The invention relates to a sports bottle for hand-held drinking. In particular, for hand-held drinking in an aerodynamically efficient cycling position.

An aerodynamically efficient cycling position for e.g. a road bike, cyclocross bike, mountainbike and/or a time trial bike can typically be characterised by the torso and head of the cyclist being tilted downwards with respect to an upright position, and/or the elbows being bent so as to further lower the torso and head with respect to the bicycle. These position characteristics tend to lead to a small frontal area of the cyclist and/or a low drag coefficient of the cyclist. This in turn leads to low aerodynamic drag acting on a cyclist, thereby making it an aerodynamically efficient position. A particular aerodynamically efficient cycling position for an individual cyclist, especially a professional cyclist, is often determined through experimental testing, e.g. wind tunnel testing, and/or computational simulations.

The power required for a cyclist to cycle at a certain velocity, or the energy expenditure required to cycle at a certain velocity for a certain amount of time, is lower in an aerodynamically efficient cycling position in comparison with other cycling positions which have higher aerodynamic drag, such as a raised and/or upright position.

In cycling, a sports bottle, or bidon, for hand-held drinking is typically removed from a bottle cage that is mounted on the bicycle frame and then brought up to the mouth of the user so as to drink from it. Such sports bottles are well known and may be described as containers that provide means for squeezing and/or suction so as to drink a liquid contained therein. For example, in US 6006952 a squeezable, cylindrical sports bottle is disclosed which has a nozzle protruding therefrom at an upper end thereof. This nozzle permits a liquid outflow and is coupled with a straw member to direct fluids from the bottle to the nozzle. To drink from this bottle a cyclist has to align his/her mouth with the nozzle. With the nozzle being an extension of the cylindrical bottle, the cyclist therefore has to stretch out an arm, and/or considerably tilt and/or raise his/her torso and/or head. Or in other words, the cyclist has to considerably alter their position from the aerodynamically efficient position to be able to drink from the bottle. This increases the frontal area and/or drag coefficient of the cyclist, thereby leading to increased aerodynamic drag acting on the cyclist. This is disadvantageous as the cyclist then would have to exert more power to maintain a certain velocity. Or put differently: for a given power level the cyclist would decelerate. It is an object of the current invention to provide a sports bottle that allows for drinking in an aerodynamically efficient cycling position.

This object is achieved by a sports bottle according to claim 1, wherein the sports bottle comprises: a squeezable container for retaining fluids, the container having a main section and a top section, the main section having a bottom and the top section having an open end; a closure mountable on the open end of the top section of the container, the closure having a dispensing spout to allow a dispensing of fluids therethrough, a straw member having one end coupled with the dispensing spout, wherein the straw member extends from the dispensing spout into the container, towards a suction end near the container bottom, and defining a tubular fluid channel to direct fluids from the main section of the container to the dispensing spout, wherein,

- the top section has a bend portion such that the top section at the open end thereof extends at a first acute angle relative to the central axis of the main portion, the bend portion defining an outside bend and an inside bend, the outside bend being on a first side of the container, and the inside bend being on a second side of the container, and

- the straw member defines a curved trajectory from the dispensing spout to the suction end, wherein the curved trajectory is such that the suction end of the straw member is located near the first side of the container.

Pressure on the container as a result of squeezing, and/or suction on the dispensing spout, by the cyclist leads to a pressure differential and fluid being forced out of the container via the tubular fluid channel so as to be able to drink from the bottle. It is noted that, in the art, this squeezability of the container is typically achieved by using plastic materials and/or variable thicknesses of the container wall.

In practical embodiments, the container is configured to be retained in a bottle cage, e.g. that is mounted on a bicycle frame.

In a drinking position, a cyclist substantially aligns the cyclist’s mouth with the dispensing spout, or mouthpiece, such that he/she can drink therefrom. Typically this leads to the dispensing spout substantially pointing in the normal direction with respect to the cyclist’s face. The bend in the top section allows for this alignment, whilst also allowing the cyclist to hold the main section of the bottle closer to and/or substantially aligned with, or parallel to, their torso. Thus, the cyclist can maintain his/her aerodynamically efficient position whilst drinking. That is, the cyclist can drink without having to stretch out an arm, and/or considerably tilt and/or raise their torso and/or head. This is advantageous for the frontal area and/or drag coefficient of the cyclist.

It is a further advantage of the sports bottle according to the invention that it results in easy extraction of the liquids from the bottle, even in the aerodynamically efficient cycling position. In said position the torso and head of the cyclist tend to be tilted downwards with respect to an upright position. When the main section of the container is held substantially parallel to the cyclist’s torso, one side of the bottle - i.e. the side of the outside bend - is at least slightly lower than the second side of the bottle. This means that induced by gravity the contents, i.e. the liquid contained in the bottle, will collect on said side of the outside bend. It is on this lower side that in the bottle according to the invention the straw member at a suction end thereof is located near (the wall of) the container and near the bottom thereof. Effectively, gravity thus pushes the bottle contents, i.e. liquids, towards the straw member. This makes it easier to extract liquids from the bottle, especially when the bottle is partially empty. This ease of extraction of liquids is advantageous during cycling as it means that the cyclist would have to provide less pressure and/or suction so as to drink from the bottle. Thereby it makes it easier for the cyclist to drink from the bottle, or e.g. allow for drinking in situations wherein one has less dexterity and/or strength, for example cold conditions.

With the liquids collecting on said lower side (i.e. the side of the outside bend, or first side) of the bottle, and thereby being directed towards the straw member - it also means that the cyclist can fully drink the bottle without having to e.g. tilt the bottle to empty out any remaining liquid. This is especially advantageous in situations wherein the contents of the bottle are important for and/or specifically tailored to a nutritional plan. The latter is often the case in events and/or races wherein a cyclist has a predetermined nutritional strategy. Hence, the bottle according to the invention allows the cyclist to drink in their aerodynamically efficient cycling position, whilst also allowing them to adhere to their nutritional strategy in said position.

Standard volumes for a sports bottle, e.g. in cycling, are typically in the order of 500ml - 1000ml, e.g. 500ml, 750ml or 1000ml. Other volumes are conceivable. ln an embodiment the curved trajectory describes a continuous curve from the dispensing spout towards the suction end of the straw member. In a practical embodiment, then at the dispensing spout the straw member extends at a second acute angle relative to the central axis of the main section of the container, and that the straw member at the suction end thereof extends along the first side of the container and substantially parallel to the central axis of the main section of the container. This can mean that the straw member, being coupled to the dispensing spout at the second acute angle results in the straw member initially extending horizontally from the dispensing spout towards the first side of the bottle. After which the straw member bends so as to align with the main section of the container and thus to extend along the first side of the container.

In embodiments, the first acute angle can be in the range of 45° - 90°. Preferably the first acute angle can be in the range of 60° - 80°. These angles aid in aligning the dispensing spout with the mouth of the cyclist in an aerodynamically efficient cycling position, whilst also being able to hold the bottle in said cycling position. Holding the bottle then leads to one side of the bottle - i.e. the first side on the side of the outside bend - being lower than the other side. The range of 60° - 80° can be particularly advantageous for aggressive riding positions, in which the cyclist has a rather lowered head and torso.

In embodiments, the second acute angle can be in the range of 45° - 90°. Preferably the second acute angle can be in the range of 60° - 80°.

In an elegant embodiment, the first and second acute angles are of similar magnitude.

In a further embodiment, the curved trajectory of the straw member describes an S-shaped downward curve from the dispensing spout towards the suction end of the straw member.

The curved trajectory may also describe a convex downward curve from the dispensing spout towards the suction end of the straw member.

In some embodiments, the straw member may be rigid. This means that the straw is preformed to have a shape that leads to the suction end of the straw member being located near the first side of the container and near the bottom of the container. Practically, for a rigid straw member the material stiffness is such that the straw member maintains the preformed shape. Having a straw member is advantageous as it allows for the straw member’s suction end to easily be located in a predetermined position.

In other embodiments, the straw member may be flexible. A flexible straw member is cheap and easy to produce and may be used for a multitude of bottle configurations. Practically, the flexibility of the straw member should allow for bending upon contact with a container wall. Yet in a preferred embodiment, the material stiffness of the straw member is such that the straw maintains its cross-sectional shape in this bend. That is, the straw does not kink shut due to bending, as with the latter liquids would not be able to travel through the straw.

In an embodiment, the straw member is removably secured, e.g. removably clamped, to the dispensing spout at the upper straw end.

In a practical embodiment, the container has a circular cross-section. At the time of writing such a circular cross-section may be considered the standard sports bottle shape, especially for cycling bottles, or bidons.

In a further embodiment, the container has an oblong cross-section. Such a cross-section may provide aerodynamic advantage, especially in a mounted position on the bicycle, as it provides a more streamlined contour. This typically leads to a lowered drag coefficient.

In a practical embodiment, the top and main sections of the container are formed monolithically. Thus, the container is formed in one piece, e.g. by blow-moulding.

In another practical embodiment, the top section and main section of the container are separate parts, wherein the top section and main section are adapted to be coupled together so as to form the container. This coupling may permanent or a releasable coupling. In a design with a coupling, for example, injection molding of the top section and main section as separate parts is possible.

In a further embodiment, the coupling of the top section and main section is through a screw connection comprising a thread on the top section and a thread on the main section. Alternatively another suitable connection could be used, e.g. a snap-fit connection, clamp fitting, thermowelding.

In a possible embodiment, the outer surface of the bottle has been at least partially provided with an aerodynamically efficient surface texture. This may provide aerodynamic advantage, especially in a mounted position on the bicycle.

The invention also relates to a top section intended for use in a sports bottle in which the top section and main section of the container are separate parts, wherein the top section and main section are adapted to be coupled together so as to form the container and/or the coupling of the top section and main coupling is through a screw connection comprising a thread on the main section and a thread on the main section or a thread on the top section and a thread on the main section. Alternatively another suitable connection could be used, e.g. a snap-fit connection, clamp fitting.

Effectively this top section may then be considered as an interchangeable part that fits on a/any container of a sports bottle of standard diameter which constitutes the main section, in particular cycling bottle or bidon. That is, the top section can be mounted on, for example, an existing container of a sports bottle. Therein it e.g. provides a simple but efficient solution for existing bottles to be ‘upgraded’ to a bottle that can be used in the aerodynamically efficient cycling position. Similarly, it may be used as an extension of an existing bottle such that it increases the volume thereof.

In a further aspect the invention also relates to a bottle cage for retaining a sports bottle according to the invention, wherein the bottle and the cage in a mounted state, i.e. wherein the bottle is mounted in the cage, define a mutual outline that is aerodynamically efficient. That is, the bottle cage houses the sports bottle having the bend in such a way that the airflow around the mounted bottle in the bottle cage during cycling is not disturbed by e.g. a bent top section protruding outward from the central axis.

The present invention also relates to a method for providing a liquid to a cyclist, wherein use of made of a sport bottle, or a top section thereof, as described herein.

The invention will be explained further with reference to the drawings, in which like reference symbols designate like parts. In these drawings:

Figs. 1A-1C schematically show a frontal view, a side view, and a bottom view of an embodiment of a sports bottle according to invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-section of the bottle of Figs. 1A-1C along A-A.

Figs. 3A-3C schematically show a frontal view, a side view, and a bottom view of another embodiment of a sports bottle according to invention;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a cross-section of the bottle of Figs. 3A-3C along A’-A’.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cyclist using a sports bottle according to the invention for drinking in an aerodynamically efficient cycling position. Figs. 1A-1C schematically show a frontal view, a side view, and a bottom view - respectively - of a sports bottle 1 according to invention. The sports bottle 1 comprises a squeezable container 10 for retaining fluids, the container 10 defining an top section 20 and a main section 30, the main section 30 having a bottom 40 and the top section having an open end 22. The container 10 of Figs. 1A-1C is formed monolithically. Thus, the top section 20 and the main section 30 are formed in one piece. The sports bottle 1 is preferably made of a plastic material, e g. by blow moulding, injection moulding. Other suitable materials that allow for squeezability of the container 10 may also be conceivable.

In Figs. 1A-1C a closure 50 is mounted on the open end 22 of the container 10. This seals open end 22. The sealing may be removable and/or resealable. In Fig. 2 can be seen that the closure 50 is provided with a male thread and the upper end 22 with a female thread, which cooperate to provide the aforementioned seal. That is the closure 50 and the container 10 are coupled through a screw connection comprising a thread on the container and a thread on the closure. Other suitable connections may be conceivable, such as e.g. a snap connection.

The closure 50 has a dispensing spout 60 to allow a dispensing of fluids therethrough. A cyclist can use this dispensing spout 60 to drink from. As such the dispensing spout 60 includes a mouthpiece. In Figs. 1A-1C the dispensing spout 60 is shown in an opened position. That is, an upper spout portion 62 is raised relative to its spout base 61, thereby opening up an internal fluid channel (shown in Fig. 2) to allow a dispensing of fluids. It should be appreciated that this is a particular type of dispensing spout, or mouthpiece, and that other options are equally suitable for a bottle according to the invention. For example mouthpieces that open up a fluid channel by e.g. twisting rather than raising a portion such as done by upper spout portion 62, or for example by biting into a mouthpiece.

The top section 20 has a bend portion such that the top section 20 at the open end 22 thereof extends at a first acute angle a relative to the central axis CA of the main section 30. The bend portion defines an outside bend 23 and an inside bend 24, the outside bend 23 being on a first side 11 of the container 10, and the inside bend 24 being on a second side 12 of the container 10. In Figs. 1A-1C (and Fig. 2) this first acute angle is approximately 70°. At a lower end 21 the top section 20 extends parallel to the central axis CA.

As can be seen in Fig. 1C, the sports bottle of this embodiment has a circular cross-section. This is typical for a cycling bottle, or bidon, for most usages. It should however be appreciated that the invention does not rely on a specific cross-section. Other cross-sections may be possible. For example, an oblong cross-section, such as is well known in the art for time trial bottles.

The bottom 40 in Fig. 1C is shown to have an inner circumference section 42 and an outer circumference section 41. At the inner circumference section 42 the bottom 40 may e.g. be lower or on an elevated level relative to the bottom 40 at the outer circumference section 41 (as shown in Fig. 2), or vice versa. Alternatively, both sections 41 and 42 may be of equal height.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-section of the bottle of Figs. 1A-1C along the line A-A shown in Fig. 1A. The closure 50 has a bore and a resealable dispensing spout 60 aligned therewith to allow a dispensing of fluids therethrough in the open position of the dispensing spout 60 as shown here. The dispensing spout 60 in the open position opens up an internal fluid channel 63 for the dispensing of fluids towards the opening 64.

The sports bottle 1 comprises a straw member 70 coupled with, and/or clamped into, a spout member 64 of the dispensing spout 60 at an upper straw end 71 , wherein from said upper straw end 71 the straw member extends substantially downward into the container 10, towards and/or near the bottom 40 thereof, thereby defining a tubular fluid channel to direct fluids from the main section 30 of the container 10 to the dispensing spout 10.

The straw member of Fig. 2 defines a curved trajectory in its downward extension towards the bottom 40 and terminates with its suction end 72 near said bottom 40. That is, the straw member 70 defines a curved trajectory from the dispensing spout 60 to the suction end 72. The curved trajectory is such that the suction end 72 the straw member is located near the first side 11 of the container 10 and near the bottom 40 of the container 10. At an upper end 71 the straw member 70 extends at a second acute angle b relative to the central axis CA, and at a lower end 73 extends along the first side 11 of the container 10 and substantially parallel to the central axis CA. The lower end 73 terminates in a suction end 72. The second acute angle b is in Fig. 2 similar in magnitude to the first acute angle a.

The bottom 40 in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 can be seen to have canted edges 43, and an arched profile between bottom edges 44, wherein a mid-section of the arched profile is elevated with respect to the bottom edges 44. In the embodiments of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the suction ends 72, 372 are aligned with the arched profile near the bottom edge 44 on the first side 11, 311 of the container 10, 310. It should be appreciated that the bottom 40 may also be designed differently, e.g. in a flat manner. ln Figs. 2 and 4 the straw member 70, 370 may be a flexible straw which upon contact with the container 10, 310 on first side 11, 311 bends. Due to this bend and the resulting tension in the straw member 70, 370, at the lower end 73, 373 it then initially extends along the wall of the container 10, 310, but at suction end 72, 372 the straw 70, 370 is bent inwardly, or slightly inwardly. The canted edge 43 on the first side 11 , 311 of the container 10, 311 may aid in positioning the suction end 72, 372 in this manner. Such positioning of a suction end is shown in Fig. 4 for suction end 372 which abuts canted edge 43 on the first side 311 of container 310.

Alternatively, the straw member 70, 370 may be a rigid straw that is preformed to exhibit the curved trajectory as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, respectively.

The bottle 1 of Figs. 1A - 1C and Fig. 2 can be seen to have gripping elements 80 and 85. These gripping elements are formed by recesses in the container 10 so as to increase grip in holding the bottle 1 with one hand. The gripping element 85 is a larger recess that may be suitable to the thumb and the smaller recesses 80 may be suitable for the other fingers to reach around the bottle 1. These gripping elements 80, 85 are no necessary elements for a bottle 1 according to the invention.

Figs. 3A - 3C schematically show a frontal view, a side view, and a bottom view - respectively -of a sports bottle 3 according to invention. Fig. 4 schematically shows a cross-section of the bottle 3 of Figs. 3A - 3C along the line A’-A’ shown in Fig. 3A.

The sports bottle 3 is preferably made of a plastic material, e.g. by blow moulding, injection moulding. Other suitable materials that allow for squeezability of the container 10 may also be conceivable.

The sports bottle 3 comprises a container 310 for retaining fluids, the container 310 defining an top section 320 and a main section 330. The main section 330 has a bottom 340 at a first lower end 331 and being open on a first upper end 332, and the top section 320 being open on both a second lower end 321 and a second upper end 322. The container 310 of Figs. 3A- 3C is formed from a separate top section 320 and main section 330. These two portions 320, 330 are coupled to form the container 310. This coupling is done in a coupling region 335, which in Figs. 3A-3C and Fig. 4 can be seen to protrude outward; thereby forming a type of collar. This collar may e.g. aid in retaining the bottle 3 in a bottle cage. It should however be appreciated that other types of coupling may be equally suitable. The main section 330 has a height H3. The length of the straw member 370 in the bottle 3 as shown in Fig. 4 is related to said height H3, such that the straw member 370 terminates with its suction end 372 in a predetermined position. To retain a sports bottle 3 of a different volume a main section 330 of a different height may be used, in accordance with a straw member of the desired length. As such the same top section 320 can be used to manufacture sports bottles of varying volumes.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cyclist 500 on a bicycle 600 using a sports bottle 5 according to the invention for drinking in an aerodynamically efficient cycling position. The cyclist 500 has his/her torso 510 tilted downwards with an angle g with respect to a vertical axis VA. His/her head 520 is both tilted downwards with respect to vertical axis VA, but also with respect to the torso 510. Furthermore the cyclist 500 has his/her left elbow 530 bent so as to further lower the torso 510 and head 520 with respect to the bicycle 600. These position characteristics tend to lead to a small frontal area and/or a low drag coefficient of the cyclist 500.

The cyclist is holding the bottle 5, having the outside bend 23 and inside bend 24, with his/her right hand at the main section thereof. Due to the outside and inside bends in the bottle 5 the cyclist 500 can hold the bottle 5 close to his/her torso 510 with his/her right elbow bent.

The main section of the bottle 5 is to some extent held substantially parallel to the torso 510.

The first side 11, i.e. the side of the outside bend 23, is in this position lower than the second side 12 of the bottle. Induced by gravity the contents, i.e. the liquid contained in the bottle, will thus collect on the lower side (i.e. the first side). It is on this lower side that in the bottle according to the invention the straw member at a suction end thereof is located near (the wall of) the container and near the bottom thereof. Effectively, gravity thus pushes the bottle contents, i.e. liquids, towards the straw member.

It is noted that the description the user of the bottle is often referred to as a cyclist. It should however be appreciated that the sports bottle according to the invention may equally be used for and/or be suitable for other sports with e.g. similar positional requirements, aerodynamic requirements and/or a need for ease of (complete) liquid extraction.