U.S. patent application number 11/554156 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for beverage bottle with gripping feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to COORS BREWING COMPANY. Invention is credited to Jason M. Kelly.
Application Number | 20080110854 11/554156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39368202 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110854 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelly; Jason M. |
May 15, 2008 |
Beverage Bottle With Gripping Feature
Abstract
A container is provided with integral gripping features. The
gripping features are preferably provided in two opposing groups
located on opposite sides of the mid-section of the container. The
gripping features include a plurality of finger grips that are
adapted to conform to the placement of the thumb and fingers when
grasping the container. The finger grips are elliptical shaped
cavities, and ridges extend between each of the adjacent finger
grips.
Inventors: |
Kelly; Jason M.; (Arvada,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY, SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
COORS BREWING COMPANY
Golden
CO
|
Family ID: |
39368202 |
Appl. No.: |
11/554156 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/102 20130101;
B65D 1/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/384 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/02 20060101
B65D090/02 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a neck; a body disposed below the neck,
said body comprising an upper cylindrical part and a mid-section
disposed below the upper cylindrical part; two groups of gripping
features formed on opposite sides of the mid-section, said gripping
features including a plurality of finger grips defined by
elliptical shaped cavities, and a ridge extending between each pair
of adjacent finger grips, said ridges protruding outward from an
exterior surface of the container, and said finger grips extending
substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the
container and around a circumference of the container.
2. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said groups
of gripping features comprise at least two finger grips.
3. A container, as claimed in claim 1, further including: an
elliptical shaped boundary surrounding each of said groups of
gripping features, said elliptical shaped boundary having a
longitudinal axis extending along said longitudinal axis of the
container.
4. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said mid-section
has an hourglass configuration and wherein the circumference of the
container narrows towards said finger grips.
5. A container, as claimed in claim 1, further including: finger
grip borders surrounding corresponding finger grips.
6. A container comprising: a neck; a body disposed below the neck,
said body comprising an upper cylindrical part and a mid-section
disposed below the upper cylindrical part; two groups of means for
gripping formed on opposite sides of the mid-section, said means
for gripping including a plurality of finger grips defined by
elliptical shaped cavities, and a ridge extending between each pair
of adjacent finger grips, said ridges extending away from an
exterior surface of the container, and said finger grips extending
substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the
container and around a circumference of the container.
7. A container, as claimed in claim 6, wherein: each of said group
of means for gripping comprise at least two finger grips.
8. A container, as claimed in claim 6, further including: an
elliptical shaped boundary surrounding each of said groups of means
for gripping, said elliptical shaped boundary having a longitudinal
axis extending along said longitudinal axis of the container.
9. A container, as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said mid-section
has an hourglass configuration and wherein the circumference of the
container narrows towards said finger grips.
10. A container, as claimed in claim 6, further including: finger
grip borders surrounding corresponding finger grips.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage container with
integral features helping a user to grasp the container, and more
particularly, to a container with integral gripping features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many types of beverage containers that are
especially adapted in shape and size to hold a particular type of
beverage. Two of the most common types of beverage containers
include the cylindrical shaped aluminum can, and the traditional
beverage bottle having an elongated neck and a substantially
cylindrical body. Over the years, these two types of beverage
containers continue to dominate the commercial market, and there
have been very few changes to these container types in terms of
basic shape and size.
[0003] The twelve ounce container continues to be the most commonly
sold beverage size both in bottles and cans. Recently, there has
been some departure in the twelve ounce container size. For both
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, there are an increasing
number of beverages sold in containers that are both smaller and
larger than the traditional twelve ounce container.
[0004] For the larger size containers such as sixteen and twenty
ounce containers, one disadvantage is that the size of the
container often makes it more difficult for a consumer to grasp the
container. Making the beverage container larger in size to
accommodate the greater amount of beverage causes the overall
circumference of the body of the container to become significantly
larger, and therefore, more difficult to grasp. Particularly for
cold beverages, any condensation that may develop on the container
exterior surface makes it even more difficult to grasp the
container.
[0005] Therefore, with the changing sizes of beverage containers,
and particularly for those beverage containers that have a size
larger than the traditional twelve ounce container, there is a need
to enhance the ability for a consumer to grasp the container. There
is also a need to provide this additional gripping capability
without substantially altering the basic shape of the container.
There is also a need to incorporate this gripping feature without
substantially detracting from the overall aesthetic features of the
container, as well as ensuring that the container may still receive
a label so that the beverage may be identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a beverage
container is provided with integral gripping features. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gripping
features are provided in the form of finger grips that are formed
on opposite sides of the mid-section of the container. The finger
grips are elliptical shaped and have a long axis that extends
substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the container. The
overall circumference of the mid-section of the bottle is decreased
at the location of the finger grips. A ridge or protrusion extends
between each pair of adjacent finger grips and thereby prevents the
fingers of the hand from slipping between the finger grips. The
reduction in the overall circumference of the container along with
the specific arrangement of the finger grip structures greatly
enhances the ability of a consumer to grasp the container.
[0007] Because of the symmetrical arrangement of the opposing
finger grips on both sides of the container, along with the uniform
elliptical shapes which form the finger grips, a unique exterior
appearance is provided having certain aesthetic characteristics. An
upper cylindrical part of the mid-section of the container is
maintained thereby allowing a label or other markings to be applied
to the container, yet the main portion of the mid-section of the
container used for gripping does not overlap or interfere with the
upper cylindrical part.
[0008] These and other features of the present invention shall
become apparent from a review of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container of the present
invention incorporating the integral gripping features;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the container taken along line 3-3
of FIG. 2, illustrating the opposing nature of the two groups of
gripping features; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fingers and
thumb of a consumer grasping the container with the fingers and
thumb located over respective finger grips.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the container 10 of the present
invention. The container is generally characterized as having a
neck 12, a body 14 with an upper cylindrical part 16, a base 18,
and a mid-section 20. The container is defined as also having a
longitudinal axis A-A. The upper cylindrical part 16 may be used to
receive a label or other indicia used to mark the contents of the
container.
[0014] The mid-section 20 includes the gripping features 24. As
best seen in FIG. 3, there are two opposing groups of gripping
features 24. The gripping features are formed on opposite sides of
the container, and each gripping feature group contains three
finger grips 26. As shown, the finger grips are preferably
elliptical shaped cavities having a longitudinal axis that extend
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and that
extend partially around the circumference of the container. The
finger grips also have a curvature that generally follows the
general cylindrical shape of the bottle. The circumference of the
container is reduced at the location of the finger grips. The
middle finger grip 26 is slightly larger as compared to the upper
and lower finger grips. As best seen in FIG. 3, a ridge 28
separates pairs of adjacent finger grips 26. Finger grip borders 30
surround each of the respective finger grips 26. Additionally,
elliptical boundaries 22 surround each of the group of three finger
grips 24. The elliptical boundary may be further separated or
delineated as including an inner ring and an outer ring, as shown.
As shown, the mid-section 20 has a slight hourglass configuration
wherein the circumference of the mid-section progressively narrows
towards the finger grips 26. At the location of the ridges, the
circumference of the container is slightly less than the
circumference near the base 18 and at the upper cylindrical part
16.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 4, the fingers F of the hand easily fit
within one group of the finger grips, while the thumb T
conveniently fits in one of the finger grips of the opposing group.
Both the location of the thumb and the fingers may be adjusted in
the finger grips 26 to best accommodate gripping by the
consumer.
[0016] The gripping features of the present invention are
particularly suited for plastic bottles wherein the gripping
features may be created within a molding operation. Depending upon
the size of the container, the mid section, as well as the size and
configuration of the gripping features may be adjusted to allow the
container to be easily gripped by the consumer.
[0017] The location and presentation of the gripping features adds
some ornamentality to the container, thereby not detracting from
the overall presentation of the container. The unique combination
of elliptical shapes incorporated in the finger grips 26, grip
borders 30 and boundaries 22 provide both functionality and an
aesthetic presentation of shapes.
[0018] While the present invention has been described with respect
to one preferred embodiment, it shall be understood that various
other changes and modification to the invention can be made within
the spirit and scope of the claims amended hereto.
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