LID ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Provided is a lid assembly including a lid removably coupled to a container, the lid having an opening extending therethrough for allowing liquid to flow into and out of the container and a recessed portion for receiving a storage portion, the recessed portion including one or more attachment devices configured to removably couple the storage portion to the lid when the storage portion is received by the recessed portion, the storage portion having a body defining a cavity, a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity, and one or more vents extending therethrough such that the cavity is in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the cover is in a closed position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/414,213 filed Oct. 7, 2022, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lid assembly for a container, and more particularly to a lid assembly for a water bottle for holding a dental appliance.

BACKGROUND

Storage containers, such as water bottles, may be provided to hold liquids or for transporting a drink. Water bottles may be made of plastic, glass, metal, etc. Water bottles may include a lid assembly that closes and seals the water bottle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, a lid assembly for a container is provided comprising a lid having an opening extending therethrough, and a storage portion removably coupled to the lid, the storage portion having a body defining a cavity and a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present application, a lid assembly for a container is provided comprising a lid having an opening extending therethrough, and a storage portion, the storage portion having a body defining a cavity and a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present application, a water bottle assembly is provided comprising a water bottle having a closed end configured to hold a liquid and an open end opposite the closed end, and a lid assembly including a lid threadably coupled to the open end of the water bottle. The lid has an opening extending therethrough for allowing liquid to flow into and out of the water bottle, and a recessed portion for receiving a storage portion. The storage portion has a body defining a cavity configured to store at least a mouth-guard and/or a dental retainer, a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity, and one or more vents extending therethrough such that the cavity is in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the cover is in a closed position. The recessed portion includes one or more magnets configured to mate with one or more magnets and/or magnetic material and/or ferromagnetic material of the storage portion such that the storage portion is removably coupled to the lid when received by the recessed portion.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary lid assembly.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the lid assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary lid of the lid assembly.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the lid of the lid assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary storage portion of the lid assembly in an open position.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the storage portion of the lid assembly in the open position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the lid assembly.

FIG. 8 is another exploded view of the lid assembly.

FIG. 9 is still another exploded view of the lid assembly.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary lid assembly.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary lid and storage portion of the lid assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the lid and storage portion of the lid assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary cover of the lid assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 10 in an open position.

FIG. 16 is another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 10 in the open position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary handle of the lid assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of still another exemplary lid assembly.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is another exploded perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an exemplary lid of the lid assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is still another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the lid of the lid assembly of FIG. 18 in an open position.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an exemplary storage portion of the lid assembly of FIG. 18 in an open position.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another exemplary storage portion of the lid assembly of FIG. 18 in an open position.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the storage portion of FIG. 26 of the lid assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary lid assembly.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is another exploded perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 in a detached and open position.

FIG. 32 is another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 in the detached and open position.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 in the open position.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an additional exemplary lid assembly.

FIG. 35 is an another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 34 in a closed spout position.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 34 in a closed spout and open door position.

FIG. 38 is a another perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 34 in a closed spout and open door position.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an exemplary lid and storage portion of the exemplary lid assembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another additional exemplary lid assembly.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 40 in an open cover position.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 40 in a partially-open spout position.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an exemplary lid of the lid assembly of FIG. 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles of the present application relate to a lid assembly for a container, such as a lid assembly for a water bottle, and thus will be described below in this context. It will be appreciated that the principles of the application may be applicable to lid assemblies for other containers, such as cups, mugs, bowls, food storage containers, etc.

Turning initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lid assembly is shown generally at reference numeral 10. The lid assembly 10 is configured to be removably coupled to a water bottle to close and/or seal the water bottle. The lid assembly 10 includes a lid 14 removably coupled to the water bottle and a storage portion 16 having a body 18 configured to be removably coupled to the lid 14 and a storage cover 20 pivotably coupled to the body 18. The lid assembly 10 may be made of any suitable material that is safe to drink from, capable of being washed, and resistant to daily wear and tear. For example, the lid assembly 10 may be made of a suitable plastic, such as polypropylene, copolyester, etc., or a suitable metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, etc. The appreciated water bottle may be made up of any suitable material, such as plastics, metal, glass, etc.

Turning additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid 14, which may be substantially circular in shape, includes a first or upper surface 30 and a wall 38 extending downwards from a perimeter of the first surface 30. The first surface 30 includes an opening 32 extending therethrough for liquid in the water bottle to exit, and a recessed portion 34 defining an area for receiving the body 18.

The opening 32 is situated proximate the perimeter of the first surface 30 such that the opening 32 is accessible to a user's mouth. It will be appreciated that the opening 32 may be rounded, rectangular, obround, etc., and may be sized to accommodate a drinking straw. It will be appreciated that the first surface 30 may be raised proximate the opening 32 to form a lip or spout. In an implementation, a cap may be removably coupled to the lid 14 to close the opening 32. For example, the cap may be a plug configured to be inserted into the opening 32, a covering member configured to close the opening 32 via a snap connection, a covering member configured to slidingly close the opening 32, etc.

The recessed portion 34 includes a second surface 44, a recess wall 46, and one or more attachment recesses 36, and as shown three attachment recesses 36 spaced about the recessed portion 34. The recessed portion 34 may have a suitable shape, such as a substantially semicircular shape and be situated such that a peak of a curved portion of the semicircular recessed portion 34 is opposite the opening 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the second surface 44 is shaped to be complement to a bottom 62 of the storage portion 16. For example, the second surface 44 may be substantially planar to complement a substantially planar bottom 62 of the storage portion 16.

Received in the one or more attachment recesses 36 are corresponding attachment devices 42 for removably coupling the storage portion 16 to the lid 14. The attachment recesses 36 may be substantially cylindrical to receive a corresponding substantially cylindrical attachment device 42, although it will be appreciated that the attachment recesses 36 may have any suitable shape. The attachment device 42 may be a suitable attachment device 42 to allow for a removable connection between the lid 14 and storage portion 16, such as a magnet received in and coupled to the attachment recess 36. The magnets are configured to be flush with the second surface 44 such that the bottom 62 of the storage portion 16 is flush in the recessed portion 34 and the magnets mate with one or more magnets or a ferromagnetic material of the storage portion 16. Alternatively, the one or more attachment devices 42 and attachment recesses 36 may be configured such that upper surfaces of the attachment devices 42 are not flush with the second surface 44 to effect a snap connection to one or more coupling recesses on the storage portion 16.

The wall 38 is configured to be removably coupled to a water bottle and to create a seal between the lid 14 and the water bottle. For example, the wall 38 may include threads 40 on an inner surface thereof to threadably couple to corresponding threads on the water bottle. Alternatively, the wall 38 may be coupled to the water bottle in other suitable manners, such as a snap connection to the water bottle via a coupling ring at an end of the wall 38 opposite the first surface 30. The wall 38 may include a suitable seal, such as an O-ring fitted into a seal groove on the wall 38 or a lower surface of the first surface 30.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage portion 16 will be described in detail. The body 18 of the storage portion 16 includes a bottom 62 and a wall 64 extending upwards from a perimeter of the bottom 62 to define a cavity 60 for storing items, such as dental appliances, such as a mouth-guard or a retainer. As noted above, the body 18 is configured to be removably coupled to and received by the recessed portion 34 of the lid 14 with the bottom 62 being configured to complement the second surface 44 and at least a portion of the wall 64 being configured to complement the recess wall 46. The bottom 62 includes or is made of a magnet or ferromagnetic material to mate with the magnetic attachment devices 42. It will be appreciated that the bottom 62 may alternatively be molded around magnets or ferromagnetic material components to effect the attachment.

The body 18 further includes a shoulder 66 raised from at least one end of the perimeter of the bottom 62, and the wall 64 extends upwards from a combined perimeter of the bottom 62 and shoulder 66 to further define the cavity 60. The shoulder 66 is a crescent-shaped planar surface, although it will be appreciated that the end of the shoulder 66 may be rounded, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc.

The cover 20 includes a top 68 and a wall 70 extending downwards from a perimeter of the top 68. The cover 20 has shape corresponding to the shape of the body 18 to close or substantially close the cavity 60. The perimeter of the cover 20 is larger and geometrically similar to the perimeter of the body 18 such that when the cover 20 is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, the perimeter of the body 18 is enclosed by the cover 20. It will be appreciated that the cover 20 may be any shape or size capable of closing the cavity 60 such that items stored in the cavity 60 are prevented from being inadvertently removed from the cavity 60.

To removably couple the front of the cover 20 to the front of the body 18, the storage portion 16 includes projections 72 projecting outward from the wall 64 of the body 18 and one or more projections 76 projecting inward from the wall 70 of the cover 20. The one or more projections 76 is received between a pair of projections 72 to removably couple the fronts of the body 18 and cover 20 together. It will be appreciated that the fronts of the cover 20 and body 18 may be coupled in any suitable manner.

To pivotably couple the rear of the cover 20 to the rear of the body 18 to allow the cover 20 to pivot between a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage portion 16 includes a bar 80 coupled to the body 18 in a suitable manner, such as by a living hinge. The bar 80 includes a plurality of spaced projections 82 configured to engage a respective slot 84 formed in the wall 70 of the cover 20. The projections 82 and slots 84 are removably coupled together to removably couple the cover 20 to the body 18 to allow for washing for example. It will be appreciated that the body 18 and cover 20 may be pivotably coupled in other suitable manners, such as by a flexible plastic joint, snap together pivot mechanism, etc.

To place the cavity 60 in communication with the atmosphere to allow for drying of a component in the cavity 60 and to resist bacteria growth when in the closed position, the storage portion 16 further includes one or more vents 88. The one or more vents 88 are defined by one or more dips in the wall 64 of the body 18 at least partially aligned with one or more dips in the opposite direction in the wall 70 of the cover 20. By at least partially aligning a dip in the wall 64 of the body 18 with a dip in the wall 70 of the cover 20, a passage is formed therethrough when the cover 20 is in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more vents 88 may be one or more openings in the cover 20 and/or body 18.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-13, an exemplary embodiment of the lid assembly is shown at 110. The lid assembly 110 is substantially the same as the above-referenced lid assembly 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 100 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the lid assemblies. In addition, the foregoing description of the lid assembly 10 is equally applicable to the lid assembly 110 except as noted below.

The lid assembly 110 includes a lid 114 removably coupled to a water bottle 112 and a cover 120 pivotably coupled to the lid 114. The lid 114 includes a body 118 defining a cavity 160 and forming a bottom part of a storage portion 116. The cavity 160 is closed by the cover 120 and one or more vents 188 are provided between the body 118 and the cover 120.

The lid 114, which may be substantially circular in shape, includes a first or upper surface 130 and a wall 138 extending downwards from a perimeter of the first surface 130. The first surface 130 includes an opening 132 extending therethrough and a u-shaped recessed portion 134 defining a bottom 162 of the storage portion 116 and situated such that a peak of a curved portion of the u-shaped recessed portion 134 is opposite the opening 132. The opening 132 is situated proximate the perimeter of the first surface 130 and includes a wall extending angularly upwards from a perimeter of the opening 132 to define a spout 150. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the spout 150 includes internal threads 152 at an end of the spout opposite the first surface 130 for threadably coupling to a cap 154 for closing the opening 132. The cap 154 is removably tethered by a cable or any suitable connector to an anchor 156 attached to the wall 138 of the lid 114 to allow the cap 154 to be removed from the opening 132 without being lost or misplaced.

The wall 138 is configured to be removably coupled to the water bottle 112 and to create a seal between the lid 114 and the water bottle 112. For example, the wall 138 may include threads 140 on an inner surface thereof to threadably couple to corresponding threads on the water bottle 112.

Turning additionally to FIGS. 14 and 15, the storage portion 116 will be described in detail. The storage portion 116 is formed by the body 118 and the cover 120. The body 118 of the storage portion 116 includes a bottom 162 and a wall 164 extending upwards from a perimeter of the bottom 162 and beyond the first surface 130 to define the cavity 160 for storing items, such as dental appliances.

The body 118 further includes a shoulder 166 raised from at least one end of the perimeter of the bottom 162, and the wall 164 extends upwards from a combined perimeter of the bottom 162 and shoulder 166 to further define the cavity 160. The shoulder 166 is a crescent-shaped planar surface, although it will be appreciated that the end of the shoulder 166 may be rounded, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc.

To removably couple the front of the cover 120 to the front of the body 118, the storage portion 116 includes projections 172 projecting outward from the wall 164 of the body 118 and one or more projections projecting inward from the wall 170 of the cover 120. The one or more projections of the cover 120 is received below a projection 172 of the body 118 to removably couple the fronts of the body 118 and cover 120 together.

The rear of the cover 120 may be pivotably coupled to the rear of the body 118 to allow the cover 120 to pivot between a closed position shown in FIG. 11 and an open position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. For example, the body 118 may include two receiving blocks 180 formed at intersections of the first surface 130 and the wall 164 of the body 118. Each receiving block 180 includes a cavity 182 configured to receive a respective projection 186 extending from pivot members 184 that project from the wall 170 of the cover 120. The projections 186 and cavities 182 are removably coupled together to removably couple the cover 120 to the body 118.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 17, the lid assembly 110 includes a handle 190 pivotably coupled to the storage portion 116. The handle 190 includes a base member 196, a first arm 198 projecting from one side of the base member 196, and a second arm 200 projecting from the other side of the base member 196. The first and second arms 198 and 200 project from the base member 196 to form a substantially u-shaped handle 190. Each arm 198, 200 includes a boss 194 extending inwards therefrom for removably coupling to respective ports 192 formed on the wall 164 of the body 118 to allow the handle 190 to pivot about the ports 192. The base member 196 of the handle 190 includes support members 202 extending curvedly outwards from sides of the base member 196 configured to support a phone or other object such that the phone may be placed on the support member 202 and leaned against the water bottle 112 and/or lid assembly 110. The support member 202 may be integrally formed with the base member 196 or coupled thereto in a suitable manner.

Turning now to FIGS. 18-21, an exemplary embodiment of the lid assembly is shown at 310. The lid assembly 310 is substantially the same as the above-referenced lid assembly 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 300 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the lid assemblies. In addition, the foregoing description of the lid assembly 10 is equally applicable to the lid assembly 310 except as noted below.

The lid assembly 310 includes a lid 314 removably coupled to a water bottle 312 and a storage portion 316 pivotably attached to the lid 314. The storage portion 316 includes a body 318 defining upper and lower cavities 360 and 394, a cover 320 pivotably attached to the body 318 for closing the upper cavity 360, and one or more vents 388 extending through the body 318.

The lid 314, which may be substantially circular in shape, includes a first surface 330 and a wall 338 extending downwards from a perimeter of the first surface 330 for threadably coupling the lid 314 to a water bottle 312. The first surface 330 includes an opening 332 extending therethrough for liquid in the water bottle 312 to exit. The wall 338 is configured to be removably coupled to the water bottle 312 to create a seal between the lid 314 and the water bottle 312. For example, the wall 338 may include threads 340 on an inner surface thereof to threadably couple to corresponding threads on the water bottle 312.

The opening 332 is situated proximate the perimeter of the first surface 330 and includes a wall extending angularly upwards from a perimeter of the opening 332 to define a spout 350. The spout 350 is closed by a cap 354 having a stem 356 extending upwards from the cap 354 and to be received by an aperture 358 formed in a floor 362 of the storage portion 316. The cap 354 may be made of any suitable material, for example rubber, plastic, etc.

Turning additionally to FIGS. 22-25, the storage portion 316 will be described in detail. The body 318 of the storage portion 316 includes a floor 362, a wall 364 extending downward from a perimeter of the floor 362 to define a lower cavity 394 that houses the spout 350, and a dome 390 extending upward from the perimeter of the floor 362. The dome 390 has an opening 392 defining an upper cavity 360 for receiving a dental appliance. The floor 362 includes an aperture 358 extending therethrough configured to receive the stem 356 of the cap 354 from the lower cavity 394.

To removably couple the front of the storage portion 316 to the front of the lid 314, the lid 314 includes a biased hinge member 398, for example a spring loaded clip, configured to receive and hold a frame member 400 attached to and projecting downward from the wall 364 of the body 318. The frame member 400 is received and held by the biased hinge member 398 to removably couple the fronts of the lid 314 and storage portion 316 together.

To pivotably couple the rear of the storage portion 316 to the rear of the lid 314 to allow the storage portion 316 to pivot between a closed position shown in FIG. 22 and an open position shown in FIG. 24, the lid 314 includes two spaced members 402 projecting upwards from the wall of the lid 314 having a substantially horizontal cylindrical opening extending therethrough. The storage portion 316 includes one member 404 projecting downwards from the wall 364 of the body 318 having a substantially horizontal cylindrical opening extending therethrough configured to interlock with the two spaced members 402 of the lid 314 and align the cylindrical openings. A pin 406 is inserted into the aligned cylindrical openings to pivotably couple the storage portion 316 to the lid 314.

The cover 320 of the storage portion 316 is pivotably attached to the body 318 and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening of the dome or to substantially close the opening 392 of the dome 390. A perimeter of the cover 320 is larger and geometrically similar to a perimeter of the opening 392 of the dome 390 such that when the cover 320 is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 22, the perimeter of the opening 392 is closed by the cover 320.

To removably couple the front of the cover 320 to the front of the body 318, the body 318 includes a rectangular feature 372 projecting from the body 318 housing a first magnet 374 configured to mate with a second magnet 378 housed in a second rectangular feature 376 projecting from the cover 320. The first and second magnets 374 and 378 are configured to removably couple the fronts of the cover 320 and the body 318 together.

To pivotably couple the rear of the cover 320 to the body 318 to allow the cover 320 to pivot between a closed position as shown in FIG. 22 and an open position as shown in FIG. 25, the body 318 includes two ports 380 formed on the dome 390 inside the upper cavity 360. The ports 380 are configured to receive a boss 386 projecting from arms 384 extending downwards from the cover 320. The bosses 386 and ports 380 are removably coupled together to removably couple the cover 320 to the body 318. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the ports 380 of the body 318 may be situated outside of the body 318 and configured to pivotably couple to a boss 386 of an arm 384 of the cover 320 such that the cover 320 pivots externally over the opening 392 of the dome 390.

To place the upper cavity 360 in communication with the atmosphere when the cover 320 is in a closed position, the storage portion 316 further includes one or more vents 388. The one or more vents 388 are one or more elongated openings in the dome 390 extending therethrough.

Turning now to FIGS. 28-33, an exemplary embodiment of the lid assembly is shown at 510. The lid assembly 510 is substantially the same as the above-referenced lid assembly 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 500 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the lid assemblies. In addition, the foregoing description of the lid assembly 10 is equally applicable to the lid assembly 510 except as noted below.

The lid assembly 510 includes a lid 514 removably coupled to a water bottle 512 and a storage portion 516 removably attached to the lid 514. The storage portion 516 includes a body 518 defining a cavity 560, a cover 520 pivotably attached to the body 518 for closing the cavity 560, and one or more vents 588 extending through the body 518.

The lid 514, which may be substantially circular in shape, includes a first surface 530, an upper wall 548 circumscribing the first surface 530, and a lower wall 538 extending downward from a perimeter of the upper wall 548 for threadably coupling the lid 514 to a water bottle 512. Wall projections 550 are formed at an intersection of the upper and lower walls 548 and 538 for aligning the lid 514 with the storage portion 516. The lower wall 538 is configured to be removably coupled to the water bottle 512 to create a seal between the lid 514 and the water bottle 512. For example, the lower wall 538 may include threads 540 on an inner surface thereof to threadably couple to corresponding threads on the water bottle 512.

The first surface 530 is positioned below a top of the upper wall 548 to form an attachment recess 536 for receiving a first attachment device 542. The first attachment device 542 may be a suitable attachment device to allow for a removable connection between the lid 514 and storage portion 516, such as a magnet received in and coupled to the attachment recess 536. The magnet is configured to be flush with the top of the upper wall 548 such that a floor 562 of the storage portion 516 abuts the first attachment device 542 and the magnet 542 mates with a second attachment device 598, which may be a suitable attachment device, such as a magnet or a ferromagnetic material coupled to the storage portion 516.

The body 518 of the storage portion 516 includes the floor 562 having a raised portion 596 for housing the second attachment device 598, a wall 564 extending downward from a perimeter of the floor 562, and a dome 590 extending upward from the perimeter of the floor 562. The dome 590 has an opening 592 defining a cavity 560 for receiving a dental appliance. The second attachment device 598 may be configured to be received in and coupled to the raised portion 596 such that the second attachment device 598 is flush with a bottom of the floor 562. The wall 564 includes recesses 600 at a bottom of the wall 564 configured to receive the wall projections 550 of the lid 514.

To removably couple the storage portion 516 to the lid 514, the upper wall 548 of the lid 514 is received by the wall 564 of the body 518. The wall projections 550 of the lid 514 may be aligned with and received by the recesses 600 of the wall 564 of the body 518, a bottom of the wall 564 of the body 518 mates with a top of the lower wall 538 of the lid 514, and the first attachment device 542 magnetically mates with the second attachment device 598. The wall projections 550 of the lid 514 are received by the recesses 600 of the wall 564 of the body 518 to secure the orientation of the storage portion 516 in relation to the lid 514. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the wall 564 of the body 518 may be threadably coupled to the upper wall 548 of the lid 514 to effect the attachment, or in some other suitable manner.

The cover 520 of the storage portion 516 is pivotably attached to the body 518, has a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 592 of the dome 590 or to substantially close the opening 592 of the dome 590, and includes a bar 582 extending from a front of the cover 520 for operating the cover 520. A perimeter of the cover 520 is larger and geometrically similar to a perimeter of the opening 592 of the dome 590 such that when the cover 520 is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 28, the perimeter of the opening 592 is closed by the cover 520.

To removably couple the front of the cover 520 to the front of the body 518, the body 518 includes a first projection 572 projecting from the floor 562 that houses a first magnet 574 configured to mate with a second magnet 578 housed in a second projection 576 projecting from an underside of the cover 520. The first and second magnets 574 and 578 are configured to removably couple the front ends of the cover 520 and the body 518 together.

To pivotably couple the rear of the cover 520 to the body 518 to allow the cover 520 to pivot between a closed position as shown in FIG. 28 and an open position as shown in FIGS. 31-33, the body 518 includes two ports 580 formed through the dome 590 of the body 518 on opposite sides thereof. The ports 580 are configured to receive a boss 586 projecting from arms 584 extending downwards from the cover 520. The bosses 586 and ports 580 are removably coupled together to removably couple the cover 520 to the body 518.

To place the cavity 560 in communication with the atmosphere when the cover 520 is in a closed position, the storage portion 516 further includes one or more vents 588. The one or more vents 588 are one or more elongated openings in the dome 590 extending therethrough.

Turning now to FIGS. 34-39, an exemplary embodiment of the lid assembly is shown at 710. The lid assembly 710 is substantially the same as the above-referenced lid assembly 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 700 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the lid assemblies. In addition, the foregoing description of the lid assembly 10 is equally applicable to the lid assembly 710 except as noted below.

The lid assembly 710 includes a lid 714 removably coupled to a water bottle and a storage portion 716 integrally formed with the lid 714. The storage portion 716 includes a body 718 defining a cavity 760 and a door 720 slidably attached to the body for closing the cavity 760.

The lid 714, which may be substantially circular in shape, includes a first surface 730 and a wall 738 extending downwards from a perimeter of the first surface 730 for threadably coupling the lid 714 to a water bottle. The wall 738 is configured to be removably coupled to the water bottle to create a seal between the lid 714 and the water bottle. For example, the wall 738 may include threads 740 on an inner surface thereof to threadably couple to corresponding threads on the water bottle.

The first surface 730 defines a floor 762 of the cavity 760 of the storage portion 716 and includes a passageway 732 extending therethrough for liquid in the water bottle to exit. The passageway 732 is situated proximate the perimeter of the first surface 730 and includes a lower wall 734 extending vertically downward from the floor 762 and an upper wall 736 extending vertically upwards from the floor 762. As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the upper wall 736 of the passageway 732 is configured to extend through the cavity 760 to a top 768 of the storage portion 716. The lower wall 734 of the passageway 732 is configured to removably receive a straw such that liquid in the water bottle may flow into the straw and through the passageway 732. Alternatively, the lower wall 734 of the passageway 732 may be configured to removably receive a straw.

The storage portion 716 is formed by the body 718 and the door 720. The body 718 of the storage portion 716 includes a top 768 and a wall 764 extending downwards from a perimeter of the top 768 to the first surface 730 to define the cavity 760 for storing items, such as dental appliances.

The top 768 of the body 718 includes a recessed portion 770 configured to pivotably receive a spout 750 and having an opening 774 extending therethrough to communicate with the passageway 732, and a handle 790 extending generally upwards from the top 768. The spout 750 includes a passageway 752 and is configured to pivot between a closed horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 36, and an upright open position, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. When the spout 750 is in the closed horizontal position the spout 750 closes the opening 774 of the top 768 and when the spout 750 is in the upright open position a user may use the spout 750 as a straw to draw liquid through the passageway 732 of the lid 714, out the opening 774 of the top 768, and through the passageway 752 of the spout 750 to the user's mouth. Alternatively, the spout 750 may be configured such that when the spout 750 is in the upright open position a user may use gravity to transfer liquid out of the water bottle by tilting the water bottle thereby causing liquid to travel through the passageway 732 of the lid 714, out the opening 774 of the top 768, and through the passageway 752 of the spout 750.

The handle 790 of the top 768 is substantially u-shaped having two projecting members 792 extending angularly upwards from opposite sides of the top 768 of the body 718 and being connected by a bar 794 at an end of each projecting member 792 opposite the top 768 of the body 718. It will be appreciated that the handle 790 may be any suitable size or shape to allow a user to carry the water bottle and lid assembly 710 or to attach the water bottle and lid assembly 710 to a bag or other equipment.

The wall 764 of the body 718 includes a side opening 766 extending therethrough for providing access to the cavity 760. The side opening 766 is positioned at an end of the storage portion 716 opposite the passageway 732 of the lid 714. It will be appreciated that the side opening 766 may be positioned at any end of the storage portion 716 where the upper wall 736 of the passageway 732 does not hinder access to the cavity 760.

The door 720 of the storage portion 716 is slidably coupled to the body 718 for closing the side opening 766 to the cavity 760, has a shape corresponding to the shape of the side opening 766 or to substantially close the side opening 766, and includes a projection 782 extending outwards from a front of the door 720 for operating the door 720. A perimeter of the door 720 is larger and geometrically similar to a perimeter of the side opening 766 such that when the door 720 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 36, the perimeter of the side opening 766 is closed by the door 720.

To couple the door 720 to the body, the first surface 730 of the lid 714 and a bottom of the top 768 of the storage portion 716 include corresponding grooves 798 configured to slidably receive the door 720. The corresponding grooves 798 are configured to have a depth such that the door 720 may be secured between the first surface 730 of the lid 714 and the top 768 of the storage portion 716 in a substantially upright position, and a length such that the door 720 may slide in the corresponding grooves 798 between a first closed position aligned with the side opening 766, as shown in FIG. 36, and a second open position away from the side opening 766, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38. It will be appreciated that the door 720 may be coupled to the body 718 by any suitable means. For example, the door 720 may be hingedly coupled to the body 718 and removably secured in a closed position using magnets, a hook and loop system, snap mechanisms, latch mechanisms, etc.

To place the cavity 760 in communication with the atmosphere when the door 720 is in a closed position, the door 720 further includes one or more vents 788. The one or more vents 788 are one or more elongated openings in the door 720 extending therethrough. Alternatively, the one or more vents 788 may be one or more elongated openings in the wall 764 of the body 718 extending therethrough. It will be appreciated that the vents 788 may be any size or shape capable of placing the cavity 760 in communication with the atmosphere without allowing items stored in the cavity 760 from being inadvertently removed from the cavity 760.

Turning now to FIGS. 40-43, an exemplary embodiment of the lid assembly is shown at 910. The lid assembly 910 is substantially the same as the above-referenced lid assembly 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 900 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the lid assemblies. In addition, the foregoing description of the lid assembly 10 is equally applicable to the lid assembly 910 except as noted below.

The lid assembly 910 includes a lid 914 removably coupled to a water bottle and a cover 920 pivotably coupled to the lid 914. The lid 914 includes a raised portion 948 for pivotably receiving a spout 950. The cover 920 defines a cavity 960 for storing items, such as dental appliances, and includes one or more vents putting the cavity 960 in communication with the atmosphere.

The lid 914, which may be substantially circular in shape, includes a first or upper surface 930 and a wall 938 extending downwards from a perimeter of the first surface 930. The first surface 930 includes an opening 932 extending therethrough situated proximate the perimeter of the first surface 930, a raised portion 948 extending upwards from a perimeter of the opening 932, and a surface extension 944 extending horizontally outwards from an end of the first surface 930 opposite the opening 932.

The raised portion 948 is configured to pivotably receive a spout 950. The spout 950 includes a passageway 952 and is configured to pivot between a horizontal closed position and an upright open position. When the spout 950 is in the horizontal closed position the spout 950 closes the opening 932 of the first surface 930. When the spout 950 is in the upright open position a user may use gravity to transfer liquid out of the water bottle by tilting the water bottle thereby causing liquid to travel through the opening 932 of first surface 930 to the passageway 952 of the spout 950 and out of the water bottle. Alternatively, a straw may be received in a bottom of the opening 932 of the first surface 930 and the spout 950 may be configured such that when the spout 950 is in the upright open position a user may draw liquid from the water bottle through the straw, out the opening 932 of the first surface 930, and through the passageway 952 of the spout 950 to the user's mouth.

The wall 938 of the lid 914 is configured to be removably coupled to the water bottle and to create a seal between the lid 914 and the water bottle. For example, the wall 938 may include threads on an inner surface thereof to threadably couple to corresponding threads on the water bottle.

The cover 920, which is substantially u-shaped, includes a top 968 and a wall 970 extending downwards from a perimeter of the top 968. The shape of the cover 920 is configured such that an outer wall 974 of the cover 920 is substantially flush with a perimeter of a portion of the lid 914 including the surface extension 944 and such that an inner wall 978 of the cover 920 is complement to the raised portion 948 of the lid 914. The cover 920 is pivotably coupled to the lid 914 such that the cover 920 defines a cavity 960 when the cover 920 is in a closed position.

To pivotably couple the cover 920 to the lid 914 to allow the cover 920 to pivot between the closed position as shown in FIG. 40 and an open position as shown in FIG. 41, the lid assembly 910 may include a hinge assembly having a plurality of interlocking members each having a substantially horizontal cylindrical opening extending therethrough for receiving a rod. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly includes two interlocking members formed on the cover 920 and one interlocking member formed on the lid 914. The interlocking member formed on the lid 914 is configured to be received between the interlocking members formed on the cover 920 such that the rod may be inserted through the interlocking members. It will be appreciated that the hinge assembly may include any number and/or arrangement of interlocking members suitable to pivotably couple the cover 920 to the lid 914.

To place the cavity 960 in communication with the atmosphere when the cover 920 is in a closed position, the cover 920 may further include one or more vents. The one or more vents 788 may be one or more elongated openings in the cover 920 extending therethrough. It will be appreciated that the vents may be any size or shape capable of placing the cavity 960 in communication with the atmosphere without allowing items stored in the cavity 960 from being inadvertently removed from the cavity 960.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.

Claims

1. A lid assembly for a container comprising:

a lid having an opening extending therethrough; and

a storage portion removably coupled to the lid, the storage portion having a body defining a cavity and a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity.

2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid has a recessed portion for receiving a bottom of the storage portion.

3. The lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein the lid includes one or more attachment devices in the recessed portion for removably coupling to the storage portion.

4. The lid assembly according to claim 3, wherein the one or more attachment devices includes one or more magnets and the storage portion includes one or more magnets and/or includes magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material.

5. The lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein the bottom of the storage portion is received by the recessed portion via a snapping connection.

6. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion includes one or more vents extending therethrough such that the cavity is in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the cover is in a closed position.

7. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion includes a closing mechanism for securing the cover to the body when the cover is in a closed position.

8. The lid assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover is removably coupled to the body.

9. The lid assembly according to claim 1 wherein the opening is a raised portion defining a spout and the lid includes a cap for closing the opening.

10. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is configured to store a mouth-guard and/or dental retainer.

11. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion is pivotably attached to the lid.

12. A lid assembly for a water bottle comprising:

a lid having an opening extending therethrough; and

a storage portion having a body defining a cavity and a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity.

13. The lid assembly according to claim 12, the lid having a recessed portion defining a bottom of the storage portion.

14. The lid assembly according to claim 12 wherein the lid and the body of the storage portion are one piece.

15. The lid assembly according to claim 12, the storage portion including a vent extending therethrough such that the cavity is in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the cover is in a closed position.

16. The lid assembly according to claim 12, the storage portion including a closing mechanism for securing the cover to the body when the cover is in a closed position.

17. The lid assembly according to claim 12 wherein the opening is a raised portion defining a spout and the lid includes a cap for closing the opening.

18. The lid assembly according to claim 12 wherein an upper end of the opening is configured to pivotably receive a spout capable of pivoting between an upright open position and a horizontal closed position.

19. The lid assembly according to claim 12 wherein the cavity is configured to store a mouth-guard and/or dental retainer.

20. A water bottle assembly comprising:

a water bottle having a closed end configured to hold a liquid and an open end opposite the closed end; and

a lid assembly including a lid threadably coupled to the open end of the water bottle, the lid having an opening extending therethrough for allowing liquid to flow into and out of the water bottle and a recessed portion for receiving a storage portion, the storage portion having a body defining a cavity configured to store at least a mouth-guard and/or a dental retainer, a cover pivotably attached to the body for closing the cavity, and one or more vents extending therethrough such that the cavity is in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the cover is in a closed position,

wherein the recessed portion includes one or more magnets configured to mate with one more magnets and/or magnetic material and/or ferromagnetic material of the storage portion such that the storage portion is removably coupled to the lid when received by the recessed portion.