Abstract
A drinking container can include a reservoir and a lid assembly releasably coupled to the reservoir. The lid assembly can include a user activated mechanism coupled to a spout pusher and a spout configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, and the spout can include a flexible sleeve and a spout hinge portion. In some embodiments, activating the user activated mechanism can cause the spout pusher to move toward the spout hinge portion and cause material molded over an end of the spout pusher to stretch and engage the spout hinge, and the flexible sleeve can apply a restoring force on the spout when the spout is dislodged from the closed position by the spout pusher engaging the spout hinge to rotate the spout to the open position.
Claims
1. A drinking container comprising: a reservoir; and a lid assembly releasably coupled to the reservoir comprising: a spout configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein the spout includes a flexible sleeve and a spout hinge; a user activated mechanism coupled to a spout pusher; wherein the lid assembly is co-molded with a material that covers outer sidewalls of the lid assembly and an end of the spout pusher, wherein activating the user activated mechanism causes the spout pusher to move toward the spout hinge and cause material molded over the end of the spout pusher to stretch and engage the spout hinge, and wherein the flexible sleeve applies a restoring force on the spout when the spout is dislodged from the closed position by the spout pusher engaging the spout hinge, and wherein the restoring force rotates the spout to the open position.
2. The drinking container of claim 1, further comprising: a spout bay configured to receive the spout when the spout is rotated to the closed position.
3. The drinking container of claim 2, wherein the spout further comprises detents, and wherein the spout bay further comprises holding nubs, wherein the detents and the holding nubs are positioned to align when the spout is rotated to the closed position, and wherein the detents engaging the holding nubs holds the spout in the closed position until a user activates the user activated mechanism.
4. The drinking container of claim 2, further comprising reinforcement tabs formed on sidewalls of the spout bay under hinge point holes, wherein the hinge point holes receive hinge nubs formed on the spout hinge and allow the hinge nubs to rotate within the hinge point holes so that the spout may rotate, and wherein the reinforcement tabs have a concave shaped top portion to avoid interfering with spout hinge rotation, and wherein the reinforcement tabs are configured to increase hinge rigidity and prevent the spout from dislodging or being pulled off the lid assembly.
5. The drinking container of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir sleeve that receives the reservoir when a lip formed at a rim of the reservoir engages a ridge formed near a top of the reservoir sleeve.
6. The drinking container of claim 5, wherein the reservoir sleeve further comprises a bottom cover formed at a bottom portion of the reservoir sleeve, wherein the bottom cover comprises silicone, rubber, or other elastomeric rubber-like material configured to add additional friction and dampen sound when the drinking container is dropped.
7. The drinking container of claim 1, further comprising a straw extending into the reservoir and connected to the flexible sleeve to provide a fluid channel through the straw, the flexible sleeve, and the spout in the open position.
8. The drinking container of claim 2, wherein the spout hinge comprises a hollow base portion and a hollow upper tube, wherein a first sidewall of the base portion is shorter in length than a second sidewall of the base portion, wherein the first sidewall contacts a bottom surface of the spout bay when the spout is in the closed position, and wherein the first sidewall includes an end.
9. The drinking container of claim 8, wherein the first sidewall has a length that provides room for the flexible sleeve to extend upward into the base portion of the spout hinge the first sidewall crimps the flexible sleeve against the end of the spout pusher when the spout is in the closed position.
10. The drinking container of claim 9, wherein the end of the spout pusher, and thereby the material molded over the end of the spout pusher are convex in shape, and wherein the spout pusher, and thereby the material molded over the end of the spout pusher, impact the end of the first sidewall of the base portion of the spout hinge to push the spout hinge in a direction that dislodges the spout from the closed position.
11. A lid assembly comprising: a spout configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein the spout includes a flexible sleeve and a spout hinge; and a user activated mechanism coupled to a spout pusher; wherein activating the user activated mechanism causes the spout pusher to move toward the spout hinge and engage a sidewall end of the spout hinge, and wherein the flexible sleeve applies a restoring force on the spout when the spout is dislodged from the closed position by the spout pusher engaging the sidewall end of the spout hinge, and wherein the restoring force rotates the spout to the open position.
12. The lid assembly of claim 11, wherein the lid assembly is co-molded with a material that covers outer sidewalls of the lid assembly and an end of the spout pusher.
13. The lid assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a spout bay configured to receive the spout when the spout is rotated to the closed position.
14. The lid assembly of claim 13, wherein the spout further comprises detents, and wherein the spout bay further comprises holding nubs, wherein the detents and the holding nubs are positioned to align when the spout is rotated to the closed position, and wherein the detents engaging the holding nubs holds the spout in the closed position until a user activates the user activated mechanism.
15. The lid assembly of claim 13, further comprising reinforcement tabs formed on sidewalls of the spout bay under hinge point holes, wherein the hinge point holes receive hinge nubs formed on the spout hinge and allow the hinge nubs to rotate within the hinge point holes so that the spout may rotate, and wherein the reinforcement tabs have a concave shaped top portion to avoid interfering with spout hinge rotation, and wherein the reinforcement tabs are configured to increase hinge rigidity and prevent the spout from dislodging or being pulled off the lid assembly.
16. The lid assembly of claim 11, further comprising a straw connected to the flexible sleeve to provide a fluid channel through the straw, the flexible sleeve, and the spout in the open position.
17. The lid assembly of claim 13, wherein the spout hinge comprises a hollow base portion and a hollow upper tube, wherein a first sidewall of the base portion is shorter in length than a second sidewall of the base portion, wherein the first sidewall contacts a bottom surface of the spout bay when the spout is in the closed position, and wherein the first sidewall includes an end.
18. The lid assembly of claim 17, wherein the first sidewall has a length that provides room for the flexible sleeve to extend upward into the base portion of the spout hinge the first sidewall crimps the flexible sleeve against the end of the spout pusher when the spout is in the closed position.
19. The lid assembly of claim 18, wherein the spout pusher is convex in shape, and wherein the spout pusher impacts the end of the first sidewall of the base portion of the spout hinge to push the spout hinge in a direction that dislodges the spout from the closed position.
20. A drinking container comprising: a reservoir; a reservoir sleeve that receives the reservoir when a lip formed at a rim of the reservoir engages a ridge formed near a top of the reservoir sleeve, wherein the reservoir sleeve further comprises a bottom cover formed at a bottom portion of the reservoir sleeve, wherein the bottom cover comprises silicone, rubber, or other elastomeric rubber-like material configured to add additional friction and dampen sound when the drinking container is dropped; and a lid assembly releasably coupled to the reservoir comprising: a spout configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein the spout includes a flexible sleeve and a spout hinge; a user activated mechanism coupled to a spout pusher; wherein the lid assembly is co-molded with a material that covers outer sidewalls of the lid assembly and an end of the spout pusher, wherein activating the user activated mechanism causes the spout pusher to move toward the spout hinge and cause material molded over the end of the spout pusher to stretch and engage the spout hinge, and wherein the flexible sleeve applies a restoring force on the spout when the spout is dislodged from the closed position by the spout pusher engaging the spout hinge, and wherein the restoring force rotates the spout to the open position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a drinking container assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a drinking container assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0010] FIGS. 2A-2D are a cross-section views of the drinking container assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a top side perspective of the drinking container assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the drinking container assembly of FIG. 3A, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a vent valve included in a drinking container assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates reinforcement ribs included a button formed on a drinking container assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0015] FIGS. 6A-6B are a top perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a spout bay included in a drinking container assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a drinking container assembly, according to another exemplary embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a drinking container assembly, according to yet another exemplary embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a spout hinge of a drinking container assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a drinking container assembly, according to an alternative exemplary embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 10B is an exploded view of a drinking container assembly, according to an alternative exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Exemplary embodiments described herein include a drinking container assembly having a flip spout that flips from a closed position to an open position in response to activation of a mechanism, such as pushing a button. The button can couple to mechanical features that cause the flip spout to flip open, and the mechanical features are fully enclosed within a collar of the drinking assembly to prevent exposure of the mechanical elements to external environment elements. As a result of fully enclosing all the mechanical elements within the collar, dirt and grime may not accumulate in the mechanical elements, and the mechanical elements may not need frequent or any cleaning.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a drinking container assembly 10 can include a cup-shaped reservoir 12, a lid member 14, and a reservoir sleeve 16. The cup-shaped reservoir 12 can slide into and fit within the reservoir sleeve 16. In some embodiments, the cup-shaped reservoir 12 can comprise stainless steel or another insulating material to keep liquid stored therein cold or warm, depending on user preferences. Additionally, the reservoir sleeve 16 can comprise plastic, silicone, or any other dampening material. In some embodiments, the reservoir sleeve 16 can include a bottom cover 18 comprising silicone, rubber, or other elastomeric rubber-like material formed at a bottom portion of the sleeve. The bottom cover 18 can provide additional friction on the bottom surface of the reservoir sleeve 16, which can deter the drinking container assembly 10 from sliding, tipping, or spilling. Additionally, the bottom cover 18 can dampen sound when the drinking container assembly 10 is dropped because the bottom cover 18 comprises a softer material having more elasticity than stainless steel, metals, or conventional plastics. The bottom cover 18 can be formed over or fit over a bottom portion of the reservoir sleeve 16. In some embodiments, the bottom cover 18 can be removable.
[0023] The cup-shaped reservoir 12 can be generally cylindrical in shape and sized to contain a liquid, such as water, milk, juice, or the like. For example, the reservoir 12 may be sized and shaped to hold approximately eleven ounces of liquid in one embodiment or approximately eight ounces of liquid in another embodiment (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). In some embodiments, the reservoir 12 can comprise sidewalls formed of a stainless steel. The reservoir 12 can include a lip 20 that flanges outward and engages a ridge 22 formed near the top of the reservoir sleeve 16. In some embodiments, a separate cup-shaped reservoir 12 may be omitted, and the reservoir sleeve 16 can be used to store liquid therein. In some embodiments, sidewalls of the reservoir sleeve 16 can be transparent to reveal the cup-shaped reservoir included therein.
[0024] The reservoir sleeve 16 can include a threaded upper portion 26 that can engage corresponding threading 27 (see FIGS. 2A-2D) included as part of the lid member 14, thereby releasably coupling the reservoir sleeve 12 (and the cup-shaped reservoir 14 enclosed therein) to the lid member 14. In some embodiments, the reservoir sleeve 16 can include handles 28 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), but the handles 28 can be omitted in some embodiments (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The handles 28 can be used by an infant or young child to grab and hold the drinking container assembly 10. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in some embodiments, the handles 28 can be semicircular, but the handles 28 are not limited to a semicircular shape. The handles 28 can enable a child to more easily grasp and drink from the drinking container assembly 10 because the child's hands can more easily fit around the handles 28, which have a smaller circumference than the reservoir sleeve 16. In some embodiments, the handles 28 comprise silicone and are formed as part of the reservoir sleeve 16 or as part of a top portion of the reservoir sleeve 16. In another embodiment, the handles 28 are formed as part of the lid member 14 or extend from the lid member 14.
[0025] Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in some embodiments, the drinking container assembly 10 may replace handles with a carrier loop 29. In an embodiment having the carrier loop 29, the carrier loop 29 slip over the threaded upper portion 26 and be secured when the lid member 14 couples to the reservoir sleeve 16. In another embodiment, the carrier loop 29 may be integral to the lid member 14, but other locations for the loop 29 are contemplated.
[0026] The lid member 14 can be sized and shaped to cover a top opening of the reservoir sleeve 16 to prevent spills of the liquid from the reservoir 12. In some embodiments, the lid member 14 can comprise a silicone material. The lid member 14 can include a button 30, a spout bay 32, and a spout 34. The spout 34 can flip between an open position and a closed position by rotating about a hinge. In the closed position, the spout bay 32 can receive the spout 34 such that the spout 34 can fit within the spout bay 32, and the spout 34 can extend upward or at an upwardly tilted angle (as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) in the open position. The spout 34 can rotate from the closed position to the open position in response to a user pressing the button 30. Additionally, a user may rotate the spout 34 from the open position to the closed position by manually pushing the spout downward toward the spout bay 32. The spout 34 may rest within and be concealed by the spout bay 32 in the closed position to provide protection to the spout 34 and prevent damage to the spout 34.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, cross-sectional views of the spout 34 and the lid member 14 according to the exemplary embodiments are illustrated. Referring first to FIG. 2A, the spout 34 is shown in the closed position. When in the closed position, the spout 34 can fit within the spout bay 32. The spout 34 can include a mouthpiece 202, a spout hinge 204, and a flexible sleeve 206. According to an exemplary embodiment, the flexible sleeve 206 can extend through the spout hinge 204 and connect to a drinking channel 210. The drinking channel 210 can include a hole extending through a lower surface of the lid member 14. In some embodiments, like the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, the drinking channel 210 can further connect to a straw 33 (see FIG. 1B). The straw 33 can extend through the cup-shaped reservoir 12 and extend to or substantially extend to the bottom surface of the cup-shaped reservoir 12 so that a user can drink all fluid contained in the cup-shaped reservoir 12 using the straw 33 and the spout 34. Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2D, according to an exemplary embodiment, the straw 33 can connect to the flexible sleeve 206 via a mechanical coupling 222 that creates a continuous fluid channel between the straw 33 and the flexible sleeve 206. In some embodiments, the mechanical coupling 222 is coupled to or integral with the lid 14.
[0028] When in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2A, the spout hinge 204 can crimp the flexible sleeve 206, thereby preventing liquid from leaking through the flexible sleeve 206 and the drinking channel 210, due to the shape of the spout hinge 204, which is described in further detail with reference to FIG. 9.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 9, the spout hinge 204 can be formed such that the spout hinge 204 can crimp the flexible sleeve 206 and also rotate the spout 34 into the open position in response to activation of the button 30. The spout hinge 204 can include a base portion 902 and an upper tube 904. The base portion 902 can be wider in width or circumference than the upper tube 904. In some embodiments, the flexible sleeve 206 can extend through the base portion 902 and connect to internal sidewalls of the base portion 902, but the flexible sleeve 206 can further extend through the upper tube 904 in some embodiments. The base portion 902 and the upper tube 904 can be hollow, thereby forming a channel for liquid to transfer through the spout hinge 204. Although not illustrated in FIG. 9, a portion or all of the mouthpiece 202 can fit over and be coupled to the upper tube 904. In some embodiments, the base portion 902 can have substantially the same circumference as the mouthpiece 202.
[0030] A first sidewall 902A of the base portion 902 may be shorter in length than a second sidewall 902B of the base portion 902. The first sidewall 902A may contact a bottom surface of the spout bay 32 when the spout 34 is in the closed position. A portion of the second sidewall 902B may contact a rim of the spout bay 32 when the spout 34 is in the open position (see FIG. 1A), and the rim of the spout bay 32 may stop the rotating motion of the spout 34 after a user activates the button 30. The first sidewall 902A can be formed shorter than the second sidewall 902B to provide room for the flexible sleeve to extend through the base portion 902 when the spout 34 is in the closed position. However, the first sidewall 902A can be formed to have a sufficient length to still apply a crimping force when the spout 34 is in the closed position. The first sidewall 902A can include an end 902A.sup.end, and the spout pusher 230 may impact the end 902A.sup.end when the user pushes the button 30. FIG. 3A further illustrates the shape of the spout hinge 204, and the shortened nature of the first sidewall 902A.
[0031] Referring again to FIG. 2A, the flexible sleeve 206 can be crimped by the end 902A.sup.end of the first sidewall 902A of the spout hinge 204 on one side and an end 232 of a spout pusher 230 on another side, as shown in FIG. 2A. The spout pusher 230 can couple to the button 30, and pushing the button 30 inward, toward the spout 34 can also push the spout pusher 230 inward, toward the spout 34. According to an exemplary embodiment, the spout pusher 230 can be co-molded so that the end 232 and the button 30 have semi-rigid material, such as silicone. By co-molding the button 30 and the end 232, the spout pusher 230 may be completely sealed from outside elements, eliminating the need to clean any internal parts, including the spout pusher 230. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, all sides of the spout pusher 230 may be enclosed by co-molded silicone or another semi-rigid, moldable material. A first end of the spout pusher 230 can abut, touch, or couple to the button and a second end of the spout pusher 230 can abut, touch, or couple to the end 232. Both the spout pusher 230 and the end 232 can be convex in shape. The spout pusher 230 can extend from the button 30 to the end 232, and the end 232 can extend into the spout bay 32.
[0032] FIGS. 3A and 3B further illustrate various components of the lid member 14, the spout bay 32, and the spout 34. As shown in FIG. 3A, the spout bay 32 can include holding nubs 350 formed on sidewalls of the spout bay 32. FIG. 3A illustrates one holding nub 350, but the spout bay 32 can include a corresponding second holding nub on an opposite sidewall of the spout bay 32. In addition, the spout bay 32 can include a vent valve 352 formed on a bottom surface of the spout bay. The vent valve 352 can allow for airflow into the cup-shaped reservoir in response to a user sucking fluid through the spout 34. The vent valve 352 may be attached to the spout bay via heat stake welding to a single permanent press fit, which can reduce manufacturing costs. FIG. 4 further illustrates the vent valve 352 and how the vent valve can be coupled to the bottom surface of the spout bay 32.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3B, the spout 34 can comprise detents 360 formed on the spout hinge 204. FIG. 3B illustrates one detent 360, but the spout hinge 204 can include a corresponding second detent 360 on the opposite sidewall of the spout hinge 204. The detents 360 are positioned on the hinge to align with and mate with and the holding nubs 350 formed on the sidewalls of the spout bay 32. When the detents 360 mate with the holding nubs 350, the spout 32 can be held in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2A, until a user activates the button 30, thereby causing the spout 32 to flip to the open position due to the uncrimping force of the flexible sleeve 206.
[0034] FIG. 2B illustrates various forces acting on the mechanical parts of the spout 34 and lid 14 in response to a user pressing the button 30. Upon a user pushing the button 30 inward (see Arrow 1), the spout pusher 230 can correspondingly move inward toward the spout hinge 204, thereby pushing outward and stretching the co-molded material comprising the end 232 (see Arrow 2). The end 232 can comprise semi-rigid but semi-flexible material that can stretch in response to pushing by the spout pusher 230. The force applied by the spout pusher 230 can apply a force upon the end 902A.sup.end of the spout hinge 204 that can dislodge the holding nubs 350 from the detents 360, thereby unlocking the spout 34 from the closed position. Due to the convex shape of the second end of the spout pusher 230 and the convex shape of the end 232, the end 232 can apply a force pushing the spout hinge 204 in the direction indicted by Arrow 3. The force applied on the spout hinge 204 by the spout pusher 230 can dislodge holding nubs 350 (see FIG. 3A-3B) formed on sides of the spout bay 34 from detents 360 formed on sides of the spout hinge 204 (again, see FIG. 3A-3B). Once the detents are dislodged from the holding nubs, the flexible sleeve 206 applies a restoring force (see Arrow 4 in FIG. 2C) that rotates the spout 34 upward toward the open position. Crimping the flexible sleeve 206 can be an unnatural state for the flexible sleeve 206. The natural position of the flexible sleeve 206 can be an uncrimped position such that the sleeve has straighter walls. The flexible sleeve 206 generates the restoring force, due to its flexibility, when returning to the natural, uncrimped shape, which causes the spout to flip upward, as shown by Arrow 4 in FIG. 2C. As such, the spout 34 lacks any spring because the flexible sleeve 206 running through the spout and through the lid has elastomeric spring-back force. The restoring force represented by Arrow 4 can cause the spout 34 to continue to rotate toward the open position, as shown in FIG. 2D, and the restoring force can uncrimp the flexible sleeve 206, thereby allowing liquid to flow through the flexible sleeve 206 and spout 34.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, the button 30 can include reinforcing ribs 500 formed substantially across the entire area of the button. The reinforcing ribs 500 can include prongs 502 formed upward from a base 504. The reinforcing ribs 500 can comprise a rigid material to reinforce the internal robustness and efficacy of the button 30. The reinforcing ribs 500 can better transfer button pushing force applied by a user to the spout pusher 230, thereby more easily opening the spout 34 to the open position. Silicone may be molded or formed over the reinforcing ribs 500 to form the button 30 on the lid 14, a molding process that can be applied with other molding formation steps for creating the lid member 14.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, the spout bay 32 can include a hinge point hole 610 where a hinge nub 620 of the spout hinge 204 can extend into. The hinge nubs 620 can rotate within the hinge point hole 610 to accommodate the rotation or flipping of the spout 34. The spout bay 32 can further include reinforcement tabs 630 formed below the hinge point hole 610. The reinforcement tabs 630 may have a concave top so as not to prevent rotation of the hinge nubs 620. The reinforcement tabs 630 can increase rigidity of the hinge to prevent the spout 34 from dislodging or being pulled off of the lid assembly. The spout bay 32 can include two reinforcement tabs 630 corresponding to each of the two hinge point holes 610 formed on the two elongated sidewalls of the spout bay 32.
[0037] The drinking container assembly 10 can comprise any volume or size. For example only, the drinking container assembly 10 can comprise an 11 ounce reservoir or an 8 ounce reservoir. Moreover, the drinking container assembly 10 can comprise handles (as shown in FIG. 7) or a carry loop (as shown in FIG. 8). These and many other variations are contemplated. For example, the button 30 could be replaced with a latch, electronic button, or any other user activated element. In some embodiments, the smaller volume bottle container 10*, such as the 8 oz bottle, can omit the bottom cover 18, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B can include handles 28 which slip over the threaded upper portion 26 of the reservoir sleeve 16. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B can include the lid assembly 14 and the reservoir 12 similar to or the same as those described above.
[0038] From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiments are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is also to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.
[0039] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms having and including and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of optional or may include and not as required.
[0040] Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
