BOTTLE FOR FLIPPING, CAP, ACCESSORIES AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

Games and activities including bottles for flipping, caps, accessories, and methods of using the same are disclosed.

Description

CROSS-SECTION TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371(a) of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/057432, filed Oct. 25, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/577,974, filed on Oct. 27, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to games and activities generally, and more specifically, to games and activities including bottles for flipping, caps, accessories, and methods of using the same.

Background of Related Art

Some people may enjoy playing board games, outdoor party games, and the like.

Outdoor games may require extensive setup and a large amount of space in order for the game to be played. Some games may only be able to accommodate one or two people rather than a group of children or adults at a party, picnic, tailgate, or other social event. Further, some games may only last a short amount of time and leave people bored once the game is over. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a new and improved flipping game including a set of specialized bottles and a game board which, when used in conjunction, provide an AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™ (owned by, Joseph Marino, Island Park, N.Y.) experience for players of all ages.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a bottle assembly is provided and includes a bottle and a cap. The bottle defines a cavity therein. The bottle has a central body portion including a bottom portion having a first diameter and a top portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a base portion integral with the central body portion, the base portion including a contoured base wall having a concave profile defining an annular rim and a central nipple projecting outwardly therefrom; and a neck portion integral with the central body portion and disposed opposite to the base portion. The neck portion includes a cap receiving rim for selectively securing a cap thereto; and a shoulder portion interconnecting the top portion of the central body portion and the cap receiving rim.

The cap includes a contoured top wall having a concave profile and defining an outer annular rim and a central nipple projecting upwardly from the top wall, wherein the outer annular rim has a fillited outer profile, and wherein the top wall includes an annular recess formed therein and extending completely therearound; and an annular side wall depending from the top wall and tapering from a first diameter near the top wall to a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, at a location spaced from the top wall.

The bottle may further include at least one annular groove formed in an outer surface of the central body portion.

The bottle may further include indicia providing an end user with a suggestion of a level of water to add into the cavity of the bottle.

The indicia may be at least one of formed on or in the central body portion of the bottle, and printed in or on the central body portion of the bottle.

The indicia may be located along the central body portion so as to indicate a level which is equal to or less than one-half of a total volume of the cavity of the bottle.

The base portion may be connected to the bottom portion via an annular recess.

The base portion may include an annular base corner wall interconnecting the annular recess and the base wall.

The annular base corner wall of the base portion may have a fillited outer profile.

The base portion may include an annular recess interconnecting the base wall and the base corner wall, and wherein the annular recess extends completely therearound.

The nipple of the bottle may have a substantially flattened profile and extend from the base wall by an amount so as to not project beyond a bottom-most plane of the base portion of the bottle.

The nipple of the cap may have a substantially flattened profile and extend from the top wall thereof by an amount so as to not project beyond a top-most plane of the cap.

The first diameter of the cap may be about 2.0-2.25 inches.

The top wall and the side wall of the cap, together, may define a cavity therein which is configured to receive the cap receiving rim of the bottle therein.

The bottle assembly may further include an adhesive securing the cap to the cap receiving rim of the bottle.

The cap may be coated in a resin. At least one of the outer annular rim of the top wall of the cap; and the annular rim of the base portion of the bottle, includes a coating of an elastomeric material entirely therearound.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a cap, for selectively connection to a bottle, is provided and includes a contoured top wall having a concave profile and defining an outer annular rim and a central nipple projecting upwardly from the top wall, wherein the outer annular rim has a fillited outer profile, wherein the top wall includes an annular recess formed therein and extending completely therearound, and wherein the nipple cap has a substantially flattened profile and extends from the top wall thereof by an amount so as to not project beyond a top-most plane of the cap; and an annular side wall depending from the top wall and tapering from a first diameter near the top wall to a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, at a location spaced from the top wall.

The cap may be coated in a resin. The outer annular rim of the top wall of the cap may include a coating of an elastomeric material entirely therearound.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a game is provided and includes a goal board in the form of a hinged two-part case, at least one bottle, and at least one cap. The goal board includes a first half portion having an outer planar surface and defining a first half cavity portion, the first half portion defining at least one aperture therein which is in communication with the first half cavity portion; and a second half portion hingedly connected to the first half portion, the second half portion having an outer planar surface and defining a second cavity portion, wherein, when the goal board is in a closed condition, a complete cavity is defined therein having an interior volume, the interior volume being dimensioned to store at least one bottle and at least one cap therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a bottle in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of the bottle of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of the bottle of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom, plan view of the bottle of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle of FIGS. 1-5, as taken through 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of a cap in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side, elevational view of the cap of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top, plan view of the cap of FIGS. 7-8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom, plan view of the cap of FIGS. 7-9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 7-10, as taken through 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a top, perspective view of the bottle of FIGS. 1-6, having secured thereto the cap of FIGS. 7-11, forming an AMAZING FLIP-IT BOTTLE™ assembly;

FIG. 13 is a side, elevational view of the AMAZING FLIP-IT BOTTLE™ assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, illustrating use of the AMAZING FLIP-IT BOTTLE™ assembly FIGS. 12-13 being played in a bottle flip game;

FIG. 15 is a top, perspective view of a goal board of the bottle flip game;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the interior volume of the goal board of FIG. 15 storing a plurality of AMAZING FLIP-IT BOTTLE™ assemblies therein;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bottle flip game including the goal board and at least one AMAZING FLIP-IT BOTTLE™ assembly; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of AMAZING FLIP-IT BOTTLE™ assemblies, flipped into and onto the goal board of FIG. 15, according to one method of play of the bottle flip game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, a bottle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is generally designated bottle 100. In accordance with the present disclosure, bottle 100 has been designed to maximize durability and reduce potential for failing, breaking or cracking during repeated tossing and flipping of a bottle assembly 200 (e.g., bottle 100 including a cap 150), see FIGS. 12 and 13, for landing on hard surfaces and the like. Specifically, a base portion 110 of bottle 100 and a cap 150 have been designed to better withstand impacts thereto, due to a landing of the bottle assembly 200 on hard surfaces following a tossing and flipping of bottle assembly 200 during play of the AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™.

Bottle 100 has a substantially tubular and circular profiled elongate central body portion 102 defining a cavity or reservoir 102c for retaining a volume of fluid (e.g., water) therein, a reinforced base portion 110 integral with central body portion 102, and a tapering neck portion 120 integral with central body portion 102 and located opposite base portion 110. Bottle 100 may be provided with at least one annular groove 102c formed in an outer surface of central body portion 102. Bottle 11 has an overall height of about 193.44 mm.

Central body portion 102 includes a bottom portion 102a having a first diameter “D1” (of about 64.72 mm), and a top portion 102b having a second diameter “D2”, which is smaller than first diameter “D1” of bottom portion 102a.

Bottle 100 may also be provided with indicia 115 formed on or in central body portion 102 or inked or printed in or on central body portion 102. Indicia 115 may provide the end user or player with a suggestion of the level of water to add into bottle 100 to maximize the flipping and landing dynamics of bottle 100, and to maximize playability of AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™. Additionally, in accordance with the present disclosure, indicia 115 may be located along central body portion 102 so as to indicate a level which is equal to or less than one-half of the total volume of the cavity or reservoir 102c of bottle 100.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, base portion 110 of bottle 100 is connected to bottom portion 102a of body 102 of bottle 100 via an annular recess 106. Generally, base portion 110 includes a contoured base wall 114. An outer surface of base wall 114 is generally concave defining an outer annular rim 114a and a central nipple 119 projecting downwardly, outwardly, or away from the cavity or reservoir 102c of bottle 100. Annular rim 114a of base wall 114 functions to reduce a surface area of base wall 114 which will come into contact with the ground or a surface during use of bottle 100 (e.g., during a flipping thereof).

Base portion 110 of bottle 100 includes an annular base corner wall 116 interconnecting annular recess 108 and base wall 114, having a rounded or fillited outer profile. With reference to FIG. 6, the cavity or reservoir 102c of bottle 100 is defined by an inner surface 114b of base wall 114. Specifically, inner surface 114a of base wall 114 has a concave profile, and more specifically, inner surface 114a of base wall 114 has a tapered of v-shaped transverse cross-sectional profile. As so constructed, base wall 114 includes additional material (increasing a thickness of base wall 114 and of base corner wall 116 in a radially outward direction) for the specific purpose of increasing resistance to impact and of cracking or failing during repeated flipping and landing of bottle 100 on the ground or on surfaces, as compared to conventional bottles.

Base portion 110 of bottle 100 also includes an annular recess or groove 118 interconnecting base wall 114 and base corner wall 116, and extending completely therearound.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, nipple 119 has a substantially flattened profile, and extends from base wall 114 by an amount so as to not project beyond a bottom-most plane of base portion 110 of bottle 100.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, neck portion 120 of bottle 100 is connected to and extends from top portion 102b of central body portion 102 of bottle 100. Neck portion 120 includes a cap receiving rim 122 having threads formed thereon for selectively securing a cap 200 thereto. Cap receiving rim 122 has an outer diameter of about 33.61 mm. Neck portion 120 also includes a shoulder portion 124 interconnecting top portion 102b of central body portion 102 and cap receiving rim 122.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-11, a cap, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is generally designated cap 150. In accordance with the present disclosure, cap 150 has been designed to maximize durability and reduce potential for breaking or cracking during repeated tossing and flipping of bottle assembly 200 for landing on hard surfaces and the like. Specifically, cap 150 has been designed to better withstand impacts thereto, due to a landing of bottle assembly 200 (on cap 150) on hard surfaces following of a tossing and flipping of bottle assembly 200 during play of the AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™.

Cap 150 includes a contoured top wall 152. Top wall 152 is generally concave defining an outer annular rim 152a and a central nipple 153 projecting upwardly, outwardly, or away top wall 152. Outer annular rim 152a of top wall 152 has a rounded or fillited outer profile. Top wall 152 of cap 150 includes an annular recess or groove 154 formed therein and extending completely therearound. Cap has an outer diameter “d1” of about 53.87 mm, and an overall height of about 17.32 mm.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 9 and 11, nipple 153 has a substantially flattened profile, and extends from top wall 152 by an amount so as to not project beyond a top-most plane of cap 150.

Cap 150 includes an annular side wall 156 depending from top wall 152. Side wall 156 tapers from the outer diameter “d1” to a diameter “d2” which is less than about diameter “d1”. Side wall 156 may be provided with scallop-features 156a, or like grip increasing features, formed in an outer surface thereof.

Top wall 152 and side wall 156, together, define a cavity 158 therein which is configured to receive cap receiving rim 122 of bottle 100 therein. Cavity 158 has an outer diameter of about 35.19 mm. Cavity 158 of cap 150 is configured and dimensioned for selective connection to most standard bottle threads. Desirably, an outer surface of cap receiving rim 122 of bottle 100 and an inner surface of side wall 156 of cap 150 define complementary threads for the selective connecting and disconnecting of bottle 100 and cap 150.

In accordance with the present disclosure, it is contemplated that silicone, or other glue-like composition, may be provided and used to fixedly, and potentially permanently, secure cap 150 to cap receiving rim 122 of bottle 100.

Bottle 100 and cap 150 may be fabricated from plastic, including and not limited to polyethylene (PE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE).

Also in accordance with the present disclosure, it is contemplated that cap 150 may be coated in a resin, or the like, to further enhance the durability thereof, as compared to a cap 150 without any such resin.

Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is contemplated that cap 150 may include an elastomeric resilient polymer, rubber, silicone of the like provided along outer annular rim 152a of top wall 152. Similarly, base portion 110 of bottle 100 may include an elastomeric resilient polymer, rubber, silicone of the like provided along base wall 114 and annular base corner wall 116. Such an addition of material will help to increase the strength of the underlying structure, and absorb shock and impact during use of bottle assembly 200 in playing the AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™.

In accordance with the present disclosure, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a bottle assembly includes bottle 100 and a cap 150. While available as an assembly 200, it is contemplated that bottle 100 and cap 150 may be available individually, or any number of bottles 100 and caps 150 may be available or provided together, separately or pre-assembled.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-18, there are shown various views of the AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™. The present disclosure also provides a new and improved flip game 300 and method of play including a set of specialized bottle assemblies (e.g., bottle assemblies 200) and a goal board 400 which, when used in conjunction with one another, provide a bottle flip game for players of all ages. The game 300 includes a plurality of bottles 100 and a goal board 400.

Goal board 400 is in the form of a hinged, two-part case defining an interior volume 402, configured to store the bottles 100, and defining a planar outer surface 404 including one or more apertures 406 formed therein which are in communication with the interior volume 402. Each aperture 406 is larger than the first diameter “D1” of bottom portion 102a of central body portion 102 of bottle 200. For example, apertures 406 may have a diameter of between about 77 mm to about 88 mm.

Goal board 400 includes a first half portion 410a hingedly attached to a second half portion 410b for providing access to the interior volume 402. It is contemplated that goal board 400 is dimensioned so as to enclose at least one, and in certain embodiments, up to five bottle assemblies 200 therein, when the first half portion 410a is closed against the second half portion 410b. The one or more apertures 406 each include a different size and shape. In one embodiment, the goal board includes a first aperture including a first diameter and a second aperture including a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

In one embodiment, the game 300 includes exactly five bottle assemblies 200, and goal board 400 defines an interior volume 402 including a plurality of grooves 402a configured to retain and receive the five bottle assemblies 200.

In an embodiment, game 300 may include goal board 400 and at least one bottle 100 or at least two bottles 100. It is contemplated that the game may include a corresponding number of caps 150.

In one embodiment, game 300 may include goal board 400, and five bottle assemblies 200 prefilled with the same amount of liquid in their respective reservoirs.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of play, of the AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™, includes flipping a bottle assembly 200 at the goal board 400 and collecting points based on the specific aperture 406 in which the bottle assembly 200 lands, whether the bottle assembly 200 lands on its cap 150, or whether the bottle assembly 200 lands on the planar surface 404 of the goal board 400. The one or more apertures 406 are each worth a different amount of points as the bottle assemblies 200 are flipped toward the goal board 400. For instance, in one embodiment, flipping a bottle assembly 200 into a first aperture 406 may be worth six points, flipping a bottle assembly 200 into a second aperture 406 may be worth three points, flipping a bottle assembly 200 such that it lands on the planar surface 404 of the goal board 400 may be worth one point, and flipping the bottle assembly 200 such that it lands on the cap 150 may be worth ten points. A player who accumulates twenty-one points first is a winner.

In another method of play, of the AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™, a player can be deemed a winner if they flip the bottle assemblies 200 such that the bottle assemblies 200 land on their caps 150 just one time, flip the bottle assemblies 200 such that the bottle assemblies 200 land in each of the apertures 406 one time, or if a player flips the bottle assemblies 200 such that the bottle assemblies 200 land two times on the planar surface 404 of the goal board 400.

Players can also be creative and make different methods of playing. The AMAZING FLIP IT BOTTLE GAME™ is one of skill and strategy.

In accordance with the present disclosure, it is contemplated that bottle assemblies 200 are to be used in officially sanctioned bottle flipping competitions, wherein all bottle assemblies are identical, and wherein the rules of the competition are uniform for all participants, whether amateur or professional. Bottle 100 and cap 150 are designed and constructed for repeated flipping and landing on ground or other surfaces.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A bottle assembly, comprising:

a bottle defining a cavity therein, the bottle having: a central body portion including a bottom portion having a first diameter and a top portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a base portion integral with the central body portion, the base portion including a contoured base wall having a concave profile defining an annular rim and a central nipple projecting outwardly therefrom; and a neck portion integral with the central body portion and disposed opposite to the base portion, the neck portion includes: a cap receiving rim for selectively securing a cap thereto; and a shoulder portion interconnecting the top portion of the central body portion and the cap receiving rim; and

a cap including: a contoured top wall having a concave profile and defining an outer annular rim and a central nipple projecting upwardly from the top wall, wherein the outer annular rim has a fillited outer profile, and wherein the top wall includes an annular recess formed therein and extending completely therearound; and an annular side wall depending from the top wall and tapering from a first diameter near the top wall to a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, at a location spaced from the top wall.

2. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottle further includes at least one annular groove formed in an outer surface of the central body portion.

3. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottle further includes indicia providing an end user with a suggestion of a level of water to add into the cavity of the bottle

4. The bottle assembly according to claim 3, wherein the indicia is at least one of formed on or in the central body portion of the bottle, and printed in or on the central body portion of the bottle.

5. The bottle assembly according to claim 4, wherein the indicia is located along the central body portion so as to indicate a level which is equal to or less than one-half of a total volume of the cavity of the bottle.

6. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is connected to the bottom portion via an annular recess.

7. The bottle assembly according to claim 6, wherein the base portion includes an annular base corner wall interconnecting the annular recess and the base wall.

8. The bottle assembly according to claim 7, wherein the annular base corner wall of the base portion has a fillited outer profile.

9. The bottle assembly according to claim 8, wherein the base portion includes an annular recess interconnecting the base wall and the base corner wall, and wherein the annular recess extends completely therearound.

10. The bottle assembly according to claim 9, wherein the nipple of the bottle has a substantially flattened profile and extends from the base wall by an amount so as to not project beyond a bottom-most plane of the base portion of the bottle.

11. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nipple of the cap has a substantially flattened profile and extends from the top wall thereof by an amount so as to not project beyond a top-most plane of the cap.

12. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first diameter of the cap is 2.0-2.25 inches.

13. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the top wall and the side wall of the cap, together, define a cavity therein which is configured to receive the cap receiving rim of the bottle therein.

14. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive securing the cap to the cap receiving rim of the bottle.

15. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cap is coated in a resin.

16. The bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the outer annular rim of the top wall of the cap; and

the annular rim of the base portion of the bottle,

includes a coating of an elastomeric material entirely therearound.

17. A cap for selectively connection to a bottle, the cap comprising:

a contoured top wall having a concave profile and defining an outer annular rim and a central nipple projecting upwardly from the top wall, wherein the outer annular rim has a fillited outer profile, wherein the top wall includes an annular recess formed therein and extending completely therearound, and wherein the nipple cap has a substantially flattened profile and extends from the top wall thereof by an amount so as to not project beyond a top-most plane of the cap; and

an annular side wall depending from the top wall and tapering from a first diameter near the top wall to a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, at a location spaced from the top wall.

18. The cap according to claim 17, wherein the cap is coated in a resin.

19. The cap according to claim 17, wherein the outer annular rim of the top wall of the cap includes a coating of an elastomeric material entirely therearound.

20. A game, comprising:

a goal board in the form of a hinged two-part case, the goal board including: a first half portion having an outer planar surface and defining a first half cavity portion, the first half portion defining at least one aperture therein which is in communication with the first half cavity portion; and a second half portion hingedly connected to the first half portion, the second half portion having an outer planar surface and defining a second cavity portion, wherein, when the goal board is in a closed condition, a complete cavity is defined therein having an interior volume, the interior volume being dimensioned to store at least one bottle and at least one cap therein;

at least one bottle defining a cavity therein, each bottle having: a central body portion including a bottom portion having a first diameter and a top portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter thereof; a base portion integral with the central body portion, the base portion including a contoured base wall having a concave profile defining an annular rim and a central nipple projecting outwardly therefrom; and a neck portion integral with the central body portion and disposed opposite to the base portion, the neck portion includes: a cap receiving rim for selectively securing a cap thereto; and a shoulder portion interconnecting the top portion of the central body portion and the cap receiving rim; and

at least one cap including: a contoured top wall having a concave profile and defining an outer annular rim and a central nipple projecting upwardly from the top wall, wherein the outer annular rim has a fillited outer profile, and wherein the top wall includes an annular recess formed therein and extending completely therearound; and an annular side wall depending from the top wall and tapering from a first diameter near the top wall to a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, at a location spaced from the top wall.