Adjustable Locking Mouthpiece for Leak-Proof drinking Bottles

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to drink ware. More specifically, the invention related to an adjustable locking mouthpiece for leak-proof drinking bottles. The invention allows for a customizable and secure fit, effectively preventing accidental leakage and spills, thereby ensuring a reliable and mess-free drinking experience.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Traditional water bottles have long been an essential part of our daily life, offering a convenient means to carry and consume beverages, especially water. They come in various forms, such as plastic, glass, and metal, and are designed to cater to a wide range of needs from hydration during exercise to daily use at work or school.

Despite their widespread use and convenience, traditional water bottles often face significant challenges related to leakage and water spilling, which undermine their functionality and user satisfaction. These issues frequently arise from limitations in the design and functionality of conventional bottle closures and spouts. Moreover, conventional designs frequently rely on the simple screw-on caps or snap on lids, which may not offer a completely secure seal. Over time, the gaskets or seals within these closures can wear out or become ineffective, leading to leaks. Bottles with spouts or sports top designed for easy drinking often face challenges with effective sealing. These designs may fail to prevent liquid from escaping if the bottle is dropped or overfilled. Regular use can further magnify these issues, causing the closure mechanism to degrade and compromising their ability to prevent leaks.

Further, the problems caused by leaks and spills are significant. When a bottle leaks or spills, it leads to a messy situation that requires immediate action to clean up wet bags, desks, or clothes. This is especially annoying in work or school environments where neatness is important. Spills leads to wastage of liquid, requiring frequent refills and causing inconvenience, especially during important times like exercise or long trips. Spills also pose a risk to personal belongings. Liquids that seep into electronic devices, papers, or other valuables can cause significant damage. Repairing or replacing these items can be costly and frustrating, adding to the inconvenience of the spill.

To address these persistent issues, there is a pressing need for a more effective solution. There is a need for an invention that have an adjustable locking mouthpiece in the bottle design, thereby providing a robust solution to leakage and spilling problems.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an adjustable locking mouthpiece or straw used in a bottle design for addressing the limitation faced due to leakage and water spilling. The innovative feature integrates a locking mechanism that securely seals the bottle's straw mouthpiece. When engaged, the locking mechanism creates a tight seal that prevents any liquid from escaping, even if the bottle is turned upside down or subjected to physical impacts. This enhancement substantially improves the bottle's functionality, offering users a more reliable and mess-free hydration experience. By effectively addressing the limitations of traditional designs, the design of the bottle enhances overall user convenience and satisfaction, making it a valuable advancement in bottle technology. This solution ensures that users can enjoy the benefits of their water bottles without the drawbacks of leaks and spills, thereby optimizing hydration.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the invention discloses a drinking container that is designed to prevent leaks and spills. The container includes a container body that extends from a neck at the top to a base at the bottom. The container is topped with a cap that includes a lid assembly housing and a lid assembly. The lid assembly housing has a cylindrical hole with an interior portion that contains a circumferential groove around its edge. The lid assembly which can be removed from the housing includes a straw with a proximal end (an end a user drink from) and a distal end (an end inside the container body). The lid assembly further includes a straw cover to close the proximal end and to protect the proximal end of the straw from dirt, debris, and contaminants, especially when the container is not in use. Further, the lid assembly comprises a base member having an interior portion that holds the straw in place and an exterior portion with an attachment member. The posterior end of the base member has a circumferential ridge. When the lid assembly is attached to the lid housing, the circumferential ridge on the base member fits snugly into the circumferential groove in the housing. This creates a leak-proof seal, ensuring no liquid escapes, even if the container is turned upside down or shaken.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the straw cover has an inner diameter that closely matches the diameter of the drinking straw, ensuring a proper and secure fit when the straw is in closed position.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the lid assembly include the straw cover, base member and the attachment member is composed of BPA-free plastic, silicone, rubber or any other similar material.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the lid assembly housing having a circumferential groove is made up of flexible material.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the container body includes a handle.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the drinking container includes water bottle, water tumbler, sports bottle, shaker bottle, glass bottle etc.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the base member is pressed downward into the lid assembly housing to lock securely, effectively preventing leakage and spillage.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the base member is crafted from a flexible material that is easily molded and inserted into the lid assembly housing, ensuring a secure and effective seal.

For further clarification of the features and other embodiments of the invention, a more particular description is provided that will further explain the features and advantage of the invention with the illustration or the drawings. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a drinking container, in according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a lid assembly, in according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of a lid assembly housing in the cap, in according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C illustrate a perspective view of a push mechanism of a lid assembly into a lid housing, in according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

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

References will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

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 it is not intended to be limiting 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.

In the following description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing, in which comparable functional elements are designated with like numerals. The aforementioned accompanying drawings show by way of illustration and not by the way of limitation, specific aspects and implementations consistent with principles of this disclosure. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized, and that structural changes and/or substitutions of various elements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be construed in limited sense. It is noted that description herein is not intended as an extensive overview, and as such, concepts may be simplified in the interests of clarity and brevity.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a drinking container 100 is disclosed as shown in FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 1A, the drinking container 100 includes a container body 102, a neck portion 104, a container base 106, a cap 108. The drinking container 100 may further comprises a handle 124. In the embodiment, the cap 108 comprises a straw cover 116, a base member 118 and an attachment member 120, all removably fitted in lid assembly housing 110. Referring to FIG. 1B-1C, in the embodiment, the cap 108 comprises a lid assembly housing 110 (as shown in FIG. 1C) and a lid assembly 112 (as shown in FIG. 1B) collectively called cap assembly. Referring to FIG. 1B, the lid assembly 112 includes a straw 114, a straw cover 116, a base member 118 and an attachment member 120. Referring to FIG. 1C, the lid assembly housing 110 comprises a cylindrical hole including a circumferential groove 122. Referring to FIG. 1A-1C, in the embodiment, the container body 102 stores and holds a predetermined volume of a potable drinking fluid or liquid. The drinking fluid or liquid includes water, sports drinks, juices, energy drinks, or any other similar kind of liquid. The container body 102 extends from the neck portion 104 at the top to the container base 106 at the bottom. The container body 102 provides a stable and consistent form to the drinking container 100, which is essential for both aesthetics and functionality. The neck 104 of the drinking container 100 has an opening that allows for easy filling and pouring of liquids, while the base 106 supports the drinking container 100 and prevents it from tipping over. The well-constructed container body 102 includes a handle 124 to enhance the user experience by making the drinking container 100 easier to carry. In addition, the drinking container includes a cap 108 that includes the lid assembly housing 110 and the lid assembly 112. The lid assembly housing 110 includes a cylindrical hole that has an interior portion including a circumferential groove 122 near an edge of the cylindrical hole. Further, the lid assembly 112 is removably coupled to the lid assembly housing 110. In addition, the lid assembly 112 comprising the straw 114 with a proximal end 126 configured to allow the user to drink fluid or liquid from the container and a distal end 128 that remains submerged in the liquid inside the container body 102. The straw cover 116 serves as a protective barrier for the drinking straw 114, primarily to prevent debris and bacteria from contaminating the straw when it's not in use. The straw cover 116 having an inner diameter similar to the diameter of the drinking straw 114, ensure a proper and secure fit when the straw 114 is in closed position. In the embodiment, the base member 118 includes an interior portion for receiving the straw 114 and an exterior portion for connecting an attachment member 120 to an anterior portion 134 of the base member 118. Additionally, a posterior portion of the base member 118 includes a circumferential ridge 136. The locking of the lid assembly 112 begins with the precise alignment of the circumferential ridge 136 of the base member 118 on the cylindrical hole of the lid housing 110. As the lid assembly 112 is pressed onto the lid housing 110, the circumferential ridge 136 slides into the circumferential groove 122, ensuring a snug and exact fit. The strong alignment is crucial for forming a secure connection. The interaction between the circumferential ridge 136 and the circumferential groove 122 creates a mechanical interlocking effect, effectively establishing a leak-proof seal.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the container body includes a handle.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the drinking container includes water bottle, water tumbler, sports bottle, shaker bottle, glass bottle etc.

In one of the embodiment of the present invention, the base member is crafted from a flexible material that is easily molded and inserted into the lid assembly housing, ensuring a secure and effective seal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C illustrates various views of a cap assembly 200 including a cap 108, lid assembly housing 110 and lid assembly 112. Referring to FIG. 2A to 2C, the disclosure provides process of fitting the lid assembly 112 into the lid assembly housing 110. The lid assembly 112 may be securely attached into the lid housing 110 by a push mechanism A involving a careful alignment of the base member onto the cylindrical hole and once aligned, the base member 118 is pressed downward, causing the circumferential ridge 136 to engage with the circumferential groove 122. As the circumferential ridge 136 enters the circumferential groove 122, a male-female type attachment is formed. The circumferential ridge 136 fits into the circumferential groove 122 creating an air-tight, interlocking and germ proof connection. The engagement between the circumferential ridge 136 and the circumferential groove 122 ensures that the lid assembly 112 is securely attached to the lid housing 110, forming a robust and leak-proof seal. During the process, the mechanical pressure applied by the pressing means creates a partial vacuum between the base member 118 and the housing 110. The partial vacuum effect due to soft locking ensures a strong seal by further compressing the connection and minimizing any potential gaps. Resultant strong seal prevents any liquid from escaping, ensuring that the drinking container remains secure and leak-proof, even when the user is on the go. The straw cover 116 may be placed over the proximal end 126 of the straw 114 to cover open end of straw 114 after use.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the lid assembly include the straw cover, base member and the attachment member is composed of BPA-free plastic, silicone, rubber or any other similar material.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the lid assembly housing having a circumferential groove is made up of flexible material.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the base member is pressed downward into the lid assembly housing to lock securely, effectively preventing leakage and spillage.

It should be understood that the examples provided herein are intended only for purposes of illustration and any number of other implementations is also contemplated. Additionally, the referenced examples (including the described rules and/or other techniques) can be combined in any number of ways.

Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific example implementations, various modifications and changes can be made to those implementations without departing from the broader scopes of implementation of the present disclosure. Such implementation of the inventive subject matter can be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact is disclosed.

The implementations illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed. Other implementations can be used and derived therefrom, such that structural substitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various implementations is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

As used herein, the term “or” can be construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances can be provided for resources or structures described herein as a single instance. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within a scope of implementations of the present disclosure as represented by the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.