SPOUT ASSEMBLY FOR CONVERTING PREPACKAGED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Abstract

A spout assembly for a beverage container has a replacement cap sized and configured to replace a closure of a beverage container. The cap has a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall. A spout portion has an elongate spout tube segment with a spout passage and has a cap connector configured to attach the spout portion to the cap. The spout tube segment extends from the closure wall and the spout passage is in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This patent is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/045,144 filed Sep. 3, 2014 and entitled “Sport Spout—An Adaptable Spout/Straw/Cap Combination That Will Instantly Turn Any Prepackaged Sport Beverage or Consumer Beverage Into a Sport Bottle.” The entire content of this prior filed provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is generally directed to beverage containers and more particularly to a spout assembly configured to convert a prepackaged beverage container into a sports bottle.

2. Description of Related Art

Many individuals, including professional athletes, amateur athletes, recreational athletes, and ordinary non-athletes perform a myriad of athletic and other physically demanding endeavors every day. Such endeavors often require substantial physical exertion to the point where the person perspires. Such exertion is considered healthy in most instances, but can also deplete fluid levels within the person's body. To prevent or inhibit dehydration, it is common for the individual to drink fluids during and after such endeavors.

Drinking containers, i.e., sports bottles of different types have thus been developed to meet the needs of these individuals. Many of these types of bottles employ a drinking spout that can aid in directing liquid into the person's mouth. The spout designs also vary among the many different bottle designs. These types of bottles are typically fillable and refillable with a beverage of choice, such as water or sports drinks The bottles are thus reusable by the ultimate end users.

Beverage makers have also developed different types of sports drinks that are designed to rehydrate the individual and also to deliver sugars, electrolytes, vitamins, and/or minerals to the individual. The typical sports drink is provided in a prepackaged container that has a conventional screw-on cap or closure over a conventional threaded orifice. Such caps or closures are not configured for easily and accurately dispending the beverage from the prepackaged container to the mouth of an individual while they participate in an athletic or physically demanding endeavor. Instead, the individual will typically transfer the sports drink from the prepackaged container into a specialized sports bottle prior to the endeavor in order to be able to readily consume the sports drink during the endeavor.

Some endeavors require the participants to wear headgear that may be or include a facemask or a cage over the face of the participant or to wear helmets with such a cage or facemask. Such endeavors may include, but are certainly not limited to, ice hockey, football, lacrosse, firefighting, military activities, or the like. A prepackaged container with a conventional dispensing orifice often cannot be used by these participants while wearing their headgear. The dispensing orifice is almost always too large to fit between the bars or within the openings of the cage or facemask. If the participant wishes to drink from the original prepackaged container, they typically must first remove the helmet or headgear and then must also put the orifice directly to their lips to drink from the container. If more than one participant drinks from the same container in this manner, hygiene concerns may result.

Often, the participants in these types of endeavors choose to utilize a specially designed sports bottle that has an extended spout. The spout is long enough to extend between the bars or into the holes of the cage or facemask to accurately deliver the beverage to the participant's mouth. However, the participants must also fill or refill such sports bottles with their beverage of choice prior to undertaking the endeavor.

SUMMARY

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a spout assembly for a prepackaged beverage container has a replacement cap and a spout portion. The replacement cap is sized and configured to replace a closure of the prepackaged beverage container. The replacement cap has a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall. The spout portion has an elongate spout tube segment defining a spout passage axially within and along the spout tube segment and has a cap connector configured to attach the spout portion to the replacement cap. The spout tube segment extends from one side of the closure wall and the spout passage is in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

In one example, the replacement cap can have a skirt depending from a perimeter of the closure wall and can have mechanical threads on a radial inner surface of the threaded skirt.

In one example, the spout tube segment can extend through and/or from the spout aperture.

In one example, the spout assembly can include a straw portion connected to the spout portion. The straw portion can extend from a side of the closure wall opposite the one side in a direction opposite the spout tube segment.

In one example, the spout portion can include an attachment tube segment with an axial opening aligned with and open to the spout passage. A straw portion can be telescopically connected to the attachment tube segment.

In one example, the cap connector can include a circumferential groove around the spout portion. The closure wall around the spout aperture can seat in the groove.

In one example, the spout assembly can include an anti-leak device on a part of the spout portion.

In one example, the spout assembly can include an anti-leak valve positioned along the spout passage.

In one example, the spout assembly can include a valve, which can be formed as a membrane disposed near a dispensing orifice of the spout tube segment. The membrane can have a plurality of slits separating the membrane into multiple valve flaps.

In one example, the spout tube segment can be bendable or flexible.

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for converting a prepackaged beverage container to a sports bottle. The method includes obtaining a prepackaged beverage container having a bottle and a closure. The method includes removing the closure from a neck of the bottle. The method includes selecting a spout assembly having a replacement cap sized and configured to attach to the neck of the bottle to replace the closure. The replacement cap has a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall. The method includes selecting the spout assembly also having a spout portion with an elongate spout tube segment and a cap connector attaching the spout portion to the replacement cap. The method further includes installing the replacement cap on the neck of the bottle with the spout tube segment extending upward from the closure wall and from the replacement cap and bottle.

In one example, the step of selecting can include selecting a spout assembly with a flexible spout tube segment that has an axial spout passage in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

In one example, the step of selecting can include selecting a spout assembly with a straw portion connected to the spout portion. The straw portion can have an axial liquid passage in liquid communication with the axial spout passage.

In one example, the method can include selecting a spout assembly with a straw portion and can include the step of fitting a length of the straw portion to a height of the bottle.

In one example, the method can include selecting a spout assembly with a straw portion and can include the step of choosing a straw portion to have a length that can extend through an interior space of the bottle to nearly adjacent a bottom of the bottle.

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a sports bottle has a prepackaged beverage container including a bottle with a neck forming an opening and a spout assembly. The spout assembly has i) a replacement cap sized and configured to replace a closure removed from the neck, the replacement cap having a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall, and ii) a spout portion having an elongate spout tube segment and a cap connector securing the spout portion on the replacement cap.

In one example, the spout tube segment can be flexible and can extend from the spout aperture.

In one example, the sports bottle can include a straw portion connected to an attachment tube segment on the spout portion. The attachment tube segment can have an axial opening aligned with and open to the spout passage. The straw portion can be received telescopically in the axial opening and be connected to the attachment tube segment.

In one example, the cap connector can include a circumferential groove around the spout portion adjacent the spout tube segment. The closure wall around the spout aperture can seat in the groove.

In one example, the bottle can be selected from an array of different prepackaged beverage containers each having a different sized bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one example of a spout assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the spout assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of an existing prepackaged beverage container that would contain a sports drink or other liquid beverage.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a sports bottle formed by adapting the prepackaged beverage container bottle of FIG. 3 with the spout assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the sports bottle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section taken along line 6-6 of the spout assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A shows a close-up cross-section view taken from circle 7A of part of the spout assembly shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of the connection between the cap connector and spout portion of the spout assembly shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C shows a close-up cross-section view taken from circle 7C of the dispensing orifice and valve on the spout portion shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7D shows a close-up perspective view of the cap connector of the spout portion taken from circle 7D in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7E shows a close-up perspective view of the dispensing orifice and valve of FIG. 7C and taken from circle 7E in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the bottle and spout assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section taken along line 9-9 of the bottle and spout assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of another example of a spout assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section taken along line 11-11 of the spout assembly shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of the spout assembly of FIG. 10 and attached to a beverage container such as that depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 shows a top end of a spout portion of the spout assembly of FIG. 10 and with a cap device attached thereto and in a closed position.

FIGS. 14-16 show three examples of the many different prepackaged beverage containers for which the disclosed spout assemblies can be designed and configured to convert to a sports bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosed spout assemblies solve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior known sports drink type beverage containers. The disclosed spout assemblies are configured to provide a method of converting a conventional prepackaged sports drink or other beverage container to a sports bottle. The disclosed spout assemblies have a flexible tube shaped spout portion that extends from a cap of the assembly. The spout portion can be an elongate tube of sufficient length to reach through a mask, cage, or facemask of a user's headgear. The disclosed spout assemblies have a cap that can be sized and configured to replace the closure on different prepackaged beverage containers, which positions and mounts the spout portion on the beverage container. The disclosed spout assemblies can be provided in an array or set of product offerings with a variety of cap sizes to fit different beverage container sizes and/or types. The disclosed spout assemblies can have a straw portion in fluid communication with the spout portion to reach liquid within the beverage container. The disclosed spout assemblies can include an anti-leak feature such as a cap/closure for the spout portion, an anti-leak valve, or the like. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed spout assemblies and methods will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one example of a spout assembly 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the spout assembly 20 depicting the basic parts of the assembly. In general, the spout assembly 20 has a replacement cap 22 and a spout portion 24 that is mounted to the cap 22. The spout assembly 20 can also optionally have a straw portion 26 that can be coupled or connected to the spout portion 24 and/or cap 22 during use. As discussed below, the spout assembly is designed and configured to convert a conventional prepackaged beverage container or other similar type container to a sports bottle or to give the container a sports bottle functionality.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a prepackaged beverage container 28 that is typically sold with a bottle 30 and a closure 32. The typical bottle 30 has an interior space S for holding a liquid beverage. The space S is defined by a closed bottom 34 (see FIGS. 8 and) and a side wall 36 extending up from the bottom. The side wall 36 terminates at a neck 38, which defines an opening 40 in the bottle 30 into the space S. In many cases, the neck 38 has mechanical male threads 42 on the exterior surface of the neck. The typical closure 32 has a closure wall 44 and a depending skirt 46 that surrounds and extends down from a perimeter of the closure wall. The inside surface of the skirt 46 typically has female mechanical threads (not shown) that are configured to mate with the male threads 42 on the bottle neck 38. Thus, most beverage containers 28 of this type have a screw-on cap type closure 32. The closure must be completely removed from the bottle 28 in order to access the opening 40 and to empty or drink the liquid contents from the space S in the bottle 30.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the disclosed spout assembly 20 is intended to replace the closure 32 of the bottle 30 of the typical prepackaged beverage container 28. First, the user must remove the closure 32 from the bottle 30. The user then replaces the closure 32 with the replacement cap 22 and at least the spout portion 24 of the spout assembly 20. This converts the bottle 28 to what is described herein as a sports bottle 50, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The term sports bottle is used herein to refer to a type of bottle that has a closure with a spout so that a user can dispense liquid from the bottle via the spout without having to remove the closure. Some of these types of sports bottles employ a resilient, deformable, i.e., squeezable bottle that can be squeezed to dispense the liquid from the spout. Other of these types of sports bottles have an internal straw connected to the spout and have a bottle that is not readily squeezed. Thus, in order to dispense liquid from the more rigid bottle, the user must suck liquid from the spout via the internal straw. When replacing the closure 32 with the spout assembly 20 on these types of beverage containers, the user may then need to optionally include the straw portion 26 of the spout assembly.

Details of this example of the spout assembly are now described with reference to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7A-7E. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the spout assembly 20 parts, FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the spout assembly 20, and FIGS. 7A-7E show various detail views and cross-section views of parts of the spout assembly. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the optional straw portion 26 in this example has a relatively simple tubular construction. The straw portion 26 has a cylindrical body 52 that defines a liquid passage 54 along a lengthwise axis of the body. The body defines an inlet end 56 of the liquid passage 54 at the bottom of the straw portion 26 and defines an outlet end 58 of the liquid passage at the top of the straw portion. Liquid can thus enter the liquid passage 54 of the straw portion 26 at the inlet end 56 and exit the passage at the outlet end 58.

In this example, the body 52 can have a consistent diameter and wall thickness over its entire length. However, in other examples, it is certainly possible that the body have a different size at each end and/or a different or variable wall thickness at one or more different locations over its length. Also, the body 52 in this example has a circular cross-section shape from end to end. However, in other examples, the body 52 of the straw portion 26 can have a non-circular cross-section shape at one or more points over its length or over its entire length. For example, the body 52 can have one or more differently shaped portions or can have a consistent different shape over its entire length, such as an oval, oblong, somewhat rectangular, somewhat square, octagonal shape, or the like. The straw portion 26 may have a length that will be excessively long upon initial purchase by a user. The straw portion 26, if utilized, can then be fitted to a desired length for a given bottle application or bottle height by cutting the body 52. Alternatively, the straw portion 26 can be produced in sets or arrays of selectable straw portions of different lengths. Either the user can select a straw portion 26 of a desired length upon purchase or the seller can pre-select a specific length to fit a particular bottle application for sale to the user.

The straw portion 26 can also be formed from a substantially rigid or bend-resistant material or can be formed from a material providing some flexibility to the body 52. Thus, the straw portion 26 can be formed from the general material classes of metal, glass, plastic, rubber, or the like and can be formed from more specific sub-classes, alloys, or compositions of such materials. In one example, the straw portion 26 can be extruded or otherwise molded form a material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene blend (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), or some other suitable composition.

In this example, the spout portion 24 has an attachment tube segment 60, a spout tube segment 62, and a cap connector 64 as shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7A. These three components of the spout portion 24 can be formed as one continuous or integral piece. However, it is possible that two or more of these components can be fabricated separately and then combined after fabrication. The spout portion 24 can be an integrally fabricated part formed as one contiguous or unitary piece, as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7A. The spout portion 24 can be formed from a suitable material, such as any of the same materials as noted above for the straw portion 26, as well as silicone or the like. It may, however, be desirable for the spout portion to have at least a flexible spout tube segment 62. Thus, the spout portion 24 may be injection molded from a suitable resin material to produce a part with a spout tube segment 62 having a desired flexibility. The spout tube segment 62 may instead or in addition be formed with mechanical features, such as corrugations or flutes to impart flexibility in the segment.

In this example, the attachment tube segment 60 is a cylindrical tube shape with a cylindrical wall 66 surrounding an axial opening formed along the segment, also as shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7A. The attachment tube segment 60 has a proximal end that is joined to the cap connector 64, which in this example is an integral contiguous joint or connection, as can be seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The shape of the wall 66 and axial opening within the wall are configured to match the shape of the body 52 of the straw portion 26. Thus, the wall 66 and axial opening need not be cylindrical, particularly if the body 52 of the straw portion 26 is not cylindrical. In this example, the straw portion 26 has an outside diameter at the outlet end 58 that can closely match the inside diameter of the wall 66 and its axial opening along the attachment tube segment 60. The outlet end 58 of the straw portion 26 is telescopically received into the axial opening at a free end 70 of the attachment tube segment 60 to attach the straw portion to the spout portion 24. A slight interference fit may be desirable so that the straw portion 26 will remain attached and secured to the spout portion 24 during use but will render the straw portion easily detachable for replacement or cleaning

In this example, a stop surface 72 is provided along the axial opening 68, as best depicted in FIG. 7B. The stop surface 72 is formed as a smaller diameter section within the spout portion 24 at or near the proximal end of the attachment tube segment 60. The outlet end 58 of the straw portion 26 bottoms or bears against the stop surface 72 when inserted into the attachment tube segment 60. The stop surface 72 limits the degree or distance that the straw portion 26 can be inserted into the axial opening of the attachment tube segment 60. The stop surface 72 can thus precisely axially or lengthwise position the straw portion 26 relative to the spout portion 24 when attached. In an alternate example, the stop surface 72 may be eliminated whereby the straw portion 26 is insertable into the axial opening of the attachment tube segment 60 to a degree determined by the user, for reasons of fitting the straw portion to a particular bottle height, as described below. If the straw portion 26 is not offered as a part of the spout assembly 20, the attachment tube segment 60 may be eliminated from the spout portion 24. Alternatively, the attachment tube segment 60 may be provided as a part of the spout portion 24 but can remain unused in a given bottle application that does not require the straw portion 26.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the attachment tube segment 60 is at one end of the spout portion 24 in this example and the spout tube segment 62 is at the other end of the spout portion 24, opposite the attachment tube segment. In this example, the spout tube segment 62 has a cylindrical wall 74 with a proximal end also joined to the cap connector 64. The connection between the spout tube segment 62 and the cap connector 64 is again an integral connection in this example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A distal end 76 of the spout tube segment 62 defines a dispensing orifice 78 on the segment and for the spout portion 24 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7C. The wall 74 defines a spout passage 80 that extends axially along the spout segment 62. The spout passage 80 is in liquid flow communication with the liquid passage 54 of the straw portion 26 in this example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. With no straw portion 26, the spout passage would be in liquid flow communication with the central opening of the attachment tube segment 60. Together, the spout passage 80 and liquid passage 54 allow liquid to flow from the straw portion 26 through the spout portion 24 and to exit to the dispensing orifice 78.

A substantial part of the wall 74 of the spout tube segment 62 in this example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, has a consistent first diameter along a first section 82 of the segment adjacent the distal end 76. The wall 74 also has a second section 84 adjacent the cap connector 64 that is tapered, from the first section 82 to the cap connector, with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and that increases closer to the cap connector. The larger diameter, increasing tapered second section 84, as depicted in FIG. 7A, can add strength and limit flexing in the spout tube segment 62 adjacent the cap connector 64. The smaller diameter first section 82 can allow increased flexibility in the spout tube segment 62 away from the cap connector 64. The variable diameter of the two sections 82, 84 can increase durability of the spout assembly 20 during use while not inhibiting overall functionality.

The cap connector 64 is disposed on the spout portion 24 between the spout tube segment 62 and the attachment tube segment 60 as shown in FIGS. 2, 7B, and 7D. In this example, the cap connector is configured to connect the spout portion 24 to the replacement cap 22 in the spout assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The design of the cap connector 64 can thus vary from the example shown and described herein, depending on the configuration of the replacement cap 22. In this example, and with reference to FIGS. 7B and 7D, the cap connector 64 of the spout portion 24 is formed as a stepped annular protrusion that extends radially outward on the exterior surface of the spout portion 24. The cap connector 64 has a circumferential groove 86 formed into the wall 74 of the spout tube segment at the terminus of the second section 84. The groove 86 is positioned between the terminus of the second section 84 and a first annular shoulder 88. The annular shoulder 88 extends radially outward from the bottom of the groove 86 to a circumferential steppe surface 90. The step surface 90 has a diameter that is larger than the second section 84 at its terminus adjacent the groove 86. A circumferential lip 92 is disposed adjacent the step surface 90. The lip 92 protrudes radially outward and has a diameter that is larger than the step surface 90.

The replacement cap 22 shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7B is a circular cap and has a closure wall 100 with a spout aperture 102 formed through the wall. In this example, the spout aperture 102 is located at the center of the closure wall 100. A rib 104 is formed around the spout aperture 102 and has a greater thickness than the closure wall 100 adjacent the rib. The rib 104 can be added to increase rigidity of the closure wall 100 adjacent the spout aperture 102. The replacement cap 22 also has a skirt 106 that depends from a perimeter of the closure wall 100. The skirt 106 has mechanical female threads 108 on the radial inward facing surface of the skirt, as shown in FIG. 7B. The mechanical threads 108 can be configured to mate with the male threads 42 on the neck 38 of the bottle 30 in this example. However, the shape, size, and configuration of the replacement cap 22, including the closure wall 100, skirt, 106, and threads 108, can be designed to accommodate a specific bottle design chosen from any number of beverage containers and bottles. The replacement cap 22 can also be formed from a suitable material, such as any of the same materials as noted above for the straw portion 26 or the spout portion 24. In one example, the replacement cap 22 (as well as the spout and straw portions) can be fabricated from polypropylene (PP).

With reference to FIG. 7B, the closure wall 102 of the replacement cap 22 has an inner annular flange or positioning flange 110 that protrudes from a bottom surface 112 of the wall. The closure wall 100 also has an outer annular flange or seal flange 114 that protrudes from the bottom surface 112. The positioning flange 110 is disposed radially inward and spaced from the seal flange 114. Each flange can be optional and each performs a different function for the spout assembly of the disclosed example, as discussed below. The replacement cap 22 can also optionally have a seal material or seal layer (not shown) applied or disposed on at least portions of the bottom surface 112 of the closure wall. The seal layer material can be a silicone or other suitable material and can assist in creating a seal between the replacement cap 22 and the neck 38 of the bottle e30 when attached.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7C, and 7E, the dispending orifice 78 on the spout portion 24 or the tube segment 62 can include an anti-leak device, such as a valve 116. The valve 116 can vary in configuration and construction. The valve can be a separate piece installed on the spout tube segment 62 after fabrication of the spout portion 24. Alternatively, the valve 116 can be integrally formed with, and as a part of, the spout portion 24. In one example, the valve 116 can be formed as a closed membrane 118 within the spout passage at the distal end 76 and within the dispensing orifice 78, as depicted in FIG. 7C. The membrane 118 can be molded with the spout portion from the same material as the spout portion. Alternatively, the membrane 118 can be dual molded or co-molded from a different material, such as silicone or silicone rubber, when the spout portion 24 is fabricated. The material can be selected to provide adequate flexibility and sealing during use. The membrane can be slit, such as with an X-shape or cross-shape, to form individual valve flaps 120, as shown in FIG. 7E. The flaps can open under fluid pressure of liquid exiting the dispensing orifice 78 and can close when no liquid exit pressure is applied to the valve 116.

The spout assembly 20 is designed to convert the conventional prepackaged beverage container 28 to the sports bottle 50, as mentioned above. The spout assembly 20 can be provide to the end user as a pre-assembled product to be installed on the bottle 30. Alternatively, the spout assembly 20 can be assembled by the end user and then installed on the bottle 28. The spout assembly 20 is assembled in the following manner. The spout tube segment 62 is inserted from the bottom surface 112 of the closure wall 100 through the spout aperture 102. The diameter at the terminus of the second section 84 can be such that the spout tube segment 62 must be forced through the spout aperture 102. The material of the spout portion 24 can be sufficiently resilient to permit the forced installation. When properly inserted, the rib 104 around the spout aperture 102 is sized to seat in the groove 86 of the cap connector 64, as shown in FIG. 7B. In this example, the step surface 90 is sized to nest within the positioning flange 110. Likewise, the annular shoulder 88 seats against the bottom surface 112 of the closure wall within the positioning flange 110. The annular lip 92 seats against the free edge of the positioning flange 110 and can create a leak resistant seal or anti-leak device thereat.

The straw portion 26, if utilized, can be inserted into the attachment the segment 60 by telescopically sliding the portion into the free end 70 and along the axial opening. In this example, the outlet end 58 on the straw portion 26 bottoms against the stop surface 72 when fully inserted as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The straw portion 26 may need to be cut to length or may need to be selected or preselected to match a specific bottle height, as discussed further below.

The user can be remove the closure 32 from the bottle 30 of the beverage container 28, as in FIG. 3. The closure 32 can be retained and later reused to seal the bottle 30, if desired when use of the sports bottle 50 is completed. The spout assembly 20 can then be attached to the bottle 28 as shown in FIG. 8. The threads 108 on the replacement cap 22 can engage the threads 42 on the neck 38 on the bottle and the replacement cap 22 can be screwed onto the neck. As shown in FIG. 9, a top edge 122 of the neck 38 on the bottle seats between the skirt 106 and the seal flange 114. This fit can cause some radial inward flex of the seat flange 114 to create an anti-leak device or leak resistant seal at the top of the bottle 30. The straw portion 26 should reach near to the bottom 34 of the bottle 30, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to be able to withdraw most of the liquid contents from the sports bottle 50. The straw portion 26, if utilized, may then need to have been preselected for the particular bottle 28 or may need to be cut to length by the user. To fit the straw portion 26 to the particular bottle, the user may need to install the spout assembly 20 onto the bottle 30, then remove and fit the body 52 to the height or the bottle. This can be done by selecting the correct length straw portion 26, cutting the straw portion to length, or sliding the straw portion along the attachment tube segment or the spout tube segment (if permissible) to achieve the desired length. Alternatively, the bottle 28 may be a squeeze bottle with a flexible, resilient side wall 36. The straw portion 26 may then not be needed. Instead, the user may be able to squeeze the side wall 34 to dispense the liquid contents directly through the axial opening 68 of the attachment tube segment 60, if present, or directly into and through the spout passage 80, if no attachment tube segment is present.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate one alternate example of a spout assembly 130 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In this example, all of the components of the spout assembly 130 are identical the earlier example, except that there is no valve 116. Thus, like reference numbers used in the drawings indicate like parts compared to the earlier example. The spout tube segment 62 in this example has an open and unencumbered dispensing orifice 132. In this example, the spout assembly can be provided with no anti-leak valve or can be provided with a valve at another location on the assembly. In one alternate example, the spout tube segment 62 can instead be provided with a secondary cap 134 at the distal end 76, as shown in FIG. 13. The secondary cap 134 can be used to selectively close off or open the dispensing orifice 132. The secondary cap 134 can be tethered to the spout assembly by a ring 136 and leash 138 connected to the spout tube segment 62 and the secondary cap 134, respectively.to

As noted above, the disclosed spout assemblies 20, 130 can be configured to fit a variety of different bottles and beverage container sizes and shapes. FIGS. 14-16 show three examples of different bottles. FIG. 14 shows an existing 20 oz. bottle 140 produced and sold by GATORADE and FIG. 15 shows an existing 28 oz. GATORADE bottle 142. FIG. 16 shows and existing 32 oz. POWERADE® bottle 144. Some replacement caps 22 may fit more than one different prepackaged beverage container while some replacement caps may only fit one specific container. The disclosed spout assemblies are not intended to be limited in any way to a specific or particular bottle or container configuration. In another example, the replacement cap may not be a screw-on type closure if the prepackaged container comes with a different type of closure.

Various aspects and features of the disclosed spout assemblies can vary within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The closure wall of the replacement cap can be flat or non-flat and contoured. The spout aperture can be positioned off center on the closure wall. The straw portion can be slidable along the spout portion, including into and along at least part of the spout tube segment, by eliminating the stop surface. This can make the length of the straw portion adjustable on the spout portion. In this way, the spout portion can be configured to accommodate a variety of different bottle sizes using the same spout and straw portions. The cap connector can vary from the specific example disclosed herein. The groove can be replaced by dual spaced apart ribs on the outside surface of the spout portion. The spout aperture and the cap connector can be configured to form, in combination, a detent structure to connect the two components. The spout portion can attach to the replacement cap from the top of the closure wall instead of from the bottom side. The straw portion can be telescopically connected over the attachment tube segment. Other modifications may also be made within the scope of the claims.

The disclosed spout assemblies are described as having specific combinations of parts, components, features, and aspects. The disclosure is not intended to be limited to only the disclosed combinations. The parts, components, features and aspects disclosed herein may be used independent of the others or in different combinations of any two or more of the parts, components, features, and aspects.

Although certain spout assemblies, sports bottles, and methods have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

1. A spout assembly for converting a prepackaged beverage container to a sports bottle, the spout assembly comprising:

a replacement cap sized and configured to replace a closure of a selected prepackaged beverage container, the replacement cap having a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall; and

a spout portion having an elongate spout tube segment defining a spout passage axially within and along the spout tube segment and having a cap connector configured to attach the spout portion to the replacement cap such that the spout tube segment extends from one side of the closure wall and the spout passage is in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

2. A spout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the replacement cap has a skirt depending from a perimeter of the closure wall and mechanical threads on a radial inner surface of the threaded skirt.

3. A spout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spout tube segment is received through and extends from the spout aperture.

4. A spout assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a straw portion connected to the spout portion and extending from a side of the closure wall opposite the one side.

5. A spout assembly according to claim 4, wherein the spout portion includes an attachment tube segment with an axial opening aligned with and open to the spout passage, the straw portion telescopically connected to the attachment tube segment.

6. A spout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cap connector includes a circumferential groove around the spout portion, and wherein the closure wall around the spout aperture seats in the groove.

7. A spout assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-leak device on a part of the spout portion.

8. A spout assembly according to claim 7, wherein the anti-leak device is a valve positioned along the spout passage.

9. A spout assembly according to claim 8, wherein the valve is formed as a membrane disposed near a dispensing orifice of the spout tube segment, the membrane having a plurality of slits separating the membrane into multiple valve flaps.

10. A spout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spout tube segment is flexible.

11. A method of converting a prepackaged beverage container to a sports bottle, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a prepackaged beverage container having a bottle and a closure;

removing the closure from a neck of the bottle;

selecting a spout assembly having i) a replacement cap sized and configured to attach to the neck of the bottle to replace the closure, the replacement cap having a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall, and ii) a spout portion having an elongate spout tube segment and a cap connector attaching the spout portion to the replacement cap; and

installing the replacement cap on the neck of the bottle with the spout tube segment extending upward from the closure wall and from the replacement cap and bottle.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of selecting includes selecting a spout assembly with a flexible spout tube segment that has an axial spout passage in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of selecting includes selecting a spout assembly with a straw portion connected to the spout portion, the straw portion having an axial liquid passage in liquid communication with the axial spout passage.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of fitting a length of the straw portion to a height of the bottle.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of fitting includes choosing a straw portion having a length configured to extend through an interior space of the bottle to nearly adjacent a bottom of the bottle.

16. A sports bottle comprising:

a prepackaged beverage container including a bottle with a neck forming an opening; and

a spout assembly having i) a replacement cap sized and configured to replace a closure removed from the neck, the replacement cap having a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall, and ii) a spout portion having an elongate spout tube segment and a cap connector securing the spout portion on the replacement cap.

17. A sports bottle according to claim 16, wherein the spout tube segment is flexible and extends from the spout aperture.

18. A sports bottle according to claim 16, further comprising a straw portion connected to an attachment tube segment on the spout portion, the attachment tube segment having an axial opening aligned with and open to the spout passage, the straw portion telescopically received in the axial opening and connected to the attachment tube segment.

19. A sports bottle according to claim 16, wherein the cap connector includes a circumferential groove around the spout portion adjacent the spout tube segment, and wherein the closure wall around the spout aperture seats in the groove.

20. A sports bottle according to claim 16, wherein the bottle is selected from an array of different prepackaged beverage containers each having a different sized bottle.