PROTECTIVE SLEEVE FOR A BOTTLE

Abstract

A protective sleeve for a bottle described herein comprises an insulative layer fitted to a semi rigid support clip. The support clip itself has a ring shaped upper portion and a plurality of fingers that engage a bottle that is inserted into the protective sleeve. The insulative layer provides insulation and protection to the encapsulated bottle and further contains cutouts allowing the contents of the inserted bottle to be readily viewed without removing the bottle from the bottle sleeve.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to the field of containers for liquids, and more specifically to protective sleeves for such containers, including but not limited to bottles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Baby bottles are well known containers for delivering liquids for feeding infants. Most baby bottles are sealed with a threaded ring onto which a nipple is inserted. This nipple contains one or more orifices through which liquid is delivered when the nipple is deformed. Most baby bottles are constructed from clear plastics or glass, both of which allow the liquids contained within the bottle to be visible, however at least two deficiencies are present in current baby bottles.

The first deficiency found in the prior art is that baby bottles are not insulated. Thus the contents of the bottle quickly reach room temperature as the thin material of the bottle exchanges heat with the environment. The second deficiency relates principally to glass bottles, in that they are fragile and prone to shatter if dropped. This poses a safety issue.

Prior art solutions to this dilemma include neoprene bottle cozies which are stretched to cover the bottle. These cozies may be made of various materials which can insulate the bottle contained within. However, these prior art cozies require two hands to assemble. One hand holds the bottle, while the second hand stretches the material to fit over the bottle. These cozies do not allow the user to visualize the volume of liquid contained in the bottle, and cannot be assembled with one hand while the user is holding an infant child in the other hand. The invention described herein solves these disadvantages by providing an inventive bottle sleeve which can be assembled with one hand, and allows the user to visualize the volume of liquid within the bottle while protecting and insulating the bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the protective sleeve for a bottle described herein comprises a support clip and an insulative layer fitted to the support clip. The support clip may be fitted to a bottle, providing protection and insulation to the container placed in the sleeve.

In another embodiment of the invention, a protective sleeve for a bottle is described herein and comprises a support clip having a circular shaped upper portion and a plurality of fingers. Each of the fingers further comprises at least one engagement feature that grips and retains a container that is placed into the support clip. An insulative layer is then fitted over said support clip to provide protection and insulation to any container placed therein.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a protective sleeve for a bottle is described herein and comprises a support clip having a circular shaped upper portion and four evenly spaced fingers. Each of the fingers further comprises an inwardly curved “S” shaped engagement feature that grips and retains a container that is placed into the support clip. An insulative layer is then molded overtop the support clip forming a viewing window in the spaces between each of the four fingers. The overmolded insulative layer further comprises a plurality of grip aids and an inwardly curved base portion which serves to provide protection and insulation to any container placed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive protective sleeve for a bottle, fitted to a baby bottle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inventive protective sleeve for a bottle separated from the baby bottle.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a support clip for use with the protective sleeve for a bottle.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the support clip shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support clip shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective sleeve for a bottle comprising an insulative layer fitted to the support clip of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the protective sleeve for a bottle shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the protective sleeve for a bottle shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the protective sleeve for a bottle shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the following description, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and derivatives of such terms shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and configurations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the embodiments of a protective sleeve for a bottle illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary of the inventive concepts described herein. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting unless expressly stated otherwise.

One form of a protective sleeve for a bottle 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a semi-rigid internal skeleton called a support clip 22 covered by a jacket 24. The protective sleeve 20 contains an opening 26 in its upper surface 28 allowing for the insertion of a bottle 30, such as the baby bottle 32 depicted. The protective sleeve 20 thereby covers the bottom 34 and sides 36 of the bottle to protect it from breakage, assists the user in gripping the bottle, and insulates the bottle from the environment when appropriately insulating materials are utilized during production.

The semi-rigid support clip 22 is best shown in FIGS. 3-5, and comprises an upper ring 38 and a plurality of fingers 40 mounted thereto. In the displayed form of the invention, the upper ring 38 is circular in shape, and is sized to be diametrically larger than the widest diametrical dimension of the intended bottle 30, thereby allowing the bottle to freely pass through the ring 38. The plurality of fingers 40 attached to the upper ring 38 engage the bottle 30 as it is inserted and retain the bottle 30 within the protective sleeve 20.

In a preferred form of the invention, the plurality of fingers 40 are evenly spaced around one side of the ring, and one or more of the fingers 40 further comprise an engagement feature 42 that is designed to grip and retain the bottle 30. As best shown in FIG. 3, one of the preferred forms of an engagement feature 42 is a first inward curving portion 44 formed into the midsection 46 of the finger 40. This shape is adapted to engage the sidewall of the bottle 36, and may be sized to match a similar concave indentation 38 in the bottle 30, if present. A second inward curving portion 50 may also be provided that interfaces with the bottom contour of the bottle 30, thereby forming a preferred “S” shape 52. Other engagement features anticipated for use with this invention include friction pads, or by sizing the fingers 40 so that they create a suitable friction fit to the bottle when it is inserted. A preferred material for the support clip 22 is polypropylene, however any similar semi-rigid material may be used.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-9 the semi-rigid support clip 22 is covered by a jacket 24. This jacket provides impact absorption to so that loads imparted to the protective sleeve 20 are absorbed and transmitted though the support clip 22 instead of being imparted to the bottle 30. In a preferred form of the invention, the jacket 24 also provides insulative properties to the contents of the bottle 30 by limiting convection and conduction through the sidewall 36 of the bottle 30. One preferred material for the jacket 24 is silicone, although similar materials may be substituted.

In a preferred form, the jacket 24 preferably comprises one or more openings called viewing windows 54, allowing the user to view the liquid level of the contents within a translucent or clear container. The preferred form also includes an inwardly protruding curved base 55 sized to support the bottom 34 of the bottle 30. This curved base 55 is preferably shaped as a spherical cap to assist in impact absorption in regions not covered by the semi-rigid support clip 22. As best shown in FIG. 7, these windows 54 are preferably located in the spaces 56 between the evenly spaced fingers 40. Grip aids 58 may also be included on the external surface of the jacket 24 to aid the user in grasping the structure.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the support clip 22 further comprises an alignment notch 60 used for orienting the fingers 40 to the jacket 24. The fingers additionally contain nubs 62 which align with holes 64 in the jacket 24 and ensure that the two parts do not inadvertently separate. Alternately, the jacket may be over molded over top of the support clip 22.

The principle advantages offered by this invention include the provision of a protective sleeve for a bottle 20 which allows the user to visualize the volume of liquid in the bottle 30, protects and insulates the bottle 30, and allows for one handed assembly of the bottle 30 to the sleeve 20. The above descriptions are considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications to the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and those who make use of the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and the examples set forth herein are described merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. Further, the described uses of this invention is in no way limited to baby bottles, and may be easily adapted for use with wine bottles, beer bottles, soda bottles, cans, and similar containers for storing liquids.

Claims

1. A protective sleeve for a bottle, comprising: a support clip; andan insulative layer fitted to said support clip.

2. The protective sleeve of claim 1 wherein said support clip has an upper ring portion.

3. The protective sleeve of claim 2 wherein said upper ring portion is circular.

4. The protective sleeve of claim 2 wherein said support clip has a plurality of fingers attached to said upper ring portion.

5. The protective sleeve of claim 4 wherein said plurality of fingers is evenly spaced about a single side of said upper ring portion.

6. The protective sleeve of claim 5 having four evenly spaced fingers.

7. The protective sleeve of claim 4 wherein at least one of said fingers has an engagement feature to grip and retain the bottle.

8. The protective sleeve of claim 4 wherein at least one of said engagement features further comprises a first inwardly curved section.

9. The protective sleeve of claim 8 wherein at least one of said engagement features further comprises a second inwardly curved section.

10. The protective sleeve of claim 9 wherein said first inwardly curved section and said second inwardly curved section are interconnected by an outwardly curved section forming an “S” shape.

11. A protective sleeve for a bottle, comprising: a support clip further having a circular upper ring portion and a plurality of fingers attached thereto; andan insulative layer fitted to said support clip.

12. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein said insulative layer is overmolded to said support clip.

13. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein said insulative layer contains at least one viewing window located in the space between said plurality of fingers on said support clip.

14. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein said insulative layer contains an inwardly curved base portion.

15. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein said insulative layer further comprises a plurality of grip aids.

16. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein at least one of said plurality of fingers contains a retention nub, and wherein said insulative layer has at least one corresponding hole for receiving said retention nub.

17. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein said plurality of fingers is evenly spaced about one side of said upper ring.

18. The protective sleeve of claim 11 wherein at least one of said fingers has an engagement feature to grip and retain the bottle.

19. The protective sleeve of claim 18 wherein at least one of said engagement features further comprises a first inwardly curved section.

20. A protective sleeve for a bottle, comprising: a support clip having a circular upper ring portion and four evenly spaced fingers attached to one side thereof, wherein each of said fingers is formed into an inwardly curving “S” shaped bottle engaging feature; andan insulative layer overmolded onto said support clip forming a viewing window located in the space between each of said four evenly spaced fingers, the insulative layer further having a plurality of grip aids and an inwardly curved base portion.