US20120111821A1 - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A lid for a container. The lid includes an upper lid, slider, and lower lid, the upper lid and slider pivotable about a lid hinge relative to the lower lid. A slider lock portion and lower lid lock portion securing the upper lid and slider to the lower lid. A handle assembly for engaging a bottle, the handle assembly having a collar and base with a handle disposed therebetween.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/383,189 filed on Sep. 15, 2010, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally relates to a container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Containers for beverages and the like have become increasingly popular. One common usage for such beverage containers is during activities, such as sporting events, cardiovascular workouts or strength training. Most beverage containers require a user to hold the container with one hand by gripping the container and operate the lid or closure with the other hand. However, during activity, both gripping the container and providing two-hand usage may be difficult. In addition, many prior beverage containers have a round shape, which facilitates rolling if the container is knocked over during activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a container comprising a bottle, a lid, and a handle assembly. The bottle has a spout and a body. The lid comprises an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid. The lid further comprises a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge. The slider has a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge. The handle assembly includes a strap coupled to a base and a collar, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a portion of the body.
• In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a lid for engaging a beverage container having a spout and a body. The lid comprises an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider axially rotatable in relation to the upper lid. A slider bias is disposed between the upper lid and the slider. The lid further comprises a lower lid having an outlet disposable within the upper lid, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge. The slider has a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge. A lid hinge bias biases the lid hinge open.
• In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a container comprising a bottle and handle assembly. The bottle has a spout and a body, the body including an upper segment, a middle segment, and a lower segment with a base portion. The handle assembly includes a strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collar portion of the strap. The collar is disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.
• Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be set forth from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the present disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without further limiting the scope of the present disclosure claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container;FIG. 1B is a front view of the container ofFIG. 1A;FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view along Line A-A ofFIG. 1B;
• FIG. 2A is a front view of a lid in the closed position;FIG. 2B a cross-section of the lid ofFIG. 2A along Line B-B;FIG. 2C is a side view of a lid in the open position;FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the upper lid along line B-B;
• FIG. 2E is a side view of the slider; and
• FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a handle assembly;FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a container having a handle assembly with a strap unsecured at one end;FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a container having a handle assembly with a secured strap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.
• FIGS. 1A-C illustrate a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container. The container comprises abottle100, alid200, and, in certain embodiments, ahandle assembly300.
• With continued reference toFIG. 1A-C, thebottle100 defines an interior volume that may be filled with material such as a beverage. Thebottle100 includes aspout110 having an opening111 providing an inlet and outlet to the interior volume. Thebottle100 further includes abody portion130. Thebody130 may have a diameter substantially less than that ofspout110. Atransition shoulder120 may be provided to transition from thebody130 to thespout110.
• Thebody130 may include a number ofbody segments131,132,133 of different size and/or shape. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A-C, thebody130 comprises anupper segment131, amiddle segment132, and alower segment133. Theupper segment131 is positioned adjacent to theshoulder120, themiddle segment132 is positioned adjacent theupper segment131 and thelower segment133. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A-C, theupper segment131 andlower segment133 include a substantially similar maximum width which is larger than that of themiddle segment132
• In one embodiment, thebody130 has a substantially non-circular cross-section, such that the container10 provides resistance to rolling if placed on a side. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A-C, thebody130 may have a substantially polygonal cross-section, such as a square with corners which are rounded for user comfort.
• Thebottle100 may be formed of a transparent, translucent, or opaque material. Thebottle100 is removable from both thelid200 and thehandle assembly300.
• With reference toFIGS. 2A-F, thelid200 includes anupper lid210, aslider230, and alower lid250. Theupper lid210 is further coupled to thelower lid250, such as by alid hinge270 as further described below. Theupper lid210 is rotatably coupled to theslider230 such that the slider is partially rotatable within theupper lid210. Theslider230 may snap-fit within theupper lid210. Theslider230 may include aprotrusion243 engageable with arecess213 of the lid such that theslider230 snap fits into position with theprotrusion243 disposed within therecess213. The range of axial motion of theslider230 is limited by the ability of theprotrusion243 to slide within therecess213. It should be appreciated that the placement of therecess213 may be on theslider230 and theprotrusion243 on theupper lid210. In one embodiment, theslider230 is biased towards one extreme of its axial range of motion, such as bytorsion spring231.
• In one embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2E, the slider comprises aslider body240 disposable within theupper lid210 and aslider face plate241 external to theupper lid210 andlower lid250. Theslider230 includes aslider lock portion234 engageable with a lowerlid lock portion254. In a particular aspect, theslider lock portion234 is located on theslider face plate241. In one embodiment, the lowerlid lock portion254 comprises alock protrusion255 engageable with alock recess235. It should further be appreciated that the location of thelock protrusion255 andlock recess235 on theslider230 andlower lid250, respectively, may be switched. In one aspect of the invention, thelock recess235 has avertical portion237 and ahorizontal portion236. When thelock protrusion255 is within thehorizontal portion236, theupper lid210 andslider230 are retained against thelower lid250 and thelid200 is closed. Theslider230 may be rotated such that thelock protrusion255 moves from thehorizontal portion236 to thevertical portion237. A lid biasing mechanism, such aslid hinge spring272 described below, biases theupper lid210 andslider230 such that when thelock protrusion255 is in thevertical portion237, thelock protrusion255 slides out of thelock recess235 and thelid200 opens. Alternative mechanisms for theslider230 engaging thelower lid250 may include sliding upwards and or a hook and loop type closure.
• Theslider biasing mechanism231 described above may bias theslider230 into a locked position, i.e. where thelock protrusion255 is within thehorizontal portion236 of thelock recess235. In one embodiment, theslider230 must be depressed inward toward thelower lid250 to allow thelock protrusion255 to slide within thelock recess235. Thehorizontal portion236 of thelock recess235 may not be strictly horizontal, but may be angled with respect to true horizontal to alter the ease or difficulty of sliding thelock protrusion255. For example, thehorizontal portion236 may be angled downwards as towards the junction with thevertical portion237 such that the bias of thelid hinge spring272 serves to retain thelid200 in the locked position. In contrast, thehorizontal portion236 may be angled upwards towards the junction with thevertical portion237 such that the bias of thelid hinge spring272 serves to assist in sliding thelock protrusion255 and works, to some extent, against the bias of theslider biasing mechanism231 in embodiments including it.
• In one embodiment, the components of which are shown in an exploded manner inFIG. 1A, thelid hinge270 includes ahinge pin271 and alid hinge spring272. A upperlid hinge portion218 and alower hinge portion258 are engageable to receive thepin271 to form thelid hinge270. Thelid hinge spring272 provides a bias such that thelid200 is biased to the open position.
• In one embodiment, theupper lid210 and theslider230 include a upper lid bias recess and a slider bias recess, respectively, for receiving the slider bias mechanism. Annular lugs238 may be provided to retain and guide theslider biasing mechanism231. In one embodiment, theannular lugs238 provide smoother rotational movement by minimizing surface contact between components.
• In one embodiment, theupper lid210 includes a upper lidslider faceplate lip219 and thelower lid250 includes a lower lidslider faceplate lip259. Theupper lip219 andlower lip259 form a cavity in which theslider face plate241 is slidably retained when thelid200 is closed. Theslider face plate241 is engageable by a user to actuate the locking mechanism including theslider lock portion234 and the lowerlid lock portion254.
• Thespout110 may include a threadedportion117 for engaging thelid200 having a corresponding lid threadedportion257. In a particular aspect, the threading will be such that a quarter turn will release thelid200 from thespout110. However other threading or attachment arrangements are contemplated, such as friction fit and the arrangement may have internal threading on the spout and external threading on the lid or vice-versa.
• Further, gaskets may be provided at the interface of components described herein to provide a liquid-tight seal. For example, alid gasket199 may be provided between thelid200, and in particular thelower lid250, and thespout110. Thegasket199 may be formed of silicone or other similar material that forms a liquid tight seal
• Thelid200 may include a filter (not shown) in the lid opening, such as to assist in retaining ice within the container10.
• In one embodiment, aspout opening plug233 is provided to aid in sealing thespout opening111 when the lid is closed. Thespout opening plug233 may be sized to cover or fit within thespout opening111 and form a liquid-tight seal. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1A, aslider cap232 is provided connected to theupper lid210 such as by sonic welding, adhesive, or the like. Theslider cap232 retains theslider230 coupled to theupper lid210 while allowing theslider230 to rotate. Thespout opening plug233 snap-fits with theslider cap232. Alternatively, thespout opening plug233 may be a integral with theslide cap232, such as being permanently molded in place.
• With reference toFIGS. 3A-C, thehandle assembly300 is removably coupled to thebottle100 such thatbottle100 may be used with thelid200 with or without thehandle assembly300 coupled to thebottle100. Thehandle assembly300 as shown inFIG. 3A comprises ahandle310 secured to acollar320 and abase340.
• Thehandle310 provides a user with a mechanism to easily grip the container10 with one hand. In one embodiment, thehandle310 comprises astrap311 extending from the collar to thebase340. Thestrap311 may provide for an adjustment in length, such as by having a length longer than the distance from the collar to the base, such that a foldedportion312 of thestrap311 is folded back upon a base-to-collar portion313 of thestrap311 and allows for adjustment of the length of the strap extending from the collar to the base. A mechanism for securing the handle may be provided. As shown inFIGS. 3A-3C, thestrap311 may include a plurality ofholes318. Astrap button314 is engageable with one or more of the plurality ofholes318 to secure thestrap311. For example, thestrap button314 may include atop button section316 and abottom button section315 removably engageable with each other, thebottom button section315 insertable through one of the plurality ofholes318 in the base-to-collar strap portion313 and thetop button section316 insertable through corresponding one of the plurality ofholes318 in the folded portion of thestrap311, such that the foldedportion312 is secured to thestrap311.
• In one embodiment, thecollar320 is integrated into thelower lid250, such that thehandle310 is connected to thelower lid250. In one embodiment, thelid200 and handleassembly300 are configured to couple to a standard disposable water bottle, wherein thelid300 replaces the disposable lid and thebase340 engages the bottom portion of the disposable water bottle securing thehandle310 to the disposable water bottle.
• In one embodiment, thebottle100 is rotatable relative to the handle assembly.
• In the embodiment ofFIGS. 3B and 3C, thecollar320 is disposable about thespout110. Thecollar320 may be threadably engaged with thespout110.
• The base340 may include abase body341 and anon-skid base pad342 upon which thehandle assembly300 rests. The base340 may have a complementary shape to a lower segment steppedportion140, such that the lower body portion is partially disposed within the base. Thelower segment133 may be secured to the base340 such as by snap-fit, friction fit, or the like. In one embodiment aprotrusion345 on one of the base340 orlower segment133 engages acorresponding recess145 on the other of the base340 orlower segment133 to removably connect thebottle100 with thebase340. In one embodiment, the lower segment steppedportion140 is disposable within thebase340 such that thebase340 has a cross-sectional area substantially the same as the remainder of thelower segment133 to provide a uniform size to the exterior of the container10 in thelower segment133 when thebase340 is coupled to thebottle100. In one embodiment, thebase340 includes an throughopening347 into which alower segment protrusion141 is disposable and exposed to a surface on which the container10 rests.
• Thehandle310 may be connect to thecollar320 by acollar hinge330, such as astrap ring331. Thehandle310 may be connected to thebase340 by abase hinge350, such as having ahandle core351 secured via abase hinge pin352 to base hinge portion343.
• Thelid200 provides a user with the ability to open the container10 with one hand and without contacting thespout110 orlower lid outlet251. Thelid hinge bias272 may allow a user to flip theupper lid210 andslider230 out of the way to allow for dispensing from the container10.
• The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A container comprising:

a bottle having a spout and a body;

a lid comprising an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid;

the lid further comprising a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge;

the slider having a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge; and

a handle assembly including a strap coupled to a base and a collar, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a portion of the body.

2. The container ofclaim 1, further comprising a lid hinge bias.

3. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the slider lock portion comprises one of a lock protrusion or lock recess and the lower lid lock portion includes an other of the lock protrusion or the lock recess wherein the lock protrusion is slidable within the lock recess.

4. The container ofclaim 1, further comprising a spout opening plug, the spout opening plug coupled to the upper lid and forming a liquid-tight seal of the spout when the lid is closed.

5. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collar portion of the strap, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.

6. The container ofclaim 5, wherein the handle assembly includes a strap button affixing the folded portion of the strap to the base-to-collar portion of the strap.

7. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the lock recess comprises a first recess and a second recess, the first recess being substantially horizontal and the second recess being substantially vertical wherein the lock protrusion is slidably removable from the lock recess via the second recess.

8. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the body has a plurality of segments and includes at least one segment defining a widest segment of the bottle and having a substantially polygonal cross-section.

9. A lid for engaging a beverage container having a spout and a body, comprising:

an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider axially rotatable in relation to the upper lid;

a slider bias disposed between the upper lid and the slider;

the lid further comprising a lower lid having an outlet disposable within the upper lid, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge;

a lid hinge bias biasing the lid hinge open; and

the slider having a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge.

10. The lid ofclaim 9 wherein the slider lock portion comprises one of a lock protrusion or lock recess and the lower lid lock portion includes an other of the lock protrusion or the lock recess wherein the lock protrusion is slidable within the lock recess.

11. The lid ofclaim 9 further comprising a spout opening plug, the spout opening plug coupled to the upper lid and forming a liquid-tight seal of the spout when the lid is closed.

12. The lid ofclaim 9 coupled to a handle assembly including a strap coupled at a first end to a base and adjustably coupled to the lower lid such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a portion of the strap extending from the base to the lower lid.

13. The lid ofclaim 9 further comprising a slider face plate external to the upper lid and slidably disposed between an upper lid lip and lower lid lip when the lid is closed, the slider face plate including the slider lock portion.

14. A container comprising:

a bottle having a spout and a body, the body including an upper segment, a middle segment, and a lower segment with a base portion;

a handle assembly including a strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collar portion of the strap, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.

15. The container ofclaim 14, further comprising a lid having an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid;

the lid further comprising a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge;

the slider having a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge.

16. The container ofclaim 15, wherein the handle assembly includes a strap button affixing the folded portion of the strap to the portion of the strap extending from the base to the collar.

17. The container ofclaim 14 wherein the strap is hingedly coupled to the collar and hingedly coupled to the base.

18. The container ofclaim 14, wherein the bottle is rotatable in relation to the handle assembly.

19. The container ofclaim 14 wherein the lower segment of the bottle has a bottom reduced portion disposable within the base such that the base has a shape and perimeter substantially the same as a remainder of the lower segment.

20. The container ofclaim 14 further comprising an opening in the base into which a bottom stepped protrusion of the lower body segment is disposable.

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