WO2015010873A1 - Sports flask, particularly for cycling - Google Patents

Sports flask, particularly for cycling Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015010873A1
WO2015010873A1 PCT/EP2014/064266 EP2014064266W WO2015010873A1 WO 2015010873 A1 WO2015010873 A1 WO 2015010873A1 EP 2014064266 W EP2014064266 W EP 2014064266W WO 2015010873 A1 WO2015010873 A1 WO 2015010873A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spout
sports
flask
flow control
control element
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2014/064266
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Germano Mozzato
Original Assignee
Raceone S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Raceone S.R.L. filed Critical Raceone S.R.L.
Publication of WO2015010873A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015010873A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
    • A45F3/00—Travelling or camp articles; Sacks or packs carried on the body
    • A45F3/16—Water-bottles; Mess-tins; Cups
    • A45F3/18—Water-bottles; Mess-tins; Cups of rigid material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
    • A45F3/00—Travelling or camp articles; Sacks or packs carried on the body
    • A45F3/16—Water-bottles; Mess-tins; Cups
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
    • B65D47/24—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat
    • B65D47/248—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat the valve being opened or closed by imparting a motion to the valve stem

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sports flask, particularly for cycling.
  • Such mushroom- shaped closure in fact requires the cyclist who wants to drink to use two hands or one hand and his teeth.
  • Flasks are also known which have a flat spout-like closure that can be opened and closed with snap-acting means by turning said spout about an axis thereof that is substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the flask.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a sports flask, particularly for cycling, that is capable of obviating the cited drawbacks of the background art.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a sports flask that can be opened with a single hand even more simply than known sports flasks.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a sports flask that can be used directly in an optimum manner without problems of orienting the suction spout.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a sports flask that is intuitive to use, without requiring particular teachings.
  • a sports flask particularly for cycling, comprising a container for a liquid and a suction spout, characterized in that said suction spout is stoppered with a flow control element that is moved to translate, along a direction from the inside toward the outside of the flask, by way of means for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type, with an alternating effect of opening and closing the suction spout.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the flask according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of some details of the flask according to the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the details of Figure 2, assembled and in a first configuration for use;
  • Figure 4 is the same sectional view of Figure 3 in a second configuration for use.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view, taken from the inside, of a detail of the flask according to the invention.
  • a sports flask particularly for cycling, is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
  • the flask 10 comprises a container 1 1 for a liquid and a suction spout 12.
  • suction spout 12 is stoppered with a rotating and translating flow control element 17 that is moved to translate, along a direction X from the inside toward the outside of the flask 10, by way of means 14 for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type, with an alternating effect of opening and closing the suction spout 12.
  • the container 1 1 is constituted, for example, by a cup-shaped body 15 and by a cover 16 that can be screwed onto it in a known manner.
  • the alternating lifting and lowering means 14 of the press-and-release type comprise
  • buttons 13 which protrudes at least partially with one of its external portions 31 from the spout 12, available to the action of a hand of a user,
  • the supporting cage 19 is fixed inside the cover 16 so as to surround the inlet 22 of the spout 12.
  • the flow control element 17, as is known for similar systems for opening and closing ballpoint pens, has radial ribs 24 that have a free end 25, in an axial direction, that is cam-shaped.
  • the radial ribs 24 are intended to meet a corresponding stop edge 26 defined on the inner surface 27 of the spout 12, as can be seen in Figure 2, and, alternately, are adapted to translate in guiding slots 28 also defined on the inner surface 27 in an alternating position with respect to the stop edges 26.
  • the button 13 has, at an internal portion 31 thereof, a series of contoured raised portions 32 that protrude toward the free ends 25 of the radial ribs 24 of the pusher and are intended to interact with said free ends 25.
  • the flow control element 17 supports an annular gasket 33 that is intended to be pressed against the perimetric surface 34 of the inlet 22 of the spout 12, so as to block the annular passage for the liquid that is defined between the button 13 and the outer collar 35 of the spout 12, as shown in Figure 3.
  • the flow control element 17 has an axial stem 36 for centering and coupling with a corresponding seat 37 defined in the button.
  • the flow control element 17 can rotate freely with respect to the button 13.
  • the base 20 has an axial centering raised portion 38 for the spring 18.
  • the button 13 is covered at its end by a cap 39 made of plastic material of a different color than the body 40 of the button 13, so that the user immediately detects whether the spout is closed or open, depending on whether the body 40 of the button that protrudes from the spout 12 is visible or only the cap 39 is visible, the latter indicating that the button is lowered toward the inside of the flask and the spout is open.
  • the button 13 and the opening and closing means 14 are axially symmetrical with respect to the main axis X of the flask 10.
  • the flask 10 can be gripped and used in a straightforward manner regardless of the orientation with which it is gripped; this particularity is very important with respect to known flasks, which in many cases have flow control and closure means that force a required orientation for use.
  • Figure 3 shows the cover 16 with the spout 12 closed, i.e., with the flow control element 17 raised and the annular gasket 33 pressed against the perimetric surface 34 of the inlet 22 of the spout 12.
  • the contoured raised portions 32 push downwardly the flow control element 17, acting on the radial ribs 24 of the flow control element 17; the radial ribs 24, in the closed spout configuration, have risen in corresponding guiding slots 28 defined within the spout 12.
  • the inwardly push of the button 13 pushes down the radial ribs 24 until they exit from the guiding slots 28 and are diverted laterally thanks to the cam-like shape of the free ends 25, until they slide into abutment against corresponding stop edges 26 defined adjacent to the sides of the guiding slots 28.
  • annular water exit channel forms between the button 13 with the flow control element 17 and the spout 12.
  • the invention provides a sports flask, particularly for cycling, that can be opened with a single hand even more simply than known sports flasks, thanks to the press- and-release means on the button 13, which do not require resorting to two hands or to the aid of teeth, but a simple pressure on the button, which can be applied with the same hand that grips the flask or by pushing the button against any other abutment point.
  • the invention provides a sports flask that can be used immediately in an optimum manner without orientation problems of the suction spout, since the axial symmetry of the spout and of the opening and closing means allows its use with any orientation with respect to the mouth of the user.
  • the invention provides a sports flask that is intuitive to use without requiring particular teachings.
  • the materials used may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Abstract

A sports flask (10), particularly for cycling, comprising a container (11) for a liquid and a suction spout (12), wherein the suction spout (12) is stoppered with a rotating and translating flow control element (17) that is moved to translate along a direction (X) from the inside toward the outside of the flask (10) by way of means (14) for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type, with an alternating effect of opening and closing the suction spout (12).

Description

SPORTS FLASK, PARTICULARLY FOR CYCLING
The present invention relates to a sports flask, particularly for cycling.
Currently known sports flasks used predominantly for cycling are of the type with a mushroom-shaped closure, which must be pulled to open the suction spout and pushed to close it.
Although this type of closure is widespread and appreciated, it suffers limitations and drawbacks.
Such mushroom- shaped closure in fact requires the cyclist who wants to drink to use two hands or one hand and his teeth.
It is evident, therefore, that during a race the option of letting go of the handlebar is not advisable, while gripping with the teeth and pulling the flask with a hand can be unpleasant or even harmful if the cyclist has dental problems.
Moreover, once the mushroom-shaped closure has been gripped between the teeth, the user must apply considerable traction to open it, and this traction arises from a substantial compression of the flask; such compression, therefore, can cause an unwanted outflow of liquid from the flask upon opening the mushroom-shaped closure, dispersing such liquid.
Flasks are also known which have a flat spout-like closure that can be opened and closed with snap-acting means by turning said spout about an axis thereof that is substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the flask.
Such a flat spout-like closure, however, does not allow straightforward use of the flask, since it must be brought to the mouth after orienting said spout correctly, i.e., so that the lips of the user surround it, pressing on the two larger surfaces, otherwise suction cannot occur except in a severely incorrect manner.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a sports flask, particularly for cycling, that is capable of obviating the cited drawbacks of the background art.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a sports flask that can be opened with a single hand even more simply than known sports flasks.
Another object of the invention is to provide a sports flask that can be used directly in an optimum manner without problems of orienting the suction spout.
Another object of the invention is to provide a sports flask that is intuitive to use, without requiring particular teachings.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a sports flask, particularly for cycling, comprising a container for a liquid and a suction spout, characterized in that said suction spout is stoppered with a flow control element that is moved to translate, along a direction from the inside toward the outside of the flask, by way of means for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type, with an alternating effect of opening and closing the suction spout.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the sports flask, particularly for cycling, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the flask according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a sectional side view of some details of the flask according to the invention;
- Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the details of Figure 2, assembled and in a first configuration for use;
- Figure 4 is the same sectional view of Figure 3 in a second configuration for use.
- Figure 5 is a perspective view, taken from the inside, of a detail of the flask according to the invention.
With reference to the figures, a sports flask, particularly for cycling, is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The flask 10 comprises a container 1 1 for a liquid and a suction spout 12.
The particularity of the invention resides in that the suction spout 12 is stoppered with a rotating and translating flow control element 17 that is moved to translate, along a direction X from the inside toward the outside of the flask 10, by way of means 14 for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type, with an alternating effect of opening and closing the suction spout 12.
The container 1 1 is constituted, for example, by a cup-shaped body 15 and by a cover 16 that can be screwed onto it in a known manner.
The alternating lifting and lowering means 14 of the press-and-release type comprise
- a flow control element 17,
- a button 13, which protrudes at least partially with one of its external portions 31 from the spout 12, available to the action of a hand of a user,
- a spring 18 for pushing the flow control element 13,
- a supporting cage 19, provided with an abutment base 20 for the spring 18 and with lateral openings 21 for the flow of liquid toward the spout 12.
The supporting cage 19 is fixed inside the cover 16 so as to surround the inlet 22 of the spout 12.
The flow control element 17, as is known for similar systems for opening and closing ballpoint pens, has radial ribs 24 that have a free end 25, in an axial direction, that is cam-shaped.
The radial ribs 24 are intended to meet a corresponding stop edge 26 defined on the inner surface 27 of the spout 12, as can be seen in Figure 2, and, alternately, are adapted to translate in guiding slots 28 also defined on the inner surface 27 in an alternating position with respect to the stop edges 26. The button 13 has, at an internal portion 31 thereof, a series of contoured raised portions 32 that protrude toward the free ends 25 of the radial ribs 24 of the pusher and are intended to interact with said free ends 25.
The flow control element 17 supports an annular gasket 33 that is intended to be pressed against the perimetric surface 34 of the inlet 22 of the spout 12, so as to block the annular passage for the liquid that is defined between the button 13 and the outer collar 35 of the spout 12, as shown in Figure 3.
The flow control element 17 has an axial stem 36 for centering and coupling with a corresponding seat 37 defined in the button.
The flow control element 17 can rotate freely with respect to the button 13.
The base 20 has an axial centering raised portion 38 for the spring 18. The button 13 is covered at its end by a cap 39 made of plastic material of a different color than the body 40 of the button 13, so that the user immediately detects whether the spout is closed or open, depending on whether the body 40 of the button that protrudes from the spout 12 is visible or only the cap 39 is visible, the latter indicating that the button is lowered toward the inside of the flask and the spout is open.
The button 13 and the opening and closing means 14 are axially symmetrical with respect to the main axis X of the flask 10.
In this manner, the flask 10 can be gripped and used in a straightforward manner regardless of the orientation with which it is gripped; this particularity is very important with respect to known flasks, which in many cases have flow control and closure means that force a required orientation for use.
Operation of the sports flask according to the invention is as follows. Figure 3 shows the cover 16 with the spout 12 closed, i.e., with the flow control element 17 raised and the annular gasket 33 pressed against the perimetric surface 34 of the inlet 22 of the spout 12.
By pressing the button 12, the contoured raised portions 32 push downwardly the flow control element 17, acting on the radial ribs 24 of the flow control element 17; the radial ribs 24, in the closed spout configuration, have risen in corresponding guiding slots 28 defined within the spout 12.
The inwardly push of the button 13 pushes down the radial ribs 24 until they exit from the guiding slots 28 and are diverted laterally thanks to the cam-like shape of the free ends 25, until they slide into abutment against corresponding stop edges 26 defined adjacent to the sides of the guiding slots 28.
The open spout configuration 12 is visible in Figure 4.
In such configuration an annular water exit channel forms between the button 13 with the flow control element 17 and the spout 12.
In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, the invention provides a sports flask, particularly for cycling, that can be opened with a single hand even more simply than known sports flasks, thanks to the press- and-release means on the button 13, which do not require resorting to two hands or to the aid of teeth, but a simple pressure on the button, which can be applied with the same hand that grips the flask or by pushing the button against any other abutment point.
Moreover, the invention provides a sports flask that can be used immediately in an optimum manner without orientation problems of the suction spout, since the axial symmetry of the spout and of the opening and closing means allows its use with any orientation with respect to the mouth of the user.
Moreover, the invention provides a sports flask that is intuitive to use without requiring particular teachings.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2013A000205 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A sports flask (10), particularly for cycling, comprising a container (11) for a liquid and a suction spout (12), characterized in that said suction spout (12) is stoppered with a rotating and translating flow control element (17) that is moved to translate along a direction (X) from the inside toward the outside of the flask (10), by way of means (14) for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type, with an alternating effect of opening and closing the suction spout (12).
2. The sports flask according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (14) for alternating lifting and lowering of the press-and-release type comprise
- a flow control element (17),
- a button (13), which protrudes at least partially with one of its external portions from the spout (12), available to the action of a hand of a user,
- a spring (18) for pushing the flow control element (13),
- a supporting cage (19), provided with an abutment base (20) for the spring (18) and with lateral openings (21) for the flow of liquid toward the spout (12), said supporting cage (19) being fixed inside a cover (16) so as to surround the inlet (22) of the spout (12).
3. The sports flask according to claim 2, characterized in that said flow control element (17) is provided with radial ribs (24) that have a free end (25), in an axial direction, that is cam-shaped, said radial ribs (24) being intended to meet a corresponding stop edge (26) defined on the inner surface (27) of the spout (12) and being adapted to translate in guiding slots (28) also defined on the inner surface (27) in an alternating position with respect to the stop edges (26).
4. The sports flask according to claim 3, characterized in that said button (13) has, at an internal portion (31) thereof, a series of contoured raised portions (32) that protrude toward the free ends (25) of the radial ribs (24) of the pusher and are intended to interact with said free ends (25).
5. The sports flask according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow control element (17) supports an annular gasket (33) that is intended to be pressed against the perimetric surface (34) of the inlet (22) of the spout (12), so as to block the annular passage for the liquid that is defined between the button (13) and the outer collar (35) of the spout (12), as shown in Figure 3.
6. The sports flask according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow control element (17) has an axial stem (36) for centering and coupling with a corresponding seat (37) defined in the button.
7. The sports flask according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (20) has an axial centering raised portion (38) for the spring (18).
8. The sports flask according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said button (13) is covered at its end by a cap (39) made of non- toxic plastic material that is comfortable to the touch and to the taste.
PCT/EP2014/064266 2013-07-24 2014-07-03 Sports flask, particularly for cycling WO2015010873A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000205A ITPD20130205A1 (en) 2013-07-24 2013-07-24 SPORTS BOTTLE AND PARTICULARLY FOR CYCLING
ITPD2013A000205 2013-07-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015010873A1 true WO2015010873A1 (en) 2015-01-29

Family

ID=49261675

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2014/064266 WO2015010873A1 (en) 2013-07-24 2014-07-03 Sports flask, particularly for cycling

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IT (1) ITPD20130205A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2015010873A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101946422B1 (en) 2017-09-07 2019-02-11 전동하 Apparatus for preventing liquid spill and controlling flow
US11498728B2 (en) 2020-12-30 2022-11-15 Kao Usa Inc. Product containers and closure assemblies for product containers

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5911406A (en) * 1995-09-15 1999-06-15 Winefordner; Carl Liquid dispensing and item storage system with orally activated valve
US20020038807A1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2002-04-04 Yoram Gill Mouthpiece for drinking
US20100200602A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 David Chan Travel mug

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5911406A (en) * 1995-09-15 1999-06-15 Winefordner; Carl Liquid dispensing and item storage system with orally activated valve
US20020038807A1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2002-04-04 Yoram Gill Mouthpiece for drinking
US20100200602A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 David Chan Travel mug

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101946422B1 (en) 2017-09-07 2019-02-11 전동하 Apparatus for preventing liquid spill and controlling flow
US11498728B2 (en) 2020-12-30 2022-11-15 Kao Usa Inc. Product containers and closure assemblies for product containers

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