U.S. patent application number 14/880074 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-13 for protective sleeve for breakable container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joanna Tavares. Invention is credited to Joanna Tavares.
Application Number | 20170101244 14/880074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58499591 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170101244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tavares; Joanna |
April 13, 2017 |
Protective Sleeve for Breakable Container
Abstract
The invention is an impact-resistant elastomeric or silicone
sleeve for use on breakable containers such as glass cups, glass
bottles, or other any such containers. The components of this
protective sleeve or encasing can be used on an adult drinking
glass, glass water bottles, glass containers, a glass baby bottle,
foods preserved in glass containers, and other industrial or
personal uses. The sleeve will serve as protection and shock
absorption protecting the breakable containers during use.
Inventors: |
Tavares; Joanna; (Savannah,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tavares; Joanna |
Savannah |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58499591 |
Appl. No.: |
14/880074 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/307 20130101;
B65D 81/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/02 20060101
B65D081/02 |
Claims
1. A device comprising; an elastictubular protective sleeve having
a plurality of raised surfaces with a top and bottom with an
opening at the top to allow a container through and having a
plurality of slits running perpendicular to its elongated top and
bottom and a plurality of one or more from a set of protuberances,
raised designs and/or raised surfaces serve as shock absorbers.
2. (canceled)
3. A device according to claim 1 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are commercial marks.
4. A device according to claim 1 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are on the exterior surfaces.
5. A device according to claim 1 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are on the interior surfaces.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. A device according to claim 1 further comprising having an
enclosed bottom.
9. A device according to claim 8 further comprising having a hole
that is smaller in diameter than the container located in the
enclosed bottom.
10. A device according to claim 1 further comprising having an
elongated body.
11. A device according to claim 1 further comprising having a
plurality of elastictubulars on a container.
12. A device according to claim 11 further comprising on the
container where the container has a bottom and having one of the
elastictubulars being attached to said bottom of the container.
13. A device according to claim 12 further comprising having one of
the elastictubulars having an enclosed bottom.
14. A device comprising; a plurality of elastictubulars with a top
and bottom with an opening at top to be placed over a container
through having a plurality of raised surfaces that serve as shock
absorbers.
15. A device according to claim 14 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are commercial marks.
16. A device according to claim 14 further comprising having said
raised surface being of one or more from a set of protuberances
and/or raised designs.
17. A device according to claim 12 further comprising having one of
the elastictubulars having an enclosed bottom which is placed on
the bottom of the container.
18. A device according to claim 1 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are on the exterior surfaces.
19. A device according to claim 1 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are on the interior surfaces.
20. A device comprising; a plurality of elastictubulars with a top
and bottom with an opening at top to be placed over a container
through having a plurality of raised surfaces that serve as shock
absorbers where the raised surfaces are from a set of
protuberances, and/or raised designs and one of the elastictubulars
having an enclosed bottom which is placed on the bottom of the
container where said raised surfaces are on the exterior
surfaces.
21. A device according to claim 20 further comprising where said
raised surfaces are commercial marks.
22. A device according to claim 20 further comprising made of a
translucent material.
23. A device according to claim 1 further comprising made of a
translucent material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This device refers to the field of protective sleeves on
containers in more particularity breakable containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Glass and ceramic containers are one of the best and safest
containers to be used in storage as they do not contaminate what is
being stored. The issue with glass containers is that they are
commonly perceived as fragile and breakable. Often, when glass gets
broken it can also become a health hazard with the sharp shards and
tiny glass particles that are difficult to completely dispose.
[0003] To address these issues with glass containers, many
containers are made of a plastic. But this increases the exposure
to Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS) and other potential
replacement alternatives. BPA has been linked to possible
reproductive and developmental problems as well as increased risk
of multiple cancers and adverse endocrine function. Additionally,
BPA replacements such as BPS have been proven to be hormone
disrupters and endocrine disrupters. Some effects of estrogenic
chemicals from BPA-free plastic result in increased rates of some
breast, ovarian, testicular and prostate cancer; altered prostate,
testicular and sperm function, aggressive behavior, altered
learning abilities, altered rates of growth, and altered uterine,
ovarian and breast functions. Additionally, BPA and BPA
replacements leach from the container and to the substance or
liquid. The estrogenic (EA) and androgenic (AA) chemicals are
released and are then consumed. When the EA or AA comes into
contact with food or drink, the result may have adverse effects on
the human endocrine system and lead to adverse health effects.
[0004] Additionally, with the rise of plastic bottles, many liquids
and foods are coming into contact with plastics that leach EA and
AA, through plastic containers and the linings of canned food.
[0005] Also, many of today's pharmaceuticals are stored in glass
breakable bottles. These can be worth hundreds to thousands of
dollars in a simple vial that can easily be broken by dropping
it.
[0006] There remains room for improvement in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This proposed device is an impact resistant tubular,
protective sleeve or encasing for breakable containers or fragile
objects.
[0008] The current invention is a protective sleeve made of a
structural material that functions as a protective layer for
breakable containers; wherein the casing is constructed as a
tubular body with at least one opening in order to receive a
container. The sleeve will be comprised of silicone, rubber, or an
elastomeric material. The material may be translucent, transparent,
or opaque. The protective sleeve may be made with a translucent or
transparent material in order to allow for visualization of the
contents in the container
[0009] In one embodiment, the invention will include one opening to
allow the sleeve to pass a container through and will have a
smaller opening on the bottom of the protective sleeve but will not
allow the container to pass through the sleeve.
[0010] In another embodiment, the sleeve will have an opening and
another opening to allow the sleeve to go around the container, and
pass through the container. However, it will be elastic and have
the ability to cling to the container without easily falling off.
The sleeve will include multiple raised domes to allow the product
to act as a shock absorber if the container is dropped.
[0011] In other embodiments, the protective sleeve will have a
raised logo, emblem, shape, lettering, pattern or design that also
serve as shock absorbers, grips, and aesthetic purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the
preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows the sleeve as a single piece with the
emblem;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention;
and
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a top view with the raised surfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] There are a number of significant design features and
improvements incorporated within the invention.
[0017] The current invention is a protective sleeve, protective
cover, protective sleeve or encasing 1 that is an elastic, solid,
tubular object with protuberances 30 and/or raised designs 20 that
act as shock absorbers that may be used on any container as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0018] The protective encasing allows the glass or other breakable
products to be used with a protective sleeve 1 that does not come
into contact with contents of the container such as medicine, food
or drink. This allows users to use glass or ceramic, which has been
proven to be safe from EA and AA leaching, and have breakage
protection for the container and for the consumer. The protective
sleeve 1 will allow any container 70 to have protection and shock
absorption. Containers 70 that are easily broken, cracked, or
crushed can be used with the protective sleeve to provide
protection and encasing to prevent chips, cracks, breaks, and
crushing greatly increasing the safety of the users.
[0019] The protective sleeve 1 can be made into any color, whether
translucent, transparent or opaque. Where the protective sleeve is
made of translucent or transparent material it would allow for
visualization of the contents.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the protective sleeve 1 will be
comprised silicone or of an elastomeric material. In some
embodiments, the inner surface of the protective sleeve 1 would
have a coating that assists in the application and removal of the
container 70 from the sleeve 1 or a coating to deter from microbial
growth such as Microban.
[0021] The protective sleeve 1 may include both a first end 40 and
a second end 45, wherein the first 45 and second ends 45 are
separated by a tubular body 50. The first end 40 would be open and
is where the container 70 would first be entered.
[0022] In one embodiment such as the one shown in FIG. 1, the
protective sleeve 1 includes an extended elongated body 50 with a
first opening positioned at a first end 40 of the tubular body. In
this embodiment, the elongated body 50 may have a plurality of
slits 91 parallel to the body 50. This can be a single slit 91 or
multiple slits. The slits 91 allow the user to see the contents of
the container 70 for a translucent container 70. It also makes it
easier to place the elongated body 50 version over the container 70
as it reduces the tension strength. The second end 45 may have a
second opening or may be solid enclosing the diameter of second end
45. If there is a hole in the second end 45 it is smaller than the
diameter of the container 70 to ensure the container 70 does not
pass through.
[0023] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, where the protective
sleeve 1 is more like a protective band 90 where the second side is
a second opening configured such that a container 70 may be able to
pass through the second opening for protection of side walls of the
container 70 or glass, such as a wine glass or bottle and provides
protection for sides when the sides of a wine glass or bottle comes
into contact with a hard surface, which would normally cause the
container to break. Additionally, another protective sleeve 95 can
be used along with the protective band 90 to provide more
protection along the bottom of a container 70. This protective
sleeve 95 is placed on the bottom of the container 70 and has a
tubular body with an open first end and a second end 45 that may
have a second opening or may be solid enclosing the diameter of
second end 45. If there is a hole in the second end 45 it is
smaller than the diameter of the container 70 to ensure the
container 70 does not pass through.
[0024] The protective sleeve 1 can have a plurality of raised
designs 20 or protuberances 30 or raised surfaces for shock
absorption as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The raised designs 20 can
be designed to be any logo, emblem, lettering or design allowing
marketing and branding words or design to be used for both
marketing and for protection of the container. The protuberances
30, raised designs 20 and/or raised surfaces serve as shock
absorbers and may be placed at any location around the protective
sleeve 1 to reduce the frequency of breakage. The protuberances 30
can be both on the outside of the sleeve 1 and on the inside based
on the amount of protection desired.
[0025] The thickness of the walls of the protective sleeve 1 will
depend on the size of the sleeve 1 and the amount of protection
desired while still maintaining its elasticity.
[0026] The protective sleeve 1 can be made into any desired shape
such as a tube, hexagon, triangle, pyramid, square, rectangle,
cube, cone, cylinder shape, or the like. And thus the protective
sleeve 1 may be configured for fitting any suitable container, such
as a tube, hexagon, triangle, pyramid, square, rectangle, cube,
cone, cylinder shape shaped container, or the like, and may be of
regular or irregular dimensions, so as to fit a variety of bottles
and jars.
[0027] The dimensions of the sleeve 1 may vary depending on the
container it is designed to protect and is not limited in size.
Additionally, the thickness of the sleeve 1 may vary but is not
limited. The protective sleeve may be used on any existing
container from any manufacturer, and can be utilized on any
existing container where protection is desired. Additionally, use
of the protective sleeve 1 can be used on but not limited to
personal use, industrial, household, athletic and/or shipping or
transportation use.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the protective sleeve 1 is adaptable
to hold or contain any container to provide protection and prevent
the container from breaking when the container is dropped or when
the container comes into contact with a hard surface. The
protective sleeve 1 will protect the bottle or glass from breaking.
It makes the glass resistant to breaking. It helps the user to
prevent breakage of the glass when the bottle or glass tips over or
is dropped. It allows the glass bottle or glass to have a
protective casing and become resistant to breaking.
[0029] The protective sleeve 1 can be used for pharmaceutical
bottles/vials and Wine/liquor bottles. With these types of
containers the loss due to breakage can be thousands of dollars or
more.
Advantages
[0030] The protective sleeve allows for consumers to be used on
glass containers that are commonly perceived as fragile in order to
decrease the exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS) and
other potential replacement alternatives.
[0031] The protective sleeve seeks to allow glass or other
breakable products to be used with breakage protection that does
not come into contact with the food or drink. This allows users to
use glass or ceramic, which has been proven to be safe from EA and
AA leaching, while having breakage protection for the container and
for the consumer. The protective sleeve will allow for any
container to have protection and shock absorption. Containers that
are easily broken, cracked, or crushed can be used with the
protective sleeve to provide protection and encasing to prevent
chips, cracks, breaks, and crushing. Often, when glass gets broken
it can also become a health hazard with the sharp shards and tiny
glass particles that are difficult to completely dispose.
[0032] Additionally, with the rise of plastic bottles, many liquids
and foods are coming into contact with plastics that leach EA and
AA, through plastic containers and the linings of canned food. This
product would allow manufacturers and industries to utilize glass
again and have protection of their product. The protective casing
does protect against accidental drops, tips, and contact with hard
surfaces.
[0033] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0034] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0035] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur by those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *