CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application serial number 62/200,627 filed August 3, 2015 titled "Bottle System and Method," which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in full below.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Water bottles carried while jogging can become cumbersome. For example, in many cases water bottles carried on a belt tend to "walk" forward or backward along the belt as the jogger takes strides. Moreover, in some cases the water bottles may tend to work upward on the belt with the repetitive motion, and then fall off the belt to the ground, causing the runner to stop and lose time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] For a detailed description of various embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0004] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0005] Figure 2 shows an elevation view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0006] Figure 3 shows an elevation view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0007] Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0008] Figure 5 shows an exploded side view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0009] Figure 6 shows an exploded elevation view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0010] Figure 7 shows a bottom view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments; [0011] Figure 8 shows an overhead view of a bottle system in accordance with various embodiments;

[0012] Figure 9 shows two cross-sectional views of a valve mechanism in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0013] Figure 10 shows two cross-sectional views of a valve mechanism in accordance with at least some embodiments; and

[0014] Figure 1 1 show a method in accordance with at least some embodiments.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

[0015] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open- ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to... ." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections.

[0016] "Inward facing surface" shall mean a portion of a bottle that faces a wearer when the bottle is clipped to a belt of a wearer.

[0017] "Outward facing surface" shall mean a portion of a bottle that faces away from a wearer when the bottle is clipped to a belt of the wearer.

[0018] "Profile" in reference to an outer surface of a bottle shall mean the profile of the surface as seen from an elevation view tangent to the surface. The presence of a particular "profile" shall not obviate the possibility of additional features (e.g., troughs, grooves, or indentations) on the surface.

[0019] In the specification, and in the claims, the relative positions of components are referenced to the bottle system with the lid portion at a higher elevation relative to local gravity, and the portion opposite the lid (i.e., the bottom) at a lower elevation relative to local gravity; however, the orientation is merely for convenience of the description, and infringement shall not be avoided merely by changing the orientation of an accused bottle system relative to local gravity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following discussion is directed to various embodiments. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0021] The various embodiments were developed in the context of a water bottle or bottle system for use while walking, hiking, or jogging; thus, the description that follows is based on the developmental context. However, the developmental context shall not be read as a limitation of the invention. In particular, various embodiments are directed to a bottle system that clips over a belt of wearer. The design of the bottle system reduces the amount the bottle system moves along a longitudinal axis of the belt during exercise (i.e., reduces the "walking" of the bottle system along the belt toward the wearer's stomach or toward the wearer's back). Moreover, the bottle system is designed to be more stable when clipped to the belt of the wearer to reduce the occurrence of the bottle system unintentionally working its way off the belt and falling to the ground during exercise. Further still, the bottle system is designed to be easily removable from the belt, and replaceable to the belt, again reducing the chances the bottle system is dropped because of difficulties clipping the bottle system to the belt of the wearer.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a bottle system 100 in accordance with example embodiments. The bottle system 100 comprises a bottle 102, a clip 104, and a cap 106. The bottle 102 defines an interior volume in which liquids, such as water, are stored during use. The volume of water held by the interior volume of the bottle 102 may take any suitable value depending on the size of the bottle 102. The bottle 102 defines an inward facing surface 108 and an outward facing surface 1 10 (only partially visible in Figure 1 ). In use, when the bottle system 100 is coupled to the user or wearer (e.g. , clipped over a belt of the wearer), the inward facing surface 108 faces the wearer, and the outward facing surface 1 10 faces away from the wearer. The bottle 102 also defines a circular neck region (not visible in Figure 1 ) at or near the upper portion of the bottle and to which the cap 106 threadingly couples. The example bottle 102 also defines an indentation 1 18 on the inward facing surface 108, and the example indentation 1 18 protrudes into the interior volume of the bottle 102. As will be discussed more below, the indentation 1 18 works in conjunction with features (e.g., ridges 125) of the clip 104 to help hold the bottle system 100 on the belt of the wearer. The ridges 125 are discussed in greater detail below.

[0023] The clip 104 defines an upper portion 120 that has aperture (shown in later figures) there-through which telescopes over the circular neck region (also shown in later figures) of the bottle 102. The clip 104 further comprises elongate body 122 which has a wide proximal portion 124 and narrows a narrow portion 126 on a distal end of the elongate body 122. In example cases, the width of the wide proximal portion 124 is greater than the width of the narrow portion 126, and in a particular example case the wide proximal portion 124 is at least twice the width of the narrow portion 126. The clip 104 having a wide proximal portion 124 and a narrow portion 126 creates a somewhat triangular structure through which forces associated with the bottle system 100 are transferred to the wearer when the bottle system 100 is clipped to a belt. As discussed more below, the triangular elongate body 122 provides improved ability to clip the bottle system to a belt, and remove the bottle system from a belt.

[0024] In order to assist the clip 104 in holding the bottle system 100 on the wearer's belt, the clip 104 may further define one or more ridges 125 disposed medially on the elongate body 122, though in the view of Figure 1 only one such ridge is visible. The ridges 125 protrude from the clip in the direction of the inward facing surface 108; and more particularly, the ridges 125 protrude into the indentation 1 18. The combination of the ridges 125 and the indentation 1 18 may assist in positively locking the bottle system 100 to the belt of the wearer. In some cases, with thinner belts (thinner as measured along the height or torso of the wearer), the ridges 125 may slide fully over the belt; however, in other cases, with wider belts (again measured along the height or torso of the wearer), an upper portion of the belt may lodge against inside surface of the wide proximal portion 124, yet the ridges 125 still contact an inside surface of the belt. [0025] Still referring to Figure 1 , the bottle system 100 further comprises cap 106. In example systems cap 106 threadingly couples to the circular neck region (not visible in Figure 1 ) of the bottle 102, and in coupling to the bottle the cap 106 also holds the clip 104 in place. In example systems, the cap 106 defines a lid portion 128 and a nipple 130 coupled to the lid portion 128. The nipple 130 defines an aperture 132 out which fluids held within the bottle 102 may be withdrawn. In some cases, the nipple 130 itself is a valve mechanism (e.g., the nipple translates outward away from the bottle to open, and translates inward toward the bottle to close). In other cases, the nipple 130 is immobile relatively to the cap 106, and nipple 130 implements a pressure controlled valve system such that the water is sealed within bottle regardless of orientation, but when the pressure within the bottle is increased (e.g., by squeezing the sides) the pressure of the liquid on the cap and/or the suction provided at the nipple by the user causes the internal valve to open to enable fluid to flow.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an elevation view of the bottle system 100 looking toward the inward facing surface 108. Particularly visible are features of the clip 104, as well as the indentation 1 18 of the bottle 102. As for the indentation 1 18, in the example systems the indentation 1 18 a circular indentation or depression into which the ridges 125 (not visible in Figure 2) protrude. The largest diameter and deepest depth of the indentation 1 18 are dependent upon the size of the bottle, with shallower depths for smaller bottles, and deeper depths for larger bottles (with corresponding sized ridges 125 (again, not visible in Figure 2)).

[0027] Also visible in Figure 2 are several features of the clip 104. In particular, Figure 2 shows an example width W1 of the narrow portion 126 of the elongate body 122, as well as an example width W2 of the wide proximal portion 124. As discussed above, in some example systems the width W2 of the wide proximal portion 124 is at least twice the width W1 of the narrow portion 126. Figure 2 also shows an example length of the elongate body 122 of the clip 104, and more particularly that in example systems the length of the clip 104 is such that the distal end of the elongate body 122 extends below the bottom 200 of the bottle 102 by a predetermined length L1. The length L1 may be any suitable length that aids the user in placing the narrow portion 126 of the clip 104 behind the belt to which the bottle system 100 is to be attached. In some cases, the length L1 may be between and including 0.25 inch and 1 inch.

[0028] In the example system shown, the bottle 102 has a curved profile for the side surfaces, being wider near the bottom 200 of the bottle 102 and more narrow near the cap 106. More particularly, in example systems the bottle has a width W3 (e.g., measured parallel to the elongate body 122) near the bottom 200 which is wider than a width W5 at the circular neck (not visible in Figure 2, but roughly defined by the cap 106), and in many case the width of the bottle smoothly varies from the bottom 200 width W3 to full width W4 medially on the bottle, and then to the more narrow width W5. Stated otherwise, the profile of the side surfaces of the bottle 102 are convex and form curved lines. The concave profile of the side surfaces of the bottle may produce an ergonomic shape for grabbing and use by the wearer. In particular, the wearer's thumb may interact with the indentation 1 18 (and/or the elongate body 122 of the clip 104), the wearer's palm interacts with the concave shape of the side surfaces, and the wearer's fingers interact with the outward facing surface 1 10 (Figure 1 ).

[0029] In some cases, the width W1 of the narrow portion 126 of clip 104 is less than half the width W3 of the bottom 200 of the bottle. In yet till other cases, the W1 of the narrow portion 126 of clip 104 is 1/3^ the width W3 of the bottom 200 of the bottle. In yet still other cases, the width W1 of the narrow portion 126 of clip 104 is about 1 inch regardless of the width of the W3 of the bottom 200 of the bottle 102.

[0030] Figure 3 shows an elevation view of the bottle system 100 looking toward the outward facing surface 1 10. In particular, visible in Figure is the bottle 102, portions of the clip 104, and the cap 106. As for the clip 104, visible near the upper portion of the drawing is the upper portion 120 of the clip 104, including reinforcement or tab member 300 which protrudes or extends from the upper portion 120 of the clip 104. In particular, the tab member 300 extends partially down the outward facing surface 1 10 of the bottle 102 opposite the elongated body (the elongate body only partially visible in the view of Figure 3), and the tab member 300 abuts the outer facing surface 1 10 of the bottle 102. Tab member 300 may limit rotational motion of the clip 104 about the circular neck region, particularly when the clip 104 is being slid over a belt of a wearer. Also visible with respect to the clip is the narrow portion 126, and how the narrow portion 126 extends below the bottom 200 of the bottle by the length L1.

[0031] Finally with respect to Figure 3, the shading in Figure 3 shows the presence of an example trough 302 that extends along the height of the bottle 102. That is, the trough 302 extends parallel to a curve formed by the profile of the outward facing surface 1 10 (discussed more below). Much like the convex profile of the side surfaces of the bottle 102 between the bottom 200 and the circular neck region (again, not visible in Figure 3), the trough 302 may produce an ergonomic shape for grabbing and use by the wearer. In particular, the wearer's fingers interact with the trough 302, the wearer's thumb interacts with the indentation 1 18, and the wearer's palm interacts with the convex shape of the side surfaces.

[0032] Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the bottle system 100. In particular, Figure 4 shows that the profile of the outward facing surface 1 10 is convex. Stated otherwise, the profile of the outward facing surface of the bottle 102 curves inward toward the clip 104, which places the cap 106 in a more ergonomic location for the user during use. Likewise, the profile of the inward facing surface 108 of the bottle 102 is concave. Stated otherwise, the profile of the inward facing surface 108 of the bottle 102 curves inward toward the clip 104, which again places the cap 106 in a more ergonomic location for the user during use. Also visible in Figure 4 is the clip 104, the tab member 300 of the clip, a ridge 125, and the fact the narrow portion 126 of the clip that extends below the bottom of the bottle 200 by the length L1. The narrow portion 126 of the clip 104, in the example embodiments, also includes a deflection. In particular, the narrow portion 126 deflects toward the bottle 102 (and thus away from the user) by a predefined angle a, where a may be between and including 1 and 15 degrees. As shown, the deflection of the narrow portion 126 may be gradual, but in other cases the deflection can have a well defined point of deflection (i.e., more of a hard angle). The deflection of the distal end of the narrow portion 126 may aid in clipping the bottle system 100 over the belt of a wearer. That is, the deflection enables the user to have the upper portion of the bottle system tilting away from the wearer, yet the distal end of the narrow portion 126 better aligned to slip between the inside surface of the belt and the wearer. [0033] Finally with respect to Figure 4, the combination of a portion of the inward facing surface 108 of the bottle 102, the wide proximal portion 124 of the elongate body 122, and the ridge 125 defines a belt space 400. In some cases, the belt may fit fully between the ridge(s) and the inside surface of the wide proximal portion 124. In other cases, the belt may lodge against the wide proximal portion 124 of the elongate body 122, and yet not fully clear the ridges, thus forcing the belt into the indentation 1 18 (not visible in Figure 4); nevertheless, the combination of the various components still help hold the bottle system 100 on the belt of the wearer. The drawings do not show an elevation view of the opposite side of the bottle system 100 because such a drawing would be a mirror image of the view of Figure 4.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a side elevation, exploded view of the bottle system 100. In particular, Figure 5 shows the bottle 102 includes a circular neck region 500. The circular neck region 500 includes threads 502 on an outer diameter of the circular neck region 500. Moreover, the circular neck region 500 has an upper surface that defines a plane 510 (in the view of Figure 5, the plane 510 is visible only as a line). The plane 510, and the plane slopes toward the inward facing surface 108. Clip 104 telescopes over the circular neck region and rests against the upper portion of the bottle 102. Once the clip 104 is telescoped over the circular neck region 500, the cap 106 is threadingly coupled to the circular neck region 500. In particular, the cap 106 is shown in partial cutaway revealing the interior surface 504 including threads 506 on the interior surface. The threads 506 are configured to threadingly couple to the threads 502 on the circular neck region 500, thus attaching the cap 104 to the bottle 102, and also holding the clip 104 in an abutting relationship with the upper portion of the bottle 102. Figure 5 also shows bulge 508, which bulge 508 protrudes toward the clip 104. Bulge 508 extends into an area defined by the wide proximal portion 124 of the clip 104, and thus in combination with the wide proximal portion 124 helps define an upper portion of the belt space 400.

[0035] Figure 6 shows an elevation, exploded view of a partial bottle system 100 to better show further features. In particular, Figure 6 shows the bottle 102 and the clip 104. At the upper portion of the bottle 102 is the circular neck region 500, and visible in Figure 6 is an aperture 600 defined in the circular neck region 500, the aperture 600 leading to the interior volume 602. Also shown in Figure 6 is the clip 104, and on an upper portion 120 of the clip 120 an aperture 604 is defined. The aperture 604 is designed to telescope over the circular neck region 500, and thus has a diameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the circular neck region 500.

[0036] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the bottle system 100. Visible in Figure 7 is a portion of the cap 106, portions of the clip 104, and the bottom 200 the bottle 102. Also visible in Figure 7 is the deflection of the narrow portion 126 of the clip 104. Figure 7 further shows that the ridges 125 not only protrude into the indentation 1 18 (not visible), but in the example shown the ridges are angled relative to each other, with the wider distance at the upper portion of the ridges, and the smaller distance at the lower portion of the ridges 125. Moreover, the example ridges 125 also flair outward relative to the distal narrow portion 126. The flaring of the ridges may assist in reducing "walking" of the bottle system 100 along the belt, particularly in cases where the apex of the ridges abut the inner surface of the belt. Finally, the outer facing surface 1 10 in example embodiments includes a trough 302, and the outline of the trough is visible in Figure 7.

[0037] Figure 8 shows a top view of the example bottle system 100. Of interest in Figure 8 is the trough 302 defined on the outward facing surface 1 10 of the bottle 102. As discussed with respect to Figure 3, the trough 302 is the location where at least some of the user's fingers grip the bottle 102, and thus the trough 302 makes the bottle more ergonomically shaped for use. Figure 8 also shows the diameter D1 of the cap D1 , and how the width W2 of the wider proximal portion 124 is not only at least twice the width W1 (not shown in Figure 6), but also greater than the diameter D1 in the example system.

[0038] Referring to all the drawings, in use the bottle 102 is fully or partially filled with the water or other liquid, the clip 104 is placed over the circular neck region 500, and the cap 106 is threadingly connected. The bottle system 100 is clipped to the belt of the wearer by first hooking the narrow portion 126 between the belt and the wearer. The relatively smaller size of the narrow portion 126 makes the initial hooking easier as the bottle system 100 need not be perfectly aligned with the belt to easily slip behind the belt, as may be the case for the wider clips. Moreover, the deflection of the narrow portion 126 enables the upper portion of the bottle and the cap to be tilted away, yet the narrow portion still better positioned to slip behind the belt. Once initially hooked, the bottle system 100 is forced downward such that the ridges 125 ride over the inside surface of the belt. In some cases, the belt may fit fully in the belt space 400 between the ridges 125, the inward facing surface, and the inside surface of the wider proximal portion 124 (and the bulge 508). In other cases, the belt may lodge against the upper inside surface of the wider proximal portion 124, but the ridges 125 may continue to abut the belt and push the belt into the indentation 1 18.

[0039] The design of the bottle system 100 reduces the amount the bottle system moves along the longitudinal axis of the belt during exercise (i.e. , reduces the "walking" of the bottle system along the belt toward the wearer's stomach or toward the wearer's back). Part of the reduced movement may be attributable to the interaction of the upper portion 120 of the clip 104, the indentation 1 18, and the ridges 125 working together to hold the bottle system in place. Another part of the reduced movement may be attributable to the shape bottle system 100. Though the inventors to not wish to be tied to any particular physical theory for the reduced movement regarding the shape of the bottle system, one example theory is based on forces tending to resist rotational movement of the bottle system 100 about the belt (as a fulcrum for rotation). Referring generally to Figure 4 it is seen that the elongate body 122 forms a flat surface parallel to the straight portion of the inward facing surface 108 (deflection of the distal end excepted). Thus, rotational movement of the bottle system 100 about the belt within the belt space 400 is limited on one side by the elongate body 122 interacting with the wearer, and rotational movement of the bottle system 100 about the belt is limited by the belt's interaction with the belt space 400 and in some cases by the ridges 125 interacting with the belt. Limiting how much the bottle system 100 oscillates about the belt not only limits "walking" of the bottle system along the belt, but also reduces the chances of the bottle system 100 working its way off the belt.

[0040] To remove the bottle system 100 (e.g. , to take a drink, the user grabs the bottle with the thumb interacting with the indentation 1 18 and/or clip 104 on one side , and the fingers interacting with the trough 302 on the other side. Gripping the bottle system in this way, the bottle system 100, clip and all, is removed from the belt. The bottle is either squeezed to create sufficient internal pressure to overcome the locking pressure of the cap, the bottle may be inverted to increase the pressure at the cap, or both, to eject fluid into the mouth of the user. The description now turns to example valve mechanisms associated with the cap.

[0041] Figure 9 shows two cross-sectional views of a cap 106 in accordance with example embodiments. In particular, the left figure shows nipple 130 translated away from the lid portion 128, and with the valve mechanism open to flow. That is, as shown there exists a flow path 900 for fluids out of the bottle 102 (not specifically shown). The flow path 900 includes an internal passageway 902 through the nipple 130, the flow path then proceeds around the stopper 904, and out the aperture 132. The nipple 130 is held in the translated position by way of an example internal protrusion 906 that circumscribes an inside diameter of the nipple 130, with the internal protrusion 906 interacting with an upper annular region 908 that circumscribes an outside diameter on the internal nipple 910. To close the valve mechanism and thus cease the flow in the example embodiments, the nipple 130 is translated toward the lid portion 128 as shown in the right portion of Figure 9. Translating the nipple 130 toward the lid portion 128 forces the internal protrusion 906 out of interaction with the upper annular region 908, and into interaction with a lower annular region 912 that circumscribes the outside diameter of the internal nipple 910. In translating the nipple 130 as shown in the right portion of Figure 9, the stopper 904 telescopes into the aperture 132 in the nipple 130, blocking fluid flow.

[0042] Figure 10 shows two cross-sectional views of a cap 106 in accordance with yet still further embodiments. In particular, Figure 10 shows a valve mechanism that does not utilize translation of the nipple 130 to open and close the valve. Rather, in the embodiments of Figure 10 an internal valve system comprises a compliant material 1000 (e.g., rubber, or one of many synthetic rubbers) with an internal puncture or aperture 1002. The compliant material 1000 is selected, and the aperture 1002 size designed and implemented, such that in absence of a predetermined amount of differential pressure across the aperture 1002, the compliant material closes or seals the aperture 1002 (as shown on the left portion of Figure 10). However, when the differential pressure across the compliant material is raised (e.g., bottle is turned upside down when there is liquid in the bottle, and/or the user draws a vacuum on the outside of the nipple by way of the user's mouth), the differential pressure causes the portion of the compliant material 1000 blocking the flow path to deflect or deform, which opens the aperture 1002 (as shown in the right portion of Figure 10) and creates a flow path 1004 out of the bottle 102 (not specifically shown).

[0043] Figure 1 1 shows a method in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, the method starts (block 1 100) and comprises clipping a bottle system over a belt (block 1 102). Clipping the bottle system over the belt may comprise: slipping a distal end of a clip between the belt and a wearer of the belt, the distal end of the clip more narrow than a bottle of the bottle system, and the distal end more narrow than an upper portion of the clip (block 1 104); pushing the bottle system over the belt such that the ridges of the clip force the belt into an indentation disposed on a first surface of the bottle (block 1 106); and lodging the belt in a belt space defined by the first surface of the bottle and the upper portion of the clip (block 1 108). The method may further comprise limiting rotational movement of the bottle system about the belt by the clip (block 1 1 10). Thereafter the method ends (block 1 1 12).

[0044] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.