BOTTLE WITH MODULAR HANDLE AND CLOSURE
A container for holding fluid that may comprise a bottle, a cap, and a handle. The bottle may include a cavity configured to hold a volume of liquid, a body forming the cavity, a first set of threads on the body, and a second set of threads on the body. The cap may have a set of cap threads configured to mate with the first set of threads. The handle may have a set of handle threads configured to mate with the second set of threads.
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This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/255,233, filed Nov. 13, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates to containers for liquids, such as beer. More specifically, this disclosure relates to bottles, such as growlers, with interchangeable handles and caps.
INTRODUCTIONIt is common to find many beers available on tap in a pub, etc. that are not available in bottles or cans. Also, many customers find the taste of beer from a keg (i.e., draft beer) to be superior to that of beer from a bottle or a can. However, costs and complications of maintaining kegged beer for personal consumption can be prohibitive. Costs and complications of maintaining a wide selection of beers available in kegs for personal consumption may be even more prohibitive.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to containers for holding fluids with interchangeable handles and caps. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a container comprising a bottle, a cap, and a handle. The bottle may include a cavity configured to hold a volume of liquid, a body forming the cavity, a first set of threads on the body, and a second set of threads on the body. The cap may have a set of cap threads configured to mate with the first set of threads. The handle may have a set of handle threads configured to mate with the second set of threads. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a container comprising a bottle with a releasably attachable handle and a releasably attachable cap. The handle and cap may releasably attach to the bottle in one or more attached positions. The handle and bottle may be oriented substantially perpendicular relative to each other when the handle is in an attached position with the bottle. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a container comprising a vacuum-insulated bottle and a vacuum-insulated cap. The vacuum-insulated bottle may be made of double-walled stainless steel.
The present disclosure may illustrate and describe a number of embodiments of containers in the present drawings and specification. Unless otherwise specified, the container and/or its various components may, but are not required to, contain at least one of the structure, components, functionality, and/or variations described, illustrated, and/or incorporated herein. Furthermore, the structures, components, functionalities, and/or variations described, illustrated, and/or incorporated herein in connection with the present teachings may, but are not required to, be included in other bottles or growlers. The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. Additionally, the advantages provided by the embodiments, as described below, are illustrative in nature and not all embodiments provide the same advantages or the same degree of advantages.
Bottle 12 may be made of double-walled stainless steel and a void space within the double walls may be substantially removed of air. That is, the double-walled bottle may be vacuum insulated. Vacuum insulation may substantially reduce the flow of heat into and out of the bottle, as compared to similar containers that are not vacuum insulated.
Protruding end 20 may extend from the body 18. Protruding end 20 may define a passage (or opening) 22 through which liquid may enter the body of the bottle. The protruding end may include an external threaded portion or a set of external threads 24. The set of external threads may be disposed on an external side (or outer wall) 26 of the protruding end. The set of external threads may be disposed proximate the body of the bottle. The set of external threads may include one raised thread or more than one raised thread. The set of external threads may wind around the external side 26 of the protruding end in a helical fashion. The set of external threads may be configured for attachment of handle 14 or for attachment of another accessory.
Protruding end 20 may include an internal threaded portion or a set of internal threads 28. The set of internal threads may be disposed on an internal side (or inner wall) 30 of the protruding end. The set of internal threads may be disposed proximate the body of the bottle and may be opposite from the external threads 24 on the protruding end 20. The set of internal threads may be arranged in a staggered, offset, and/or alternating pattern relative to the external threads. The internal threads may be disposed within the passage 22. The set of internal threads may include one raised thread or more than one raised thread. The set of internal threads may wind around the internal side 30 of the protruding end in a helical fashion. The set of internal threads may be configured for attachment to the cap 16 or for attachment of another accessory such as a pouring spout.
Handle 14 may be a removably attachable handle. That is, handle 14 may be configured to be attached to bottle 12 and may be configured to be removed from the bottle. The attachment and removal of the handle from the bottle may be repeatable processes, each capable of being executed multiple times without damage or deformation to the handle or bottle. Handle 14 may be modular in the sense that it may be removed from bottle 12 and attached to another similar bottle.
Handle 14 may include a set of handle threads 32. The handle threads may be disposed on an inner side 34 of the handle. The set of handle threads may include a single raised thread or more than one raised thread. The set of handle threads may wind around the inner side of the handle in a helical fashion. Handle 14 may have, together with bottle 12, an attached position where the set of handle threads 32 mate with the set of external threads 24 of the bottle. The mating of these threads may hold handle 14 in the attached position with the bottle. Handle 14 may be moved into and out of the attached position by rotating the handle with respect to the bottle.
Handle 14 may include a member 36 and an attachment portion 38. The attachment portion may include the set of handle threads and the inner side of the handle. The member 36 may extend from the attachment portion and may be configured to be held by a user of container 10. The member 36 may form a closed loop with the attachment portion or the member may protrude from the attachment portion. The handle, in particular the member 36, may be oriented horizontally when the bottle 12 is oriented vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of the bottle and the handle is in the attached position with the bottle.
Cap 16 may include a top portion 40, an outside cap wall 42, and an inside cap wall 44. The outside cap wall may extend from the top portion. The inside cap wall may extend from the top portion. The inside cap wall may be interior to the outside cap wall. The outside and inside cap walls may define a channel 46 therebetween.
The inside cap wall 44 may have a cap threaded portion or a set of cap threads 48. The set of cap threads may be disposed within the channel 46 on the inside cap wall 44. The set of cap threads may include a single raised thread or more than one raised thread, and may wind around the inside cap wall in a helical fashion.
Cap 16 may be a removably attachable cap. Cap 16 may be modular in the same sense as handle 14. Cap 16 may have, together with bottle 12, a closed position where the set of cap threads 48 mate with the internal threads 28 of the bottle. In the closed position, the channel 46 of the cap may be configured to receive the protruding end 20 of the bottle. The mating of these threads may hold cap 16 in the closed position with the bottle. Cap 16 may be moved into and out of the closed position by rotating the cap with respect to the bottle.
In order to seal container 10 to the ingress and egress of air and liquid when the cap is in the closed position, container 10 may include a sealing surface 50 on the protruding end 20 of the bottle 12 and a sealing member 52 on the cap. The sealing member may be configured, along with the sealing surface, to prevent fluid from entering and/or leaving the container when the cap is in the closed position.
The sealing surface 50 may be disposed on the internal side 30 of the protruding end. The set of internal threads 28 may be disposed on the internal side between the sealing surface and the body 18. The sealing member may be disposed on the inside cap wall 44 within the channel 46. The sealing member may be disposed between the top portion 40 and the set of cap threads 48 on the inside cap wall. The sealing member may include any suitable material or structure that creates or enhances an air-tight seal between the cap and the container, such as a seal, a ring or a gasket. When the cap is in the closed position, the sealing member may make contact with the sealing surface and substantially prevent air or fluid from entering or exiting the container.
In one or more embodiments, the sealing surface 50 may be disposed below the set of internal threads 28 on the internal side 30 of the protruding end. That is, the sealing surface may be disposed between the set of internal threads and the body 18 of the bottle. In such a case, the sealing member 52 and the set of cap threads 48 may switch positions, so that the set of cap threads are disposed on the inside cap wall 44 between the sealing member and the top portion 40.
In one or more embodiments, the sealing surface 50 may be disposed on the external side 26 of the protruding end 20. In such a case, the set of external threads 24 may be disposed between the sealing surface and the body 18 of the bottle. In this case, the sealing member 52 may be disposed within channel 46 on the outside cap wall 42.
In one or more embodiments, the sealing surface 50 may be disposed on an outer rim 53 of the protruding end 20. In this case, the sealing member 52 may be disposed at an apex of the channel 46 proximate the top portion 40 of the cap.
The sealing member and sealing surface may substantially seal the container. The mating of the set of cap threads with the internal threads of the bottle may substantially hold the cap in place in the closed position. In one or more embodiments, particularly for use with carbonated liquids such as beer, the sealing mechanism may be separate from the closure mechanism for such a container.
The outside cap wall 42 may have an outside surface 54. The outside surface 54 of the cap wall may meet flush with an outer surface 56 of the attachment portion 38 of the handle when the cap is in the closed position and the handle is in the attached position. By meeting flush, the outside surface 54 and the outer surface 56 may together form an even or smooth portion of an exterior surface of the container 10.
Bottle 12 may include a neck portion 58 between the body 18 and the protruding end 20. Neck portion 58 may have an outward surface 60. When the handle 14 is in the attached position, the outward surface 60 of the neck portion may meet flush with the outer surface 56 of the attachment portion 38 of the handle. By meeting flush, the outward surface 60 and the outer surface 56 may together form an even or smooth portion of an exterior surface of the container.
In one or more embodiments, the cap may be configured to thread directly onto or into a portion of the handle sized to receive the threads. In one or more embodiments, the handle may be configured to be threaded onto a portion of the cap sized to receive the threads. In one or more embodiments, the handle and cap may both be configured to thread onto the same portion of the bottle, such as by sharing common threading. The portion may be on the inside or the outside of the neck of the bottle. In one or more embodiments, the cap may be insulated, such as by vacuum insulation. In one or more embodiments, the cap and handle may be formed as a single unit. In one or more embodiments, the cap and/or handle may be configured for use with one or more different bottle designs configured to be used with the cap and/or the handle.
It will be appreciated that the growler, cap and handle can each be made of any desired material or combination of materials, such as metal (e.g., steel) or plastic.
Bottle 102 may include a neck portion 118, a first lip 120, and a second lip 122. The first and second lips may be configured to make contact with portions of a handle when the handle is in an attached position. Progressing from the body 110 along the external side 116 of the protruding end 108 may be disposed the neck portion 118, the first lip 120, the set of external threads 106, the second lip 122, and the distal end 124 of the protruding end.
External side 116 may include a top or upper portion 123 disposed between second lip 122 and distal end 124. The upper portion may include a surface 125 disposed proximate and/or adjacent to the distal end. The surface may extend circumferentially around the protruding end. In some examples, the surface may have a width between 9 and 18 millimeters.
Bottle 102 may include a third lip 132 proximate the distal end 124 of the protruding end 108 on the internal side 114 of the protruding end. The sealing surface 112 may extend to the third lip 132. The third lip may mark a transition where the first wall 126 and the second wall 128 become closer together toward the distal end of the protruding end. This narrowing may facilitate pouring of liquid through a passage 134, defined by the protruding end, out of the bottle.
Within channel 180, on the inside cap wall 176, may be disposed a set of cap threads 182 and a sealing member 184. The set of cap threads may be configured to mate with the set of internal threads 104 of the bottle when the cap is in a closed position with the bottle. The sealing member 184 may be configured, along with sealing surface 112, to substantially seal container 100 to the ingress and egress of fluid when the cap 170 is in the closed position.
When cap 170 is in the closed position with the bottle 102, the set of cap threads 182 may engage with the set of internal threads 104 of the bottle and the protruding end 108 of the bottle may be received in the channel 180 of the cap. The engagement of the set of cap threads with the set of internal threads may releasably secure the cap to the bottle. Further, the sealing member 184 of the cap may engage with the sealing surface 112 of the bottle to substantially seal the container 100.
When the cap 170 is in the closed position with the bottle 102 and the handle 140 is in the attached position with the bottle, the second setting surface 188 may engage with a top side 194, see also
Cap 170 and handle 140 may be used independently of one another with bottle 102. For example, cap 170 may be placed in the closed position with the bottle 102 whether or not the handle is in the attached position. So configured, the cap may be secured to the bottle and the container may be sealed to liquids by the sealing member and the sealing surface. In another example, the handle may be placed in the attached position with the bottle and secured to the bottle whether or not the cap is in the closed position. So configured, the handle may be used to position the bottle for the filling of liquids or the removal of liquids.
As shown in
This section describes additional aspects and features of containers, presented without limitation as a series of paragraphs, some or all of which may be alphanumerically designated for clarity and efficiency. Each of these paragraphs can be combined with one or more other paragraphs, and/or with disclosure from elsewhere in this application in any suitable manner. Some of the paragraphs below expressly refer to and further limit other paragraphs, providing without limitation examples of some of the suitable combinations.
A1. A container, comprising:
a cap that includes
-
- a top portion,
- an outside cap wall extending from the top portion,
- an inside cap wall extending from the top portion and interior to the outside cap wall
- a channel between the outside and inside cap walls, the cap having a set of cap threads disposed within the channel on the inside cap wall;
a removably attachable handle that includes a set of handle threads; and
a bottle that includes
-
- a body configured to hold a volume of liquid,
- a protruding end extending from the body,
- a set of external threads disposed on an external side of the protruding end proximate the body,
- a set of internal threads disposed on an internal side of the protruding end, and
wherein the channel of the cap is configured to receive the protruding end of the bottle, the handle is configured so that the handle threads mate with the set of external threads of the bottle, and the cap is configured so that the cap threads mate with the internal threads of the bottle.
A2. The container of paragraph A1, further comprising
a sealing surface on the protruding end; and
a sealing member on the cap,
wherein the sealing member is configured, along with the sealing surface, to prevent fluid from entering or leaving the container when the cap is in a closed position.
A3. The container of paragraph A2, wherein the sealing surface is disposed on the internal side of the protruding end, with the set of internal threads disposed between the sealing surface and the body.
A4. The container of paragraph A2, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring disposed on the inside cap wall within the channel.
A5. The container of paragraph A1, wherein an outside surface of the outside cap wall meets flush with a portion of an outer surface of the handle when the cap is in a closed position and the handle is in an attached position.
A6. The container of paragraph A1, wherein the bottle includes a neck portion between the body and the protruding end, and an outward surface of the neck portion meets flush with a portion of the outer surface of the handle when then handle is the attached position.
A7. The container of paragraph A1, wherein the bottle is made of double-walled stainless steel and is vacuum insulated.
A8. The container of paragraph A1, wherein the handle is oriented horizontally when the bottle is oriented vertically and the handle is in an attached position.
AA1. A container for holding fluid, comprising:
a bottle including:
-
- a cavity configured to hold a volume of liquid,
- an inner wall having a first set of threads, and
- an outer wall having a second set of threads; wherein the inner and outer walls define the cavity;
a cap having a set of cap threads configured to mate with the first set of threads; and
a handle having a set of handle threads configured to mate with the second set of threads.
AA2. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads in an attached position.
AA3. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads and the set of cap threads are not mated with the first set of threads in an attached position.
AA4. The container of paragraph AA3, wherein the handle and bottle are oriented substantially perpendicular relative to each other.
AA5. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are not mated with the second set of threads in an attached position.
AA6. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the cap and handle are releasably attached to the bottle in at least a first attached position, a second attached position, and a third attached position,
-
- the first attached position being when the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads,
- the second attached position being when the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads and the set of cap threads are not mated with the first set of threads, and
- the third attached position being when the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are not mated with the second set of threads.
AA7. The container of paragraph AA6, wherein the cap is disposed proximate an opening of the cavity relative to the handle when the cap is in a closed position and the handle is in an attached position.
AA8. The container of paragraph AA7, wherein the first set of threads are disposed proximate an opening of the cavity.
AA9. The container of paragraph AA8, wherein the second set of threads are disposed proximate the opening of the cavity.
AA10. The container of paragraph AA9, wherein the first set of threads are disposed on the inner wall generally opposite the second set of threads on the outer wall.
AA11. The container of paragraph AA10, wherein the first set of threads are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the second set of threads.
AA12. The container of paragraph AA11, wherein the second set of threads includes a first thread of the second set of threads disposed substantially between a first thread and a second thread of the first set of threads.
AA13. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the cap includes a plurality of elongate voids substantially removed of air.
AA14. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the cap includes a sealing member configured to form a seal between the cap and bottle when the cap is in a closed position.
AA15. The container of paragraph AA14, wherein the sealing member is a gasket.
AA16. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the handle includes an elongated member extending from an attachment portion of the handle, and the second set of threads are disposed on the attachment portion.
AA17. The container of paragraph AA16, wherein the elongated member forms a closed loop.
AA18. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the outer wall includes a lip disposed between an opening of the cavity and the second set of threads, and the lip abuts a portion of the handle when the handle is in an attached position.
AA19. The container of paragraph AA1, wherein the bottle includes a void at least partially disposed between the inner and outer walls, the void is substantially removed of air, and the inner and outer walls are made of stainless steel.
AA20. A container for holding fluid, comprising:
a bottle including:
-
- a cavity configured to hold a volume of liquid,
- a body forming the cavity,
- a first set of threads on the body, and
- a second set of threads on the body;
a cap having a set of cap threads configured to mate with the first set of threads; and
a handle having a set of handle threads configured to mate with the second set of threads.
CONCLUSIONThe disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple distinct concepts with independent utility. Although each of these concepts may be disclosed in its preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. To the extent that section headings are used within this disclosure, such headings are for organizational purposes only, and do not constitute a characterization of any claimed concept. The subject matter of the concept(s) includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. Other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in applications claiming priority from this or a related application. Such claims, whether directed to a different invention or to the same invention, and whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to any original claim, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the invention(s) of the present disclosure. Furthermore, explicit reference is hereby made to all embodiments and examples shown in the drawings, whether or not described further herein.
Claims
1. A container for holding fluid, comprising:
- a bottle including: a cavity configured to hold a volume of liquid, an inner wall having a first set of threads, and an outer wall having a second set of threads; wherein the inner and outer walls define the cavity;
- a cap having a set of cap threads configured to mate with the first set of threads; and
- a handle having a set of handle threads configured to mate with the second set of threads.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads in an attached position.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads and the set of cap threads are not mated with the first set of threads in an attached position.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the handle and bottle are oriented substantially perpendicular relative to each other.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are not mated with the second set of threads in an attached position.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the cap and handle are releasably attached to the bottle in at least a first attached position, a second attached position, and a third attached position,
- the first attached position being when the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads,
- the second attached position being when the set of handle threads are mated with the second set of threads and the set of cap threads are not mated with the first set of threads, and
- the third attached position being when the set of cap threads are mated with the first set of threads and the set of handle threads are not mated with the second set of threads.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the cap is disposed proximate an opening of the cavity relative to the handle when the cap is in a closed position and the handle is in an attached position.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the first set of threads are disposed proximate an opening of the cavity.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the second set of threads are disposed proximate the opening of the cavity.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the first set of threads are disposed on the inner wall generally opposite the second set of threads on the outer wall.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the first set of threads are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the second set of threads.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the second set of threads includes a first thread of the second set of threads disposed substantially between a first thread and a second thread of the first set of threads.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a plurality of elongate voids substantially removed of air.
14. The container of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a sealing member configured to form a seal between the cap and bottle when the cap is in a closed position.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the sealing member is a gasket.
16. The container of claim 1, wherein the handle includes an elongated member extending from an attachment portion of the handle, and the second set of threads are disposed on the attachment portion.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein the elongated member forms a closed loop.
18. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer wall includes a lip disposed between an opening of the cavity and the second set of threads, and the lip abuts a portion of the handle when the handle is in an attached position.
19. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottle includes a void at least partially disposed between the inner and outer walls, the void is substantially removed of air, and the inner and outer walls are made of stainless steel.
20. A container for holding fluid, comprising:
- a bottle including: a cavity configured to hold a volume of liquid, a body forming the cavity, a first set of threads on the body, and a second set of threads on the body;
- a cap having a set of cap threads configured to mate with the first set of threads; and
- a handle having a set of handle threads configured to mate with the second set of threads.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2016
Publication Date: May 18, 2017
Applicant: Helen of Troy Limited (St. Michael)
Inventors: Timothy Dryden GORBOLD (Bend, OR), Brian George GOODWIN (Bend, OR), Ryan James DIENER (Bend, OR)
Application Number: 15/351,280