A DRINKS CONTAINER

Abstract

A drinks container comprises a container body having a side wall terminating in a rim forming an open top, and an adapter mounted on the container body. The adapter is interchangeable between a first upright configuration where it forms a central primary outlet, and a second inverted configuration in which the adapter forms a secondary outlet adjacent the rim of the container for enabling a user to sip a drink from the rim of the container. The drinks container may further include a strap mounted on the container body that is releasably mountable to the closure for tethering the closure to the container body so that it is not physically separated from the container during use and is therefore not prone to getting lost.

Claims

1-26. (canceled)

27. A drinks container comprising: a container body having a side wall terminating in a rim and defining an interior, the container body comprising a stop formation on the side wall, and an adapter rotatably mounted on the container body, wherein the adapter is interchangeable between a first upright configuration where the drinks container forms a primary drinking outlet spaced from the rim, and a second inverted configuration where the drinks container provides a secondary drinking outlet adjacent to the rim, wherein the adapter is rotated up to a predetermined rotational position relative to the container body in the second inverted configuration in which it abuts the stop formation on the side wall, and the container body and the adapter are configured to form a first liquid flow channel therebetween in said predetermined rotational position connecting the interior of the container body to the secondary outlet.

28. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein the adapter has a single stationary position in the second inverted configuration in which the secondary outlet is continuously open thereby enabling a user to drink from the rim at any time.

29. A drinks container according to claim 28, wherein the adapter is fully rotated onto the container body to an end point in said predetermined rotational position and no additional manual movement of the adapter is required to open the secondary outlet.

30. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein the container body comprises a container engagement formation, and the adapter comprises a complementary adapter engagement formation that engages the container engagement formation, to mount the adapter on the container body and guide rotation of the adapter relative to the container body.

31. A drinks container according to claim 30, wherein the container engagement formation is configured to form said stop formation, and the adapter engagement formation is configured to interact with said stop formation on the container engagement formation and stop further rotation of said adapter in said predetermined rotational position.

32. A drinks container according to claim 30, wherein the container engagement formation has a first container formation gap formed therein, and the first container formation gap is aligned with the first liquid flow channel when the adapter is in the second inverted configuration.

33. A drinks container according to claim 30, wherein the adapter engagement formation has a first adapter formation gap formed therein, and the first adapter formation gap is aligned with the first liquid flow channel when the adapter is in the second inverted configuration.

34. A drinks container according to claim 30, wherein the container body and the adapter form a second fluid flow channel therebetween, and the second fluid flow channel connects the interior to the rim.

35. A drinks container according to claim 34, wherein the second fluid flow channel is spaced from the first liquid flow channel around the circumference of the adapter.

36. A drinks container according to claim 34, wherein the adapter engagement formation has a second adapter formation gap formed therein, and the second adapter formation gap is aligned with the second fluid flow channel.

37. A drinks container according to claim 30, wherein one of the container engagement formation and the adapter engagement formation, comprises a male formation, and the other of the container engagement formation and the adapter engagement formation, comprises a female formation that receives the male formation therein, and the male formation is translationally displaced along the female formation by rotation of the adapter relative to the container body.

38. A drinks container according to claim 46, wherein the adapter comprises a first cutout, at or adjacent the circumference of the adapter, that is aligned with the first adapter formation gap on the adapter engagement formation, and the first cutout forms part of the first liquid flow channel.

39. A drinks container according to claim 38, wherein the adapter comprises a second cutout at or adjacent the circumference of the adapter that is aligned with the second adapter formation gap in the adaptor engagement formation, and the second cutout forms part of the second fluid flow channel.

40. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein the container and adapter engagement formations are configured such that the same formations operate to mount the adapter on the container body in both the first and second configurations.

41. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein the container body comprises a shoulder that projects radially inward from an inner surface of the side wall, and at least part of the adapter seals against the shoulder in each of the first upright and second inverted configurations.

42. A drinks container according to claim 41, wherein the adapter comprises a first shoulder sealing formation for sealing the adapter against the shoulder on the side wall in the first upright configuration, and a second shoulder sealing formation for sealing a part of the adapter against the shoulder on the side wall in the second inverted configuration.

43. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein the rim of the container body extends at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the container body and forms a pinnacle on the rim extending proud of the rest of the rim, and the pinnacle is axially aligned with the secondary outlet and the first liquid flow channel.

44. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein the container body comprises a first container element and a second container element that is removably mounted on the first container element, and a securing arrangement for releasably holding the second container element in position on the first container element.

45. A drinks container according to claim 27, wherein in the first upright configuration, the drinking container does not provide a liquid flow channel between the adapter and the container body.

46. A drinks container according to claim 33, wherein the container body and the adapter form a second fluid flow channel therebetween, and the second fluid flow channel connects the interior to the rim.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0165] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate drinks containers that are known in the prior art. As these drinks containers do not form the invention defined in the current application, they will not be discussed further in this detailed description.

[0166] In FIGS. 3 to 13, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a drinks or drinking container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0167] The drinks container 10 comprises generally a container body 12 having a base 14 and a side wall 16 terminating in a rim 18 forming an open top 19, and an adapter 20 mounted on the container body 12 and extending across the top 19. The adapter 20 is interchangeable between a first upright configuration where it forms a central primary drinking outlet 26, and a second inverted configuration where the adapter forms at least part of a secondary drinking outlet 27 adjacent to the rim 18 and the primary drinking outlet 26 is not accessible for drinking. The adapter 20 and container body 12 are configured to be rotated relative to each other to mount the adapter 20 on the container body 12. In the second inverted configuration, the adapter 20 is rotated up to a predetermined rotational position on the container body 12, and in this position, the container body 12 and the adapter 20 form a first open liquid flow channel 28 for liquid to flow from an interior of the container body 12 to the secondary outlet 27. The first liquid flow channel 28 is free of obstructions so that liquid flows in a substantially straight line, e.g. in an axial direction, from the interior of the container body 12 to the secondary outlet 27.

[0168] The container body 12 is substantially circular cylindrical, and the adapter 20 has a complementary circular cross-sectional configuration. It follows that the rim 18, as shown, also has a corresponding circular configuration. The container body 12 comprises a container engagement formation 72 and the adapter 20 comprises a complementary adapter engagement formation 74 to mount the adapter 20 on the container body 12. The container and adapter engagement formations 72, 74 facilitate rotation of container body 12 and the adapter 20 relative to each other.

[0169] The container body 12 comprises a stop formation and the adapter 20 abuts against the stop formation when it is rotated to the predetermined rotational position on the container body 12. Thus, in the second inverted configuration, the adapter 20 adopts a single position in which it remains stationary, and this single position is the point at which the adapter 20 is rotated fully onto the container body 12, and it can rotate no further.

[0170] The different components of the drinks container 10 will now be described in greater detail.

[0171] The container body 12 has an inner surface 36 and a shoulder 40 projecting radially inward from the inner surface 36 that is spaced beneath the rim 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder 40 projects outward from the inner surface 36 of the side wall 14 around substantially the full circumference of the side wall 14. The container engagement formation 72 has a first container formation gap 172 formed therein, and the first container formation gap 172 is aligned with the first liquid flow channel 28 when the adapter 20 is in the second inverted configuration.

[0172] The adapter 20 which is shown in FIGS. 3 to 11 comprises an adapter body 50 having a broadly circular configuration, when viewed in a plan view, that is complementary to the container body 12. Broadly, the adapter body 50 has a wide first end 52 forming a base section 58 having a circumferential outer surface 51, and an opposed narrow second end 54 forming a primary outlet section having a narrow cylindrical neck 59. The base section 58 is sized and configured to be received with a small working clearance within the inner surface 36 of the wall 14 of the container body 12 in both the first and second configurations.

[0173] The adapter body 50 further includes a frusto-conical section 56 intermediate the base section 58 and the neck 59. The frusto-conical section 56 tapers radially inward in a direction away from the base section 58 and transitions into the neck 59. The central primary opening or primary outlet 26 (which can be used when the adapter 20 is in the first configuration) is formed in the narrow second end 54 and has a removable closure or lid indicated by reference numeral 60 mounted thereon. The closure 60 can be removed by a user (by a simple manual rotation) when the adapter 20 and container 10 is in the first upright configuration for drinking from the container 10. Conveniently, the closure 60 may be removably mounted on the adapter by means of complementary engagement formations, such as bayonet formations or screw threads, on the adapter 20 and the closure 60 respectively.

[0174] The container body 12 further comprises a shoulder 40 that projects radially inward from an inner surface of the side wall 16 and at least part of the adapter 50 may seal against the shoulder 40 in the first upright and second inverted configurations, respectively.

[0175] The adapter engagement formation 74 has a first adapter formation gap 174 formed therein, and the adapter formation gap 174 is aligned with the first liquid flow channel when the adapter 20 is in the second inverted configuration. Thus, the first container and adapter formation gaps 172 and 174 leave a space in the respective container and adapter engagement formations 72 and 74 that open the first liquid flow channel 28 to provide for unobstructed liquid flow therethrough.

[0176] In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to said first liquid flow channel 28, the container body 12 and the adapter 20 form a second fluid flow channel 38 therebetween extending from an interior of the container body 12 to a point adjacent the rim 18. The second fluid flow channel 38 is spaced from the first liquid flow channel 28 around the circumference of the adapter 20 and conveniently, the first liquid and second fluid flow channels 28 and 38 are positioned diametrically opposite each other on the circumference of the adapter 20.

[0177] The adapter engagement formation 74 has a second adapter formation gap 274 formed therein that is aligned with the second fluid flow channel 38 in the second inverted configuration. The container engagement formation 72 may optionally have a second container formation gap formed therein when the adapter 20 is in the second inverted configuration but this is not shown in the illustrated embodiment. Thus, the second adapter formation gap 274 leaves a space or gap or interruption in the engagement formation 74 that opens the second fluid flow channel 38 to provide for unobstructed fluid flow therethrough.

[0178] In the illustrated embodiment, the container engagement formation 72 comprises a male formation in the form of a male rib that projects out from the container side wall 16 and extends at least part way around the container body 12. The male rib on the container body in turn comprises separate first and second rib parts that occupy diametrically opposed positions on the container body 12. The spaced first and second rib parts act to securely mount the adapter 20 on the container body 12 such that it cannot lift off the container body 12. The container engagement formation 72 on the container body 12 is configured to provide the stop formation. The adapter engagement formation 74 is configured to interact with said stop formation 72 and resist further rotation of said adapter 20 in said predetermined rotational position.

[0179] The adapter 20 comprises a first shoulder sealing formation 95 for sealing the adapter 50 against the shoulder 40 in the first upright configuration. This seal resists the passage of liquid between the shoulder 40 and the adapter 50 when the drinks container is being used to dispense liquid through the central primary outlet 26.

[0180] The adapter engagement formation 74 in turn comprises a female formation forming a groove that receives the male formation therein and extends at least part way around the adapter 20. Optionally, the female formation extends substantially fully around the adapter 20 except for the gaps 174 and 274 in the container engagement formation 74 for the first and second flow channels 28 and 38 as described elsewhere in this description. Rotation of the adapter 20 relative to the container body 12 translationally displaces the male formation along the female formation.

[0181] The adapter 50 comprises a second shoulder sealing formation 96 that is used when the adapter 20 is in the second inverted configuration. The second shoulder sealing formation 96 has gaps formed therein corresponding to each adapter formation gap 174, 274 formed in the adapter engagement formation 74. Thus, in this configuration, the second shoulder sealing formation 96 only seals the adapter 50 to the shoulder 40 around a part of the circumference of the adapter.

[0182] The adapter further comprises a first cutout 90 on the circumference of the adapter 20 that is aligned with the first adapter formation gap 174 on the adapter engagement formation 74. The first cutout 90 contributes to opening the first liquid flow channel 28 to liquid flow.

[0183] The adapter 20 may comprise a second cutout 94 on the circumference of the adapter that is aligned with the second adapter formation gap 274 in the adaptor engagement formation 74. The second cutout 94 contributes to opening the second fluid flow channel 38 to air flow. It functions to permit air to be drawn into the container when liquid flows in an opposite direction out of the container through the first liquid flow channel to equalise internal and external pressures.

[0184] The container and adapter engagement formations 72 and 74 illustrated in the drawings are configured such that the same formations operate to mount the adapter 20 on the container body 12 in both the first and second configurations. That is, the same physical surfaces or formations interact to mount the adapter 20 on the container body 12 in both the first and second configurations. It does not have different engagement formations operating in each of the first and second configurations.

[0185] The rim 18 of the container body 12 extends at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the container body 12 and forms a pinnacle 76 on the rim 18 that extends proud of the rest of the rim 18. That is, it sticks out furthest in an axial direction. The pinnacle 76 provides a natural point on the rim 18 at which a user sips a drink from the container body 12 (called a sipping indicator). The pinnacle 76 is axially aligned with the secondary outlet 27 (and also the first liquid flow channel 28) so the user sips the point along the circumference at which the secondary outlet 27 is located. It follows that the pinnacle 76 is also axially aligned with the first container and adapter formation gaps 172 and 174, in the container and adapter formations 72 and 74 respectively in the second inverted configuration.

[0186] Further, in at least one embodiment, the container body 12 comprises a first container element 99 and a second container element 98, and the second container element 98 is removably mounted on the first container element 99 in a nested configuration. The drinks container 10 includes a securing arrangement (not shown) for releasably holding the second container element 98 in position on the first container element 99. The securing arrangement comprises a magnet mounted on a base of the first or second container element 99 or 98 and a magnet attracting material in the base of the other of the first or second container element. Instead, in another embodiment, the second container element is held on the first container element by means of a frictional grip. The second container element is separated from the first container element by manually displacing the second container element relative to the first container element in an axial direction.

[0187] In use in the first upright configuration, the complementary container and adapter engagement formations 72, 74 are fully turned, or displaced or rotated in one direction to an end point as far as they can go. The complementary first shoulder sealing formation 95 bears up against the shoulder 40 to seal the adapter to the container body 12, and to resist a flow of liquid between the base section 58 of the adapter 20 and the shoulder 40 around its full circumference. That is, the container body 12 is sealed to the adapter 20 around its full circumference with no liquid openings. Thus, in the first upright configuration, the drinking container 10 does not provide a liquid flow channel between the adapter 20 and the container body 12. Liquid can only be dispensed from the drinks container 10 in the first upright configuration through the central primary outlet 26. This is done by a user removing the closure 60 and then drinking in liquid through the primary outlet 26.

[0188] In FIGS. 6 to 11, the drinks container 10 is configured with the adapter 20 in the second inverted configuration. In the second inverted configuration, the central primary outlet 26 is permanently closed and is largely inaccessible to a user. The associated section of the adapter 20 including the neck 59 descends downward into the container body 12 and is positioned well below the rim 18 (it is not visible when the drinks container 10 is viewed in a side elevation). Further, the closure 60 faces into the interior of the container body 12 and cannot be accessed by a user from outside the container body 12.

[0189] In use in the second configuration, a liquid can be dispensed from the drinks container 10 through the secondary outlet 27 which is formed between the container body 12 and the adapter 20. More precisely, it is formed between the base section 58 on the adapter 20 and the shoulder 40 on the container body 12. The complementary second shoulder sealing formation 96 seals the adapter 20 against the shoulder 40 on the side wall 12 in the second configuration along most of its length. This sealing is interrupted by the cutout formations 90, 94 on the circumference of the base section 58 of the adapter 20. The cutout formation 90 forms part of the secondary outlet 27 that is permanently open when the adapter 20 is mounted on the container body in the inverted configuration.

[0190] Further, the first interruption or container formation gap 172 on the container engagement formation 72 on the container body 12 is axially aligned with the cutout 90 in the adapter 20 when the adapter is in the second configuration. The adapter engagement formation 74 also has the adapter formation gap 174 in line with the cutout 90, e.g. in axial alignment with the cutout 90. These gaps or interruptions 172, 174 in the container and adapter engagement formations 72, 74 permit liquid flowing through the secondary opening 27 to flow past the container and adapter engagement formations to the rim 18 over an internal surface of the container body 12 (without being obstructed). Put another way, the container and adapter engagement formations 72, 74 are configured and positioned so that they do not interrupt or interfere with the flow of liquid along the first liquid flow channel 28 and through the secondary outlet 27.

[0191] The adapter 20 is moved from the first to the second configuration by removing it from the container body 12, and inverting it, and then mounting it back onto the container body 12 in an inverted configuration. The mounting back on the container body 12 is accomplished by rotating the adapter 20 onto the container body 12 with the complementary container and adapter engagement formations 72 and 74 engaging with each other. The adapter 20 is rotated onto the container body 12 in the second configuration until it reaches a predetermined rotational position or end point where it butts up against a stop formation and can be rotated no further.

[0192] In this position, the adapter 20 and specifically the second sealing formation 96, bears up against the shoulder 40 except at the locations of the first and second flow channels 28 and 38. The first cutout 90 provides a space between the adapter 20 and the container body 12 (for example, between the adapter and the shoulder 40) which may be regarded as an upstream part of the first liquid flow channel 28 through which liquid can flow to the secondary outlet 27 for drinking from the rim of the container 10. The further or second cutout 94 provides another space between the adapter 20 and the container body 12 and may be regarded as part of the second flow channel 38. The second fluid flow channel allows air to flow into the container body 12 to replace liquid that is dispensed therefrom through the secondary outlet 27. The second cutout 94 is spaced diametrically opposite to the first cutout 90 which helps to ensure that liquid does not flow out of this opening (as well as the secondary outlet 27) when the drinks container 10 is tipped up for drinking. It will be appreciated that because of the orientation of the adapter 20 as shown in FIG. 8 and the recessed configuration of the cutouts 90, 94, most of each cutout 90, 94 is not visible in FIG. 8, and accordingly, dashed lead lines are used to indicate the first and second fluid flow channels 28, 38 in FIG. 8, since this detail thereof is hidden. The second fluid flow channel 38 is shown in FIG. 9 and it will be appreciated that at least the cutout 94 region of the second fluid flow channel 38 may be substantially similar in configuration to the corresponding region of the first fluid flow channel 28.

[0193] Further, in the second configuration, the first cutout 90 is aligned with the pinnacle 76 so that the secondary outlet 27 and first liquid flow path line up with the pinnacle 76. This causes the user's lips to naturally line up with the secondary outlet 27. In the second inverted configuration, the adapter 20 remains stationary in the predetermined rotational position during use. Further, in the second configuration, the secondary outlet 27 and the first liquid flow passage 28 are permanently open to the outside atmosphere, and liquid can flow through the secondary outlet 27 all the time. The adapter 20 is not rotated backwards and forwards during use in the second inverted configuration. Thus, the secondary outlet 27 is not sealed off intermittently between sips by a user which simplifies operation of the drinks container.

[0194] The container body 12 includes a second cylindrical container body part or element 98, mounted circumferentially over and around a first container body part or element 99. FIG. 13 shows the second cylindrical body part 98 mounted over the first container body part 99. The two body parts 98 and 99 are configured so that they present a smooth outer surface for the drinks container 10 as a whole, when the second container body part 98 is mounted over the first container body part 99. That is, an outer surface of the second container body part 98 aligns with an outer surface of an upper portion of the first container body part 99. In FIG. 13, the first container body part 99 has been removed from the second container body part 98 so that the second container body part 98 forms an open topped drinking receptacle.

[0195] FIGS. 14 to 23 illustrate a drinks container in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment has some similarities with the embodiment illustrated in the earlier drawings. Accordingly, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components as in the earlier embodiment unless otherwise illustrated. Further, the following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the earlier embodiment.

[0196] The drinks container 10 comprises broadly a container body 12 having a base 14 and a side wall 16 terminating in a rim 18 that defines an open top. The container 10 further includes an adapter 20 that is removably received in the open top of the container body 12 and is mounted thereto. The adapter 20 is interchangeable between a first upright configuration and a second inverted configuration in which it is turned upside down (or inverted) and mounted back on the container body 12. In the first upright configuration, the drinks container 10 has a central primary opening or outlet 26 through which a liquid can be drunk by a user, and a closure 60 removably mounted on the primary outlet 26. In the second inverted configuration, the adapter 20 forms a secondary opening or outlet 27 between the side wall 16 of the container body 12 and the adapter 20 leading to the rim 18. In the second inverted configuration, liquid can flow through the secondary outlet 27 to the rim 18 and be drunk from the rim 18 by a user.

[0197] The drinks container 10 further comprises a tether or strap 100 that is formed separate from the container body 12 and can be selectively mounted on the container body 12. The strap 100 can be selectively attached to the closure 60 on the primary outlet 26 to tether the closure 60 to the drinks container 10 so that it is not inadvertently lost or misplaced when separated from the container body 12 and the primary outlet 26. The strap 100 is used as a tether when the adapter 20 is in the first upright configuration. The strap 100 can be simply mounted on the container body 12 in a passive condition when the adapter 20 is in the second inverted configuration.

[0198] The container body 12 has a tether bracket or strap bracket 110 formed on an outer surface of the container body 12 towards the open top thereof. The strap bracket 110 is formed by a broadly U-shaped bracket member having two spaced legs that join an external surface of the container body 12. The strap bracket 110 defines a tether or bracket opening between the bracket member 110 and the container body 12 through which the strap 100 can be passed. Typically, the strap bracket 110 may be integrally formed with the wall of the container body 12, e.g. by injection moulding or the like.

[0199] The tether or strap 100 comprises a connector comprising an elongate strap body 102 and a closure mount 104 formed at one end thereof. The closure mount 104 is conveniently provided by a resiliently extensible mounting loop that can be pulled over and around the closure 60 to attach the closure 60 to the strap. The strap body 102 is flat and has two major surfaces that are dimensioned to be passed through the strap bracket 110 with at least a working clearance. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting loop 104 is made of a resilient material that can be stretched radially outward to mount it over the closure 60 so that it extends circumferentially around the closure 60. The resilient material of the mounting loop 104 contracts inward towards its resting or relaxed state when released after being stretched over the closure 60 and may grip the closure 60 with a friction grip. Further, the mounting loop 104 can be deformed, e.g. squashed or squeezed, into a shape that enables it to be pulled through the tether bracket or strap bracket 110. This enables the tether or strap 100 to be physically mounted on the container body 12 and suitably positioned adjacent to the top of the container body 12 for its mounting to the closure 60.

[0200] The tether or strap 100 further comprises a stop formation 106 at an opposed end of the strap body 102 that is configured such that it cannot be pulled through the strap opening formed by the strap bracket 110. The stop formation 106 may comprise a block projecting up from one major surface of the strap body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop formation 106 has a thickness or height that is greater than the clearance in the tether or strap opening between the tether or strap bracket 110 and the container body 12 such that it cannot be pulled through the tether or strap bracket 110. The stop formation 106 thereby tethers the strap 100 and the closure 60 to the associated drinks container 10 when the strap 100 is mounted to the closure 60.

[0201] Conveniently, the strap 100 may be integrally formed of a polymeric material, e.g. of silicon such as medical grade silicon, by an injection moulding operation or the like. In one application, the entire tether or strap 100 including strap body 102, mounting loop 104 and stop formation 106 is integrally moulded of silicone in a single moulding operation. Applicant has found that silicone provides a suitable amount of resilience including stretchability or extensibility, for securely mounting the mounting loop 104 over the closure 60 and it also has a suitable amount of flexibility to perform its function as a tether.

[0202] The closure 60 comprises a circular axial extending surface and end surfaces at each end thereof. As shown in the embodiment in the drawings, a circumferential groove 118 is formed in the axial surface which receives the mounting loop 104 of the strap 100 when it is mounted on the closure 60. This locates and seats the mounting loop 104 in engagement with the closure 60 when it is fully received in the circumferential groove 118.

[0203] In use, the strap 100 is used to tether the closure 60 to the container body 12. The various steps that are taken when the strap 100 is initially mounted on the drinks container 10 and then used on the drinks container 10 will now be described.

[0204] Prior to its use, the strap 100 is typically separate from the drinks container 10 as shown in FIG. 14 and a first step will involve mounting it on the container 10. To mount the strap 100 on the container 10, the strap body 102 is positioned parallel to a side of the container body 12 with the mounting loop 104 positioned adjacent to the strap bracket 110. The strap body 102, and more specifically the mounting loop 104 forming the closure mount, can then be slid towards and through the strap bracket 110 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0205] The mounting loop 104 at a leading end of the strap body 102 is resilient and is designed so that it can be manually deformed and pulled through the strap bracket 110 without undue difficultly. Further, the body 102 of the strap 100 is configured and dimensioned to be received within the strap bracket 110 with a working clearance. This enables the strap body 102 to be easily pulled through the strap bracket 110 as shown in FIG. 16, particularly once the mounting loop 104 has been pulled through the strap bracket 110. The strap body 102 cannot be pulled fully through the strap bracket 110 because it is stopped by the stop formation 106 on an opposite or operatively lower end of the strap body 102.

[0206] Once it is passed through the strap bracket 110, the strap body 102 and specifically the mounting loop 104, can then be mounted onto the closure 60 to tether the closure 60 to the strap 100 and thereby the rest of the container 10. To do this, the mounting loop 104 is manually pulled over an upper end of the closure 60 so that it circumferentially surrounds the closure 60. It is then pulled or slid down the circular axial extending surface of the closure 60 towards the circumferential groove 118 within which it can be received as shown in FIG. 17. When it is released, it contracts inward and grips the closure 60.

[0207] The groove 118 correctly positions the mounting loop 104 on the closure 60 and it also resists it from being unintentionally pulled off or otherwise removed from the closure 60. In this position in FIG. 17, the strap 100 cannot easily be accidentally detached from the container 10. The strap body 102 cannot be withdrawn through the tether or strap bracket 110 because the attached closure or lid 60 cannot be withdrawn through the tether or strap opening in the tether or strap bracket 110. The closure 60 is securely mounted on the mounting loop 104 so it cannot easily be separated from the drinks container 10. Further, the strap body 102 cannot be pulled up through the strap bracket 110 because of the stop formation 106 cannot pass through the opening in the strap bracket 110. This helps to avoid the closure 60 from being separated from the container body 12 and getting lost.

[0208] During use, the strap 100 may be slid up the side wall 16 of the container body 12 to an upper strap position 122 shown in FIG. 18 where the stop formation 106 rests up against the strap bracket 110. In this position, the strap body 102 has enough length or play above the strap bracket 110 to enable the closure 60 to be removed from the container body 12, e.g. in preparation for drinking from the primary central opening 26. In this upper strap position 122 shown in FIG. 18, the strap 100 can be attached to a belt, buckle or the like of a user, to carry the drinks container 10 around in an effortless and convenient manner. Thus, the strap 100 serves two distinct functions. Firstly, it acts to tether the closure 60 so that it is never physically separated from the container 10. Secondly, it can be used to form a carry handle for the drinks container 10 that can be used to carry it around. It can also be used for attachment to a belt or buckle.

[0209] In FIG. 19, the closure 60 has been removed from the container body 12 which enables a user to drink liquid from the primary outlet 26. Throughout the use, the closure 60 is tethered by the strap 100 to the drinks container 10. In this situation, where a user is drinking from the outlet 26, the strap body 102 can be pulled down through the strap bracket 110 to a lower strap position 124 that displaces the closure 60 away from the region around the primary outlet 26. This action spaces the closure 60 away from the primary outlet 26 so that it does not hinder or obstruct a person drinking from the primary outlet 26.

[0210] As described in the earlier part of the specification and illustrated in FIG. 20, the adapter 20 can be removed and mounted back on the container body 12 in a second inverted configuration. This action converts the drinks container 10 to a coffee mode, where a hot drink, such as tea of coffee or an alcoholic drink, can be sipped from a rim 18 of the drinks container 10. In this inverted configuration, the closure 60 is received within the container body 12 and is not accessible for attachment to the strap 100.

[0211] In this configuration, the strap 100 can be passed through the strap bracket 110 with the strap body 102 displaced into a lowered strap position extending along the side wall 16 of the container body 12. As shown in FIG. 20, the mounting loop 104 is adjacent the mounting bracket. Even though the strap 100 is not used to tether a closure when the drinks container 10 is in the sipping mode, it can still be used to carry the drinks container 10 around. Further, it does ensure that the strap 100 will be ready and available for use when the container 10 is next used in the first configuration. That is, when the drinks container 10 is converted back into the first configuration with the closure 60 projecting out of the container body 12.

[0212] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a drinks container in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. The drinks container in this embodiment has some similarities with the drinks container described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 14. Accordingly, the following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the earlier embodiments. Further, and unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals will refer to the same components.

[0213] In FIG. 24, the drinks container comprises a container body having a base and a side wall extending up from the base.

[0214] Further, a container top 119 extends across an upper end of the side wall 16 and closes off the container body 12 which defines an interior or interior space within which a liquid to be drunk can be received. The container top 119 has a liquid outlet 126 formed therein and a closure 160 removably mounted dover the outlet 126. The closure 160 can be removed by a user to drink liquid from the outlet 126. However, in contrast to the earlier embodiments, the container top 119 only has a single upright configuration as shown in FIG. 24 and cannot be inverted.

[0215] In the illustrated embodiment, the container top 119 is joined to the container side wall 16, and optionally may be permanently fixed to the container side wall 16 such that it cannot be detached or separated therefrom. In fact, in some forms, the container top 119 may be integrally formed with the remainder of the container body 12 by a specific moulding operation. In other forms, the container top 12 is detachably connected to the container side wall 12.

[0216] The drinks container further includes a tether or strap 100 that is mounted on the container body 12 for tethering the closure 160 to the container body 12. The strap 100 has a closure mount in the form of a mounting loop 104 that is pulled over an end of the closure and received within a circumferential groove in the closure to releasably attach In use, the drinks container in FIG. 24 can be used to tether a closure 160 of a drinks container to its associated container body 12 so that it is not separated from the container body. The strap permits the closure 160 to be removed from the container for drinking. Further, it enables the closure to be displaced out of the way of the outlet 126, so it does not interfere with or obstruct a user drinking from the outlet.

[0217] With the strap, the container body and closure are held together and are not separated from each other. This way, the closure is less likely to get lost particularly when a drinks container is cleaned in a dishwashing machine or the like. Further, the strap provides a convenient handle for carrying the drinks container and a carrying loop for suspending the drinks container from a buckle or from a belt.

[0218] In addition, the tether or strap can be detached from the closure and then pulled through the strap bracket and removed from the container body. This way, the strap can be replaced if broken or worn out. It can also be replaced with a different style or colour of strap, if desired.

[0219] A working advantage of the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 14 to 23 is that it provides a means for removably tethering the closure 60 when it is taken off the container 10 with the adapter in the first configuration. It ensures therefore that the closure 60 is attached to the container body 12 all the time (being either screwed onto the adapter 20 or being held by the strap 100). It is not separated at any time and, as a result, it will be less prone to getting lost. It also provides a convenient strap that enables a user to hitch the drinks container to something like a belt, a bag or a buckle. Further, the strap 100 can also be used as a handle when the adapter is in this configuration.

[0220] Another advantage of the drinks container is that the strap and its interaction with the container is able to accommodate having the adapter in the inverted second configuration. The strap is mounted on the side of the container and remains attached to the container while the adapter is in the inverted second configuration for sipping a drink from the rim of the container. Thus, the strap is not prone to being lost while the adapter is in the inverted configuration. Further, the strap 100 can also be used as a handle when the adapter is in this configuration. Further, the strap does not interfere with the use of the container when the adapter is in the inverted second configuration. It will be mounted on the container ready for use being attached to the closure when the container is returned to its first configuration for drinking through the primary outlet.

[0221] The tether or strap is also very reliable. However, if a tether breaks, it can easily be replaced with a new tether. Likewise, if the mounting loop on the tether becomes too stretched and no longer holds the closure securely and tightly, the tether can be replaced by a user with a new tether. To do this, the mounting loop is pulled off the closure and the strap body is then withdrawn through the mounting bracket. A new strap or tether can then be attached as described above. Yet another advantage of the detachable tether described above is that a user can mix and match different straps for different uses and different styles because they are detachable. For example, they can choose straps of different colours and different designs.

[0222] Yet another advantage of the illustrated embodiment is the ease of manufacture of the tether or strap. The tether or strap is formed by a single injection moulded component and the strap bracket on an outer surface mounted on the container body can be integrally moulded with the container body.

[0223] Yet further, this embodiment has the versatility that the tether or strap can be removed from the drinks container if required for any reason. It confers an optionality to remove the tether or strap so that the container can be provided and used without a tether or strap.

[0224] An advantage of a drinks container as described above with reference to the drawings in FIGS. 3 to 23 is that it provides a single container that can be interchanged between an exercise bottle for hydrating a user during exercise, and a re-usable cup for sipping a drink from the rim. Applicant recognizes that it is very cumbersome and awkward for a person to carry two reusable drinks containers around. Applicant's container, which provides a single container which can double as both coffee cup and exercise container, obviates the need for two separate containers.

[0225] The drinks container provides this interchangeability by means of an adapter that can be changed from a first upright configuration on a container body, and a second configuration in which it is inverted and then mounted back on the container body. One working advantage is the ease with which the container can be interchanged between the first and second configurations. This makes the drinks container very versatile and suitable for use for multiple functions.

[0226] Another working advantage of the drinks container described above with reference to the drawings is that the adapter is able to be mounted on the container body by complementary engagement formations on the circumference of the adapter. While doing this, the container forms an unobstructed liquid flow path along the container body past the complementary engagement formations. It is important that the engagement formations mounting the adapter to the container body do not obstruct liquid flowing along the liquid flow path and out through the secondary outlet.

[0227] Further, it will be appreciated that if liquid is allowed to collect and pool in its liquid flow passage, this has the potential to pose food hygiene problems. The Applicant's container design largely obviates these risks.

[0228] Another advantage of the illustrated drinks container is that the same engagement formations on respectively the container body and the adapter can be used to mount the adapter on the container body in both the first and second inverted configurations. This use of the same formations enables the construction of the drinks container to be simplified and this feature also contributes to the working advantage described immediately above.

[0229] A further feature of the illustrated drinks container is that in the second configuration, the secondary outlet remains open at all times for a user to sip a drink from the rim of a cup.

[0230] A yet further working advantage is that the illustrated feature of providing a second container part circumferentially mounted over the first container part is extremely useful because it enables the drinks container to provide two drinking cups from a single drinks container. Yet another working advantage of the illustrated drinks container is that it provides an opportunity to reduce the number of single use drinks containers.

[0231] Yet another working advantage of the illustrated drinks container is the elegance of the mechanical design which is minimalist while also being very practical and easy to use. Applicant therefore believes that it will find wide appeal with consumers. Finally, the various components including the adapter and container body can be moulded using established moulding techniques and the cost of making the drinks container is not high. In this specification, the term comprising is intended to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers, but not necessarily the exclusion of any other integer, depending on the context in which that term is used. This applies also to variants of that term such as compriseor comprises.

[0232] In this specification and claims, the term shoulder is to be interpreted broadly and, in particular, it shall not be limited to any particular geometrical configuration.

[0233] It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. All such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is set forth herein. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.