Drinking Container in Modular System

A container, such as a beverage container, is provided. The container includes a storage body and a support structure coupled to the storage body, such as to an exterior of the storage body. The support structure includes one or more couplers, such as male couplers and female couplers, configured to couple the container in a modular system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to the field of containers and related devices. The present disclosure relates specifically to a beverage container with one or more coupling mechanisms to detachably couple the beverage container to a utility module, such as a tool storage device, unit or container.

Tool storage units are often used to transport tools and tool accessories. Some storage units are designed to incorporate into a modular storage system. Various accessories can be configured to interface with a storage unit in a modular storage system, such as a container for beverages that couples to the modular storage system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a container configured to pour a pourable material. The container includes a storage body defining a containment area configured to receive a pourable material, the storage body extending along a primary longitudinal axis, an opening defined by the storage body, the opening providing fluid communication between the containment area and an exterior of the storage body, a support structure detachably coupled to the storage body, and a plurality of female couplers extending from the support structure. Each of the plurality of female couplers includes a sidewall extending from the support structure, and a rib extending from the sidewall above and offset from the storage body. The support structure, the sidewall, and the rib collectively define a channel parallel to the primary longitudinal axis, and the channel extends from an open back end to an open front end.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container configured to pour a pourable material. The container includes a storage body defining a containment area configured to receive a pourable material, the storage body extending along a primary longitudinal axis, an opening defined by the storage body, the opening providing fluid communication between the containment area and an exterior of the storage body, a support structure detachably coupled to the storage body, and a plurality of male couplers extending from the support structure. Each of the plurality of male couplers includes a backwall extending from the support structure, an interior wall extending from the support structure, and a tongue extending from the interior wall offset from and above the support structure. The support structure, the backwall, the interior wall, and the tongue collectively define a channel parallel to the primary longitudinal axis, and the channel extends from a closed back end at the backwall to an open front end opposite the closed back end.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container configured to pour a pourable material. The container includes a storage body defining a containment area configured to receive pourable materials, an opening defined by the storage body, a support structure detachably coupled to the storage body, and a plurality of couplers extending from the support structure, the plurality of couplers configured to detachably couple the support structure to a modular storage system. The storage body includes an inner wall and an outer wall that define a vacuum-insulated area between the inner wall and the outer wall. The vacuum-insulated area provides thermal insulation between the containment area and an exterior of the storage body. The storage body is formed from a first material comprising a metal. The opening provides fluid communication between the containment area and the exterior of the storage body. The support structure is formed from a second material comprising a plastic.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a drinking container including a storage body defining a containment area for pourable materials, an opening defined by the storage body, an upper support structure, a lower support structure detachably coupled to the upper support structure, a plurality of male couplers extending from a first side of the lower support structure, and a plurality of female couplers extending from a second side of the lower support structure opposite the first side. The opening provides fluid communication between the containment area and an exterior of the storage body. The upper support structure and lower support structure collectively extend around the storage body. Each of the plurality of male couplers includes a back wall, an interior wall extending away from the lower support structure, and a tongue extending from the back wall and the interior wall. The tongue is offset from and above the storage body. The back wall, the interior wall, and the tongue collectively define a channel that extends from a closed back end to an open front end. Each of the plurality of female couplers includes a sidewall extending away from the lower support structure, and a rib extending from the sidewall. The rib is above and offset from the storage body.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a drinking container including a storage body defining a containment area for pourable materials, an opening defined by the storage body, the opening providing fluid communication between the containment area and an exterior of the storage body, a support structure coupled to the exterior of the storage body, the support structure including a first element and a second element coupled to each other, a plurality of male couplers extending from the first element, and a plurality of female couplers extending from the second element. Each of the plurality of male couplers includes a back wall and an interior wall extending away from the first element, a tongue extending from the back wall and the interior wall. The tongue is offset from and above the first element. The first element, the back wall, the interior wall, and the tongue collectively define a channel that extends from a closed back end to an open front end. A plurality of female couplers extends from the second element. Each of the plurality of female couplers includes a sidewall extending away from the second element, and a rib extending from the sidewall, the rib is above and offset from the second element.

In various specific embodiments, the plurality of male couplers are configured to couple to a first side of a utility module and the plurality of female couplers are configured to couple to a second side of the utility module opposite the first side.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a drinking container including a storage body defining a containment area for pourable materials, the storage body including an inner wall and an outer wall that define a vacuum-insulated area between the inner wall and the outer wall, the vacuum-insulated area providing thermal insulation between the containment area and an exterior of the storage body, an opening defined by the storage body, the opening providing fluid communication between the containment area and the exterior of the storage body, and a support structure coupled to the exterior of the storage body, the support structure formed from a plastic material.

In various specific embodiments, the storage body is formed from a material including metal. In various specific embodiments, the drinking container includes a plurality of male couplers extending from the storage body and a plurality of female couplers extending from the storage body. The plurality of male couplers are configured to couple to a first side of a utility module and the plurality of female couplers are configured to couple to a second side of a utility module opposite the first side.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and/or shown in the accompany drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. In addition, alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a container are shown. One or more of the containers are configured to selectively couple and decouple with components in a modular storage system, such as a tool storage unit. The container includes a storage body and one or more couplers configured to couple to one or more coupling elements of a tool storage unit, such as one or more male couplers on a first side of the container and one or more female couplers on an opposing second side of the container. The male couplers and female couplers are configured to couple the beverage container between two utility modules in a modular storage system. Applicant has observed that integrating a container between utility modules provides more accessible coupling options for the container within a modular storage system, such as by not requiring the container to only be coupled to a certain portion of the modular storage system (e.g., the top or the side).

Still referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of another container are shown. One or more of the containers include a metallic storage body to store the pourable material, such as a vacuum-insulated metallic storage body, and a support structure coupled to and around the storage body, such as a plastic support structure. Applicant has observed that including a metallic vacuum-insulated container with a plastic support structure improves the user experience by providing a strong damage-resistant drinking vessel that is protected from damage by the malleable plastic support structure.

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a containers are shown. In various embodiments the containers include a storage body with a vacuum sealed thermal insulation, such as a metal storage body, surrounded by a support structure, such as a plastic support structure, that includes one or more coupling elements to rigidly couple the container in a modular system.

Referring toFIGS.1-6, various aspects of container100are shown. Container100is configured to pour a pourable material, such as a liquid, such as a liquid to be consumed by a user (e.g., water). Container100includes storage body110and support structure130coupled to an exterior124of storage body110. In various embodiments, support structure130is detachably coupled to storage body110. As will be shown, storage body110defines a containment area118configured to receive a pourable material, such as liquids, the storage body110extending along longitudinal axis108. Opening120is defined by storage body110, and opening120provides fluid communication between containment area118and exterior124of storage body110. In use, a user inserts a pourable material (e.g., a liquid) into storage body110via opening120, and the user removes (e.g., drinks) the pourable material stored within storage body110via opening120.

Support structure130includes a first element132and a second element134, which are coupled (e.g., rigidly coupled) together, such as via fastener, shown as screw138. First element132extends around first side126of storage body110, and second element134extends around second side128of storage body110opposite first side126.

A plurality of male couplers150extend from first side surface127of first side126of support structure130. Female couplers170extend from second side surface129of support structure. In various embodiments, first side surface127and second side surface129are opposite each other and facing away from each other. In various embodiments, first side surface127and second side surface129extend between bottom113and top111of storage body110. First element132includes arms140that extend from bottom surface122at bottom113of storage body110to top111of storage body110, which is proximate opening120. Second element134includes arms142that extend from bottom surface122at bottom113of storage body110to top111of storage body110.

Container100includes latch136coupled to support structure130. As will be shown, latch136laterally secures container100with respect to a utility module (e.g., utility module180inFIGS.7-8) while male couplers150vertically secure container100with respect to the utility module. Thus, latch136and male couplers150collectively rigidly secure container100to a utility module (e.g., utility module180inFIGS.7-8). In various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of male couplers150engage with a utility module (e.g., utility module180) to detachably couple the support structure130to the utility module, and the latch136interfaces with the utility module to prevent sliding disengagement of the one or more plurality of male couplers150from the utility module.

In various embodiments, storage body110is formed from a first material including a metal, and support structure130is formed from a second material including a plastic material, such as a type of polyethylene. Applicant has observed that including a metallic beverage container (e.g., various embodiments of storage body110) within a support structure130provides a strong damage-resistant vessel that is further protected by the malleable plastic support structure. In various embodiments, support structure130includes a plurality of couplers (e.g., male couplers150and/or female couplers170) configured to detachably couple the support structure130to a modular storage system198.

Referring toFIG.2, various aspects of male couplers150are shown. In various embodiments, container100includes a plurality of male couplers150extending from the support structure130, such as from first side126. Male couplers150extend from first side surface127away from second side surface129. In various embodiments, each of male couplers150includes a backwall152extending from support structure130and an interior wall154extending from support structure130. Each of male couplers150further includes a tongue156extending from backwall152and interior wall154, the tongue156being offset from and above the support structure130and/or storage body110. The support structure130, backwall152, interior wall154, and tongue156collectively define channel158, which extends from closed back end160at backwall152to an open front end162opposite closed back end160. In various embodiments, channel158extends parallel to longitudinal axis108.

In various embodiments, channel158extends along axis164, which extends vertically between bottom surface122of storage body110and opening120. In particular, channel158extends in downward direction166along axis164. To couple male couplers150of container100to another object, container100is linearly slid in direction166with respect to the object to thereby engage male couplers150with female couplers of another object (e.g., female couplers184of utility module180inFIG.7).

In various embodiments, container100includes female couplers170that are similar to or the same as female couplers270extending from support structure230of container200(seeFIG.11). For example, container100includes female couplers170extending from second element134of support structure130opposite male couplers150extending from first element132of support structure130.

Referring toFIGS.3-4, various aspects of female couplers170are provided. In various embodiments, a plurality of female couplers170extend from support structure130, such as from second side surface129of second side128of support structure. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of female couplers170includes a sidewall171extending from the support structure130, and a rib172extending from the sidewall171above and offset from the storage body110. The support structure130, the sidewall171, and the rib172collectively define a channel173parallel to the primary longitudinal axis108, and the channel173extends from an open back end174to an open front end175. In various embodiments, the plurality of female couplers170are arranged in a grid including at least two rows176of female couplers170and at least two columns177of female couplers170. In various embodiments, plurality of male couplers150are arranged in a grid including at least two rows167of male couplers150and at least two columns168of male couplers150. In various embodiments, channel173extends parallel to longitudinal axis108.

In various embodiments, the plurality of male couplers150extend from a first side126of the support structure130and the plurality of female couplers170extend from a second side128of the support structure130opposite the first side126. In various embodiments, the first side of the support structure (e.g., first side126) and the second side of the support structure (e.g., second side128) are integrally molded together (e.g., seeFIG.21). In various embodiments, the first side of the support structure (e.g., first side126) and the second side of the support structure (e.g., second side128) are detachably coupled together (e.g., seeFIGS.1-6).

Referring toFIG.5, in various embodiments first element132and second element134are detachably coupled. Thus, storage body110can be removed from first element132and second element134and a different storage body can be inserted between and secured within first element132and second element134.

Referring toFIG.6, various aspects of storage body110are shown. Storage body110includes inner wall112and outer wall114, which peripherally surrounds inner wall112that define vacuum-insulated area116between inner wall112and outer wall114. In various embodiments, area116includes a vacuum and/or a reduced pressure such that area116thermally insulates inner wall112and outer wall114from each other. Area116provides thermal insulation between the containment area118and an exterior124of the storage body110. Storage body110includes containment area118, which is configured to receive and store a pourable material, such as a liquid for consumption.

Referring toFIGS.7-9, various aspects of a utility module180are shown. Utility module180can be used within a modular system that includes multiple utility modules and/or containers stacked and secured to each other. Utility module180includes first side182and second side188opposite first side182. Utility module180includes female couplers184extending from first side182and latch recesses186defined by first side182. As will be shown, male couplers150of container100are configured to detachably couple with female couplers184of utility module180.

Utility module180includes male couplers190extending from second side188. Male couplers190are configured to couple with female couplers of containers (e.g., female couplers of container100and/or female couplers270of container200).

Referring toFIG.9, an exploded view of modular system198is shown. Modular system198includes container100and utility module180. The male couplers150of container100couple with the female couplers184of utility module (e.g., the dash-dot lines extend between male couplers150and female couplers184that will be engaged with each other when container100and utility module180are coupled together).

In various embodiments, the coupling structures described herein are compatible with the coupling mechanism(s) described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/044629, which is hereby incorporated by references in its entirety. For exemplary purposes only, male couplers150, female couplers of container100, latch136, female couplers270of container200, male couplers250of container200, male couplers350of container300, female couplers490of container400, and/or male couplers480of container400are compatible with the coupling mechanism(s) described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/044629.

Referring toFIGS.10-11, various aspects of container200are shown. Container200is substantially the same as container100except for the differences discussed herein.

Container200includes male couplers250and female couplers270. In various embodiments, male couplers250extend on a first side of container200, and female couplers270extend on an opposing second side of container200. Each female coupler270includes a sidewall272extending from the support structure230, and ribs274extending from sidewall272offset and above support structure230and/or storage body210. In various embodiments, ribs274include an angled leading surface276facing towards a top of storage body210and away from sidewall272.

Referring toFIGS.12-17, various mechanisms to couple elements of support structures are shown. In particular, coupling structures280,282,284,286,288, and290detachably couple multiple elements (e.g., two opposing elements) of support structures.

Referring toFIGS.18-20, various aspects of container300are shown. Container300is substantially the same as container100or container200except for the differences discussed herein.

Container300includes storage body310and a cap312detachably secured to storage body310to close the opening for the pourable material containment area. A plurality of male couplers350extend from support structure330. In various embodiments, male couplers350each include two tongues352, which are on opposing ends of the respective male coupler350.

Referring toFIGS.21-25, various aspects of container400are shown. Container400is substantially the same as container100, container200, or container300except for the differences discussed herein.

Support structure430includes upper structure440, lower structure450, and latch432that detachably secures upper structure440and lower structure450to each other around storage body410. In various embodiments, latch432is coupled to one of upper structure440and lower structure450(e.g., lower structure450), and subsequently arm434of latch432detachably couples to the other of upper structure440and lower structure450(e.g., upper structure440). Thus, latch432rigidly couples upper structure440and lower structure450together around storage body410and secures the lid470to the opening420of storage body410.

In various embodiments, upper structure440includes handle442extending above and offset from storage body410. Handle442facilitates a user transporting container400, such as by grabbing handle442.

Lower structure450includes arms452, such as four arms452extending along each lateral corner of storage body410. Male couplers480extend from a first side454of lower structure450, and female couplers490extend from a second side456of lower structure450opposite first side454. In various embodiments, male couplers480are structurally and functionally the same as male couplers150extending from container100. In various embodiments, female couplers490are structurally and functionally the same as female couplers270extending from container200.

Storage body410includes internal shell412, external shell414, and bottom plate416coupled to a bottom of external shell414. Storage body410defines containment area418, which is used to store objects, such as a pourable material, such as a liquid to be consumed. The pourable material can exit storage body410via opening420at the top of storage body410. In various embodiments, storage body410includes a recess426that facilitates a user picking up storage body410. In various embodiments, storage body410is a five-sided vacuum insulated container.

Referring toFIGS.22-25, various aspects of an exemplary method of manufacturing storage body410are shown. First, internal shell412is provided, such as via being manufactured as a single contiguous piece or via coupling two or more components, such as two halves (FIG.22). External shell414is then provided, and internal shell412is welded inside external shell414(FIG.23). Bottom plate416is then coupled to external shell414, such as via being coupled to a bottom of external shell414(FIG.24). Upper portions of internal shell412and external shell414are then welded together (FIG.25).

Referring toFIG.26, various aspects of container500are shown. Container500is substantially the same as container100, container200, container300, or container400except for the differences discussed herein.

In particular, upper structure540is pivotally coupled to lower structure550via hinge532. Thus, upper structure540and lower structure550pivotally actuate with respect to each other between a closed position (FIG.26) and an open position. When in the closed position, upper structure540and lower structure550couple lid570to storage body510. Recess526in a lateral portion of storage body510facilitates a user grasping handle558to transport container500. Container500includes closure574, which is coupled to lid570over opening572.

Referring toFIG.27, various aspects of container600are shown. Container600is substantially the same as container100, container200, container300, container400, or container500except for the differences discussed herein. In particular, upper structure640of support structure630and lid670are a different color than lower structure650of support structure630.

In various embodiments, the container(s) include four components, such as four stainless steel components. In various embodiments, the container(s) are easy to clean, such as via separating the container(s) into the component parts. In various embodiments, a vent can be added to the lid (e.g., an opening to the rear of the lid to provide fluid communication for air to enter the container when pourable material is exiting the container through the circular opening in front). In various embodiments, the components are welded together using a larger weld compared to other products, thereby improving structural stability.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.

While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.