Abstract:
The present invention relates to containers for drinks such as water, beverage, and the like with non-removable closures, and more particularly to drink containers with non-removable closures that allow the user to open the containers without completely removing the closure from the containers. According to one embodiment of the present invention the drink container has a non-removable closure that is provided with a rotating disk on top of the receiving member to open or close the orifice on the receiving member on top of the drink bottle. When the rotating disk member&#39;s hole aligns with the receiving member&#39;s hole, a channel is formed for drink to leave from the bottle. When the holes are not aligned, the drink is blocked by the body of the rotating member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to containers for drinks, such as water, beverage, and the like with non-removable closures, and more particularly to drink containers with non-removable closures that allow the user to open the containers without completely removing the closure from the containers. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    It is known in the prior art that non-removable closures are used with containers for hazardous chemicals, highly corrosive products, cleaning detergents, pharmaceuticals, etc. to prevent removal of the closure. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,605 to Clodfelter et al. discloses a bottle having a modified neck and intended for use with a child-resistant closure which allows the user to open the bottle without removing the closure completely from the bottle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,127 to Barriac et al. discloses a non-removable closure assembly for connecting a manually actuated liquid dispenser to a container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,332 to Whitacre discloses a waste disposal container having a non-removable, permanently sealing, threaded closure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,496 to Montaner et al. discloses a dispenser having its closure cap non-removably affixed to a cylindrical attaching portion of its dispenser body by a snap-fit engagement. 
         [0005]    However, most of commercially available drink containers&#39; closures such as bottle cap, lids, and the like are removable; children may choke on these closures if they are removed from the containers. 
         [0006]    The background technology necessary to carry out the present invention is readily available; however, this inventive concept has not been suggested. None of these patents teaches utilizing non-removable closure for drink containers in order to decrease the hazards of children swallowing the bottle caps or lids. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there exists a need to provide drink containers that have non-removable closures so that the closure can be opened but cannot be completely detached from the containers in order to provide children additional safety protection. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The primary object of the invention is to provide drink containers with non-removable closures so that children won&#39;t accidentally choke on or swallow the closures. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide drink containers with non-removable closures so that the users do not need to return the closures to the containers. 
         [0010]    The first type of drink container according to the present invention has a non-removable cap that is provided with a pull and push spout, which has a blocker to open or close the aperture for water outflow. In one embodiment, the non-removable cap having ratchet teeth to cooperate with the ratchet teeth on the bottle neck such that the cap is locked onto the bottle body to prevent removal of the cap. The ratchet teeth system is known to persons having ordinary skills in the art. For example, the expired U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,691 discloses a child resistant bottle closure providing ratchet teeth inside the closure in engagement with ratchet teeth on the outside of the container neck finish. In another embodiment, other non-removable closure techniques known in the art such as heat sealing, ultrasound welding, gluing, etc. may be used. In one embodiment, the closure is a screw cap; in another embodiment, the closure is a snap-fit cap. The drink container of the present invention may further comprise a drinking tube inside the drink bottle. 
         [0011]    The second type of drink container according to the present invention has a non-removable closure that is provided with a rotating disk on top of the receiving member to open or close the orifice on the receiving member on top of the drink bottle. When the rotating disk member&#39;s hole aligns with the receiving member&#39;s hole, a channel is formed for drink to leave from the bottle. When the holes are not aligned, the drink is blocked by the body of the rotating member. In this embodiment, the receiving member is an integral part of the drink bottle and the rotating top is a non-removable closure designed to permanently attach to the receiving member unless it is detached by strong force. The drink container may further comprise a spout and a drinking tube. In another embodiment, the drink bottle may have a spout on the side wall of the bottle and the cap containing an aperture on the side wall of the cap. When the aperture on the side wall of the cap aligns with the opening of the spout, a channel is formed to allow the liquid to flow out of the bottle. Otherwise, the opening of the spout on the side wall of the bottle is blocked by the cap. 
         [0012]    The third type of drink container according to the present invention has a non-removable closure that is provided with a pouring spout. The non-removable cap having ratchet teeth to cooperate with the ratchet teeth on the bottle neck such that the cap is locked onto the bottle body to prevent removal of the cap. The non-removable cap may also be an integrally molded to the bottle. The cap further comprises a pouring spout that can be opened by depressing a thumb pad on the cap to allow the liquid flow out of the bottle. By releasing the thumb pad the pouring spout can be closed. 
         [0013]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0014]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a drink container with a non-removable closure in open mode according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the same embodiment presented in  FIG. 1A  in closed configuration; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a sectional view taken along lines  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a sectional view taken along lines  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a drink container with a non-removable closure in open mode according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an exploded sectional view of the same embodiment presented in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the same embodiment presented in  FIG. 3  in closed configuration; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the same embodiment presented in  FIG. 3  in open mode; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a drink container with an non-removable closure according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the same embodiment presented in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the same embodiment presented in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there is disclosed an embodiment of a drink bottle with an non-removable cap according to the present invention. Both of  FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the first embodiment  100  according to the present invention in open mode allowing the liquid to pass through the opening.  FIG. 1B  shows the same embodiment as in  FIG. 1A  in closed configuration. The first embodiment comprises a bottle body  10  and a liquid-tight cap  20  provided with a spout  30  for delivering a stream of fluid from the bottle. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  shows a sectional view of the embodiment presented in  FIG. 1A  wherein the spout on the cap is in open mode. The cap  20  has helical threads  22  on the interior annular surface  24  for mating engagement with similar helical thread  12  on the exterior surface of the bottle neck  14 . The cap  20  having ratchet teeth  28  to cooperate with the ratchet teeth  16  on the bottle neck  14  such that the cap  20  is locked onto bottle body  10  to prevent removal of the cap  20  upon unscrewing the cap  20 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively, the cap  20  can be snap-fit cap. There are a variety of means known in the art for making closure  20  a non-removable closure and permanently attached to the bottle, such as heat sealing, ultra sound welding, gluing, etc. 
         [0032]    The spout  30  is mounted onto the top wall  26  of the cap  20 . The spout  30  is in circular shape having a inner tube  31 , which is connected to the top wall  26  of the cap  20 ; a outer tube  32 , which is tightly held against the inner tube  31 ; a circular top wall with an aperture  38  at the center  33 ; a blocker  34  in circular shape; and a plurality of strings  35  that are connected to the upper end of the inner tube  31  to support the blocker. On the outside surface  36  of the inner tube  31 , there exists one stopping tab member  37  around the exterior circumferential edge of the inner tube  31  to control the relative position between the outer tube  32  and inner tube  31 . The stopping tab  37  holds up the outer tube  32  from falling and control how far the outer tube  32  can be pulled up. When the spout  30  is in open mode as shown in  FIG. 2A , the outer tube  32  is pulled up, the blocker  34  is relatively push down such that the aperture  38  is open allowing the liquid to flow out of the bottle  100 . When the spout  30  is in the closed configuration as shown in  FIG. 2B , the outer tube  32  is pushed down, the blocker  34  is relatively pulled up such that the aperture  38  is blocked by the blocker  34 , preventing the liquid flow out of the bottle  100 . 
         [0033]    The sports bottle with non-removable screw cap may further contain a drinking tube (not shown) attached to the inside wall surface of the inner wall  31 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is disclosed a perspective view of a second embodiment  200  of a drink bottle with a non-removable closure, and  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6  there is disclosed a sectional view of the embodiment presented in  FIG. 3 . The second embodiment  200  comprises a rotating disk member  40 , a receiving member  50 , and a bottle body  60 . The rotating disk member  40  is a solid disk having a top surface  41 , a bottom surface  42 , a circumferential edge  43 , and a hole  44  that penetrates through the rotating disk  40 . The rotating disk member  40  has a protrusion member  45  in the middle of the entire circumferential edge  43 , and a bottom tip  46  at the center of the bottom surface  42 . 
         [0035]    The receiving member  50  located on the top of the drink bottle body  60  has a solid panel  51  with a hole  52  that penetrates the panel  51  to control the liquid flow out of the bottle body  60 , and a wall  53  extending upward from and around the circumferential edge  54  of the solid panel  51  to form a recess  55  that is similar in dimension to the rotating disk member  40 . The receiving member  50  further has a circular groove  56  residing in the interior side of the wall  53  to fit the protrusion member  45 , and an indentation  57  located at the center of the top surface of the solid panel  51  to hold the bottom tip  46  such that the receiving disk member  40  is placed within the recess  55  and suspended on top of the solid panel  51  of the receiving member  50 . The distance between rotating disk member  40  and the solid panel  51  should be sufficiently far to allow free rotation of the rotating disk  40  but close enough to allow tight sealing. 
         [0036]    The rotating disk member  40  can rotate 360 degrees within the recess on top of the solid panel  51  of the receiving member  50  through the protrusion member  45  being guided through the groove  56  and the bottom tip  46  spinning on top of the indentation  57 . When the hole  44  in the rotating disk member  40  aligns with the hole  52  in the solid panel  51  of the receiving member  50 , a channel is formed for drink to leave from the bottle body  60  as demonstrated in  FIG. 5 . When the holes  44 ,  52  are not aligned, the drink is blocked by the solid part of the rotating disk member  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the receiving member  50  is an integral part of the drink bottle  60 ; the receiving member  50  may be integrally molded to the bottle body  60  or manufactured together with the bottle body  60  by injection molding. The rotating disk member  40  is a non-removable closure designed to permanently attach to the receiving member  50  unless is intentionally removed by strong force. 
         [0037]    The second embodiment  200  may further comprises a spout  47  connecting to the rotating disk member  40  around the border of the hole  44  in the rotating disk  40  and extending upwardly and outwardly away from the center of the rotating disk  40 . Moreover, the second embodiment  200  may further comprises a drinking tube  58  that is connecting to the solid panel  51  of the receiving member  50  around the border of the hole  52  in the receiving member  50  and extending downward inside the bottle body  60 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is disclosed a perspective view of a third embodiment  300  of a drink bottle with a non-removable closure.  FIGS. 8 and 9  disclose a sectional view of the embodiment presented in  FIG. 7 . The third embodiment  300  comprises a bottle body  70 , and a non-removable cap  80  with integral pouring spout  85 . The cap  80  includes a top wall  81  and a circumferential side wall  82  that is adjacent to the top wall  81 . The circumferential side wall  82  and top wall  81  thereby define an interior cavity. The circumferential side wall  82  is molded to form an integral semi-circle shaped lower spout portion  85   a  and an integral semi-circle shaped upper spout portion  85   b , both extending outward from the circumferential side wall  82 . The upper spout and the lower spout thereby define a circular channel  83  to allow liquid flow out of the bottle. The channel  83  can be in various shapes depending on the shape of the lower and upper spout portions  85   a ,  85   b.    
         [0039]    A pivot point  87  located inside the interior cavity and suspended downward from top wall  81  is designed to support a lever arm  86 , which has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end extends through the circumferential side wall  82  to form a thumb pad  88 . The proximal end attach to a silicon valve  89  which is next to the rectangular bore  83 . 
         [0040]    A lever arm  86  has a proximal end closer to the aperture  84  and a distal end closer to the slot  83 . A lever arm  86  supported by a pivot point  87  located within the interior cavity extends from the aperture  84 , through the interior cavity, to the outside of the slot  83  such that the proximal end forms a thumb pad  88  and the distal end forms a planar upper spout portion  85   b . When the thumb pad  88  is pressed, the lever arm  86  is raised at the distal end, the silicon valve  89  is raised up, and thereby the fluid channel is open to allow the liquid flow out of the bottle body  70  as disclosed in  FIG. 8 . When the thumb pad  88  is not pressed, the lever arm  86  is leveled thereby the silicon valve  89  is not moved, the fluid channel is closed as presented in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0041]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.