IP Library Granted Patent US 8,191,727
Granted Patent B2
US 8,191,727 · App. 12/357,114 · Granted Jun 5, 2012

Drink containers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,191,727
App. No.
12/357,114
Granted
Jun 5, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Drink containers with mouthpiece assemblies having a dispensing configuration and a stowed configuration. A mouthpiece assembly defines a liquid passage through which drink liquid may be dispensed when the mouthpiece assembly is in the dispensing configuration and includes means for selectively restricting the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration. In some examples, the means for selectively restricting the flow of drink liquid include a tube that at least partially defines the liquid passage and which includes a crimping region. The crimping region may be constructed of a resiliently and reversibly deformable material that is adapted to restrict the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece assembly includes a means for automatically releasing the mouthpiece assembly from its stowed configuration to a dispensing configuration.

Claims (22)

1. A drink container, comprising:

a liquid container having a neck with an opening and having an internal compartment sized to hold a volume of potable drink liquid;

a cap assembly removably coupled to the liquid container, the cap assembly comprising:

a base removably coupled to the neck of the liquid container and including a through-passage;

a first catch structure;

a mouthpiece assembly extending through the through-passage of the base and defining a liquid passage through which drink liquid from the liquid container may selectively flow, and further defining an inlet through which drink fluid in the internal compartment may enter the liquid passage and an outlet through which drink liquid from the internal compartment of the liquid container is selectively dispensed, wherein the mouthpiece assembly is configured to be selectively configured between a dispensing configuration, in which the liquid passage permits drink liquid to flow from the internal compartment at least into the liquid passage, and a stowed configuration, in which the liquid passage restricts the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage, wherein the mouthpiece assembly is biased to the dispensing configuration, wherein the mouthpiece assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from an operative position on the base of the cap assembly via an underside of the base but not via a top side of the base, and wherein the mouthpiece assembly comprises:

a mouthpiece portion that includes the outlet;

a tube that defines at least a portion of the liquid passage for drink liquid to flow from the internal compartment to the mouthpiece portion, wherein the tube includes a crimping region constructed of a resiliently deformable material and is adapted to restrict the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration, and wherein the mouthpiece portion and the tube are constructed as a unitary assembly of the resiliently deformable material;

an anchor portion extending from the tube, wherein the anchor portion is sized to restrict passage of the anchor portion through the through-passage of the base of the cap assembly; and

a second catch structure adapted to be selectively engaged with the first catch structure to retain the mouthpiece assembly in the stowed configuration; and

a user release mechanism adapted to automatically disengage the first and second catch structures upon actuation of the user release mechanism and thereby release the mouthpiece assembly to move via its bias from the stowed configuration to the dispensing configuration.

2. The drink container of claim 1 , wherein the user release mechanism includes a mouthpiece assembly engagement portion adapted to engage the mouthpiece assembly and force disengagement of the first and second catch structures upon actuation of the user release mechanism.

3. The drink container of claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece assembly further includes a rigid collar member that is pivotally coupled to the base and which includes a crimping portion; wherein the crimping portion is adjacent the crimping region of the tube and external of the liquid passage, wherein the rigid collar member engages and crimps the crimping region to restrict the flow of drink liquid through the liquid passage when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration.

4. The drink container of claim 3 , wherein the rigid collar member includes the second catch structure, and further wherein the user release mechanism includes a collar engagement portion that is adapted to engage the rigid collar member and force disengagement of the first and second catch structures upon actuation of the user release mechanism.

5. The drink container of claim 4 , wherein when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration and upon actuation of the user release mechanism, the collar engagement portion is adapted to translate relative to and wedge the rigid collar member to force the rigid collar member to pivot.

6. The drink container of claim 3 , wherein the mouthpiece portion includes a seat for the rigid collar member in which the rigid collar member engages the mouthpiece portion, wherein the seat restricts relative movement between the mouthpiece portion and the rigid collar member.

7. The drink container of claim 3 , wherein the rigid collar member includes a user engagement portion, wherein the user release mechanism includes the user engagement portion, and wherein when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration and upon a user imparted force on the user engagement portion that pivots the rigid collar member, the first and second catch structures disengage and thereby release the mouthpiece assembly to move via its bias from the stowed configuration to the dispensing configuration.

8. The drink container of claim 3 , wherein the rigid collar member includes a stop surface that does not engage the base of the cap assembly when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration and that engages the base of the cap assembly when the mouthpiece assembly is in the dispensing configuration to define a dispensing position of the mouthpiece portion.

9. The drink container of claim 1 , wherein the crimping region at least partially biases the mouthpiece assembly to the dispensing configuration.

10. The drink container of claim 1 , wherein the cap assembly further includes a handle that projects away from the base of the cap assembly, wherein the handle includes a pair of lateral guards that at least partially define a stowing region that receives at least a portion of the mouthpiece assembly between the pair of lateral guards when the mouthpiece assembly is in the stowed configuration.

11. The drink container of claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece portion includes a bite-actuated mouthpiece.

12. The drink container of claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece portion, the tube, and the anchor portion are constructed as a unitary assembly of the resiliently deformable material.

Assignments (22)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072238/0250 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC
To: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069817/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2024
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 069460/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 066959/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0747 →
RELEASE OF ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL CORPORATION; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC/ARMY/PPI; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC/SWRI/IRA
Reel/Frame 055796/0690 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056033/0349 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2019
From: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC (FKA JIMMY STYKS LLC); LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 050827/0778 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2019
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
Reel/Frame 049725/0096 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2018
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: CALIBER COMPANY; BEE STINGER, LLC; BOLLE AMERICA, INC.; BOLLE, INC.; BUSHNELL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL, INC.; CAMELBAK ACQUISITION CORPORATION; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; DOUBLE BULL ARCHERY, INC.; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; EAGLE MAYAGUEZ, LLC; EAGLE NEW BEDFORD, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MIKE'S HOLDING COMPANY; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; OLD WSR, INC.; OPT HOLDINGS, INC.; PRIMOS, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; SAVAGE SPORTS HOLDINGS, INC.; SERENGETI EYEWEAR, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; TASCO HOLDINGS, INC.; TASCO OPTICS CORPORATION; VISTA COMMERCIAL AMMUNITION COMPANY INC.; VISTA COMMERCIAL AMMUNITION HOLDINGS COMPANY INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC
Reel/Frame 049024/0706 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2018
From: BEE STINGER LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC
Reel/Frame 047688/0306 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 20, 2018
From: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047609/0001 →
TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 19, 2018
From: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047602/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2016
From: VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA COMMERCIAL AMMUNITION COMPANY INC.; VISTA COMMERCIAL AMMUNITION HOLDINGS COMPANY INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BOLLÉ AMERICA, INC.; BOLLÉ INC.; BUSHNELL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CALIBER COMPANY; CAMELBAK ACQUISITION CORP.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; DOUBLE BULL ARCHERY, INC.; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; EAGLE MAYAGUEZ, LLC; EAGLE NEW BEDFORD, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MIKE'S HOLDING COMPANY; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; OLD WSR, INC.; OPT HOLDINGS, INC.; PRIMOS, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; SAVAGE SPORTS HOLDINGS, INC.; SERENGETI EYEWEAR, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; TASCO HOLDINGS, INC.; TASCO OPTICS CORPORATION; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 038412/0934 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Aug 13, 2015
From: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 036343/0923 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE Recorded Aug 3, 2015
From: COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
To: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; CAMELBAK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 036254/0962 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST DATED AUGUST 24, 2011 Recorded Jul 12, 2013
From: COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
To: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 030792/0792 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 2, 2013
From: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
To: COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 030745/0860 →
SECURITY INTEREST EFFECTIVE AUGUST 24, 2011 Recorded Sep 12, 2011
From: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
To: COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 026889/0916 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2011
From: BNP PARIBAS
To: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 026845/0344 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2010
From: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
To: BNP PARIBAS
Reel/Frame 024588/0969 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 22, 2009
From: DAVIES, JEFF; SULLIVAN, DEREK GAVIN
To: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 022152/0187 →