CN111819135A

CN111819135A - Bottle closure

Info

Publication number: CN111819135A
Application number: CN201980018228.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·C·姜
Original assignee: O2Cool LLC
Current assignee: O2Cool LLC
Priority date: 2018-02-28
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2020-10-23
Also published as: US20190263572A1; WO2019168954A1; TW201936455A

Abstract

A bottle closure includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The body upper portion is formed with a cavity and a drink spout is disposed in the cavity. The drink spout is in fluid communication with a straw that includes a biasing portion extending from the drink spout and an extending portion insertable into a bottle. The beverage spout is movable between an open position in which the beverage spout extends out of the cavity and a closed position in which the beverage spout is contained within the cavity. The body also has a drink spout closure movable between a closed position in which the drink spout closure extends over the cavity and an open position in which the drink spout closure is accessible to the cavity. The straw biasing portion biases the beverage spout and the beverage spout closure toward respective open positions.

Description

Bottle closure

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a patent cooperation treaty application claiming the benefit of U.S. application No.15/908,031 filed on 28.2.2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Background

The present disclosure relates generally to a bottle closure and, more particularly, to a bottle closure having a beverage spout biased toward an open position by a straw biasing portion.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a bottle closure. The bottle closure includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the body has a bottle screw adapted and configured to releasably connect with a bottle. The upper portion of the body is formed with a cavity and the drink spout is disposed in the cavity. The beverage spout has a distal opening adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from the beverage spout, and the beverage spout distal opening is in fluid communication with the straw. The straw has an offset portion extending from the drink spout and through the first aperture in the body. The straw also has an extension portion in fluid communication with the biasing portion. The extension is of sufficient length to be insertable into the hollow interior of the bottle to which the bottle closure is releasably connected. The beverage spout is movable between an open position in which the beverage spout extends out of the cavity with the beverage spout distal opening spaced from the body, and a closed position in which the beverage spout is contained within the cavity. The body also has a drink spout closure movable relative to the body between a closed position in which the drink spout closure extends over the cavity and an open position in which the drink spout closure is accessible to the cavity. The body further includes a latch movable between a latched position, in which the latch secures the drink spout lid in the closed position, and a released position, in which the latch releases the drink spout lid. The straw biasing portion is adapted and configured to bias the beverage spout and the beverage spout closure toward respective open positions.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a bottle closure for releasable attachment to a bottle having a bottle screw and including a pump mechanism. The bottle closure includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the body has a bottle screw adapted and configured to releasably connect with a bottle. The body upper portion is formed with a cavity and the body has a beverage spout disposed in the cavity. The beverage spout has a distal opening adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from the beverage spout, and the beverage spout distal opening is in fluid communication with the straw. The straw has a biasing portion extending from the drink spout and through the first aperture in the body, and the straw has an extending portion in fluid communication with the biasing portion. The extension is of sufficient length to be insertable into the hollow interior of the bottle to which the bottle closure is releasably connected. The beverage spout is movable between an open position in which the beverage spout extends out of the cavity with the beverage spout distal opening spaced from the body, and a closed position in which the beverage spout is contained within the cavity. The body also has a drink spout closure movable relative to the body between a closed position in which the drink spout closure extends over the cavity and an open position in which the drink spout closure is accessible to the cavity. The body also has a latch movable between a latched position, in which the latch secures the drink spout lid in the closed position, and a released position, in which the latch releases the drink spout lid. The body portion also houses a pump mechanism. The pump mechanism is configured to be in fluid communication with the bottle to enable the liquid to be pumped and expelled from the body portion through the nozzle. The trigger mechanism is operatively connected to the pump mechanism and the body portion, and the trigger mechanism is movable between a first trigger position and a second trigger position. The trigger mechanism is configured to actuate the pump mechanism to pump the liquid when the trigger mechanism is moved between the first trigger position and the second trigger position.

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first bottle and bottle closure with a drink spout in an open position

Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a second bottle for use with the bottle closure shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a third bottle and the bottle closure shown in fig. 1, with the drink spout in a closed position.

Fig. 4 is another perspective view of the bottle closure shown in fig. 1 with the drink spout in an open position.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the bottle closure shown in fig. 3 with the drink spout in a closed position.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure and bottle shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the bottle closure shown in fig. 1 with the drink spout in an open position.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle closure and bottle shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bottle closure shown in fig. 1 with the drink spout in a closed position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-9 illustrate a bottle closure 40 that may be used with any of the exemplary bottles shown in fig. 1, 2, and 3 (

bottles

10, 20, 30, respectively). The bottles shown herein are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the bottles shown, but can be any suitable bottles. The

bottle

10, 20, 30 includes a bottle screw 22, and the bottle closure 40 engages the bottle screw 22 to releasably secure the bottle closure 40 to the bottle. For example, but not limiting of, the threads of the bottle screw-top 22 engage the corresponding threads of the bottle closure 40. As shown in fig. 6 and 8, the bottle 30 may be of a double-walled construction. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 1, the bottle 10 is of single-wall construction. In another alternative embodiment, the bottle 20 includes a second threaded portion 24, the second threaded portion 24 configured to engage with the threads 26 of the container 28. When threaded onto the bottle 20, the container 28 may be used to store food or other items. The container 28 may be removed from the bottle 20 for use of the contents therein.

The bottle closure 40 includes an upper body portion 42 and a lower body portion 44. The lower portion may be formed with a bottle screw-top to allow the closure to be releasably connectable with the bottle so that liquid may be contained within the bottle and used by a user. For example, but not limiting of, the lower body portion 44 includes a threaded portion 46 configured to engage the bottle screw-top 22.

The upper body portion 42 of the bottle closure 40 defines a cavity 48 and includes a beverage spout 50 disposed within the cavity. The beverage spout 50 has a distal opening 52 and a proximal opening 54. The distal opening 52 is adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from the drink spout. The beverage spout 50 is pivotably coupled to the upper body portion and is movable between an open position (e.g., as shown in fig. 1) and a closed position (e.g., as shown in fig. 3). For example, but not limiting of, the drink spout 50 may have a yoke-like structure with a shaft 56, the shaft 56 cooperating with a sidewall of the cavity to allow the drink spout to rotate within the cavity of the body of the bottle closure 40. In the closed position, the drink spout 50 may be contained within the cavity 48. In the open position, the drink spout 50 may extend out of the cavity 48 with the distal opening 52 spaced from the main body of the bottle closure 40 to facilitate drinking of the drink by the user from the distal end of the drink spout.

The distal opening 52 of the drink spout 50 is in fluid communication with a straw 58. For example, but not limiting of, the straw 58 extends through the adjacent opening 54 into the drink spout. The suction tube 58 has a biasing portion 60 and an extension portion 62. The offset portion 60 extends from the drink spout 50 and through a first aperture 64 in the body. The offset portion 60 may also extend through a second aperture 66 in the body. The second aperture 66 may be radially offset from the first aperture 64 such that the straw biasing portion 60 extends from the first aperture 64 to the second aperture 66 at a non-zero acute angle relative to the central axis of the bottle closure 40. The straw biasing portion 60 is constructed of a resiliently flexible material, such as a polymer, that allows the straw biasing portion to plastically deform and return to its original shape.

The angular extension of the straw biasing portion (e.g., the radial offset between the first and second apertures in the body and the axial width of the body) and the material used to form the biasing portion of the straw may help generate the bias created by the straw biasing portion, as explained below. The offset position of the first and second apertures and/or the material configuration of the straw causes the drink spout 50 to be biased toward the open position. For example, but not limiting of, the straw offset is generally straight and extends through the first aperture and the second aperture such that the straw offset is angled relative to the central axis of the bottle closure when no force is applied. The normal position corresponds to an open position of the drink spout. When the drink spout is in the closed position, the straw biasing portion flexes/bends (i.e. plastically deforms) and is pushed towards its normal position, so that without any force, the biasing portion will return to its position in the straight state.

The extension portion 62 of the straw 58 may extend outwardly (e.g., downwardly in the figures) from the biasing portion 60 such that it is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle when the closure 40 is coupled to the bottle. In some embodiments, the straw 58 may be of unitary construction, including both the offset portion 60 and the extension portion 62. In an alternative embodiment, and as shown in the figures, the straw 58 includes a separate offset portion 60 and a separate extension portion 62 coupled to each other by a fitting 68, which fitting 68 may be formed in the lower body portion 44 of the closure 40. Alternatively, the fitting 68 may be coupled to the lower body portion.

The bottle closure 40 also includes a drink spout cover 70. The beverage spout cover 70 is movable relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position (e.g., as shown in fig. 3, 5, and 6), the drink spout lid extends over a cavity 48 of the body, and the drink spout 50 is positionable within the cavity 48. In the open position (e.g., as shown in fig. 4, 7, and 8), the drink spout cover 70 enables access to the chamber. For example, but not limiting of, the drink spout cover 70 is coupled to the main body by a shaft 71 such that the drink spout cover is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The spout cover 70 may also include a catch 72, the catch 72 engageable with the latch to maintain the spout cover in the closed position. The drink spout closure may also include a detent 73, the detent 73 engageable with the upper body portion 42 of the closure to maintain the drink spout closure in the open position. For example, but not limiting of, the detent 73 may be a protrusion that releasably engages with a recess 75 in the upper body portion. In some embodiments, the upper body portion 42 may also include a channel 77 that receives, but does not engage, the pawl 73 when the drink spout lid is in the closed position.

The bottle closure 40 may also include a latch 74. The latch 74 is engageable with the catch 72 and is movable between a latched position and a released position. In the latched position, the latch 74 secures the drink spout cover 70 in the closed position by engaging the catch 72. In the release position, the latch is disengaged from the catch and the latch releases the drink spout cover so that the drink spout cover is movable to the open position. For example, but not limiting of, the latch 74 includes a body portion 76 and a latch portion 78. The body portion 76 is made of a flexible material to bias the latch toward the latched position and return to that position in the absence of a force. The latching portion 78 is configured to engage the catch 72.

In operation, the above-described features allow the biasing portion 60 of the straw 58 to automatically move the drink spout cover 70 and the drink spout 50 to their respective open positions when the latch 74 is moved from the closed position to the release position. This is due to the straw biasing portion 60 biasing the drink spout and the drink spout closure toward their respective open positions (e.g., biasing the drink spout and the drink spout closure toward their respective open positions). When the latch 74 is moved to the release position, the straw biasing portion causes the drink spout 50 to rotate to the open position. During rotation to the open position, the drink nozzle 50 may impart a force to the drink nozzle cover 70 causing it to rotate to the open position and engage the detent 73 with the recess 75 to maintain the drink nozzle cover in the open position. In the open position, the drink spout may be parallel to the axis of the straw biasing portion 60 when undeflected. When the drink spout is in the closed position, the straw biasing portion 60 is pressed closed to prevent liquid from exiting the bottle closure through the drink spout (e.g., as shown in fig. 6). For example, but not limiting of, the drink spout may be angled less than 180 degrees relative to the axis of the straw offset 60 when undeflected. Preferably, the angle between the beverage spout and the axis is between 30 and 60 degrees, including 30 and 60 degrees, and more preferably 45 degrees, when the beverage spout is in the closed position.

Advantageously, the above operation allows the user to use the drink spout 50 without directly contacting the drink spout and avoids transferring dirt or other materials to the drink spout. In addition, this operation allows the user to use the drink spout with a single hand (e.g., hold the bottle and depress the latch 74 with the thumb or other finger of the hand grasping the bottle).

In some embodiments, the bottle closure 40 includes other features, such as a spray pump 80 for discharging the mist through a nozzle 82. The pump 80 is adapted and configured to draw suction from the bottle releasably connected to the bottle closure and expel fluid from the bottle through a nozzle 82 disposed on an upper portion of the body. For example, but not limiting of, the pump is a reciprocating pump with ball bearing check valves or other suitable pump. The pump 80 is driven by a trigger 82. For example, but not limiting of, the trigger 82 may be actuated by a user such that the trigger rotates about a connection with the body and vertically drives the plunger of the pump 80. The nozzle may be located at an upper portion of the body and may be radially offset from the cavity and the drink spout when the drink spout is in the open position. The pump may have a suction port extending from a second fitting formed in the lower body portion. The second fitment may be radially offset from the fitment coupling the straw biasing portion with the straw extension portion. The pump intake may include a second straw that extends into the same portion of the bottle interior as the straw extension. Alternatively, the pump intake may comprise a second straw that extends into a different portion of the bottle interior, or into a chamber in the bottle that is isolated from the bottle interior, such that the liquid that is drawn by the pump and sprayed from the nozzle is different from the liquid that is used by the user from the drink spout.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantages of the disclosure are achieved and attained.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A bottle closure, comprising:

a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the body lower portion having a bottle screw adapted and configured to releasably connect with a bottle, the body upper portion forming a cavity, the body having a beverage spout disposed in the cavity, the beverage spout having a distal opening adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from the beverage spout, the beverage spout distal opening being in fluid communication with a straw having a biasing portion extending from the beverage spout and through a first aperture in the body, the straw having an extension portion in fluid communication with the biasing portion, the extension portion having a sufficient length to be insertable into a hollow interior of a bottle, the bottle closure being releasably connected with the hollow interior, the beverage spout being movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the beverage spout extends out of the cavity with the beverage spout distal opening spaced from the body, and in the closed position the beverage spout is contained within the cavity, the body having a beverage spout cover movable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position, in the closed position the beverage spout closure extends over the cavity and in the open position the beverage spout closure is accessible to the cavity, the body having a latch movable between a latched position and a released position, in the latched position the latch secures the drink spout closure in the closed position and in the released position the latch releases the drink spout closure, the straw biasing portion is adapted and configured to bias the beverage spout and the beverage spout lid toward respective open positions.

2. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion is adapted and configured to move the drink spout and the drink spout cover to respective open positions when the latch is moved to the release position.

3. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the beverage spout cover is pivotally coupled to the body adjacent the upper portion of the body.

4. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drink spout is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the body within the cavity.

5. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion is adapted and configured to be pinched closed when the drink spout is in the closed position.

6. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drink spout cover includes a detent that engages an upper portion of the body when the drink spout cover is in the open position.

7. The bottle closure of claim 6, wherein the upper portion of the body has a recess configured to engage the detent and maintain the drink spout closure in the open position.

8. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion passes through a second aperture in the body that is radially offset from the first aperture in the body.

9. The bottle closure of claim 8, wherein the straw biasing portion extends from the first aperture to the second aperture of the body at an acute angle relative to a central axis of the bottle closure.

10. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein the straw biasing portion and the straw extension portion are separate components.

11. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straw biasing portion terminates in a fitment formed in the lower body portion.

12. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 11 wherein the straw extension extends from the fitment formed in the lower body portion.

13. The bottle closure of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to engage a catch on the drink spout lid with the latch in the latched position.

14. The bottle closure of claim 1, further comprising a pump disposed in the body, the pump actuated by a trigger extending from the body, the pump adapted and configured to draw a suction force from a bottle releasably connected with the bottle closure and expel fluid in the bottle through a nozzle disposed on the upper portion of the body.

15. A bottle closure for releasable attachment to a bottle having a bottle screw, the bottle closure comprising:

a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the body lower portion having a bottle screw adapted and configured to releasably connect with a bottle, the body upper portion forming a cavity, the body having a beverage spout disposed in the cavity, the beverage spout having a distal opening adapted and configured to allow a user to drink from the beverage spout, the beverage spout distal opening being in fluid communication with a straw having a biasing portion extending from the beverage spout and through a first aperture in the body, the straw having an extension portion in fluid communication with the biasing portion, the extension portion having a sufficient length to be insertable into a hollow interior of a bottle, the bottle closure being releasably connected with the hollow interior, the beverage spout being movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the beverage spout extends out of the cavity with the beverage spout distal opening spaced from the body, and in the closed position the beverage spout is contained in the cavity, the body having a beverage spout cover movable relative to the body between a closed position in which the beverage spout cover extends over the cavity and an open position in which the beverage spout cover is accessible to the cavity, the body having a latch movable between a latched position in which the latch secures the beverage spout cover in the closed position and a released position in which the latch releases the beverage spout cover, the body portion housing a pump mechanism configured to be in fluid communication with a bottle to enable liquid to be pumped, and is expelled from the body portion through a nozzle, and a trigger mechanism operatively connected to the pump mechanism and the body portion, the trigger mechanism being movable between a first trigger position and a second trigger position, the trigger mechanism being configured to actuate the pump mechanism to pump liquid when the trigger mechanism is moved between the first trigger position and the second trigger position.

16. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 15 wherein the spout is radially offset from the cavity.

17. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 15 wherein the straw biasing portion is adapted and configured to move the drink spout and the drink spout cover to respective open positions when the latch is moved to the release position.

18. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 15 wherein the drink spout is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the body within the cavity.

19. The bottle closure of claim 18, wherein the straw biasing portion and the straw extension portion are separate components.

20. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 19 wherein the straw biasing portion terminates in a first fitment formed in the body lower portion.

21. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 20 wherein the straw extension extends from the first fitment formed in the body lower portion.

22. The bottle closure of claim 18, wherein the pump mechanism has a suction port extending from a second fitting formed in the lower body portion.

23. The bottle closure as set forth in claim 15 wherein the straw biasing portion passes through a second aperture in the body that is radially offset from the first aperture in the body.

24. The bottle closure of claim 23, wherein the straw biasing portion extends from the first aperture to the second aperture of the body at an acute angle relative to a central axis of the bottle closure.