Patent Grant
7189134
The present invention relates generally to a beverage bottle top and, more particularly to, a beverage bottle top having interactive elements or structures operable to perform interactive actions.
Decorative bottle tops exist in the art. Referring to
The stem 10 defines an internal annulus (not shown), which conveys liquid from the bottle 18 to the spout 14. The spout 14 is movably attached to an end 16 of the stem 10 and can be moved thereon to permit or restrict the liquid from leaving the end 16. The stem 10 includes four, angled keys or tabs 11.
The decorative body 20 is schematically illustrated in cross-section in
Bottle tops having a fixed, decorative body such as that discussed above provide an effective way to enhance a beverage bottle. However, manufacturers are continually striving to improve or enhance products. The present invention is directed to interactive bottle tops that further enhance a beverage bottle.
An interactive top for a beverage bottle is disclosed having a cap for attaching to the bottle and having a stem for drinking. The interactive top also includes an interactive device positioned on the top and operable to perform an interactive action. The interactive action can be a mechanical, an electrical, and an electromechanical action. For example, the interactive actions can include, but are not limited to, members moving on the bottle top, lights illuminating on the bottle top, sounds emanating from the bottle top, or liquid squirting from the bottle top. The interactive bottle tops can be operated manually, electrically, or magnetically. In addition, the interactive bottle tops can be operated by squeezing a body on the bottle top, by operating a trigger on the bottle top, by changes in environmental light or sound, or by drinking liquid through the bottle top.
In one embodiment, an interactive top includes an operating device at least partially positioned in an internal bore of the stem and operating the interactive device when the beverage is passed through the internal bore. In one embodiment of the operating device, the operating device can include electrical contacts coupled to the interactive device and creating a closed circuit when beverage is passed through the internal bore. In an alternative embodiment, the operating device can include a rotor coupled to the interactive device and rotated by the beverage passed through the internal bore.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a body on the stem. An interactive device is attached to the body and is operable to perform an interactive action. The interactive device can include an electric motor, a mechanical motor, a wind-up motor, a speaker, a light, a battery, or a circuit. A switch, a button, a knob, a flywheel, a rotor, a zip strip, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a motion sensor can activate the interactive device.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a removable body positioning on the stem such that a distal end of the stem extends from the body. A retaining member is disposed on the top, and a locking member is disposed on the body. The locking member is engageable with the retaining member for removing or retaining the body on the top. The locking member can include an internal shoulder within the body, a movable ring, or a deformable ring. The retaining member can include an external shoulder formed on the stem.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a body movably positioned on the stem. A biasing member has a first end attached to the body and has a second end attached to the top. The biasing member can be a spring or a substantially tubular body having a plurality of flexible folds. The body can be movable along a length of the stem or can be rotatable about the stem.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a first body positioned on the stem and includes a second body positioned on the stem such that a distal end of the stem extends therefrom. The first and second bodies are rotatably coupled together such that at least one of the bodies is rotatable about the stem.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a body positioned on the stem, and includes an articulating member movably coupled to the body. An operating device is coupled to the articulating member and moves the articulating member when activated. The operating device can include a mechanical motor, a wind-up motor, a pullback motor, a linkage, a gear, a biasing member, a flywheel, a rotor, or an impeller and can be activated by a button, a lever, a switch, a knob, a wheel, or a zip strip. Alternatively, the operating device can includes an electric motor housed in the body and activated by a button, a switch, a timer, a circuit, a light sensor, a sound sensor, or a magnetic sensor.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes an attachment ring is positioned on the stem and is rotatable thereon. A body is attached to the attachment ring for spinning about the stem.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes an inner body positioned on the stem such that the distal end of the stem extends therefrom. An outer body has at least two portions that are connectable together. The outer body positions on the stem to conceal the inner body.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a body positioned on the top. The body defines a first open area for sliding on a string.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a spout movably coupled to a distal end of a stem. The spout controls the beverage from the stem. A body is coupled to the spout for opening and closing the spout. The body defines an internal passage for passing the beverage from the spout to an outlet of the body.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a body positioned on the stem. The body defines a deformable cavity. The cavity has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet receives beverage from the stem, and the outlet conveys the beverage from the deformable cavity when the body is squeezed.
In another embodiment, an interactive top includes a body positioned on the stem and includes a pump on the body. The pump has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to a distal end of a stem. A trigger is coupled to the pump and activates the pump to squirt beverage from the outlet.
The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the interactive beverage bottle tops of the present disclosure.
The foregoing summary, preferred embodiments, and other aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosed interactive beverage bottle tops are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. The figures and written description are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any manner. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art by reference to particular embodiments, as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112.
Referring to
The flexible portion 38 is disposed about the stem 10 and is attached to the body portion 30 at one end 39a and attached to the cap 30 at another end 39b. The flexible portion 38 acts as a biasing member and has a tubular shape with accordion folds formed therein. The flexible portion 38 can also be composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or other suitable material. One skilled in the art will recognize that the body portion 30 and the flexible portion 38 can be separately formed and attached together by methods known in the art, such as gluing with a PVC welding cement at 39a, 39b.
In use, the body portion 30 can be moved away from the cap 12 to hide the spout 14 and enable the bottle top to be used for active play. The flexible portion 38 enables the body portion 30 to pop-up, such as shown in
Alternatively, the stem 10 can include a rigid shoulder (not shown) for engaging a deformable member (not shown) formed within the hollow 31 of the body portion 30. In another example, the body portion 30 can include a catch (not shown) that engages a complementary catch (not shown) on the stem 10. These complimentary catches can be engaged by slightly turning the body portion 30 when positioned adjacent the cap 12. In yet another example, the body portion 30 can include a button mechanism (not shown) that engages and disengages a catch, slot, shoulder, or the like (not shown) on the stem 10. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a number of structures and methods can be used to hold the body portion 30 adjacent the cap 12 to expose the spout 14. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosed top 10 is not strictly limited to those structures or methods explicitly shown or described herein.
Referring to
The bobbing body 30 for performing an interactive action defines an internal hollow or passage 31 for the stem 10. The body 30 is movable relative to the stem 10. The spout 14 can be exposed beyond a top opening 32 of the hollow or passage 31. A spring 38 for operating the interactive action is disposed about the stem 10. One end 39a of the spring 38 is attached to the body 30, and the other end 39b is attached to the cap 12. For example, the upper end 39a of the spring 38 can be disposed on and engaged within an internal recess of the body 30 at 39c. For example, the lower end 39b of the spring 38 can be attached to cap 12 by mechanical fasteners at 39d. Alternatively, the lower end 39b of the spring 38 can be attached to a retaining member or shoulder on the stem 10, such as the retaining member 11 in
In a disengaged position shown in
In an engaged position not shown in
Referring to
The biased body 30 is formed from first and second body portions 30a and 30b that define an internal hollow or passage 31. The body portions 30a and 30b attach together about the stem 10, spring enclosure 35, and spring 38. An ancillary member S, such as the hockey stick in the present example, can be held between the body portions 30a and 30b when attached together. A bottom opening 32 of the body 30 engages the spring enclosure 35 on the retaining member 11 so that the body 30 is held onto the stem 10. The top end 39a of the spring 38 is attached to the body 30 by techniques known in the art. For example, the top end 39a of the spring 38 can be attached to the internal hollow 31 of the body 30 by an attachment 39c. The attachment 39c can be a shoulder, pocket, fastener, or the like to hold the end 39a of the spring 38 to the body 30. The body 30 can further define a nest 33 for holding another ancillary member for play, such as the hockey puck P in the present example.
As best shown in the elevational view of
In the present embodiment, the body 30 is spring biased so that a user can hold the cap 12 and rotate the body about the stem 10. When the user lets go, the body 30 will then rotate about the stem 10 and the hockey stick S can be used to hit the puck P for active play. It will be appreciated that the disclosed top need not be spring biased. In other embodiments, for example, the body 30 may simply be free rotating about the stem 10. A user could thereby flick the body 30 with a finger, for example, to spin the body 30 about the stem 10 and hit the puck P with the stick S. It will also be appreciated that the disclosed top can have a number of alternative forms other than a hockey player. In the other embodiments, for example, the top can include a body of a soccer or football character having a portion used to kick a ball or the like.
Referring to
The first body portion 42 for performing an interactive action defines first and second openings 43 and 44. The second body portion 48 defines a top opening 41 and a bottom opening 49. The attachment member 45 for operating the interactive action is a ring defining a neck 45 about its circumference. The ring 45 can be composed of ABS, for example. The ring 45 is disposed in the bottom opening 49 of the second body portion 48 and is preferably glued therein. The ring 45 with attached second body portion 48 then snaps into the second opening 44 of the first body portion 42 so that the neck 46 engages the material surrounding the opening 44.
The first body portion 42 is disposed on the stem 10 adjacent the cap 12. The ring 45 defines an inner diameter 47 that fits over the spout 14. The first opening 43 engages retaining members 11 defined about the stem 10 to hold the first body portion 42 on the stem 10. With the first and second body portions 42 and 48 attached to the stem 10, the spout 14 extends through the top opening 41 in the second body 48, as best shown in
Referring to
As best shown in the exploded view of
To further enable the removable body 60 to be used for active play, two steel axles 67 with knurled ends are positioned through holes in the body portions 61a and 61b, and four wheels 68 composed of ABS are connected to the knurled ends of the axles 67. Additional elements 69 can be attached to the body 60. For example, the additional elements 69 can include movable or decorative members, such as characters composed of PVC that attach to holes in the body portions 61a and 61b. In addition, stickers 69 can be applied to the surface of the body 60 for decoration and for hiding the screws 66.
The bottom of each body portion 61a and 61b defines half of the bottom opening 63. The opening 63 has one or more key slots 64 defined therein. The top of each body portion 61a and 61b defines half of the top opening 62. A complete opening 63 having two key slots 64 as formed in the bottom of the vehicle 60 when the body portions 61a and 61b are connected together is shown in
As best shown in
To position the body 60 on the stem 10, the stem 10 is inserted through the complete opening 63 with the key slots 64 aligning with the keys 11a. The body 60 is turned, and the edges of the opening 63 engage the shoulders of the keys 11a to hold the body 60 in place. The body 60 can be prevented from inadvertent turning by friction. In addition, to prevent inadvertent turning of the body 60, the wheels 68 or another portion of the body 60 can engage raised nodules (not shown) on the cap 12 when the body 60 is rotated. Alternatively, an inner surface of the body 60 adjacent the bottom opening 63 can include detents to engage the keys 11a once the body 60 is turned.
Referring to
As best shown in the cross-sectional view of
The device 50 positions on the stem 10 by inserting the stem 10 through the bore 52. The width of the bore 52 is great enough to allow passage of the spout 14 through the bore 52. The device 50 includes a locking mechanism 51, enabling a person to remove and reattach the device 50 with body 30 to the stem 10. Depressing the button 56 increases an inner dimension of the locking mechanism 51 within the bore 52. When the button 56 is pressed, the locking mechanism 51 is disengaged and is capable of surpassing a lock, which can be a catch, tooth, neck, or shoulder defined about the stem 10. When the button 56 is not pressed, the locking mechanism 51 is engaged and is capable of locking on the lock on the stem 10.
In the present embodiment of the device 50, the locking mechanism 51 includes the button 56, a locking member or ring 58, and a catch 13. The button 56 is movably disposed in an aperture 57. The button 56 has one end exposed outside the device 50 being accessible for a person to depress the button 56. Another end of the button 56 is held within the aperture 57 by a shoulder or like structure to prevent removal of the button 56. When pressed into the aperture 57, the button 56 engages the locking member or ring 58 disposed about the stem 10. Pressing the button 56 moves the locking member 58, and an inner edge of the locking member 58 is disengaged from the catch 13, which can be a neck, slot, or shoulder defined in the stem 10. Once the inner edge is disengaged from the lock 13, the device 50 with attached body 30 can slide off the stem 10. The inner dimension of the locking member 58 is great enough to surpass the width of the spout 14 when the device 50 is attached or removed from the stem 10. The locking member 58 can be flexible so that it is biased to engage the lock 13 when the button 56 is not pressed. Alternatively, a biasing member (not shown) can be positioned at 59 and can bias the locking member 58 to engage the lock 13.
Referring to
The body 71 is movably disposed on the stem 10 and is capable of opening and closing the spout 14 for operating the interactive action of squirting liquid. Moving the body 71 away from the cap 12 opens the spout 14. In one aspect, the body 71 is removable from the spout 14 by applying a sufficient amount of force to remove the spout 14 from the recess 74. The ability to remove the body 71 from the stem 10 can be advantageous when cleaning of the bottle 18 and stem 10 are required.
A tube 78 is disposed in the body 71. Alternatively, the body 71 can integrally define a tubular passage or channel. One end of the tube or channel 78 is disposed adjacent the tip of the spout 14. This end of the tube or channel 78 can be simply held adjacent the tip of the spout 14. Alternatively, the tube 78 can be permanently attached to the spout 14. Another end of the tube or channel 78 forms an outlet 79. With the body 71 moved away from the cap 12 and the spout 14 opened, squeezing the bottle 18 can deliver liquid through the spout 14 and into the tube or channel 78 for squirting the liquid from the outlet 79.
The outlet 79 can be incorporated into the design of the body 71. For example, the liquid can be squirted from a hand, mouth, or eyes of an action figurine. The squirting bottle top 70a can be used to squirt a marketed liquid, such as juice, for drinking. In addition, the squirting top 70a can be used for active play when the juice is gone. For example, the empty bottle 18 can be loaded with water and can be used for active play with the squirting bottle top 70a. In addition, the stem 10 can include a straw 19 disposed in the bottle 18 to allow liquid to be conveyed through the tube 78 by suction instead of squeezing of the bottle 18.
Referring to
The body 71 has an inlet adjacent the stem 10 for receiving liquid from the bottle 18 and has an outlet 79 for drinking the liquid. The inlet has a first valve 80a, and the outlet 79 has a second valve 80b. For example, the valves 80a and 80b can be diaphragms having splits defined therein. The valves 80a and 80b are capable of containing the liquid in the reservoir 72 in the absence of significant external forces or pressure differentials. In one aspect, the first valve 80a adjacent the inlet can allow liquid in the reservoir to slowly empty back to the bottle 18 when not in use. For example, the first valve 80a can define a significantly larger slit or a partial opening in the diaphragm. The return of liquid from the reservoir 72 to the bottle 18 can be advantageous when the bottle 18 and squeezable body 71 are not being used.
With suction on the outlet 79, a person can draw liquid from the bottle 18 into the reservoir 72. The bottle 18 can include a straw 19 disposed therein and connected to the stem 10 so that the bottle 18 need not be tilted when drawing the liquid from the bottle 18. The drawn liquid can collect in the reservoir 72 and can be drawn through the outlet 79 for drinking. After initial suction is ceased, an amount of liquid is left in the reservoir 72. Squeezing the body 71 can then force the liquid in the reservoir 72 past the second valve 80b and squirt the liquid from the outlet 79. To ensure that a considerable amount of liquid squirts from the outlet 79, the first valve 80a near the inlet can be biased to close when adverse pressure is applied during squeezing of the body 71.
Referring to
In addition to the embodiments of squeezable and squirting bottle tops disclosed above, additional embodiments of disclosed bottle tops can include a body performing other desired interactive actions when squeezed. In one aspect of another interactive action, squeezing a body of an embodiment of a disclosed interactive bottle top can cause a substance contained in cavities of the body to ooze from outlets. For example, a gooey substance can ooze from the eyes, nose, or mouth of a character as a person squeezes the body. In another aspect of another interactive action, squeezing a body of an embodiment of a disclosed interactive bottle top can force air or liquid contained in a cavity of the body to execute a function. For example, squeezing the body of the bottle top can launch a ball from the body or can cause elements floating in liquid within the body to move therein.
Referring to
The rotor 84 for operating the interactive action is housed in the body 71 and is mechanically coupled to the active member or mechanism 85 for performing the interactive action. Squeezing the bottle 18 or suction on an outlet 79 forces liquid from the bottle 18 past impellers or blades of the rotor 84. The rotor 84 then transfers the motion of the liquid to the active member or mechanism 85. The rotor 84 can transfer rotational motion to the active member 85 using gearing or other structures and methods known in the art.
With the transferred motion, the active member or mechanism 85 performs a desired interactive action. For example, motion of the rotor 84 can cause the active member 85 to produce sparks by friction. Motion of the rotor 84 can cause the active member 85 to generate current to light LED's or to produce sounds. The active member 85 can include a number of devices disclosed herein. Furthermore, the rotor 84 and active member 85 can produce a number of desired interactive actions disclosed herein.
Referring to
The body 71 has a motor 86 for operating an interactive action and includes an activator 87 for activating the motor 86. Once activated by the activator 87, the motor 86 activates a display mechanism or member 88 for performing the interactive action. The motor 86 with activator 87 can include, but is not limited to, a wind-up mechanism 86 activated by an exposed knob 87, a motor 86 activated by a pull-back 87, a flywheel 86 activated by direct revving using a surface 87 of the flywheel, or a flywheel 86 activated by a zip strip 87.
For example, the motor 86 with activator 87 can include a wind-up mechanism 86 activated by an exposed knob 87. The knob 87 winds up the motor 86 when turned. The motor 86 can unwind when released or can be set in motion via a secondary motion, such as waving a magnetic wand adjacent a magnetic release mechanism (not shown) within the wind-up mechanism 86. The knob 87 can be incorporated into the design of the body 71. For example, the knob 87 can be attached to an arm or other appendage, piece of clothing, or other attachment to the body 71 for winding the motor 86.
The display mechanism 88 for performing the interactive action can include, for example, a flywheel that causes a desired motion or display. For example, the flywheel can spin against a sparking material to produce sparks. In addition, the display mechanism 88 can include a movable element, such as an arm of a figurine, being moved by the motor 86. A transfer mechanism (not shown), such as gearing or linkages, can be provided to transfer motion between the motor 86 and the movable display mechanism 88, such as the arm of a figurine.
A number of structures or mechanism for use with disclosed bottle tops can be used for performing and operating interactive actions. For example, the interactive bottle tops in the present disclosure can include a body that is capable of being removed for active play. In one aspect, the body can perform desired interactive actions that are powered by wind-up, by pullback, or by flywheel type motors. In yet another aspect, the body can be removed and can float on the water. The body can then be powered through water using a mechanical motor and propeller. In another aspect, the body can be propelled by pumping pressurized water, can be propelled by launching, or can be propelled by mechanical rotation.
Referring to
The body 91 defines a top opening 92b, from which the spout 14 extends. The body 91 can have any particular shape or design and can include one or more components 93 fixedly or movably attached to the body 91 using techniques known in the art. As best shown in the partially exposed view of
The body 91 can include lights for performing an interactive action and can include buttons for operating the interaction action. For example, the body 91 in
In addition to operating and activating light or sound with a button or switch, a secondary form of operation and activation, including but not limited to, magnetic effect, environmental light, or environmental sound, can operate and activate the light or sound. For example, in
In another example of
In
The above examples and the present disclosure, show that a number of interactive electronic and electromechanical components can be incorporated into a removable body of an interactive bottle top according to the present disclosure.
Referring to
The conductive members or pins 112 for operating the interactive action dispose into holes defined in one side of the stem 10. Distal ends of the pins 112 are disposed in the annulus of the stem 10. Contact with liquid passing through the stem 10 produces a closed circuit between the distal ends of the pins 112. The pins 112 are preferably stainless steel, but could also be any other conductive material. Preferably, the pins 112 include shoulders to limit their insertion into the stem 10. Preferably, a gasket or other seal 111 is positioned between the shoulders of the pins 112 and the stem 10 to prevent inadvertent leaking from the holes. The holders 110a and 110b connect together about the stem 10 to hold the pins 112 in place. The holders 110a and 110b are preferably composed of ABS and are attached together by glue or other methods known in the art. One of the holders 110a defines holes through which proximal ends of the pins 112 extend.
The first body portion 102 positions adjacent the stem 10. The first body portion 102 forms a part of the decorative outside of the bottle top 100 and can have any particular shape. In addition, decorative elements 103 can attach to the first body portion 102. The receiving member 120 also positions adjacent the stem 10. The first body portion 102 and receiving member 120 attach together around the stem 10, holders 110, and pins 112 by methods known in the art.
In the present embodiment, the stem 10 includes a plurality of retaining members 11 disposed thereon. These retaining members 11 permanently hold the first body portion 102 with attached receiving member 120 on the stem 10. It is understood that other methods can also be employed to hold the first body portion 102 and receiving member 120 on the stem 10. The receiving member 120 defines holes 124 through which the proximal ends of the pins 112 extend. The receiving member 120 also defines slots 122 for connecting to additional components of the bottle top 100 described below.
The bottle top 100 further includes a removable portion 130, which houses additional electronic and/or electromechanical components for performing and operating the interactive action. This portion 130 removably attaches to the receiving member 120 so that the electronic components can be unattached from the stem 10 when washed. The removable portion 130 includes a mounting member 140, an electronic member 150, and a second body member 160. The mounting member 140 and second body portion 160 are connected together. In the present embodiment, screws 148 are used, but other methods can also be employed. The mounting member 140 and second body portion 160 house the electronic member 150 therebetween.
The mounting member 140 includes retainers 142, which lock into the slots 122 of the receiving member 120. (The mounting member 140 and retainers 142 are shown in a side view in
The removable portion 130 connects to the fixed portion of the bottle top 100 by inserting the retainer 142 on the mounting member 140 in the slots 122 defined in the receiving member 120 and turning the removable portion 130. It is understood that other methods can be employed to removably attach the members 120 and 140 together. The proximal ends of the pins 112 extending beyond the receiving member 120 contact the contacts 158 of the removable portion 130. When liquid is passed through the annulus of the stem 10, the liquid creates a closed circuit between the distal ends of the pins 112 and activates the electronic components 152 of the removable portion 130.
In addition to or in an alternative to having lights and/or sound, the removable portion 130 can house an electric motor (not shown), which can be battery powered and activated by the passage of liquid through the stem 10. The motor can move one or more movable elements (not shown) mounted on the second body portion 160. Consequently, the removable portion 130 can also house gearing or linkages (not shown), among other mechanisms for converting the motion of the motor to movement of external movable elements. The present disclosure shows that a number of interactive electronic and/or electromechanical components can be incorporated into the removable portion 130 of the disclosed bottle tops.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A spring loaded attachment device 260 is disposed between the portions 242a–b and adjacent the openings 244a–b. The attachment device 260 includes a ring-shaped engagement member 262 for engaging a shoulder of the tip 14. The device 260 also includes a biasing spring 264 positioning between the engagement member 262 and the inside of the body 241. A button 266 is disposed through an opening 267 in the body 241 and is used to move the engagement member 262 from outside the body 241. A poseable member or head 248 fits into the slots 246a–b and is held therein when the body 241. The one or more weights 250 and 252, which are preferably composed of zinc, position in portions of the body 241 that are distanced from the poseable member 248 and that are distanced from the rest of the body 241.
The mounting member 268 attaches to the stem 10 using techniques disclosed herein. The body 242 is removably attached to the stem 10 using the attachment device 260 held within the body 242 adjacent the opening 244. When the body 242 is removed from the stem 10 as shown in
Referring to
In an internal arrangement shown in
In another internal arrangement shown
A first linkage 320 engages a shoulder 318 on the rotating member 310. The first linkage 320 is biased by a tension spring 326 attached to the inner wall of the body 301 by a pin 308 and nut 328. A second linkage 330 is pivotably connected to the first linkage 320 at 324 and is pivotably connected to the inner wall of the body 301 at 322. Lifting up one end 289 of the second linkage 330 from outside the body 301 disengages the first linkage 320 from the shoulder 319. The torsion spring 318 rotates the rotating member 310 and thereby moves the movable member 302 connected thereto. To permit a user to initiate another movement, the movable member 302 is pulled back to reset the linkages 320 and 330.
Referring to
Referring to
To assemble the interactive top, the body 372 is positioned adjacent the hole 382 in the chassis 380. Mounting member 402 surrounds the deformable ring 400, fits into the opening 381, and glues to the body 372 to hold the deformable ring 400 on the chassis 380. To removably attach the chassis 380 to the stem 10, the distal end 14 of the stem 10 is inserted through the mounting member 402 and through the deformable ring 400 in the opening 381 of the chassis 380. The distal end 14 of the stem 10 is further inserted through the internal passage 374 in the body 370 so that the distal end 14 extends from the top of the body 370 for drinking. The deformable ring 400 is pressed past the retaining members 11 on the stem 10, where it engages the shoulders of the retaining members 11 to hold the body/chassis 370/380 to the stem 10. The retaining members 11 are preferably inclined, as shown. Removal can be accomplished by pulling the body/chassis 370/380 off the stem 10 to disengage the deformable ring 400 from the retaining members 11.
Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19A–C, an embodiment of a modular interactive bottle top 410 being removable for independent play is illustrated. The bottle top 410 includes a removable body 412 and a chassis 420. The body 412 defines an internal passage 414 therethrough and can be a rotocast PVC figurine, for example. As shown in
In
As shown in
As evidenced by the embodiments disclosed above, one aspect of the disclosed interactive beverage bottle tops can include removable or non-removable bodies on the bottle top. Furthermore, the bodies of the disclosed tops can have various shapes and forms, such as vehicle-shaped bodies (for example, single wheeled, many wheeled, or non-wheeled vehicles) or character-shaped bodies (for example, figurines, animals, vegetables, or minerals).
In another aspect, the disclosed bottle tops can be manually movable or operable. For example, an attached appendage or articulating member can be moved and/or operated mechanically. In another aspect, the disclosed bottle tops can be motorized. For example, the disclosed tops can be operated by a wind-up motor that is activated by an exposed knob that winds up the motor when turned. The knob can be attached to an arm or other appendage, piece of clothing or other attachment of a decorative body of the disclosed top. The wind-up motor can unwind when released or can be set in motion via secondary motion (like waving a magnetic wand near a magnetic sensor or release mechanism. The wind-up motor can perform a number of interactive actions; such as spinning a flywheel up against a sparking material to create sparks on the top. In another example, the disclosed top can include a pullback motor. Pulling back on a portion of the bottle top will wind-up the motor, which can then be released by releasing bottle top or by a button or other motion. In yet another example, the disclosed top can be operated by a flywheel activated by direct revving of the flywheel or by revving with a zip strip. The flywheel can then create interactive motion of articulating a movable member, create sparks, generate current to power lights, or produce sound.
In another aspect, the disclosed bottle tops can be electrically movable or operable. For example, the disclosed tops can be operated by an electric motor that is powered by a battery and is activated by a switch, magnet, light, or sound, for example. The disclosed tops can include lights or speakers on bottle top for performing interactive actions. A switch, a magnetic wand, or motion sensor can activate the lights or speakers, for example. The lights can be LED or Incandescent. The lights or speakers can be battery operated using a button cell or other type of battery, or the lights or speakers can be generator operated. The disclosed bottle tops can also produce interactive sounds when activated by a button, by movement, by waving a magnetic wand, or by liquid moving through spout. The sounds can be electronically produced or can be mechanically produced.
The disclosed interactive beverage bottle tops can be used with water or with a beverage. For example, the disclosed interactive beverage bottle tops can be played with in the water, can float on the water, or can power through the water by wind-up, pull back, flywheel type motor, or battery powered motor. The disclosed tops can be propelled by water using a pressurized pump. The disclosed tops can squirt water. For example: the disclosed bottle top can be loaded full of water and squeezed to squirt water. The disclosed tops can squirt beverage into the mouth of a user by squeezing a trigger or a deformable portion of the top. The disclosed bottle tops can bobble using a spring attached to the stem and to bottle top so that the top bobbles when moved. The disclosed bottle tops can be squeezable such that an interactive action occurs. For example, a gooey substance can be made to ooze from eyes, nose, or mouth of a character as you squeeze it. Squeezing the bottle top can force air to execute a function, such as launching a ball. Squeezing the bottle top can cause liquid to pass through a rotor or an impeller. Gearing can then make an interactive action in the bottle top to occur.
While the disclosed interactive beverage bottle tops have been described with reference to preferred embodiments, obvious modifications and alterations are possible by those skilled in the related art. For example, structures, materials, or acts of one embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with those structures, materials, or acts of another embodiment of the interactive beverage bottle top disclosed herein. The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts that were conceived of by the Applicants. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the inventive concepts include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/427,322, filed Nov. 18, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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