CLOSURE WITH DETACHABLE FLIP STRAW

Abstract

A closure for a bottle has a straw portion with a ball coupling, a sipper extending from the ball coupling, a rod extending from opposite sides of the ball coupling, and a handle arranged on opposite ends of the rod. The sipper is in fluid communication with the ball coupling. A cap portion is attachable to the bottle and has a reception area with a channel and a straw area. The channel is configured to detachably receive the rod such that the rod is rotatable within the channel. The straw area has a third aperture and is configured to receive the ball coupling. The ball coupling is rotatable within the straw area between an aligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with straw area third aperture and a misaligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with straw area third aperture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/376,975, filed on Aug. 19, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure generally relates to caps for bottles and canteens, and in particular, the disclosure is directed to a closure with a detachable flip straw.

Conventional containers may hold a variety of different types of liquids and fluids. For example, known containers can hold various drinks and beverages such as water, flavored waters, juices, energy drinks, protein-enhanced drinks, shakes, foodstuffs, and liquid meal replacements.

These types of known containers may be used in a wide variety of environments such as at a home, office, gym, or health club, and while traveling. Known beverage containers may also be used during or after activities such as exercising or riding in an automobile, bus, train, or airplane. Traditional beverage containers, such as a coffee mug, are generally unsuitable for drinking beverages while exercising or traveling because they can easily spill their contents, are often heavy, not readily portable, and are prone to breaking if dropped. Traditional beverage containers are also generally unsuitable for use outside of a limited area because they may be relatively inconvenient to carry or transport, and may allow the contents to spill.

Some known beverage containers may include a small cover over the drinking aperture to prevent the contents from spilling. The small cover is typically manually opened by the user's hand when the user desires to take a drink. For example, the user may slide the cover into an open position, rotate the cover or a spout between an open and closed position, or depress a button or lever. Many of these known containers include a watertight or airtight seal between the cover and the drinking aperture to prevent the beverage from spilling. These known containers often require substantial effort to open and close the cover because the watertight or airtight seal must be formed or broken each time the cover is opened or closed. Some of these containers, especially when the container is full, may undesirably allow some of the beverage to spill when the cover is opened. In addition, because the cover may be suddenly and abruptly opened, this may cause some of the contents to spill. Further, a user may not want to touch a rotating spout with his or her fingers if their hands are dirty or unwashed.

Additionally, conventional beverage containers may also be difficult to clean or reuse because of the shape, number of parts, and complex configuration of one or more components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure with a detachable flip straw according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the closure shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cap portion of the closure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottom of the cap portion of the closure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the detached components of the closure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a straw portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a further perspective view of a straw portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top of the closure in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A closure with a detachable flip straw (hereinafter, the “closure”) according to embodiments of the present invention facilitates easy opening and closing of the closure when mounted on a canister or bottle, transport of the canister or bottle including the closure, and cleaning the closure. The closure as discussed herein allows for accessing the liquids within a canister or bottle without having to touch a portion of the closure that would enter the user's mouth thereby avoiding contamination and germs. A closure according to the present disclosure is separable into a straw portion and a cap portion when the straw portion is in the substantially open or “drink” position, but is not separable when in the substantially closed position. The closure is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary closure 100, placed in the closed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Closure 100 is sized and configured to mate with the top of a canister or bottle that contains liquids, such as, but not limited to, a sports bottle, a canteen, and a water bottle. Closure 100 is also configured to move from a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1) to an open position (as shown in FIG. 7). Closure 100 includes a cap portion 104 and a straw portion 108. The straw portion 108 is adapted and configured to rotatably and detachably engage with cap portion 104.

FIGS. 2 through 4 show the cap portion 104. Cap portion 104 has an engagement portion 112 that is sized and configured to mate with the top of a canister or bottle containing liquids (hereinafter all such possible containers will be referred to as “container”). Engagement portion 112 includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an outer surface 116 and an inner surface 120. Inner surface 120 includes threads 124 adapted and configured to mate with corresponding threads on a container (not shown). In another exemplary embodiment, outer surface 116 includes threads or other suitable features to couple cap portion 104 with the container. Inner surface 120 may, in some embodiments, have a smooth surface.

Cap portion 104 also includes a reception area 128 for receiving the straw portion 108. As shown in FIG. 3, the reception area 128 can include a straw area 132, a channel 136, and a closing area 140. The straw area 132 is, as shown, generally spherical with an aperture 144, which extends through the cap portion 104 so as to allow for liquid to travel from the container to the straw portion 108. In this embodiment, the generally spherical shape of the straw area 132 allows for the rotation of the straw portion 108 from a closed position to an open position, when straw portion 108 and cap portion 104 are coupled together. The channel 136 is sized and configured to receive a corresponding rod 148 (seen in FIG. 5) of the straw portion 108 (discussed in more detail below). The channel 136 may be substantially circular in cross section with an upper opening 137. The upper opening 137 is sized to accommodate the rod 148 of unsymmetrical cross section such that the rod 148 is only insertable or removable in a specific orientation relative to the channel 136 and the upper opening 137 (e.g., the assembly position described in greater detail later herein). For example, and without limitation, the width of the upper opening 137 is less than the greatest width of the channel 136 (e.g., the radius of the channel 136). The closing area 140 is sized and configured to receive an upper portion of the straw portion 108 when the straw portion is in the closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the closing area 140 has a depth sufficient to allow the upper portion of the straw portion 108 to fully rest below an upper surface 152 of the cap portion 104. This configuration assists in preventing contaminants from entering the straw portion 108 when in the closed position.

FIG. 4 shows the underside of the cap portion 104. The cap portion 104 includes an internal straw receiver 154 that is sized and configured to accept and hold a removable straw (not shown) that can extend into the container to facilitate drinking of the fluids therein. The internal straw receiver 154 is adapted and configured to place the removable straw in fluid communication with the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104.

FIGS. 5 through 7 depict the straw portion 108 in greater detail. The straw portion 108 is sized and configured to mate with the cap portion 104 and to provide for access to the contents of the container by the user without taking the closure 100 off the container. The straw portion 108 is shown to include a handle 156, a ball coupling 160, the rod 148, and a sipper 164. In some embodiments, the straw portion 108, including the handle 156, the ball coupling 160, the rod 148, and the sipper 164, is of unitary construction. The handle 156 is coupled to the rod 148 at each end of the rod. The rod 148 is coupled to the ball coupling 160. In this embodiment, the rod 148 is depicted as a single structure, although in other embodiments the rod may connect handle 156 to opposing sides of the ball coupling 160.

The rod 148 is not perfectly circular. Rather, the rod 148 is generally oval in cross section with a major axis and a minor axis. The rod 148 has a greater length along the major axis than along the minor axis. In some embodiments, the rod 148 may be oval or circular in cross section but may also include squared off sides 149 running substantially parallel with the major axis. The squared off sides are positioned closer to the major axis than the ends of the minor axis if the rod were a complete oval in cross section. The oval features of the rod 148 facilitate the insertion of the rod 148 into the channel 136 and removal of the rod 148 from the channel 136 while also limiting unintended removal as described in greater detail later herein.

The sipper 164 is coupled to the ball coupling 160 and each has an aperture 168 that is fluidly connected to the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104 when straw portion 108 is in the open position. In the open position, the straw portion 108 is rotated such that the aperture 168 in the ball coupling 160 is aligned with the aperture 144 in the cap portion. The sipper 164 includes an internal region and the ball portion includes an internal region. The combination of apertures and internal regions allows fluid to flow from the bottle out of the sipper 164 when the straw portion 108 is in the open position. In some embodiments, the internal regions of the sipper 164 and the ball coupling 160 extend away from the center of the ball coupling 160 at different angles. This may facilitate placement of the sipper 164 relative to the cap portion 104 when the straw portion 108 is in different positions.

The straw portion 108 can also include a stop 172 (as shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the stop 172 is an integrated portion of the straw portion 108. The stop 172 may rest between the sipper 164 and the closing area 140 when the straw portion is in the closed portion. In the closed position, the stop 172 engages with and seals a vent aperture 184 in the cap portion 104 (used to provide return air flow as a user is drinking). For example, and without limitation, the stop 172 may be a frustoconical portion extending from a bottom side of the sipper 168 and forming a portion of the unitary straw portion 108. The stop 172 engages with the vent aperture 184 which may include a gasket to seal the vent aperture 184 when the sipper 168 is lowered into the closing area 140. The stop 172 may ensure that the sipper 164 does not descend too far into closing area 140.

As shown in at least FIG. 7, when cap portion 104 and straw portion 108 are coupled together and the straw portion 108 is in an open position, the aperture 168 and the aperture 144 form a passageway that allows fluid to exit the container. A user may apply suction to the sipper 164 such that fluid is drawn from the bottle via the removable straw, through the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104, through the aperture 168 of the ball coupling 160, through the sipper 164, and out through the aperture 168 of the sipper 164.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 3, the closure 100 can include other components such as a gasket 176 and a gasket 180, each of which serve to prevent liquid from inadvertently leaving the container other than by the sipper 164. In this embodiment, the gasket 176 is disposed on the underside of the upper surface 152 thereby providing a seal between the cap portion 104 and the container. The gasket 180 sets in straw area 132 so as to provide a seal between the ball coupling 160 and the lower portion of the straw area 132 where the aperture 144 is disposed. For example, and without limitation, the gasket 180 may be an o-ring or similar gasket disposed about the aperture 144. The gasket 180 is secured between the cap portion 104 and the straw portion 108 by the ball coupling 160 which exerts a force on the gasket 180 causing the gasket 180 to maintain a seated position in the straw area 132. The force results from the straw portion 108 being secured in the channel 136. In some embodiments, the straw area 136 may include a recess about the aperture 144 which partially receives the gasket 180 such that the gasket remains seated when the ball coupling 160 moves relative to the cap portion 104 and the gasket 180. The gasket 180 maintains a substantially watertight seal between the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104 and the ball coupling 160. As a result, the ball coupling seals the aperture 144 when the straw portion 108 is in the closed position. In the closed position, the aperture 144 and the aperture 168 of the ball coupling 160 are in misalignment and a seal is formed between the gasket 180 and the ball coupling 160.

In use, a user secures the closure 100 to a container, optionally coupling an internal removable straw to internal straw receiver 154 prior to securing the closure to the container. With the straw portion 108 in a closed position, no liquid should escape the container via closure 100. In the closed position, the stop 172 of the straw portion 108 seals the vent aperture 184 of the cap portion 104, and the ball coupling 160, in combination with the gasket 180, seals the aperture 144 of the cap portion 104. When the user is ready for a drink, the user presses handle 156 so as to rotate the handle from a substantially upright position (FIG. 1) to a substantially downward position (FIG. 7). The movement of handle 156 causes the sipper 164 to rise away from the closing area 140 until the aperture 168 is substantially aligned with the aperture 144. As the sipper 164 rises, the vent aperture 184 is also unsealed as the stop 172 is drawn away from the vent aperture 184. At this point, the user can take a drink from sipper 164. When the user is finished, the user moves handle 156 from the substantially downward position to the substantially upward position, thereby misaligning the apertures 168,144 and thus closing off a fluid pathway for liquid to exit the container.

When the user desires to clean the closure 100, the handle 156 is rotated as if the user wanted to take a drink as described above to an assembly position. In the assembly position, the handle is rotated such that the smaller width of the rod 148 (e.g., the width parallel with the minor axis of rod 148) is aligned with the upper opening 137 of the channel 136. Once handle 156 has rotated, for example, 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent, or a value there between of the way from the substantially downward position to the substantially upright position thus placing the straw portion 108 in the assembly position, the user can pull the handle and/or other portion of the straw portion 108 and thereby disconnect straw portion 108 from cap portion 104. In some embodiments, the fit between the rod 148 and the channel 136, including the upper opening 137, is an interference fit such that the user must exert a force to remove the straw portion 108 from the cap portion 104. The rod 148 exits the channel 136 as the smaller width of the rod 148 is aligned with the upper opening 137. It should be noted that straw portion 108 and cap portion 104 are not decoupleable at all times, as that may lead to inadvertent detachment. By not having straw portion 108 be removable from cap portion 104 when handle 156 is in a substantially upright position or other non-assembly position, the user does not have to be concerned about undesired detachment of the straw portion from cap portion 104. The straw portion 108 is not decoupleable from the cap portion in positions other than the assembly position as a result of the shape of the rod 148 and the size of the upper opening 137. In non-assembly positions (e.g., when the straw portion 108 is in the downward or upright positions) the wider portions of the rod 148 (e.g., the portions extending along the major axis) are aligned with the upper opening 137 and these portion os the rod 148 are larger than the upper opening 137. Thus, the rod 148 is prevented from exiting the channel 136.

In exemplary embodiments, handle 156 moves about 10 percent of the way or more from the substantially upright position to the substantially downward position before straw portion 108 can be decoupled from cap portion 104. The removal of straw portion 108 facilitates cleaning of both the straw portion and cap portion 104. Once the user has cleaned the straw portion 108, the user couples the straw portion 108 to the cap portion 104 by inserting the rod 148 into the channel 136 with the handle 156 partially between the upright position and downward position, e.g., in the assembly position. The smaller width portion of the rod 148 is aligned with the upper opening 137 of the channel 136 such that the rod 148 is insertable through the upper opening 137 and into the channel 136. The same assembly and disassembly procedures may be used in the manufacturing of or assembly of the closure 100.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A closure for a bottle, the closure comprising:

a straw portion including a ball coupling and a sipper extending from the ball coupling, the ball coupling having a rod extending from opposite sides of the ball coupling generally perpendicular to the sipper, the rod having opposite ends and a handle arranged on the rod opposite ends, the sipper including a first internal region and a first aperture, the first internal region and the first aperture in fluid communication with the ball coupling, the ball coupling including a second aperture and a second internal region in fluid communication with the sipper; and

a cap portion adapted and configured to be attachable to the bottle, the cap portion having a top surface and including a reception area in the top surface, the reception area including collectively a channel, a straw area, and a closing area, the channel being adapted and configured to receive the rod such that the rod is rotatable within the channel and removable therefrom, the straw area having a third aperture and being adapted and configured to receive the ball coupling, the ball coupling being rotatable with the rod within the straw area between an aligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with straw area third aperture and a misaligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with straw area third aperture.

2. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ball coupling is journaled with the straw area.

3. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sipper first internal region and the ball coupling second internal region extend away from a center of the ball coupling at different angles.

4. A closure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a fourth aperture in the cap closing area and a stop formed on a bottom side of the sipper.

5. A closure in accordance with claim 4, wherein the stop seals the fourth aperture when the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with the straw area third aperture, and the stop unseals the fourth aperture when the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with the straw area third aperture.

6. A closure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a gasket positioned about the third aperture and adapted and configured to remain in place between the straw area and the ball coupling as the ball coupling rotates.

7. A closure for a bottle, the closure comprising:

a straw portion including a sipper, a handle, a ball coupling, and a rod, the sipper including a first internal region and a first aperture and extending from the ball coupling, the sipper first internal region and the first aperture being in fluid communication with the ball coupling, the rod extending from opposite sides of the ball coupling in a direction generally perpendicular to the sipper, the rod having a substantially oval cross-section with opposite ends, the handle extending from the opposite ends of the rod, the ball coupling including a second aperture and a second internal region in fluid communication with the sipper first internal region; and

a cap portion adapted and configured to be attachable to the bottle, the cap portion having a top surface and including a reception area in the top surface, the reception area including collectively a channel, a straw area, and a closing area, the channel being adapted and configured to receive the rod such that the rod is rotatable within the channel and removable therefrom, the channel being substantially circular in cross-section and having an upper opening running the length of the channel, the upper opening having a width less than the diameter of the substantially circular cross-section of the channel, the straw area having a third aperture, the straw area being adapted and configured to receive the ball coupling in a manner such that the ball coupling is rotatable within the straw area to align and misalign the ball coupling second aperture with the straw area third aperture.

8. A closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein the oval cross-section of the rod includes two squared off sides opposite each other, the dimension between the squared off sides is less than a dimension of a major axis of the oval cross-section of the rod.

9. A closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein the straw portion is rotatable between a closed position, an assembly position, and an open position, wherein in the closed position the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with the straw area third aperture and seals the straw area third aperture, and wherein in the open position the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with the straw area third aperture, and wherein in the assembly position the rod is oriented such that a minor axis of the oval cross section of the rod is substantially parallel with the upper opening in the channel thereby allowing the rod to be removed from the channel.

10. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw portion in the closed position the rod is oriented with respect to the upper opening such that the rod is retained within the channel, and wherein with the straw portion in the open position the rod is oriented with respect to the upper opening such that the rod is retained within the channel.

11. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw portion in the closed position, the sipper is at least partially in the closing area.

12. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw portion in the closed position, the handle is oriented substantially over the cap portion.

13. A closure in accordance with claim 9, wherein with the straw portion in the assembly position, the rod is rotated to a position intermediate of positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the straw portion.

14. A method comprising:

providing a closure for a bottle wherein the closure comprises a straw portion including a sipper, a handle, a ball coupling, and a rod, the sipper including a first internal region and a first aperture, the sipper first internal region and the first aperture in fluid extending from the ball coupling and in communication with the ball coupling, the rod extending from opposite sides of the ball coupling and having a substantially oval cross-section with a minor axis and a major axis, the handle extending from opposite ends of the rod, the ball coupling including a second aperture and a second internal region in fluid communication with the sipper, the closure further comprising a cap portion having a top surface and including a reception area in the top surface, the reception area including collectively a channel, a straw area, and a closing area, the straw area having a third aperture and being adapted and configured to receive the ball coupling such that the ball coupling is rotatable within the straw area and moveable between an aligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with the straw area third aperture and a misaligned position in which the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with the straw area third aperture, the channel being adapted and configured such that the rod is rotatable within the channel, and the channel being substantially circular in cross-section and having an upper opening running the length of the channel, the upper opening having a width less than the diameter of the substantially circular cross-section;

with the handle, rotating the rod to an assembly position where the rod is oriented such that the minor axis of the oval cross section of the rod is substantially parallel with the upper opening in the channel; and

removing the rod from the channel through the upper opening such that the straw portion is uncoupled from the cap portion.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 further comprising cleaning the straw portion.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising positioning the rod such that the minor axis is substantially parallel with the upper opening in the channel and inserting the rod into the channel through the upper opening.

17. A method in accordance with claim 14 further comprising coupling the cap portion to the bottle.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising with the handle rotating the straw portion to a closed positon where the ball coupling second aperture is misaligned with the straw area third aperture and the ball coupling seals the third aperture.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising with the handle rotating the straw portion to an open position where the ball coupling second aperture is aligned with the third aperture.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising applying a suction to the first aperture of the sipper and extracting a fluid through the third aperture of the straw area, the second aperture of the ball coupling, the second internal region of the ball coupling, the first internal region of the sipper, and the first aperture of the sipper.