Patent Application
20230092594
Dehydration refers to a condition that occurs when the human body does not receive as much water as it needs to properly function. Dehydration can be caused due to illness, due to medications (e.g., diuretics), due to simply not drinking the necessary amount of water, etc. Exercise and other strenuous activities such as running, bicycling, hiking, climbing, weightlifting, etc. can cause sweating, which can also lead to dehydration if the lost fluids are not replaced in a timely manner. It is therefore desirable to have a water/liquid source available during exercise to replace fluids and help prevent dehydration.
An illustrative liquid container system includes an inner bottle that has a base portion with a first diameter. The system also includes an outer bottle that surrounds at least a portion of the inner bottle. The outer bottle includes a mid-portion that has a second diameter, and the second diameter is less than the first diameter. The system further includes a first indent in the inner bottle that, responsive to an applied pressure, decreases the first diameter of the base portion of the inner bottle such that the first diameter is less than or equal to the second diameter.
In some embodiments, the first indent is positioned entirely within the base portion of the inner bottle. The system can also include a second indent positioned in the base portion of the inner bottle. The second indent can be positioned opposite of the first indent on the base portion of the inner bottle. In an illustrative embodiment, the inner bottle has an inner bottle mid-portion that matches a contour of the mid-portion of the outer bottle. In another embodiment, the inner bottle also includes an inner bottle upper portion connected to the inner bottle mid-portion, and the inner bottle upper portion includes threads configured to receive a lid for the inner bottle.
In some embodiments, the system includes an insulation sleeve positioned between the inner bottle and the outer bottle. Additionally, the first indent can be formed by a sidewall of the base portion of the inner bottle such that the first indent comprises a portion of the sidewall that forms a pocket which extends inward on the inner bottle. In another illustrative embodiment, the outer bottle is rigid and the inner bottle is semi-rigid.
An illustrative method of making a liquid container system includes forming an inner bottle that has a base portion with a first diameter, a mid-portion, and an upper portion, where forming the base portion includes forming a first indent in the base portion. The method also includes forming an outer bottle that is sized to surround at least a portion of the inner bottle. The outer bottle includes an outer bottle mid-portion that has a second diameter, and the second diameter is less than the first diameter. The method further includes inserting the inner bottle into the outer bottle, where the inserting includes applying pressure to the base portion of the inner bottle such that the first indent decreases the first diameter of the base portion of the inner bottle such that the first diameter is less than or equal to the second diameter.
In some embodiments, the method also includes forming a second indent in the base portion of the inner bottle, where the second indent is positioned opposite of the first indent on the base portion of the inner bottle. In another embodiment, the mid-portion of the inner bottle is formed such that it matches a contour of the outer bottle mid-portion. The method can also include forming threads on the upper portion of the inner bottle, where the threads are configured to receive a lid for the inner bottle. The method can further include forming an insulation sleeve that is sized for placement between the inner bottle and the outer bottle. In such an embodiment, the method includes inserting the inner bottle into the insulation sleeve to form an insulated inner bottle, and where inserting the inner bottle into the outer bottle comprises inserting the insulated inner bottle into the outer bottle. In an illustrative embodiment, forming the first indent comprises forming a pocket in a sidewall of the base portion of the inner bottle. In another embodiment, forming the first indent comprises forming the pocket such that the pocket extends into the inner bottle.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
Traditional insulated liquid containers (e.g., water bottles) are often manufactured using a blow molding process, in which a heated material is formed into the container. Existing blow molds often limit the size and/or volume of the insulated liquid container, and using the blow molding technique to form larger liquid containers can result in overstretching of the container material. Such overstretching forms overly thin walls in the liquid container that are subject to possible failure.
Described herein is a multi-part insulated liquid container that has increased volume, and that can be formed using traditional manufacturing techniques. The liquid container is designed to have greater length and diameter, as compared to traditional liquid containers. In an illustrative embodiment, the liquid container includes an inner bottle and an outer bottle that receives and encapsulates the inner bottle. In some embodiments, the liquid container can also include an insulating sleeve that is positioned between the outer bottle and the inner bottle.
As shown, the inner bottle 100 includes one or more indents that allow the inner bottle 100 to be manipulated (i.e., compressed) such that it fits into the outer bottle 110 without structural damage to the inner bottle 100 or the outer bottle 110.
Included on the base portion 205 is a pair of indents 220 that are positioned opposite of one another (i.e., 180 degrees apart). In alternative embodiments, fewer or additional indents may be included such that the inner bottle 200 includes 1 indent, 3 indents, four indents, etc. The indents 220 allow the inner bottle 200 to be manipulated such that a diameter of the base portion 205 decreases. This decrease in diameter allows the inner bottle 200 to be placed into an outer bottle without causing damage to either the inner bottle 200 or the outer bottle. As shown, the indents 220 are in the form of pockets (i.e., cavities) that are formed as part of the sidewalls of the base portion 205. The indents extend into the base portion 205 and form a natural crease by which the diameter of the inner bottle 200 can be decreased when pressure is applied thereto.
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In addition to allowing the inner bottle to fit within the outer bottle without damage, the indents in the inner bottle also allow for a liquid container that has overall greater volume, as compared to traditional bottles. The indents allow for a tighter fit to be achieved between the inner bottle and the outer bottle, which means that the inner bottle conforms better to the shape of the outer bottle, allowing for more volume in the inner bottle. As an example, a traditional water bottle may hold 26 ounces of water (without an insulation sleeve). Using the proposed system, the volume of the inner bottle can be increased to 28-32 ounces (depending on whether an insulation sleeve is used) due to the improved fit between the inner and outer water bottles. In alternative embodiments, different volumes may be used for the proposed liquid containers.
The word “illustrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Further, for the purposes of this disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “one or more”.
The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention 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 invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and as practical applications of the invention to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
