Patent Grant
10532862
The present disclosure relates to closure assemblies for drink containers, and more particularly to closure assemblies for portable drink containers with distinct dispensing modes, and to drink containers including the same.
Many individuals carry drink containers that hold water or other potable beverages, such as for personal hydration during athletic activities. These drink containers typically include a bottle that is formed from plastic or metal. These containers also frequently include a closure, such as a cap or lid, which is removably secured to a neck or other opening of the bottle. As an example, some such drink containers include a threaded closure that is tethered to the neck of the container. Some conventional drink containers further include a drink spout, or nozzle, that is integral with the closure and from which liquid may be drawn from the drink bottle without removal of the cap from the bottle. Some such nozzles include a manual or automatic valve for selectively restricting liquid from being dispensed through the nozzle, and some do not. Examples of such drink containers with valved nozzles include squeezable drink containers with push-pull drink spouts and CAMELBAK® brand drink containers with bite-actuated mouthpieces.
In some cases, such as during athletic activities, an individual may wish to cool and/or wash themselves or other objects with water that is stored in the drink container, such as by showering themselves or the other objects with water dispensed from the drink spout. However, dispensing water though the drink spout may produce a volume of fluid flow that is too large and/or concentrated to produce an efficient and/or pleasant shower effect. Thus, there exists a need for drink containers with distinct dispensing modes.
Closure assemblies with distinct dispensing modes and drink containers including the same are disclosed herein. A closure assembly includes a closure base, which is configured to be selectively coupled to a neck of a liquid vessel to selectively couple the closure assembly to the liquid vessel, and a valve assembly operatively coupled to the closure base. The valve assembly includes at least one drink outlet, at least one shower outlet, and a barrel valve, such that each drink outlet is spaced apart from each shower outlet.
The valve assembly is configured to be selectively transitioned between a closed configuration, a drink configuration, and a shower configuration. In the drink configuration, the valve assembly permits flow of the potable drink liquid from an internal compartment of the liquid vessel through an opening of the neck of the liquid vessel and to the at least one drink outlet. In the drink configuration, the valve assembly also restricts flow of the potable drink liquid through the at least one shower outlet. In the shower configuration, the valve assembly permits flow of the potable drink liquid from the internal compartment through the opening and to the at least one shower outlet. In the shower configuration, the valve assembly also restricts flow of the potable drink liquid through the at least one drink outlet. In the closed configuration, the valve assembly restricts flow of the potable drink liquid from the internal compartment through the opening and to each of the at least one drink outlet and the at least one shower outlet. The barrel valve is configured to be selectively rotated relative to the closure base, such as about a rotational axis of the closure assembly to transition the valve assembly between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
In general, elements that are likely to be included in a given (i.e., a particular) embodiment are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional to a given embodiment are illustrated in dash-dot lines. However, elements that are shown in solid lines are not essential to all embodiments, and an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from a given embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Closure assembly 100 is configured to be selectively coupled to neck 24 of liquid container 20. More specifically, closure assembly 100 includes a closure base 110 configured to be selectively coupled to neck 24 of liquid vessel 20 to selectively couple the closure assembly to the liquid vessel. When closure assembly 100 is coupled to the neck 24 of liquid vessel 20, the closure assembly may be described as covering, obstructing, and/or selectively preventing drink liquid from being dispensed from the liquid vessel through opening 26. Closure assembly 100 additionally or alternatively may be referred to as a closure 100, a lid 100, a lid assembly 100, a cap 100, and/or a cap assembly 100.
As schematically illustrated in
Closure assembly 100 may be configured such that a user may transition valve assembly 130 to the drink configuration when the user wants to drink from drink container 10 and/or may transition valve assembly 130 to the shower configuration to dispense the potable drink liquid as a mist or shower comprised of a plurality of individual streams of emitted drink liquid. Stated differently, the potable drink liquid may be dispensed from drink container 10 with distinct flow rates and/or characteristics when valve assembly 130 is in the drink configuration and when valve assembly 130 is in the shower configuration. For example, valve assembly 130 may be configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each drink outlet 144 at a drink flow rate when valve assembly 130 is in the drink configuration, and may be configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each shower outlet 154 at a shower flow rate when valve assembly 130 is in the shower configuration, such that the drink flow rate is greater than the shower flow rate. As more specific examples, the drink flow rate may be at least 1.5 times the shower flow rate, at least 2 times the shower flow rate, at least 5 times the shower flow rate, at least 10 times the shower flow rate, at least 20 times the shower flow rate, at most 50 times the shower flow rate, at most 30 times the shower flow rate, at most 15 times the shower flow rate, at most 7 times the shower flow rate, and/or at most 3 times the shower flow rate.
As another example, valve assembly 130 may be configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each drink outlet 144 at a drink stream velocity when valve assembly 130 is in the drink configuration, and may be configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each shower outlet 154 at a shower stream velocity when valve assembly 130 is in the shower configuration, such that the shower stream velocity is greater than the drink stream velocity. As more specific examples, the shower stream velocity may be at least 1.5 times the drink stream velocity, at least 2 times the drink stream velocity, at least 5 times the drink stream velocity, at least 10 times the drink stream velocity, at least 20 times the drink stream velocity, at most 50 times the drink stream velocity, at most 30 times the drink stream velocity, at most 15 times the drink stream velocity, at most 7 times the drink stream velocity, and/or at most 3 times the drink stream velocity. In the preceding examples of relative flow rates and velocities, the corresponding values are responsive to equal force being applied to the drink container to urge drink liquid to be dispensed from the closure assembly.
Each drink outlet 144 and/or each shower outlet 154 may have any appropriate configurations for achieving the respective flow characteristics. For example, each drink outlet 144 may have a drink outlet cross-sectional area, and each shower outlet 154 may have a shower outlet cross-sectional area, such that the drink outlet cross-sectional area is greater than the shower outlet cross-sectional area. As more specific examples, each drink outlet cross-sectional area may be at least 2 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at least 5 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at least 10 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at least 20 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at most 30 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at most 15 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at most 7 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, and/or at most 3 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area.
Valve assembly 130 may have any appropriate number of drink outlets 144 and/or of shower outlets 154. As examples, the at least one drink outlet 144 may include 1 drink outlet, at least 2 drink outlets, at least 3 drink outlets, and/or fewer than 5 drink outlets. When valve assembly 130 includes more than one drink outlet 144, the drink outlets may be oriented to emit parallel or converging streams of drink liquid. As additional examples, the at least one shower outlet 154 may include 1 shower outlet, at least 2 shower outlets, at least 5 shower outlets, at least 10 shower outlets, at least 20 shower outlets, fewer than 30 shower outlets, fewer than 15 shower outlets, fewer than 7 shower outlets, and/or fewer than 3 shower outlets. The valve assembly typically will include a plurality of shower outlets 154, with such plurality of shower outlets emitting parallel and/or divergent streams of drink liquid.
Valve assembly 130 may have a greater number of shower outlets 154 than drink outlets 144. In such an example, drink outlet(s) 144 and shower outlets 154 may have any appropriate configuration. As a more specific example, and as schematically illustrated in
In an embodiment of closure assembly 100 in which valve assembly 130 includes a plurality of drink outlets 144 and/or a plurality of shower outlet 154, drink outlet(s) 144 and shower outlet(s) 154 may have any appropriate relative cumulative flow characteristics. As examples, a ratio of the sum of the drink outlet cross-sectional areas of each drink outlet 144 to the sum of the shower outlet cross-sectional areas of each shower outlet 154 may be at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at most 30, at most 25, at most 17, at most 13, at most 7, at most 3, and/or at most 1.
Barrel valve 132 of valve assembly 130 may be configured to transition the valve assembly between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration. For example, barrel valve 132 may be configured to be selectively rotated relative to closure base 110 about a rotational axis 102 of closure assembly 100. As schematically illustrated in
Barrel valve 132 may be configured to rotate about rotational axis 102 in any appropriate manner. For example, barrel valve 132 may be configured to be selectively rotated about rotational axis 102 without concurrently translating along the rotational axis to transition valve assembly 130 between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration. Stated differently, barrel valve 132 may be configured to be retained at a constant axial position along rotational axis 102 relative to closure base 110 when the valve assembly is selectively transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
Barrel valve 132 and/or closure base 110 may have any appropriate structure for transitioning valve assembly 130 between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration. For example, and as schematically illustrated on the right-hand side of the cut line in
Similarly, and as schematically illustrated on the left-hand side of the cut line in
As used herein, the terms “aligned,” “partially aligned,” and “fully aligned,” as used to describe an arrangement of two or more ports, inlets, outlets, apertures, and the like, are used to describe a configuration in which the ports overlap in a manner that permits fluid to flow through each of the ports in sequence. Stated differently, two or more ports may be described as being aligned when the ports are arranged to permit fluid flow therethrough. More specifically, two or more ports may be described as being “fully aligned” when the ports overlap in such a manner as to maximize an area of overlap of the ports and/or to maximize a rate of fluid flow therethrough. By contrast, the term “misaligned,” as used to describe two or more corresponding ports, is used to describe a configuration in which the ports do not overlap, such that fluid is restricted from flowing through the ports in sequence.
As schematically illustrated in
For example, this threshold pressure may be a selected pressure differential between the interior and exterior sides of the valve, which may be predetermined and/or preselected by the design and materials of construction of the valve. The threshold may be exceeded, for example, by a user squeezing the liquid vessel to increase the pressure being imparted to the interior side of the valve and/or by a user sucking upon the drink outlet 144 and/or a mouthpiece (when present) to decrease the pressure imparted on the exterior side of the valve. As a more specific example, self-sealing valve 170 may include and/or be a slit diaphragm valve. An example of a suitable self-sealing valve 170 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,143, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Each drink inlet 140 and/or each shower inlet 150 may be positioned and/or defined in any appropriate portion of barrel valve 132. As an example, and as schematically illustrated in
In an embodiment of barrel valve 132 that includes drink passage 142 and shower passage 152, drink passage 142 and shower passage 152 may be fluidly separated from one another. Additionally or alternatively, each drink inlet 140 may be spaced apart from each shower inlet 150. Such configurations may ensure that the potable drink liquid is dispensed only via drink outlet(s) 144 when valve assembly 130 is in the drink configuration and that the potable drink liquid is dispensed only via shower outlet(s) 154 when valve assembly 130 is in the shower configuration.
In some examples of closure assembly 100, each base port 124 may be selectively aligned with drink inlet 140 when valve assembly 130 is in the drink configuration and may be selectively aligned with shower inlet 150 when valve assembly 130 is in the shower configuration. However, this is not required to all examples of closure assembly 100, and it is additionally within the scope of the present disclosure that each base port 124 may be configured to be aligned with a drink inlet 140 or a shower inlet 150. For example, and as schematically illustrated in
Barrel valve 132 may be operatively coupled to closure base 110 in any appropriate manner. As an example, and as schematically illustrated in
Barrel valve 132 may be operatively coupled to basket portion 120 of closure base 110 in any appropriate manner. For example, barrel valve 132 may be operatively coupled to basket portion 120 such that barrel valve 132 is restricted from being removed from basket portion 120 without damaging closure assembly 110. As a more specific example, and as schematically illustrated in
Valve assembly 130 may include and/or define each drink outlet 144 and each shower outlet 154 in any appropriate manner. As an example, and as schematically illustrated in
Outlet spout 160 may be a distinct structure that is operatively coupled to barrel valve 132. More specifically, outlet spout 160 may be configured to be selectively and repeatedly removed from and reattached to barrel valve 132 without damage to valve assembly 130. Such a configuration may facilitate cleaning and/or replacement of outlet spout 160, drink outlet(s) 144, and/or shower outlet(s) 154. In such a configuration, outlet spout 160 may be configured to be operatively coupled to barrel valve 132 via any appropriate coupling, such as a threaded coupling and/or a friction-fit coupling. Outlet spout 160 may be configured to remain coupled to barrel valve 132 while valve assembly 130 is transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration. For example, outlet spout 160 may be configured to rotate with barrel valve 132 relative to closure base 110, and optionally about rotational axis 102, while valve assembly 130 is transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
While each drink outlet 144 is spaced apart from each shower outlet 154, it also is within the scope of the present disclosure that closure assembly 100 may be configured to dispense the potable drink liquid via a common outlet when valve assembly 130 is in the drink configuration and in the shower configuration. In such an embodiment, each drink outlet 144 and each shower outlet 154 may be fluidly coupled to the common outlet, such as may be defined by valve assembly 130 and/or by outlet spout 160. Further, each drink outlet 144 and each shower outlet 154 may define relative orientations and/or angles at which drink fluid is emitted therefrom.
Valve assembly 130 may be configured to be selectively transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration in any appropriate manner. As an example, and as schematically illustrated in
Valve assembly 130 may include and/or define actuator 180 in any appropriate manner. For example, and as schematically illustrated in
Closure assembly 100 may be configured to provide a visual indication of the selected configuration of valve assembly 130. For example, and as best schematically illustrated in
Liquid vessels 20 according to the present disclosure are adapted to receive and hold or otherwise contain up to a predetermined volume of potable drink liquid for selective dispensing through the closure assembly, such as through drink outlet 144 or shower outlet 154 of closure assembly 100. Potable drink liquid may be selectively poured, or otherwise dispensed, into internal compartment 30 of the liquid vessel via neck 24. Potable drink liquid may be selectively dispensed from internal compartment 30 to a user from neck 24 when closure assembly 100 is not secured to the neck and/or when the closure assembly is in the drink configuration. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that neck 24 may (but is not required in all embodiments to) define the only opening through which potable drink liquid may be added to or removed from liquid vessel 20. As discussed in more detail herein, when closure assembly 100 is operatively coupled to liquid vessel 20, this selective dispensing of the drink liquid may be only through drink outlet 144 of the closure assembly when the valve assembly is in the drink configuration and/or through shower outlet 154 of the closure assembly when the valve assembly is in the shower configuration.
Liquid vessels 20 may have any suitable shape and may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials to hold up to a predetermined volume of drink liquid. Examples of suitable sizes, or capacities, of liquid vessels 20 (i.e., volume of potable drink liquid able to be received into a liquid vessel at one time) include 4 ounces (oz.), 6 oz., 8 oz., 10 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., 20 oz., 24 oz., 32 oz., 36 oz., 4-11 oz., 6-15 oz., 10-19 oz., 12-25 oz., 12-36 oz., 15-30 oz., 25-36 oz., 30-45 oz., 35-50 oz., and 10-70 oz. (with these examples referring to liquid (fluid) ounces of drink liquid that may be received at one time into an empty liquid container). It is within the scope of the present disclosure that liquid vessels having different sizes, including sizes that are smaller than, larger than, or within the illustrative sizes and/or ranges presented above, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
An example of a material that may be used to construct liquid vessels 20 according to the present disclosure includes the TRITAN™ copolyester polymer developed by Eastman Chemical Company. Other examples of materials that may be suitable for construction of liquid vessels, or portions thereof, according to the present disclosure include polycarbonate, glass, plastic, and/or metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel. Further examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,533,783 and 8,905,252, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Liquid vessels 20 may be (but are not required to be) rigid or at least semi-rigid and may include a bottom surface such that the liquid vessel may be generally self-supporting, or free-standing, when placed on a horizontal surface. In such embodiments, drink containers 10 may be referred to as drink bottles. As discussed herein, liquid vessels 20 also optionally may have a double-wall or other insulated construction. In some embodiments, a liquid vessel 20 according to the present disclosure may be constructed of polyethylene or other material that permits the liquid vessel to have a semi-rigid construction in which the liquid vessel may be reversibly (and nondestructively) collapsed during use. Such an example may permit opposing portions of the liquid vessel to be squeezed and/or otherwise urged from a nominal, or un-collapsed configuration, toward, or even into contact with, each other to reduce the volume of the liquid vessel and thereby aid in the dispensing of potable drink liquid therefrom. In such an embodiment, the liquid vessel may be configured to return automatically to its prior (nominal) configuration upon reduction of the force and/or pressure that was applied to urge the sides of the liquid vessel toward each other. Such embodiments may be described as squeeze bottles, as having a squeezable liquid vessel, and/or as having a resiliently deformable liquid vessel.
In other embodiments, a liquid vessel 20 according to the present disclosure may have a non-rigid, amorphous, and/or fully collapsible structure. In such an embodiment, the liquid vessel may not be configured to return automatically to its prior configuration upon reduction of the force and/or pressure that was applied to urge the sides of the liquid vessel toward each other, such as to dispense liquid from the liquid container through the closure assembly. For example, in such an embodiment, the liquid vessel may be configured to assume and maintain a configuration that is at least substantially flattened, collapsed, and/or deflated after the volume of the liquid vessel is reduced, such as by squeezing the liquid vessel and dispensing liquid from the liquid vessel through the closure assembly. Such embodiments may be described as flasks, soft flasks, flexible flasks, collapsible flasks, flexible water bottles, and/or collapsible water bottles.
As schematically illustrated in
In some embodiments, drink outlet 144, outlet spout 160, and/or nozzle 162 may define a structure that is configured to be received by a user's mouth. As examples, drink outlet 144, outlet spout 160, and/or nozzle 162 may be cylindrical, generally cylindrical, circular, elliptical, or may have any other suitable shape and/or cross-section, such as ergonomic shapes that facilitate comfortable engagement with a user's mouth for drinking potable drink liquid from drink container 10. Additionally or alternatively, and as schematically illustrated in
Outlet spout 160 and mouthpiece 166 each may be formed of any appropriate material. As examples, outlet spout 160 and mouthpiece 166 each may be formed of a rigid material, a flexible material, a resiliently deformable material, a polymer, and/or silicone. As a more specific example, outlet spout 160 may be formed of a rigid material, and mouthpiece 166 may be formed of a resiliently deformable material. As another example, outlet spout 160 and mouthpiece 166 each may be formed of a resiliently deformable material. In some embodiments, mouthpiece 166 may not include a valve or other structure for selectively restricting flow of liquid through the liquid outlet from the valve passage. In other embodiments, mouthpiece 166 may be a self-sealing mouthpiece that includes a self-sealing valve that selectively prevents liquid from being dispensed through the mouthpiece unless that valve has been configured from its nominal closed configuration to a dispensing configuration, such as by a user biting upon opposed sidewalls of the mouthpiece to urge the sidewalls toward each other. Examples of suitable bite-actuated mouthpieces 166 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,783, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
In some other embodiments, drink outlet 144, outlet spout 160, and/or nozzle 162 may not be configured to be received by a user's mouth. For example, in an embodiment in which actuator 180 includes actuator tab 182 extending away from closure base 110, actuator tab 182 may be configured to restrict, interfere with, and/or otherwise discourage direct engagement between the user's mouth and outlet spout 160. As more specific examples, and as schematically illustrated in
Closure assemblies 100 according to the present disclosure may be adapted to be removably coupled to a liquid vessel 20 to cover, or otherwise enclose, the neck 24 thereof. When so coupled to liquid vessel 20, closure assembly 100 restricts drink liquid within internal compartment 30 of liquid vessel 20 from being dispensed from drink container 10 other than through drink outlet 144 and/or through shower outlet 154. When each drink outlet 144 and each shower outlet 154 is obstructed or otherwise closed or sealed, such as when valve assembly 130 is in the closed configuration, the closure assembly restricts potable drink liquid from being dispensed from liquid vessel 20. Accordingly, any potable drink liquid in internal compartment 30 of liquid vessel 20 is restricted from being dispensed to a user or otherwise removed from the liquid container until either closure assembly 100 is uncoupled from the liquid vessel or until the closure assembly is transitioned to the drink configuration or the shower configuration.
Closure assembly 100 is removably coupled to liquid vessel 20, such as to neck 24 thereof, to permit selective and non-destructive removal and replacement (i.e., repeated uncoupling and recoupling) of the closure assembly relative to the liquid vessel. For example, closure assembly 100 may be uncoupled from liquid vessel 20 to permit the liquid vessel to receive a volume of potable drink liquid, after which the closure assembly may be recoupled to the liquid container.
As schematically illustrated in
As discussed, liquid vessel 20 may have an insulated construction. For example, and as schematically illustrated in
When present, insulation layer 50 may be formed and/or positioned within liquid vessel 20 in any appropriate manner. As examples, insulation layer 50 may be formed on inner wall 40 and/or on outer wall 42, or may be adhered to the inner wall and/or to the outer wall. Insulation layer 50 may be at least substantially opaque. Additionally or alternatively, insulation layer 50 may be at least partially optically transparent and/or optically translucent. As an example, and as schematically illustrated in
Liquid level indicator 52 may include and/or be a region of an otherwise non-transparent and/or opaque insulation layer 50 that is at least partially optically transparent and/or optically translucent. Stated differently, insulation layer 50 may be at least substantially optically opaque in a portion of the insulation layer that does not include liquid level indicator 52. Additionally or alternatively, liquid level indicator 52 may include a plurality of distinct liquid level indicator features 54 defined in insulation layer 50. As examples, each liquid level indicator feature 54 may include and/or be an aperture defined by an otherwise opaque insulation layer 50. When present, the plurality of liquid level indicator features 54 may be distributed about a longitudinal extent of insulation layer 50 to permit visual inspection of a corresponding plurality of volumes of the potable drink liquid within liquid vessel 20. Stated differently, when the plurality of liquid level indicator features 54 is distributed about a longitudinal extent of insulation layer 50, the volume of potable drink liquid within liquid vessel 20 may be at least partially determined by observing (for example) an uppermost liquid level indicator feature 54 through which the potable drink liquid is visible when drink container 10 is maintained in an upright position. Additionally or alternatively, when present, the plurality of liquid level indicator features 54 may be distributed about an azimuthal (i.e., circumferential) extent of insulation layer 50. Such a configuration may facilitate inspection of the volume of the potable drink liquid within liquid vessel 20 from a plurality of distinct viewing angles. Additionally or alternatively, insulation layer 50 may include a plurality of liquid level indicator features 54 positioned on circumferentially opposed sides of the insulation layer. Such a configuration may permit light to pass through insulation layer 50 and/or internal compartment 30 of liquid vessel 20 via the liquid level indicator features on each of the circumferentially opposed sides, thereby facilitating viewing of the liquid level within the liquid vessel.
Each liquid level indicator feature 54 may have any appropriate form and/or shape. As examples, each liquid level indicator feature may have a shape that is a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, a triangle, a quadrilateral, a rectangle, a square, and/or other regular or irregular geometric shapes. In another embodiment, and as schematically illustrated in
Turning now to
Examples of closure assemblies, liquid vessels, and drink containers according to the present disclosure are presented in the following enumerated paragraphs.
A1.1. A closure assembly for a drink container that includes a liquid vessel having a neck with an opening and having an internal compartment configured to hold a volume of potable drink liquid, the closure assembly comprising:
a closure base configured to be selectively coupled to the neck of the liquid vessel to selectively couple the closure assembly to the liquid vessel; and
a valve assembly operatively coupled to the closure base; wherein the valve assembly includes at least one drink outlet and at least one shower outlet; and wherein each drink outlet is spaced apart from each shower outlet;
wherein the valve assembly is configured to be selectively transitioned between a closed configuration, a drink configuration, and a shower configuration; wherein in the drink configuration, the valve assembly permits flow of the potable drink liquid from the internal compartment through the opening and to the at least one drink outlet and restricts flow of the potable drink liquid through the at least one shower outlet; wherein in the shower configuration, the valve assembly permits flow of the potable drink liquid from the internal compartment through the opening and to the at least one shower outlet and restricts flow of the potable drink liquid through the at least one drink outlet; and wherein in the closed configuration, the valve assembly restricts flow of the potable drink liquid from the internal compartment to each of the at least one drink outlet and the at least one shower outlet.
A1.2. The closure assembly of paragraph A1.1., wherein the closure base includes at least a portion of a closure coupling mechanism configured to selectively couple the closure assembly to the liquid vessel.
A2.1. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A1.2, wherein the valve assembly includes a barrel valve configured to selectively transition the valve assembly between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A2.2. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.1, wherein the barrel valve is configured to be selectively rotated relative to the closure base to transition the valve assembly between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A2.3. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.2, wherein the barrel valve is configured to be selectively rotated about a rotational axis of the closure assembly.
A2.4. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.3, wherein the rotational axis is a central axis of the closure assembly.
A2.5. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.3-A2.4, wherein the closure assembly is at least substantially, and optionally fully, rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis.
A2.6. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.3-A2.5, wherein the rotational axis is at least substantially, and optionally fully, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the liquid vessel when the closure base is operatively coupled to the neck of the liquid vessel.
A2.7. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.3-A2.6, wherein the barrel valve is configured to be selectively rotated about the rotational axis without concurrently translating along the rotational axis to transition the valve assembly between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A2.8. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.3-A2.7, wherein the barrel valve is configured to be retained at a constant axial position along the rotational axis relative to the closure base when the valve assembly is selectively transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A2.9. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.1-A2.8, wherein the barrel valve includes at least one drink inlet and a drink passage, and wherein the drink passage fluidly couples the at least one drink inlet and the at least one drink outlet.
A2.10. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.9, wherein the barrel valve includes a barrel valve base that extends at least substantially, and optionally fully, perpendicular to a/the rotational axis, and wherein the barrel valve base at least partially, and optionally fully, defines the at least one drink inlet.
A2.11. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.9-A2.10, wherein the closure base includes at least one base port configured to permit fluid to flow through the closure base, and wherein the at least one base port is at least partially, and optionally fully, aligned with a corresponding drink inlet of the at least one drink inlet when the valve assembly is in the drink configuration.
A2.12. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.11, wherein each base port is misaligned with each drink inlet when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.
A2.13. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.1-A2.12, wherein the barrel valve includes at least one shower inlet and a shower passage, and wherein the shower passage fluidly couples the at least one shower inlet and the at least one shower outlet.
A2.14. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.13, wherein the barrel valve includes a/the barrel valve base that extends at least substantially, and optionally fully perpendicular to a/the rotational axis, and wherein the barrel valve base at least partially, and optionally fully, defines the at least one shower inlet.
A2.15. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.13-A2.14, wherein the closure base includes a/the at least one base port configured to permit fluid to flow through the closure base, and wherein the at least one base port is at least partially, and optionally fully, aligned with a corresponding shower inlet of the at least one shower inlet when the valve assembly is in the shower configuration.
A2.16. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.15, wherein each base port is misaligned with each shower inlet when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.
A2.17. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.13-A2.16, when dependent from paragraph A2.11, wherein the at least one base port includes at least one base drink port and at least one base shower port; wherein each base drink port is at least partially, and optionally fully, aligned with a corresponding drink inlet of the at least one drink inlet when the valve assembly is in the drink configuration; wherein each base shower port is at least partially, and optionally fully, aligned with a corresponding shower inlet of the at least one shower inlet when the valve assembly is in the shower configuration; and wherein each base drink port is spaced apart from each base shower port.
A2.18. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.13, when dependent from paragraph A2.9, wherein the drink passage and the shower passage are fluidly separated from one another.
A2.19. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.13, when dependent from paragraph A2.9, wherein each drink inlet is spaced apart from each shower inlet.
A2.20. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.1-A2.19, wherein, when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration, the closure base restricts fluid from flowing through the barrel valve.
A2.21. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.1-A2.20, wherein the closure base includes a basket portion that extends into the internal compartment of the liquid vessel when the closure base is operatively coupled to the neck of the liquid vessel, and wherein the barrel valve is at least partially, and optionally fully, received within the basket portion.
A2.22. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.21, wherein the basket portion includes a/the at least one base port.
A2.23. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.22, wherein the basket portion includes a basket base that extends at least substantially, and optionally fully, perpendicular to a/the rotational axis, and wherein the basket base defines the at least one base port.
A2.24. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.21-A2.23, wherein, when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration, the basket portion restricts fluid from flowing through each of a/the at least one drink inlet and a/the at least one shower inlet of the barrel valve.
A2.25. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.21, wherein the barrel valve is operatively coupled to the basket portion such that the barrel valve is restricted from being removed from the basket portion without damaging the closure assembly.
A2.26. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.25, wherein at least one of the barrel valve and the basket portion includes a barrel valve retention structure configured to restrict the barrel valve from being removed from the basket portion.
A2.27. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.26, wherein the barrel valve retention structure is configured to permit the barrel valve to rotate with respect to the basket portion.
A2.28. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.9-A2.27, wherein the valve assembly includes a self-sealing valve positioned within the drink passage, wherein the self-sealing valve is configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through the drink passage and to the drink outlet only when a pressure of the potable drink liquid upon the self-sealing valve exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure.
A2.29. The closure assembly of paragraph A2.28, wherein the self-sealing valve includes, and optionally is, a slit diaphragm valve.
A3.1. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A2.29, wherein each drink outlet has a drink outlet cross-sectional area, wherein each shower outlet has a shower outlet cross-sectional area, and wherein each drink outlet cross-sectional area is at least one of at least 2 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at least 5 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at least 10 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at least 20 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at most 30 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at most 15 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, at most 7 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area, and at most 3 times each shower outlet cross-sectional area.
A3.2. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.1, wherein each drink outlet has a/the drink outlet cross-sectional area, wherein each shower outlet has a/the shower outlet cross-sectional area, and wherein a ratio of the sum of the drink outlet cross-sectional areas of each drink outlet to the sum of the shower outlet cross-sectional areas of each shower outlet is at least one of at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at most 30, at most 25, at most 17, at most 13, at most 7, at most 3, and at most 1.
A3.3. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.2, wherein the valve assembly is configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each of the at least one drink outlet at a drink flow rate when the valve assembly is in the drink configuration, wherein the valve assembly is configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each of the at least one shower outlet at a shower flow rate when the valve assembly is in the shower configuration, and wherein the drink flow rate is greater than the shower flow rate.
A3.4. The closure assembly of paragraph A3.3, wherein the drink flow rate is at least one of at least 1.5 times the shower flow rate, at least 2 times the shower flow rate, at least 5 times the shower flow rate, at least 10 times the shower flow rate, at least 20 times the shower flow rate, at most 50 times the shower flow rate, at most 30 times the shower flow rate, at most 15 times the shower flow rate, at most 7 times the shower flow rate, and at most 3 times the shower flow rate.
A3.5. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.4, wherein the valve assembly is configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each of the at least one drink outlet at a drink stream velocity when the valve assembly is in the drink configuration, wherein the valve assembly is configured to permit flow of the potable drink liquid through each of the at least one shower outlet at a shower stream velocity when the valve assembly is in the shower configuration, and wherein the shower stream velocity is greater than the drink stream velocity.
A3.6. The closure assembly of paragraph A3.5, wherein the shower stream velocity is at least one of at least 1.5 times the drink stream velocity, at least 2 times the drink stream velocity, at least 5 times the drink stream velocity, at least 10 times the drink stream velocity, at least 20 times the drink stream velocity, at most 50 times the drink stream velocity, at most 30 times the drink stream velocity, at most 15 times the drink stream velocity, at most 7 times the drink stream velocity, and at most 3 times the drink stream velocity.
A3.7. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.6, wherein the at least one drink outlet includes at least one of 1 drink outlet, at least 2 drink outlets, at least 3 drink outlets, and fewer than 5 drink outlets.
A3.8. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.7, wherein the at least one shower outlet includes 1 shower outlet, at least 2 shower outlets, at least 5 shower outlets, at least 10 shower outlets, at least 20 shower outlets, fewer than 30 shower outlets, fewer than 15 shower outlets, fewer than 7 shower outlets, and fewer than 3 shower outlets.
A3.9. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.8, wherein the number of shower outlets is greater than the number of drink outlets.
A3.10. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.9, wherein the at least one shower outlet includes an annular shower outlet that encloses the at least one drink outlet.
A3.11. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.10, wherein the at least one shower outlet includes a plurality of shower outlets distributed around the at least one drink outlet.
A4.1. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A3.11, wherein the valve assembly includes an outlet spout that defines each drink outlet.
A4.2. The closure assembly of paragraph A4.1, wherein the outlet spout is operatively coupled to a/the barrel valve.
A4.3. The closure assembly of paragraph A4.2, wherein the outlet spout is configured to be selectively and repeatedly removed from the barrel valve and reattached to the barrel valve without damage to the valve assembly.
A4.4. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A4.2-A4.3, wherein the outlet spout is configured to be operatively coupled to the barrel valve via at least one of a threaded coupling and a friction-fit coupling.
A4.5. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A4.2-A4.4, wherein the outlet spout is configured to remain coupled to the barrel valve while the valve assembly is transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A4.6. The closure assembly of paragraph A4.5, wherein the outlet spout is configured to rotate with the barrel valve relative to the closure base and about a/the rotational axis while the valve assembly is transitioned between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A4.7. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A4.1-A4.6, wherein the outlet spout includes a nozzle that extends away from the closure base.
A4.8. The closure assembly of paragraph A4.7, wherein the nozzle defines each drink outlet.
A4.9. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A4.1-A4.8, wherein the closure assembly further includes a mouthpiece configured to be selectively and repeatedly attached to and removed from the outlet spout.
A4.10. The closure assembly of paragraph A4.9, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to be selectively and repeatedly attached to and removed from a/the nozzle of the outlet spout.
A4.11. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A4.9-A4.10, wherein the mouthpiece is formed of a resiliently deformable material.
A4.12. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A4.1-A4.11, wherein the outlet spout defines each shower outlet.
A4.13. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A2.1-A4.11, wherein the barrel valve defines each shower outlet.
A5.1. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A4.13, wherein the valve assembly further includes an actuator configured to be engaged by a user to selectively transition the valve assembly between the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A5.2. The closure assembly of paragraph A5.1, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate at least a portion of the valve assembly with respect to the closure base and about a/the rotational axis of the closure assembly.
A5.3. The closure assembly of paragraph A5.2, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the portion of the valve assembly without translating the portion of the valve assembly along the rotational axis.
A5.4. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A5.1-A5.3, wherein one of the valve assembly and the closure base includes a plurality of closure mode symbols, wherein the other of the valve assembly and the closure base includes a closure mode indicator, and wherein the actuator is configured to selectively align the closure mode indicator with a corresponding closure mode symbol, wherein each closure mode symbol corresponds to one of the closed configuration, the drink configuration, and the shower configuration.
A5.5. The closure assembly of paragraph A5.4, wherein the actuator includes the closure mode indicator.
A5.6. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A5.1-A5.5, when dependent from paragraph A2.1, wherein the barrel valve at least partially, and optionally fully, defines the actuator.
A5.7. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A51-A5.6, wherein the actuator includes at least one actuator tab that extends away from the closure base.
A5.8. The closure assembly of paragraph A5.7, wherein the at least one actuator tab includes a/the closure mode indicator.
A5.9. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A5.7-A5.8, wherein each actuator tab extends away from the closure base by an actuator tab height, wherein a/the nozzle extends away from the closure base by a nozzle height, and wherein the actuator tab height is at least one of at least 50% of the nozzle height, at least 75% of the nozzle height, at least 100% of the nozzle height, at least 125% of the nozzle height, at least 150% of the nozzle height, at most 175% of the nozzle height, at most 130% of the nozzle height, at most 110% of the nozzle height, at most 90% of the nozzle height, and at most 70% of the nozzle height.
A5.10. The closure assembly of any of paragraphs A5.1-A5.9, when dependent from paragraph A4.1, wherein the outlet spout at least partially, and optionally fully, defines the actuator.
A5.11. The closure assembly of paragraph A5.10, wherein the actuator includes at least one actuator recess defined in the outlet spout.
B1.1. A drink container, comprising:
a liquid vessel having a neck with an opening and having an internal compartment configured to hold a volume of potable drink liquid; and
the closure assembly of any of paragraphs A1.1-A5.11 configured to be operatively coupled to the liquid vessel.
B1.2. The drink container of paragraph B1.1, wherein the liquid vessel is a semi-rigid liquid vessel configured to be squeezed by a user to expel the potable drink liquid through the closure assembly.
B1.3. The drink container of any of paragraphs B1.1-B1.2, wherein the neck includes at least a portion of a/the closure coupling mechanism configured to selectively couple the closure assembly to the liquid vessel.
B1.4. The drink container of paragraph B1.3, wherein the closure coupling mechanism includes threads on the neck and threads on the closure base that matingly engage one another to selectively couple the closure assembly to the liquid vessel.
B2.1. The drink container of any of paragraphs B1.1-B1.4, wherein the liquid vessel includes an inner wall that at least partially, and optionally fully, defines the internal compartment and an outer wall configured to be gripped by a user.
B2.2. The drink container of any of paragraphs B1.1-B2.1, wherein the liquid vessel includes an insulation layer configured to restrict a transfer of heat energy through the liquid vessel.
B2.3. The drink container of paragraph B2.2, wherein the insulation layer includes at least one of a foam, a metallic foil, a fluid, a gas, and a liquid.
B2.4. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.3, wherein the insulation layer is positioned between a/the inner wall and a/the outer wall.
B2.5. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.4, wherein the insulation layer is formed on at least one of a/the inner wall and a/the outer wall.
B2.6. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.4, wherein the insulation layer is adhered to at least one of a/the inner wall and a/the outer wall.
B2.7. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.6, wherein the insulation layer is at least one of optically transparent and optically translucent.
B2.8. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.6, wherein the insulation layer is at least substantially, and optionally fully, opaque.
B2.9. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.8, wherein the insulation layer includes a liquid level indicator configured to permit visual inspection of the internal compartment when the closure assembly is operatively coupled to the liquid vessel.
B2.10. The drink container of paragraph B2.9, wherein the liquid level indicator is configured to permit visual inspection of the volume of the potable drink liquid within the internal compartment.
B2.11. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.9-B2.10, wherein the liquid level indicator is at least one of optically transparent and optically translucent.
B2.12. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.9-B2.11, wherein the liquid level indicator includes a plurality of liquid level indicator features defined in the insulation layer.
B2.13. The drink container of paragraph B2.12, wherein each liquid level indicator feature includes an aperture defined by the insulation layer.
B2.14. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.12-B2.13, wherein the plurality of liquid level indicator features are distributed about a longitudinal extent of the insulation layer to permit visual inspection of each of a plurality of volumes of the potable drink liquid within the liquid vessel.
B2.15. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.12-B2.14, wherein the plurality of liquid level indicator features are distributed about an azimuthal extent of the insulation layer to facilitate visual inspection of the volume of the potable drink liquid within the liquid vessel from a plurality of viewing angles.
B2.16. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.12-B2.15, wherein each liquid level indicator feature has a shape that includes at least one of a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, a triangle, a quadrilateral, a rectangle, and a square.
B2.17. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.9-B2.16, wherein the liquid level indicator includes at least one liquid level indicator strip extending along a longitudinal extent of the insulation layer.
B2.18. The drink container of any of paragraphs B2.2-B2.17, wherein the insulation layer is at least substantially formed of a material with a thermal insulation that is quantified by a base R-value; wherein a/the liquid level indicator is configured such that the insulation layer has an average R-value, as measured across a full surface area of the insulation layer; and wherein the average R-value of the insulation layer is at least one of at least 70% of the base R-value, at least 80% of the base R-value, at least 90% of the base R-value, and at least 95% of the base R-value.
As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entity in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity.
As used herein, “selective” and “selectively,” when modifying an action, movement, configuration, or other activity of one or more components or characteristics of a drink container according to the present disclosure, means that the specified action, movement, configuration, or other activity is a direct or indirect result of user manipulation of an aspect of, or one or more components of, the drink container.
As used herein, “operative” and “operatively,” when modifying an action, movement, configuration, interconnection, coupling, or other relationship of one or more components of a drink container according to the present disclosure, means that the specified action, movement, configuration, interconnection, coupling or other relationship is performed and/or achieved as a result of standard (i.e., intended) operation and/or functional utilization of the one or more components of the drink container, such as in a manner described herein.
As used herein, the phrase, “for example,” the phrase, “as an example,” and/or simply the term “example,” when used with reference to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, are intended to convey that the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is an illustrative, non-exclusive example of components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Thus, the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is not intended to be limiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa.
As used herein, the phrase “at least substantially,” when used with reference to a property of one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, is intended to encompass components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods that predominantly and/or fully exhibit the property. Stated differently, as used herein, the phrase “at least substantially” is intended to be equivalent to the phrase “at least substantially, and optionally fully.”
As used herein, the phrase “at least partially,” when used with reference to a property of one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, is intended to encompass components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods that partially, substantially, and/or fully exhibit the property. Stated differently, as used herein, the phrase “at least partially” is intended to be equivalent to the phrase “at least partially, and optionally fully.”
In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other references are incorporated by reference herein and (1) define a term in a manner that is inconsistent with and/or (2) are otherwise inconsistent with, either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was present originally.
The drink closures and drink containers disclosed herein are applicable to the beverage container industry.
It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
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