A container may be configured to store a volume of liquid. In one example, an opening in the container may be sealed with a removable cap. As such, in order to extract the liquid from the container, the cap may first be manually removed and set aside.
In certain examples, an insulating container may have a canister, which can include an insulated double wall, a first end to support the canister on a surface, a second end, and a sidewall. The canister may also have an opening in the second end that extends through the insulated double wall. A neck structure may encircle the opening and extend in an axial direction.
In certain examples, a lid may seal the opening of the canister, with the a threaded sidewall of the lid received into the neck structure of the canister. The lid may also have a circular domed top surface having a spout opening, and a removable cap that seals the spout opening. Further, the cap may have a magnetic top surface configured to be magnetically attracted to, and retained within, an optional dimple on the domed top surface.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a container configured to store a volume of liquid. In one example, the container may have a spout opening that is sealed with a removable cap. Accordingly, the removable cap may be configured with a magnetic top surface such that when removed, the cap may be magnetically affixed to one or more surfaces of the container for temporary storage while the liquid is being poured from the container.
In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
In various examples, the lid 104 may comprise a cap 108 (in one example, cap 108 may be substantially cylindrical), configured to removably couple to, and seal (i.e. resealably seal), a spout opening 110, as depicted in
In one example, the canister 102 may be configured to store a volume of liquid. In one implementation, the canister 102 may be configured to store approximately 1 gallon (approximately 3.79 L) of a liquid. In another implementation, the canister 102 may be configured to store at least approximately 30 ounces (approximately 0.89 L), at least approximately 50 ounces (approximately 1.48 L), at least approximately 70 ounces (approximately 2.07 L), at least approximately 80 ounces (approximately 2.37 L), at least approximately 90 ounces (approximately 2.66 L), at least approximately 100 ounces (approximately 2.96 L), at least approximately 110 ounces (approximately 3.25 L), or at least approximately 120 ounces (approximately 3.55 L) of a liquid, among others.
Turning briefly to
Turning again to
In one example, the spout opening 110 may be configured with an annular ridge 172. As such, the cap 108 may be configured to be removably-coupled to the spout 110 using an interference fit between the annular ridge 172 on a cylindrical outer wall 174 of the spout opening 110, and a corresponding ridge (not pictured in
In one example, the lid 104 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In one implementation, the lid 104 may be configured to removably couple to a neck structure 120 of the canister 102. As such, the neck structure 120 may encircle the opening 116 in the canister 102, and extend out from the canister 102 in a substantially axial direction. In one implementation, an axial direction 302 associated with canister 102 may be parallel to an axis of rotation of a substantially cylindrical structure of canister 102, as depicted in
In various examples, the canister 102 may be embodied with different geometries. For example, container 100 or container 300 may be embodied with a base portion, similar to canister 102, having a non-cylindrical shape. In particular, container 100 or container 300 may have a base, similar to canister 102, having a substantially cuboidal, spherical, or prismoidal shape, or combinations thereof, among others, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. As such, container 100 or container 300 may have a base portion, similar to canister 102, having a non-cylindrical shape, but maintaining a substantially cylindrical neck structure 120, configured to be removably coupled to a substantially cylindrical lid 104. In yet another implementation, an opening, similar to opening 116, and a neck structure, similar to neck structure 120, may have non-circular geometries, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. Additionally or alternatively, a lid of container 100 or container 300, similar to lid 104, may have a non-circular shape, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. For example, a lid of container 100 or container 300, similar to lid 104, may have a substantially cuboidal, spherical, or prismoidal shape, or combinations thereof, among others, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein.
Additional or alternative coupling mechanisms may be utilized to removably couple the lid 104 to the canister 102, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. For example, the neck structure 120 may be embodied with a threaded outer surface (e.g. outer surface 320 may be threaded) and configured to interface with a corresponding threaded structure on the lid 104. In one example, this additional or alternative threaded structure on the lid 104 may be on an inside surface of the outer wall 166 (e.g. threads may be formed on inside surface 167 of the outer wall 166), among others.
In one example, a connection mechanism configured to removably couple the lid 104 to the canister 102 may be designed such that the coupling is fully engaged upon rotation of the lid 104 relative to the canister 102 by any number of revolutions, or by any fraction of a revolution. For example, the lid 104 may be fully engaged with the canister 102 upon placing the lid 104 on the neck structure 120, and rotating the lid 104 by approximately ¼ of one full revolution, approximately ⅓ of one full revolution, approximately ½ of one full revolution, approximately 1 full revolution, approximately 2 full revolutions, approximately 3 full revolutions, at least 1 revolution, or at least five revolutions, among many others.
In one implementation, a removable coupling between the lid 104 and the canister 102 may comprise one or more gaskets (e.g. gasket 169) configured to seal the coupling such that, in one example, liquid may not escape from the canister 102 while the removable coupling between the lid 104 and the canister 102 is engaged.
In one example the cap 308 may be fully engaged with the threaded fastening mechanism of the spout 310 by rotating the cap 308 relative to the spout 310 through an angle. For example, the cap 308 may be fully engaged with the spout 310 by rotating the cap 308 by approximately ¼ of one full revolution, approximately ⅓ of one full revolution, approximately ½ of one full revolution, approximately 1 full revolution, approximately 2 full revolutions, approximately 3 full revolutions, at least one revolution, or at least five revolutions, among many others.
In one implementation cap 108 (or cap 308) may seal the spout opening 110 (or spout opening 310) using one or more deformable gaskets structures that are compressed when the cap 108 (or cap 308) is brought into a removable coupling with the spout opening 110 (or spout opening 310). In one example, element 171 may be a gasket between the spout opening 310 and the cap 308.
In one implementation, containers 100 and 300 may include one or more insulating elements configured to reduce a rate of heat transfer to or from a material stored within the container. In one example, the canister 102 may be configured with a vacuum-sealed insulating structure, otherwise referred to as a vacuum-sealed double wall structure, or an insulated double wall structure, and such that a vacuum is maintained between an inner wall 178 and an outer wall 118 of the canister 102. In one implementation, a sealed vacuum cavity 180 may be sandwiched between the inner wall 178 and the outer wall 118. In other examples, specific implementations of insulating structures that utilize one or more vacuum chambers to reduce heat transfer by conduction, convection and/or radiation may be utilized within canister 102, without departing from the disclosures described herein. In another implementation, containers 100 and 300 may include an insulated double wall comprising an inner wall 178 and an outer wall 118. In one example, a cavity 180 between the inner wall 178 and the outer wall 118 may be filled with air to form an air pocket. In another example, the cavity 180 may be filled with an insulating material, such as an insulating foam (e.g. polystyrene).
In one example, the combination of the inner wall 178 and the outer wall 118 may be referred to as an insulated wall. In one implementation, the first end 112, the second end 114, the curved sidewall 118, and/or a shoulder region 126 (described in further detail in relation to
In one implementation, canister 102 may comprise a concave structure 181 formed in the first end 112. In one example, the concave structure 181 may provide added rigidity to the first end 112, and such that the concave structure 181 reduces, or prevents, deformation of the first end 112 as a result of a vacuum within the vacuum cavity 180. Accordingly, the concave structure 181 may have any radius or multiple radii of curvature (i.e. the concave structure 181 may comprise a geometry having multiple radii of curvature), without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
In another implementation, the cavity 180 may be filled with an insulating material that exhibits low thermal conductivity. As such, the cavity 180 may, in one example, be filled with a polymer material, or a polymer foam material. In one specific example, the cavity 180 may be filled with polystyrene. However, additional or alternative insulating materials may be utilized to fill the cavity 180, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one example, a thickness of the cavity 180 may be embodied with any dimensional value, without departing from the scope of these disclosures
In one example, the canister 102 may be constructed from one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. Additionally, canister 102 may be constructed using one or more hot or cold working processes (e.g. stamping, casting, molding, drilling, grinding, forging, among others). In one implementation, the canister 102 may be constructed using a stainless steel. In one specific example, the canister 102 may be formed substantially of 304 stainless steel. In one implementation, one or more cold working processes utilized to form the geometry of the canister 102 may result in the canister 102 being magnetic (may be attracted to a magnet).
In one example, and as depicted in
In another implementation, having the second outer diameter 124 less than the first outer diameter 122 may increase the structural rigidity of the canister 102 at the second end 114, and such that the opening 116 may be less prone to undesirable warping/bending during one or more processes used to form the structure of the canister 102.
In another example, the container 100 should not be limited to having a first diameter 122 greater than a second diameter 124 such that an outer diameter of the substantially cylindrical sidewall 118 tapers from said first outer diameter 122 to said second outer diameter 124 along a shoulder region 126. As such, the canister 102 may have a substantially constant outer diameter (not pictured), and such that an opening, similar to opening 116, may have a diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of a first end of the base, similar to the first end 112.
Additionally,
In various examples, the spout 310 extends from the substantially convex geometry of the circular domed top surface 128 and has a central axis 132 which extends along a normal 132 relative to the domed top surface 128. The dimple 130 also includes a central axis 134 (which may be parallel to a central axis of cap 308, when positioned within dimple 130) and extends substantially along a normal 134 relative to the domed top surface 128, such that the spout 310 and the cap 308 may angled away from one another. Advantageously, and in various examples, this relative positioning of the spout 310 and the cap 308 may allow for improved separation, such that the cap 308 is not contacted when a user is drinking from/pouring from the spout 310.
In one implementation, an angle between central axis 132 (otherwise referred to as normal 132) and central axis 134 (otherwise referred to as normal 134) is schematically depicted as angle 604. As such, angle 604 may be referred to as an intersection angle 604 between a central axis 132 of the spout 310 and a central axis 134 of the dimple 130. As such, angle 604 may be greater than approximately: 2°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 30°, 45°, 55°, 60°, 70°, 80°, 90°, 100°, or 110°, among others. In another implementation, angle 604 may range from 2 to 110 degrees, among others. Angle 602 schematically represents an angle between central axis 132 (normal 132) and a base surface of the container 300 (e.g. first end 112). In one example, angle 602 may be referred to as a tilt angle 602 between the central access 132 and a base surface of the container 300 (e.g. first end 112, or any plane parallel thereto). In this way, tilt angle 602 may be an angle of less than 90°. As such, in various examples angle 602 may be less than approximately: 90°, 85°, 80°, 70°, 60°, 45°, or 30°, 60°, 45°, or 30°, among others. In another implementation, angle 602 may range from 30 to 90 degrees, among others. Similar to angle 602, angle 606 schematically represents an angle between central axis 134 (normal 134) and a base surface of the container 300 (e.g. first end 112, or any plane parallel thereto). As such, angle 606 may be referred to as tilt angle 606. In this way, tilt angle 606 may be an angle of less than 90°. In various examples, angle 606 may be less than approximately: 90°, 85°, 80°, 70°, 60°, 45°, or 30°, among others. In one implementation, angle 606 may range from 30 to 90 degrees, among others. In one example, angle 602 may be approximately equal to angle 606. However, in other examples, angle 602 may not be equal to 606.
In one implementation, the circular domed top surface 128 may have a radius of curvature equal to approximately 13.5 inches (342 mm). However, in other implementations, any radius of curvature may be utilized to form the convex geometry of the circular domed top surface 128, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. Additionally or alternatively, the circular domed top surface 128 may comprise multiple radii of curvature, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
In another implementation, the lid 104 may be configured with other top surface geometries than that circular domed top surface 128 depicted in
In one specific example, the inner diameter 135 may measure approximately 25.5 mm, and the outer diameter 137 may measure approximately 29.4 mm. In another example, the inner diameter 135 may measure up to approximately 28 mm, and the outer diameter 137 may measure up to approximately 30 mm. In other examples, the inner diameter 135 and the outer diameter 137 may be embodied with any dimensions, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one implementation, the depth 139 of the dimple 130 may range from 1 mm or less to 5 mm or more. However, the depth 139 may be embodied with any value, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Further, the sidewall 133, if chamfered, may be angled at any angular value between the surface 131 and the surface 128. Similarly, the sidewall 133, if filleted, may have any radius of curvature between the surface 131 and the surface 128.
In one implementation, the magnetic surface 131 may comprise a polymer outer layer over a ferromagnetic structure (i.e. a metal plate may be positioned below magnetic surface 131 in order for the magnetic surface 131 to attract a magnet embedded within a magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 (see
The term “magnetic,” as utilized herein, may refer to a material (e.g. a ferromagnetic material) that may be magnetized. As such, the term “magnetic” may imply that a material (i.e. a surface, or object, and the like) may be magnetically attracted to a magnet (i.e. a temporary or permanent magnet) that has an associated magnetic field. In one example, a magnetic material may be magnetized (i.e. may form a permanent magnet). Additionally, various examples of magnetic materials may be utilized with the disclosures described herein, including nickel, iron, and cobalt, and alloys thereof, among others.
In one example, the cap 308 may be constructed from a polymer material, and formed using one or more injection molding processes. As such, the magnetic top surface 136 may comprise an overmolded permanent magnet. Various permanent magnet materials may be utilized with the magnetic top surface 136 of cap 308, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. In one particular example, the magnetic top surface 136 may comprise a neodymium magnet of grade N30, among others. Furthermore, various overmolding methodologies may be utilized to encapsulate a magnet within the cap 308, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. In another example, the cap 308 may comprises a permanent magnet coupled below the polymeric magnetic top surface 136 such that the permanent magnet may be ultra-sonically welded, or glued onto a surface within the cap 308 (e.g. magnet 173 may be retained within the cap 308 by structure 175, which may comprise a polymer plate that is ultra-sonically welded, glued, or otherwise coupled to the cap 308.
Advantageously, a magnetic coupling between the magnetic top surface 136 of cap 308, and the magnetic surface 131 of dimple 130 may provide for fast, temporary storage of cap 308 while a liquid is being poured from container 300. In this way, a user may quickly affix cap 308 into dimple 130 such that cap 308 may not be set aside on an external surface where it may be misplaced or contaminated. Further advantageously, a magnetic coupling between the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 and a magnetic surface 131 of the dimple 130 may encourage surfaces 136 and 131 to contact one another such that a bottom surface of cap 308 (e.g. bottom surface 186 of cap 108, which may be similar to 308) does not contact the magnetic surface 131 of the dimple 130. In this way one or more surfaces, including the bottom surface 186, of cap 108 or 308 may be exposed to fewer contaminants, and thereby reduce transmission of fewer contaminants to spout 310 upon re-coupling of the cap 308 with the spout 310. It is noted that the previously described advantages with regard to magnetically coupling the cap 308 into the dimple 130 may, additionally or alternatively, be realized with cap 108 from container 100.
In one example, cap 308 may comprise one or more polymer materials. However, cap 308 may comprise one or more of a metal, an alloy, a ceramic, or a wood material or combinations thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure described herein.
In one example, cap 308 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a cylindrical outer wall 802. As such, cap 308 may be embodied with any outer diameter for the outer wall 802, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In one example, cap 308 may have a surface 143 extending between the magnetic top surface 136 and a side surface 142. In one implementation, the surface 143 may form a chamfer between the top surface 136 and the side surface 142. As such, surface 143 may be embodied with any chamfer angle between the top surface 136 and the side surface 142. In another implementation, surface 143 may form a fillet between the top surface 136 on the side surface 142. As such, an example filleted surface 143 may be embodied with any desired fillet angle or radius. In one implementation, surface 143 may be utilized to center the cap 308 within the dimple 130. In one implementation, a fillet radius of surface 143 may be approximately equal to a fillet radius of surface (sidewall) 133 of the dimple 130. Similarly, and in another implementation, a chamfer angle of surface 143 may be approximately equal to a chamfer angle of surface (sidewall) 133 of dimple 130. In one example, the cap 308 may have lip structures 145 and/or 147 to facilitate manual gripping of the cap 308 to remove upon removal of the cap 308 from the spout 310 or the dimple 130, among others. In another implementation, the cap 308 may be implemented such that outer wall 802 has an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of surface 142, and such that the cap 308 is not embodied with lip structures 145 and/or 147.
In one example, and as depicted in
In one implementation, the lid 104, as depicted in
In one example a force needed to remove the cap 308 from the dimple structure 130 (i.e. a force to overcome a magnetic attraction between the cap 308 and the dimple structure 130) may measure approximately 10 N. In another example, the force to remove cap 308 from the dimple structure 130 may range between approximately 7 and 15 N. In another implementation, magnetic top surface 136 may be magnetically coupled to the curved sidewall 118 of the canister 102. Accordingly, in one example, a force needed to overcome a magnetic attraction between the cap 308 and the curved sidewall 118 may measure approximately 3 N. In another example, the force to remove the cap 308 from the curved sidewall 118 may range between approximately 1 and 10 N.
In another implementation, there may be a specific distance/proximity within which magnetic attraction is exerted between the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308, and the ferromagnetic structure of the dimple 130. This proximity may be dependent upon a strength (magnetic field strength, and the like) of the magnet contained within the magnetic top surface 136, among other factors. As such, there may exist a proximity within which the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 may be positioned relative to the dimple structure 130 in order to magnetically couple the two structures may be embodied with any distance value. This proximity may be embodied with any value, without departing from the scope of the disclosures described herein. Accordingly, any strength of magnet may be utilized with the disclosures described herein. Additionally, various ferromagnetic materials may be utilized within the dimple structure 130, without departing from the disclosures described herein.
In another example, a ferromagnetic material may be positioned within the dimple structure 130, and such that that an overmolding process is not utilized to cover the ferromagnetic material. Similarly, a magnet may be positioned on the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308, and such that the magnet is exposed, rather than being overmolded or covered.
In various examples, the container 300 may be configured such that the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 is configured to magnetically couple only within the recess 130. As such, the remainder of container 300 may be constructed using one or more non-magnetic materials. In another example, a magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 may be configured to magnetically couple to one of a plurality of locations on the lid 104. In particular, in one example, the circular domed top surface 128 of the lid 104 may comprise a plurality of overmolded ferromagnetic pieces configured to magnetically couple to the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308. In another example, the lid 104 may be constructed using, or coated with, a metallic material that may be attracted to a magnetic field.
In various examples, container 300 may be configured such that the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 may be configured to magnetically couple to the spout 310 (i.e. spout 310 may be embodied with one or more ferromagnetic materials). Accordingly, the opening into the canister 102 through the spout opening 310 may be sealed by magnetic attraction of the cap 308 to the spout opening 310.
In various examples, cap 308 may be attached within dimple 130 using another coupling mechanism in addition to, or as an alternative to, the magnetic metric coupling between the magnetic top surface 136 and surface 131. For example, the top surface 136 and surface 131 may be embodied with complementary threaded coupling elements, interference fit coupling elements (i.e. snap coupling), or hook and loop coupling elements, among others.
Additionally or alternatively, the canister 102 may comprise a magnetic material, such that the magnetic top surface 136 may be magnetically coupled to a surface (e.g. the curved sidewall 118) of the canister 102. In one particular example, the canister 102 may comprise a stainless steel material (e.g. 304 stainless steel), and may be magnetized by a one or more cold working processes used to form the various geometries of the canister 102. However, the canister 102, and indeed any of the structures of container 300 described herein, may be constructed using one or more of a metal, an alloy, a polymer, a ceramic, a wood material, or combinations thereof.
In various examples, the recess 130 may comprise an overmolded, or otherwise covered, permanent magnet, and the magnetic top surface 136 of the cap 308 may comprise an overmolded ferromagnetic material (e.g. iron). In yet another example, both of the magnetic top surface 136 and the recess structure 130 may comprise overmolded, or otherwise covered, permanent magnets configured to attract one another, and the like.
In one example, the cap 308 may comprise a substantially planar magnetic top surface 136. In this way, the substantially planar magnetic top surface 136 may be configured to interface with a substantially planar surface of the recess 130. In another example, a cap 308 may be configured with different geometries. For example, the cap 308 may comprise a curved top surface 136. In another example,
In one implementation, the cap 308 may be embodied with additional or alternative features. For example, and as depicted in
In one implementation, the hook structure 152 may be angled at an angle 1202. In one specific example, angle 1202 may range be range from approximately 20° to approximately 75°. However, additional or alternative implementations of the hook structure 152 may be utilized, including an angle 1202 outside of the range of 20° to 75°, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
According to one aspect, an insulating container may have a canister that has an insulated double wall with a first end to support the canister on a surface, a second end, and a sidewall. The canister may also have an opening in the second end that extends through the insulated double wall. A neck structure may encircle the opening and extend in an axial direction. A lid may seal the opening by receiving the neck structure into a corresponding opening in the lid. The lid may further have a circular domed top surface having a spout opening, and a removable cap that seals the spout opening. Further, the cap may have a magnetic top surface configured to be magnetically attracted to, and retained within, a dimple on the domed top surface.
According to another aspect, a container may have a bottom portion with a first end, a second end having an opening, and a cylindrical wall spaced between the first and the second end. The bottom portion may taper from a first outer diameter at the first end, to a second, smaller outer diameter at the second end. The bottom portion may further have a neck structure around the opening. Additionally, the container may have a lid that seals the opening, the lid further having an opening to receive the neck structure. A top surface of the lid may have a spout opening, and a removable cylindrical cap that seals the spout opening. The removable cylindrical cap may have a magnetic top surface. Additionally, the top surface may have a recess with a magnetic surface that magnetically couples to the magnetic top surface of the cylindrical cap when removed from the spout.
In yet another aspect, a container may have an insulated base structure with a cylindrical shape and an opening in one end. The container may also have a lid with a bottom surface that seals the insulated base structure. A top surface of the lid may have a spout, and a cap that removably couples to, and seals, the spout. The cap may have a magnetic top surface. Additionally, the lid may have at least one ferromagnetic piece, and a carry handle. Further, a tilt angle between a central axis of the spout and the bottom surface of the lid may be less than 90°.
In various examples, the cap 1406 may have a substantially cylindrical side wall 1410 separated from a substantially circular magnetic top surface 1412 by a chamfered surface 1414, as depicted in
In one implementation, the lid 1404 is configured to resealably seal an opening 1401 in the bottom portion 1402. Accordingly, a threaded wall 1426 of the lid 1404 may be received by a threaded sidewall 1428 of the bottom portion 1402 to removably-couple the lid 1404 to the bottom portion 1402.
In various implementations, the bottom portion 1402 may have a neck structure 1430, and such that the threaded sidewall 1426 extends into the bottom portion 1402 to a depth 1432, greater than a height 1434 of the neck structure 1430. As such, the threaded sidewall 1428 may be configured to receive the threaded sidewall 1426 such that the neck structure 1430 abuts/is positioned proximate an outer wall 1445 of the lid 1404 at end 1447.
The spout opening 1408 may be embodied with a threaded sidewall 1440 configured to receive a threaded sidewall 1442 of cap 1406 to removably-couple the cap 1406 to the lid 1404.
A magnetic material 1444, such as, among others, a ferromagnetic plate that is not magnetized, or a permanent magnet, may be positioned below the magnetic top surface 1412 of the cap 1406. In this way, magnetic material 1444 may be similar to magnet 173 from
In addition to the various elements described in relation to container 1400 and depicted in
In some embodiments the containers (e.g. container 100) described herein, may include a container holder 1600.
As shown in
As shown in
The holder 1600 may be configured to be mounted to another surface and thus may include one or more mounting portions 1620. As shown in
Similarly the base mounting portion 1624, may include one or more, or a plurality of, base apertures 1632 for mounting the holder 1600 to a surface. As shown in
As described above, the holder 1600 may be engaged with containers (e.g. container 100) described herein. As shown in
Further, in some embodiments, the holder 1600 may include a locking tab 1640. The locking tab 1640 may extend from the holder sidewall 1608 on the top end 1602 as shown, for example, in
The holder 1600 described herein may be formed using any process. In one example the holder 1600, may be formed using injection molding processes. In some embodiments, the holder 1600 may be formed using a single shot injection molding process. In other embodiments, the holder 1600 may be formed in a two shot injection molding process wherein the majority of the holder 1600 is formed with a first shot and the engagement layer 1636 is overmolded or formed in a second shot. Additionally, the holder 1600 may be formed using a gas assist injection molded process wherein gas such as nitrogen gas is injected into the interior of a mold. This process may form hollow portions within the holder 1600. This process may reduce material usage and total weight of the holder 1600. The holder 1600 may be formed of rubber, materials including rubber, plastics, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and polypropylene (PP). In some embodiments, the holder sidewall 1608 and holder base 1610 may be formed of polypropylene and the engagement layer 1636 may be formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In some embodiments holder 1600 may be constructed of a material having a thermal conductivity of about 0.1 W/(m*K) to about 0.22 W/(m*K).
The holder 1600, may in other embodiments contain any number of additional features. For example, in some embodiments, the holder 160, may include a magnetic surface 1650. The magnetic surface may be embedded within the holder sidewall 1608 or may be located on an outer surface of the sidewall 1608. The magnetic surface 1650 may be used to hold the container cap or other items. Additionally, in some embodiments, the holder 1600 may include a clip 1660 extending from the holder sidewall 1608. The clip 1660 may be integrally formed with the holder 1600 in some embodiments, or may be removably engaged with the holder 1600 in some embodiments. The clip 1660 may be used to attach the holder to a number of different items, including for example the exterior of a cooler body.
The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/826,612 filed Aug. 14, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14826612 | Aug 2015 | US |
Child | 15434944 | US |