Abstract:
A sling-type protective cover for a container. An exemplary protective sling for a baby bottle may include a plurality of straps extending longitudinally from a base. The bottom end of a baby bottle may be received in the base, and each of the straps may include an opening for engaging the neck of the bottle. The protective sling may be constructed from an elastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed to covers for containers and, more particularly, to protective covers for beverage containers, such as baby bottles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments may include sling-type protective covers for containers. An exemplary protective sling for a baby bottle may include a plurality of straps extending longitudinally from a base. The bottom end of the baby bottle may be received in the base, and each of the straps may include an opening for engaging the neck of the bottle. The protective sling may be constructed from an elastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. 
         [0003]    In an aspect, a protective sling for a bottle may include a first extension including a first end and a second end, the first end including an opening for receiving a neck of a bottle; a second extension including a first end and a second end, the first end including an opening for receiving the neck of the bottle; and a cup portion for receiving an end of a bottle, the second end of the first extension and the second end of the second extension joining the cup portion. 
         [0004]    In a detailed embodiment, the first extension, the second extension, and the cup portion may be integrally formed of a substantially elastic material. In a detailed embodiment, The substantially elastic material may include a thermoplastic elastomer. 
         [0005]    In a detailed embodiment, when the protective sling is installed on the bottle, one of the first end of the first extension and the first end of the second extension may overlap the other of the first end of the first extension and the first end of the second extension about the neck of the bottle. In a detailed embodiment, a protective sling may include a third extension including a first end and a second end, the first end including an opening for receiving the bottle neck, and the second end joining the cup portion. In a detailed embodiment, a protective sling may include at least one surface feature on an exterior surface of at least one of the first extension and the second extension. In a detailed embodiment, the first extension and the second extension may be separate for a majority of the length of the bottle. 
         [0006]    In an aspect, a removable protective device for a bottle may include at least two substantially longitudinally extending extensions, each of the extensions including a first end and a second end. The second ends may connect to form a bottle-receiving cup for engaging a bottom end surface of a bottle, the first ends may extend longitudinally upward from the cup for substantially a length of the bottle, and each of the first ends may include an opening for at least partially circumscribing a neck of the bottle. 
         [0007]    In a detailed embodiment, when the protective device is installed on a bottle, one of the first end of the first extension and the first end of the second extension may overlap the other of the first end of the first extension and the first end of the second extension. In a detailed embodiment, each of the extensions may be separate from the other extensions for a majority of its length. In a detailed embodiment, each of the extensions may be separate from the other extensions for substantially its entire length, and the extensions may be horizontally interposed by at least one generally U-shaped cutout. In a detailed embodiment, a protective device may include at least one surface feature on an exterior surface of at least one of the extensions. 
         [0008]    In an aspect, a protective cover for a bottle may include a base for receiving a bottom portion of a bottle; a first strap extending longitudinally from the base, the first strap including a distal end for engaging a neck portion of the bottle; and a second strap extending longitudinally from the base, the second strap including a distal end for engaging the neck portion of the bottle. The first strap and the second strap may be unconnected for a majority of a length of the bottle. 
         [0009]    In a detailed embodiment, the first strap, the second strap, and the base may be constructed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer and silicone. In a detailed embodiment, the distal end of the first strap and the distal end of the second strap may each include an opening, and, when the protective cover is installed on a bottle, one of the distal end of the first extension and the distal end of the second extension may overlap the other of the distal end of the first extension and the distal end of the second extension. In a detailed embodiment, at least one of the openings may be at least partially circumscribed by an enlarged rim. In a detailed embodiment, the first strap, the first strap distal end, the second strap, the second strap distal end, and the base may be integrally formed of a substantially elastic material. In a detailed embodiment, the distal end of the first strap and the distal end of the second strap may each include an opening for receiving the neck of the bottle, and, when the protective cover is installed on the bottle, each of the distal end of the first strap and the distal end of the second strap may substantially circumscribe the neck of the bottle. In a detailed embodiment, a protective cover may include at least one surface feature on an exterior surface of at least one of the first strap and the second strap. In a detailed embodiment, the first strap and the second strap may be interposed by at least one generally U-shaped cutout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The detailed description refers to the following figures in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary bottle sling installed on a baby bottle; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary bottle sling prior to installation on a bottle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an exemplary bottle sling installed on a baby bottle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an exemplary bottle sling prior to installation on a bottle; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an exemplary bottle sling prior to installation on a bottle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present disclosure contemplates that it may be advantageous to at least partially enclose some containers within a protective cover. For example, a protective cover for a glass baby bottle may reduce the risk of breakage and/or may improve a user&#39;s grip on the bottle. Although exemplary embodiments are described herein with particular reference to glass baby bottles, it is within the scope of the disclosure to provide a protective cover for use in connection with any container or device which may functionally or aesthetically benefit from such a protective cover. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary bottle sling  100  installed on a baby bottle  10 . The baby bottle  10  may include a body  12  (which may have a circular or polygonal cross section, for example) and a lid  14 , which may include a nipple. The body  12  and the lid  14  may be interposed by a narrowed portion or neck  16 . An exemplary bottle sling  100  may be installed on the baby bottle  10  such that at least a portion of the exterior of the baby bottle  10  is covered by the bottle sling  100 . 
         [0018]    An exemplary bottle sling  100  may include one or more extensions  102 ,  104 . One or more of the extensions  102 ,  104  may include one or more bottle engaging features, such as openings  106 ,  108  at the upper ends of the extensions  102 ,  104 . Openings  106 ,  108  may engage an upper portion of a baby bottle  10 , such as neck  16 . In some exemplary embodiments, openings  106 ,  108  may engage the lid  14 , or any other upper portion of the baby bottle  10 . 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment, by engaging openings  106 ,  108  with neck  16 , distal portions of individual extensions  102 ,  104  may at least partially circumscribe at least a portion of bottle  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , extensions  102 ,  104  may at least partially overlap when the bottle sling is installed on a bottle  10 . 
         [0020]    An exemplary bottle sling may include a base, such as cup portion  110 , which may interpose and/or connect the extensions  102 ,  104 . The cup portion may be sized to receive a bottom end of the baby bottle  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, the lower surface of the cup portion  10  may be substantially flat (or may include substantially level portions) such that the baby bottle  10  may stand in an upright orientation on a flat horizontal surface. 
         [0021]    An exemplary bottle sling  100  may include one or more surface features, such as gripper dots  112 , which may improve a user&#39;s grip. Some exemplary embodiments may include other surface features (such as lines, patterns, depressions, etc.) in place of or in addition to gripper dots  112 . Further, some exemplary embodiments may include one or more openings through one or more of extensions  102 ,  104 . Such openings may contribute to the visual appearance and/or tactile characteristics of the bottle sling  100 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary bottle sling  100  prior to installation on a bottle. Openings  106 ,  108  may be generally circular, oblong, egg-shaped, or any other shape in a relaxed condition, and may be elastically stretchable to engage neck  16 . In some exemplary embodiments, both extensions  102 ,  104  and their upper ends including openings  106 ,  108  may be elastically deformed to stretch openings  106 ,  108  over the neck  16  of the bottle  10 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , extensions  102 ,  104  may be separate for a majority (and/or substantially all) of their length, and they may be horizontally interposed by generally U-shaped cutouts. The top ends of extensions  102 ,  104  may be rounded. Openings  106 ,  108  may be circumscribed by enlarged rims  106 A,  108 A. Cup portion  110  may include one or more holes  110 A, which may prevent a vacuum from being drawn in the cup portion  110  as the bottle sling  10  is removed from a bottle  10 . 
         [0024]    Some exemplary embodiments may be constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer. For example, an exemplary embodiment may be constructed from a clear or opaque FDA approved thermoplastic elastomer between 30-60 durometer. It is within the scope of this disclosure to construct exemplary embodiments from other materials, such as silicone, rubber, thermoplastic rubber, latex, and the like. Some exemplary embodiments may be constructed of substantially non-toxic or food grade materials. 
         [0025]    An exemplary bottle sling  100  may be installed on a baby bottle as follows. The bottom portion of the bottle may be placed within the cup portion  110 . Extension  102  may be stretched over the neck  16  of the bottle  10  such that neck  16  is within opening  106 . Extension  104  may be stretched over the neck  16  of the bottle  10  such that neck  16  is within opening  108 . This may cause the upper ends of extensions  102 ,  104  to at least partially overlap. In some cases, the lid  14  of the bottle  10  may be removed prior to installing the bottle sling  100 , and/or lid  14  may be installed on bottle  10  after installing the bottle sling  100 . 
         [0026]    While exemplary embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.