BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to liquids containers, and more specifically to a bottle having multiple separated elements for containing different commodities with a closure assembly having separate caps with associated orifices communicating with the separated elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid storage containers have been provided in numerous sizes and shapes for various liquid commodities. The most ubiquitous containers are presently plastic and provide multiple sizes and shapes with mass production capability and recyclable materials.
In many endeavors, individuals use multiple commodities in combination. Sports enthusiasts are typically becoming aware of the benefits of combining the use of electrolyte replacing sports drinks with water for ultimate performance enhancement and refreshment. Many athletes including bodybuilders desire to consume a carbohydrate-based beverage before and during exercise, followed by a protein-based beverage after exercise.
Connected bottles for containing common use or multipart commodities such as shampoo and conditioner, glue and hardener and similar products have been available. However, such connected bottles do not provide an integrated, visually pleasing container, which minimizes manufacturing complexity and is easy to use as a sports bottle during exercise. Sports bottles can be generally defined as those bottles intended for use during sporting activity such as running, cycling, aerobics and hiking. Many sports bottles are designed to fit into standard bicycle bottle mounting brackets for use during cycling. Man cyclists choose to equip their bicycles with two separate bottle mounting brackets in order to carry more than one type of beverage in two existing single cavity sports bottles. However, this adds cost, complexity and weight to a bicycle and many sports enthusiasts are desirous of reducing cost, weight and complexity.
It is therefore desirable to provide a single sports bottle having multiple elements for storage of different commodities and a means for selecting between them during consumption. It is further desirable that such a container function well during exercise and fit into standard bicycle bottle mounting brackets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a dual cavity sports bottle using two complementary bottle elements which mate together to form a generally cylindrical assembled container, each bottle element with a neck portion for dispensing the contents. A closure holds the two bottle elements together forming a substantially cylindrical container and allows a user to select between consuming the contents of the first or the second bottle elements through two caps, each cap communicating with one bottle element, the caps extending at an angle from the closure.
The present invention is advantageous when compared to other modalities of dual cavity bottles in that both bottle elements can be easily formed using blow molding techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing bottles such as beverage bottles and sports bottles. The bottle elements are separate parts and thus can be formed in different colors to allow a consumer to easily determine that the bottle has dual cavities at the point of purchase. During use, different colored bottle and closure elements allow a user to easily determine which beverage being selected on the basis of which color cavity it was stored in before exercise.
The cap arrangement has the unique function of fastenably arranging both bottles in the correct relationship to each other while sealably containing both beverage commodities and simultaneously allowing a user to select between either bottle cavity by adjusting either of two pop-up sports tops. An angled arrangement of the tops provides separation for ease of use while maintaining a profile circumscribed by the circumference of the container cylinder. Orientation of the tops angled in two planes provides maximum separation so that a user may easily consume the contents of one bottle element without having the opposing sports top interfering with their mouth.
In one embodiment, the bottle elements are identical parts that can be formed from the same mold. This reduces production costs and ensures a tight fit between the elements. Mating indexing features can be used on the adjoining surfaces of the elements and if placed in equally spaced relation to an axis of symmetry such as the centerline, a male and female feature on a first element will fit into the corresponding male and female feature on a second element when said second element is turned to face the first element during assembly.
In one embodiment, a cap or ring is used at the bottom of the bottle elements to hold them together by way of a snap, and the closure is threaded onto the neck portions of the bottle elements to hold them together at the top portion. A reduced diameter waist in the cylindrical container in certain embodiments further allows use of a rigid or elastic band to constrain the two bottle elements, the elastic band further providing a rubberized surface for enhanced grip during times when a user's hands may be wet during exercise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an perspective top view of dual sports bottle assembly according to the present invention having a first bottle element and a second bottle element;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one bottle element with a helically shaped inner mating surface;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front and side view respectively of the first bottle half;
FIG. 4 is a top view of first bottle half;
FIG. 5 is a top section view taken at line 5-5 in FIG. 3A;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are a front view and a top view of an alternative embodiment of dual sports bottle assembly;
FIG. 7 is section view on line 7-7 of FIG. 6B;
FIG. 8 is a section view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6B showing additional alternative features;
FIG. 9 is a detail view showing the interaction of the male boss and the female boss;
FIG. 10 is section view along line 10-10 of FIG. 6B;
FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are a front, side, and rear view, respectively, of an alternate first bottle element;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the alternate first bottle element of FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C;
FIG. 13 is a side section view of the bottom cap;
FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the closure;
FIG. 15A is a top view of the closure of FIG. 14;
FIG. 15B is a section view along line 15B-15B of FIG. 15A;
FIGS. 15C and 15D are section views of the closure to illustrate optional separate part solution to injection molding the closure;
FIGS. 16A and 16B are a front and side view of the closure shown without the caps 18 installed;
FIG. 17A is a section view along line 17A-17A of FIG. 16A;
FIG. 17B is a detail partial sectional view of the closure showing inward undulations;
FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the closure;
FIG. 19 is a section view of a ball and socket attachment for the tubes to the closure; and,
FIG. 20 is a section view a rotatable angled tube for attachment to the closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual sports bottle assembly 42, the assembly incorporates a first bottle element 10 and a second bottle element 12. The bottle elements are each sealable to contain a liquid which for the examples disclosed in the embodiments herein are sports drinks or water. In certain embodiments, the two bottle elements are different in color to designate the different contents. A bottom cap 20 snaps or is threaded over a portion of the first and second bottle elements to hold them together in the correct relationship to each other as will be described in greater detail subsequently with respect to FIG. 13. A closure 14 is threadably received by the first and second bottle elements and has a first cap 16 and second cap 18 to allow a user to drink from either of the first and second bottle elements. For the embodiments shown, the first and second caps are pop-up sports tops having a dispensing tube and a sealing cover sliding from a first closed position to a second open position, which are well known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing beverage and sports bottles. The first and second caps may be different colors from each other and may correspond in color to the first and second bottle elements to allow a user to quickly determine which beverage is being selected during use.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of first bottle half 10, and in one embodiment, first bottle element 10 and second bottle element 12 have helically shaped inner mating surfaces shown as helical inner wall 46. The first and second bottle elements have neck portions equipped with either threads or a snap feature. The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows a threaded neck portion 21 with a thread start 26, a thread junction 28, and a thread end 30. In this embodiment, first and second bottle elements are formed from a single blow mold for manufacturing simplicity. A double-start thread is employed on the neck portion of the embodiment shown to allow joining of the two elements while providing a simple and expedient threading arrangement for attachment of a closure.
In this context, the ten double-start refers to the fact that the thread has two starts: thread start 26 on first bottle element 10, and a correspondingly identical thread start (not shown) on second bottle element 12. When first and second bottle elements are assembled together, the thread junctions 28 of each bottle element butt together, creating a continuous thread running across the plane where the bottle elements meet. Also in this embodiment as an additional or alternative engagement and alignment mechanism, a mate boss 22 and female boss 24 are shown. These male and female features are located equidistant from the vertical centerline of the bottle element providing mating symmetry. When first bottle element 10 and second bottle element 12 are assembled together, the male boss 22 of the first bottle element is received by the corresponding female boss 24 of second bottle element 12 and vice-versa. Such male and female indexing features help locate the bottle elements in the correct relationship to each other so that the thread junction 28 is properly aligned to enable a closure to be screwed into place by a user. Alternately, male and female indexing features may also be designed to interlock or dovetail and fastenably hold the bottle elements together, removing the need for any other interlocking mechanism such as bottom cap 20.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front and side view respectively of the first bottle half 10. A recessed waist 34 is shown in the embodiment of the drawings for an additional or further alternative attachment mechanism for the two bottle elements. The waist is employed to provide an area for a rigid or elastic circumferential restraint such as a rubber band to wrap around first and second bottle elements to provide a color break and a texture break as well as element attachment. Text information about the product may be printed into or on the surface of a plastic or rubber band. Male or female dimples 32 on a portion of the surface of the created cylindrical container may be used to provide aesthetic benefit and enhanced grip to a user during sporting activities when sweating is common. The dimples 32 of FIG. 3 are female dimples as exemplary. Male boss 22 and female boss 24 are formed in complimentary geometry and are located equidistant from a centerline axis 36. This placement allows the male and female bosses to engage each other when the first and second bottle elements are turned to face each other during assembly as previously described. A mating recess 38 is provided in the bottle elements to received the bottom cap for the embodiment shown. An optional recessed bottom 40 is employed in order to provide an area for blow molding flashing to exist where it does not adversely affect the flat bottom surface of the bottle, which is needed to stand the bottle upright.
FIG. 4 is a top view of first bottle half 10 while FIG. 5 is a top section view taken at line 5-5 in FIG. 3A of first bottle element 10. Neck portion 21 of the bottle half is shown in FIG. 4 and male boss 22 and female boss 24 are shown for the top engagement (FIG. 4) and bottom engagement (FIG. 5) of the embodiment in the drawings.
FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B a top view of an alternative embodiment of dual sports bottle assembly 42. Many state of the art sports bottles have outside dimensions that render the bottle able to fit into standard bicycle bottle cages but unable to fit into standard size cup holders in modern automobiles. In an a first alternative embodiment, a tapered bottom area 80 is used to allow the dual sports bottle assembly 42 to fit into standard size cup holders in modern automobiles while the remainder of the cylindrical bottle outside dimensions are sized to allow fit into standard bicycle bottle cages. Recessed waist 34 is shown with a rubber band 35 or similar part engaging recessed waist 34.
FIG. 7 is section view on line 7-7 of FIG. 6B of dual sports bottle assembly 42.
FIG. 8 is a similar section view of dual sports bottle assembly 42 along line 7-7 of FIG. 6B showing additional alternative features. A lanyard ring 84 is snapped into place around the neck portions of first and second bottle elements. Lanyard ring 84 has at least one upper lanyard eyelet 86 to receive an optional lanyard 90. Bottom cap 20 is formed with an optional lower lanyard eyelet 88 to receive lanyard 90. Many athletes, especially runners and hikers, desire a lanyard or strap to attach to their sports bottle and to run across the back of their hand while they grip the bottle. Such a lanyard or strap eases the task of gripping a heavy bottle during exercise activities. Lanyard ring 84 also provides a mechanism for positively locking first and second bottle elements together at the neck, which is advantageous during times when closure 14 is removed such as during filling, rinsing or cleaning.
FIG. 9 is a detail view showing the interaction of male boss 22 and female boss 24 with more particularity.
FIG. 10 is section view along line 10-10 of FIG. 6B of dual sports bottle assembly 42.
FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are a front, side, and rear view, respectively, of an alternate first bottle element 50. Alternate first bottle element 50 is formed as a “D” shaped section having a flat inner wall 48 rather than a helical inner wall as shown in other embodiments of the present invention. Alternate bottle element 50 is advantageous in that manufacturing complexity is reduced when compared to a helical inner wall, however, a helical inner wall provides advantages in that a consumer can easily determine from any viewing angle that the bottle contains two elements and therefore provides more utility than a single cavity sports bottle. A helical inner wall also provides a measure of bottle element interlocking, which is advantageous.
FIG. 12 is a top view of alternate first bottle element 50. Flat inner wall 48 is seen in the top view. Dimples 32 are shown in one optional pattern. Bottom cap 20 is shown in section view in FIG. 13 detached from alternate first bottle element 50. Bottom cap 20 is advantageous in that it provides an injection molded, high-tolerance part on which to rest the blow molded bottle assembly during use (injection molded parts are know to be more accurate and in this case to provide a better surface than the bottom of the blow molded bottle elements for standing the bottle upright). Being preferably injection molded, bottom cap 20 is also better able to receive lettering for easy viewing by a consumer than a blow molded bottom area. Finally, bottom cap 20 snaps or otherwise easily engages first and second bottle elements and holds them together in the correct relationship during assembly.
A non-recessed waist is optionally employed when a person practicing the invention does not wish to use a rubber band or other such part to wrap around first and second bottle elements. The inward geometry of non-recessed waist is designed to receive a retaining portion of industry standard bicycle bottle cages, which capture and retain sports bottles during bicycling.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of closure 14. An optional web 58 provides a surface in which to form a price tag hole 82 for hanging a price tag, brochure, or other item as may be desired or for attachment of an alternate form of lanyard. Web 58 also provides rigidity to the closure structure and prevents the closure from flexing outward and leaking during times when the bottle is being squeezed and excessive pressure is being exerted against the underside of closure 14. A first dispensing tube 54 and second dispensing tube 56 extend from the surface of closure 14 and are hollow with a dispensing flow path, represented by arrows 66, for commodities stored in the first and second bottle elements to flow through during use. A cap shutoff disc 62 is suspended by a plurality of ribs 64 and when mated with first cap 16 and second cap 18 (See FIG. 1), provides a pop-up sports top mechanism to allow a user to selectably choose between dispensing the contents of either first or second bottle elements. Such pop-up sports top mechanisms are well-known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing beverage and sports bottles. Optional inward undulations 60 allow a user to more easily affix closure 14 to the neck portion of first and second bottle elements.
FIG. 15A is a top view and FIG. 15B is a section view along line 15B-15B of FIG. 15A of closure 14. In the configuration shown, closure 14 may be difficult or impossible to injection mold due to the geometry of the inside of the dispensing tubes. A conical area 72 is shown and can be easily formed in an injection mold by retracting core pins prior to unscrewing the part from the core mold (strippable threads are employed in alternative embodiments). However, forming any inside geometry beyond a joining area 70 may be impossible to form with retracting core pins. Therefore, an area selected as separate part 68 is created in an alternative embodiment and joined to closure 14 at joining area 70. A gasket 73 may be employed to prevent leakage in alternate embodiments, and may be molded along with closure 14 by methods known to those skilled in the art of injection molding such as by insert molding or compression molding a soft durometer material, or by the application of a “peel and stick” gasket during assembly of the bottle.
FIGS. 15C and 15D are a series of two section views of closure 14 to illustrate optional separate part solution to injection molding closure 14. An undercut area is shown inside dotted line box 100. It is this area that can be easily manufactured as an alternate dispensing tube 92. In one embodiment, a snap groove 94 is used on alternate dispensing tube 92 in order to allow it to snap into position by engaging a snap ledge 96 in boss 97 on closure 14. Other joining methods such as screwing, gluing, spin welding, and ultrasonic welding are used by in alternative embodiments practicing the invention. An o-ring or molded-in seal geometry is used in certain embodiments to ensure no leakage occurs between alternate dispensing tube 92 and closure 14. Once snapped into place, alternate dispensing tube 92 is shown connected to boss 97 in closure 14 with the snap groove engaging the snap ledge as generally designated by region 98. Other solutions for achieving ease of injection molding may be employed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the substance of the present invention.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are a front and side view of closure 14 shown without first cap 16 and second cap 18 installed. In one embodiment, first dispensing tube 54 of the first cap and second dispensing tube 56 of the second cap are angled away from each other in a vertical plane to allow the user to more easily drink from either dispensing tube without contracting or interfering with the other dispensing tube. The angle varies in differing embodiments from 0 degrees (both dispensing tubes pointing straight up) to 180 degrees apart (both dispensing tubes pointing in opposite directions). The molded configuration of dispensing tubes 54 and 56 or the boss 97 for each tube in the assembled configurations described with respect to FIGS. 15C and 15D provides the desired angle. The embodiment of FIG. 16A has a dispensing tube angle 74 of 70 degrees from horizontal which provides spacing while allowing the caps to remain within the circumferential profile of the cylindrical container. This allows easy stacking or boxing of multiple bottle units without interference.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are a section view along line 17A-17A of FIG. 16A and detail partial sectional view of closure 14 showing inward undulations 60 with more particularity.
FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the closure. In the embodiment of FIG. 16A, closure 14 has dispensing tubes angled at 70 degrees on a common vertical plane substantially perpendicular to the closure and aligned on a common horizontal plane with 0 degrees of horizontal rotation from each other. In an alternate compound angle closure 76, dispensing tubes are created at a vertical angle such as 70 degrees (as in FIG. 16) but are also angled away from each other on a horizontal plane such as an angle of 40 degrees shown by dispensing tube rotation angle 78. This compound angling of the dispensing tubes adds visual interest to the product and helps further separate the dispensing tubes from each other for ease of drinking. This configuration allows maximum separation of the tubes while still remaining within the circumference of the cylindrical container for packaging benefits as previously described. Finally, this configuration allows closure 14 to be injection molded in a single part by the use of parallel retractable cores. Web 58 is shown for the embodiment in the drawings, but alternatively, web 58 is deleted so that the dispensing tubes are formed as separate parts from closure 76. For embodiments with separately formed dispensing tubes as described with respect to FIGS. 15C and 15D, a snap features 94 and snap ledge 96 are replaced with a radiused partial ball 100 and socket 102 as shown in FIG. 19. Tubes 92 are then rotatable to any desired angle by a user. As an additional alternative, tubes 92 are constructed with an angular body 104 received in apertures having retention features 106 in the surface of the closure as shown in FIG. 20 for a single plane of rotation in the snap ledge with a click feature alternately employed so that the dispensing tubes can be rotated by a user to a certain number of clicks away from 0 degrees of dispensing tube rotation angle 78.
Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20080000866
