Bottle holder

Abstract

The invention provides a device and methods for holding a container such as a bottle, for example, a nail polish bottle, in a vertical or non-vertical position on an irregular or unstable surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for holding a container, such as, for example, a bottle. The invention is particularly suitable for holding a nail polish bottle on an irregular or unstable surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Open containers containing a fluid or solid material are subject to spillage if they are not properly secured. Conventional bottle holders, for example, that are used to avoid spillage are designed to secure a bottle in a vertical position, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,755,380 or D441,914. However, under some circumstances it is advantageous to secure a bottle in a non-vertical position. Nail polish bottles, for example, consist of a flat bottomed bottle filled with nail polish and an elongated cap attached to a brush that is inserted into the nail polish. When a portion of the nail polish is used, the bottle must be positioned non-vertically in order to capture nail polish on the brush. For example, the bottle must be tilted at an increasingly diagonal angle as the quantity of nail polish in the bottle decreases, until the bottle is tilted to an almost horizontal position when there is very little nail polish remaining in the bottle. Some nail polish bottle holders hold the bottle in a pivoted position relative to a scaffold base, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,685,147 or D496,757. However, these holders are not stable when placed on irregular or unstable surfaces.

The unstable nature of a nail polish bottle requires that it be placed on a flat, non-moving, horizontal surface so that the bottle does not overturn. Even if placed on a flat surface, such as a table, nail polish bottles are easily over-turned during use, resulting spillage that is damaging to surfaces and difficult or impossible to remove. There are also numerous circumstances in which a user polishes their nails on an uneven or moving surface, such as a bed, sofa, carpet, or in a moving vehicle, in which case the nail polish bottle must be placed on a surface that is unstable, either because it is uneven, soft or is subject to jolting motion.

There is therefore a need for a holder that is stable on an uneven or unstable surface and that can hold a container, such as a bottle, in any desired position, such as a vertical or non-vertical position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a holder that is made of a casing that is at least partially filled with a stabilizing material. The holder is shaped and weighted so that it is stationary when placed on an irregular or unstable surface. The holder contains a flexible well that is shaped to accommodate a container in any position, for example, vertical, diagonal, or horizontal. In an embodiment, container is a bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle is a nail polish bottle.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for holding and stabilizing a bottle in a non-vertical position by placing a bottle in the flexible well of the holder of the invention and positioning the bottle in a non-vertical position. The holder may be placed on an irregular or unstable surface with a minimal risk that the bottle will overturn and spill its contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1b is a cross section of the embodiment of the holder illustrated in FIG. 1a.

FIG. 2a is a top view of an embodiment of a casing in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2a is a top view of an embodiment of a casing in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3a is a side view of an embodiment of the holder inside-out, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3b is another side view of an embodiment of the holder inside out, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder containing a bottle in a vertical position, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4b is a cross section of the embodiment of the holder illustrated in FIG. 4a.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder containing a bottle in a diagonal position, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5b is a cross section of the embodiment of the holder illustrated in FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder containing a bottle in a horizontal position, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6b is a cross section of the embodiment of the holder illustrated in FIG. 6a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and any such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

An embodiment of the holder of the invention is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1a and designated generally at 1. The base of the holder 1 is pictured as having a substantially square shape but may have any other suitable or desired shape, such as, for example, a circular, oval, rectangular, or star shape. Referring to FIG. 1b, the holder 1 has a well 2, into which a container may be placed. The inside of the holder 1 contains a weighted stabilizing material 3 that is surrounded by a casing 4. The well 2 is flexible in that it is shaped to hold a container when placed therein or can mold to the shape of a container that is placed therein. For example, at least part of the casing 4 (e.g., the portion of the casing 4 within the well 2) may be made of a stretchable material, for example, a polyester and nylon blend. FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate exemplary designs 5 for a casing 4 that can be sewed to make the holder 1 of the invention. FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate an embodiment of the holder 1 of the invention in which the material that comprises the well 2 of the casing 4 is withdrawn from the center of the holder 1.

FIG. 4a illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a nail polish bottle 6 is placed in the holder 1 in a vertical position. Although a nail polish bottle 6 is pictured, it is anticipated that any bottle or other container that requires stabilization may be placed in the holder 1. FIG. 4b illustrates that the nail polish bottle 6 is able to fit securely into the flexible well 2, such that the weighted stabilizing material 3 at least partially surrounds the bottle 6.

FIG. 5a illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a nail polish bottle 6 is placed in the holder 1 in a diagonal position. FIG. 5b illustrates that the nail polish bottle 6 is able to fit securely into the well 2 when placed at an angle, and that the well 2 is flexible in that it can shift position relative to the remainder of the holder 1.

FIG. 6a illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a nail polish bottle 6 is placed in the holder 1 in a horizontal position. FIG. 6b illustrates that the nail polish bottle 6 is able to fit securely into the well 2 when placed in a horizontal position, and that the well 2 is flexible in that it can shift position relative to the holder 1.

The stabilizing material 3 can be any solid or fluid material that at least partially fills the casing 4. The stabilizing material 3 should be of sufficient weight so as to create enough friction between the holder 1 and the surface on which it is placed for the holder 1 to remain stationary and stable. In an embodiment, the stabilizing material 3 consists of beads or other particulate matter. In an embodiment, the stabilizing material 3 is made of plastic (such as, for example, polystyrene), metal (such as, for example, stainless steel), wood, gel, paper, Styrofoam, or a combination thereof.

The casing 4 is made of any natural or synthetic material, such as, for example, cloth, plastic, vinyl, leather, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the casing 4 is made of cotton, wool, silk, polyester, nylon, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the casing 4 is decorative. For example, the casing 4 may have a decorative color, print, or texture, or a combination thereof.

The holder 1 of the invention may be used on any surface or in any situation, but is of particular use on irregular surfaces, such as a non-horizontal surface, or an unstable surface, such as a bed, couch, carpet, or a surface in a moving vehicle, for example. In an embodiment, a container 6, such as a bottle, may be placed in the holder 1 in a vertical or non-vertical position, such as a diagonal or horizontal position, and remain stable there such that its contents do not spill out.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for holding and stabilizing a container 6 in a non-vertical position by positioning a container 6 in the holder 1 of the invention in a non-vertical position. The holder 1 is placed on an irregular or unstable surface and stabilizes the container 6.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The contents of all cited references (including literature references, patents, patent applications, and websites) that may be cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

EQUIVALENTS

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced herein.

Claims

1. A holder comprising a casing at least partially filled with a stabilizing material, wherein: the holder is weighted such that it is stationary when placed on an irregular or unstable surface, the holder comprising a flexible well that is shaped to accommodate a container, wherein the container remains stationary when placed in the well in a non-vertical position if the holder is placed on an irregular or unstable surface.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the container is a nail polish bottle.

3. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing material comprises particulate matter.

4. The holder according to claim 3, wherein the stabilizing material comprises beads.

5. The holder according to claim 3, wherein the particulate matter comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of gel, paper, plastic, Styrofoam, metal, and wood.

6. The holder according to claim 3, wherein the particulate matter comprises polystyrene.

7. The holder according to claim 3, wherein the particulate matter comprises stainless steel.

8. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the casing comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of cotton, wool, silk, polyester, nylon, vinyl, and leather.

9. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the casing is decorative.

10. The holder according to claim 1, further in combination with a nail polish bottle positioned in a vertical or non-vertical position.

11. A method of stabilizing a container in a non-vertical position, comprising positioning a container in a non-vertical position in the holder of claim 1.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the holder is placed on an irregular or unstable surface.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the container is a nail polish bottle.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the container is positioned in a diagonal position.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the container is positioned in a substantially horizontal position.