U.S. patent application number 15/908031 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-29 for bottle closure.
The applicant listed for this patent is O2COOL, LLC. Invention is credited to Ngan Chi Keung.
Application Number | 20190263572 15/908031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67685048 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190263572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keung; Ngan Chi |
August 29, 2019 |
Bottle Closure
Abstract
A bottle closure includes a body having an upper portion and a
lower portion. The body upper portion is formed with a cavity, and
a drink spout is disposed in the cavity. The drink spout is in
fluid communication with a straw which includes a biasing portion
extending from the drink spout and an extension portion insertable
in a bottle. The drink spout is moveable between an open position
in which the drink spout extends out of the cavity and a closed
position in which the drink spout is contained in the cavity. The
body also has a drink spout cover movable between a closed position
in which the drink spout cover extends over the cavity and an open
position in which the drink spout cover enables access to the
cavity. The straw biasing portion biases the drink spout and the
drink spout cover toward the respective open positions.
Inventors: |
Keung; Ngan Chi; (Tuen Mun,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O2COOL, LLC |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67685048 |
Appl. No.: |
15/908031 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2266 20130101;
B65D 47/066 20130101; B65D 47/0876 20130101; B65D 21/0209 20130101;
B65D 2547/063 20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101; B05B 11/0086
20130101; B65D 21/0228 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/06 20060101
B65D047/06; B65D 47/08 20060101 B65D047/08 |
Claims
1. A bottle closure comprising: a body having an upper portion and
a lower portion, the body lower portion having a bottle finish
adapted and configured to be releasably connectable with a bottle,
the body upper portion being formed with a cavity, the body having
a drink spout disposed in the cavity, the drink spout having a
distal opening adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from
the drink spout, the drink spout distal opening being in fluid
communication with a straw, the straw having a biasing portion
extending from the drink spout and through a first hole in the
body, the straw having an extension portion in fluid communication
with the biasing portion, the extension portion having a length
sufficient to be insertable in a hollow interior of a bottle with
which the bottle closure is releasably connected, the drink spout
being moveable between an open position in which the drink spout
extends out of the cavity with the drink spout distal opening
spaced from the body, and a closed position in which the drink
spout is contained in the cavity, the body having a drink spout
cover movable relative to the body between a closed position in
which the drink spout cover extends over the cavity and an open
position in which the drink spout cover enables access to the
cavity, the body having a latch movable between a latch position in
which the latch secures the drink spout cover in the closed
position and a release position in which the latch releases the
drink spout cover, the straw biasing portion being adapted and
configured to bias the drink spout and the drink spout cover toward
the respective open position.
2. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion
is adapted and configured to move the drink spout and the drink
spout cover to the respective open positions when the latch is
moved to the release position.
3. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the drink spout cover is
pivotally coupled to the body adjacent the upper portion of the
body.
4. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the drink spout is
pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the body within the
cavity.
5. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion
is adapted and configured to be pinched close when the drink spout
is in the closed position.
6. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the drink spout cover
includes a detent that engages an upper portion of the body when
the drink spout cover is in the open position.
7. The bottle closure of claim 6 wherein the upper portion of the
body has a recess configured to engage the detent and maintain the
drink spout cover in the open position.
8. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the straw
biasing portion passes through a second hole in the body that is
radially offset from the first hole in the body.
9. The bottle closure of claim 8 wherein the straw biasing portion
extends from the first hole of the body to the second hole at an
acute angle relative to a center axis of the bottle closure.
10. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion
and the straw extension portion are separate members.
11. The bottle closure of claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion
terminates in a fitting formed in the body lower portion.
12. The bottle closure of claim 11 wherein the straw extension
portion extends from the fitting formed in the body lower
portion.
13. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the latch
is configured to engage with a catch on the drink spout cover with
the latch in the latch position.
14. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising
a pump disposed in the body, the pump being actuated by a trigger
extending from the body, the pump being adapted and configured draw
a suction from a bottle with which the bottle closure is releasably
connected and discharge a fluid in the bottle through a nozzle
disposed on the upper portion of the body.
15. A bottle closure for releasable attachment to a bottle having a
bottle finish, the bottle closure comprising: a body having an
upper portion and a lower portion, the body lower portion having a
bottle finish adapted and configured to be releasably connectable
with a bottle, the body upper portion being formed with a cavity,
the body having a drink spout disposed in the cavity, the drink
spout having a distal opening adapted and configured to allow a
user to drink from the drink spout, the drink spout distal opening
being in fluid communication with a straw, the straw having a
biasing portion extending from the drink spout and through a first
hole in the body, the straw having an extension portion in fluid
communication with the biasing portion, the extension portion
having a length sufficient to be insertable in a hollow interior of
a bottle with which the bottle closure is releasably connected, the
drink spout being moveable between an open position in which the
drink spout extends out of the cavity with the drink spout distal
opening spaced from the body, and a closed position in which the
drink spout is contained in the cavity, the body having a drink
spout cover movable relative to the body between a closed position
in which the drink spout cover extends over the cavity and an open
position in which the drink spout cover enables access to the
cavity, the body having a latch movable between a latch position in
which the latch secures the drink spout cover in the closed
position and a release position in which the latch releases the
drink spout cover, the body portion housing a pump mechanism
configured to be in fluid communication with a bottle to enable a
liquid to be pumped and discharged through the body portion by a
nozzle, and a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the pump
mechanism and the body portion, the trigger mechanism moveable
between a first trigger position and a second trigger position, the
trigger mechanism configured to actuate the pump mechanism to pump
a liquid as the trigger mechanism is moved between the first
trigger position and the second trigger position.
16. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
nozzle is radially offset from the cavity.
17. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein the straw
biasing portion is adapted and configured to move the drink spout
and the drink spout cover to the respective open positions when the
latch is moved to the release position.
18. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein the drink
spout is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the body within
the cavity.
19. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 18, wherein the straw
biasing portion and the straw extension portion are separate
members.
20. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 19, wherein the straw
biasing portion terminates in a fist fitting formed in the body
lower portion.
21. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 20, wherein the straw
extension portion extends from the first fitting formed in the body
lower portion.
22. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 18, wherein the pump
mechanism has a suction inlet extending from a second fitting
formed in the lower body portion.
23. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein the straw
biasing portion passes through a second hole in the body that is
radially offset from the first hole in the body.
24. A bottle closure in accordance with claim 23, wherein the straw
biasing portion extends from the first hole of the body to the
second hole at an acute angle relative to a center axis of the
bottle closure.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a bottle closure, and
more particularly, to a bottle closure having a drink spout biased
toward an open position by a straw biasing portion.
SUMMARY
[0002] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a bottle closure.
The bottle closure includes a body having an upper portion and a
lower portion. The body lower portion has a bottle finish adapted
and configured to be releasably connectable with a bottle. The body
upper portion is formed with a cavity, and a drink spout is
disposed in the cavity. The drink spout has a distal opening
adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from the drink
spout, and the drink spout distal opening is in fluid communication
with a straw. The straw has a biasing portion extending from the
drink spout and through a first hole in the body. The straw also
has an extension portion in fluid communication with the biasing
portion. The extension portion is of a length sufficient to be
insertable in a hollow interior of a bottle with which the bottle
closure is releasably connected. The drink spout is moveable
between an open position in which the drink spout extends out of
the cavity with the drink spout distal opening spaced from the body
and a closed position in which the drink spout is contained in the
cavity. The body also has a drink spout cover movable relative to
the body between a closed position in which the drink spout cover
extends over the cavity and an open position in which the drink
spout cover enables access to the cavity. The body still further
includes a latch movable between a latch position in which the
latch secures the drink spout cover in the closed position and a
release position in which the latch releases the drink spout cover.
The straw biasing portion is adapted and configured to bias the
drink spout and the drink spout cover toward the respective open
position.
[0003] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a bottle closure
for releasable attachment to a bottle having a bottle finish and
including a pump mechanism. The bottle closure includes a body
having an upper portion and a lower portion. The body lower portion
has a bottle finish adapted and configured to be releasably
connectable with a bottle. The body upper portion is formed with a
cavity, and the body has a drink spout disposed in the cavity. The
drink spout has a distal opening adapted and configured to allow a
user to drink from the drink spout, and the drink spout distal
opening is in fluid communication with a straw. The straw has a
biasing portion extending from the drink spout and through a first
hole in the body, and the straw has an extension portion in fluid
communication with the biasing portion. The extension portion has a
length sufficient to be insertable in a hollow interior of a bottle
with which the bottle closure is releasably connected. The drink
spout is moveable between an open position in which the drink spout
extends out of the cavity with the drink spout distal opening
spaced from the body and a closed position in which the drink spout
is contained in the cavity. The body also has a drink spout cover
movable relative to the body between a closed position in which the
drink spout cover extends over the cavity and an open position in
which the drink spout cover enables access to the cavity. The body
still further has a latch movable between a latch position in which
the latch secures the drink spout cover in the closed position and
a release position in which the latch releases the drink spout
cover. The body portion also houses the pump mechanism. The pump
mechanism is configured to be in fluid communication with the
bottle to enable a liquid to be pumped and discharged through the
body portion by a nozzle. A trigger mechanism is operatively
connected to the pump mechanism and the body portion, and the
trigger mechanism is moveable between a first trigger position and
a second trigger position. The trigger mechanism is configured to
actuate the pump mechanism to pump a liquid as the trigger
mechanism is moved between the first trigger position and the
second trigger position.
[0004] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure,
as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of
the present disclosure, are described in detail below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the
present disclosure and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first bottle and a bottle
closure with a drink spout in an open position
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a second bottle for
use with the bottle closure shown in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third bottle and the
bottle closure shown in FIG. 1 with the drink spout in a closed
position.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the bottle closure
shown in FIG. 1 with the drink spout in the open position.
[0010] FIG. 5 is side view of the bottle closure shown in FIG. 3
with the drink spout in the closed position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure and
bottle shown in FIG. 5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side view of the bottle closure shown in FIG. 1
with the drink spout in the open position.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure and
bottle shown in FIG. 5.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bottle closure shown in
FIG. 1 with the drink spout in the closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIGS. 1 through 9 depict a bottle closure 40 usable with any
of the exemplary bottles shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 (bottle
10,20,30 respectively). The bottles shown herein are examples, and
the disclosures is not limited to the bottle shown and may be any
suitable bottle. The bottle 10, 20, 30 includes a bottle finish 22
with which the bottle closure 40 engages to releasably secure the
bottle closure 40 to the bottle. For example, and without
limitation, the bottle finish 22 is threaded to engage with
corresponding threads of the bottle closure 40. The bottle 30, as
depicted in FIGS. 6 and 8, may be of double walled construction.
Alternatively, the bottle 10, as depicted in FIG. 1, is of single
wall construction. In a still further alternative embodiment, the
bottle 20 includes a second threaded portion 24 configured to
engage with threads 26 of a container 28. The container 28 may be
used to store foodstuffs or other items when threaded onto the
bottle 20. The container 28 can be removed from the bottle 20 to
access the items therein.
[0016] The bottle closure 40 includes an upper body portion 42 and
a lower body portion 44. The lower portion may be formed with the
bottle finish so as to allow the closure to be releasably
connectable with a bottle such that liquid may be contained within
the bottle and accessed by a user. For example, and without
limitation, the lower body portion 44 includes a threaded portion
46 configured to engage with the bottle finish 22.
[0017] The upper body portion 42 of the bottle closure 40 is formed
with a cavity 48 and includes a drink spout 50 disposed within the
cavity. The drink spout 50 has a distal opening 52 and a proximate
opening 54. The distal opening 52 is adapted and configured to
allow a user to drink from the drink spout. The drink spout 50 may
be pivotally coupled to the upper body portion and may be moveable
between an open position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) and a closed
position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3). For example, and without
limitation, the drink spout 50 may have a yoke-like structure with
an axle 56 that cooperates with sidewalls of the cavity to allow
rotation of the drink spout within the cavity of the body of the
bottle closure 40. In the closed position, the drink spout 50 may
be contained in the cavity 48. In the open position, the drink
spout 50 may extend out of the cavity 48 with the distal opening 52
spaced from the body of the bottle closure 40 to facilitate the
user drinking from the distal end of the drink spout.
[0018] The distal opening 52 of the drink spout 50 is in fluid
communication with a straw 58. For example, and without limitation,
the straw 58 extends into the drink spout through the proximate
opening 54. The straw 58 has a biasing portion 60 and an extension
portion 62. The biasing portion 60 extends from the drink spout 50
and through a first hole 64 in the body. The biasing portion 60 may
also extend through a second hole 66 in the body. The second hole
66 may be radially offset from the first hole 64 such that the
straw biasing portion 60 extends from the first hole 64 to the
second hole 66 at a non-zero, acute angle relative to a center axis
of the bottle closure 40. The straw biasing portion 60 is
constructed of a resiliently flexible material such as a polymer
that allows the straw biasing portion to plastically deform and
return to its original shape.
[0019] The angled extension of the biasing portion of the straw
(for instance, the amount of radial offset between the first and
second holes in the body and the axial width of the body), as well
as the material used to form the biasing portion of the straw, may
facilitate generating the bias created by the straw biasing
portion, as explained below. The offset position of the first and
second holes and/or the material construction of the straw cause
the drink spout 50 to be biased toward the open position. For
example, and without limitation, the straw biasing portion is
normally straight and extends through the first and second hole
such that the straw biasing portion is at an angle relative to the
center axis of the bottle closure when no force is applied. This
normal position corresponds to the open position of the drink
spout. When the drink spout is in the closed position, the straw
biasing portion is flexed/bent (i.e., plastically deformed) and is
urged toward its normal position such that absent any force the
biasing portion will return to a position in which it is
straight.
[0020] The extension portion 62 of the straw 58 may extend outward
(e.g. downward in the drawings) from the biasing portion 60 such
that it is in fluid communication with an interior of a bottle when
the closure 40 is coupled to the bottle. In some embodiments, the
straw 58 may be of unitary construction including both the biasing
portion 60 and the extension portion 62. In alternative
embodiments, and as depicted in the drawings, the straw 58 includes
a separate biasing portion 60 and a separate extension portion 62
coupled to one another by a fitting 68, which may be formed in the
lower body portion 44 of the closure 40. Alternatively, the fitting
68 may be coupled to the lower body portion.
[0021] The bottle closure 40 further includes a drink spout cover
70. The drink spout cover 70 is movable relative to the body
between a closed position and an open position. In the closed
position (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6), the drink spout
cover extends over the cavity 48 of the body in which the drink
spout 50 is positionable. In the open position (e.g., as shown in
FIGS. 4, 7, and 8), the drink spout cover 70 enables access to the
cavity. For example, and without limitation, the drink spout cover
70 is coupled to the body by an axle 71 such that the drink spout
cover is rotateable between the open and closed positions. The
drink spout cover 70 may further include a catch 72 that is
engageable with a latch to maintain the drink spout cover in the
closed position. The drink spout cover may also include a detent 73
that is engageable with the upper body portion 42 of the closure to
maintain the drink spout cover in the open position. For example,
and without limitation, the detent 73 may be a protrusion that
releasably engages with a recess 75 in the upper body portion. In
some embodiments, the upper body portion 42 may also include a
channel 77 that receives but does not engage with the detent 73
when the drink spout cover is in the closed position.
[0022] The bottle closure 40 may further include a latch 74. The
latch 74 is engageable with the catch 72 and is movable between a
latch position and a release position. In the latch position, the
latch 74 secures the drink spout cover 70 in the closed position by
engaging with the catch 72. In the release position, the latch is
disengaged from the catch and the latch releases the drink spout
cover so that the drink spout cover may move into the open
position. For example, and without limitation, the latch 74
includes a body portion 76 and a latch portion 78. The body portion
76 is made of a flexible material such that the latch is biased
toward the latch position and returns to that position in the
absence of a force. The latch portion 78 is configured to engage
with the catch 72.
[0023] In operation, the above described features allow for the
biasing portion 60 of the straw 58 to automatically move the drink
spout cover 70 and the drink spout 50 to their respective open
positions when the latch 74 is moved from the closed position to
the release position. This is a result of the straw biasing portion
60 biasing the drink spout and the drink spout cover toward the
respective open positions (e.g., the drink spout and the drink
spout cover are biased toward their respective open positions).
When the latch 74 is moved to the release position, the straw
biasing portion causes the drink spout 50 to rotate into the open
position. The drink spout 50, in rotating into the open position,
may impart a force to the drink spout cover 70 causing it to rotate
into the open position and the detents 73 to engage with the
recesses 75 such that the drink spout cover is maintained in the
open position. In the open position, the drink spout may be
parallel to an axis of the straw biasing portion 60 when un-flexed.
When the drink spout is in the closed position, the straw biasing
portion 60 is pinched closed to prevent liquid from exiting the
bottle closure through he drink spout (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6).
For example, and without limitation, the drink spout may be at an
inclusive angle of less than 180 degrees relative to the axis of
the straw biasing portion 60 when un-flexed. Preferably, the
inclusive angle between the drink spout and the axis, when the
drink spout is in the closed position, is between 30 and 60
degrees, inclusive, and is more preferably 45 degrees.
[0024] Advantageously, the above described operation allows for a
user to access the drink spout 50 without directly touching the
drink spout and avoid transferring dirt or other material to the
drink spout. Additionally, this operation allows a user to access
the drink spout one handed (e.g., holding the bottle and depressing
the latch 74 with a thumb or finger of the hand grasping the
bottle).
[0025] In some embodiments, the bottle closure 40 includes further
features such as a spray pump 80 for discharging a mist through a
nozzle 82. The pump 80 is adapted and configured draw a suction
from the bottle with which the bottle closure is releasably
connected and discharge a fluid in the bottle through the nozzle 82
disposed on the upper portion of the body. For example, and without
limitation, the pump is a reciprocating pump with ball bearing
check valves or other suitable pump. The pump 80 is driven by a
trigger 82. For example, and without limitation, the trigger 82 may
be actuated by a user such that the trigger rotates about a
connection to the body and drives a plunger of the pump 80
vertically. The nozzle may be located on the upper portion of the
body, and may be radially offset from the cavity and the drinking
spout, when the spout is in the open position. The pump may have a
suction inlet extending from a second fitting formed in the lower
body portion. The second fitting may be radially offset from the
fitting coupling the straw biasing portion with the straw extension
portion. The pump suction inlet may include a second straw
extending into the same portion of the interior of the bottle as
the straw extension portion. Alternatively, the pump suction inlet
may include a second straw extending into the different portion of
the interior of the bottle or a chamber in the bottle isolated from
the interior of the bottle so that the liquid drawn by the pump and
sprayed from the nozzle is different from that accessed by the user
from the drink spout.
[0026] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several
advantages of the disclosure are achieved and attained.
[0027] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical
application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0028] As various modifications could be made in the constructions
and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from
the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter
contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following claims
appended hereto and their equivalents.
* * * * *