US20220024657A1 - Container system including lid with improved finger accommodativeness - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a container lid with a connected (e.g. pivotally connected) handle and methods thereof. The handle includes a handle stem, a first carrying, extension, and a second carrying extension that are converged to a central region of the handle. The lid exhibits numerous technical merits such as improved finger accommodativeness, simplicity in usage, and easy manufacturability, among others.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not applicable.
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
• Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC
• Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally relates to a container system including a lid with a handle designed for improving finger accommodativeness. The container of the invention is fillable or filled with a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Conventional containers/bottles include a body or vessel for holding, a fluid and a lid to prevent the fluid from spilling. Containers may hold a variety of different types of liquids and fluids. For instance, known containers may hold water, beverages, liquid refreshments, sodas, juices, thirst-quenchers, and the like. They may also hold fluids that require mixing, e.g. powdered drinks, electrolyte pills, energy drinks, baby formulas, pancake batters, crepe mixes, baking materials, dietary supplements, salsa, sauces, oil and vinegar, salad dressings, smoothies, and the like. Containers may be used in a wide variety of environments such as at home, office, gym or health club, and while traveling, or during activities such as exercising, gardening, playing games or sports, hiking, climbing, working, commuting, driving a car, or riding in an automobile, bus, train, or airplane.
• People can carry containers or bottles by grasping the container itself or by grasping the container or bottle from the top, often around the lid/closure This can be cumbersome, especially if the user also needs to carry other items at the same time. It can also be uncomfortable due to cooling/heating of the container or bottle due to the temperature of the contained contents When contents of the container or bottle are cold and the container or bottle is used in a humid environment, condensation on the outside of the container may make the container wet and slippery to hold.
• U.S. Pat. No. 9,771,189 to Miksovsky et al. teaches a water bottle cap with a flexible strap as shown inFIG. 1A. U.S. Pat. No. D753,442 to Weernink discloses a water bottle cap with, a flexible loop as shown inFIG. 1B. The strap and the loop allow the user to hold or carry the water bottle without having to grasp the bottle portion itself when transporting the water bottle. However, the flexible strap and loop do not have satisfactory finger accommodativeness, particularly when the user wears a heavy glove.
• European Patent EP2799361B1 to Marvin Lane discloses a drink bottle lid as shown inFIG. 1C. A bail handle is provided on an outer lid, and a thumb notch is provided on the outer lid to enable the user to engage the bail handle so as to move the bail handle from a stored condition to a deployed condition. The ends of the bail handle are semi-circular and fit into semi-circular recesses in the outer lid. A user can move bail handle to the deployed position so that it extends from the outer lid and forms a carrying handle. The bottle may be carried by the bail handle or hung by the bail handle, such as on a hook for a store display. The inner surface of the bail handle includes two retainer projections that extend inwardly. A recess channel is formed on the outer lid for receiving the bail handle when in the stored position, as shown inFIG. 1C. Within the recess channel is provided two retainer indentations into which the projections fit when the bail handle is in the stored position. The bail handle snaps into the stored position in the recess channel and is held in place by the retainer projections and retainer indentations until a user inserts a finger into the thumb notch and forces the bail handle out of the snap engagement stored position. The bail handle includes the semi-circular ends that rotate in the semi-circular recesses at the ends of the recess channel in the outer lid when the bail handle is moved between the stowed and deployed positions. The bail handle is connected to the outer lid by pins that extend from the bail handle through openings in the outer lid at the recess. The openings in the outer lid that receive the pins include slots. However, the bail handle does not have satisfactory finger accommodativeness either, particularly when the user wears a heavy glove.
• U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,511 to Lin discloses a container lid with a latch handle as shown inFIG. 1D. An integral arched handle is positioned vertically on the top of the lid body providing not only an operating handle for access to the container but a method of attaching the lid, along with the container, to an article of clothing or a fixed object such as a belt, belt loop, rigid structure and the like. The arched handle may have a parabolic shape with a thickness and width at distal ends larger than at its apex. The arched handle has radial distal ends integrally merging smoothly into the lid body. The lid body vertical arched handle consists of at least one third of the handle containing the spring loaded latch, and the lid body having an integral latch retainer base with the latch hinged to the latch retainer base with a dowel pin. The snap-in hinged spring loaded latch has a configuration permitting the latch to rotate away from the arched handle allowing a clearance of at least 5/16 inch affording sufficient room for attachment to an object. However, it does not afford sufficient room to accommodate fingers, particularly when the user wears a heavy glove.
• Therefore, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned problems. Advantageously, the present invention provides a container lid with a handle which exhibits numerous technical merits such as improved finger accommodativeness, simplicity in usage, and easy manufacturability, among others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• One aspect of the present invention provides a container system, in which a lid is sized and configured to be attached to a container which is sized and configured to be filled with one or more drinking fluids. The lid comprises a body and a handle. The handle includes a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension. The handle stem is coupled to the body of the lid, and is foldable or movable toward/from the body of the lid. Preferably, the handle stem is pivotally coupled to the body of the lid. The handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle.
• Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of increasing a finger accommodativeness of a lid of a container system, comprising:
• (i) providing a body of a lid which is sized and configured to be attached to a container, wherein the container is fillable or filled with a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices;
• (ii) providing a handle comprising a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension, wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle; and
• (iii) coupling the handle stem to the body of the lid, so that the handle stem is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid.
• In preferred embodiments, the method of the invention may further include (iv) placing one or more human fingers selected from thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger between the handle stem and the first carrying extension, (v) placing one or more human fingers selected from index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger between the handle stem and the second carrying extension, (vi) lifting up the lid and container, and (vii) carrying the lid and container around. For example, the human thumb and fingers are covered within a thick/heavy glove.
• A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of storing and transporting a human drink such as water, comprising:
• (a) providing a container which is sized and configured to be filled with the beverage,
• (b) filling the container with a human drink such as water;
• (c) providing a lid which is sized and configured to be attached to the container, wherein the lid comprises a body and a handle, wherein the handle comprises a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying, extension, and wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle;
• (d) coupling the handle stem to the body of the lid, wherein the handle stem is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid, and
• (e) securing the lid to the container filled with the beverage.
• In various embodiments of the invention, the containers or bottles are equipped with novel handles, which allow users to carry the container/bottle with one or more fingers, and which are easier and more convenient when the users are carrying other items. Such handles minimize heat or cold transfer to the user from the container's contents, and minimize the concerns caused by condensation. In some embodiments, the lid also permits attachment of the container or bottle to other items such as bags, belts, and the like using loops, hooks, ties, carabiners, etc for convenient, hands-free transportation.
• The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. All the figures are schematic and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures and discussed below have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Well-known structures and devices are shown in simplified form, omitted, or merely suggested, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
• FIG. 1A shows a water bottle cap with a flexible strap in the prior art.
• FIG. 1B shows a water bottle cap with a flexible loop in the prior art.
• FIG. 1C shows a drink bottle lid with a bail handle in the prior art.
• FIG. 1D shows a container lid with a latch handle in the prior art.
• FIG. 1E is a top, rear isometric/perspective view of a container system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1F illustrates a flexible handle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1G is a flow chart of a method for increasing a finger accommodativeness of a lid handle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1H illustrates the finger accommodativeness of a lid handle for human thumb and fingers covered within a thick/heavy glove in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1I is a flow chart of a method for storing and transporting a beverage in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a top, rear isometric/perspective view of a lid with a pivoted handle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a top, rear isometric/perspective view of a lid with a pivoted handle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a top, rear isometric/perspective view of a lid with a pivoted handle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5A is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a first alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5B is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a second alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5C is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a third alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5D is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a fourth alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5E is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a fifth alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5F is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a sixth alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5G is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with a seventh alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5H is an elevation view of a pivoted lid handle with an eighth alternative design in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a top, rear isometric/perspective view of a container system with a lid hanger such as a loop in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a top, rear isometric/perspective view of a container system with a lid hanger such as a loop and a hanger recess in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the container system ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a top, front isometric/perspective view of a container system with a finger notch in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a top, front isometric/perspective view of a container system with two magnetic members in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a top, front isometric/perspective view of a container system with two ridges for e.g. press or snap fit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a top, front isometric/perspective view of a container system with an outlet opening in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.
• The term “finger accommodativeness” is herein defined as the quality of being accommodative to human hand for carrying; adaptability and pliableness to human hand for carrying; or tendency to give or show accommodation for human thumb and fingers (collectively “fingers”).
• Where a numerical range is disclosed herein, unless otherwise specified, such range is continuous, inclusive of both the minimum and maximum values of the range as well as every value between such minimum and maximum values. Still further, where a range refers to integers, only the integers from the minimum value to and including the maximum value of such range are included. In addition, where multiple ranges are provided to describe a feature or characteristic, such ranges can be combined.
• It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”, or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
• Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
• In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”
• With reference toFIG. 1E, acontainer system10 includes alid20 and acontainer30. Thelid20 is sized and configured to be attached to thecontainer30. Thecontainer30 includes a mouth31 (as shown inFIG. 8) which is sized and configured to fill a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices. Thecontainer30 may be of any suitable material, including metal, plastic, glass, rubber and combinations thereof and may be insulated or un-insulated. In one embodiment, thecontainer30 is formed from a plastic or other polymer material, which produces a flexible and/or squeezable container/bottle. In another embodiment, thecontainer30 may be formed of an insulated stainless steel, and which is fastened with a plastic or rubber base on the bottom (not shown) that provides protection for the bottom of the container as well as providing a relatively wide surface on which the container such as a beverage bottle is rested when standing. The base may be constructed of a plastic material, such as polypropylene, although other materials are also contemplated. In yet another embodiment, thecontainer30 may be of a double-walled construction, between which is an evacuated space, forming a so-called vacuum bottle/container. Thecontainer30 may be flexible or rigid. Aflexible container30 permits the user to squeeze the container to force the content (e.g. liquid) from the container, while arigid container30 requires the user to draw the liquid out of thecontainer30 through suction or by pouring the liquid from thecontainer30. Thecontainer30 may have a smooth or contoured surface that may be provided with patterns, such as by printing, painting, or embossing.
• Thelid20 includes abody21 and arigid handle22 as shown inFIG. 1E, or aflexible handle22 as shown inFIG. 1F. Thebody21 of thelid20 includes atop wall210, and askirt wall211 depending from thetop wall210. Typically, theskirt wall211 is a cylindrical sidewall extending downward from an outer perimeter of thetop wall210. Anoptional outlet opening88 may be associated with thetop wall210, as shown inFIG. 12.
• Thehandle22 includes ahandle stem220, afirst carrying extension221, and asecond carrying extension222, which are converged to acentral region227 of thehandle22. However, it is contemplated that thehandle22 may include one or more carrying extension (e.g. a third carrying extension, not shown), and thehandle stem220, the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and the third carrying extension converge to thecentral region227 of thehandle22.
• Thehandle stem220 may be connected to or coupled to thebody21 of thelid20 in any proper manner, as long as it can be foldable or movable toward/from thebody20. As shown inFIG. 1E, therigid handle stem220 may be made of a rigid material such as metal and engineering plastics, and pivotally coupled to thebody21 of thelid20, either directly or indirectly (i.e. via a middle member between thestem220 and the body21). As shown inFIG. 1F, theflexible handle stem220 may be made of elastic material such as rubber and directly connected to thebody21 without any pivot mechanism. In operation, thehandle stem220 is bendable toward/from thebody21.
• Referring toFIGS. 1G and 1H and in light ofFIGS. 1E and 1F, the present invention provides a method of increasing a finger accommodativeness of a lid comprising:
• (i) providing a body of a lid which is sized and configured to be attached to a container;
• (ii) providing a handle comprising a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension, wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle; and
• (iii) coupling the handle stem to the body of the lid, so that the handle stem is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid.
• In preferred embodiments as shown inFIG. 1G, the method of the invention may further include (iv) placing one or more human fingers selected from thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger between the handle stem and the first carrying extension, (v) placing one or more human fingers selected from index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger between the handle stem and the second carrying extension, (vi) lifting up the lid and container, and (vii) carrying the lid and container around. For example, the human thumb and fingers are covered within a thick/heavy glove, as shown inFIG. 1H.
• With reference toFIG. 1I and in light ofFIGS. 1E and 1F, the present invention also provides a method of storing and transporting a beverage such as drinking water comprising:
• (a) providing a container which is sized and configured to be filled with the beverage;
• (b) filling the container with the beverage;
• (c) providing a lid which is sized and configured to be attached to the container, wherein the lid comprises a body and a handle, wherein the handle comprises a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension, and wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle;
• (d) coupling the handle stem to the body of the lid, wherein the handle stem is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid; and
• (e) securing the lid to the container filled with the beverage.
• For conciseness of the description, thelid20 with arigid handle stem220 that is pivotally and directly coupled to thebody21, and a recessedarea212 ontop wall210, will be illustrated and described in details, as a representative but still exemplary embodiment.
• As shown inFIGS. 1E, 2 and 3, thehandle22 can be in a first position (i.e. a storage position), in which thehandle22 is pivoted or folded toward, and in contact with, thebody21 of thelid20. When thehandle22 in a second position (i.e. a carrying or lifting position), thehandle22 is pivoted or folded upward from thebody21 of thelid20 for a user to grasp it and carry thecontainer system10 around, as shown inFIGS. 10-11.
• Referring back toFIG. 1E, thehandle22 is pivoted or folded toward, and in contact with,skirt wall211 of thebody21, when it is in a storage position. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, thehandle22 may alternatively be pivoted or folded toward, and in contact with,top wall210 of thebody21, when it is in a storage position. In preferred embodiments, the size of thehandle22 is equal or smaller than the size of thetop wall210. In other words, thehandle22 does not have any part protruding beyond a peripheral boundary of thetop wall210, when thehandle22 is in a storage position.
• Thebody21 may include a recessedarea212 on eithertop wall210 orskirt wall211, which is configured to receive/accommodate thehandle22, when thehandle22 is in the storage position. In a preferred embodiment as shown inFIG. 4, the recessedarea212 is located on thetop wall210 of thebody21, and thehandle22 is pivoted or folded into the recessedarea212 when thehandle22 is in a storage position.
• Theentire handle22 may be a substantially solid body, and made of a solid structure without any hole(s) or other void(s). In various exemplary embodiments, one, two, three or four of thehandle stem220, the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227 may each include a void structure. When two, three or four of thehandle stem220, the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227 each includes avoid structure224, thevoid structures224 may be separated from each other. Alternatively, any two or three of, or all the four of, thevoid structures224 are merged into a single continuous void structure (i.e. they are not separated any more). For example, theentire handle22 inFIGS. 1E-4, 5A and 5B is made of a solid structure without any hole(s) or other void(s).FIG. 5C shows ahandle22 where only thecentral region227 includes avoid structure224.FIG. 5D shows ahandle22 where only thecentral region227 and thehandle stem220 each includes avoid structure224, and thevoid structures224 are merged into a single continuous void structure (i.e. they are not separated any more).FIGS. 5E and 5F show ahandle22 where thehandle stem220, the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227 each includes avoid structure224. Thevoid structure224 of thehandle stem220 may be separated from other three void structures, while the other three void structures are merged into a single continuous void structure (i.e. they are not separated any more), as illustrated inFIG. 5E. In a different embodiment, all the fourvoid structures224 are merged into a single continuous void structure (i.e. they are not separated any more), as illustrated inFIG. 5F.
• Thehandle stem220, the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227 may be designed to have any proper size and shape, and made of any suitable material. As shown inFIGS. 1E-4, the first carryingextension221 and thesecond carrying extension222 are identical in size and shape, and they may be configured to be symmetrical relative to thecentral region227, or relative to a central axis of thehandle stem220.
• The grasping portion (particularly221,222 and227) may be ergonomically designed and optimized for human user to comfortably grasp and carry around. For example, edges of the grasping portion may be rubbed off or smoothed, as shown inFIG. 5F. In another embodiment, thehandle22 may take the shape of a working cane, wherein the first carryingextension221 is bent down and is shorter than thesecond carrying extension222, as shown inFIG. 5A. In still another embodiment, both the first carryingextension221 and thesecond carrying extension222 are curved and bent down toward thehandle stem220, as shown inFIGS. 5B and 5C. Alternatively, the grasping portion (particularly221,222 and227) may have a shape of rectangular or any ergonomically designed version thereof, optimized for human user to comfortably grasp and carry around. Both the first carryingextension221 and thesecond carrying extension222 as shown inFIGS. 5B and 5C may have, or be modified to have, a bent-down terminal portion or a hook-shaped terminal portion.
• With reference toFIG. 5G, thecentral region227 includes a void structure such as a hole or ahook224. Such avoid structure224 permits a direct attachment of the lid to other items, or an indirect attachment of the lid to other items via a connector such as aclip68. Referring toFIG. 5H, the first carryingextension221 has a bent-down terminal portion or a hook-shapedterminal portion77, which permits hanging of the lid and container onother items78 such as a tree twig, and a railing bar.
• Referring toFIGS. 6-8, the lid of the invention may further include a hanger23 (separated from the handle) such as a loop, a hook, or a clip; and ahanger recess2110 located ine.g. skirt wall211. For example, thehanger23 can be a loop sufficiently strong to support carrying of thecontainer10 by the loop when thecontainer30 is full of content such as liquid. Thehanger23 may provide a convenient method of attaching thecontainer system10 to a backpack, gym bag or the like. Thehanger23 may also pivotally coupled/amounted to thebody21 of thelid20. In preferred embodiments, thehandle stem220 and thehanger23 are pivotable along a same axis, or movable about a common axis, and thehanger23 is confined, and only rotatable, between thehandle22 and theskirt wall211 Therefore,hanger recess2110 is dedicated tohanger23 only, and recessedarea212 is dedicated to thehandle22 only. In some embodiments, the longest dimension of thehanger23 is 20%-90%, preferably 30%-80%, and more preferably 40-70% of the longest dimension of the handle22 (or handle stem220). The term “dimension” is defined as a distance between any two points in a 3D object, such as thehandle22,handle stem220 and thehanger23.
• It should be appreciated that any suitable hinge or mechanical bearing can be used to connect thehandle22 and thehanger23 to thelid20, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. With one degree of freedom, they may rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation, and all other translations or rotations being prevented. With reference toFIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the lid may include a pivot hinge mount for pivotally mounting thehandle stem220 and/or thehanger23 to the body of the lid. In one embodiment, thehandle22 and thehanger23 share a same hinge so that only one hinge pin need be provided for both elements. One or two pivot pin holes in each of the lid, the handle and the hanger may share asingle pivot pin41. For example, onestem pivot hole42, two lid pivot holes43 and two hanger pivot holes44 share asingle pivot pin41, as shown inFIG. 8. Other variations of the pivot hinge are illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. For example, onelid pivot hole43 and two stempivot hole42 share asingle pivot pin41.
• Referring back toFIG. 4, a recessedarea212 may be located on thetop wall210 of thebody21, and thehandle22 is pivoted or folded into the recessedarea212 when thehandle22 is in a storage position. With reference toFIGS. 8-11, the recessedarea212 includes afixation groove213 having a shape and size same as (or exactly complimentary to) thehandle stem220 and configured to accommodate and secure thehandle stem220, when it is pivoted or folded toward thebody21 of thelid22. With reference toFIGS. 8-11, the recessedarea212 further includes an open recessedarea214 extended from thefixation groove213 and configured to accommodate the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227, when thehandle22 is pivoted or folded toward thebody21 of thelid20. The open recessedarea214 includes afirst area214A and asecond area214B. Thefirst area214A is covered by the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227, when thehandle22 is pivoted or folded toward thebody21 of thelid20. In contrast, thesecond area214B is not covered by any of the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and thecentral region227, when thehandle22 is pivoted or folded toward thebody21 of thelid20. In preferred embodiments, a top surface of thesecond area214B is not in parallel with a top surface of thefirst area214A. In preferred embodiments, the top surface of thesecond area214B is tilted downward toward theskirt wall211, as compared to that of thefirst area214A. With such a design, thesecond area214B may conveniently include a finger recess or notch215 for placing a user's finger into it, and apply an upward force to it to lift thehandle22 in a storage position upward into a carrying position. In an embodiment as shown inFIG. 12, anoutlet opening88 may be located on thesecond area214B for releasing liquid content within the container, in addition to or in alternative of finger recess or notch215.
• Any additional or alternative mechanism may be employed to secure thehandle22 into the recessedarea212 when thehandle22 is in a storage position. For example, a firstmagnetic member216A is affixed to thefirst area214A, and a secondmagnetic member216B is affixed to the first carryingextension221, thesecond carrying extension222, and/or thecentral region227. The two magnetic members (216A,216B) are magnetically connected to each other to secure thehandle22 into the recessedarea212. Preferably, the secondmagnetic member216B is affixed to thecentral region227 of thehandle22, and the position of the firstmagnetic member216A on thefirst area214A is adjusted accordingly.
• As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, a part of thetop wall210 that has not been recessed (i.e. originaltop wall210 except the recessed area212) is extended to thefirst area214A through a vertical wall214AW, which is preferably vertical to bothtop wall210 andfirst area214. In some embodiments, the vertical wall214AW may include one ormore ridges217 for e.g. a press or snap fit or close frictional fit, and they may be configured to push against the first carryingextension221 and/or thesecond carrying extension222, to secure thehandle22 into the recessedarea212, when thehandle22 is in a storage position.
• In addition to the design oflid20 andcontainer30 as shown inFIG. 8, other designs are also contemplated by the inventor, as long as the lids or closures can effectively prevent a human drink from spilling and to provide selective dispensing of the drink from the containers/bottles. Examples of lids/closures include internally threaded bottle caps, externally threaded screw caps or tops, stoppers, toggle or swing-type closures, crown caps, flip-tops, and friction or interference fit lids. Typically, a lid is removably attached to the neck of a container so a user can remove the lid to add liquid, powders, ice or other products into the container. The lid is then screwed or snapped onto the neck of the container to provide a generally watertight and leak-proof seal. When a user desires to drink liquid from the container, the lid may be removed by unscrewing the lid to provide access into the reservoir of the container. The user drinks from an opening formed by the neck of the container and then replaces the lid onto the container to re-seal the container.
• Theremovable lid20 may be secured to amouth31 of thecontainer30 by any attaching or fastening structures, such as a threaded connection, a Snap-on lid that fits onto a rim on thecontainer30, and a bayonet attachment. It will be appreciated that thelid20 and thecontainer30 may be connected in any suitable matter such as a friction fit, interference fit, snap fit, fasteners, clips, and the like. For example, threads may be formed about themouth31 of thecontainer30 and complimentary threads may be formed within theremovable lid20 so that thelid20 may be threadably attached to and detached from thecontainer30, as shown inFIG. 8.
• In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicant to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.

Claims (32)

1. A container system comprising a lid and a container,

wherein the lid is sized and configured to be attached to the container;

wherein the container is fillable or filled with a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices; and

wherein the lid comprises:

a body; and

a handle comprising a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension;

wherein the handle stem is coupled or connected to the body of the lid, and is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid; and

wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle.

2. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the handle stem is made of elastic material such as rubber and flexible plastics, and the handle stem is bendable toward/from the body of the lid.

3. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the handle stem is made of rigid material such as metal and hard plastics and the handle stem is pivotally and indirectly coupled to the body of the lid.

4. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the handle stem is made of rigid material such as metal and hard plastics and the handle stem is pivotally and directly coupled to the body of the lid.

5. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the body of the lid includes a top wall, and a skirt wall depending from the top wall.

6. The container system according toclaim 5, wherein the body of the lid includes a recessed area configured to receive/accommodate the handle, when the handle is in a storage position and is folded, moved or pivoted onto the body of the lid.

7. The container system according toclaim 6, wherein the recessed area is located at the skirt wall of the body, and the handle is folded, moved or pivoted into the recessed area when the handle is in the storage position.

8. The container system according toclaim 6, wherein the recessed area is located at the top wall of the body, and the handle is folded, moved or pivoted into the recessed area when the handle is in the storage position.

9. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein one, two, three, or all four of (1) the handle stem, (2) the first carrying extension, (3) the second carrying extension, and (4) the central region each includes a void structure.

10. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein two, three, or all four of (1) the handle stem, (2) the first carrying extension, (3) the second carrying extension, and (4) the central region each includes a void structure, and said two or more of the void structures are merged into a single continuous void structure.

11. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the central region includes a void structure such as a hole or a hook, and wherein said void structure permits a direct attachment of the lid to other items, or an indirect attachment of the lid to other items via a connector such as a clip.

12. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein only the first carrying extension has a bent-down terminal portion or a hook-shaped terminal portion, which permits hanging of the lid and container on other items such as a tree twig, a railing bar; or wherein both the first carrying extension and the second carrying extension have a bent-down terminal portion or a hook-shaped terminal portion.

13. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a hanger selected from a loop, a hook, and a clip, and wherein the hanger is separated from the handle.

14. The container system according toclaim 13, wherein the hanger is pivotally coupled to the body of the lid, the handle stem is also pivotally coupled to the body of the lid, and the handle stem and the hanger are pivotable along a same axis, or movable about a common axis.

15. The container system according toclaim 14, wherein a longest dimension of the hanger is 30%-80% of a longest dimension of the handle stem, and wherein the hanger is confined, and therefore only rotatable, between the handle and the skirt wall.

16. The container system according toclaim 15, wherein the lid further includes a hanger recess located onto the skirt wall.

17. The container system according toclaim 8, wherein the recessed area includes a fixation groove having a shape and size same as the handle stem, and wherein the fixation groove is configured to accommodate and secure the handle stem therein, when the handle stem is pivoted or folded toward/into the body of the lid.

18. The container system according toclaim 17, wherein the recessed area further includes an open recessed area extended from the fixation groove, and the open recessed area is configured to receive/accommodate the first carrying extension, the second carrying extension, and the central region, when the handle is pivoted or folded toward or into the body of the lid.

19. The container system according toclaim 18, wherein the open recessed area includes a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is covered by the first carrying extension, the second carrying extension, and the central region, when the handle is pivoted or folded toward or into the body of the lid.

20. The container system according toclaim 19, wherein the second area is not covered by any of the first carrying extension, the second carrying extension, and the central region, when the handle is pivoted or folded toward or into the body of the lid.

21. The container system according toclaim 20, wherein a top surface of the second area is not in parallel with a top surface of the first area.

22. The container system according toclaim 21, wherein the top surface of the second area is tilted downward.

23. The container system according toclaim 22, wherein the second area includes a finger recess or notch for a user to insert a finger into, and lift the handle in a storage position upward into a carrying position.

24. The container system according toclaim 1, wherein the lid further comprises an outlet opening.

25. The container system according toclaim 20, wherein the lid further comprises an outlet opening located on the second area.

26. The container system according toclaim 23, wherein a first magnetic member is affixed to the first area; a second magnetic member is affixed to the first carrying extension, the second carrying extension, and/or the central region; and the two magnetic members are connected to each other to secure the handle into the recessed area.

27. The container system according toclaim 26, wherein the second magnetic member is affixed to the central region of the handle.

28. The container system according toclaim 23, wherein a part of the top wall that has not been recessed is extended to the first area through a vertical wall, and wherein the vertical wall includes one or more ridges configured to push against the first carrying extension and/or the second carrying extension, to secure the handle into the recessed area.

29. A method of increasing a finger accommodativeness of a lid of a container system, comprising:

(i) providing a body of a lid which is sized and configured to be attached to a container, wherein the container is fillable or filled with a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices;

(ii) providing a handle comprising a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension, wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle; and

(iii) coupling the handle stem to the body of the lid, so that the handle stem is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid.

30. The method according toclaim 29, further comprising

(iv) placing one or more human fingers selected from thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger between the handle stem and the first carrying extension,

(v) placing one or more human fingers selected from index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger between the handle stem and the second carrying extension,

(vi) lifting up the lid and container, and

(vii) carrying the lid and container around.

31. The method according toclaim 30, wherein the human thumb and fingers are covered within a thick/heavy glove.

32. A method of storing and transporting a human drink such as a beverage comprising:

(a) providing a container which is sized and configured to be filled with a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices;

(b) filling the container with a human drink such as water, coffee, beverages, sodas, and juices;

(c) providing a lid which is sized and configured to be attached to the container, wherein the lid comprises a body and a handle, wherein the handle comprises a handle stem, a first carrying extension, and a second carrying extension, and wherein the handle stem, the first carrying extension, and the second carrying extension are converged to a central region of the handle;

(d) coupling the handle stem to the body of the lid, wherein the handle stem is foldable/movable toward/from the body of the lid; and

(e) securing the lid to the container filled with the human drink.

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