Patent Publication Number: US-7914165-B2

Title: Beverage bottle with accessories

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a container having modular accessories that can be added as needed depending upon the intended use of the container. 
     People often carry beverage bottles with them. Depending upon that day&#39;s activities, they may also carry a variety of small accessories. For example, people participating in outdoor sports or recreation may also carry accessories such as an AM/FM radio or MP3 player with a speaker, a storage unit, a flashlight, a GPS unit, a compass, a stopwatch or clock, or a pedometer. In addition to these accessories, people concerned about emergency preparedness may also carry a radio that can access NOAA alerts or other weather channels, a first aid kit or other emergency accessories, or a two-way communication device. Moreover, any person using electronic accessories will also need to carry batteries, a solar collecting device, other power sources, or a manual power supply (such as a hand-crank power-generating device) for generating power or recharging batteries. In general, any beverage bottle user may have a need for any or all of these and other accessories. 
     Carrying a beverage bottle and any or all of these and other accessories adds to the overall bulk of a person&#39;s belongings. Moreover, a person may bring some multiple accessories having the same feature. For example, a person may bring a clock/radio combination to tell time and an MP3/radio combination for listening to music. Carrying redundant accessories also adds to the bulk of the person&#39;s belongings. 
     The ability to make dual use of a bottle for storing a beverage and as a receptacle for attaching one or all of these and other accessories would be a significant advantage to beverage bottle users, including users participating in recreational activities and sports and users concerned with emergency preparedness, and users with special medication needs. It would, among other benefits, reduce the bulk, space, and weight of belongings, improve organization of accessories, and provide convenient access to a beverage bottle and accessories. It would also reduce the amount of redundant accessories that add bulk to the person&#39;s belongings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In various representative aspects, the present invention describes a bottle-and-accessory aggregate along with methods of using such aggregates. 
     Exemplary implementations include a beverage bottle for storing and dispensing drinking water or other liquids or solids attached to any combination of one or more optional accessories, for example, audio devices, storage devices, recreational devices, lighting devices (both an outward-facing flashlight and an inward-facing lantern), power sources, emergency items, clocks, timers, alarms, and medicine dispensing needs. In certain embodiments, the bottle can be disposable, made of lightweight plastic, reusable, and be made of a transparent or translucent material such as Nalgene/Lexan. 
     The accessories can be attached in many combinations including but not limited to: bottle with radio feature; bottle with radio feature and flashlight; bottle with flashlight only; bottle with digital clock and alarm feature; bottle with digital clock, alarm, and radio feature; bottle with digital clock, alarm, radio, and flashlight; bottle with medicine dispenser; bottle with medicine dispenser and flashlight; bottle with medicine dispenser, radio and flashlight; or bottle with medicine dispenser, digital clock, alarm, and flashlight. 
     In another exemplary implementation, a user can detach an accessory from the beverage bottle. The user can, for example, detach all accessories from the beverage bottle and use the beverage bottle in a stand alone configuration. In an exemplary implementation, the instrumentality for attaching accessories to the beverage bottle will be concealed so that no instrumentality for attachment is visible when all accessories are detached from the bottle. The ability to detach an accessory from the beverage bottle can allow the user to substitute a different accessory by attaching that different accessory to the beverage bottle. For example, there can exist a range of accessories that can be attached to the beverage bottle. For example, there can exist a range of accessories that can be attached to the beverage bottle that use the same instrumentality. Therefore, each accessory in the range of accessories would be suitable for one another, and a user could form various aggregates from the same beverage bottle by detaching and attaching various accessories. 
     In still another exemplary implementation, a user can attach more than one accessory to the beverage bottle. For example, there could exist a range of accessories that can be attached to the beverage bottle or to other accessories using the same instrumentality. These accessories could also, for example, be detached from the beverage bottle or from other accessories. In one exemplary implementation, each accessory in the range of accessories could be substitutable for one another and could be detached from or attached to each other or to the beverage bottle in any configuration. For example, the user could link accessories by attaching one accessory to another in a serial configuration and then the user could attach an accessory at the end of the serial accessories to the beverage bottle. This would allow a user to create a single aggregate of water bottle and multiple accessories linked together in a serial configuration. However, any configuration for attaching more than one accessory to a water bottle would be appropriate and any instrumentality for connecting accessories to each other and to the beverage bottle could be used. 
     There are a variety of techniques for attaching accessories to the beverage bottle and to each other. One or more of these accessories can be attached to the beverage bottle, for example, by screwing one accessory to the bottle and other accessories to each other. The accessories can also snap into the bottle and to each other or can be attached by fasteners. The accessories can be attached to the bottle by frictional engagement. Any technique for securing one object to another, including permanent techniques for fixing objects to each other, is suitable for securing one or more accessories to the beverage bottle and to each other. 
     The aggregates can be customized by users or by marketers. A user can, for example, create an aggregate of a beverage bottle and one or more accessories that meets the user&#39;s needs by selecting certain accessories from a range of accessories based upon the user&#39;s desired activity and attaching these one or more accessories to the beverage bottle. For example, if the user is going on a day hike, the user may select a compass, a storage compartment, a flashlight, and a portable power source from a range of accessories. The user can then attach these accessories to the beverage bottle. As another example, a marketer can create an aggregate of a beverage bottle and one or more accessories that targets a certain market segment&#39;s needs. For example, the marketer can pre-select certain accessories from a range of accessories and sell a beverage bottle bundled together with these accessories. A marketer could, for example, target the emergency preparedness market by selecting a first-aid kit, a GPS, a power source, and a flashlight from a range of possible accessories. The marketer can then attach these accessories to the beverage bottle and market the aggregate to particular users interested in emergency preparedness. 
     The features of the aggregates can be combined to address specific price points and market segments. These market segments include, among others, the general consumer bottle water market; the outdoor, recreational, and sports market; the safety and emergency preparedness markets; and the market for consumers requiring medication. For the emergency preparedness market, an aggregate can also include safety and emergency items inside the bottle for storage, distribution, and easy access in case of an emergency. For the outdoor, recreational, and sports market, an aggregate can also include items commonly used for outdoor activity such as camping and hiking stored inside the bottle. The items will be packaged with the aggregate bottle and accessories as a complete solution to address the specific market. 
     Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice. Other advantages will be realized and attained through the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  representatively illustrates an embodiment of an aggregate bottle and accessory attachment. 
         FIG. 2  representatively illustrates an embodiment of an aggregate where the accessory attachment is shown exploded from the bottle. 
         FIG. 3  representatively illustrates an embodiment of an aggregate having a cap attached to the bottle body. 
         FIG. 4  representatively illustrates another embodiment of an aggregate having a cap attached to the bottle body. 
         FIG. 5  representatively illustrates an embodiment of an aggregate with more than one accessory attached to the bottle, but shown in exploded form. 
         FIG. 6  representatively illustrates another embodiment of an aggregate bottle with accessory attachment. 
         FIG. 7  representatively illustrates a technique for attaching an accessory to the bottle. 
         FIG. 8  representatively illustrates another embodiment of an aggregate having a cap attached to the bottle body. 
         FIG. 9  representatively illustrates a technique for attaching more than one accessory to the bottle. 
         FIG. 10  representatively illustrates another embodiment of an aggregate with more than one accessory attached to the bottle. 
         FIG. 11  representatively illustrates a table showing examples of combinations of accessories that can be marketed to various market segments. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded section view of the aggregate of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown or discussed generally in order to avoid obscuring the present invention or making the specification unnecessarily long. IN that regard, in order to further shorten the specification, numerous existing patents and publications are discussed and incorporated by reference above and below. It should be noted that there exist many different configurations, technologies, and applications to which the present invention may be applied and that, while exemplary embodiments are used to illustrate and explain the various aspects of the invention, application of the various aspects of the invention is not limited to those embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate with an accessory attachment. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity. An accessory  20  is attached to second extremity  12  of the bottle body. 
       FIG. 2  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate with the accessory attachment removed. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11 . An accessory  20  is detached from the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. 
       FIG. 3  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate having a cap attached to the bottle body. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11 . The first extremity  11  is covered by a removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity  11  of the bottle body. In one embodiment, there is an annular groove at the first extremity of the bottle body. An annular ring  15  is situated inside the groove. There is a fastener  16  on the cap. The connector element  14  joins the annular ring  15  to the fastener  16 . The connector element  14  permits the cap  13  to remain attached to the bottle body  10  even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity  11 . The connector element  14  can also serve as a carrying handle. An accessory  20  is attached to the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. 
       FIG. 4  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate having a cap attached to the bottle body. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11 . The first extremity  11  is covered by a removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity  11  of the bottle body. This permits the cap to remain attached to the bottle body even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity. The connector element can also serve as a carrying handle. An accessory  20  is attached to the second extremity  12  of the bottle body.  FIG. 4  further illustrates that the accessory  20  may be a flashlight. 
       FIG. 5  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate with more than one accessory attached. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11 . The first extremity  11  is covered by a removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity of the bottle body. An annular ring  15  is situated inside the groove. There is a fastener  16  on the cap. The connector element  14  joins the annular ring  15  to the fastener  16 . This permits the cap to remain attached to the bottle body even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity. The connector element can also serve as a carrying handle. A first accessory  20  has a first extremity  21  and a second extremity  22  opposite the first extremity  21 . The first extremity  21  of the first accessory is attached to the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. A second accessory  30  has a first extremity  31 . The first extremity  31  of the second accessory is attached to the second extremity  22  of the first accessory.  FIG. 5  further illustrates that the first accessory  20  may be a storage container.  FIG. 5  further illustrates that the second accessory  30  may be a radio. 
       FIG. 6  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate with an accessory attachment. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11 . An accessory  20  is attached to the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. 
       FIG. 7  representatively illustrates a technique for attaching an accessory to the bottle aggregate. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11  having a perimeter. The perimeter of the second extremity  12  of the bottle body is threaded. An accessory  20  has a first extremity  21  having a perimeter substantially the same as the perimeter of the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. The accessory has a second extremity  22  opposite the first extremity  21 . The perimeter of the first extremity  21  of the accessory has threads that correspond to the threads in the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. This allows the first extremity  21  of the accessory to be screwed into second extremity  12  of the bottle body. In one embodiment, the threads in the perimeter of the second extremity  12  of the bottle body are not exposed. Instead, an inner perimeter surface of a lip at the second extremity  12  of the bottle body is threaded. Thus, in that embodiment, if the accessory is removed there are no threads visible on the outer surface of the bottle body  10 . 
       FIG. 8  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate having a cap attached to the bottle body. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11 . The first extremity  11  is covered by a removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity  11  of the bottle body. In one embodiment, there is an annular groove at the first extremity of the bottle body. An annular ring  15  is situated inside the groove. There is a fastener  16  on the cap. The connector element  14  joins the annular ring  15  to the fastener  16 . This permits the cap to remain attached to the bottle body even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity. The connector element can also serve as a carrying handle. An accessory  20  is attached to the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. In one embodiment, the accessory  20  is a radio. In another embodiment, the accessory  20  contains an LED or other light source that shines upward into the bottle body. 
       FIG. 9  representatively illustrates a technique for attaching more than one accessory to the bottle aggregate. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity  11  having a perimeter. The first extremity  11  is covered by a removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity  11  of the bottle body. In one embodiment, there is an annular groove at the first extremity of the bottle body. An annular ring  15  is situated inside the groove. There is a fastener  16  on the cap. The connector element  14  joins the annular ring  15  to the fastener  16 . This permits the cap to remain attached to the bottle body even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity. The connector element can also serve as a carrying handle. The perimeter of the second extremity  12  of the bottle body is threaded. A first accessory  20  has a first extremity  21  having a perimeter substantially the same as the perimeter of the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. The perimeter of the first extremity  12  of the first accessory has threads that correspond to the threads in the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. This allows the first extremity  21  of the accessory to be screwed into the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. The first accessory has a second extremity  22  opposite the first extremity  21  having a perimeter. The second extremity  22  of the first accessory is threaded around the perimeter. A second accessory  30  has a first extremity  31  having a perimeter substantially the same as the perimeter of the second extremity  22  of the first accessory. The perimeter of the first extremity  22  of the second accessory has threads that correspond to the threads in the second extremity  22  of the first accessory. This allows the first extremity  31  of the second accessory to be screwed into the second extremity  22  of the first accessory. The threading portions may be oppositely disposed so that extremities  11 ,  21 ,  31 , etc. have male threads while extremities  12 ,  22 ,  32 , etc. have corresponding female threads that are standardized with each other to couple to their male thread counterparts. 
       FIG. 9  further illustrates that the first accessory  20  may be a storage container. In one embodiment, the storage container is waterproof. In another embodiment, the storage container is large enough to accommodate keys and money. In yet another embodiment, the storage container is large enough to accommodate credit cards. 
       FIG. 9  further illustrates that the second accessory  30  may be a radio. In one embodiment of the radio, the first extremity  31  of the second accessory has a plastic cover to seal a battery compartment. In another embodiment of the radio, there is enough space between the second extremity  21  of the first accessory and the battery compartment in the second accessory  30  to store money and a key. In still another embodiment, the radio has splash-proof speaker holes. In other embodiments, the radio can include a channel indicator, an AM/FM tuner, weather channels or NOAA alerts, or volume control. 
       FIG. 10  representatively illustrates an embodiment of a bottle aggregate with more than one accessory attached. A bottle body  10  has a first extremity  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle and a second extremity  12  opposite the first extremity. The first extremity  11  is covered by a removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity of the bottle body. This permits the cap to remain attached to the bottle body even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity. The connector element can also serve as a carrying handle. A first accessory  20  has a first extremity  21  and a second extremity  22  opposite the first extremity  21 . The first extremity  21  of the first accessory is attached to the second extremity  12  of the bottle body. A second accessory  30  has a first extremity  31  and a second extremity  32  opposite the first extremity  31 . The first extremity  31  of the second accessory is attached to the second extremity  22  of the first accessory.  FIG. 10  further illustrates that the second extremity  32  of the second accessory may include a flashlight. 
       FIG. 11  representatively illustrates some examples of combinations of accessories that can be marketed to various market segments. The aggregates can be customized by users or by marketers. A user can, for example, create an aggregate of a beverage bottle and one or more accessories that meets the user&#39;s needs by selecting certain accessories from a range of accessories based upon the user&#39;s desired activity and attaching these one or more accessories to the beverage bottle. For example, if the user is going on a day hike, the user may select a compass, a storage compartment, a flashlight, and a portable power source from a range of accessories. The user can then attach these accessories to the beverage bottle. As another example, a marketer can create an aggregate of a beverage bottle and one or more accessories that targets a certain market segment&#39;s needs. For example, the marketer can pre-select certain accessories from a range of accessories and sell a beverage bottle bundled together with these accessories. A marketer could, for example, target the emergency preparedness market by selecting a first-aid kit, a GPS, a power source, and a flashlight from a range of possible accessories. The marketer can then attach these accessories to the beverage bottle and market the aggregate to particular users interested in emergency preparedness 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a section view of a configurable beverage container in exploded form. The container includes a container body  10  defining a central or long axis  100  and bounded by sides, such as cylindrical sides  102 , an openable top  104 , and a bottom  106  defining a cavity  108  in which a liquid can be retained. In a preferred embodiment, the container body sides  102  are non-opaque (e.g. transparent or translucent, and colored or not colored) so as to allow light to shine through the sides. 
     Container body  10  includes a connector  110  located on a lower end  12  of the container body  10  adjacent the container body bottom  106 . In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 12 , connector  110  is a female threaded portion  112  formed on inside walls forming a periphery of the bottom portion of the container body. 
     The container body  10  has a top portion  11  for dispensing the contents of the bottle having a cylindrical perimeter. Threaded portions  114 , formed about the periphery of the top portion  11 , mate with complementary threaded portions  116  formed on inside walls of removable cap  13 . A connector element  14  attaches the cap  13  to the first extremity  11  of the bottle body. 
     In one embodiment, there is an annular groove at the first extremity of the bottle body. An annular ring  15  is situated inside the groove. There is a fastener  16  on the cap. The connector element  14  joins the annular ring  15  to the fastener  16 . This permits the cap to remain attached to the bottle body even if the user removes the cap from the first extremity. The connector element can also serve as a carrying handle. 
     A first accessory  20 , attachable to the container body  10  along its long axis  100 , is shown detached from the configurable beverage container in exploded form. First accessory  20  has a first accessory connector  21  located on a top end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, connector  21  is implemented in a male threaded portion  118  formed on outside walls forming a periphery of a top portion of the first accessory. Portions  118  and  112  are complementary threaded portions configured to be coupled to one another. That is, male threaded portion  118  mates with female threaded portion  112  formed on inside walls of the bottom of the container body  10  to form an aggregate device. The aggregate device preferably is bound by a common cylindrical periphery so that, when attached, the first (and second, etc.) accessory appears to be unitary with the container body  10  and part of the same whole. 
     In one embodiment, the first accessory  20  includes an inward-facing light source  120  configured to shine upward  122  into the cavity  108  of the container body  10  and outward  124  through the non-opaque sides  102  of the container body to thereby illuminate liquid (or other objects) stored within the cavity  108 . The liquid within the cavity serves as a light dispersal mechanism that enhances the lantern effect caused by the inward-facing light source  120 . 
     The embodiment may also include an outwardly-facing light source  126  arranged in the first accessory  20  on a side opposite the top end on which the first accessory connector  21  is located. Outwardly-facing light source  126  includes a light concentrating mechanism, such as parabolic mirror  128 , for casting light in a beam outward  130  from the aggregate so that it serves a flashlight function. 
     The first accessory further includes a connector  132  located adjacent a bottom end of the first accessory. In a preferred implementation, the connector includes a female thread portion formed on inside walls forming the periphery of the bottom end  22  of the first accessory  20 . The female threaded portion  132  of the first accessory  20  is most preferably identical to the female threaded portion  112  of the container body  10  so that, as will be appreciated below, multiple accessories can be daisy chained in serial fashion in any order. 
     Accessory  20  includes an electronic portion  134  encompassing a power source (e.g. battery compartment) to drive the light sources  120  and  126 . The electronic portion further includes an external button  136  for actuating the light sources  120  and  126 , and further may include a switching mechanism for alternately actuating the light source  120  separately from light source  126 . The switching mechanism may, for example, operate light source  126  (flashlight) upon a first button press, operate light source  120  (lantern) upon a second button press, both light sources  120  and  126  upon a third button press, flashing one or both light sources upon a forth button press, and both sources off upon a fifth button press. The cycle is then started anew. 
     And although not shown in  FIG. 12 , the aggregate can further include a second (and more) accessory having a second accessory connector located on a top end thereof. The connector is configured to be coupled to the connector  132  located on the bottom end  22  of the first accessory  20  along the long axis  100  of the container body  10 . The second accessory connector is a male threaded portion, similar to the male threaded portion  118  on the first accessory  20 , formed on outside walls forming a periphery of a top portion of the second accessory. 
     As noted above, other accessories and combinations of accessories are possible. Other accessories can include a radio, a powered external speaker, a compass, a global positioning system (GPS), a storage unit, a clock, a pedometer, a power-generating unit, and an alarm. The storage unit can be included with medicines and/or first aid supplies. In various combinations, preferred accessory combinations include a flashlight and speaker combination or a flashlight with radio combination serving as the first accessory  20  and second accessory  30 . 
     In a method for configuring a beverage bottle with accessories, the method comprises coupling one or more accessories to a beverage bottle along a long axis of the bottle. The coupling step can include threading one end of an accessory to a complementary threaded portion formed on one end of the beverage bottle to form an aggregate device defining a common peripheral (e.g. laterally cylindrical) boundary. A first light source may be oriented within the accessory to shine upward into a cavity of the beverage bottle and out non-opaque sides of the bottle to form a diffuse lantern effect. A second light source may be oriented within the accessory to shine outward away from the beverage bottle cavity, opposite to the first light source, to form a flashlight effect. A button is then configured on the accessory to actuate both the first light source and the second light source. 
     Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the invention.