Bottle assembly

Abstract

A bottle assembly includes a container having an open end, a closed end, a base portion, and a neck together defining a liquid chamber within the container. The neck has a rim defining the open end of the container. The bottle assembly also includes a collar assembly generally defining a closure for the container. The collar assembly is configured for releasable engagement with the neck of the container over the open end thereof. The collar assembly includes a collar and a nipple. The bottle assembly further includes a cap including a closed end, an open end, and a side wall extending between the closed end and the open end together defining an interior. The cap is configured for releasable engagement with the collar assembly such that the nipple is received within the interior of the cap. In some embodiments, the bottle assembly includes a vent assembly positionable at least in part on the rim of the container to permit venting of the container during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottle assembly comprising:
 a container having an open end, a closed end, a base portion, and a neck together defining a liquid chamber within the container, the container having a central axis, the neck having a rim defining the open end of the container, wherein the neck of the container comprises external threads thereon; and   a collar assembly generally defining a closure for the container, the collar assembly configured for releasable engagement with the neck of the container over the open end thereof, the collar assembly comprising a collar and a nipple, wherein the collar comprises a side wall and internal threads for threaded engagement with the external threads of the neck of the container, the side wall having an outer surface and an internal surface, the internal threads being disposed on the internal surface, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of elongate grooves extending along the central axis of the container when the collar is secured to the container, the elongate grooves being configured to provide a grip for a user to remove the collar assembly from the container.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the grooves are equally spaced circumferentially about the side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each groove includes an open first end at a bottom of the side wall and a closed second end defined by the side wall at a point between the bottom and a top of the side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 3 , wherein each groove extends from a bottom of the side wall to beyond a midpoint of the side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the width of each groove decreases from the first end to the second end such that the open first end defines a maximum width of each groove and the closed second end defines a minimum width of each groove. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the collar includes a top panel configured to retain the nipple together with the collar, the side wall depending from the top panel. 
     
     
         7 . A bottle assembly comprising:
 a container having an open end, a closed end, a base portion, and a neck together defining a liquid chamber within the container, the neck having a rim defining the open end of the container;   a collar assembly generally defining a closure for the container, the collar assembly configured for releasable engagement with the neck of the container over the open end thereof, the collar assembly comprising a collar and a nipple; and   a cap including a closed end, an open end, and a side wall extending between the closed end and the open end, the closed end, the open end, and the side wall together defining an interior and an exterior of the cap, the cap configured for releasable engagement with the collar assembly such that the nipple is received within the interior of the cap, the side wall including a curved surface defining a recess for removal of the cap from the collar assembly, wherein the curved surface is concave relative to the exterior of the cap, the recess being closer to the cap closed end than to the cap open end.   
     
     
         8 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the cap is a dome and the side wall is generally curved inward along the extension from the cap open end to the cap closed end such that the cap has a maximum diameter at the open end and a minimum diameter at the closed end, wherein the side wall is generally convex relative to the exterior of the cap, the curved surface having a radius of curvature that is different than the radius of curvature of the rest of the side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the cap includes projections extending downward from a center of the closed end to engage the nipple when the cap covers the nipple. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the side wall includes latches extending radially inward from an inner surface of the side wall along the open end, the latches engaging the collar to provide a snap-fit engagement of the cap on the collar assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A bottle assembly comprising:
 a container having an open end, a closed end, a base portion, and a neck together defining a liquid chamber within the container, the neck having a rim defining the open end of the container, the container having a central axis; and   a vent assembly positionable at least in part on the rim of the container to permit venting of the container during use, the vent assembly comprising:
 a vent insert including an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the outer portion is configured to at least partially rest on the rim of the container, and wherein the inner portion includes an internal vent tube and a lip, the lip being cylindrical and extending along the central axis, the lip including a plurality of bulges extending circumferentially around the lip; and 
 a receptacle portion including a top and a tube, wherein the top is configured to receive the lip of the vent insert, and wherein the plurality of bulges are configured to engage the top of the receptacle portion to form a seal between the vent insert and the top. 
   
     
     
         12 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the top includes a cylindrical side wall that defines a reservoir therein, and wherein each bulge extends continuously around the lip and is configured to engage the top to form a continuous seal between the top and the lip when the lip is received by the top. 
     
     
         13 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each bulge has a triangular cross-section formed by sloped sides meeting at a peak. 
     
     
         14 . The bottle assembly set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the vent insert includes a perimeter wall and a lateral vent extending other than parallel to the central axis of the container when the vent assembly is positioned on the rim of the container, the lateral vent being in flow communication with the internal vent tube, wherein the perimeter wall defines at least one vent opening and at least partially defines an annular gap extending circumferentially around the vent insert, wherein the at least one vent opening is in flow communication with the lateral vent and the annular gap such that air is allowed to flow from the annular gap into the lateral vent through the vent opening.