Combination Bottle Handle, Opener and Hanger

Abstract

A bottle holder snaps onto the neck of a bottle in order to function as a holder for the bottle. The bottle is inserted into a bottle insertion hole on a bottle attachment portion and pressed into a smaller bottle locking hole in order to position a bottle neck flange of the bottle within a bottle neck flange groove of the bottle attachment portion. A first tapered edge and a second tapered edge traversing from the bottle insertion hole to the bottle locking hole are separated by a distance smaller than the bottle locking hole, providing additional support for the bottle within the bottle locking hole. A bottle opening portion adjacent to the bottle attachment portion allows the user to open a capped glass bottle, and a handle portion provides an area for the user to easily hold, handle and manipulate the bottle while in the locked position.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/863,108 filed on Aug. 7, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of bottle accessories. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for a bottle handle, opener, and hanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bottles are a very common drinking vessel, being particularly useful for transportation and distribution of drinks. However, utilizing a bottle requires finger dexterity and grip, and the generally cylindrical or otherwise radial geometry of bottles sometimes poses challenges for the user. For example, a large bottle such as a two-liter soda bottle is difficult to manipulate with one hand since the gripping force required to hold the bottle may cause the bottle to slip from the user's hand or to collapse into itself. In situations where a user only has one hand available, such as when the is user simultaneously engaged in another activity with one hand such as carrying something else, a handle which can be easily attached to a bottle for easier one-handed manipulation may provide substantial benefit.

A second scenario in which an attachable, reusable handle which can be used with common bottles (typically plastic bottles, such as water, juice or soda bottles) is when a user is carrying a large number of items or otherwise engaging in physical activity, while occasionally desiring to take a drink from the bottle, such as a camping or hiking trip. In such a scenario, the user may likely utilize a backpack or another type of pouch or sack to carry supplies, including refreshment contained in a bottle. Bottles being carried in backpacks are sometimes prone to leakage, damaging other items or causing irritation. Additionally, to take a drink, the user must open the backpack, locate the bottle inside the backpack, take a drink from the bottle, and return the bottle to the backpack, which can sometimes be a cumbersome process. A handle which can be attached to a bottle and which also provides the capability of attaching the handle to another object such as a backpack for easy access is of substantial benefit for such a scenario.

Existing detachable bottle handles are either expensive, are not user friendly, do not maintain a good grip on the bottle, are bulky, heavy, difficult to attach and remove, are unsanitary or difficult to clean. Additionally, multifunctionality beyond simply providing a bottle handle is desired. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination bottle handle, opener and hanger which is lightweight and easy to use, and additionally provides the capability to open glass or similarly capped bottles and hang an attached bottle from another object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multifunctional reusable handle is designed to have three unique and different functionalities. It is designed to serve as a bottle handle, opener and an apparatus that allows users to hang or secure their plastic bottles to other items such as back pack, bike, bag. This is a major advantage over competitor designs because most competitor designs are single purpose in nature. The current invention is simple, solid, compact, light weight and multifunctional.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a bottle being inserted into the bottle insertion hole.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a bottle in the locked position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the present invention being used to open a bottle.

FIG. 7 is a head-on view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 a perspective view showing a handle prying lip being used to open a bottle.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention showing an alternate embodiment for the handle portion.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention showing another alternate embodiment for the handle portion.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention showing another alternate embodiment for the handle portion.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the handle portion being supported within a pocket.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention.

The present invention is a combination bottle handle, opener and hanger. The present invention can attach to a typical plastic bottle such as plastic soda bottles and water bottles of various capacities from 8 ounces to 2 liters in order to add a handle to the bottle, and also can function as a bottle opener for glass bottles sealed with metal caps.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a bottle attachment portion 1, a bottle opener portion 2, and a handle portion 3. In the preferred embodiment, the bottle attachment portion 1 comprises a bottle insertion hole 11, a transition hole 12, a bottle locking hole 13, an upper rim 14, a locking rim 15, a lower rim 16, an outer skirt 17, a first tapered edge 18 and a second tapered edge 19. The bottle opener portion 2 comprises a leverage surface 21 and a prying lip 22. The present invention is preferably symmetrical about a central plane 4.

The bottle opener portion 2 is positioned adjacent to the bottle insertion hole 11 of the bottle attachment portion 1 opposite the bottle locking hole 13. The handle portion 3 is positioned adjacent to the bottle opener portion 2 opposite the bottle insertion hole 11. The handle portion 3 is offset from the bottle attachment portion 1 by the bottle opener portion 2. This is necessary so that the handle portion 3 does not obstruct a bottle being secured to the bottle attachment portion 1.

The transition hole 12 of the bottle attachment portion 1 traverses from the bottle insertion hole 11 to the bottle locking hole 13, wherein the bottle insertion hole 11, the transition hole 12 and the bottle locking hole 13 are interconnected with each other. The bottle locking hole 13 is delineated by the locking rim 15, and the transition hole 12 is delineated by the first tapered edge 18 and the second tapered edge 19, wherein the transition hole 12 tapers from the bottle insertion hole 11 to the bottle locking hole 13. The bottle insertion hole 11 is larger than the bottle locking hole 13, and the locking rim 15 is dimensioned to snugly accommodate a bottle neck of a bottle. Water, juice and soda bottles typically share a very similar neck geometry, and the locking rim 15 is dimensioned to accommodate as wide a variety of bottle geometries as possible without compromising the functionality of the present invention. However, the locking rim 15 may be dimensioned to accommodate any specific bottle neck geometry, and may vary to accommodate differently sized bottles.

The locking rim 15 has a smaller diameter than a bottle neck flange of a bottle, so that the bottle neck flange is positioned within a bottle neck flange groove 10 when a bottle is secured within the bottle locking hole 13, hereinafter referred to as the locked position. To use the present invention as a handle, the user inserts the neck of a bottle through the bottle insertion hole 11 as shown in FIG. 3, and then through the transition hole 12 into the bottle locking hole 13. The locked position is shown in FIG. 4. Removing the bottle is simply the reverse.

The locking rim 15 is partially circular in shape, comprising more than 180 degrees of a circle, and is symmetrical about the central plane 4. The locking rim 15 is positioned axially between the upper rim 14 and the lower rim 16, wherein “axially” is defined as perpendicular to the locking rim 15, which may otherwise be known as the vertical direction; when the present invention is secured onto a bottle that is resting on a surface, the axis of the locking rim 15 is vertical.

The first tapered edge 18 and the second tapered edge 19 each comprise a locking edge 100. The locking edge 100 of the first tapered edge 18 and the second tapered edge 19 is positioned adjacent to the locking rim 15, opposite the bottle insertion hole 11 along the first tapered edge 18 and the second tapered edge 19. A distance 101 between the locking edge 100 of the first tapered edge 18 and the locking edge 100 of the second tapered edge 19 is less than the rim diameter 141 of the locking rim 15. This serves as one means of securing a bottle in the locked position, since a bottle neck of the bottle must be slightly deformed to fit past the locking edges 100; therefore, the locking edges 100 serve to resist any forces pushing the bottle neck from the bottle locking hole 13 toward the bottle insertion hole 11 due to constant tension being placed on the walls of the bottle. The distance 101 between the locking edges 100 should be sufficient to retain the bottle neck within the bottle locking hole 13 against accidental removal, but not too small to prevent a user from easily pressing the bottle neck into or out of the bottle locking hole 13.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the upper rim 14 is positioned concentrically with the locking rim 15. The diameter of the upper rim 14 is preferably slightly larger than or equal to the diameter of the locking rim 15. The upper rim 14 and the locking rim 15 are axially separated from each other by a bottle neck flange groove 10. A bottle neck flange of the bottle is positioned within the bottle neck flange groove 10 when the bottle is in the locked position. This is another means of securing the bottle in the locked position, by trapping the bottle neck flange within the bottle neck flange groove 10 between the upper rim 14 and the locking rim 15. The bottle neck flange groove 10 should be approximately the thickness of a typical bottle neck flange of a bottle, so that the bottle neck flange is physically trapped within the bottle neck flange groove 10 when the bottle is in the locked position.

The lower rim 16 is positioned around the locking rim 15, and preferably has a larger diameter than the locking rim 15. The outer skirt 17 is positioned around the bottle locking hole 13 and the lower rim 16.

The outer skirt 17, the lower rim 16, and the locking rim 15 have a tiered configuration. The outer skirt 17 is positioned around the lower rim 16 and the locking rim 15, and is positioned axially adjacent to the lower rim 16 opposite the locking rim 15, forming a consecutive, step-like configuration in two dimensions, from the locking rim 15 outward and downward to the outer skirt 17. This configuration aids stability of the bottle in the locked position, since the positioning of the lower rim 16 and the outer skirt 17 mimic the outwardly sloping portion of the bottle just below the bottle neck. The lower rim 16 and the outer skirt 17 press against subsequent portions of the bottle, preventing angular displacement of the bottle relative to the present invention.

The prying lip 22 and the leverage surface 21 are spaced apart from each other as can be seen in FIG. 1. The prying lip 22 of the bottle opener portion 2 is positioned adjacent to the bottle attachment portion 1, and the leverage surface 21 is positioned adjacent to the handle portion 3. The prying lip 22 and the leverage surface 21 are both symmetric about the central plane 4. The prying lip 22 is a round undercut or emboss with enough space to grab the lip of a bottle cap. The leverage surface 21 is preferably flat, and serves as the fulcrum for the bottle opening feature. Use of the prying lip 22 and the leverage surface 21 to open a bottle is illustrated in FIG. 6. The leverage surface 21 is preferably perpendicular to the central plane 4 and orthogonal to the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion 3 further comprises an overmolded insert connected to the prying lip 22. The overmolded insert is made from a durable material such as, but not limited to, metal, ceramic or hard plastic. The overmolded insert provides protection to the prying lip 22 and serves to extend the lifespan of the prying lip 22 if the prying lip 22 is otherwise made of a material which is likely to be damaged by extended use for opening bottles.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottle opener portion 2 further comprises a first flange 23 and a second flange 24, which are positioned laterally opposite each other along the bottle opener portion 2, wherein the lateral direction is perpendicular to the central plane 4. A first flange hole 231 traverses through the first flange 23, and a second flange hole 241 traverses through the second flange 24. A user may attach a clip, string or other fastener to the first flange hole 231 and/or the second flange hole 241 in order to attach or hang the present invention to another object such as a backpack or hook.

The handle portion 3 is oriented at an angle to the bottle attachment portion 1. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment the handle portion 3 is oriented perpendicular to the bottle attachment portion 1, though it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments the handle portion 3 may be oriented at a variety of different angles and still be useful for the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the handle comprises a handle hole 33. The handle hole 33 is positioned opposite the bottle opener portion 2 along the handle portion 3. Like the first flange hole 231 and the second flange hole 241, the handle hole 33 enables a user to fasten the present invention to another object for carrying or storage.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion 3 further comprises a first handle prying lip 31 and a second handle prying lip 32, which can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 7. The first handle prying lip 31 and the second handle prying lip 32 are positioned adjacent to the bottle opener portion 2 on the handle portion 3, and are positioned laterally opposite each other on the handle portion 3. The first handle prying lip 31 and the second handle prying lip 32 are each spaced apart from the leverage surface 21. The first handle prying lip 31 and the second handle prying lip 32 enable a user to open a glass bottle while a plastic bottle is secured in the locking position, as illustrated in FIG. 8. If the user attempted to open a glass bottle with the present invention attached to a plastic bottle, the user risks spilling the contents of or undesirably shaking one of the bottles.

The handle portion 3 may comprise a wide variety of shapes and configurations, so long as the handle portion 3 provides the user a convenient means to grip the present invention. The handle portion 3 may comprise ergonomic finger grooves for easier handling. Some alternate embodiments for the handle portion 3 are shown in FIGS. 9-11. An additional feature which may be comprised is a ring attached to the bottle attachment portion 1 on the outside of the outer skirt 17 adjacent to the bottle locking hole 13, providing a user another location for fastening or carrying the present invention. It should be noted that the handle portion 3 may also function as a hook that can be inserted into a pocket or hung on a hook, or bar, leaving the bottle exposed for easy access as illustrated in FIG. 12.

The present invention may be made of any suitable material that is light and strong enough for practicality and ease of use. Example manufacture methods and materials include, but are not limited to, injection molding, resin casting, rapid prototyping, plastics such as thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers, metals, or combinations of materials. Other features may also be added, such as a rubber or soft silicone grip on the handle portion 3, or over-molded metal inserts to increase the longevity of features such as the prying lip 22 of the bottle opener portion 2. Additionally, the present invention or certain components of the present invention may be painted or powder coated for aesthetic effects.

An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13-15 functions as a miniature version of the present invention, comprising only the bottle attachment portion and lacking the bottle insertion hole and any material between the locking edge 100 and the handle portion 3. The second preferred embodiment preferably also comprises a clip protrusion 102 comprising a clip protrusion hole 103 which facilitates the attachment of a clip or other fastener to the second preferred embodiment for easy carrying of a bottle by attaching the clip to another object such as a backpack. The second preferred embodiment may also comprise flanges and flange holes similar to those comprised on the bottle opener portion 2 in the primary preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A bottle holder comprises:

a bottle attachment portion comprising a bottle locking hole, a locking rim, an upper rim, a first tapered edge and a second tapered edge;

the bottle locking hole being delineated by the locking rim;

the upper rim being positioned concentrically with the locking rim; and

the upper rim and the locking rim being separated from each other by a bottle neck flange groove.

2. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the locking rim being partially circular in shape.

3. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the locking rim being dimensioned to snugly accommodate a bottle neck of a bottle.

4. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 3 comprises:

the locking rim having a smaller diameter than a bottle neck flange of the bottle, wherein the bottle neck flange is positioned within a bottle neck flange groove when the bottle is secured within the bottle locking hole.

5. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the upper rim having a larger diameter than the locking rim.

6. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the first tapered edge and the second tapered edge each comprise a locking edge;

the locking edge being positioned adjacent to the locking rim; and

a distance between the locking edge of the first tapered edge and the locking edge of the second tapered edge being less than the diameter of the locking rim.

7. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the bottle attachment portion further comprises a lower rim; and

the lower rim being positioned around the locking rim.

8. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the locking rim being positioned axially between the upper rim and a lower rim of the bottle attachment portion.

9. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the bottle attachment portion further comprises an outer skirt; and

the outer skirt being positioned around the bottle locking hole and a lower rim of the bottle attachment portion.

10. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the locking rim, an outer skirt of the bottle attachment portion, and a lower rim of the bottle attachment portion having a tiered configuration.

11. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a bottle opener portion;

a handle portion;

the bottle attachment portion further comprises a bottle insertion hole and a transition hole;

the bottle opener portion comprises a leverage surface and a prying lip;

the bottle opener portion being positioned adjacent to the bottle insertion hole opposite the bottle locking hole;

the handle portion being positioned adjacent to the bottle opener portion opposite the bottle insertion hole, wherein the handle portion is offset from the bottle attachment portion by the bottle opener portion;

the transition hole traversing from the bottle insertion hole to the bottle locking hole, wherein the bottle insertion hole, the transition hole and the bottle locking hole are interconnected with each other;

the transition hole being delineated by the first tapered edge and the second tapered edge, wherein the transition hole tapers from the bottle insertion hole to the bottle locking hole;

the locking edge being positioned opposite the bottle insertion hole along the first tapered edge and the second tapered edge; and

the prying lip and the leverage surface being spaced apart from each other.

12. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the bottle insertion hole being larger than the bottle locking hole.

13. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 12 comprises:

the outer skirt being positioned around the lower rim and the locking rim; and

the outer skirt being positioned adjacent to the lower rim opposite the locking rim.

14. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the prying lip being positioned adjacent to the bottle attachment portion; and

the leverage surface being positioned adjacent to the handle portion.

15. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the handle portion being oriented at an angle to the bottle attachment portion.

16. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the handle portion being oriented perpendicular to the bottle attachment portion.

17. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the handle portion comprises a handle hole.

18. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 17 comprises:

the handle hole being positioned opposite the bottle opener portion on the handle portion.

19. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the bottle opener portion further comprises a first flange and a second flange;

the first flange and the second flange being positioned laterally opposite each other along the bottle opener portion;

a first flange hole traversing through the first flange; and

a second flange hole traversing through the second flange.

20. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the handle portion further comprises a first handle prying lip and a second handle prying lip;

the first handle prying lip and the second handle prying lip being positioned adjacent to the bottle opener portion;

the first handle prying lip and the second handle prying lip being positioned laterally opposite each other on the handle portion; and

the first handle prying lip and the second handle prying lip each being spaced apart from the leverage surface.

21. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the handle portion further comprises an overmolded insert;

the overmolded insert being connected to the prying lip; and

the overmolded insert being made of a durable material.

22. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the overmolded insert being made of metal.

23. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 11 comprises:

the handle portion comprises a soft grip.

24. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 22 comprises:

the soft grip being made from a rubber material.

25. The bottle holder as claimed in claim 22 comprises:

the soft grip being made from a silicone material.