Sports Bottle and Fluid Dispensing system, device, and method.

Abstract

A sports bottle having a conventional open top with fitting lid, generally vertical sidewalls forming a cylinder with a bottom includes a valve mechanism for filling the bottle from a position other than the open top. The bottle further includes means for identifying the bottle to a dispensing machine. The dispensing machine interfaces with the valve mechanism to enable fluid to flow into the bottle to a pre-determined level. The valve mechanism further includes means for enabling the escapement of air or other gases during the fluid filling operation. The dispensing machine begins a pressurized flow of filtered water or other desired fluid when the bottle is positioned on the machine.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]This invention relates to sports bottles and generally to fluid containers and apparatus for filling multiple-use fluid containers. Specifically, this invention relates to sports bottle type beverage containers designed to allow fluids to be introduced through the bottom or side of bottle rather than through the main opening (top) of the bottle, and to the associated interfacing and fluid-feeding hardware, dispensing systems and methods of use including purchased pre-filled with a selected fluid from retailers but re-filled by the end user for re-use.[0002]Sports bottles, commonly vacuum or injected molded of a non-breakable plastic or extruded from metal, include a large fill opening and a screw or snap-on cap for closing the opening, and have an open top or cap that includes a straw or squirt outlet feature that enables the liquid to be consumed by the user. Accordingly, sport bottles are reasonably durable, reusable, and contain a myriad of liquids of choice by th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention overcomes shortcomings of and solves problems not addressed by the prior art. Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a system consisting of a sports bottle and a dispenser station for filling the sports bottle. The system enables rapid filling of the sports bottle from the bottom or side of the bottle and works well with filtration systems to provide the user with filtered water, or can be used to dispense any beverage.

[0012]From this it should be apparent that a sports bottle can be filled rapidly without having to remove the top cap or lid.

Problems solved by technology

Presently, such options are not available in a refillable manner that is conducive to a more “green” or environmentally acceptable solution.

The present state of the art wastes a considerable amount of packaging because only single-use or multiple-use bottles are sold.

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