U.S. patent application number 09/819843 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for adjustable capacity flasks.
Invention is credited to Danze, Marcelo.
Application Number | 20020139797 09/819843 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25229229 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020139797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Danze, Marcelo |
October 3, 2002 |
Adjustable capacity flasks
Abstract
A flask that is capable of having its capacity adjusted by a
user. A flask includes a cover element and a container. The cover
element has an opening through which liquid is passable and a
mating edge. The container has a mating edge for engaging with the
mating edge of the cover element to form a seal. A fastener such as
a pair of bolts is provided and configured to secure the cover
element and the container together with the mating edges engaged,
thereby defining a reservoir therein. The container may include a
base element with a mating edge and one or more expansion elements
each having a top mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of
the cover element and a bottom mating edge for engaging with the
mating edge of the base element. Accordingly, a user may add and
remove expansion elements to the flask to adjust the capacity
thereof.
Inventors: |
Danze, Marcelo; (Huntington
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EIIC K SATERMO
P O BOX 19099
IRVINE
CA
92623
|
Family ID: |
25229229 |
Appl. No.: |
09/819843 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20130101; A45C
7/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.27 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/28; B65D
008/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flask comprising: a cover element including an opening through
which liquid is passable and a mating edge; a container including a
reservoir for holding liquid and a mating edge for engaging with
the mating edge of the cover element to form a seal; and a fastener
configured to secure the cover element and the container together
with the mating edges engaged.
2. A flask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container includes: a
base element having a mating edge; and a expansion element having a
top mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the cover
element and a bottom mating edge for engaging with the mating edge
of the base element.
3. A flask as claimed in claim 2 wherein the contain includes a
plurality of expansion elements each having a top mating edge and a
bottom mating edge; the top mating edge of each of the expansion
elements being configured to engage with the mating edge of the
cover element and the bottom mating edge of at least one of the
expansion elements; and the bottom mating edge of each of the
expansion elements being configured to engage with the mating edge
of the base element and the top mating edge of at least one of the
expansion elements.
4. A flask as claimed in claim 3 wherein the expansion elements are
substantially identical with each other.
5. A flask as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastener is configured
to secure at least one of the expansion elements between the base
element and the cover element.
6. A flask as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastener is configured
to secure a plurality of the expansion elements between the base
element and the cover element.
7. A flask as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a plurality of
fasteners; each of the fasteners being configured to secure a
respective number of the expansion elements between the base
element and the cover element.
8. A flask as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fastener includes a
bolt.
9. A flask as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of the elements
includes a socket for engaging with the bolt.
10. A flask as claimed in claim 9 wherein the other one of the
elements includes a seat for receiving the bolt.
11. A flask as claimed in claim 10 wherein the expansion element
includes a through hole form receiving the bolt.
12. A flask as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of
the fasteners.
13. A flask comprising: a cover element including a mating edge; a
base element including a mating edge; and a expansion element
including a pair of mating edges each of which is configured to be
engageable with the mating edge of at least one of the cover
element and the base element to form a seal therewith.
14. A flask as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a plurality
of expansion elements each including a pair of mating edges.
15. A flask as claimed in claim 14 wherein each of the expansion
elements includes a top mating edge and a bottom mating edge; the
top mating edge of each of the expansion elements being configured
to engage with the mating edge of the cover element and the bottom
mating edge of at least one of the expansion elements; and the
bottom mating edge of each of the expansion elements being
configured to engage with the mating edge of the base element and
the top mating edge of at least one of the expansion elements.
16. A flask as claimed in claim 13 further comprising at least one
fastener configured for securing the cover element to the base
element such that a seal is formed between at least one pair of
engaged mating edges.
17. A flask as claimed in claim 16 further comprising at least one
fastener configured for securing the cover element to the base
element with the expansion element therebetween such that a seal is
formed between the mating edge of the cover element and one of the
mating edges of the expansion element and a seal is formed between
the mating edge of the base element and the other mating edge of
the expansion element.
18. A method for adjusting a capacity of a flask, the method
comprising: providing a flask including: a cover element including
a mating edge; a base element including a mating edge; a expansion
element including a pair of mating edges each of which is
configured to be engageable with the mating edge of at least one of
the cover element and the base element to form a seal therewith;
and a fastener configured for securing the cover element to the
base element with the expansion element therebetween such that a
seal is formed between the mating edge of the cover element and one
of the mating edges of the expansion element and a seal is formed
between the mating edge of the base element and the other mating
edge of the expansion element; positioning the expansion element
between the cover element and the base element; and fastening the
fastener.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising: unfastening
the fastenering; removing the expansion element; and fastening the
fastener.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the flask includes a
plurality of the expansion elements, further comprising:
unfastening the fastenering; positioning a second one of the
expansion elements between the cover element and the base element;
and fastening the fastener.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a flask for holding liquids
and, more particularly, to a flask that is expandable so that the
capacity of the flask may be adjusted (i.e., either increased or
decreased) by a user.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Flasks are convenient accessories for carrying beverages and
spirits on a person. Generally speaking, there are two types of
flasks: a hand-carried flask and a breast-pocket flask type.
Hand-carried flasks are more commonly known by the registered
trademark of the most successful brand thereof, Thermos.RTM., and
include an evacuated cylinder disposed within a protective housing
with a handle. The capacity of such flasks typically range from a
pint to a quart and are designed to carry hot beverages such as
coffee or soup.
[0005] Breast-pocket flasks were traditionally designed to be
carried not in-hand typically but in the breast pocket of a blazer
or sport coat. This tradition has carried through to today with the
flasks often being arcuate to complement the shape of the human
anatomy adjacent to the area where the breast pocket of a coat is
located when worn. These types of flasks are typically not designed
to carry hot beverages but, rather, a quantity of spirits such as
brandy or bourbon. Typical sizes are fixed and range from one-half
pint to one pint in size.
[0006] One of the drawbacks of conventional flasks is that, for
flexibility, a user needs to purchase several depending upon need.
If the user is to carry a quantity of spirits for individual use,
then a smaller flask may be used. However, if the user is to carry
a quantity of spirits for a group of people, then a larger flask
may be used.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, there remains a need in the art
for flasks that may have capacity adjusted according to need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides flasks that are capable of
having their capacity adjusted--either increased or decreased--by a
user. According to a preferred embodiment, a flask includes a cover
element and a container. The cover element has an opening through
which liquid is passable and a mating edge. The container has a
mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the cover element
to form a seal. A fastener is provided and configured to secure the
cover element and the container together with the mating edges
engaged, thereby defining a reservoir therein. The fastener may
include, for example, one or more bolts.
[0009] The container may include a base element with a mating edge
and one or more expansion elements each having a top mating edge
for engaging with the mating edge of the cover element and a bottom
mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the base element.
Accordingly, a user may add and remove expansion elements to the
flask to adjust the capacity thereof. For example, for a larger
capacity, three of the expansion elements may be positioned between
the cover element and the base element; for a smaller capacity,
only one (or none) of the expansion elements may be provided.
[0010] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a
consideration of the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an
adjustable-capacity flask configured in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are side, bottom, and top views,
respectively, of a preferred embodiment of a cover element of an
adjustable-capacity flask of the invention;
[0013] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are side, bottom, and top views,
respectively, of a preferred embodiment of a base element of an
adjustable-capacity flask of the invention;
[0014] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are side, bottom, and top views,
respectively, of a preferred embodiment of an expansion element of
an adjustable-capacity flask of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of an adjustable-capacity flask of the
invention including two expansion elements;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of an adjustable-capacity flask of the
invention including three expansion elements;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view an adjustable-capacity
flask of the invention taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, particularly
illustrating engaging mating edges between elements of the flask in
accordance with a preferred embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable-capacity
flask of the invention, particularly illustrating engaging mating
edges between elements in accordance with an alternative embodiment
of the invention; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable-capacity
flask of the invention, particularly illustrating engaging mating
edges between elements in accordance with yet another embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring more particularly to the drawings, an
expandable-capacity flask 100 configured in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 1. Exemplary flask 100 generally includes a cover element 102
and a container 104. With additional reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and
2C, exemplary cover element 102 may have an opening 106 through
which liquid is passable and a mating edge 108. A collar 110 may be
disposed about the opening 106 and configured to be fitted with a
cap (not shown).
[0021] The container 104 includes a reservoir 112 configured to
holding liquid and a mating edge 114 configured to mate or engage
with the mating edge 108 of the cover element 102, thereby form a
seal therebetween. A fastener 116 is configured to secure the cover
element 102 and the container 104 together with the mating edges
108, 114 engaged.
[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the container 104 may
include a base element 118 and an expansion element 120. With
additional reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, exemplary base
element 118 has a mating edge 122, and with additional reference to
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, exemplary expansion element 120 has a top
mating edge 124 and a bottom mating edge 126. The top mating edge
124 of the expansion element 120 is configured to engage with the
mating edge 108 of the cover element 102, and the bottom mating
edge 126 of the expansion element 120 is configured to engage with
the mating edge 122 of the base element 118. Accordingly, when
assembled and secured together with the fastener 116, the
combination of sections 102, 118, 120 are sealed at the abutting
mating edges and form the flask 100 in which liquid may be
stored.
[0023] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, each of the elements
102, 118, and 120 may have a perimetrical wall, that is, the cover
element 102 may have a wall 128, the base element 118 may have a
wall 130, and the expansion element 120 may have a wall 132. In
addition, the cover element 102 may have a top section 134 through
which the opening 106 is formed, and the base element 118 may have
a bottom section 136. Accordingly, when assembled and secured, the
reservoir 112 is defined by the perimetrical walls 128, 130, 132
and the top and bottom sections 134, 136.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, exemplary
expandable flask 100 includes a plurality of the expansion elements
120a, 120b, . . . , 120n as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Accordingly,
the flask 100 of the invention is configured to enable a user to
add one or more expansion elements 120 to the container 104 to
increase the capacity of the flask, and to remove one or more
expansion elements 120 from the container 104 to decrease the
capacity of the flask.
[0025] Each of the expansion elements 120 has a top and a bottom
mating edge 124, 126 as described above. According to a preferred
embodiment, the top mating edge 124 of at least one but preferably
each of the expansion elements 120 is configured to engage with not
only the mating edge 108 of the cover element 102 but also the
bottom mating edge 126 of at least one but preferably each of the
expansion elements 120. For example, referencing FIG. 5, the top
mating edge 124 of expansion element 120a engages with the mating
edge 108 of the cover element 102, and the top mating edge 124 of
expansion element 120b is configured to engage with the bottom
mating edge 126 of expansion element 120a.
[0026] In addition, the bottom mating edge 126 of at least one but
preferably each of the expansion elements 120 is configured to
engage with not only the mating edge 122 of the base element 118
but also the top mating edge 124 of at least one but preferably
each of the expansion elements 120. The bottom mating edge 126 of
expansion element 120b is configured to engage with the mating edge
122 of the base element 118, and the bottom mating edge 126 of
expansion element 120a is configured to engage with the top mating
edge 124 of expansion element 120b. In accordance with a preferred
embodiment, each of the expansion elements 120 are configured
identically with each other so as to be completely interchangeable
with between the cover element 102 and the base element 118.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the mating edge 108 of the cover element
102 is formed on a bottom 134 of perimetrical wall 128. Similarly,
as shown in FIG. 3, the mating edge 122 of the base element 118 is
formed on a top 136 of perimetrical wall 130. In addition, the top
mating edge 124 of each expansion element 120 is formed on a top
138 of perimetrical wall 132, and the bottom mating edge 126 of
each expansion element 120 is formed on a bottom 140 of
perimetrical wall 132.
[0028] With additional reference to FIG. 7, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, each mating edge may include
a groove 142 configured to receive a seal member 144 such as a
rubber seal, a gasket, or an O ring. Accordingly, when the fastener
116 is securing the cover element 102 and the base element 118
together with any number of expansion element 120 therebetween,
each mating edge is engaging with a corresponding mating edge to
form a seal between abutting seal members 144. More specifically,
under force by the fastener 116, each seal member 144 is compressed
between an adjacent seal member 144 and a corresponding grooves 142
to form a compression seal.
[0029] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, each mating edge may
include a groove 142 configured to receive a seal member 144.
However, rather than each groove 142 receiving a respective seal
member 144, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, respective
adjacent pairs of grooves 142 share seal member 142. Accordingly,
when the fastener 116 is securing the cover element 102 and the
base element 118 together with any number of expansion element 120
therebetween, each mating edge is engaging with a corresponding
mating edge to form a seal between each seal member 144 and a
corresponding pair of grooves 142. More specifically, under force
by the fastener 116, each seal member 144 is compressed between
adjacent grooves 142 to form a compression seal.
[0030] Yet another preferred embodiment of the mating edges of the
elements is shown in FIG. 9, as well as FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
According to this embodiment, the mating edge 108 of the cover
element 102 includes a groove 142 for receiving a seal member 144,
and the mating edge 122 of the base element 118 includes a contact
surface 146. In addition, the top mating edge 124 of each expansion
element 120 includes a contact surface 146, and the bottom mating
edge 126 of each expansion element 120 includes a groove 142 for
receiving a seal member 144. Accordingly, when the fastener 116 is
securing the cover element 102 and the base element 118 together
with any number of expansion element 120 therebetween, each mating
edge is engaging with a corresponding mating edge to form a seal
between each seal member 144 and a corresponding contact surface
146.
[0031] With additional reference to FIG. 1, exemplary fastener 116
may include one or more screws or bolts 148 each with threading 150
on one end and a head 152 on the other end. In the preferred
embodiment shown, two bolts 148 are provided. With additional
reference to FIG. 4, each expansion elements 120 may include a
corresponding number of through holes 154. And with additional
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, either one of the cover element 102 or
the base element 118 may include a socket 156 for engaging with the
threading 150 of each bolt 148, while the other element 102 or 118
may include a seat 158 with a through hole 160 for receiving the
head 152 of each bolt 148. In the embodiment shown, the cover
element 102 includes the sockets 156, and the base element 118
includes the seats 158. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, according to a
preferred embodiment, the through holes 154, the socket 156, and
the seat 158 are formed in lateral ends 162 of each element 102,
118, 120.
[0032] Accordingly, when assembled as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each
bolt 148 passes through one of the through holes 160 of the base
element 118 and one of the through holes 154 of each expansion
element 120, with the threading 150 thereof engaging with one of
the sockets 156 of the cover element 102 and the head 152 thereof
being received in one of the seats 158 of the base element 118.
When tightened, the bolts 148 form compression seals at the mating
edges between the elements as discussed above.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, depending upon the number of
expansion elements 120 connected between the cover element 102 and
the base element 118, a number of bolts 148 with corresponding
lengths L may be provided. For example, the bolts 148 may have a
length L.sub.1 if one expansion element 120 is provided as shown in
FIG. 1; the bolts 148 may have a length L.sub.2 if two expansion
elements 120 are provided as shown in FIG. 5; and the bolts 148 may
have a length L.sub.3 if three expansion elements 120 are provided
as shown in FIG. 6.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding
exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide the
foundation for numerous alternatives and modifications thereto. For
example, each of the elements 102, 118, and 120 may be made from
any type of suitable material, such as a metal or metal alloy, a
plastic composition, glass, and so on. In addition, the fastener
116 may include any suitable fastener such as a bolt with a wing
nut. These other modifications are also within the scope of the
present invention such that the present invention is not limited to
that precisely as shown and described in the present invention.
* * * * *