Bottle housing

Abstract

A bottle housing, bottle housing structure and system for use is disclosed. The bottle housing includes a first member having a top, a first end, and a second end. The bottle housing also includes a second member having a top, a first end, and a second end. The second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends. The first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member and the second member define a housing cavity when in the closed position. The first member and the second member are configured to house a bottle body in the housing cavity. Respective tops of the first member and the second member are configured to surround a portion of a bottle neck when in the closed position. The bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein.

Claims

1. A bottle housing comprising: a first member having a top, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first member defines an opening; and a second member having a top, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second member defines an opening, wherein the second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends, the first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position, the first member and the second member defining a housing cavity when in the closed position, the first member and the second member configured to house a bottle body in the housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity is accessible through the openings of the first and second members, wherein respective tops of the first member and the second member define a top opening when in the closed position to receive a portion of a bottle neck and are configured to surround the portion of the bottle neck when in the closed position, and wherein the bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein.

2. The bottle housing of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are coupled by a hinge along the respective first ends.

3. The bottle housing of claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises at least one of a living hinge and a monolithic hinge.

4. The bottle housing of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the top of the first member is disposed above a portion of the bottle body when in the closed position.

5. The bottle housing of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first member is disposed below a portion of the bottle body when in the closed position.

6. The bottle housing of claim 1, wherein the first member has a locking element disposed along the second end of the first member, the second member has a receiving element disposed along the second end of the second member, wherein the locking element cooperates with the receiving element to lock and unlock the first member with the second member between the open position and the closed position.

7. The bottle housing of claim 6, wherein the locking element comprises at least one flange, wherein the at least one flange is disposed along a ledge of the receiving element holding the first member and the second member in the closed position.

8. The bottle housing of claim 1, wherein the first member includes at least a portion of a base configured to receive the at least one component.

9. The bottle housing of claim 8, wherein the base has a top surface configured to support the bottle body when in the closed position.

10. The bottle housing of claim 8, wherein the first member, the second member and the base comprise a monolithic structure.

11. The bottle housing of claim 8, wherein the base is configured to receive a removable compartment, the removable compartment is configured to receive the at least one component.

12. The bottle housing of claim 11, wherein the removable compartment is configured to be at least one of slidably inserted into the base and coupled to a sidewall of the base.

13. The bottle housing of claim 12, wherein the base includes a base edge stop configured to restrict movement of the removable compartment in at least one direction.

14. The bottle housing of claim 11, wherein the removable compartment is coupled to the base using a biasing finger.

15. The bottle housing of claim 14, wherein the removable compartment comprises a hook attachment that is configured to receive the at least one component.

16. The bottle housing of claim 14, wherein the removable compartment comprises a holder attachment that is configured to receive the at least one components.

17. The bottle housing of claim 14, wherein the removable compartment includes a bottle opener attachment.

18. The bottle housing of claim 1, wherein the at least one component comprises at least one of a nonwoven fabric, a container, and a woven fabric.

19. A bottle housing system comprising: a bottle having a bottle body and a bottle neck; and a bottle housing having a first member and a second member, the first member having a top, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first member defines an opening, the second member having a top, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second member defines an opening, wherein the second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends, the first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position, the first member and the second member defining a housing cavity when in the closed position, the first member and the second member configured to house the bottle body in the housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity is accessible through the openings of the first and second members, wherein respective tops of the first member and the second member define a top opening when in the closed position to receive a portion of the bottle neck and are configured to surround the portion of the bottle neck when in the closed position, and wherein the bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein.

20. A method of using a bottle housing comprising: providing a bottle having a bottle body and a bottle neck; providing a bottle housing having a first member and a second member, the first member having a top, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first member defines an opening, the second member having a top, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second member defines an opening, wherein the second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends, the first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position, the first member and the second member defining a housing cavity when in the closed position, the first member and the second member configured to house the bottle body in the housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity is accessible through the openings of the first and second members, wherein respective tops of the first member and the second member define a top opening when in the closed position to receive a portion of the bottle neck and are configured to surround the portion of the bottle neck when in the closed position, and wherein the bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein; inserting the bottle body into the housing cavity; and coupling the first member and the second member together in the closed position to house the bottle body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a first end perspective view of a bottle housing in a closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(2) FIG. 2 is a second end perspective view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(3) FIG. 3A is a first side view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(4) FIG. 3B is a front view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(5) FIG. 3C is a second side view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(6) FIG. 3D is a top view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(7) FIG. 3E is a bottom view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(8) FIG. 4A is a first side view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in an open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(9) FIG. 4B is a front and back external view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(10) FIG. 4C is a second side view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the a open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(11) FIG. 4D is a top view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(12) FIG. 4E is a bottom view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(13) FIG. 4F is a front and back internal view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(14) FIG. 4G is a cross-sectional side view of the bottle housing of FIG. 1 in the open position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(15) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a removable compartment attachable to the bottle housing of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(16) FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another removable compartment attachable to the bottle housing of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(17) FIG. 5C is an perspective view of another removable compartment attachable to the bottle housing of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(18) FIG. 6 is a first end perspective view of a bottle housing system depicting a bottle compartment and bottle housing in a closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(19) FIG. 7A is a second end perspective view of the bottle housing system of FIG. 6 in the closed position, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(20) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a removable compartment coupleable with the bottle housing of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

(21) FIG. 8 is an operational flowchart depicting steps to use a bottle housing, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(22) Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, exemplary embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The structure, system, and corresponding method of used of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.

(23) In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a bottle housing including a first member having a top, a first end, and a second end, and a second member having a top, a first end, and a second end. The second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends. The first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member and the second member define a housing cavity when in the closed position. The first member and the second member are configured to house a bottle body in the housing cavity. Respective tops of the first member and the second member are configured to surround a portion of a bottle neck when in the closed position. The bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein.

(24) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with aspects of the disclosed subject matter. For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, exemplary embodiments of the bottle housing and bottle housing system are shown in FIGS. 1-8, in accordance with aspects of the disclosed subject matter. While the presently disclosed subject matter is described regarding certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that components and the method of using the same are not limited to the illustrative embodiments described or depicted herein.

(25) Solely for purpose of illustration, with reference to FIGS. 1-4G, a bottle housing 100 is provided, according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter. FIGS. 1-3E illustrate the bottle housing 100 in a closed position and FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate the bottle housing 100 in an open position, wherein FIG. 4G is a cross-sectional view of the bottle housing 100 shown in FIG. 4F taken along cross-sectional line A-A, according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter. For example, and as embodied herein, the bottle housing 100 includes a first member 102 having a top 113a, a first end 111a, and a second end 115a. The bottle housing also includes a second member 104 having a top 113b, a first end 111b, and a second end 115b. The second member 104 is coupled to the first member 102 along respective first ends 111r. The first member 102 and the second member 104 are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 define a housing cavity 110 when in the closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 are configured to house a bottle body in the housing cavity 110, such as a bottle body of a conventional bottle as further discussed herein. Respective tops 113r of the first member 102 and the second member 104 are configured to surround a portion of a bottle neck when in the closed position. The bottle housing 100 is configured to receive at least one component 131 therein, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A further described herein.

(26) As noted above, a bottle having the bottle body and the bottle neck can be features of a conventional bottle. For example, the bottle can comprise a spray bottle where the bottle neck is a handle and a bottle head includes an actuation lever for delivering a liquid contained within the bottle body. An exemplary bottle is provided with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7A, according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter. However, other conventional bottles that can utilize the bottle housing are contemplated herein. Furthermore, at least a portion of the top 113a of the first member 102 can be disposed above a portion of the bottle body when in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the top 113a and the top 113b of the first member 102 and the second member 104, respectively, each include a portion disposed above the bottle body when in the closed position.

(27) The first member 102 and the second member 104 can be coupled together along the respective first ends 111r. For example, the first member 102 and the second member 104 can pivot with respect to each other and be coupled by a hinge along the respective first ends 111r. As such, the hinge can be a pivot hinge, a living hinge, a monolithic hinge, a self-closing hinge, or any other suitable hinge. Alternatively, the first member 102 and the second member 104 can be entirely separable and coupled together at the respective first ends 111r in any suitable manner, such as with a barrel hinge or a lift-off hinge.

(28) The bottle housing can additionally include a lock including a locking element 114 and a receiving element 116, the lock disposed at least at the respective first ends 111r or respective second ends 115r. As shown in the figures, the first member 102 can have the locking element 114 disposed along the second end 115a of the first member 102 and the receiving element 116 disposed along the second end 115b of the second member 104. As such, the locking element 114 cooperates with the receiving element 116 to lock and unlock the first member 102 with the second member 104 between the open position and the closed position. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 3D and 4A, the locking element 114 can comprise at least one flange 161, wherein the at least one flange 161 is disposed along a ledge 163 of the receiving element 116. The locking element 114 and the receiving element 116 hold the first member 102 and the second member 104 in the closed position. However, any locking or coupling mechanism may be used to hold the first member 102 and the second member 104 in the closed position, such as, but not limited to, a cam lock, a draw latch, a swing latch, or a slide bolt. The lock used can include logos or advertisements, such as a tear drop catch, an embossed logo, or a sticker.

(29) Additionally, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the first member 102 can include at least a portion of a base 122 configured to receive the at least one component. The base 122 can be coupled to the bottom of the first member 102, as illustrated, but is not limited thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the first member 102 includes a first portion 122a of the base 122 and the second member 104 includes a second portion 122b of the base 122 each monolithic with, or coupled to, a bottom portion of the respective members. The bottle housing 100 can include a support surface 117, as best shown in FIG. 4G, configured to support the bottle body when in the closed position. The support surface 117 can be a portion of the first member 102, the second member 104, and/or the base 122. For example, the base 122 can have a top surface 121 configured to support the bottle body when in the closed position, whereby the top surface 121 comprises the support surface 117. The first member 102, the second member 104, and/or the base 122 can comprise a monolithic structure.

(30) Additionally, and as embodiment herein, the base 122 can be configured to receive a removable compartment 132 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5G, 7A and 7B. For example, the removable compartment 132, shown in FIG. 7B, can be configured to be slidably inserted into the base 122 as depicted in FIG. 7A. In such embodiment, the removable compartment 132 can comprise a container box of nonwoven fabrics, such as, but not limited to, a wet or dry wipe. For example, the base 122 can have an opening 125 configured to receive the removable compartment 132, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7A. The base 122 can include a base edge stop 128 configured to restrict movement of the removable compartment 132 in at least one direction. For example, the removable compartment 132 can be inserted into the opening 125 from above the base edge stop 128. Alternatively, the compartment can be inserted into the opposite side from opening 125, in such an alternative embodiment. However, as best shown in FIG. 3A, the presently shown embodiment includes a closed end opposite the opening 125. The removable compartment 132 can rest on a bottom surface 123 when inserted, and the base edge stop 128 can be configured to secure the removable compartment 132 within the opening 125.

(31) In addition, and as embodied herein, the removable compartment 132 can be coupled to the base along a sidewall thereof, such as by a biasing finger 126 and/or with guide edges 124 as best shown in FIG. 1. The biasing finger 126 can be in the form of a releasable button.

(32) Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, alternative removable compartments 132 configured to be coupled to the base 122 are provided, according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter. For example, the removable compartment 132 can include a hook attachment, as shown in FIG. 5A, in which the at least one component can be attached thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the removable compartment 132 can be a holder attachment, as shown in FIG. 5B. Additionally or alternatively, the removable compartment 132 can include a bottle opener attachment, as shown in FIG. 5C. Other alternatives for the removable compartment 132 can include, but are not limited to, side bristles for scrubbing and/or a waste basket. Furthermore, the bottle housing 100 can include a fixed compartment 134, as shown in FIG. 6, that is monolithic with the base. As noted above, components receivable in and/or coupled to the removable compartment 132 can include any suitable accessory such as, but not limited to, a wet or dry wipe, a tire pump, a brush, and the any accessory that can fit within the compartment.

(33) Furthermore, and as embodied herein, the bottle housing 100 can have a width dimension (d1), a depth dimension (d2) and a height dimension (d3). The width dimension (d1) range from about 3 inches to about 6 inches and may increase with, for example, the protrusion of the guide edges 124 and the biasing finger 126. The depth dimension (d2) range from about 5 inches to about 10 inches and may increase with, for example, the protrusion of the coupled respective first ends 111r. The height dimension (d3) can range from about 8 inches to about 12 inches and may increase with any protrusions extending from the respective tops 113r or the bottom of the base 122. The described dimensions are for exemplary purposes only and are not meant to be limitations.

(34) In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, and as embodied herein, a bottle housing system is provided, including a bottle having a bottle body and a bottle neck, and a bottle housing having a first member and a second member. The first member has a top, a first end, and a second end. The second member has a top, a first end, and a second end. The second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends. The first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member and the second member define a housing cavity when in the closed position. The first member and the second member are configured to house a bottle body in the housing cavity. Respective tops of the first member and the second member are configured to surround a portion of a bottle neck when in the closed position. The bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein.

(35) Solely for purpose of illustration, with reference to FIGS. 6-7B, a bottle housing system 200 is provided, according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter. For example, and similar to the previously described embodiments, the bottle housing system 200 includes a bottle 150 having a bottle body 152 and a bottle neck 154, and a bottle housing 100 having a first member 102 and a second member 104. The first member 102 has a top 113a, a first end 111a, and a second end 115a. The second member 104 has a top 113b, a first end 111b, and a second end 115b. The second member 104 is coupled to the first member 102 along respective first ends 111r. The first member 102 and the second member 104 are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 define a housing cavity when in the closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 are configured to house the bottle body 152 in the housing cavity. Respective tops 113r of the first member 102 and the second member 104 are configured to surround a portion of the bottle neck 154 when in the closed position. The bottle housing 100 is configured to receive at least one component 131 therein.

(36) In view of the above, the bottle housing system 200 of the disclosed subject matter can incorporate the components and features of the bottle housing 100 described with respect to FIGS. 1-5C. For example, and as illustrated, the bottle housing 100 can include the removable compartment 132 configured to receive at least one component 131, and a fixed compartment 134 configured to receive the at least one component 131. The components 131 can include, but are not limited to, a nonwoven fabric, a container, and a woven fabric.

(37) In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, and as embodied herein, a method of using a bottle housing is provided. The method includes providing a bottle having a bottle body and a bottle neck and providing a bottle housing having a first member and a second member. The first member has a top, a first end, and a second end. The second member has a top, a first end, and a second end. The second member is coupled to the first member along respective first ends. The first member and the second member are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member and the second member define a housing cavity when in the closed position. The first member and the second member are configured to house the bottle body in the housing cavity. Respective tops of the first member and the second member are configured to surround a portion of the bottle neck when in the closed position. The bottle housing is configured to receive at least one component therein. Furthermore, the method includes inserting the bottle body into the housing cavity and coupling the first member and the second member together in the closed position to house the bottle body.

(38) Solely for purpose of illustration, with reference to FIG. 8, an operational flowchart illustrating a method of using a bottle housing is provided, according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The method of using the bottle housing can incorporate the components and features of the bottle housing 100 described with respect to FIGS. 1-5C and the bottle housing system 200 described with respect to FIGS. 6-7B. For example, and as embodied herein, the method of using the bottle housing 100 includes providing a bottle 150 having a bottle body 152 and a bottle neck 154 (S302) and providing a bottle housing 100 having a first member 102 and a second member 104 (S304). The first member 102 has a top 113a, a first end 111a, and a second end 115a. The second member 104 has a top 113b, a first end 111b, and a second end 115b. The second member 104 is coupled to the first member 102 along respective first ends 111r. The first member 102 and the second member 104 are transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 define a housing cavity 110 when in the closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 are configured to house the bottle body 152 in the housing cavity 110. Respective tops 113r of the first member 102 and the second member 104 are configured to surround a portion of the bottle neck 154 when in the closed position. The bottle housing 100 is configured to receive at least one component 131 therein. Furthermore, the method includes inserting the bottle body 152 into the housing cavity 110 (S306) and coupling the first member 102 and the second member 104 together in the closed position to house the bottle body 152 (S308).

(39) According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter, the bottle housing 100 can be any suitable material capable of forming the described structure, such as, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The bottle housing 100 can be formed using any suitable formation technique such as blow molding, injection molding, or vacuum molding.

(40) In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the dependent features claimed below and those disclosed above. As such, the particular features presented in the dependent claims and disclosed above can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combinations. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed.

(41) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.