupling, the ball
coupling being rotatable with the rod within the straw area between
an aligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is
aligned with straw area third aperture and a misaligned position in
which the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with straw
area third aperture.
2. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ball coupling
is journaled with the straw area.
3. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sipper first
internal region and the ball coupling second internal region extend
away from a center of the ball coupling at different angles.
4. A closure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a fourth
aperture in the cap closing area and a stop formed on a bottom side
of the sipper.
5. A closure in accordance with claim 4, wherein the stop seals the
fourth aperture when the ball coupling second aperture is
misaligned with the straw area third aperture, and the stop unseals
the fourth aperture when the ball coupling second aperture is
aligned with the straw area third aperture.
6. A closure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a gasket
positioned about the third aperture and adapted and configured to
remain in place between the straw area and the ball coupling as the
ball coupling rotates.
7. A closure for a bottle, the closure comprising: a straw portion
including a sipper, a handle, a ball coupling, and a rod, the
sipper including a first internal region and a first aperture and
extending from the ball coupling, the sipper first internal region
and the first aperture being in fluid communication with the ball
coupling, the rod extending from opposite sides of the ball
coupling in a direction generally perpendicular to the sipper, the
rod having a substantially oval cross-section with opposite ends,
the handle extending from the opposite ends of the rod, the ball
coupling including a second aperture and a second internal region
in fluid communication with the sipper first internal region; and a
cap portion adapted and configured to be attachable to the bottle,
the cap portion having a top surface and including a reception area
in the top surface, the reception area including collectively a
channel, a straw area, and a closing area, the channel being
adapted and configured to receive the rod such that the rod is
rotatable within the channel and removable therefrom, the channel
being substantially circular in cross-section and having an upper
opening running the length of the channel, the upper opening having
a width less than the diameter of the substantially circular
cross-section of the channel, the straw area having a third
aperture, the straw area being adapted and configured to receive
the ball coupling in a manner such that the ball coupling is
rotatable within the straw area to align and misalign the ball
coupling second aperture with the straw area third aperture.
8. A closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein the oval
cross-section of the rod includes two squared off sides opposite
each other, the dimension between the squared off sides is less
than a dimension of a major axis of the oval cross-section of the
rod.
9. A closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein the straw portion
is rotatable between a closed position, an assembly position, and
an open position, wherein in the closed position the ball coupling
second aperture is misaligned with the straw area third aperture
and seals the straw area third aperture, and wherein in the open
position the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with the
straw area third aperture, and wherein in the assembly position the
rod is oriented such that a minor axis of the oval cross section of
the rod is substantially parallel with the upper opening in the
channel thereby allowing the rod to be removed from the
channel.
10. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw
portion in the closed position the rod is oriented with respect to
the upper opening such that the rod is retained within the channel,
and wherein with the straw portion in the open position the rod is
oriented with respect to the upper opening such that the rod is
retained within the channel.
11. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw
portion in the closed position, the sipper is at least partially in
the closing area.
12. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw
portion in the closed position, the handle is oriented
substantially over the cap portion.
13. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw
portion in the assembly position, the rod is rotated to a position
intermediate of positions corresponding to the open and closed
positions of the straw portion.
14. A method comprising: providing a closure for a bottle wherein
the closure comprises a straw portion including a sipper, a handle,
a ball coupling, and a rod, the sipper including a first internal
region and a first aperture, the sipper first internal region and
the first aperture in fluid extending from the ball coupling and in
communication with the ball coupling, the rod extending from
opposite sides of the ball coupling and having a substantially oval
cross-section with a minor axis and a major axis, the handle
extending from opposite ends of the rod, the ball coupling
including a second aperture and a second internal region in fluid
communication with the sipper, the closure further comprising a cap
portion having a top surface and including a reception area in the
top surface, the reception area including collectively a channel, a
straw area, and a closing area, the straw area having a third
aperture and being adapted and configured to receive the ball
coupling such that the ball coupling is rotatable within the straw
area and moveable between an aligned position in which the ball
coupling second aperture is aligned with the straw area third
aperture and a misaligned position in which the ball coupling
second aperture is misaligned with the straw area third aperture,
the channel being adapted and configured such that the rod is
rotatable within the channel, and the channel being substantially
circular in cross-section and having an upper opening running the
length of the channel, the upper opening having a width less than
the diameter of the substantially circular cross-section; with the
handle, rotating the rod to an assembly position where the rod is
oriented such that the minor axis of the oval cross section of the
rod is substantially parallel with the upper opening in the
channel; and removing the rod from the channel through the upper
opening such that the straw portion is uncoupled from the cap
portion.
15. A method in accordance with claim 14 further comprising
cleaning the straw portion.
16. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising
positioning the rod such that the minor axis is substantially
parallel with the upper opening in the channel and inserting the
rod into the channel through the upper opening.
17. A method in accordance with claim 14 further comprising
coupling the cap portion to the bottle.
18. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising with
the handle rotating the straw portion to a closed positon where the
ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with the straw area
third aperture and the ball coupling seals the third aperture.
19. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising with
the handle rotating the straw portion to an open position where the
ball coupling second aperture is aligned with the third
aperture.
20. A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising
applying a suction to the first aperture of the sipper and
extracting a fluid through the third aperture of the straw area,
the second aperture of the ball coupling, the second internal
region of the ball coupling, the first internal region of the
sipper, and the first aperture of the sipper.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/376,975, filed on Aug. 19, 2016, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The disclosure generally relates to caps for bottles and
canteens, and in particular, the disclosure is directed to a
closure with a detachable flip straw.
[0003] Conventional containers may hold a variety of different
types of liquids and fluids. For example, known containers can hold
various drinks and beverages such as water, flavored waters,
juices, energy drinks, protein-enhanced drinks, shakes, foodstuffs,
and liquid meal replacements.
[0004] These types of known containers may be used in a wide
variety of environments such as at a home, office, gym, or health
club, and while traveling. Known beverage containers may also be
used during or after activities such as exercising or riding in an
automobile, bus, train, or airplane. Traditional beverage
containers, such as a coffee mug, are generally unsuitable for
drinking beverages while exercising or traveling because they can
easily spill their contents, are often heavy, not readily portable,
and are prone to breaking if dropped. Traditional beverage
containers are also generally unsuitable for use outside of a
limited area because they may be relatively inconvenient to carry
or transport, and may allow the contents to spill.
[0005] Some known beverage containers may include a small cover
over the drinking aperture to prevent the contents from spilling.
The small cover is typically manually opened by the user's hand
when the user desires to take a drink. For example, the user may
slide the cover into an open position, rotate the cover or a spout
between an open and closed position, or depress a button or lever.
Many of these known containers include a watertight or airtight
seal between the cover and the drinking aperture to prevent the
beverage from spilling. These known containers often require
substantial effort to open and close the cover because the
watertight or airtight seal must be formed or broken each time the
cover is opened or closed. Some of these containers, especially
when the container is full, may undesirably allow some of the
beverage to spill when the cover is opened. In addition, because
the cover may be suddenly and abruptly opened, this may cause some
of the contents to spill. Further, a user may not want to touch a
rotating spout with his or her fingers if their hands are dirty or
unwashed.
[0006] Additionally, conventional beverage containers may also be
difficult to clean or reuse because of the shape, number of parts,
and complex configuration of one or more components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings
show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However,
it should be understood that the present invention is not limited
to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the
drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure with a detachable
flip straw according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the closure shown
in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cap portion of the closure
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottom of the cap portion
of the closure according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the detached components of
the closure according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a straw portion according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6B is a further perspective view of a straw portion
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top of the closure in
the open position according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A closure with a detachable flip straw (hereinafter, the
"closure") according to embodiments of the present invention
facilitates easy opening and closing of the closure when mounted on
a canister or bottle, transport of the canister or bottle including
the closure, and cleaning the closure. The closure as discussed
herein allows for accessing the liquids within a canister or bottle
without having to touch a portion of the closure that would enter
the user's mouth thereby avoiding contamination and germs. A
closure according to the present disclosure is separable into a
straw portion and a cap portion when the straw portion is in the
substantially open or "drink" position, but is not separable when
in the substantially closed position. The closure is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 7.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary closure 100, placed in the closed
position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Closure 100 is sized and configured to mate with the top of a
canister or bottle that contains liquids, such as, but not limited
to, a sports bottle, a canteen, and a water bottle. Closure 100 is
also configured to move from a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1)
to an open position (as shown in FIG. 7). Closure 100 includes a
cap portion 104 and a straw portion 108. The straw portion 108 is
adapted and configured to rotatably and detachably engage with cap
portion 104.
[0018] FIGS. 2 through 4 show the cap portion 104. Cap portion 104
has an engagement portion 112 that is sized and configured to mate
with the top of a canister or bottle containing liquids
(hereinafter all such possible containers will be referred to as
"container"). Engagement portion 112 includes, in an exemplary
embodiment, an outer surface 116 and an inner surface 120. Inner
surface 120 includes threads 124 adapted and configured to mate
with corresponding threads on a container (not shown). In another
exemplary embodiment, outer surface 116 includes threads or other
suitable features to couple cap portion 104 with the container.
Inner surface 120 may, in some embodiments, have a smooth
surface.
[0019] Cap portion 104 also includes a reception area 128 for
receiving the straw portion 108. As shown in FIG. 3, the reception
area 128 can include a straw area 132, a channel 136, and a closing
area 140. The straw area 132 is, as shown, generally spherical with
an aperture 144, which extends through the cap portion 104 so as to
allow for liquid to travel from the container to the straw portion
108. In this embodiment, the generally spherical shape of the straw
area 132 allows for the rotation of the straw portion 108 from a
closed position to an open position, when straw portion 108 and cap
portion 104 are coupled together. The channel 136 is sized and
configured to receive a corresponding rod 148 (seen in FIG. 5) of
the straw portion 108 (discussed in more detail below). The channel
136 may be substantially circular in cross section with an upper
opening 137. The upper opening 137 is sized to accommodate the rod
148 of unsymmetrical cross section such that the rod 148 is only
insertable or removable in a specific orientation relative to the
channel 136 and the upper opening 137 (e.g., the assembly position
described in greater detail later herein). For example, and without
limitation, the width of the upper opening 137 is less than the
greatest width of the channel 136 (e.g., the radius of the channel
136). The closing area 140 is sized and configured to receive an
upper portion of the straw portion 108 when the straw portion is in
the closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the closing area
140 has a depth sufficient to allow the upper portion of the straw
portion 108 to fully rest below an upper surface 152 of the cap
portion 104. This configuration assists in preventing contaminants
from entering the straw portion 108 when in the closed
position.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the underside of the cap portion 104. The cap
portion 104 includes an internal straw receiver 154 that is sized
and configured to accept and hold a removable straw (not shown)
that can extend into the container to facilitate drinking of the
fluids therein. The internal straw receiver 154 is adapted and
configured to place the removable straw in fluid communication with
the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104.
[0021] FIGS. 5 through 7 depict the straw portion 108 in greater
detail. The straw portion 108 is sized and configured to mate with
the cap portion 104 and to provide for access to the contents of
the container by the user without taking the closure 100 off the
container. The straw portion 108 is shown to include a handle 156,
a ball coupling 160, the rod 148, and a sipper 164. In some
embodiments, the straw portion 108, including the handle 156, the
ball coupling 160, the rod 148, and the sipper 164, is of unitary
construction. The handle 156 is coupled to the rod 148 at each end
of the rod. The rod 148 is coupled to the ball coupling 160. In
this embodiment, the rod 148 is depicted as a single structure,
although in other embodiments the rod may connect handle 156 to
opposing sides of the ball coupling 160.
[0022] The rod 148 is not perfectly circular. Rather, the rod 148
is generally oval in cross section with a major axis and a minor
axis. The rod 148 has a greater length along the major axis than
along the minor axis. In some embodiments, the rod 148 may be oval
or circular in cross section but may also include squared off sides
149 running substantially parallel with the major axis. The squared
off sides are positioned closer to the major axis than the ends of
the minor axis if the rod were a complete oval in cross section.
The oval features of the rod 148 facilitate the insertion of the
rod 148 into the channel 136 and removal of the rod 148 from the
channel 136 while also limiting unintended removal as described in
greater detail later herein.
[0023] The sipper 164 is coupled to the ball coupling 160 and each
has an aperture 168 that is fluidly connected to the aperture 144
of the cap portion 104 when straw portion 108 is in the open
position. In the open position, the straw portion 108 is rotated
such that the aperture 168 in the ball coupling 160 is aligned with
the aperture 144 in the cap portion. The sipper 164 includes an
internal region and the ball portion includes an internal region.
The combination of apertures and internal regions allows fluid to
flow from the bottle out of the sipper 164 when the straw portion
108 is in the open position. In some embodiments, the internal
regions of the sipper 164 and the ball coupling 160 extend away
from the center of the ball coupling 160 at different angles. This
may facilitate placement of the sipper 164 relative to the cap
portion 104 when the straw portion 108 is in different
positions.
[0024] The straw portion 108 can also include a stop 172 (as shown
in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the stop 172 is an integrated
portion of the straw portion 108. The stop 172 may rest between the
sipper 164 and the closing area 140 when the straw portion is in
the closed portion. In the closed position, the stop 172 engages
with and seals a vent aperture 184 in the cap portion 104 (used to
provide return air flow as a user is drinking). For example, and
without limitation, the stop 172 may be a frustoconical portion
extending from a bottom side of the sipper 168 and forming a
portion of the unitary straw portion 108. The stop 172 engages with
the vent aperture 184 which may include a gasket to seal the vent
aperture 184 when the sipper 168 is lowered into the closing area
140. The stop 172 may ensure that the sipper 164 does not descend
too far into closing area 140.
[0025] As shown in at least FIG. 7, when cap portion 104 and straw
portion 108 are coupled together and the straw portion 108 is in an
open position, the aperture 168 and the aperture 144 form a
passageway that allows fluid to exit the container. A user may
apply suction to the sipper 164 such that fluid is drawn from the
bottle via the removable straw, through the aperture 144 of the cap
portion 104, through the aperture 168 of the ball coupling 160,
through the sipper 164, and out through the aperture 168 of the
sipper 164.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 3, the closure 100 can include
other components such as a gasket 176 and a gasket 180, each of
which serve to prevent liquid from inadvertently leaving the
container other than by the sipper 164. In this embodiment, the
gasket 176 is disposed on the underside of the upper surface 152
thereby providing a seal between the cap portion 104 and the
container. The gasket 180 sets in straw area 132 so as to provide a
seal between the ball coupling 160 and the lower portion of the
straw area 132 where the aperture 144 is disposed. For example, and
without limitation, the gasket 180 may be an o-ring or similar
gasket disposed about the aperture 144. The gasket 180 is secured
between the cap portion 104 and the straw portion 108 by the ball
coupling 160 which exerts a force on the gasket 180 causing the
gasket 180 to maintain a seated position in the straw area 132. The
force results from the straw portion 108 being secured in the
channel 136. In some embodiments, the straw area 136 may include a
recess about the aperture 144 which partially receives the gasket
180 such that the gasket remains seated when the ball coupling 160
moves relative to the cap portion 104 and the gasket 180. The
gasket 180 maintains a substantially watertight seal between the
aperture 144 of the cap portion 104 and the ball coupling 160. As a
result, the ball coupling seals the aperture 144 when the straw
portion 108 is in the closed position. In the closed position, the
aperture 144 and the aperture 168 of the ball coupling 160 are in
misalignment and a seal is formed between the gasket 180 and the
ball coupling 160.
[0027] In use, a user secures the closure 100 to a container,
optionally coupling an internal removable straw to internal straw
receiver 154 prior to securing the closure to the container. With
the straw portion 108 in a closed position, no liquid should escape
the container via closure 100. In the closed position, the stop 172
of the straw portion 108 seals the vent aperture 184 of the cap
portion 104, and the ball coupling 160, in combination with the
gasket 180, seals the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104. When the
user is ready for a drink, the user presses handle 156 so as to
rotate the handle from a substantially upright position (FIG. 1) to
a substantially downward position (FIG. 7). The movement of handle
156 causes the sipper 164 to rise away from the closing area 140
until the aperture 168 is substantially aligned with the aperture
144. As the sipper 164 rises, the vent aperture 184 is also
unsealed as the stop 172 is drawn away from the vent aperture 184.
At this point, the user can take a drink from sipper 164. When the
user is finished, the user moves handle 156 from the substantially
downward position to the substantially upward position, thereby
misaligning the apertures 168,144 and thus closing off a fluid
pathway for liquid to exit the container.
[0028] When the user desires to clean the closure 100, the handle
156 is rotated as if the user wanted to take a drink as described
above to an assembly position. In the assembly position, the handle
is rotated such that the smaller width of the rod 148 (e.g., the
width parallel with the minor axis of rod 148) is aligned with the
upper opening 137 of the channel 136. Once handle 156 has rotated,
for example, 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent, or a value there
between of the way from the substantially downward position to the
substantially upright position thus placing the straw portion 108
in the assembly position, the user can pull the handle and/or other
portion of the straw portion 108 and thereby disconnect straw
portion 108 from cap portion 104. In some embodiments, the fit
between the rod 148 and the channel 136, including the upper
opening 137, is an interference fit such that the user must exert a
force to remove the straw portion 108 from the cap portion 104. The
rod 148 exits the channel 136 as the smaller width of the rod 148
is aligned with the upper opening 137. It should be noted that
straw portion 108 and cap portion 104 are not decoupleable at all
times, as that may lead to inadvertent detachment. By not having
straw portion 108 be removable from cap portion 104 when handle 156
is in a substantially upright position or other non-assembly
position, the user does not have to be concerned about undesired
detachment of the straw portion from cap portion 104. The straw
portion 108 is not decoupleable from the cap portion in positions
other than the assembly position as a result of the shape of the
rod 148 and the size of the upper opening 137. In non-assembly
positions (e.g., when the straw portion 108 is in the downward or
upright positions) the wider portions of the rod 148 (e.g., the
portions extending along the major axis) are aligned with the upper
opening 137 and these portion os the rod 148 are larger than the
upper opening 137. Thus, the rod 148 is prevented from exiting the
channel 136.
[0029] In exemplary embodiments, handle 156 moves about 10 percent
of the way or more from the substantially upright position to the
substantially downward position before straw portion 108 can be
decoupled from cap portion 104. The removal of straw portion 108
facilitates cleaning of both the straw portion and cap portion 104.
Once the user has cleaned the straw portion 108, the user couples
the straw portion 108 to the cap portion 104 by inserting the rod
148 into the channel 136 with the handle 156 partially between the
upright position and downward position, e.g., in the assembly
position. The smaller width portion of the rod 148 is aligned with
the upper opening 137 of the channel 136 such that the rod 148 is
insertable through the upper opening 137 and into the channel 136.
The same assembly and disassembly procedures may be used in the
manufacturing of or assembly of the closure 100.
[0030] Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and
additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed
herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *