Abstract
A liquid saving device having a container, a lid for attaching to the container, the lid having a top side and a bottom side, a finger element attached to the lid, and a closure for covering the top side of the lid. The liquid saving device also having an inner cover for covering the bottom side of the lid.
Claims
1. A liquid saving device comprising: a container; a lid for attaching to the container, the lid having a top side and a bottom side; a finger element attached to the lid; and a closure for covering the top side of the lid; said lid further comprises an aperture through which the finger element extends up from the top side of the lid.
2. The liquid saving device of claim 1 wherein the finger element comprises an undulating leg end and a loop shaped end.
3. The liquid saving device of claim 1 further comprising a screw and a washer for attaching the finger element to the lid.
4. The liquid saving device of claim 1 wherein the container has a screw top for receiving the lid.
5. The liquid saving device of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a number of lobes.
6. A liquid saving device comprising: a container; a lid for attaching to the container, the lid having a top side and a bottom side; a finger element attached to the lid; an inner cover for covering the bottom side of the lid; and a closure for covering the top side of the lid; said container having a screw top for receiving the lid.
7. The liquid saving device of claim 6 further comprising a screw and a washer and the lid comprises a boss member for receiving the screw and washer for securing the finger element to the lid.
8. The liquid saving device of claim 6 wherein the finger element comprises an undulating leg end and a loop shaped end.
9. The liquid saving device of claim 6 wherein the lid further comprises an aperture through which the finger element extends up from the top side of the lid.
10. The liquid saving device of claim 6 wherein the closure comprises a number of lobes.
11. A liquid saving device comprising: a container; a lid for attaching to the container, the lid having a top side and a bottom side; a number of finger elements attached to the lid; and a closure for covering the top side of the lid; each finger element comprises an undulating leg end and a loop shaped end.
12. The liquid saving device of claim 11 where in the number of finger elements is five.
13. The liquid saving device of claim 11 further comprising a screw and a washer for each of the finger elements for attaching the finger elements to the lid.
14. The liquid saving device of claim 11 wherein the lid further comprises an aperture through which each of the finger elements extends up from the top side of the lid.
15. The liquid saving device of claim 11 wherein the container has a screw top for receiving the lid.
16. The liquid saving device of claim 15 wherein the closure comprises a number of lobes.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a liquid saving device constructed according to the present disclosure;
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid saving device constructed according to the present disclosure shown in a fully assembled condition;
(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid saving device constructed according to the present disclosure shown with a closure removed;
(4) FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a lid and an inner cover constructed according to the present disclosure;
(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom rear view of the lid constructed according to the present disclosure with the inner cover removed; and
(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid saving device taken along a plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(7) Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a liquid saving device constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to FIG. 1, the liquid saving device 10 is shown in an exploded view with the device 10 having a container 12 having a lid 14 that may be attached or secured to the container 12. The lid 14 has a number of finger elements or devices 16 which are attached to the lid 14 by use of screws 18 and washers 20. The lid 14 has a top side 22 and a bottom side 24. The bottom side 24 of the lid 14 may be covered by an inner cover 26. The top side 22 of the lid 14 may be covered by a closure 28. The container 12 has an interior 30 into which fluid (not shown) may flow and be stored. The container 12 also has a screw top 32 for receiving the lid 14 thereon. Although the screw top 32 is shown it is possible to have any securing mechanism such as a frictional engagement, a snap on mechanism, or a slotted mechanism between the container 12 and the lid 14. The top side 22 of the lid 14 has a central aperture or opening 34 through which fluid may flow. The finger elements 16 have an undulating or zigzag leg end 36 and a loop shaped end 38. The leg end 36 is used to capture or hold an opening associated with an original container (not shown) in an upright position for draining any remaining contents or liquids of the original container into the container 12. The loop shaped end 38 is used to receive the screws 18 and washers 20 to secure the finger elements 16 to the bottom side 24 of the lid 14. Although five finger elements 16 are shown, it is contemplated that more or less finger elements 16 may be provided. By way of example only, the container 12 may be able to contain from two ounces to five ounces. However, any size is possible and contemplated. Again, by way of example only and not in a limiting sense, the original container may contain shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, gel, creams, perfumes, cosmetics, powders, or the like. Likewise, the original container may contain food products such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other condiments. The range of possibilities of inner contents of the original container is endless including but not limited to household items, automotive, school/office supplies, and the like. Further, it is to be understood that although the present disclosure has been discussed as being a liquid saving device the term liquid is not limited to a liquid and includes any contents such as a liquid, powder, gel, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, creams, perfumes, cosmetics, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, other condiments, or the like.
(8) FIG. 2 shows the liquid saving device 10 in a fully assembled condition. In particular, the device 10 has the lid 14 secured to the container 12 and the closure 28 is secured to the lid 14. Any contents within the container 12 is sealed in place within the container 12. Further, if the device 10 were to tip over or be dropped then the contents within the container 12 would remain within the container 12 due to the closure 28 being attached or secured to the lid 14. The closure 28 is also shown having a number of lobes 40 and a number of finger openings 42 interspersed between the lobes 40. The lobes 40 are used to grasp and rotate the closure 28 when securing or removing the closure 28 from the lid 14. The finger openings 42 may also be used to grasp and turn the closure 28. Although five lobes 40 and five finger openings 42 are shown it is possible to have more or less lobes 40 and openings 42.
(9) With reference now to FIG. 3, the liquid saving device 10 is illustrated with the closure 28 being removed from the lid 14. The device 10 has the lid 14 secured to the container 12 and the undulating or zigzag leg ends 36 of the finger elements 16 are shown extending up from the central opening 34 of the lid 14. The leg ends 36 are used to hold or secure an opening associated with an original container (not shown) having contents or liquid to be removed from the original container to transfer the contents or liquids into the container 12. As can be appreciated, the finger elements 16 assist in holding the original container in an upright position so that gravity will allow the contents or liquids to flow into the container 12 through the central opening 34. The lid 14 also has the top side 22 that may be used to capture any contents from the original container to direct the contents that land on the top side 22 into the container 12 through the central opening 34.
(10) FIG. 4 illustrates the lid 14 removed from the container 12 with the bottom side 24 being shown. The inner cover 26 is secured or attached to the bottom side 24. The lid 14 has a side wall 44 having a screw thread 46. In this manner, the screw thread 46 may mate with the screw top 32 (FIG. 1) of the container 12 to secure or attach the lid 14 to the container 12. The finger elements 16 are shown extending out through the central opening 34 of the lid 14. The inner cover 26 is used to protect the finger elements 16 from being damaged. The inner cover 26 may be attached by a snap fit arrangement, as will be explained more fully herein.
(11) With particular reference now to FIG. 5, the bottom side 24 of the lid 14 is depicted with the inner cover 26 being removed. The lid 14 has the side wall 44 having the screw thread 46. The bottom side 24 has a number of boss members 48 which are used to receive the screws 18 and the washers 20 to secure or attach the loop shaped end 38 of the finger elements 16 to the lid 14. Each of the boss members 48 has a first screw receiving housing 50 and a second screw receiving housing 52. The screws 18 are adapted to be screwed into the housings 50 and 52. The central opening 34 has a neck portion 54 that extends outwardly from the bottom side 24. The neck portion 54 has a number of clips 56 for securing each of the loop shaped ends 38 in place. The number of boss members 48 and clips 56 will be the same as the number of finger elements 16. The finger elements 16 extend outwardly from the central opening 34 of the lid 14.
(12) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid saving device 10 constructed according to the present disclosure with the device 10 being fully assembled. The liquid saving device 10 has the container 12 which has the interior 30 into which fluid (not shown) may flow and be stored. The container 12 also has the screw top 32 for receiving the screw thread 46 of the lid 14 for attaching or securing the lid 14 to the container. The finger elements 16 are shown extending upwardly through the central opening 34 of the lid 14. The closure 28 is secured to the neck 54 of the lid 14. The closure 28 may have a screw thread 58 and the neck 54 may have a complementary screw thread 60 so that the threads 58 and 60 can mate together. As can be appreciated, the interior 30 is used to store any liquid or contents removed from an original container.
(13) The liquid saving device 10 may operate in the following manner. After using an original container of a product, such as a lotion, it may be difficult to extract or use the remaining product. In order to retrieve the remaining product the liquid saving device 10 is used. During use, the liquid saving device 10 has the closure 28 removed and the original container is inverted to secure the opening of the original container within the finger elements 16. Once the original container is secured in place by the finger elements 16 the contents of the original container are allowed to flow or pass or transfer into the container 12 through the central opening 34. The finger elements 16, which may consist of spring wire, provide for a tight seal between the original container and the container 12. While the original container is upside down the inner contents drain into the container 12 of the liquid saving device 10. The neck 54 of the lid 14 also assists in directing the contents into the container 12. After a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days, the last of the contents or liquid within the original container will drain into the container 12, and the original container may be removed and discarded. The closure 28 is then secured back on the lid 14 to seal the container 12. The remaining liquid salvaged by the device 10 may be used by removing the lid 14 from the container 12. With use of the liquid saving device 10 liquids are not wasted by being thrown away with the original container. The entire contents of the original container may be used thereby saving money by using the entire contents.
(14) As has been indicated above, various different shapes and sizes of the device 10 are possible. The container 12, the lid 14, and the closure 28 may be, by way of example, round, square, rectangular, or oval. The container 12 may be transparent, translucent, or of different colors. Various designs or logos may be included on the container 12 to indicate the preferred contents of the container 12.
(15) From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a liquid saving device which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject liquid saving device are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
