Bottle with self-orienting handle assembly
The beverage bottle's self-aligning handle assembly addresses the issue of shifted handle orientation by using a locking mechanism with protrusions and notches to maintain proper alignment, ensuring easy handling for infants or children.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024569858
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-01
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Bottle handles for infants or children often shift orientation when reattached, requiring manual readjustment to ensure proper handling, especially when the drinking mouth or straw is asymmetrically positioned.
A beverage bottle with a handle assembly that automatically orients itself in a predetermined direction relative to the lid when assembled, utilizing a locking mechanism with protrusions and notches on the lid and handle assembly to maintain alignment during assembly and disassembly.
Ensures the handle is consistently oriented for easy handling by infants or children, eliminating the need for manual readjustment and enhancing usability.
Smart Images

Figure 2025524732000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage bottle, and more particularly, to a beverage bottle having a handle assembly that automatically orients itself relative to a lid when the lid is assembled.
Background Art
[0002] Bottles with handles are often used by infants or children. Attempts have been made to mold bottles for easier handling by infants or children, but infants or children generally lack the strength or dexterity to properly hold the bottle without an auxiliary structure. Handles are often provided as such an auxiliary structure, so that infants or children can grasp these handles without dropping the bottle. These handles can be attached to a ring inserted on the outer periphery of the bottle body so that the handles can be removed from the container for cleaning purposes.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0003] When the handles are reattached to the bottle body, their orientation may change or shift. In a bottle having an asymmetric upper structure where the drinking mouth or straw is moved away from the axis of the bottle (e.g., towards the front of the bottle), such a change or shift in the orientation of the handle may require manual readjustment so that the handle is oriented suitably for handling by an infant or child.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0004] Embodiments relate to a beverage bottle that automatically orients a handle in a predetermined direction when assembled. The beverage bottle includes a container, a handle assembly, and a lid. The container includes an upper opening, a first portion having a first outer dimension, and a second portion having a second outer dimension larger than the first dimension. The second portion is further away from the upper opening than the first portion. The handle assembly includes a ring that slidably engages with the second portion and receives the first portion. The ring includes a first protrusion extending away from the second portion, and at least one handle is attached to the ring. The lid engages with the handle assembly. The lid has an inner shape that is sized to receive the first portion but not the second portion. The lid is formed with a first notch corresponding to the first protrusion for receiving and engaging with the first protrusion for rotation of the lid with the rotation of the handle assembly.
[0005] In one or more embodiments, the inner dimension of the ring is larger than the first outer dimension but smaller than the second outer dimension.
[0006] In one or more embodiments, the lid is fixed to the container together with the ring between the lid and the second portion by rotating the lid relative to the container.
[0007] In one or more embodiments, the first portion includes a first thread, and the lid includes a second thread that engages with the first thread.
[0008] In one or more embodiments, the lid includes a second protrusion, and the ring includes a second notch that receives and engages with the second protrusion. The second protrusion presses against the second notch and rotates the ring to release the ring and the lid from the container.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the inner surface of the ring is smooth.
[0010] In one or more embodiments, the ring includes a second protrusion on the opposite side of the first protrusion, and the lid includes a second notch corresponding to the second protrusion on the opposite side of the first protrusion.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the beverage bottle further includes an insertion portion that engages and is assembled to a cavity in the lid. The insertion portion is made of an elastic material to provide a seal between the upper opening and the lid.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, the insertion portion includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a bottom portion. The upper portion has an outer surface that is reversely tapered. The outer surface of the upper portion engages and rests against the forwardly tapered inner surface of the cavity in the lid. The intermediate portion is attached to the upper portion and has an outer surface that is forwardly tapered. The bottom portion is attached to the intermediate portion. The edge of the bottom portion is captured between an inner ring-shaped rib of the lid and the upper opening of the container.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, the beverage bottle further includes a lid cover that is hinged to the lid. At least a portion of the insertion portion is compressed between the lid and the lid cover when the lid cover is closed.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, the beverage bottle further includes a lever that is attached to the lid. The lever locks the lid cover in a first position and releases the lid cover in a second position. The lid cover is rotated away from the lid by the compressive force of the insertion portion when the lever is placed in the second position.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the lever includes a pair of latches for fixing the lever to the lid.
[0016] In one or more embodiments, the insertion portion applies a biasing force to the lever to maintain the lever in a first position when an external force is not applied to the lever.
[0017] In one or more embodiments, the insertion portion includes a straw or a drinking spout for accessing the contents in the container. The lid cover includes a housing that folds, receives, or compresses the straw or the drinking spout when the lid cover is closed.
[0018] In one or more embodiments, the straw or the drinking spout applies a force to open the lid cover when a force is applied to open the lid cover.
[0019] In one or more embodiments, the lid includes a protrusion that is compressed by the lid cover when the lid cover is closed. The protrusion applies a force to open the lid cover when the lever is placed in the second position.
[0020] Embodiments also relate to a beverage bottle including a container, a handle assembly, and a lid. The handle assembly is rotatable relative to the container. The handle assembly includes a first pair of protrusions and notches. The lid engages with the handle assembly and has a second pair of protrusions and notches that are opposite in shape to the first pair. The second pair mates with the first pair, such that the handle assembly is rotated as the lid rotates. The first pair and the second pair are locked in place when the handle assembly and the lid are rotated onto the container.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the lid screws onto the container together with the handle assembly between the lid and the container. The distance between the first pair and the second pair in the longitudinal direction of the container gradually decreases as the lid is screwed onto the container.
[0022] In one or more embodiments, the inner surface of the lid includes a first screw thread, and the outer surface of the container includes a second screw thread that mates with the first screw thread.
[0023] In one or more embodiments, the first pair of protrusions and notches have a corrugated outer shape, and the second pair of protrusions and notches have an inverse-corrugated outer shape.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, the handle assembly further includes a third pair of protrusions and notches at a location of the handle assembly that is radially opposite to the first pair, and the lid further includes a fourth pair of protrusions and notches at a location of the lid that is radially opposite to the second pair.
[0025] In one or more embodiments, the handle assembly includes a bottom surface that is rotatable about the container, and a top surface that contacts the lid when the lid and the handle assembly are screwed onto the container. The first pair is formed as part of the top surface.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0026]
Figure 1
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Figure 11A
Figure 11B
Figure 11C
Figure 11D
Figure 12A
Figure 12B
Figure 12C
Figure 12D
Figure 13A
Figure 13B
Figure 13C
Figure 13D
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] Embodiments are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the principles disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. In the description, well-known features and techniques may be omitted in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the features of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numerals in the drawings represent like elements. The shapes, sizes, regions, etc. in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0028] Embodiments relate to a self-aligning handle assembly that is oriented in a predetermined direction with respect to a lid when the lid is screwed onto a container. The handle assembly includes a locking structure that locks to a mating locking structure of the lid when the lid is screwed onto the container. The locking structure can include at least one of a protrusion or a notch, and the mating locking structure can have a reverse shape. When the lid is screwed onto the container, the locking structure engages with the mating locking structure and rotates the handle assembly together with the lid. When the lid is screwed onto the container, the locking structure locks to the mating locking structure, thereby preventing the handle assembly from rotating relative to the lid.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage bottle 100 with a lid cover 110 closed, according to one embodiment. The beverage bottle 100 includes a container 120 and other components assembled to the container 120. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the beverage bottle 100 is cylindrical in shape, but the beverage bottle 100 may be of various other shapes.
[0030] The components assembled to the beverage bottle 100 may include, among other components, a handle assembly 118 and a lid 128. The handle assembly 118 and the lid 128 are screwed onto the beverage bottle 100 in a predetermined relationship by a locking structure. That is, when the handle assembly 118 and the lid 128 are assembled to the beverage bottle 100 by screwing the lid 128 onto the beverage bottle 100, the handle 338 of the lid 128 is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the straw 322 or the drinking mouth 1208 is moved with respect to the central axis of the container 120.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage bottle 100 with the lid cover 110 opened to expose the insertion portion 204, according to one embodiment. The lid cover 110 is connected to the lid 128 via a hinge 502 in a rotatable manner between a first state (e.g., a closed state as shown in FIG. 1) and a second state (e.g., an open state as shown in FIG. 2). When in the open state, the insertion portion 204 is exposed and accessible to the user of the beverage bottle 100. The switching to the open state can be facilitated by a protrusion 208 formed on the upper surface of the lid 128, as well as by the compressive force applied by the straw 322 or the drinking mouth 1208, as will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 12A - 12D.
[0032] In use, the user holds one or both of the handles 338A, 338B and accesses the straw 322 or the drinking mouth 1208, which is a part of the insertion portion 204. In the closed state, the lever 114 engages with the lid cover 110. In the open state, the lever 114 releases the lid cover 110 and allows the lid cover 110 to rotate away as shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a beverage bottle 100 according to one embodiment. The beverage bottle 100 may include, among other components, a lid cover 110, a lid 128, an insertion portion 204, a handle assembly 118, and a container 120. In other embodiments, the beverage bottle 100 may include additional components not illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, some of the components illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted (e.g., the lid cover 110). Further, modifications may be made to the manner in which the components are assembled (e.g., the insertion portion 204 may be assembled from the top surface of the lid 128 instead of being assembled through the bottom of the lid 128).
[0034] The lid 128 generally has side surfaces 308, 310 and is assembled to the upper portion of the container 120. The side surface 308 is dome-shaped, while the side surface 310 is cylindrical. The lid 128 is formed with a cavity 540 in which the insertion portion 204 can be installed. The bottom surface 320 of the lid 128 contacts the top surface 358 of the handle assembly 118. The bottom surface 320 has notches 314A, 314B and protrusions 318A, 318B that engage with the protrusions 332A, 332B and notches 334A, 334B of the handle assembly 118, such that the handle assembly 118 rotates with the lid 128 when the lid 128 is screwed onto the container 120 or when the screwing of the lid 128 from the container 120 is released. Details of the lid 128 are described below with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0035] The lever 114 is assembled to the lid 128 such that it pivots with respect to the lid 128. When pushed in, the lever 114 releases its engagement with the lid cover 110 and allows the lid cover 110 to rotate to an open state. When the lid cover 110 is pushed down towards the lid 128, the lever 114 engages with the lid cover 110 and locks the lid cover 110 in a closed state. A biasing force is applied to the lever 114 by the insertion portion 204, such that the lever 114 returns to the locked position and remains in that position when no external force (e.g., by a user pushing the lever 114) is applied to the lever 114. Details of the lever 114 are described below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0036] The insertion part 204 is removably attached to the lid 128 and also assists in sealing the upper opening 356 of the container 120 integrally with the lid 128. The insertion part 204 is made of an elastic material and can be formed with a straw 322 or a drinking port 1208. For example, the insertion part 204 can be made of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber or latex. By removably attaching the insertion part 204 to the lid 128, the cleaning of the insertion part 204 and the lid 128 can be facilitated, and the replacement of the insertion part 204 can be easily carried out when the insertion part 204 is worn or damaged due to repeated use. The insertion part 204 includes, among other components, an upper part 326, an intermediate part 328, and a bottom part 330. The upper part 326 contacts and is supported by the tapered side surface 510 of the lid 128 when the insertion part 204 is assembled to the lid 128. The details of the insertion part 204 are described below with reference to FIG. 8.
[0037] The handle assembly 118 includes a ring 340 to which handles 338A, 338B are attached. The ring 340 includes an upper surface 358 and a bottom surface 342. In one or more embodiments, the ring 340 has a bottom surface 342 that contacts the step 350 of the container 120 in a rotatable manner. On the other hand, the handle 338 contacts the bottom surface 320 of the lid 128 and includes protrusions 332A, 332B, and notches 334A, 334B for rotation of the handle assembly 118 during screwing or unscrewing of the lid 128. The handles 338A, 338B are gripped by the user during use of the beverage bottle 100. In one or more embodiments, each pair of protrusions / notches 332A, 334A and 332B, 334B has a wavy pattern.
[0038] Container 120 has a first portion 352 and a second portion 348 connected to the first portion 352. The first portion 352 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the second portion 348 and has threads 344 formed on its outer surface. The outer diameter of the first portion 352 is small enough so that the ring 340 of the handle assembly 118 can slide thereon, while the outer diameter of the second portion 348 is large enough so that the ring 340 does not slide thereon. The first portion 352 and the second portion 348 are divided by a step 350 that contacts the bottom surface 342 of the handle assembly 118 in a rotatable manner. The first portion 352 also has an upper opening 356 sealed by an insertion portion 204 as described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The second portion 348 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as having a symmetric cylindrical shape, but the second portion 348 may have various other shapes as long as the step 350 is circular. The container 120 can have a bottom shape that enables the container 120 to remain upright when placed on a flat surface.
[0039] To assemble the beverage bottle 100, the lever 114 and the lid cover 110 are assembled to the lid 128. The insertion portion 204 is then inserted from the bottom of the lid 128, and as a result, the upper portion 326 comes to rest at 510 of the upper portion 326. Thereafter, the ring 340 of the handle assembly 118 is inserted into 352 of the container 120, and as a result, the bottom surface 342 comes to rest at the step 350. Finally, the lid 128 is screwed onto 344 of the container 120.
[0040] When the lid 128 is screwed onto the threads 344, the lid 128 is moved downward along the longitudinal direction 380, and the notch 314A and the protrusion 318A are aligned with the notch 334A and the notch 334A, while the notch 314B and the protrusion 318B are aligned with the protrusion 332B and the notch 334B, and as a result, the handle assembly 118 rotates with the lid 128 as described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. To disassemble the beverage bottle 100, the steps are performed in the reverse order of the assembly steps.
[0041] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the handle assembly 118 according to one embodiment. The handle assembly 118 may include, among other components, a ring 340, and handles 338A, 338B disposed on opposite radial sides of the ring 340. The ring 340 has a smooth inner surface 408 facing a first portion 352 of the container 120 and an outer surface to which the handles 338A, 338B are attached. A pair of notches 334A, 334B are formed in the upper surface 358 at a location offset 90 degrees from the handles 338A, 338B. In one or more embodiments, the handles 338A, 338B extend away from the ring 340 and then curve downward. The shape of the handles in FIG. 4 is merely exemplary, and the handles can alternatively take a variety of other shapes.
[0042] Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of the lid 128 according to one embodiment. The lid 128 has a hinge 502 on its back and a structure for fixing a lever 114 on its front. The hinge 502 has a horizontally formed hole 124 for receiving a pin 602 of the lid cover 110 in a rotatable manner. The lid 128 has an upper surface 530 and side surfaces 308 extending downward from the upper surface 530.
[0043] A portion of the upper surface 530 and the side surfaces 308 are cut away to form a cavity 534 for receiving the lever 114 and a cavity 540 for receiving the insertion portion 204. The upper surface 530 and the side surfaces 308 also have stationary parts 506A, 506B, and a latch 522. Each of the stationary parts 506A, 506B is formed as a flat plate and inserted into a corresponding space 732 of the lever 114. After the lever 114 is assembled to the lid 128, the stationary parts 506A, 506B allow the lever 114 to slide vertically while restricting the vertical movement of the lever 114. A recess 520 is formed between the latch 522 and the inner surface of the lid 128 to receive the bottom portion 330 of the insertion portion 204, such that the bottom portion 330 provides a seal between the lever 114 and the lid 128.
[0044] The inner surface of the lid 128 is also formed with a screw 508 for engaging with the screw 344 of the container 120. In some embodiments, the upper surface 530 is also provided with a protrusion 208 that can apply a compressive force to open the lid cover 110 when the lever 114 is pushed. The bottom surface 320 of the lid 128 has a pair of notches 314 and protrusions 318 at locations corresponding to those of the protrusions 332 and notches 334 of the handle assembly 118. A frustoconical surface 572 is provided on the upper portion of the inner surface of the lid 128. The latch 708 of the lever 114 is locked to the frustoconical surface 572 when the lever 114 is assembled to the lid 128.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid cover 110 according to one embodiment. The lid cover 110 may include a flat portion 302 and a housing 304 extending upward from the flat portion 302. An end portion 604 extends rearward from the flat portion 302 and is formed with a pin 602 for rotatably attaching to the lid 128.
[0046] At the edge of the bottom of the housing 304, a rib 610 is formed to engage with the groove 702 of the lever 114 in the closed state. When the lever 114 is pushed, the rib 610 is released from the groove 702, allowing the lid cover 110 to rotate about the pin 602 to an open state. The housing 304 has an internal space that can compress or fold and receive the straw 322 or the drinking port 1208 in the closed state. The compression or folding of the straw 322 or the drinking port 1208 in the housing 304 provides a force to open the lid cover 110 in a popping manner, as will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 12A - 12D. Further, the folding of the straw 322 more advantageously prevents the contents in the container 120 from leaking through the straw 122 when the lid cover 110 is closed.
[0047] Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of a lever 114 according to an embodiment. The lever 114 includes a front plate 704 formed with a groove 702. When the front plate 704 is pushed, the latch 708 of the lever 114 slides horizontally with respect to the stationary portions 506A, 506B, while the vertical movement of the lever 114 is restricted by the stationary portions 506A, 506B. In this way, the lid 128 releases the rib 610 of the lid cover 110, causing it to pop open the lid cover 110. When closing the lid cover 110, the rib 610 of the lid cover 110 slides down over the upper portion of the front plate 704 and is received in the groove 702 in a latched manner. The latch 708 extends symmetrically rearward on the rear side of the lever 114.
[0048] By pushing the latch 708 inward, the lever 114 can be disassembled from the lid 128. The lever 114 also includes horizontal ribs 722 and vertical ribs 712 on its back surface to provide rigidity and strength to the lever 114. Further, the horizontal rib 722 contacts the upper portion 326 of the insertion portion 204, while the vertical rib 712 contacts the middle portion 328 of the insertion portion 204 integrally with the rear surface 722, such that the insertion portion 204 applies a biasing force to the lever 114. The structure of the lever 114 in FIGS. 7A and 7B is merely exemplary, and various modifications can be made to the lever 114. For example, the lever 114 may have a different external shape and may have more ribs than shown in FIG. 7B, and a mechanism other than the latch 708 may be used for attachment to the lid 128.
[0049] The lever 114 is pushed by the insertion portion 204. As a result, the lever 114 is biased to a position where the groove 702 is moved forward by the insertion portion 204. Since the insertion portion 204 is made of an elastic material, the insertion portion 204 can apply a biasing force to the lever 114. As a result, the groove 702 of the lever 114 remains and is biased to a position where it locks the rib 610 of the lid cover 110 in a closed state when the lever 114 is not pushed by the user. For this purpose, the lever 114 has a rear surface 722, a vertical rib 712 that contacts the intermediate portion 328 of the insertion portion 204, and a horizontal rib 722 that contacts the upper portion 326 of the insertion portion 204. Since the insertion portion 204 applies a biasing force to the insertion portion 204, no other biasing mechanism such as a spring is used to push the lever 114 to the locking position. Such use of the insertion portion 204 as a biasing mechanism advantageously reduces the number of parts and simplifies the assembly.
[0050] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the insertion portion 204 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the straw 322 extends from the upper surface 810. In other embodiments, other structures (e.g., the drinking port 1208) may extend from the upper surface 810. The inclined surface 804 extends in a tapered manner from the upper surface 810 and rests on the inner surface 510 of the lid 128 when the insertion portion 204 is assembled to the lid 128. The vent hole 802 is formed in the upper surface 810 to allow the liquid in the container 120 to flow out from the straw 322 (or the drinking port 1208) even though the upper opening 356 is sealed by the insertion portion 204 and the lid 128. The insertion portion 204 includes a bottom portion 330 having an upper surface, an upper portion 326, and an intermediate portion 328 between the bottom portion 330 and the upper portion 326. The upper portion 326 is inversely tapered.
[0051] The insertion part 204 is pushed upward from the bottom of the lid 128 for attachment to the lid 128. The upper part of the upper part 326 has a dimension larger than that of the cavity 540. By applying sufficient upward force, the upper part 326 deforms and fits into the cavity 540. After inserting the upper part 326 into the cavity 540, the side surface which is reversely tapered rests on the inner surface 510 of the lid 128, restricting the downward movement of the insertion part 205. The upward movement of the insertion part is also restricted by the intermediate part 328 which has a dimension larger than that of the cavity 540. The side surface of the intermediate part 328 is forwardly tapered.
[0052] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are cross-sectional views of a beverage bottle 100 according to an embodiment. When the lid cover 110 is closed, the straw 322 is compressed or folded and received in the internal space of the housing 304 of the lid cover 110. This applies a compressive force for opening the lid cover 110 when the lever 114 is pushed and the rib 610 is released from the groove 702.
[0053] The bottom part 330 of the insertion part 204 is compressed between the inner ring-shaped rib 924 formed at the bottom of the lid 128 and the upper opening 356 of the container 120. The bottom part 330 is made of an elastic material, and thus, when the lid 128 is screwed on, the bottom part 330 seals the opening upper part 356 to the lid 128, and as a result, the liquid in the lid 128 does not leak.
[0054] The vertical rib 712 of the lever 114 pushes down and deforms the bottom part 330 when the lever 114 is installed on the lid 128. Since the bottom part 330 is made of an elastic material and is deformed, it provides an elastic force for pushing the lever 114 toward the left in FIG. 9. Therefore, the bottom part 330 has to be pushed by the vertical rib 712 with a predetermined amount of force that needs to be exceeded when the user releases the lid cover 110. By biasing the lever 114 with a predetermined amount of force, inadvertent or accidental opening of the lid cover 110 can be prevented.
[0055] Figures 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lid 128 and the handle assembly 118 during screwing of the lid 128 onto the container 120 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the lid 128 is rotated to move the illustrated portion of the lid 128 in the direction Da, the pair of protrusions and notches of the lid 128 and the protrusion 318 contact at point 1102. Therefore, the protrusion 318 presses the protrusion 332 and rotates the handle assembly 118 along with the notch 314.
[0056] When the lid 128 is rotated, the lid 128 moves downward as in the direction Db as shown in FIG. 11B until the gap Ga between the lid 128 and the handle assembly 118 becomes substantially zero. After the gap Ga becomes substantially zero, the lid 128 is fully screwed onto the container 120 and further rotation cannot be made in the direction indicated by the direction Da. In this way, the lid 128 and the handle assembly 118 are always positioned at a specific relative angle when the lid 128 is screwed onto the container 120.
[0057] Since the straw 322 or the drinking port 1208 is shifted toward the front surface of the lid 128 and the handle 338 is disposed 90 degrees offset from the pair of protrusions and depressions of the ring 340, the protrusion 332 or the drinking port 1208 is always biased in a direction rotated 90 degrees from the handle 338. This enables the user to appropriately grip the handle 338 with the protrusion 332 or the drinking port 1208 shifted toward the user's mouth for appropriate intake of the liquid in the container 120.
[0058] Figures 11C and 11D are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lid 128 and the handle assembly 118 during the release of the screwing engagement of the lid 128 from the container 120 according to an embodiment. When the lid 128 is rotated such that the portion of the lid 128 shown in FIG. 11C moves in the direction Dd, the protrusion 332 of the handle assembly 118 contacts the notch 314 of the lid 128 at point 1104, and the notch 334 of the handle assembly 118 contacts the protrusion 318 of the lid 128 at point 1108, rotating the handle assembly 118 in the direction Dd. When the lid 128 is rotated, the lid 128 moves in the direction Dc until the gap Ga between the lid 128 and the handle assembly 118 becomes sufficiently large, and as a result, the protrusions 318 and 332 no longer contact any point of the notch 314 and the notch 334, respectively, as shown in FIG. 11D. Thereafter, the lid 128 can be completely disengaged from the container 120 without rotating the handle assembly 118.
[0059] Figures 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating the opening of the lid cover 110 by the compressive force of the folded straw 322 according to an embodiment. When the lid cover 110 is closed, the straw 322 is compressed or folded within the internal space of the housing 304. The compressed / folded straw 322 thus exerts a force on the bottom of the housing 304, such that when the front plate 704 is pushed, the lid cover 110 jumps up and rotates about the hole 124. In one or more embodiments, such a force can be increased by providing the protrusion 208 on the upper surface of the lid 128.
[0060] Figures 12C and 12D are substantially identical to Figures 12A and 12B, except that the drinking port 1208 is provided in the insertion portion 204 instead of the straw 322. In the embodiments of Figures 12C and 12D, the drinking port 1208 is compressed by the housing 304 when the lid cover 110 is closed, thus exerting a force on the bottom of the housing 304. As a result, the lid cover 110 pops open when the front plate 704 is pushed. The insertion portion 204 can be provided with various other mechanisms for ingesting the liquid in the beverage bottle 100, in addition to the straw 322 and the drinking port 1208.
[0061] The above embodiments are described with reference to two pairs of curved protrusions and notches having reverse shapes in the lid 128 and the handle assembly 118, but protrusions and notches having a straight line, zigzag shape, or other configurations can also be used. Examples of the shapes of some of the protrusions and the shapes of the corresponding notches are illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13D.
[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to several embodiments, various modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure described above is intended to be exemplary and not intended to be limiting.
Claims
1. an upper opening portion, a first portion having a first outer dimension, a second portion having a second outer dimension larger than the first dimension, the second portion being further away from the upper opening portion than the first portion, a container comprising: a ring slidably engaged with the second portion and configured to receive the first portion, the ring comprising a first protrusion extending away from the second portion, at least one handle attached to the ring, a handle assembly comprising: a lid configured to engage with the handle assembly, the lid having an inner shape sized to receive the first portion but not the second portion, the lid being formed with a first notch corresponding to the first protrusion for receiving and engaging the first protrusion for rotation of the lid with the rotation of the handle assembly, a beverage bottle comprising:
2. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein an inner dimension of the ring is larger than the first outer dimension but smaller than the second outer dimension.
3. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the lid is fixed to the container together with the ring between the lid and the second portion by rotating the lid relative to the container.
4. The beverage bottle according to claim 3, wherein the first portion comprises a first thread and the lid comprises a second thread engaging with the first thread.
5. The beverage bottle according to claim 4, wherein the lid comprises a second protrusion, the ring comprises a second notch configured to receive and engage with the second protrusion, and the second protrusion is configured to push the second notch and rotate the ring to release the ring and the lid from the container.
6. The beverage bottle according to claim 4, wherein an inner surface of the ring is smooth.
7. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a second protrusion on an opposite side of the first protrusion, and the lid comprises a second notch corresponding to the second protrusion on an opposite side of the first protrusion.
8. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion portion configured to engage with and be assembled to a cavity in the lid, the insertion portion being made of an elastic material to provide a seal between the upper opening portion and the lid.
9. The insertion portion is An upper portion having an outer surface that is inversely tapered, wherein the outer surface of the upper portion engages and is stationary with the tapered inner surface of the cavity in the lid, upper portion, An intermediate portion attached to the upper portion and having an outer surface that is tapered, and A bottom portion attached to the intermediate portion, wherein an edge of the bottom portion is captured between an inner ring-shaped rib of the lid and an upper portion of the opening of the container, bottom portion The beverage bottle according to claim 8, comprising.
10. The beverage bottle according to claim 8, further comprising a lid cover hinged to the lid, wherein at least a part of the insertion portion is compressed between the lid and the lid cover when the lid cover is closed.
11. The beverage bottle according to claim 10, further comprising a lever attached to the lid, wherein the lever is configured to lock the lid cover in a first position and the lever is configured to release the lid cover in a second position, and the lid cover is rotated away from the lid by the compressive force of the insertion portion when the lever is in the second position.
12. The beverage bottle according to claim 11, wherein the lever comprises a pair of latches for fixing the lever to the lid.
13. The beverage bottle according to claim 11, wherein the insertion portion applies a biasing force to the lever to maintain the lever in the first position when an external force is not applied to the lever.
14. The beverage bottle according to claim 10, wherein the insertion portion comprises a straw or a drinking mouth for accessing the contents in the container, and the lid cover is configured to fold, compress, or receive the straw or the drinking mouth when the lid cover is closed.
15. The beverage bottle according to claim 14, wherein the straw or the drinking mouth applies a compressive force to open the lid cover.
16. The beverage bottle according to claim 11, wherein the lid comprises a protrusion configured to be compressed by the lid cover when the lid cover is closed, and the protrusion is configured to apply an opening force to the lid cover when the lever is in the second position.
17. A container, and A handle assembly rotatable with respect to the container, the handle assembly having a first pair of protrusions and notches, A lid configured to engage with the handle assembly, having a second pair of protrusions and notches that are opposite in shape to the first pair, wherein the second pair mates with the first pair such that the handle assembly is configured to rotate as the lid rotates. Comprising The first pair and the second pair are configured to lock in place when the handle assembly and the lid are rotated onto the container. A beverage bottle.
18. The lid is configured to screw onto the container together with the handle assembly between the lid and the container, and the distance between the first pair and the second pair in the longitudinal direction of the container gradually decreases as the lid is screwed onto the container. The beverage bottle according to claim 17.
19. The inner surface of the lid is provided with a first screw thread, and the outer surface of the container is provided with a second screw thread that mates with the first screw thread. The beverage bottle according to claim 18.
20. The first pair of protrusions and notches have a corrugated outer shape, and the second pair of protrusions and notches have an inverted corrugated outer shape. The beverage bottle according to claim 17.
21. The handle assembly further comprises a third pair of protrusions and notches at a location of the handle assembly that is radially opposite to the first pair, and the lid further comprises a fourth pair of protrusions and notches at a location of the lid that is radially opposite to the second pair. The beverage bottle according to claim 17.
22. The handle assembly has a bottom surface that is rotatable around the container, and an upper surface that contacts the lid when the lid and the handle assembly are screwed onto the container, and the first pair is formed as part of the upper surface. The beverage bottle according to claim 17.
23. Of elastic material, and an insertion portion configured to engage with and assemble to the lid, and A lever attached to the lid, configured to lock the lid cover in a first position, the lever being configured to release the lid cover in a second position, and the lever being configured to receive a biasing force from the insertion portion to maintain the lever in the first position when no external force is applied to the lever. The beverage bottle according to claim 17, further comprising.
24. In the ring of the handle assembly, receiving a first portion of a container having an upper opening, the first portion having a first outer diameter, slidably engaging a second portion of the container with the ring of the handle assembly, the second portion having a second outer dimension greater than a first dimension, further away from the upper opening than the first portion, and the handle assembly comprising at least one handle attached to the ring, in the lid, receiving the first portion of the container but not receiving the second portion of the container, engaging a first protrusion of the ring with a first notch of the lid by rotating the lid relative to the handle assembly, A method of operating a beverage bottle, including:
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein an inner dimension of the ring is greater than a first outer dimension but smaller than the second outer dimension.
26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising fixing the lid to the container together with the ring between the lid and the second portion by rotating the lid relative to the container.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein fixing the lid to the container includes engaging a first screw of the first portion with a second screw of the lid.
28. engaging a second protrusion of the lid with a second notch of the ring, The method according to claim 27, further comprising pushing the second notch by the second protrusion to rotate the ring and release the ring and the lid from the container.
29. The method according to claim 24, further comprising assembling an insertion portion into a cavity in the lid, the insertion portion being made of an elastic material to provide a seal between the upper opening and the lid.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising compressing at least a part of the insertion portion by closing the lid cover between the lid and the lid cover hinged to the lid.
31. locking the lid cover in a first position by a lever attached to the lid, Releasing the lid cover at the second position, wherein the lid cover is rotated away from the lid by the compressive force of the insertion part when the lever is placed at the second position. The method according to claim 30 further includes releasing.
32. The method according to claim 31, further including applying a biasing force to the lever by the insertion part to maintain the lever at the first position when no external force is applied to the lever.
33. When the lid cover is closed, compressing the protrusion of the lid by the lid cover; When the lever is placed at the second position, applying an opening force to the lid cover by the protrusion. The method according to claim 31 further includes these steps.
34. Rotating a lid with respect to a container; Engaging the lid and the handle assembly by fitting a first pair of protrusions and notches of the handle assembly with a second pair of protrusions and notches of the lid, wherein the shape of the second pair is opposite to that of the first pair; Rotating the handle assembly along with the rotation of the lid according to the engagement of the lid and the handle assembly; Locking the first pair and the second pair in a fixed position according to the rotation of the handle assembly along with the rotation of the lid; A method of operating a beverage bottle, including these steps.