Beverage bottle with detachable bottom compartment and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present invention refers to a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment as well as a method of product promotion and a method of storing a device associated with the beverage bottle using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment. The beverage bottle comprises a top body portion; an intermediate body portion; and a bottom body portion, wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to each other to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle, and wherein the top body portion is coupled to the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle are coupled or merged in an integral manner in such a way that the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle formed therein comprises a single piece. In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the top and intermediate body portions of the beverage bottle are coupled or merged in an integral manner forming a single piece.

Description

The present invention refers generally to beverage bottles and, more specifically, to a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment. The present invention also refers to methods of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment and, more specifically, to a method of product promotion and a method of storing a device associated with the beverage bottle using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are few effective ways of promoting articles or storing a device in a beverage bottle. The solutions found to promote articles or store a device in beverage bottles are very complicated, are highly expensive or have a limited promotional impact. For example, British Patent Application No. GB 2 264 921 A describes a device for promoting articles in a beverage bottle through the attachment of a plastic collar capable of holding promotional articles in the neck of the beverage bottle.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,524,788, 5,813,563 or 6,032,820 describe devices for article promotion in a beverage bottle like, for example, a bottle cap, with a compartment capable of housing promotional articles in the top part of the bottle.

On the other hand, the use of a bottom compartment in a beverage bottle is known in the art but presents solutions found for different use objectives as well as shows versatility, cost, structure and complexity drawbacks. For example, international application WO 02/10027 from Wait describes a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment used for the storage of small personal items while the owner is engaged in sport activities such as, for example, cycling. Despite having a bottom compartment for storing different personal items, the bottle of Wait does not describe or suggest the use of the bottle for promoting articles or storing articles associated with the beverage bottle.

Likewise, international application WO 95/24178 of Hamilton describes a beverage container with a detachable bottom compartment for housing a baby bottle teat. Despite having a bottom compartment for housing a teat, the bottle of Hamilton does not describe or suggest the use of the compartment for promoting articles.

In order to overcome these and other inconveniences and further allow different uses, a new beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment and methods of using the same have been developed and are being sought to be protected in the present application, consisting of a beverage bottle comprising a top body portion, an intermediate body portion, and a bottom body portion, wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to each other to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment and wherein the top body portion is coupled to the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The characteristic details of the novel beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment as well as the methods of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles or storing a device associated with the beverage bottle are clearly shown in the following description and drawings being provided.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles and storing a device associated with the beverage bottle.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for storing or containing promotional articles.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with a beverage bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details being referred to in the drawings are described next for a better understanding of the present invention:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention, showing the top, intermediate and bottom body portions in a disengaged configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the top body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view of the top body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the top body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the intermediate body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the intermediate body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of the intermediate body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the bottom body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom perspective view of the bottom body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of the bottom body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom plan view of the bottom body portion of a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show, respectively, a front elevation view and a side elevation view of a bottle with a detachable bottom compartment of the present invention with promotional articles inside the interior of the detachable bottom compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment is described being capable of promoting articles and storing a device associated with the beverage bottle. As observed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the beverage bottle 1 comprises a top body portion 10, an intermediate body portion 20 and a bottom body portion 30, wherein the intermediate body portion 20 and the bottom body portion 30 are coupled to each other to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle 1, and wherein the top body portion 10 is coupled to the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle 1.

As observed in FIGS. 3 through 5, the top body portion 10 of the beverage bottle 1 holds the beverage liquid and comprises a lid 12 coupled to an end of a neck portion 14 which is merged integrally with a shoulder portion 16, which is also coupled with a cylindrical sidewall portion 18 and which is merged ultimately with a base portion 17. The outer surface of the inferior part of the cylindrical sidewall portion 18 merged with the base portion 17 comprises coupling means 15 such as threaded fastening means, push-fit means or the like, that allow the coupling to the intermediate body portion 20. The base portion 17 of the top body portion 10 of the beverage bottle 1 comprises a plane portion which is in a horizontal plane.

As observed in FIGS. 6 through 8, the intermediate body portion 20 comprises a cylindrical sidewall portion 25 with an open top end 24 and an open bottom end 26. The inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the intermediate body portion 20 comprises coupling means 22 such as threaded fastening means, push-fit means or the like, in the open top end 24 and the open bottom end 26 that allow the coupling of the outer surface of the bottom part of the cylindrical sidewall portion 18 merged to the base portion 17 of the top body portion 10 and the bottom body portion 30. The intermediate body portion 20, preferably, further includes optionally a wave-form raised pattern over the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the intermediate body portion 20.

As observed in FIGS. 9 through 12, the bottom body portion 30 comprises a top part 34 and a base structure 36. The base structure 36 is merged to the top part 34 integrally and comprises a design suitable to maintain the bottle standing. The outer surface of the top part 34 of the bottom body portion 30 comprises coupling means 32 such as threaded fastening means, push-fit means or the like, that allows the coupling to the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the open bottom end 26 of the intermediate body portion 20.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, as can be observed in FIGS. 13 and 14, the hollow detachable bottom compartment forming from the coupling between the intermediate body portion 20 with the bottom body portion 30 is at least substantially transparent and one or more promotional articles or the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the hollow detachable bottom compartment forming from the coupling between the intermediate body portion 20 with the bottom body portion 30 is at least substantially opaque such that one or more promotional articles or the device associated with the beverage bottle can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In the use configuration of the beverage bottle 1 with the detachable bottom compartment for containing promotional articles or storing a device associated with the beverage bottle 1, the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle 1 formed from the coupling of the intermediate body portion 20 to the bottom body portion 30 contains in the hollow part one or more promotional articles or the device associated with the beverage bottle 1. Once the hollow part of the detachable bottom compartment contains one or more promotional articles or the device associated with the beverage bottle 1, the detachable bottom compartment is then coupled to the base portion 17 of the top body portion 10 of the beverage bottle 1 holding the liquid through the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the intermediate body portion 20.

The coupling of the base portion 17 of the top body portion 10 of the beverage bottle 1 holding liquid to the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the intermediate body portion 20 is possible as both parts comprise corresponding coupling means 15 and 22 such as threaded fastening or push-fit means. Likewise, the coupling of the outer surface of the top part 34 of the bottom body portion 30 to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall portion 25 of the intermediate body portion 20 is possible as both parts also comprise corresponding coupling means 22 and 32 such as threaded fastening or push-fit means.

In the use configuration of the beverage bottle 1 with the detachable bottom compartment, it can be observed that, once that the top, intermediate and bottom body portions 10, 20 and 30 are duly coupled, the intermediate and bottom body portions 20 and 30 serve as an extension to the top body portion 10 of the beverage bottle 1 containing liquid.

A desired feature of the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment consists in that the bottle is made of a plastic material such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

In another embodiment of the present invention not illustrated in the figures, the intermediate and bottom body portions 20 and 30 of the beverage bottle 1 are coupled or merged in an integral manner in such a way that the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle 1 formed therein comprises a single piece. The single-piece hollow detachable bottom compartment also couples itself to the base portion 17 of the top body portion 10 of the beverage bottle 1 containing liquid. The hollow detachable bottom compartment formed from the coupling of the intermediate body portion 20 to the bottom body portion 30 in an integral manner forming therein a single piece is at least substantially transparent.

In another alternate embodiment of the present invention where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent and one or more promotional items or the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the intermediate and bottom body portions, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque such that one or more promotional items or the device associated with the beverage bottle can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention not illustrated in the figures, the top 10 and intermediate body portions 20 are coupled or merged in an integral manner forming therein a single piece. Said configuration allows the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle 1 to open and close by means of the coupling and disengagement between the outer surface of the top part 34 of the bottom body portion 30 and the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the intermediate body portion 20. The hollow detachable bottom compartment formed from the coupling of the top body portion 10 and the intermediate body portion 20 in an integral manner forming therein a single piece is at least substantially transparent.

In another alternate embodiment of the present invention where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the top and intermediate body portions, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent such that one or more promotional items or the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the top and intermediate body portions, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque such that one or more promotional items or the device associated with the beverage bottle can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles is described. The method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for product promotion comprises the following steps: providing a beverage bottle comprises the following steps: providing a beverage bottle comprising a top body portion; an intermediate body portion; and a bottom body portion, wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; placing one or more promotional articles inside the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; and closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; and closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle. The method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment further comprises that the beverage bottle is placed on display like, for example, for potential clients.

The step of opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle of the method of promoting articles using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment is carried out through the disengagement of a top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle with a base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid. Likewise, the step of closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle of the method of promoting articles using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment is carried out through the coupling of the base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid with the top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles, the hollow detachable bottom compartment made from the coupling between the intermediate body portion with the bottom body portion is at least substantially transparent and one or more promotional items can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles, the hollow detachable bottom compartment made from the coupling between the intermediate body portion with the bottom body portion is at least substantially opaque such that one or more promotional items can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles not illustrated in the figures, the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle are coupled or merged in an integral manner in such that the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle formed therein comprises a single piece. The single-piece hollow detachable bottom compartment also couples itself to the base portion of the top body portion of the beverage bottle containing liquid.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent and one or more promotional items can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In a yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque and one or more promotional items can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles not illustrated in the figures, the top and intermediate body portions are coupled or merged in an integral manner forming therein a single piece. Said configuration allows the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle to open and close by means of the coupling and disengagement between the outer surface of the top part of the bottom body portion and the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the bottom open end 26 of the intermediate body portion 20.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the top and intermediate body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent and one or more promotional items can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In a yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the top and intermediate body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque and one or more promotional items can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle is described. The method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle comprises the following steps: providing a beverage bottle comprising a top body portion; an intermediate body portion; and a bottom body portion, wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; placing a device associated with the beverage bottle inside the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; and closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

The step of opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle of the method of storing a device associated with the beverage bottle using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment is carried out through the disengagement of a top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle with a base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid. Likewise, the step of closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle of the method of storing a device associated with the beverage bottle using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment is carried out through the coupling of the base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid with the top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment made from the coupling between the intermediate body portion with the bottom body portion is at least substantially transparent and the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In a yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment made from the coupling between the intermediate body portion with the bottom body portion is at least substantially opaque such that the device associated with the beverage bottle can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle not illustrated in the figures, the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle are coupled or merged in an integral manner in such a way that the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle formed therein comprises a single piece. The single-piece hollow detachable bottom compartment also couples itself to the base portion of the top body portion of the beverage bottle containing liquid.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent and the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In a yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the intermediate and bottom body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque such that the device associated with the beverage bottle can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

In yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle not illustrated in the figures, the top and intermediate body portions are coupled or merged in an integral manner forming therein a single piece. Said configuration allows the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle to open and close by means of the coupling and disengagement between the outer surface of the top part of the bottom body portion and the inner surface of a cylindrical sidewall portion 25 of the open bottom end 26 of the intermediate body portion 20.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the top and intermediate body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent and the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment. In a yet another alternate embodiment of the method of using the beverage bottle with the detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle where the hollow detachable bottom compartment comprises a single piece made from the integral merging between the top and intermediate body portions of the beverage bottle, the hollow detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque such that the device associated with the beverage bottle can not be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

Claims

1. A beverage bottle comprising:

a top body portion;

an intermediate body portion; and

a bottom body portion;

wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to each other to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle, and

wherein the top body portion is coupled to the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

2. A beverage bottle in according with claim 1, wherein the top body portion holds the beverage liquid.

3. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially transparent.

4. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the detachable bottom compartment is at least substantially opaque.

5. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top body portion comprises a lid coupled to an end of a neck portion which is merged integrally with a shoulder portion, which is also merged with a cylindrical sidewall portion and which is merged ultimately with a base portion.

6. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 5, wherein the cylindrical sidewall portion of the top body portion comprises coupling means that allow the coupling of the top body portion with the intermediate body portion.

7. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 6, wherein the coupling means are threaded fastening means.

8. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 6, wherein the coupling means are push-fit means.

9. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top and intermediate body portions are coupled or merged integrally forming a single piece.

10. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the detachable bottom compartment contains one or more promotional articles.

11. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 10, wherein the one or more promotional articles can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

12. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the detachable bottom compartment contains a device associated with the beverage bottle.

13. A beverage bottle in accordance with claim 12, wherein the device associated with the beverage bottle can be viewed from the exterior of the detachable bottom compartment.

14. A method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for promoting articles comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a beverage bottle comprising a top body portion; an intermediate body portion; and a bottom body portion, wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle, and wherein the top bottom portion is coupled to the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle;

(b) opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle;

(c) placing one or more promotional articles inside the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; and

(d) closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the step of opening: the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle is carried out through the disengagement of a top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle with a base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the step of closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle is carried out through the coupling of the base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid with the top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

17. A method of using a beverage bottle with a detachable bottom compartment for storing a device associated with the beverage bottle comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a beverage bottle comprising atop body portion; an intermediate body portion; and a bottom body portion, wherein the intermediate body portion and the bottom body portion are coupled to form a hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle, and wherein the top bottom portion is coupled to the hollow detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle;

(b) opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle;

(c) placing a device associated with the beverage bottle inside the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle; and

(d) closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the step of opening the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle is carried out through the disengagement of a top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle with a base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid.

19. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the step of closing the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle is carried out through the coupling of the base portion of the portion of the beverage bottle that holds liquid with the top portion of the detachable bottom compartment of the beverage bottle.

20. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the top and intermediate body portions are coupled or merged integrally forming a single piece.