Abstract:
A protein shaker bottle or similar beverage container that has one or more magnets on its outer surface. The magnets allow for the shaker bottle to magnetically adhere to a metallic or ferrous surface. The inventive bottle allows a user to quickly and temporarily adhere the bottle to a piece of gym equipment on a gym floor.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Prov. Appl. Ser. No. 62/117,100, filed on Feb. 17, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of beverage containers, more specifically to a protein shaker bottle having a magnets on it body allowing for temporary securement to exercise equipment. 
       BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Protein shaker bottles or blender bottles have gained widespread use in gyms, fitness clubs and similar venues. Many gym goers carry their shaker bottles on the gym floor so that they may readily consume a protein-rich beverage during or after a workout session. Shaker bottles are typically quite large, often cumbersome and it can be a nuisance to temporarily place them down while working on a particular exercise machine or similar equipment. 
         [0004]    There is, therefore, a need in the art for a shaker bottle that is configured for easy temporary storage in various areas of a gym floor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention set forth herein is a shaker bottle that has one or more magnets on its outer surface—thereby allowing for a temporary magnetic attachment to a piece of gym equipment. A user, thus, need only temporarily attach the shaker to a piece of gym equipment, allowing for fast and convenient stowage of the same. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a rear, perspective view of a shaker bottle according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a rear, elevational view of a shaker bottle according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the plane denoted by line  29  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  a rear, perspective view of a shaker bottle having a removable bottom cap according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a elevational view of the shaker bottle according of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the  FIGS. 1-5 . However, the drawings and the description herein of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that various modifications of the present description of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, features or steps described herein may be omitted, additional steps or features may be included, and/or features or steps described herein may be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations recited herein without departing from the spirit of the invention, all as understood by those of skill in the art. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a shaker bottle according to an embodiment of the invention. The shaker bottle  10  is substantially sized and shaped like a conventional shaker bottle, having a generally cylindrical container  12  and a top cover member  14 . Container  12  which is the well portion of the bottle has an interior cavity for holding beverages or other fluids and an outer surface  16 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , mating threads  18  provided on upper lip  20  of container  12  mate with corresponding threads on cover  14  in order to selectively attach cover  14  to container  12 . 
         [0013]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment of the invention, cylindrical container  12  has a tapered or inclined external surface  16 . That is, upper lip  20  of container  12  has a greater circumference than that of bottom surface  22  of container  12 . As such, the outer panels of shaker  10  slope inwardly as they descend from lip  20  to floor surface  22 . (“Bottom surface” or “floor surface” refer to the bottom plate or surface of container  12 , which has an inner and outer surface. The inner surface serves as the bottom of the cup interior and the outer surface rests on a flat surface such as a table or floor). 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more magnets  24   a ,  24   b  are affixed to the external surface  16  of container  12 . Magnets  24   a ,  24   b  are used to temporarily attach the shaker bottle  10  to a metallic structure such as a piece of gym equipment. (Note that the description herein refers to different sides or directions with respect to the cylindrical container  12 . The side having magnets  24   a ,  24   b  affixed to it is referred to as “rear,” whereas, the side diametrically opposed thereto is referred to as the “front.” The side to the right of the front side, which bridges the rear surface is referred to as the “right” side. The side to the left of the front side, which bridges the rear surface is referred to as the “left” side. Each “side,” is approximately a 90° curved perimeter area of external surface  16  of container  12 . Each “side” may be interchangeably referred to as a “panel,” “surface,” or “wall,” or “sidewall.”) 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of rear panel  16   a  of container  12 . As shown, an attachment appendage  26  projects laterally from the surface thereof. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of shaker bottle  10  taken through the plane indicated by line  29  in  FIG. 2 . Rear panel  16   a  and opposing front panel  16   c  are shown in cross-section, whereas, the internal wall surface of left-side panel  16   b  is shown. As shown, attachment appendage  26  projects laterally from the outer surface of rear panel  16   a.    
         [0017]    Attachment appendage  26  is formed integrally with, or attached to, rear panel  16   a  of container  12 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , appendage  26  is a projection or similar surface that juts out from rear panel  16   a . Appendage has an upper wall  28 , a lower wall  30  and sidewalls  32 ,  34  (sidewalls  32 ,  34  best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 )—each extending laterally from rear panel  16   a . Upper, lower and sidewalls  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  terminate in a platform  35  (see e.g.  FIG. 1 ). Platform  35  is a flat surface disposed substantially orthogonally to walls  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, appendage is a blow-molded thickening of a wall area disposed approximately midway between cup lip  20  and lower surface  22  of rear panel  16   a.    
         [0018]    One or more magnets  24   a ,  24   b  are affixed to or positioned in attachment appendage  26 . For example, one or more recesses or slots are provided on appendage  26  to correspondingly accommodate one or more magnets. With reference to  FIG. 3 , an upper slot  36   a  and a lower slot  36   b  are shown, which correspondingly accommodate an upper magnet  24   a  and a lower magnet  24   b . In the embodiment shown, slots  36   a ,  36   b  are substantially circular recesses made in the thickness of appendage  26 . Slots  36   a ,  36   b  are substantially sized and shaped to receive disc-shaped magnets  24   a ,  24   b . For example, recess  36   a  is shown having a floor surface  38  and surrounding walls  40 . Each corresponding disc-shaped magnet (e.g.  24   a ) has a circular front face  42   a , a rear face  42   b  and an annular edge  44  bridging the front and rear faces. Annular edge  44  is substantially orthogonal to front face  42   a  and rear face  42   b —defining the thickness of the magnet  24   a.    
         [0019]    As shown, rear face  42   b  of a magnet (e.g.  24   a ) is inserted in contact with floor surface  38  of a slot (e.g.  36   a ). In one embodiment, surrounding walls  40  of slot  36   a  capture annular edge  44  of magnet  24   a  and maintain the same in place. Slots  36   a ,  36   b  have a depth that is substantially equal to the thickness of magnets  24   a ,  24   b  (i.e. the depth of surrounding walls  40  of slots  36   a ,  36   b  are substantially equal to the thickness of annular edge  44 ). As such, outward directed front faces  42   a  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ) of magnets  24   a ,  24   b  are substantially coplanar with platform  35  of appendage  26 . Magnets  24   a ,  24   b  and coplanar platform  35  form a substantially planar contact surface that interfaces with a metallic segment of a piece of exercise equipment. 
         [0020]    It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that front faces  42   a  of magnets  24   a ,  24   b  need not be coplanar with platform  35  of appendage  26 . In one embodiment of the invention, magnets  24   a ,  24   b  extend past platform  35 , such that only magnets contact a metallic structure. Still in other embodiments, slots  36   a ,  36   b  may have a depth that is slightly greater than the thickness of a magnet, such that one or more magnets are recessed with respect to platform  35 . 
         [0021]    Magnets  24   a ,  24   b  may be glued into a slots or secured therein by way of a tight frictional grip. In either case, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, magnets  24   a ,  24   b  are covered or coated in a protective material (such as plastic of the like) to protect the same during washing and cleaning. 
         [0022]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment of the invention, attachment appendage  26  projects from rear panel  16   a  of shaker bottle  10  in an offset manner so as to ensure that front faces  42   a  of magnets  24   a ,  24   b  are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaker bottle  10  (longitudinal axis indicated by dotted line  41 ). That is, as stated, rear panel  16   a  slopes inward (i.e. toward the direction of the longitudinal axis of shaker  10 ) from cup lip  20  to the lower surface  22  of container  12 . In a preferred embodiment, contact surfaces (i.e. front faces  42   a ) of magnets  24   a ,  24   b  occupy a plane that is at an acute angle from panel  16   a . Preferably, the plane occupied by contact surfaces of magnets  24   a ,  24   b  is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of shaker  10 . Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, lower wall  30  of appendage  26  extends farther in a lateral direction than upper wall  28  thereof. In this embodiment, the thickness of side walls  32 ,  34  of appendage  26  gradually increase as they descend from upper wall  28  to lower wall  30 . 
         [0023]    It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that magnets of any of various sizes and shapes are within the teaching of the invention, and two circular magnets are exemplary. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more magnets used to attach shaker  10  to a piece of exercise equipment have a longitudinal aspect. That is, in a preferred embodiment, in order to securely affix a shaker bottle  10  to a metallic surface, and to minimize side-to-side movement, two magnets arranged in a longitudinal plane are utilized. In such arrangement there are at least two contact points at which magnetic pulling force is applied (i.e. an upper and a lower contact point). Magnets arranged in a longitudinal plane or arranged where one is situated above of the other may be referred to as magnets having a “longitudinal aspect” herein. As a result of the longitudinal aspect, pulling force is applied in an upper region and a lower region. 
         [0025]    For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , in one embodiment of the invention, a first upper magnet  24   a  is positioned above of a second lower magnet  24   b  (“upper” refers to the direction toward cover  14 , whereas, “lower” refers to the direction toward lower surface  22  of container  12 ). Upper magnet  24   a  applies pulling force in an upper region, whereas, lower magnet  24   b  applies pulling force in a longitudinal region below thereof. In other embodiments of the invention, more or less than two magnets may be used. For example, three or more magnets may be provided substantially in a straight line. Alternatively, three magnets in “triangle” formation (e.g. two upper magnets and one lower magnet—or vice versa) may be provided. Alternatively, a single elongated magnet having a longitudinal aspect may be used. Still, in other embodiments of the invention, two parallel strips or groups of magnets, where each of the strips or groups have a longitudinal aspect may be used in embodiments of the invention. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, attachment appendage  26  is positioned on rear panel  16   a , substantially halfway between cup lip  20  and lower surface  22 . It will be understood, however, that alternative placements of appendage  26  are possible—all of which are within the teaching of the invention. 
         [0027]    In use, a user aligns magnets  24   a ,  24   b  with a metallic or ferric structure, and then places the magnets in contact therewith. The shaker cup  10  will, thus, adhere to the structure by magnetic attraction generated by one or more magnets on its outer surface. For example, bottle  10  may be attached to any of various arms, support bars or similar structures on exercise machines in a gym. This allows a user to simply approach a piece of equipment, easily attach the shaker thereto and proceed to exercise without worrying that the shaker may be a tripping hazard or in somebody&#39;s way. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more magnets mounted to the shaker  10  will exert (or combine to exert) magnetic attraction of sufficient force to securely, yet temporarily, adhere a shaker bottle that is full of fluid to a metallic or ferric structure. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the invention, each magnet  24   a ,  24   b  exerts between 2-8 pounds of pulling force. In other embodiments, each magnet exerts between 3-6 pounds of pulling force. In yet other embodiments, a single magnet having a longitudinal aspect exerts between 5-12 pounds of pulling force. It will be understood that the pulling force ranges are exemplary and forces that are more or less than the recited ranges are possible in different embodiments of the invention. Note that where a numerical range is provided herein for any parameter, it is understood that all numerical subsets of that numerical range, and all the individual integer values contained therein, are provided as part of the invention. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, a series of indentations, flutes or similar grooves  46  are made in the exterior surface of container  12 . Grooves  46 , which are roughly sized and shaped to receive average-sized fingers are provided on the side panels (e.g. left side panel  16   b  and diametrically opposed right panel) of the container  12 . In a preferred embodiment, a series of substantially parallel grooves  46  span at least a portion of the side panels of the shaker  10 . Grooves  46  are substantially parallel to the bottom surface  22  of shaker, and in an embodiment, at least one or more grooves are positioned at the same height as appendage  26  or a segment thereof. In one embodiment, grooves  46  extend somewhat into rear panel  16   a . For example,  FIG. 2  shows a series of grooves  46  terminating on rear panel  16   a . As such, when the shaker  10  is secured to a ferric element with its rear panel  16   a  magnetically adhered thereto—a user approaching from the front of the shaker may grip the bottle by inserting his/her fingers into grooves  46  and pulling the shaker  10  off (thereby releasing the magnetic grip). 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shaker  10  is configured such that when cover  14  is fastened thereto, the spout  48  substantially aligns with front panel  16   c  and is diametrically opposed from rear panel  16   a . In one embodiment, respective threads on the container  12  and cover  14  are positioned in a manner such that when cover is rotated to attach to container  12 —rotation terminates when spout  48  is substantially in line with the front panel  16   c  of shaker  10 . As such, when a user pulls shaker  10  off of a piece of equipment, it will be positioned in his/her hand with spout  48  in the proper orientation for drinking. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in one embodiment of the invention, a removable bottom cap  50  is provided as a bottom surface of the shaker  11 . In this embodiment, container 58  is formed of a cylindrical body segment  56  and a bottom cap  50 . Bottom cap  50  is a substantially disc-shaped cap that has a floor or bottom surface  52  and surrounding walls  54 . A series of threads on the inside surface of surrounding walls  54  (not shown) mate with corresponding threads on the bottom of the cylindrical body  56  segment. Cap  50  is thereby attachable to the bottom of the cylindrical body  56  (e.g. by rotation of one with respect to the other)—forming the bottom or floor thereof. As such, a user may simply unscrew cap  50  in order to adequately clean the inside bottom of the bottle. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any of various attachment mechanisms may be utilized to attach a bottom cap, such as a tight frictional engagement or the like. 
         [0032]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 4-5 , the bottom segment of the container is sized and shaped to fit into a standard cup-holder in vehicles such as cars. 
         [0033]    Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since further modifications and variations may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover all such modifications and variations. That is, although described with respect to specific embodiments, the invention relates to any of various shaker bottle configurations that magnetically adhere to a metallic structure.