US20220250798A1

US20220250798A1 - Beverage container with hanging member

Info

Publication number: US20220250798A1
Application number: US17/592,028
Authority: US
Inventors: Audra Norvilas; Marvin Lane; Tobi Ogunro
Original assignee: Thermos LLC
Current assignee: Thermos LLC
Priority date: 2021-02-09
Filing date: 2022-02-03
Publication date: 2022-08-11
Also published as: EP4039128B1; EP4039128A1; TWI805198B; EP4039128C0; TW202237488A

Abstract

A beverage container with a hanging member is described. The beverage container includes a body member defining an interior to hold a beverage. The hanging member pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, the hanging member is at least partially positioned in a storage portion in an outer surface of the body member. In the deployed configuration, the hanging member extends from the body member to engage with a fence or other substrate.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/147,577 filed Feb. 9, 2021.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage container with a hanging member.

BACKGROUND

Most participants in sporting events and individuals engaging in physical activity require hydration before, during, and/or after participating in the sporting event or engaging in the physical activity. Further, individuals working outside will likely have immediate hydration needs. Such participants or individuals often bring their own source of water or other beverage to consume to their activity. Beverage containers left on the ground may get knocked over, dirty, or create a tripping hazard. Further, beverage containers may be stored in a trunk or hatch of an automobile, and the beverage container may tip over during travel to and from the sporting event or activity resulting in a spilled beverage.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of a beverage container with a hanging member are described. The hanging member moves between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, the hanging member has moved toward a side of the beverage container. In the deployed configuration, the hanging member has moved away from the beverage container and is configured to hang or suspend on a fence or other substrate. The hanging member may include a hook member or other removable engagement member. In the deployed configuration, the hanging member is configured and positioned on the beverage container to hold or suspend the beverage container in a generally upright position when the hanging member engages the fence or other substrate.
In another aspect, a beverage container is described. The beverage container includes a body member defining an interior to hold a beverage. A hanging member is configured to removably suspend the body member from a substrate. The hanging member pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, the hanging member is at least partially positioned in a cavity in an outer surface of the body member. In the deployed configuration, the hanging member extends from the body member.
In another aspect, a beverage container is described. The beverage container includes a first body member. A second body member is configured to at least partially fit within the first body member. The second body member defines an interior to hold a beverage. A hook member is pivotally engaged to the second body member. The beverage container includes a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. The hook member pivots between the storage configuration and the deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, the hook member is positioned at least partially in a cavity of the first body member. In the deployed configuration, the hook member extends from the container, thereby permitting the hook member to removably interact with a substrate and thereby suspend the beverage container from such substrate.
In another aspect, a beverage container is described. The beverage container includes a body member defining an interior to hold a beverage. A holding member is pivotally engaged to a sidewall of the body member. The holding member pivots to an extended position. The holding member pivots to a retracted position. In the extended position, the holding member is configured to interact with a substrate such that the beverage container may be suspended from such substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beverage container in the storage configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage container in the deployed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a view of the second body member separated from the first body member.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the hook member.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the beverage container in the storage configuration.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the beverage container in the deployed configuration.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the hook member and storage portion.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the hook member and storage portion.

FIG. 9 is a sectional, exploded view of the storage portion and the hook member separated.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the beverage container.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the beverage container with the cap flipped open.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the beverage container with the hook member having the protrusion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of this application, any terms that describe relative position (e.g., “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, “outer”, “inner”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, etc.) refer to an embodiment of the invention as illustrated, but those terms do not limit the orientation in which the embodiments can be used.
A beverage container includes a hanging member that is engaged to a side of the beverage container. The hanging member pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, the hanging member moves toward a side of the beverage container. In certain aspects, in the storage configuration, the hanging member moves toward the beverage container and enters a storage portion on the side of the beverage container. In the deployed configuration, the hanging member moves away from the side of the beverage container and is configured to hang on a fence or other substrate. The hanging member may include a hook member or other removable engagement member.
A beverage container 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-12. In this aspect, the beverage container 10 includes a vessel 50 formed by a first body member 100 and a second body member 200. As shown in FIG. 3, in this aspect, the second body member 200 is configured to at least partially fit within the first body member 100. The second body member 200 defines an interior 291 to hold a beverage.
In this aspect, the beverage container 10 includes a hook member 300 that serves as the hanging member. The hook member 300 is pivotally engaged to the second body member 200. The hook member 300 pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration.
In other aspects, the beverage container 10 may include a single-piece container portion with the hook member 300 or other hanging member engaged to or positioned on an outer side surface of the single-piece container. In other aspects, the beverage container 10 may include additional body members, layers, and/or container portions. In other aspects, the relative positions of the first body member 100 and the second body member 200 may be reversed, i.e., the first body member 100 may be configured to at least partially fit within the second body member 200.
The beverage container 10 comprises the storage configuration and the deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the hook member 300 enters a storage portion 110 of the first body member 100. In the deployed configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the hook member 300 extends from the beverage container 10. The hook member 300 pivots between the storage configuration and the deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, all or a portion of the hook member 300 may enter the storage portion 110 and be fully or partially positioned and/or contained in the storage portion 110.
In the deployed configuration, the hook member 300 is configured to hang on a chain-link fence or other structure. By hanging the beverage container 10, the beverage container 10 is less likely to accidentally get knocked over and can be placed at eye level or hand level to avoid bending over as often. In the deployed configuration, the hook member 300 is configured and positioned on the beverage container 10 to hold the beverage container 10 in a generally upright position when the hook member 300 engages the fence or other substrate.
In this aspect, the second body member 200 includes an attachment portion 210. The hook member 300 is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion 210. With reference to FIG. 4, the attachment portion 210 includes sidewalls 213 and an upper wall 216. The hook member 300 is pivotally engaged to a pin 220 positioned between the sidewalls 213 of the attachment portion 210. The pin 220 is oriented generally perpendicularly to a central vertical axis of the beverage container 10. In this aspect, the hook member 300 pivots until the hook member 300 contacts a hook abutment surface such as a lower edge 219 of the upper wall 216. The upper wall 216 provides a limit or barrier to further pivotal movement of the hook member 300. As such, the pivoting movement of the hook member 300 is stopped by the upper wall 216.
In this aspect, the second body member 200 includes a flange member 240 that fits over an upper portion 159 of the first body member 100. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the flange member 240 includes a horizontal portion 243 that transitions into a generally vertical portion 246, and the generally vertical portion 246 fits over the upper portion 159 of the first body member 100. In this aspect, the flange member 240 includes or forms the attachment portion 210. In this aspect, the attachment portion 210 extends or protrudes from the flange member 240.
The first body member 100 includes the storage portion 110. In this aspect, the storage portion 110 includes sidewalls 112 partially defining a cavity 120, and the cavity 120 receives at least a portion of the hook member 300. The cavity 120 is generally in between the sidewalls 112. In this aspect, the storage portion 110 is adjacent to the attachment portion 210. The cavity 120 of the storage portion 110 receives the hook member 300 in the storage configuration. In this aspect, the storage portion 110 is below the attachment portion 210. In this aspect, the storage portion 110 includes the sidewalls 112, a lower wall 114, and an inner wall 116, which forms the cavity 120. The walls 112, 114, and 116 defining the cavity 120 may include linear surfaces or curved surfaces. The cavity 120 also may include fewer walls, for example—just an upper wall or just an upper wall with one or more side walls. In certain aspects, the cavity 120 may configured to receive only the ends of the hook member 300. The cavity 120 may include additional wall surfaces to receive specific portions of the hook member 300, for example, an additional indent may be added to receive just a distal portion 330 of the hook member 300 (described below) or to receive the entire hook member 300 such that no part of the hook member 300 protrudes beyond the sidewalls 112.
With respect to FIGS. 4 and 7, in this aspect, the hook member 300 includes a proximal portion 310 and the distal portion 330. The proximal portion 310 is an upper portion in this aspect. The proximal portion 310 includes a sidewall 313 with openings 315. The pin 220 passes through the openings 315 to pivotally engage the hook member 300 to the attachment portion 210. The proximal portion 310 includes an outer surface 320 and an inner surface 325. The distal portion 330 is a lower portion in this aspect. The distal portion 330 includes an outer surface 333 and an inner surface 335 and a tip portion 340. When pivoting to the deployed configuration, the hook member 300 pivots outward, i.e., away from the central vertical axis of the beverage container 10. When pivoting to the storage configuration, the hook member 300 pivots inward, i.e., toward the central vertical axis of the beverage container 10. In certain aspects, the hook member 300 also includes a finger grip member (e.g., knob, protrusion, pull, ridge, or similar), configured to facilitate a user easily gripping and moving the hook member 300 between various configurations. In the illustrated aspect, the hook member 300 includes a ridge 301 configured to permit the user to easily pull the hook member 300 from the cavity 120.
With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, in this aspect, the first body member 100 includes a sidewall 150 integral with a bottom wall 165. The sidewall 150 includes an outer surface 153 and an inner surface 156. With respect to FIG. 3, an upper portion 159 of the first body member 100 includes a locking member 160. The sidewall 150 and the bottom wall 165 form a generally hollow interior 185. An upper opening 180 leads to the generally hollow interior 185, which receives the second body member 200. The first body member 100 further includes a gripping surface 170 and a bottom surface 175.
With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, in this aspect, the second body member 200 includes a sidewall 260 integral with a bottom wall 265. The sidewall 260 and the bottom wall 265 form the interior 291 that holds the beverage. The second body member 200 includes an upper portion 270 with an outer threaded surface 273. The sidewall 260 includes an inner surface 280 and an outer surface 285. The outer surface 285 of the sidewall 260 includes handle engaging members 290 to rotatably engage with a handle 470.
A lid 400 engages to the upper portion 270 of the second body member 200 to close the interior 291 that holds the beverage. The lid 400 includes sidewalls 410 having an inner threaded surface 413, which engages with the outer threaded surface 273 of the upper portion 270. A lower edge 415 of the lid 400 may abut the horizontal portion 243 of the flange member 240. In other aspects, the second body member 200 and the lid 400 may include any complementary engaging structures such as a threaded engagement, snap-fit engagement, frictional engagement, bayonet engagement, or other engagements configured to removably attach the lid 400 to the second body member 200. In other aspects, the lid 400 may engage to the first body member 100.
A lid gasket 420 may be positioned between the lid 400 and the upper portion 270. The lid 400 incudes a cap 430 covering a spout 440. The spout 440 is in fluidic communication with the interior 291. In this aspect, a button 450 releases the cap 430, which is spring-loaded, and the cap 430 may flip upward upon depression of the button 450. A latch 455 secures the cap 430 in a covering position over the spout 440. In operation, the latch 455 is lifted. Then, the user presses the button 450 to release the cap 430. Similar button mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,622,229 and 9,150,335, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Of course, the cap 430, the spout 440, and the button 450 are optional and may be replaced with any of a number of other drinking orifices, drinking ports, spouts, tubes, nozzles, straws, squirt features, screw-closures, flip-closures, press-closures, etc. Further, the lid 400 may be replaced with other closure members, lids, tops, covers, etc. In other aspects, one of the first body member 100 or the second body member 200 may include an integral lid, a hingedly connected lid, or a non-detachable lid or upper portion with a fill port and a drinking port, etc.
In this aspect, the handle 470 is engaged to the beverage container 10. The handle 470 includes legs 475 that attach to handle engaging members 290. In certain versions of the beverage container 10, the handle 470 may be omitted.
In this aspect, insulation 480 is positioned in a void (unnumbered) between the first body member 100 and the second body member 200. The first body member 100 and then second body member 200 may be joined to form a thermally insulated space in the beverage container 10 to maintain a temperature of the beverage. In this aspect, the second body member 200 includes the flange member 240 that fits over and engages with the locking member 160 of the first body member 100 to hold the second body member 200 and the first body member 100 together. In other aspects, the first body member 100 and the second body member 200 may glued, welded, frictionally engaged, or otherwise held together. In other aspects, the beverage container 10 includes a non-insulated single-layer or multilayer construction or other insulated constructions. In other aspects, the beverage container 10 may be formed from moldable food-grade plastics, thermoplastics, stainless steel, other metals and metal alloys, other plastics, or any combination thereof.
The hook member 300 may pivot approximately 20 degrees to approximately 100 degrees relative to the sidewall 260 of the second body member 200 when the hook member 300 pivots to the deployed configuration. In other aspects, the hook member 300 may pivot other ranges such as between approximately 0 degrees and 90 degrees, 10 degrees and 120 degrees, 0 degrees and 180 degrees, or any other ranges between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.
The attachment portion 210 is positioned on the outer surface 285 of the sidewall 260 of the second body member 200 in an approximately upper ⅓ portion of an overall height of the vessel 50. This positioning of the attachment portion 210 in an proximal portion of the beverage container 10 puts much of the weight of the beverage container 10 below the attachment portion 210, which provides stability when the beverage container 10 is hanging from a fence or other substrate.
The inner surface 335 of the distal portion 330 and the inner surface 325 of the proximal portion 310 are configured to hang on a fence or other article. The inner surfaces 335 and 325 form a hook-like shape or curving shape that holds the beverage container 10 to the fence or other substrate. The hook-like shape may include one or several linear surfaces or curved surfaces combined at an angle sufficient to support the beverage container 10. Examples of hook-like shapes may include a J shape, an L shape, a V shape, a U shape, a C shape, a Y shape, an S shape, hanger shape, fish hook shape, or other shapes. The inner surfaces 335 and 325 generally face toward the interior 291 of the beverage container 10. In the storage configuration, all or a portion of the hook member 300 is at least partially contained in the storage portion 110, and the hook member 300 is less likely to inadvertently snag or catch on other items. This storage configuration also creates a lower profile for the beverage container 10. For certain aspects that include a hook member 300 only partially contained in the storage portion 110 or cavity 120, the hook member 300 may be easily grasped by the user to pivot the hook member 300 out of the cavity 120 to move it to the deployed configuration Alternatively, aspects that include a hook member 300 entirely positioned within a storage portion 110 or cavity 120 may further include a finger grip element (e.g., knob, protrusion, pull, ridge or other surface) configured to permit the user to easily remove the hook member 300 from the storage portion 110 or cavity 120. The finger grip element may optionally be positioned in the cavity 120 (but still reachable by a user) or protruding from the cavity 120.
In the illustrated aspect, the hook member 300 generally pivots upward to the deployed configuration, and the hook member 300 generally pivots downward to the storage configuration. However, other aspects may include a hook member 300 that pivots upward to a deployed configuration and downward to a storage configuration.
In the illustrated aspect, as shown in FIG. 12, the hook member 300 of the beverage container 10 includes a protrusion 312 that improves or enhances the gripping or holding force of the hook member 302 to the substrate. The protrusion 312 is optional, as the hook member 300 may provide sufficient hanging or suspending ability, in certain applications, without the protrusion 312. The protrusion 312 is on the inner surface 335 of the distal portion 330. The protrusion 312 extends from the inner surface 335 of the distal portion 330. The protrusion 312 is proximate the tip portion 340. In this aspect, in the deployed configuration, the protrusion 312 extends inward toward the beverage container 10. The protrusion 312 may include a bump, ridge, knob, barb or other extending feature that aids or improves the hanging ability of the hook member 300.
As such, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular aspects described herein, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this novel concept as defined by the following claims. Further, many other advantages of applicant's disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the claims below.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage container, comprising:

a body member defining an interior to hold a beverage;

a hanging member configured to removably suspend the body member from a substrate;

the hanging member pivots between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein in the storage configuration, the hanging member is at least partially positioned in a cavity in an outer surface of the body member, and wherein in the deployed configuration, the hanging member extends from the body member.

2. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging member pivots approximately 20 degrees to approximately 100 degrees relative to a sidewall of the body member when the hanging member pivots to the deployed configuration.

3. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body member includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion includes sidewalls, a lower wall, and an inner wall, and the sidewalls, the lower wall, and the inner wall define the cavity.

4. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the attachment portion is positioned on a sidewall of the body member in an approximately upper ⅓ portion of an overall height of the body member.

5. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hanging member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the attachment portion includes sidewalls and an upper wall, and wherein the hanging member pivots until the hanging member contacts a hook abutment surface of the upper wall when in the deployed configuration, thereby stopping pivotal rotation of the hanging member and providing a surface against which the hanging member is supported while holding the beverage container relative to the substrate.

6. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging member comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is pivotally engaged to the body member, and wherein inner surfaces of the distal portion and the proximal portion are configured to hang on the substrate.

7. The beverage container according to claim 6, wherein the distal portion comprises a protrusion configured to improve or enhance a gripping or holding force of the hanging member to the substrate.

8. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging member includes surfaces that form a J shape, an L shape, a V shape, a U shape, a C shape, a Y shape, an S shape, hanger shape, or fish hook shape, any of which is configured to complement a certain substrate from which the beverage container is suspended.

9. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body member includes a first body member and a second body member, wherein the second body member is configured to at least partially fit within the first body member, wherein the second body member includes an attachment portion, and the hanging member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion.

10. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body member includes a first body member and a second body member, wherein the second body member is configured to at least partially fit within the first body member, wherein the first body member includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion includes sidewalls partially defining the cavity, and the storage portion receives the hanging member in the storage configuration.

11. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hanging member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the body member includes a storage portion that defines the cavity, wherein the cavity of the storage portion receives at least part of the hanging member in the storage configuration, and wherein the storage portion is below the attachment portion.

12. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the hanging member is a hook member, and the hook member includes a finger grip member configured to facilitate a user grabbing and moving the hook member to various configurations.

13. The beverage container according to claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to engage an upper opening of the body member.

14. A beverage container, comprising:

a first body member;

a second body member, the second body member configured to at least partially fit within the first body member;

the second body member defining an interior to hold a beverage;

a hook member, the hook member pivotally engaged to the second body member;

wherein the beverage container comprises a storage configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the hook member pivots between the storage configuration and the deployed configuration; and

wherein in the storage configuration, the hook member is positioned at least partially in a cavity of the first body member, and wherein in the deployed configuration, the hook member extends from the container, thereby permitting the hook member to removably interact with a substrate and thereby suspend the beverage container from such substrate.

15. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the second body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hook member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the attachment portion includes sidewalls and an upper wall, and wherein the hook member pivots until the hook member contacts a hook abutment surface of the upper wall.

16. The beverage container according to claim 15, the first body member includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion includes sidewalls partially defining a cavity, and the cavity receives at least a part of the hook member, and wherein the storage portion is adjacent to the attachment portion.

17. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the second body member includes a flange member that fits over an upper portion of the first body member, wherein the flange member further includes an attachment portion, and the hook member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion.

18. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the second body member includes a flange member comprising a horizontal portion that transitions into a generally vertical portion, and the generally vertical portion fits over an upper portion of the first body member, and the flange member further includes an attachment portion, wherein the hook member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, the hook member is pivotally engaged to a pin positioned between sidewalls of the attachment portion, and wherein the first body member includes a storage portion, wherein the storage portion receives the hook member, wherein the storage portion is adjacent to the attachment portion.

19. The beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the second body member includes an attachment portion, wherein the hook member is pivotally engaged to the attachment portion, wherein the first body member includes a storage portion, wherein a cavity of the storage portion receives the hook member in a storage configuration, wherein the storage portion is below the attachment portion.

20. A beverage container, comprising:

a body member defining an interior to hold a beverage;

a holding member pivotally engaged to a sidewall of the body member, wherein the holding member pivots to an extended position, and wherein the holding member pivots to a retracted position; and

wherein in the extended position, the holding member is configured to interact with a substrate such that the beverage container is suspended from such substrate.