Patent Application
20190119030
The subject matter described herein generally relates to an insulated vessel, and more specifically, to a vessel comprising a cylindrical container having an external screw thread and an insulated receiving component having a reciprocal screw thread for engaging with the cylindrical container.
Mechanisms for inserting a first object into a second object and hold that first object in place relative to that second object are known. For example, conventional locking mechanisms permit the securing of one object into another by connecting reciprocal components that protrude outward and inward from each object. However, these locking mechanisms, such as those that employ the L-slot configuration, can often be loosened easily, particularly when the objects are subjected to increasing levels of force. For example, two objects secured to each other via an L-slot configuration might separate from each other if the combined object is dropped or thrown. For example, if the first object that is inserted into a second object is not secured and is filled with content such as a liquid, the contents may spill if the two objects separate away.
The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The figures and the following description relate to preferred embodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and methods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of what is claimed.
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein.
An interlocking vessel allows for simple and secure locking of a cylindrical container into an insulated receiving component via engagement of reciprocal screw threads on the exterior of the cylindrical container and the interior of the insulated receiving component. The external screw thread provides added grip to the cylindrical container such that it can be held without slipping through a person's fingers. The distance between the turns on the screw thread allows for even spacing between the holder's fingers and facilitates simple assembly of the interlocking vessel.
Referring now to
When the cylindrical container 200 is fully engaged with (e.g., inserted into) the receiving component 300 (i.e., the bottom 215 of the cylindrical container 200 is flush against the bottom of a hollow cavity inside the insulated receiving component 300), the top 205 of the cylindrical container 200 protrudes from the top 305 of the receiving component 300 and is structured to receive a cap for sealing the interlocking vessel 100.
The cylindrical container 200 may be made of metal, glass, and/or plastic. For example, in one embodiment, the cylindrical container 200 might be an aluminum bottle with a BPA-free plastic screw thread along the exterior body. In another example, both the cylindrical container 200 and the second screw thread 220 may be made of glass.
The cylindrical container 200 is approximately seven to ten centimeters in width, approximately eighteen to twenty-four centimeters in height, and may include a top 205, a body 210, and a bottom 215. The top 205 includes a first screw thread with a plurality of turns extending from a top portion of the top 205 downward towards a bottom portion of the top 205. In one embodiment, the first screw thread protrudes outward from the exterior wall of the cylindrical container 200 for engagement with a cap having a reciprocal inward screw thread. Alternatively, the first screw thread protrudes inward from the exterior wall of the cylindrical container 200 for engagement with a cap having a reciprocal outward screw thread.
The body 210 includes a second screw thread 220 with a plurality of turns extending from a top portion of the body 210 downward towards a bottom portion of the body 210. In one embodiment, the second screw thread 220 is larger than the first screw thread at the top 205 and protrudes outward from the exterior wall of the cylindrical container 200. The second screw thread 220 allows for engagement with a reciprocal inward screw thread 315 on the insulated receiving component 300. Alternatively, the second screw thread protrudes inward from the exterior wall of the cylindrical container 200 for engagement with a reciprocal outward screw thread 315 on the insulated receiving component 300. In either instance, the screw threads are in different elevational plane than the remaining outer portion of the exterior surface of the cylindrical container 200.
In one example embodiment, the second screw thread 220 is a unibody construction with the cylindrical container 200. Alternatively, the second screw thread 220 is constructed separate from, and overlaid on, the cylindrical container 200.
In one example embodiment, each turn of the second screw thread 220 protrudes outward from the exterior wall of the cylindrical container 200 by approximately one-half to one and one-half centimeters, is approximately one centimeter in thickness, and is approximately two to four centimeters from each adjacent turn of the second screw thread 220.
The bottom 215 has a flat surface and is enclosed for holding content, e.g., a liquid, received through the opening at the top 205. When the cylindrical container 200 is fully engaged with the insulated receiving component 300, the bottom 215 of the cylindrical container 200 rests flush against the bottom of a hollow cavity inside the insulated receiving component 300.
The insulated receiving component 300 may be made of foam, rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material that is capable of insulating the contents of the cylindrical container 200. Moreover, the insulated receiving component 300 may be made of a materials that also provides a protective surrounding about the cylindrical container 200.
In one example embodiment, the exterior of the insulated receiving component 300 has a raised surface to facilitate grip. For example, the exterior of the insulated receiving component 300 might include a series of raised circles that protrude approximately one-tenth of one centimeter from the exterior surface. In other embodiments, the surface of the exterior of the insulated receiving component is smooth.
The interior of the insulated receiving component includes a third screw thread 315 with a plurality of turns matching the number of reciprocal turns on the second screw thread 220 of the cylindrical container 200. Each turn of the third screw thread 315 has the same height and thickness of the turns on the second screw thread 220 and is the same distance apart from each adjacent turn. In embodiments where the second screw thread 220 is an outward screw thread, the third screw thread 315 protrudes inward such that when the cylindrical container 200 is fully engaged with the insulated receiving component 300, the cylindrical container 200 is secured in place. Conversely, in embodiments where the second screw thread 220 is an inward screw thread, the third screw thread 315 protrudes outward.
The disclosed configurations provide a number of advantages over existing locking mechanisms. For example, the interlocking vessel allows for simple and secure locking of a cylindrical container into an insulated receiving component via engagement of reciprocal screw threads, thus preventing separation of the two objects when the vessel is subjected to increasing levels of force. Further, the external screw thread provides added grip to the cylindrical container such that it can be securely held, and the distance between the turns on the screw thread allows for even spacing between the holder's fingers and facilitates simple assembly of the interlocking vessel.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs as disclosed from the principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.
