CONTAINER OPENING DEVICE AND GARMENT

Abstract

A garment structured to facilitate opening of a container, through the provision of an opening member mounted thereon. A garment includes a closure flap movable between a covering and a non-covering position, wherein the opening device includes a base and an opening member connected to said closure flap and movable therewith into an out of an exposed, operative orientation corresponding to the closure flap being disposed into and out of the covering relation to the pocket. When in the operative orientation, the opening member includes an apertured construction disposed and structured to engage and exert a removing force on a closure of the container, wherein the closure may be in the form of a cap on bottle or other container.

Claims

1. A device structured for opening a container and being mounted on a garment, said device comprising: an opening member connected to the garment and disposable thereon in an operative orientation, said opening member having an apertured construction disposed and structured to remove a closure from the container, at least when said opening member is in said operative orientation, and said apertured construction comprising at least one aperture dimensioned to at least partially receive the closure therein and structured to exert a removing force thereon.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a cover member connected to the garment and disposed in covering relation to at least a portion of said opening member and at least a portion of the closure, when the closure is received within said opening member.

3. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein said cover member is disposed in interconnecting relation between the garment and at least a portion of said opening member.

4. The device as recited in claim 2 further comprising a closure flap movably connected to the garment and disposable thereon between a covering and non-covering relation to said opening member and said cover member.

5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said opening member and said cover member are connected to said closure flap and movable therewith, at least between said covering and said non-covering relation of said closure flap.

6. The device as recited in claim 5 wherein said opening member and said cover member are disposed on an inner surface of said closure flap.

7. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said non-covering relation of said closure flap substantially corresponds to said operative orientation of said opening member.

8. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said covering relation of said closure flap substantially corresponds to a non-operative orientation of said opening member.

9. The device as recited in claim 4 further comprising an attachment structure connected to said inner surface of said closure flap and the garment and structured to removably connect and retain said closure flap in said covering relation.

10. The device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a closure flap movably connected to the garment and disposable thereon between a covering and non-covering relation to said opening member.

11. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein said opening member is connected to an inner surface of said closure flap and movable therewith, at least between said covering and said non-covering relation of said closure flap.

12. A device structured for opening a container and being mounted on a garment, said device comprising: an opening member connected to the garment and disposable thereon in an operative orientation, said opening member having an apertured construction disposed and structured to remove a closure from the container, at least when said opening member is in said operative orientation, said apertured construction comprising at least one aperture dimensioned to at least partially receive the closure therein and structured to exert a removing force thereon, a cover member interconnected between the garment and at least a portion of said opening member, disposed in covering relation to at least a portion of said opening member and at least a portion of the closure, when the closure is received within said opening member, and a closure flap movably connected to the garment and disposable thereon between a covering and non-covering relation to said opening member and said cover member.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said opening member and said cover member are connected to said closure flap and movable therewith, at least between said covering and said non-covering relation of said closure flap.

14. The device as recited in claim 13 wherein said opening member and said cover member are disposed on an inner surface of said closure flap.

15. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said non-covering relation of said closure flap substantially corresponds to said operative orientation of said opening member.

16. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said covering relation of said closure flap substantially corresponds to a non-operative orientation of said opening member.

17. The device as recited in claim 12 further comprising an attachment structure connected to said closure flap and the garment and structured to removably connect and retain said closure flap in said covering relation.

18. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said cover member is formed of an at least partially rigid material.

19. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said opening member is formed of an at least partially rigid material.

20. The device as recited in claim 19 wherein said opening member is at least partially formed of carbon fiber material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a garment including an opening device mounted thereon.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the opening device is in an exposed, operative orientation.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a detail view of structural and operative components of the present invention in an exploded form.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the opening device including the structural and operative components thereof.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an at least partially exploded view of details of the opening device of FIGS. 1-4 and a closure flap of the garment, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0024] FIG. 6A is a detail view of structural and operative components of another embodiment of the present invention in an exploded form.

[0025] FIG. 6B is a top view of structural and operative components of embodiment in FIG. 6A in an exploded form.

[0026] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] As represented in the accompanying Figures and with initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an opening device generally indicated as 10. The opening device 10 includes sufficient structural and operative versatility to facilitate its use while mounted on and used in combination with a garment such as, but not limited to, a pair of shorts, such as “boardshorts” or bathing suits. Accordingly, for purposes of clarity and without limiting the scope of the present invention, the structural features of this invention will be described with reference to a garment being in the form of boardshorts, bathing suits, etc. of the type represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is emphasized that the opening device 10 of the present invention can be mounted on and operable in combination with a variety of different types of garments and/or components of a garment in addition to and other than boardshorts, bathing suits or the like.

[0028] As represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention include the referred to opening device 10, which may include at least one “flap structure”. The flap structure is preferably disposed, dimensioned and configured in the form of a closure flap 22. As such, the closure flap 22 is selectively disposable between a covering position 27 and non-covering position 29 relative to an access opening of a pocket or pouch on a garment and/or an opening member 30 as set forth in greater detail hereinafter.

[0029] However, in order to maintain and/or enhance the appearance of a garment, in the absence of a pocket or pouch thereon, the “flap structure” may still be disposed, dimensioned and configured to represent a closure flap 22. Accordingly, when a garment does not include a pocket or pouch, the closure flap 22 is still selectively positioned between the “covering position” 27 and the “non-covering position” 29 relative to the opening member 30.

[0030] Further, the “flap structure” may or may not be removably connected to a garment. This removable connection may be accomplished by an appropriate adhesive material or other sufficiently strong connecting structures to maintain the connection of the “flap structure” to a garment. Accordingly, such connecting structures may include one or more adhesive type connectors or similarly structured connectors such as Velcro which allows a secure but removable positioning of the “flap structure” on a garment, but also allows for its removal from a garment when so chosen by the user. In contrast, such connecting structures may also include one or more static type connectors such as stitches or rivets which allow the fixed positioning of the “flap structure” on a garment.

[0031] The closure flap 22 may include an exterior or outer surface 21 and an interior or inner surface 24 and movable therewith between the covering position 27 and the non-covering position 29 relative to an access opening of a pocket or pouch and/or the opening member 30. As such, when the closure flap 22 is in the covering position 27, the inner surface 24 is not exposed and not clearly viewable. In contrast, when the closure flap 22 is in the non-covering position 29, the inner surface 24 is exposed, accessible and clearly viewable. Further, and as set forth in greater detail hereinafter, when the closure flap 22 is in the non-covering position 29, the opening member 30 will be in an operative orientation 26 and ready for use. In contrast, when the closure flap 22 is in the covering position 27, the opening member 30 will be in a non-operative orientation 28.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, the opening member 30 may be directly connected to the inner surface 24 of the closure flap 22, such that the disposition of the inner surface 24 on the closure flap 22 is such that the inner surface 24 is disposable between the operative orientation 26 and the non-operative orientation 28. More specifically, when the closure flap 22 is in the covering position 27, the inner surface 24 will be disposed in the non-operative orientation 28 and not clearly viewable, as represented in FIG. 1. However, when the opening device 10 is intended for use, the closure flap 22 will be moved to the non-covering position 29. Accordingly, when the closure flap 22 is in the non-covering position 29, the inner surface 24 will be exposed and therefore be clearly viewable and accessible to the user. Therefore the inner surface 24 and the opening member 30 connected thereto will be in the aforementioned operative orientation 26, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0033] As such, when the closure flap 22 is in the covering position 27, the inner surface 24 is not exposed and not clearly viewable. Further, the disposition of the inner surface 24 on the closure flap 22 is such that the inner surface 24 and an opening member 30 connected thereto are disposable between the operative orientation 26 and the non-operative orientation 28. When the exterior or outer surface 21 of the closure flap 22 is viewable and the closure flap 22 is in the covering position, the inner surface 24 and opening member 30 will be disposed in the non-operative orientation 28 and not be clearly viewable, as represented in FIG. 1. However, when the opening device 10 is intended for use, the inner surface 24 will be moved to the operative orientation 26 and the closure flap 22 will be disposed in the non-covering position 29. Accordingly, the inner surface 24 and the opening member 30 will be exposed and therefore be clearly viewable and accessible to the user. As such, the inner surface 24 and the opening member 30 will be in the aforementioned operative orientation 26, as represented in FIG. 2.

[0034] As is represented in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the closure flap 22 may in fact be an integrated part of the inner surface 24. However, the closure flap 22 and the inner surface 24 in fact may be different structures, wherein the closure flap 22 overlies the inner surface 24 when the inner surface 24 is in the non-operative orientation 28, as is represented in FIG. 3.

[0035] As represented in FIG. 3, the opening device 10 includes the referred to opening member 30, structured and disposed to remove the closure from the container. As described above, the opening member 30 may be connected to the inner surface 24 of the closure flap 22 and movable therewith between the operative orientation 26 and the non-operative orientation 28. One preferred embodiment of the opening device 10 includes the opening member 30 having an apertured construction 32. The apertured construction 32 comprises at least one aperture 34 which is cooperatively dimensioned and configured to at least partially receive the closure of the container therein.

[0036] In addition, at least a portion of the opening member 30 is preferably formed from at least a partially rigid material to the extent that a force, sufficient to remove the closure, will be exerted on the closure causing its removal. By way of example, the opening member 30, or at least a portion thereof, may be formed from a carbon fiber material which has sufficient rigidity and strength to exert the aforementioned removing force. Further, by way of example, the dimension, configuration, and disposition of the one aperture 34 may be such as to remove a bottle cap from a bottle type container. However, the opening device 10 and attendant opening member 30 may be otherwise appropriately structured to accommodate the removal of other types of closures from other types of containers.

[0037] In addition, the opening member 30 may include at least one orifice 38 disposed and structured to secure the opening member 30 to the inner surface 24 of the closure flap 22. More specifically, the disposition of the opening member 30 may be secured between the closure flap 22 and the inner surface 24, as represented in FIG. 3. However, in another embodiment, the opening member 30 may be secured to the inner surface 24, as represented in FIG. 4. As such, when the opening member 30 is disposed on the inner surface 24, the opening member 30 may be secured by at least one connector 39. Accordingly, the at least one connector 39 is disposed in secured aligning relation with the at least one orifice 38 of the opening member 30. However, in another embodiment, when the opening member 30 is disposed on the inner surface, the opening member 30 may be secured by connectors such as stitches or rivets.

[0038] Additionally, when the closure flap 22 is in the covering position 27, the inner surface 24 and the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30 are not exposed and not clearly viewable. Further, the disposition of the inner surface 24 on the closure flap 22 is such that the inner surface 24 and the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30 connected thereto are disposable between the operative 26 and non-operative orientation 28. More specifically, when the closure flap 22 is in the covering position 27, the inner surface 24 and one aperture 34 of the opening member 30 will be disposed in the non-operative orientation 28 and not clearly viewable, as represented in FIG. 1. However, when the opening device 10 is intended for use, the closure flap 22 will be moved to the non-covering position 29 relative to an access opening of a pocket and/or the opening member 30. Accordingly, when the closure flap 22 is in the non-covering position 29, the inner surface 24 and the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30 will be exposed and therefore be clearly viewable and accessible to the user. Therefore the inner surface 24 and the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30 will be in the aforementioned operative orientation 26, as represented in FIG. 2. As such, the user can utilize the opening device 10 to remove the closure from the container.

[0039] Further, when the opening member 30 is secured between the inner surface 24 and closure flap 22, as is represented in FIG. 3, the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30 will be clearly viewable when the inner surface 24 is in operative orientation 26. In contrast, when the opening member 30 is secured to the inner surface 24, as is represented in FIG. 4, the entire opening member 30 will be clearly viewable. Accordingly, the at least one connector 39, disposed in aligned relation with the at least one orifice 38, may also be clearly viewable.

[0040] In addition, the opening member 30 may include at least one protruding lip 31. The protruding lip 31 is structured to exert a force on the closure while concurrently creating space between the closure and a garment. Utilization of the opening member 30 to remove the closure involves the closure being disposed at least partially within the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30. The space created allows for the closure to be removed without the closure engaging forcefully with the fabric of a garment. The protruding lip 31 extends outward from the opening member 30 a distance sufficient to create the aforementioned space in order to protect a garment from the force exerted to remove the closure.

[0041] Yet additional structural and operative features of one or more embodiments of the opening device 10 may include the inner surface 24 having at least one opening 25 disposed in aligned relation with the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30. Accordingly, the aforementioned apertured construction 32 can also be descriptive of both the one aperture 34 and the one opening 25, being disposed in aligned relation with one another. As such, the opening member 30 may be disposed between the closure flap 22 and inner surface 24. Utilization of the opening device 10 to remove a closure involves the closure being disposed at least partially within the one aperture 34 concurrently to being at least partially received within the aligned one opening 25. When so disposed, the at least partial rigidity of the opening member 30 and the manipulation of the closure relative to the inner surface 24 (or vice versa) will result in a removing force being exerted on the closure or bottle cap.

[0042] As represented in FIG. 3, yet additional features of the opening device 10 include a cover member 40 connected to the inner surface 24. The cover member 40 may be disposed in covering or closing relation to at least a portion of the opening member 30 as well as the aligned one opening 25 of the inner surface 24. However, as discussed above, when the opening member 30 is disposed on the inner surface 24, the cover member 40 may be in covering or closing relation to only the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30. Additionally, the disposition of the cover member 40 is such as to at least partially engage and/or receive the closure as it enters through the one aperture 34 and the one opening 25. Such a disposition of the cover member 40 will at least partially limit the passage of the closure concurrently through the one aperture 34 and the one opening 25 respectively of the opening member 30 and inner surface 24. As such, the closure or bottle cap will be prevented from passing completely through the closure flap 22 to which the inner surface 24 is attached. By way of example, the cover member 40, or at least a portion thereof, may be formed from a material which has sufficient strength, such as canvas or the like. Further, in at least one embodiment, the cover member 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the inner surface 24 relative to the opening member 30, while still being disposed in closing or covering relation to both the one aperture 34 and the one opening 25.

[0043] As represented in FIGS. 6A-6B, yet another preferred embodiment includes both the opening member 30 and connected cover member 40, which may be mounted to the inner surface of the closure flap 22 or directly to the garment. More specifically, the inner surface 24 may be connected to the closure flap 22 in such a manner that the inner surface 24 and the closure flap 22 may be considered an integrated construction. Alternatively, the inner surface 24 may be defined by the closure flap 22, such that the term inner surface and closure flap may be used interchangeably. Moreover, in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B the opening member 30 may be considered a substantially structural equivalent to the opening member 30 as disclosed and described with primary reference to FIG. 3. As such, the opening member 30 may be at least partially rigid and include, but not be limited to, the apertured construction 32 including the at least one aperture 34 structured to have a lip 31. Accordingly, upon at least partial insertion of a closure of a container within the aperture 34, a removal force may be exerted thereon upon a proper manipulation of the container, relative to the opening member 30, resulting in removal of the closure or from the container.

[0044] As mentioned, when the opening member 30 and the cover member 40 are directly connected to the garment, the closure flap 22 is selectively disposable between a covering position 27 and non-covering position 29 relative to the opening member 30 and the cover member 40. Further, the opening member 30 and the cover member 40 may be secured to the inner surface 24 of the closure flap 22, such that the inner surface 24 is disposable between the operative orientation 26 and the non-operative orientation 28.

[0045] More specifically, the cover member 40 may be secured between the inner surface 24 and the opening member 30. As such, the cover member 40 may be disposed in interconnecting relation between the opening member 30 and the inner surface 24. Accordingly, the cover member 40 may be disposed in covering or closing relation to an inner or underside of the entire opening member 30. As such, the opening member 30 may be clearly viewable when in the operative orientation 26. This disposition of the cover member 40 may be such as to at least partially engage and/or receive the closure as it enters through the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30. Such a disposition of the cover member 40 will at least partially limit the passage of the closure through the one aperture 34 of the opening member 30. As such, the closure or bottle cap will be prevented from passing through the cover member 40 to the inner surface 24, to which the cover member 40 is attached.

[0046] Further, the cover member 40 and interconnected opening member 30 may or may not be removably connected to the inner surface 24 or garment. This removable connection may be accomplished by an appropriate adhesive material or other sufficiently strong connecting structures to maintain the connection. Such connecting structures may include adhesive type connectors, such as Velcro, which allows a secure but removable positioning of the cover member 40 to the inner surface 24 or garment, but also allows for its removal when so chosen by the user. In contrast, such connecting structures may also include static type connectors, such as stitches, which allow the fixed positioning of the cover member 40 to the inner surface 24 or garment. In another embodiment, similar as described above, the opening member 30 may or may not be removably connected to the cover member 40.

[0047] However, it is emphasized that the opening member 30, or the opening member 30 and cover member 40, may be directly connected to the garment itself without the use of a “flap structure” 22. This may serve to position the opening member 30 in the operative orientation 26 perpetually. In another embodiment, the opening member 30, or the opening member 30 and cover member 40, may be directly connected to the garment disposable between an operative orientation 26 and a non-operative orientation 28 by the closure flap 22.

[0048] In order to facilitate the mounting and/or attachment of the opening device 10 to a garment in a manner which will not derogatorily affect the appearance of a garment or its comfort on a user, the inner surface 24 and the closure flap 22 are preferably formed of a flexible, relatively high strength material. Such material can include, but is not intended to be limited to, a canvas or other appropriate material of sufficient strength or flexibility. This of course is in contrast to the appropriate rigidity of at least a portion of the opening member 30, as set forth above.

[0049] However, while the placement of the opening device 10 on the outside of a garment may be the most popular placement of use, the opening device 10 may also be placed on the inside of a garment or connected via attachment to a garment. Additionally, when the closure flap 22 is selectively disposable between the covering position 27 and non-covering position 29 relative to the opening member 30, a pocket of a garment is not necessary to the invention, as discussed above. Further, there may be more than one opening device 10 mounted on a garment, the opening device 10 may comprise different shapes/sizes, and be placed in different positions relative to the outside and/or inside of a garment.

[0050] As represented in FIGS. 3, 6A and 6B, yet another additional feature of the preferred embodiment of the opening device 10 includes an attachment structure 50. The attachment structure 50 is at least partially mounted on the inner surface 24 and a correspondingly disposed part of a garment. Moreover, the attachment structure 50 can be operable to removably retain the inner surface 24, in the non-operative orientation 28, to a garment. However, once intended for use, the attachment structure 50 may be easily disconnected from a garment thereby facilitating the disposition of the inner surface 24 into the operative orientation 26 concurrently to the inner surface 24 and the opening member 30 being disposed in the exposed, operative orientation 26.

[0051] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0052] Now that the invention has been described,