Nozzle for Water Bottle

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/662,846, filed Jun. 21, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of water bottles commonly used for athletes (e.g., cyclists, hockey players, football player, or the like) for rehydration, and specifically to nozzles for the water bottles.

Water bottles are commonly used by athletes and others to hold and dispense liquids, such as water and sports drinks. Water bottles commonly include a body, a cap, and a valve that is movable relative to the cap between open and closed positions. In the open position, liquid can be dispensed from the bottle, and in the closed position, liquid is inhibited from being dispensed from the bottle.

Before any constructions of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a liquid-dispensing container may include a housing having a body adapted to hold a liquid and a cap coupled to the body. The cap may include a support structure defining a receiving aperture and a base inlet port. The liquid-dispensing container may include a nozzle rotatably supported within the receiving aperture and rotatable about an axis defined by the receiving aperture. The nozzle may include a base portion having a valve having an inlet port. The nozzle may be rotated between an open position where the inlet port is substantially aligned and overlaps with the base inlet port to permit flow of fluid therethrough and a closed position where the inlet port is misaligned with the base inlet port to inhibit flow of fluid therethrough. The nozzle may also include a body portion extending from the base portion and defining an outlet, the body portion having at least one flat side configured to be grasped to rotate the nozzle between the open position and the closed position.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a liquid-dispensing container may include a housing having a body adapted to hold a liquid and a cap coupled to the body. The cap may have a support structure defining a receiving aperture and a base inlet port. The liquid-dispensing container may include a nozzle rotatably supported within the receiving aperture and rotatable about an axis defined by the receiving aperture. The nozzle may include a base portion having a valve having an inlet port. The nozzle may be rotated between an open position where the inlet port is substantially aligned and overlaps with the base inlet port to permit flow of fluid therethrough and a closed position where the inlet port is misaligned with the base inlet port to inhibit flow of fluid therethrough. The nozzle may include a body portion extending from the base portion and defining an outlet. The liquid-dispensing container may include a seal coupled to the base portion of the nozzle proximate the inlet port, the seal having a first portion extending circumferentially around the nozzle and an undulating portion extending from the first portion around the inlet port.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a liquid-dispensing container may include a housing having a body adapted to hold a liquid and a cap coupled to the body. The cap may have a support structure defining a receiving aperture and a base inlet port. The liquid-dispensing container may include a nozzle rotatably supported within the receiving aperture and rotatable about an axis defined by the receiving aperture. The nozzle may include a base portion having a valve having an inlet port. The nozzle may be rotated between an open position where the inlet port is substantially aligned and overlaps with the base inlet port to permit flow of fluid therethrough and a closed position where the inlet port is misaligned with the base inlet port to inhibit flow of fluid therethrough. The nozzle may include a body portion extending from the base portion and defining an outlet. The body portion may have at least one flat side configured to be grasped to rotate the nozzle between the open position and the closed position. The liquid-dispensing container may include a seal coupled to the base portion of the nozzle proximate the inlet port. The seal may include a first portion extending circumferentially around the nozzle and an undulating portion extending from the first portion around the inlet port. The nozzle may include a first portion defining a structure of the nozzle and a second portion overmolded onto the first portion.

illustrates a liquid-dispensing container. The liquid-dispensing containermay include a housingand a nozzle. The housingmay include a bodyadapted to hold a liquid (e.g., water, sport drink, etc.), and a capcoupled to the body. In the illustrated example, the capis threaded onto the bodyby a plurality of threads(). In other examples, the capmay couple to the bodyin other ways (e.g., via a friction fit). Also in the illustrated example, the nozzleis coupled to the housing. In other examples, the nozzlemay be monolithic with the housing(e.g., the cap).

With reference to, the capmay include a support structure. The support structuremay define a receiving aperturesized to receive the nozzle. The receiving aperturemay define a receiving axisat its axial center, and the capmay define a central axisat its axial center. The receiving axismay be offset from (e.g., radially offset from) the central axis. As described in more detail below, the nozzlemay be rotatably supported within the support structureand may be rotatable about the receiving axisbetween an open position and a closed position. However, in other examples, the nozzlecan be fixedly supported within the support structureand/or fixed relative to the receiving axissuch that the nozzledoes not rotate (e.g., when the nozzleand the housingare monolithic). Positioning the receiving axisto be offset from (e.g., radially offset from) the central axiscan facilitate emptying of the liquid-dispensing containerand prevent or mitigate its contents from welling up below the nozzlewhen the liquid-dispensing container is tilted from an upright position toward an inverted position.

With reference to, the support structuremay include a wall(e.g., circumferential wall) extending downward from an internal wallof the cap. The wallmay include a pair of base inlet ports,defined therein (). In some examples, the wallmay include a single base inlet port,, or more than two base inlet ports (e.g., three, four, etc.).

As illustrated in, the support structuremay include one or more stop surfaces,extending radially inward from the wall. The stop surfaces,may be positioned above the base inlet ports,. In some examples, the stop surfaces,may be positioned above the internal wallof the cap.

With reference to, in some examples the nozzlemay include a first portion. Further, the nozzlemay include a second portionovermolded onto the first portion. The first portionmay be formed of rigid material such as a glass-filled-nylon substrate, or other suitable material. The second portionmay be formed of a thermoplastic elastomer material such as TPSiV®, a thermoplastic elastomer sold by DuPont de Nemours. or other suitable material. The second portionof the nozzlemay be overmolded, for example, over a majority of an outer surface of the first portionof the nozzle. In some examples, more than 75 percent of the outer surface of the first portionmay be covered by the second, overmolded portion. In yet other examples, the second portionmay be omitted.

With reference to, the nozzlemay include a base portion() having a valvedefined therein and a body portion() extending (e.g., upwardly) from the base portion. In the illustrated example, the valveis a barrel valve, although other examples may include other types of valves.

With continued reference to, the valvemay include a pair of inlet ports,in communication with an outletof the nozzle(e.g., at an upper end of the nozzle). In some examples, the inlet ports,may be circumferentially offset (e.g., circumferentially offset 180 degrees) from each other. The nozzlemay further include a pair of protrusions,circumferentially offset from the pair of inlet ports,. The protrusions,, may engage the stop surfaces,() to restrict movement of the nozzlebetween the closed position and the open position. For example, the protrusions,may be positioned above the inlet ports,at a position between the inlet ports,

The arrangement of the protrusions,and the stop surfaces,may permit 90 degrees of rotation of nozzlerelative to the support structure(or other desired ranges of rotation), such that the inlet ports,may selectively align or misalign with the base inlet ports,of the support structureto selectively position the nozzlein the closed or the open position.

With continued reference to, the base portionof the nozzlemay further include a securing structurethat engages with the wallof the support structureto secure the nozzlewithin the support structure(). For example, the securing structuremay include a groovethat engages the walland a raised portionthat extends axially beyond the wall() to restrict movement of the nozzlealong the receiving axis. The arrangement of the securing structuremay allow the nozzleto be press-fit into the support structure. In some examples, the nozzlemay be removed from the support structureby grasping the body portionand pulling the nozzlealong the receiving axis.

With reference to, in some examples a sealmay be coupled to the nozzleproximate the inlet ports,. The sealmay be selectively engaged with the wallof the support structureto inhibit flow of fluid through the inlet ports,and thereby close the valvewhen the nozzleis in the closed position (). The sealmay include a flat portionextending (e.g., circumferentially) around the nozzleand an undulating portionextending from the flat portionaround the inlet ports,. In the illustrated example, the undulating portiondefines a generally U-shape around the inlet ports,() and an inverse U-shape between the inlet ports,(). The combination of the flat and undulating portions,surround the respective inlet ports,to prevent leakage of fluid from the containerwhen the nozzleis in the closed position or the open position. For example, the flat portion can prevent fluid from leaking between the nozzleand the housing(e.g., the cap) regardless of the position of the nozzle, and the undulating portioncan prevent fluid from leaking through the inlet ports,() and the nozzlewhen the nozzleis in the closed position. Further, implementing the undulating portionwith an undulating arrangement that transitions gradually away from the inlet ports,() as the undulating portiontransitions toward the flat portionmay be advantageous to permit the nozzleto be smoothly rotated between the open and closed positions while maintaining a seal preventing leakage of fluid from the container. In some examples, the sealmay be integrally formed with the second portionof the nozzlethat is overmolded onto the first portion(). Other examples may not include the sealor may include a sealhaving other shapes and sizes than that illustrated.

With reference to, the body portionof the nozzlemay include an outer surface having opposing flat sides,connected by curved segments,. The body portionmay include a first end defining the outletof the nozzleand a second end adjacent the base portion. In some examples, the first end may be substantially oval, and the second end may be substantially round. The body portionmay be tapered from the first end to the second end. For example, the first end of the body portionmay have a first width Wand the second end of the body portionhas a second width Wthat is greater than the first width W. In the illustrated example, the first width Wis approximately 16 millimeters (mm) and the second width is approximately 19 mm, although other examples may include other values or ranges of values. With continued reference to, the body portionof the nozzlemay further have a length L defined between the first and second ends. In the illustrated example, the length L is approximately 60 mm, although other examples may include other values or ranges of values. In some examples, a ratio of the length L of the body portionof the nozzleto the width Wof the body portionadjacent the outletis approximately 3.75. In some examples, the ratio of the length L to the first width Wis in a range from 2 to 5. In some examples, the ratio is greater than 3.

The tapered design of the body portionand the ratio of the length Lof the body portionto the first width Wof the body portionmay allow the nozzleto be inserted easily through cages or the like (e.g., on a helmet) when the user is rehydrating. In the examples, the nozzlemay advantageously permit the user to rehydrate without needing to remove a helmet. In addition, the combination of the flat sides,of the body portionand the increased width of the body portionadjacent the second end (e.g., W) may provide a surface for the user to grasp when rotating the nozzleabout the receiving axisbetween the open and closed positions.

With reference to, the valveof the nozzleis illustrated in the open position of the nozzle() and in the closed position of the nozzle(). In the illustrated example, the nozzlemay be rotated about the receiving axis() between the opened position and the closed position. Rotation of the nozzlemay cause the inlet ports,to rotate relative to the base inlet ports,of the cap. As described above, the valvemay be in the closed position of the nozzle() when the inlet ports,are misaligned with the base inlet ports,. As such, fluid from the bodymay be inhibited from flowing through the nozzle. The valvemay be in the opened position of the nozzle() when the nozzleis rotated to a position where the inlet ports,are substantially aligned and overlap with the base inlet ports,. As such, fluid may flow through the nozzle.

In the illustrated example, the nozzleis in the closed position when the inlet ports,are pivoted ninety (90) degrees relative to the base inlet ports,. Other examples may include different values or ranges of values (e.g., 80 degrees, 100 degrees).

Some of the examples may be further described by reference to the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1—A liquid-dispensing container comprising:

Clause 2—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 1, wherein the opposing flat sides are connected by curved segments.

Clause 3—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the body portion of the nozzle comprises a first end defining the outlet of the nozzle and a second end adjacent the base portion, the body portion is tapered from the first end to the second end, and the first end of the body portion has a first width and the second end of the body portion has a second width that is greater than the first width.

Clause 4—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 3, wherein the body portion has a length defined between the first end and the second end, and wherein a ratio of the length of the body portion of the nozzle to the first width is greater than 3.

Clause 5—The liquid-dispensing container of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a seal coupled to the base portion of the nozzle proximate the inlet port, and wherein the seal includes a flat portion extending radially around the nozzle and an undulating portion extending from the flat portion around the inlet port.

Clause 6—The liquid-dispensing container of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the nozzle includes a first portion defining a structure of the nozzle and a second portion overmolded onto the first portion.

Clause 7——The liquid-dispensing container of clause 6, wherein the first portion is formed of a rigid material and a second portion is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

Clause 8—The liquid-dispensing container of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the support structure includes a wall extending downward from an internal wall of the cap and a stop surface radially extending from the wall, and the nozzle includes a protrusion configured selectively engage the stop surface to restrict movement of the nozzle between the closed position and the open position.

Clause 9—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 8, wherein the stop surface is positioned above the internal wall of the cap and the base inlet port.

Clause 10—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 8 or clause 9, wherein the protrusion is positioned above the inlet port.

Clause 11—A liquid-dispensing container comprising:

Clause 12—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 11, wherein the body portion comprises opposing flat sides configured to be grasped to rotate the nozzle between the open position and the closed position.

Clause 13—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein the nozzle includes a first portion defining a structure of the nozzle and a second portion overmolded onto the first portion.

Clause 14—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 13, wherein the first portion is formed of a rigid material and a second portion is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

Clause 15—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 13 or clause 14, wherein the seal is integrally formed with the second portion.

Clause 16—The liquid-dispensing container of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the support structure includes a wall extending downward from an internal wall of the cap and a stop surface radially extending from the wall, and the nozzle includes a protrusion configured selectively engage the stop surface to restrict movement of the nozzle between the closed position and the open position.

Clause 17—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 16, wherein the stop surface is positioned above the internal wall of the cap and the base inlet port.

Clause 18—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 16 or clause 17, wherein the protrusion is positioned above the inlet port.

Clause 19—A liquid-dispensing container comprising:

Clause 20—The liquid-dispensing container of clause 19, wherein the support structure includes a wall extending downward from an internal wall of the cap and a stop surface radially extending from the wall, the nozzle includes a protrusion configured selectively engage the stop surface to restrict movement of the nozzle between the closed position and the open position, the stop surface is positioned above the internal wall of the cap and the base inlet port, and the protrusion is positioned above the inlet port.

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.