Abstract:
A lockable cap assembly including a handle having at least one protrusion, and a flip cap defining an internal chamber surrounded by a flip cap edge. The flip cap including at least one locking groove configured to engage the at least one protrusion, and an engagement surface. The lockable cap also including a collar having a release mechanism for engaging with the engagement surface. The flip cap being moveable between an open configuration in which a portion of the flip cap edge is not in contact with a surface of the collar and a closed configuration in which the flip cap edge is in full contact with the collar.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to drinking bottles, and more particularly to lockable, reclosable closures for drinking bottles. 
         [0003]    2. Relevant Art 
         [0004]    Drinking bottles, such as water and soda bottles, are lightweight, reclosable and provide a convenient way to transport beverages. Generally, most drinking bottles are made with a corresponding cap used to close and sometimes seal the bottle. Drinking bottles typically have a screw on cap to allow easy access to the contents of the container. The user generally unscrews the cap from the bottle, removes the contents, and then screws the cap back on the bottle. 
         [0005]    In such a configuration, threading is usually found on the outside of the neck of the bottle, which serves as the drinking area. The threads positioned on the drinking area of the bottle may be uncomfortable to a user&#39;s lips contacting the threaded surface when drinking. 
         [0006]    In configurations of drinking bottles that attempt to remove the threads from the drinking area, the ability to re-close and seal the drinking bottle becomes a challenge. In instances were caps are placed over the drinking area, the ability to lock or secure the cap while still maintaining a sealed bottle have not been completely successful. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides a cap assembly for use with a drinking bottle. The cap assembly allows for the drinking bottle to be re-closed and resealed without the need for encumbering the drinking area with threads. In addition, the cap assembly provides the ability to lock the cap assembly into the closed and sealed position. 
         [0008]    In one aspect a lockable cap assembly is provided including a handle having at least one protrusion, and a flip cap defining an internal chamber surrounded by a flip cap edge. The flip cap includes at least one locking groove configured to engage the at least one protrusion, and an engagement surface. The lockable cap also includes a removable collar including a release mechanism for engaging with the engagement surface. The flip cap is moveable between an open configuration in which a portion of the flip cap edge is not in contact with a surface of the collar and a closed configuration in which the flip cap edge is in full contact with the collar. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a lockable cap assembly provided including handle having a cross member and a first leg, which includes a first protrusion and a second leg, which includes a second protrusion, where each leg extends perpendicularly from the cross member. The lockable cap also includes a flip cap defining an internal chamber surrounded by a flip cap edge. The flip cap includes a first locking groove and a second locking groove each formed on an opposing side surface of the flip cap and each locking groove is configured to engage the first and second protrusions. The flip cap also has an engagement surface formed on a side surface of the flip cap at a right angle to the locking grooves. A plug is positioned in the internal chamber and coupled to an internal surface of the flip cap. A removable collar is provided that includes a release mechanism for engaging with the engagement surface. The flip cap is moveable between an open configuration in which a portion of the flip cap edge is not in contact with a surface of the collar and a closed configuration in which the flip cap edge is in full contact with the collar, and the handle is moveable to a locked position in which the first and second protrusions are engaged with the first and second locking grooves. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, a method is provided for locking a cap to a bottle. The method includes securing a removable collar to a bottle, where the removable collar includes a handle having at least one protrusion, and a flip cap defining an internal chamber surrounded by a flip cap edge, where the flip cap includes at least one locking groove configured to engage the at least one protrusion and an engagement surface. The collar also includes a release mechanism for engaging with the engagement surface. The method further includes moving the flip cap between an open configuration in which a portion of the flip cap edge is not in contact with a surface of the collar and a closed configuration in which the flip cap edge is in full contact with the removable collar; and moving the handle to a locked position in which the at least one protrusion is engaged with the at least one locking groove. 
         [0011]    This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of this disclosure may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the disclosure can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the various embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing features and other features of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings of an illustrated embodiment. In the drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals. The illustrated embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the disclosure. The drawings include the following Figures: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a drinking bottle assembly according to an embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the cap assembly in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cap assembly with the handle in the unlocked position and with the flip cap in the open configuration in accordance with an embodiment; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the bottle assembly in an open configuration and unlocked position.  FIG. 4B  is amide view of the bottle assembly in a closed configuration and unlocked position and  FIG. 4C  is a side view of the bottle assembly in a closed configuration and locked position in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bottle assembly  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bottle assembly  100  includes a bottle  102  and a cap assembly  104 , which includes a handle  112 , a flip lid or cap  114 , a plug  116  and a removable collar  118 . 
         [0018]    The bottle  102  defines a volume used to hold or contain a substance which may be made to flow from the bottle, for example a liquid, a powder and the like. It should be understood that the bottle  102  may be formed in any shape that is suitable for defining the volume, with each shape terminating at a continuous, cylindrically shaped neck section having an open area delineated by an upper edge or rim  106  that forms a dispensing end of the bottle. In one embodiment, the bottle  102  may have a generally circular cross-section that terminates at the upper rim  106  of the continuous, cylindrically shaped neck section. The neck section may be divided into two portions. A first portion of the neck section is a drinking area  107 , which stems from the upper rim  106  and includes an area adjacent the upper rim  106 . The drinking area is the portion of the neck section devoid of threads or other contoured surfaces to provide a more comfortable drinking surface. A second portion of the neck section, formed just below the drinking area  107  includes threads (not shown) for mounting and securing the cap assembly  104  to the bottle  102  as described in detail below. 
         [0019]    In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle  102  is generally cylindrical, and includes a sleeve  108  having lengthwise indentations  110 , which may be included for both aesthetic and functional purposes. The bottle  102  also has a generally flat base or bottom surface, which allows the bottle to stand upright on a flat surface. 
         [0020]    In accordance with an embodiment, the bottle  102  may be made of a glass, a plastic, a metal or metal alloy, and the like using any appropriate manufacturing process, such as injection molding and blow-type molding. For example, the bottle may be made of any suitable type of glass, such as silicon dioxide, Pyrex, lead crystal and the like. The metal bottle, for example, may be made of any suitable type of metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, suitable alloys of any suitable metals and the like. The bottle  102  may be designed to any desired volume. For example, the bottle  102  may be designed to hold from about 4 ounces to about 64 ounces. A bottle suitable for use as part of the bottle assembly  100  is described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/629,266, filed Dec. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the cap assembly  104  in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  112  includes a cross member  111  having two perpendicularly extending legs  113 , which together create a generally “u-shaped” handle. The cross member  111  is generally sized and shaped for grasping by the human hand so that that the bottle assembly  100  may be carried by the handle. As described below, the handle  112  includes a locking feature, which includes protrusions  224  for engagement with corresponding grooves formed on the flip cap  114 . As also described below, the handle  112  includes insertable members  212  that provide a bearing surface insertable into bushings  210  formed on the removable collar  118  that allow the handle to be rotated between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the removable collar  118  defines an opening  202 . The opening  202  is configured to receive therethrough the neck section of the bottle  102 . Once the neck section is placed through the opening  202 , the removable collar  118  is seated on the second portion of the neck portion. Internal threads  204  on collar  118  may be made to engage with the threads (not shown) on the second portion of the neck section to secure the collar  118  to the bottle  102 . However the second portion of the neck section and the removable collar  118  may be fitted together using any suitable connection, such as snap elements for providing a snap-fit connection. Alternately, the removable collar  118  may be sized to be press-fitted onto the second portion of the neck section. When the collar  118  is secured to the bottle  102 , the upper rim  106  and the drinking area  107  extend through the opening  202  a distance appropriate to allow a person to comfortably apply their lips to the drinking area  107 . 
         [0023]    The removable collar  118  also includes a release mechanism  206  positioned on one side of the removable collar, and collar hinge components  208  disposed on an opposite side from the release mechanism. A pair of opposed bushings  210 , which are configured to receive the insertable portions  212  of the handle  112 , are positioned on sides of the removable collar generally at right angles to the release mechanism  206  and hinge components  208 . The insertable portions  212  include bearing surfaces that are received into the bushings  210  to allow handle  112  to rotate about the axis of the bushings between a locked position and an unlocked position as described below. 
         [0024]    The flip cap  114  is a cylindrically shaped cap that fits over the drinking area  107  of the bottle  102  to provide a closure thereto. The flip cap  114  may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or the like, and in most embodiments is made of a clear or “see-through” material. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the flip cap  114  defines an opening  300  that provides access to an internal chamber  302  of the flip cap  114 . The perimeter of the opening is outlined by a lid edge  214 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the flip cap  114  is engaged with the removable collar  118 , the lid edge  214  rests on a collar edge  216  formed on the surface of the removable collar. 
         [0025]    On one end of the flip cap  114  are lid hinge components  218  that may be operatively mated to the collar hinge components  208  to create a complete hinge  308 . In this manner, the flip cap  114  may be coupled to the removable collar  118  via complete hinge  308  and rotated between an open configuration, where the flip cap  114  is away from the drinking area to allow access to the drinking area  107  and a closed configuration, where the flip cap encloses the drinking area  107 . 
         [0026]    An engagement surface  220  is provided on one side of the flip cap  114  opposite of the cap hinge components  218 . The engagement surface  220  is positioned on the flip cap to matingly engage with the release mechanism  206  on the removable collar  118  when the flip cap  114  is in the closed configuration. The engagement surface  220  and the release mechanism  206  may be any suitable releasable latch/catch configurations, which are generally well known in the art. Using any suitable configuration, the engagement surface  220  contacts the release mechanism  206 , such that when engaged, the flip cap edge  214  remains firmly pressed against the collar edge  216  (closed configuration). When the engagement is removed, the flip cap edge  214  may be allowed to freely rotate away from the collar edge  216  (open configuration). 
         [0027]    In one embodiment the release mechanism  206  includes a latching surface  207  and a spring (not shown) that biases the latching surface  207  against a surface  209  of the removable collar  118 . In this embodiment, the release mechanism  206  functions like a spring loaded button. The engagement surface  220  on the flip cap  114  also includes a corresponding latching surface  221  that is configured to engage the latching surface  207  on the release mechanism  206 . When the flip cap is closing, the engagement surface  220  contacts and presses against the release mechanism  206 , the release mechanism is depressed allowing the two latching surfaces  207  and  221  to move against one another until the oppositely facing latching surfaces engage one another. The spring bias in the release mechanism holds the latching surfaces in the engaged position. To release the engaged latching surfaces, the release mechanism  206  may be manually depressed causing the latching surface  207  of the release mechanism  206  to disengage from the latching surface  221  of the engagement surface  220 . In one embodiment, the complete hinge  308  may be biased or spring loaded such that the flip cap  114  automatically moves to the open configuration when the engagement between the engagement surface  220  and the release mechanism  206  is removed. 
         [0028]    The plug  116  is disposed within the internal chamber  302  ( FIG. 3 ) and attached to an internal top surface  304  ( FIG. 3 ) of the flip cap  114 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plug  116  is coupled to the internal top surface  304  using an attachment member  120 . The attachment member  120  is smaller in diameter then the outer diameter of the plug  116 , and acts as a stem, which holds the plug  116  substantially suspended within the internal chamber away from the internal top surface  304 . 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the plug  116  is a pliable diaphragm or gasket made from, for example, silicone, rubber and the like. The plug  116  is sized and shaped to be mated to the upper rim  106  of the bottle  102 . When mated together, the plug  116  may be pressed against the upper rim  106  to seal the bottle  102 . The plug  116  is moved into a sealing relationship with the upper rim  106  of bottle  102  when the flip cap  114  is rotated about the complete hinge and moved into the closed configuration. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the flip cap  114  also includes a pair of opposed locking grooves  222  positioned on each side of the flip cap  114 . The locking grooves  222  are formed into a side surface of the flip cap  114  at approximately right angles to the engagement surface  220 . When in the closed configuration of the flip cap, the locking grooves  222  become substantially in-line with the bushings  210 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the locking grooves  222  are configured to slidably receive the corresponding protrusions  224  formed on each leg  113  of handle  112 . The locking grooves  222  are tapered to receive the tapered surface of the protrusions  212  from a first direction and capture the protrusions  212  therein. The locking grooves  222  include a blocking surface formed as part of the internal surface of the locking grooves. The blocking surface butts against the captured protrusions  112  and thus restricts the handle  112  from continuing to rotate in the first direction past a centerline of the bottle  102 . This restriction stops the rotation of the legs  113  at a position perpendicular to the top surface of the closed flip cap, which positions the legs substantially in-line with the bushings  110 , around which the handle  112  rotates (the “in-line” position, see  FIG. 4C ). 
         [0032]    Once in the in-line position, the engagement between the protrusions  224  and the locking grooves  222  of the flip cap  114  prevents the flip cap  114  from being opened, thus locking the flip cap  114  in the closed configuration. When the handle  112  is in the locked position, even if the release mechanism  206  is activated, the flip cap  114  is prevented from moving to the open configuration. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the cap assembly  104  with the handle  112  in the unlocked position and with the flip cap  114  in the open configuration in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4A , when in the open configuration, the handle  112  and the flip cap  114  have been rotated away from opening  306  defined by upper rim  106  of bottle  102 . In this position, a user may be able to pour a liquid out from, or in to the bottle  102  or the user may be able to drink directly from the drinking area  107 . 
         [0034]    To move the flip cap  114  from the open configuration and unlocked position shown in  FIG. 4A  to the closed configuration shown in  FIG. 4B  the flip cap  114  may be manually rotated about complete hinge  308 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the flip cap  114  is rotated until the flip cap edge  214  is mated against the collar edge  216  and the engagement surface  220  is engaged with the release mechanism  206 . In this closed configuration, the drinking area  107  of bottle  102  is enclosed within the internal chamber  302  of the flip cap  114 . The plug  116  positioned on the internal top surface  304  of the flip cap  114  is moved into a sealing relationship with the upper rim  106  to seal the bottle. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 4C , once the flip cap  114  is in the closed configuration, the handle  112  may be rotated in the first direction  404  ( FIG. 4A ) until the legs  113  are substantially orthogonal with the top surface  402  of the flip cap  114 . In this position, the protrusions  224  formed on the inside surface of the handle  112  ( FIG. 1 ) are engaged with the locking grooves  222  formed on the external side surface of the flip cap  114 . With the protrusions captured in the locking grooves, the handle  112  is unable to continue to rotate in the first direction  404  beyond the centerline of bottle  102 . The mating between the protrusions  224  and the locking grooves  222  holds the flip cap  114  locked in the closed configuration, since the flip cap  114  may not rotate to the open configuration, even if the release mechanism  206  is depressed. 
         [0036]    To move the flip cap  114  from the locked, closed configuration of  FIG. 4C  to the unlocked, open configuration of  FIG. 4A , the handle  112  is moved in a second direction  406  (the reverse of the first direction) away from the in-line position. The handle  112  is rotated with sufficient force to overcome the resistance created by the engagement between the protrusions  224  ( FIG. 1 ) and the locking grooves  2 . Once the handle  112  is rotated to the unlocked position, the release mechanism  206  on the collar  118  may be depressed to release the engagement surface  220  of the flip cap  114 . In most embodiments, the complete hinge  308  may be biased or spring loaded, such that when the engagement between the engagement surface  220  and the release mechanism  206  is removed, the flip cap edge  214  automatically moves away from the collar edge  216  and the plug  116  is removed from the sealing engagement with the upper rim  106  of bottle  102 . 
         [0037]    Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. Many other applications and embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of this disclosure and the following claims.