Clip-on water or beverage bottle holder

Abstract

A beverage bottle holder includes a pair of arcuate ribs and an interior arcuate portion for holding therein a beverage bottle, such as a bottled water container, with the ribs slightly separated from each other at their distal ends in order to facilitate the reception and securement of the beverage bottle. The beverage bottle holder also includes a clip portion that has a pair of spaced-apart legs for sliding onto the waistband or belt, and bridging portions that interconnect the ribs to the clip portion. Each rib is defined by an inner wall that includes protrusions for gripping and holding the beverage bottle, and an outer wall upon which advertising slogans and phrases and company logos can be placed or imprinted, and the ribs can be pivotally mounted to the clip portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to portable holders, and more particularly pertains to a water beverage bottle holder that is releasably attachable to the belt or waist of the individual. The invention is particularly useful to hold blow-molded bottles of the polyethylene terephthalate or “Pete” type commonly used as packaging containers for water, soda, juices, beer and sports drinks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various personal and public activities, generally of a recreational or entertainment nature, are accompanied or enhanced by having food and beverage items at hand and readily available. Such activities can include the wide range of sporting activities like walking, running, hiking, and bicycling wherein one needs both hands to be free and unencumbered; or in recreational settings such as outdoor parties and picnics, fairs and amusement parks wherein one's hands need to be free and unencumbered, but the availability of food and beverage items, especially a beverage item such as bottled water, would be desirable.

[0003] This need to increasingly felt because of the ever-increasing use and availability of a wide variety of beverages available in disposable or recyclable bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, or “Pete.” Typically, these bottles are produced through a process known as blow molding, and many factors act to limit the final design of the bottles, including recycling issues, food safety, product distribution and brand recognition. All of these factors limit the final shape and design of the bottle, resulting in configuration which becomes standard in the industry. The resulting range of Pete bottles is therefore largely in the range of 200 ml. to 750 ml. in volume. In addition the bottles are generally designed with a smaller diameter in their mid section to allow secure placement of a printed shrink-wrapped polyethylene label or a shred paper label. This is to comply with recycling industry standards that do not allow ink contamination by direct printing onto the bottle. This quasi-standardization has created the opportunity for an improved means of securing beverage bottles for users in various activities.

[0004] One common current solution to the problem of wanting a beverage item available for various activities is to use a pouch, purse, or backpack. While the use of a pouch, purse or backpack would be feasible in some circumstances for this purpose, such as for use in hiking or at an amusement park, it would be undesirable for more robust physical activities such as bicycling, running or even brisk walking. The bulky and cumbersome nature of these items detracts from and interferes with the pleasurable engagement of such activities. Moreover, for activities such as bicycling, running or walking, where the accompanying food item would preferably be a beverage bottle of refreshing water, the use of a pouch, purse or backpack would be unnecessary. An alternative is to have the beverage bottle attached or secured to a lanyard hung about one's neck. For less rigorous activities this may be a plausible solution; however, during any vigorous physical activity the beverage bottle would impede such activity by bouncing about one's neck and torso.

[0005] Thus, the prior art discloses a number of devices that permit an individual to carry a beverage bottle or container while engaged in various physical activities and events.

[0006] For example, Magee (U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,329 B1) discloses a bottle holder having two adjacent openings of different sizes for engagement by the neck portion of a bottle.

[0007] The Falcaro patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,218) discloses a bottle carrier having a u-shaped based through which a cord extends with the neck of the bottle engaged and held in position by the base while the cord can be placed about the neck.

[0008] The Brokering patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,228) discloses a side loading water bottle holder for attachment to the down tube of a bicycle, and includes two receiving members having apertures through which a bottle can be inserted.

[0009] The Kayali patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,784) discloses an adjustable drink holder that can turn or pivot on four axes of rotation, and further includes a drink base and hoop for supporting and retaining the drink bottle.

[0010] The McConnell et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,211) discloses a foldable support that includes a pair of slidable arms attached to a back panel and a base for supporting the bottom of the beverage container.

[0011] The Harper patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,112) discloses a beverage carrier that includes a tongue for insertion between the window and body of an automotive vehicle and a pair of arms capable of grasping and holding the particular glass or bottle.

[0012] The Koorey et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,222) discloses a beverage container that includes an upper ring for receiving therein the beverage bottle and an upturned tongue for supporting the recess of the beverage can.

[0013] The Harper patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,679) discloses a displaceable hinge that includes a second arcuate member that slides along a first elongated member with the first member receiving therein the body of the beverage container and capable of being folded adjacent to the first elongated member.

[0014] Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices there remains a need for a lightweight, portable water or beverage bottle holder that is easily attachable and detachable to some part of the user's clothing and does not interfere with or impede the physical activities engaged in by the individual.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention comprehends a bottled water or beverage holder that attaches to an article of clothing so that the individual can have a beverage readily available for use. The beverage bottle holder includes a primary ring in the form of two arcuate ribs or arms. In addition to the arcuate ribs, the beverage bottle holder includes an interior, curvilinear portion or two interior, curvilinear portions that are spaced from each other by a gap that is opposite and parallel to the space that separates the distal ends of the ribs. Together, the ribs and interior curvilinear portion or portions define an opening for receiving and holding the beverage bottle. The ribs are pliable to permit the reception of the beverage bottle, and a slight space separates the ribs at their respective distal ends. Each rib has an inner wall and an opposite outer wall, and the inner wall can include protrusions for facilitating the holding of the beverage bottle while the outer wall can accommodate indicia such as company logos and advertising phrases and slogans. The invention provides for expansion and flexion of the ribs and interior curvilinear portion to hold the bottle in its mid-section. It is capable of conforming to different diameter bottles, and due to the memory capability of plastic resins used in the device it returns to its original shape when the bottle is withdrawn.

[0016] The beverage bottle holder includes a clip portion that permits the attachment and removal of the beverage bottle holder to and from the user's belt or waistband. The clip portion extends downwardly and perpendicular relative to the extension of the ribs, and the clip portion includes a pair of spaced-apart legs that slip or slide on or over the waistband or belt. Each rib is connected to the clip portion through an intermediate bridging portion.

[0017] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a beverage bottle holder that is easily attachable to an article of clothing but does not interfere with or impede the physical activities engaged in by the wearer.

[0018] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a beverage bottle holder that holds and secures a beverage bottle thereby freeing the user's hands for other purposes.

[0019] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a beverage bottle holder that can accommodate thereon company logos and advertising phrases and slogans.

[0020] It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide a beverage bottle holder that is lightweight, portable and capable of accommodating beverage bottles of various sizes and diameters.

[0021] These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the bottle beverage holder of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectioned elevational view of the bottle holder taken along lines III-III of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the bottle holder of the present invention first shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view taken along lines V-V of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 4;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment of the bottle holder first shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a sectioned elevational view taken along lines VII-VII of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 6;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the bottle holder first shown in FIG. 1 illustrating pivotal capability in the beverage holder;

[0030] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 8 illustrating the range of pivotal motion of components of the bottle holder;

[0031] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the bottle holder first shown in FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 11 is a sectioned elevational view taken along lines XI-XI of the bottle holder shown in FIG. 10; and

[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the bottle holder in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 is a bottle container holder 10 and various modifications thereto. The beverage bottle holder 10 of the present invention is adapted for easy and quick mounting to, and dismounting from, the user's clothing articles, and particularly the waistband or belt of the user. While the beverage bottle holder 10 securely holds various kinds of bottled beverages, it is particularly suited for Pete plastic beverage bottles having a capacity of 200 ml to 750 ml by volume. Typically, these containers are used to dispense water, soft drinks, juice, and the like. The beverage bottle holder 10 allows the user to have his or her hands free during physical activities such as walking, hiking, bicycling and running as the bottled beverage is clipped on to the waistband or belt so that the user has a water bottle handy and readily available for use. The beverage bottle holder 10 may also be employed at spectator events where the user may only be standing or sitting. The beverage bottle holder 10 is preferably manufactured from a resilient, pliable plastic in a pressed, die cut or molded process. Applicant has found that the use of engineered plastic resins with a memory capability to obtain the necessary spring action and holding ability for the beverage bottle holder is preferred.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the beverage bottle holder 10 includes a clip portion 12 that slides, slips or clips to the waistband or belt of the user. The clip portion 12 includes two spaced-apart, downwardly extending legs 14 for contacting and mounting to the waistband or belt. The legs 14 are disposed parallel to each other, and each leg 14 includes an inner wall 16 and an outer wall 18, and the space formed between the legs 14 defines a receiving slot or hollow 20 for the inner 16 and outer 18 walls. The resilience of the material of the legs 14 allow for a springing action which helps secure the beverage bottle holder 10 to the belt or waistband of the user. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, integrally formed to and extending outwardly from the clip portion 12 is a pair of spaced-apart, curved intermediate bridging portions 22. It should be noted that the bridging portions 22 do not themselves contact or engage the beverage container.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the beverage bottle holder 10 includes a pair of arcuate or curvilinear arms or ribs 24 with each rib 24 extending from each respective intermediate bridging portion 22. More specifically, each arm or rib 24 has a medial portion integrally formed to and joining with each intermediate bridging portion 22 and an opposite distal end 26. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, the distal ends 26 of the ribs 24 do not touch or contact each other but are slightly spaced from each other by an outer splice opening or gap 28. The ribs 24 are pliable and during insertion and securement of the beverage bottle, the ribs 24 flex and the distal ends 26 can be displaced from each other to facilitate beverage bottle insertion and securement. It can also be seen that the bridging portions serve as a spring mechanism, providing resistance when the distal ends 26 are pushed apart and urging a return to their normal, unstressed position.

[0037] In addition, each arm or rib 24 defines an interior rib wall 30 and an exterior rib wall 32. The external surface of the exterior rib walls 32 is flat and of such dimensions as to accommodate various types of indicia, lettering or designs like stickers, company logos, advertising slogans and phrases, sport team markings, and artistic ornamentation. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the exterior rib wall 32 can have a business or other name or logo molded into it to provide an advertising venue.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the preferred embodiment of the beverage bottle holder 10 also includes an interior arcuate portion 34 that is adjacent and spaced inwardly from the bridging portions 22. The interior arcuate portion 34 combines with the ribs 24 to form a generally circular opening or passage 36 into and through which the beverage bottle is inserted so that the beverage bottle can be held in place, generally near the mid-section of the beverage bottle. The springing action of the ribs 24, bridging portions 22, and interior arcuate portion 34 is such that the circular opening on passage 36 can be expanded sufficiently to allow insertion or removal of the bottle, while providing sufficient pressure to firmly grip the bottle when the invention is in use. While the interior arcuate portion 34 is shown as a continuous member in FIGS. 1-9, in FIGS. 10 and 11 the interior arcuate portion 34 has a gap or splice opening 38 at its midpoint thereby forming two half arcuate portions 40 each of which is pliable to further facilitate the insertion of the beverage bottle.

[0039] The overall shape of the ribs 24 and the interior arcuate portion 34 approximates a cylindrical opening, thereby matching the overall cylindrical shape of beverage bottles to be held by the device. To assist in gripping the beverage bottle, the invention further includes protrusions 42 that are spaced about the interior walls 30 of the ribs 24 and the interior arcuate portion 34. These protrusions 42 can take a variety of forms. For instance, FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate protrusions 42 of a generally longitudinal, semi-cylindrical shape, while FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate protrusions 42 of a longitudinal, rectangular shape. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate “thumbnail” protrusions. Regardless which shape is used, when the beverage bottle is inserted through the opening 36 formed by the ribs 24 and the arcuate portion 34, the protrusions 42 will exert an additional compressive force against the side wall of the beverage bottle thereby assisting in the securement of the beverage bottle. The protrusions 42 are especially useful for smaller diameter bottles. The protrusions 42 bear against these smaller bottles and hold them in place securely whereas the bottles might otherwise fit only loosely, or not at all, within the circular opening or passage 36.

[0040] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention showing a pivot means for the beverage bottle holder 10. In FIGS. 8 and 9 there is a unitary bridging portion 22 which swivels or pivots with respect to the clip portion 12 on a shaft 44 between a use position for holding the bottle beverage and a non-use position wherein the ribs 24 and bridging portion 22 are pivoted downward and adjacent the clip portion 12.

[0041] Although not shown in the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention, the interior arcuate portion 34 would be eliminated, resulting in a roughly cylindrical opening defined by the ribs 24 and the bridging portion(s) 22.

[0042] Also illustrated in the drawings is a ring attachment 46 which serves as a convenient place for a key ring to be placed, thereby allowing the holder 10 to be attached to a backpack, book bag, belt loop or similar place for storage when it is not in use.

[0043] The foregoing description discloses and describes several embodiments of the invention, and those skilled in the art will understand that other variations, alterations or modifications are possible and practicable, and will still come within the ambit of the invention as set forth in the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A bottle container holder for attachment to the waistband or belt of the user for holding a beverage bottle, comprising:

a clip portion having a pair of spaced-apart legs that define a slot for receiving therein the waistband or belt;

a pair of arcuate ribs attached to the clip portion and extending outwardly therefrom and defining an opening for receiving the beverage bottle;

each rib having a distal end and the distal ends being spaced from each other by an outer splice opening so that the ribs can be displaced for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening; and

a plurality of protrusions mounted to the interior walls of the ribs for facilitating the securement of the beverage bottle to the ribs.

2. A beverage bottle holder for attachment to the waste band or belt of the user for holding a beverage bottle, comprising:

a clip portion having a pair of spaced-apart legs that define a slot for receiving therein the waste band or belt;

a pair of bridging portions attached to the clip portion and extending outwardly therefrom;

a pair of arcuate ribs attached to the bridging portions and extending outwardly therefrom;

an interior arcuate portion that interconnects the ribs and defines an opening through which the beverage bottle is inserted for securement to the ribs; and

each rib having a distal end and the distal ends being spaced from each other by an outer splice opening so that the ribs can be displaced for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening.

3. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 wherein the ribs include an exterior wall for accommodating indicia and designs, and an opposite interior wall.

4. The beverage bottle holder of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of protrusions mounted to the interior walls of the ribs and the interior arcuate portion for facilitating the securement of the beverage bottle therein.

5. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 where in each leg includes an outer wall and an opposite inner wall with the inner walls of both legs contacting the waste band or belt of the user.

6. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 where in the interior arcuate portion includes two half arcuate portions with each half arcuate portion attached to a respective rib and extending inwardly therefrom toward each other and terminating in an inner splice opening so that the half arcuate portions can be displaced for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening.

7. The beverage bottle holder of claim 4 wherein the protrusions are longitudinal and semi-circular or rectangular in shape.

8. The beverage bottle holder of claim 4 wherein the protrusions are non-longitudinal ellipsoids spaced about the interior perimeter of the opening.

9. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 wherein protrusions are longitudinal and of a semi-cylindrical or rectangular shape.

10. The beverage bottle holder of claim 2 wherein the holder is of integral, one-piece construction and formed of engineered resins.

11. A beverage bottle holder for attachment to the waist band or belt of the user for holding a beverage bottle, comprising:

a clip portion having a pair of spaced-legs that define a slot for receiving therein the waste band or belt;

a bridging portion;

a pair of arcuate ribs attached to the bridging portion and extending outwardly therefrom;

an interior arcuate portion that interconnects the ribs, whereby the ribs and arcuate portion thereby define an opening to which the beverage bottle is inserted for securement;

each rib having a distal end and the distal ends being spaced from each other by an outer splice opening so that the ribs can be displaced for inserting the beverage bottle through the opening;

a plurality of protrusions mounted to the interior walls of the ribs and the interior arcuate portion for facilitating the securement of the beverage bottle to the ribs; and

pivotal attachment means securing the clip portion and the bridging portion and allowing the device to be pivoted between a raised, or used, position and a lower, or non-use, position.

12. The beverage bottle holder of claim 11 wherein the protrusions are non-longitudinal ellipsoid shaped and spaced about the interior periphery of the ribs and interior arcuate portion.

13. The beverage bottle holder of claim 11 wherein the device is made of resilient engineered plastic resins.

14. The beverage bottle holder of claim 11 wherein the interior arcuate portion includes two half arcuate portions with each half arcuate portion attached to each respective rib and extending inwardly therefrom.