BOTTLE WITH GRIPPING MECHANISM

Abstract

The present invention is a liquid container having an internal storage cavity with a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a neck area and a base area. The neck area contains an opening at its apex to permit entry and egress of liquids. The neck area also contains a handle that runs across a concave indentation, which is also part of the neck area. Furthermore, the handle's first point and second point are contained completely within the neck area. The handle's curvature is substantially the same as the curvature of the neck and it outer arc having the same radian value as the outer arc of the neck area. Equal radian values camouflage the presence of the claimed handle, reducing its potential jarring appearance, while also retaining the same overall shape of the exterior arc, thus largely alleviating the need to retool or reconfigure existing bottle making equipment or storage equipment.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority from currently pending U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 12/850,679 filed on Aug. 5, 2010, which claim the priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/273,604 filed on Aug. 6, 2009, the contents of all prior filings are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a unique container that incorporates a convenient gripping mechanism, such as a functional handle or two gripping concavities, into the neck area of an embodied container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container, particularly a beverage bottle having a gripping mechanism. The primary function of such a gripping mechanism is to assist with pouring of a liquid from the larger bottle into a smaller personal container, such as a cup. Although a beverage container with a gripping mechanism has been known in the art, it commonly suffers from functional and aesthetic disadvantages that the present invention seeks to resolve.

Family size beverage containers that exist in the art tend to be bulky, not having a convenient gripping facility. Even containers that have a handle, it exists generally more for design and image purposes, then for any practical usefulness. The inadequacy of the presently available gripping mechanism, such as handles, for beverage containers is compounded by the fact that beverage bottles containing liquid are usually refrigerated. The cold temperature of the liquid inside spreads to the surface of the container which attracts condensation at room temperature. The added condensation causes an already awkward handle to become slippery and tricky to hold, requiring excessive griping strain on one's hand or hands.

Ideally, a gripping mechanism on a container is meant to be of greatest assistance at the time when the beverage container is full, since this is the time when the container is the heaviest and most cumbersome. A gripping mechanism such as a handle should provide an enhanced grip to prevent spills caused by hand slippage. However, presently known handles do not satisfy this paradigm since they are actually more convenient to use when the container is not as full to the top.

An additional problem with the presently available containers having gripping mechanisms such as handles is that their appearance substantially differs from the appearance of containers that do not have a handle. Therefore, another important and novel improvement is that the present invention does not introduce any significant alteration to the shape of the bottle. In fact, the outline of a container remains the same. A change in the appearance of a bottle is a very significant event for a beverage company. When a manufacturer tends to use the same container for a long period of time, its shape becomes tantamount to a trademark that consumers associate with a specific manufacturer or brand. Some beverage producers have even registered the design of their beverage containers as a trade dress. Therefore, a significant change of appearance may have an immediate negative affect on consumption of a given beverage, as consumers may not initially recognize the new packaging, or may be discouraged from buying products having packaging that is perceived to be less attractive. And furthermore, the claimed change to a beverage bottle will not require a manufacturer to increase the overall size of the bottle to maintain presently supplied quantities. Most significantly, bottlers will be able to ship the bottles in currently manufactured crates, since the handled bottle of the present invention does not project past the wall of the soda container.

The machinery and processes used in bottle making are precisely calibrated over long periods of time to accommodate a specific bottle mold and a resulting shape of the bottle. The significant financial risk and difficulties associated with introduction of new packaging discourages bottle manufacturers from introducing new packaging, even if this packaging is superior to what is currently being used in the art. The present invention benefits the parties by not requiring the manufacturer to significantly change its molds, because all essential dimensions of an existing container are preserved.

Additionally, but equally important, is that the presently claimed gripping mechanisms are disposed at the crown. The crown tends to have a greater structural integrity then the rest of the bottle, due to its curved shape and proximity to components that by their nature need to be substantially more structurally robust then the rest of the container, such as the opening of a bottle. The structural enhancement ensures that the novel handled claimed in the present invention provides adequate strength to support all intended uses and strains.

Finally, the presently available bottle gripping mechanisms such as handles are designed for adult hands, which lead to children always needing adult help in handling beverage containers, and indirectly, to a high rate of spillage, in instances when an adult is not present or is not available. On the contrary, the present invention has a smaller cross sectional diameter, thereby giving children greater independence in using beverage containers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,525 discloses A new and unique bottle and attachable handle and method of forming and assembling the same. The bottle includes a recess in its sidewall which provides space for finger placement and means for attaching the handle substantially therewithin. The handle is attached to the sidewall of the bottle at the upper and lower portions of the recess and essentially lies within the breadth of the bottle and preferably substantially within the recess. The handle and bottle can be attached by interlocking, welding, bonding, or adhesive means. For such attachment the handle and bottle have coating surfaces which provide vertical and horizontal bearing surfaces therebetween for lifting and carrying the bottle and for pouring therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,596 teaches A liquid storage bottle is provided with a generally cylindrical liquid storage chamber and an integral handle. A well is formed in the liquid storage chamber to accommodate the handle. The walls of the well are configured to prevent water from pooling thereon, and to allow a cleaning fluid to reach all inside surfaces of the bottle. The handle is configured for ease of cleaning the bottle. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle is closed-off from the liquid storage chamber. In another exemplary embodiment, the handle is configured to allow a water-safe cap easily to pass therethrough.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,267 discloses A liquid storage bottle is provided with a generally cylindrical liquid storage chamber and an integral handle. A well is formed in the liquid storage chamber to accommodate the handle. The walls of the well are configured to prevent water from pooling thereon, and to allow a cleaning fluid to reach all inside surfaces of the bottle. The handle is configured for ease of cleaning the bottle. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle is closed-off from the liquid storage chamber. In another exemplary embodiment, the handle is configured to allow a water-safe cap easily to pass therethrough.

Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address the entire problem solved by the invention described herein. Several embodiment of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a liquid container having an internal storage cavity with a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a neck area and a base area. The neck area contains an opening at its apex to permit entry and egress of liquids. The neck area also contains a gripping mechanism such as a handle that runs across a concave indentation, which is also part of the neck area. Furthermore, the handle's first point and second point are contained completely within the neck area. The handle's curvature is substantially the same as the curvature of the neck and it outer arc having the same radian value as the outer arc of the neck area. Equal radian values camouflage the presence of the claimed handle, reducing its potential jarring appearance, while also retaining the same overall shape of the exterior arc, thus largely alleviating the need to retool or reconfigure existing bottle making equipment or storage equipment. Alternatively, the gripping mechanism may be a pair of gripping concavities—indentations on the surface of the bottle at the neck area wherein the concavities allow one or more fingers to fit in and grip the bottle.

Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and other, not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container with a handle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container with two gripping concavities.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid container whose appearance is not altered by the presence of a handle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container whose production will not require significant retooling and calibration.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container suitable for pouring by adults and children.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handle or gripping concavities that are ergonomically comfortable to use by adults, children, and by persons unable to adequately grip objects, such as those afflicted with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and robust liquid container having a handle or gripping concavities.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a handle or gripping concavities that resists slippage.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container with a handle or gripping concavities that enables for convenient and effortless tilting and manipulation of a bottle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a handle or gripping concavities that facilitates an easy removal of such container from a crate that is full of other similar containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view the present invention with a perspective view of a handle disposed thereon.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the present invention with a side view of a handle disposed thereon.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the present invention, showing an alternative embodiment of a handle that does not reach the second point on the neck area.

FIG. 4 shows a side view the present invention with a front view of a handle disposed thereon.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a tunnel in place of a concave indentation.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5

FIG. 8 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities.

FIG. 9 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities.

FIG. 10 is bottom view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities.

FIG. 11 is a first side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities.

FIG. 12 is a second side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities.

FIG. 13 is a back view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

FIG. 1 is a side view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, disclosing a perspective view of a handle. Shown in detail are a storage cavity 5, a container 10, a sidewall 20, a neck area 30, a top opening 40, having a cover 45, a concave indentation 50, an outer surface 60, a handle 70, a first point 80, and a second point 90. The container 10 is preferably intended for liquids fit for human consumption. However, the same concepts will be beneficial for liquids that are unfit for human consumption as well, such as detergents, cleaning agents, adhesives, as well pourable powdered solids. The container is preferably made of a verity of polymer substances used in the art, and may also be made out of paper, ceramics or glass, and also less pliable or commonly used materials, such as wood or metal. The preferred handle 70 is preferably made out of the same material as the rest of the container 10 and may also be made out of a different material.

A typical plastic container is formed using a combination of blow molding techniques, such as, but not limited to, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and stretch blow molding. A typical manufacturing process includes the steps of forming a parison or preform out of a section of hot raw material, by blowing compressed gas, usually air, into an opening on one end of the raw material. The blowing air expands the preform, pressing it against walls of a mold, in the process also forming the top opening 40 into a hard area that may contain a thread or frictional elements (not shown). To create the handle embodied in the present invention, a manufacturer will not need to create an entirely new mold, but can make due with inserts or accents forming the indentation 50 and the handle 70 in the neck area 30. These accents or inserts may be removable thus affording the possibility of the making several types of containers using the same mold, namely a container having a handle 70 and a container not having one. Alternatively, the indentation with the handle may be added as a separate step while the neck area 30 of the container 10 is still hot and pliable from the molding process.

The present invention is shown as disposed on a liquid container bottle 10, preferably a soft drink bottle or otherwise a bottle having a liquid fit for human consumption. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 70 begins at the first point 80 and terminates at the second point 90. Soft drinks are heavily favored by young children, for whom a container 10 may be too heavy or bulky, and who for that matter will be unable to lift and pour some of the contents into a secondary vessel. Instead, children and others lacking sufficient strength, prefer tipping the container 10 instead of lifting it. The placement of the handle 70 within the neck area 30 is convenient for both lifting and tipping implementations. An additional benefit of a handle 70 that is placed so high up along the sidewall 20 is that it is visible and accessible while the container 10 is packed into a crate among other containers. One wishing to extract such container 10 from its crate can easily reach in and remove the container 10 through the convenient use of the handle 70.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the outer surface 60 may contain frictional or structural elements, such as ribs or rough surfaces for a more secure hold on the container. Such outer surface 60 may also be an element of design, or provide an enhanced structural integrity of the neck area 30. These optional accents would be added by the manufacturer during the molding process, or may be added later with decals or etching.

FIG. 2 shows a storage cavity 5, a container 10, a sidewall 20, a neck area 30, a top opening 40, having a cover 45, a concave indentation 50, an outer surface 60, a handle 70, an access area 75, a first point 80, a second point 90, an outside arc 100, an inside arc 110, a base area 130, and a base 140. The container 10 is preferably a polymer, such as plastic. The width of the access area 75 at its widest point should be preferably between ½ and 4 inches. For a disposable or a recyclable container 10, the handle 70 is preferably hollow, and liquid within the container 10 is able to communicate unimpeded between the first point 80 and the second point 90. When a container 10 is reusable, the handle 70 may still be hollow; however, a solid handle is preferred since it decreases the maintenance and disinfection costs associated with cleaning a length of narrow space, especially a handle 70 having a substantially thin diameter.

A handle 70 that is unitary is sealed off from the storage cavity 5. This may be because it was added later in the manufacturing process, or simply was not designed to provide a channel for liquid communication between the first point 80 and the second point 90. A unitary embodiment of a handle 70 may nonetheless be hollow to reduce the weight of the overall container 10. However, it is easier and cheaper to create a unitary handle that is solid, which will also enhance the tensile strength of such a handle 70. Such a unitary handle 70 may be removable, as required for things like cleaning, storage, and disposal or recycling, mainly because a container 10 and the liquid storage cavity within it are sealed off from the handle 70. However, for most containers in the art, handles 70 are integral with the structure of the container 10 and are manufactured as a single monolithic unit. In integral handle 70 most often provides free communication channel for liquid stored within the storage cavity 5 that is contained within the container 10.

The preferred cross sectional diameter of the handle 70 is between ⅛ and 2 inches, which is a sufficiently small circumference that would afford the hand or hands to surround it far enough and with enough comfort, to grip it as solidly as needed to perform a desired task. Additionally, the handle 70 must posses sufficient strength to support a container 10 that is full to the top with liquid, which preferably means that the first point 80 and/or the second point 90 must be reinforced, and which may entail having a thicker wall in those areas. Furthermore, the handle 70 must possess sufficient length to permit the hand or hands gripping it to reliably exert a griping, holding, lifting or tipping force. The preferred length of the handle 70 is between 1.5 inches and 6 inches.

The outside arc 100 of the handle 70 has a radian value equal to the outside arc 120 of the neck area 30. This contributes to a useful and non-obvious novelty of the embodied handle 70 in that the appearance of the container 10 is not altered by the presence of the handle 70. Therefore a target consumer is still able to easily recognize the packaging and will appreciate the extra convenience of a handle 70. If the radian value of the arc 100 is not equal to the arc 120 the resultant handle 70 will distort to appearance of the container 10, creating an appearance of a value pack, a detergent bottle, or a cleaning solution, thus potentially alienating image conscious consumers.

In FIG. 2 the radian value of the inside arc 110 is the equal to the radian value of the outside arc 100, which is equal to the arc radian value of the neck area 120. This is the preferred design since the resulting handle 70 is more agronomic and more comfortable due to the uniformity of the width of the handle. It is also easier and cheaper to make and clean, as opposed to a handle 70 having various stylistic or whimsical inflections.

The handle 70 is preferably substantially tubular to be congruous with the substantially cylindrical appearance of the majority of beverage containers 10. Additionally, such a shape is conducive of a better grip on the handle, as the human hand is more adapt at holding round objects that substantially conform to the shape of the hand than to square objects. However, a squared handle or a handle in a shape of an elongated tetrahedral shape, standing on its narrow end is also a viable alternative, if this design of the handle is a better match to the appearance of the container 10.

Still referring to FIG. 2, finger grip indentations can be created on the inside arch 110 to further enhance the ergonomically preferred shape of the handle 70. Such finger grip indentations would run across the width of the inside arch 110. Furthermore, such finger grip indentations can be either right handed or left handed. A left handed finger grip indentation will twist around the inside arch 110 with a termination point biased toward the right side of the handle 70, close to the outside arch 100; whereas a right handed finger grip indentation will twist around the inside arch 110 with a termination point biased toward the left side of the handle 70. Additionally, or in place of finger indentations, the handle 70 may contain a frictional surface, which may be a frictional coating or a sleeve around the handle, made of a rubberized or gel-like material that will generate friction against the surface of the hand, thus reducing the need for a strong grip on the handle 70. The finger indentations or frictional surfaces or both, or even the mere presence of a comfortable, and agronomic handle 70 is very desirable to those who do not posses a physically strong hand grip, such as children and the elderly, or those afflicted with musculature or joint degenerative condition, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, arthritis or carpal tunnel.

For containers 10 holding a detergent, or liquid bottles of substantial size that are placed on their sides for storage, it may be desirable to create a removable handle, where such a handle conceals openings either at the first end 80 or the second end 90. A second opening is especially desirable for viscous liquids such as honey or syrup or such chemical substances as detergent and liquid soap. When a container 10 is placed on its side, either to effectuate pouring or for storage, as in the case of extra large containers 10, the top opening 40 is likely to be completely covered by the viscous liquid. Viscous liquids are substantially impervious to the air. As a result, as the liquid drains from the top opening 40, it creates an empty space inside the container 10. Air is not able to fill the emptiness since the top opening 40 is obstructed by the liquid or by the cap 45. This causes the container 10 to be crushed by the atmospheric pressure outside, leading to a substantial deformation of the container 10. Therefore, a second opening revealed by the removal of the handle 70 will afford an additional unobstructed opening enabling the air outside the container 10 to fill in the spaces vacated by the exiting liquid, thus preserving the shape of the container 10.

FIG. 3 provides an alternative embodiment for the handle 70. Shown are a liquid storage cavity 5, a container 10, a sidewall 20, a neck area 30, a top opening 40, having a cover 45, a concave indentation 50, an outer surface 60, a handle 70, a first point 80, a second point 90, a distal end 150, and a gap 160. The handle 70 is shown only partially spanning the concave indentation 50, leaving a gap 160 between the distal end 150 where the handle 70 terminates and the second point 90. The gap 160 may be desirable because the handle 70 is now easier to grab, since the inside arch 110 is more accessible than in the preferred embodiment. Additionally, the handle 70 can function as a hook, where the inside arch 110 is hung up on a support structure (not shown) that is admitted through the gap 160. Another alternative embodiment would be to have telescoping handle 70. Where the handle 70 is a partial handle as shown in FIG. 3, having a telescoping slave section contained inside the handle 70 and which can emanate from the distal end 150 when necessary, such as when the container is full to the top, large or heavy. A concave indentation 50 may have a coupling point (not shown) to fixate such telescoping slave portion of the handle 70. However, this embodiment is not preferred, due to extra complexity and increased manufacturing cost. Additionally, although such a handle is very useful it is not as obfuscating as a full handle 70, and does not provide a grip that is as agronomic as the preferred full handle 70.

Another alternative embodiment (not shown) would be to have a handle 70 in shape of a ridge running vertically across the concave indentation 50, thus effectively dividing the concave indentation 50 into two sections. Yet another alternative embodiment (not shown) would be to have a handle 70 whose inside arc 110 has a radian value is only slightly different than the radian value of the external arc 100 of the neck area 30. A slight deviation may enhance the ergonomic qualities of the handle 70, such as by providing a wider access area 75 (not shown), but not significantly alter the overall appearance of the container 10.

FIG. 4 is another diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the preferred embodiment of the handle 70 from the front. One appreciates the diminutive and unobtrusive appearance of the handle 70 with respect to the rest of the container 10, which is one of the highly desirable objects of the preset invention. Also shown in FIG. 4 are a storage cavity 5, a container 10, a sidewall 20, a neck area 30, a top opening 40, having a cover 45, a concave indentation 50, an outer surface 60, a handle 70, a first point 80, a second point 90, generally uniform neck area arc 120, a base area 130, and a base 140. The cover 45 that is most common in the art is a screw-on cap or a plug, as well as a snap-on cap, as in when a top opening 40 is a drinking nozzle. The top opening 40 is formed at the apex of the neck area 30. The apex, normally defined as the highest point, includes anywhere within the confines of the neck area 30 of the present invention. The neck area 30 forms a convex dome above of the liquid storage cavity 5. A part of the neck area 30 is removed during manufacture, and replaced with a concave cavity 50, having a handle 70. The liquid storage cavity 5 is supported by the base area 130 that is supported by the base 140, which sits atop of a support structure, such as a table, a shelf or a floor. The base area 130 is shown having fins or feet, however the particular shape of the base area 130 is not critical to the enablement of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-7 show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Shown are a storage cavity 5 inside a container 10 that has a sidewall 20 with a neck area 30 and a top opening 40. The neck area 30 that is in a shape of a convex dome also shows a horizontal arc 180, and a horizontal arc of a handle 181. The top opening 40 has a cover 45. The concave indentation 50 is replaced in this embodiment by a tunnel 170, having a mid-point 171. Also shown are a handle 70 with an access area 75, a wide orifice edge 77, a narrow orifice edge 78, a first point 80, a second point 90, an outside arc 100, an inside arc 110 and the aforementioned horizontal arc 181. The container 10 further contains a generally uniform arc of the neck area 120, a base area 130, and a base 140.

The benefit of a tunnel 170 is that the internal volume of the container 10 that would be occupied by the concave indentation 50 may now be released back to the storage cavity 5. Another benefit is that the handle 70 is even more hidden and discrete, since the handle 70 is no longer tubular, but contains a horizontal arc 181, whose radian value is equal to the radian value of the horizontal arc 180 of the neck area.

The two access areas 75, on either side of the handle 70 also have a wide orifice edge 77 and a narrow orifice edge 78. The two access areas 75 represent a segment of material that was removed from the convex dome of the neck area 30 and which was then linked by a tunnel 170.

A slide resistant, gripping surface may be located on the narrow orifice edge 78 or on both orifice edges 77 and 78. The slide resistant, frictional surface or finger indentations may exist within the tunnel 170 as well. Both the wide and narrow orifice edges 77 and 78 draw toward each other at the mid point 171 of the tunnel 170. This tapering in generally provides a better, more convenient gripping force on the handle 70 since it generally conforms to the shape or a human hand. The tapering in feature is not strictly required. The preferred length of the tunnel 170 may be approximately 1 inch, while the preferred diameter of the access areas 75 may be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches. The handle 70 formed above the tunnel 170 may permit liquids through or it may it may be solid.

Still referring to the alternative embodiment FIGS. 5-7, the arc 120 preferably has a radian value equal to the outside arc 100 of the handle 70. It may also be preferable that the radian value of the inside arch 110 is equal to that of the outside arc 100. These values would further one of the main objectives and the spirit of the present invention, namely, to preserve the accepted and customary appearance of the container 10, while affording a much needed handle 70. It should be noted that the alternative embodiment described in FIGS. 5-7, may likely afford a smaller handle 70 than the one found in the preferred embodiment. However, the appearance of the container 10 may be enhanced by a more unobtrusive handle.

A beverage or a container manufacturer will need to make a preference selection between a bigger handle and a uniform container 10. Structurally, the container 10 shown in FIGS. 5-7 may be easier and cheaper to manufacture since the first point 80 and the second point 90 are more robust due to a larger handle 70. However, the tipping ability of the alternative handle 70 is somewhat compromised since a broader handle 70 is more biased towards lifting the container 10 rather than tipping it.

FIGS. 8-13 as a group show the details of another embodiment of the current invention. This embodiments share most of the features of the embodiments described above, with the key difference being that the gripping mechanism is not a handle, but a pair of gripping concavities allowing thumb and fingers to be inserted. It should be noted that not all the limitations will be recited in describing FIG. 8-13. The features included in the description of the above embodiments are deemed included as long as such features do not conflict with the inclusion of the gripping concavities.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a container 10 with two gripping concavities. Shown in FIG. 8 are a storage cavity 5 inside that has a sidewall 20 with a neck area 30 and a top opening 40, a base area 130, and a base 140. The neck area 30 that is in a shape of a convex dome also shows a generally uniform arc 120. The top opening 40 has a cover 45. The key features of the current embodiment are: a first gripping concavity 200 having a first opening 210, a first indentation 220, and a first transition area 225, and a second gripping concavity 250 having a second opening 260, a second indentation 270, and a second transition area 275. The first gripping concavity 200 and the second gripping concavity 250 are positioned on the neck area 30 and generally mirror symmetric while the first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 are directed generally to the vertical center line of the container 10.

The first gripping concavity 200 and the second gripping concavity 250 are designed to allow the firm gripping of the container 10 with a thumb and a finger from the same human hand to be asserted into the first gripping concavity 200 and the second gripping concavity 250, respectively. The first opening 210 and second opening 260 are sized and positioned for such a purpose. The diameter of the first opening 210 and the second opening 260 may be between 0.5-5 cm, with the preferred range of 1.5-3 cm. The first opening 210 and second opening 260 are placed approximately 3-15 cm apart, measured from the center of the first opening 210 to the center of the second opening 260. The preferred distance between the first opening 210 and second opening 260 is between 4-10 cm. Similarly, the first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 are designed to serve the same purpose—allowing easy gripping by a thumb and a finger from the same hand so that the container 10 may be tilted to pour liquid out of the container 10. Therefore, the first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 have depths that are between 1-5 cm, with the preferred depths to be 1.5-3.5 cm.

To make it easier and more comfortable for gripping, the transition from container walls on the neck area 30 to the first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 is preferred to be gradual and smooth. Thus, the first indentation 220 may include a first transition area 225 and the second gripping concavity 250 may include a second transition area 275, surrounding the first opening 210 and the second opening 260, respectively, and reducing the rubbing against the thumb and finger when they are inserted into the first gripping concavity 200 and the second gripping concavity 250. Similarly, the shape of the first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 may be designed to fit the general shape of thumb and fingers, allowing more comfortable gripping.

In addition, to ensure firm gripping, the inside surfaces of the first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 may be frictional, preventing slipping of the container from the gripping fingers and reducing the likelihood of accidental spill. The first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 are not connected to each other underneath the neck area 30. Such a design may further facilitate changing the molding process and machinery from traditional container making to the production of the current designs. Very minimum modifications are required because the gripping concavity design will not create a separate “carved out” portion for the molding.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities. Shown in FIG. 9 are a the container 10 having a sidewall 20 with a neck area 30 and a top opening 40, a base area 130, and a base 140. Also shown in FIG. 9 are a first gripping concavity 200 having a first opening 210 and a first transition area 225, and a second gripping concavity 250 having a second opening 260 and a second transition area 275. The first indentation 220 and the second indentation 270 are not shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities. Shown in FIG. 10 is the container 10 having a bottom 140.

FIG. 11 is a first side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities. Shown in FIG. 11 are a storage cavity 5 inside container 10 that has a sidewall 20 with a neck area 30 and a top opening 40, a base area 130, and a base 140. The top opening 40 has a cover 45. Also shown in FIG. 11 is a first gripping concavity 200 having a first opening 210 and a first transition area 225, the first gripping concavity 200 being positioned on the neck area 30.

FIG. 12 is a second side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities. Shown in FIG. 12 are a storage cavity 5 inside container 10 that has a sidewall 20 with a neck area 30 and a top opening 40, a base area 130, and a base 140. The top opening 40 has a cover 45. Also shown in FIG. 11 is a second gripping concavity 250 having a second opening 260 and a second transition area 275, the second gripping concavity 250 being positioned on the neck area 30.

FIG. 13 is a back view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of the present invention showing a bottle with two gripping concavities. Shown in FIG. 13 are a storage cavity 5 inside container 10 that has a sidewall 20 with a neck area 30 and a top opening 40, a base area 130, and a base 140. The top opening 40 has a cover 45.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising;

a liquid storage cavity having a substantially cylindrical sidewall;

a neck area above said sidewall having an opening at an apex and a concave indentation below said opening, wherein a substantially tubular handle having a generally uniform inner curve and a generally uniform outer curve spans said concave indentation from a first point until a second point;

wherein said neck area forms a convex dome, the convex dome having a portion removed to form the concave indentation disposed above said liquid storage cavity, and wherein said outer curve of said handle forms an outward arc having a radian value equal to a radian value to a generally uniform arc of said neck area; and

a base area below said sidewall having a base for supporting said liquid container.

2. A liquid container of claim 1; wherein said tubular handle is hollow, and wherein a liquid stored within said liquid storage cavity is capable of flowing throughout said tubular handle.

3. A liquid container of claim 2, wherein said tubular handle is removable, and wherein said first point or said second point contains an opening to improve atmospheric pressure inside said liquid storage cavity.

4. A liquid container of claim 1; wherein said tubular handle is solid.

5. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said tubular handle is integral with said neck area.

6. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said tubular handle is unitary.

7. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said inner curve of said tubular handle contains finger indentations.

8. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said inner curve of said tubular handle contains a frictional surface,

9. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said concave indentation contains a frictional surface.

10. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said tubular handle forms a ridge having a generally uniform outer curve, said located with said concave indentation, and wherein a radian value of the outer curve of said ridge has the value equal to the radian value of said neck area.

11. A liquid container of claim 1, wherein said tubular handle terminates above said second point.

12. A liquid container of claim 11, further comprising a telescoping slave section disposed within said tubular handle.

13. A liquid container of claim 12, wherein said telescoping slave section is capable of fixating within a coupling point disposed on said concave indentation.

14. A liquid container comprising;

a liquid storage cavity having a substantially cylindrical sidewall;

a neck area above said sidewall having an opening at an apex;

a tunnel created within said convex dome, wherein said tunnel is created by having a section of material removed on one side of said convex dome and on another side of said convex dome, wherein said removed sections are linked by said tunnel disposed beneath said convex dome, and wherein said tunnel creates a handle having a generally uniform inner curve a generally uniform outer curve, from a first point until a second point,

wherein said outer curve of said handle forms an outward arc having a radian value equal to a radian value of a generally uniform arc of said neck area, and wherein a horizontal arc of said handle having a radian value equal to a radian value of a horizontal arc of said neck area; and

a base area below said sidewall having a base for supporting said liquid container.

15. A liquid container of claim 14; wherein said tubular handle is hollow, and wherein a liquid stored within said liquid storage cavity is capable of flowing throughout said tubular handle.

16. A liquid container of claim 14, wherein said inner curve of said handle contains finger indentations.

17. A liquid container of claim 15, wherein said inner curve of said handle contains a frictional surface.

18. A liquid container comprising;

a liquid storage cavity having a substantially cylindrical sidewall;

a neck area above said sidewall having a top opening at an apex;

a first gripping concavity and a second gripping concavity at the neck area, the first gripping concavity having a first opening and first indentation, the second gripping concavity having a second opening and a second indentation; and

a base area below said sidewall having a base for supporting said liquid container,

wherein

the first concavity and the second concavity are minor symmetric and do not connect to each other,

the first opening and the second opening are sized and positioned to allow gripping of the first concavity and the second concavity with a thumb and a finger from a same human hand.

19. The liquid container as claim 18, wherein the first indentation and the second indentation having frictional surfaces allowing firm gripping.

20. The liquid container as claim 18, wherein the first concavity has a first transition area around the first opening and the second concavity has a second transition area around the second opening, the transition areas making transition from the neck area to the first gripping concavity and the second gripping concavity more smooth.