GB2367802A

GB2367802A - A device for carrying a bottle

Info

Publication number: GB2367802A
Application number: GB0025334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elwyn Gladstone
Original assignee: HP Bulmer Ltd
Current assignee: HP Bulmer Ltd
Priority date: 2000-10-16
Filing date: 2000-10-16
Publication date: 2002-04-17
Also published as: GB0025334D0

Abstract

A device for carrying a bottle 12, having a neck 14 and a closure 16, comprises a first fitting 18 located on the neck of the bottle and a second fitting 20 which in a closed condition of the device (fig 1) accommodates the closure and which in an open condition of the device forms a grip for carrying the bottle, the second fitting being mounted to the first so as to allow movement between the open and closed conditions. Preferably the first and second fittings are formed from plastic, the mounting means being a hinge 32. The second fitting may define an aperture 22 such that when the second fitting is in the open position it accommodates at least one finger of a person carrying the bottle. When the second fitting is closed, it may restrict the opening of the closure (fig 1). The first fitting may be located on the neck of the bottle by a plurality of fingers 28 extending radially inwardly from a radial inner surface of the first fitting, the fingers being engageable with a circumferential ridge 30 or bead on the neck so the first fitting makes a snap-fit connection with the neck.

Description

A device for carrying a bottle

The present invention relates to a device suitable for carrying a bottle.

A known device for carrying a bottle is shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. The device which is referenced 100 is a one-piece plastics moulding and comprises a portion 102 which is located about the neck of a bottle and a handle 104 for carrying the bottle. The handle extends away from the bottle both when the bottle is being stored or displayed and when being carried. As a result, the handle is somewhat obtrusive and inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for carrying a bottle.

The present invention provides a device for carrying a bottle having a neck and a closure therefor, the device comprising a first fitting for location on the neck of such a bottle and a second fitting which in a closed condition of the device accommodates the closure and which in an open condition of the device forms a grip for carrying such a bottle, the second fitting being mounted to the first fitting for movement between the closed condition and the open condition.

Preferably, the first fitting and the second fitting are formed from a plastics material and are connected together by a plastics hinge to allow pivotal movement between the closed condition and the open condition.

It is preferred that the second fitting defines an aperture for accommodating therein at least one finger of a person carrying such a bottle when the device is in the open condition.

The first fitting and/or the second fitting may be annular.

Preferably, when the device is in the closed condition the second fitting restricts the closure of such a bottle from being opened.

As shown in an embodiment hereinafter described, the first fitting is shaped to complement the shape of the second fitting so that in the closed condition, the first fitting and the second fitting form a substantially continuous shape.

The first fitting may be located on the neck of such a bottle by a plurality of fingers extending radially inwardly from a radially inner surface of the first fitting, the fingers being engageable with a circumferential ridge on the neck so that the first fitting can be snap-fitted on the neck.

The present invention also provides a bottle having a device as defined in the last but six preceding paragraph, the bottle comprising a neck on which is located the first fitting and a closure for the neck which is accommodated by the second fitting when the device is in the closed condition.

In order that the present invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for carrying a bottle showing the device in a closed condition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 in an open condition ; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a prior art device for carrying a bottle.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a device for carrying a bottle is shown generally at 10. The bottle 12 has a neck 14 and a closure 16 therefor which is shown as a screw cap. The device 10 comprises a first fitting 18 located on the neck 14 of the bottle 12 and a second fitting 20. When the device 10 is in the closed condition as shown in Figure 1, the second fitting 20 accommodates the closure 16. As illustrated, the second fitting 20 is annular and defines an aperture 22.

It will be seen that in the illustrated embodiment the second fitting is substantially dome-shaped and the aperture 22 is located at its apex.

Alternatively, the second fitting 20 may be provided without aperture 22 and in this case completely covers the closure 16 when the device 10 is in the closed condition.

When the device 10 is in the closed condition, the second fitting 20 restricts the closure 16 from being opened since it is difficult to achieve the necessary purchase on the closure 16.

Referring to Figure 3, the first fitting 18 is shaped to complement the shape of the second fitting 20 so that in the closed condition, the first fitting 18 and the second fitting 20 form a substantially continuous shape-shown as

a knob. As illustrated, the first fitting 18 is annular and portion 24 is bulbous and continues the shape of the dome-shaped second fitting. Portion 26 of the first fitting 18 is shaped to fit snugly on the body of the bottle 12. However, any suitable shape may be adopted for the first fitting 18.

The first fitting 18 is located on the neck 14 of the bottle 12 by a plurality of fingers 28 (only two are shown in Figure 3 which is a crosssectional view of the device 10). The number of fingers 28 provided is chosen to maintain the first fitting 18 located in position on the neck 14. The fingers 18 extend radially inwardly from a radially inner surface of the first fitting 18.

During assembly, the device is placed over the neck 14 causing the fingers 28 to deflect radially outwardly and when in position release to engage with a circumferential ridge 30 on the neck 14 so that the first fitting 18 can be snap-fitted on the neck 14. Maintenance of the device 10 on the neck 14 is ensured by angling the fingers axially towards the ridge 30.

Figure 2 shows the device 10 in the open condition in which the second fitting 20 forms a grip for carrying the bottle 12. As illustrated, aperture 22 of the second fitting 20 is adapted to accommodate at least one finger of a person carrying the bottle 12 when the device 10 is in the open condition. If alternatively the second fitting 20 is not provided with an aperture 22, the bottle 12 can be carried simply by gripping the second fitting 20.

The second fitting 20 is mounted to the first fitting 18 for movement between the closed condition and the open condition. In the embodiment shown, the first fitting 18 and the second fitting 20 are formed from a plastics material and are connected together by a plastics hinge 32 (see Figure 2) to allow pivotal movement between the closed condition and the open condition.

To assist such pivotal movement, the first and second fittings are provided with respective aligned formations shown as flats 34 and 36 diametrically opposite the plastics hinge 32 to enable the fittings to be gripped and the second fitting moved from its closed condition, in which it is aligned with the first fitting to its open condition.

It is to be understood that whilst in the illustrated embodiment the closure 16 for the neck 14 of the bottle 12 is substantially totally accommodated within the second fitting when that is in its closed condition, this is not essential. For example the second fitting may extend less than 360 about the closure and/or the closure may extend axially outwardly of the second fitting when the latter is in the closed condition.

It will be appreciated that as an alternative to carrying the bottle when the device is in the open condition in the embodiment shown, the device can be carried in the closed condition simply by gripping the knob which is conveniently shaped for carrying.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A device for carrying a bottle having a neck and a closure therefor, the device comprising a first fitting for location on the neck of such a bottle and a second fitting which in a closed condition of the device accommodates the closure and which in an open condition of the device forms a grip for carrying such a bottle, the second fitting being mounted to the first fitting for movement between the closed condition and the open condition.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are formed from a plastics material and are connected together by a plastics hinge to allow pivotal movement between the closed condition and the open condition.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second fitting defines an aperture for accommodating therein at least one finger of a person carrying such a bottle when the device is in the open condition.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fitting is annular.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fitting is annular.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the device is in the closed condition the second fitting restricts the closure of such a bottle from being opened.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fitting is shaped to complement the shape of the second fitting so that in the closed condition, the first fitting and the second fitting form a substantially continuous shape.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fitting is located on the neck of such a bottle by a plurality of fingers extending radially inwardly from a radially inner surface of the first fitting, the fingers being engageable with a circumferential ridge on the neck so that the first fitting can be snap-fitted on the neck.

9. A bottle having a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the bottle comprising a neck on which is located the first fitting and a closure for the neck which is accommodated by the second fitting when the device is in the closed condition.