US20180194518A1

US20180194518A1 - Drinking Bottle with Magnetic Cap

Info

Publication number: US20180194518A1
Application number: US15/403,119
Authority: US
Inventors: Yue Li; Chun Kit Ho
Original assignee: FI Design Inc
Current assignee: FI Design Inc
Priority date: 2017-01-10
Filing date: 2017-01-10
Publication date: 2018-07-12
Also published as: DE102017123060A1

Abstract

A drinking bottle includes a reservoir, and a cap. The reservoir has a storage compartment which is adapted to contain liquid or articles, the reservoir has an opening and is configured from magnetic material. The cap is detachably attached on the reservoir for detachably sealing the opening of the reservoir, and includes a second magnetic element adapted for detachably attaching on the reservoir. The drinking bottle is selectively operated between at least a sealing mode and a drinking mode. In the sealing mode, the cap is securely attached on the reservoir for sealing the storage compartment. In the drinking mode, the cap is detached from the opening and the reservoir is arranged to magnetically attract the second magnetic element so that the cap is securely attached on the reservoir in a predetermined orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a bottle, and more particularly to a drinking bottle with a removable magnetic cap such that when the bottle cap is removed, a user may attach the magnetic cap onto the bottle itself so that there is always a convenient place to store the bottle cap securely.

Description of Related Arts

There are many conventional drinking bottle cap designs. The first one is a removable threaded cap. A major disadvantage of this conventional design is that whenever the bottle cap is removed for drinking, pouring or filling, the user needs to find a place for temporarily storing the bottle cap. When the user is traveling or commuting, there may not be a convenient, safe or hygienic place for temporarily storing the bottle cap. In addition, if the bottle cap is misplaced or lost, it is likely that the user will have to find a replacement bottle cap since the size of the neck opening or the thread are different from other bottles.
There are two conventional drinking bottles cap designs which do not require the user to remove the cap when operating. The first one is the flip cap. A major disadvantage of this design is that the flip cap will get in the way when drinking, pouring or filling since the cap is always attached even if it is fully opened. Depending on the size of the opening of the flip caps, it is often hard for the user to fill the bottle through the flip caps. In addition, flip caps are often made of plastic material which may break due to excessive force from accident or misuse. It is also possible that the plastic cap may break due to plastic fatigue. If the flip cap breaks, it is also hard to find a replacement cap. Some users also find that flip caps are not as aesthetically clean looking comparing to one without. The manufacturing costs of a flip cap is higher in comparison to one without. Since flip caps are designed for user to operate typically through flipping the cap open or close by a user's thumb, the cap could be opened by surrounding objects especially when storing in a bag filled with other objects. The liquid stored inside the bottle could leak out without the users noticing it.
The other type of the conventional bottle cap design which does not require the user to remove the cap when operating is the pull push cap. A major disadvantage of the pull push cap is that the opening is usually narrow and users often have to squeeze the bottle for drinking. The opening is so narrow that it is nearly impossible to fill the bottle through the pull push cap. It is also very hard to wash and clean the pull push cap. Some users also find that the pull push caps are not as aesthetically clean looking comparing to one without. The manufacturing costs of the pull push cap is higher in comparison to one without.
As one may see from the above, there are many problems with using the flip cap or the pull push cap. While on the other hand, a traditional removable threaded cap poses a storage problem.
Thus, there is a need to have a drinking bottle which provides a convenient and hygienic place to accommodate or support a cap.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Certain variations of the present invention provide a drinking bottle with a removable magnetic cap such that when the bottle cap is removed, a user may attach the magnetic cap onto the bottle itself such that there is always a convenient place to store the bottle cap securely.
In one aspect of the present invention, it provides a drinking bottle, comprising:
a reservoir having a storage compartment which is adapted to contain liquid or articles, the reservoir having an opening and being configured from magnetic material; and
a cap detachably attached on the reservoir for detachably sealing the opening of the reservoir, the cap comprising a second magnetic element adapted for detachably attaching on the reservoir,
wherein the bottle is selectively operated between at least a sealing mode and a drinking mode, wherein in the sealing mode, the cap is securely attached on the reservoir for sealing the storage compartment, wherein in the drinking mode, the cap is detached from the opening and the reservoir is arranged to magnetically attract the second magnetic element so that the cap is securely attached on the reservoir in a predetermined orientation.
In another aspect of the present invention, it provides a drinking bottle, comprising:
a reservoir having a storage compartment which is adapted to contain liquid or articles, the reservoir having an opening;
a first magnetic element provided on the reservoir for generating a magnetic field; and
a cap detachably attached on the reservoir for detachably sealing the opening of the reservoir, the cap comprising a second magnetic element adapted for detachably attaching on the first magnetic element generating an opposite magnetic field to the first magnet,
wherein the drinking bottle is selectively operated between at least a sealing mode and a drinking mode, wherein in the sealing mode, the cap is securely attached on the reservoir for sealing the storage compartment, wherein in the drinking mode, the cap is detached from the opening and the first magnetic element is arranged to magnetically attract the second magnetic element so that the cap is securely attached on the reservoir at a predetermined orientation.
This summary presented above is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drinking bottle according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that a cap is detached from a reservoir of the drinking bottle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the drinking bottle according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the cap is attached on an exterior wall of a reservoir.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drinking bottle according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the cap is attached on the exterior wall of the reservoir.

FIG. 4 is an alternative mode of the drinking bottle according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a drinking bottle according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that a cap is attached to a reservoir of the drinking bottle.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the drinking bottle according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the drinking bottle according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the cap is being attached to a first magnetic element provided on the reservoir.

FIG. 8 is a first alternative mode of the drinking bottle according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the cap may be attached on the first magnetic element at a different orientation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second alternative mode of the drinking bottle according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third alternative mode of the drinking bottle according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is the preferred mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in any limiting sense. It is presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a drinking bottle 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Broadly, the drinking bottle 10 may comprise a reservoir 30 and a cap 20.
The reservoir 30 may have a storage compartment 31 which is adapted to contain liquid or articles. In addition, the reservoir 30 may have an opening 100 and is configured or made from magnetic material.
The cap 20 may be detachably attached on the reservoir 10 for detachably sealing the opening 100 of the storage compartment 31. The cap 20 may comprise a second magnetic element 201 adapted for detachably attaching on the reservoir 30.
The drinking bottle 10 may be selectively operated between at least a sealing mode and a drinking mode. When the drinking bottle 10 is operated in the sealing mode, the cap 20 is securely attached on the reservoir 30 for sealing the storage compartment 31. On the other hand, when the drinking bottle 10 is operated in the drinking mode, the cap 20 is detached from the opening 100 and the reservoir 30 is arranged to magnetically attract the second magnetic element 201 so that the cap 20 may be securely attached on the reservoir 30 at a predetermined orientation.
According to the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a drinking bottle 10 with the cap 20 is displayed. The reservoir 30 may have a storage compartment 31 adapted for containing liquid or other articles such as food items. The storage compartment 31 may be defined by an outside wall 301. The reservoir 30 may have a main portion 303 and a neck portion 302 on which the opening 100 may be formed. Liquid or other article such as food items may be poured into or out of the storage compartment 31 through the opening 100. When a user is not using the drinking bottle 10, the drinking bottle 10 may be operated in the sealing mode and the cap 20 may be placed on the bottle 10 for sealing the opening 100.
The reservoir 30 may have a generally circular cross section in which a diameter of the neck portion 302 may be smaller than that of the main portion 303. Thus, the neck portion 302 may constitute a contracted portion of the reservoir 30. The opening 100 may be formed on a top side of the neck portion 302. Other geometrical variations of the reservoir 30 are also possible and within the scope of the present invention.
The reservoir 30 may be made of or configured from a magnetic material which may be magnetically attracted to the second magnetic element 201. “Magnetic material” is defined as those materials which may be attracted to magnet of a relevant polarity. For example, the reservoir 30 may be made of iron so that it may be magnetically attracted to a magnet. A magnet having a corresponding polarity (e.g. an opposite polarity with respect to the second magnetic element 201) may also be a magnetic material in this sense. On the other hand, the second magnetic element 201 provided on the cap 20 may be configured as a magnet which may be magnetically attracted to the iron-made reservoir 30 when the reservoir 30 and the cap 20 are positioned close to each other. The second magnetic element 201 may be provided on a top side of the cap 20 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
According to the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the cap 20 may be attached on an outer wall 301 of the reservoir 30 due to the attracting magnetic force formed between the outer wall 301 and the second magnetic element 201. The attracting magnetic force is arranged to be strong enough to securely hold the cap 20 in place in view of normal usage or transportation of the bottle. When the cap 20 is desired to be placed back for sealing the reservoir 30, the user may turn the cap 20 in a pivot motion to overcome the attractive magnetic force in order to detach the cap 20 from the outer wall 301 of the reservoir 30.
The cap 20 may have a sealing portion 21 and a connecting portion 22 extended from the sealing portion 21. Each of the sealing portion 21 and the connecting portion 22 may have a generally circular cross section but a diameter of the sealing portion 21 is greater than that of the connecting portion 22. The connecting portion 22 may be detachably and fittedly inserted into the neck portion 302 of the reservoir 30 for detachably connecting the cap 20 to reservoir 30. The second magnetic element 201 may be provided on a top side of the cap 20 at the sealing portion 21. The sealing portion 21 may have a diameter which is greater than that of the opening 100 of the reservoir 30.
The reservoir 30 may further have an internal thread 305 formed on the neck portion 302 while the cap 20 may further have an external thread 202 which may be formed on the connecting portion 22 of the cap 20 may be adapted to secure to the internal thread 305 of the neck portion 302. The cap 20 and neck portion 302 may provide a locking and sealing mechanism so that the liquid stored in the storage compartment 31 can be safely stored when the drinking bottle 10 is operated in the sealing mode.
Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, an alternative mode of the drinking bottle 10′ according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The alternative mode is structurally identical to the drinking bottle 10 described in the first preferred embodiment above, except the position of the second magnetic element 201′. In this alternative mode, the second magnetic element 201′ is provided on a bottom side of the cap 20′ at the connecting portion 22′ (as opposed to the sealing portion 21′) so that the cap 20′ may be attached on the reservoir 30′ in a manner as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.
Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a drinking bottle 10″ according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Broadly, the drinking bottle 10″ may comprise a reservoir 30″, a cap 20″, a first magnetic element 40″, and a magnet holder 50″.
The reservoir 30″ may have a storage compartment 31″ which is adapted to contain liquid or articles. The reservoir 30″ may have an opening 100″ formed on a top side thereof. The first magnetic element 40″ may be supported on the reservoir 30″ for generating a magnetic field.
The cap 20″ may be detachably attached on the reservoir 30″ for detachably sealing the opening 100″ of the storage compartment 31″. The cap 20″ may comprise a second magnetic element 201″ configured to detachably attach on the first magnetic element 40″ when they are positioned in the vicinity with each other.
The drinking bottle 10″ may be selectively operated between at least a sealing mode and a drinking mode. When the drinking bottle 10″ is operated in the sealing mode, the cap 20″ may be securely attached on the reservoir 30″ for sealing the storage compartment 31″. When the drinking bottle 10″ is operated in the drinking mode, the cap 20″ may be detached from the opening 100″ and the first magnetic element 40″ may be arranged to magnetically attract the second magnetic element 201″ so that the cap 20″ may be securely attached on the reservoir 30″ at a predetermined orientation.
According to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 30″ may be made of or configured from any rigid material and is not necessarily magnetic in nature. For example, the reservoir 30″ may be made of plastic material. The reservoir 30″ may have a storage compartment 31″ adapted for containing liquid or other articles such as food items. The storage compartment 31″ may be defined by an outside wall 301″. The reservoir 30″ may have a main portion 303″ and a neck portion 302″ on which the opening 100″ may be formed. Liquid or other article such as food items may be poured into or out of the storage compartment 31″ through the opening 100″. When a user is not using the drinking bottle 10″, the drinking bottle 10″ may be operated in the sealing mode and the cap 20″ may be placed on the drinking bottle 10″ for sealing the opening 100″.
The magnet holder 50″ may attach on the main portion 303″ of the reservoir 30″ for holding the first magnetic element 40″. The advantage of using the magnet holder 50″ for holding the first magnetic element 40″ is that the contact surface of the first magnetic element 40″ may be shaped and sized to match the corresponding contact surface of the second magnetic element 201″. For the example illustrated in the second preferred embodiment, the first magnetic element 40″ and the second magnetic element 201″ may both be configured as having a circular disc shape. This embodiment provides both magnetic elements 40″, 201″ a more direct attracting force to attach the cap 20″ on the reservoir 30″. The magnet holder 50″ may comprise an elastic strap 51″ which may be arranged to form a loop so as to be normally worn or attached on the main portion 303″ of the reservoir 30″. However, the magnet holder 50″ may also be removable or detachable from the drinking bottle 10″.
As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the magnet holder 50″ may have a seat portion 52″ formed on the elastic strap 51″ wherein the second magnetic element 201″ may be securely affixed on the seat portion 52″ of the elastic strap 51″. The elastic strap 51″ may have a predetermined elasticity and may be made of soft and flexible material so that its inherent elasticity may allow the magnet holder 50″ to be tightened and worn on the main portion 303″ of the reservoir 30″. The elastic strap 51″ may be made of silicon as an example.
As in the first preferred embodiment, the cap 20″ may have a sealing portion 21″ and a connecting portion 22″ extended from the sealing portion 21″. Each of the sealing portion 21″ and the connecting portion 22″ may have a generally circular cross section but a diameter of the sealing portion 21″ is greater than that of the connecting portion 22. The connecting portion 22″ may be detachably and fittedly inserted into the neck portion 302″ of the reservoir 30″ for detachably connecting the cap 20″ to reservoir 30″. The second magnetic element 201″ may be provided on a top side of the cap 20″ at the sealing portion 21″. The sealing portion 21″ may have a diameter which is greater than that of the opening 100″ of the reservoir 30″.
The reservoir 30″ may further have an internal thread 305″ formed on the neck portion 302″ while the cap 20″ may further have an external thread 202″ which may be formed on the connecting portion 22″ of the cap 20″ may be adapted to secure to the internal thread 305″ of the neck portion 302″. The cap 20″ and neck portion 302″ may provide a locking and sealing mechanism so that the liquid stored in the storage compartment 31″ can be safely stored when the drinking bottle 10″ is operated in the sealing mode.
FIG. 7 of the drawings illustrates that the second magnetic element 201″ of the cap 20″ is being magnetically attached on the first magnetic element 40″ of the magnet holder 50″. In addition, the magnet holder 50″ offers handling grips for the users. The magnet holder 50″ can be strapped on any place along the height of the drinking bottle 10″.
Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, a first alternative mode of the drinking bottle 10A according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The first alternative mode is structurally identical to the drinking bottle 10″ described in the second preferred embodiment above, except the position of the second magnetic element 201A. In the first alternative mode, the second magnetic element 201A is provided on a bottom side of the cap 20A at the connecting portion 22A (as opposed to the sealing portion 21A) so that the cap 20A may be attached on the reservoir 30A through magnetically attracting the first magnetic element 40A to the second magnetic element 201A. The first magnetic element 40A may be attached on the elastic strap 51A of the magnet holder 50A.
Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a second alternative mode of the drinking bottle 10B according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second alternative mode is structurally identical to the drinking bottle 10″ described in the second preferred embodiment above, except the position of the first magnetic element 40B. In the second alternative mode, the first magnetic element 40B may be provided on an inside wall surface 304B of the reservoir 30B (preferably on the main portion 303B) instead of the outside wall 301B. The attracting magnetic force generated between the first magnetic element 40B and the second magnetic element 201B may be arranged to be strong enough to securely hold the cap 20B in place when the user desires to store the cap on the reservoir 30B. The cap 20B may be arranged to seal the neck portion 302B of the reservoir 30B.
Referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, a third alternative mode of the drinking bottle 10C according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second alternative mode is structurally identical to the drinking bottle 10″ described in the second preferred embodiment above, except the wall structure of the reservoir 30C. According to the third alternative mode of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 30C may be configured as having a double wall structure and therefore the reservoir 30C may have an outside wall 301C and an inside wall surface 306C. In this embodiment, the first magnetic element 40C may be installed in a space between the outside wall 301C and the inside wall 306C at the main portion 301B of the reservoir 301B. The attracting magnetic force between the first magnetic element 40C and the second magnetic element 201C is strong enough to penetrate through the outside wall 301C for securely holding the cap 20C in place. When the cap 20C is in the sealing mode, the cap 20C may be detachably attached on the neck portion 302C of the reservoir 30C.
As a further alternative to the second embodiment, the reservoir 30″ may be coated or covered by magnetic material so that it may magnetically attract with the second magnetic element 201″. This configuration may also be covered by the present invention.
The present invention, while illustrated and described in terms of a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, is not limited to the particular description contained in this specification. Additional alternative or equivalent components could also be used to practice the present invention.

Claims

1. A drinking bottle, comprising:

a reservoir having a storage compartment which is adapted to contain liquid or articles, the reservoir having an opening, a main portion and a neck portion, wherein the opening is formed on the neck portion and communicating with the storage compartment, the reservoir having a substantially circular cross section in which a diameter of the neck portion is smaller than that of the main portion;

a first magnetic element provided on the reservoir for generating a magnetic field;

a cap detachably attached on the reservoir for detachably sealing the opening of the reservoir, the cap comprising a second magnetic element adapted for detachably attaching on the first magnetic element, the cap has a sealing portion and a connecting portion extended from the sealing portion, each of the sealing portion and the connecting portion having a substantially circular cross section, a diameter of the sealing portion being greater than that of the connecting portion, the connecting portion being detachably and fittedly inserted into the neck portion of the reservoir for detachably connecting the cap to the reservoir, the sealing portion having a diameter which is greater than that of the opening of the reservoir, said second magnetic element being provided on an uppermost surface of the cap at the sealing portion thereof; and

a magnet holder which comprises an elastic strap which is arranged to form a loop to be normally worn on the reservoir, the elastic strap having a predetermined elasticity which allows the magnet holder to be tightened and worn on the main portion of the reservoir, the magnet holder having a seat portion formed on the elastic strap, the first magnetic element being securely affixed on the seat portion of the elastic strap;

wherein the drinking bottle is selectively operated between at least a sealing mode and a drinking mode, wherein in the sealing mode, the cap is securely attached on the reservoir for sealing the storage compartment, wherein in the drinking mode, the cap is detached from the opening and the first magnetic element is arranged to magnetically attract the second magnetic element so that the cap is securely attached on the reservoir in a predetermined orientation.

2.-21. (canceled)

22. A drinking bottle, comprising:

a reservoir having a storage compartment which is adapted to contain liquid or articles, the reservoir having an opening, a main portion and a neck portion, wherein the opening is formed on the neck portion and communicating with the storage compartment, the reservoir having a circular cross section in which a diameter of the neck portion is smaller than that of the main portion;

a cap detachably attached on the reservoir for detachably sealing the opening of the reservoir, the cap comprising a second magnetic element provided on a bottom surface of the cap at the connecting portion and adapted for detachably attaching on the first magnetic element, the cap has a sealing portion and a connecting portion extended from the sealing portion, each of the sealing portion and the connecting portion has a circular cross section, a diameter of the sealing portion being greater than that of the connecting portion, the connecting portion being detachably and fittedly inserted into the neck portion of the reservoir for detachably connecting the cap to the reservoir, the sealing portion having a diameter which is greater than that of the opening of the reservoir; and