Abstract:
An insert made from reticulated foam has a first profile in which an outer perimeter of the insert has a size and a shape that substantially corresponds to an inner surface of a portable container. The insert also has a second profile in which the outer perimeter of the insert has a size and a shape that substantially corresponds to an opening of the portable container. The reticulated foam has a cell density that prevents sloshing noises resulting from jostling movement of the portable container from exceeding 50 db while enabling liquid to exit the portable container at a consumable rate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/353,194, filed on Jun. 22, 2016. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Portable liquid containers, such as water bottles and canteens, help people enjoy the outdoors without becoming dehydrated. Wilderness activities in particular may place hunters, hikers, and campers far from easy access to water, necessitating a portable source of water. Portable liquid containers are also useful in endurance sports such as running, skiing, and mountain biking, for example, where participants often carry portable water bottles to avoid dehydration, especially if the activity lasts for an extended amount of time outdoors. 
         [0003]    Yet carrying a portable water bottle during such activities can result in uncomfortable, disruptive, and noisy sloshing of water. For example, sloshing noise may disrupt activities that rely on silence, such as bow hunting, as the sloshing noises may alert a potential target animal. Sloshing can also cause discomfort, for example, if a trail runner attaches a portable water bottle to their hip. While running, the water may shift from side to side after each step, rocking the water bottle back and forth in a manner that uncomfortably lags the natural cadence of the runner. Sloshing noises may also simply prove irritating through endless noisy repetition while hiking. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to some embodiments, an insert is placed into a portable water bottle. The insert is formed of compressible foam that passes through the opening of a portable water bottle when compressed. The foam then expands within the portable water bottle, extending from one interior side of the portable water bottle to the opposite interior side of the portable water bottle. The foam may also expand to extend from the bottom of the portable water bottle to an upper portion or even an upper surface of the interior of the portable water bottle. The insert foam is formed of many small cells that are in fluid communication with each other, such that liquid can flow between adjacent cells and out the water bottle at a consumable rate. 
         [0005]    When the portable water bottle is in motion (e.g., subject to the sloshing motions from running), the insert reduces the noise associated with the sloshing of liquid inside of the portable water bottle. In addition, the insert reduces motion resulting from the sloshing of liquid against the interior walls of the portable water bottle. 
         [0006]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a portable water bottle containing an exemplary insert, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary insert, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows the exemplary insert of  FIG. 2  being placed inside of the portable water bottle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary insert with longitudinal cuts. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary insert with radial cuts. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary insert with circumferential cuts. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a portable canteen containing an exemplary insert, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows a portable water bladder containing an exemplary insert, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a portable water transport system  100 , according to some embodiments. The portable water transport system  100  includes a portable water bottle  102  containing an insert  104 . The portable water bottle  102  has an opening  106  at the top end  107  of the water bottle and a bottom  108  opposite top opening  106 . Screwable cap  110  or some other sealing member may be flexibly attached to the opening  106 . 
         [0017]    Water bottle  102  has interior volume, defined by an inner surface  111  extending between a first side  112  of the water bottle  102  and a second side  114  of the water bottle  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , water bottle  102  is approximately half filled with a liquid  115  up to line  116 . Insert  104  expands to occupy the interior volume of water bottle  102 , i.e., it expands to contact the inner surface  111  at both the first side  112  and the second side  114 . Insert  104  also expands to extend from bottom  108  to just below opening  106 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the insert  104  may have different heights. For example, in one embodiment the insert has a height that is around 50% of the height of the inner chamber of water bottle  102 . In another embodiment, the insert  104  has a height that is around 80% of the height of the inner chamber of water bottle  102 . For example, the insert may have a height that reaches the curved upper portion of a water bottle as it transitions from the wider body portion to the narrower opening. Still other embodiments may feature an insert  104  with a height that extends to the very top of water bottle  102  and is flush with the upper edge of opening  106 , such that the insert  104  is in direct contact with cap  110  when the cap  110  is tightly screwed onto the opening  106 . This reflects a height that is 100% the height of the inner chamber. In some embodiments, the insert may have a height that is slightly greater than the height of the inner chamber of the water bottle, e.g., about 105% the height of the inner chamber of the water bottle. In these embodiments, the cap will compress the insert when it is tightly screwed onto the opening. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an insert  204 , according to some embodiments, while  FIG. 3  illustrates insert  204  and water bottle  102  of  FIG. 1 . In these embodiments, insert  204  is shaped to roughly match or correspond to the interior volume of the portable water bottle  102 . Insert  204  is formed of reticulated polyether foam, or other reticulated foam with a similar density. The reticulated foam in these embodiments is very porous, and is made up of a plurality of interconnected cells. In contrast to other foams, which consist of completely closed cells, the cells in the reticulated foam are almost completely open. Insert  205  in  FIG. 2  shows a magnified view of the cell structure in the reticulated foam. Structures  206  and  208  are two examples of the structures that form the porous boundaries of the interconnected cells in insert  204 . 
         [0019]    Insert  204  allows liquid to flow within the insert, and if the water bottle is tipped, insert  204  allows liquid to flow out of opening  106  at a consumable rate. At the same time, insert  204  serves to slow down sudden bulk shifts of the liquid when the water bottle  102  is in motion. Insert  104  also prevents the noisy sloshing of the liquid, for example, by preventing the bulk of the liquid from slamming into inner surfaces  112  and  114  of water bottle  102 . 
         [0020]    The porosity of reticulated foam is measured by the frequency of the cells in a given length, often using the unit PPI, or pores per inch. Insert  204  has a porosity of between 10 and 18 PPI. Due to the previously discussed openness, while insert  204  expands to extend from interior wall to interior wall, and from bottom to top of water bottle  102 , the actual cell structure of insert  204  (i.e., structures  206  and  208  in  FIG. 2 ) displaces only 5% of the volume of portable water bottle  102 . Lower porosity reticulated foams may occupy even less volume, such as only 2% of the volume of portable water bottle  102 . 
         [0021]    The size of the cells in insert  204 , or cell density, is configured so as to restrict the free movement of liquid in water bottle  102 , thereby reducing the noise created by liquid impacting the sides of water bottle  102 . A higher density of cells (i.e., the smaller and more tightly packed the cells are) means liquid will have to divert around cell structures, such as structures  206  and  208  in  FIG. 2 , more frequently before any liquid can reach the wall of water bottle  102 . Such diversions restrict the movement of the liquid within water bottle  102 . This restriction of the movement of liquid within water bottle  102  and insert  204  also reduces the motion of water bottle  102  caused by liquid moving within water bottle  102 , including, for example, water slamming into the interior walls. This sloshing motion can be irritating and disruptive during activities such as running or hiking. 
         [0022]    In addition to reducing noise and motion, the porosity of the insert  204  is also configured to allow liquid to flow out of portable water bottle  102  at a rate comfortable for drinking, also referred to as a consumable rate. Likewise, the porosity of the foam of insert  204  is configured to allow water bottle  102  to be filled in a timely fashion. Thus, the porosity of the reticulated foam in insert  204  is configured to balance the goals of reducing sloshing noise and associated motion with allowing liquid to flow fast enough to conveniently fill and drink liquid from water bottle  102  at a consumable rate. In addition, the volumetric density of the reticulated foam may be between 1.4 and 2.5 pounds per cubic foot (PCF) or between 1.8 and 2.2 pounds per cubic foot. 
         [0023]    Insert  204  is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that insert  204  can be cleaned in boiling water. Insert  204  is also easy to shape, such that it can be adapted to fit other portable water bottle shapes by cutting or trimming excess foam from the edges in order to conform the expanded shape to the interior volume of a different liquid container. Finally, insert  204  is very lightweight, weighing only 25 grams when tailored for a water bottle of about 1000 ml. 
         [0024]    Testing was performed on a water bottle with an exemplary insert placed inside of that water bottle. The insert had a porosity of 10 PPI. The testing consisted of filling the water bottle full with 1000 ml of water, titling the water bottle down at an angle of 80 degrees (with 90 degrees being horizontal), and then measuring the time required for half of the water to drain from the water bottle. These results are shown in Table 1, below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test Configuration 
                 Time for 500 ml to drain 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 L water bottle, full, with insert 
                 5  
                 seconds 
               
               
                 1 L water bottle, full, no insert 
                 &lt;1  
                 second 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    Additional testing was done using that insert to identify the sound reduction properties of the insert. In particular, the insert was placed inside a water bottle, which was then was filled with 350 ml of water so that about one third of the water bottle was filled. The water bottle was moderately agitated and the resulting noise was measured from 12 inches away from the water bottle. This was repeated using a water bottle without the insert. The results are shown below in Table 2. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Test Configuration 
                 Noise 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 1 L water bottle containing  
                 40 db 
               
               
                   
                 350 ml of water and insert 
                   
               
               
                   
                 1 L water bottle containing  
                 60 db 
               
               
                   
                 350 ml of water 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows the insert  204  being placed inside of the portable water bottle  102 , according to some embodiments. The cross-sectional profile of insert  104 , as well as its compressibility, can be seen in  FIG. 3 . For example, a middle portion of the insert  104  is compressed to fit inside opening  106 , creating a cross-sectional profile, as shown by dashed line  210 , matching the cross-sectional profile of water bottle  102  at the opening  106 . The compressibility of insert  204  and ease of use results in relatively little friction during insertion. Once inside water bottle  102 , insert  204  expands to extend from interior wall  112  to opposite interior wall  114 . In other words, insert  204  expands to match the cross-sectional profile of the inner volume of water bottle  102 . The insert  204  may be customized to the water bottle  102 , such that its cross-sectional profile in a fully-expanded shape, as shown by dashed line  212 , corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of the inner volume of water bottle  102 . In addition, the cross-sectional profile of an upper portion  214  of the insert  204  can be adapted to fit the shape of the neck of portable water bottle  102 , as indicated by dashed line  216 . The cross-sectional profile of insert  204  can be adapted, for example, by cutting or trimming excess foam from the edges in order to conform the expanded shape to the interior volume of water bottle  102 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the inserts are not homogeneous and may be made with void areas added for various reasons, such as to aid compressibility. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4, 5, and 6  show embodiments in which insert  204  can be further adapted by cutting or trimming the foam material. For example,  FIG. 4  shows several longitudinal cuts or bores made in insert  204 . Longitudinal cut  401  runs through the upper portion  214  of insert  204  and continues through a substantial portion of insert  204 . While longitudinal cut  401  has a cylindrical profile, in other embodiments the cut could have a different profile, such as triangular, square, or hexagonal, for example. In some embodiments, longitudinal cut  401  runs the entire length of insert  204  through a top surface of the insert  204  and through the bottom surface of insert  204 . In other embodiments, cut  401  spans only a small distance from the top of the insert  204  or a small distance from the bottom of the insert  204 . The cut may extend through the top surface and/or the bottom surface, or may create a largely internal void. In some embodiments, the cut may taper as it approaches the top and/or bottom surfaces of the insert  204 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the insert has a plurality of cuts or bores, while in other embodiments the insert has only a single cut or bore. The cut or cuts may be along a longitudinal axis (e.g.,  503  in  FIG. 5 ) or may be arranged around the longitudinal axis. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows two radial cuts made in insert  204 . Radial cut  501  runs from side wall  502 , through center longitudinal axis  503 , to opposite side wall  504 . While radial cut  501  has a cylindrical profile in  FIG. 5 , the cut could have other profiles, such as triangular, square, or hexagonal, for example. Additional radial cuts, not shown in  FIG. 5 , could be made above and/or below radial cut  501 . As discussed above with respect to cut  401 , in different embodiments the cuts may span different lengths, have different configurations, and be placed in different locations. While in  FIG. 5  the two radial cuts intersect, in other embodiments multiple radial cuts may be separate or may only partially intersect. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows circumferential cuts made in insert  204 . Circumferential cut  601 , cut from side wall  602 , runs the entire circumference of insert  204 . One or more circumferential cuts may be made in insert  204 , of varying depth into insert  204 . Although  FIG. 6  shows circumferential cut  601  with a sinusoidal profile, cut  601  may additional be circular, square, rectangular, or other shapes in profile. Circumferential cut  601  may only be cut into a portion of the circumference of insert  204 , or may extend around the entire circumference of insert  204 . As discussed above with respect to cut  401 , in different embodiments the cuts may span different lengths, have different configurations, and be placed in different locations. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the insert  204  may include one or more longitudinal cuts, radial cuts, and/or circumferential cuts. A cut may combine one or more aspects of each type of cut to create additional profiles, such as a helical spiral. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, these cuts (e.g., the cuts shows in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 ) serve to reduce the weight of insert  204  and ease insertion of insert  204  by increasing compressibility. In addition, the cuts, such as cut  401  shown in  FIG. 4 , may aid in ensuring water flows out of insert  204  at a consumable rate. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows insert  304  placed inside of portable canteen  302 , according to some embodiments. Portable canteen  302  includes an opening  306  that can be sealed with a lid  310 .  FIG. 4  has a cutaway section  320  to reveal insert  304  inside of canteen  302 . Insert  304  expands to extend from canteen bottom  308  to opening  306 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows insert  404  placed inside of portable water bladder  402 . Portable water bladder  402  is translucent, so insert  404  can be seen inside of water bladder  402 . Insert  404  expands to extend from bottom  408  to opening  406 . Insert  404  expands to extend from side wall  412  to the opposite side wall  414 . Insert  404  may be placed inside of portable water bladder  402  by unscrewing the cover from opening  406 . Liquid is consumed via tube  422  that is attached at a lower portion  424  of the water bladder  402 . 
         [0036]    Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.