Mouth guard for beverage containers

Abstract

A mouth guard is attachable to a beverage container for protecting a mouth of a user when consuming a beverage from the container is provided. The container has an opening defined by a substantially circular edge. The mouth guard includes a cylindrical body having a first portion coupled to a second portion and a fluid passageway extending longitudinally through the first and second portions of the body. The first portion includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter, and the second portion includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first portion. The top end of the first portion is coupled to the bottom end of the second portion. The outer diameter of the first portion is sized such that at least a portion of the first portion securely fits within the container opening, and the second portion is configured to extend over the circular edge of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to mouth guards for beverage containers, and more particularly to a mouth guard having an upper portion made from a resilient material.

The consumer beverage industry is a large and diverse industry that extends throughout the United States and the world. Each year millions of dollars are invested and generated from the consumer beverage industry. The consumer beverage industry includes the manufacturing and processing of a variety of beverages such as, but not limited to, beer, liquor, soft drinks (e.g., soda and fruit juices), sports drinks and water. These beverages are packaged and sold to consumers in beverage containers such as, but not limited to, plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminum bottles, aluminum cans and other containers.

The consumer beverage industry sells these types of beverages packaged in beverage containers to a variety of businesses and organizations that then provide them to a consumer. For example, the beverage industry may sell bottled beer to a grocery store or a supermarket which in turn may sell the bottled beer to a consumer. A further example includes the beverage industry selling bottled beer to a restaurant or bar which then in turn sells it to a consumer. In either case, the consumer may consume the bottled beer by drinking it directly from the bottle.

There are many known situations where a consumer may consume a beverage that is packaged in a beverage container such as a bottle (plastic, glass, or aluminum) by drinking it directly from the bottle. In at least some known cases, the consumer may drink a beverage directly from a bottle while in a crowded bar or restaurant, or while the consumer is on the move either walking or driving. In these known cases, consumers can be injured while consuming the beverage from the bottle impacting the consumer's mouth region. This can be caused by the consumer themselves or by someone impacting the consumer while the consumer is trying to consume the beverage.

For example, a consumer that is drinking a bottle of beer while in a crowded bar may be accidentally bumped into by another patron. If this bumping occurs while the consumer is trying to drink from the bottle, the consumer can accidentally strike their own mouth or teeth with the mouth of the bottle, causing significant damage and injury to the consumer's mouth and/or teeth. This can result in significant pain and money damages to the consumer, and can also result in a confrontation between the consumer and the patron.

Providing a device that would protect a consumer's mouth and teeth while consuming a beverage from a beverage container would help to prevent these types of injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a mouth guard is attachable to a beverage container for protecting a mouth of a user when consuming a beverage from the container is provided. The container has an opening defined by a substantially circular edge. The mouth guard includes a cylindrical body having a first portion coupled to a second portion and a fluid passageway extending longitudinally through the first and second portions of the body. The first portion includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter and the second portion includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first portion. The top end of the first portion is coupled to the bottom end of the second portion. The outer diameter of the first portion is sized such that at least a portion of the first portion securely fits within the container opening, and the second portion is configured to extend over the circular edge of the container.

In another aspect, a beverage container having an opening defined by a substantially circular edge, and a mouth guard coupled to the beverage container opening is provided. The mouth guard includes a cylindrical body having a first portion coupled to a second portion, and a fluid passageway extending longitudinally through the first and second portions of the body. The first portion includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter, and the second portion includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first portion. The top end of the first portion is coupled to the bottom end of the second portion. The outer diameter of the first portion is sized such that at least a portion of the first portion securely fits within the container opening. The second portion is configured to extend over the circular edge of the container opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example embodiment of a mouth guard inserted into a bottle.

FIG. 2 is an exaggerated example embodiment of a mouth guard inserted into a bottle.

FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c are example embodiments of a mouth guard.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of a mouth guard with anchoring devices.

FIG. 5 is and alternative embodiment of a mouth guard including a skirt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention includes such modifications and variations.

FIG. 1 is an example embodiment of mouth guard device 10. Mouth guard 10 is inserted in beverage container 12 such as, but not limited to, a bottle 12 (plastic, glass, or aluminum) to form a liquid tight seal. Beverage container 12 contains a liquid 20 such as, but not limited to, beer, alcohol, cola, or fruit juice. After mouth guard 10 has been inserted, mouth guard 10 provides a barrier between bottle 12 and consumer.

Mouth guard 10 has a cylindrical body which includes a first portion 14, a fluid passageway 16, and a second portion 18. First portion 14 is made from a first material. The first material is selected from a group consisting of, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, PET, natural cork, and synthetic cork. First portion 14 includes an opening 24 allowing free flow of liquid. Second portion 18 provides the protection from the top of the beverage container 12 which is usually the cause of the injury. Second portion 18 is made from a resilient material. The resilient material is selected from a group consisting of, but not limited to, rubber, silicone, and a foamed material. Passageway 16 is inserted inside the beverage container 12 to allow the fluid contained in the container to flow out when a consumer places the container at an angle.

The first portion 14 includes a bottom end, a top end and an outer diameter. The second portion 18 includes a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter. The diameter of the second portion 18 is greater than the outer diameter of the first portion 14.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of mouth guard 10 inserted in bottle 12. Mouth guard 10 provides a liquid tight seal with inside 22 of beverage container 12 so no liquid 20 is able to escape between the first portion 14 and an inside 22 of beverage container 12. When mouth guard 10 is fully inserted, liquid 20 is able to freely pass into opening 24 in first portion 14 of mouth guard 10, through passageway 16, and out the second portion 18 of mouth guard 10. This allows consumer to drink the liquid 20 with mouth guard 10 in place.

FIG. 3a is a top view of mouth guard 10. Second portion 18 guards the consumer's mouth and teeth when it is inserted in beverage container 12. Opening 24 extends from second portion 18 through the first portion 14 of mouth guard 10.

FIG. 3b is a cut-away portion of mouth guard 10 which shows passageway 16 is connected to second portion 18. Passageway 16 and second portion 18 are connected with a smooth transition allowing liquid 20 to flow through opening 24 without any disruptions which would disturb liquid 20 on the way to consumer.

FIG. 3c is a bottom view of mouth guard 10. Second portion 18 connects to beverage container 12 by a groove 26 to provide the liquid tight seal. Groove 26 forms the seal with the top of beverage container 12 and prevents any liquid 20 in beverage container 12 from escaping from anywhere other than the intended opening 24 through passageway 16.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment showing a mouth guard device 50 inserted in beverage container 52. Mouth guard 50 includes anchoring devices 54 which hold mouth guard 50 in beverage container 52. Anchoring devices 54 such as, but not limited to, hooks, suction cups, or springs enable mouth guard 50 to be locked on to bottle 52 so that the mouth guard 50 stays on the beverage container 52.

The embodiment of mouth guard 50 includes a passageway 56 which liquid is able to be poured out of beverage container 52. Mouth guard 50 is described above.

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment showing a mouth guard device 60 with an outer skirt 64 configured to roll over beverage container 62. Skirt 64 is connected to mouth guard 60 and can then be rolled down beverage container 62 to encompass beverage container 62 completely or any portion thereof. Skirt 64 is made of a material such as, but not limited to, rubber, a spandex material, or latex. Skirt 64 may also have a thermal component enabling skirt 64 to keep the liquid in beverage container 62 cold. Skirt 64 can have indicia printed on it in many forms such as, but not limited to, bar logos, brands, advertised specials, sports teams, or fundraising benefits. Further parts of mouth guard 60 are described above.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A mouth guard attachable to a beverage container for protecting a mouth of a user when consuming a beverage from the container, the container having an opening defined by a substantially circular edge, said mouth guard comprising:

a cylindrical body comprising a first portion coupled to a second portion; and

a fluid passageway extending longitudinally through said first and said second portions of said body,

said first portion comprising a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter,

said second portion comprising a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said first portion,

wherein said top end of said first portion is coupled to said bottom end of said second portion, said outer diameter of said first portion sized such that at least a portion of said first portion securely fits within the container opening, and said second portion configured to extend over the circular edge of the container.

2. A mouth guard in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first portion is made from a first material, and said second portion is made from a second material, said second material comprising a resilient material.

3. A mouth guard in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion are made from a resilient material.

4. A mouth guard in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, PET, natural cork, and synthetic cork.

5. A mouth guard in accordance with claim 2 wherein said resilient material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, and a foamed material.

6. A mouth guard in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a skirt coupled to said first portion and outwardly extending from said body, said skirt sized to securely fit around an upper portion of the container.

7. A mouth guard in accordance with claim 6 wherein said skirt comprises indicia printed thereon.

8. A beverage container comprising:

an opening defined by a substantially circular edge; and

a mouth guard coupled to said beverage container opening, said mouth guard comprising:

a cylindrical body comprising a first portion coupled to a second portion; and

a fluid passageway extending longitudinally through said first and said second portions of said body,

said first portion comprising a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter,

said second portion comprising a bottom end, a top end, and an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said first portion,

wherein said top end of said first portion is coupled to said bottom end of said second portion, said outer diameter of said first portion sized such that at least a portion of said first portion securely fits within said container opening, and said second portion configured to extend over said circular edge of said container opening.

9. A beverage container in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first portion is made from a first material, and said second portion is made from a second material, said second material comprising a resilient material.

10. A beverage container in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first portion and said second portion are made from a resilient material.

11. A beverage container in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, PET, natural cork, and synthetic cork.

12. A beverage container in accordance with claim 9 wherein said resilient material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, and a foamed material.

13. A beverage container in accordance with claim 8 wherein said mouth guard further comprising a skirt coupled to said first portion and outwardly extending from said body, said skirt sized to securely fit around an upper portion of said beverage container.

14. A beverage container in accordance with claim 13 wherein said skirt comprises indicia printed thereon.