Abstract:
A device for assisting a user in the opening and closing of jars and bottles. The device may have an outer band adapted to be attached around the outer surface of a lid or cap. The band may have a cross strap which keeps the band oriented in the proper location. The band may have serrated surfaces on the inside or the outside of the band to assist with frictional gripping. The band may be adapted to remain on the jar during the use life of the jar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/989,594 to McKinney, filed May 07, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a device, system, and kit for assisting with the removal and replacement of jar and bottle lids. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Caps and lids on bottles or jars are often secured tightly, and may also be of a very low profile, making them difficult to grasp, open, and close. Users may find it difficult to open and close some bottle lids and jar caps by hand. This concern may be highlighted in the cases of the elderly, or the very young. 
         [0006]    Some devices are seen in the prior are which help a user open difficult lids. These devices typically are adapted to be used to open a difficult lid during the initial use of the jar, when the most force may be needed. These devices are also typically overly large, and adapted to be used to open a jar, and then put back into a drawer. These devices do not provide easy assistance to a user who seeks additional grip, and some additional leverage, in the opening and closing of jar lids, and the like, and who would prefer to have an assisting device remain on the jar. 
         [0007]    What is called for is a device adapted to assist a user in the opening and closing of jars and bottles, and which is adapted to remain on the jar or bottle during the use life of the jar or bottle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A device for assisting a user in the opening and closing of jars and bottles. The device may have an outer band adapted to be attached around the outer surface of a lid or cap. The band may have a cross strap which keeps the band oriented in the proper location. The band may have serrated surfaces on the inside or the outside of the band to assist with frictional gripping. The band may be adapted to remain on the jar during the use life of the jar. 
         [0009]    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device on a jar according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view a storage container opening and closing assist device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 7  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device on a jar according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a view of a storage container opening and closing assist device on a jar according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a photo of some storage container opening and closing assist devices on a jar and a bottle according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a photo of some storage container opening and closing assist devices on a jar and a bottle according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 1 , a storage container opening and closing assist device  10  has a cylindrical elastic band  11  adapted to be placed around the outside rim of a jar lid, or bottle cap. The band  11  may be attached to an annular elastic ring  12  which has an inner edge  15 . A pull tab  13  may be attached to the cylindrical band, or to the annular ring, to assist in the removal of the device from a lid. 
         [0021]    In use, the cylindrical band may be slightly stretched to go around the outside of the rim of a lid of a jar, for example. The device may be part of a kit of devices, of different sizes, to allow for a proper fit on the jar lid without undue stretching, or looseness. The elasticity of the band  11  may help keep the band in place around the edge of the lid. The ring  12  may assist in keeping the device from sliding down off of the lid onto the jar. An inner surface  14  of the band may be serrated in some aspects to allow for better frictional grabbing of the lid. The inner edge  15  of the annular ring  12  allows for the lid to be read, in that the contents of the jar may be discerned while the user is looking down at the jar from above, such as if the jar were in a door shelf in a refrigerator. The device is adapted to be left on a jar once placed on it, in that the device may assist a slightly enfeebled user to better open and close the jar. The device may remain with the jar, residing on the lid of the jar, until the jar is empty. At that time the device may be removed from the lid and reused. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 2 , a storage container opening and closing assist device  20  has a cylindrical elastic band  21  adapted to be placed around the outside rim of a jar lid, or bottle cap. The band  21  may be attached to an annular elastic ring  22  which has an inner edge  25 . A cross strap  23  is adapted to cross the annular opening in the top of device and may assist in keeping the device from sliding down the sides of a jar when in use. The use of a cross strap  23  still allows a user to see through down to the lid of the jar, which may assist in the identification of the contents of the jar. In some aspects, there may be a plurality of cross straps, which may run adjacent to each other, or may cross each other. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 3 , a storage container opening and closing assist device  30  has a cylindrical elastic band  31  adapted to be placed around the outside rim of a jar lid, or bottle cap. The band  31  may be attached to an annular elastic ring  32  which has an inner edge  35 . A cross strap  34  is adapted to cross the annular opening in the top of device and may assist in keeping the device from sliding down the sides of a jar when in use. The use of a cross strap  34  still allows a user to see through down to the lid of the jar, which may assist in the identification of the contents of the jar. In some aspects, there may be a plurality of cross straps, which may run adjacent to each other, or may cross each other. A pull tab  33  may be attached to the cylindrical band, or to the annular ring, to assist in the removal of the device from a lid. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a storage container opening and closing assist device  30  in use on a jar  36  with a lid  37 . The opening  39  in the top of the device  30  allows for the user to see the top surface  37  of the lid. In some aspects, the outer surface of the cylindrical elastic band may be serrated to allow for alternate gripping. In some aspects, the inner surface of the cylindrical band may be serrated to allow for different gripping. In some aspects, both the inner and outer surface of the cylindrical band may be serrated, or otherwise roughened. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 5 , a storage container opening and closing assist device  40  has a cylindrical elastic band  41  adapted to be placed around the outside rim of a jar lid, or bottle cap. The band  41  may be attached to a pull tab  13 . The pull tab  13  may assist in the removal of the device from a lid. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 6 , a storage container opening and closing assist device  50  has a cylindrical elastic band  51  adapted to be placed around the outside rim of a jar lid, or bottle cap. A cross strap  52  is adapted to cross the annular opening in the top of device and may assist in keeping the device from sliding down the sides of a jar when in use. The use of a cross strap  52  still allows a user to see through down to the lid of the jar, which may assist in the identification of the contents of the jar. In some aspects, there may be a plurality of cross straps, which may run adjacent to each other, or may cross each other. In some aspects, the inner surface  53  of the cylindrical band  51  may be serrated, or otherwise altered, to allow for a better grip on the lid. In some aspects, the outer surface  54  of the cylindrical band  51  may be serrated, or otherwise altered, to allow for a better grip of the device by the user. 
         [0027]    In some aspects, the storage container opening and closing assist device may be made from rubber or a rubberized compound. In some aspects, the device may be made from another type of elastic, or mildly elastic, material. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a storage container opening and closing assist device  40  in use on a jar  46  with a lid  45 . The opening in the top of the device  40  allows for the user to see the top surface  45  of the lid. In some aspects, the outer surface of the cylindrical elastic band may be serrated to allow for alternate gripping. In some aspects, the inner surface of the cylindrical band may be serrated to allow for different gripping. In some aspects, both the inner and outer surface of the cylindrical band may be serrated, or otherwise roughened. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a storage container opening and closing assist device  50  in use on ajar  55  with a lid  56 . The opening in the top of the device  30  allows for the user to see the top surface  56  of the lid, despite the presence of the cross strap  52 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are photographs illustrating storage container opening and closing assist devices  60 ,  61  in use on actual bottles and jars. As seen, the lid of the jar can be seen, and thus the contents recognized, even though there is a cross strap which will keep the band from slipping down off of the lid. 
         [0031]    As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general invention.