Patent Application
20240375815
The present disclosure generally relates to bottles, and more specifically relates to collapsible bottles.
Many traditional bottles are primarily made of glass or plastic. These traditional glass or plastic bottles maintain their shape and are limited to such shapes because the glass or plastic cannot decrease in volume or size. While these glass and plastic bottles can contain liquid or food, they can be cumbersome and inconvenient to travel with especially after the contents have been consumed. For example, people often take food and drinks with them when traveling, hiking, picnicking, or going on a play date. During the activity, but after consuming the food and drink, they are often troubled with carrying around the empty bottles. Accordingly, there is a desire for bottles that more conveniently addresses space issues when traveling and on adventure activities.
The description provided in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology.
The present disclosure provides collapsible bottles.
According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a collapsible bottle is provided. The collapsible bottle includes a body. The body includes a shoulder, a base, and a bellows disposed between the shoulder and the base. The bellows section includes a first section, a second section, and a mid section. The first section is disposed between the shoulder and the mid section. The second section is disposed between the mid section and the base. The collapsible bottle includes an annular support ring disposed circumferentially around the mid section of the bellows.
According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a collapsible bottle is provided. The collapsible bottle includes a body. The body includes a shoulder, a base, and a bellows disposed between the shoulder and the base. The bellows section includes a first section, a second section, and a mid section. The first section is disposed between the shoulder and the mid section. The second section is disposed between the mid section and the base. The first section of the bellows includes a plurality of upper bellows segments. Each upper bellows segment of the plurality of upper bellows segments, moving in a first direction from the shoulder to the mid section, includes a first upper circumference greater than a first subsequent upper circumference of a subsequent adjacent upper bellows segment of the plurality of upper bellows segments. The second section of the bellows includes a plurality of lower bellows segments. Each lower bellows segment of the plurality of lower bellows segments, moving in a second direction from the base to the mid section, includes a second lower circumference greater than a second subsequent lower circumference of a subsequent adjacent lower bellows segment of the plurality of lower bellows segments. The collapsible bottle includes an annular support ring disposed circumferentially around the mid section of the bellows.
According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a collapsible bottle is provided. The collapsible bottle includes a body. The body includes a shoulder, a base, and a bellows disposed between the shoulder and the base. The bellows section includes a first section, a second section, and a mid section. The first section is disposed between the shoulder and the mid section. The second section is disposed between the mid section and the base. The first section of the bellows includes a plurality of upper bellows segments. Each upper bellows segment of the plurality of upper bellows segments, moving in a first upper circumference greater than a first subsequent upper circumference of a subsequent adjacent upper bellows segment of the plurality of upper bellows segments. The second section of the bellows includes a plurality of lower bellows segments. Each lower bellows segment of the plurality of lower bellows segments, moving in a second direction from the base to the mid section, includes a second lower circumference greater than a second subsequent lower circumference of a subsequent adjacent lower bellows segment of the plurality of lower bellows segments. The collapsible bottle includes an annular support ring disposed circumferentially around the mid section of the bellows. The collapsible bottle includes an annular neck coupled to the shoulder. The annular neck includes neck threads disposed around an outer surface of the annular neck. The collapsible bottle includes an interchangeable top including an annular flange. The collapsible bottle includes an annular collar including collar threads disposed around an inner surface of the annular collar. The collar threads of the annular collar are threadably engageable with the neck threads of the annular neck to secure the annular flange of the interchangeable top between the annular neck and the annular collar.
It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:
In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various implementations and is not intended to represent the only implementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described implementations may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
With reference to
The first section 22 of the bellows 18 includes a plurality of upper bellows segments 28 and a plurality of upper creases 30. For example, in certain aspects, the plurality of upper bellows segments 28 includes a first upper bellows segment 32, a second upper bellows segment 34, and a third upper bellows segment 36. In such aspects, the plurality of upper creases 30 includes a first upper crease 38, a second upper crease 40, a third upper crease 42, and a fourth upper crease 44. It should be understood, however, that the number of upper bellow segments of the plurality of upper bellows segments 28 and the number of upper creases of the plurality of upper creases 30 are not limited by the above exemplarily description and that in other aspects any number of upper bellow segments and upper creases are well within the scope of the present disclosure. The shoulder 14 transitions to the first upper bellows segment 32 via the first upper crease 38. The first upper bellows segment 32 transitions to the second upper bellows segment 34 via the second upper crease 40. The second upper bellows segment 34 transitions to the third upper bellows segment 36 via the third upper crease 42. The third upper bellows segment 36 transitions to the mid section 26 via the fourth upper crease 44.
Moving in a first direction A (see
As the first section 22 and the second section 24 of the bellows 18 are mirror images, in a similar manner, the second section 24 of the bellows 18 includes a plurality of lower bellows segments 52 and a plurality of lower creases 54. For example, the plurality of lower bellows segments 52 includes a first lower bellows segment 56, a second lower bellows segment 58, and third lower bellows segment 60. The plurality of lower creases 54 includes a first lower crease 62, a second lower crease 64, a third lower crease 66, and a fourth lower crease 68. It should be understood, however, that the number of lower bellow segments of the plurality of lower bellows segments 52 and the number of lower creases of the plurality of lower creases 54 are not limited by the above exemplarily description and that in other aspects any number of lower bellow segments and lower creases are well within the scope of the present disclosure. The base 16 transitions to the first lower bellows segment 56 via the first lower crease 62. The first lower bellows segment 56 transitions to the second lower bellows segment 58 via the second lower crease 64. The second lower bellows segment 58 transitions to the third lower bellows segment 60 via the third lower crease 66. The third lower bellows segment 60 transitions to the mid section 26 via the fourth lower crease 68. This arrangement provides the lower section of the hour glass-like shape of the body 12.
Moving in a second direction B (see
Because the first section 22 and the second section 24 of the bellows 18 are mirror images, the first upper circumference 46 is equal to the first lower circumference 70, the second upper circumference 48 is equal to the second lower circumference 72, and the third upper circumference 50 is equal to the third lower circumference 74.
The mid section 26 includes a mid section circumference 76. The mid section circumference is less than a subsequent upper circumference of a subsequent adjacent upper bellows segment of the plurality of upper bellows segments 28 that is proximate the mid section 26. Similarly, the mid section circumference 76 is less a subsequent lower circumference of a subsequent adjacent lower bellows segment of the plurality of lower bellows segments 52 that is proximate the mid section 26. For example, the mid section circumference 76 is less than both the third upper circumference 50 of the third upper bellows segment 36 and the third lower circumference 74 of the third lower bellows segment 60.
The collapsible bottle 10 can be collapsed from an extended state, as shown in
The annular support ring 20 is disposed circumferentially around the mid section 26 of the bellows 18. In certain aspects, the annular support ring 20 is fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the mid section 26 of the bellows 18.
With reference to
In certain aspects, the collapsible bottle 10 includes an interchangeable top 86. The interchangeable top 86 can be, but is not limited to, a nipple top, a sippy cup top, a lid, and other appropriate tops. As illustrated in
The annular collar 82 includes a plurality of catches 90 disposed around an outer surface of the annular collar 82. In certain aspects, each catch of the plurality of catches 90 is equally spaced apart from each other. The collapsible bottle 10 includes a cover 92. In certain aspects, the cover 92 includes a plurality of nubs 94 disposed on an interior surface of the cover 92, as illustrated in
In certain aspects, the annular collar 82 includes an eyelet 96 disposed on the outer surface of the annular collar 82. The eyelet 96 is configured to attach straps or the like for ease of carrying the collapsible bottle 10.
In certain aspects, the base 16 of the body 12 includes a base thickness that is greater than a bellows thickness of the bellows to provide stability and sturdiness when the collapsible bottle 10 is placed on a surface to prevent that the collapsible bottle 10 from tipping over.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.
A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” The term “some” refers to one or more. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for”.
While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of particular implementations of the subject matter. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
The subject matter of this specification has been described in terms of particular aspects, but other aspects can be implemented and are within the scope of the following claims. For example, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. The actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.
The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patent law, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.
