Integral Or Nonseparable Patents (Class 215/389)
  • Patent number: 11345524
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a container body and a lid. The lid includes a lid body having a receiving slot, and a handle actuation arrangement. The handle actuation arrangement includes a locking latch movably mounted in the receiving slot, a mouth piece, and an actuating handle. The mouth piece is pivotally connected to the lid body to move between a locked position and a extended position, The actuating handle includes an engaging member pivotally received in the receiving slot to engage with the mouth piece, and a handle member extended from the engaging member in such a manner that when the handle is pivotally moved with respect to the lid body, the engaging member is also driven to pivotally move to drive the mouth piece to disengage from the locking latch so as to allow the mouth piece to move from the locked position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Zhenming Ni
  • Patent number: 10994902
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a container including a lid further including a lid body and a container body connected to the lid. The lid body is provided an elastic spout attached to the lid body and a limiting seat mounted at the top surface of the lid body; a linking part is mounted on the elastic spout, and a locking part cooperating with the linking part is disposed on the limiting seat; a lock release drive mechanism that drives the linking part and the locking part to be unlocked is slidably mounted on the lid body; the elastic spout has a folded storage state where the linking part and the locking part are interlocked and has a full release state in which the linking part is disengaged from the locking part to enable the elastic spout to be unfolded. The container is easy to assemble, easy to use, safe and hygienic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HAODA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Haojun Cheng
  • Patent number: 10703530
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hollow body configured to attach to a container for a liquid food product, the hollow body comprising a first piece and a second piece. At least a portion of a periphery of the first piece is attached to at least a portion of a periphery of the second piece in order to form the hollow body. Further, it is presented related methods for producing a package comprising a container and a hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Joachim Bjurenheim, Göran Dahl, Gustav Levander, Elmar Mock, Mario Tronza, Antonino Lanci
  • Patent number: 9801790
    Abstract: An enhanced medicine cup for use with a medicine bottle is disclosed, the medicine cup having a sipping straw running along a sidewall of the cup, the straw enabling a person to easily sip medicine from the bottom of the cup. The sipping straw extends upward beyond the sidewall, having a first opening at it's top end, and extends downward along the sidewall, being sealed at it's bottom end, and having instead a second opening near its bottom end in its sidewall that is in fluid communication with the inside of the cup via a corresponding opening near the bottom of the cup. Retaining protrusions are provided around the inner surface of the sidewall of the cup that engage with a cooperative ridge on the outer surface of a cap or a neck of a medicine bottle so as to removably retain the enhanced medicine cup on the medicine bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: LeAnn Hessler
  • Patent number: 8857639
    Abstract: A device that assists with equalizing air pressure within a bottle with the atmospheric air pressure as liquid is being poured from the bottle and includes one or more relatively short air tubes. The air tubes are situated with an upper inlet rim of the air tubes located flush with or relatively near the bottle rim. Whether an insert or integrated into the manufacture of a container, the one or more air tubes that extend partially into the container allow air to pass into the container as the liquid exits the container. The pressure equalizer not only minimizes or prevents the common glugging effect, but it allows liquid from a bottle to be poured smoothly at any angle and orientation. A cap incorporating a detachable pressure equalizer is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Paha Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Meager
  • Publication number: 20140291275
    Abstract: A drinking cap for a bottle comprises a screwable drinking section for mating with screw threads of a bottle and a covering cap, hinged to the drinking section. The drinking section is provided with a cylindrical shaped spout of about ¼-¾ inches in height and about ¼-½ inch in outside diameter, all to enhance normal oral motor development and physiological development of a person's mouth. An air vent and air connecting air channel are provided to the drinking section so that a drinker's lips, even if covering the air vent hole, will not block the passage of air into the cavity of the bottle to which the device is attached, ensuring no negative air pressure therein due to sucking Mechanisms are provided for preventing leakage, ensuring free, easy flow of fluid when sucking is initiated, and ensuring safety to a child using or near the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Licari
  • Patent number: 8827106
    Abstract: A bottle assembly is provided having a body portion defining a cavity therein, a top lid assembly connectable to the body portion, which includes a selectively deployable and retractable spout, a spout bottom lid; and a resilient tube having a lumen therethrough, wherein the lumen is occluded when the spout is retracted and the resilient tube is kinked, and wherein the lumen is opened when the spout is deployed and the resilient tube is not kinked; a trigger assembly for selectively moving the spout between a deployed and a retracted condition; and a bottom lid assembly selectively connectable to a bottom end of the body portion, the bottom lid assembly including a valve assembly to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: David Mitchell Windmiller
  • Patent number: 8672155
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure cap for a container filled with medicinal fluid, which container has an aperture piece which is sealed off by a diaphragm which can be punctured. The closure cap has a cap-shaped closure body (1) and a drinking neck (4) with a drinking opening (4a) which is pivotable between a first position, in which the drinking neck bears against the closure cap, and a second position, in which the drinking neck projects from the closure cap. In addition, the closure cap has means (20, 22) for puncturing the diaphragm which seals off the aperture piece of the container, which means (20, 22) interact with the drinking neck in such a way that, as the drinking neck (4) is pivoted, the diaphragm is punctured such that a connection is produced between the opening (4a) of the drinking neck and the container interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Knierbein, Helmut Walter, Janina Luke, Walter Schulte, Frank Römer, Wolfgang Heukamp
  • Publication number: 20140048511
    Abstract: A drink bottle may include a container and a lid having an open-top channel with a spout and a spout cover disposed within the channel. Each of the spout and the spout cover are movable in opposite directions between a stowed and configurations. The spout may include a projection that frictionally engages the sidewall to control a rate of movement of the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Ignite USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami El-Saden, Daniel M. Wodka, Robert C. Coon, Paul D. Hurley
  • Patent number: 8602238
    Abstract: A drink bottle may include a container and a lid connected to the container. The lid may include a spout and a spout cover. Each of the spout and the spout cover may be moved in opposite directions between a stowed configuration and a dispensing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ignite USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami El-Saden, Blair E. Miller, Daniel M. Wodka, John W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8528764
    Abstract: A drink bottle comprising a lower bottle portion and an upper bottle portion configured to removably connect to form a liquid-tight seal. The upper bottle portion includes a connection portion engageable with a connection portion of the lower bottle portion. The drink bottle further includes a sleeve configured to be arranged about one of the upper bottle portion and the lower bottle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Traci Chapple, David Starr, Jeffrey Chiu, Mason Umholtz, Stephanie Guttas
  • Patent number: 8459492
    Abstract: This invention improves the cooling effect of ice in a drinking cup and economizes on the amount of ice used. The invention comprises a truncated cone with the widest base at the bottom, and with a hole at its apex, the hole being large enough to allow a straw to pass through. It also comprises a mechanism located at the apex of the cone, which holds the straw in place. This cone structure prevents ice cubes, which are normally buoyant, from floating up to the surface of the liquid. Instead, the cone forces the ice to congregate near the straw inlet thereby cooling the liquid entering the straw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Jaime Angel Merino
  • Patent number: 8317058
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing water or other liquids to a bicyclist while riding. Invention provides a means for dispensing fluids from its bottom end so as to eliminate the need for inverting. Contents of the bottle are gravity-dispensed so as to eliminate repeated squeezing of bottle to discharge contents. Invention incorporates functional ergonomic elements including recesses for better handhold, concave sections and extended sections to provide a close conformity to a bicyclist's face to both preserve the aerodynamics of the bicyclist and for maintaining adequate clearance for breathing, while drinking from the invention. Invention is compatible with prior art carriage and retention systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Shirley A. Toth, E. Paul Ratazzi
  • Patent number: 8276781
    Abstract: A drinking container assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall which is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has an upper edge defining an opening extending into the housing. A closure is attached to and is coextensive with the upper edge. The closure is positionable in an open position extending upwardly from the upper edge or in a closed position folded downwardly over the opening. The closure has an access aperture extends their through and into the housing when the closure is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Bryon M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120187075
    Abstract: A drink bottle may include a container and a lid connected to the container. The lid may include a spout and a spout cover. Each of the spout and the spout cover may be moved in opposite directions between a stowed configuration and a dispensing configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Ignite USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami El-Saden, Blair E. Miller, Daniel M. Wodka, John W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8141730
    Abstract: A closure for a multiple component container includes an insert (12), a piston (20) and a cap (10). The insert (12) and the piston (20) define a reservoir and the insert (12) comprises a fixed cylindrical wall (26) and a movable wall (32) connected thereto and movable with respect thereto by the action of gas pressure within the reservoir. The movable wall (32) has a discharge aperture (36) formed therein. The cap (10) comprises a closure plate (14), integral with whose outer edge is a depending skirt (16), by means of which the cap may be secured to a container. The closure plate (14) cooperates with the piston (20) such that movement of the closure plate towards the insert (12) results in movement of the piston also in the same direction. The piston (20) forms a sliding seal with the internal surface of the fixed cylindrical wall (26). A valve member (22) is integral with, the piston (20) and is slidably received in and seals the discharge aperture (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Carbonite Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Patent number: 8042701
    Abstract: An integrated bottle enclosure includes a top cap, bottom cap, rigid straw casing and telescoping straw assembly to provide efficient means to contain a straw within a sealed bottle. Opening the top cap presents a straw ready for immediate use, or the straw may be grasped and pulled, to reveal ample straw length for keeping a consumer's mouth away from the bottle. The top cap and bottom cap connect by means to create a secure straw vault which prevents fluid from leaking out of the straw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Erez Raman, Dov Schriber
  • Publication number: 20110220605
    Abstract: A drink bottle comprising a lower bottle portion and an upper bottle portion configured to removably connect to form a liquid-tight seal. The upper bottle portion includes a connection portion engageable with a connection portion of the lower bottle portion. The drink bottle further includes a sleeve configured to be arranged about one of the upper bottle portion and the lower bottle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Traci Chapple, David Starr, Jeffrey Chiu, Mason Umholtz, Stephanie Guttas
  • Publication number: 20100116768
    Abstract: A bottle including a body portion having a plurality of dividing walls extending from a base portion to a plurality of connection regions; a first chamber for holding a first liquid; a second chamber for holding a second liquid; a third chamber for holding a third liquid; and a removable cap; wherein a height of the plurality of dividing walls is less than an overall height of the body portion and the plurality of connection regions are configured to be a maximum height of the plurality of dividing walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Theodosios Kountotsis
  • Publication number: 20090120894
    Abstract: A multifunctional drinking bottle cap for attachment to a plurality of different sized bottle neck diameters includes a base member, a drinking mechanism attachment accommodation for a drinking mechanism selected from a flexible nipple, a spout and a straw. The base member has a dispensing orifice that extends from top to bottom for dispensing a liquid from a bottle. The bottom of the base member has a plurality of concentric threaded orifice sections with sequentially decreasing diameters when measured from the bottom to the top, and the top has an attachment ring collar connection, such as a screw thread, snap fit connector, bayonet connector or other similar connector. There is a drinking mechanism selected from the group consisting of a flexible nipple, a spout and a straw that partially engages the aforesaid drinking mechanism attachment accommodation of the base member. The attachment ring collar is adapted to fit over the drinking mechanism and to attach it to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Berna Kario, Haluk Hannavi, Dani I. Kario
  • Patent number: 7516869
    Abstract: A straw is held within a beverage container in a manner providing for the upper end of the straw to be deployed upward, through an opening provided within the top of the container when an opening tab in the top of the container is pivoted downward. An upper end of the straw is held in a straw holding portion of a straw supporting structure within the beverage container, with the straw supporting structure including a cantilever portion that is deflected downward by contact with an edge of the opening tab as the opening tab is pivoted downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Zoya, Inc,
    Inventor: Mohammed Ali Hajianpour
  • Publication number: 20090065464
    Abstract: A cap device for use with a container or bottle includes adjacent first and second portions, each portion including a structure different than the other for accessing the contents of a container. The first portion may include an opening, such as a straw opening or pour opening, and a cover pivotally movable between open and closed configurations. The second portion may define a trough and include a drinking implement, such as a sipper, that is pivotal between retracted and extended configurations. The drinking implement includes first and second sections, the first section being rotatable between retractable and locked configurations. Contents of the container may be accessed when the second section is in the locked configuration. The drinking implement may be moved to the retracted configuration only when the second section is in its retractable configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph M. Cuocolo, JR.
  • Patent number: 7431175
    Abstract: An improved drinking cup lid for assisting in the ingestion of medication and other materials in the form of pills, tablets or capsules, which is used in combination with a cup holding liquid to be taken with the medication or pills/tablets, contains a spout with a base grid. Both the spout and the base grid have pointed ribbed members which minimize the points and area of contact between the pill or tablet and the dispensing device. The spout is tilted approximately 30 to 35 degrees from the vertical toward the center of the cup such that when the medication or pill to be ingested, the liquid first passes through the grid in the bottom of the spout, the pill is thoroughly wetted, and is washed with the liquid through the angled spout into the mouth of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Roger Heilos
  • Publication number: 20080047924
    Abstract: A bottle for containing liquids for a rider. The bottle includes a hollow container sized to be held in one hand of a rider having opposed top and bottom ends, and a continuous side wall extending between the top and bottom ends. The bottom end is closed, the top end has a filling means, and the side wall has an opening near the bottom end of the container. The opening has a closable spigot for drinking the liquid contained in the container without having to tip the bottle. The rider can hold the bottle in a generally upright position while pedaling the bicycle without having to remove his or her eyes from the road, thus improving riding safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: William E. Coats, Robert V. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7320410
    Abstract: A removable cap assembly includes a cap having a curved side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A top portion extends from the curved side wall, a boss extending perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss has a bottom and a top, a first circumferential rib extending perpendicularly from the top of the boss and a second circumferential rib extending perpendicularly from the bottom of the boss. The boss and rib defining an opening in the cap, the opening has a width and a height. A stopper is dimensioned to seal the opening, the stopper has a hole therein configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and second circumferential rib, the stopper includes a disc shaped base. A cylindrical wall portion extends from the base, a first groove in the base surrounding the wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ver Hage Enterprises
    Inventor: Richard P. Ver Hage
  • Patent number: 7299939
    Abstract: A removable cap assembly employs a cap with a curved side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A top portion extends from the curved side wall. A boss extends perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss further has a bottom and a top with a circumferential rib extending perpendicularly from the top and at least one ridge on the inside surface of the boss below the top and above the bottom. A stopper is dimensioned to seal the opening. The stopper has a hole therein configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and the at least one ridge. The stopper includes a disc shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion extending from the base having at least one cavity corresponding to the location of the at least one ridge on the boss. A first groove in the base surrounding the wall portion is dimensioned to receive the bottom of the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ver Hage Enterprises
    Inventor: Richard P. Ver Hage
  • Patent number: 7219811
    Abstract: A baby feeding bottle includes a dispenser body having an upper opening and a hollow interior. A flexible fluid container is supported by the dispenser body. An elongated flow tube has a first end disposed adjacent to the upper opening of the dispenser body and a second end disposed within the flexible fluid container. The flow tube facilitates passage of fluid within the fluid container and to the upper opening of the dispenser body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Carl Cheung Tung Kong
  • Patent number: 7210602
    Abstract: A multifunctional bottle cap is disclosed, which includes a cap body having a lower portion with internal threads for connecting to a neck of a bottle, and an upper portion having an upwardly protruding nozzle with an outlet opening at an edge portion of the nozzle; a straw having an upper end extending out of the protruding nozzle adjacent to the outlet opening, the straw being vertically movable to extend upward from the cap body; and a spray assembly having a press pumping mechanism, an aspiration tube, a pump button extending upwardly, and a spray nozzle in perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cap body; the spray pump being positioned on an opposing side of the protruding nozzle. The multifunctional bottle cap provides a user the ability to drink, spray and pour liquid from an attached bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Tom Blanchester
  • Patent number: 7188743
    Abstract: An apparatus for the aeration of a fluid prior to its consumption includes a container that is adapted to house a quantity of the fluid. A bottom end of a conduit that is open at both ends is attached to the container and is disposed in the fluid. A second opposite upper end of the conduit is disposed above the bottom end and is placed in the mouth of a user. Fluid is drawn up through the conduit by the creation of a partial vacuum when the user sucks on the upper, drinking end. An air infusion opening is provided in the conduit near the upper end above a normal maximum fluid elevation level. The infusion opening allows for ambient air to simultaneously enter into a fluid stream that is being drawn up through the conduit, thereby aerating the fluid prior to its entry into the mouth. If the fluid is especially hot, the ambient air also helps to cool the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: David Alan Gates, Dominic Michael Gates, Christina Kennedy Gates
  • Patent number: 6945425
    Abstract: An internal to external self-buoyant straw system for the safe and sanitary removal of contents from aluminum can lift tab containers. The system includes a top straw component (14) cylindrical and hollow in fabrication which vertically slides within close tolerance over its hollow bottom straw component (16) whose lower end is angular cut (30) and held in continuous contact with the container's inner bottom. The top straw component continues its vertical ascent until its integrally fabricated buoyancy float (15) makes contact with the guidance ring (13) which keeps the top straw component directly positioned inline with the container's lid opening. The upper straw component (23) having reached drinking access level may now be angularly adjusted at the outer segmented straw portion (22) for ease of consumption of contents through the rolled lip end (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Sung Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 6851565
    Abstract: An annular adapter adapts a standard beverage bottle, such as a plastic water bottle, to accommodate the internal threads of a baby's annular nipple cap, which has a nipple inserted therein. Inside the annular adapter is a seal, such as a disc-shaped annular ledge extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the adapter, to prevent leakage, when a baby bottle nipple and cap are inserted over the exterior threads of the annular adapter. Liquid flows through the central opening of the annular adapter. The nipple is inserted and the seal engages the bottle of the water bottle, the annular adapter is screwed over a conventional threaded exterior neck of a standard beverage bottle, such as a water bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Gerard Stephan
  • Publication number: 20040164174
    Abstract: A drinks straw and vessel equipment of the same g., a novelty feature straw that is while or partly made from thermo-sensitive material and a chamber under vacuum FIG. 612 sealed by membranes at first end (drinking) FIG. 614 and second (distal) end FIG. 616. Straw ends have inwardly projecting integral spikes FIG. 622 mounted on caps that are collapsible and form an open cage to support spike FIG. 622 that can be pressed into said membranes causing spikes to pierce membrane at both ends of straw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Francis Day
  • Publication number: 20040118858
    Abstract: A drink container for small children includes a container, a lid joined to an upper opening of the container, and a drip prevention element. The lid has a sucking portion for allowing a young child, to suck on to draw out drink contents of the container with the mouth. The lid is formed with a passage for allowing drink contents of the container to pass through. The drip prevention element is arranged in a passage of the lid to block the passage when there is no external sucking force exerted on the sucking portion, and which can bend to effect opening of the passage when there is external sucking force exerted on the sucking portion. Thus, liquid contents can't drip through the lid when a young child is learning to grasp objects with the drink container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Ming-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 6745915
    Abstract: A drinking vessel includes a cover and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having at least a flexible portion which in its unflexed state engages a plug extending up through the mouthpiece. When the flexible portion is flexed, for example by suction or pressing or biting with lips or teeth the flexible portion flexes out of engagement with the plug, forming a liquid passage. As a result a self-sealing drinking vessel is provided which provides liquid on user demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Jackel International Limited
    Inventor: Arnold Edward Rees
  • Publication number: 20040065668
    Abstract: A liquid container comprises a container body and a pipe integrally formed with the container body. The container body encloses a liquid product. A sidewall substantially separates an interior volume of the pipe from an interior volume of the container body, wherein the interior volume of the pipe is less than the interior volume of the container body. The interior volume of the pipe further communicates with the interior volume of the container body through at least an internal opening proximate to a bottom of the container body. The enclosed liquid product thus can flow out from the container body through the pipe serving as an in-situ straw incorporated in the liquid container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Han-Pin Lee
  • Patent number: 6503222
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for facilitating the oral delivery of an active agent to a patient in need of treatment therewith, which apparatus comprises an active agent mixing chamber, a mixture delivery tube, and at least one liquid delivery tube. A mixture formed in the mixing chamber which comprises a combination of an active agent, or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof, and a liquid diluent may be delivered into the oral cavity of the patient from the mixing chamber by suction on the mixture delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc
    Inventor: Julian B. Lo
  • Patent number: 6457596
    Abstract: An ergodynamic bottle top (10) has a push button bottle top post (14A) having a push button bottle top doughnut (14B). The push button bottle top doughnut (14B) is slidably positioned therearound. The ergodynamic bottle top (10) further has a handle (12) having a left handle (12L) which is securely attached to a right handle (12R) by a center handle (12C). The center handle (12C) has a center handle opening (12CA) therethrough. The center handle (12C) is securely attached to the push button bottle top doughnut (14B). The center handle opening (12CA) comprises a similar or greater diameter than a diameter of the push button bottle top post (14A). The center handle opening (12CA) could comprise a smaller diameter than a diameter of the push button bottle top post (14A) functioning to increase pressure to an eminating stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Steve Verseman
  • Patent number: 6375092
    Abstract: A drinking apparatus which generally includes a drinking straw with a weight thereon for anchoring the drinking straw against the buoyancy of a carbonated beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Wallace Franklin Banach
  • Patent number: 6273282
    Abstract: An ergonomically friendly container having hot-fill capabilities is disclosed. The container has a dome with grip surfaces that undergo controlled deformation for accommodating a portion of the volumetric shrinkage due to hot filling, capping and cooling. Preferably, a major portion of each grip surface is circumscribed by a brow rib which prevents unwanted dome distortion while permitting an amount of controlled vacuum absorption. In addition, the container body is provided with vacuum flex panels of at least two different sizes which enable the grip surfaces to be located close to the center of gravity of a filled container to provide balanced pouring of the contents from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard K. Ogg, Sheldon E. Yourist, Michael R. Mooney, Paul Kelley
  • Patent number: 6264057
    Abstract: A drink instrument in the form of a beverage container has a prepackaged internal straw inserted into the interior thereof during a package process. The internal straw is automatically drawn from the interior of the container when the top is opened to access the drinking fluid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Byung O Kim
  • Patent number: 6241127
    Abstract: Drink bottles are provided having improve sanitation. In accordance with the preferred feature of the invention, a barrier is disposed around the spout of a squeezable drink bottle so as to inhibit contact between the end of the spout from which liquid is expressed and the lips of a person receiving liquid from a bottle. Elimination of reflux and improved sanitation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6112926
    Abstract: A non-closable device with no movable parts which fits on to twist top beverage bottles reducing the size of the opening and flow of liquid from the bottle. The piece in itself consists entirely of molded plastic. Threading on the interior of the base cylinder (6) enables the unit to be screwed on to the bottle. A spout member (4) with slotted aperture (2) enables liquid to flow through the device at a decreased volume and rate. The piece is screwed onto a beverage bottle and the user drinks through the spout member (4) via the slotted aperture (2). The piece makes drinking from twist top beverage bottles easier for toddlers and/or people who have difficulty drinking from common beverage bottles, and for people in general who simply prefer a more regulated flow and contoured spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Gary Lee Fishman
  • Patent number: 6056149
    Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. In one embodiment, the straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention incorporating the weighted member are disclosed. In another embodiment, the straw is supported by a buoyant member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. The buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice as well as to align the straw with the orifice due to the manipulation of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, Doug Brewer, Dave Brown, James H. Kurtz, Jr., Jon Taylor, Paul Doczy
  • Patent number: 6000573
    Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. In one embodiment, the straw is attached to a buoyant member which urges the straw into contact with a contoured surface on the can lid. In a second embodiment, the straw engages a floating member which is urged against the lid of the container. In a third embodiment, a buoyant member is integrally formed with the straw and is disposed orthogonally within the body of the can. In a fourth embodiment, the floating member includes a surface treated for facilitating the nucleation of CO.sub.2 thereon. In a fifth embodiment, the floating member is provided with a skirt for entrapping a head space gas bubble under the floating member. In a sixth embodiment, the floating member reacts to a change in pressure to disengage from the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, Stephen W. Cornell, Jon Taylor, David C. Brown, Doug Brewer
  • Patent number: 5971222
    Abstract: Drink bottles are provided having improve sanitation. In accordance with the preferred feature of the invention, a barrier is disposed around the spout of a squeezable drink bottle so as to inhibit contact between the end of the spout from which liquid is expressed and the lips of a person receiving liquid from a bottle. Elimination of reflux and improved sanitation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5884793
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a bottle includes a cap member mounted to the bottle and having a top with an opening defined therein. A wall member and a flexible connecting member respectively extend from a periphery defining the opening, the flexible connecting member connected to the wall member so as to define an aperture between a top of the wall member and a top of the connecting member. A tube extends from a periphery defining the aperture. A cover is pivotally and detachably mounted to the cap member such that the tube is pushed by an underside of the cover when the cover is mounted to the cap member and the flexible connecting member is folded downwardly and the aperture is sealed by the downward folded connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Wang
  • Patent number: 5873478
    Abstract: A spill-proof cap or lid for a standard beverage container, such as a soft drink, water and other liquid bottle, includes a housing which is configured to fit over the container opening. The housing includes top and bottom, each of which includes a recess. A spout is mounted in the top recess and is pivotable between open and closed positions. A flow control section extends generally vertically in the bottom recess for receiving a flow control member. The flow control member is removably positioned in the flow control section and includes a flow control valve and an air intake valve. The spout includes at least one passageway which is in fluid communication with the bottom recess through a passageway extending between the top and bottom of the housing. In use, the cap is substituted for the conventional cap or lid that the typical soft drink, water or other liquid bottle is equipped with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Lynn A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5845808
    Abstract: A fluid container molded from a plastic material according to the present invention is embodied in a disposable, single-use, sterilized fluid container for beverages or fluids parentally or controllably taken by human beings. The fluid container may be manufactured, storable and transportable in simplified manner, facilitating consumption of the fluid contents, and administrable with additional solutions and/or water so that it can be used as a container for non-parenteral or direct gastrointestinal infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nikko Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Kani
  • Patent number: 5709478
    Abstract: A drinking device for divers includes a bag and a housing for receiving and for protecting the bag. A cylindrical member is engaged through the bag and the housing and includes an outer thread. A nut is engaged with the cylindrical member for securing the bag to the housing. A cap is engaged on the cylindrical member and a sealing ring is engaged between the cap and the cylindrical member for making a water tight seal. A ferrule is engaged with the cylindrical member and includes an annular flange for engaging with the cap and for retaining the cap in place. A sleeve may be secured to a snorkel assembly. The housing includes a pair of curved panels for engaging with the sleeve and for securing the housing to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: Jiunn-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 5687872
    Abstract: A liquid container including at least one integral straw is disclosed. The liquid container includes a hollow container having a top, a bottom, and a side wall with the walls forming an interior space for containing a liquid. The first aperture is formed in one of the walls. A first hollow conduit is positioned within the first aperture and has an upper portion extending outside the container and a lower portion terminating proximate the bottom of the container. The conduit has a first L-shaped configuration in which a portion of the conduit is collapsed and forms a seal. A second aperture is formed in one of the walls as the first aperture. Sealing means are provided for sealing the second aperture. A key operatively connected to the upper portion is provided for causing the first conduit to be shifted from the L-shaped configuration to a second open configuration and for similtaneously breaking the sealing means and opening the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Abdulatif M. T. Nmngani