GB2327661A

GB2327661A - Multi-part containers

Info

Publication number: GB2327661A
Application number: GB9715781A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Andrew Taylor; James Augsburger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-25
Filing date: 1997-07-25
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: GB9715781D0

Abstract

A multi-part container comprises an upper unit 2 which may contain a drink and a storage unit 3 attached to the upper unit 2 by screw threads 6,7, which storage unit 3 may be used as a cup. The upper unit 2 may be closed by a top 1, having a nozzle provided with an axially movable closure cap 9, having an aperture 8 which may be closed by a member 13 attached to the nozzle by fins 14. The components of the container are preferably moulded, eg from polypropylene, and the upper unit 2 may have a central region 15 of reduced diameter and thickness which may be squeezed to discharge the contents through the nozzle.

Description

MULTI-PART CONTAINERS This invention relates to multi-part containers and is particularly concerned with containers adapted to be utilised in a wide variety of leisure activities. The invention is more particularly concerned with containers which have the dual role of providing a storage facility for items and also a unit or units for carrying liquids and/or food.

The multi-part containers of the present invention are particularly appropriate for those persons who undertake fitness activities, including exercising in a fitness room or cycling.

However, it is to be clearly understood that the containers of the present invention are not to be regarded as limited to those particular leisure activities but have a wide application to a variety of sporting and other situations where it is desirable to have a combined refreshment and storage container.

Those persons who undertake leisure activities often carry drinking containers as they need to drink regularly. Due to the absence of pockets in modern fitness clothing, problems often arise in carrying small items such as keys, money, cards, etc.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a multi-part container which has both storage capacity for such items and also a unit for liquid refreshment.

Broadly, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a multi-part container comprising two separate units, at least one of which is for holding liquid refreshment, wherein said units are connected together by screw fastening means in an end-to-end configuration. One or more of the units may be for storage purposes. A screw on drinking cap is preferably provided for attachment to the drinking container of the combination of units.

In one simple embodiment in accordance with the invention the container comprises two intechangeable units, the lower one 3 being a storage unit and the upper one 2 being essentially a bottle for holding liquid. However, the combination of the units can be built up to form an extended container, as required. The lower one 3 can also act as a cup unit if required. The bottle may also be detached from the storage unit and be used totally separately as a drinking bottle on its own.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one presently preferred embodiment of the containers with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows various views of the container: 'A' is a perspective of an assembled container, 'B' is an exploded view of a container comprising a storage unit 3, bottle unit 2 and top 1, 'C' are other views of the same container in but the right-hand container has a ribbed section on the drinking bottle to provide grip.

Fig. 2 is a partial view, on an enlarged scale, showing the screw fitting of the top 1, bottle 2 and base stoage unit 3.

The simple .multi-part container shown in Fig. 2 comprises a "bottle" unit 2, a storage unit 3 and a top 1. The bottle unit 2 is of generally cylindrical form, (of differing diameters), having a closed base at the lower end and being open at the upper end. The lower end of the bottle unit 2 has an external screw thread 6, and the upper end of the bottle unit 2 has an internal thread 5. The storage unit 3 is also of generally cylindrical form, (of differing diameters), having a closed base at the lower end and being open at the upper end. It has an internal screw thread 7 at the upper end.

At the end of the container opposite to the base 3 there is provided the cap 1. This cap has a longitudinally extended flange portion 16 which is provided with an external screw thread 4, for engagement with the internal screw thread 5 in the upper end of the bottle unit 2. The cap comprises a generally horizontally extending wab 17 which has a central, upstanding spigot 12 which extends outwards of the container and which serves as a drinking nozzle. The cap operates in the following way, the cap top 9, is able to move in and out with a friction grip against the nozzle 12. The cap 9 has a projecting ring 11, that has a tight fit against the recess in the nozzle 20, and it is this that makes the friction contact. Projections 10 and 21 on the nozzle 12 act to limit the in and out movement of the cap top 9. on the top of the nozzle is a small cylindrical piece of solid plastic 13 that is fixed securely to the inside of the nozzle 12 by three plastic "fins", 14, shown dotted on Fig 2. The wings 14 are thin enough in shape so that the hole between the small cylindrical piece of solid plastic 13 and the inside of the nozzle 12 is still large enough to allow liquid for drinking to pass through. The small cylindrical piece of solid plastic 13 projects beyond the top of the cap 9. The hole in the top of the cap 9 is the same size as the small cylindrical piece of solid plastic 13 so that when the cap 9 is closed down, no water can pass through.

The component parts of the container are made from a suitable plastics material, for example polypropylene. The cap 1 is preferably made by injection moulding techniques and the bottle 2 and base 3 preferably by blow moulding techniques. This would allow the various screw threads to be satisfactorily produced.

As illustrated, the bottle 2 is shaped with a thin central area 15 and thicker ends 18 and 19. This design is to enable those with smaller hands to be able to grip and squeeze the bottle.

This action forces water out of the end of the open nozzle 8.

This reduced thickness area 15 gives the unit a certain "sqeezability", while the thicker areas 18 and 19 provide riqidity at the thread ends.

Claims

A multi-part container comprising two separate units, at least one of which is for holding liquid refreshnent, wherein said units are connected together by screw fastening means in an end- to-end configuration. One or more of the units may be for storage purposes. A screw on drinking cap is preferably provided for attachment to the drinking container of the combination of units.

A container comprising two intechangeable units, the lower one 3 being a storage unit and the upper one 2 being essentially a bottle for holding liquid, the combination of the units can be built up to form an extended container. The lower one 3 can also act as a cup unit if required. The bottle may also be detached from the storage unit and be used totally separately as a drinking bottle on its own