CONTAINER LID WITH STATIC CARABINER SUPPORT

Abstract

A fluid container such as a water bottle includes a vessel and lid. The lid includes a carabiner support in the form of a pathway, such as a hole. At least a portion of the pathway is surrounded by a resilient material. A carabiner extending along the pathway has a friction fit against the resilient material, sufficient to hold the carabiner in different static positions, resisting forces of gravity acting on the carabiner. The lid can include different configurations with secondary openings in some embodiments. The carabiner support can be located in different locations upon the lid. The lid can also include half of a magnetic coupling pair with a second half of the magnetic coupling pair located upon the vessel, so that the lid can be attached to the vessel when not covering an opening of the vessel.

Claims

1. A fluid container, comprising in combination: a fluid containing vessel; a lid removably attachable to said vessel and closing said vessel; a resilient mass of material coupled to either said vessel or said lid, either directly or indirectly; and a hole passing through said mass of material.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein a carabiner is positioned passing through said hole in said resilient mass of material, said carabiner having a friction fit through said hole, with sufficient friction to support said carabiner in multiple static positions and with sufficient friction to resist gravity loads on said carabiner.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein said resilient mass is a silicone over mold.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein said hole through said resilient mass of material is sized to have a friction fit with a carabiner positioned extending through said hole.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein said resilient mass is coupled to said vessel or said lid indirectly through a carabiner support.

6. The container of claim 4 wherein a magnetic attachment pair, including a first half of said pair magnetically attracted to a second half of said pair, is positioned with one of said halves located upon said lid and one of said halves located upon said vessel.

7. A liquid bottle, comprising in combination: a vessel including an opening at an end thereof; a lid selectively covering and uncovering said opening; said lid including a pathway passing through a portion of said lid; a carabiner positioned passing along said pathway; and said pathway at least partially surrounded by a resilient material.

8. The bottle of claim 7 wherein said carabiner has a friction fit along said pathway with said resilient material, with sufficient friction to support said carabiner in multiple positions and with sufficient friction to resist gravity loads on said carabiner.

9. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said resilient material is a silicone over mold positioned along portions of said pathway.

10. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said pathway includes a hole.

11. The bottle of claim 10 wherein said hole has a smooth inner surface completely surrounded by said resilient material.

12. The bottle of claim 10 wherein said hole has a non-smooth inner surface formed of said resilient material.

13. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said pathway has a lateral access slot with a width large enough to allow a carabiner to pass through said slot and into said pathway.

14. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said pathway is accessible laterally by an openable cover adjacent to said pathway, with said carabiner sized to fit through said lateral access when said cover is open and to prevent carabiner removal when said cover is closed.

15. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said lid includes a planar circular upper surface with said pathway extending horizontally parallel with said planar surface, and with said pathway spaced above said planar surface.

16. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said lid includes a second opening into an interior of said vessel, said second opening selectively openable to access said interior of said vessel when said lid is covering said opening of said vessel, said pathway located upon a cap for said second opening.

17. The bottle of claim 8 wherein said lid includes a second opening into an interior of said vessel, said second opening selectively openable to access said interior of said vessel when said lid is covering said opening of said vessel, said pathway located upon said lid on a portion of said lid spaced from said second opening.

18. The bottle of claim 17 wherein said second opening includes a straw.

19. The bottle of claim 17 wherein said second opening includes a spout with a removable cap overlying said spout.

20. The bottle of claim 8 wherein a magnetic attachment pair, including a first half of said pair magnetically attracted to a second half of said pair, is positioned with one of said halves located upon said lid and one of said halves located upon said vessel.

21. The bottle of claim 19 wherein a magnetic attachment pair including a first half of said pair magnetically attached to a second half of said pair, is positioned with one of said halves on said removable cap and one of said halves located upon said lid and/or said vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container, such as a water bottle, including a lid with a static carabiner support according to this invention included on the lid and supporting a carabiner thereon, and showing the carabiner in two of multiple different static orientations for the carabiner.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1, but with the lid removed from the vessel portion of the bottle and preparing to be attached to a ferrous band on the vessel through a magnet on the lid, illustrating an optional feature of the lid and vessel, and also showing a carabiner held in a static position by the carabiner support on the lid.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded parts perspective view of the carabiner support, showing various separate parts thereof according to one embodiment, and with the carabiner support shown separate from a lid upon which it is mounted in various different ways in different embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spout lid according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and with a carabiner statically supported by an alternative embodiment carabiner support on the spout lid.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 4.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 4.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a centered lid according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and with a carabiner statically supported by a carabiner support located in a central position on the centered lid.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 8.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 8.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 8.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a straw lid according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and with a carabiner statically supported by an alternative embodiment carabiner support located upon the straw lid.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 12.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 12.

[0043] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 12.

[0044] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a centered spout lid according to an alternative embodiment of this invention, and with a carabiner statically supported by a carabiner support located upon a covering of a spout extending up from the centered spout lid.

[0045] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 16.

[0046] FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 16.

[0047] FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0048] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is directed to a bottle defining one form of fluid container upon which a carabiner support 50 is provided for static support of a carabiner C, in different fixed positions relative to the bottle 10. The carabiner support 50 on the bottle 10 allows a carabiner C to be attached to the bottle 10 and be conveniently and reliably positioned relative to the bottle 10 in the most desired orientation, and then maintain that position for convenient attaching and detaching of the carabiner C to other items.

[0049] With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, basic details of the bottle 10 with static carabiner support 50 are described, according to an illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-19 alternative embodiment lids 30, 110, 210, 310, 410 are disclosed which show various positions for the carabiner supports 50, 150 upon different types of lids associated with the bottle 10. The bottle 10 generally includes a vessel 20 for containment of liquids therein, and a lid 30 which is removably attachable to the vessel 20. A magnet 40 is provided as an option on the lid 30 (and/or on the vessel 20) in this embodiment, which can interact with an optional ferrous band 26 or other portion of the vessel 20 (or lid 30), to allow the lid 30 to be attached to the vessel 20, both by attachment of the lid 30 to the vessel 20 in a manner covering an opening into an interior of the vessel 20, or with the lid 30 attached to the vessel 20 through the magnet 40 in a manner leaving the opening into the interior of the vessel 20 open.

[0050] The carabiner support 50 (FIGS. 3, 8-11 and 16-19) features a hole 55 which can receive a portion of a carabiner C passing therethrough. The hole 55 of the carabiner support 50 is constructed in a manner optimizing an orientation of the hole 55 and frictional characteristics of the hole 55 relative to the carabiner C, and with sufficient friction to allow the hole 55 of the carabiner support 50 to hold a carabiner C in a static orientation in multiple different positions for the carabiner C relative to the carabiner support 50. In one embodiment, the carabiner support 50 includes an arch 60 supporting a grommet 70 held in place by a front collar 80 and a rear collar 90, and with the hole 55 located within the grommet 70 (FIG. 3).

[0051] More specifically, and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, particular details of the bottle 10, including the vessel 20 a first embodiment lid 30, are disclosed, to which the carabiner support 50 or an alternative carabiner support 150 can be incorporated to provide the benefits of this invention. The bottle 10 generally includes two separate parts; a vessel 20 and a lid 30. The vessel 20 is an open topped fluid container. The vessel 20 generally includes a bottom 22 at a lower portion that extends to a top 24 opposite the bottom 22. Walls of the vessel 20 extend up from the bottom 22 to the top 24, and with the top 24 including an opening through which an interior of the vessel 20 can be accessed, such as for storing water or other liquids (or conceivably other fluids or flowable solids). The walls of the vessel 20 can be thin or can be thicker with insulation, such as in the form of a vacuum bottle. In one common embodiment, the top 24 of the vessel 20 terminates at a threaded collar 28 surrounding the opening. The threaded collar 28 is configured with male threads sized and oriented to interface with threads on the lid 30 for coupling of the lid 30 to the vessel 20 in a manner selectively covering or exposing the opening of the vessel 20.

[0052] The vessel 20 could be entirely formed of a ferrous material or be formed with magnets embedded therein. The lid 30 similarly includes either the magnet 40 thereon or at least a ferrous portion thereon. A magnetic fastener is provided between the vessel 20 and lid 30. This magnetic fastener includes two parts (“halves”) which are attracted to each other magnetically. These two parts could each be magnets, such as with north and south ends of the magnets appropriately oriented to provide an attractive force between these two magnets. As an alternative, one of the halves of this magnetic fastener could be a magnet while the other half is merely a ferrous material.

[0053] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a ferrous band 26 is provided on sides of the vessel 20 near the top 24. While this ferrous band 26 could be exposed on outer surfaces thereof as part of the magnetic fastener, in one embodiment the ferrous band is beneath an outer covering of separate material, and still exhibits magnetic attraction as part of the magnetic fastener, acting through such a covering material. In one embodiment, this covering material is stainless steel overlying the ferrous band 26. In other embodiments, a non-metallic material, such as a silicone rubber, could overlay the ferrous band (or magnets associated with the vessel 20). Stainless steel is an ideal material due to its strength, resistance to rust or other corrosion, and ease of sanitization. However, stainless steel is only slightly magnetic, such that inclusion of the ferrous band (or other magnets) is highly beneficial. If the magnet 40 is sufficiently strong, it is conceivable that stainless steel (especially a grade of stainless steel which has somewhat better than average magnetic characteristics) could conceivably be utilized.

[0054] The lid 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a basic lid 30 featuring the alternative carabiner support 150 affixed thereto. This basic lid 30 includes an upper surface 32 which is preferably planar, but could have some other shape. This upper surface 32 is circular in this embodiment, with a skirt 34 extending cylindrically down from the upper surface 32. The upper surface 32 and skirt 34 could have other shapes, including oval, faceted polygon shapes and other geometries. Female threads 36 are provided on an inwardly facing surface of the skirt 32. These female threads 36 are sized and shaped to match with the male threads on the threaded collar 28 adjacent to the top 24 of the vessel 20. The lid/vessel bread could be reversed. A gasket 38 is preferably provided against an inside portion of the upper surface 32 on the lid 30 and inboard of the female threads 36. This gasket 38 is positioned so that it can compress and seal against an uppermost tip of the threaded collar 28 on the vessel 20, and to provide a watertight seal between the lid 30 and vessel 20, when the lid 30 is threaded tightly down onto the threaded collar 28 of the vessel 20. Other gasketing could alternatively be employed.

[0055] The magnet 40 extends laterally from a portion of the skirt 34 in this exemplary embodiment. However, the magnet 40 could be provided on the upper surface 32 or extending from the junction between the skirt 34 and upper surface 32. The magnet 40 generally includes a casing 42 (FIGS. 5-7) which covers lateral sides of the magnet 40 and attaches the magnet 40 to the lid 130. The casing 42 extends up from a root 44 adjacent to the skirt 34, and terminates at a contact pad 46. This contact pad 46 defines a portion of the casing 42 most distant from the root 44.

[0056] Most preferably, at least the contact pad 46 is formed of a higher friction material than other portions of the casing 42, and generally having a higher than average coefficient of friction. In one embodiment, this contact pad 46 is formed of silicone. The entire casing 42 could be formed of silicone, but in this embodiment only the contact pad 46 is formed of silicone. Having a higher coefficient of friction, the magnetic fastener provided by the magnet 40 and the ferrous band 26 (and any material overlying the ferrous band 26) together provide the magnetic fastener, strong enough to keep the lid 30 attached to the vessel 20 when not closing the opening into the vessel 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 2).

[0057] In one embodiment, the carabiner support 50 is directly adjacent to the magnet 40. When the lid 30 is attached to the vessel 20 through the magnet 40 (along arrow A of FIG. 2) bending forces associated with gravity acting on the lid 30 tend to cause the lid 30 to rotate downwardly and peel the magnet 40 away from the ferrous band 26 on the vessel 20. While magnetic attraction between the magnet 40 and ferrous band 26 is sufficiently great to keep the lid 30 from moving relative to the vessel 20, the lid 30 can also encounter other forces, such as forces associated with movement of the vessel 20 and lid 30 together, and forces associated with bumping items into the lid 30. It is desirable that the lid 30 be held as tightly as possible to the vessel 20 through the magnet 40 (but not so much that it takes excessive force to separate the lid 30 from the vessel 20). To keep inadvertent forces from overcoming strength of the magnet 30 and causing the lid 30 to fall off of the vessel 20 (or rattle), the carabiner support 50, 150 can beneficially be provided adjacent to the magnet 40. This causes a pivot point for the lid 30 relative to the vessel 20 to be moved downwardly at a location of the carabiner support 50, 150, rather than being only an edge of the magnet 40. With magnetic attraction forces centered on the magnet 40, spacing of this magnetic force away from such a pivot point increases torque of the magnet 40 relative to the vessel 20 and significantly increases stability with which the lid 30 is attached to the vessel 20 through the magnet 40.

[0058] The alternative carabiner support 150 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This alternative carabiner support 150 has a hole 155 passing therethrough. This alternative carabiner support 150 is also characterized by having an undercut foot 162 on at least one side thereof where the alternative carabiner support 150 attaches to the upper surface 32 of the lid 30. The carabiner support 50 (FIGS. 3, 8-11 and 16-19) does not include such an undercut foot. Other details of the alternative carabiner support 150 are generally similar to details of the carabiner support 50, and as particularly disclosed in FIG. 3.

[0059] The carabiner C (FIGS. 1 and 2) attached to the carabiner support 50, 150 can be any of a variety of carabiners C. Generally, the carabiner C includes a latch L which can pivot about a hinge H to open and close the carabiner C for attachment and securing to support structures such as hooks, loops, poles, straps, and a variety of other support structures. The carabiner C generally includes a bend B adjacent to the hinge H and a hook K opposite the bend B. Typically the carabiner C is positioned passing through the hole 55, 155 in the carabiner support 50, 150 and with the hook K most distant from the carabiner support 50, 150 and the bend B residing within the carabiner support 50, 150. However, other portions of the carabiner C could reside in the hole 55, 155.

[0060] The carabiner C can be positioned in a variety of different orientations, and generally limiting the carabiner C to pivoting with one degree of freedom about arrow G (FIG. 1). FIG. 1 illustrates the carabiner C in a first vertical orientation, extending along vertical axis Y. The carabiner C is secondarily shown after being pivoted (along arrow G) to a horizontal orientation extending along horizontal axis X. The carabiner C could also be positioned in intermediate positions between those extending along vertical axis Y and horizontal axis X, either cantilevering out from the lid 30 or extending over the lid 30, and even pivoting down into contact with the upper surface 32 of the lid 30 if desired.

[0061] The hole 55, 155 associated with the carabiner support 50, 150 is sized and formed of an appropriate material so that friction forces between the carabiner C and the carabiner support 50, 150 are greater than gravity forces acting on the carabiner C in proportion to a mass of the carabiner C, even when the carabiner C is extending horizontally along axis X. Thus, the carabiner C can be positioned where desired and hold that position statically without requiring a user to have a hand holding the carabiner C where desired to maintain the carabiner C in a desired orientation relative to the lid 30 and other portions of the bottle 10.

[0062] With particular reference to FIG. 3, details of the carabiner support 50 are described, according to one embodiment of this invention. The carabiner support 50 can be any of a variety of structures providing a hole 55 which can support the carabiner C, such as with the bend B at the carabiner C extending through the hole 55. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the carabiner support 50 is formed of four separate pieces. An arch 60 is formed along with the lid 30 or fixedly attached to the lid 30, typically extending upward from an upper surface 32 (FIGS. 4 and 7) of the lid 30.

[0063] The arch 60 has a foot 62 defining a lowermost portion of the arch 60 which is generally planar, or otherwise contoured to match a contour of the upper surface 32 of the lid 30. A curving roof 64 extends from the foot 62 on one side of the arch 60 to the foot 62 on an opposing side of the arch 60, and is generally cylindrical in form, except that it is planar and vertical where this curving roof 64 interfaces with the foot 62. Faces 66 are oriented generally perpendicular to the curving roof 64, with two such faces 66 parallel and spaced from each other by a thickness of the arch 60, defined by a width of the curving roof 64. A bore 68 passes between the faces 66, generally perpendicular to the faces 66. This bore 68 supports other structures which define the hole 55 in the carabiner support 50. The bore 68 is typically circular, but could have some other shape.

[0064] A grommet 70 is configured to fit within the bore 68 in the arch 60. The grommet 70 is typically formed of different materials than the arch 60, with the arch 60 being formed generally of rigid materials, such as injection moldable plastic, and with the grommet 70 formed of resilient materials. One form of resilient material for the grommet 70 includes rubber. In other embodiments, the grommet 70 could be formed of silicone (or silicone rubber).

[0065] The grommet 70 has a geometry in this embodiment including a cylindrical outer surface 72 sized to be inboard of walls of the bore 68 of the arch 60. Conical faces 74 are on opposite surfaces of the grommet 70. These conical faces 74 cause an interior of the grommet 70 to taper down to a smaller and smaller diameter until the conical faces 74 come together at a neck 76 defining a smallest diameter interior pathway through the grommet 70. Rims 78 define end of the conical faces 74 most distant from the neck 76 and generally spaced from each other by a distance similar to a thickness of the arch 60 in this embodiment.

[0066] The neck 76 defines the hole 55 in this embodiment. The neck 76 is preferably circular and can have some degree of thickness spacing the two conical faces 74 from each other adjacent to the neck 76. This neck 76 can be formed of a common material with other portions of the grommet 70, or can be formed of an alternative material, or have an alternative coating on a surface thereof, or surface roughness and characteristics, or shape characteristics other than perfectly circular, to provide the hole 55 with the friction characteristics desired. For instance, the neck 76 could have an undulating ribbed form with axial ribs to accommodate the carabiners C having different diameters and still be held statically by the neck 76. These desired friction characteristics include that the hole 55 have static friction coefficients and characteristics sufficient to hold the carabiner C in a static orientation, regardless of whether the carabiner C is extending vertically or horizontally, or in some other orientation relative to the carabiner support 50.

[0067] The grommet 70 could be flanged and sufficiently flexible and resilient that it would merely snap into the bore 68 in the arch 60, with a flange on either side of the grommet 70 remaining adjacent the two faces 66 of the arch 60. In this embodiment, however, a front collar 80 and rear collar 90 are provided to hold the grommet 70 in position. The front collar 80 includes an inner sleeve 82 of cylindrical form and with a flange 84 of annular form, with the inner sleeve 82 and flange 84 fixed to each other or formed together to define the front collar 80. The rear collar 90 similarly includes an outer sleeve 92 of cylindrical form and a rear flange 94 of annular form which are fixed together or formed together to provide the rear collar 90.

[0068] The front collar 80 and rear collar 90 are similar to each other, except that the inner sleeve 82 of the front collar 80 has a lesser diameter than the outer sleeve 92 of the rear color 90. In this way, the inner sleeve 82 can nest inboard of the outer sleeve 92. The outer sleeve 92 is sized to just fit within the bore 68. The inner sleeve 82 is sized to have the outer surface 72 of the grommet 70 just fit inside the inner sleeve 82. With such a shape, the outer sleeve 92 and inner sleeve 82 can have a friction fit relative to each other or could thread together with mating threads thereon, or could utilize an adhesive or other fastener to join the front collar 80 to the rear collar 90.

[0069] The inner collar 80 and outer collar 90 are preferably formed of a similar material. These materials could be rigid, such as injection moldable plastic or metal. As another alternative, the front collar 80 and rear collar 90 could be formed of silicone or rubber, and optionally formed of a similar material as that forming the grommet 70. In one embodiment, the front collar 80 and rear collar 90 are provided as a silicone over mold directly onto the arch 60 of the lid 30, to hold the grommet 70 in place. In one embodiment, the grommet 70, front collar 80 and rear collar 90 are all formed together by molding, such as in the form of a silicone over mold, molded directly to the arch 60 for permanent affixation of these resilient portions of the carabiner support 50 to the rigid arch 60 portion of the carabiner support 50.

[0070] While the grommet 70, front collar 80 and rear collar 90 are all described above as being fixed relative to the arch 60, so that pivoting only occurs at an interface between the carabiner C and the neck 76 of the grommet 70, as an alternative, some movement at other interfaces between these parts of the carabiner support 50 could be accommodated. For instance, the grommet 70 as well as the front collar 80 and rear collar 90 could all be either formed together or joined together after forming, so that they remain held together as a unit. However, this unit comprised of the grommet 70, front collar 80 and rear collar 90 (or equivalent singular structure replacing these three parts) could fit within the bore 68 of the arch 60, but in a manner allowing rotation of this singular structure relative to the arch 60. A surface of the bore 68 would interact with adjacent surfaces of such a singular structure. This interaction could be an interaction between adjacent surfaces which is high friction in character, such as two silicone rubber surfaces, or one being a silicone rubber surface while the other is a metal or plastic surface. This interface could have tight tolerances, or other appropriate tolerances to provide the desired level of friction and resistance to rotation. In such an embodiment, the carabiner C could pivot relative to the neck 76 or the singular structure could rotate relative to the bore 68 of the arch 60, or both such positions could accommodate rotation (along arrow G of FIG. 1), but with sufficient friction to hold the carabiner C static in whatever position that it is left.

[0071] In one embodiment, friction between the neck 76 and the carabiner C is greater than friction between the equivalent singular structure and the bore 68 of the arch 60, so that rotational forces cause rotation at the interface between the singular structure and the bore 68, preferentially over rotation at the interface between the carabiner (and the neck 76). In this way, the relatively small surface area between the neck 76 and the carabiner C would be less often deflected and otherwise “worked” by rotation of the carabiner C, so that this relatively small surface area of the neck 76 experiences a much lower rate of wear, then it would if the neck 76 and carabiner C interface were being “worked” by rotation of the carabiner C adjacent thereto every time the carabiner C was rotated. Instead, the much larger interface surface between the equivalent singular structure and the bore 68 would most often be “worked” by carabiner C rotation, but because of the significantly larger surface area, wear experienced by that interface surface would be significantly reduced by being spread out over a larger surface, so that performance of this pivoting joint would be maintained within acceptable levels through greater numbers of cycles, then if the neck 76 and carabiner C were the only interface which facilitated such pivoting.

[0072] With particular reference to FIG. 18 a variation on the carabiner support 50 of FIG. 3 is disclosed. In this embodiment, rather than having the neck 76 be a closed hole, a slot 420 extends laterally into the hole 55. The arch 60, grommet 70, front collar 80 and rear collar 90, or equivalent structures would all be modified to include the slot 420. Surfaces of the slot 420 would preferably be covered with resilient materials, such as silicone. The slot 420 would have a width slightly smaller than a diameter of the neck 76 and slightly smaller then portions of the carabiner C, so that the carabiner C could travel through the slot 420 (along arrow S) only by deflecting the resilient portions adjacent to the slot 420 sufficient for the carabiner C to snap into the hole 55.

[0073] As a further alternative, and also shown in FIG. 18, the neck 76 could be open on the lateral side, and portions of the carabiner support 50 above the hole 55 could be configured as a cover 420 which can pivot about a hinge area 440, and along arrow T, between a closed position and an open position, and then back to a closed position. A latch could be provided to secure the cover 430 to other portions of the carabiner support 50, after the carabiner C has been passed into the hole 55 (along arrow S), and then the cover 430 would be closed down (along arrow T) to close off access into the hole 55 and to capture the carabiner C within the hole 55.

[0074] With particular reference to FIGS. 4-7, details of a spout lid 110 alternative embodiment are disclosed, and including the alternative carabiner support 150 thereon. The spout lid 110 is similar to the lid 30 described in detail above, except where distinctly described herein. In particular, the spout lid 110 includes a cap 112 overlying a spout extending up from the upper surface 32 of the spout lid 110. A skirt 34 extends cylindrically down from the upper surface 32. Ribs 114 extend axially along an outer surface of the cap 112 to enhance a tactile nature of the cap 112 for rotation thereof. The spout underlying the cap 112 can be generally cylindrical in form and include male threads thereon which match with female threads inside the cap 112. Thus, rotation of the cap 112 (along arrow E of FIG. 5) causes the cap 112 to be attached and/or detached to the spout, and positioned closing or opening access to an interior of the bottle 10.

[0075] The spout and associated cap 112 are angled slightly so that they are centered along a centerline CL which is angled by angle a relative to a vertical reference line 116 (FIG. 6). In one embodiment, the cap 112 includes a circular face and uppermost portion thereof which can include a magnet therein similar to the magnet 40, so that the cap 112 can be attached temporarily to the ferrous band 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2), or attach to the magnet 40 if the magnets are oriented with north and south faces or vice versa to be attracted to each other, when the cap 112 is removed (or the cap 112 can have a ferrous portion for attachment to the magnet 40 or a magnet elsewhere on the lid 110 or vessel 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As an alternative, the cap 112 can be attached with a lanyard to the spout lid 110 to avoid losing the cap 112.

[0076] With the spout lid 110, the alternative carabiner support 150 is located adjacent to the magnet 40 and generally at a junction between the upper surface 32 and skirt 34 on this spout lid 110. The alternative carabiner support 150 (or carabiner support 50) could be positioned at other locations, such as closer to a center of the upper surface 32, or extending from the skirt 34. A central axis of the hole 155 is shown extending horizontally and generally parallel with the upper surface 32. However, the central axis of the hole 155 could be oriented vertically, especially if the alternative carabiner support 150 is attached to the skirt 34.

[0077] With particular reference to FIGS. 8-11, details of the centered lid 210 alternative embodiment of the lid 30 are described. The centered lid 210 is similar to the lid 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) except that the carabiner support 50 is centered upon the upper surface 32 of the centered lid 210 in this embodiment. Details of this alternative orientation for this carabiner support 50 on the centered lid 210 are illustrated in the various different views of FIGS. 8-11. In alternative embodiments, the carabiner support 50 could be provided at various different portions of the upper surface 32, or even extending from the skirt 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0078] With particular reference to FIGS. 12-15, details of a straw lid 310 are described. The straw lid 310 is similar to the lid 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) except that a secondary opening through the straw lid 310 is provided in the form of a straw 334. This straw lid 310 has a recess 332 extending into an upper surface of the straw lid 310. The straw 334 is pivotally supported within this recess 332, with a straw 334 extending to a tip 336 and with the straw 334 supporting a conduit 338 therein. This conduit 338 is coupled to a central pipe in one embodiment, which extends down into the vessel 20 of the bottle 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and typically near the bottom 22 of the vessel 20. In this way, suction applied to the tip 336 of the straw 334 causes liquids to be drawn up through the conduit 338.

[0079] In one embodiment, a valve between the straw 334 and the pipe (described above) is closed off when the straw 334 is pivoted down (along arrow F of FIG. 14) into the recess 332. This valve is open when the straw 334 rotated up (opposite arrow F) and out of the recess 332. Details of the alternative carabiner support 150 associated with the straw lid 310 are generally similar to the alternative carabiner support 150 integrated into the lid 30 described in detail above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7.

[0080] With particular reference to FIGS. 16-19, details of a centered spout lid 410 are described. The centered spout lid 410 features a cap 412 surrounding a spout extending vertically up from a center of the upper surface of the centered spout lid 410. Ribs 414 extend axially along a cylindrical wall of the cap 412. Uniquely with the centered spout lid 410, a circular upper surface of the cap 412 includes the carabiner support 50 thereon. Most preferably, the carabiner support 50 has at least an arch 60 portion thereof (FIG. 3) formed along with other portions of the cap 412, such as by injection molding. As an alternative, the carabiner support 50 is affixed to the cap 412, such as by utilization of an adhesive.

[0081] Carabiner C is attached to the carabiner support 50, extending from the cap 412. In this embodiment, the carabiner C and carabiner support 50 can be grasped by a user to enhance torque applied to the cap 412 for removal (or tight attachment) of the cap 412 to the threads of the spout underlying the cap 412 (along arrow E of FIG. 17). Thus, the carabiner support 50, in this embodiment, also acts as a further assist in rotation of the cap 412 and removal for accessing fluids within the bottle 10 below the centered spout lid 410, through the spout covered by the cap 412. While the spout and cap 412 are shown centered on the upper surface of the centered spout lid 410, a similar spout lid 410 could be provided with the spout and cap 412 located at various different locations upon the lid.

[0082] While the embodiments disclosed above show the carabiner support 50, 150 affixed to the lid 30 (or alternative embodiment lids 110, 210, 310, 410) a further option for the carabiner support 50, 150 is for the carabiner support 50, 150 to be affixed to a portion of the vessel 20 rather than to a portion of the lid 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Furthermore, a carabiner support 50, 150 could be provided on both the vessel 20 and on the lid 30, so that two separate carabiners C could be supported by the bottle 10 simultaneously, or a user could select which of the two carabiner supports 50, 150 would be utilized for attachment of a single carabiner C.

[0083] In a slightly modified embodiment, the neck 76 of the grommet 70 is ribbed with the ribs extending parallel with a central axis of the hole 55, 155. In such an embodiment, the hole 55, 155 would have a minor diameter and a major diameter. The minor diameter would be the diameter from high points in the surface of the neck 76. The major diameter would define the diameter of the hole 55, 155 measuring down into troughs between the ribs. The hole 55, 155 is configured to hold a carabiner C which has a diameter which would typically be between the major diameter and the minor diameter, for a hole 55, 155 provided according to this embodiment. Carabiners C having different diameters could thus be accommodated with similar functionality according to this embodiment.

[0084] In another embodiment, a closable slot extends into the hole 55, 155. A cover is formed of resilient pivotable material and includes a latch at a tip thereof. This cover extends entirely over and past the slot which extends into the hole 55, 155 laterally. When this cover is pivoted open, the carabiner C can be placed (or snapped) into the hole 55, 155, which preferably is lined with silicone over mold material or other similar resilient material. The cover can then be latched closed to secure the carabiner C therein. In one embodiment, the latch is like that provided on downhill ski boots with a lever action to close the latch/cover. A silicone over mold and surrounding structure would preferably be somewhat flexible to accommodate carabiners C of different diameters, but still strong enough to maintain their orientation when the carabiner C is unloaded, other than by weight forces acting upon the carabiner C.

[0085] In another illustrative embodiment, a snap slot 420 (FIG. 18) extends into the hole 55, 155, preferably from a lateral side thereof. This snap slot has a width slightly smaller than a diameter of the hole 55, 155, and structural portions of the support 50, 150 surrounding the hole 55, 155 are sufficiently flexible, along with flexibility of the silicone over mold or other resilient liner material, to allow a carabiner C to be snapped into the hole 55, 155 laterally through this slot. The carabiner C will then be securely held in place by friction between the carabiner C and the silicone over mold material, or similar resilient material. In this embodiment, the hole is not a completely surrounded opening, both rather is a pathway for the carabiner C which pathway is only partially surrounded by structure, enough such structure being resilient in nature to hold the carabiner C static when snapped into the pathway.

[0086] This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When embodiments are referred to as “exemplary” or “preferred” this term is meant to indicate one example of the invention, and does not exclude other possible embodiments. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.