Patent Application
20200022471
The present invention relates to flasks, specifically to hidden flasks.
In the related art, it has been known to use many different types of containers to store and/or transport liquid beverages. The type of container used may depend on the type of beverage being contained. For example, soda is often stored in a metal can or a plastic bottle. Juice and milk are frequently stored in boxes or gallon jugs. Beer is marketed in metal cans, while hard alcohol, or liquor, is stored in glass bottles.
The type of container used may also depend on where the beverage is being consumed. For instance, glass bottles are often prohibited around swimming pools. Other environments, such as theaters for the performing arts, have been known to prohibit all types of food and beverages, while some only permit plastic bottled water.
Flasks are known as containers for liquids. Often, flasks are used to discretely store small amounts of alcohol on a person. Individuals may use flasks to sneak alcohol into places where alcohol is prohibited or where alcohol consumption is frowned upon.
A traditional liquor flask is a pocket flask. A pocket flask is a flat metal container with a narrow neck used as a drinking spout. Pocket flasks have screw caps. Accordingly, pocket flasks are designed to fit in a pocket for concealments when not in use. Pocket flasks are easily recognizable and generally do not have a purpose other than use for drinking.
Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,695, issued to Rich, discloses in an umbrella, a hollow handle terminating in a multi-chambered tip, manually operable and collapsible receptacle means in said handle. Pipe means connecting said receptacle means to said multi-chambered tip. Manually-operated valve means interposed between said pipe means and said receptacle means for controlling communication there between for permitting alternative individual and simultaneous discharge from the multi-chambered tip. Said multi-chambered tip comprising two chambers including portions opening to the atmosphere.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,483, issued to Altsheler, discloses in an umbrella comprising a tubular stem having an umbrella frame secured thereto adjacent one end thereof and a handle portion secured to the other end thereof. Said handle portion having a cylindrical recess therein with which one end of said tubular stem is received. Means defining a water chamber in said handle portion adapted to receive and hold water. Means defining a passage in said handle portion terminating at said cylindrical recess axially thereof, pump means in said handle portion in fluid communication with said chamber and said passage operable to pump water from said chamber into and through said passage. A ferrule secured to said one end of said tubular stem. Means defining a central opening extending axially through said ferrule co-axial with the terminal end of said handle passage. The end of said opening in said ferrule toward said handle portion terminating in an outwardly beveled guideway, and a hollow rod extending axially of said tubular stem having one end thereof extending axially through said cylindrical recess in said handle portion and terminating within the passage in said handle portion. And the other end thereof extending through said ferrule guideway and terminating within the central opening in said ferrule. Said hollow rod operable to convey water from said handle passage to said ferrule and direct water in a stream axially of said tubular stem away from said umbrella frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,889, issued to Hall et al., discloses a beach umbrella is provided having a lowermost section assembled selectively with an intermediate and upper section, with the upper section including an umbrella canopy mounted thereto. The lowermost section includes a plurality of handles pivotally mounted about an upper collar of the lower section to enhance rotation of the lower section, with the lower section provided with a screw thread directed about a lowermost portion of the lower section to permit projecting of the lower-most section into an underlying beach surface to secure the umbrella in a fixed relationship to the beach. Latch means are arranged to secure the sections together.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,925, issued to Nahill et al., discloses pressurized plastic container having the appearance of ribs but with substantially reduced creep and without delamination, i.e., having an enhanced shelf life compared to prior art ribbed containers. IN multilayer containers, the scribe lines reduce delamination of the layer structure so as to avoid loss of transparency and/or barrier properties. The reduction in creep is particularly useful for smaller volume containers having a greater surface area to volume ratio.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No.:2008/0179426, by Johnson, discloses, the rainmaker is a personal umbrella combined with a pressurized misting system. Misting nozzles attach directly to the ribs of the canopy, using the ribs as an avenue for pressurized liquid. These objects do not hinder the ability to operate the opening and closing of the umbrella. The shaft of the umbrella acts as a reservoir and contains the water for misting. The handle doubles as a hand pump, creating the necessary pressure needed to create a proper mist. This self-contained unit promises a mobile, self-reliant, ecology minded, personal cooling, and humidified surroundings.
The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include: not being able to be carried out in the open, having a suspicious weight, not being portable, not being compact, not being disguisable, not feeling real, not being functional, and/or not having a large volume.
What is needed is a flask assembly that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available flask assemblies. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a flask assembly that may comprise a container body that may have a void therein that may contain a fluid.
A canopy may be removably coupled to a top portion of the container body. A handle cap may be removably coupled to a bottom portion of the container body, through which the void may be accessible. A channel may be disposed along a length of the container body. A body runner may be disposed substantially around a diameter of the container body between the canopy and/or the handle cap, and/or slidably coupled to the channel. A plurality of stretchers may be hingedly coupled to the body runner and/or extending outwardly therefrom. A plurality of ribs may be coupled to the stretchers at an end opposite the runner and/or extending outwardly therefrom and/or coupled to the canopy such that when the stretchers are in a deployed mode the canopy may be held open by the ribs.
The container body may include a plurality of container body protrusions that may be disposed along a length of the container body. The bottom portion of the container body may include threading. The top portion of the container body may include threading. The handle cap may include threading.
The flask assembly may further comprise an end cap that may be coupled to a center portion of the canopy and/or removably coupled to the container body. The end cap may include threading. The flask assembly may further comprise a top coupling mechanism that may be removably coupled to the top portion of the container body, removably coupled to the end cap, and/or disposed therebetween. The top coupling mechanism may include threading.
The handle cap may extend substantially along a length of the bottom portion of the container body. The body runner may include a flange that may be disposed along an interior of the body runner and/or extending inwardly therefrom, wherein the flange may be disposed in the channel and/or slidably coupled to the channel.
The flask assembly may further comprise a liner that may be disposed substantially between the canopy and/or the container body. The handle cap may include a loop that may be coupled to the handle cap. The flask assembly may further comprise an assembly case that may be disposed substantially around the canopy and/or the container body.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.
Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
The illustrated container body 110 may have a void therein for containing a fluid. Thus, the container body 110 may be hollow and nonporous. For instance, the container body 110 may contain a consumable fluid, such as a beverage. Accordingly, the container body 110 may be comprised of materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, etc. Similarly, the container body 110 may be constructed by a variety of methods, such as injection molding and 3-D printing. The illustrated container body 110 is shown to be substantially elongated and/or cylindrical; however, the container body may have any size and/or shape, such as but not limited to a: cube, cuboid, cylinder, pyramid, cone, etc. The container body 110 may be manufactured by blow molding techniques.
A canopy 120 is shown coupled to the container body 110. The illustrated canopy 120 is removably coupled to a top portion of the container body 110. For instance, in one non-limiting embodiment, a top portion of the container body 110 may include threading for removably coupling to the canopy 120. However, the container body 110 may have a variety of mechanisms for removably coupling to the canopy 120, such as, but not limited to: snaps, ties, hook and loop, screws, bolts, and so on. The canopy 120 may rest along the top portion of the container body 110. As a result, the canopy 120 may be removed from the container body 110 for accessing fluid contained by the container body 110. The canopy 120 is substantially round and/or circular; however, the canopy 120 may have any size, shape and/or diameter for providing cover, such as, but not limited to a: square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, star, decagon, and so on. The canopy 120 may provide a user with cover from sun or rain. The canopy 120 may also cover the container body 110. Hence, the canopy 120 may be comprised of a variety of materials for covering, such as, but not limited to: canvas, polyester, cotton, nylon, silk, wool, rayon, other polymers, and so on.
As shown, a handle cap 130 is coupled to the container body 110. The illustrated handle cap 130 is removably coupled to a bottom portion of the container body 110. For instance, in one non-limiting embodiment, a bottom portion of the container body 110 may include threading for removably coupling to the handle cap 130. Too, the handle cap may also include threading for removably coupling to the container body 110. However, the container body 110 may have a variety of mechanisms for removably coupling to the handle cap 130, such as, but not limited to: snap-fit, screws, bolts, tension, friction and so on. Accordingly, the void within the container body 110 is accessible when the handle cap 130 is removed from the container body 110.
The illustrated body runner 140 is disposed substantially around a diameter of the container body 110. The illustrated body runner 140 is also disposed between the canopy 120 and the handle cap 130. The body runner 140 is slidably coupled to the container body 110 so that it may travel from one end of the container body 110 to the other, between the canopy 120 and the handle cap 130. As a result, the body runner 140 may be comprised of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, etc. In addition, the body runner 140 may have any shape and/or size for traveling along the container body 110, such as, but not limited to a: circle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, star, decagon, and so on.
Further shown, there are a plurality of stretchers 150 coupled to the body runner 140 and extending outwardly therefrom. For instance, in one non-limiting embodiment, the stretchers 150 may be hingedly coupled to the body runner 140 so that the stretchers 150 may rotate about an axis where stretchers 150 meet the body runner 140 and thereby fold parallel to the container body 110 and open orthogonal to the container body 110. Hence, the stretchers 150 may have any size, shape, diameter, length, etc. for folding and opening. Moreover, the stretchers 150 may be comprised of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, etc.
The illustrated plurality of ribs 160 are coupled to the stretchers 150 at an end opposite the body runner 140 and extend outwardly therefrom. The ribs 160 may be hingedly coupled to the stretchers 150. The ribs 160 are also coupled to the canopy 120. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the ribs 160 may be coupled to the canopy 120 like spokes on a bicycle wheel. As a result, the ribs 160 are coupled to the canopy 120 such that when the stretchers 150 are in a deployed 190, or open, mode, the canopy 120 is held open by the ribs 160. Hence, the body runner 140 may be distal to the handle cap 130 when the flask assembly 100 is in a deployed mode, and proximate to the handle cap 130 when the flask assembly 100 is in a closed mode. Accordingly, the ribs 160 may have any size, shape, diameter, length, etc. for deploying the canopy 120. Further, the ribs 160 may be comprised of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, etc.
As shown, the flask assembly 100 also includes an end cap 170 coupled to a center portion of the canopy 120 and removably coupled to the container body 110. The illustrated end cap 170 may removably couple to the canopy 120 and the container body 110 to secure and hold the canopy 120 in place. As a result, the end cap 170 may include threading. For these reasons, the end cap 170 may have any size and/or shape for securing the canopy to the container body 110. Similarly, the end cap 170 may be comprised of a variety of materials for removably coupling to the container body 110, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, cork, etc. The end cap 170 may include a variety of decorative structures at the outside surface thereof, such as being elongated, pointed, or including sculptural works.
Also shown, the illustrated flask assembly 100 includes a top coupling mechanism 180 removably coupled to the top portion of the container body 170 and removably coupled to the end cap 170. Accordingly, the top coupling mechanism1180 is shown disposed between the container body 110 and the end cap 170 and may include threading for removably coupling to the container body 110 and the end cap 170. The coupling mechanism 180 may provide a stop for the body 140. Thus, the top coupling mechanism 180 may be comprised of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, etc. Further, it is envisioned that the canopy 120 may have an aperture disposed substantially through a center portion of the canopy 120, thereby allowing the top coupling mechanism 180 to directly couple to the end cap 170.
In operation, a flask assembly 100 enables a user to smuggle or hide alcohol in an ordinary looking object, such as an umbrella. A user removes the handle cap 130 from the container body 110 and fills the container body 110 with a fluid. The user seals the fluid within the container body 110 by coupling the handle cap 130 to the container body 110. To access the fluid, the user removes the handle cap 130 from the container body 110. The user is also able to remove the canopy 120 from the container body 110 for accessing the container body 110. The user is able to slide the body runner 140 up and down along the container body 110 to open and close the canopy 120, as the ribs 160 are pivotally coupled to the body runner 140 and the canopy 120. When the flask assembly 100 is in an open or deployed mode, the ribs 160 extend substantially orthogonal to the container body 110. When the flask assembly 100 is in a closed mode, the ribs 160 extend substantially parallel to the container body 110. Thus, the flask assembly 100 provides a functional umbrella while also permitting the user to store fluids within. Hence, upon inspection, the flask assembly 100 would appear to have working parts of an umbrella so that the flask assembly 100 may be brought into areas as desired.
The illustrated container body 110 is removably coupled to the canopy 120 and the handle cap 130. The container body 110 may removably couple to the canopy 120 and the handle cap 130 by screwing, snap-fit, and so on. The illustrated top coupling mechanism 180 may be coupled to the canopy 120 for removably coupling the canopy 120 to the container body 110. As a result, the top coupling mechanism 180 may include threading.
The body runner 140 is shown disposed about the container body 110. Hingedly coupled to the body runner 140 and extending outwardly therefrom are a plurality of stretchers 150. Hingedly coupled to each stretcher 150 at an end opposite the container body 110 and extending outwardly therefrom is a rib 160. The plurality of ribs 160 are coupled to, and disposed along, the canopy 120. As a result, the ribs 160 may fan out from a center portion of the canopy 120. In addition, the illustrated body runner 140 is slidably coupled to the container body 110. Accordingly, the body runner 140 may slide up and down the container body 110 in order to allow the stretchers 150 to stretch and deploy the ribs 160, and thereby open the canopy 120.
As shown, the container body 110 has a channel 200 disposed along the container body 110. The channel 200 may help guide the body runner 140 as the body runner 140 slides along the container body 110. Accordingly, the channel 200 may be a depression, groove, indentation, and so on, along the container body 110. More, there may be a plurality of channels 200 disposed along a length of the container body 110. For these reasons, the channel 200 may have any width, length, size, shape, etc. for guiding the body runner 140 along the container body 110.
The illustrated container body 110 is removably coupled to the canopy 120 and handle cap (See e.g.,
The container body 110, as illustrated, includes a container aperture 300 disposed along the bottom portion 310 of the container body 110. The aperture 300 may be used to fill the container body 110 with a fluid, such as a beverage. Accordingly, the aperture 300 may have any size and/or shape for filling the container body 110 with a fluid.
The illustrated container body 110 is removably coupleable to the canopy (See e.g.,
Moreover, the illustrated container body 110 includes a channel 200. The channel 200 is disposed along the container body 110 from the bottom portion 310 of the container body 110 to the top portion 500 of the container body 110. The channel 200 may be a guide for the body runner (See e.g.,
As shown, the handle cap 130 is substantially cylindrical. More, the handle cap 130 may extend substantially along a length of the bottom portion (See e.g.,
The illustrated flanges 800 are disposed along an interior of the body runner 140 and extend inwardly therefrom. As a result, the flanges 800 may be disposed in channels (See e.g.,
The illustrated nose 900 extends from the top coupling mechanism 180 for coupling to the end cap (See e.g.,
As shown, the top coupling mechanism 180 is substantially octagonal and has a plurality of sides. The top coupling mechanism 180 may have any shape and/or number of sides, such as, but not limited to: four, five, six, seven, eight, and so on. Disposed between each side is a divot 1010. The divots 1010 provide spacing and/or anchoring for the ribs (See e.g.,
The illustrated container body 110 includes a plurality of container body protrusions 1100 disposed along a length of the container body 110. The protrusions 1100 extend outwardly from the container body 110. The container body protrusions 1100 may provide grip for the container body 110, but also, when covered by the canopy 120 provide a tactile effect that simulates the ribs of an umbrella. Where the protrusions form an array about the circumference of the flask, similar to the placement of umbrella ribs when the umbrella is in a stowed mode, then on cursory examination, the flask will seem to be a functioning umbrella in a stowed mode.
As a result, the protrusions 1100 may have any of a variety of width, length, or height for providing a feel similar to that of an umbrella rib. Likewise, the protrusions 1100 may be inherent to the container body 110 and/or be comprised of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, etc.
Further illustrated, the flask assembly 100 includes a liner 1110 disposed between the container body 110 and the canopy 120. The liner 1110 may be coupled to the canopy 120 and/or the container body 110. The liner 1110 may provide protection, insulation, concealment, covering, and so on, for the container body 110. The liner 1110 may absorb access moisture. Accordingly, the liner 1110 may have any size or shape for protecting, insulating, concealing, covering, etc. the container body 110. Moreover, the liner 1110 may be comprised of a variety of materials of protecting, insulating, concealing, covering, etc. the container body, such as, but not limited to: nylon, silk, aluminum, wool, and so on.
In addition, the illustrated handle cap 130 includes a loop 1120 coupled to the handle cap 130. The loop 1120 may allow for carrying, hanging, tying, etc. the flask assembly 100. Accordingly, the loop 1120 may be substantially circular or ovoid. The loop 1120 may be comprised of a variety of materials for carrying, hanging, tying, etc., such as, but not limited to: hemp, nylon, cotton, plastic, and so on. Furthermore, the loop 1120 may be comprised of braided or intertwined materials.
The illustrated handle cap 130 is shown removed from the container body 110 of the flask assembly 100. As a result, the handle cap 130 is removably coupleable to bottom portion 310 the container body 110. For instance, in one non-limiting embodiment, the bottom portion 310 of the container body 110 may include threading for removably coupling to the handle cap 130. However, the handle cap 130 and the container body 110 may couple via a variety of coupling methods or mechanisms, such as, but not limited to: screwing, tension, spring-fit, snap-fit, and so on.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, although the figures show a container body as one continuous piece, the container body may also be comprised of more than one piece coupled together. Hence, the container body may have a plethora of volumes, sizes, shapes, and diameters. The container body may have a non-uniform diameter.
Additionally, although the figures illustrate the container aperture disposed along a bottom portion of the container body, the container aperture may be disposed along any portion of the container body, such as the top portion, for accessing the void. Similarly, the handle cap may be couple to the bottom portion or the top portion of the container body. Moreover, the handle cap may or may not include a loop, or string, for carrying.
Additionally, the handle cap may be a gasket or seal. The handle cap may be curved. The handle cap may include: fake buttons, fake logos (such as stickers), a trick locking mechanism, or a child-proof opening mechanism. The handle cap may further include an open cap. The open cap may couple to the container body through a variety of coupling methods and devices, such as, but not limited being: screwed on, glued on, and snapped on. The open cap may have a space to store and/or smuggle small objects, such as pills. The open cap may be ferule or another type of tip.
It is also envisioned that the flask assembly may not include a canopy. A case, or sleeve, may be used instead of the canopy. Furthermore, the canopy and/or case may not necessarily be firmly attached to the ribs and/or end cap. Accordingly, the case and/or sleeve may be comprised of a plastic sheet of material.
Likewise, the body runner may or may not function to deploy and close the canopy of the flask assembly. As a result, the body runner may or may not be attached to the stretchers. The body runner may also be faked to seem broken. The body runner may be a simply molded shape disposed on or around an exterior of the shaft. Also, the stretchers may or may not function. In addition, there may be a fake broken stretcher, thereby creating the appearance that the canopy of the flask assembly cannot be opened.
It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. An example is that the ribs may be comprised of metal, plastic, etc., and may be solidly coupled to the container body. For instance, the ribs may be nonfunctioning in opening the canopy, though at first glance, one may believe that the ribs are capable of opening the canopy. In addition, the ribs may include tips or no tips, the ribs may be flexible or non-flexible, or one or more ribs may be broken. More, the flask assembly may have multiple ribs in a series similar to how pocket umbrellas operate.
It is further envisioned that the flask assembly may include a large end ring that couples about the container body and couples to the ribs. The large end ring may or may not function. However, a nonfunctioning large end ring may give the flask assembly a feel and appearance of a traditional umbrella.
Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, glass, rubber, textiles, wood, and so on.
Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.
This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/699,425 by Scott Eric Gallacher filed on Jul. 17, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62699425 | Jul 2018 | US |
