Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a portable bottle having a carbonating system for
controlled carbonation of a drinkable fluid contained within the bottle.
Background
[0002] Bottles for generating carbonated water are quite well known in the art. Many people
in different continents around the globe enjoy drinking sparkling water (also termed
as fizzy water, water with gas or soda water) artificially charged with carbon dioxide,
instead of normal drinking water. Conventional systems or methods for generating sparkling
water include means for injecting pressurized CO
2 therein. In some of these systems, a cartridge having carbon dioxide stored therein
is positioned within the bottle containing the fluid, and activation of the cartridge
releases the gas into the fluid.
[0003] As one typical example,
Chinese utility model no. CN 211155215 U discloses such a bottle for carbonating water. The bottle includes an upper cover
having a water outlet for drinking, and a mounting hole provided at the top of the
upper cover. A cartridge is inserted into the mounting hole and positioned within
the interior of the bottle. A user can squeeze the portion surrounding the top portion
of the cartridge, so that the cartridge translates downwards. Further, an air inlet
valve is provided at a bottom portion of the cartridge. By rotating a control element,
the cartridge can be moved downwards, due to which the air inlet valve opens and releases
the CO
2 contained within the cartridge into the water contained in the bottle to generated
carbonated water.
[0004] Another
Chinese patent publication CN 112450731 A discloses a portable bubble water bottle designed to substantially increase the solubility
of carbon dioxide released into water contained in the bottle. An upper cap engages
the bottle with a threaded connection, and a cartridge is movably positioned within
the upper cap. When the upper cap is rotated downwards, the cartridge translates vertically
downwards in response thereto. A nozzle connected to a bottom portion of the cartridge
has an air outlet for releasing CO
2 contained within the cartridge, when the upper cap is rotated. Further, a pressure
relief mechanism is provided within the bottle for controlling the pressure of the
gas contained within the bottle.
[0005] One of the persisting problems with the state of the art carbonating systems is their
inability to the control the amount of carbonating gas (i.e. CO
2) released into the fluid contained within the bottle. Many systems allow a fixed,
pre-determined amount of gas to be released into the bottle, once the carbonating
system (i.e., the cartridge containing CO
2) is activated. Therefore, the user may not fully enjoy the drink due to inadequacy
in the level of carbonation actually desired by him/her. Further, opening the top
cover of such bottles may allow the gas to escape from the bottle in few seconds.
However, the user may not be able to activate the carbonating system once again, each
time the amount of gas dissolved within water reduces below a desired value.
Summary of the invention
[0006] In light of the aforementioned problems currently existing in the state of the art
bottles for generating sparkling water, an object of the invention is to provide a
portable bottle for carbonating a drinkable fluid, having a carbonating system for
precisely controlling the level of gas released into the fluid contained within the
bottle, anytime and anywhere, when desired by the user.
[0007] To achieve this objective, the present invention provides a portable bottle according
to the subject matter of independent claim 1. Specifically, the portable bottle for
carbonating a drinkable fluid according to the invention includes a housing, and a
carbonating system positioned within the housing. The carbonating system is configured
to release a gas into the fluid contained within the bottle. A manually operable activation
element is coupled to the carbonating system, and pressing of the activation element
activates the carbonating system for releasing the gas into the fluid. The amount
of gas released into the fluid is controllable based on the operation of the activation
element.
[0008] The activation element may be in form of a manually pressable button in one embodiment.
This may provide ease of operating the activation element for the user, by performing
simple pressing operation thereon. However, other embodiments may also be contemplated,
such as those wherein the activation element may alternatively in form of a rotatable
button, which moves downwards on rotation, for releasing the gas into the fluid. The
more the activation element is rotated, the more would be the volume of gas released
into the fluid in those embodiments. Further, rotational movement of the activation
element may be constrained by a threshold angular value (i.e., degrees), which may
correspond to the maximum volume of gas released. In another variant, the rotatable
button, i.e., the activation element, when rotated, may move another element positioned
below it, which then activates the carbonating system for releasing the gas into the
fluid.
[0009] The portable bottle of the invention has an advantage in that the user can control
the level of carbonation of the fluid whenever he desires. Therefore, level of carbonation
is customizable depending on the choice of each user.
[0010] According to a first embodiment, the amount of gas released into the fluid may depend
on the amount of time for which the activation element is pressed. In other words,
pressing the activation element for a longer time may release a larger amount of gas
into the fluid, and shorter pressing time spans may release a relatively smaller amount
of gas into the fluid. As one example, the amount of gas released may be directly
proportional to the pressing time of the activation element. This feature of the invention
has the advantage that the user can easily and seamlessly control the amount of carbonation,
even for example, while walking on a street, by pressing the activation element 2-3
seconds longer.
[0011] According to a second embodiment, the amount of gas released into the fluid may depend
on a pressing-depth of the activation element, wherein the pressing depth indicates
the extent to which the activation element is pressed. This feature has the advantage
that the user enjoys an alternative mode of controlling carbonation of the fluid,
by controlling the pressing operation of the activation element.
[0012] According to a third embodiment, the portable bottle may include a first rotatable
cap positioned at a first region of a top portion of the bottle. The first cap may
surround the top portion of the carbonating system, and may be configured in a manner
that on its rotation, the entire carbonating system along with the first cap can be
taken out from the interior of the bottle. The bottle may further include a second
cap positioned at a second region of the top portion of the bottle. The second cap
may be rotatably connected to the top portion and may be configured in a manner that
its rotation opens the top portion of the bottle and provides access to one or more
holes for drinking the carbonated fluid contained within the bottle. This feature
has the advantage that one cap provides ease of access to the drinking holes, and
the other cap facilitates removal of the entire carbonating system, such as, for the
purpose of cleaning the interior of the bottle during washing.
[0013] In one embodiment, the portable bottle may include a first rotatable cap positioned
at a first region of the top portion of the bottle. That cap may surrounding the top
portion of the carbonating system and may be provided with one or more drinking holes.
Further, a second cap may be positioned atop and pivotally connected connection to
the first cap at a pivot joint. The second cap may be configured in a manner that
it can be swung open about the pivot joint to provide access to one or more drinking
holes provided within the first cap.
[0014] In one embodiment, a locking mechanism may secure and lock the second cap to the
first cap, such that the bottle can be maintained sealed even under high pressure,
i.e. after carbonization of the liquid. Unintended release of gas or liquid from the
bottle may thus be avoided.
[0015] The locking mechanism mentioned above may be a bell crank lever mechanism in one
embodiment. Such mechanism allows generation of a high closing pressure to reliably
close the bottle and maintain the bottle sealed even under high pressure, while only
moderate operational force is required for the user to close or open the locking mechanism.
Futhermore, a bell crank lever mechanism provides easy and intuitive handling.
[0016] The carbonating system may be positioned within the housing at an offset to a central,
longitudinal axis of symmetry of the bottle, which allows efficient use of space and
thus a compact design of the bottle.
[0017] In accordance with one embodiment, the rotational movements of the first cap and
the second cap may be independent of each other. Owed to that feature, rotation of
one cap does not detach/remove the other cap from the bottle.
[0018] In accordance with another embodiment, the first cap may be positioned radially inwards
within the bottle, with respect to the second cap. One advantage of this feature is
that the drinking holes align along a ring between the carbonating system and the
outer edge of the bottle, and spilling of the fluid while drinking is easily avoided,
even in turbulent situations, such as, during running or driving.
[0019] According to yet another embodiment, the carbonating system may include a cartridge
housing having a cartridge positioned therein. The cartridge has the gas stored therein.
The cartridge housing may have a top portion and a bottom portion, and the top portion
may be rotatably connected to the bottom portion. The top portion may be detached
from the bottom portion by rotation, to provide access to the cartridge contained
within the cartridge housing. More specifically, the top portion and the bottom portion
may be connected to each other by a threaded connection and removal of the former
from the latter may be achieved by releasing that threaded connection by rotation.
This feature provides the ease of disassembling the top portion of cartridge housing
for replacing the cartridge.
[0020] In certain alternative embodiments, other suitable mechanisms for releasably securing
the top portion to the bottom portion of the cartridge housing may also be contemplated.
For example, such a mechanism may be a bayonet locking mechanism between these two
portions.
[0021] The cartridge housing may be guided into a guide tube and locked therein by a locking
mechanism. Owed to this feature, the cartridge housing remains intact within the interior
of the bottle in the operative state of the latter.
[0022] The locking mechanism may be a bayonet locking mechanism in one embodiment. The mechanism
facilitates quick locking or unlocking of the cartridge housing from the guide tube
by simple rotational movements.
[0023] The cartridge housing may be configured in a manner that a rotation thereof along
a specific direction unlocks it from the guide tube so that the cartridge housing
can be pulled out of the guide tube. The specific direction may be in counterclockwise
sense in one embodiment, when seen from the top of the cartridge housing. This feature
provides additional ease of removal of the locked cartridge housing, and eventually,
the cartridge, from the carbonating system.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, an elongated slot may be provided in
the outer wall of the guide tube. The elongated slot may have top and bottom sections
each extending along a respective horizontal plane to a certain extent circumferentially
along the outer wall of the guide tube, and a middle section extending vertically
along a helical path and connecting the top and bottom section. Continuous rotation
of the cartridge housing along a specific direction may first guide a locking pin
horizontally along the bottom section of the slot, then along a helical trajectory
within the middle section thereof, and thereafter again horizontally again within
the top section, during the process of unlocking & removing the cartridge housing
from the guide tube by rotation. This would be explained in more detail hereinafter,
in conjunction with figures to follow.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the activation element may be provided at a top portion
of the cartridge housing, wherein the cartridge may be configured to translate vertically
downwards within the interior of the bottle when the pushing operation is performed
on the activation element
[0026] According to another embodiment, the cartridge may have an opening for discharging
the gas contained therein. The opening may face downwards and may be provided at a
lower portion of the cartridge. The opening is configured to release the gas into
the fluid contained within the bottle, when the activation element is pressed. Since
the gas is released into the fluid from the bottom portion of the bottle, it may instantly
carbonate the fluid, instead of rising and accumulating towards the top empty portion
of the bottle above the fluid level.
[0027] According to another embodiment, the cartridge may be configured to translate vertically
between a topmost position and a bottommost position when the pressing operation is
performed on the activation element. In an inactivated state of the activation element,
the cartridge may be at the topmost position and in a fully activated state of the
activation element the cartridge may be at the bottommost position.
[0028] According to a yet another embodiment, a resilient member may be positioned at the
bottom portion of the cartridge housing. The resilient member may bias the cartridge
housing, and may be configured to retract the cartridge housing vertically upwards
to its original position when the operation of the activation element ceases, the
original position corresponding to an inoperative state of the activation element.
Owed to this feature, the cartridge momentarily returns to its inoperative state on
release of the activation element, and any excessive, undesired release of CO
2 is avoided.
[0029] In an additional embodiment, the carbonating system may have one or more discharge
ports that may be adapted to fluidly communicate with the cartridge opening when the
activation element is pressed, thereby establishing a channel for releasing the gas
contained with the cartridge into the fluid.
[0030] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable bottle for
carbonating a drinkable fluid contained therein includes a housing and a carbonating
system positioned within the housing. In its activated state, the carbonating system
releases a gas into the fluid contained within the bottle. The carbonating system
has a cartridge storing the gas therein and further comprises one or more discharge
ports for releasing the gas into the fluid. These discharge ports are aligned obliquely
to the vertical direction, in a manner defining a specific direction for discharging
the gas into the fluid. Further, the carbonating system includes one or more sealing
elements for sealing the discharge ports in an inactivated state of the carbonating
system.
[0031] This has the advantage that the gas can be easily released into the fluid and the
discharge port remain completely sealed, for avoiding gas leakage during the inactivated
state of the carbonating system.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0032]
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable drinking water bottle according to the
invention in its completely assembled form;
Fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view of the interior of the portable drinking water bottle
in accordance with the present invention, with the outer housing removed therefrom,
the figure depicting, among other components, a first cap positioned within the housing;
Fig. 2 (b) is another perspective view of the interior of the bottle in upright position;
Fig. 2 (c) depicts a top view of the portable drinking water bottle of Fig. 1;
Fig. 2 (d) shows another perspective view of the bottle according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the carbonating system positioned within the core
of the portable bottle of the present invention;
Fig. 4 depicts an enlarged sectional view showing the mechanical connection between
different components at the bottom portion of the carbonating system shown in Fig.
3;
Fig. 5 depicts another sectional view of the complete bottle body 100 in its assembled
form;
Fig. 6 (a) is another perspective view of the interior of the bottle 100, showing
the carbonating system of Fig. 4 more clearly, depicting a locking mechanism for locking
the cartridge housing contained within the bottle; and
Fig. 6 (b) is a perspective view of the carbonating system positioned within the bottle
of the present invention, depicting a locking mechanism for locking & unlocking the
cartridge housing positioned within a guide tube, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention; and
Fig. 6 (c) is another perspective view of the carbonating system positioned within
the guide tube, and an alternative locking mechanism for locking & unlocking the cartridge
housing within the guide tube, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 7 depicts a perspective view (on left) and a front view (on right) of a portable
bottle for carbonating a fluid, having an alternative design of a first cap & the
second cap on the top thereof, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 (a) is a perspective view of the first cap of the bottle of Fig. 7;
Fig. 8 (b) is a perspective view of the combination of the first cap & the second
cap of the bottle shown in the embodiment of Fig. 7, with the second cap being swung
open for accessing one or more drinking holes;
Fig. 9 (a) is a perspective view of the entire carbonating system & the first cap
& second cap removed from the interior of the bottle of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 (b) is a sectional view of the system depicted in Fig. 9 (a); and
Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the bottle according to the embodiment shown in Fig.
7.
Detailed Description
[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the portable bottle 100 according to the present
invention. The bottle includes a housing 102, defining the outermost portion of the
bottle. The bottom portion 102 (a), the middle portion and the lower region of the
upper portion of the housing 102 may together form a cylindrical structure of a constant
radius. However, design variations in the profile and structure of the bottle 100
may also be contemplated. For example, the bottle 100 may alternatively have a conical
structure having a constantly increasing radius from bottom to top, so that the bottle
can be more easily gripped with hand at its relatively slender bottom portion.
[0034] The housing 102 of the bottle 100 may have a double-walled structure in an embodiment,
including an inner wall, an outer wall, and vacuum within the annular space between
the two walls. Such a double-walled structure aids in reducing the conductive heat
transfer through the walls of the housing, so that minimal heat flows from outside
through the housing and into the interior of the bottle, thus keeping the liquid contained
therein cold for a long time.
[0035] The portion 102 (b) may slightly taper upwards and merge into a second rotatable
cap 106, as shown. The bottle 100 of the present invention has a dual-cap design at
the top, and a first cap, though not shown herein, is positioned radially inwards
within this second cap 106. That cap would be explained in detail in conjunction with
subsequent figures.
[0036] The second cap 106 may cover one or more drinking holes (shown in subsequent figures),
which may be provided at a top region of the bottle. Further, the second cap 106 may
be rotatably connected to the region of the housing 102 lying slightly above the tapered
portion 102 (b). Such a connection may be achieved by internal threads provided within
the second cap 106, which may mate with external threads provided at the region above
the tapered portion 102 (b). Such threads at the region above the tapered portion
102 of the bottle can be seen in Fig. 2 (d) and are denoted by reference numeral 104.
[0037] Rotation of the second cap 106 opens the top of the bottle 100 and provides access
to the holes for drinking the fluid contained within the bottle. Specifically, as
seen from the top, the sense of rotation of the second cap 106 for releasing it from
the top of the bottle 100 may be anti-clockwise.
[0038] Once the sip is taken, the user can rotate the second cap 106 again clockwise to
close the top portion of the bottle 100, so that no or minimal amount of gas (i.e.,
CO
2) contained within the bottle escapes into the atmosphere in the assembled state of
the bottle, and the water within the bottle remains carbonated for long periods.
[0039] At the topmost region, the bottle 100 may be provided with a manually operable activation
element 110, which can be pressed by the user whenever he desires to carbonate water
contained within the bottle 100. Specifically, pressing the activation element 110
releases CO
2 into water momentarily. Though the shape of the periphery of the activation element
110 is formed by four C-shaped sections to impart aesthetic appeal thereto, as shown
in Fig. 1, any other alternative contour or shapes may also be contemplated for its
design.
[0040] A crucial aspect of the invention is controlled carbonation of the fluid within the
bottle. The amount of gas released into the fluid is based on the pressing operation
performed on the activation element 110 by the user.
[0041] In one embodiment, the volume of CO
2 released into the bottle may depend on the amount of time for which the activation
element 110 is being pressed. More specifically, the longer is the time interval for
which the user presses the activation element 110, the more is the amount of CO
2 released into the interior space of the bottle 100 in that embodiment.
[0042] In another embodiment, the volume of CO
2 released may depend on, and further, may be proportional to, a pressing-depth of
the activation element 110. The more is the pressing-depth, the more is the volume
of CO
2 released in that embodiment.
[0043] Fig. 2 (a) is a partial perspective view of the bottle, with the outer housing 102
and the second cap 106 shown in Fig. 1 removed therefrom. This figure now clearly
depicts the first rotatable cap 105 mentioned earlier, which may be positioned radially
inwards within the second cap 106 shown in Fig. 1, when the bottle is in complete
assembled state. This first cap 105 may be positioned at a first region of the top
portion of the bottle 100 and may surround the top portion of a carbonating system
122 contained within the core of the bottle 100. Further, the first cap 105 may be
mechanically secured to the top portion of the carbonating system 122. The entire
structure shown in Fig. 2 (a) may be removable from the interior of the bottle 100.
More specifically, on rotation, the first cap 105 along with the entire carbonating
system 122 secured to its bottom and positioned within the interior of the bottle
100, may be taken out of the bottle 100. On its removal, bottle 100 acquires a hollow
interior.
[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotational movement of the first
cap 105 and the second cap 106 may be completely independent of each other. Therefore,
rotation of the second cap 106 may not impart any rotation to the first cap 105 and
vice versa.
[0045] In one embodiment, the first cap 105 may only be accessible after the removal of
the second cap 106. Therefore, for removal of the entire structure shown in Fig. 2
(a) from the interior of the bottle, the user may first need to rotate, unscrew and
remove the second cap 106 shown in Fig. 1 from the bottle in order to access the first
cap 105, and eventually rotate the first cap 105.
[0046] Further, as shown, the carbonating system 122 extends vertically downwards from the
first cap 105, as shown.
[0047] Fig. 2 (a) now also clearly depicts one or more drinking holes 114 for drinking the
fluid contained within the bottle 100. In the assembled state of the bottle, these
holes are covered and hidden by the second cap 106 shown in Fig. 1. In one embodiment,
the bottle 100 may have a number of drinking holes, including a first set of holes
114 (a) having circular shape, and a second, relatively larger set of elongated holes
114 (b) provided at the top portion thereof. Removing the first cap 106 shown in Fig.
1 by rotation provides access to these holes 114 from the top, so that the user can
sip the fluid, i.e., carbonated water, therefrom.
[0048] Other suitable shapes for the drinking holes 114 may also be equally contemplated,
such as, though not being limited to, holes with elliptical, rectangular or polygonal
shapes. Further, the number of holes may be varied, and is only a matter of design
choice. For example, only one sufficiently large drinking hole 114 may be provided
in certain designs of the bottle 100.
[0049] In some embodiments, the drinking holes 114 may protrude upwards from the first cap
105 in a manner forming a drinking spout. This may facilitate additional ease of drinking
the fluid from the bottle.
[0050] Further, a non-return valve 118 may be provided at the bottom portion 117 of the
bottle 100. When the pressure of the carbonated fluid contained within the bottle
increases beyond a pre-determined level, that valve 118 blocks the fluid from entering
into the carbonating system, 122.
[0051] Fig. 2 (b) is another perspective view of the interior of the bottle 100 in upright
position, with the outer housing 102 and the second cap 106 being removed again here.
The elongated holes 114 (b) are more clearly visible herein, and surround the activation
element 110.
[0052] Fig. 2 (c) depicts a top view of the bottle 100, with the outermost circle showing
the bottle outer body, i.e., the housing 102, the circle inscribed therein showing
the second cap 106 and the activation element 110 provided right at the center of
the top portion of the carbonating system 122. The first cap 105 remains hidden, and
is, therefore not visible in the current view. Further, as can be seen in this view,
the activation element 110 is easily accessible and can be operated by a user even
with the second cap 106 installed and the bottle 100 being completely sealed and closed,
i.e., with the bottle being in its complete assembled state.
[0053] Fig. 2 (d) shows another perspective view of the bottle 100, with the second cap
106 being removed from the top thereof. The activation element 110 in this view is
currently in inoperative state and may extend above the plane containing the drinking
holes 114, by a length defining its maximum pressing-depth. However, the maximum pressing-depth
may also be less than the level of extension of the activation element 110 above the
plane of the drinking holes in the inoperative state of the activation element, in
some embodiments. Hence, the activation element 110 may not be pressed completely
by the user, so that at maximum level of carbonation the top surface of the activation
element 110 does not align (instead lies above) with the plane containing the drinking
holes 114 in those embodiments.
[0054] Further, multiple threads 104, as mentioned earlier, are provided at the region extending
above the tapered portion 102 (b) of the housing 102, and these threads are meant
for securing the second cap 106 (shown in Fig. 1) thereto by rotation. Effectively,
the second cap 106may have internal threading that mate with these threads 104.
[0055] A cross-sectional view of the carbonating system 122 positioned within the interior
of the bottle 100 is depicted in Fig. 3. The integral components of the system 122
would now be explained in conjunction with this figure.
[0056] As shown, the carbonating system 122 may include a cartridge housing 126 having a
cartridge 130 that contains CO
2 and is positioned therein. The cartridge housing 126 may include a top portion 126
(a) & a bottom portion 126 (b). The activation element 110 (not shown herein) may
be provided right above the top portion 126 (a) and may be secured thereon by a suitable
mechanism.
[0057] The top portion 126 (a) & the bottom portion 126 (b) may be rotatably connected to
each other. Specifically, these two portions may be secured to each other by threaded
connections. As shown, internal threads 162 may be provided within the top portion
126 (a), which may engage with external threads provided circumferentially at the
mating bottom portion 126 (b) of the cartridge housing 126. Therefore, the top portion
126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126 may be detached and removed from the carbonating
system 122 by rotation. Further, as aforementioned, an alternative securing mechanism,
such as a bayonet lock may also be used to mechanically secure the top portion 126
(a) to the bottom portion 126 (b) in certain embodiments.
[0058] Having a substantially cylindrical structure at the top and middle portions, the
cartridge 130 positioned within the cartridge housing 126 has a lower portion 130
(a) that may be tapered and therefore, may have a smaller radius. The bottommost section
of the tapered portion 130 (a) of the cartridge 130 is the region where it is pierced
into an opening pin 134 (a). Specifically, that bottom section may have a slot or
receptacle for receiving the opening pin 134 (a), so that the cartridge 130 can be
mechanically secured to the pin 134 (a) on rotation. That slot or receptable within
the bottom section of the tapered portion 130 (a) may be provided with external threads,
which may mate with internal threads provided at a top portion of the opening pin
134 (a) for mechanically securing the cartridge 130 to the pin 134 (a). Other conventional
means for securing the cartridge to the pin 134 may also be alternatively contemplated,
such as a form-fit or a snap-fit mechanism. Once the cartridge 130 has been pierced
into the pin 134 (a), another opening 162 (a) is created, which acts for discharging
the pressurized gas stored within the cartridge 130 into the fluid contained within
the bottle.
[0059] Once secured to the pin 134 (a), rotation of the cartridge 130 in opposite direction
may release it from the pin 134 (a), so that it can be taken out of the carbonating
system 122 when desired, for example, for refilling or replacement.
[0060] Further, the bottommost section 162 (a) of the tapered portion 130 (a) of the cartridge
130 may define an opening for discharging the gas contained therein. As is seen, since
the cartridge 130 is positioned inverted within the housing 126, that opening 162
(a) faces downwards, towards the bottom of the bottle, and is configured to release
the gas into the fluid contained within the bottle when the activation element 110
shown in Fig. 1 is pressed by the user.
[0061] A piston 134 (b) surrounds the opening pin 134 (a), and is configured to reciprocate
vertically along with cartridge housing 126 and the cartridge 130. That vertical motion
of the cartridge housing 126 and the piston 134 (a) in response to pressing of the
activation element 110 will be explained in detail hereinafter, in conjunction with
subsequent figures.
[0062] Once the CO
2 gas contained within the cartridge is completely consumed and refilling is desired,
the top portion 126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126 may be rotated by a user, anti-clockwise
(as seen from top, in this embodiment) by gripping it, to loosen the threaded connection
162 between the top portion 126 (a) & the bottom portion 126 (b). Removal of the top
portion 126 (a) provides access to the empty cartridge 130, which can then be removed
from the opening pin 134 (a) by rotation and replaced by a new cartridge that can
be similarly pierced into the pin 134 (a). Following that, the top portion 126 (a)
of the cartridge housing 126 can be secured around the newly inserted cartridge by
clockwise rotation, so that the system is again ready for use.
[0063] Referring again to Fig. 3, a guide tube 158 is shown at the bottom portion of the
carbonating system 122, whose interior space may accommodate the entire bottom portion
126 (b) and partially, the top portion 126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126. The guide
tube may have a cylindrical structure, and the cartridge housing 126 may translate
vertically in its interior space when the activation element 110 shown in Fig. 1 is
pressed. The guide tube 158 can also be clearly seen in the perspective view in Fig.
6 (a).
[0064] A resilient member 154, for example, a spring, may be provided at the bottom portion
of the carbonating system 122, which biases/urges against, and opposes the vertically
downward motion of the cartridge housing 126, the opening pin 134 (a) & the piston
134 (b) by its restoring force, when the activation element 110 (shown in Fig. 1)
is pressed.
[0065] Fig. 4 depicts an enlarged sectional view of the mechanical connection between different
components at the bottom portion of the carbonating system 122 shown in Fig. 3. As
can be seen, both the bottom portion 126 (b) and the lower region of the top portion
126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126 may be slidably positioned within the interior
space of the guide tube 158 circumscribing them, so that these components vertically
reciprocate within the guide tube 158 when the activation element 110 is operated.
Further, the resilient member, i.e., the spring 154, is clearly seen here as directly
engaging below a bottom sleeve 138 of the cartridge housing 126, and restores the
position of the cartridge housing 126, including the cartridge 130, the pin 134 (a)
and the piston 134 (b) when the activation element 110 (not shown herein) is released
by the user after operation.
[0066] Fig. 5 depicts another sectional view of the bottle 100 in its complete assembled
form. As shown, the first rotatable cap 105 may be positioned at a first region of
the top portion of the bottle 100 and may be secured thereto by a threaded connection
105 (a). Further, another threaded connection 105 (b) may fixedly secure this first
cap 105 to the carbonating system 122. When the first threaded connection 105 (a)
is loosened by rotating the first cap 105, it can be taken out from the interior of
the bottle 100 along with the entire carbonating system 122, including the cartridge
housing 126 and the cartridge 130 therein.
[0067] The second rotatable cap 106 may be positioned at a second region of the top portion
of the bottle 100, and may be rotatably connected thereto, in a manner lying above
the first cap 105 and circumscribing it. Specifically, another threaded connection
104 [also shown in Fig. 2 (d) earlier] secures the second cap 106 to the top portion
of the bottle 100.
[0068] Further, internal threads 162, as mentioned earlier, may be provided at a lower region
of the top portion 126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126. Similarly, external threads
may be provided at the upper region of the bottom portion 126 (b) of the housing 126,
for rotatably securing these two components to one another.
[0069] In Fig. 5, proceeding radially inwards within the bottle 100, the guide tube 158
circumferentially surrounds the cartridge housing 126, wherein the latter translates
vertically downwards in response to operation of the activation element 110 (not shown
herein). The cartridge containing CO
2 may be positioned within the housing 126 and secured to the opening pin 134 (a) at
the cartridge opening 162 in an inverted manner, so that the opening 162 may face
downwards.
[0070] The vertically downward movement of the different integral components of the carbonating
system 122 when the pressing operation on the activation element 110 is performed
will now be elucidated in conjunction with Figs. 4 & 5. Once the activation element
110 (shown in Fig. 1) is pressed, the entire cartridge housing 126, including its
top portion 126 (a) & the bottom portion 126 (b), the cartridge 130 contained therein,
the pin 134 (a) and the piston 134 (b), all move simultaneously downwards. During
that motion, the pin 134 (a) & the piston 134 (b) move into the interior of a piston
sleeve 142 provided at the lower portion of the carbonating system 122. A vertical
gap denoted by the numeral 166 (more clear in Fig. 4) may define the extent to which
all these components can move vertically downwards. That length of this vertical gap
166 also corresponds to the maximum pressing depth, indicating the extent to which
the activation element 110 (shown in Fig. 1) can be pressed. During the vertical movement,
when the cartridge housing 126 is at its bottommost position, it rests on, and is
blocked for further downward movement by a sleeve stop 146. At that position, the
shoulder 128 (shown in Fig. 4) of the bottom portion 126 (b) of the cartridge housing
126 rests directly on the sleeve stop 146.
[0071] Referring back to Fig. 5, the bottom sleeve 138, being an integral part of the bottom
portion 126 (b) of the cartridge housing 126, also moves vertically downwards with
the other components. Once all these components have moved downwards all the way through,
the bottom sleeve 138, comes in contact with the spring 154 and compresses it to the
maximum extent, generating a restoring force within the spring. That contact between
the bottom sleeve 138 and the spring 154 is apparent from Fig. 4.
[0072] As is more clearly seen in Fig. 4, one or more discharge ports 174 (two in current
embodiment, one each specifically on the right and left-hand side of the bottom portion
of the piston 134 (b) in this sectional view) may be provided at a bottom portion
of the carbonating system 122. These discharge ports 174 may be in fluid communication
with the cartridge opening 162 (a), establishing a first fluid channel. When the activation
element 110 is in its inoperative state, the discharged ports 174 may be completely
sealed in a fluid-tight manner through sealing elements, which are O-rings 176 (two
in the shown embodiment) circumferentially surrounding these ports 174. Further, the
discharge ports 174 may be inclined obliquely to the vertical direction, in a manner
facing downwards and defining a specific direction for discharging the fluid into
the gas. This facilitates their sealing and smooth gas flow downwards therefrom, during
the process of releasing the gas into the bottle. Preferably, the angle of inclination
of the discharge ports 174 may be 10 degrees to 80 degrees downwards, or more preferably,
between 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.
[0073] Further, the discharge ports 174 are movable in the vertically downward direction
with respect to the sealing elements, i.e., the O-rings 176. More specifically, once
the cartridge housing 126 has moved downwards in response to the activation element
110 being pressed, these discharge ports 174 translate vertically downwards and may
communicate with circumferential grooves (not shown herein) provided within the piston
sleeve 142 and establish a second fluid channel that leads into the interior space
of the bottle 100 containing the fluid. Eventually, the pressurized CO
2 trapped within the cartridge is released into the fluid (i.e., water) contained within
the bottle 100 through that channel, thus carbonating the water.
[0074] As mentioned earlier, the user can control the amount of CO
2 released into the fluid by the pressing operation performed on the activation element
110. Once the desired amount of carbonation is achieved, the user may release the
activation element 110, and in response thereto, the piston 134 (b), the opening pin
134 (a), the cartridge housing 126 & the cartridge 130 contained therein, all retract
vertically upwards to their original position, by virtue of the restoring force of
the spring 154.
[0075] Fig. 6 (a) is another perspective view of the interior of the bottle 100, showing
the structure of the guide tube 158 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure, and the carbonating system 122 positioned therein. As can be more clearly
visualized in the current view, the lower region of the top portion 126 (a) of the
cartridge housing 126, and its bottom portion 126 (b), are guided vertically downwards
into the guide tube 158 when the activation element 110 is operated. At the bottom,
a second resilient member, which may be a spring 156, may be provided in this embodiment
to operate independent of the first spring 154 shown in Fig. 4 and urges the carbonating
system 122 upwards from the bottom, when the bottle is in its operative state. That
spring 156 assists in the process of removing detaching and removing the top portion
126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126 from the bottom portion 126 (b).
[0076] The sequential steps involved in this embodiment, in the process of detaching and
removing the top portion 126 (a) from the bottom portion 126 (b) for accessing the
cartridge, will now be explained in detailed in conjunction with Fig. 6 (a). In this
figure, the top portion 126 (a) & the bottom portion 126 (b) are currently connected
via the threaded connection shown in Fig. 5 earlier. Encircled at the bottom of the
carbonating system 122 and denoted by reference numeral 178 shown in Fig. 6 (a) is
a locking mechanism, which secures and locks the top portion 126 (a) & the bottom
portion 126 (b) to one another. This mechanism may be a bayonet locking mechanism
in one embodiment, though other alternative locking mechanisms known in the art may
also be contemplated. Further, the locking mechanism 178 shown herein prevents the
top portion and the bottom portion 126 (a) & 126 (b), respectively, of the cartridge
housing 126, along with all the other connected components from moving upwards, when
the CO
2 gas is released downwards from the cartridge 130 within the interior space of the
bottle. In other words, this locking mechanism 178 prevents the discharge ports 174
shown in Fig. 4 & Fig. 5 from getting misaligned, during the process of releasing
CO
2 into the fluid within the bottle.
[0077] The locking mechanism 178 may include a vertical elongated slot 180 and a horizontal
elongated slot 182, each provided in the outer wall of the guide tube 158. Further,
a locking pin 184 is shown current engaging the junction of the horizontal & the vertical
slots 182 & 180, respectively, and projects radially inwards through the outer wall
of the guide tube 158. The radially inward extension of the pin 184 terminates within
the interior of an intermediate sleeve 148 positioned in an annular region between
the guide tube 158 and the bottom portion 126 (b) of the cartridge housing 126, as
can be apparently seen from the sectional view depicted in Fig. 4. When the system
is in locked state, the pin 184 lies at the right corner of the horizontal slot 182.
Since the intermediate sleeve 148 is a fixed, immovable component, the cartridge housing
126 can still move vertically downward within the guide tube 158, when the locking
pin 184 engages the right corner of the horizontal slot 182 and has locked the cartridge
housing 126 for removal.
[0078] A user holding the cartridge housing 126 from the top may first rotate it clockwise
(as seen from the top), so that the locking pin 184 first moves to the junction of
the two slots 180 & 182. At that position, the cartridge housing 126 acquires an unlocked
state, is pushed upwards by the restoring force of the spring 156, and can be readily
pulled out of the carbonating system 122. Thereafter, the user can pull out the top
portion 126 (a) of the cartridge housing 126, till the pin 184 translates within the
vertical slot 180, has traced the entire height of the latter, and eventually lies
at the position indicated by numeral 186. At that point, the top portion 126 (a) of
the cartridge housing 126 is still connected to the bottom portion 126 (b) by the
internal threads 162 shown in Fig. 5 earlier. To loosen that threaded connection,
the top portion 126 (a) can be easily rotated once again, to completely detach and
remove it from the bottom portion 126 (b).
[0079] Fig. 6 (c) depicts an alternative locking mechanism for locking & unlocking the cartridge
housing 126 with respect to the guide tube 158, in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. The need for the second spring 156 shown in Fig. 6 (a),
which biases the cartridge housing from bottom is obviated in this embodiment. Specifically,
the locking mechanism may include an elongated slot 183 provided within the outer
wall of the guide tube 158. That elongated slot may include bottom and top sections
183 (b) & 183 (c), each extending along a respective horizontal plane to a certain
extent circumferentially along the outer wall of the guide tube 158, and a middle
section 183 (a) extending vertically along a helical path from the bottom to the top
portion of the guide tube 158 in a manner connecting the top and bottom sections 183
(c) & 183 (b) and being wrapped around the outer wall of the guide tube 158.
[0080] When the cartridge housing 126 is in the locked state, the locking pin 184 (shown
in Fig. 6(a), not shown in the current Fig. 6 (c) though) rests at the left corner
of the bottom section 183 (b) of the slot 183. For removing the cartridge housing
126 from the guide tube 158, a user can first grip it with hand from the top and rotate
it anti-clockwise (as seen from upwards). A small angular rotation of the cartridge
housing 126 initially brings the locking pin 184 to the right corner of the bottom
section 183 (b). On further anti-clockwise rotation of the cartridge housing 126,
the pin 184 traverses a helical path within the middle section 183 (a), all the way
circumferentially from the bottom to top of the guide tube 156, and is eventually
guided into the right corner of the top section 183 (c). Owed to that rotation, the
cartridge housing 126 advances vertically upwards. Thereafter, the top portion 126
(a) of the cartridge housing 126 can be detached from the bottom portion 126 (b) by
simply rotating it anti-clockwise, as mentioned earlier.
[0081] Depicted on the left side in Fig. 7 is a perspective view, and on the right side
thereof, a front view of the portable bottle 100 for carbonating a fluid contained
therein, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. One noticeable
modification in this embodiment lies in the alternative design of the first cap 105
& the second cap 106. The first rotatable cap 105 in the current embodiment is rotatably
secured to the top portion of the bottle housing 102 via threaded connection 104 provided
at the upper end of the tapered portion 102 (b) of the housing 102. However, the second
cap 106 here, being positioned atop the first cap 105, may be pivotally connected
to the latter, and is meant for accessing or closing the drinking holes (not shown
herein) provided on the first cap 105. Effectively, the second cap 106 may act as
a lid for closing the first cap 105 in this embodiment, and that lid can be closed
and locked by means of a bell crank lever mechanism 103, which would be explained
in detail hereinafter.
[0082] Fig. 8 (a) is a perspective view of the first cap 105 of the embodiment shown in
Fig. 7, with the second cap 106, i.e., the lid, removed therefrom. Fig. 8 (b) is another
perspective view of the combination of the first cap 105 & the second cap 106, with
the latter being pivotally connected thereto and swung open by operating the bell
crank lever mechanism 103. Specifically, the second cap 106 may be pivotally connected
to a peripheral portion of the first cap 105, specifically at the pivot joint 107,
whereon it can be swung open by approximately 180° to access the drinking hole 114.
The hole 114 is in the form of a spout protruding upwards from the top surface 105
(d) of the first cap 105. The pivot joint 107 may have a through hole, and a suitable
mechanism known in the art, such as a pivoting pin, may be used for pivotally securing
the second cap 106 to the first cap 105. A pivot axis of pivot joint 107 may be directed
at an angle of about 90° with respect a central, longitudinal axis of symmetry (LL/)
of the bottle.
[0083] As shown in Fig. 8 (a), the first cap 105 may include a base portion 105 (c) having
a disc-shaped structure and a top surface 105 (d which is completely covered by the
second cap 106 in the closed state of the bottle. Further, one or more vent openings
108 (two in this embodiment) may be provided at the top surface 105 (d), to allow
atmospheric air to flow into the bottle when the user drinks the carbonated water
contained therein. The flow of water may be restricted without the presence of these
vent openings 108. A safety valve 111 may also be provided at the top surface 105
(d), for releasing any excessive vapor pressure trapped within the interior space
of the bottle.
[0084] Another relatively large opening 109 (a) abutting the drinking spout/hole 114 may
be provided within the top surface 105 (d) of the second cap 105, whereon the activation
element 110 (not shown herein) is mounted, so that it can be operated and pushed into
the opening 109 (a) to activate the carbonating system positioned underneath the activation
element. The entire carbonating system (not shown herein), including the cartridge
contained therein may be removed from this opening 109 (a) along with the activation
element 110.
[0085] A perspective view of all these components, including the first cap 105, the second
cap 106 positioned atop the first cap, the guide tube 158, the carbonating system
122, which includes the cartridge housing 126 guided telescopically therein and containing
the cartridge 130, and the activation element 110, all being removed from the interior
of the bottle, is shown clearly in Fig. 9 (a).
[0086] Referring back to Fig. 8 (b), another integral component of the second cap 106 is
a protrusion 109 (b), which may be provided at the inner surface of the lid, i.e.,
the second cap 106. That protrusion acts as a sealing cap for hermetically sealing
the drinking hole/spout 114, when the lid 106 is swung manually clockwise for closing
the bottle. Specifically, the protrusion 109 (b) may align with, and position itself
atop the drinking hole 114, when the second cap 106 is closed by the user. Therefore,
in the closed state of the bottle 100, the drinking hole 114 may be hermetically sealed
to prevent any CO
2 or water from escaping the bottle during the process of carbonation, specifically
when the activation element 110 is pressed for releasing CO
2. Additionally, the hermetic seal prevents water from leaking out from the drinking
hole/spout 114, when the cap/lid 106 is closed. Such leaking of water may otherwise
happen when the bottle is in a tilted position in a bag, for example, or when the
user is walking relatively fast and carrying the bottle.
[0087] A latch 106 (a), extending radially outwards as shown in Fig. 8 (b), may also be
provided on the peripheral portion of the second cap 106. That latch mates with a
top, inwardly curved portion 103 (a) of the mechanism 103 when the second cap/lid
106 is swung for closing. Specifically, once the lid 106 is swung manually clockwise
by about 180°, the latch 106 (a) comes in alignment with the curved portion 103 (a),
as is more clearly seen in Fig. 9 (a). Thereafter, the lid/second cap 106 can be further
pressed so that the latch 106 (a) snap-fits into and positions below the curved portion
103 (a), so that the second cap 106 acquires its closed state. Thereafter, the second
cap 106 can be locked using the bell crank lever mechanism 103.
[0088] Specifically, the mechanism 103 may include a manually operable lever 103 (b), which
can be pushed & rotated downwards in the direction indicated by the curved arrow 'A'
shown in Fig. 9 (a), for locking the lid (i.e., the second cap 106) to the first cap
105. The lever 103 (b) is hinged at two pivot points 103 (c) for performing rotational
movement, as shown in this figure (with second pivot point hidden in this view). Once
the lever 103 (b) is rotated downwards, its upper portion comes in contact with an
upper arm 103 (d) of the mechanism 103, thereby transferring the operating force and
bringing the top, inwardly curved portion 103 (a) in firm, gripping contact with the
latch 106 (a) on the lid/second cap 106. This facilitates complete locking of the
second cap 106 to the first cap 105, so that CO
2 contained within the bottle remains trapped within the interior of the bottle and
does not escape into environment when the bottle is closed. This also prevents leaking
of water from bottle in its inoperative state, as aforementioned.
[0089] For releasing the lock between the caps 105 & 106, the lever 103 (b) can be similarly
rotated upwards, in the direction opposite to the one indicated by arrow 'A' in Fig.
9 (a), so that the inwardly curved portion 103 (a) of the mechanism 103 releases from
the latch 106 (a). Thereafter, the lid 106 can be manually swung open anti-clockwise,
for accessing the drinking holes 114.
[0090] Fig. 9 (b) is sectional view of the components of the Fig. 9 (a), being removed from
the interior of the bottle. As mentioned earlier, these removable components include
the first & the second cap 105 & 106, the entire carbonating system 122, including
the cartridge housing 126 and the cartridge 130 provided therein, and the guide tube
158. Once all these components are removed, merely the housing 102 of the bottle 100,
which surrounds these components in the completely assembled state of the bottle,
remains with a hollow interior.
[0091] Last, Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of the portable bottle 100 according to the
embodiment shown previously in Fig. 7, in its completely assembled state. As shown,
positioned within the interior space defined by the double-walled housing 102 is the
entire carbonating system 122. The carbonating system 122 in this embodiment may be
positioned at a slight offset to the central longitudinal axis of symmetry LL
/ of the bottle 100, as shown. Further, shown within the dotted circle at the top is
the drinking spout 114, which is hermetically sealed by the protrusion/sealing cap
109 (b) shown in Fig. 8 (b) earlier.
[0092] Although the present invention has been described comprehensively in conjunction
with different embodiments illustrated in the appended figures, the embodiments are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention, the scope being completely defined
by the claims, and therefore, other obvious extensions and versions of these embodiments
can be contemplated by those skilled in the art.
List of Reference Numerals
[0093]
100: Bottle
102: Housing of the Bottle
102 (a): Bottom portion of the housing 102
102 (b): Tapered portion of the housing 102
103: Bell crank lever mechanism
103 (a): Inwardly curved portion on the mechanism 103
103 (b): Operating lever for the mechanism 103
103 (c): Pivot points for the lever 103 (b)
103 (d): Upper arm of the mechanism 103
104: Threads on the housing 102 for securing the second cap 106
105: First rotatable cap
105 (a): Threaded connection for securing the first cap 105 to the bottle
105 (b): Threaded connection for securing the first cap 105 to the carbonating system
105 (c): Base portion of the first cap 105
105 (d): Top surface of the first cap 105
106: Second rotatable cap
106 (a): Latch on the lid/second cap 106
107: Pivot joint for connecting the lid 106 (a) to the base portion 105 (c).
108: Vent openings
109 (a): Opening within the top surface 105 (d) of the first cap 105 for removing
the carbonating system 122
109 (b): Protrusion within the inner surface of the second cap 106
110: Activation element
111: Safety valve
114, 114 (a) & 114 (b): Drinking Holes
117: Bottom portion of the Bottle 100
118: Non-return valve
122: Carbonating System
126: Cartridge Housing
126 (a): Top portion of Cartridge Housing
126 (b): Bottom Portion of Cartridge Housing
130: Cartridge
130 (a): Tapered portion of the Cartridge 130
134: Opening pin & piston assembly
134 (a): Opening Pin
134 (b): Piston
138: Cartridge Housing Bottom Sleeve
142: Piston Sleeve
146: Sleeve Stop
148: Intermediate Sleeve
150: Washer
154: Resilient Member/Spring
156: Second spring
158: Guide Tube for Second Cap
162: Internal threads within the top portion 126 (a) of Cartridge Housing 126
162 (a): Bottommost section of the tapered portion 130 (a) of cartridge 130 (equally
termed as cartridge opening)
166: Vertical Gap
170: Threads at the upper region of the bottom portion 126 (b) of the cartridge housing
126
174: Discharge ports
176: O-Rings for sealing the discharge ports 174
178: Locking Mechanism
180: Vertical elongated slot within the guide tube 158
182: Horizontal elongated slot within the guide tube 158
183: Elongated slot in the outer wall of the guide tube
183 (a), (b) & (c): Middle, bottom & top sections of the elongated slot
184: Locking pin
186: Top region of the vertical elongated slot 180
190: Safety Valve
1. A portable bottle (100) for carbonating a drinkable fluid contained therein, the bottle
(100) comprising:
a housing (102);
a carbonating system (122) positioned within the housing (102) and
configured to release a gas into the fluid contained within the bottle (100); and
a manually operable activation element (110) coupled to the carbonating system (122),
wherein pressing of the activation element (110) activates the carbonating system
(122) for releasing the gas into the fluid, wherein:
the amount of gas released into the fluid is controllable based on the operation of
the activation element (110).
2. The portable bottle (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the amount of gas released into the fluid is dependent on the amount of time
for which the activation element (110) is pressed, and/or on a pressing-depth indicating
the extent to which the activation element (110) is pressed.
3. The portable bottle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a first rotatable cap (105) positioned at a first region of a top portion of the bottle
(100) and surrounding the top portion of the carbonating system (122), wherein the
first cap (105) is configured in a manner that on its rotation, the entire carbonating
system (122) along with the first cap (105) can be taken out from the interior of
the bottle (100); and
a second cap (106) positioned at a second region of the top portion of the bottle
(100) and rotatably connected to the top portion, the second cap (106) being configured
in such a manner that rotation thereof opens the top portion of the bottle (100) and
provides access to one or more holes (114) for drinking the carbonated fluid contained
within the bottle (100),
wherein the rotational movements of the first cap (105) and the second cap (106) are
preferably independent of each other, and/or
wherein the first cap (105) is preferably positioned radially inwards within the bottle
(100), with respect to the second cap (106).
4. The portable bottle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a first rotatable cap (105) positioned at a first region of the top portion of the
bottle (100) and surrounding the top portion of the carbonating system (122), the
first cap (105) being provided with one or more drinking holes (114); and
a second cap (106) positioned atop and pivotally connected to the first cap (105)
at a pivot joint (107), wherein the second cap (106) is configured in a manner that
it can be swung open about the pivot joint (107) to provide access to one or more
drinking holes (114) provided within the first cap (105).
5. The portable bottle (100) according to claim 4, further comprising a locking mechanism
(103) for securing and locking the second cap (106) to the first cap (105), wherein
the locking mechanism (103) is preferably a bell crank lever mechanism.
6. The portable bottle (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein
the carbonating system (122) is positioned within the housing (102) at an offset to
a central, longitudinal axis of symmetry (LL/) of the bottle.
7. The portable bottle (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein
an inner surface of the second cap (106) is provided with a sealing element (109(b))
for hermetically sealing the drinking hole (114) in a closed state of the bottle (100).
8. The portable bottle according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the
carbonating system (122) comprises a cartridge housing (126) having a cartridge (130)
positioned therein, the cartridge (130) having the gas stored therein, wherein the
cartridge housing (126) has a top portion (126a) and a bottom portion (126b), the
top portion (126a) being rotatably connected to the bottom portion (126b) and being
detachable from the bottom portion (126b) by rotation, to provide access to the cartridge
(130) contained within the cartridge housing (126), wherein the cartridge housing
(126) is preferably guided into a guide tube (158) and is locked therein by a locking
mechanism (178), preferably a bayonet locking mechanism.
9. The portable bottle (100) according to claim 8, wherein the cartridge housing (126)
is configured in a manner that a rotation thereof along a specific direction unlocks
it from the guide tube (158) so that the cartridge housing (126) can be pulled out
of the guide tube (158).
10. The portable bottle (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the activation element
(110) is provided above a top portion (126a) of the cartridge housing (126), wherein
the cartridge (130) is configured to translate vertically downwards within the interior
of the bottle (100) when the pushing operation is performed on the activation element
(110).
11. The portable bottle according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the cartridge
(130) has an opening (162a) for discharging the gas contained therein, the opening
facing downwards and being provided at a lower portion of the cartridge (130), wherein
the opening (162a) is configured to release the gas into the fluid contained within
the bottle when the activation element is pressed.
12. The portable bottle according to at least one of claims 8 to 11, wherein cartridge
(130) is configured to translate vertically between a topmost position and a bottommost
position when the pressing operation is performed on the activation element (110),
wherein in an inactivated state of the activation element (110) the cartridge (130)
is at the topmost position and in a fully activated state of the activation element
(110) the cartridge (130) is at the bottommost position.
13. The portable bottle according to one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising a resilient
member (152) positioned at the bottom portion of, and biasing the cartridge housing
(130), the resilient member (152) being configured to retract the cartridge housing
(126) vertically upwards to its original position when the operation of the activation
element (110) ceases, the original position corresponding to an inoperative state
of the activation element.
14. The portable bottle according to claim 13, wherein the carbonating system (122) has
one or more discharge ports (174) adapted to fluidly communicate with the cartridge
opening (162a) when the activation element (110) is pressed, thereby establishing
a channel for releasing the gas contained with the cartridge (130) into the fluid.
15. A portable bottle (100) for carbonating a drinkable fluid contained therein, preferably
according to at least one of the preceding claims, the bottle comprising:
a housing (102);
a carbonating system (122) positioned within the housing (102), the carbonating system
(122), in its activated state, being configured to release a gas into the fluid contained
with the bottle (100), the carbonating system (122) having a cartridge (130) storing
the gas therein;
wherein the carbonating system (122) further comprises:
one or more discharge ports (174) for releasing the gas into the fluid, the discharge
ports (174) being aligned obliquely to the vertical direction, in a manner defining
a specific direction for discharging the gas into the fluid;
one or more sealing elements (176) for sealing the discharge ports (174) in an inactivated
state of the carbonating system.