US20090120898A1

US20090120898A1 - Water Bottle Cap With Integrated Indicator

Info

Publication number: US20090120898A1
Application number: US11/937,607
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Eugene Hunt; Verlon Eugene Whitehead; Tod Alan Barrett
Original assignee: CD3 Inc
Current assignee: CD3 Inc
Priority date: 2007-11-09
Filing date: 2007-11-09
Publication date: 2009-05-14

Abstract

A water bottle cap with an integrated indicator is disclosed. A combination bottle cap and indicator includes a threaded base adapted to engage the neck of a bottle and a fluid aperture within the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator includes a top hingably mounted to the threaded base for sealing the fluid aperture while overlying the threaded base and for permitting access to the fluid aperture while rotated away from the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator also includes multiple indicia and a rotatable bezel mounted to the top for positionally indicating one of the multiple indicia.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to mechanical devices and in particular to water bottles. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for a water bottle cap with an integrated indicator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dieters typically seek to achieve broad goals, such as losing a dress size or simply looking better in their clothes. Rather than continuously tracking the specific numerical value of their weight, dieters focus on round numbers (e.g., losing 10 pounds). A dieter may not wish their current weight to be displayed or widely announced to family members, friends, or passers by. Broadcasting a user's current weight can counteract the motivational effects of a weight loss system, since the user may feel embarrassed or intimidated by the numerical value of his or her weight.
Diet plans often include drinking water to protect the kidneys and/or to detoxify the body. However, dieters may not remember how much water they have consumed (or still need to consume) during a day. Dieters may also have difficulty tracking weight loss and/or motivating themselves to drink water regularly. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved apparatus for a water bottle with an integrated indicator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is an apparatus for a water bottle cap with an integrated indicator. A combination bottle cap and indicator includes a threaded base adapted to engage the neck of a bottle and a fluid aperture within the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator includes a top hingably mounted to the threaded base for sealing the fluid aperture while overlying the threaded base and for permitting access to the fluid aperture while rotated away from the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator also includes multiple indicia and a rotatable bezel mounted to the top for positionally indicating one of the multiple indicia.
The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a high level block diagram of an indicator integrated into a water bottle lid, as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a high level block diagram of an “exploded” view of a water bottle cap having the indicator of FIG. 1, as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a high level block diagram the water bottle of FIG. 2 with a lid in an open position, as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides an apparatus for a water bottle cap with an integrated indicator.
With reference now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a high level block diagram of an integrated indicator, as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, water bottle lid 100 includes an indicator 105 and a flip-top lid 110 (i.e., a water bottle cap). As utilized herein, an indicator refers to a rotatable bezel, ring, rim, and/or covering that fits on top of flip-top lid 110 and may rotate with respect to flip-top lid 110, as shown by motion line 135. Motion line 135 is provided for illustrative purposes only.
According to the illustrative embodiment, indicator 105 includes multiple indicia, such as numbers 115, and multiple textured grips 120. Numbers 115 include the integers 0 through 10, each of which may correspond to a number of pounds lost by a user of a water bottle, a number of bottles of water consumed by the user, and/or a number of bottles that the user wishes to consume (e.g., a target amount of water). Indicator 105 thus enables a user to track weight loss and/or water consumption for motivational purposes. For example, a user who has lost 4 pounds but has a goal of losing 10 pounds may periodically rotate indicator 105 in response to losing one or more additional pounds (e.g., moving from 4 to 5 after losing 1 pound). However, if the user gains one or more pounds, the user may rotate indicator 105 in a negative direction by an amount that corresponds to the weight gain (e.g., moving from 4 to 1 after gaining 3 pounds). Indicator 105 thereby motivates the user to continue with a diet plan and/or to consume a target amount of water, since the user may continue to rotate indicator 105 in a positive direction in response to positive results (i.e., weight loss and/or additional water consumption).
According to the illustrative embodiment, textured grips 120 are spaced evenly between each of numbers 115. Textured grips 120 may include raised, dimpled, and/or hollow surfaces. Flip-top lid 110 includes a graphical logo 125 and a reference mark 130, which may point to one of numbers 115 on indicator 105 (i.e., a “current setting” of indicator 105). For example, if a user positions indicator 105 such that the number “4” is in proximity to reference mark 130, then water bottle lid 100 visually indicates that the user has consumed and/or wishes to consume 4 bottles of water. Graphical logo 125 may include pictures and/or text.
In one embodiment, textured grips 120 may be positioned with respect to numbers 115 such that textured grips 120 correspond to fractional values between numbers (i.e., halves). For example, if a user positions indicator 105 such that the grip between number 4 and number 5 is in proximity to reference mark 130, then indicator 105 corresponds to a current setting of 4.5.
In an alternate embodiment, numbers 115 may correspond to a number of snacks eaten by a user in a day, thereby motivating the user to consume additional water. Similarly, numbers 115 may correspond to a number of drinks other than water (e.g., protein shakes or soda) consumed by a user in a day, thereby motivating the user to consume additional water. In another embodiment, reference mark 130 may include a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED).
With reference now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a high level block diagram of an “exploded” view of a water bottle cap that includes indicator 105 (FIG. 1), as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, water bottle 200 includes indicator 105 and flip-top lid 110 (FIG. 1). Water bottle 200 also includes a bottle 205 with a threaded top opening. Bottle 205 may be a light weight, durable material, such as polycarbonate, or the like. In one embodiment, bottle 205 may be colored (e.g., translucent purple).
According to the illustrative embodiment, water bottle 200 includes a screw top 210 (i.e., a threaded base) that forms a snug watertight seal if screwed onto the threaded top opening on bottle 205. Screw top 210 may be a light weight material, such as polyethylene. Screw top 210 may be colored (e.g., white). Screw top 210 includes a drinking opening 240 (i.e., a fluid aperture), an air hole 245 (i.e., an air aperture), a latch 255, and a hinge support 225. Drinking opening 240 has a larger area than air hole 245, which enables air to enter bottle 205 when water exits drinking opening 240, thereby increasing the efficiency of the drinking process.
According to the illustrative embodiment, latch 255 includes an opening with a cross-sectional area that corresponds to the size of a tab 250 on flip-top lid 110. Latch 255 holds tab 250 (and thus flip-top lid 110) in a closed position until a user of water bottle 200 actuates latch 255. Latch 255 may be a push button, sliding catch, or the like. Hinge support 225 includes one or more openings that hold hinge 215 and spring 220. Hinge 215 and spring 220 are a durable, water-resistant material (e.g., stainless steel). Spring 220 fits around hinge 215. A portion of flip-top lid 110 opposite tab 250 is connected to hinge 215. If a user of water bottle 200 actuates latch 255 (e.g., presses a button) when flip-top lid 110 is in a closed position, hinge 215 forces flip-top lid 110 into an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, which is described below. Hinge 215 also holds flip-top lid 110 in an open position when a user drinks from water bottle 200, thereby preventing flip-top lid 110 from inadvertently closing and/or making contact with the user's face.
In one embodiment, a user of water bottle 200 may selectively seal drinking opening 240 and/or air hole 245 with drinking opening plug 230 and air hole plug 235, respectively. Drinking opening plug 230 and air hole plug 235 have cross sectional areas that correspond to the areas of drinking opening 240 and air hole 245, respectively. Drinking opening plug 230 and air hole plug 235 are preferably attached to a bottom surface of flip-top lid 110, and the plugs automatically seal drinking opening 240 and air hole 245 if a user places flip-top lid 110 in a closed position (i.e., flipped down on top of screw top 210). Drinking opening plug 230 and air hole plug 235 may be a clear waterproof material (e.g., polyurethane). In another embodiment, drinking opening plug 230 and air hole plug 235 may not be permanently attached to flip-top lid 110 and/or may be removable.
Turning now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a high level block diagram of water bottle 200 (FIG. 2) with flip-top lid 110 (FIGS. 1-2) in an open position relative to screw top 210 (FIG. 2), as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, flip-top lid 110, which includes indicator 105 (FIGS. 1-2), is positioned at an angle of approximately 180 degrees with respect to screw top 210 (i.e., an open position). A user of water bottle 200 may close flip-top lid 110 by rotating flip-top lid 110 around hinge 215 (FIG. 2) along motion line 300 until tab 255 (FIG. 2) makes contact with latch 250 (FIG. 2). Motion line 300 is provided for illustrative purposes only. Similarly, a user of water bottle 200 may open flip-top lid 110 by actuating latch 250, thereby releasing tab 255 and enabling spring 220 (FIG. 2) to rotate flip-top lid 110 around hinge 215 to an open position.
In one embodiment, the present invention thus provides a water bottle cap with an integrated indicator. A combination bottle cap and indicator includes a threaded base, such as screw top 210 (FIGS. 2-3), adapted to engage the neck of bottle 205 (FIGS. 2-3) and a fluid aperture, such as drinking opening 240 (FIG. 2), within the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator includes a top, such as flip-top lid 110 (FIGS. 1-3), hingably mounted to the threaded base for sealing the fluid aperture while overlying the threaded base and for permitting access to the fluid aperture while rotated away from the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator also includes multiple indicia, such as numbers 115 (FIG. 1), and a rotatable bezel, such as indicator 105 (FIGS. 1-3), mounted to the top for positionally indicating one of the multiple indicia.
It is understood that the use herein of specific names are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented with different nomenclature/terminology and associated functionality utilized to describe the above devices/utility, etc., without limitation.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A combination bottle cap and indicator comprising:

a threaded base adapted to engage the neck of a bottle;

a fluid aperture within said threaded base;

a top hingably mounted to said threaded base for sealing said fluid aperture while overlying said threaded base and for permitting access to said fluid aperture while rotated away from said threaded base;

a plurality of indicia; and

a rotatable bezel mounted to said top for positionally indicating one of said plurality of indicia.

2. The combination bottle cap and indicator of claim 1, further including a plug sized to fit snugly within said fluid aperture mounted to an underside of said top and adapted to seal said fluid aperture while said top overlies said threaded base.

3. The combination bottle cap and indicator of claim 1, further including spring means for biasing said top away from a position overlying said threaded base.

4. The combination bottle cap and indicator of claim 3, further including latch means for securing said top in a position overlying said threaded base.

5. The combination bottle cap and indicator of claim 1, further including an indicator mounted to an upper side of said top proximate to said rotatable bezel.

6. The combination bottle cap and indicator of claim 5, wherein said plurality of indicia are mounted around said rotatable bezel.

7. The combination bottle cap and indicator of claim 6, wherein said plurality of indicia comprise numbers one through ten.

8. A combination water bottle and indicator comprising:

a water bottle having a treaded neck;

a cap comprising:

a threaded base adapted to engage the neck of said water bottle;

a fluid aperture within said threaded base;

a plurality of indicia; and

9. The combination water bottle and indicator of claim 8, further including a plug sized to fit snugly within said fluid aperture mounted to an underside of said top and adapted to seal said fluid aperture while said top overlies said threaded base.

10. The combination water bottle and indicator of claim 8, further including spring means for biasing said top away from a position overlying said threaded base.

11. The combination water bottle and indicator of claim 10, further including latch means for securing said top in a position overlying said threaded base.

12. The combination water bottle and indicator of claim 8, further including an indicator mounted to an upper side of said top proximate to said rotatable bezel.

13. The combination water bottle and indicator of claim 12, wherein said plurality of indicia are mounted around said rotatable bezel.

14. The combination water bottle and indicator of claim 13, wherein said plurality of indicia comprise numbers one through ten.