U.S. patent application number 10/265053 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for container and method for producing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cool Cloth, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Buesching, Scott, Nemazi, John E., Temple, Jeff.
Application Number | 20040065565 10/265053 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32042393 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040065565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buesching, Scott ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Container and method for producing the same
Abstract
A container for a liquid is disclosed, generally comprising an
elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate
internal primary chamber and a primary mouth opening at one end of
the bottle in communication with the primary chamber, the other end
of the bottle having a recess formed in the exterior wall
projecting generally coaxially into the primary chamber to form a
secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary mouth
opening axially opposite the primary mouth opening; a primary
closure adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber for enclosing
the primary chamber; a secondary closure adapted to cooperate with
the secondary chamber for enclosing the secondary chamber; and a
wipe member placed within the secondary chamber. The primary
chamber can retain liquid being enclosed therein by the primary
closure. The secondary chamber can retain the wipe member being
enclosed therein by the secondary closure.
Inventors: |
Buesching, Scott; (Highland,
MI) ; Temple, Jeff; (Fowlerville, MI) ;
Nemazi, John E.; (Bloomfield Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
Cool Cloth, L.L.C.
Highland
MI
|
Family ID: |
32042393 |
Appl. No.: |
10/265053 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/217 ;
206/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/06 20130101; B65D
1/04 20130101; B65D 81/32 20130101; B29L 2031/7158 20130101; B29C
49/541 20130101; B65D 81/3205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/217 ;
206/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 077/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container for a liquid comprising: an elongate bottle having
an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal primary chamber
and a primary mouth opening at one end of the bottle in
communication with the primary chamber, the other end of the bottle
having a recess formed in the exterior wall projecting generally
coaxially into the primary chamber to form a secondary chamber
isolated therefrom having a secondary mouth opening axially
opposite the primary mouth opening; a primary closure adapted to
cooperate with the primary chamber for enclosing the primary
chamber; a secondary closure adapted to cooperate with the
secondary chamber for enclosing the secondary chamber; and a wipe
member placed within the secondary chamber; wherein the primary
chamber of the container is sized to retain liquid being enclosed
therein by the primary closure and the secondary chamber of the
container is sized to retain the wipe member being enclosed therein
by the secondary closure.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the recess is integral with the
exterior wall.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the exterior wall is comprised
of blow molded plastic.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the primary closure is
comprised of a screw cap.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the secondary closure is
comprised of a self-adhesive pull tab.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the wipe member is comprised of
a cloth material.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the secondary chamber retains
the wipe member and a liquid solution being enclosed therein by the
secondary closure.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the wipe member is comprised of
non-woven paper.
9. The container of claim 1 wherein the recess is formed in the
side of the external wall and projects into the primary chamber to
form the secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary
mouth opening.
10. A container comprising: an elongate bottle having an exterior
wall which defines an elongate internal chamber and a mouth opening
at one end of the bottle in communication with the chamber; a
closure adapted to cooperate with the chamber for enclosing the
chamber; and a single reusable wipe member being at least partially
permeated with a liquid and placed within the chamber; wherein the
chamber of the container is sized to retain the single reusable
wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid and
enclosed by the closure.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein the exterior wall is
comprised of a blow molded plastic.
12. The container of claim 10 wherein the exterior wall is
comprised of flexible plastic.
13. The container of claim 10 wherein the closure is comprised of a
self-adhesive pull tab.
14. The container of claim 10 wherein the wipe member is comprised
of a shirt.
15. A method for producing a container, the method comprising:
producing an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines
an elongate internal chamber and a mouth opening at one end of the
bottle in communication with the chamber; producing a closure
adapted to cooperate with the chamber for enclosing the chamber;
placing a single reusable wipe member being at least partially
permeated with a liquid within the chamber; and enclosing the
chamber with the closure; wherein the chamber of the container is
sized to retain the single reusable wipe member being at least
partially permeated with a liquid.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the elongate bottle is produced
through blow molding.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the exterior wall is comprised
of flexible plastic.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the closure is comprised of a
self-adhesive pull tab.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the wipe member is comprised of
a shirt.
20. A container for liquid comprising: an elongate bottle having an
exterior wall which defines an elongate primary chamber, a mouth
opening at one end of the elongate bottle in communication with the
primary chamber, and a closed end portion; an end cap having a cap
wall which defines a cap opening at one end of the end cap, a
portion of the cap wall adjacent the end cap opening being at least
partially attached to the exterior wall of the elongate bottle to
form a secondary chamber isolated from the primary chamber bounded
by the end cap and the elongate bottle closed end portion; a
closure adapted to cooperate with the elongate bottle mouth opening
for enclosing the primary chamber; and a wipe member placed within
the secondary chamber; wherein the primary chamber is sized to
retain liquid and the secondary chamber is sized to retain the wipe
member.
21. The container of claim 20 further comprising an annular seal
joining the end cap to the exterior wall of the elongate
bottle.
22. The container of claim 21 wherein the annual seal is comprised
of an adhesive tape pull strip.
23. The container of claim 20 further comprising an annular bead of
adhesive joining the end cap to the exterior wall of the elongate
bottle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates generally to a
container for a liquid and method for producing the same and more
specifically to a container for a liquid that provides a wipe
member.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] People often consume cold beverages to provide refreshment
during various activities. For example, people attending sporting
events with outdoor seating, such as, but not limited to, baseball
games, football games, motor bike races, and stock car races,
commonly visit concession stands or vendors to purchase a cold beer
or soft drink to refresh themselves, especially if the weather is
relatively hot and humid. As another example, families commonly
purchase cold soft drinks from vending machines when attending
amusement parks in the summer in order to quench their thirst and
prevent dehydration.
[0003] One common mode of delivering cold beverages to the
consuming public is plastic containers. Soft drink and beer
distributors regularly use plastic bottles of varying sizes to
deliver cold beverages to consumers. To ensure that the beverage is
cold at the point of sale, the plastic bottles can be placed in a
bucket of ice (i.e. next to a concession stand), or in a
refrigeration unit (i.e. a refrigerator or vending machine).
[0004] Various systems have been proposed for keeping beverages
cold until point of sale and beyond. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,134,894, entitled "Method of Making Beverage Container With
Heating or Cooling Insert" and granted to Searle, discloses a
beverage container having a conventional external configuration
with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The base member
closing the other end of the wall is shaped to form an external
cavity which extends within the container along its longitudinal
axis. The wall defining the external cavity has a surface in
contact with the contents of the container and this surface has a
large surface area. The contents of the container can be cooled or
kept cold by insertion of an insert into the external cavity. The
primary focus of the Searle proposal is to create a self-cooling
container that limits the investment by beverage manufacturers.
[0005] As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,022, entitled
"Refrigerated Bicycle Beverage Carrier" and granted to Snyder,
discloses a beverage carrier adapted to fit into a bicycle water
bottle cage. At one end of the beverage carrier body is a circular
axial opening which gives way to a hollow core that can be inserted
into the beverage carrier. The core is adapted to be filled with a
refrigerant mixture and permanently sealed within the body of the
beverage carrier via an ultrasonic welder. The primary focus of the
Snyder proposal is to provide a bicycle water carrier with a
refrigerated core for prolonging the cooling of the beverage
contained in the water carrier.
[0006] In addition to the refreshing effect of consuming a cold
beverage provided in a plastic container, systems have been
proposed to enhance the refreshing effect by providing a towel
around the outside of the plastic container. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,680,944, entitled "Insulated Outer Layer For A Thermal
Bottle" and granted to Rueter, discloses means to maintain a
thermos bottle cool while providing the user "with a towel that can
be wetted to cool the body." (Column 5, Line 16.) The thermos
bottle includes a three-layer insulating cover, the interior layer
which is a fabric, preferably terry cloth, that can double as a
towel to keep the body cool.
[0007] One disadvantage associated with the Rueter proposal is that
the insulating cover is open to the environment. Consequently,
germs and bacteria contained within dust and debris can collect on
the insulating cover. Upon using the towel side of the insulating
cover, the user may come in contact with these contaminants.
[0008] Another disadvantage of prior art insulating cover proposals
is that the covers are typically provided for a specific bottle
configuration. For example, the insulating cover disclosed in
Rueter was primarily developed for the purpose of maintaining a
Thermos bottle cool while providing the user with a towel that can
be wetted to cool the body.
[0009] Yet another disadvantage of prior art insulating cover
proposals is that the covers are commonly relatively expensive to
fabricate in order to survive environmental conditions. For
example, Rueter discloses an insulating cover that requires a
three-layer construction: a flexible plastic outer layer, an
insulating middle layer, and a terry cloth inner layer.
[0010] In light of these and other disadvantages associated with
insulating cover proposals and the focus of other proposals on
providing beverage container cores for enhanced cooling, there
exists a need for a scalable container suitable for retaining a
liquid with an internal chamber for enclosing a wipe member for
providing essentially germ free and relatively inexpensive
refreshment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a container
suitable for retaining a liquid with an internal chamber enclosing
a wipe member for providing refreshment. This container can be
distributed through a variety of mediums to a broad range of target
markets and can be advertised as providing enhanced refreshment by
virtue of the wipe member. The mediums can include, but are not
limited to, vending machines and retail markets, for example,
grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations. Examples of
target markets include, but are not limited to, sporting events,
theme parks, medical organizations (i.e. Red Cross, hospitals, and
government agencies), zoos, tourist spots, cruise ships, golf
courses, manufacturing plants, truck stops, beaches, and summer
concerts.
[0012] The container can be filled with a liquid, for example, but
not limited to carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated soft drinks,
electrolyte solutions, water, tea, milk, Powerade, juice, isotonic
beverages, or beer and the wipe member can be placed within the
internal chamber so that liquid is separated from the wipe member.
The container is then cooled, thereby cooling the liquid and the
wipe member. For example, the container can be placed in a vending
machine or a bucket of ice. Upon customer (i.e. user) purchase, the
user can access the wipe member, which has been kept cool by the
surrounding cold liquid, to provide refreshment in addition to the
refreshment provided by drinking the cold liquid. As another
non-limiting example, the container can be sold at room temperature
through retail markets. It is fully contemplated that the wipe
member provides a refreshing effect even if used at room
temperature or cooled by the user after purchase.
[0013] Accordingly, a preferred embodiment for providing the
container suitable for retaining a liquid with an internal chamber
enclosing a wipe member for providing refreshment is provided by
the present invention. The preferred embodiment includes an
elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate
internal primary chamber and a primary mouth opening at one end of
the container in communication with the primary chamber. The other
end of the container has a recess formed in the exterior wall
projecting generally coaxially into the primary chamber to form an
internal secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary
mouth opening axially opposite the primary mouth opening. A primary
closure is adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber for
enclosing the primary chamber and a secondary closure is adapted to
cooperate with the secondary chamber for enclosing the secondary
chamber. A wipe member is placed within the secondary chamber. The
primary chamber of the container is sized to retain liquid being
enclosed therein by the primary closure and the secondary chamber
of the container is sized to retain the wipe member being enclosed
therein by the secondary closure.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the recess is integral with the
exterior wall. In another preferred embodiment, the exterior wall
is comprised of blow molded plastic. In addition, the primary
closure can be a screw cap and the secondary closure can be a
self-adhesive pull tab. The wipe member can be comprised of a cloth
material or a non-woven paper. It is fully contemplated that the
wipe member can be a shirt or other article of clothing, preferably
vacuum compressed and used as a promotional item. For example, the
shirt can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo and sold
or given away at sporting events, etc. Moreover, the secondary
chamber can retain the wipe member with a liquid solution being
enclosed therein by the secondary closure.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
container with one reusable wipe member being at least partially
permeated with a liquid. According to this object, a container that
retains solely a reusable wipe member being at least partially
permeated with a liquid is provided. The reusable wipe member is
preferably a shirt, more preferably a tee-shirt. The shirt is at
least partially permeated with a liquid to provide refreshment. The
shirt can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo. According
to this embodiment, the container with logo shirt can be
distributed at sporting events, retail outlets, etc. Since the wipe
member is preferably a shirt, it is reusable after providing
refreshment.
[0016] Accordingly, a preferred embodiment for providing the
container with a wipe member is provided. The container includes an
elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate
internal chamber and a mouth opening at one end of the bottle in
communication with the chamber, a closure adapted to cooperate with
the chamber for enclosing the chamber, and one reusable wipe member
at least partially permeated with a liquid placed within the
chamber. The chamber is sized to retain the one reusable wipe
member being at least partially permeated with a liquid. In a
preferred embodiment, the exterior wall can be comprised of a blow
molded plastic or a flexible plastic. In addition, the closure can
be comprised of a self-adhesive pull tab.
[0017] Correspondingly, a method for producing a container is
provided. The method includes producing an elongate bottle having
an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal chamber and a
mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the
chamber, producing a closure adapted to cooperate with the chamber
for enclosing the chamber, placing one reusable wipe member being
at least partially permeated with a liquid within the chamber, and
enclosing the chamber with the closure. The chamber of the
container is sized to retain the one reusable wipe member being at
least partially permeated with a liquid. In a preferred embodiment,
the elongate bottle can be produced through blow molding and the
closure can be a self-adhesive pull tab.
[0018] These and other aspects, object, features and advantages of
the present invention will be more clearly understood and
appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The features of the present invention which are believed to
be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of
operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may
best be understood with reference to the following description,
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container in
a disassembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view taken along the line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container in
an assembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmented and cross sectional view of
a container in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container for
retaining a wipe member in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a container in a
disassembled state in accordance with yet another preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a container in an
assembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of an invention that may
be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims
and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the
art to variously employ the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container 10
in a disassembled state, suitable for retaining and dispensing a
liquid beverage in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] The container 10 in FIG. 1 is comprised of an elongate
bottle 12, preferably formed from plastic and having a generally
circular cross section. Examples of plastics that are suitable for
formation of the container 10 include, but are not limited to, low
density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and
polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). The selection of the specific
plastic can be based on numerous factors, such as rigidity (i.e.
flexible, semirigid, or rigid) and recyclability, to best fit a
particular implementation of the present invention. Examples of
materials that can be used for the elongate bottle include, but are
not limited to, aluminum, foil, flexible plastic sleeve, plastic
bladder, etc. The height of container 10 is preferably in the range
of about 4 inches to about 12 inches, and most preferably about 8
inches. The thickness of exterior wall 14 is preferably generally
uniform in thickness and in the range of about {fraction (1/32)}
inches to about 1/8 inches, and most preferably about {fraction
(1/16)} inches.
[0030] The elongate bottle 12 has an exterior wall 14 which defines
an elongate internal primary chamber 16 (otherwise referred to as
the primary chamber) and narrows at its upper end 15 to form a
generally cylindrical neck portion 17 having a primary mouth
opening 18. The diameter of the generally cylindrical neck portion
17 is preferably in the range of about 1/2 inches to about 2
inches, and most preferably about 1 and 1/2 inches. The primary
mouth opening 18 is provided for dispensing liquid from the primary
chamber 16 through generally cylindrical neck portion 17.
[0031] A recess 20 is formed in the lower end 21 of exterior wall
14 and projects generally coaxially into the primary chamber 16 to
form a secondary chamber 22 isolated therefrom. The recess 20
transitions from a tapered portion 23 that tapers from a larger
diameter at the lower end 21 to a smaller diameter of cylindrical
portion 25. The secondary chamber 22 has a secondary mouth opening
24 axially opposite the primary mouth opening 18.
[0032] Recess 20 is preferably formed of the same material used to
form the exterior wall 14 and most preferably, recess 20 and
exterior wall 14 are integral, for example formed using a blow
molding process from a single piece of plastic. However, it should
be understood that the recess 20 can be formed separately and
molded to the edges of a cylindrical opening provided in the lower
end 21 of the exterior wall 14, or connected by some other means.
The height of recess 20 is preferably in the range of about 6
inches to about 10 inches, and most preferably 6 inches. It is also
fully contemplated that recess 20 can be formed in the side of
exterior wall 14 and project generally latitudinally into primary
chamber 16.
[0033] The primary chamber 16 is preferably sized to retain liquid.
As nonlimiting examples, carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated
drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages (such as beer or malt
beverages) can be retained in the elongate internal primary closure
16.
[0034] The container 10 is also comprised of a primary closure 26
adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber 16 for enclosing the
primary chamber 16. According to the preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, the primary closure 16 is a screw cap, preferably formed of
a rigid plastic material, most preferably polypropylene (PP). The
screw cap has inner threads 28 for mating with and screwing into
outer threads 30 on generally cylindrical neck portion 17. The
screw cap protects the liquid contents of the primary chamber 16
from spills, evaporation, and/or contact with foreign substances
(i.e. dust or dirt).
[0035] The screw cap and mouth opening 18 are preferably provided
with tamper resistant features. For example, the screw cap is most
preferably provided with a circular ring 32 connected to the bottom
edge of screw cap through a series of tabs 34. After introducing
liquid into the primary chamber 16 and before use by the consumer,
the tabs 34 integrally connect the screw cap and circular ring 32.
If the screw cap and circular ring 32 are unconnected prior to use,
meaning the tabs are broken, it alerts the consumer that the
container has been opened, indicating possible tampering with the
liquid contents. Moreover, a thin flexible cylindrical plastic film
can be adhered to the edge of upper end 15 immediately after
filling the primary chamber 16 with liquid and prior to placing the
screw cap on the elongate bottle 12. Upon opening the container for
the first time, the consumer then removes the thin flexible
cylindrical plastic film. This film serves at least two purposes:
(1) it helps to protect the liquid contents from debris,
evaporation, and spills and (2) alerts the consumer of possible
tampering if the film has been removed, perforated, or has been
otherwise compromised in some manner.
[0036] It is fully contemplated that primary closure 26 may be any
item which protects the contents of primary chamber from spillage,
evaporation, and/or contact with foreign substances. A non-limiting
example includes a pull-tab on the edge of upper end 15. The
pull-tab can be removed by the customer to obtain access to the
liquid contents of the primary chamber 16. The pull-tab can be
comprised of, for example, foil, plastic, etc. Another non-limiting
example includes a perforated tab integrally connected to the
generally cylindrical neck portion. The customer breaks the
perforations to obtain access to the liquid contents of the primary
chamber.
[0037] The container 10 is also comprised of a secondary closure 36
adapted to cooperate with the secondary chamber 22 for enclosing
the secondary chamber 22. According to the preferred embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the secondary closure 36 is a self-adhesive
pull tab, preferably formed of a flexible plastic material, most
preferably LDPE, HDPE, or PETE plastic and having a generally
circular shape. The pull-tab can also be comprised of foil, etc.
Self-adhesive pull tab is affixed to a portion of tapered portion
23 with an adhesive to enclose the secondary chamber 22. The
adhesive can be any natural or synthetic adhesive provided that it
holds the self-adhesive pull tab together with the tapered portion
while resisting separation and not decomposing the materials used
to fabricate the exterior wall and pull tab. Self-adhesive pull tab
is formed with an extension portion 38 that is not affixed to the
tapered portion 23. The user grasps the extension portion 38 and
pulls towards the side 39 of the self-adhesive pull tab opposing
the extension portion to remove the self-adhesive pull tab and
obtain access to the contents of the secondary chamber 22.
[0038] It is fully contemplated that secondary closure 36 may be
any item which protects the contents of secondary chamber 22 from
spillage, evaporation, and/or contact with foreign substances. A
non-limiting example includes a screw cap with threads that mate
with opposing threads on a portion of cylindrical portion 25 of
recess 20 to enclose the secondary chamber 22. As another
non-limiting example, a perforated tab can be affixed to a portion
of tapered portion 23. The customer breaks the perforations to
obtain access to the contents of secondary chamber.
[0039] The container 10 is comprised of wipe member 40 that can be
placed within secondary chamber 22 and enclosed therein by the
secondary closure 36. Wipe member 40 is preferably rolled into a
generally cylindrical shape which generally conforms to the shape
of the cylindrical portion of 25. However, it should be understood
that wipe member 40 may not necessarily have to be rolled or folded
depending on the dimensions of the wipe member 40. Wipe member 40
is preferably a cloth material having dimensions of about 6 inches
by about 6 inches, unrolled. The cloth material is preferably a
cotton towel, and most preferably a 100% cotton towel, that is
permeated with a liquid solution. Examples of suitable liquid
solutions include, but are not limited to, saline solution and
reverse osmosis filtered water. It is fully contemplated that wipe
member 40 may be any number of items, including, but not limited
to, non-woven paper, synthetic fabric, etc. It is fully
contemplated that the wipe member material can be a shirt or other
article of clothing, preferably vacuum compressed to fit in the
secondary chamber and used as a promotional item. For example,
shirts can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo and
compressed to fit in the secondary chamber. The container with the
shirt can be sold or given away at sporting events, etc. It is also
contemplated that the wipe member 40 can be infused with a scent,
i.e. lemon scent, fresh scent, etc. Moreover, the wipe member 40
can be oxygenated so that upon use, the consumer receives a
tingling sensation from the released oxygen.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment for implementing
the present invention. The preferred embodiment includes packaging
the different elements of container 10 for consumer use. Packaging
steps include, but are not necessarily limited to or presented to
imply any specific order: (1) placing a liquid 42 within the
primary chamber 16, (2) screwing primary closure 26 onto generally
cylindrical neck portion 17 to enclose the liquid retained in
primary chamber 16, (3) permeating wipe member 40 with a liquid
solution, (4) placing wipe member 40 within secondary chamber 22,
and (5) affixing secondary closure 36 to the tapered portion 23 of
recess 20 to enclose wipe member 40. According to the preferred
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid can be a
non-carbonated sports drink and the wipe member can be a cotton
cloth with dimensions of preferably about 6 by about 6 inches that
is rolled to fit into the secondary chamber. The assembled
container can then be sold to consumers either chilled or at room
temperature. The consumer can access the cotton cloth by removing
the secondary closure 36 from the secondary mouth opening 24 and
the non-carbonated sports drink by removing the primary closure 26.
According to this preferred embodiment, the liquid is chilled and
the consumer is provided with cooled cotton cloth (cooled by the
surrounding cooled liquid) and a refreshing cold non-carbonated
sport drink in one container.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmented and cross sectional view of
a container in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention. According to this preferred embodiment, the
exterior wall is of two piece construction. The container 44 is
comprised of an elongate bottle 46, preferably formed from plastic
and having a generally circular cross section. The elongate bottle
46 has an exterior wall 48 for partially defining an internal
primary chamber 50 and an internal secondary chamber 52. Upper end
54 partially defining secondary chamber 52 and lower end 55
partially defining primary chamber 50 are formed in the exterior
wall 48 and project into elongate bottle 46. Ends 54 and 55 are
attached via screw threading 56. The secondary chamber 52
preferably has a secondary mouth opening 58 axially opposite a
primary mouth opening, as described above. It is fully contemplated
that secondary mouth opening 58 can also be at upper end 54 of
secondary chamber 52. The secondary closure 62 is attached to
cooperate with the secondary chamber 52 for enclosing the secondary
chamber 52. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4,
the secondary closure is a self-adhesive pull tab, as described
above.
[0042] Container 44 is also comprised of a wipe member 64 that can
be placed within the secondary chamber 52 and enclosed therein by
secondary closure 62. According to the preferred embodiment as
illustrated in FIG. 4, wipe member 64 is a rolled cloth material.
The cloth material is preferably a cotton towel, and most
preferably a 100% cotton towel, that is permeated with a liquid
solution. Sample of suitable liquid solutions, include, but are not
limited to, saline solution and reverse osmosis filtered water. It
is fully contemplated that wipe member 64 may be any number of
items including, but not limited to, non-woven paper, synthetic
fabric, etc. It is fully contemplated that the wipe member can be a
shirt or other article of clothing, preferably vacuum compressed to
fit in the secondary chamber. The container 44 with the shirt can
be sold or given away at sporting events, etc.
[0043] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention as illustrated in FIG. 5, a container 66 for retaining
one wipe member 68 at least partially permeated with a liquid is
disclosed. The container 66 is comprised of an elongate bottle 70,
preferably formed from plastic and having a generally circular
cross section. The elongate bottle 70 is preferably sized to retain
solely the wipe member 68 which is at least partially permeated
with a liquid. It is fully contemplated that the elongate bottle 70
may be comprised of a material other than plastic provided that it
serves to enclose wipe member 68. Examples include, but are not
limited to, an aluminum can, flexible sleeve, plastic, foil or
thin-plastic bladder. The elongate bottle 70 has an exterior wall
72 which defines an elongate internal chamber 74 (otherwise
referred to as the chamber) forming a primary mouth opening 76.
[0044] The container 66 is comprised of a closure 78 adapted to
cooperate with mouth opening 76 for enclosing chamber 74. According
to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, closure 78 preferably
a self-adhesive pull tab, and preferably formed of a plastic
material, most preferably LDPE, HDPE, or PETE plastic and having a
generally circular shape. The pull tab can also be comprised of
foil, etc. The self-adhesive pull tab is affixed to a portion of
exterior wall 72 on the top end 80 of the exterior wall 72 with an
adhesive to enclose the chamber. The adhesive can be any natural or
synthetic adhesive provided that it holds the self-adhesive pull
tab together with the exterior wall 72 while resisting separation
and decomposition of the materials used to fabricate the exterior
wall and pull tab. The self-adhesive pull tab is preferably formed
with an extension portion 82 that is not affixed to the portion of
the exterior wall 72. The user grasps the extension portion 82,
pulls toward the side 84 of the self-adhesive pull tab opposing the
extension portion to remove the self-adhesive pull tab and obtain
access to the wipe member enclosed in chamber 74. The self-adhesive
pull tab and mouth opening 76 are preferably provided with tamper
resistant features.
[0045] Preferably, the wipe member 68 is at least partially
permeated with a liquid and placed in chamber 74, and enclosed
therein by closure 78. The wipe member 68 is preferably a shirt
made of cloth material that is vacuum compressed. The cloth is
preferably cotton, and most preferably 100% cotton. The liquid can
be, but is not limited to, saline solution or reverse osmosis
filtered water. The liquid solution functions to keep the shirt wet
to provide refreshment upon use. The shirt can be embroidered with
a corporate or school logo and sold or given away at sporting
events, etc. and is preferably reusable.
[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a side view of a container in
accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present
invention. According to this embodiment, container 84 is comprised
of elongate bottle 86 and end cap 88. Elongate bottle 86,
preferably formed from plastic, has a generally circular cross
section and can be of standard size, i.e. 12 ounce, 20 ounce or 2
liter volume. Elongate bottle 86 has exterior wall 90 for defining
primary chamber 92 and primary mouth opening 93 at one end of the
bottle. Closure 95 is adapted to cooperate with primary chamber 92
for enclosing primary chamber 92. Closure 95 can be a screw cap, or
any other suitable closure, for example, but not limited to, the
examples of closures as described above. End cap 88, preferably
formed from plastic, has a generally circular cross section and
includes edge 94 and cap wall 96. End cap 88 can be connected to
elongate bottle 86 with adhesive tape pull strip 102. Adhesive tape
pull strip 98 can adhere to edge 94, portion 98 of cap wall 96, and
portion 100 of exterior wall 90 to connect end cap 88 to elongate
bottle 86 and to define secondary chamber 104. Alternatively, end
cap 88 can be attached with an annular bead of adhesive, a solvent
weld joint or an annular label covering exterior wall 90 and
overlapping end cap 88.
[0047] Wipe member 106, for providing consumer refreshment, can be
placed within secondary chamber 104 and enclosed therein by
connecting elongate bottle 86 and end cap 88. As described in more
detail above the wipe member can be a rolled cloth material and
permeated with a liquid solution. Examples of suitable materials
for wipe members and suitable liquids for the liquid solution are
described above. A consumer releases adhesive tape pull strip 102
by grasping onto and pulling tab 108 to obtain access to wipe
member 106.
[0048] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the wipe member can be cooled via a chemical reaction
that takes place within the chamber. The permeation liquid can be
such that when mixed with a second liquid, it becomes cool and
thereby cools wipe member. It should be understood that the
self-cooling can be effectuated by use of any suitable
self-refrigeration means that can cool the mixed liquids to about
30.degree. F. about 3 to about 5 minutes after mixing.
[0049] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *