Modular decorative locket

A locket is provided including a cap and a base. The cap includes a cylindrical wall portion; a top portion combining with the cylindrical portion to define an internal cap aperture, the internal aperture having internal threads defined therein; and a decorative element protruding from the top portion in a direction opposite of the cylindrical wall portion. The base includes a bottom and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall defining an internal base aperture. The base further including outwardly protruding threads operable to selectively engage threads of the cap such that rotational motion of the cap or base causes engagement and disengagement of the cap and the base. The base further including a track including upper and lower annular elements, the track sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a coupler therein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fashion accessories. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to locket-style fashion accessories.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Fashion accessories allow for personalizing a user's “look.” Lockets have been used to hold items such as pictures in a wearable container.

According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a locket is provided including a cap and a base. The cap includes a cylindrical wall portion; a top portion combining with the cylindrical portion to define an internal cap aperture, the internal aperture having internal threads defined therein; and a decorative element protruding from the top portion in a direction opposite of the cylindrical wall portion. The base includes a bottom and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall defining an internal base aperture. The base further including outwardly protruding threads operable to selectively engage threads of the cap such that rotational motion of the cap or base causes engagement and disengagement of the cap and the base. The base further including a track including upper and lower annular elements, the track sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a coupler therein.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a sleeve is provided including a body having a cylindrical wall defining an upwardly open aperture sized and shaped to receive and secure a cap therein that is sized and shaped to be received on an industry standard two-liter bottle, the body including a bottom coupled to the cylindrical wall; and a coupler attached to the bottom of the body.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a plastic cap including; a cylindrical wall portion; a top portion combining with the cylindrical portion to define an internal cap aperture, the internal aperture having internal threads defined therein, the threads sized and shaped to be compatible with industry standard threads on a 20 oz/1-liter/2-liter bottle ; and a decorative element protruding from the top portion in a direction opposite of the cylindrical wall portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Closure10of the present disclosure (FIG. 7) includes base12, cap14, optionally insert16, optionally hole plug72, and optionally a coupler18,20, and optionally silicone sleeve22,52. Cap14couples to base10to form an enclosure. Coupler18,20,22attaches to base12and/or cap14to permit closure10to be coupled to a person, clothing, or other item.

FIGS. 1a-cillustrate a first embodiment base12. Base12is formed from molded plastic and includes bottom24and cylindrical wall26. Cylindrical wall26includes retaining ring28, threads30, and central aperture32. Bottom24is circular and has a diameter greater than that of cylindrical wall26. Retaining ring28extends radially outward from cylindrical wall26and forms track34between ring28and bottom24. Track34is sized and located to allow couplers18,20,22to be received thereby while allowing selective attachment and detachment of cap14to and from base12. Threads30are sized and arranged to comply with industry-standard bottle cap thread sizes for plastic two-liter, one-liter, and 20 oz bottles. Central aperture32is sized to receive insert16. The diameter of central aperture32is slightly larger than the outer diameter of insert16. Alternatively, as discussed below, in certain embodiments, insert16is sized to abut the walls of central aperture32. In one embodiment, central aperture32is approximately one half inches deep, which corresponds to cylindrical wall26being approximately one half inches high.

In one embodiment, base12is formed by cutting off the top of a two-liter, one-liter, or 20 oz bottle. In such an embodiment, hole plug72(FIG. 11) is used to provide bottom24. Hole plug72is a plastic piece that includes bottom24aand cylindrical side wall26a. Side wall26aincludes two sets of opposing pawls74. Pawls74are cantilevered downward and flex relative to the rest of wall26a. The middle of pawls74extend outward relative to cylindrical side wall26a. Lower ends of pawls74extend inward relative to cylindrical side wall26a. Side wall26ais sized to fit within the neck of a cut off two liter bottle. Hole plug72is inserted into the cut off bottle from below and is frictionally fit therein via the outwardly extending middles of pawls74. When insert16is placed within hole plug72, pawls74flex outward to allow insert16to pass by their lower ends. Once insert16passes the lower ends of pawls74, the lower ends flex back inward to retain insert16between the lower ends of pawls71and bottom24a. Hole plug72optionally includes a logo glued, engraved, or otherwise adhered to base26a, in such embodiments the logo is covered when insert16is inserted.

Cap14includes top wall38, side wall40, threads42, top ring44, design element46, and optionally gripping ring48. Top wall38is integrally formed with side wall40and is formed from molded plastic. Top wall38extends generally perpendicularly to side wall40. Side wall40is cylindrical and includes inwardly exending threads42. Threads42are sized and arranged to comply with industry-standard bottle cap thread sizes for plastic two-liter, one-liter, and 20 oz bottles. Top ring44is coupled to the outer side of top wall38. Top ring44is integrally molded with top wall38in one embodiment and adhered to top wall38in another embodiment. Design element46is disposed within top ring44and sealed thereto via polyeurethane, an adhered clear plastic, or otherwise over top of design element46within top ring44. Any suitable sealing agent can be used so long as it preserves the ability for design element46to be perceived by a user. Gripping ring48is illustratively a ring of silicone that frictionally or otherwise engages side wall40.

In one embodiment, insert16is constructed from nylon and positioned within central aperture32of base12. As shown inFIGS. 5a-bandFIG. 1b, insert16is illustratively a flat disc sized to fit within central aperture32and lie flat against bottom24therein. Insert16has an ornamental image displayed thereon. In one embodiment, insert16includes a silicone border50operable to engage cylindrical wall26of central aperture32to hold insert16therein. As shown inFIG. 5c, in certain embodiments, insert16includes magnet70therein.

Accordingly, cap14threadably engages base12to form an enclosure in which items can be placed. Additionally, in that threads30of cap14are compatible with the industry standard for threads of 2 liter, 1 liter, and 20 oz. bottles, caps14can be placed on such bottles to provide indicia of ownership or to allow unique identification thereof

Additionally, various couplers18,20,22,52are provided. Coupler18is a keychain type coupler. Keychain coupler18,FIG. 6, includes a first coupling portion54and a second coupling portion56. First coupling portion54is sized and shaped to secure around bottom24(or the analogous structure on a drink bottle). First coupling portion54includes an annular recess that receives a portion of bottom24therein. Keychain coupler18thereby provides for closure10or a bottle with cap14to be secured thereto. Second coupling portion56is illustratively hingedly connected to first coupling portion54and includes hinge clasp58. Hinge clasp58selectively opens to allow attachment to clothing loops, backpack loops, or the like. Accordingly, keychain coupler18provides for the coupling of closure10and bottles to garments or items.

Coupler20is a necklace type coupler. Necklace coupler20is illustratively a knotted loop of silicone cord. The knot is placed to allow closure10to be secured to coupler20by having a portion thereof disposed within track34. Alternatively, necklace coupler20includes a molded portion of silicone (or other suitable material) that is sized to fit within track34to hold closure10thereto.

Coupler22,FIGS. 10a-bandFIG. 8is a silicone receiver. Coupler22includes cap receiver60and a coupling loop62. Cap receiver60is sized to slightly deform to receive cap14therein and then frictionally engage cylindrical wall26to hold cap14therein. Coupling loop62forms an attachment aperture76sized to receive headband64, slap bracelet, or any other suitable item to provide for such item to be adorned with cap14.

Coupler52is also a silicone receiver. Coupler52includes cap receiver60and has magnet66disposed in bottom surface68of cap receiver. Again, cap14is held within cap receiver60. When so received, cap14is able to be attached to magnetically receptive surfaces to adorn such surfaces with cap14.

It should be appreciated that the colors of various components can be changed and/or mixed and matched to provide differing fashion impressions.