Abstract:
A reusable drinking container incorporates an inner portion of safe, non-toxic glass and an outer portion of sustainable material such as bamboo, wood, carbon-fiber and the like. The outer member includes an inner cavity sized to receive the inner member. One or more of a top and bottom attachment members securely but releasably hold the inner member in place in the outer member. The one or more of the top and bottom attachment members thread onto corresponding threaded regions on the inner member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/367,226 filed on Jul. 23, 2010 entitled “Bamboo And Glass Drinking Apparatus” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/451,240 filed on Mar. 10, 2011 entitled “Bamboo And Glass Drinking Apparatus” and incorporated fully herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a reusable drinking container or liquid carrying container and more specifically, to a container that utilizes a glass interior container for a non-toxic and environmentally friendly reusable container and a bamboo, wood, carbon-fiber or other renewable and re-usable outer covering. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Plastic drinking bottles have increased rapidly in popularity in the past 20 years. The disposable containers have been used to contain water, juices, sodas and other beverages. Recently there has been an emergence in reusable drinking containers as a result of both environmental concerns and health concerns. As plastic water bottles have become increasingly used, the amount of waste that has accumulated and the amount of petroleum used in the production of the bottles has become an environmental concern. Additionally, the overabundance of plastic bottles that end up in land fills has become a further environmental concern. Health concerns have also been raised around the used of Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been used in making polycarbonate plastic drink containers. Although there has been significant controversy over the safety of BPA, it has been linked to developmental, neural and reproductive problems when ingested. 
         [0004]    As a result of the environmental and health concerns posed by plastic drinking containers many consumer have begun using reusable drinking containers. Initially the majority of these reusable containers were plastic based products. As a result, the concern over BPA was not diminished by the use of reusable plastic bottles. BPA is an ingredient in the manufacturing process of hard, clear polycarbonate plastics and chemicals from the containers can leach from the plastic particularly when the containers are heated, cleaned with harsh detergent or exposed to an acidic substance. 
         [0005]    In an effort to overcome the health concerns caused by plastics, stainless steel or aluminum water bottles were introduced as a replacement option for a reusable drinking container. These stainless steel reusable containers are now becomingly increasingly scrutinized for both health and environmental reasons. First, manufacturing the stainless steel bottles requires large amounts of energy, much higher amounts than are required for other drinking containers. Additionally, many manufacturers of the stainless steel reusable containers line the interior of the bottle with a synthetic coating that contains BPA or another potentially harmful substance, such as BADGE. BADGE has been shown to genetically modify cells and cause cancer in lab testing. The possibility of aluminum contamination has been associated with various health risks, including Alzheimer&#39;s disease, arteriosclerosis and other possible neurological side effects. Due to the increasing concern surrounding stainless steel reusable containers there is a need for an environmentally friendly and safe reusable container. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, what is needed is a reusable drinking container that includes an inner container that holds the potable liquid and is made from a material that is non-toxic and does not pose environmental and health concerns, such as glass, as well as an exterior container into which the interior container fits that is able to be manufactured in an environmentally friendly way that incorporates safe materials that are renewable and sustainable and that can be recycled, such as bamboo, wood, carbon-fiber and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention features, in a first embodiment a liquid carrying container comprising a non-toxic inner portion configured for containing potable liquids, wherein the inner portion includes an upper region that includes an upper opening with an upper threaded attachment region, a side region and a bottom region; and an protective outer bamboo portion, wherein the outer bamboo portion includes an inner cavity configured to receive the bottom and side regions of the inner portion, and wherein the outer portion is configured to be fully detachable from the inner portion; and a top member, wherein the top member is configured to attach to the upper threaded attachment region of the inner portion and is configured to serve as a cap which fully covers and provides a liquid-tight seal of the upper opening of the inner portion. 
         [0008]    In this first embodiment of the present invention, the non-toxic inner portion may be glass. The glass may be fortified such that it is generally shatterproof. The outer portion may be constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of bamboo, wood and carbon-fiber material. The bamboo or wood material may be manufactured by forming thin strips of bamboo or wood together to form one solid outer portion piece. An outer diameter of the outer portion is configured to fit within a cup holder of an automobile. 
         [0009]    This embodiment may further comprise an upper attachment member, wherein the attachment member is configured to attach to the upper threaded attachment region of the inner portion and configured to secure the inner portion and the outer portion into a fixed position relative to one another. The upper attachment member may include threaded attachment means, wherein the threaded attachment means is configured to be compatible with the upper threaded attachment region of the inner portion. The attachment member is preferably a ring type nut device and is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber. The top member is configured to attach to the upper threaded attachment of the inner portion and to come into direct contact with the attachment member, wherein the top member is configured to serve as a cap which fully covers and seals the upper opening of the inner portion. The top member is preferably constructed from a material such as plastic or rubber, and is recyclable. Additionally, the top member may further include one of the following: a loop, a ring, or a karabiner-style attachment. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, the bottom region of the generally shatterproof glass inner portion includes a lower portion threaded region, and wherein the container further comprises a lower attachment member, wherein the lower attachment member is configured to attach to the lower portion threaded region of the generally shatterproof glass inner portion, and wherein said lower attachment member is configured to secure the inner portion and the outer portion into a releasably fixed position relative to one another. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a drinking container device comprises a non-toxic inner generally shatterproof glass portion configured for containing liquids, wherein the generally shatterproof glass inner portion includes an upper region that includes an upper opening with an upper threaded attachment region, a side region and a bottom region; an outer bamboo portion, wherein the outer bamboo portion includes an inner cavity configured to receive the inner portion, and wherein the outer bamboo portion is configured to be fully detachable from the inner portion; a top member, wherein the top member is configured to attach to the upper threaded attachment region of the inner portion and is configured to both maintain the inner portion removably securely attached to the outer bamboo portion as well as to serve as a cap which fully covers and provides a liquid-tight seal of the upper opening of the inner portion; and wherein the bottom region of the generally shatterproof glass inner portion includes a lower portion threaded region, and wherein the container further comprises a lower attachment member, wherein the lower attachment member is configured to attach to the lower portion threaded region of the generally shatterproof glass inner portion, and wherein said lower attachment member is configured to secure the inner portion and the outer portion into a releasably fixed position relative to one another. 
         [0012]    In this embodiment, the lower attachment member is preferably a screw cap. Further, the lower attachment member is preferably constructed from a material including plastic and rubber. 
         [0013]    In yet another embodiment, a liquid containing apparatus comprises an inner portion including an upper region, a lower opening and a lower threaded attachment; a cap configured to attach to an upper region of the inner portion; an outer portion configured to cover the inner portion, wherein the outer portion includes a lower surface, wherein the lower surface includes one or more slots; and a bottom member, wherein the bottom member is configured to attach to the lower threaded attachment region of the inner portion, wherein the bottom member comprises: a top side including one or more protrusions located on an upper rim portion, wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to fit into the one or more slots on the lower surface of the outer portion, thereby ensuring the outer member cannot rotate in relation to the bottom member when the cap is attached or removed from the inner portion; and a bottom side. 
         [0014]    In this embodiment, the bottom member may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein the first protrusion is placed 180 degrees opposite the second protrusion, and wherein the lower surface of the outer portion includes a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first slot is configured to receive the first protrusion and the second slot is configured to receive the second protrusion. The bottom member may also include one or more ridges located on an inner surface of the bottom member, wherein the one or more ridges are configured to make contact with the inner portion at the lower threaded attachment and wherein the one or more ridges interlock with a plurality of ridges on a bottom edge of the lower threaded attachment. The bottom member may further include one or more holes, wherein the one or more holes are configured to allow moisture from condensation or spillage to flow out of the apparatus and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped in the bottom member. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a drinking apparatus of the present invention while  FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of an assembled drinking apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the assembly of the drinking apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drinking apparatus of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the bottom member of the drinking apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The present invention features a drinking or liquid carrying container  10 ,  FIG. 1 , that includes a safe, non-toxic inner portion  12  that contains any potable liquid made of glass, and a renewable protective outer portion  14  made of bamboo, wood, carbon-fiber or the like. It has been shown that the only water bottles that are 100% safe to use are those that are made from glass. Traditionally, glass has been thought of as a material that is breakable and rather heavy. Glass is, however, extremely safe. Glass has not been shown to be toxic or to leach chemicals or negative flavors into a contained liquid. Additionally, glass is entirely recyclable. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drinking apparatus includes a glass inner portion  12  that replaces traditional synthetic and toxic liners. The glass that will preferably be used for the inner portion  12  will be microwave and dishwasher safe. The glass will be fortified such that a drop should not break the glass. The glass can be any type of glass product, however the glass will preferably be shatter-proof or break-proof. Such glass is well known in the art. 
         [0022]    The inner portion  12  includes an upper opening  28  and may also optionally include a lower opening  26 . The upper opening  28  will preferably be wide enough that the opening can easily accommodate ice cubes. The inner portion  12  is provided with an upper threaded attachment region  22  as well as a lower threaded attachment portion  24 . 
         [0023]    The drinking apparatus  10  also includes an outer portion  14  that is preferably made from a renewable and/or recycled material such as bamboo, wood (such as oak from used wine barrels), carbon-fiber material and the like. The outer material such as bamboo provides a sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly material that provides protection to the inner portion  12  and also is easy to grip by a user and provides some insulative value, preventing the user&#39;s hand from coming in direct contact with a hot or cold inner portion  12 . Bamboo is a preferred material as it may be harvested using a sustainable, selective cutting method. The outer portion  14  may be manufactured by molding and/or gluing or otherwise fusing thin strips of individual bamboo or wood pieces together. This process would increase the strength of the outer portion  14  and reduce waste in the manufacturing process and allow for the use of small pieces of material that might have been unused from other manufacturing processes. 
         [0024]    The outer diameter of the outer portion  14  will preferably be designed to fit easily into a car&#39;s cup holder. Preferably, the inner portion  12  is removable from the outer portion  14 , such that the inner portion  12  can be effectively and easily washed by hand or in a dishwasher. 
         [0025]    The inner portion  12  can be slid into the outer portion  14  and effectively held in place by a bottom member  16 , such as a screw on cap, screw on ring or other similar attachment means. The bottom member  16  can be plastic, rubber or any other suitable material and will preferably be recyclable. The bottom member  16  will preferably entirely cover the lower opening  26  of the inner portion and provide an effective non-leaking seal. In this embodiment, the inner portion  12  includes a lower region  15  near lower opening  26  that tapers inward and has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the remainder of the inner portion  12 . The lower region  15  forms a “step” which when the inner portion  12  is installed in place in the outer member  14  abuts onto outer member ridge portion  17 . When bottom member  16  is screwed onto lower threaded region  24  of the inner portion  12 , the inner portion  12  is pulled down tightly against the ridge portion  17  holding the inner portion generally snugly in place within the outer portion  14 . 
         [0026]    Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention, the drinking apparatus  10  may not require a bottom member  16  as the inner portion  12  may not have a lower opening  26 . In this embodiment, the outer portion  14  would wrap entirely around the bottom of the inner portion  12 . In another embodiment, the inner portion  12  may include a wider lower region of approximately the same size as lower member  16 . In this embodiment, the inner portion  12  may be inserted into the cavity of the outer member  14  upward from the bottom region of the outer member  14  with the bottom of the inner member  12  resting against the outer member  14 . 
         [0027]    The bottom member  16  preferably includes a top side  46 ,  FIG. 4 , and a bottom side  48 . The top side  46  of the bottom member  16  includes one or more protrusions or tabs  30  located on an upper rim portion  36  of the bottom member  16 . The one or more protrusions  30  are configured to fit into one or more slots  32  ( FIG. 2 ) located within a lower surface or region  34  of the outer portion  14 . In a preferred embodiment, two protrusions  30  are provided on the bottom member  16 , wherein a first protrusion  30   a  is placed 180 degrees opposite a second protrusion  30   b , as seen in  FIG. 4 . In this preferred embodiment, the lower surface  34  of the outer portion  14  would feature two slots  32  configured to receive the two protrusions  30 . The protrusions  30  fit into the slots  32  of the outer member  14  thereby ensuring the outer member  14  cannot rotate in relation to the bottom member  16  when the cap  20  is twisted on or removed from the bottle  12 . 
         [0028]    The bottom member  16  may further include ridges  38 ,  FIG. 4 . The ridges  38  are located on an inner surface  40  of the bottom member  16 . The ridges  38  are configured to make contact with the inner portion  12  at the lower threaded attachment  24 . The ridges  38  interlock with a plurality of ridges or other protrusions on a bottom edge  42  of the lower threaded attachment  24 , thereby locking the bottom member  16  to the inner portion  12  such that the combination of the bottom member  16  and inner portion  12  will not come unscrewed or detached when rotating (removing or replacing) an attachment member  18  or top member  20  (as described above and below). 
         [0029]    Additionally, the bottom member  16  may feature one or more holes or openings  44 . The one or more holes or openings  44  are designed to allow moisture from condensation or spillage to flow out of the drinking apparatus  10 . The one or more holes  44  prevent moisture from becoming trapped in the bottom member  16 . 
         [0030]    An attachment member  18  is attachable to the upper threaded attachment  22  of the inner portion  12 . The attachment member  18  is a ring like device that attaches and thereby secures the inner portion  12  in place to the outer portion  14 . The attachment means for the attachment member  18  preferably includes a threaded attachment that is compatible with the upper threaded attachment  22  of the inner portion  12 . The attachment member  18  is preferably a large ring like nut and may be plastic, rubber or any other suitable material. 
         [0031]    Additionally, a top member  20  in the form of a cap is then securable to the upper threaded attachment  22  of the inner portion  12 . The top member  20  comes in direct contact with the attachment member  18 . The top member  20  serves as a leak-proof cap, which fully covers the upper opening  28  and provides a leak-proof seal. The top member  20  may be plastic, rubber or any other suitable material and will preferably be recyclable. The top member  20  may be in the shape of a flat cap as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  or alternatively, may include a loop, ring or other karabiner-style design (shown generally as  50  in  FIG. 1 ) in order to allow a user to attach the drinking apparatus  10  to a bag or to hold the drinking apparatus  10  more easily with one or two fingers. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the attachment member  18  may not be used and rather the top member  20  would serve as both the cap and the attachment means, securing the inner portion  12  to the outer portion  14  and also providing a cover over the upper opening  28 . The top member  20  may also feature other various accessories, such as a straw (not shown) that is designed to pull fluid from the bottom of the inner portion  12 . 
         [0033]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel drinking apparatus using a combination of bamboo and glass that improves upon all existing reusable drinking containers. The outer portion  14  serves to protect the inner portion of  12  and also provides insulating qualities. The drinking apparatus preferably includes an inner portion  12  and recyclable bottom member  16  and top member  20 , which creates a drinking apparatus that is easy to use and assemble, easy to drink from, and easy to clean. 
         [0034]    It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalent.