DRINKING APPARATUS WITH VAPORIZER COMPARTMENT

Abstract

A drinking apparatus for receiving a vaporizer device includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a cap having a handle coupled thereto and a latch disposed on a lower surface of the cap. The second housing includes an aperture, a drinking spout, a docking port, and a vaporizer locking mechanism. The aperture is formed in an upper surface of the second housing and is configured to engage the latch. The drinking spout is in fluid communication with a container. The docking port is defined in the second housing and is configured to receive a vaporizer device. The docking port includes a vaporizer locking mechanism operably associated with the docking port and configured to releasably couple the vaporizer device to the docking port.

Claims

1. A drinking apparatus for receiving a vaporizer device, the drinking apparatus comprising: a first housing including a cap, the cap having a handle coupled thereto and a latch disposed on a lower surface of the cap; and a second housing, including: an aperture formed in an upper surface of the second housing, the aperture configured to engage the latch; a drinking spout in fluid communication with a container; a docking port defined in the second housing and configured to receive a vaporizer device; and a vaporizer locking mechanism operably associated with the docking port and configured to releasably engage the vaporizer device within the docking port.

2. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer locking mechanism includes at least one of a twist lock or a compression spring.

3. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer device includes a safety lock, and wherein the safety lock is disengaged by mechanically rotating an upper housing and a lower housing of the vaporizer device.

4. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled to the cap by a first pivot hinge, the first pivot hinge configured to pivot the handle about a first axis defined by a first pivot pin.

5. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first housing is coupled to the second housing by a second pivot hinge, the second pivot hinge configured to pivot the first housing about a second axis defined by a second pivot pin.

6. The drinking apparatus of claim 5, wherein engaging the latch to the aperture transitions the drinking apparatus to a first state, and disengaging the latch from the aperture transitions the drinking apparatus to a second state.

7. The drinking apparatus of claim 6, wherein in the first state, the first housing is coupled to the second housing, and wherein in the second state, the first housing is disengaged from the second housing, enabling the cap to pivot about the second axis.

8. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a release button assembly configured to release a liquid from the container, including: a release button; and a compression spring configured to bias the release button towards a disengaged position.

9. The drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein the release button is a sliding latch.

10. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third housing comprising the container, wherein the third housing includes a first plurality of threads configured to mate with a second plurality of threads formed in the second housing, and wherein first plurality of threads are formed in an outer surface of the third housing.

11. A drinking system, comprising: a vaporizer device, including: an upper portion having a mouthpiece; a lower portion including a power source; and a safety mechanism for activating the vaporizer device; a drinking apparatus, including: a cap having a latch disposed on a lower surface thereof; a housing, including: an aperture defined in the housing and configured to engage the latch; a drinking spout in fluid communication with a container; a docking port defined in the housing and configured to receive to the vaporizer device therein; and a spout deployment mechanism configured to extend the drinking spout through the cap, enabling consumption of liquid by a user.

12. The drinking system of claim 11, further comprising a second cap disposed on the drinking spout.

13. The drinking system of claim 11, wherein the vaporizer device is permanently coupled to the docking port.

14. The drinking apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a release button assembly, including: a sliding latch; and a compression spring configured to bias the sliding latch towards a disengaged position.

15. The drinking apparatus of claim 11, wherein the spout deployment mechanism includes at least one of a twist mechanism or a compression spring.

16. The drinking apparatus of claim 11, wherein the safety mechanism is disengaged by mechanically rotating the upper portion and the lower portion of the vaporizer device.

17. The drinking apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cap is coupled to the housing by a pivot hinge, the pivot hinge configured to pivot the cap about an axis defined by a pivot pin.

18. The drinking apparatus of claim 17, wherein engaging the latch to the aperture transitions the drinking apparatus to a first state, and disengaging the latch from the aperture transitions the drinking apparatus to a second state.

19. The drinking apparatus of claim 18, wherein in the first state, the cap is coupled to the housing, and wherein in the second state, the cap is disengaged from the housing, enabling the cap to pivot about the axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the technology are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a drinking apparatus, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view of the drinking apparatus of FIG. 1 in a first state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of the drinking apparatus of FIG. 1 in a second state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the drinking apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drinking apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 6A is top, perspective view of a spout mechanism, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 6B is bottom, perspective view of the spout mechanism, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 6C is cross-sectional view of the spout mechanism, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a front, perspective view of a drinking apparatus, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present disclosure relates generally to a drinking apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a drinking apparatus with a compartment for a vaporizer device.

[0037] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended. Various alterations, rearrangements, substitutions, and modifications of the features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a drinking apparatus 100 is shown. The drinking apparatus 100 is configured to house both a liquid and a vaporizer device. Generally, the drinking apparatus 100 contains an upper housing 105, a lower housing 108 (e.g., a container), and a cap 115. When connected, the components form a drinking apparatus configured to securely house and transport a vaporizer device.

[0039] With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cap 115 includes a handle 110, a notch 111, and latch 114. Generally, the handle is shaped in an analogous manner to the cap 115 (e.g., circular shape), in order to enclose an outer surface of the cap 115. However, it will be understood that the handle 110 and/or the cap 115 may comprise any number of different sizes and/or shapes (e.g., oval, rectangle, square, etc.). A handle aperture is defined through the handle 110 to receive a user's hand, which enables drinking apparatus 100 to be carried by the user. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 110 is coupled to the cap 115 via a cap pivot hinge 116. The cap pivot hinge 116 enables the handle 110 to swing (e.g., pivot) about an axis Y defined by a pivot pin 118, permitting a user to swing the handle 110 and insert his/her hand therein. While the cap pivot hinge 116 is shown on a rear portion of the cap 115, it is contemplated that the pivot hinge may be located on any suitable portion of the cap 115 which permits rotation of the handle 110.

[0040] The cap 115 is coupled to the upper housing 105 via an upper body pivot hinge 112. The upper body pivot hinge 112 includes a torsion spring 155 and a pivot pin 160. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper body pivot hinge 112 enables the cap 115 to swing (e.g., pivot) about an axis, permitting a user to open and/or close the cap 115. Generally, cap 115 will pivot about an axis X defined by the pivot pin 160, which is facilitated by a torque exerted along the axis by the torsion spring 155. In aspects, the axes X and Y may be parallel to one another. The latch 114 is disposed on a lower portion of the cap 115 and is configured to selectively couple to and/or detach from a latch aperture 104 formed in the upper housing 105.

[0041] Access to the latch is provided by way of the notch 111, which is generally formed on a lower, outer surface of the cap 115. When a user desires to use the drinking apparatus 100, they may detach the latch 114 from the latch aperture 104 by applying pressure to the notch 111 and/or another portion of cap 115 in an upwards direction (e.g., a direction distal to the latch 114). The pressure will cause the latch 114 to detach from the latch aperture 104, allowing the cap 115 to pivot open via the upper body pivot hinge 112. Opening the cap 115 will convert the drinking apparatus to a deployed state for consumption of a liquid and/or a vaporizer device 165 therein. Generally, the spout 130 is exposed and ready for consumption. In aspects, a user may need to activate a deployment mechanism 185 to expose the spout 130 and/or the vaporizer device 165, as further described below. When the user is done using the drinking apparatus 100, he/she may apply pressure to the notch 111 and/or another portion of cap 115 in a downward direction (e.g., a direction proximal to the latch 114). The pressure will cause the latch 114 to couple to the latch aperture 104, closing the cap 115 and converting the drinking apparatus to a non-deployed state.

[0042] With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper housing 105 includes a release button 120, a spout 130, a rubber washer 140, and a vaporizer port 145. The release button 120 enables a user to release (e.g., drink) a liquid maintained within the lower housing 108. Generally, the release button 120 includes a button push ring 125 and a compression spring 150, forming a release button assembly 122. As shown in FIG. 4, the release button 120 may be connected to the button push ring 125 via an outer surface of the upper housing 105. To engage the release button 120, a user may slide a tab thereon in a first direction, e.g., to the left (FIG. 2), causing the button push ring 125 to rotate to an engaged position and release the liquid from the lower housing 108. The user may subsequently disengage the release button 120 by sliding the tab in a direction opposite the first direction (e.g., to the right), rotating the button push ring back to a disengaged position. Generally, the release button 120 and/or the release button push ring 125 may be biased towards the disengaged position by the compression spring 150. While the release button 120 is pictured as a sliding latch, alternative interfaces are contemplated, including push buttons, rotating buttons, switches, etc.

[0043] The spout 130 enables a user to drink a liquid from the lower housing 108 when the drinking apparatus 100 is in the deployed state. Generally, the spout 130 includes a spout mouthpiece 132 and a leak stop 135. As shown in FIG. 3, the spout mouthpiece 132 slides into an aperture in the upper housing 105, enabling fluid communication with an inner volume of the lower housing 108 (e.g., the fluid). A user may drink the fluid by exerting a suctioning force on the spout mouthpiece, similar to drinking from a standard straw. The leak stop 135 may be formed in a lower surface of the cap 115, which aligns with a top surface of the spout mouthpiece 132 when the drinking apparatus 100 is in a non-deployed state to form a liquid tight seal.

[0044] In aspects, the handle 110 may be affixed to the upper housing 105. In doing so, the release button 120 may be lowered slightly (e.g., 5 or 10 mm) to accommodate the connection of the upper body pivot hinge 112 to an outer surface of the upper housing 105 at or closely proximate the location of the release button 120.

[0045] The upper housing 105 may be threadedly coupled to the lower housing 108 via screw threads. Specifically, screw threads 109 (FIGS. 3, 4) formed in an outer surface of lower housing 108 may be configured to mate with complementary screw threads 106 (FIG. 6B) formed in an inner surface of the upper housing 105. In aspects, the rubber washer 140 is placed between the upper housing 105 and the lower housing 108 (FIG. 4).

[0046] The drinking apparatus 100 is configured to be reusable and/or dishwasher-safe. As such, it is contemplated that some or all of the components shown separated for the purposes of explanation herein (FIG. 4) may be integrated for manufacturing and commercial purposes, e.g., release button assembly 122 (i.e., including 120, 125, 150) and/or upper body pivot hinge 112 (i.e., including torsion spring 155 and pivot pin 160).

[0047] Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A-6C, the vaporizer device 165 may be housed within a vaporizer port 145 (e.g., a docking port) formed in the upper housing 105. The vaporizer device 165 may be positioned in a manner where a vaporizer mouthpiece 162 extends from the vaporizer port 145, allowing ease of access for a user. The vaporizer port 145 may be sized to accommodate vaporizer device(s) 165 comprising a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, in aspects, the vaporizer port 145 may be expandable via compression springs (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a bottom portion of the vaporizer port 145 may include screw threads or other inter-engaging surfaces configured to mechanically engage and secure the vaporizer device 165 within port 145.

[0048] In aspects, the vaporizer device 165 may be used while coupled to the drinking apparatus 100. In doing so, a user may discreetly use the vaporizer device 165 by appearing to drink from the spout mouthpiece 132. For example, a height of the vaporizer device 165 within the vaporizer port 145 may be adjustable, e.g., to align with a height of the spout mouthpiece or lower. In aspects, the spout mouthpiece 132 and/or the vaporizer mouthpiece 162 may include a cap for hygienic purposes (e.g., avoid cross contamination or touching other devices). For example, the spout mouthpiece 132 may include a soft, silicone cap (not shown), which is removably coupled to a top portion of the spout mouthpiece.

[0049] In another example, two caps (FIG. 7), such that spout mouthpiece 132 may extend through the cap 115 and be covered by a separate cap 117. Thus, the vaporizer mouthpiece 162 may only be visible when deliberately exposed. In aspects, the vaporizer mouthpiece 162 may only extend through the lower housing 108 and may be hidden from view unless exposed via the deployment mechanism 185. The deployment mechanism 185 may be configurin a manner similar to the release button 120 and/or customizable, although alternative mechanisms compatible with the release button 120 and/or the drinking apparatus 100 generally are also contemplated. In aspects, the deployment mechanism 185 may include a twisting mechanism 185a (e.g., a twisting lock) and/or a compression spring 185b. For example, the deployment mechanism 185 may be activated by rotating the lower housing 108 to a specific position while pressing the release button 120. In aspects, the deployment mechanism 185 may include a hidden button (not shown) disposed on a surface of the drinking apparatus, such as a bottom surface of the lower housing 108. In another example, the deployment mechanism 185 may be a combination deployment mechanism 185, which may activate the spout mouthpiece 132 and/or the vaporizer mouthpiece 162 by pressing the release button 120. In aspects, the deployment mechanism 185 may also be configured to expose the spout 130 if biased towards a hidden position (i.e., only extending through the lower housing 108).

[0050] The vaporizer device 165 may include an activation mechanism (i.e., a safety mechanism) 170 as a security device for restricting activation of the vaporizer device 165. To activate the vaporizer device 165, the user may twist apart (i.e., to rotate in opposing directions) and/or push together an upper portion 165a and a lower portion 165b of the vaporizer device 165 to mechanically lock and/or engage electrical contacts therein, which activate the vaporizer device 165 for use. The upper portion may include the vaporizer mouthpiece 162 and a cartridge containing an oil and/or tobacco product. The lower portion may include a battery or other power source.

[0051] In addition, and/or alternatively, the vaporizer device 165 and/or the vaporizer port 145 may contain a safety lock 195 (e.g., a safety switch), which must be unlocked to enable activation of the vaporizer device 165. For example, the safety lock 195 may be configured as an on/off switch 195a on an outer surface of the vaporizer device 165 or on the vaporizer mouthpiece 162.

[0052] In another example, the safety lock 195 may be configured as a twist lock 195b on the vaporizer device 165, which when engaged, electrically activates the vaporizer device 165. While the vaporizer device 165 and the vaporizer port 145 are shown as cylindrical devices, alternative geometries are contemplated (e.g., rectangular, spherical, etc.). The safety lock 195 of vaporizer device 165 may be configured to cooperate with the vaporizer port 145 (or other part of the vaporizer device 165) in a key-like or interface manner. For example, one the vaporizer device 165 is loaded into the port 145, the device can be mechanically keyed or electrically keyed to unlock for safety reasons. User can simply twist (or otherwise manipulate) a part of the device 165 or drinking apparatus 100 in any fashion to unlock the vaporizer device 165 for use. Personalized settings are contemplated for this purpose.

[0053] In aspects, the vaporizer device 165 may be removably coupled to the vaporizer port 145 via a port lock 146 (i.e., a vaporizer locking mechanism), so that a user may remove the vaporizer device 165 for use outside of the drinking apparatus 100. For example, the port lock 146 may be a twist lock 146a (e.g., a twist lock) configured to rotate within the vaporizer port 145. When rotated, the twist lock 146a may engage/disengage protrusions 146b. For example, when the twist lock 146a is rotated in a first direction, the protrusions 146b will extend inward (e.g., in a direction proximal to the vaporizer device, within the vaporizer port 145) to exert pressure against the vaporizer device 165 for securement within the vaporizer port 145. For ease of removal, the vaporizer port 145 may be twisted in a second direction to retract the protrusions and release the vaporizer device 165. In aspects, the port lock 146a may be configured as and/or include a compression spring 147 to bias the vaporizer device 165 within the vaporizer port 145.

[0054] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods, and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.