Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively dispensing first and second liquids from a bottle. A cap including a first opening is coupled to a mouth of the bottle, and a first valve is coupled to the first opening. The first valve includes a first position, wherein the first liquid may be dispensed from the bottle, and a second position, wherein the first liquid is substantially sealed in the bottle. A container containing a second liquid is coupled to the first opening. The container includes a second opening, and is adapted to be inserted through the mouth into the bottle. A second valve is coupled to the second opening. The second valve is adapted to close when a difference between a pressure inside the container and a pressure outside the container is less than a predetermined amount, and to open when the pressure difference is greater than the predetermined amount, wherein the second liquid may be dispensed from the container when the first valve is in the closed position.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/712,328, filed 29 Aug. 2005, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The invention pertains to apparatus and methods for dispensing liquids. More particularly, this invention pertains to apparatus and methods for dispensing multiple liquids, such as water and a nutritional gel, from a sports bottle.  
         [0003]     In recent years, bottled water has become increasingly popular not only for satisfying thirst, but also for staying hydrated. In particular, sports enthusiasts, such as runners and cyclists, typically consume water or other beverages from sports bottles during exercise to prevent dehydration. In addition, many sports enthusiasts consume nutritional gels that include concentrated liquefied carbohydrates and other supplements for nutrients consumed during rigorous exercise. Nutritional gels are often packaged in small foil pouches that may be easily stored and transported. Although the pouches are small and lightweight, many sports enthusiasts find it cumbersome or inconvenient to separately carry both a sports bottle and one or more nutritional gels during exercise. Indeed, cyclists typically seek to minimize the amount of gear that they must carry during races and other routines.  
         [0004]     One way to overcome this multiple packaging problem is to mix the water and nutritional gel and then carry the mixture in a single sports bottle. Although such a solution allows a user to carry a single container, this solution is less than ideal. First, many people do not like the taste of the water-gel mixture, and therefore may under-hydrate during exercise. Further, if a user does not consume the entire liquid mixture during exercise, the user may not fully replenish expended nutrients.  
         [0005]     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a single sports bottle that allows a user to separately store and dispense multiple fluids, such as water and nutritional gels.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     This invention provides apparatus and methods for selectively dispensing first and second liquids from a first container, such as a sports bottle, that includes the first liquid. In particular, a cap including a first opening is adapted to be coupled to a mouth of the first container, and a first valve is coupled to the first opening. The first valve includes a first position, wherein the first liquid may be dispensed from the first container, and a second position, wherein the first liquid is substantially sealed in the first container. A second container including a second opening is coupled to the first opening. In particular, the second container is adapted to contain the second liquid and to be inserted through the mouth into the first container. A second valve is coupled to the second opening. The second valve is adapted to close when a difference between a pressure inside the second container and a pressure outside the second container is less than a predetermined amount, and to open when the pressure difference is greater than the predetermined amount, wherein the second liquid may be dispensed from the second container when the first valve is in the closed position.  
         [0007]     In one exemplary embodiment, the second container includes a cylindrical tube having open ends. A plunger is slidably inserted into one of the open ends, and forms a bottom of the second container. After the second liquid is inserted into the second container, the second container is coupled to the first opening, and then the second container is inserted into the mouth of the first container. When a user squeezes the first container, or sucks on a stopper coupled to the first opening, the plunger slides inside the cylindrical tube, and causes the pressure inside the second container to increase. When the pressure difference exceeds the predetermined amount, the second liquid is dispensed from the second container.  
         [0008]     In an alternative embodiment, the second container includes a pouch, such as a foil pouch containing the second liquid. The pouch is coupled to the first opening, and is then inserted into the mouth of the first container. When a user squeezes the first container, or sucks on a stopper coupled to the first opening, the pouch collapses, and causes the pressure inside the pouch to increase. When the pressure difference exceeds the predetermined amount, the second liquid is dispensed from the pouch.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Features of the present invention can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout, and in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary multi-fluid dispensing system in accordance with this invention;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are a top elevation view, a side view, a first cross-sectional view and a second cross-sectional view, respectively, of an exemplary cap of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are a top elevation view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an exemplary stopper of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are various cross-sectional views of the stopper and cap of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are a top elevation view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an exemplary lid of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 6A-6D  are a first top elevation view, a first cross-sectional view, a second top elevation view, and a second cross-sectional view, respectively, of an exemplary second valve of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are a top elevation view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an exemplary second container of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 8A-8C  are a top elevation view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an exemplary plunger of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary first container of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention including a first liquid;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary plunger and second container of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention including a second liquid;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lid assembly of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention coupled to the plunger and second container of  FIG. 9B ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9D  is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly, plunger and second container of  FIG. 9B  coupled to the first container of  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary illustration of the multi-fluid dispensing system of  FIG. 9D  dispensing the first liquid from the first container;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary illustration of the multi-fluid dispensing system of  FIG. 9D  dispensing the second liquid from the second container;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary illustration of the multi-fluid dispensing system of  FIG. 9D  simultaneously dispensing the first liquid from the first container and the second liquid from the second container;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 13A-13C  are a top elevation view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an alternative exemplary lid of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0026]      FIGS. 14A-14C  are a top elevation view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an alternative exemplary second container of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view an alternative exemplary lid assembly of multi-fluid dispensing systems in accordance with this invention coupled to the lid and second container of  FIGS. 13 and 14 ; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is an exemplary illustration of an alternative multi-fluid dispensing system dispensing the second liquid from the second container of  FIG. 14 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a multi-fluid dispensing system in accordance with this invention is described. Multi-fluid dispensing system  10  includes a cap  12 , a stopper  14 , a first valve  15 , a first container  16 , a second container  18 , a lid  20 , a plunger  22  and a second valve  24 . Cap  12  may be coupled to a mouth  26  of first container  16  to form a substantially water-tight seal. For example, mouth  26  may include a threaded portion  28  and cap  12  may include a corresponding threaded portion  30 , such that cap  12  may be screwed onto mouth  26  of first container  16 . Alternatively, cap  12  may be coupled to first container  16  via a snap fitting or other similar attachment means. First container  16  m ay be a plastic bottle, such as a sports bottle or other similar beverage container.  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cap  12  includes mouth  32 , arcuate sidewall sections  34  and ring  36 . Arcuate sidewall sections  34  each have a first end coupled to mouth  32  and a second end coupled to ring  36 . A first opening  38  extends from the top to mouth  32  to the bottom of ring  36 . Sidewall openings  40  are formed in the space between mouth  32 , arcuate sidewall sections  34  and ring  36 . Mouth  32  includes a top surface  42 , and ring  36  includes a top surface  44  and a bottom surface  46 , and has a thickness T 1 . Mouth  32 , arcuate sidewall sections  34  and ring  36  may be molded from a plastic material, or other similar material.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , stopper  14  includes flange  48 , stem  50  and side tabs  52 . Flange  48  is disposed at one end of stopper  14 , and side tabs  52  are disposed at the other end of stopper  14 . An aperture  54  is centrally disposed within flange  48  and stem  50 , and runs along the long axis of stopper  14 . Side tabs  52  extend radially outward from a portion of the circumference of an outer wall  56  of stem  50 . Flange  48  includes a bottom surface  58 . Aperture  54  includes interior sidewalls  60 , and side tabs  52  each include a top surface  62 . Flange  48 , stem  50  and side tabs  52  of stopper  14  may be molded from a flexible rubber material, or other similar material.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , first valve  15  is formed by stopper  14  and mouth  32 , arcuate sidewall sections  34  and ring  36  of cap  12 . In particular, stopper  14  is disposed in opening  38  of cap  12  and may slide along arcuate sidewall sections  34  between mouth  32  and ring  36  to open and close first valve  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , when first valve  15  is in a closed position, bottom surface  58  of flange  48  rests against top surface  46  of mouth  32 . In this position, outer wall  56  of stem  50  substantially closes sidewall openings  40  of cap  12 . In contrast, as shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , when first valve  15  is in an open position, top surface  62  of side tabs  52  rests against underside  64  of cap  12 . In this position, aperture  54  of stopper  14  is in fluid communication with sidewall openings  40 .  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , lid  20  includes a first collar  70  coupled between a stem  72  and a second collar  74 . An aperture  76  is centrally disposed within stem  72 , first collar  70  and second collar  74 , and runs along the long axis of lid  20 . Stem  72  includes a first portion  72   a  at a first end of lid  20 , and a second portion  72   b  coupled to first collar  70 . An outer surface of second portion  72   b  includes a raised rib  78 . First collar  70  and second collar  74  include interior sidewalls  80  and  82 , respectively. First collar  70  includes a top surface  84 , and interior sidewall  82  includes a groove  86 . The distance between raised rib  78  and top surface  84  of first collar  70  is D 1 . First collar  70 , stem  72  and second collar  74  of lid  20  may be molded from a plastic material, or other similar material.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , stem  72  of lid  20  may be inserted through first opening  38  of cap  12  and may be disposed within aperture  54  of stopper  14 . In this configuration, top surface  84  of first collar  70  abuts bottom surface  46  of ring  36 . In addition, raised rib  78  of second portion  72   b  has a diameter slightly larger than ring  36 . In this regard, as stem  72  is inserted through first opening  38  of cap  12 , raised rib  78  may be pushed through ring  36  until raised rib  78  rests above top surface  44  of ring  36 . If thickness T 1  of ring  36  substantially equals distance D 1  between raised rib  78  and top surface  84  of first collar  70 , ring  36  acts to securely hold lid  20  within first opening  38  of cap  12 .  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 5  and  6 , a second valve  24  may be disposed within aperture  76  of lid  20 . In particular, second valve  24  may be secured to interior sidewall  80  of first collar  70 . Second valve  24  may be a bicuspid valve that includes multiple leaves  90   a - 90   b  coupled to an interior surface of a support ring  92 . As shown in FIGA.  6 A and  6 C, when a pressure P 1  on one side of second valve  24  is less than a pressure P 2  on the other side of the valve, leaves  90   a - 90   b  form a substantially coplanar surface  94 , and second valve  24  is closed. In contrast, as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6D , when pressure P 1  exceeds pressure P 2  by a predetermined amount Δ, leaves  90   a - 90   b  flare away from surface  94 , and second valve  24  opens. Second valve  24  may be a V 34  silicone SureFlo™ valve manufactured by Liquid Molding Systems, Midland, Mich., USA, or may be any other similar valve. Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the combination of cap  12 , first valve  15 , lid  20  and second valve  24  is referred to herein as lid assembly  96 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , second container  18  includes a cylindrical tube  100  having an inner surface  102 , and an outer surface  104 . In addition, second container includes a first end  106  and a second end  108 , and a raised rib  110  disposed on outer surface  104  near first end  106 . First and second ends  106  and  108 , respectively, are open. Second container  18  may be molded from a plastic material, or other similar material. As shown in  FIG. 1 , first end  106  of second container  18  fits within second collar  74  of lid  20 . In particular, raised rib  110  of second container  18  snaps into groove  86  of second collar  74 , and outer surface  104  of second container  18  forms a substantially water-tight seal with interior sidewall  82  of second collar  74 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , plunger  22  includes top surface  120 , concave sidewall  122  and handle  124 . Concave sidewall  122  has a first edge  126  and a second edge  128 . Plunger  22  may be molded from a plastic material, or other similar material. As shown in  FIG. 1 , plunger  22  may be inserted into second end  108  of second container  18 . First and second edges  126  and  128 , respectively, of plunger  22  slidingly engage inner surface  102  of second container  18 . In addition, as described in more detail below, after a liquid is inserted into second container  18 , first and second edges  126  and  128  form a substantially water-tight seal with inner surface  102  of second container  18 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary method of using multi-fluid dispensing system  10  is described. First, as shown in  FIG. 9A , a first liquid  130  is inserted into first container  16 . First liquid  130  may be water, soda, coffee, tea, alcohol, Gatorade, or any other liquid. Next, as shown in  FIG. 9B , plunger  22  is inserted into second end  108  of second container  18 , and a second liquid  132  is then poured into first end  106  of second container  18 . Second fluid  132  may be water, soda, coffee, tea, alcohol, Gatorade, a nutritional gel, or any other liquid. Second liquid  132  typically is different from first liquid  130 , but the two liquids may be the same liquid. Second liquid  132  fills in any spaces and forms a substantially water-tight seal between first and second edges  126  and  128  of plunger  22  and inner surface  102  of second container  18 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 9C , second container  18  is coupled to lid assembly  96 . In particular, first end  106  of second container  18  is inserted into second collar  74  of lid  20 , until raised rib  110  snaps into groove  86 . Finally, as shown in  FIG. 9D , second container  18  is inserted into first container  16 , and cap  12  is securely coupled to mouth  26 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the operation of multi-fluid dispensing system  10  to dispense first liquid  130  described. In particular, if a user opens first valve  15  and then squeezes the outside of first container  16 , the pressure inside first container  16  increases, and first liquid  130  is expelled through sidewall openings  40  of cap  12  and out of aperture  54  of stopper  14 . The pressure inside second container  18  remains substantially the same as the pressure in aperture  76 , and second valve  24  remains closed. Second liquid  132  therefore remains inside second container  18 . Thus, in this configuration, a user may dispense first liquid  130  from first container  16  without dispensing second liquid  132  from second container  18 .  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the operation of multi-fluid dispensing system  10  to dispense second liquid  132  described. In particular, if a user closes first valve  15 , stem  50  substantially closes sidewall openings  40  of cap  12 , and first liquid  130  remains inside first container  16 . If the user squeezes the outside of first container  16 , the pressure inside first container  16  increases, causing plunger  22  to move toward second end  108  of second container  18 , and increasing the pressure inside second container  18 . When the pressure inside second container  18  exceeds the pressure in aperture  76  by the predetermined amount Δ, second valve  24  opens, and second liquid  132  flows through aperture  76  of lid  20 . Thus, in this configuration, a user may dispense second liquid  132  from second container  18  without dispensing first liquid  130  from first container  16 .  
         [0041]     As described above, second valve  24  opens whenever an appropriate pressure differential is created across opposite sides of second valve  24 . Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand, therefore, that a user also may dispense second liquid  132  from second container  18  by sucking on stopper  14 . If the user applies sufficient suction to stopper  14 , such the pressure in aperture  76  is less than the pressure inside second container  18  minus Δ, second valve  24  will open, plunger  22  will move toward second end  108  of second container  18 , and second liquid  132  will flow through aperture  76  of lid  20 .  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the operation of multi-fluid dispensing system  10  to simultaneously dispense first liquid  130  and second liquid  132  described. In particular, if a user opens first valve  15  and then squeezes the outside of first container  16 , the pressure inside first container  16  increases, and first liquid  130  is expelled through sidewall openings  40  of cap  12  and out of aperture  54  of stopper  14 . At the same time, if a user applies sufficient suction to stopper  14  (e.g., by sucking on stopper  14 ), second valve  24  opens, plunger  22  moves toward second end  108  of second container  18 , and second liquid  132  is expelled through aperture  76  of lid  20 . Thus, in this configuration, a user may simultaneously dispense first liquid  130  from first container  16  and second liquid  132  from second container  18 .  
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIG. 13  and  14 , an alterative embodiment of lid  20  and second container  18  is described. In particular, as shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , lid  20 ′ includes a first collar  70 ′ coupled between stem  72  and a cuff  144 . An aperture  76 ′ is centrally disposed within stem  72 , first collar  70 ′ and cuff  140 , and runs along the long axis of lid  20 ′. First collar  70 ′ and cuff  140  include interior sidewalls  142  and  144 , respectively. First collar  70 ′ includes top surface  84 , and cuff  140  includes a blade  146  having a cutting edge  148 . First collar  70 ′, stem  72  and cuff  140  may be molded from a plastic material, or other similar material.  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , second container  18 ′ includes a stem  150  coupled to a clamp  152  and a pouch  154 . Stem  150  may by a hollow cylindrical tube that includes an outer surface  156 . Pouch  154  has a sidewall  158  that is sealed along both sides  160  and along a bottom  162  edge to form an interior chamber  164  that includes second liquid  132 . Clamp  152  seals a top edge  166  of pouch  154 . An aperture  168  extends through stem  150  and an opening in clamp  152 , and is in fluid communication with interior  164  of pouch  154 . A membrane  170  seals aperture  158  at a top end of stem  150 . Stem  150  and clamp  152  may be molded from a plastic material, or other similar material. Pouch  154  may be made from foil, plastic, or other similar material. Membrane  170  may be a thin sheet of foil, plastic or other similar material.  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIG. 15 , second valve  24  may be inserted into aperture  76 ′ of lid  20 ′, and stem  72  of lid  20 ′ may be inserted through first opening  38  of cap  12  and disposed within aperture  54  of stopper  14  to form lid assembly  96 ′. Lid assembly  96 ′ then may be coupled to second container  18 ′. In particular, cutting edge  148  of blade  146  may be used to puncture membrane  170  of second container  18 ′, and cuff  140  may then slide over stem  150 . Interior sidewall  144  of cuff  140  forms a snug fit against the outer surface  156  of stem  150 , so that second container  18 ′ is securely attached to lid  20 ′.  
         [0046]     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , second container  18 ′ may then be inserted into first container  16 , and cap  12  may then be securely coupled to mouth  26  to form multi-fluid dispensing system  10 ′. The operation of multi-fluid dispensing system  10 ′ to dispense first liquid  130  is the same as described above in connection with multi-fluid dispensing system  10 . To dispense second liquid  132  from second container  18 ′, a user closes first valve  15  to seal first liquid  130  inside first container  16 . If the user then squeezes the outside of first container  16 , the pressure inside first container  16  increases, causing pouch  154  to collapse, increasing the pressure inside second container  18 ′. When the pressure inside second container  18 ′ exceeds the pressure in aperture  76 ′ by the predetermined amount Δ, second valve  24  opens, and second liquid  132  flows through aperture  76 ′ of lid  20 ′. A user alternatively may dispense second liquid  132  from second container  18 ′ by sucking on stopper  14 .  
         [0047]     The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of this invention, and various modifications can be made by persons of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.