Stackable Bottle

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a bottle container designed with a flattened oblong shape, allowing for easy stacking of multiple bottle containers and storage in narrow pockets etc. The bottle container is also modular, with a lockable, resealable connection between two container elements allowing it to be opened and for the interior to be accessed and cleaned through an opening that is as wide as the bottle container itself.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to liquid containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a construction of a bottle container that enables ease of storage, stacking, and cleaning.

BACKGROUND

Re-usable water bottles are becoming ever more popular as environmental awareness of the damage caused by the mass production of disposable bottles has increased, and various designs are being brought to market every day.

Despite this, few designs have yet to address two major inconveniences associated with re-usable water bottles. Firstly, they are inconvenient to carry, stack, and store due to their traditional rounded shape. Secondly, the interior of the bottles is difficult to clean effectively, since there is only a single inlet that is narrower than the chamber that needs to be cleaned.

It is within this context that the present invention is provided.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a bottle container designed with a flattened oblong shape, allowing for easy stacking of multiple bottle containers and storage in narrow pockets etc. The bottle container is also modular, with a lockable, resealable connection between two container elements allowing it to be opened and for the interior to be accessed and cleaned through an opening that is as wide as the bottle container itself.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bottle, comprising: a first container element having a closed-end and an open end, one or more locking indents being formed on the interior surfaces adjacent to the open end; a second container element having a closed-end and an open-end, the closed-end d having an outlet formed through it which is connected to a spout disposed on an exterior surface, the open end being configured to form a resealable connection with the open end of the first container element, and further comprising a locking mechanism configured to engage with the one or more locking indents of the first container element to maintain the resealable connection; and a lid configured to form a second resealable connection over the spout of the second container element.

When connected together the first container, second container, and lid form a flattened oblong shape with flat outer surfaces and a height and width each greater than the depth of the container.

In some embodiments, the second container element further comprises an inlet for maintaining pressure levels as liquid leaves the container through the outlet.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism is connected to a release button which may be actuated to disengage the locking mechanism from the locking indents of the first container.

Furthermore, the locking mechanism may comprise a spring biasing opposing protrusions outwards, the protrusions being aligned with the locking indents when the second container element is connected with the first.

In some embodiments, the resealable connections between the first container element and second container element and between the second container element and the lid each comprise rubber gaskets forming a waterproof seal with an interior surface of an opposing element.

In some embodiments, the first container element and second container element are of equal width and depth.

In some embodiments, the walls of the first container element and the second container element are transparent.

In such cases, the bottle may further comprises an opaque rubber sleeve covering the portions of the first container element and second container element with the resealable connection.

In some embodiments, a detachable rubber grip is provided on the exterior of the first container element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example configuration of the disclosed bottle container with the first container element, second container element, and lid separated from one another.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the second container element and lid viewed from below with the interior components and locking mechanism visible.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second container element to show the workings of the locking mechanism in more detail.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the example configuration of the bottle container in an assembled state.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of multiple bottle containers of the example configuration piled together in a stack.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims.

Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The present disclosure provides a stackable bottle container constructed in a flattened shape and formed of two container elements forming a resealable connection such that the container can be opened and easily accessed and cleaned from an opening that is as wide as the container chamber itself.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example configuration of the bottle container 100 is shown in an exploded view with the first container element 102, second container element 104, and lid 106 separated from one another.

As shown, each of the first and second container elements each have a closed end and an open end. The open ends have an identical cross section which is wider than it is deep, such that when connected together they formed a flat square container that can easily be stacked in multiples during transport or slipped into the flat pocket of a satchel or rucksack for convenience.

In the present example, the resealable connection between the first container element 102 and the second container element 104 is provided by rubber gasket 108, which protrudes from the bottom of the second container element 104 and is aligned with the internal surfaces of the first container element 102, forming a leak proof chamber with it when the two are connected together.

The second container element has an outlet which feeds through to drinking spout 110, and the interior of the lid 106 (which is shown designed in a shape complete the smooth oblong shape of the bottle container when placed over the second container element 104) is provided with a second rubber gasket element 112 which forms a resealable leak proof connection in a similar manner. To drink from the container, a user simply removes the lid 106 from the second container element 104, breaking the seal, and puts their lips to the water spout 110 to drink the fluid in the container 100. An air inlet 122 is also provided atop the second container element 104 to regulate pressure within the container as the user drinks.

To prevent the first and second container elements from coming apart during use or transport, a lock mechanism is also provided. The lock mechanism is installed in the second container element 104 and in the present example is in the form of a pair of spring-loaded protrusions 114 which are biased outwards by a central spring mechanism. A corresponding pair of locking indents 116 are provided on the internal walls of the first container element 102. When the two container elements are connected together, the protrusions 114 align with and slot into the indents 116, locking the two elements together until a release mechanism, in the present example the button 118, is actuated.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the locking mechanism of the present example can be seen in more detail, with the spring 120 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2 and also in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, there is a lock and release mechanism disposed on either side of the container. Each release button 118 is mechanically connected to a corresponding protrusion 114 such that actuation of the button 118 causes the protrusions 114 to be retracted inwards, unlocking it from the corresponding indent 116. A centrally disposed spring 120 biases both protrusions 114 outwards, ensuring that they return to their extended positions after external pressure is removed from the button 118.

FIG. 3 also shows how the rubber gasket 108 forms a seal with the inner surfaces of the first container element 102.

Returning to FIG. 1, the example configuration shown has a portion 124 of the container body made from a transparent material such as a clear plastic. This is visually appealing to may users and can also allow them to determine how much fluid remains in the container at a glance. The present example also has a rubber sleeve 126 disposed over the transparent portions to cover at least the portion of the container where the two container elements are connected, maintaining a simple and elegant aesthetic.

FIG. 4 shows the whole bottle container of the example construction as it would appear with the first container 102, second container 104, and lid 106 assembled together and sealed.

FIG. 5 shows a stack of the containers. As can be seen, they can easily and stably be placed atop one another making efficient use of space.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the bottle container have been described in a specific manner referring to the illustrated embodiments, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of solutions which fit within the scope and spirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

1. A bottle, comprising:

a first container element having a closed end and an open end, one or more locking indents being formed on the interior surfaces adjacent to the open end;

a second container element having a closed end and an open end, the closed end having an outlet formed through it which is connected to a spout disposed on an exterior surface, the open end being configured to form a resealable connection with the open end of the first container element, and further comprising a locking mechanism configured to engage with the one or more locking indents of the first container element to maintain the resealable connection; and

a lid configured to form a second resealable connection over the spout of the second container element;

wherein when connected together the first container, second container, and lid form a flattened oblong shape with flat outer surfaces and a height and width each greater than the depth of the container.

2. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein the second container element further comprises an inlet for maintaining pressure levels as liquid leaves the container through the outlet.

3. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is connected to a release button which may be actuated to disengage the locking mechanism from the locking indents of the first container.

4. A bottle according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring biasing opposing protrusions outwards, the protrusions being aligned with the locking indents when the second container element is connected with the first.

5. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein the resealable connections between the first container element and second container element and between the second container element and the lid each comprise rubber gaskets forming a waterproof seal with an interior surface of an opposing element.

6. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein the first container element and second container element are of equal width and depth.

7. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein the walls of the first container element and the second container element are transparent.

8. A bottle according to claim 7, wherein the bottle further comprises an opaque rubber sleeve covering the portions of the first container element and second container element with the resealable connection.

9. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein a detachable rubber grip is provided on the exterior of the first container element.