U.S. patent application number 15/004917 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for adjustable bottle holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Loftus, Roger Neiley. Invention is credited to John Loftus, Roger Neiley.
Application Number | 20160249758 15/004917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56798082 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160249758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neiley; Roger ; et
al. |
September 1, 2016 |
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.
Inventors: |
Neiley; Roger; (Laguna
Beach, CA) ; Loftus; John; (Laguna Beach,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Neiley; Roger
Loftus; John |
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56798082 |
Appl. No.: |
15/004917 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62107466 |
Jan 25, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20130101; A45F
5/10 20130101; A47G 23/0241 20130101; A45F 2005/1006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/02 20060101
A47G023/02; A45F 5/10 20060101 A45F005/10 |
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.
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.
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