Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to receptacles, such as beverage receptacles, which are constructed substantially of an elastomeric material such that the receptacles are fully eversible and resilient. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Beverage receptacles can be difficult to clean, as an inherent consequence of the basic shape requirements. In particular, the beverage contacting surface is not amenable to manual washing, as the interior surface is recessed and difficult to contact. This is particularly the case for beverage receptacles which often contain powdered drinks, such as baby formula or protein powder. Nursing bottles, for example, often need to be washed with an extended scrubbing brush which is capable of accessing the inner recesses of the receptacle. Failure to properly clean the inner portion of a beverage receptacle can result in microbiotic growth, and illness for subsequent users of the receptacle. 
     Various solutions to these problems have been proposed by those skilled in the art. For example, see U.S. Published Application No. 2009/0108009; Japanese Published Application No. JP200393477; PCT Published Application No. WO2012/115491; Korean Publication No. 1020110024959; U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,271; U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,110; PCT Published Application No. WO2010/121800; and a commercialized product sold under the name of TIGEX (http://www.tigex.com/uk/content/reversible-cup). While each of these products appears suitable for its intended purpose, none of these configurations provide a satisfactory solution to the need for a simple and effective way to expose an interior surface of a container for cleaning and drying purposes. Thus, there has been a long felt, unresolved need for a receptacle which provides facile access to, washability and drying of, the inner, or beverage-contacting, surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     A beverage receptacle for easy cleaning and drying can include at least one sidewall contoured to define an open end. The sidewall can be manufactured substantially of an elastomeric material, such that the receptacle can be fully eversible as well as resilient. The receptacle can be transformed, via eversion, between two stable conformations. The first stable conformation can be suitable for containing a beverage, or other substance, and the second stable conformation can expose the beverage contacting surface, thereby facilitating cleaning and drying. The receptacle can be resilient, having the capability of maintaining shape in either stable conformation. When in the first stable conformation, the receptacle can be capable of standing upright without assistance. 
     A receptacle for containing a substance can include at least one sidewall defining a container with a predetermined volume for housing the substance to be contained. The at least one sidewall can include a first substance-contacting surface. The container can be reversibly eversible, such that the container reversibly transforms between a first stable conformation with the substance-contacting surface facing inward and a second stable conformation with the substance-contacting surface facing outward. A rigid sleeve can at least partially sheath the container and have at least one sidewall-pull-down cutout removing a portion of the sleeve allowing for a second surface of the sidewall to be exposed when in the first stable conformation. The at least one sidewall can be accessed during eversion to facilitate interaction of the at least one sidewall with respect to the sleeve. 
     A receptacle for containing a substance can include at least one elastomeric sidewall defining a container having a first surface. The container can be reversibly eversible between first and second stable conformations. The first stable conformation can be defined by the first surface facing inward and the second stable conformation can be defined by the first surface facing outward. The at least one elastomeric sidewall can have resilience and sufficient yield strain to prevent permanent deformation and fatigue failure of the elastomeric sidewall after repeated eversions. A rigid sleeve can at least partially sheath the container and have at least one eversion cutout created in the sleeve allowing for a second surface of the sidewall to be exposed when in the first stable conformation. Pressure can be directly applied to the at least one elastomeric sidewall to additionally facilitate removal from the sleeve and eversion of the container. 
     A receptacle for containing a substance can include a container including a contiguous containment wall defining an open end. The contiguous containment wall can have a first surface. The containment wall can be composed substantially of an elastomeric material. The containment wall can be reversibly eversible to transform between a normal stable conformation with the first surface facing inward and an everted stable conformation with the first surface facing outward. A buckle region of the containment wall can extend at least partially along a periphery of the container adjacent a lower portion of the container allowing the buckle region to strategically deform making eversion of the container easier. A rigid sleeve can at least partially sheath the container. 
     The buckle region ( 26   a ) can include a decoupling point defined by at least one protrusion extending outward from the second surface when the container is in the first stable conformation. A decoupling ledge can be formed on the sleeve mating with the at least one protrusion when the container is in the first stable conformation. 
     The sleeve can include at least one eversion cutout created in the sleeve allowing for a second surface of the containment wall to be exposed. Pressure can be directly applied to the containment wall to additionally facilitate in eversion. At least one containment-wall-pull-down cutout can remove at least a portion of the sleeve allowing for the second surface of the containment wall to be exposed. The at least one containment-wall-pull-down cutout allows the containment wall to be accessed through the sleeve during assembly and disassembly of the containment wall with respect to the sleeve during eversion to facilitate interaction of the containment wall with respect to the sleeve. 
     The sleeve can define an interstitial space between the sleeve and a second surface of the containment wall allowing stagnant air to be trapped therebetween to provide insulation. 
     A capping element can be provided to reversibly cover an open end of the receptacle. The capping element can be reversibly joined to the open end of the receptacle by an attachment joint to create a fluid tight seal between the open end of the receptacle and the capping element. The receptacle can sometimes be referred to herein as a “container” or a “containment element”. 
     The receptacle can define an easily cleanable nursing bottle, including an eversible sidewall forming the receptacle, a nipple shaped capping element, and an attachment member. The receptacle, when in the first stable conformation, can be filled with a fluid or liquid such as milk or baby formula, and the nipple can be reversibly attached to the receptacle for drinking. When the receptacle is emptied of fluid or liquid contents, the nipple can be removed from the receptacle and the receptacle can be everted to the second stable conformation. The beverage contacting surface can then be easily and thoroughly cleaned, e.g. with a soapy sponge. 
     The containment element can also define an easily cleaned or dried general use beverage receptacle, such as can be used for a sports drink or a protein shake. The beverage receptacle can include an eversible receptacle, a rigid cap with a drinking opening, and an attachment member. Additional features can be included on the attachment member, bottle, or both to increase the ease of eversion. These features can be applied to all bottle types inclusively. 
     Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of a possible mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a receptacle in a first stable conformation prior to undergoing eversion; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a receptacle undergoing eversion; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a receptacle in a second stable conformation after undergoing eversion; 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1A  in the first stable conformation; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a nursing bottle including a containment element, a nipple-shaped capping element, and an attachment member having two sleeves; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the attachment member of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the attachment member of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1A  in the first stable conformation; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a general use bottle including a containment element, a rigid cap with an optional protruding aperture and reversible aperture cover, and an attachment member having one sleeve; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7  including inserts of rigid material in the receptacle sidewall; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7  additionally including molded ridges in the receptacle sidewall; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a general use bottle including a containment element, a rigid cap with an optional protruding aperture and reversible aperture cover, and an extended attachment member, having one sleeve, including cutouts and protrusion designed to facilitate easier eversion of the containment element; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle of  FIG. 10  including eversion aiding cutouts in extended attachment member and a mating protrusion on the containment element to facilitate easier eversion of the containment element; 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the receptacle of  FIGS. 10 and 11  including eversion aiding cutouts in extended attachment member and a mating protrusion on the containment element to facilitate easier eversion of the containment element; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the extended attachment member as shown in  FIG. 10  including additional containment holding protrusions; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a nursing bottle including a containment element, eversion aiding cutouts, a mating protrusion, a nipple-shaped capping element, dome shaped cover, and an attachment member having two sleeves; 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the receptacle in  FIG. 14  including a containment element, eversion aiding cutouts, a mating protrusion, a nipple-shaped capping element, dome shaped cover, and an attachment member having two sleeves; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a general use bottle including a containment element, a rigid cap with an optional protruding aperture and reversible aperture cover, and an extended attachment member which can create a thermally insulative enclosure around the containment element; and 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle of  FIG. 16  including a static air column between the containment element and attachment member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-9 , a receptacle  10  is disclosed and illustrated to be more amenable to interior cleaning and drying than a typical receptacle. In particular, the receptacle  10  can include at least one sidewall  12  defining an open end  14 , where the receptacle  10  is designed to surround and contain a fluid beverage or other material. The receptacle  10  is eversible, wherein the term “eversible” is used herein to describe a receptacle capable of being reversibly “turned inside out”, transforming the receptacle  10  between a material holding conformation  10   a  and an everted conformation  10   b  for ease of cleaning and drying “interior” surfaces  12   a  of the material holding conformation. In other words, the everted conformation of the receptacle  10  enables facile cleaning and drying of a first surface  12   a  which is interior in the material holding conformation opposite from an “exterior” or second surface  12   b  which faces outwardly in the material holding conformation  10   a . The receptacle  10  can be composed substantially of a material which possesses a sufficient Young&#39;s modulus and sidewall  12  thicknesses to avoid substantial transient deformation of the sidewall  12  under the force of weight of the receptacle  10 . 
     The term “receptacle”, as used herein, can refer to a container including at least one sidewall  12  defining at least one open end  14 . The container or receptacle  10  can be capable of partly surrounding and thereby containing a material or substance. The material or substance so contained can be a liquid, such as a beverage or other liquid, a solid, a gas, or any mixture or other combination of solid, liquid, and/or gas, or any intermediate states thereof. The receptacle  10  can be eversible. When a substance contacts the first surface  12   a  of the receptacle  10  when the receptacle  10  is in the first stable state  10   a , the receptacle can be said to be containing the substance or housing the substance. 
     The term “eversible” as used herein, can be defined as the receptacle being completely “turned inside out”. The term “eversible” as used herein, can be further defined as the receptacle  10  being reversibly transformable between two stable conformations, wherein an interior surface and an exterior surface are reversed with respect to one another. In the first stable conformation  10   a , the receptacle can have a material contacting surface  12   a  facing inward, and a second surface  12   b  facing outward. In the second stable conformation, the material contacting surface  12   a  faces outward, and the second surface  12   b  faces inward. Any transformation of the receptacle  10  from the first stable state  10   a  to the second stable state  10   b , or vice versa, can be referred to as an eversion. Any multiplicity of such eversions can be referred to as repeated eversions. 
     The receptacle  10  can also be resilient. The term “resilient”, as used herein, can be defined as the receptacle  10  being resistant to permanent deformation. The term “resilient” as used herein can be further defined as the receptacle  10  having a tendency to return to one of the two stable conformations, if deformed. The term “resilient” as used herein can further be defined as the receptacle  10  having a tendency to resist deformation, permanently or transiently, due to a weight of the receptacle  10 . The resilience of the receptacle  10  can be described in terms of yield strain, which as used herein can be defined as the stress or force at which the sidewall  12  begins to deform. 
     Specifically, the sidewall material can be described in terms of fatigue failure. In such cases, the term “fatigue failure of the sidewall material” can refer to the situation where eversion, or repeated eversions, results in permanent deformation of the sidewall material. The receptacle  10  can also be described in terms of fatigue failure. The term “fatigue failure” as used herein, can refer to the situation where eversion, or repeated eversions, results in permanent deformation of the receptacle  10 . 
     The term “capping element”  16 , as used herein, can be defined as a physical structure reversibly engageable with the open end  14  of the receptacle  10 . The capping element  16  at least partially covers the open end  14  of the receptacle  10 , and at least partially inhibits the exit of any contained material from the receptacle  10 . The capping element  16  can comprise at least one surface, wherein the surface is capable of being attached to the open end  14  of the receptacle. Such a surface can be referred to as an “attachable surface”. When attachment of the capping element  16  to the open end  14  of the receptacle  10  results in formation of a fluid tight seal, it can be said that the receptacle is “sealingly engaging” the capping element. 
     The term “attachment member”  30 , as used herein, is defined as at least one physical structure facilitating engagement of the capping element  16  to the open end  14  of the receptacle  10 , or tending to inhibit disengagement of the capping element  16  from the engagement member  30 . 
     The receptacle  10  can include a sidewall  12  made substantially of an elastomeric material. The term “elastomeric” is well known to those skilled in the art. As used herein, “elastomeric” or “elastomers” can include resilient polymeric materials having a Young&#39;s modulus of between approximately 1 megapascal (MPa) to approximately 7 megapascal (MPa), inclusive. Young&#39;s modulus, also known as tensile modulus or elastic modulus, also sometimes referred to as the modulus of elasticity, is a measure of stiffness of an elastic material. Young&#39;s modulus is defined as the ratio of the uniaxial stress over the uniaxial strain in the range of stress in which Hooke&#39;s law holds, which states that the displacement of a spring is in direct proportion with a load applied to the spring as long as the load does not exceed an elastic limit of the material. Young&#39;s modulus can be experimentally determined from the initial, linear slope portion of a stress-strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material. By way of example and not limitation, suitable elastomeric materials can include varieties of silicone, or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or latex rubber. Suitable varieties of silicone can include silicone rubber, liquid silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, silicone-modified ethylene propylene rubber, silicone polyester resin, silicone alkyd resin, silicone epoxy resin, and any combinations thereof. When the sidewall  12  is made of an elastomeric material, this can be referred to as an elastomeric sidewall. 
     A capping element  16  can be made substantially of an elastomeric material. Alternatively, the capping element  16  can be made substantially of a rigid material. The term “rigid”, as used herein, can be defined to refer to a material which does not deform during typical use, and can possess, but need not necessarily possess, a Young&#39;s modulus of greater than approximately 1 gigapascal (GPa), inclusive. The receptacle  10  as disclosed herein can be made substantially of an elastomeric material, and can include inserts  45 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 , of a rigid or semi-rigid material. The term “semi-rigid”, as used herein, is defined to refer to a material with a Young&#39;s modulus of greater than approximately 7 megapascal (MPa) and less than approximately 1 gigapascal (GPa), inclusive. The inserts  45  can be completely embedded within the receptacle sidewall  12  of the receptacle  10 . Individual inserts can be annular in shape and can extend along an entire periphery or perimeter of the receptacle containment element. Inserts  45  can be included in any number, and with any spacing between inserts. By way of example and not limitation, the inserts can have equidistant spacing with respect to one another. 
     The receptacle  10  can include a sidewall  12  defining an open end  14 , and an end wall  20  opposite the open end  14 . Typically, the sidewall will be contiguous to, or directly adjoining the open end. If an end wall is present, it will typically be contiguous to, or directly adjoining the sidewall. The phrase “containment wall” can be used to refer to either the sidewall, or to the sidewall and the end wall together. The end wall  20  can include an indentation  22  in the end wall  20 . The indentation  22  can extend inwardly with a conical shape or can include any other shape, by way of example and not limitation, such as semi-spherical, cylindrical, pyramidal, or trapezoidal. When the shape of the indentation is conical, it can be referred to as a “conical indentation”. The end wall  20  can include an eversion handle  24 . The term “eversion handle”  24 , as used herein, is defined to refer to areas  24   a  of the sidewall  12  or end wall  20  possessing localized increased thickness relative to other portions of the sidewall  12  or end wall  20 , and can be used for facilitating manual eversion of the receptacle  10 . 
     The receptacle  10  can include one or more buckle points  26 , as best seen in  FIGS. 6, 12, and 15 , formed integrally with the sidewall  12 . The term “buckle point”  26 , as used herein, can be defined to refer to a designed in transition point to a decreased thickness region  26   a  relative to other portions of the sidewall  12  where the bottle will tend to strategically deform, making eversion easier. If one or more buckle points  26  are provided, the one or more buckle points  26  would tend to be a region  26   a , as best seen in  FIG. 6 , first to deform during eversion of the receptacle  10 . An additional embodiment of receptacle  10 , as best seen in  FIGS. 10-15 , can include one or more buckle points  26 , with a continuous annular protrusion  49   a  extending outwardly from the non-containing surface  12   b , as best seen in  FIGS. 10-12 , or a discontinuous annular protrusion  49   b , as best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , both of which can mate contiguously or in an interrupted manner with decoupling ledge  50  on attachment member  30 . A decoupling ledge  50  can be placed on the sidewall of engagement member  30 , as best seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , or be formed by the lower edge of engagement member  30 , as best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . This annular protrusion  49  and decoupling ledge  50  will herein be referred to as a “decoupling point”  51 . This decoupling point  51  serves to increase the ease of eversion of receptacle  10  by ensuring the buckle point  26  occurs in the desired location. Additionally, in the case of negative internal pressure within receptacle  10  due to external suction, or the evacuation of liquid, the decoupling point  51  can serve as a means to reduce internal volume thereby equalizing pressure without the need to draw external air volume into receptacle  10 . This quality is particularly useful in the nursing bottle application because no venting between the inside and outside of receptacle  10  is required for fluid delivery, although external venting could be used. The decoupling point  51  location and number can vary based on bottle height and diameter. This decoupling point  51  is particularly important for bottles with a diameter to height ratio (diameter/height) of less than 1. Containment holding protrusions  52  can also be included on attachment member  30 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The containment holding protrusions can create an interference fit between attachment member  30  and second surface  12   b  of receptacle  10 . Containment holding protrusions  52  would typically, but not necessarily, extend 1 millimeters (mm) to 5 millimeters (mm), inclusively, from the attachment member surface. Additionally, these containment holding protrusions could also be included on second surface  12   b  of receptacle  10 . It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that a continuous or discontinuous protrusion extending along a periphery of the surface  12   b  of the sidewall  12  can create and define a corresponding change in wall thickness and/or a corresponding localized change in Young&#39;s modulus, either of which can be referred to herein as a “buckle point” or “buckle region” of the container or receptacle. In other words, a continuous or discontinuous protrusion extending along a periphery of the surface  12   b  of the sidewall  12  can by definition be a “buckle point” or “buckle region” even when the wall thickness is otherwise considered constant thickness and/or even when the Young&#39;s modulus is otherwise considered constant. 
     The receptacle  10  can include stability lip  54 , as best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The term “stability lip”  54 , as used herein, can be defined as an outward protrusion along end wall  20 . Stability lip  54  can be used to reduce the tendency of the receptacle  10  to unexpectedly fall over, for example, while resting on an uneven surface or when disturbed by outside forces. 
     The receptacle  10  can include an annular engagement lip  28 , as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The term “engagement lip”  28 , as used herein, can be defined to refer to an outward protrusion  28  around the perimeter  14   a , as best seen in  FIG. 1A , of the open end  14  of the receptacle  10 . The engagement lip  28  can assist in securing an attachment member  30  to the receptacle sidewall  12 . The engagement lip  28  can additionally include a sealing lip  29  as best seen in  FIG. 5 . The term “sealing lip”  29 , as used herein, can be defined to refer to an upward protrusion  29   a , or downward protrusion  29   b  around the perimeter of the engagement lip  28 . The sealing lip  29  can tend to cause increased pressure between a capping element  16  and the open end  14  of the receptacle  10 , when an attachment member  30  is engaged. An annular flange  34  can be provided on a capping element  16 . The term “annular flange”  34  as used herein, can be defined to refer to a ring-shaped protrusion  34   a  around the base of the capping element  16  which holds an attachment member  30  in position to effect reversible attachment of a capping element  16  to the receptacle  10 . 
     The receptacle  10  can include an open end  14  defined by one or more sidewalls  12 , and an end wall  20 , wherein a thickness of the end wall  20  is greater than a thickness of the sidewall  12 . By way of example and not limitation, a thickness of the end wall  20  can be approximately 2 millimeters (mm) and a thickness of the sidewall can be approximately 1.5 millimeters (mm). In other words, the buckle point  26  or region  26   a  can include a first wall thickness of approximately 1.5 millimeter (mm), and other portions of the containment walls include a second wall thickness of at least approximately 2 millimeter (mm). Alternatively, the buckle point  26  or area  26   a  can be defined by a region of the containment wall having a first Young&#39;s modulus less than a second Young&#39;s modulus of other portions of the containment wall. 
     The receptacle  10  can be configured to enclose a beverage. When in a first stable conformation  10   a , a first surface  12   a  of the receptacle  10  can face inwardly toward an interior of the receptacle  10 . When in a second stable conformation  10   b , the first surface  12   a  can face outwardly toward an exterior of the receptacle  10  to be particularly amenable to cleaning and drying after eversion of the receptacle  10  from the first stable conformation  10   a  (as best seen in  FIG. 1A ) to a second stable conformation  10   b  (as best seen in  FIG. 1C ). The first stable conformation was referred to above as the material holding conformation, and can also be referred to as the normal stable conformation. The second stable conformation was referred to above as the everted conformation, and can also be referred to as the everted stable conformation. By way of example and not limitation, the receptacle  10  can be made in the form of a nursing bottle, or other beverage container for general beverage storing or drinking use. The eversion of the receptacle  10  can facilitate cleaning milk, baby formula, protein powder, or other liquid or solid beverage residues from the beverage contacting surface  12   a  of the receptacle  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1C , a receptacle  10  is illustrated undergoing reversible eversion, between a first stable conformation  10   a  and a second stable conformation  10   b . By way of example and not limitation,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a possible eversion midpoint  10   c , between a normal use first stable conformation  10   a  shown in  FIG. 1A  and complete eversion stable conformation  10   b  shown in  FIG. 1C  used for cleaning and drying. The possible eversion midpoint  10   c  demonstrates a possible manner of eversion, but does not imply a required direction, sequence, or manner of the manual eversion process. The receptacle  10  includes a sidewall  12  defining an open end  14 . The sidewall  12  can include a contained substance-contacting surface  12   a  and a non-contacting surface  12   b . In the first stable conformation  10   a , the contained substance-contacting surface  12   a  faces inwardly toward an interior of the receptacle  10 , while the non-contacting surface  12   b  faces outward. In the second stable conformation  10   b , the contained substance-contacting surface  12   a  faces outward and the non-contacting surface  12   b  faces inwardly toward an interior of the receptacle  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cross-section of sidewall  12  is illustrated. The receptacle  10  can include an end wall  20 . The end wall  20  can include an indentation  22 , by way of example and not limitation, such as of conical shape. The sidewall  12  can include a buckle point  26 , an engagement lip  28 , and sealing lip  29 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , by way of example and not limitation, the receptacle  10  can be made in the form of a nursing bottle  10 . The receptacle  10  can include a capping element  16  and an attachment member  30 . The capping element  16  can be formed in the shaped of a nipple. Alternatively, the capping element  16  can be formed in the shape of a disk, a cylinder, or any other shape which would serve the purpose of inhibiting exit of contained material from the receptacle  10 .  FIG. 3  additionally illustrates a protrusion  18  on the capping element  16  to help in taking the cap element  16  on and off from the receptacle  10 . The protrusion  18  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is incorporated into the attachment member  30 . Additionally, receptacle  10  can include an optional one-way valve to diminish negative pressure inside the receptacle created as receptacle contents are evacuated, and can alternatively be incorporated into a receptacle sidewall  12 , end wall  20 , indentation  22 , or capping element  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a longitudinal detailed cross-section view of the receptacle  10  of  FIG. 2  is illustrated. By way of example and not limitation, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the attachment member  30  can include two sleeves  30   a ,  30   b  with complementary threading  33 . One sleeve  30   b  can engage with the receptacle  10 , while the other sleeve  30   a  can engage the capping element  16 . 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the attachment member  30  can include a single threaded sleeve, wherein the threading  33   a  on the attachment member  30  is complementary to threading  33   b  on the capping element  16 . Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the attachment member  30  can include a single threaded sleeve, which includes threading  33   a , the threading  33   a  being complementary to threading  33   b  which is directly molded onto the capping element  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a detailed cross section view of the sidewall  12  of the receptacle  10  is shown. The illustrated area depicts a buckle point  26  in the sidewall  12 . The buckle point  26  can be approximately 1.5 millimeters (mm) thick, while other regions of sidewall  12  can be approximately 2 mm thick. In other embodiments, buckle point  26  can have a first Young&#39;s modulus less than a second Young&#39;s modulus of other regions of sidewall  12 . The buckle point  26  can extend along an entire periphery or perimeter of the receptacle  10  to define a buckle region  26   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the receptacle  10  is illustrated in a first stable conformation  10   a  with an attachment member  30 , and a capping element  16  composed substantially of rigid material. The capping element  16  can include a protruding passage  40  defining an aperture and a removable cap  41 . The protruding passage  40  can serve as an exit point for receptacle contents, for example for drinking a beverage from the receptacle. The removable cap  41  can serve to reversibly cover the protruding passage  40  to thereby reversibly prevent evacuation of receptacle contents. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-4 , the capping element  16  can have a nipple shaped surface with an outwardly projecting annular flange portion. An attachment member can include a first rigid sleeve  30   a  having an inwardly-facing threaded portion  33  adjacent one end. The first rigid sleeve can be of a size to encircle the nipple shaped surface while engaging with the annular flange portion of the capping element  16  and fit over the open end  14  of the containment element  10 . A second rigid sleeve  30   b  can have an outwardly-facing complementary threaded portion  33  and can be of a size to be fit within the threaded portion  33  of the first sleeve  30   a , such that when the threaded portions  33  of the first and second sleeves  30   a ,  30   b  are juxtaposed with respect to one another, and the threaded portions  33  of the first and second sleeves  30   a ,  30   b  are engaged and tightened via rotary displacement, a fluid tight seal is formed between the annular flange portion of the capping element  16  and the open end  14  of the containment element  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-8 , the capping element  16  can have a rigid body with a first threaded portion. A protruding passage  40  can define an aperture formed in the rigid body. A cover element  41  can be provided for reversibly covering the protruding passage  40  defining the aperture. The covering element  41  can be attached to the capping element  16 . An attachment member  30  can have a rigid sleeve with a second threaded portion  33   b  complementary to the first threaded portion  33   a . The sleeve can be of a size to fit over the open end of the containment element, such that when the threaded portions of the capping element  16  and attachment member  30  are engaged and tightened via rotary displacement, the capping element  16  and the open end  14  of the containment element  10  are reversibly brought into contact. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a detailed longitudinal cross-sectional view of sidewall  12  of the receptacle of  FIG. 7  is illustrated. The receptacle sidewall  12  can include inserts  45  of rigid material. As used herein, the phrase “inserts of rigid material” can be defined as referring to annular inserts of material, fully embedded within the receptacle sidewall  12 , and composed substantially of material which is rigid or semi-rigid as defined above. Such rigid inserts can improve the structural stability of receptacle  10  when in stable conformation  10   a . It should be recognized that inserts  45  can be used in the sidewall  12  of any configuration of the receptacle  10 , and are not limited to use in the specific sidewall configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a detailed longitudinal cross-sectional view of sidewall  12  of a receptacle  10  is depicted. The receptacle sidewall  12  can include sidewall ridges  46 . The phrase “sidewall ridges” as used herein can be defined to refer to annular regions of increased sidewall thickness, relative to other portions of the sidewall  12 , and which are substantially parallel to the perimeter  14   a  of the open end  14  of the receptacle  10 . The sidewall ridges  46  can improve the structural stability of receptacle  10  when in the stable conformation  10   a , or can facilitate holding of receptacle  10 . It should be recognized that the sidewall ridges  46  can be used in the sidewall  12  of any configuration of the receptacle  10  and is not limited to use in the specific sidewall configuration illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-12 , a perspective view, a cross sectional view, and a detailed cross sectional view, respectively, of an additional embodiment of a general use bottle, similar to the general use bottle of  FIG. 7 , is depicted. In this embodiment, the attachment member  30 , with threaded portion  33   b  complementary to the first threaded portion  33   a , seen clearly in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , is extended to include “eversion cutouts”  48  and “containment element pull down cutouts”  47 , as best seen in  FIG. 10 , and decoupling ledge  50  with continuous annular protrusion  49   a  to form decoupling point  51  at buckle point  26 , as best seen in  FIG. 12 . Decoupling point  51  ensures that buckling occurs at the desired buckle point  26  rather than elsewhere on the bottle, increasing ease of eversion. In this same embodiment, eversion cutouts  48  can also be used so the user can continue to everse containment element  10  upwardly towards the open end  14  of the receptacle, as in  FIG. 1A-1B , by reaching through eversion cutout(s)  48  and pushing containment element  10 . To insert containment element  10  back into attachment member  30 , containment element pull down cutouts  47  can also be included such that the user can grab and pull containment element  10  downward, until containment element  10  is secured into attachment member  30  via opposing forces created at the decoupling ledge  50  with continuous annular protrusion  49   a  and engagement lip  28 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a cross-sectional view of extended attachment member  30 , similar to the attachment member  30  shown in  FIG. 10 , is depicted. Containment holding protrusions  52  can also be included on attachment member  30 . The containment holding protrusions create an interference fit between attachment member  30  and second surface  12   b  of receptacle  10 . These can be used to more securely hold containment element  10  with respect to attachment member  30 . Containment holding protrusions  52  would typically, but not necessarily, extend 1 millimeter (mm) to 5 millimeter (mm), inclusively, from the attachment member surface. Additionally, these containment holding protrusions could also be included on second surface  12   b  of receptacle  10  or on only second surface  12   b  of receptacle  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-15 , a perspective view and a cross sectional view, respectively, of an additional embodiment of a nursing bottle is provided. In this embodiment, the attachment member  30 , with threaded portion  33   b  complementary to the first threaded portion  33   a , seen clearly in  FIG. 5 , is extended to include “containment element pull down cutouts”  47 , as best seen in  FIG. 14 , and decoupling ledge  50  with discontinuous annular protrusion  49   b  to form decoupling point  51  at buckle point  26 , as best seen in  FIG. 15 . Also included in this embodiment is a stability lip  54 . Stability lip  54  can be used to reduce the tendency of the receptacle to unexpectedly fall over, for example while resting on an uneven surface or when disturbed by outside forces. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16-17 , attachment member  30  can substantially or completely surround the non-containing surface  12   b . There can also be a designed in air gap  53 , typically, but not necessarily, between 2 millimeters (mm) and 5 millimeters (mm) in width, inclusive. This can create a thermally insulative enclosure around the containment element via a column of static air between non-containing surface  12   b  and attachment member  30 . This serves to aid in maintaining the current temperature of the material being held by material contacting surface  12   a  and eliminate condensation from forming on the exterior surface of attachment member  30  when cold liquids are being stored in containment element  10 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Technology Category: 1