AU2015100862A4 - Lid and Bottle Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

-9 Abstract A lid (14) arranged for sealing a glass bottle (12) in a fitted condition. The lid (14) including a lid body (50) formed of a flexible material, the lid body (50) having an inner sealing portion (52) and a skirting outer sealing portion (56) arranged to define an annular recess (54) therebetween. The arrangement being such that in the fitted condition an open-ended neck (20) of the bottle (12) is sealably received by the annular recess (54) via a friction fit with the inner sealing portion (52) being received by the open-ended neck (20) of the bottle (12) and the outer sealing portion (56) extending at least partially along an outside (21) of the open-ended neck of the bottle (12). A bottle assembly 10 including the bottle (12), a lid (14) and a cover (16) is also disclosed.

Description

-1 Lid and Bottle Assembly Technical Field [001] The invention relates to a lid for a bottle and a bottle assembly including a lid. Background [002] Water bottles are popular accessories, particularly, for the health conscious to ensure adequate hydration during exercise or sporting activities. Water bottles are most commonly made of plastic material. However, plastic material sometimes affects the taste of the water and there are also health concerns about leaching of chemicals from the plastic into the water. Accordingly, glass-drinking bottles have become more popular. [003] One example of such a glass bottle on the market includes a barrel shaped body and a wide mouth incorporating a threaded end, about the same diameter as the body, to which a lid is screw fitted. Typically, these lids are plastic and include a straw or mouthpiece from which the user may drink. [004] One problem with these glass bottles is that a drinker needs to either drink from the plastic lid or unscrew the plastic lid and drink directly from the wide screw threaded mouth. [005] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary [006] In accordance with a first main aspect there is provided, a lid arranged for sealing a glass bottle in a fitted condition, the lid including a lid body formed of a flexible material, the lid body having an inner sealing portion and a skirting outer -2 sealing portion arranged to define an annular recess therebetween. The arrangement being such that in the fitted condition an open-ended neck of the bottle is sealably received by the annular recess via a friction fit with the inner sealing portion being received by the open-ended neck of the bottle and the outer sealing portion extending at least partially along an outside of the open-ended neck of the bottle. [007] In an aspect, the inner sealing portion is provided in the form of an inner annular flange and the outer sealing portion is provided in the form of an outer annual flange skirting the inner annular flange so as to define the annular recess therebetween, the inner and outer annular flanges being arranged to extend from an underside of a top of the lid with the inner annular flange terminating short of the outer annular flange. [008] In another aspect, the inner annular flange includes a free end shaped to direct the open-ended neck of the bottle into the annular recess. [009] In another aspect, the inner annular flange and outer annular flange are arranged so as to provide the annular recess with substantially straight skirting side walls to facilitate sealable engagement with the open-ended neck of the bottle. [0010] In accordance with a second main aspect there is provided, a bottle assembly including a lid as described above, a glass bottle having a main body and a substantially smooth straight sided open-ended neck extending from the main body to which the lid is releasably fittable via a friction fit to seal the bottle, and a cover formed from a flexible protective material into which the main body of the bottle is substantially received, the cover including at least one window arranged to allow at least one of viewing of the main body of the bottle and indicia carried by the main body of the bottle. Brief Description of the Figures [0011] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which; -3 [0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bottle assembly including a lid and a cover; [0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the lid; [0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the cover; [0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the bottle; [0016] Figure 5 is an underside perspective view illustrating the cover; [0017] Figure 6 is a top side perspective view illustrating the cover; [0018] Figure 7 is a top view illustrating the cover; [0019] Figure 8 is a front view illustrating the cover showing the location of section A-A; [0020] Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the cover; [0021] Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating the cover along section A-A; [0022] Figure 11 is a bottom view illustrating the cover; [0023] Figure 12 is a perspective underside view illustrating the lid; [0024] Figure 13 is another perspective underside view illustrating the lid; [0025] Figure 14 is another perspective top side view illustrating the lid; [0026] Figure 15 is a top view illustrating the lid; [0027] Figure 16 is a side view illustrating the lid showing section B-B; -4 [0028] Figure 17 is a sectional view illustrating the lid along section B-B; and [0029] Figure 18 is an underside view illustrating the lid. Detailed Description [0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a shown a bottle assembly 10 including a bottle 12, a lid 14 adapted to releasably seal the bottle 12 and a cover 16 arranged to receive and protect the bottle 12. The bottle 12 has a generally cylindrical main bottle body 18 and an open-ended neck 20 extending from the main bottle body 18. The open-ended neck 20 has a generally straight-sided annular side wall 22 having inner walls 19 and a substantially smooth outer surface 21, and a rounded free end 24 terminating at a drinking aperture 26. In this example, the bottle 12 is preferably a glass bottle formed by hand blowing. However, in other examples, other types of bottle materials and types of manufacturing may also be used. [0031] Referring now to Figures 5 to 11, the cover or sleave 16 includes a generally cylindrical cover body 30 having entry aperture 32 into which the bottle 12 is passed so as to be received by a receptacle 34 defined by the cylindrical cover body 30. The cover body 30 may taper inwardly toward the entry aperture 32 to assist to secure the bottle 12 within the cover 16 and also conform the cover 16 to the shape of the bottle 12 which narrows towards its neck 20. [0032] The cylindrical cover body 30 includes side-walls 36 that skirt the bottle 12 and a window or cut-out 35 provided in the side-walls 36 that allow viewing of the bottle 12 or indicia, such as text, an image or further material, located on, within, or inside of the bottle 12. For example, the indicia may include advertising printed on the bottle 12. The cover 16 also includes a base 40 and a further cut-out 38 located at the base 40. The cover 16 is preferably formed from a flexible material such as rubber or silicone and may be relesably fitted to the bottle 12. [0033] Referring now to Figures 12 to 18, the lid 14 is arranged for sealing the glass bottle 12 in a fitted condition as is shown, for example, in Figure 1. The lid 14 includes a lid body 50 having an inner sealing portion 52 and a skirting outer sealing -5 portion 56 arranged to define an annular recess 54 therebetween. The arrangement being such that in the fitted condition the open-ended neck 20 of the bottle 12 is sealably received by the annular recess 54 with the inner sealing portion 52 being received by the open-ended neck 20 of bottle 12 and the outer sealing portion 56 extending at least partially along the outside surface 21 of the open-ended neck 20 of the bottle 12. [0034] In more detail, in this example, the inner sealing portion 52 is provided in the form of an inner annular flange 58 and the outer sealing portion 56 is provided in the form of an outer annular flange 60 skirting the inner annular flange so as to define the annular recess 54 therebetween. The inner and outer annular flanges 58, 60 being arranged to extend from an underside 62 of a top 64 of the lid 14 with the inner annular flange 58 terminating short of the outer skirting flange 60. Accordingly, in the fitted condition, the outer annual flange 60 substantially conceals, at least when view from the side, the inner annular flange 58. [0035] The inner annular flange 58 includes a free end 68 shaped to direct the open ended neck 20 of the bottle 12 into the annular recess 54. More specifically, the free end 68 includes an angled or rounded lip 69 angled, sloped or oriented toward the annular recess 54. This assist to direct the open-ended neck 20 of the bottle 12 into the annular recess 54 in the fitted condition. The inner annular flange 58 defines an inner or central recess 66. However, in other examples, no inner or central recess 66 need be provided. [0036] In the fitted condition, the inner annular flange 58 seals with and engages with the inner surface 19 of the neck 20 of the bottle 12 and the outer annular flange 60 seals with and engages with the outer surface 21 of the neck 20 of the bottle 12. The neck 20 of the bottle 12 is snuggly received between the inner and outer annular flanges 58, 60 with the free end 24 being received by the annular recess 54 and being abutted with the underside 62 of the lid 14 that defines the end of travel of the annular recess 54. [0037] The inner annular flange 58 and the outer annular flange 60 are arranged so as to provide the annular recess 54 with substantially straight skirting side walls 70 to -6 facilitate sealable engagement with the open-ended neck 20 of bottle 12 that also include substantially straight sided walls 22. This advantageously allows for sealing with the bottle 12 have a smooth and substantially straight sided open-ended neck 20 that facilitates each of drinking and also has aesthetic appeal. [0038] The lid 14 is preferably formed from a flexible material such as rubber or silicone that allows for the sealing with the open-ended neck 20 in the fitted condition. More specifically, the flexible material and shape of the annular flanges 58, 60 allows the annular flanges 58, 60 to resiliently open slightly to receive the open-ended neck 20 and resiliently seal therewith via a hand releasable friction or press-fit to allow a user to remove the lid 14. [0039] Advantageously, there has been disclosed a lid for a glass bottle that allows for the sealing of an open-ended neck of the bottle. The lid preferably includes sealing flanges and is formed from a flexible material to allow the press-fit sealing of open ended neck of the bottle that is preferable smooth and of a reduced diameter relative to the main body of the bottle. The outer annular flange is arranged ended along the open-ended neck to conceal the inner annular flange that provides increased aesthetics and also protect and cover the open-ended neck from which a user may drink. The neck being preferably smooth and therefore pleasing to drink from. [0040] An advantageous bottle assembly is also disclosed that includes the above described lid and glass bottle and also a protective flexible cover that covers the main body of the bottle. The protective flexible cover assists to inhibit breakage of the bottle and also is preferably provided with a viewing window to inspect the contents of the bottle or for the display of indicia such as advertising or the like. [0041] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

-7 [0042] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates. [0043] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein. [0044] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims (5)

1. A lid arranged for sealing a glass bottle in a fitted condition, the lid including a lid body formed of a flexible material, the lid body having an inner sealing portion and a skirting outer sealing portion arranged to define an annular recess therebetween, the arrangement being such that in the fitted condition an open-ended neck of the bottle is sealably received by the annular recess via a friction fit with the inner sealing portion being received by the open-ended neck of the bottle and the outer sealing portion extending at least partially along an outside of the open-ended neck of the bottle.

2. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the inner sealing portion is provided in the form of an inner annular flange and the outer sealing portion is provided in the form of an outer annual flange skirting the inner annular flange so as to define the annular recess therebetween, the inner and outer annular flanges being arranged to extend from an underside of a top of the lid with the inner annular flange terminating short of the outer annular flange.

3. The lid according to claim 2, wherein the inner annular flange includes a free end shaped to direct the open-ended neck of the bottle into the annular recess.

4. The lid according to claim 2, wherein the inner annular flange and outer annular flange are arranged so as to provide the annular recess with substantially straight skirting side walls to facilitate sealable engagement with the open-ended neck of the bottle.

5. A bottle assembly including a lid as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, a glass bottle having a main body and a substantially smooth straight sided open-ended neck extending from the main body to which the lid is releasably fittable via a friction fit to seal the bottle, and a cover formed from a flexible protective material into which the main body of the bottle is substantially received, the cover including at least one window arranged to allow at least one of viewing of the main body of the bottle and indicia carried by the main body of the bottle.