U.S. patent application number 17/592028 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-11 for beverage container with hanging member.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thermos L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Marvin Lane, Audra Norvilas, Tobi Ogunro.
Application Number | 20220250798 17/592028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220250798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norvilas; Audra ; et
al. |
August 11, 2022 |
BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH HANGING MEMBER
Abstract
A beverage container with a hanging member is described. The
beverage container includes a body member defining an interior to
hold a beverage. The hanging member pivots between a storage
configuration and a deployed configuration. In the storage
configuration, the hanging member is at least partially positioned
in a storage portion in an outer surface of the body member. In the
deployed configuration, the hanging member extends from the body
member to engage with a fence or other substrate.
Inventors: |
Norvilas; Audra; (Palos
Park, IL) ; Lane; Marvin; (Brandon, MS) ;
Ogunro; Tobi; (Streamwood, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thermos L.L.C. |
Schaumburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/592028 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63147577 |
Feb 9, 2021 |
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International
Class: |
B65D 23/00 20060101
B65D023/00 |
Claims
1. A beverage container, comprising: a body member defining an
interior to hold a beverage; a hanging member configured to
removably suspend the body member from a substrate; the hanging
member pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed
configuration, wherein in the storage configuration, the hanging
member is at least partially positioned in a cavity in an outer
surface of the body member, and wherein in the deployed
configuration, the hanging member extends from the body member.
2. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging
member pivots approximately 20 degrees to approximately 100 degrees
relative to a sidewall of the body member when the hanging member
pivots to the deployed configuration.
3. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body
member includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion
includes sidewalls, a lower wall, and an inner wall, and the
sidewalls, the lower wall, and the inner wall define the
cavity.
4. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body
member includes an attachment portion, wherein the attachment
portion is positioned on a sidewall of the body member in an
approximately upper 1/3 portion of an overall height of the body
member.
5. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body
member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hanging member
is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the
attachment portion includes sidewalls and an upper wall, and
wherein the hanging member pivots until the hanging member contacts
a hook abutment surface of the upper wall when in the deployed
configuration, thereby stopping pivotal rotation of the hanging
member and providing a surface against which the hanging member is
supported while holding the beverage container relative to the
substrate.
6. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging
member comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein
the proximal portion is pivotally engaged to the body member, and
wherein inner surfaces of the distal portion and the proximal
portion are configured to hang on the substrate.
7. The beverage container according to claim 6, wherein the distal
portion comprises a protrusion configured to improve or enhance a
gripping or holding force of the hanging member to the
substrate.
8. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging
member includes surfaces that form a J shape, an L shape, a V
shape, a U shape, a C shape, a Y shape, an S shape, hanger shape,
or fish hook shape, any of which is configured to complement a
certain substrate from which the beverage container is
suspended.
9. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body
member includes a first body member and a second body member,
wherein the second body member is configured to at least partially
fit within the first body member, wherein the second body member
includes an attachment portion, and the hanging member is pivotally
engaged to the attachment portion.
10. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body
member includes a first body member and a second body member,
wherein the second body member is configured to at least partially
fit within the first body member, wherein the first body member
includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion includes
sidewalls partially defining the cavity, and the storage portion
receives the hanging member in the storage configuration.
11. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body
member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hanging member
is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the body
member includes a storage portion that defines the cavity, wherein
the cavity of the storage portion receives at least part of the
hanging member in the storage configuration, and wherein the
storage portion is below the attachment portion.
12. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the
hanging member is a hook member, and the hook member includes a
finger grip member configured to facilitate a user grabbing and
moving the hook member to various configurations.
13. The beverage container according to claim 1, further comprising
a lid configured to engage an upper opening of the body member.
14. A beverage container, comprising: a first body member; a second
body member, the second body member configured to at least
partially fit within the first body member; the second body member
defining an interior to hold a beverage; a hook member, the hook
member pivotally engaged to the second body member; wherein the
beverage container comprises a storage configuration and a deployed
configuration, wherein the hook member pivots between the storage
configuration and the deployed configuration; and wherein in the
storage configuration, the hook member is positioned at least
partially in a cavity of the first body member, and wherein in the
deployed configuration, the hook member extends from the container,
thereby permitting the hook member to removably interact with a
substrate and thereby suspend the beverage container from such
substrate.
15. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the
second body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hook
member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the
attachment portion includes sidewalls and an upper wall, and
wherein the hook member pivots until the hook member contacts a
hook abutment surface of the upper wall.
16. The beverage container according to claim 15, the first body
member includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion
includes sidewalls partially defining a cavity, and the cavity
receives at least a part of the hook member, and wherein the
storage portion is adjacent to the attachment portion.
17. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the
second body member includes a flange member that fits over an upper
portion of the first body member, wherein the flange member further
includes an attachment portion, and the hook member is pivotally
engaged to the attachment portion.
18. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the
second body member includes a flange member comprising a horizontal
portion that transitions into a generally vertical portion, and the
generally vertical portion fits over an upper portion of the first
body member, and the flange member further includes an attachment
portion, wherein the hook member is pivotally engaged to the
attachment portion, the hook member is pivotally engaged to a pin
positioned between sidewalls of the attachment portion, and wherein
the first body member includes a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion receives the hook member, wherein the storage
portion is adjacent to the attachment portion.
19. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the
second body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hook
member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the
first body member includes a storage portion, wherein a cavity of
the storage portion receives the hook member in a storage
configuration, wherein the storage portion is below the attachment
portion.
20. A beverage container, comprising: a body member defining an
interior to hold a beverage; a holding member pivotally engaged to
a sidewall of the body member, wherein the holding member pivots to
an extended position, and wherein the holding member pivots to a
retracted position; and wherein in the extended position, the
holding member is configured to interact with a substrate such that
the beverage container is suspended from such substrate.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/147,577 filed Feb. 9, 2021.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a beverage container with a
hanging member.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Most participants in sporting events and individuals
engaging in physical activity require hydration before, during,
and/or after participating in the sporting event or engaging in the
physical activity. Further, individuals working outside will likely
have immediate hydration needs. Such participants or individuals
often bring their own source of water or other beverage to consume
to their activity. Beverage containers left on the ground may get
knocked over, dirty, or create a tripping hazard. Further, beverage
containers may be stored in a trunk or hatch of an automobile, and
the beverage container may tip over during travel to and from the
sporting event or activity resulting in a spilled beverage.
SUMMARY
[0004] Certain embodiments of a beverage container with a hanging
member are described. The hanging member moves between a storage
configuration and a deployed configuration. In the storage
configuration, the hanging member has moved toward a side of the
beverage container. In the deployed configuration, the hanging
member has moved away from the beverage container and is configured
to hang or suspend on a fence or other substrate. The hanging
member may include a hook member or other removable engagement
member. In the deployed configuration, the hanging member is
configured and positioned on the beverage container to hold or
suspend the beverage container in a generally upright position when
the hanging member engages the fence or other substrate.
[0005] In another aspect, a beverage container is described. The
beverage container includes a body member defining an interior to
hold a beverage. A hanging member is configured to removably
suspend the body member from a substrate. The hanging member pivots
between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. In
the storage configuration, the hanging member is at least partially
positioned in a cavity in an outer surface of the body member. In
the deployed configuration, the hanging member extends from the
body member.
[0006] In another aspect, a beverage container is described. The
beverage container includes a first body member. A second body
member is configured to at least partially fit within the first
body member. The second body member defines an interior to hold a
beverage. A hook member is pivotally engaged to the second body
member. The beverage container includes a storage configuration and
a deployed configuration. The hook member pivots between the
storage configuration and the deployed configuration. In the
storage configuration, the hook member is positioned at least
partially in a cavity of the first body member. In the deployed
configuration, the hook member extends from the container, thereby
permitting the hook member to removably interact with a substrate
and thereby suspend the beverage container from such substrate.
[0007] In another aspect, a beverage container is described. The
beverage container includes a body member defining an interior to
hold a beverage. A holding member is pivotally engaged to a
sidewall of the body member. The holding member pivots to an
extended position. The holding member pivots to a retracted
position. In the extended position, the holding member is
configured to interact with a substrate such that the beverage
container may be suspended from such substrate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beverage container in
the storage configuration.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage container in
the deployed configuration.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of the second body member separated from
the first body member.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the hook member.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the beverage container in the
storage configuration.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the beverage container in the
deployed configuration.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the hook member and storage
portion.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the hook member and storage
portion.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional, exploded view of the storage portion
and the hook member separated.
[0017] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the beverage container.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the
beverage container with the cap flipped open.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a side view of the beverage container with the
hook member having the protrusion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] For purposes of this application, any terms that describe
relative position (e.g., "upper", "middle", "lower", "outer",
"inner", "above", "below", "bottom", "top", etc.) refer to an
embodiment of the invention as illustrated, but those terms do not
limit the orientation in which the embodiments can be used.
[0021] A beverage container includes a hanging member that is
engaged to a side of the beverage container. The hanging member
pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed
configuration. In the storage configuration, the hanging member
moves toward a side of the beverage container. In certain aspects,
in the storage configuration, the hanging member moves toward the
beverage container and enters a storage portion on the side of the
beverage container. In the deployed configuration, the hanging
member moves away from the side of the beverage container and is
configured to hang on a fence or other substrate. The hanging
member may include a hook member or other removable engagement
member.
[0022] A beverage container 10 will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 1-12. In this aspect, the beverage container 10 includes a
vessel 50 formed by a first body member 100 and a second body
member 200. As shown in FIG. 3, in this aspect, the second body
member 200 is configured to at least partially fit within the first
body member 100. The second body member 200 defines an interior 291
to hold a beverage.
[0023] In this aspect, the beverage container 10 includes a hook
member 300 that serves as the hanging member. The hook member 300
is pivotally engaged to the second body member 200. The hook member
300 pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed
configuration.
[0024] In other aspects, the beverage container 10 may include a
single-piece container portion with the hook member 300 or other
hanging member engaged to or positioned on an outer side surface of
the single-piece container. In other aspects, the beverage
container 10 may include additional body members, layers, and/or
container portions. In other aspects, the relative positions of the
first body member 100 and the second body member 200 may be
reversed, i.e., the first body member 100 may be configured to at
least partially fit within the second body member 200.
[0025] The beverage container 10 comprises the storage
configuration and the deployed configuration. In the storage
configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the hook member 300 enters a
storage portion 110 of the first body member 100. In the deployed
configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the hook member 300 extends from
the beverage container 10. The hook member 300 pivots between the
storage configuration and the deployed configuration. In the
storage configuration, all or a portion of the hook member 300 may
enter the storage portion 110 and be fully or partially positioned
and/or contained in the storage portion 110.
[0026] In the deployed configuration, the hook member 300 is
configured to hang on a chain-link fence or other structure. By
hanging the beverage container 10, the beverage container 10 is
less likely to accidentally get knocked over and can be placed at
eye level or hand level to avoid bending over as often. In the
deployed configuration, the hook member 300 is configured and
positioned on the beverage container 10 to hold the beverage
container 10 in a generally upright position when the hook member
300 engages the fence or other substrate.
[0027] In this aspect, the second body member 200 includes an
attachment portion 210. The hook member 300 is pivotally engaged to
the attachment portion 210. With reference to FIG. 4, the
attachment portion 210 includes sidewalls 213 and an upper wall
216. The hook member 300 is pivotally engaged to a pin 220
positioned between the sidewalls 213 of the attachment portion 210.
The pin 220 is oriented generally perpendicularly to a central
vertical axis of the beverage container 10. In this aspect, the
hook member 300 pivots until the hook member 300 contacts a hook
abutment surface such as a lower edge 219 of the upper wall 216.
The upper wall 216 provides a limit or barrier to further pivotal
movement of the hook member 300. As such, the pivoting movement of
the hook member 300 is stopped by the upper wall 216.
[0028] In this aspect, the second body member 200 includes a flange
member 240 that fits over an upper portion 159 of the first body
member 100. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the flange member 240
includes a horizontal portion 243 that transitions into a generally
vertical portion 246, and the generally vertical portion 246 fits
over the upper portion 159 of the first body member 100. In this
aspect, the flange member 240 includes or forms the attachment
portion 210. In this aspect, the attachment portion 210 extends or
protrudes from the flange member 240.
[0029] The first body member 100 includes the storage portion 110.
In this aspect, the storage portion 110 includes sidewalls 112
partially defining a cavity 120, and the cavity 120 receives at
least a portion of the hook member 300. The cavity 120 is generally
in between the sidewalls 112. In this aspect, the storage portion
110 is adjacent to the attachment portion 210. The cavity 120 of
the storage portion 110 receives the hook member 300 in the storage
configuration. In this aspect, the storage portion 110 is below the
attachment portion 210. In this aspect, the storage portion 110
includes the sidewalls 112, a lower wall 114, and an inner wall
116, which forms the cavity 120. The walls 112, 114, and 116
defining the cavity 120 may include linear surfaces or curved
surfaces. The cavity 120 also may include fewer walls, for
example--just an upper wall or just an upper wall with one or more
side walls. In certain aspects, the cavity 120 may configured to
receive only the ends of the hook member 300. The cavity 120 may
include additional wall surfaces to receive specific portions of
the hook member 300, for example, an additional indent may be added
to receive just a distal portion 330 of the hook member 300
(described below) or to receive the entire hook member 300 such
that no part of the hook member 300 protrudes beyond the sidewalls
112.
[0030] With respect to FIGS. 4 and 7, in this aspect, the hook
member 300 includes a proximal portion 310 and the distal portion
330. The proximal portion 310 is an upper portion in this aspect.
The proximal portion 310 includes a sidewall 313 with openings 315.
The pin 220 passes through the openings 315 to pivotally engage the
hook member 300 to the attachment portion 210. The proximal portion
310 includes an outer surface 320 and an inner surface 325. The
distal portion 330 is a lower portion in this aspect. The distal
portion 330 includes an outer surface 333 and an inner surface 335
and a tip portion 340. When pivoting to the deployed configuration,
the hook member 300 pivots outward, i.e., away from the central
vertical axis of the beverage container 10. When pivoting to the
storage configuration, the hook member 300 pivots inward, i.e.,
toward the central vertical axis of the beverage container 10. In
certain aspects, the hook member 300 also includes a finger grip
member (e.g., knob, protrusion, pull, ridge, or similar),
configured to facilitate a user easily gripping and moving the hook
member 300 between various configurations. In the illustrated
aspect, the hook member 300 includes a ridge 301 configured to
permit the user to easily pull the hook member 300 from the cavity
120.
[0031] With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, in this aspect, the first
body member 100 includes a sidewall 150 integral with a bottom wall
165. The sidewall 150 includes an outer surface 153 and an inner
surface 156. With respect to FIG. 3, an upper portion 159 of the
first body member 100 includes a locking member 160. The sidewall
150 and the bottom wall 165 form a generally hollow interior 185.
An upper opening 180 leads to the generally hollow interior 185,
which receives the second body member 200. The first body member
100 further includes a gripping surface 170 and a bottom surface
175.
[0032] With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, in this aspect, the second
body member 200 includes a sidewall 260 integral with a bottom wall
265. The sidewall 260 and the bottom wall 265 form the interior 291
that holds the beverage. The second body member 200 includes an
upper portion 270 with an outer threaded surface 273. The sidewall
260 includes an inner surface 280 and an outer surface 285. The
outer surface 285 of the sidewall 260 includes handle engaging
members 290 to rotatably engage with a handle 470.
[0033] A lid 400 engages to the upper portion 270 of the second
body member 200 to close the interior 291 that holds the beverage.
The lid 400 includes sidewalls 410 having an inner threaded surface
413, which engages with the outer threaded surface 273 of the upper
portion 270. A lower edge 415 of the lid 400 may abut the
horizontal portion 243 of the flange member 240. In other aspects,
the second body member 200 and the lid 400 may include any
complementary engaging structures such as a threaded engagement,
snap-fit engagement, frictional engagement, bayonet engagement, or
other engagements configured to removably attach the lid 400 to the
second body member 200. In other aspects, the lid 400 may engage to
the first body member 100.
[0034] A lid gasket 420 may be positioned between the lid 400 and
the upper portion 270. The lid 400 incudes a cap 430 covering a
spout 440. The spout 440 is in fluidic communication with the
interior 291. In this aspect, a button 450 releases the cap 430,
which is spring-loaded, and the cap 430 may flip upward upon
depression of the button 450. A latch 455 secures the cap 430 in a
covering position over the spout 440. In operation, the latch 455
is lifted. Then, the user presses the button 450 to release the cap
430. Similar button mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
8,622,229 and 9,150,335, which are hereby incorporated by reference
in their entireties. Of course, the cap 430, the spout 440, and the
button 450 are optional and may be replaced with any of a number of
other drinking orifices, drinking ports, spouts, tubes, nozzles,
straws, squirt features, screw-closures, flip-closures,
press-closures, etc. Further, the lid 400 may be replaced with
other closure members, lids, tops, covers, etc. In other aspects,
one of the first body member 100 or the second body member 200 may
include an integral lid, a hingedly connected lid, or a
non-detachable lid or upper portion with a fill port and a drinking
port, etc.
[0035] In this aspect, the handle 470 is engaged to the beverage
container 10. The handle 470 includes legs 475 that attach to
handle engaging members 290. In certain versions of the beverage
container 10, the handle 470 may be omitted.
[0036] In this aspect, insulation 480 is positioned in a void
(unnumbered) between the first body member 100 and the second body
member 200. The first body member 100 and then second body member
200 may be joined to form a thermally insulated space in the
beverage container 10 to maintain a temperature of the beverage. In
this aspect, the second body member 200 includes the flange member
240 that fits over and engages with the locking member 160 of the
first body member 100 to hold the second body member 200 and the
first body member 100 together. In other aspects, the first body
member 100 and the second body member 200 may glued, welded,
frictionally engaged, or otherwise held together. In other aspects,
the beverage container 10 includes a non-insulated single-layer or
multilayer construction or other insulated constructions. In other
aspects, the beverage container 10 may be formed from moldable
food-grade plastics, thermoplastics, stainless steel, other metals
and metal alloys, other plastics, or any combination thereof.
[0037] The hook member 300 may pivot approximately 20 degrees to
approximately 100 degrees relative to the sidewall 260 of the
second body member 200 when the hook member 300 pivots to the
deployed configuration. In other aspects, the hook member 300 may
pivot other ranges such as between approximately 0 degrees and 90
degrees, 10 degrees and 120 degrees, 0 degrees and 180 degrees, or
any other ranges between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.
[0038] The attachment portion 210 is positioned on the outer
surface 285 of the sidewall 260 of the second body member 200 in an
approximately upper 1/3 portion of an overall height of the vessel
50. This positioning of the attachment portion 210 in an proximal
portion of the beverage container 10 puts much of the weight of the
beverage container 10 below the attachment portion 210, which
provides stability when the beverage container 10 is hanging from a
fence or other substrate.
[0039] The inner surface 335 of the distal portion 330 and the
inner surface 325 of the proximal portion 310 are configured to
hang on a fence or other article. The inner surfaces 335 and 325
form a hook-like shape or curving shape that holds the beverage
container 10 to the fence or other substrate. The hook-like shape
may include one or several linear surfaces or curved surfaces
combined at an angle sufficient to support the beverage container
10. Examples of hook-like shapes may include a J shape, an L shape,
a V shape, a U shape, a C shape, a Y shape, an S shape, hanger
shape, fish hook shape, or other shapes. The inner surfaces 335 and
325 generally face toward the interior 291 of the beverage
container 10. In the storage configuration, all or a portion of the
hook member 300 is at least partially contained in the storage
portion 110, and the hook member 300 is less likely to
inadvertently snag or catch on other items. This storage
configuration also creates a lower profile for the beverage
container 10. For certain aspects that include a hook member 300
only partially contained in the storage portion 110 or cavity 120,
the hook member 300 may be easily grasped by the user to pivot the
hook member 300 out of the cavity 120 to move it to the deployed
configuration Alternatively, aspects that include a hook member 300
entirely positioned within a storage portion 110 or cavity 120 may
further include a finger grip element (e.g., knob, protrusion,
pull, ridge or other surface) configured to permit the user to
easily remove the hook member 300 from the storage portion 110 or
cavity 120. The finger grip element may optionally be positioned in
the cavity 120 (but still reachable by a user) or protruding from
the cavity 120.
[0040] In the illustrated aspect, the hook member 300 generally
pivots upward to the deployed configuration, and the hook member
300 generally pivots downward to the storage configuration.
However, other aspects may include a hook member 300 that pivots
upward to a deployed configuration and downward to a storage
configuration.
[0041] In the illustrated aspect, as shown in FIG. 12, the hook
member 300 of the beverage container 10 includes a protrusion 312
that improves or enhances the gripping or holding force of the hook
member 302 to the substrate. The protrusion 312 is optional, as the
hook member 300 may provide sufficient hanging or suspending
ability, in certain applications, without the protrusion 312. The
protrusion 312 is on the inner surface 335 of the distal portion
330. The protrusion 312 extends from the inner surface 335 of the
distal portion 330. The protrusion 312 is proximate the tip portion
340. In this aspect, in the deployed configuration, the protrusion
312 extends inward toward the beverage container 10. The protrusion
312 may include a bump, ridge, knob, barb or other extending
feature that aids or improves the hanging ability of the hook
member 300.
[0042] As such, it should be understood that the disclosure is not
limited to the particular aspects described herein, but that
various changes and modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of this novel concept as defined by the
following claims. Further, many other advantages of applicant's
disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
above descriptions and the claims below.
* * * * *