U.S. patent application number 12/979789 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for bottle system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCRAMJET BROTHERS LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas Middleton.
Application Number | 20120152955 12/979789 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46233047 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120152955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Middleton; Thomas |
June 21, 2012 |
BOTTLE SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for
containers, including those commonly known as "bottles," having at
least two finger apertures located on a peripheral edge of the body
portion; the body portion having at least two shoulder portions,
wherein each of the shoulder portions has at least one piercable
draw aperture depression; a threaded neck and a cap configured to
fit the threaded neck; the cap having a bowl aperture depression
for the insertion of a smoking material holder, the smoking
material holder comprising a bowl and a stem.
Inventors: |
Middleton; Thomas;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
Assignee: |
SCRAMJET BROTHERS LLC
Phoenix
AZ
|
Family ID: |
46233047 |
Appl. No.: |
12/979789 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29381136 |
Dec 15, 2010 |
|
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12979789 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/277 ;
220/288; 220/600; 220/694; 220/755 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/366 20130101;
A24F 1/30 20130101; B65D 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/277 ;
220/755; 220/600; 220/694; 220/288 |
International
Class: |
B65D 3/26 20060101
B65D003/26; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04; B65D 17/42 20060101
B65D017/42; B65D 25/28 20060101 B65D025/28; B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising a body portion having a plurality of
finger apertures integral with a peripheral edge of said body
portion.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein said body portion has width to
depth ratio of about 4:1.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said plurality of apertures
comprises four apertures.
4. The container of claim 1, further comprising at least one
shoulder portion, said at least one shoulder portion having at
least one piercable draw aperture depression.
5. The container of claim 1, further comprising at least two
shoulder portions, wherein two of each of said at least two
shoulder portions have piercable draw aperture depressions.
6. The container of claim 1, further comprising at least one
shoulder portion, said at least one shoulder portion having at
least one draw aperture.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising at least two
shoulder portions, wherein two of each of said at least two
shoulder portions has a draw aperture.
8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a cap, said cap
having a bowl aperture depression.
9. The container of claim 1, further comprising a cap, said cap
having a bowl aperture.
10. The container of claim 1, further comprising a smoking material
holder, said smoking material holder comprising a bowl and a
stem.
11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a stem and a cap,
wherein said stem is in communication with said cap.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said stem has a piercing
end.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein said piercing end is
configured to pierce at least one of a draw aperture depression and
a bowl aperture depression.
14. The container of claim 1, further comprising a threaded
neck.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein said threaded neck comprises
left-hand threads.
16. A bottle system, comprising a body portion having at least two
shoulder portions, wherein each of said shoulder portions further
comprises at least one piercable draw aperture depression; four
finger apertures located on a peripheral edge of said body portion;
a threaded neck; a cap configured to fit said threaded neck, said
cap further comprising a bowl aperture depression; and a smoking
material holder, said smoking material holder comprising a bowl and
a stem,
17. The bottle system of claim 16, wherein said stem has a piercing
end configured to pierce any of said draw aperture depression and
said howl aperture depression.
18. The bottle system of claim 17, wherein said stem passes through
said cap after said piercing end of said stem pierces said bowl
aperture depression.
19. The bottle system of claim 16, wherein said body portion has a
width to depth ratio of about 4:1.
20. The bottle system of claim 16, wherein said threaded neck
comprises left-hand threads.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Design Application Serial No. 29/381,136, filed on Dec. 15, 2010,
entitled "BOTTLE," which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of containers and
container systems, and more particularly, to the field of liquid
container devices, systems, and methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] All types and manner of liquid containers have existed for
years. However, such containers have failed to meet all of the
expectations of consumers. For example, while some containers have
handles integrated thereto (e.g., mugs, etc.), they fail to provide
the convenience of having particular, integrated locations for a
user's fingers. Similarly, such containers are typically more
circular in shape, which is not necessarily the most convenient or
comfortable for all contemplated applications.
[0004] Moreover, while existing containers are often recyclable or
reusable, certain types of "re-use" have been heretofore
unavailable. Further still, with generally plain and mundane
shapes, many configurations of and uses for existing containers
leave little ability to provide unique and energized marketing
campaigns.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists to develop improved apparatuses,
systems, and methods for containers which provide better
convenience and comfort, alternative and new primary and secondary
uses, and the ability to provide improved marketing functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the present
invention comprises devices, systems and methods for containers,
including those commonly known as "bottles," having a plurality of
apertures located on a peripheral edge of the body portion; the
body portion having at least two shoulder portions, wherein each of
the shoulder portions has at least one piercable draw aperture
depression; a threaded neck and a cap configured to fit the
threaded neck; the cap having a bowl aperture depression for the
insertion of a smoking material holder, the smoking material holder
comprising a bowl and a stem. Bottles according to various
embodiments have a width to thickness ratios of about 3:1 to about
5:1, preferably about 4:1.
[0007] In various embodiments, the smoking material holder has a
piercing end configured to pierce the aperture depressions. Bottles
according to various embodiments, further comprise a threaded neck,
which may be left-hand or right-hand threads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of
the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and
together with the description serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
bottle;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a bottle;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of the bottle of FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the bottle of FIG. 8;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the bottle of FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a left side view of the bottle of FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top view of the bottle of FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the bottle of FIG. 8; and
[0023] FIG. 15 a perspective view of another alternative embodiment
of a bottle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
various aspects of the present invention may be realized by any
number of methods and apparatuses configured to perform the
intended functions. Stated differently, other methods and
apparatuses may be incorporated herein to perform the intended
functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing
figures referred to herein are not all drawn to scale, but may be
exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present invention,
and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as
limiting. Finally, although the present invention may be described
in connection with various principles and beliefs, the present
invention should not be bound by theory.
[0025] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, an
improved container is provided. In general, the container comprises
any device capable of holding a liquid, such as for example, a
bottle. In this regard, as used herein, it should be understood
that "bottle" refers to a container in accordance with the present
invention and should not be construed as limited to a specific
configuration or type of container. The bottle may formed from any
suitable material, including for example, various plastics and
polymers, glass, metals and other materials.
[0026] In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 1-8, a
container or bottle 100 in accordance with the present invention
comprises a body portion 102 which generally holds the majority of
the liquid contained therein. Attached to or otherwise integrally
connected to body portion 102 are a plurality of finger apertures
104 located on a peripheral edge of said body portion 102. In an
embodiment, four finger apertures 104 are provided, though the
actual number may vary and still fall within the scope of the
present invention.
[0027] In various embodiments, bottle 100 and/or body portion 102
have a width (W) to thickness (T) ratio of about 3:1 to about 5:1,
and preferably about 4:1. Such width to depth ratios thus may
provide increased convenience and comfort for grasping bottle 100,
particularly when bottle 100 is grasped by the users and the users
fingers extend through apertures 104.
[0028] In various embodiments, bottle 100 may further comprise a
cap 108 configured to attach to bottle 100 by various means. For
example, cap 108 may attach to bottle 100 via threads, snap on, a
stopper/cork configuration or the like. In one embodiment, threads
on bottle 100 and cap 108 have left-hand threads, though right-hand
threads also fall within the scope of the present invention.
Preferably, cap 108 attaches in a manner which hermetically seals
bottle 100.
[0029] In various embodiments, cap 108 may configured in a
decorative or distinctive manner, such as by including a character
or ornamental design. For example, with continued reference to
FIGS. 1-8, cap 108 may comprise a skull and crossbones design,
though other designs may similarly be used and still fall within
the scope of the present invention.
[0030] With reference now to FIGS. 9-15, in accordance with various
embodiments, bottle 100 may be configured to have a use as a
smoking apparatus. In such embodiments, a primary purpose of bottle
100 may be as a liquid container, with a secondary purpose as a
smoking apparatus, or alternatively, bottle 100 may have a primary
purpose as a smoking apparatus, with liquid containment being a
secondary purpose (if a purpose at all). In this regard, an
embodiment of bottle 100 comprises at least one shoulder portion
110 proximate the upper portion of bottle 100. In various
embodiments bottle 100 comprises two or more shoulder portions 110
on opposing sides of bottle 100.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, shoulder portion 110 further
comprises an aperture 112. In embodiments having more than one
shoulder portion 110, each shoulder portion 110 may have its own
aperture 112. For example, in a preferred embodiment of bottle 100
and with specific reference to FIG. 13, bottle 100 comprises two
shoulder portions 110, each having an aperture 112, namely a draw
aperture 112a and a carburetor aperture 112b. Preferably apertures
112a,b are maintained as closed prior to a desired time for using
bottle 100 as a smoking apparatus. As such, in a sealed condition,
bottle 100 remains in a condition suitable for containing a liquid
without risk of leaking or spilling.
[0032] For example, in embodiments of bottle 100 manufactured from
plastic or plastic-like materials, apertures 112a,b may be formed
as an area configured to be pierced or punched to provide access to
the interior of bottle 100. Such areas may be referred to herein as
an "aperture depression," and may be thinner, scored, or otherwise
configured to facilitate the piercing or punching. The piercing or
punching of aperture depressions may be accomplished by using any
suitable tool, including smoking material holders such as those
described herein.
[0033] Cap 108 may further comprise a bowl aperture 114. Like
apertures 112a,b, bowl aperture 114 is preferably maintained as
closed prior to a desired time for using bottle 100 as a smoking
apparatus, and like apertures 112a,b, may be configured as an
aperture depression configured to be pierced or punched to provide
access to the interior of bottle 100. Again, bowl aperture 114 may
be thinner, scored, or otherwise configured to facilitate the
piercing or punching piercing or punching, and the same may be
accomplished by using any suitable tool, including smoking material
holders such as those described herein.
[0034] As briefly mentioned above, various embodiments of bottle
100 may further comprise a smoking material holder 116 configured
to attach to bottle 100 and to hold products which are capable of
being smoked (e.g., tobacco, herbs, etc.) so that bottle 100 may be
used as a smoking apparatus (e.g., a pipe).
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment and with specific reference to
FIG. 15, smoking material holder 116 comprises a bowl 118 and a
stem 120. Stem 120 is preferably hollow or otherwise configured to
allow the passage of air and smoke therethough, and communicates
with bowl 118 so that air and smoke may be drawn through bowl 118,
through stem 120 and into bottle 100. Subsequently, the smoke may
be drawn from bottle 100 through aperture 112a and inhaled by the
user.
[0036] In general, smoking material holder 116 comprises any
material having the appropriate characteristics for piercing or
punching apertures 112,114 and further capable of containing a
smoldering ember of material being smoked. For example, in
preferred embodiments, smoking material holder is comprised of
materials such as metal, ceramic or glass. In various embodiments,
stem 120 has a distal end 122 which is suitably sharpened to
facilitate the piercing of apertures 112,114.
[0037] In various of embodiments of bottle 100, smoking material
holder 116, via bowl 118 and stem 120, is in communication with
said cap 108 so as to allow air to be drawn by a user inhaling on
draw aperture 112a while covering carburetor aperture 112b, for
example with a finger tip of a finger proximate finger apertures
104. For example, while user draws air through aperture 112a, a
partial vacuum is created in bottle 100 which causes air to be
drawn through bowl 118 and smoking material therein, through stem
120 and into the interior portion of bottle 100. In various
embodiments, bottle 100 may contain an amount of liquid (e.g.,
water) therein, preferably in an amount sufficient to submerge at
least a portion of stem 120, to help provide cooling of the smoke
drawn into bottle 100, which in turn may provide a cleaner and/or
smoother smoke prior to being inhaled by a user.
[0038] In various embodiments, smoking material holder 116 may be a
tool separate from bottle 100, or may be integral in some form
and/or purchased with bottle 100. For example, in some embodiments,
cap 108 may be configured to also comprise the components of
smoking material holder 116 (e.g., bowl 118, stem 120, etc.)
described herein. In such embodiments, bottle 100 and smoking
material holder 116 are part of a complete bottle system,
comprising a body portion having at least two shoulder portions,
wherein each of the shoulder portions further comprises at least
one piercable draw aperture depression. The bottle system may
further comprise four finger apertures located on a peripheral edge
of said body portion, a threaded neck and a cap configured to fit
the threaded neck. The cap itself may further comprise a bowl
aperture depression having a smoking material holder, and further
comprise a bowl and a stem. In such systems, the stem has a
piercing end configured to pierce any of the draw aperture
depressions and the bowl aperture depression. In this regard, the
bottle system allows the stem to pass through the cap after the
piercing end of said stem pierces the bowl aperture depression.
[0039] Thus, containers in accordance with the present invention
provide improved handles integrated therewith having particular and
specific locations for a user's fingers, thus offering increased
convenience and comfort to the user. Moreover, containers in
accordance with the present invention provide more ergonomic width
to length ratios, which also may provide increased convenience and
comfort to the user.
[0040] Further still, in some embodiments of the present invention,
the containers are recyclable or reusable, for example, some of
such containers may be used as a smoking apparatus. Further yet,
containers in accordance with the present invention have unique and
interesting shapes and configurations which allow unique and
energized marketing campaigns.
[0041] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention covers the modifications and variations of
this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *