Bottling device and method

Abstract

Beverage packaging and container arrangements are shown and described. In one embodiment, the device comprises a container body, hollow rod, and removable cap to provide an assembled consumable beverage arrangement. The disclosure also includes a variety of fittings and removable caps to mate with beverage containers that are useful in both storage and operating positions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for packaging a beverage item comprising: a sealed container body having a closed bottom, a top, a sidewall, an opening upper face aligned adjacent said top and having threads, wherein said bottom, top, and sidewall define a spatially-confined interior free of a threaded neck; a single use buoyant hollow rod body having a continuous cylindrical planar body being rigidly non-bending and removably aligned within said spatially-confined interior in a storage position; and a disposable removable elongated cap fitting forming said sealed, closed arrangement with said top about said threads in a closed position and having a sufficient height adapted to enclose at least a length of a distal end of said hollow rod body above said container top and housed within said cap height, and thereby substantially mates with said threads in said closed position, and wherein said single use buoyant hollow rod body being removably biased in said container body, and wherein said apparatus transfers said hollow rod from said spatially-confined interior area in an unbiased position to a biased position substantially above said upper face breaking said sealed, closed arrangement and exposing said hollow rod in a single-use operating position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hollow rod having a vertical height dimension greater than a vertical height dimension of said container body, and whereby said hollow rod aligned at an angle alpha with respect to a bottom surface of said container body in said storage position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hollow rod consisting essentially of a disposable, single-use rod.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hollow rod includes an outer surface comprising an outer body wrap.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said outer body wrap includes at least one graphic.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said container body includes at least one corresponding graphic.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hollow rod comprises a flavored straw.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, including flavored pellets affixed to said flavored straw.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container body includes a male connector and said cap fitting includes a female connector adapted to mate with said male connector in a removably affixed, liquid impermeable position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood by a reading of the Description of Embodiments along with a review of the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a beverage packaging container according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the beverage packaging container embodiment introduced in FIG. 1, with portions omitted to show internal elements;

(4) FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of another beverage packaging container embodiment introduced in FIG. 1, with portions omitted to show internal elements;

(5) FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another beverage packaging container embodiment of the disclosure;

(6) FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the beverage packaging container according to FIG. 3, with portions omitted to show internal elements;

(7) FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another beverage packaging container embodiment of the disclosure;

(8) FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of another beverage packaging container embodiment of the disclosure;

(9) FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the beverage packaging container according to FIG. 5, with portions exploded to show internal elements;

(10) FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the beverage packaging container according to FIG. 5A, with portions exploded to show internal elements;

(11) FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another beverage packaging container embodiment of the disclosure;

(12) FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the beverage packaging container according to FIG. 7 in an operating position; and

(13) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage packaging container according to FIG. 7, with portions isolated to show internal elements.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(14) In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as forward, rearward, left, right, upwardly, downwardly, and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

(15) Referring now to the drawings in general and FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure or any inventions thereto. As best seen in the figures, the beverage containers 10, 100, 200, and 300 are respectively shown embodied according to the present disclosure.

(16) As shown in FIG. 1, beverage container apparatus 10 for packaging a beverage item includes a container body 12, hollow rod body 14, and removable cap 16. The container body 12 typically has a closed bottom 20, top 22, and sidewall 24. Generally, the bottom 20, top 22, and sidewall 24 define a spatially-confined interior. As introduced in FIG. 2, the top 22 generally includes an opening upper orifice face 26. Those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize additional orientations and container arrangements, including a variety of orifice designs and dimensions as shown and described herein.

(17) FIG. 1 illustrates the hollow rod body 14 generally removably aligned within a spatially-confined interior defined by the container and positioned below the opening upper orifice face 26 in a storage position. The storage position may include any variety of sealed, closed arrangements prior to, and in particular examples, re-sealed or re-closed arrangements. As shown in FIG. 1, the hollow rod body 14 may be aligned perpendicular between the removable cap 16 and closed bottom 20. Other examples included a variety of angled or bent hollow rod body 14 shapes in the storage position Typically in this embodiment, the hollow rod body 14 exerts compression against the compression bearing platform 40 of removable cap 16, for instance to maintain alignment and transfer the spring, buoyant, extended hollow rod body 14 to break the plane of the upper orifice face 26 as introduced in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, particular embodiments of the hollow rod body 14 extend from the spatially-confined interior area to an off-axis alignment position 18 above the upper orifice face 26 in an operating position.

(18) In addition embodiments, the hollow rod body 14 has a height dimension that is generally greater than a height dimension of the spatially-confined interior area of the container body. For instance, the hollow rod body 14 is aligned at an angle alpha about the closed bottom 20 and exerts a compression against the compression bearing platform 40 of removable cap 16.

(19) In any of the embodiments and examples herein, the hollow rod body 14 includes an outer surface comprising an outer body wrap or similar design. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize any variety of coloring, graphic, advertisement, a scenic view, marketing scheme, etc. of an outer body wrap. Further, the hollow rod may include a flavoring element, including a flavoring layer 46, pellet, coating, skin, and the like to create any variety of consumable beverage for the end user. In any of the examples and embodiments herein, the rod may include a cylinder shape, rectangle shape, or any other shape, including designer-style rods with curves, loops, and the like. Further, any of the rods and/or containers herein may comprise recyclable materials and the like. Similarly, in any of the embodiments and examples herein, the container body may include any shape, including rounded, rectangular, can-shaped, and the like, and may include an outer graphic or design surface, for instance an outer body wrap 46 or similar design.

(20) As shown in FIG. 3, beverage container apparatus 100 for packaging a beverage item includes a container body 12, hollow rod body 14a, and elongated removable cap 16a. The container body 12 typically has a closed bottom 20, top 22, and sidewall 24. Generally, the bottom 20, top 22, and sidewall 24 define a spatially-confined interior. As introduced in FIG. 4, the top 22 generally includes an opening upper orifice face 26 and threads 28a to mate with the elongated removable cap 16a. The elongated removable cap 16a has a sufficient height dimension to enclose the distal end 34 of hollow rod 14a and mate with the container's plurality of threads 28a in the closed position shown in FIG. 3. Those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize additional orientations and container arrangements, including a variety of orifice and rod designs and dimensions.

(21) FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the hollow rod body 14a generally aligned within between the elongated removable cap 16a and closed bottom 20. The storage position may include any variety of sealed, closed arrangements prior to, and in particular examples, re-sealed or re-closed arrangements.

(22) As shown in FIG. 3, the hollow rod body 14a may be aligned perpendicular between the elongated removable cap 16a and closed bottom 20. Other alternative embodiments may include a variety of angled or bent hollow rod body arrangements. Typically in this embodiment, the hollow rod body 14a has a proximate end 32 that is received within the container body and a distal end 34 that is adapted to protrude through the plane of the upper orifice face 26 show introduced in FIG. 4.

(23) In particular examples, the hollow rod body 14a has a height dimension that extends above the upper orifice face 26. For instance, the proximate end 32 is contained within a spatially-confined interior and a distal end 34 extends above the upper face in a storage position and in an operating position, thus the unexpected advantage of an elongated removable cap 16a.

(24) In alternative examples, the hollow rod body 14a may exert compression against removable cap 16a, for instance to maintain alignment and transfer the spring, buoyant, extended hollow rod body 14a to break the plane of the upper orifice face 26. As shown in FIG. 4, particular embodiments of the hollow rod body 14 extend from the spatially-confined interior area to an off-axis alignment position 18 above the upper orifice face 26 in an operating position.

(25) FIGS. 5 and 6, and 5A and 6A, introduce embodiments of the beverage container apparatus 200 for packaging a beverage item includes a container body 12, hollow rod body 14a protruding through a narrow orifice 52, and narrow removable cap 16b. The container body 12 typically has a closed bottom 20, top 22, and sidewall 24. Generally, the bottom 20, top 22, and sidewall 24 define a spatially-confined interior. As introduced in FIG. 6, the top generally includes a narrow upper orifice face 52 on planar ledge 50. In certain examples, the narrow upper orifice face 52 is centered about planar ledge 50

(26) Further, threads 52 generally mate with the narrow removable cap 16b. The narrow removable cap 16b has a reduced diameter as compared to alterative cap arrangements to provide any of the functional and aesthetic benefits shown and described herein, and appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

(27) FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates the hollow rod body 14a generally aligned between the narrow removable cap 16b and closed bottom 20. The storage position may include any variety of sealed, closed arrangements prior to, and in particular examples, re-sealed or re-closed arrangements.

(28) As shown, the hollow rod body 14a may be aligned perpendicular between the elongated narrow removable cap 16b and closed bottom 20. Other alternative embodiments may include a variety of angled or bent hollow rod body arrangements. Typically in this embodiment, the hollow rod body 14a has a proximate end 32 that is received within the container body and a distal end 34 that protrudes through the plane of the narrow orifice 52 as show and described herein.

(29) In particular examples, the hollow rod body 14a has a height dimension that extends above the narrow orifice 52. For instance, the proximate end 32 is contained within a spatially-confined interior and a distal end 34 extends above the upper face in a storage position and in an operating position, thus the unexpected advantage of a narrow removable cap 16b. The orifice may be any dimension and shape, including, but not limited to a diameter of about half an inch to about an inch. Applicants have discovered unexpected advantages of an orifice having a diameter of about five sixteenths of an inch. In alternative examples, the hollow rod body 14a may exert compression against removable cap 16a, for instance to maintain alignment and transfer the spring, buoyant, extended hollow rod body 14a to break the plane of the upper orifice face 26.

(30) In any of the examples and embodiments herein, the caps may be hinged, fastened, affixed with adhesives, etc. to provide access to the distal end of the rods. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(31) As also shown in FIGS. 7-9, a fitting 60 to mate with any variety of beverage container may include an upper segment 66 having threads, adhesives, fasteners, or the like to mate and align the semi or rigid hollow rod 64 with any variety of containers. The fitting 60 may include a cap 62 that is releasably adapted to enclose the upper segment 66. As further introduced in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper segment may have a sidewall 68, and the proximate end of the rigid hollow rod 64 is received within the container in an assembled position, while the distal end may be permanently, or semi-permanently, affixed within sidewall 68. Those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize alternative fitting designs and arrangements incorporated herein.

(32) Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. Many of the novel features are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the disclosure, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed. It is further noted that, as used in this application, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.