Dual cavity sports bottle with source selecting closure

Abstract

A dual cavity sports bottle employs two complementary bottle elements which mate together to form a generally cylindrical assembled container with a neck portion for dispensing the contacts. 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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10 / 942,332 filed on Sep. 15, 2004 entitled MULTIPLE CAVITY BOTTLE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth, and is copending with U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 232,087 filed on Jun. 14, 2005 entitled DUAL OUTLET CLOSURE, and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 269,230 filed on Nov. 24, 2006 entitled ANGLED DUAL OUTLET CLOSURE having a common inventor with the present application. This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 818,883 filed on Jul. 6, 2006 entitled DUAL CAVITY FITNESS BOTTLE WITH SOURCE SELECTING CLOSURE, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention generally relates to liquids containers, and more specifi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

However, this adds cost, complexity and weight to a bicycle and many sports enthusiasts are desirous of reducing cost, weight and complexity.

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