CONTAINER

Abstract

A lid for a container. The lid includes an upper lid, slider, and lower lid, the upper lid and slider pivotable about a lid hinge relative to the lower lid. A slider lock portion and lower lid lock portion securing the upper lid and slider to the lower lid. A handle assembly for engaging a bottle, the handle assembly having a collar and base with a handle disposed therebetween.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for beverages and the like have become increasingly popular. One common usage for such beverage containers is during activities, such as sporting events, cardiovascular workouts or strength training. Most beverage containers require a user to hold the container with one hand by gripping the container and operate the lid or closure with the other hand. However, during activity, both gripping the container and providing two-hand usage may be difficult. In addition, many prior beverage containers have a round shape, which facilitates rolling if the container is knocked over during activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a container comprising a bottle, a lid, and a handle assembly. The bottle has a spout and a body. The lid comprises an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid. The lid further comprises a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge. The slider has a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge. The handle assembly includes a strap coupled to a base and a collar, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a portion of the body.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a lid for engaging a beverage container having a spout and a body. The lid comprises an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider axially rotatable in relation to the upper lid. A slider bias is disposed between the upper lid and the slider. The lid further comprises a lower lid having an outlet disposable within the upper lid, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge. The slider has a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge. A lid hinge bias biases the lid hinge open.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a container comprising a bottle and handle assembly. The bottle has a spout and a body, the body including an upper segment, a middle segment, and a lower segment with a base portion. The handle assembly includes a strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collar portion of the strap. The collar is disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be set forth from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the present disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without further limiting the scope of the present disclosure claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container; FIG. 1B is a front view of the container of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view along Line A-A of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a front view of a lid in the closed position; FIG. 2B a cross-section of the lid of FIG. 2A along Line B-B; FIG. 2C is a side view of a lid in the open position; FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the upper lid along line B-B;

FIG. 2E is a side view of the slider; and

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a handle assembly; FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a container having a handle assembly with a strap unsecured at one end; FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a container having a handle assembly with a secured strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container. The container comprises a bottle 100, a lid 200, and, in certain embodiments, a handle assembly 300.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A-C, the bottle 100 defines an interior volume that may be filled with material such as a beverage. The bottle 100 includes a spout 110 having an opening 111 providing an inlet and outlet to the interior volume. The bottle 100 further includes a body portion 130. The body 130 may have a diameter substantially less than that of spout 110. A transition shoulder 120 may be provided to transition from the body 130 to the spout 110.

The body 130 may include a number of body segments 131, 132, 133 of different size and/or shape. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C, the body 130 comprises an upper segment 131, a middle segment 132, and a lower segment 133. The upper segment 131 is positioned adjacent to the shoulder 120, the middle segment 132 is positioned adjacent the upper segment 131 and the lower segment 133. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-C, the upper segment 131 and lower segment 133 include a substantially similar maximum width which is larger than that of the middle segment 132

In one embodiment, the body 130 has a substantially non-circular cross-section, such that the container 10 provides resistance to rolling if placed on a side. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C, the body 130 may have a substantially polygonal cross-section, such as a square with corners which are rounded for user comfort.

The bottle 100 may be formed of a transparent, translucent, or opaque material. The bottle 100 is removable from both the lid 200 and the handle assembly 300.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-F, the lid 200 includes an upper lid 210, a slider 230, and a lower lid 250. The upper lid 210 is further coupled to the lower lid 250, such as by a lid hinge 270 as further described below. The upper lid 210 is rotatably coupled to the slider 230 such that the slider is partially rotatable within the upper lid 210. The slider 230 may snap-fit within the upper lid 210. The slider 230 may include a protrusion 243 engageable with a recess 213 of the lid such that the slider 230 snap fits into position with the protrusion 243 disposed within the recess 213. The range of axial motion of the slider 230 is limited by the ability of the protrusion 243 to slide within the recess 213. It should be appreciated that the placement of the recess 213 may be on the slider 230 and the protrusion 243 on the upper lid 210. In one embodiment, the slider 230 is biased towards one extreme of its axial range of motion, such as by torsion spring 231.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2E, the slider comprises a slider body 240 disposable within the upper lid 210 and a slider face plate 241 external to the upper lid 210 and lower lid 250. The slider 230 includes a slider lock portion 234 engageable with a lower lid lock portion 254. In a particular aspect, the slider lock portion 234 is located on the slider face plate 241. In one embodiment, the lower lid lock portion 254 comprises a lock protrusion 255 engageable with a lock recess 235. It should further be appreciated that the location of the lock protrusion 255 and lock recess 235 on the slider 230 and lower lid 250, respectively, may be switched. In one aspect of the invention, the lock recess 235 has a vertical portion 237 and a horizontal portion 236. When the lock protrusion 255 is within the horizontal portion 236, the upper lid 210 and slider 230 are retained against the lower lid 250 and the lid 200 is closed. The slider 230 may be rotated such that the lock protrusion 255 moves from the horizontal portion 236 to the vertical portion 237. A lid biasing mechanism, such as lid hinge spring 272 described below, biases the upper lid 210 and slider 230 such that when the lock protrusion 255 is in the vertical portion 237, the lock protrusion 255 slides out of the lock recess 235 and the lid 200 opens. Alternative mechanisms for the slider 230 engaging the lower lid 250 may include sliding upwards and or a hook and loop type closure.

The slider biasing mechanism 231 described above may bias the slider 230 into a locked position, i.e. where the lock protrusion 255 is within the horizontal portion 236 of the lock recess 235. In one embodiment, the slider 230 must be depressed inward toward the lower lid 250 to allow the lock protrusion 255 to slide within the lock recess 235. The horizontal portion 236 of the lock recess 235 may not be strictly horizontal, but may be angled with respect to true horizontal to alter the ease or difficulty of sliding the lock protrusion 255. For example, the horizontal portion 236 may be angled downwards as towards the junction with the vertical portion 237 such that the bias of the lid hinge spring 272 serves to retain the lid 200 in the locked position. In contrast, the horizontal portion 236 may be angled upwards towards the junction with the vertical portion 237 such that the bias of the lid hinge spring 272 serves to assist in sliding the lock protrusion 255 and works, to some extent, against the bias of the slider biasing mechanism 231 in embodiments including it.

In one embodiment, the components of which are shown in an exploded manner in FIG. 1A, the lid hinge 270 includes a hinge pin 271 and a lid hinge spring 272. A upper lid hinge portion 218 and a lower hinge portion 258 are engageable to receive the pin 271 to form the lid hinge 270. The lid hinge spring 272 provides a bias such that the lid 200 is biased to the open position.

In one embodiment, the upper lid 210 and the slider 230 include a upper lid bias recess and a slider bias recess, respectively, for receiving the slider bias mechanism. Annular lugs 238 may be provided to retain and guide the slider biasing mechanism 231. In one embodiment, the annular lugs 238 provide smoother rotational movement by minimizing surface contact between components.

In one embodiment, the upper lid 210 includes a upper lid slider faceplate lip 219 and the lower lid 250 includes a lower lid slider faceplate lip 259. The upper lip 219 and lower lip 259 form a cavity in which the slider face plate 241 is slidably retained when the lid 200 is closed. The slider face plate 241 is engageable by a user to actuate the locking mechanism including the slider lock portion 234 and the lower lid lock portion 254.

The spout 110 may include a threaded portion 117 for engaging the lid 200 having a corresponding lid threaded portion 257. In a particular aspect, the threading will be such that a quarter turn will release the lid 200 from the spout 110. However other threading or attachment arrangements are contemplated, such as friction fit and the arrangement may have internal threading on the spout and external threading on the lid or vice-versa.

Further, gaskets may be provided at the interface of components described herein to provide a liquid-tight seal. For example, a lid gasket 199 may be provided between the lid 200, and in particular the lower lid 250, and the spout 110. The gasket 199 may be formed of silicone or other similar material that forms a liquid tight seal

The lid 200 may include a filter (not shown) in the lid opening, such as to assist in retaining ice within the container 10.

In one embodiment, a spout opening plug 233 is provided to aid in sealing the spout opening 111 when the lid is closed. The spout opening plug 233 may be sized to cover or fit within the spout opening 111 and form a liquid-tight seal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, a slider cap 232 is provided connected to the upper lid 210 such as by sonic welding, adhesive, or the like. The slider cap 232 retains the slider 230 coupled to the upper lid 210 while allowing the slider 230 to rotate. The spout opening plug 233 snap-fits with the slider cap 232. Alternatively, the spout opening plug 233 may be a integral with the slide cap 232, such as being permanently molded in place.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-C, the handle assembly 300 is removably coupled to the bottle 100 such that bottle 100 may be used with the lid 200 with or without the handle assembly 300 coupled to the bottle 100. The handle assembly 300 as shown in FIG. 3A comprises a handle 310 secured to a collar 320 and a base 340.

The handle 310 provides a user with a mechanism to easily grip the container 10 with one hand. In one embodiment, the handle 310 comprises a strap 311 extending from the collar to the base 340. The strap 311 may provide for an adjustment in length, such as by having a length longer than the distance from the collar to the base, such that a folded portion 312 of the strap 311 is folded back upon a base-to-collar portion 313 of the strap 311 and allows for adjustment of the length of the strap extending from the collar to the base. A mechanism for securing the handle may be provided. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the strap 311 may include a plurality of holes 318. A strap button 314 is engageable with one or more of the plurality of holes 318 to secure the strap 311. For example, the strap button 314 may include a top button section 316 and a bottom button section 315 removably engageable with each other, the bottom button section 315 insertable through one of the plurality of holes 318 in the base-to-collar strap portion 313 and the top button section 316 insertable through corresponding one of the plurality of holes 318 in the folded portion of the strap 311, such that the folded portion 312 is secured to the strap 311.

In one embodiment, the collar 320 is integrated into the lower lid 250, such that the handle 310 is connected to the lower lid 250. In one embodiment, the lid 200 and handle assembly 300 are configured to couple to a standard disposable water bottle, wherein the lid 300 replaces the disposable lid and the base 340 engages the bottom portion of the disposable water bottle securing the handle 310 to the disposable water bottle.

In one embodiment, the bottle 100 is rotatable relative to the handle assembly.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3B and 3C, the collar 320 is disposable about the spout 110. The collar 320 may be threadably engaged with the spout 110.

The base 340 may include a base body 341 and a non-skid base pad 342 upon which the handle assembly 300 rests. The base 340 may have a complementary shape to a lower segment stepped portion 140, such that the lower body portion is partially disposed within the base. The lower segment 133 may be secured to the base 340 such as by snap-fit, friction fit, or the like. In one embodiment a protrusion 345 on one of the base 340 or lower segment 133 engages a corresponding recess 145 on the other of the base 340 or lower segment 133 to removably connect the bottle 100 with the base 340. In one embodiment, the lower segment stepped portion 140 is disposable within the base 340 such that the base 340 has a cross-sectional area substantially the same as the remainder of the lower segment 133 to provide a uniform size to the exterior of the container 10 in the lower segment 133 when the base 340 is coupled to the bottle 100. In one embodiment, the base 340 includes an through opening 347 into which a lower segment protrusion 141 is disposable and exposed to a surface on which the container 10 rests.

The handle 310 may be connect to the collar 320 by a collar hinge 330, such as a strap ring 331. The handle 310 may be connected to the base 340 by a base hinge 350, such as having a handle core 351 secured via a base hinge pin 352 to base hinge portion 343.

The lid 200 provides a user with the ability to open the container 10 with one hand and without contacting the spout 110 or lower lid outlet 251. The lid hinge bias 272 may allow a user to flip the upper lid 210 and slider 230 out of the way to allow for dispensing from the container 10.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a bottle having a spout and a body;a lid comprising an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid;the lid further comprising a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge;the slider having a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge; anda handle assembly including a strap coupled to a base and a collar, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a portion of the body.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lid hinge bias.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the slider lock portion comprises one of a lock protrusion or lock recess and the lower lid lock portion includes an other of the lock protrusion or the lock recess wherein the lock protrusion is slidable within the lock recess.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising a spout opening plug, the spout opening plug coupled to the upper lid and forming a liquid-tight seal of the spout when the lid is closed.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collar portion of the strap, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the handle assembly includes a strap button affixing the folded portion of the strap to the base-to-collar portion of the strap.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the lock recess comprises a first recess and a second recess, the first recess being substantially horizontal and the second recess being substantially vertical wherein the lock protrusion is slidably removable from the lock recess via the second recess.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the body has a plurality of segments and includes at least one segment defining a widest segment of the bottle and having a substantially polygonal cross-section.

9. A lid for engaging a beverage container having a spout and a body, comprising: an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider axially rotatable in relation to the upper lid;a slider bias disposed between the upper lid and the slider;the lid further comprising a lower lid having an outlet disposable within the upper lid, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge;a lid hinge bias biasing the lid hinge open; andthe slider having a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge.

10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the slider lock portion comprises one of a lock protrusion or lock recess and the lower lid lock portion includes an other of the lock protrusion or the lock recess wherein the lock protrusion is slidable within the lock recess.

11. The lid of claim 9 further comprising a spout opening plug, the spout opening plug coupled to the upper lid and forming a liquid-tight seal of the spout when the lid is closed.

12. The lid of claim 9 coupled to a handle assembly including a strap coupled at a first end to a base and adjustably coupled to the lower lid such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a portion of the strap extending from the base to the lower lid.

13. The lid of claim 9 further comprising a slider face plate external to the upper lid and slidably disposed between an upper lid lip and lower lid lip when the lid is closed, the slider face plate including the slider lock portion.

14. A container comprising: a bottle having a spout and a body, the body including an upper segment, a middle segment, and a lower segment with a base portion;a handle assembly including a strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collar portion of the strap, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.

15. The container of claim 14, further comprising a lid having an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid; the lid further comprising a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge;the slider having a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the handle assembly includes a strap button affixing the folded portion of the strap to the portion of the strap extending from the base to the collar.

17. The container of claim 14 wherein the strap is hingedly coupled to the collar and hingedly coupled to the base.

18. The container of claim 14, wherein the bottle is rotatable in relation to the handle assembly.

19. The container of claim 14 wherein the lower segment of the bottle has a bottom reduced portion disposable within the base such that the base has a shape and perimeter substantially the same as a remainder of the lower segment.

20. The container of claim 14 further comprising an opening in the base into which a bottom stepped protrusion of the lower body segment is disposable.