U.S. patent application number 10/683987 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for clip-on water or beverage bottle holder.
Invention is credited to Pablo, Gerardo Y..
Application Number | 20040108346 10/683987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32399829 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040108346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pablo, Gerardo Y. |
June 10, 2004 |
Clip-on water or beverage bottle holder
Abstract
A beverage bottle holder includes a pair of arcuate ribs and an
interior arcuate portion for holding therein a beverage bottle,
such as a bottled water container, with the ribs slightly separated
from each other at their distal ends in order to facilitate the
reception and securement of the beverage bottle. The beverage
bottle holder also includes a clip portion that has a pair of
spaced-apart legs for sliding onto the waistband or belt, and
bridging portions that interconnect the ribs to the clip portion.
Each rib is defined by an inner wall that includes protrusions for
gripping and holding the beverage bottle, and an outer wall upon
which advertising slogans and phrases and company logos can be
placed or imprinted, and the ribs can be pivotally mounted to the
clip portion.
Inventors: |
Pablo, Gerardo Y.; (London,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth W. Wargo, Esq.
2222 West Grandview Boulevard
Erie
PA
16506
US
|
Family ID: |
32399829 |
Appl. No.: |
10/683987 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/251 ;
224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0566 20130101;
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2200/0583 20130101; A45F 5/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/251 ;
224/269 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 19, 2002 |
CA |
2,410,383 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A bottle container holder for attachment to the waistband or
belt of the user for holding a beverage bottle, comprising: a clip
portion having a pair of spaced-apart legs that define a slot for
receiving therein the waistband or belt; a pair of arcuate ribs
attached to the clip portion and extending outwardly therefrom and
defining an opening for receiving the beverage bottle; each rib
having a distal end and the distal ends being spaced from each
other by an outer splice opening so that the ribs can be displaced
for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening; and a
plurality of protrusions mounted to the interior walls of the ribs
for facilitating the securement of the beverage bottle to the
ribs.
2. A beverage bottle holder for attachment to the waste band or
belt of the user for holding a beverage bottle, comprising: a clip
portion having a pair of spaced-apart legs that define a slot for
receiving therein the waste band or belt; a pair of bridging
portions attached to the clip portion and extending outwardly
therefrom; a pair of arcuate ribs attached to the bridging portions
and extending outwardly therefrom; an interior arcuate portion that
interconnects the ribs and defines an opening through which the
beverage bottle is inserted for securement to the ribs; and each
rib having a distal end and the distal ends being spaced from each
other by an outer splice opening so that the ribs can be displaced
for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening.
3. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 wherein the ribs include
an exterior wall for accommodating indicia and designs, and an
opposite interior wall.
4. The beverage bottle holder of claim 3 further comprising a
plurality of protrusions mounted to the interior walls of the ribs
and the interior arcuate portion for facilitating the securement of
the beverage bottle therein.
5. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 where in each leg includes
an outer wall and an opposite inner wall with the inner walls of
both legs contacting the waste band or belt of the user.
6. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 where in the interior
arcuate portion includes two half arcuate portions with each half
arcuate portion attached to a respective rib and extending inwardly
therefrom toward each other and terminating in an inner splice
opening so that the half arcuate portions can be displaced for
inserting the beverage bottle through the opening.
7. The beverage bottle holder of claim 4 wherein the protrusions
are longitudinal and semi-circular or rectangular in shape.
8. The beverage bottle holder of claim 4 wherein the protrusions
are non-longitudinal ellipsoids spaced about the interior perimeter
of the opening.
9. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 wherein protrusions are
longitudinal and of a semi-cylindrical or rectangular shape.
10. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 wherein the holder is of
integral, one-piece construction and formed of engineered
resins.
11. A beverage bottle holder for attachment to the waist band or
belt of the user for holding a beverage bottle, comprising: a clip
portion having a pair of spaced-legs that define a slot for
receiving therein the waste band or belt; a bridging portion; a
pair of arcuate ribs attached to the bridging portion and extending
outwardly therefrom; an interior arcuate portion that interconnects
the ribs, whereby the ribs and arcuate portion thereby define an
opening to which the beverage bottle is inserted for securement;
each rib having a distal end and the distal ends being spaced from
each other by an outer splice opening so that the ribs can be
displaced for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening; a
plurality of protrusions mounted to the interior walls of the ribs
and the interior arcuate portion for facilitating the securement of
the beverage bottle to the ribs; and pivotal attachment means
securing the clip portion and the bridging portion and allowing the
device to be pivoted between a raised, or used, position and a
lower, or non-use, position.
12. The beverage bottle holder of claim 11 wherein the protrusions
are non-longitudinal ellipsoid shaped and spaced about the interior
periphery of the ribs and interior arcuate portion.
13. The beverage bottle holder of claim 11 wherein the device is
made of resilient engineered plastic resins.
14. The beverage bottle holder of claim 11 wherein the interior
arcuate portion includes two half arcuate portions with each half
arcuate portion attached to each respective rib and extending
inwardly therefrom.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to portable holders, and more
particularly pertains to a water beverage bottle holder that is
releasably attachable to the belt or waist of the individual. The
invention is particularly useful to hold blow-molded bottles of the
polyethylene terephthalate or "Pete" type commonly used as
packaging containers for water, soda, juices, beer and sports
drinks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various personal and public activities, generally of a
recreational or entertainment nature, are accompanied or enhanced
by having food and beverage items at hand and readily available.
Such activities can include the wide range of sporting activities
like walking, running, hiking, and bicycling wherein one needs both
hands to be free and unencumbered; or in recreational settings such
as outdoor parties and picnics, fairs and amusement parks wherein
one's hands need to be free and unencumbered, but the availability
of food and beverage items, especially a beverage item such as
bottled water, would be desirable.
[0003] This need to increasingly felt because of the
ever-increasing use and availability of a wide variety of beverages
available in disposable or recyclable bottles made of polyethylene
terephthalate, or "Pete." Typically, these bottles are produced
through a process known as blow molding, and many factors act to
limit the final design of the bottles, including recycling issues,
food safety, product distribution and brand recognition. All of
these factors limit the final shape and design of the bottle,
resulting in configuration which becomes standard in the industry.
The resulting range of Pete bottles is therefore largely in the
range of 200 ml. to 750 ml. in volume. In addition the bottles are
generally designed with a smaller diameter in their mid section to
allow secure placement of a printed shrink-wrapped polyethylene
label or a shred paper label. This is to comply with recycling
industry standards that do not allow ink contamination by direct
printing onto the bottle. This quasi-standardization has created
the opportunity for an improved means of securing beverage bottles
for users in various activities.
[0004] One common current solution to the problem of wanting a
beverage item available for various activities is to use a pouch,
purse, or backpack. While the use of a pouch, purse or backpack
would be feasible in some circumstances for this purpose, such as
for use in hiking or at an amusement park, it would be undesirable
for more robust physical activities such as bicycling, running or
even brisk walking. The bulky and cumbersome nature of these items
detracts from and interferes with the pleasurable engagement of
such activities. Moreover, for activities such as bicycling,
running or walking, where the accompanying food item would
preferably be a beverage bottle of refreshing water, the use of a
pouch, purse or backpack would be unnecessary. An alternative is to
have the beverage bottle attached or secured to a lanyard hung
about one's neck. For less rigorous activities this may be a
plausible solution; however, during any vigorous physical activity
the beverage bottle would impede such activity by bouncing about
one's neck and torso.
[0005] Thus, the prior art discloses a number of devices that
permit an individual to carry a beverage bottle or container while
engaged in various physical activities and events.
[0006] For example, Magee (U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,329 B1) discloses a
bottle holder having two adjacent openings of different sizes for
engagement by the neck portion of a bottle.
[0007] The Falcaro patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,218) discloses a
bottle carrier having a u-shaped based through which a cord extends
with the neck of the bottle engaged and held in position by the
base while the cord can be placed about the neck.
[0008] The Brokering patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,228) discloses a
side loading water bottle holder for attachment to the down tube of
a bicycle, and includes two receiving members having apertures
through which a bottle can be inserted.
[0009] The Kayali patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,784) discloses an
adjustable drink holder that can turn or pivot on four axes of
rotation, and further includes a drink base and hoop for supporting
and retaining the drink bottle.
[0010] The McConnell et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,211)
discloses a foldable support that includes a pair of slidable arms
attached to a back panel and a base for supporting the bottom of
the beverage container.
[0011] The Harper patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,112) discloses a
beverage carrier that includes a tongue for insertion between the
window and body of an automotive vehicle and a pair of arms capable
of grasping and holding the particular glass or bottle.
[0012] The Koorey et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,222) discloses
a beverage container that includes an upper ring for receiving
therein the beverage bottle and an upturned tongue for supporting
the recess of the beverage can.
[0013] The Harper patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,679) discloses a
displaceable hinge that includes a second arcuate member that
slides along a first elongated member with the first member
receiving therein the body of the beverage container and capable of
being folded adjacent to the first elongated member.
[0014] Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices
there remains a need for a lightweight, portable water or beverage
bottle holder that is easily attachable and detachable to some part
of the user's clothing and does not interfere with or impede the
physical activities engaged in by the individual.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention comprehends a bottled water or
beverage holder that attaches to an article of clothing so that the
individual can have a beverage readily available for use. The
beverage bottle holder includes a primary ring in the form of two
arcuate ribs or arms. In addition to the arcuate ribs, the beverage
bottle holder includes an interior, curvilinear portion or two
interior, curvilinear portions that are spaced from each other by a
gap that is opposite and parallel to the space that separates the
distal ends of the ribs. Together, the ribs and interior
curvilinear portion or portions define an opening for receiving and
holding the beverage bottle. The ribs are pliable to permit the
reception of the beverage bottle, and a slight space separates the
ribs at their respective distal ends. Each rib has an inner wall
and an opposite outer wall, and the inner wall can include
protrusions for facilitating the holding of the beverage bottle
while the outer wall can accommodate indicia such as company logos
and advertising phrases and slogans. The invention provides for
expansion and flexion of the ribs and interior curvilinear portion
to hold the bottle in its mid-section. It is capable of conforming
to different diameter bottles, and due to the memory capability of
plastic resins used in the device it returns to its original shape
when the bottle is withdrawn.
[0016] The beverage bottle holder includes a clip portion that
permits the attachment and removal of the beverage bottle holder to
and from the user's belt or waistband. The clip portion extends
downwardly and perpendicular relative to the extension of the ribs,
and the clip portion includes a pair of spaced-apart legs that slip
or slide on or over the waistband or belt. Each rib is connected to
the clip portion through an intermediate bridging portion.
[0017] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
beverage bottle holder that is easily attachable to an article of
clothing but does not interfere with or impede the physical
activities engaged in by the wearer.
[0018] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a beverage bottle holder that holds and secures a beverage bottle
thereby freeing the user's hands for other purposes.
[0019] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a beverage bottle holder that can accommodate thereon
company logos and advertising phrases and slogans.
[0020] It is still yet another objective of the present invention
to provide a beverage bottle holder that is lightweight, portable
and capable of accommodating beverage bottles of various sizes and
diameters.
[0021] These and other objects, features, and advantages will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of the bottle beverage holder of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bottle holder shown in FIG.
1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectioned elevational view of the bottle holder
taken along lines III-III of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment
of the bottle holder of the present invention first shown in FIG.
1;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view taken along lines V-V
of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment of
the bottle holder first shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a sectioned elevational view taken along lines
VII-VII of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
bottle holder first shown in FIG. 1 illustrating pivotal capability
in the beverage holder;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the bottle holder shown
in FIG. 8 illustrating the range of pivotal motion of components of
the bottle holder;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a fifth preferred embodiment
of the bottle holder first shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a sectioned elevational view taken along lines
XI-XI of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 10; and
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the bottle holder in
use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 is a bottle container holder 10
and various modifications thereto. The beverage bottle holder 10 of
the present invention is adapted for easy and quick mounting to,
and dismounting from, the user's clothing articles, and
particularly the waistband or belt of the user. While the beverage
bottle holder 10 securely holds various kinds of bottled beverages,
it is particularly suited for Pete plastic beverage bottles having
a capacity of 200 ml to 750 ml by volume. Typically, these
containers are used to dispense water, soft drinks, juice, and the
like. The beverage bottle holder 10 allows the user to have his or
her hands free during physical activities such as walking, hiking,
bicycling and running as the bottled beverage is clipped on to the
waistband or belt so that the user has a water bottle handy and
readily available for use. The beverage bottle holder 10 may also
be employed at spectator events where the user may only be standing
or sitting. The beverage bottle holder 10 is preferably
manufactured from a resilient, pliable plastic in a pressed, die
cut or molded process. Applicant has found that the use of
engineered plastic resins with a memory capability to obtain the
necessary spring action and holding ability for the beverage bottle
holder is preferred.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the beverage bottle holder 10
includes a clip portion 12 that slides, slips or clips to the
waistband or belt of the user. The clip portion 12 includes two
spaced-apart, downwardly extending legs 14 for contacting and
mounting to the waistband or belt. The legs 14 are disposed
parallel to each other, and each leg 14 includes an inner wall 16
and an outer wall 18, and the space formed between the legs 14
defines a receiving slot or hollow 20 for the inner 16 and outer 18
walls. The resilience of the material of the legs 14 allow for a
springing action which helps secure the beverage bottle holder 10
to the belt or waistband of the user. In the preferred embodiment
of the invention, integrally formed to and extending outwardly from
the clip portion 12 is a pair of spaced-apart, curved intermediate
bridging portions 22. It should be noted that the bridging portions
22 do not themselves contact or engage the beverage container.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the beverage bottle holder 10
includes a pair of arcuate or curvilinear arms or ribs 24 with each
rib 24 extending from each respective intermediate bridging portion
22. More specifically, each arm or rib 24 has a medial portion
integrally formed to and joining with each intermediate bridging
portion 22 and an opposite distal end 26. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2,
4, 6, 8 and 10, the distal ends 26 of the ribs 24 do not touch or
contact each other but are slightly spaced from each other by an
outer splice opening or gap 28. The ribs 24 are pliable and during
insertion and securement of the beverage bottle, the ribs 24 flex
and the distal ends 26 can be displaced from each other to
facilitate beverage bottle insertion and securement. It can also be
seen that the bridging portions serve as a spring mechanism,
providing resistance when the distal ends 26 are pushed apart and
urging a return to their normal, unstressed position.
[0037] In addition, each arm or rib 24 defines an interior rib wall
30 and an exterior rib wall 32. The external surface of the
exterior rib walls 32 is flat and of such dimensions as to
accommodate various types of indicia, lettering or designs like
stickers, company logos, advertising slogans and phrases, sport
team markings, and artistic ornamentation. In an alternative
embodiment not shown, the exterior rib wall 32 can have a business
or other name or logo molded into it to provide an advertising
venue.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the preferred embodiment of the
beverage bottle holder 10 also includes an interior arcuate portion
34 that is adjacent and spaced inwardly from the bridging portions
22. The interior arcuate portion 34 combines with the ribs 24 to
form a generally circular opening or passage 36 into and through
which the beverage bottle is inserted so that the beverage bottle
can be held in place, generally near the mid-section of the
beverage bottle. The springing action of the ribs 24, bridging
portions 22, and interior arcuate portion 34 is such that the
circular opening on passage 36 can be expanded sufficiently to
allow insertion or removal of the bottle, while providing
sufficient pressure to firmly grip the bottle when the invention is
in use. While the interior arcuate portion 34 is shown as a
continuous member in FIGS. 1-9, in FIGS. 10 and 11 the interior
arcuate portion 34 has a gap or splice opening 38 at its midpoint
thereby forming two half arcuate portions 40 each of which is
pliable to further facilitate the insertion of the beverage
bottle.
[0039] The overall shape of the ribs 24 and the interior arcuate
portion 34 approximates a cylindrical opening, thereby matching the
overall cylindrical shape of beverage bottles to be held by the
device. To assist in gripping the beverage bottle, the invention
further includes protrusions 42 that are spaced about the interior
walls 30 of the ribs 24 and the interior arcuate portion 34. These
protrusions 42 can take a variety of forms. For instance, FIGS. 1
through 3 illustrate protrusions 42 of a generally longitudinal,
semi-cylindrical shape, while FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate protrusions
42 of a longitudinal, rectangular shape. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate
"thumbnail" protrusions. Regardless which shape is used, when the
beverage bottle is inserted through the opening 36 formed by the
ribs 24 and the arcuate portion 34, the protrusions 42 will exert
an additional compressive force against the side wall of the
beverage bottle thereby assisting in the securement of the beverage
bottle. The protrusions 42 are especially useful for smaller
diameter bottles. The protrusions 42 bear against these smaller
bottles and hold them in place securely whereas the bottles might
otherwise fit only loosely, or not at all, within the circular
opening or passage 36.
[0040] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention
showing a pivot means for the beverage bottle holder 10. In FIGS. 8
and 9 there is a unitary bridging portion 22 which swivels or
pivots with respect to the clip portion 12 on a shaft 44 between a
use position for holding the bottle beverage and a non-use position
wherein the ribs 24 and bridging portion 22 are pivoted downward
and adjacent the clip portion 12.
[0041] Although not shown in the drawings, in another embodiment of
the invention, the interior arcuate portion 34 would be eliminated,
resulting in a roughly cylindrical opening defined by the ribs 24
and the bridging portion(s) 22.
[0042] Also illustrated in the drawings is a ring attachment 46
which serves as a convenient place for a key ring to be placed,
thereby allowing the holder 10 to be attached to a backpack, book
bag, belt loop or similar place for storage when it is not in
use.
[0043] The foregoing description discloses and describes several
embodiments of the invention, and those skilled in the art will
understand that other variations, alterations or modifications are
possible and practicable, and will still come within the ambit of
the invention as set forth in the following claims and equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *