Adjustable Bottle Holder

Abstract

Means of partially enclosing a bottle and providing attachment to the human hand are disclosed. A single panel of material forms the main body of the device and is arranged such that a bottle may be securely enclosed. A protruding panel integral to the main body panel accepts the insertion of multiple fingers or a portion of a human hand to allow attachment of the bottle and holder to the user without the need to continuously grip the bottle. Length adjustment of the hand attachment panel is provided in such a way that multiple hand/finger sizes and securement forces may be accommodated. The preferred material for the device allows elastic adjustment for multiple bottle sizes, provides insulation of the bottle contents and protects the hand from discomfort due to hot or cold liquid within the bottle. Surfaces of the device allow display of a graphic or message.

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/107,466, by Neiley and Loftus, Confirmation Number 6864 of Jan. 25, 2015

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This application involves enclosures for bottles of liquid, and more particularly, to bottle enclosures incorporating a means of carrying a bottle in a human hand.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many different methods exist to aid in carrying a supply of liquid during various activities such as running, walking, hiking, athletic training and racing. With hydration clearly understood as an important aspect of overall health, athletic performance and basic survival, many individuals desire a readily available supply of liquid, often provided in a plastic or metal bottle. Without a means of attaching said bottle to the user, a continuous grip onto the bottle is required. This can create hand fatigue, and lead to dropping of a bottle held for longer periods of time. The carrying of a bottle in a pocket or satchel such as a backpack reduces the ability of the user to drink without delay.

[0004] Many bottle holder designs are currently available in the market. Some of these designs provide insulation, some provide adjustable attachment straps, some are optimized for proprietary bottle shapes and some offer carrying capacity for accessory items such as keys or credit cards. However, most such known devices are comprised of multiple materials requiring substantial assembly labor and related cost concessions. These design elements preclude the economical use of these devices for promotional events such as long distance running races, where product cost is a major consideration and where the sponsoring entity may desire their brand identity to be highly visible to media and the viewing public.

[0005] Flexibility to allow users the option to carry whatever bottle they desire, with a variety of different levels of security in the carrying action is desirable. Existing designs, however, often offer limited adjustment for hand size or bottle size. The disclosed descriptions reveal design elements which accommodate various sizes of bottles, various users' hand sizes, user preference regarding how many fingers are used to carry the bottle, and how snuggly the bottle is retained during a variety of activities.

SUMMARY

[0006] In general, this disclosure describes elements of enclosures which accept a bottle of fluid and which provide for the insertion of a portion of a human hand for ease of carrying said bottle. A method of fabricating an enclosure utilizes a single piece of sheet stock material in order to simplify and economize the manufacturing process. Methods of adjusting the size of an opening for a user's hand and to accommodate varying bottle shapes and sizes are disclosed. The bottle enclosure may also include internal or external pockets for accessory items. Additional decorative, messaging and promotional graphic options which may be applied to the enclosure are also disclosed.

[0007] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following descriptions of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a bottle enclosure, including a typical plastic water bottle, with a protruding panel integral to the main body panel for the insertion of fingers or a portion of a hand.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a bottle enclosure, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, without the plastic bottle inserted.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a pre-assembly material shape of a bottle enclosure, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIGS. 4, 4B, 4C and 4D are schematic illustrations of an assembly means of the material shape shown in FIG. 3

[0012] FIGS. 5 and 5A are schematic illustrations of another embodiment of a bottle enclosure incorporating pocket designs for the carrying of accessory items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before the present inventive subject matter is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the subjective matter is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present inventive subject matter will be limited only by the appended claims.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottle enclosure 100, with a typical bottle 120 (shown with dashed lines) inserted therein. According to one aspect of the claimed inventive subject matter, a protruding portion 102 of the enclosure 100 is disposed to allow insertion of fingers or a portion of a human hand for the purpose of securing the enclosure, also termed herein as the holder, to the user, allowing the inserted bottle to be carried without the need to maintain a continuous grip onto the enclosure or bottle.

[0015] In one embodiment of the claimed inventive subject matter, the material of the enclosure 100, also known herein as the main body of the enclosure, is preferably of an elastic material such as neoprene to allow circumferential expansion of the enclosure to accommodate bottles of varying circumferences. The material may be covered on one or both sides by layer of fabric or other coating to allow application of colors, graphics or messages as well as to provide a desired level of friction to the bottle and user's hand. Breathability, durability and aesthetics may also be defined by the selection of covering material.

[0016] In one possible configuration, the material of the enclosure 100 can provide insulation qualities to isolate the fingers/hand from contents of the bottle that may be warmer or colder than ambient temperature, and to assist in maintaining a desired temperature of the contents of the bottle.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottle enclosure 100 without a bottle inserted. In this illustration it can be seen that the enclosure in this embodiment is fabricated of a single piece of material. In one embodiment, two edges 201, 202 of the material are joined together to form a part of the enclosure. Two additional edges 203, 204 are joined together to complete the enclosure for a bottle. Said edges may be joined by stitching, gluing, welding or other means.

[0018] A portion of the enclosure material, panel 102, which is integral to the main body of the enclosure but which protrudes sufficiently to allow insertion of two or more fingers or a human hand, may be adjusted for securement of said fingers or hand by sliding the panel 102 through slot opening 205. By thus sliding the panel 102 through opening 205, the lower surface 206 of the enclosure may be raised or lowered to accommodate bottles of varying heights. The direction of sliding is shown by arrows 207. In one embodiment, printed markings 220 may be included to indicate varying degrees of adjustment for bottle height or finger/hand opening.

[0019] Text or a logo 210 may be applied to any surface of the enclosure. Said text or logo may indicate brand 100 identity, a promotional message or other message desired to be visible to an observer. While said text or logo may be applied to any surface of the enclosure, the location for such application is preferably the outer surface of protruding panel 102, since in the typical orientation during use that surface of the enclosure will be most visible to an observer.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the claimed inventive subject matter in which the material of the enclosure 100 is formed of a single piece, prior to assembly. This illustration also shows a location for the opening slot 205 through which the opposite end of panel 100, identified as 401, is inserted during assembly in order to create the protrusion characteristic of panel 102.

[0021] FIGS. 4, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate the assembly means of one embodiment of the claimed inventive subject matter, commencing with a single piece of material for the enclosure 100.

[0022] Illustration 4B shows a first end of the material 401 being inserted into and through a slot 205 which is located near a second end of the material 402.

[0023] In Illustration 4C, first end 401 has been inserted through slot 205, and following the path indicated by arrow 403, is folded back under second end 402.

[0024] In illustration 4D, first end 401 has been approximately aligned with edge 404. Edge 201 has been attached to edge 202, and edge 203 has been attached to edge 204, thus forming a finished enclosure which is disposed to accept a bottle.

[0025] Adjustment markings 220 for the protruding portion of the enclosure 102 may also be seen in this view.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the claimed inventive subject matter in which a pocket 501 is attached, prior to assembly, to an exterior surface of the enclosure 100. Said pocket may be of a similar material to the main body of the enclosure or of a separate material such as a mesh. Said pocket is preferably of an elastic material such that space for accessory articles such as keys, credit card, or energy supplements may be accommodated without risk of those articles becoming dislodged from the pocket.

[0027] FIG. 5A illustrates an additional embodiment of a pocket 502 in which one or both opposing edges 503, 504 of the pocket are incorporated into the attachment of opposing edges 201, 202 and 203, 204 of the enclosure's main body 100. A pocket 505 disposed on the interior surface of main body 101 is also shown schematically.

[0028] It should be appreciated that pocket or pockets illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A or contemplated in the overall design of the enclosure may be fabricated in any size or shape and said pocket or pockets may be located on any interior or exterior surface of enclosure 100. Certain edges of any pocket may be stitched, welded, glued or otherwise attached to the main body 100 of the enclosure, leaving a single 140 edge open for insertion of accessory items.

[0029] Specific embodiments of a disclosed bottle holder have been described above. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

Claims

1. An enclosure to accept a bottle of liquid, fabricated from a single piece of sheet stock material for the main body of the enclosure, assembled in such a way as to provide a protruding panel which allows for insertion of a portion of a human hand, said protruding panel being integral to the main body of the enclosure.

2. The enclosure described in claim 1, in which the protruding panel is adjustable in effective length in order to optimize the retention of the enclosure to the hand.

3. The enclosure described in claim 2, in which the protruding panel is led through an opening in the main body of the enclosure in a way that creates friction between the panel and the opening so as to secure the panel's length adjustment at a pre-determined setting.

4. The enclosure described in claim 2, in which length indicator markings are printed upon the protruding panel.

5. The enclosure described in claim 1 in which one or more additional panels of material are located on the outer surface of the main body of the enclosure, selected edges of said additional panels being fixed to the main body of the enclosure in a way that the additional panels comprise one or more pockets.

6. The enclosure described in claim 1 in which one or more additional panels of material are located on the inner surface of the main body of the enclosure, selected edges of said additional panels being fixed to the main body of the enclosure in a way that the additional panels comprise one or more pockets.

7. The enclosure described in claim 1, in which a portion of the main body is fabricated of a material which allows the application of text, logo or other graphic design prior to assembly of the enclosure.

8. The enclosure described in claim 1, in which a portion of the main body is fabricated of a material which allows the application of text, logo or other graphic design following assembly of the enclosure.