MXPA97008169A - Container for fluid and assembly for me - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination of a container and a retainer for attaching the container to an object, the combination characterized in that it comprises a container having a portion having a lower portion and side walls connected to the lower portion, the portion bottom and side walls defining interior, the lower portion including a first section concave to the interior region and fixed to the side walls and a second section defining a channel, along a central longitudinal axis of the container, the second section extending towards the inner region and being substantially parallel to the side walls, and a retainer having a base portion for mounting to the object, the base portion adapted to be fixed to the object, a connected bridge base portion, and a fixing post extending from the bridge portion, the fixing post adapted to attach the second section, wherein the base portion includes a first surface for pressing against the object and a second surface opposite the first surface configured so as to contact at least a portion of the side walls

Description

RECIPIENT FOR FLUID AND ASSEMBLY FOR THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a fluid container and a device for mounting the container to an object. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward an assembly and a disposable bottle for use with objects such as bicycles. 2. Related Technique: A person riding a bicycle at any significant distance needs to hydrate at regular intervals in order to prevent fatigue and dehydration as a result of physical exertion and the evaporation effect of the wind encountered while riding. Over the years the most effective method - to achieve hydration has been to securely secure one or more mounting devices to the bicycle frame - which could be fitted with a removable plastic bottle or similar material filled with water, juice or any other variety of fluids to drink. When the cyclist so desires, the bottle is pulled from the assembly; take a drink; and the bottle is replaced again towards the assembly. This is all done preferably while riding the bicycle. Since the 1940s, or probably even earlier, the mounting device or "cage", as it is called, used for REF: 25876 to retain a bottle with water to a bicycle has been a basket device made of solid metal pipe of light gauge, bent and formed, towards which the bottle would fit tightly. With the latest technology, the cages are made of molded polymeric material. But despite innumerable changes in shape, cosmetic appearance and type of material, the function of the cage has remained unchanged for decades. It is to this relationship between cage and bottle that the present invention is directed. Despite a generally acetable history of operation, a conventional cage and bottle system has a fundamental flaw in its function in that it is frequently clumsy to use, and will exhibit this at critical times when it can -impact on the cyclist's safety and / or, in the case of a racing scenario, the consistent speed of the cyclist. The basis of this failure lies in the fact that any bottle will be almost the exact same size as any cage in which it must fit. In other words, the physical relationship between the bottle and cage is very similar to that of key and lock. There is little room for not having the bottle placed exactly on the cage opening when the bottle is replaced. In the physically dynamic environment for riding a bicycle, this can provide a precarious safety situation as well-as a general inconvenience. That is, the cyclist may be forced to divert his eyes from the road in front of him in order to replace the bottle in the cage after drinking from the bottle. Obviously, this could endanger the ciel i ^ ta, since momentarily, the attention is not focused on the road. A responsibility of more pressure of the cyclist to maintain a margin of safety while riding is to maintain a high visual attention of the immediate neighborhoods. The existing cage and bottle design often requires that the cyclist, novice or expert, see the cage below when replacing the bottle in order to accurately position the boat in relation to the cage. These various seconds when the cyclist's attention deviates from the road presents a window of opportunity for accident and subsequent damage. Common examples of typical situations that illustrate the need for a cyclist to maintain diligent attention include: riding along the edge of a paved road that has a jagged, uneven edge of broken asphalt; ride in close proximity to vehicular traffic; ride with a small child fixed to the bike with a child safety seat; riding in an off - road situation in an uneven terrain environment, - rock and loose, unpaired land, with abruptly changing degree and elevation; and, in a race in a "line of passage" in which half a dozen or more bicycle racers will be riding at speeds of up to 83 kilometers per hour a single-row formation with only several centimeters of separation between bicycles. In addition to the importance of safety, the - potential gravitation caused by the inconvenience of the existing bottle and cage design that subtracts from the joy sought by a cyclist for a ride. It is also known how to provide a bottle with water that has a dovetail fixation that connects with -the assembly. Said provision requires the cyclist to orient the bottle with water so that the dovetail insert is aligned with the receptacle for the same. Such a design requires the cyclist to seek and distract attention from the truck or track, thus creating the potential for an accident. Another design for a bottle with water and assembly to fix the bottle to a bicycle frame includes the use of VELCRO on both side walls of the bottle and a surface of the mounting member. By aligning the bottle with the mounting member, the bottle will be retained in place by the VELCRO. However, this bottle and assembly has the same problems as the cage apparatus described above. That is, the cyclist must search to ensure that the VELCRO in the bottle is aligned with that of the mounting member so that the bottle is fixed to the mounting member. If the two VELCRO sections are not found, the bottle will not be attached to the mounting member. It is evident that this bottle and assembly also requires the cyclist to divert attention from the road in order to ensure that the bottle is secured to the assembly. Another design of a water bottle for a bicycle has been to use a teardrop-shaped bottle that mounts a post extending from a mounting structure. The canister is flat on two sides and requires careful alignment between the bottle and the assembly. The bottle is not of cylindrical cross-section, thus forcing the user to orient the bottle with respect to the assembly when the -botel is replaced. None of the known designs discussed above. - allows the cyclist to easily replace a bottle in a gear for the same when the cyclist is riding a bicycle. All known designs require the cyclist to orient the bottle, thus requiring the cyclist to divert attention away from the road. A bottle that is easily replaceable by the cyclist without requiring deflection of cardboard is still desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container adapted for simple attachment to the frame of a bicycle and to provide a device that allows the replacement of a fluid container, but does not require the cyclist to deviate no attention of the road during the replacement process The object of the present invention is achieved by the present invention, which includes a water bottle having a concave lower portion including a first and second section, and a mounting structure that includes a Fixing post adapted for coupling the second section. The section according to section may include a location under pressure, in which the bottle is firmly fixed to the fixing post. The mounting structure can be mounted to any object, such as a bicycle frame, a golf cart, a bed, the inside of a car, etc. The fluid-containing member, when attached to the mounting structure, is easily replaceable without requiring the cyclist to divert attention from the road. In a preferred embodiment, the side wall portion of the fluid container is of substantially circular cylindrical contour, and the lower portion is a conical-funnel type, that is, the bottom is concave, centered on the central longitudinal axis of the fluid container. The lower portion may also be of trumpet or bell configuration, provided that the lower portion is always concave. The mounting member includes a bridge member, which preferably allows slight elastic movement of a fixing post mounted thereto. The fixing post is generally positioned on the longitudinal, central axis of the bottle, but the front end of the post is preferably angled slightly towards the base portion. This angled configuration in conjunction with the elastic movement imparted by the bridge member causes the bottle to be tightly encompassed between the base portion and the fixation post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, characteristics and particularities of the present invention, as well as the method of operation and the function of the related parts, will be better understood from a study of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the claims and annexed drawings, all of which form a part of this application. In the drawings, like reference numbers represent equal elements, and; Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the fluid container and fastener combination of the present invention mounted to a bicycle frame; and Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fixation post using an alternative method for retaining the fluid container firmly in position; Figure 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a fastening post employing a double-leaf spring arrangement for retaining the member containing f 1 to the fastener; Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a press fastening region using a double-leaf spring design only in the region of pressure; and Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment in which the fluid retention member can be secured to the fastener, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY MODALITIES CURRENTLY PREFERRED With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the fluid container and retainer for the same is illustrated. The combination illustrated in accordance with the present invention includes bottle 10 and retainer 11, wherein the retainer or fastener 11 is mounted to a bicycle frame 35. The bottle 10 is preferably constructed of a thermoplastic lime pointer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile-based polymers, polyesters and equivalent polymers that do not allow components to leak into the water. The appropriate polymers are those recognized as being safe-to be used with edible materials, and also proven to have good durability to weathering factors. The manufacture of the bottle is preferably through a molding operation or another thermoforming operation. It is also possible for the bottle to be made of a substance other than a thermoplastic polymer, such as metal, ie, aluminum. However, said bottle would be subject to damage such as indentations, and eventually could lose the ability to securely attach to mounting post 30 of mounting 11. The bottle is comprised of upper portion 12 lower portion 13 and portion 14 of side wall, the portions collectively defining the interior region. A mouth opening and cover 17 with a pressure adjusting strap iji are arranged in the upper portion 12. In other embodiments, however, other equivalent designs of closure means may be used. In general, the closure element must be capable of quick and easy handling, usually allowing the cyclist of the bicycle to open the bottle using diejítes in order to steer the bicycle with one hand while holding the bottle with the other hand. The side wall portion 14 is preferably of substantially circular cylindrical configuration centered on a longitudinal, central axis 18. In certain embodiments, longitudinal or circumferential depressions or combinations thereof or other discontinuities or irregularities (not shown) on the sidewall surface may be present to facilitate fastening by the cyclist. Also, for ease of manufacture, the side wall portion 14 may be slightly tapered for easy removal of a mold. The side wall portion is preferably sufficiently thin to have elastic characteristics, thereby allowing the bottle to be compressed by squeezing so as to deliver its liquid contents through the opening 16. The lower portion 13 includes a first section - Concave inward to the interior region 15. In the first embodiment, the concavity of the first section is in the form of a surface 19 of trumpet configuration similar to a funnel centered on the axis 18. In alternating modalities, the concavity of the first section can be shaped of bell or cone shape. The generalized characteristic of the first concave section is such that its cross-sectional shape, taken in planes orthogonal to axis 18, is circular, and the diameter of the circle progressively decreases-in locations of the lower forward portion 13 toward the region 15 inside. The cross-sectional contour of the first exemplified trumpet-shaped section, taken in a plane containing the axis 18, manifests as two arcuate lines converging, convex and substantially asymptotic with respect to the axis 18. In the In the case of bell-shaped and conical surfaces, the comparable cross-sectional configuration would show converging arched lines, or straight lines, respectively. It is also possible that the lower portion 13 is formed separately from the rest of the bottle 10 and then assembled by gluing or otherwise securing the lower portion 13. to the side wall portion 14. The lower portion 13 also includes a second sej ci? formed as an elongated channel member 21 extending from the innermost portion of the first section as a continuous integral extension thereof. The elongated channel member 21 is formed so as to extend from the center - from the first concave section to the inner portion 15 along the axis 18, and terminates at a closed distant end 23. The remote end of preference is disposed between about 30% and 70% of the distance between the upper and lower portions. That is, the channel member 21 together with the lower portion 13 has a combined length approximately equal to half the height of the bottle 10. The interior of the exemplified channel member 21 is of generally circular cylindrical contour. The contour of the channel member 21 may alternatively be tapered, tapering inward towards the axis 18 with progression towards the upper portion 12. An annularly enlarged holding region 24 is formed within the channel member 21. The cross-sectional contour of the holding region, taken in a plane containing the axis -18, is shown as two arcuate lines oriented, concave with respect to the axis 18. The holding region is shown arranged in contiguous relation with the portion 13 lower, but can be placed elsewhere in the channel member 21. The reinforcing vanes 36 extend between the channel member 21 and the inner surfaces of the bottle 10. The vanes are integral with the bottle, having been formed during the molding operation that the bottle produces. These palettes -36 add support to the channel member 21. The vanes 36 may join the channel member 21 along its entire length, as illustrated in Figure 1, or only a fraction thereof. It is also possible to add support to the channel member 21 by thickening the side walls thereof and eliminating the paddles. It is also possible to use both pallets and a thickened channel network. The retainer 11 is preferably of monolithic construction, made of an engineering grade plastic such as nylon, polyester or a plastic / fiber composite composition utilizing glass fiber or graphite.The retainer may also be formed of metal, but the plastic is the preferred material, due to both the weight and the ease of manufacture, the fastener 11 can be formed of molten metal or alloy, or signed of individual metal parts, or it is also possible that the retainer 11 is made of ceramics. The retainer is comprised of the elongated, straight base portion 25 extending between the front and rear ends 26 and 27, respectively, and linked by a first surface 28 configured to contact the frame 35 of the object to which the bottle is to be assembled, and a second opposite surface 29. The second opposing surface 29 is preferably configured so that bottle 10 slides smoothly to throughout it. That is, the shape of the side wall portion 14 can complement the configuration of the opposite surface 29 as shown in Figure 2. The fixing post 30 extends between its tip 31 and the base thereof 32. that -one bridge portion 34. The fixing post 30 is configured to make a relatively tight fitting insertion coupling with the channel 21, and is further provided with an annularly enlarged pressure holding region 33, slipped in each and configured to engage the clamping region 24 of the channel. 21. The bridge portion 34 extends at the joint between the base portion 25 and the base 32 of the fixing post 30, causing the base portion 25 and the fixation post 30 to be in a substantially parallel coplanar arrangement, producing a generally J-shaped or U-shaped appearance of the retainer 11, and causing the post 30 to be elastically biased toward the base portion 25. The spacing between the second surface 29 of the base portion 25 and the fixing post 30, measured transversely to the axis 18 is substantially equal to the spacing between the axis 18 and the outer surface of the side wall portion 14. Accordingly, when the bottle 10 is forced into engagement with the retainer 11 in a manner in which the post 30 is inserted towards the channel member 21, the side wall portion 14 is frictionally secured by the second portion surface 19. 25 of base. The first surface 28 of the base portion 25 is adapted to detachably attach to the frame 35 of a bicycle or any other object, such as a golf cart, a bed, the interior of a car, etc. Fixing - can be achieved by clamps, bolts, ties, adhesives, or fastener material hook and loop. In operation of the preferred embodiment, the cyclist can separate the bottle from the retainer by a simple pulling action. The bottle is easily returned to the holder because the lower funnel-shaped portion has a target area larger than the fixing post 30 and further guides the post 30 towards the channel member 21. In the first -modality of Figure 1, pressing lightly to push the bottle backwards, the pressure-clamping region 33 of the post 30 presses into engagement with the region 24 -of fastening the channel member. Said effect, combined with the tensioning action of the post, forces the wall portion 14 -laterally towards strong contact with the base portion 25, securing the bottle 10 in the retainer 11. Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the post 30 of fixation in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the fixing pen 30 includes a tunnel or hole 104 formed completely therethrough. The entrapment device could include a ball and spring device. The metal balls 100 are joined by the recess mechanism 102, which would keep the balls 100 in an outward position beyond the surface of the fixation post 30, but contained as part of the post. When the bottle 10 slides on the fixing post 30, the balls 100 would depress the spring 102 as the channel 21 moved to position on the fixing post 30. The spring 102 would force the balls 100 outwardly when the balls 100 reached the holding portion 24, thereby securing the bottle 10 to the fixing post 30. Figure 4 illustrates yet another possible embodiment - of fixing post 30. In this embodiment, the fixing post is formed as a double leaf spring mechanism that runs along the fixing post. The concave faces 30c and 30d of the springs 30b and 30a, respectively, oppose each other, and the convex faces of the springs 30a and 30b are designed to press against the walls of the channel member 21 formed in the bottle 10. The channel member 21 could be formed either straight or slightly contoured to conform to the curvature of the springs 30a and 30b. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the Hinging post 30. In this embodiment, only the trapping region 33 is formed as a double leaf spring, having springs 33a and 33b that interact with the clamping region 24 to secure the bottle 10 to the fixing post 30. Figure 6 illustrates the embodiment wherein the bottle 10 includes a groove 200 formed in a lower end thereof in the side wall portion 14. The second surface 29 of the base portion 25, in this embodiment, is provided with a member 202, which protrudes from the base portion 25 and which jumps into the slot 200. The combination of the friction -between the wall portion 14 side and the second surface 29 and entrapment of the member 202 towards the slot 200 secures the bottle to the retainer 11. Because the slot 200 extends around the entire circumference of the bottle 10, there is no inappropriate orientation of the bottle. bottle 10 when it is being replaced. That is to say, the cyclist need not worry about aligning the slot 200 with the member 202 since the slot 200 extends around the entire perimeter of the bottle 10. It is also possible that the slot 200 is placed in any position along the length of the wall-side section 14 with the member 202 being disposed on the second surface 29 in a complementary position. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the fixing post 30 acts only as a guide post for the bottle 10, but does not hold the bottle to the post 30. In order to hold the bottle 10 to the retainer 11, the member 202, which protruding from the base portion 25 will spring towards the groove 200 formed around the periphery of the bottle 10. The combination of the tensioning action of the post 30 which presses the side wall portion 14 against the second surface 29 and the adjustment of the member 202 towards the slot 200 serves to hold the bottle 10 to the retainer 11. Alternatively, a slot would be formed around the circumferential interior of the channel member 21, instead of the holding region 24. The fixing post 30 could include a member that fits into the slot in the internal periphery of the channel member 21. The combination of the slot / member and the tension applied by means of the fixing post 30 which presses the side wall portion 14 against the second surface 29 will secure the bottle 10 to the retainer 11. Even when particular examples have been shown and described. of the present invention, it should be evident that changes and modifications can be made therein without abandoning the invention in its broader aspects. The goal of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all these changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

1. CLAIMS 1. - A combination of a container and a retainer for attaching the container to an object, the combination characterized in that it comprises a container having a lower portion and side walls connected to the lower portion, the lower portion and the side walls defining a inner region, the lower portion including a first concave section toward the interior region and fixed to the side walls and a second section defining a channel, along a central longitudinal axis of the container, the second section extending to the inner region and being substantially parallel to the side walls; and a retainer having a base portion for mounting to the object, the base portion adapted to be fixed to the object, a bridge portion connected to the base portion, and a fixation post extending from the bridge portion, the fixing post adapted to engage the second section, wherein the base portion includes a first supe- rity to press against the object and a second surface opposite the first surface configured so as to make contact with at least a portion of the walls lateral 2. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the container is constructed and arranged to retain fluid. - 3. - The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the fixing post is formed of an elastic material. 4. The combination of claim 3, characterized in that the bridge portion is formed of a flexible material. 5. - The combination of claim 3, characterized in that the fixing post is elastically deviated towards the base portion. 6. - The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the container is a squeeze bottle adapted to supply a liquid when tightened. 7. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the container is made of a thermoplastic polymer. 8. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the first section is formed so as to be configured as a funnel with the second section extending toward the interior region from a portion of the funnel that is disposed-deeper within the inner region. 9. The combination of claim 8, characterized in that the funnel has a circular cross section that decreases in size the rec, inner ion. 10. - The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the container further comprises a cover member having an opening disposed therein. 11. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the second section is of cylindrical circular configuration with walls thereof being substantially parallel to the side walls. 12. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that reinforcing vanes extend between the channel and the lower portion, the vanes being integral with the container. 13. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that a distance between the central longitudinal axis and the lateral walls is substantially equal to a distance between an axial center of the fixing post and the second surface of the base portion. 14. - The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the fixing post is formed as a double-leaf spring post, with the springs holding the container member to the fixing post. 15. The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the fixing post includes a trapping portion having double leaf springs, and the channel includes a clamping portion that engages with the trapping portion. 16.- The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the container includes a groove arranged around a lower periphery thereof and the retainer includes a protrusion from the base member that interacts with the groove when the recipe is disposed in the retainer. 1 7. - The combination of claim 1, characterized in that the pole of f ij ac i ón i nc l uye a tunne lf ormed through m s-mo, with a mechanism of ball and spring that is arranged in the tunnel so as to secure the fixing post to the container. 18.- A combination of a container and a. retainer for attaching the container to an object, the Dorque charactert comprises: a container having a lower portion and side walls connected to the lower portion, the lower portion and the side walls defining an interior region, the lower portion including a first concave section towards the interior region and fixed to the side walls and a second section defining a channel, along a central longitudinal axis of the container, the second section extending towards the interior region and being substantially parallel to the networks lateral; and a retainer having a base portion for mounting to the object, the base portion adapted to be fixed to the object, a bridge portion connected to the base portion, and a fixation post extending from the bridge portion to the base portion. fixing post adapted for coupling the second section, wherein a holding region is formed in the second section and the fixing post includes a holding member a. pressure that engages with the holding region. 19. - The combination of claim 18, characterized Dorsue the container is constructed and arranged to retain fluid. 20. - The combination of claim 18, characterized in that the clamping member comprises double leaf springs that engage the clamping region. 21. - The combination of claim 18, characterized in that the clamping member comprises a spring mechanism and spring that engages the clamping region. 22. A container constructed and arranged to be mounted to an object through a mounting member, characterized in that it comprises: a lower portion and side walls connected to the lower portion, the lower portion and the side walls defining an interior region; the lower portion including a first section and a second section, the first section having walls contiguous with the side walls, the first section being formed in the lower portion, so as to be concave towards the interior region; the second section being formed along a longitudinal axis of the container, the second section being integrally connected to the first section so as to extend fully within the ingerior region; the second section being defined by contiguous walls with walls of the first section, the walls of the section being substantially parallel to all the side walls; where the second section includes a region of his estate built and arranged to allow the cooperative relationship with the assembly member. 23. A container as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the container is formed of a polymer-thermoplastic. 24. A container as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that it also comprises an upper portion connected to the side walls opposite the lower portion, wherein the upper portion includes a passage therein to allow the fluid to flow out. of the container. 25. A container as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the fastening region includes elements for coupling the mounting member so that the movement of the container in directions along the longitudinal axis-resist. 26. - A container as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that a cross-sectional contour of the holding region taken in a plane including the longitudinal axis includes two arched portions facing concave with respect to the longitudinal axis. 27.- A containment system comprising a symmetrical container having a central longitudinal axis, and an assembly, characterized in that: the container includes a concave guide shaft structure formed as a lower portion of the container and structure-side wall contiguous with the lower portion, the acceptance element for cooperating with the assembly and joined to the lower portion, the acceptance element being formed so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall element; the assembly including mounting structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the acceptance member such that the container can be securely engaged with the assembly so that movement of the container in directions along the longitudinal axis is resisted. 28.- The containment system of claim 27 characterized in that the container is constructed and arranged to retain fluid. 29. A containment system as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the acceptance element includes a fastening region, a cross-sectional contour -of the fastening region taken in a plane that includes the central longitudinal axis includes two facing arched portions, concave with respect to the central longitudinal axis 30.- A containment system comprising symmetrical reciprocator and an assembly, characterized in that: the container has a central longitudinal axis and includes a concave guide structure formed as a lower portion of the container and side wall structure contiguous with the lower portion, acceptance element to cooperate -with the assembly and attached to the lower portion and extending along the central longitudinal axis, the acceptance element being formed so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall element; the assembly includes an element for coupling the assembly to a frame of a two-wheeled vehicle, and the assembly includes a mounting structure constructed and arranged to cooperate with the acceptance element so that the container can be mounted in a self-guided manner on the assembly no need for a vehicle operator to make visual contact with the receiver or assembly. 31. The containment system of claim 30, characterized in that the container is constructed and arranged to retain fluid. 32. A containment system as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that the assembly and the container are constructed and arranged in such a way that the container can be securely coupled with the mounting member so that the movement of the container in directions along the longitudinal axis resist.