Abstract:
The present invention is a liquid container having an internal storage cavity with a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a neck area and a base area. The neck area contains an opening at its apex to permit entry and egress of liquids. The neck area also contains a handle that runs across a concave indentation, which is also part of the neck area. Furthermore, the handle&#39;s first point and second point are contained completely within the neck area. The handle&#39;s curvature is substantially the same as the curvature of the neck and it outer arc having the same radian value as the outer arc of the neck area. Equal radian values camouflage the presence of the claimed handle, reducing its potential jarring appearance, while also retaining the same overall shape of the exterior arc, thus largely alleviating the need to retool or reconfigure existing bottle making equipment or storage equipment.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 61/273,604 filed on Aug. 6, 2009, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a unique container that incorporates a functional handle into the neck area of an embodied container. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates to a container, particularly a beverage bottle having a handle. The primary function of such a handle is to assist with pouring of a liquid from the larger bottle into a smaller personal container, such as a cup. Although a beverage container with a handle has been known in the art, it commonly suffers from functional and aesthetic disadvantages that the present invention seeks to resolve. 
         [0004]    Family size beverage containers that exist in the art tend to be bulky, not having a convenient gripping facility. Even containers that have a handle, it exists generally more for design and image purposes, then for any practical usefulness. The inadequacy of the presently available handles for beverage containers is compounded by the fact that beverage bottles containing liquid are usually refrigerated. The cold temperature of the liquid inside spreads to the surface of the container which attracts condensation at room temperature. The added condensation causes an already awkward handle to become slippery and tricky to hold, requiring excessive griping strain on one&#39;s hand or hands. 
         [0005]    Ideally, a handle on a container is meant to be of greatest assistance at the time when the beverage container is full, since this is the time when the container is the heaviest and most cumbersome. A handle should provide an enhanced grip to prevent spills caused by hand slippage. However, presently known handles do not satisfy this paradigm since they are actually more convenient to use when the container is not as full to the top. 
         [0006]    An additional problem with the presently available containers having handles is that their appearance substantially differs from the appearance of containers that do not have a handle. Therefore, another important and novel improvement is that the present invention does not introduce any significant alteration to the shape of the bottle. In fact, the outline of a container remains the same. A change in the appearance of a bottle is a very significant event for a beverage company. When a manufacturer tends to use the same container for a long period of time, its shape becomes tantamount to a trademark that consumers associate with a specific manufacturer or brand. Some beverage producers have even registered the design of their beverage containers as a trade dress. Therefore, a significant change of appearance may have an immediate negative affect on consumption of a given beverage, as consumers may not initially recognize the new packaging, or may be discouraged from buying products having packaging that is perceived to be less attractive. And furthermore, the claimed change to a beverage bottle will not require a manufacturer to increase the overall size of the bottle to maintain presently supplied quantities. Most significantly, bottlers will be able to ship the bottles in currently manufactured crates, since the handled bottle of the present invention does not project past the wall of the soda container. 
         [0007]    The machinery and processes used in bottle making are precisely calibrated over long periods of time to accommodate a specific bottle mold and a resulting shape of the bottle. The significant financial risk and difficulties associated with introduction of new packaging discourages bottle manufacturers from introducing new packaging, even if this packaging is superior to what is currently being used in the art. The present invention benefits the parties by not requiring the manufacturer to significantly change its molds, because all essential dimensions of an existing container are preserved. 
         [0008]    Additionally, but equally important, is that the presently claimed handle is disposed at the crown. The crown tends to have a greater structural integrity then the rest of the bottle, due to its curved shape and proximity to components that by their nature need to be substantially more structurally robust then the rest of the container, such as the opening of a bottle. The structural enhancement ensures that the novel handled claimed in the present invention provides adequate strength to support all intended uses and strains. 
         [0009]    Finally, the presently available bottle handles are designed for adult hands, which lead to children always needing adult help in handling beverage containers, and indirectly, to a high rate of spillage, in instances when an adult is not present or is not available. On the contrary, the present invention has a smaller cross sectional diameter, thereby giving children greater independence in using beverage containers. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,525 discloses A new and unique bottle and attachable handle and method of forming and assembling the same. The bottle includes a recess in its sidewall which provides space for finger placement and means for attaching the handle substantially therewithin. The handle is attached to the sidewall of the bottle at the upper and lower portions of the recess and essentially lies within the breadth of the bottle and preferably substantially within the recess. 
         [0011]    The handle and bottle can be attached by interlocking, welding, bonding, or adhesive means. For such attachment the handle and bottle have coating surfaces which provide vertical and horizontal bearing surfaces therebetween for lifting and carrying the bottle and for pouring therefrom. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,596 teaches A liquid storage bottle is provided with a generally cylindrical liquid storage chamber and an integral handle. A well is formed in the liquid storage chamber to accommodate the handle. The walls of the well are configured to prevent water from pooling thereon, and to allow a cleaning fluid to reach all inside surfaces of the bottle. The handle is configured for ease of cleaning the bottle. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle is closed-off from the liquid storage chamber. In another exemplary embodiment, the handle is configured to allow a water-safe cap easily to pass therethrough. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,267 discloses A liquid storage bottle is provided with a generally cylindrical liquid storage chamber and an integral handle. A well is formed in the liquid storage chamber to accommodate the handle. The walls of the well are configured to prevent water from pooling thereon, and to allow a cleaning fluid to reach all inside surfaces of the bottle. The handle is configured for ease of cleaning the bottle. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle is closed-off from the liquid storage chamber. In another exemplary embodiment, the handle is configured to allow a water-safe cap easily to pass therethrough. 
         [0014]    Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address the entire problem solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is a liquid container having an internal storage cavity with a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a neck area and a base area. The neck area contains an opening at its apex to permit entry and egress of liquids. The neck area also contains a handle that runs across a concave indentation, which is also part of the neck area. Furthermore, the handle&#39;s first point and second point are contained completely within the neck area. The handle&#39;s curvature is substantially the same as the curvature of the neck and it outer arc having the same radian value as the outer arc of the neck area. Equal radian values camouflage the presence of the claimed handle, reducing its potential jarring appearance, while also retaining the same overall shape of the exterior arc, thus largely alleviating the need to retool or reconfigure existing bottle making equipment or storage equipment. 
         [0016]    Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and other, not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container with a handle. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid container whose appearance is not altered by the presence of a handle. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container whose production will not require significant retooling and calibration. 
         [0020]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container suitable for pouring by adults and children. 
         [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handle that is ergonomically comfortable to use by adults, children, and by persons unable to adequately grip objects, such as those afflicted with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. 
         [0022]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and robust liquid container having a handle. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a handle that resists slippage. 
         [0024]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container with a handle that enables for convenient and effortless tilting and manipulation of a bottle. 
         [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a handle that facilitates an easy removal of such container from a crate that is full of other similar containers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a side view the present invention with a perspective view of a handle disposed thereon. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the present invention with a side view of a handle disposed thereon. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the present invention, showing an alternative embodiment of a handle that does not reach the second point on the neck area. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a side view the present invention with a front view of a handle disposed thereon. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a tunnel in place of a concave indentation. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5   
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0034]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the present invention, disclosing a perspective view of a handle. Shown in detail are a storage cavity  5 , a container  10 , a sidewall  20 , a neck area  30 , an opening  40 , having a cover  45 , a concave indentation  50 , an outer surface  60 , a handle  70 , a first point  80 , and a second point  90 . The container  10  is preferably intended for liquids fit for human consumption. However, the same concepts will be beneficial for liquids that are unfit for human consumption as well, such as detergents, cleaning agents, adhesives, as well pourable powdered solids. The container is preferably made of a verity of polymer substances used in the art, and may also be made out of paper, ceramics or glass, and also less pliable or commonly used materials, such as wood or metal. The preferred handle  70  is preferably made out of the same material as the rest of the container  10  and may also be made out of a different material. 
         [0036]    A typical plastic container is formed using a combination of blow molding techniques, such as, but not limited to, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and stretch blow molding. A typical manufacturing process includes the steps of forming a parison or preform out of a section of hot raw material, by blowing compressed gas, usually air, into an opening on one end of the raw material. The blowing air expands the preform, pressing it against walls of a mold, in the process also forming the opening  40  into a hard area that may contain a thread or frictional elements (not shown). To create the handle embodied in the present invention, a manufacturer will not need to create an entirely new mold, but can make due with inserts or accents forming the indentation  50  and the handle  70  in the neck area  30 . These accents or inserts may be removable thus affording the possibility of the making several types of containers using the same mold, namely a container having a handle  70  and a container not having one. Alternatively, the indentation with the handle may be added as a separate step while the neck area  30  of the container  10  is still hot and pliable from the molding process. 
         [0037]    The present invention is shown as disposed on a liquid container bottle  10 , preferably a soft drink bottle or otherwise a bottle having a liquid fit for human consumption. In the preferred embodiment, the handle  70  begins at the first point  80  and terminates at the second point  90 . Soft drinks are heavily favored by young children, for whom a container  10  may be too heavy or bulky, and who for that matter will be unable to lift and pour some of the contents into a secondary vessel. Instead, children and others lacking sufficient strength, prefer tipping the container  10  instead of lifting it. The placement of the handle  70  within the neck area  30  is convenient for both lifting and tipping implementations. An additional benefit of a handle  70  that is placed so high up along the sidewall  20  is that it is visible and accessible while the container  10  is packed into a crate among other containers. One wishing to extract such container  10  from its crate can easily reach in and remove the container  10  through the convenient use of the handle  70 . 
         [0038]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the outer surface  60  may contain frictional or structural elements, such as ribs or rough surfaces for a more secure hold on the container. Such outer surface  60  may also be an element of design, or provide an enhanced structural integrity of the neck area  30 . These optional accents would be added by the manufacturer during the molding process, or may be added later with decals or etching. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a storage cavity  5 , a container  10 , a sidewall  20 , a neck area  30 , an opening  40 , having a cover  45 , a concave indentation  50 , an outer surface  60 , a handle  70 , an access area  75 , a first point  80 , a second point  90 , an outside arc  100 , an inside arc  110 , a base area  130 , and a base  140 . The container  10  is preferably a polymer, such as plastic. The width of the access area  75  at its widest point should be preferably between ½ and 4 inches. For a disposable or a recyclable container  10 , the handle  70  is preferably hollow, and liquid within the container  10  is able to communicate unimpeded between the first point  80  and the second point  90 . When a container  10  is reusable, the handle  70  may still be hollow; however, a solid handle is preferred since it decreases the maintenance and disinfection costs associated with cleaning a length of narrow space, especially a handle  70  having a substantially thin diameter. 
         [0040]    A handle  70  that is unitary is sealed off from the storage cavity  5 . This may be because it was added later in the manufacturing process, or simply was not designed to provide a channel for liquid communication between the first point  80  and the second point  90 . A unitary embodiment of a handle  70  may nonetheless be hollow to reduce the weight of the overall container  10 . However, it is easier and cheaper to create a unitary handle that is solid, which will also enhance the tensile strength of such a handle  70 . Such a unitary handle  70  may be removable, as required for things like cleaning, storage, and disposal or recycling, mainly because a container  10  and the liquid storage cavity within it are sealed off from the handle  70 . However, for most containers in the art, handles  70  are integral with the structure of the container  10  and are manufactured as a single monolithic unit. In integral handle  70  most often provides free communication channel for liquid stored within the storage cavity  5  that is contained within the container  10 . 
         [0041]    The preferred cross sectional diameter of the handle  70  is between ⅛ and 2 inches, which is a sufficiently small circumference that would afford the hand or hands to surround it far enough and with enough comfort, to grip it as solidly as needed to perform a desired task. Additionally, the handle  70  must posses sufficient strength to support a container  10  that is full to the top with liquid, which preferably means that the first point  80  and/or the second point  90  must be reinforced, and which may entail having a thicker wall in those areas. Furthermore, the handle  70  must possess sufficient length to permit the hand or hands gripping it to reliably exert a griping, holding, lifting or tipping force. The preferred length of the handle  70  is between 1.5 inches and 6 inches. 
         [0042]    The outside arc  100  of the handle  70  has a radian value equal to the outside arc  120  of the neck area  30 . This contributes to a useful and non-obvious novelty of the embodied handle  70  in that the appearance of the container  10  is not altered by the presence of the handle  70 . Therefore a target consumer is still able to easily recognize the packaging and will appreciate the extra convenience of a handle  70 . If the radian value of the arc  100  is not equal to the arc  120  the resultant handle  70  will distort to appearance of the container  10 , creating an appearance of a value pack, a detergent bottle, or a cleaning solution, thus potentially alienating image conscious consumers. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 2  the radian value of the inside arc  110  is the equal to the radian value of the outside arc  100 , which is equal to the arc radian value of the neck area  120 . This is the preferred design since the resulting handle  70  is more agronomic and more comfortable due to the uniformity of the width of the handle. It is also easier and cheaper to make and clean, as opposed to a handle  70  having various stylistic or whimsical inflections. 
         [0044]    The handle  70  is preferably substantially tubular to be congruous with the substantially cylindrical appearance of the majority of beverage containers  10 . Additionally, such a shape is conducive of a better grip on the handle, as the human hand is more adapt at holding round objects that substantially conform to the shape of the hand than to square objects. However, a squared handle or a handle in a shape of an elongated tetrahedral shape, standing on its narrow end is also a viable alternative, if this design of the handle is a better match to the appearance of the container  10 . 
         [0045]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , finger grip indentations can be created on the inside arch  110  to further enhance the ergonomically preferred shape of the handle  70 . Such finger grip indentations would run across the width of the inside arch  110 . Furthermore, such finger grip indentations can be either right handed or left handed. A left handed finger grip indentation will twist around the inside arch  110  with a termination point biased toward the right side of the handle  70 , close to the outside arch  100 ; whereas a right handed finger grip indentation will twist around the inside arch  110  with a termination point biased toward the left side of the handle  70 . Additionally, or in place of finger indentations, the handle  70  may contain a frictional surface, which may be a frictional coating or a sleeve around the handle, made of a rubberized or gel-like material that will generate friction against the surface of the hand, thus reducing the need for a strong grip on the handle  70 . The finger indentations or frictional surfaces or both, or even the mere presence of a comfortable, and agronomic handle  70  is very desirable to those who do not posses a physically strong hand grip, such as children and the elderly, or those afflicted with musculature or joint degenerative condition, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson&#39;s, arthritis or carpal tunnel. 
         [0046]    For containers  10  holding a detergent, or liquid bottles of substantial size that are placed on their sides for storage, it may be desirable to create a removable handle, where such a handle conceals openings either at the first end  80  or the second end  90 . A second opening is especially desirable for viscous liquids such as honey or syrup or such chemical substances as detergent and liquid soap. When a container  10  is placed on its side, either to effectuate pouring or for storage, as in the case of extra large containers  10 , the opening  40  is likely to be completely covered by the viscous liquid. Viscous liquids are substantially impervious to the air. As a result, as the liquid drains from the opening  40 , it creates an empty space inside the container  10 . Air is not able to fill the emptiness since the opening  40  is obstructed by the liquid or by the cap  45 . This causes the container  10  to be crushed by the atmospheric pressure outside, leading to a substantial deformation of the container  10 . Therefore, a second opening revealed by the removal of the handle  70  will afford an additional unobstructed opening enabling the air outside the container  10  to fill in the spaces vacated by the exiting liquid, thus preserving the shape of the container  10 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  provides an alternative embodiment for the handle  70 . Shown are a liquid storage cavity  5 , a container  10 , a sidewall  20 , a neck area  30 , an opening  40 , having a cover  45 , a concave indentation  50 , an outer surface  60 , a handle  70 , a first point  80 , a second point  90 , a distal end  150 , and a gap  160 . The handle  70  is shown only partially spanning the concave indentation  50 , leaving a gap  160  between the distal end  150  where the handle  70  terminates and the second point  90 . The gap  160  may be desirable because the handle  70  is now easier to grab, since the inside arch  110  is more accessible than in the preferred embodiment. Additionally, the handle  70  can function as a hook, where the inside arch  110  is hung up on a support structure (not shown) that is admitted through the gap  160 . Another alternative embodiment would be to have telescoping handle  70 . Where the handle  70  is a partial handle as shown in  FIG. 3 , having a telescoping slave section contained inside the handle  70  and which can emanate from the distal end  150  when necessary, such as when the container is full to the top, large or heavy. A concave indentation  50  may have a coupling point (not shown) to fixate such telescoping slave portion of the handle  70 . However, this embodiment is not preferred, due to extra complexity and increased manufacturing cost. Additionally, although such a handle is very useful it is not as obfuscating as a full handle  70 , and does not provide a grip that is as agronomic as the preferred full handle  70 . 
         [0048]    Another alternative embodiment (not shown) would be to have a handle  70  in shape of a ridge running vertically across the concave indentation  50 , thus effectively dividing the concave indentation  50  into two sections. Yet another alternative embodiment (not shown) would be to have a handle  70  whose inside arc  110  has a radian value is only slightly different than the radian value of the external arc  100  of the neck area  30 . A slight deviation may enhance the ergonomic qualities of the handle  70 , such as by providing a wider access area  75  (not shown), but not significantly alter the overall appearance of the container  10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is another diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the preferred embodiment of the handle  70  from the front. One appreciates the diminutive and unobtrusive appearance of the handle  70  with respect to the rest of the container  10 , which is one of the highly desirable objects of the preset invention. Also shown in  FIG. 4  are a storage cavity  5 , a container  10 , a sidewall  20 , a neck area  30 , an opening  40 , having a cover  45 , a concave indentation  50 , an outer surface  60 , a handle  70 , a first point  80 , a second point  90 , neck area arc  120 , a base area  130 , and a base  140 . The cover  45  that is most common in the art is a screw-on cap or a plug, as well as a snap-on cap, as in when an opening  40  is a drinking nozzle. The opening  40  is formed at the apex of the neck area  30 . The apex, normally defined as the highest point, includes anywhere within the confines of the neck area  30  of the present invention. The neck area  30  forms a convex dome above of the liquid storage cavity  5 . A part of the neck area  30  is removed during manufacture, and replaced with a concave cavity  50 , having a handle  70 . The liquid storage cavity  5  is supported by the base area  130  that is supported by the base  140 , which sits atop of a support structure, such as a table, a shelf or a floor. The base area  130  is shown having fins or feet, however the particular shape of the base area  130  is not critical to the enablement of the present invention. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5-7  show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Shown are a storage cavity  5  inside a container  10  that has a sidewall  20  with a neck area  30  and an opening  40 . The neck area  30  that is in a shape of a convex dome also shows a horizontal arc  180 , and a horizontal arc of a handle  181 . The opening  40  has a cover  45 . The concave indentation  50  is replaced in this embodiment by a tunnel  170 , having a mid-point  171 . Also shown are a handle  70  with an access area  75 , a wide orifice edge  77 , a narrow orifice edge  78 , a first point  80 , a second point  90 , an outside arc  100 , an inside arc  110  and the aforementioned horizontal arc  181 . The container  10  further contains an arc of the neck area  120 , a base area  130 , and a base  140 . 
         [0051]    The benefit of a tunnel  170  is that the internal volume of the container  10  that would be occupied by the concave indentation  50  may now be released back to the storage cavity  5 . Another benefit is that the handle  70  is even more hidden and discrete, since the handle  70  is no longer tubular, but contains a horizontal arc  181 , whose radian value is equal to the radian value of the horizontal arc  180  of the neck area. 
         [0052]    The two access areas  75 , on either side of the handle  70  also have a wide orifice edge  77  and a narrow orifice edge  78 . The two access areas  75  represent a segment of material that was removed from the convex dome of the neck area  30  and which was then linked by a tunnel  170 . A slide resistant, gripping surface may be located on the narrow orifice edge  78  or on both orifice edges  77  and  78 . The slide resistant, frictional surface or finger indentations may exist within the tunnel  170  as well. Both the wide and narrow orifice edges  77  and  78  draw toward each other at the mid point  171  of the tunnel  170 . This tapering in generally provides a better, more convenient gripping force on the handle  70  since it generally conforms to the shape or a human hand. The tapering in feature is not strictly required. The preferred length of the tunnel  170  may be approximately 1 inch, while the preferred diameter of the access areas  75  may be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches. The handle  70  formed above the tunnel  170  may permit liquids through or it may it may be solid. 
         [0053]    Still referring to the alternative embodiment  FIGS. 5-7 , the arc  120  preferably has a radian value equal to the outside arc  100  of the handle  70 . It may also be preferable that the radian value of the inside arch  110  is equal to that of the outside arc  100 . These values would further one of the main objectives and the spirit of the present invention, namely, to preserve the accepted and customary appearance of the container  10 , while affording a much needed handle  70 . It should be noted that the alternative embodiment described in  FIGS. 5-7 , may likely afford a smaller handle  70  than the one found in the preferred embodiment. However, the appearance of the container  10  may be enhanced by a more unobtrusive handle. 
         [0054]    A beverage or a container manufacturer will need to make a preference selection between a bigger handle and a uniform container  10 . Structurally, the container  10  shown in  FIGS. 5-7  may be easier and cheaper to manufacture since the first point  80  and the second point  90  are more robust due to a larger handle  70 . However, the tipping ability of the alternative handle  70  is somewhat compromised since a broader handle  70  is more biased towards lifting the container  10  rather than tipping it. 
         [0055]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.