Patent Application
20200385158
The present apparatus relates generally to adaptable, cleanable beverage containers, generally for athletic use.
The present invention generally relates to light weight, extrusion blow molded plastic containers particularly containers similar those used in the milk and related beverage industries. One gallon and other similar size plastic containers are the containers of choice for those who seriously exercise and want to hydrate quickly at the gym or other exercise facilities. Often, these gallon size containers are used because they are refillable and can be readily mixed with body building protein or flavors. While the existing containers provide adequate amount of liquid for hydration, they are often difficult to mix with body building proteins or flavors given the small opening at the top of the traditional milk jug container. The present invention has a larger opening mechanism and internal column-like container for allowing insertion of body building powder or fluid, and such a larger opening further allows for a more thorough cleaning of the container. Further, the present invention, unlike traditional milk jug containers or like containers, enhances temperature control of its contents by reaching ambient temperature at a slower rate due to thicker walls and, optionally, insulation.
The present invention generally relates to light weight, extrusion blow molded plastic containers particularly containers similar those used in the milk and related beverage industries. The present invention, while similar in outer appearance to a standard milk jug 2, has a larger bottom removable base 3 for allowing inclusion of body building powder or fluid or other flavors. The jug 2 larger bottom opening further allows for a more thorough cleaning of the container. The jug 2 larger bottom opening is sealed by removable base 3 and the jug 2 top is sealed by cap 1, thereby creating a closed container capable of storing its contents without leakage. Jug 2 in one embodiment has the thickness of at least twice that of a standard milk-jug. The jug 2 bottom would consist of about 6.35 mm to 25.4 mm of plastic material, and jug 2 side walls through the jug 2 top about 2.0 mm to about 25.4 mm of plastic material, depending on if the walls are insulated. In the preferred embodiment, the jug 2 bottom would be about 12.7 mm, and the jug 2 side walls through the jug 2 top about 6.35 mm. These thicker walls prevent heating or cooling loss thereby allowing the jug 2 container to stay at a temperature for a longer period. The top wall portion of the jug 2 extends from the sidewall portions and merges with a neck that defines the mouth of the container with a larger opening at its bottom to accommodate a threaded sealable removable base 3. Jug 2 is provided with a handle so a person may carry the contents of jug 2 to and from activities.
In another variation of the present invention, the jug 2 container walls can be insulated with an outer wall and an inner wall with added insulation between the two surrounding the perimeter of the jug 2 container. It is preferable that the jug 2 wall thickness for insulation be maintained substantially the same throughout the container, except as may be necessary to support threaded sealable removable base 3 at the jug 2 container bottom. The insulation between the container walls can be heated, cooled or frozen, accordingly, for the purposes of maintaining the desired temperature of the container contents. The insulation can be a heating or cooling fluid or gel dispersed within the inner and outer walls of the jug 2 container.
Among the benefits of the container of the present invention are the ability to use a removable insertable column 6 that can hold ice, hot water or other cooling or heating fluids or gels, which then can cool or heat the surrounding liquid within the container. The insertable column 5 can be attachable to a base portion 4 of removable base 3 of the present invention and optionally capable of threading to the base portion 4. The removable insertable column 5 is may be closed at its top and bottom if the internal fluid or contents of the insertable column are not intended to mix with the contents of the container; otherwise, the optional removable insertable column 5 will be open at the top to allow the contents of said column to disperse or otherwise melt into the surrounding container fluid. Alternatively, removable insertable column 5 can be closed at its top and perforated throughout to aid in dispersion of the removable insertable column contents within the container. In one embodiment, the bottom of removable insertable column 5 is always inserted into base portion 4 before removable base 3 is threaded into jug 2 to seal the jug container bottom. In another embodiment, removable base 3 has no removable base portion 4 but is a one piece removable base capable of sealing the bottom jug portion 2 such that the contents of the jug 2 are sealed. The present invention also has a standard top cap 1 conformed to the thickness of the jug 2 walls.
Removable base 3, with and without the inclusion of base portion 4, is designed to allow additional cleaning of the container, and for the insertion of the removable insertable column 5 above, something not possible in an existing standard container of similar type. If removable base 3 is made with base portion 4, then removable insertable column 5 creates a seal with removable base 3 thereby preventing container jug 2 material leakage when removable base 3 is threaded to the jug 2 bottom. In another embodiment, removable base 3 may be constructed such that it has no base portion 4 and, therefore, would not have a removable insertable column 5. Optionally, all threaded jug 2 portions can contain rubber seals to further prevent leakage, as necessary.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/857,561, filed on Jun. 5, 2019.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62857561 | Jun 2019 | US |
