Bottle insert

Abstract

Bottle Insert with an insert that removably resides inside the uppermost portion of a wide mouth bottle. The insert is circular in shape and has sidewalls and an integral base portion. The base portion rises in one or more locations to a flat plane located near the top of the circular shape and extending approximately one third of the diameter distance into the circular shape. The raised flat portions each have a cut out area for the purpose of drinking liquid contained within the bottle. The cut out area follows the inner diameter of the circular shape at one edge and following the contour of the rest of the raised portion of the flat area. The lower base portion has one or more drain holes. The insert is constructed of injection molded, food grade, rigid plastic

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of bottle accessories, and more particularly to a bottle insert to aid in the process of drinking.

[0002] Bottles of various sizes and shapes have been made and sold for many years. In more recent times, campers, hikers, bikers and the like carry bottles filled with water or other liquid with them so they may remain properly hydrated while away from standard sources of water and the like. Although there are many plastic water bottles on the market today, it has become popular with serious campers and the like, to carry water or other liquid in a high quality container such as the wide mouth bottle made by the Nalgene Corp. This bottle is constructed of polycarbonate plastic. It is very resistant to collapse and does not impart an unpleasant taste to the water, as is the case of other water bottles that are made of polyethylene or the like. Unfortunately, the wide mouth design of the Nalgene bottle and those like it make it difficult to drink from in that it is easy for excess liquid to bypass the user's mouth and travel down the user's chin. This is particularly true when children try to drink from such a bottle or when the user is in motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The primary object of the invention is to provide a way to drink liquid from a bottle having a relatively large diameter at its uppermost lip, better known as a wide mouth bottle, so that the liquid does not accidentally travel past the user's mouth.

[0004] Another object of the invention is to provide a way for either children or adults to comfortably drink from a wide mouth bottle.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a method for excess liquid to drain back into a wide mouth bottle.

[0006] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0007] Bottle Insert comprising: An insert that removably resides inside the uppermost portion of a wide mouth bottle, said insert being circular in shape and having side walls and an integral base portion, said base portion rising in one or more locations to a flat plane located near the top of said circular shape and extending approximately one third of the diameter distance into said circular shape, said raised flat portion having a cut out area, said cut out area following the inner diameter of said circular shape at one edge and following the contour of the rest of the raised portion of said flat area, said lower base portion having a plurality of drain holes, or alternately, no drain holes, and said insert being constructed of injection molded, food grade, rigid plastic.

[0008] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention in conjunction with a wide mouth bottle

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention in place in a wide mouth bottle

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the insert 100 of the present invention, as it is ready to be inserted into the mouth 38 of a typical wide mouth bottle 2 such as one manufactured by Nalgene Corp. The bottle 2 is sold with a mating cap 4 that screws onto threads 6 located on the neck of the bottle. The present invention is designed to be inserted in bottle mouth 38 in a frictional manner that allows the user to remove it when needed but also can remain in place during normal drinking applications. FIG. 2 shows the present invention 100 in place. The lip 24 of the insert 100 rests on top of bottle lip 38. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the present invention 100. Lip 24 can be clearly seen as well as sidewall 14 and base plate 16. Walls 42, 44 rise up from base plate 16 and terminate in a flat area 6, 8 each having a cut out portion 10, 12. The cut out portions 10, 12 are designed to allow liquid to exit from the bottle 2 in a narrower condition than if the insert 100 was not in place. In this way, the user can drink from bottle 2 without having the liquid pour past the user's mouth, as can be the case when the insert of the present invention is not employed.

[0017] FIG.4 shows a top view of the present invention 100. In this view it can be clearly seen that in the preferred embodiment opening 10 is larger, for adults and opening 12 is smaller, for children. Apertures 18, 20 allow excess liquid to flow back into bottle 2. FIG. 5 shows a front view of the present invention 100. Lip 24 can be clearly seen and recessed portion 20 can be seen as the area that liquid can flow up into before exiting opening 10. The side walls 14 of insert 100 are generally perpendicular to the top and base. FIG. 6 shows a side view where the side wall Is 20, 22 curves inward where openings 10, 12 are located thereby allowing liquid to freely flow up and out of the openings.

[0018] In the above illustrated and described way the insert of the present novel invention can be used to help an individual to comfortably drink out of a wide mouth bottle without the discomfort of having liquid overflow around the user's mouth to unwanted locations.

[0019] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Bottle Insert comprising: An insert that removably resides inside the uppermost portion of a wide mouth bottle; said insert being circular in shape and having sidewalls and an integral base portion; said base portion rising in one or more locations to a flat plane located near the top of said circular shape and extending approximately one third of the diameter distance into said circular shape; said raised flat portion having a cut out area for the purpose of drinking; said cut out area following the inner diameter of said circular shape at one edge and following the contour of the rest of the raised portion of said flat area; said lower base portion having a plurality of drain holes; and said insert being constructed of injection molded, food grade, rigid plastic.

2. Bottle Insert as claimed in claim 1 wherein said a pair of said flat, cutout portions oppose each other, one said cutout being sized for a child's mouth and the other being sized for an adult's mouth.

3. Bottle Insert as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insert is constructed of injection molded, food grade plastic.