Drinking bottle

Abstract

A drinking bottle (10) comprises a container (12) for containing liquid and a detachable lid (11). The lid (11) is detachably connected to the open end of the container (12). A resiliently flexible drinking spout or straw assembly (14) mounted in the lid (11) is used to suck liquid from the container. An actuator (26) for actuating a function of the drinking bottle (10) is slidably mounted to the lid to slide between an initial position and an actuated position. The actuator (26) has a push surface (27) accessible from the outside of the lid (11) for receiving finger pressure to shift the actuator (26) from the initial position toward the actuated position to perform the function of the drinking bottle (10). The actuator (26) has an abutment surface (35) that abuts against the mouthpiece or straw assembly (14), so that movement of the actuator (26) from an initial position toward an actuated position causes the mouthpiece or straw assembly (14) to elastically deform and bias the actuator (26) toward the initial position through the elastic deformation.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Australian patent application number 2019203320 filed on May 13, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated into this specification by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a drinking bottle having a drinking container portion and a lid removably connected to an open end of the container portion. In particular, the present invention relates to a drinking bottle employing a flexible drinking spout or straw extending through the lid and into the container portion to facilitate drinking from the drinking bottle. The present invention also relates to a removable lid for a drinking bottle.

[0004] The invention is particularly applicable to drinking bottle caps formed in two parts, having a first part or inner cover connectable to the open end of a container portion, and a second part or outer cover hingedly connected to the first part. In these forms of drinking bottle caps, the outer cover can be hinged between an open position in which a drinking spout or straw is exposed for use, and a closed position in which the outer cover covers the inner cover, making the drinking spout or straw inaccessible and preventing flow through the spout or straw. It is convenient to describe the background of the invention in relation to this form of drinking bottle. Background Art

[0005] The following discussion of the background of the invention is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge at the priority date of the application.

[0006] U.S. Patent 8,622,229, filed in the name of Thermos LLC, discloses a drinking bottle with a removable lid having an inner lid and an outer lid hinged to each other. A flexible drinking spout extends through the inner lid and also through an opening in a slide in the inner lid. The slide can move between a first position (in which the front end of the slide cooperates with the outer lid to maintain the outer lid in a closed position relative to the inner lid) and a second position (in which the slide is retracted to release the front end from cooperating with the outer lid so that the outer lid can pivot relative to the inner lid to an open position) to provide access to the drinking spout.

[0007] The surface of the opening in the slider through which the drinking spout extends abuts against the side of the drinking spout. This abutting engagement prevents the slider from moving away from the first position, and the resistance therefore holds the slider in the first position (absent a load to overcome the resistance) to maintain the engagement between the front end of the slider and the outer cover, thereby holding the outer cover in the closed position.

[0008] The retracting movement of the slider is resisted by the elastic deformation of the flexible drinking spout. When the load that retracts the slider to the second position is released, the resistance tends to return the slider from the second position to the first position. When the load that retracts the slider is released, the slider will return to the first position under the condition that the drinking spout is elastically restored. In this position, the outer cover can be manually rotated to the closed position and the front end of the outer cover and the slider will reconnect to keep the outer cover in the closed position.

[0009] The rear end of the slider, opposite to the front end, is connected to a hinge button, so that manual rotation of the button about the hinge in one direction causes the slider to retract from the first position against the resistance provided by the elastic deformation of the drinking spout. Release of the button allows the button to rotate about the hinge in the opposite direction and allows the slider to return to the first position under the influence of the drinking spout.

[0010] The device of US Pat. No. 8,622,229 allows the outer cover to be quickly released from the closed position to access the drinking spout by pressing a button to retract the slide. The device of US Pat. No. 8,622,229 also allows the slide to automatically return from the retracted position so that when the outer cover returns to the closed position, the front end of the slide is in a position to reengage the outer cover.

[0011] However, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,229 is relatively complex, requiring a separate slider and button, and the button requires a separate connection to the slider and the inner cover. The separate and hinged connection between the slider and the button is critical to the operation of the drinking bottle, because the hinged connection converts the rotational force applied by the user to the lower part of the button into a linear force applied to the slider, causing the slider to move in a direction to release the front end of the slider from the outer cover, thereby releasing the outer cover to an open state.

[0012] U.S. Patent 8,550,269, filed in the name of Thermos LLC, discloses an alternative drinking bottle having a removable lid, wherein the lid has an inner lid and an outer lid hinged to the inner lid. The inner lid has a button extending therethrough, and the button has a catch that cooperates with the outer lid to hold the outer lid in a closed position relative to the inner lid. The button can be moved inwardly relative to the inner lid against the bias of a spring to release the catch and allow the outer lid to pivot relative to the inner lid to an open position, thereby providing access to the drinking spout.

[0013] US Patent 8,550,269 is also relatively complex, requiring the inclusion of a resilient tube to bias the button.

[0014] The present applicant has endeavored to develop a drinking bottle with a removable lid having an inner lid and an outer lid, wherein the complexity of the lid is reduced without affecting the operation of the lid. To this end, the present applicant has developed a drinking bottle having a mechanism that can perform as required for a drinking bottle having an inner lid and an outer lid structure as described above, but can also have alternative uses, as will be apparent from the following discussion. Summary of the invention

[0015] According to the present invention, there is provided a drinking bottle, comprising:

[0016] a. a container for holding liquids and a removable cover,

[0017] b. the container has an open end and the lid is removably connected to the open end,

[0018] c. a resiliently flexible drinking spout or straw mounted in the lid for drawing liquid from the container through the spout or straw assembly,

[0019] d. an actuator for actuating a function of the drinking bottle, the actuator being slidably mounted to the lid for sliding movement between an initial position and an actuated position, the actuator having a push surface accessible from outside the lid, the push surface being for receiving finger pressure to move the actuator from the initial position to the actuated position to perform the function of the drinking bottle,

[0020] e. The actuator has an abutment surface that abuts against the mouthpiece or straw assembly, so that movement of the actuator from the initial position toward the actuated position elastically deforms the mouthpiece or straw assembly and biases the actuator toward the initial position through the elastic deformation.

[0021] The drinking bottle according to the present invention can provide different functions according to the purpose of the actuator. In some forms of the present invention, the drinking bottle may include a detachable lid having an inner cover and an outer cover, the outer cover being connected to the inner cover (e.g., hingedly connected to the inner cover) to switch between closed and open positions or states. In these forms of the present invention, the actuator can cooperate with the outer cover at the closed position of the outer cover to keep the outer cover in the closed position, and the movement of the actuator from the initial position to the actuated position can release this cooperation, so that the outer cover is released to switch to the open position. For this function, in some forms of the present invention, each of the actuator and the outer cover can include a buckle, so that when the outer cover is in the closed position, the corresponding buckle engages and cooperates to prevent the outer cover from moving to the open position. That is, the actuator and the outer cover respectively include a buckle component that engages and cooperates to prevent the outer cover from moving to the open position when the outer cover is in the closed position.

[0022] The drinking bottle of the above form according to the present invention (wherein the removable cover comprises an inner cover and an outer cover) is relatively simple at least compared to the prior art discussed above. Compared with the multi-component structure of the slider and button of US Patent 8,622,229, the actuator can provide actuation as a single component without the need for an elastic tube as disclosed in Australian Patent 2014202551. With respect to the latter prior art, the applicant notes that standards around the world have set requirements for the use of small parts that may present a choking hazard. The use of a small elastic tube in a drinking bottle may result in a violation of the standards and a safety hazard.

[0023] Advantageously, the natural resilience of the mouthpiece or straw assembly may be used to bias the actuator towards or into the initial position, thereby obviating the need for alternative biasing means (such as a coil spring or resilient tube).

[0024] The simplicity of the drinking bottle of the above-described form according to the invention allows simplified manufacture and a reduction in components, both of which contribute to reducing costs, and the operation of the drinking bottle remains simple and effective.

[0025] However, the development of the present invention reveals that a slidable actuator having an abutment surface that engages with a mouth or straw assembly to bias the actuator toward an initial position can have other uses or functions in a drinking bottle. For example, when the actuator is in the initial position, the slidable actuator can be used to prevent the lid of the drinking bottle from being removed by the actuator cooperating with the container of the drinking bottle to lock the lid from being disconnected from the container. In one example of this form of the present invention, in the initial position, a portion of the actuator can extend into an opening in the container, and the lid is prevented from being removed by the cooperation between the actuator and the container. In the case where the lid is connected to the container by threads, the cooperation between the actuator and the container makes it possible to prevent the lid from being loosened from the container. This can be a safety feature of a drinking bottle according to the present invention.

[0026] Alternatively, the cooperation between the actuator and the container can be configured to fix the lid to the container. That is, the lid can be applied to the container when the actuator is in the actuating position, and once the lid is in place on the container, the actuator can be released to the initial position to move to the position that cooperates with the container, thereby fixing the lid to the container. The lid can be removed from the container by pushing the actuator from the initial position to the actuating position to release the cooperation between the lid and the container. In this form of the invention, other connection forms between the lid and the container, such as threaded connection, may not be needed.

[0027] Still further, actuation of the actuator may be used to engage the vent to equalize internal container pressure at any time, such as during drinking from a drinking bottle or in flight. In this form of the invention, a portion of the actuator may be in abutting contact with the vent flap, or may cover the vent, such that movement of the actuator from the initial position to the actuated position switches the vent flap to an open or venting position, or exposes the vent to the interior of the container.

[0028] The actuator may alternatively provide a small accessory (fidget) for children who benefit from tactile interaction (e.g., neurotransmitter). The small accessory may simply be biased and moved between an initial position and an actuated position.

[0029] Furthermore, the lid of the drinking bottle according to the invention may itself define a container for storing snacks, cutlery or other items. Thus, the lid may include an inner lid and an outer lid similar to those described above, whereby a receiving area or volume is created between the inner lid and the outer lid in a closed position of the outer lid relative to the inner lid for storage purposes. In this form of the invention, the actuator may lock the outer lid closed relative to the inner lid in an initial position and may release the outer lid to an open position in an actuated position.

[0030] It will therefore be apparent that an aspect of the invention which is common to all of the above described embodiments is the provision of a slidable actuator which is capable of sliding between an initial position and an actuated position and which is biased towards the initial position by abutting engagement with a resiliently flexible drinking spout or straw assembly. It should be noted that reference to a spout or straw assembly, or later herein simply to a spout, is intended to encompass an assembly having any form of flexible conduit through which liquid may be drawn from a bottle for drinking, and including other conduits such as nipples. The expression also encompasses other components which may be associated with a drinking spout or straw assembly, such as gaskets and vents. Such an assembly may also include a flexible protrusion which is engaged by an abutting surface of the actuator rather than the actual conduit of the assembly through which liquid flows during drinking.

[0031] Further discussion will now be provided with respect to a form of the invention that includes a removable cover that includes an inner cover and an outer cover that is connected to the inner cover for movement between closed and open positions or conditions.

[0032] In these forms of the invention, the actuator may be slidably mounted to the lid in any suitable manner. In some forms of the invention, the actuator may be mounted or housed within an opening in the inner lid and the push surface may be located at or through a side wall of the inner lid. That is, the opening may be located at or through a side wall of the inner lid such that the push surface is accessible at the side wall of the inner lid for finger pressure. A portion of the actuator including the abutment surface may extend out of the opening to abut engagement with the mouth or straw assembly.

[0033] The actuator may, for example, be of relatively linear or rectilinear form, such that the actuator has a push surface at one end and an abutment surface at an opposite end, whereby the actuator has a longitudinal axis between the push surface and the abutment surface, and is mounted in the inner cover for linear movement along the longitudinal axis.

[0034] To mount the actuator into the inner cover, the opening in the cover may be tightly fitted or snugly fitted around the actuator so that the actuator is guided within the opening between the initial position and the actuated position. Thus, when the actuator moves between the initial position and the actuated position, sliding contact may be made between the actuator and the interior facing surface of the opening. The biasing load applied to the actuator by the drinking spout or straw assembly must be sufficient to overcome the friction load created by this sliding contact.

[0035] The actuator may be configured to cooperate with the opening to prevent the actuator from rotating within the opening. In some forms of the invention, the actuator may include a track, arm or rod for receiving in a groove, slot or channel formed in the inner surface of the opening, or the actuator may include a groove, slot or channel for receiving a track, arm or rod formed as part of the opening. Alternatively, the actuator may be formed with the opening as an irregular shape or non-circular, or a portion of the opening may be formed with the same irregular or non-circular shape to prevent the actuator from rotating within the opening.

[0036] As mentioned above, in the case where the detachable lid of the drinking bottle comprises an inner cover and an outer cover, the actuator may be configured to cooperate with the outer cover to keep the outer cover in a closed position. Any suitable cooperation means between the actuator and the outer cover may be adopted, such as the snap means discussed above.

[0037] The snap device is operable so that the actuator is in an initial position and is biased to this position by engaging with the drinking spout or straw assembly, and when the outer cover is in the open position or at least not in the closed position, the movement of the outer cover to the closed position causes the snap drive actuator of the outer cover to move toward the actuation position to allow the corresponding snap to move to the engagement position, after which the actuator can return to the initial position to engage between the corresponding snaps. At this point, the outer cover is held in the closed position.

[0038] The snap means may comprise an upright snap (with respect to the upright upright position of the drinking bottle), i.e. formed as part of the actuator. The upright snap may be upright with respect to the upper surface of the actuator. The upright snap may comprise a lateral snap member which interacts or cooperates with a corresponding snap receiver of the outer cover in the closed position of the outer cover. The snap receiver will comprise an opening or stop for receiving the snap member. One or each of the snap member and the snap receiver may have an inclined or ramped surface so that the respective members may ride over each other before the snap member is received in the snap receiver.

[0039] The snap-fit ​​device can take many other different forms.

[0040] The actuator may also include one or more seats for terminating the travel of the actuator within the lid. The seats are configured or positioned to engage with a base surface of the lid so that when the actuator reaches the initial position, further travel of the actuator is terminated. Similarly, other seats may be configured or positioned so that when the actuator reaches the actuated position, further travel is terminated. Providing a seat to terminate the travel of the actuator at each of the initial position and the actuated position limits the range to which the actuator can travel, or limits the allowable stroke of travel, and allows the abutment surface of the actuator to remain in permanent or constant contact with the drinking spout or straw assembly to permanently or constantly bias the actuator toward the initial position.

[0041] Although it is preferred that the abutment surface of the actuator maintains permanent or continuous contact with the drinking spout or straw assembly in the initial position, it should be understood that the actuator may lose contact with the spout or straw assembly in the initial position, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, or wear of the drinking bottle components over time. Therefore, it is important that when the actuator moves from the initial position to the actuated position, the actuator is biased by the spout or straw assembly so that when the force moving the actuator toward the actuated position is released, the spout or straw assembly biases the actuator back to the initial position.

[0042] In some forms of the invention, the actuator is provided with a pair of bases extending in different directions, preferably opposite directions, for engaging with different base surfaces of the lid. This arrangement is most relevant to the base terminating the travel of the actuator in the initial position, as it has the advantage that if the drinking bottle is, for example, dropped, or subjected to a sudden impact, if one of the bases of the actuator disengages from the base surface, the other base will remain in abutting engagement with the other base surface and the actuator will therefore maintain its position in the initial position. In this example, if only one base is provided and that base disengages from the base surface, the actuator may completely disengage from the lid and may be lost or damaged.

[0043] The actuator may have a base at a position adjacent to the push surface. The base may take any suitable form and may for example be or include a lip that engages the facing surface of the lid when the actuator is in the actuated position. Where the actuator has an upright catch as previously described, the upright catch may engage with the surface of the lid when the actuator is in the actuated position. This may be provided in addition to the lip adjacent to the push surface.

[0044] The applicant has developed an actuator with a specific structure that provides advantages in operation. In one form of the actuator, the actuator has a push surface and an attachment body (depending body) as required, and the attachment body has an abutment surface formed at a part of the body away from the push surface. In another form of the actuator, the actuator has a push surface as required and has two attachment parts including spaced-apart pairs of legs. The legs usually extend in the same direction and away from the push surface. One or each of the legs can include an abutment surface for abutting engagement with a drinking spout or a straw assembly. The abutment surface can be formed at the end of one of the legs or at the end of each leg away from the push surface. The abutment surface formed by one or each leg in the legs can be slightly convexly curved to increase the surface engagement with the surface of the drinking spout or the straw assembly. In the case where the abutment surface is formed at the end of each leg, the abutment surface can be formed into two parts separated by a gap, wherein the gap is formed by the spacing between the paired legs. The legs can be symmetrical about the center line between them. The leg may include a base for abutting a base surface of the cover when the actuator is in the initial position to position the actuator in the initial position.

[0045] Alternatively, the actuator may have a push surface and three attachment components including a pair of side legs and a central body as desired. The body and the side legs extend generally in the same direction and away from the push surface. The side legs may be symmetrical about the body so that the body is centered between the side legs, although this is not required.

[0046] In the above-described form of the actuator, the body may include an abutment surface for abutting engagement with a drinking spout or straw assembly. The abutment surface may be formed at an end of the body away from the push surface. The abutment surface may be slightly convexly curved to increase surface engagement with a drinking spout or straw assembly surface. The side legs may be spaced apart from the body and the side legs may include a base for abutting against a base surface of the lid when the actuator is in the initial position to position the actuator in the initial position.

[0047] In each of the above arrangements, the legs may be configured to flex so that when the actuator is inserted into the lid, the legs flex inwardly from a relaxed or resting position to allow insertion, and once inserted, the legs return to a relaxed or resting position with the base of the legs in abutting engagement with the base surface of the lid and the abutting surface of the legs or body in abutting engagement with the mouth or straw assembly. The mouth or straw assembly thus biases the actuator toward the initial position and thus biases the base of the legs into abutting engagement with the base surface of the lid. This form of actuator may include a snap-fit ​​arrangement of the type described above.

[0048] In an actuator of the above form, the leg can be at least partially captured in a groove, slot or channel formed in the inner surface of the cover, for example in an opening formed in the cover to receive the actuator, to guide the actuator between the initial position and the actuated position during sliding travel.

[0049] The drinking spout or straw assembly may have a drinking portion extending from the inner cover and accessible to a person, and when the outer cover is in the closed position, the drinking portion is captured between the inner cover and the outer cover. The drinking portion of the drinking spout or straw assembly may be folded at the closed position of the outer cover, and once the outer cover is released from the closed position by actuation of the actuator, the elastic flexibility of the drinking portion may be operated to drive or switch the outer cover to the open position. Due to the elastic recovery of the drinking portion from the folded state, the outer cover may be bounced to the open position.

[0050] The above discussion illustrates the use of an actuator having an abutment surface for abutting engagement with a mouth or straw assembly of a drinking bottle, and the manner in which the device may be employed in the opening and closing of a drinking bottle cap having an inner and outer cover. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may have other applications, such as those described above with respect to securing a lid (of any form) to a container of a drinking bottle, venting a drinking bottle, acting as a small accessory and forming part of a closure mechanism for a container, i.e. forming part of a drinking bottle cap.

[0051] It should also be understood that references to liquids in this specification are intended to include both low and high viscosity drinkable liquids that can be sucked through a straw or mouth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] In order to more fully understand the present invention, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0053] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drinking bottle according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a lid of the drinking bottle is in a closed position.

[0054] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a drinking bottle with a lid of the drinking bottle in an open position.

[0055] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 Exploded view of a drinking bottle.

[0056] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of the previous figure and showing the actuator in an initial position.

[0057] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of the previous figure showing the brake in the actuated position.

[0058] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of the previous figure, wherein the outer cover has been removed from Figure 4 and Figure 5 The closed position is switched to the partially open position.

[0059] Figure 7a and Figure 7b are perspective views of an actuator for use in a drinking bottle according to the invention, taken from above and below.

[0060] Figure 7c yes Figure 7a and Figure 7b A bottom plan view of the actuator.

[0061] Figure 7d and Figure 7e is a plan view showing Figure 7a and Figure 7b An actuator used between an initial position and an actuated position.

[0062] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are perspective views of an actuator for use in a drinking bottle according to the invention, taken from above and below.

[0063] Figure 8c yes Figure 8a and Figure 8b A bottom plan view of the actuator.

[0064] Figure 8d and Figure 8e is a plan view showing Figure 8a and Figure 8b An actuator used between an initial position and an actuated position.

[0065] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another form of lid for use with the present invention, wherein the outer cover is in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of a drinking bottle 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 1 shows a drinking bottle 10, wherein the lid 11 of the bottle 10 is in a closed state, and Figure 2 The cover 11 is shown in the open state. Figure 3 The drinking bottle 10 is shown in an exploded view.

[0067] The drinking bottle 10 comprises a container 12 which, in use, will contain a quantity of liquid for drinking. Figure 3As shown, the container 12 has an open end 13 and the lid 11 is detachably connected to the open end 13 by a threaded device. Interposed between the lid 11 and the open end 13 is a resiliently flexible drinking spout or straw assembly 14 (hereinafter referred to as the "drinking spout"), which includes a circular gasket 15, a hollow neck 16 and a hollow drinking portion 17. The gasket 15 is sandwiched between the open end 13 and the opposing sealing surfaces of the lid 11 to provide a liquid seal between the container 12 and the lid 11 when the drinking bottle 10 is assembled. This ensures that liquid traveling from the container 12 to the lid 11 passes through the neck 16 and enters the drinking portion 17 without leaking.

[0068] The cover 11 includes an inner cover 20 and an outer cover 21. The inner cover 20 and the outer cover 21 are connected by hinged connecting members 22, respectively.

[0069] The inner cap 20 includes an opening 25 for receiving and seating the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14. The resilient flexibility of the drinking spout 14 means that the drinking spout 14 can be assembled to the inner cap 20 by being pushed through the opening 25 and engaging within the opening 25, and this will secure the drinking spout 14 in place relative to the inner cap 20. Thus, the neck 16 fits tightly within the opening 25 and the respective shapes of the opening 25 and the neck 16 are complementary.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer cover 21 can be pivoted around the hinge 22 to Figure 2 The open position shown and can also be returned to Figure 1 As described below, the outer cover 21 can be held in the closed position by a suitable snap mechanism associated with the actuator 26. Figure 1 The closed state (refer to Figure 3 ). The actuator 26 is installed in the inner cover 20 and is used to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The actuator 26 can slide between the initial position shown in FIG. 1 and the actuation position (described below). In the initial position, the actuator 26 can fix the outer cover 21 relative to the inner cover 20 in a position such as Figure 1 When the actuator 26 moves inwardly to the actuated position, the outer cover 21 is released to switch to the closed state. Figure 2 In order to switch between the initial position and the actuated position, the actuator 26 includes a push surface 27, which can be moved by finger pressure from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The initial position shown is pushed inwards.

[0071] As will become apparent herein below, when the cover 11 is in Figure 1When the drinking portion 17 is in the closed position, the drinking portion 17 is captured in the gap between the inner cover 20 and the outer cover 21. However, when the outer cover 21 is released from the retention of the inner cover 20 by the inward movement of the actuator 26 (so that it is no longer held in the closed position), the elastic flexibility of the drinking portion 17 can be used to lift or drive the outer cover 21 to rotate about the hinge 22 to Figure 2 Once the actuator 26 releases the outer cover 21, the elasticity of the drinking portion 17 can cause the outer cover 21 to spring open, thereby eliminating the need to manually pivot the outer cover 21 to the open position.

[0072] When the outer cover 21 is rotated in the opposite direction from the open position to the closed position, the outer cover 21 will fold the drinking portion 17, whereby the outer cover 21 includes an inner post 28 to engage and push the drinking portion 17. The free end 29 of the post 28 is convexly curved, tending to center the drinking portion 17 when the drinking portion 17 is folded and preventing the portion 17 from sliding out of engagement with the free end 29.

[0073] An important aspect of the drinking bottle 10 is that the actuator 26 directly engages the surface of the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14 in each of the open and closed states of the cap 11, and through this permanent or constant contact or engagement, the actuator 26 is permanently or continuously biased toward Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition, the inward sliding movement of the actuator 26 is hindered by the engagement, and the bias applied to the actuator 26 tends to return the actuator 26 to the initial position. Therefore, finger pressure applied to the push surface 27 can cause the actuator 26 to shift inwardly of the inner cover 20, but once the pressure is released, the actuator 26 will return to the original position (initial position) where the actuator 26 was initially pushed or displaced. As mentioned above, this device is relatively simple compared to the devices of the prior art because no separate spring member is required in the drinking bottle 10 to act on the actuator 26, and the actuator 26 is not formed by a pair of separate parts connected together for pivotal movement.

[0074] exist Figures 4 to 6 The mechanism by which the operation of the actuator 26 occurs is shown in more detail in FIG. Figures 4 to 6 A lid 11 of a drinking bottle 10 and only the upper part of a container 12 connected to the lid 11 are shown. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cover 11 is shown in a closed state, and Figure 5 The cover 11 is shown in an open state. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The drinking portion 17 of the drinking spout 14 is shown folded and captured in the gap between the inner cover 20 and the outer cover 21 .

[0075] The actuator 26 is slidably mounted within the inner cover 20 and is thus held together with the inner cover 20 regardless of whether the outer cover 21 is in the closed position or the open position. Figures 4 to 6 The upper and lower surfaces of the opening in which the actuator 26 is captured are shown. The side edges of the actuator 26 are captured in a groove, slot or channel formed in the cover 11. Thus, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 , the actuator 26 is received in an opening 30 of the inner cover 20 and is mounted for sliding movement in the opening 30. The opening 30 is opened at or through the side wall of the inner cover 21 so that the push surface 27 is accessible for applying finger pressure.

[0076] The end 35 of the actuator 26 forms an abutment surface for abutting engagement with a surface of the drinking spout 14. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the surface of the drinking spout 14 is the front surface 36 of the neck 16. Figure 4 , the abutment surface 35 of the actuator 26 faces the front surface 36 of the neck 16 but is slightly spaced from the same. Figure 5 In FIG. 4 , the actuator 26 has moved under finger pressure and has thus moved into contact with the surface 36. This contact, for example, prevents the actuator 26 from moving inwardly within the opening 30.

[0077] Figure 4 The actuator 26 is also shown to include an upright snap 38 that is upright relative to the upper surface of the body 41 of the actuator 26 (as shown by the orientation of the drinking bottle 10 and the lid 21 in the figure), and includes a lateral snap member 39. Similarly, the outer cover 21 includes a snap receiver 40, and as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the snap member 39 and the snap receiver 40 interact in the closed position of the outer cover 21 to maintain the outer cover 21 in this position. The bias or load applied to the actuator 26 by the drinking spout 14 through the engagement of the abutment surface 35 of the actuator 26 with the front surface 36 of the drinking spout 14 promotes the mating engagement between the snap member 39 and the snap receiver 40. This engagement tends to maintain the mating between the snap member 39 and the snap receiver 40. For example, in Figure 4 , movement of the actuator 26 in a direction to disconnect the snap member 39 from the snap receiver 40 will cause the abutment surface 35 of the actuator 26 to engage the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14 and prevent disconnection.

[0078] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a pushing force has been applied to the pushing surface 27 of the actuator 26 to slide the actuator 26 inwardly relative to the inner cover 20 and the outer cover 21. The pushing force is typically applied by the thumb of the person who wants to drink from the drinking bottle 10 (although any finger can of course be used to apply pressure), or if there is no finger pressure, pressure can be applied in a different way.

[0079] exist Figure 5 , the inward movement of the actuator 26 has moved the snap member 39 out of engagement with the snap receiver 40. Furthermore, the inward movement of the actuator 26 has moved the abutment surface 35 inwardly against the surface 36 of the drinking spout 14, and the movement of the actuator 26 has caused a visible deformation of the neck 16. This elastic deformation of the drinking spout 14 increases the biasing load applied to the actuator 26 through the abutment surface 35, tending to push the actuator 26 back to the initial position.

[0080] Since the snap member 39 is removed from the snap receiving member 40, the outer cover 21 is free to pivot about the hinge 22 to a position such as Figure 6 The pivotal movement can be achieved manually by the person using the drinking bottle 10 lifting the outer cover 21, or alternatively, the drinking portion of the drinking spout 14 can be moved from the drinking bottle 10 without a force or load holding the outer cover 21 in the closed position. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The elastic recovery of the folded state will force the outer cover 21 to open. In practice, if there is no load tending to maintain the outer cover 21 in the closed position, once the lateral snap member 39 disengages the snap receiver 40, the outer cover 21 will spring open under the elastic recovery of the drinking portion 17 and the drinking portion will be presented for use, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0081] The applicant has developed different actuators with different structures. Figure 3 A first form of actuator 26 is described. This actuator 26 has a push surface 27, an abutment surface formed at an end 35 and an upright catch 38 upright relative to a body 41. The body 41 is a single-piece component and the sides of the body 41 are at least partially captured in a groove, slot or channel formed in the inner surface of the cover to guide the actuator between the initial position and the actuated position during sliding travel. Figures 7a-7d and Figures 8a-8d Two different types of actuators are shown in FIG. 2 , which are different in structure from the actuator 26 .

[0082] Figure 7a to Figure 7b The actuator 45 shown is equivalent to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The actuator 26 is shown and comprises a push face 46, a pair of side legs 47 and a central body 48. Remote from the push face 46, the central body 48 comprises a convexly curved free end 49 for engaging with the front surface 36 of the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14.

[0083] Also remote from the push surface 46 is a laterally extending base 50, such as Figure 7d and Figure 7eAs shown in FIG. 5 , it extends laterally to cover the base surface 51 of the inner cover 20. In this regard, a portion of the side legs 47 is captured in a channel formed inside the inner cover 20 to guide the sliding movement of the actuator 45 between the initial position and the actuated position. Figure 7d In the initial position shown, the base 50 is not captured in these channels and therefore abuts against the end surface (the base surface 51 of the channel). In addition, the actuator 45 includes a lip 52 adjacent to the push surface 46, which faces the opposite base surface 53 of the inner cover 20, so that Figure 7d and Figure 7e As can be readily seen in FIG. 4 , the actuator 45 has limited travel in the respective engagements between the seat 50 and the seat surface 51 , and between the lip 52 and the seat surface 53 .

[0084] Figure 7d and Figure 7e The interaction or cooperation of the body 48 and the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14 is also shown. Figure 7d , the actuator 45 is in the initial position so that the lip 52 engages the base surface 53. The base 50 is spaced apart from the base surface 51. The neck 16 is cylindrical and has not been relatively deformed by any pressure contact with the abutment surface 49 of the body 48. That is, in the initial position, there is only slight engagement between the abutment surface 49 and the neck 16 so that the natural cylindrical structure of the neck is largely undisturbed. However, in Figure 7e In the embodiment of the present invention, the actuator 45 has been pushed inwardly, so now, the actuator 45 is in the actuated position, so the lip 52 is spaced apart from the base surface 53, and the base 50 is engaged with the base surface 51. By this engagement, further inward travel of the actuator 45 is terminated.

[0085] The inward travel of the actuator 45 also causes elastic deformation of the neck 16, so that the neck 16 is no longer cylindrical. The neck resists the thrust applied to the actuator 45, biasing the actuator 45 toward the initial position.

[0086] Figure 7d and Figure 7e It is also shown that, given that the base 50 extends laterally a greater distance than the side surfaces 55 of the side legs 47, the side legs 47 need to bend inwardly so that the base 50 can pass through the channel of the inner cover 20, in which the side legs 47 are captured for sliding movement. Therefore, in order to insert the side legs 47 into the channel, the side legs 47 are bent inwardly from a relaxed or resting position, and once inserted, the side legs 47 return to the relaxed or resting position and the base 50 is brought into a facing relationship with the base surface 51. With this arrangement, the actuator 47 is captured in place in the cover 20 for limited sliding movement.

[0087] Figures 8a to 8eAn alternative actuator 55 is shown, which comprises a push surface 56 and a pair of legs 57. The free ends 58 and 59 of the legs 57 form abutment surfaces for abutting against the front surface 36 of the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14 of the previous figures. A seat 60 is formed at the free end of each leg 57 and is provided with a catch 62 of the same shape as the catch 38.

[0088] from Figures 8a to 8c It can be clearly seen that the actuator 55 has Figures 7a to 7c The actuator 55 is of a different shape than the actuator 45. Otherwise, the actuator 55 effectively operates in the same manner as the actuator 45. Figure 8d In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the actuator 55 is in an initial position in which the base 60 abuts against the base surface 61 of the inner cover 20. Similar to the side legs 47 of the actuator 45, the legs 57 are captured in channels formed inside the cover 20 to guide the sliding movement of the actuator between the initial position and the actuated position.

[0089] The actuator 55 is biased to the initial position by abutting engagement with the neck 16 of the drinking spout 14. This occurs by abutting engagement between the abutment surfaces 58 and 59 of the legs 57 and the facing surface of the neck 16.

[0090] The actuator 55 may be Figure 8e As shown, the base 60 is pushed inwardly by finger pressure applied to the push surface 56 to move away from the base surface 61. This inward movement causes the neck 16 to deform, such as Figure 8e As shown, the biasing effect of the neck 16 on the actuator 55 is increased.

[0091] In addition to the actuator 55, there is no Figure 7d and Figure 7e Actuator 55 operates substantially the same as actuator 45, except for the lip 52 shown for engagement with seat surface 53. Instead, inward movement of actuator 55 is limited by abutting engagement between upstanding seat 63 and the interior seat of inner cover 20.

[0092] Another alternative to drinking bottles is Fig. 9 shown. Fig. 9 An arrangement is shown in which a lid 65 is attached to a container 12 and includes an inner lid 66 and an outer lid 67. The inner lid 66 accommodates the same drinking spout 14 as previously described. The main difference between the inner lid 66 and the inner lid 20 previously described is that the inner lid 66 does not include an opening for accommodating an actuator 68. Fig. 9, it can be seen that the inner cover 66 includes a bottom surface 69 on which the actuator 68 slides, but does not include an upper surface above the top of the actuator 68 in line with the opening 30 of the inner cover 20. The sides of the actuator 68 will still be at least partially captured in the grooves, slots or channels formed in the inner surface of the cover to guide the actuator between the initial position and the actuated position during sliding travel.

[0093] The drinking bottles shown in the drawings all incorporate an actuator for actuating a function of the drinking bottle, wherein the specific function shown in the drawings is to maintain an outer cover connected to an inner cover in a closed state, or to release the outer cover from the inner cover in an open state. The key to this function is that the actuator has an abutment surface that abuts against a mouth or straw assembly of the drinking bottle, so that movement of the actuator from an initial position toward an actuated position causes the mouth or straw assembly to elastically deform, and by elastic deformation, the actuator is biased toward the initial position. This key feature of the drinking bottles of the drawings is common to all forms of the invention. This feature is believed to provide an advantage in reducing the complexity of the drinking bottle.

[0094] When any or all of the terms "comprising" and variations thereof are used in this specification (including the claims), they will be interpreted as specifying the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but not excluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0095] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It should be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A drinking bottle, comprising: a. a container for holding liquids and a removable lid, b. said container having an open end and said lid being removably connected to said open end, c. a resiliently flexible drinking spout or straw assembly mounted in said lid for sucking liquid from said container through said spout or straw assembly, d. an actuator for actuating a function of the drinking bottle, the actuator being slidably mounted to the lid for sliding movement between an initial position and an actuated position, the actuator having a push surface accessible from the exterior of the lid, the push surface for receiving finger pressure to displace the actuator from the initial position toward the actuated position to perform the function of the drinking bottle, e. the actuator having an abutment surface in abutting engagement with the mouthpiece or straw assembly, such that movement of the actuator from the initial position toward the actuated position elastically deforms the mouthpiece or straw assembly and biases the actuator toward the initial position by the elastic deformation, f. The biasing load applied to the actuator by the mouthpiece or straw assembly is sufficient to overcome the friction load generated by the sliding contact of the actuator and move the actuator to the initial position.

2. The drinking bottle according to claim 1, wherein: The detachable cover includes an inner cover and an outer cover, the outer cover can be switched between a closed position and an open position relative to the inner cover, and the actuator cooperates with the outer cover at the closed position of the outer cover to maintain the outer cover in the closed position, and the movement of the actuator from the initial position to the actuated position releases the cooperation, so that the outer cover is released to switch to the open position.

3. The drinking bottle according to claim 2, wherein: The outer cover is connected to the inner cover.

4. The drinking bottle according to claim 2, wherein: The outer cover is connected to the inner cover by a hinge.

5. The drinking bottle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The actuator is mounted or accommodated by the inner cover, and the push surface is located at or through a side wall of the inner cover.

6. The drinking bottle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The actuator is mounted or received in an opening in the inner cover, and the push surface is located at or through a side wall of the inner cover.

7. The drinking bottle according to claim 6, wherein: The opening in the cover is a close fit or snug fit around the actuator such that the actuator is guided within the opening between the initial position and the actuated position.

8. The drinking bottle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The actuator has the urging surface at one end and the abutment surface at an opposite end.

9. The drinking bottle according to claim 8, wherein: The actuator has a longitudinal axis between the urging surface and the abutment surface, and the actuator is mounted in the inner cover to move linearly along the longitudinal axis.

10. A drinking bottle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising a snap arrangement, wherein the actuator and the outer cover each comprise a snap feature which engages and cooperates to prevent the outer cover from moving to the open position when the outer cover is in the closed position.

11. The drinking bottle according to claim 10, wherein: The snap device includes a snap formed as a part of the actuator and a snap receiver formed as a part of the outer cover, and when the outer cover is in the closed position, the snap and the snap receiver cooperate to hold the outer cover in the closed position.

12. The drinking bottle according to claim 11, wherein The snap is upstanding relative to a surface of the actuator and includes a lateral snap member, and the snap receiver includes an opening or stop for receiving the snap member.

13. A drinking bottle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: One or each of the snap member and snap receiver may have an inclined or ramped surface to enable the respective members to ride over each other before the snap member is received in the snap receiver.

14. A drinking bottle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The actuator includes one or more seats for terminating travel of the actuator at the initial position.

15. The drinking bottle according to claim 14, wherein The actuator includes a pair of bases extending in different directions for engaging with different base surfaces of the inner cover to terminate the travel of the actuator at the initial position.

16. The drinking bottle according to claim 15, wherein The paired bases extend in opposite directions.

17. A drinking bottle according to claim 15 or 16, wherein The paired bases are arranged away from the pushing surface.

18. The drinking bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The actuator has an attachment body having an abutment surface formed at a portion of the body remote from the urging surface.

19. The drinking bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The actuator has a pair of spaced-apart legs extending generally in the same direction and away from the biasing surface.

20. The drinking bottle according to claim 19, wherein One or each of the legs may include an abutment surface for abutting engagement with the drinking spout or straw assembly.

21. A drinking bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The actuator has a pair of side legs and a central body located between the side legs, and the side legs and the body extend generally in the same direction and away from the push surface.

22. The drinking bottle according to claim 21, wherein The body is centrally located between the side legs.

23. The drinking bottle of claim 18, wherein: The abutment surface is slightly convexly curved.

24. The drinking bottle of claim 19, wherein: The legs are arranged for resilient flexing movement to flex inwardly from a relaxed or resting position.

25. The drinking bottle according to claim 7, wherein: The actuator has the urging surface at one end and the abutment surface at an opposite end.

26. The drinking bottle of claim 7, comprising a snap arrangement, wherein the actuator and the outer cover each include a snap feature that engages and cooperates to prevent the outer cover from moving to the open position when the outer cover is in the closed position.

27. The drinking bottle of claim 13, wherein: The actuator includes one or more seats for terminating travel of the actuator at the initial position.

28. The drinking bottle of claim 17, wherein: The actuator has an attachment body having an abutment surface formed at a portion of the body remote from the urging surface.

29. The drinking bottle of claim 17, wherein: The actuator has a pair of spaced-apart legs extending generally in the same direction and away from the biasing surface.

30. The drinking bottle of claim 17, wherein: The actuator has a pair of side legs and a central body located between the side legs, and the side legs and the body extend generally in the same direction and away from the push surface.

31. The drinking bottle of claim 22, wherein: The abutment surface is slightly convexly curved.

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