Overcap for bottles

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to an overcap for a bottle that includes a handle configured to be grasped by the user to permit the bottle and overcap to be more easily carried by the user. The overcap may include a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion, at least one channel disposed within the cap body, and a handle that is slidably engaged with the channels to permit movement of the handle between a stowed and an unstowed position. In the unstowed position, the user may more grasp the handle to permit carrying of the bottle and overcap via the handle.

Description

OVERCAP FOR BOTTLESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 600,389, filed on November 17, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are directed to overcaps for use in providing closure to bottles that hold fluids. In particular, disclosed embodiments are directed to an overcap comprising a handle to provide the user with a way to carry the overcap and corresponding bottle.BACKGROUND

[0002] Drink bottles and corresponding closures have been employed for use in holding and enclosing fluids for consumption by a user. In particular, some bottles include closures such as overcaps that enclose an opening of the bottle by interfacing an inner portion of the overcap with a mouth of the bottle.SUMMARY

[0003] According to one aspect, an overcap for a bottle is provided. The overcap may include a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion, at least one channel disposed within the cap body, a handle engaged with the at least one channel, and an inner skirt extending from the top portion of the cap body. The handle may be configured to be moved between a stowed and an unstowed position. In some embodiments, the side portion of the cap body may surround the inner skirt. In some embodiments, a surface portion of the handle is flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

[0004] According to another aspect, an overcap for a bottle is provided. The overcap may include a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion, at least one channel disposed within the cap body, a handle slidably engaged with the at least one channel, and an inner skirt extending from the top portion of the cap body. The handle may be configured to be moved between a stowed and an unstowed position. In some embodiments, the side portion of the cap body may surround the inner skirt. In some embodiments, the handle may be configured to move linearly in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the at least one channel when moving towards the unstowed position.

[0005] According to yet another aspect, an overcap for a bottle is provided. The overcap may include a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion, at least one channel disposed within the cap body, and a handle engaged with the at least one channel which may be configured to be moved between a stowed position and an unstowed position. In some embodiments, the handle may include one or more side sections and the one or more side sections may be configured to be squeezed by a user to permit movement of the handle between the stowed position and the unstowed position. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more side sections of the handle may be adjacent to the side portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Non-limiting embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle and overcap arrangement, according to some embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1 in an unstowed position;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1 in a stowed position;

[0010] FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of an overcap according to some embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 4B is a cross-section view of the overcap of FIG. 4A interacting with a corresponding bottle, according to some embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 4C is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a cap body of the overcap of FIG. 4A, according to some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the cap body of the overcap of FIG. 4A, according to some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 5 A is a bottom perspective view of the overcap of FIGs. 4A-4D depicting an inner skirt extending from a portion of the overcap, according to some embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of region 5B of FIG. 5A;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the overcap of FIGs. 4A-D showing a handle of the overcap interacting with channels formed in the overcap, according to some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 7A is a perspective exploded view of an overcap according to some embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 7B is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a cap body of the overcap of FIG. 7A, according to some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 8A is a bottom perspective view of the overcap of FIGs. 7A-B depicting an inner skirt extending from a portion of the overcap, according to some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 8B is an enlarged perspective view of region 8B of FIG. 8A; and

[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the overcap of FIGs. 7A-B showing a handle of the overcap interacting with channels formed in the overcap, according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] It should be appreciated that aspects of the invention disclosed herein are not limited in application to the details of the construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Further, the concepts disclosed herein may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0023] Bottles and bottle caps have been employed for use in holding and enclosing liquids for consumption by a user. In some arrangements, the bottles and bottle caps may take the form of single use product that is intended to be disposed of or recycledfollowing use. The bottle caps may be of a variety of suitable types, shapes, and sizes, but generally include an interfacing portion configured to engage with a corresponding opening on a bottle to provide closure of the bottle’s contents. In some arrangements, bottle caps in the form of overcaps have been employed to provide closure to bottles. Specifically, overcaps may include an inner skirt portion configured to engage a corresponding opening on a mouth of the bottle and an exterior cap body that may at least partially, or fully, surround the inner skirt portion. In some embodiments, the exterior cap body may be configured to interface over a portion of a shoulder and / or neck of the bottle.

[0024] The inventors have recognized a need for an ability to conveniently carry such bottles, as some bottles may be cumbersome and / or shaped such that they are difficult to carry. As such, the inventors have recognized benefits associated with providing improvements to carrying features on bottle and bottle cap arrangements. Specifically, the inventors have recognized benefits associated with forming a handle on an overcap configured for use with a bottle. By providing a carrying feature such as a handle, a user may more easily grasp the bottle and / or may secure the bottle to a bag or other articles, thereby providing easier transportation of the bottle and its contents for the end user.

[0025] According to aspects discussed herein, an overcap for use in interfacing with a bottle may comprise a cap body and a handle formed in the cap body. In some embodiments, the cap body may include one or more channels disposed in the cap body. The handle may be configured to slide along the one or more channels such that the handle may be moved between a stowed and an unstowed position. In the stowed position, the handle may substantially conform to the silhouette of the overcap. In the unstowed position, the handle may be extended such that a user may grasp the handle for carrying the overcap and corresponding bottle. The handle may be configured to slide along the one or more channels between the stowed and unstowed positions via one or more tracks formed in the channels.

[0026] According to one aspects discussed herein, an overcap for a bottle is provided. The overcap may include a handle slidably engaged with at least one channel formed in a cap body of the overcap. The handle may be configured to be moved between a stowed and unstowed position such that at least a portion of the handle is flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cap body includes a top portion and a side portion. In some such embodiments, the top portion and side portion may be of any suitable sizeand / or shape such that the cap body may be received by a corresponding shoulder and / or neck portion of a bottle. For example, the top portion may be substantially flat and circular while the side portion may be substantially curved. In another example, both the top and side portions may be substantially flat such that the cap body forms a cube shape. While these arrangements of top and side portions of a cap body are disclosed, the cap body may be of any suitable shape as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0028] In some embodiments, at least one channel may be formed in the cap body as noted above. In some such embodiments, the at least one channel may be formed as a recessed portion disposed in the side portion of the cap body. In some embodiments, the at least one channel may comprise two channels formed on opposing sides of the side portion of the cap body. While such channel arrangements are disclosed, any suitable number of channels may be included in the cap body and the channels may be arranged along any suitable location of the cap body as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0029] In some embodiments, the at least one channel may extend the entire height of the side portion of the cap body. In other embodiments, however, the at least one channel does not extend through the entire height of the side portion.

[0030] In some embodiments, the at least one channel may be used to receive a handle as noted above. The handle may comprise one or more side sections and a top section connected to the one or more side sections to form the structure of the handle. For example, two channels may be formed on opposing sides of the side portion of the cap body as noted above, and a handle may include two side sections. In such an example, each side section may be slidably engaged with a corresponding channel of the two channels. The handle may also include a top section disposed between and connecting the two side sections, where a user may grasp the top section of the handle to carry the overcap (and a bottle along with the overcap, if a bottle is coupled to the overcap).

[0031] In some embodiments, the side portion of the cap body may be curved as noted above. In some such embodiments, the channels may be formed such that the channels substantially conform to a radius of curvature of the side portion of the cap body. As such, the longitudinal, transverse, and depth dimensions of the channels disclosed above may vary depending on the radius of curvature of the side portion of the cap body. For example, if the side portion of the cap body is sized such that it is wider at the base of the side portion and narrower at the top of the side portion, the depth of the channel may be greater towards the base of the side portion of the cap body and lesser towards the top portion of the cap body.

[0032] In some embodiments, the channels formed in the side portion of the cap body may also include one or more tracks disposed in the channels. These tracks may be configured to receive corresponding pins or other engagement features of the handle to permit the handle to be slidably engaged within the at least one track of the channel. For example, a given channel located on the side portion of the cap body may comprise two tracks formed on opposing sides of the channel. In such an example, the handle may include engagement features (e.g., pins) as noted above to slidably engage the tracks to move the handle between stowed and unstowed positions. In some embodiments, the tracks may not extend the entire longitudinal dimension of the channel such that there are end stops located at one or more ends of the tracks configured to prevent movement of the corresponding handle past a certain position. As such, the use of such end stops in the tracks may also be configured to prevent removal of the handle from the channel. In some embodiments, the end stops may be configured to restrict movement of the handle in the stowed position such that the top section and / or the side sections of the handle remain flush with the cap body. While this example is disclosed above, the handle may be received within the one or more channels in a variety of suitable arrangements as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0033] In some embodiments, the one or more channels may include one or more recesses disposed in the channels. These recesses may be spaced in a lateral direction from the one or more tracks and may be configured to receive corresponding engagement features of the handle in the stowed position. In some such embodiments, the recesses may serve to retain the handle in the stowed position (e.g., via one or more detents to retain the engagement features) unless an action to remove the engagement features from the recesses is exerted by the user. For example, the user may depress the side sections of the handle when the handle is in the stowed position, which may in turn disengage the engagement features from the recesses (e.g., by moving the engagement features into the tracks disposed in the channels). In some embodiments, the recesses may include one or more slanted features to urge the engagement features out of the recesses when the user depresses the handle. Upon disengagement from the recesses, the handle may be able to slide in the tracks.

[0034] In some embodiments, the one or more channels may include one or more wedges disposed in the channels. The one or more wedges may be configured to function as a stabilizing structure when the handle is engaged with the channels. For example, the wedges may be positioned such that they contact the side sections of the handle topromote lateral stability of the handle. The inventors have recognized that such an arrangement may ensure that the handle remains engaged with the channels and structurally stable during use by a user (e.g., when a user is carrying and swinging the bottle). Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, the wedges may serve to assist the handle in maintaining its position when in the unstowed position. This may occur due to friction between a portion of the handle and the wedges as the handle is moved to the unstowed position.

[0035] In some embodiments, the one or more channels and the handle may be constructed and arranged such that a surface portion of the handle is substantially flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position. The surface portion of the handle may be a part of the top section of the handle or a part of the side section of the handle as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the side section of the handle may be of a substantially similar radius of curvature to that of the side portion of the cap body such that the handle is flush with the side portion of the cap body when in the stowed position. In another example, the top portion of the cap body may include a depressed portion which is configured to receive the top section of the handle in the stowed position. The inventors have recognized that benefits may be realized by selecting the depth of the depressed portion to be substantially similar to the depth of the top section of the handle. In some such embodiments, the top section of the handle may be received by the depressed portion of the cap body such that the top section of the handle is flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the handle is flush with both the side portion and the top portion of the cap body when in the stowed position. In other embodiments, however, a surface portion of the handle may not be substantially flush with an adjacent portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position (e.g., the handle may protrude out of the channels and / or the depressed top portion of the cap body).

[0036] In some embodiments, the handle may be of any suitable shape. For example, the handle may be substantially semi-circular. In another example, the handle may have a substantially flat top section and curved side sections. The cap body may also have a substantially flat top portion and curved side portions as disclosed herein. As such, in some embodiments, the cap body and the handle may be of a substantially similar shape and the handle may conform to the silhouette of the cap body when engaged with the cap body and in the stowed position.

[0037] In some embodiments, the channels in the cap body and the corresponding handle may be formed such that the handle aligns with a centerline of the cap body. The inventors have recognized that such a configuration may be beneficial to provide a balanced carrying experience for the end user while grasping the handle. In other embodiments, however, the channels and the handle may be offset from the centerline of the cap body (e.g., the handle may not be symmetric about the centerline).

[0038] In some embodiments, as noted above, the handle may be slidably engaged with the one or more channels such that the handle is movable between a stowed position and an unstowed position. In the unstowed position, the handle may be configured to be raised at any suitable distance such that a user may grasp the handle to carry the overcap and a corresponding bottle engaged to the overcap.

[0039] In some embodiments, the handle may be held in the unstowed position via an interference fit. For example, the handle may include one or more pins protruding from the handle that are engaged with the one or more tracks of the channels in the cap body, and the tracks may have an upper region with a narrowing width dimension such that as the pins slide in the channel, they are retained in an upper region of the tracks by an interference fit. While an interference fit may be used to retain the handle in the unstowed position, any suitable means of retention may be used as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the upper region of the track may include one or more detents that are configured to retain the handle in the unstowed position upon the engagement features of the handle advancing past the detents.

[0040] In some embodiments, the handle may include one or more gripping surfaces integrated with the top section and / or the side section of the handle. The one or more gripping surfaces may include protuberances that extend relative to the top section and / or side section. For example, a plurality of protuberances may extend outwards from each of two side sections of the handle to provide a better grip for the user when the user is depressing the handle to disengage the engagement features of the handle from one or more recesses in the channels. Any suitable number of protuberances may be used which may be of any suitable size, shape, or other characteristic as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0041] In some embodiments, the handle may include one or more directional indicators integrated on the top section and / or the side section of the handle. The one or more directional indicators may also be integrated on the top portion and / or the side portion of the cap body as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the directionalindicators may be of an arrow-shape that protrudes from each of the two side sections of the handle. These directional indicators may indicate to a user that the user should pull the handle upwards to move the handle from the stowed to unstowed position. The directional indicators may also indicate to the user that the user should depress the side sections of the handle to disengage the engagement features of the handle from corresponding recesses in the channels. In some embodiments, the handle may also include one or more gripping surfaces to aid the user in moving the handle between the stowed and unstowed positions. For example, the gripping surfaces may include one or more protuberances extending outwardly from a section of the handle.

[0042] In some embodiments, the directional indicators and / or gripping surfaces may be of a different surface finish or texture than the adjacent sections of the handle. For example, the directional indicators and / or gripping surfaces may have a matte finish while the remainder of the handle has a glossy finish. Likewise, the directional indicators and / or gripping surfaces may have a glossy finish while the remainder of the handle has a matte finish. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the directional indicators and / or gripping surfaces may be of any suitable surface finish, color, shape, or any suitable characteristic as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0043] In some embodiments, the cap body may include an inner skirt extending from the top portion of the cap body that is configured to engage a corresponding mouth of a bottle. For example, the inner skirt may include threaded features configured to engage with corresponding threaded features on the mouth of the bottle. The inner skirt and corresponding mouth of the bottle may be engaged using other suitable features such as an interference fit as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the inner skirt may be surrounded by the side portion of the cap body such that the inner skirt is disposed within an internal volume of the cap body. As disclosed above, the top portion of the cap body may include a depressed portion configured to receive the top section of the handle. In some such embodiments, the top portion of the cap body may protrude into the interior of the inner skirt. To ensure sufficient engagement of the inner skirt with the mouth of the bottle, a height dimension of the inner skirt may be sized to allow the inner skirt and the bottle mouth to be fully engaged.

[0044] In some embodiments, the channels may be formed in the side portion of the cap body in an arrangement that defines an internal volume having a closed bottom and a sidewall, such that the internal volume may be configured to function as a beveragereceptacle when inverted such that the cap body may receive and hold a beverage, e.g. for drinking out of the receptacle.

[0045] In some embodiments, the cap body and / or the handle of the overcap may be composed of any suitable material as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a suitable material of the cap body and / or the handle may include, but is not limited to, high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene.

[0046] According to another aspect, an overcap for a bottle may include a handle slidably engaged with at least one channel formed in a cap body of the overcap. The handle may be configured to be moved between a stowed and unstowed position in a substantially linear fashion relative to a longitudinal dimension of the at least one channel. The inventors have recognized that such an arrangement may permit a more compact cap design as the handle may substantially conform to the silhouette of the cap.

[0047] Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually and / or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an overcap 100 engaged with a corresponding bottle 300. The bottle 300 includes a bottle body 310, a distal end 320, and a proximal end 330. The overcap 100 includes a cap body 110 and a handle 120, where the cap body 110 is engaged with the distal end 320 of the bottle 300, e.g., via an inner skirt of the cap body threadingly engaged with a mouth of the bottle (not shown). In FIG. 1, the handle 120 is shown in the unstowed position, where the user may grasp the handle 120 to carry the overcap 100 and bottle 300.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an overcap 100 including a cap body 110 and a handle 120, where the handle 120 is once again shown in the unstowed position. The cap body 110 includes a top portion 114 and a side portion 112 having a first channel 130 and a second channel (not shown) disposed therein. The first and second channels are shown to receive a first side section 123 and a second side section 124 of the handle 120, respectively. The handle 120 also includes a top section 122 that is configured to be received by a depressed portion of the top portion 114 of the cap body 110. The first side section 123 includes a directional indicator 126 and a gripping surface 127 having a plurality of protuberances. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the user may grip the first and second side sections (123, 124) of the handle and depress these sections inward, wherethe user may then raise the handle 120 upwards as indicated by the directional indicator 126 to a suitable height indicated by dimension (D5). As can be seen in FIG. 6, depression of first and second side sections results in the engagement features of the handle being removed from a recessed portion of the channel, thus permitting the engagement features to slide along the tracks in the channels between stowed and unstowed positions.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the overcap 100 of FIG. 2 where the handle 120 is in the stowed position. As can be seen in FIG. 3, in the stowed position, the handle 120 may become substantially flush with the portions of the cap body 110 such that the handle 120 conforms to the silhouette of the cap body 110. In particular, a side portion 112 of the cap body 110 includes a first channel 130 and a second channel (not shown) opposing the first channel 130, where the first and second channels receive a first side section 123 and a second side section (not shown) of the handle 120, respectively. The top portion 114 of the cap body 110 may also include a depressed portion configured to receive a top section 122 of the handle 120. By allowing the handle 120 to become substantially flush with the cap body 110, a more compact and sleeker overcap design may be realized for the end user. The handle 120 may also include one or more directional indicators 126 and gripping surfaces 127 including protuberances to aid the user in moving the handle 120 between the stowed and unstowed positions.

[0051] FIG. 4A shows a perspective exploded view of an overcap 200 including a cap body 210 and a handle 220. As can be seen in FIG. 4A, the cap body 210 includes a first channel 230 having a first track 231 disposed on a side of the channel 230. While the track 231 is shown on the side of the channel 230, the tracks may be included on any suitable face of the channel 230 as the disclosure is not so limited. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, a second track (not shown) may also be included which opposes the first track 231. The handle 220 may include engagement features, such as engagement tabs 228, that may interface with the tracks of the channels (e.g., first track 231) to allow the handle 220 to be moved between stowed and unstowed positions. While FIG. 4A shows engagement tabs 228 located on portions 250, 260 of the side sections 223, 224, the engagement tabs may be located on any suitable portion of the handle as the disclosure is not so limited. The tracks may be of any suitable dimensional parameters to promote engagement with the engagement tabs 228 of the handle 220. As can also be seen in FIG. 4A, the top portion 214 of cap body 210 includes a depressed portion 216 which is configured to receive a top section 222 of the handle 220 such that the handle 220 is substantially flushwith the top portion 214 of the cap body 210 when in the stowed position. The handle 220 may also include one or more directional indicators 226 and gripping surfaces 227 including protuberances to aid the user in moving the handle 220 between the stowed and unstowed positions.

[0052] The overcap 200 of FIG. 4A also includes wedges 233 positioned within the channels (e.g., first channel 230). The wedges 233 may serve as a stabilizing structure to provide lateral stability to the handle 220 when the handle 220 is interfaced with the channel 230 (e.g., via engagement tabs 228 engaging with track 231). In particular, the wedges 233 may contact a portion (e.g., 250, 260) of the side sections (223, 224) of the handle 220 to limit the lateral flexure of the handle 220. For example, if a user grasps the handle 220 and swings the overcap 200 and corresponding bottle, the lateral stability provided by the wedges 233 as they abut against the portions (250, 260) of the side sections may help to avoid damage to the handle 220. FIG. 4A also shows that the engagement tabs 228 may be formed on a lateral side of the side sections (223, 224) of the handle 220 to permit engagement of the engagement tabs 228 with the tracks.However, any suitable location of engagement features and / or tracks may be used as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the engagement features may instead be located on a medial side of the side sections of the handle, and the tracks may be formed on an alternate face of the channel. The engagement features may also be located on a side of the handle opposite the directional indicator 226 (e.g., the engagement features may be oriented parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the handle 220).

[0053] FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the overcap of FIG. 4A interacting with a corresponding bottle 300. As disclosed herein, an inner skirt 240 extending from the overcap may be engaged with a corresponding mouth 322 of the bottle 300 via any suitable engagement features 242. These engagement features may include, but are not limited to threads, an interference fit, or any other suitable engagement features. As shown in FIG. 4B, the overcap may be constructed and arranged such that the interior of the overcap substantially conforms to the silhouette of the bottle when engaged. In other embodiments, however, the overcap and bottle may not be arranged to complement the shape of one another (e.g., an overcap may engage with bottles of different shapes).

[0054] FIG. 4C shows an enlarged perspective view of a cap body 210 of the overcap of FIG. 4A. In particular, FIG. 4C shows an enlarged view of the first track 231 of channel 230. As disclosed herein, the track 231 may receive corresponding engagement features of a handle (e.g., engagement tabs 228 shown in FIG. 4A) such that the handlecan slide along the track between stowed and unstowed positions. When moving to the stowed position, the engagement features of the handle may slide along the one or more tracks (e.g., 231) and then move past one or more detents 238 to retain the handle in the stowed position. For example, the detents 238 may be able to flex such that once the engagement tabs abut the detents 238, the engagements tabs may push past the detents to be received by the recessed portion 232. When moving to the unstowed position, a user may squeeze the sides of the handle inwards to move the engagement feature out of the recessed portion 232, past the detent 238, and back into track 231. The engagement features of the handle may then slide upwards in the track and contact one or more detents 241. In a similar fashion, the detents 241 may be able to flex such that the engagement features may move past detents 241 to retain the engagement features in the unstowed position. Without wishing to be bound by theory, other arrangements are contemplated including a narrowing track which permits retention of the handle engagement features via a friction fit.

[0055] FIG. 4D shows another perspective view of a cap body 210 of the overcap of FIG. 4A. In particular, FIG. 4D shows an enlarged view of the channel 230 where first and second wedges 233 are shown. As noted above, the wedges 233 may contact portions of the handle to limit lateral flexure of the handle when grasped by the user.

[0056] The channels (e.g., first channel 230) may be of any suitable size, shape, or other characteristic such that the channels may be configured to receive a corresponding handle on the overcap. For example, the channels may be of any suitable longitudinal dimension (DI), transverse dimension (D2), or depth dimension (D3) to facilitate engagement with a corresponding handle 220. As used herein, a longitudinal dimension of the channel (see DI of FIG. 4A) refers to a dimension of the channel parallel to the height of the side portion of the cap body while a transverse dimension of the channel (see D2 of FIG. 4A) refers to a dimension of the channel that is perpendicular to the height of the side portion of the cap body. Moreover, a depth dimension of the channel (see D3 of FIG. 4A) as used herein refers to the distance that the channel is recessed into the side portion of the cap body toward the center of the overcap.

[0057] The depressed portion 216 of the cap body 210 may also be of any suitable size to receive the top section 222 of the handle 220. A depth dimension of the depressed portion (see D4 of FIG. 4A) as used herein refers to the distance that the depressed portion 216 is recessed into the top portion of the cap body.

[0058] In some embodiments, a suitable longitudinal dimension (DI) of the channel may be greater than or equal to 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm or greater. In some embodiments, a suitable transverse dimension (D2) of the channel may be greater than or equal to 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, or greater. In some embodiments, a suitable depth dimension (D3) of the channel may be greater than or equal to 3 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, or greater. Combinations of the above reference dimensions are also possible. For example, the channel may have a longitudinal dimension (DI) of 50 mm, a transverse dimension of 25 mm, and a depth of 10 mm, or any other suitable combination. In some embodiments, a suitable depth dimension (D4) of the depressed portion may be greater than or equal to 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or greater.

[0059] The handle may also be of any suitable size, shape, or other characteristic such that the handle may be received by the one or more channels disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the side sections of the handle may include similar longitudinal, transverse, and depth dimensions as disclosed above in reference to the sizing of the channels. The inventors have recognized particular benefits to forming and sizing the handle such that it complements the recessed regions of the cap body, which allows the handle to substantially conform to the silhouette of the cap body when in the stowed position.

[0060] The top section of the handle may also be of any suitable size as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the top section of the handle may have a substantially similar transverse dimension to that of the side section of the handle.Therefore, the handle may have a uniform transverse dimension over the profile of the handle. In other embodiments, however, the transverse dimension of the top section of the handle may be greater than or less than the transverse dimension of the side section of the handle. Thus, in some embodiments, a transverse dimension of the top section of the handle may be greater than or equal to 5 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, or greater. In some embodiments, the top section of the handle may have a tapered shape such that a portion of the top section of the handle is narrower than the remainder of the top section of the handle. For example, a centermost portion of the top section of the handle may have a transverse dimension of around 10 mm while either end of the top section of the handle may have a transverse dimension of around 18 mm. Of course, other dimensions and combinations of sizes are also contemplated. The inventors have recognized that such a tapered handle may be more ergonomic for an end user by allowing the user to more comfortably grab the handle to carry the bottle.

[0061] In some embodiments, the top section of the handle may also be of a longitudinal dimension that spans the length of the top portion of the cap body. The top section of the handle may also have a greater or lesser longitudinal dimension that the size of the top portion of the cap body as the disclosure is not so limited. As noted above, a depth dimension of the top section of the handle may also be selected to be similar to the depth of the depressed portion in the cap body. While this preferred embodiment is disclosed, depth dimensions both greater and lesser than the depth of the depressed portion in the cap body may be used as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0062] As disclosed herein, the handle may be configured to be raised at any suitable distance in the unstowed position such that a user may grasp the handle to carry the overcap and a corresponding bottle engaged to the overcap In some embodiments, a suitable distance that the top section of the handle may be raised relative to the top portion of the cap body when in the unstowed position may be greater than or equal to 10 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or greater.

[0063] FIG. 5A shows a bottom perspective view of an overcap 200 where an inner skirt 240 extending from an interior of the cap body 210 is shown. In some embodiments, the inner skirt 240 includes engagement features, such as threads, which are configured to engage with corresponding engagement features of a mouth of a bottle. The inner skirt 240 may also include a protruding portion 244 which is a result of the depressed portion in a top portion of the cap body protruding into the interior of the inner skirt 240. Thus, in order to accommodate engagement with a corresponding bottle, the inner skirt may be of different dimensional parameters (e.g., increased height) to permit sufficient engagement to the bottle. As disclosed herein, a first channel 230 and a second channel 234 may be disposed in the cap body 210, and the channels (230, 234) may or may not extend the entire height of the cap body 210.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5A, the channels 230, 234 are formed in the side portion of the cap body in an arrangement that defines an internal volume V bounded by the top portion 214 and the side portion 212 of the overcap. The internal volume V may have an opening 289 that receives the bottle. The internal volume V may be configured to receive and hold a beverage, such that the overcap is configured to function as a beverage receptacle. In one illustrative example, a user may remove the overcap from the bottle, invert the overcap such that the opening 280 of the internal volume V faces upward, and pour beverage into the internal volume V. The user may, for example, pour beverage from the bottle into the internal volume V of the overcap.

[0065] FIG. 5B shows an enlarged perspective view of region 5B of FIG. 5A, where a recessed portion 232 formed at the base of the channel 230 is shown. The recessed portion 232 is connected to the track 231 and is at a position shifted laterally outwardly from the track 231 relative to a longitudinal axis 270 of the cap. When the handle is slid down to a stowed position, the tabs 228 of the handle exit the track 231 and move into the recessed portion 232. In some embodiments, the tabs 228 may be urged into the recessed portion 232, e.g., due to flexure of the handle that biases the handle side sections 223, 224 laterally outwardly. Alternatively or in addition, the track 231 may be shaped to urge the engagement tabs 228 into the recessed portion 232.

[0066] In some embodiments, a detent 238 may be provided between the recessed portion 232 and the track 231. The detent 238 may be configured to retain the engagement tabs of the handle in the stowed position once the engagement tabs are disposed within the recessed portion 232. When the user wants to move the handle out of the stowed position, the user may squeeze the side sections 223, 224 of the handle inwardly toward the longitudinal axis 270 and toward one another, thus forcing the tabs to slide over the detent 238 and enter the track 231. With the tabs engaged in the track 231, the user can lift the handle 220 up to an unstowed position. In some embodiments, the detent 238 is a protrusion that is located between the recessed portion 232 and the track 231. The detent may have a rounded surface to facilitate sliding of the tabs against the detent.

[0067] In some embodiments, detents may be provided at other suitable locations along the tracks and / or at other suitable locations of the channels outside of the tracks. For example, detents may be provided at an upper region of the tracks (231, 235, see FIG. 6) such that the detents are configured to retain the engagement tabs of the handle in the unstowed position. That is, the engagement tabs of the handle may move past the detents in the corresponding tracks (e.g., the detents may flex to permit passage of the engagement tabs and / or the handle may flex to move past the detents) to permit movement of the handle to the unstowed position. Once in the unstowed position, the detents may restrict movement of the handle to the stowed position absent an input from the user (e.g., the user may squeeze the side sections of the handle to move the engagement tabs past the detents). While such an example is disclosed, the detents may be provided along any suitable face of the channels. For example, the detents may be provided on an interior face 239 (see FIG. 4A) of the channels (230, 234) opposite the directional indicator 226 of the handle 220. In this example, the engagement tabs of thehandle 220 may be arranged on an inward-facing surface 225 of the handle 220 opposite the direction indicator 226 such that the engagement tabs may engage and move past the detents formed on the interior face 239 of the channel. However, the engagement features of the handle, the tracks formed in the channel, and the detents may be located along any suitable location of the overcap as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of an embodiment of the overcap 200 where the handle 220 is in the unstowed position relative to the cap body 210. The cap body 210 includes a first channel 230 and a second channel 234, each including a track (231, 235) and a recessed portion (232, 236). As disclosed above, the user may depress the side sections (223, 224) of the handle 220 inwardly toward the longitudinal axis 270 of the overcap to overcome the detents 238 and allow the tabs of the handle to exit the recessed portions (232, 236) and to allow the tabs of the side sections (223, 224) to enter and slide along the tracks (231, 235).

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, there may be a slanted surface 237 disposed between the recessed portions (232, 236) and their respective tracks (231, 235), where the slanted surface may assist in urging the side sections (223, 224) to transition from the recessed portions to the tracks. As disclosed herein, the side sections of the handle may be retained in the unstowed position via an interference fit between the engagement tabs of the handle (not shown) and the tracks of the channels. In FIG. 6, the tracks (231, 235) may become progressively narrower such that the engagement features of the handle are retained in the upper region of the tracks, and thus the handle is retained in the unstowed position via the interference fit. While such an arrangement is disclosed, the handle may also be retained in the unstowed position via other suitable features (e.g., detents) as disclosed herein.

[0070] FIGs. 7A-B, 8A-B, and 9 depict another embodiment of an overcap 200 including a cap body 210 and a handle 220. This embodiment is similar to that of FIGs. 4A-D, but a detent is not included within the recessed portion 232 (see FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9). Rather, in the embodiments of FIGs. 7A-B, 8A-B, and 9, the engagement features 228 of the handle 220 may abut an engagement surface 243 within the recessed portion 232 when in the stowed position. That is, the engagement feature 228 may be retained within the recessed portion 232 via friction with the engagement surface 243. To permit movement of the handle 220 to the unstowed position, the user may squeeze the side sections 223, 224 of the handle 220 inwardly to disengage the engagement tabs 228 fromthe recessed portion 232, thereby moving engagement tabs 228 into the tracks of the channels.

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in any suitable arrangement as the disclosure is not limited in this regard. While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, or equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only.

Claims

What is claimed is:CLAIMS1. An overcap for a bottle, the overcap comprising: a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion; at least one channel disposed within the cap body; a handle engaged with the at least one channel and configured to be moved between a stowed position and an unstowed position; and an inner skirt extending from the top portion of the cap body, wherein the side portion of the cap body surrounds the inner skirt, and wherein a surface portion of the handle is flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the surface portion of the handle is a top section of the handle, wherein the top section of the handle is configured to be raised at a distance of greater than or equal to 15mm and less than or equal to 30 mm relative to the top portion of the cap body when in the unstowed position, and wherein a user may carry the overcap by gripping the handle in the unstowed position.

3. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the surface portion of the handle is a side section of the handle, wherein the side section of the handle has a radius of curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the side portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

4. The overcap of claim 1, further comprising one or more gripping surfaces included on the handle.

5. The overcap of claim 1, further comprising one or more tracks disposed in the at least one channel and one or more pins protruding from the handle, wherein the one or more pins are configured to slide in the one or more tracks to permit movement of the handle between the stowed and unstowed positions.

6. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the inner skirt includes a threaded section configured to be engaged with the bottle.

7. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the top portion and the side portion define an internal volume configured to receive and hold a beverage, such that the overcap is configured to function as a beverage receptacle.

8. The overcap of claim 1, further comprising one or more wedges disposed on the at least one channel, wherein the one or more wedges are configured to contact the handle in the at least one channel to promote lateral stability of the handle.

9. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the surface portion of the handle is a side section of the handle, wherein the side section of the handle is configured to be squeezed by a user to engage the one or more pins protruding from the handle with the one or more tracks disposed in the at least one channel, and wherein depression of the side section of the handle is configured to permit movement of the handle to the unstowed position.

10. The overcap of claim 9, further comprising one or more recesses in the at least one channel, wherein the one or more recesses are spaced in a lateral direction from the one or more tracks, and wherein the one or more pins protruding from the handle are configured to engage with the one or more recesses when the handle is in the stowed position.

11. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the one or more pins protruding from the handle are configured to engage the one or more tracks in the unstowed position such that the handle is held in the unstowed position via an interference fit.

12. An overcap for a bottle, the overcap comprising: a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion; at least one channel disposed within the cap body; a handle slidably engaged with the at least one channel and configured to be moved between a stowed position and an unstowed position; and an inner skirt extending from the top portion of the cap body, wherein the side portion of the cap body surrounds the inner skirt, and wherein the handle is configured to move linearly in a direction substantially parallel to alongitudinal dimension of the at least one channel when moving towards the unstowed position.

13. The overcap of claim 12, wherein a surface portion of the handle is flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

14. The overcap of claim 13, wherein the surface portion of the handle is a top section of the handle, wherein the top section of the handle is configured to be raised at a distance of greater than or equal to 15 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm relative to the top portion of the cap body when in the unstowed position, and wherein a user may carry the overcap by gripping the handle in the unstowed position.

15. The overcap of claim 13, wherein the surface portion of the handle is a side section of the handle, wherein the side section of the handle has a radius of curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the side portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

16. The overcap of claim 12, further comprising one or more tracks disposed in the at least one channel and one or more pins protruding from the handle, wherein the one or more pins are configured to slide in the one or more tracks to permit movement of the handle between the stowed and unstowed positions.

17. The overcap of claim 12, wherein the inner skirt includes a threaded section configured to be engaged with the bottle.

18. The overcap of claim 12, wherein the top portion and the side portion define an internal volume configured to receive and hold a beverage, such that the overcap is configured to function as a beverage receptacle.

19. The overcap of claim 12, further comprising one or more wedges disposed on the at least one channel, wherein the one or more wedges are configured to contact the handle in the at least one channel to promote lateral stability of the handle.

20. The overcap of claim 16, wherein a side section of the handle is configured to be squeezed by a user to engage the one or more pins protruding from the handle with the one or more tracks disposed in the at least one channel, and wherein depression of the side section of the handle is configured to permit movement of the handle to the unstowed position.

21. The overcap of claim 20, further comprising one or more recesses in the at least one channel, wherein the one or more recesses are spaced in a lateral direction from the one or more tracks, and wherein the one or more pins protruding from the handle are configured to engage with the one or more recesses when the handle is in the stowed position.

22. The overcap of claim 16, wherein the one or more pins protruding from the handle are configured to engage the one or more tracks in the unstowed position such that the handle is held in the unstowed position via an interference fit.

23. An overcap for a bottle, the overcap comprising: a cap body comprising a top portion and a side portion; at least one channel disposed within the cap body; and a handle engaged with the at least one channel and configured to be moved between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the handle includes one or more side sections, wherein at least one of the one or more side sections is configured to be squeezed by a user to permit movement of the handle between the stowed position and the unstowed position, and wherein at least one of the one or more side sections is adjacent to the side portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

24. The overcap of claim 23, wherein a surface portion of the handle is flush with an adjacent surface portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

25. The overcap of claim 24, wherein the surface portion of the handle is a top section of the handle, wherein the top section of the handle is configured to be raised at a distance of greater than or equal to 15mm and less than or equal to 30 mm relative tothe top portion of the cap body when in the unstowed position, and wherein a user may carry the overcap by gripping the handle in the unstowed position.

26. The overcap of claim 24, wherein the surface portion of the handle is at least one of the one or more side sections of the handle, wherein the side sections of the handle have a radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature of the side portion of the cap body when the handle is in the stowed position.

27. The overcap of claim 23, further comprising one or more tracks disposed in the at least one channel and one or more pins protruding from the handle, wherein the one or more pins are configured to slide in the one or more tracks to permit movement of the handle between the stowed and unstowed positions.

28. The overcap of claim 27, wherein squeezing at least one of the one or more side sections of the handle is configured to engage the one or more pins protruding from the handle with the one or more tracks disposed in the at least one channel to permit movement of the handle to the unstowed position.

29. The overcap of claim 28, further comprising one or more recesses in the at least one channel, wherein the one or more recesses are spaced in a lateral direction from the one or more tracks, and wherein the one or more pins protruding from the handle are configured to engage with the one or more recesses when the handle is in the stowed position.

30. The overcap of claim 23, wherein the top portion and the side portion define an internal volume configured to receive and hold a beverage, such that the overcap is configured to function as a beverage receptacle.

31. The overcap of claim 23, further comprising one or more wedges disposed on the at least one channel, wherein the one or more wedges are configured to contact the handle in the at least one channel to promote lateral stability of the handle.

32. The overcap of claim 27, wherein the one or more pins protruding from the handle are configured to engage the one or more tracks in the unstowed position such that the handle is held in the unstowed position via an interference fit.

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