Drinking bottle

Abstract

A sportsperson drinking bottle comprising a housing (1), a dome (2) including a drinking valve (3), a base (9) and a protective cap (4), and an insert element (5) for preventing sloshing, wherein (a) the insert element (5) is a containing bag for receiving a drinking fluid accessible through the drinking valve (3), and below the containing bag (5) an expansion element (8) is provided which is suitable for compressing the containing bag (5) in a direction towards the drinking valve (3) depending on the filling level; (b) the insert element (5) comprises a plurality of interconnected stage elements; or (c) the insert element (5) comprises a filling of a food-grade permeable material consisting of a honeycomb or cell.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drinking bottle for sportspersons, comprising a housing, a dome containing a drinking valve, a base and a protective cap. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydration during and after sports is important for health, especially electrolyte metabolism. Therefore, athletes should always drink enough water, even if the sports activity lasts for a long time. If the sports activity is short, less than 30 minutes, it is generally sufficient to drink enough water after the sports activity. If the exercise is long, for example, for at least 60 minutes, fluid should be replenished to replace the fluid lost through sweating and breathing. It is recommended to drink fluid in small amounts at 15-minute intervals. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Running, and especially jogging, is one of the most widely practiced sports activities to maintain health and performance. To compensate for fluid loss, sportspersons are encouraged to carry a sufficient amount of fluid, i.e. a drinking bottle filled with drinking liquid. When the drinking bottle is full, only its weight is felt, but when the bottle is partially empty, the sloshing of the fluid inside the bottle is often felt as an unpleasant sensation. This is the origin of the present invention.

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The object of the present invention is to provide a beverage bottle which, even when partially empty, does not experience sloshing due to fluid remaining in the bottle during running movements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an insert member for preventing sloshing is (a) a containing bag for receiving a drinking fluid within a drinking bottle and accessible via a drinking valve, the containing bag being provided with an expansion member below the containing bag suitable for compressing the containing bag in a direction towards the drinking valve depending on the filling level; or (b) includes a plurality of interconnected stage members; or (c) containing a honeycomb or cellular filling material of food-grade permeable material; Thus, we have devised a beverage bottle of the type described above which includes the insert member.

[0006] In embodiment (a), the beverage bottle of the present invention contains a beverage fluid in a containment bag that is accessible via a drinking valve, and for drinking purposes, the fluid can be removed from the containment bag via the valve, thereby reducing the volume of the containment bag.

[0007] Pressure equalization is necessary to compensate for the decreasing filling level of the containment bag. If a pressure chamber is present in the beverage bottle, pressure equalization can be established by its expansion. In the case of a mechanical expansion member, it is advantageous to provide an air intake either in the dome or in the base of the beverage bottle. Preferably, the air intake is provided in the base of the beverage bottle and can be, for example, a one-way valve.

[0008] A containment bag for receiving the drinking fluid is provided on the upper part of the drinking bottle, on the valve side, and extends to an inflatable member provided on the base. The containment bag has an end that is sealed against the inner wall of the drinking bottle, preferably directly below the dome. Alternatively, the containment bag can be fixed to the drinking valve in a sealing manner.

[0009] The weight of a fully or partially filled sack pulls the sack downwards during the running motion, so that there is a risk that the sack with its sealed end will be displaced downwards or even peeled off from the valve.

[0010] To prevent this, it is necessary to support the containment bag against the base of the bottle, and this support needs to be flexible in order to accommodate changes in the fill level of the containment bag.

[0011] The support is provided in the beverage bottle by an inflatable member which, depending on the filling level, compresses the receiving bag in a direction towards the valve, forcing it upwards, the lower end of the receiving bag facing away from the valve being supported by the inflatable member, and the volume of the bottle corresponding to the receiving bag containing the remaining fluid is reduced to such an extent that sloshing is avoided.

[0012] The bag in the beverage bottle is made of a food-grade plastic material according to European Council Regulation (EC) 1935 / 2004. The bag must be sufficiently elastic and flexible to accommodate changing filling levels. It is therefore particularly advantageous to configure the bag as a bellows. In this way, the bag can be adjusted to the current volume.

[0013] In order to hold the containing bag stably on the valve in each state, a support member, e.g. a piston, is provided below the containing bag, which is supported against and extends along the inner wall of the beverage bottle. The support member is movable in a direction, e.g. along a rail, and can be displaced vertically. To hold the support member in a predetermined position, the support member is supported from below, i.e. from the base of the bottle, by an expansion member.

[0014] According to the invention, an expansion member is understood to be a member which expands as the pressure in the fluid-filled containment bag decreases, thereby pushing the support member in a direction towards the valve. This expansion member can be, for example, a helical spring, a tensioned bellows member or an elastic member, actuable from the base of the bottle. It is important that the expansion member holds the support member together with the containment bag in a stable position, so that the containment bag with the remaining fluid completely fills the volume of the beverage bottle above the support member.

[0015] A helical spring is particularly suitable as the spring element, which is compressed by the pressure applied when closing the bottle or by the filling pressure of the containing bag. The bottom of the helical spring is fixed to the base of the bottle and constantly presses the support element or piston upwards. When the bottle is filled, the piston is pressed downwards again by the increased volume of the containing bag.

[0016] Catches can be provided for support on the inner wall of the beverage bottle, in particular on a rail provided on the inner wall, to fix the support member or the piston. The catches can be automatically opened when the support member is moved and closed again after the support member has passed, so that downward movement of the support member during use is not possible. Alternatively, the catches can be activated from the base of the beverage bottle via a rotating wheel or push button.

[0017] A particularly suitable expansion member is a bellows member disposed below the support member or integral with the support member, which expands upward from the base of the beverage bottle as a result of the tension of the bellows member itself when fluid is removed from the beverage containing bag.

[0018] In principle, it is also possible to provide one or more pressure chambers which are compressed when the containment bag is filled and which expand again when the fluid is removed from the containment bag. The pressure chambers are one or more pressure-resistant bags containing a gaseous medium. In this embodiment, however, the filling volume is in principle limited, since the pressure in the chambers must not exceed 2-3 bar.

[0019] Finally, the support member may be connected to a telescopic member, which may be actuable, for example, by a rotational movement acting on one or more threads of the telescopic member via the base of the bottle.

[0020] Aspect (b) of the beverage bottle of the present invention utilizes multiple stage members that are communicable with each other by a flap mechanism. In the closed state, the flaps seal against the base of the bottle. When fluid is drawn through the drinking valve, the flaps open and the fluid flows into the upper chamber. When the beverage bottle is set down, the fluid remains in the upper chamber. The size of the chambers formed by the stage members can be, for example, 50ml or 100ml, thus meeting the fluid requirements for sportspersons in terms of intervals between refills.

[0021] According to embodiment (b), the insert member of the beverage bottle may also have a plurality of bases inserted at regular intervals, the plurality of bases being in communication with one another along the central axis via openings or through holes. In this embodiment, the drinking valve may be connected to a suction tube that reaches the base of the beverage bottle. In each situation, the fluid contained in the beverage bottle flows into the lower region and is prevented from sloshing by the inserted bases.

[0022] It can be seen that the insert member according to embodiment (b) is made of a food compatible material, for example a plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0023] In embodiment (c), the insert member includes a honeycomb or cell forming filler of permeable material, the material being Suitable for food It is necessary to have a structure with a sponge with coarse pores. The honeycombs or cells are in communication with one another so that the beverage fluid can move through the bottle, but is prevented from moving rapidly through it. Such an insert can itself have, for example, a honeycomb or cell structure, the individual honeycombs or cells being in communication with one another by through holes. This insert can include a channel in the center, which serves to receive the drinking straw.

[0024] A preferred filler in embodiment (c) is a "crinkly" film, preferably a plastic material or metal, e.g. a film made of aluminium or coated aluminium, which effectively prevents movement of drinking fluid during exercise but does little to inhibit intake of the fluid through the drinking valve or drinking straw.

[0025] It may be appreciated that the beverage bottle insert is removable for cleaning, for example in a dishwasher. The fluid itself is contained within the containment bag in embodiment (a), whereas in embodiments (b) and (c) the fluid may be contained either within the insert only, or within both the beverage bottle and the insert.

[0026] The beverage bottle according to the invention includes a conventional screw-on top (herein called a dome) on which a valve is mounted. The valve itself also has a top, and the dome of the beverage bottle is preferably closed by a cap. The top of the valve is necessary in embodiment (a) to prevent the pressure of the expansion member from forcing the fluid in the containment bag out of the bottle.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the valve provided in the dome can be closed by a membrane that allows the drinking fluid to be taken in by suction. In variant (a), the fluid can be taken in with the bottle upright. In variants (b) or (c), the drinking bottle must be tilted for that purpose. It will be understood that a membrane is not necessarily required to take the fluid from a drinking bottle according to the invention.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, particularly aspect (c), fluid may be taken up through a drinking straw that extends to the bottom of the containment bag or insert member.

[0029] Finally, the valve can easily be configured to be variable, so that by rotating it the drinking mode (tilting the bottle, sucking through a membrane or drinking using a straw) can be adjusted.

[0030] It will be appreciated that beverage bottles according to the invention can be manufactured in different sizes, for example having volumes of 0.5 or 1 litre. The design can be modified to take into account internal features.

[0031] Advantageously, the beverage bottle according to the invention comprises a cleaning set which allows gentle removal of the insert, e.g. the receiving bag, and cleaning of the bottle, e.g. comprising a bottle brush and a hook for removing the receiving bag. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a beverage bottle in a mostly empty state according to embodiment (a) of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a beverage bottle according to embodiment (a) of the present invention in a full state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a beverage bottle according to embodiment (b) of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a beverage bottle according to embodiment (c) of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Figure 1 shows a beverage bottle according to the invention in an empty or unfilled state. The beverage bottle comprises a housing 1 and a dome 2 containing a valve 3 and is closed by an openable or removable cap 4. The cap 4 protects the sensitive valve 3 from damage and contamination.

[0034] The dome 2 is designed as a screw-on top (not shown). A valve 3 arranged in the dome 2 has a top that is liquid-tight and protrudes through the dome 2 into the interior of the beverage bottle.

[0035] Under the dome 2 there is a bag 5, which is designed as a bellows. In the illustrated state, the bag is empty and folded. A seal 6 is formed at the upper end of the bag 5, sealing the inner end of the beverage bottle with the underside of the dome 2.

[0036] Below the bellows element 5 there is a support member 7 which supports the underside of the bellows element 5. The support member 7 is itself supported by a helical spring 8 which is provided in the base 9 of the beverage bottle. In the illustrated state the helical spring 8 is fully extended and thus almost completely compresses the bellows element 5. Advantageously, the support member 7 and the helical spring 8 are integrally joined to each other. Alternatively, the support member 7 can be fixedly connected to the bellows element 5.

[0037] 11 denotes a guide member for the helical spring 8. Generally, two such guide members 11 are required.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the beverage bottle shown in Figure 1 in a full condition. The containment bag / bellows 5 is filled and inflated over its entire length and the helical spring 8 is maximally compressed. As fluid is removed from the bellows 5, the helical spring 8 compresses the bellows depending on the fill level and pushes it in a direction towards the valve 3.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the cap 4 is secured to the beverage bottle by a hinge 10 and can be opened. Not shown is a pressure equalization valve provided in the base area of ​​the beverage bottle, which serves to remove fluid from the bellows member 5 for pressure equalization.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a beverage bottle according to the invention according to embodiment (b). Unless otherwise stated, the components of the beverage bottle correspond to those of FIG. 1 or 2. The beverage bottle comprises a number of insert stage members 11, which are spaced apart at a defined distance from one another and can accommodate a defined amount of fluid. The stage members are centrally connected to one another by an opening, which is provided with a flap 12. The flap 12 is closed when the bottle is placed horizontally, but opens when the bottle is tilted to remove the fluid, allowing the beverage fluid to flow out in the direction towards the valve. The insert stage member 11, which is provided inside the insert member 5, ensures that no sloshing of the fluid occurs when the beverage bottle is partially emptied.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a beverage bottle according to the invention according to embodiment (c). In this case, the insert member 5 comprises a filler 13 of honeycomb or cell forming material which may be formed integrally with the insert member 5. A channel 14 runs through the middle which may serve for example to receive a drinking straw. The honeycombs or cells are in communication with each other so that the beverage fluid can move between them. This embodiment also ensures that sloshing of the beverage fluid is prevented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Case 2. Dome 3. Drinking valve 4 Protective cap 5 Insert material 6 Sealing material 7 Support member 8 Expansion member 9 base 10 Hinge 11 Guide members, stage members 12 Flap 13 Filling material

Claims

1. A drinking bottle for sportspersons, comprising a housing (1), a dome (2) containing a drinking valve (3), a base (9) and a protective cap (4), The present invention is provided with an insert member (5) for preventing sloshing, the insert member (5) being It comprises a filling of a food-compatible permeable material having a honeycomb or cellular structure, The beverage bottle is characterized in that the filling material has a flow channel (14) in the center.

2. 2. A beverage bottle according to claim 1, characterised by a drinking membrane or a drinking straw provided on the drinking valve (3).

3. 3. A beverage bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drinking valve (3) is adjustable for taking in a beverage fluid by tilting the beverage bottle, by sucking through a membrane and / or by drinking through a drinking straw.

4. 4. Beverage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the dome (2) containing the drinking valve (3) is screwed onto the housing (1).

5. 5. A beverage bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by an air intake for pressure equalisation.

6. A beverage bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insert (5) is made of a food-compatible plastic material.

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