GB2461944A

GB2461944A - Bottle holder

Info

Publication number: GB2461944A
Application number: GB0813367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Sims; Doris Georgina Dawe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-22
Filing date: 2008-07-22
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Also published as: GB0813367D0

Abstract

A bottle holder 1, 21, 31, 41 comprises at least one hollow receiver 2, 22, 42 configured to receive a bottle 14, carton or other beverage container. The holder 1, 21, 31 may be provided with manually graspable handles or knobs 5, 6, 7, 25, 27 to aid pouring of the beverage, and may also be provided with a detachably mounted bail handle or the like for carrying, which can be mounted on sockets 12 having keyhole-shaped recesses 13.. Gripping bands 8, 9, 28, 29, 48 extend circumferentially around an inner wall of the receiver 2, 22, 42, to grip a bottle 14 or the like inserted into the receiver. The gripping bands 8, 9, 28, 48 are provided with a series of resilient fingers 11, 30, 50 extending inwardly, which are deflected as the bottle 14, or carton is inserted. The Fingers may be individually mounted on the holder or integrally formed with it. Alternatively, a continuous gripping band with a stretchable inner circumference may be used. A bottle holder (31, fig.6) for multiple bottles 14 may be provided. The bottle holder (41, Figs. 7and8) may comprise a holster arrangement to be worn on a belt (45, Figs. 7 and 8).

Description

BOTTLE HOLDER

The present invention relates to a device to aid storage and manipulation of containers of liquids, particularly containers of beverages. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a device adapted to retain a beverage container securely during transportation, storage and dispensing ofits contents.

It is very common for beverages to be sold in bottles blow-moulded from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like. These bottles typically have a tall, generally cylindrical form, with a plurality of feet or "bumps" being formed in the base, on which the bottle conventionally stands. Particularly when full, these bottles can be unstable.

A further problem stems from the thin, flexible walls of a typical PET bottle. When the bottle is filled and sealed, it is substantially rigid. However, when the cap is removed, an incautious grasp on the main body of the bottle can crush it locally, making it difficult to grasp safely, and possibly reducing the bottle's volume so far as to project beverage from its nozzle.

A further problem with such bottles, particularly in the larger sizes, is that those with small hands, such as children, or those with infirmities of the hands such as arthritis, may find the bottles difficult to hold and manipulate.

Similar problems may be experienced with other beverage containers having flexible walls, such as waxed-card containers, typically having a rectangular or square cross-section.

It would also be desirable to be able to carry such bottles more easily, for example from a shop to a home, or when carrying a beverage for imniediate use (for example, a jogger carrying a bottle of water or energy drink).

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a device adapted to hold a bottle or other container for liquids, particularly for beverages, which obviates the above disadvantages and provides some or all of the above benefits.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device adapted to hold a container for liquids, comprising vessel means configured to receive the container and having substantially rigid wall means, the vessel means being provided on an internal face of said wall means with gripping means adapted to contact said container.

Preferably, said gripping means extends substantially circumferentially of the vessel means.

Advantageously, the vessel means is provided with at least two said gripping means.

The vessel means may be provided with two said gripping means spaced each from the other, optionally located adjacent remote ends thereof.

In a first embodiment, the gripping means comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable finger means, so extending inwardly from the wall means as to be contactable with the container.

Said finger means may be linked adjacent the wall means by substantially circumferentially-extending fillet means.

In a second embodiment, the gripping means comprises resiliently deformable flange means so extending inwardly from the wall means that its inner margin is deformably contactable with the container.

In either embodiment, the device may comprise a unitary moulding, for example of thermoplastics material.

Alternatively, the or each gripping means may comprise a separately formed element mounted to the vessel means.

The device is preferably provided with manually graspable handle means.

Advantageously, said handle means is adapted to facilitate pouring of liquid from a container held within the device.

The device may be provided with at least two said handle means.

The device may be provided with two handle means located on substantially diametrically opposed sides of the vessel means.

The device may be provided with carrying handle means.

Optionally, the carrying handle means comprises bail handle means.

The carrying handle means may be detachably mounted to the device.

Alternatively, the device may be provided with fitting means, optionally socket means, adapted to receive termini of a detachable handle means.

The device is preferably provided with stabilising base means, optionally extending generally outwardly from the vessel means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a first holder embodying the present invention; Figure 1A is a scrap side elevation of an alternative handle of the first holder shown in Figure 1; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first holder shown in Figure 1, taken along the line lI-IT; Figure 2A is a scrap frontal elevation of a handle socket of the holder shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a typical PET drinks bottle; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a second holder embodying the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second holder shown in Figure 4, taken along the line V-V; Figure 6 is a plan view from above of a third holder embodying the present invention; Figure 7 is,a side elevation of a fourth holder embodying the present invention; and Figure 8 is a plan view from above of the fourth holder shown in Figure 7.

Referring now to the Figures and to Figure 1 in particular, a first bottle holder I comprises a hollow cylindrical receiver 2 having an open mouth 3 at a first end and a closed floor at a second end remote from the first. The receiver 2 has an internal diameter sufficient for it to receive a bottle of a predetermined standard size. The walls of the receiver 2 are substantially rigid. A wide base 4 is provided adjacent the floor of the receiver 2, for stability.

A first manually graspable handle 5 is provided on a first side of the receiver 2, and a small grippable knob 6 is provided low down on a second side of the receiver 2, generally opposite the first. In an alternative embodiment, a small second handle 7, as shown in Figure IA, is An upper 8 and a lower gripping ring 9 each extend circumferentially around an internal face of the receiver 2, the upper ring 8 being located adjacent the mouth 3, and the lower ring 9 slightly above the floor of the receiver 2.

The upper gripping ring 8 is shown in more detail in Figure 2; the lower gripping ring 9 is substantially identical. The gripping rings 8, 9 each comprise an annular circumferential flange 10 extending inwardly from the walls of the receiver 2, and a plurality of resiliently deformable fingers 11 extending further inwardly from the flange 10.

The flange 10 and fingers 11 are so dimensioned that a bottle of known dimensions, inserted through the mouth 3 into the receiver 2, will contact at least the distal tips of the fingers 11.

The fingers 11 will thus be deflected to accommodate the bottle; since they are resilient, the fingers 11 will thus grasp the bottle securely between them.

The receiver 2 is also provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed sockets 12. Each socket 12 is provided with a keyhole shaped recess 13, adapted to receive, detachably, a respective end of a bail handle (not shown), to allow convenient carrying of the bottle holder 1.

The gripping rings 8, 9 in some embodiments comprise an integral part of a receiver 2 formed as a unitary moulding. Alternatively, the gripping rings 8, 9 may be formed separately (for example from a material more flexible than that of the receiver 2) and then mounted to the internal surface of the receiver 2. In each case, the holder I is probably most conveniently formed from a thermoplastics material, but thermoset materials, metals or even ceramics could conceivably be used if desired.

The use of the bottle holder 1 will now be described with reference to a typical bottle 14 adapted to contain a beverage. The particular bottle 14 shown is blow-moulded from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and has a capacity of approximately two litres. It is very widely used for carbonated beverages such as lemonades, colas and the like. A main body 15 of the bottle 14 is substantially cylindrical; at a first end, the bottle 14 necks down to a nozzle 16 through which beverage may be filled into the bottle 14 or dispensed therefrom. The nozzle 16 is externally threaded to receive a screw cap (not shown). At a second end, remote from the first, the bottle 14 is provided with an enclosed base comprising a plurality of bulbous feet 17 (typically five), arranged in a ring.

The effective diameter of the base formed by these feet 17 is less than that of the main body 15. Due to this, to the rounded profile of the feet 17, and to the elongate form of the bottle 14, such bottles 14 can be insufficiently stable when stood on their feet 17, particular when full.

Also, the walls of the main body 15 of the bottle 14 are made as thin as possible, to save raw materials. When the bottle 14 is full of liquid and the nozzle 16 is sealed, the bottle 14 remains rigid. However, the thin walls are inherently flexible. Thus, when the nozzle 16 is open, an incautious grip on the main body 15 may crush it, at least temporarily, causing its contents to surge uncontrollably out of the nozzle 16.

An associated problem is that such bottles 14 can be difficult to grasp, particularly for those with smaller hands, or for those with problems such as arthritis in their fingers. Not only does this make manipulating the bottle 14 for pouring difficult, but it increases the chance of crushing the main body 15 and spilling its contents.

However, it is easy to slide such a bottle 14 in through the mouth 3 of a bottle holder 1 dimensioned to receive that particular size of bottle 14. The rounded feet 1 7 of the bottle 14 help to deflect the fingers 11 of the gripping rings 8, 9 gradually downwardly, as a lower part of the bottle 14 is passed into the receiver 2. The resilient fingers 11 are thus flexed firmly against the walls of the bottle 14, holding it securely in position within the receiver 2.

However, the symmetrical nature of the rings 8, 9, and the relatively small size of each individual finger 11, mean that the bottle 14 is not crushed.

Once in the holder 1, the width of the base 4 makes the bottle 14 much more stable. The bottle 14 may then be lifted and handled using the first handle 5, optionally also using the knob 6 or second handle 7 where additional stability is desired. The holder I may be tipped to pour beverage controllably from the nozzle 16 without risking crushing the main body 15 of the bottle 14, or conversely risking losing one's grip on the bottle 14.

Once the bottle 14 is empty, it should be straightforward to remove from the receiver 2 by pulling upwardly. If the fingers 11 happen to grip particularly firmly, one may also push downwardly on the first handle 5, knob 6, second handle 7 and/or base 4 to aid separation.

Similar problems may be experienced with rectangular-section waxed-card containers, such as are frequently used for fruit juices and the like. Although they have flat bases, they tend to be tall for their base widths, and so tipping over may be a problem. Their card or paper walls are essentially flexible, so there is a risk of crushing the container and spilling its contents when grasping it for pouring. Larger versions can be difficult to handle securely for those with small hands or grip problems.

A second bottle holder 21, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, resembles the first holder I in most respects, except for the rectangular profile of its receiver 22. The second receiver 22 of the holder 21 thus has an open mouth 23, and is provided with a wider base 24. The embodiment shown has a first handle 25 and a second handle 27 on opposite sides of the receiver 22, and two sockets 12 to receive ends of a bail handle for easier transportation.

An upper 28 and a lower 29 gripping band extend around an internal surface of the receiver 22. In the embodiment shown, each gripping band 28, 29 comprises a plurality of separate resiliently flexible fingers 30 extending inwardly from the walls of the receiver 22. (A structure similar to that shown in Figure 2, with shorter fingers 11 extending inwardly from a continuous flange 10, is also possible).

The second holder 21 is used in substantially the same fashion as the first holder 1.

It is also envisaged that holders provided with such gripping rings 8, 9 or bands 28, 29 would make transportation of bottles 14, for example from shop to home, more convenient and safer.

A third holder 31 is intended to allow transportation of up to three bottles 14 at once; other embodiments may hold different numbers. The third holder 31 comprises an outer casing 32 containing three cylindrical receivers 2, each provided with at least one gripping ring 8 (preferably two rings 8, 9). Each receiver 2 may thus retain a bottle 14 securely during transportation, the gripping rings 8 also helping to isolate the bottles 14 from many ambient vibrations, impacts and the like. This may reduce the time needed for a bottle 14 of -10-carbonated beverage to rest and settle before being opened, so as to avoid sudden pressure releases, frothing and spillage from agitated bottles.

A fourth holder (or holster) 41 is a variant of the present invention intended to facilitate the carrying of a: bottle conveniently to hand on one's person (for example by a jogger or walker). The holster 41 comprises a cylindrical receiver 42, dimensioned to receive a particular size of bottle (e.g. a 500 ml mineral water bottle) through an open mouth 42 and having a base on which a base of the bottle may rest. The receiver 42 is mounted to a back plate 44. The back plate 44 is here fitted with a strap 45; it may equally well be provided with slots to receive an existing strap or belt, or may be provided with clips, patches of hook-and-loop fastening fabric, or any other convenient means of attachment to a user's person or accoutrements.

The holster 41 shown is provided with a single circumferential gripping ring 48 extending around an inner face of its receiver 42; two gripping rings 48 may alternatively used if extra security is desired, or for larger, heavier bottles. The gripping ring 48 again comprises an array of flexible, resilient fingers 50, so deformable by introduction of the bottle as to grip the bottle gently but securely.

As well as the gripping rings 8, 9, 48 and bands 29, 29 illustrated, all of which comprise distinct fingers 11, 30, 50, it is also possible to use a simple annular band (or the like) of a sufficiently stretchable material. This would define a circular aperture, in its undeformed shape, slightly narrower than the bottle, etc, for which the holder is intended. Insertion of the bottle would then both stretch and deflect an inner margin of the band, increasing the aperture to accommodate the bottle.

The band would then grip the bottle securely until it is deliberately withdrawn. In this case, the band may have a cross-section that tapers inwardly from the receiver wall, giving it a wide base for secure mounting to the wall, but a thinner, more flexible and more deformable inner margin.

The holders described thus retain bottles securely; are simple and quick to use without requiring locks, flaps, fasteners or the like; allow easier transportation; allow easier manipulation of the bottle; and ease controlled pouring from the bottle. They should be cheap and simple to produce from a wide range of materials. They are also ideally suited to bear advertising, sponsorship and similar details.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device adapted to hold a container for liquids, comprising vessel means configured to receive the container and having substantially rigid wall means, said vessel means being provided on an internal face of said wall means with gripping means adapted to contact said container.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gripping means extends substantially circumferentially of the vessel means.
3. A device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vessel means is provided with at least two said gripping means.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel means is provided with two said gripping means spaced each from the other, optionally located adjacent remote ends of the vessel means.
5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping means comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable finger means, so extending inwardly from the wall means as to be contactable with the container.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said finger means are linked adjacent the wall means by substantially circumferential ly-extending fillet means.
7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gripping means comprises resiliently deformable flange means so extending inwardly from the wall means that its inner margin is deformably contactable with the container.
8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a unitary moulding, for example of thermoplastics material.
9. A device as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, wherein the or each gripping means comprises a separately-formed element mounted to the vessel means.
10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with manually graspable handle means.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said handle means is adapted to facilitate pouring of liquid from a container held within the device.
12. A device as claimed in either claim 10 or claim 11, provided with at least two said handle means.
13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, provided with two said handle means located on substantially diametrically-opposed sides of the vessel means.
14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with carrying handle means.
15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said carrying handle means comprises bail handle means.
16. A device as claimed in either claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the carrying handle means is detachably mounted to the device.
17. A device as claimed in any one of claims I to 13, wherein the device is provided with fitting means, optionally socket means, adapted to receive termini of a detachable carrying handle means.
18. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with stabilising base means.
19. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said vessel means.
20. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, adapted to be worn by a user.
21. A device as claimed in claim 20, mounted or mountable to strap means by which it may be attached to a user's person.
22. A device adapted to hold a container for liquids, substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.