Patent Publication Number: US-11639253-B2

Title: Multifunctional bottle lid assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to hydration and fluid carrying devices, and more specifically, to a hydration bottle having dual openings independently operable and/or accessible with respect to each other. 
     Conventional hydration devices such as water bottles are useful for various purposes in activities such as athletic, outdoor, recreational, or other uses. Typically, water bottles are designed for a user to carry water, electrolytic fluid replacement drinks, or any type of liquid or, in some cases, powders or other materials. Conventionally, these bottles are formed from plastic and include a cap. Some conventional drink bottles include a threaded or other neck from which a user drinks fluid contained in the drink bottle after removal of the cap. Some conventional drink bottles include a spout, or nozzle, from which the drink fluid may be drawn from the drink bottle without removing the cap of the drink bottle. Conventional spouts include straws and rigid spouts having an outlet through which drink fluid may flow. Other conventional drink bottles require the cap to be completely removed to permit drink fluid to be accessed from the drink bottle. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a hydration bottle is provided. The hydration bottle includes a fluid container and a lid assembly configured to be releasably engaged to the fluid container, the lid assembly having a first mouthpiece and a second mouthpiece independently accessible with respect to each other. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a lid assembly is provided. The lid assembly includes a base portion defining a circumferentially threaded configuration on an inner surface thereof, a first mouthpiece and a second mouthpiece disposed on the base portion, and a pivot mount having two legs extending from a support member to form a generally U-shaped configuration, wherein the support member defines a passage configured to receive the first mouthpiece. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment, a drink bottle is provided. The drink bottle includes a fluid container and a lid assembly configured to be releasably engaged to the fluid container, the lid assembly having a first mouthpiece and a second mouthpiece wherein the first mouthpiece is a non-swiveling mouthpiece and the second mouthpiece is a swiveling mouthpiece. 
     It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are described with reference to different subject-matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments have been described with reference to apparatus type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject-matter, also any combination between features relating to different subject-matters, in particular, between features of the method type claims, and features of the apparatus type claims, is considered as to be described within this document. 
     These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a hydration bottle having dual discharge openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of the removable lid assembly of the hydration bottle of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective side view of the removable lid assembly, where the first mouthpiece is exposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective side view of the removable lid assembly, where the second mouthpiece is exposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an exploded perspective view of the removable lid assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable lid assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for a hydration bottle having dual openings independently operable and/or accessible with respect to each other. 
     Personal beverage bottles are becoming ever more popular and have moved beyond the common beverage bottle packed with a school lunch or in a lunch box. Gyms are filled with members exercising, and many members bring their own beverage bottles for hydration. Hikers, bikers, walkers, commuters, tourists and many others carry beverage bottles as they go about their business. An increasingly common feature of the beverage bottles is a drink nozzle or spout that offers the ability to drink from the bottle without complete removal of the lid from the bottle. 
     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention introduce drink bottles and drink containers applicable to the hydration field, and are specifically applicable to portable bottles and similar containers from which users may selectively drink potable drink fluid. The hydration bottles of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a first opening or port or mouthpiece and a second opening or port or mouthpiece. The first mouthpiece is fixed on a base portion of a lid assembly, whereas the second mouthpiece is swivelable or movable or non-fixed. A pivotal mount or pedestal having a support member with two legs extending therefrom enables a user to selectively use either the first mouthpiece or the second mouthpiece. Stated differently, the pivotal mount enables independent operation and/or accessibility of the first and second mouthpieces. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention will be described in terms of a given illustrative architecture; however, other architectures, structures, substrate materials and process features and steps/blocks can be varied within the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that certain features cannot be shown in all figures for the sake of clarity. This is not intended to be interpreted as a limitation of any particular embodiment, or illustration, or scope of the claims. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a hydration bottle having dual discharge openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The hydration bottle  10  includes a bottle body  12  and a removable lid assembly  18 . The hydration bottle  10  can also be referred to as a beverage bottle, a beverage container, a drink bottle, and/or a drink container. The bottle body  12  can also be referred to as a fluid container defining at least one chamber. 
     The lid assembly  18  includes a first mouthpiece  22  ( FIG.  3   ) and a second mouthpiece  24  disposed over or on top of a base portion  20 . The first mouthpiece  22  is enclosed within cap  28 . The second mouthpiece  24  is in a closed position such that it is parallel to a top surface of the base portion  20 . In the closed position, the opening  23  ( FIG.  5   ) of the second mouthpiece remains inaccessible. The second mouthpiece  24  further includes a tab or projection  25  disposed thereof. The lid assembly  18  further includes a pivotal mount  26  that accommodates both the first and second mouthpieces  22 ,  24 . The pivotal mount  26  can also be referred to as a base or pedestal or support structure. 
     The lid assembly  18  is secured to the mouth of the bottle body  12  by a threaded connection  19  ( FIG.  6   ). Threads are formed about the mouth of the bottle body  12  and cooperating threads are formed within the lid assembly  18  so that the lid assembly  18  may be threadably attached to and detached from the bottle body  12 . 
     Bottle body  12  may be made, manufactured, molded (e.g., injection, cold, or the like), or otherwise formed using various materials, including, but not limited to plastic, low density plastic, high density plastic, polycarbonate, polycarbonate without Bisphenol-A (or other endocrine disrupting compounds), polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), stainless steel, wood, aluminum, polyester, copolyester, or any other type of organic or synthetic materials, alloys, or composites. Bottle body  12  may be transparent for purposes of describing various features. 
     The bottle body  12  may be of any suitable material, including metal, plastic, glass, rubber and combinations thereof and may be insulated or un-insulated. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of suitable sizes (i.e., capacities of drink fluid able to be received into the fluid container at one time) for fluid container  12  include 4 oz., 6 oz., 8 oz., 10 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., 20 oz., 24 oz., 32 oz., 36 oz., 0.5 liters, 0.7 liters, 1 liter, 1.5 liters, 6-11 oz., 12-19 oz., 19-25 oz., 12-36 oz., 25-36 oz, and 10-70 oz. (with these illustrative examples referring to fluid ounces of drink fluid that may be poured in one filling into an empty fluid container). It is within the scope of the present disclosure that containers having different sizes, including sizes that are smaller than, larger than, or within the illustrative sizes and/or ranges presented above, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, bottle body  12  may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. Non-exclusive examples of factors that may be (but are not required to be) considered when selecting material(s) for the fluid container  12  include the durability of the material, the intended potable drink fluid, or types of drink fluids, that will be contained in the fluid container  12 , the intended life, or period of use, of the hydration bottle  10 , whether the fluid container  12  is intended to be refilled or otherwise reused, environmental concerns, whether the fluid container  12  is intended to resist being collapsed during use, whether the fluid container  12  is designed to permit a user to collapse the fluid container  12  inwardly when dispensing fluid therefrom, or to dispense drink fluid therefrom, whether the fluid container  12  is designed to be washed in a household dishwasher, etc. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the material(s) to be selected so that the fluid container  12  will be transparent, or at least translucent, so that a user may see the contents of the fluid container  12 , or at least the level of drink fluid within the fluid container  12 , through the walls, or wall structure, of the fluid container  12 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of the removable lid assembly of the hydration bottle of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The removable lid assembly  18  can be connected to a straw  21 . In one instance, the second mouthpiece  24  can be connected to the straw  21 . The second mouthpiece  24 , in a closed position, can be parallel to axis A-A′ extending through the pivotal mount  26 . 
     The pivotal mount  26  can have a substantially or generally U-shaped configuration. The pivotal mount  26  extends an entire length or diameter of the base portion  20 . The pivotal mount  26  encompasses or encloses or surrounds the first mouthpiece  22  and the second mouthpiece  24  such that the first mouthpiece  22  is not visible or covered by cap  28 , whereas the second mouthpiece  24  remains exposed. The pivotal mount  26  is formed over or on top of the base portion  20  of the lid assembly  18 . The pivotal mount  26  engages flaps  45 , as will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG.  5   . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective side view of the removable lid assembly, where the first mouthpiece is exposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The pivotal mount  26  is opened in a flip motion “R 1 ” (or swiveling motion) in order to expose the first mouthpiece  22 . The pivotal mount  26  is pivoted about point “P.” Point “P” is configured to receive pins  38  ( FIG.  5   ) to secure the pivotal mount  26  to the lid assembly  18 . The cap  28  remains fixedly attached to the pivotal mount  26  during the flip motion “R 1 .” It is contemplated that the cap  28  remains fixedly attached to the pivotal mount  26  at all times. 
     The first mouthpiece  22  is fixed or non-swivelable. Thus, the first mouthpiece  22  remains perpendicular to axis B-B′ at all times. The first mouthpiece  22  is a non-swiveling mouthpiece whereas the second mouthpiece  24  is a swiveling or movable mouthpiece. When the first mouthpiece  22  is exposed, the second mouthpiece  24  remains in a closed position. As a result, a person using the lid assembly  18  on the bottle body  12  ( FIG.  1   ) would only access one mouthpiece or opening or port at a time. It is contemplated that the first and second mouthpieces  22 ,  24  are independently operable and/or independently accessible. Thus, the user either uses and/or accesses one mouthpiece or the other, not both simultaneously or concurrently. 
     It is noted that the pivotal mount  26  moves in a swiveling manner over the second mouthpiece  24 . In other words, the support member  29  ( FIG.  5   ) with the cap  28  extends directly over the second mouthpiece  24  such that it rests in the inverted position “I.” In the inverted position “I,” the cap  28  and the support member  29  extend beyond the outer periphery or outer perimeter of the base  20  of the lid assembly  18 . Thus, flip motion “R 1 ” is directly over the second mouthpiece  24 . In this position, the straw  21  is not accessible as the second mouthpiece  24  remains in a closed position. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective side view of the removable lid assembly, where the second mouthpiece is exposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The pivotal mount  26  remains in a closed position, that is, the cap  28  of the pivotal mount  26  is positioned over the first mouthpiece  22  such that access to the first mouthpiece is prevented. Instead, the second mouthpiece  24  is flipped via flip motion “R 2 ” to allow access to the person using the beverage bottle  10  ( FIG.  1   ). The second mouthpiece  24  swivels to a position “T” which is the furthest position the second mouthpiece  24  can be moved to due to the tab  25  contacting the base portion  20 . Thus, the tab  25  determines how far the second mouthpiece  24  can be swiveled in the rightward direction. The tab  25  extends beyond an outer periphery or outer perimeter of the base portion  20  of the lid assembly  18 . 
     As a result, when the second mouthpiece  24  is exposed, the first mouthpiece  22  remains in a closed position. In fact, the first mouthpiece  22  is not visible due to the cap  28 . As a result, a person using the lid assembly  18  on the bottle body  12  ( FIG.  1   ) would only access one mouthpiece or opening or port at a time. It is contemplated that the first and second mouthpieces  22 ,  24  are independently operable and/or independently accessible. Thus, the user accesses and/or uses either one mouthpiece or the other, not both simultaneously or concurrently. 
     Therefore, in operation, in  FIG.  3   , the user flips the pivotal mount  26  to access the first mouthpiece  22 , whereas, in operation, in  FIG.  4   , the user flips the second mouthpiece  24  to access the mouthpiece  24 . Thus, when one port is open, the other remains closed, and vice versa. Moreover, the pivotal mount  26  enables the switching between the first and second mouthpieces  22 ,  24 . For instance, when the pivotal mount  26  is in a first position (cap  28  over the first mouthpiece  22 ;  FIG.  4   ), only the second mouthpiece  24  can be accessed. When the pivotal mount  26  is in a second position (pivoted in direction “R 1 ”;  FIG.  3   ), only the first mouthpiece  22  can be accessed. Thus, the first and second mouthpieces  22 ,  24  can be independently operated and/or accessed with respect to each other. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an exploded perspective view of the removable lid assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The exploded view clearly illustrates the mechanical components of the lid assembly  18  and their interrelations. 
     The pivotal mount  26  defines a support member  29  having a first leg  26   a  and a second leg  26   b  extending therefrom. The first leg  26   a  remains parallel to the second leg  26   b . The support member  29  is circular and defines a passage  29 ′. The distal ends of the first and second legs  26   a ,  26   b  define openings or apertures  27   a . The pivotal mount  26  defines a substantially or generally U-shaped configuration. A washer  34  is configured to enable secure attachment between the support member  29  of the pivotal mount  26  and the cap  28 . 
     The second mouthpiece  24  includes a pair of lateral projections  33  on opposed ends thereof. The second mouthpiece  24  has an opening  23 . The tab  25  of the second mouthpiece is further visualized. The tab  25  is vertically offset from the pair of lateral projections  33 . 
     The first mouthpiece  22  includes an opening  42  and is fixedly coupled or molded to the top surface of the base portion  20 . Adjacent the first mouthpiece  22  is a pair of flaps  45 . The flaps  45  have a tapered configuration such that the tapered portion is closer to the first mouthpiece  22 . A threaded valve  36  is received within an aperture defined between the flaps  45 . An O-ring seal  32  can be configured to facilitate secure engagement between the second mouthpiece  24  and the threaded valve  36 . The lateral projections  33  of the second mouthpiece  24  are configured to be received within recesses  47  formed on inner sidewalls of the flaps  45 . The recesses  47  are defined in the non-tapered section of the flaps  45 . The tapered portion of the flaps  45  commences directly adjacent the recesses  47 . 
     The tapered flaps further include apertures  27   b . The apertures  27   b  are defined at the non-tapered portion of the flaps  45 . Stated differently, the apertures  27   b  are defined at the proximalmost end of the flaps  45 . The apertures  27   b  are a pair of apertures configured to receive a pair of pins  38 . Pins  38  are configured to couple the pivot mount  26  to the flaps  45  so that the second mouthpiece  24  is fixedly engaged to the base portion  20  adjacent the first mouthpiece  22 . The pins  38  are received within the apertures  27   b  (of the flaps  45 ) and within the apertures  27   a  (of the pivot mount  26 ). Therefore, the pins  38  engage both apertures  27   b  and  27   a.    
     Further, the pivotal mount  26  receives the first mouthpiece  22  within the passage  29 ′ of the support member  29  and the legs  26   a ,  26   b  directly contact the outer surface or outer sidewalls of the flaps  45 . As a result, the second mouthpiece  24  sits within or is confined within the boundaries set by the flaps  45 . The second mouthpiece  24  does not directly contact the legs  26   a ,  26   b  of the pivotal mount  26 . The flaps  45  separate the second mouthpiece  24  from the pivotal mount  26 . Stated differently, the flaps  45  prevent the second mouthpiece  24  from directly contacting the legs  26   a ,  26   b  of the pivotal mount  26 . It is contemplated that the sidewall of the cap  28  may contact the opening  23  of the second mouthpiece  24 . 
     Additionally, a seal ring  30  can be positioned within the base  20  of the lid assembly  18  to facilitate engagement between the lid assembly  18  and the bottle body  12  of the beverage bottle  10  ( FIG.  1   ). 
     A straw  21  can be releasably connected to the base portion  20  such that the straw  21  can be accessed via opening  23  of the second mouthpiece  24 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable lid assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Lid assembly  18  may be joined to the bottle body  12  ( FIG.  1   ) using various techniques including, but not limited to, continuous and non-continuous screw threads, adhesives, pressure-based coupling mechanisms (e.g., ridges), or others. For example, lid assembly  18  may be rotated to engage screw threads (not shown) disposed on bottle body  12  with screw thread channels or canals (hereafter “channels”)  19  to create a seal that may be hermetic and watertight. In some examples, reference to screw thread channels may refer to a screw thread or set of screw threads that, when engaged with a corresponding screw thread or set of screw threads creates a seal between two elements providing, in some examples, an air-tight or water-tight (e.g., hermetic) seal. 
     The cross-sectional view further illustrates the first mouthpiece  22  and its positional relationship to the second mouthpiece  24 . The opening  42  of the first mouthpiece is perpendicular to the opening of the second mouthpiece  24 . 
     Additionally, threads  48  of the cap  28  are shown that are configured to securely cover the opening  42  of the first mouthpiece  22 . 
     In other examples, beverage bottle  10  and the above-described elements may be varied in function, structure, shape, design, implementation, configuration, or other aspects without limitation to the descriptions provided. 
     In summary, a hydration bottle or beverage bottle is presented including dual openings or dual ports or dual mouthpieces. One mouthpiece is fixed (or non-swivelable) and the other mouthpiece is swivelable (e.g., can be actuated in a flip motion). The first mouthpiece is configured to be independently operable and/or independently accessible with respect to the second mouthpiece. In other words, the first and second mouthpieces cannot be accessed at the same time (concurrently or simultaneously). Thus, a user can access either the first mouthpiece or the second mouthpiece. Such operation is enabled by a pivotal mount or pedestal. The pivotal mount flips to an open position to allow access to the first mouthpiece and flips to a closed position to allow the second mouthpiece to be flipped open. The pivotal mount pivots about pins placed at a proximalmost end of tapered flaps. The tapered flaps are positioned directly between the second mouthpiece and the pivotal mount to prevent direct contact therebetween. The second mouthpiece rests within recesses formed on an inner surface of the tapered flaps. The first mouthpiece is vertically offset from the second mouthpiece. The first and second mouthpieces are placed or positioned or disposed on a base portion of the lid assembly. The pivotal mount has a substantially or generally U-shaped configuration shaped to facilitate independent access to the first and second mouthpieces. 
     While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present principles, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or implementation of the present principles may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or implementation as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 
     It should also be understood that the example embodiments disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Thus, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a” and the like, is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Furthermore, the naming conventions for the various components, functions, parameters, thresholds, and other elements used herein are provided as examples, and can be given a different name or label. The use of the term “or” is not limited to exclusive “or” but can also mean “and/or”. 
     Having described preferred embodiments, which serve to illustrate various concepts, structures and techniques that are the subject of this patent, it will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts, structures and techniques may be used. Additionally, elements of different embodiments described herein may be combined to form other embodiments not specifically set forth above. 
     Accordingly, it is submitted that that scope of the patent should not be limited to the described embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.