Water bottle

Abstract

A water bottle is disclosed. The water bottle has a reservoir defining a space for holding liquid, wherein the reservoir includes an open top and a closed bottom. The water bottle also has a cap configured to engage with the reservoir over the open top. The water bottle further has a straw and a pivotable spout attached to the cap and including a fluid conduit fluidly connected to the straw.

Description

[0001] Cross-references and priority requirements

[0002] This patent application claims priority to the following: (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 229,291, filed August 4, 2021; and (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 17,808,308, filed June 23, 2022. Background Technology

[0003] Water bottles can have different drinking configurations. For example, some water bottles may have a configuration that allows the user to "chug" from an opening in the bottle. In these configurations, the bottle may have a threaded cap that the user can remove by partially inverting the bottle before drinking (chugging). Alternatively, the bottle may have an actuator that hinges to open the cap to reveal an opening in the container.

[0004] Other water bottles are constructed to allow users to "sip" from the bottle. In these configurations, the straw is typically attached to the cap. Users can sip from the straw without partially inverting the bottle. Some sip bottles have a cap that covers the straw. Other sip bottles have a spout that can be moved from a closed configuration to a "sip" configuration.

[0005] However, few products offer both chugging and sipping configurations. Some bottles have a chugging cap separate from the sipping spout. However, these products do not allow users to easily switch between chugging and sipping configurations. Other bottle configurations have a single neck that includes both a sipping opening and a chugging opening. However, these products also do not allow users to switch between chugging and sipping configurations. This document describes water bottles that address the above-mentioned issues and / or other problems. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view of an example water bottle in a closed configuration is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 A perspective view of an example water bottle in a partially opened, large-drink configuration is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 A top view of an example water bottle in an open, fully-drinking configuration is shown.

[0009] Figure 4 A perspective view of an example water bottle in an open, fully-drinking configuration is shown.

[0010] Figure 5 A perspective view of an example water bottle in an open, sipping configuration is shown.

[0011] Figure 6 The separate parts of an example water bottle are shown.

[0012] Figure 7 Perspective views of three different sizes of sample water bottles are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] This disclosure describes various water bottle designs configured to transition from a closed configuration to an open drinking configuration or an open sipping configuration. When the water bottle is in its open drinking configuration, a user can drink or otherwise dispense liquid by at least partially inverting the bottle through the opening. When the water bottle is in its open sipping configuration, a user can drink liquid by sipping it through a straw without inverting the bottle. When the water bottle is in its closed configuration, the liquid remains substantially inside the bottle even when inverted.

[0014] In various embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a water bottle 100 may have a reservoir 200 and a cap 300. The reservoir 200 may be substantially cylindrical, but other shapes may be used within the scope of this disclosure. The reservoir 200 may have a closed bottom. The reservoir 200 may have an open top. Thus, when the water bottle 100 is in an upright position, the reservoir 200 may define a space capable of holding liquid. The reservoir 200 may have a reservoir threaded portion located at the outer edge of the top of the reservoir. The cap 300 may be substantially cylindrical, but other shapes may be used within the scope of this disclosure. The cap 300 may have a top and a bottom. In various embodiments, the cap 300 may have a cap threaded portion located at the inner edge of the bottom of the cap. Alternatively, the reservoir threaded portion may be located at the inner edge of the top of the reservoir 200, and the cap threaded portion may be located at the outer edge of the bottom of the cap 300. The cap threaded portion may engage with the reservoir threaded portion to attach the cap to the reservoir.

[0015] The cap 300 may have a lower cap portion 320 and an upper cap portion 350. Both the lower cap portion 320 and the upper cap portion 350 may be substantially disc-shaped. The lower cap portion 320 and the upper cap portion 350 may have top and bottom sides. The bottom of the upper cap portion 350 may be configured to engage with the top of the lower cap portion 320. When the upper cap portion 350 and the lower cap portion 320 are engaged, the interface between the upper cap portion and the lower cap portion may form a substantially liquid-impermeable interface. The lower cap portion 320 may be partially connected to the upper cap portion 350. In various embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the lower cover portion 320 is partially connected to the upper cover portion 350 via a hinge 330. The upper cover portion 350 is rotatable relative to the lower cover portion 320 about the hinge 330. Thus, the upper cover portion 350 can be rotated from a closed configuration (e.g., Figure 1(As shown) the hinged ground rotates to open the large drinking configuration (as shown) Figure 3 and Figure 4 (As shown). It should be understood that the upper cover portion 350 and the lower cover portion 320 may be connected in one or more alternative ways.

[0016] The lower cover portion 350 may have a threaded portion located on the inner side of the bottom of the lower cover portion 320. This allows the lower cover portion to directly engage with the reservoir 200. Figure 3 As shown, the lower cap portion 320 may have a first opening 310. The first opening 310 may be configured to allow a user to drink or otherwise dispense liquid through the first opening. The lower cap portion 350 may have a straw engagement member 315 that at least partially extends into the first opening 310. The straw engagement member 315 may have a second opening 317. The straw engagement member 315 may be configured to engage with a straw 313 (see...) Figure 6 The straw 313 can be releasably engaged with the underside of the straw engagement member 315 such that when the cap 300 is engaged with the reservoir, the straw can extend at least partially into the reservoir 200. The straw 313 can be fluidly connected to the second opening 317.

[0017] The upper cover portion 350 may have an actuator 380 that allows the upper cover portion 350 to be temporarily held in a closed configuration. The actuator 380 may be temporarily connected to the lower cover portion 320. For example, the actuator 380 may have a latch that engages with the lower cover portion 320 to prevent movement of the upper cover portion 350 relative to the lower cover portion. When the actuator 300 is engaged (e.g., pressed), the upper cover portion 350 may disengage from the lower cover portion 320. For example, when the actuator 380 is engaged, it may cause the latch to be released from the lower cover portion 320.

[0018] The water bottle 100 may have a handle 390. The handle 390 may be substantially U-shaped and have two free ends. The free ends of the handle 390 may be hingedly engaged with the lower cap portion 320. In this way, the handle 390 can rotate through various positions, allowing the user to carry the bottle. The handle 390 may also be rotated so that the handle is horizontal, allowing the user to drink or dispense fluid from the water bottle. The inner side of the handle 390 may have one or more blocks 395, which are configured to contact the upper cap portion 350 when the handle 390 is in its vertical configuration.

[0019] Figure 3The upper cap portion 350 is shown to have a third opening 319. The third opening 319 may be an orifice through the body of the upper cap portion 350. The third opening 319 may be configured such that, when the bottle is in a closed configuration, the third opening is in fluid communication with the second opening 317. The bottle may have a straw seal 311. The straw seal 311 may be positioned between the upper cap portion 350 and the lower cap portion 320 to enhance fluid communication between the second opening 317 and the third opening 319.

[0020] Water bottle 100 may have a spout 370. The spout 370 may be hingedly attached to the upper cap portion 350. The spout 370 may be a fluid conduit. Fluid within the spout 370 may flow substantially along the length of the spout. When the water bottle is in its closed configuration (e.g., Figure 1 When the spout 370 is in its open sipping configuration (as shown), the length of the spout 370 can be substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the water bottle. Figure 5 As shown, the length of the spout 370 may be substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle, or otherwise positioned at an angle not perpendicular to the vertical axis of the water bottle. In the open sipping configuration, the spout 370 may be in fluid communication with the third opening 319. In the closed configuration, the spout 370 may not be in fluid communication with the third opening 319.

[0021] In various embodiments, the water bottle 100 may have at least one seal. For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the water bottle 100 may have a lower seal 314. The lower seal 314 may be located at the interface between the reservoir 200 and the cap 300. The lower seal 314 serves to prevent leakage between the reservoir 200 and the cap. In various embodiments, the water bottle 100 may have an upper seal 312. The upper seal 312 may be located at the interface between the upper cap portion 350 and the lower cap portion 320. The upper seal 312 serves to prevent leakage between the upper cap portion 350 and the lower cap portion 320.

[0022] In various embodiments, the water bottle 100 can be configured to hold different amounts of water. For example, as Figure 7 As shown, the water bottle may have a reservoir 200 capable of holding different amounts of liquid. For example, the reservoir 200 may be configured to hold 18 ounces, 24 ounces, or 32 ounces of liquid, but other fluid volumes are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0023] Therefore, in the various embodiments described above, this document discloses a water bottle comprising a reservoir defining a space for holding liquid, wherein the reservoir includes an open top and a closed bottom. The water bottle includes a cap configured to engage with the reservoir over the open top. The water bottle also includes a straw. The water bottle further includes a pivotable spout attached to the cap and including a fluid conduit fluidly connected to the straw.

[0024] Optionally, the cap may include an upper cap portion and a lower cap portion, the lower cap portion being configured to be partially connected to the upper cap portion via a hinge. In use, the upper cap portion is rotatable away from the lower cap portion via the hinge. When the upper cap portion and the lower cap portion are engaged, a substantially liquid-impermeable interface is formed between the upper cap portion and the lower cap portion.

[0025] Optionally, the lower cover portion may further include a first opening and a straw engagement member that extends at least partially into the first opening. The straw engagement member may include a second opening configured to engage the straw to position the straw at least partially into the reservoir.

[0026] In any of the embodiments, the pivotable spout may be attached to the upper cap portion. During use, when the water bottle is in the open sipping configuration, the pivotable spout will be in fluid communication with the second opening. When the water bottle is in the closed configuration, the pivotable spout will not be in fluid communication with the second opening. Optionally, in this embodiment, when the water bottle is in the open sipping configuration, the longest portion of the spout will be positioned substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle, or otherwise positioned at an angle not perpendicular to the vertical axis of the water bottle. Also optionally, in this embodiment, and when the water bottle is in the closed configuration, the pivotable spout will be positioned substantially not parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle.

[0027] Optionally, in any embodiment that includes the second opening, the straw may be fluidly connected to the second opening when the second opening engages with the straw.

[0028] Optionally, in any embodiment including the second opening, the upper cap portion may include a third opening configured to be in fluid communication with the second opening when the upper cap portion is engaged with the lower cap portion; and the water bottle may also include a straw seal positioned between the upper cap portion and the lower cap portion to enhance the fluid communication between the third opening and the second opening.

[0029] Optionally, in any of the above embodiments including the upper cover portion, the upper cover portion may include an actuator that, when engaged with the lower cover portion in the closed configuration, prevents the upper cover portion from moving relative to the lower cover portion. When pressed, the actuator disengages the upper cover portion from the lower cover portion.

[0030] Optionally, in any of the above embodiments including the upper cover portion, the upper cover portion may include an upper seal, the lower cover portion may include a lower seal, and the substantially liquid-impermeable interface may be formed by the upper seal and the lower seal.

[0031] Optionally, in any of the above embodiments including the lower cap portion, the water bottle may include a handle having an end that is hingedly engaged with the lower cap portion.

[0032] Optionally, in any of the above embodiments, the top outer edge of the reservoir may include a threaded portion, and the bottom inner edge of the cover may include a threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded portion of the reservoir.

Claims

1. A water bottle, comprising: A reservoir defining a space for holding liquid, wherein the reservoir includes an open top and a closed bottom; A lid, which engages with the reservoir over the open top; straw; as well as A pivotable nozzle, attached to the cap and including a fluid conduit fluidly connected to the straw. in: The cover includes an upper cover portion having an upper seal and a lower cover portion having a lower seal, the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion being connected by a hinge. The upper cover portion is rotatable away from the lower portion via the hinge; When the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion are engaged, a substantially liquid-impermeable interface is formed between the upper seal of the upper cover portion and the lower seal of the lower cover portion.

2. The water bottle of claim 1, wherein the lower cap portion further comprises: The first opening; A straw engagement member that extends at least partially into the first opening and includes a second opening configured to engage with the straw to position the straw at least partially into the reservoir.

3. The water bottle as described in claim 2, wherein: The pivotable spout is attached to the upper cover portion; and When the water bottle is in the open drinking configuration, the pivotable spout will be in fluid communication with the second opening; and When the water bottle is in a closed configuration, the pivotable spout will not be in fluid communication with the second opening.

4. The water bottle as described in claim 3, wherein: When the water bottle is in the open drinking configuration, the longest segment of the spout will be positioned substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle; and When the water bottle is in the closed configuration, the pivotable spout will be positioned substantially non-parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle.

5. The water bottle of claim 3, wherein when the second opening engages with the straw, the straw is fluidly connected to the second opening.

6. The water bottle as described in claim 5, wherein: The upper cover portion includes a third opening configured to be in fluid communication with the second opening when the upper cover portion is engaged with the lower cover portion; and The water bottle further includes a straw seal positioned between the upper cap portion and the lower cap portion to enhance the fluid communication between the third opening and the second opening.

7. The water bottle of claim 1, wherein the upper cap portion further comprises an actuator, the actuator being: When the upper cover portion is in a closed configuration and engages with the lower cover portion, it prevents the upper cover portion from moving relative to the lower cover portion, and When pressed, the upper cover portion will detach from the lower cover portion.

8. The water bottle of claim 1, further comprising a handle having an end that is hingedly engaged with the lower cap portion.

9. The water bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The top outer edge of the reservoir includes a threaded portion; and The lower inner edge of the cover also includes a threaded portion, which is configured to engage with the threaded portion of the reservoir.

10. A water bottle, comprising: A reservoir defining a space for holding liquid, wherein the reservoir includes an open top and a closed bottom; A lid, configured to engage with the reservoir over the open top, wherein the lid comprises: The upper cover portion has an upper seal; The lower cover portion has a lower seal and is configured to be partially connected to the upper cover portion via a hinge. When the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion are engaged, the upper seal and the lower seal form a substantially liquid-impermeable interface between the upper cover portion and the lower cover portion; straws; and A pivotable nozzle is attached to the cap and includes a fluid conduit that is fluidly connected to the straw.

11. The water bottle of claim 10, wherein the lower cap portion further comprises: The first opening; A straw engagement member that extends at least partially into the first opening and includes a second opening configured to engage with the straw to position the straw at least partially into the reservoir.

12. The water bottle as claimed in claim 11, wherein: The pivotable spout is attached to the upper cover portion; and When the water bottle is in the open drinking configuration, the pivotable spout will be in fluid communication with the second opening; and When the water bottle is in a closed configuration, the pivotable spout will not be in fluid communication with the second opening.

13. The water bottle as claimed in claim 12, wherein: When the water bottle is in the open drinking configuration, the longest segment of the spout will be positioned substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle; and When the water bottle is in the closed configuration, the pivotable spout will be positioned substantially non-parallel to the vertical axis of the water bottle.

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