TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bottle accessories, and more specifically, to a detachable bottle handle that is easily exchanged with other handles of various colors and/or styles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Handles on bottles such as water bottles are useful for a user to easily hold or secure the bottle to an object. Bottles such as vacuum sealed stainless-steel water bottles typically either lack a handle, or have a handle that is not easily removeable.

[0003] For example, certain bottles may have a handle attached to a rigid ring that is difficult to stretch over the bottom or top end of a bottle. Likewise, certain bottles may have a handle portion attached to a base ring, requiring removal of the entire base ring to change the handle portion. Furthermore, existing handles are generally made of thin cords that lack the space to display a customizable label.

[0004] Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of bottle handles, many shortcomings remain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The various systems and methods of the present invention have been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available bottle handles. The systems and methods of the present invention may provide bottle handles that remedy shortcomings of prior art bottle handles.

[0006] To achieve the foregoing, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a bottle handle with a detachable strap is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bottle handle may have a base member and a first strap. The base member may have a first knob, a second knob, and a bottle engagement portion with a ring shape configured to receive and grip a bottle. The strap may have a first end having a first clip attached thereon, wherein the first clip is shaped to receive the first knob, and a second end having a second clip attached thereon, wherein the second clip is shaped to receive the second knob.

[0007] The base member may be formed of an elastomer configured to stretch to enable insertion of the bottle into the bottle engagement portion.

[0008] The bottle handle may further have one or more additional straps, each of which has a third end with a third clip attached thereon, wherein the third clip is shaped to receive the first knob, and a fourth end having a fourth clip attached thereon, wherein the fourth clip is shaped to receive the second knob.

[0009] The first knob may have a head portion and a neck portion narrower than the head portion. The first clip may have an aperture with an enlarged portion sized to permit passage of the head portion therethrough, and a smaller portion sized to receive the neck portion without permitting passage of the head portion therethrough.

[0010] The enlarged portion may be shaped such that, in order for the head portion to pass through the enlarged portion, the first knob must be oriented nonperpendicular to the aperture. [0011] The enlarged portion may further be sized to permit passage of the head therethrough only with interference.

[0012] In one embodiment, a bottle handle may have a base member and a first strap. The base member may have a bottle engagement portion securable to a bottle, a first base attachment feature, and a second base attachment feature. The first strap may have a first end with a first strap attachment feature that is detachably attachable to the first base attachment feature, and a second end with a second strap attachment feature that is detachably attachable to the second base attachment feature.

[0013] The bottle engagement portion may have a ring shape configured to receive a bottle; the bottle engagement portion may be formed of an elastomer configured to stretch to enable insertion of the bottle into the bottle engagement portion, and then relax to grip the bottle. [0014] The first base attachment feature may include a knob with a head portion and a neck portion narrower than the head portion. The first strap attachment feature may have a first clip with an aperture with an enlarged portion sized to permit passage of the head portion therethrough, and a smaller portion sized to receive the neck portion without permitting passage of the head portion therethrough.

[0015] The enlarged portion may be shaped such that, in order for the head portion to pass through the enlarged portion, the knob must be oriented nonperpendicular to the aperture. [0016] The enlarged portion may further be sized to permit passage of the head therethrough only with interference.

[0017] The bottle handle may further include one or more additional straps, each of which has a third end having a third clip attached thereon, wherein the third clip is shaped to receive the first knob, and a fourth end having a fourth clip attached thereon, wherein the fourth clip is shaped to receive the second knob. [0018] The first base attachment feature, the second base attachment feature, the first strap attachment feature, and the second strap attachment feature may be configured to resist detachment of the bottle from the first strap with the bottle hanging from the first strap.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a method of detaching a first strap from a bottle is provided. The first strap may be part of a bottle handle including a base member. The method may include, with the base member secured to the bottle, detaching a first strap attachment feature on a first end of the first strap from a first base attachment feature of the base member. The method may further include, with the base member secured to the bottle, detaching a second strap feature on a second end of the first strap from a second base attachment feature of the base member.

[0020] The method may further include detaching the base member from the bottle.

[0021] The base member may have a bottle engagement portion formed of an elastomer. The bottle engagement portion may have a ring shape. Detaching the base member from the bottle may include stretching the bottle engagement portion, and, with the bottle engagement portion stretched, withdrawing the bottle from an interior of the bottle engagement portion. [0022] The method may further include, after detaching the first strap attachment feature from a first base attachment feature and detaching the second strap attachment feature from the second base attachment feature, attaching a second strap to the bottle. The second strap may be attached to the bottle by, with the base member secured to the bottle, attaching a third strap attachment feature on a third end of the second strap to the first base attachment feature of the base member, and, with the base member secured to the bottle, attaching a fourth strap feature on a fourth end of the second strap to the second base attachment feature of the base member. [0023] The first base attachment feature may include a knob with a head portion and a neck portion narrower than the head portion. The first strap attachment feature may have a first clip with an aperture having an enlarged portion sized to permit passage of the head portion therethrough, and a smaller portion sized to receive the neck portion without permitting passage of the head portion therethrough. Detaching the first strap attachment feature from the first base attachment feature may include moving the neck portion within the aperture, from the smaller portion to the enlarged portion, and, after moving the neck portion to the enlarged portion, passing the head portion through the enlarged portion to remove the knob from the aperture.

[0024] The enlarged portion may be shaped such that, in order for the head portion to pass through the enlarged portion, the first knob must be oriented nonperpendicular to the aperture. Detaching the first strap attachment feature from the first base attachment feature may further include, prior to passing the head portion through the enlarged portion, orienting the knob nonperpendicular to the aperture in order to enable passage of the head portion through the enlarged portion.

[0025] The enlarged portion may further be sized to permit passage of the head therethrough only with interference. Passing the head portion through the enlarged portion may include scraping an interior- facing rim of the enlarged portion with the knob.

[0026] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the invention’s scope, the exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle handle, with a strap in a locked position relative to a base member, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; [0029] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bottle handle of FIG. 1 , with the strap in an engaged position relative to the base member;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottle handle, in isolation, with the strap in a disengaged position relative to the base member;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the bottle handle of FIG. 1 , in the locked position;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottle handle of FIG. 1, in the locked position;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottle handle of FIG. 1 , in the engaged position; and

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottle handle of FIG. 1, in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, as represented in Figures 1 through 7, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative exemplary of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0036] The phrases "connected to," "coupled to" and "in communication with" refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be functionally coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. The term "abutting" refers to items that are in direct physical contact with each other, although the items may not necessarily be attached together. The phrase "fluid communication" refers to two features that are connected such that a fluid within one feature is able to pass into the other feature.

[0037] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0038] The system and method of use in accordance with the present application may overcome one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional bottle handles. Specifically, the bottle handle may allow a user to easily swap one particular color, design, and/or style of handle for another. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a bottle handle 101 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that the bottle handle 101 may overcome one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional bottle handles. The bottle handle 101 may be used to retain a bottle 100.

[0040] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the bottle handle 101 includes a base member 103 which may have a bottle engagement portion 104 in the form of a ring or other convenient shape such that the bottle engagement portion 104 fits around a portion of a bottle 100. The bottle engagement portion 104 may be made from an elastomer, such as rubber, silicone, or a combination thereof. The base member 103 may be elastically deformable and stretchable. This may allow the base member 103 to more easily fit around and grip the body, mouth, cap, or other portion of a bottle. This elastic deformability may also enable the base member 103 to fit around bottle components within a range of sizes, so that a base member 103 of a single size can be retained on bottles of various shapes and sizes. This elastic deformability may also make it much easier to secure the base member 103 to the bottle, and to remove it from the bottle when desired.

[0041] The base member 103 may have a first knob 105 disposed on a side and a second knob 305 (shown in FIG. 3) disposed on a side opposite the first knob 105. Each of the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 may have a head portion 310 and a neck portion 312 positioned between the bottle engagement portion 104 and the head portion 310. The head portion 310 and the neck portion 312 may each have a generally circular cross-sectional shape, with the neck portion 312 having a smaller diameter than the head portion 310.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 may each be monolithically, unitarily, and/or otherwise formed as a single piece with the bottle engagement portion 104. In such embodiments, the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 may be formed of an elastomer as discussed previously in connection with the base member 103. In alternative embodiments, the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 may be formed separately and secured to the remainder of the base member 103. For example, the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 may be formed of metal, polymer, ceramic, or composite materials and then secured to the bottle engagement portion 104 by mechanical fastening, welding, chemical or adhesive bonding, insert molding, and/or other methods known in the art.

[0043] The bottle handle 101 may further include a strap 107 with an elongated shape. The strap 107 may have a first end 109 and a second end 309. A first clip 111 may be attached to the first end 109 of the strap 107 and a second clip 311 may be attached to the second end 309 of the strap 107. The first clip 111 may be configured to interlock with the first knob 105 and the second clip 311 may be configured to interlock with the second knob 305. The bottle engagement portion 104 of the base member 103 may be secured to a bottle and the strap 107 may be secured to the base member 103 such that a user of the bottle 100 may conveniently carry the bottle 100 using the strap 107, or may hang the bottle 100 or otherwise couple it to another implement via the strap 107.

[0044] The manner in which the first clip 111 and the second clip 311 engage the first knob 105 and the second knob 305, respectively, may facilitate easy attachment of the bottle handle 101 to the base member 103 and/or easy detachment of the same. Specifically, each of the first clip 111 and the second clip 311 may have an aperture 320 with a keyhole shape. The aperture 320 may have an enlarged portion 322 that is large enough to permit passage of the head portion 310 therethrough, and a smaller portion 324 that is too small to receive the head portion 310, but sufficiently large to fit around the neck portion 312. [0045] According to one attachment method, the bottle handle 101 may begin in a “disengaged position,” with the strap 107 detached from the base member 103, as shown in FIG. 3. The user may insert the head portion 310 of the first knob 105 through the enlarged portion 322 of the aperture 320 of the first clip 111 such that the neck portion 312 of the first knob 105 resides in the aperture 320. This may put the first clip 111 into an “engaged position” relative to the first knob 105, as shown in FIGS 2 and 6. Then, the user may slide the first knob 105 relative to the first clip 111 such that the neck portion 312 slides from the enlarged portion 322 to the smaller portion 324. This may put the first clip 111 into a “locked position” relative to the first knob 105, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7. The second clip 311 may be coupled to the second knob 305 in a similar manner.

[0046] According to one detachment method, the reverse of the aforementioned attachment procedure may be followed. For example, with the bottle handle 101 in the locked position, the user may slide the first knob 105 relative to the first clip 111 such that the neck portion 312 slides from the smaller portion 324 to the enlarged portion 322 of the aperture 320 to put the first clip 111 into the engaged position. The user may withdraw the head portion 310 of the first knob 105 from the enlarged portion 322 to complete detachment of the first clip 111 from the first knob 105, returning the first clip 111 to the disengaged position. The second clip 311 may be detached from the second knob 305 in a similar manner.

[0047] Advantageously, the smaller portion 324 may be positioned distally of the enlarged portion 322 such that, when a user holds the strap 107, the weight of the bottle 100 pulls the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 toward the distal ends of the strap 107, such that the neck portions 312 of the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 remain seated in the smaller portions 324 of the apertures 320 of the first clip 111 and the second clip 311. Thus, the base member 103 may only be removable from the strap 107 when the bottle 100 is not hanging from the strap 107. This may reduce the likelihood of accidental detachment of the strap 107 from the base member 103, and thence from the bottle 100.

[0048] If desired, the apertures 320 may each be shaped to further retain the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 absent deliberate detachment by the user. For example, the enlarged portion 322 of each of the apertures 320 may be shaped such that the head portions 310 of the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 cannot enter the enlarged portion 322 when the first knob 105 or second knob 305 is perpendicular to the aperture 320 (i.e., the axis of symmetry of the head portion 310 and neck portion, shown as axis 200 in FIG. 2, must not be perpendicular to the aperture 320). Rather, the enlarged portion 322 may have a larger proximal side through which the head portion 310 can enter at an angle offset from perpendicularity of the first knob 105 or second knob 305 with the aperture 320. For example, the head portion 310 may need to be angled at least 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, or 50° from perpendicularity with the aperture. The first knob 105 and the second knob 305 may further need to be oriented such that the head portion 310 is proximal to the neck portion 312. Such a relative orientation, coupled with the requisite withdrawal motion, may only be likely to occur when deliberately caused by the user.

[0049] Further, if desired, the enlarged portion 322 of each of the apertures 320 may be sized to receive the head portion 310 of the first knob 105 or the second knob 305 only with slight interference. In effect, the outer edges of the head portion 310, or even the dome-shaped center of the head portion 310, may scrape against the interior-facing rim of the enlarged portion 322 during insertion of the head portion 310 through the enlarged portion 322. Such interference may require exertion of a more deliberate force, by the user, to couple the first knob 105 or the second knob 305 to the first clip 111 or the second clip 311, and similarly, may require exertion of deliberate force to detach the same. Such interference is optional; if desired, the enlarged portion 322 of each of the apertures 320 may be sized to receive the head portion 310 of the first knob 105 or the second knob 305 with clearance.

[0050] As a further advantage, when the strap 107 is coupled to the bottle 100 as in FIG. 1, with the strap 107 in the locked position, the first end 109 and the second end 309 of the strap 107 may be relatively freely rotatable, relative to the base member 103, about an axis passing through the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 (i.e., axis 200, which is perpendicular to the page of FIG. 2). This rotation may occur as the neck portions 312 of each of the first knob 105 and the second knob 305 rotate within the smaller portions 324 of the apertures 320 of each of the first clip 111 and the second clip 311. The generally circular cross- sectional shape of the neck portions 312 may cooperate with the generally circular shape of the smaller portions 324 to facilitate such rotation. Such rotation may advantageously be unlimited, as the first end 109 and the second end 309 can be rotated to any angle about the axis.

[0051] This rotation may enable the user to freely determine the orientation of each of the first end 109 and the second end 309 of the strap 107, relative to the bottle 100. Thus, the user can ensure that neither the first end 109 nor the second end 309 protrudes (for example, toward the user’s head) as he or she drinks from the bottle 100. Advantageously, the first end 109 and the second end 309 may both be oriented to lay generally flat against the sides of the bottle 100, displacing the first end 109 and the second end 309 from the cap of the bottle 100. This orientation may naturally occur as the bottle 100 is placed on a surface and the strap 107 is allowed to rest next to it - the weight of the strap 107 may draw the first end 109 and the second end 309 toward the bottom of the bottle 100, ensuring that the top of the bottle 100 is unobstructed so that the user can easily pick up and drink from the bottle 100.

[0052] The first knob 105, the first clip 111, the second knob 305, and the second clip 311 represent only one of many detachable coupling systems that may be used within the scope of the present disclosure. In alternative embodiments (not shown), any detachable mechanical fastening system may be used, including but not limited to clips, clasps, threaded fasteners, deformable “snap-together” fasteners, and/or the like. Each of the foregoing may have a strap attachment feature on a strap, which detachably engages a base attachment feature on a base member. In some embodiments, a strap may only have one strap attachment feature, which may engage a single base attachment feature on a base member. Thus, a bottle handle may include a base member with one or two base attachment features and a strap with one or two strap attachment features, each of which is easily attachable to and detachable from one of the base attachment features of the base member. The first knob 105 and the second knob 305 are merely exemplary base attachment features. Similarly, the first clip 111 and the second clip 311 are merely exemplary strap attachment features.

[0053] The removable attachment of the strap 107 to the base member 103 may enable the strap 107 to be easily interchanged, for example with a different strap (not shown) having different colors, a different logo (for example, sports team name or insignia), a different shape, a different length, and/or different accoutrements (such as a clip or other device that secures the strap to another article such as a belt, bicycle mount, car mount, bag, or the like). Such detachment may be accomplished without the need to remove the base member 103 from the bottle 100. Similarly, attachment of a new strap 107 may be accomplished without the need to re-attach the base member 103 to the bottle 100.

[0054] The strap 107 may be made from a flexible material such as a fabric, thin or woven polymer, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the strap 107 may be made of nylon or nylon webbing. This may allow the strap 107 to have images and/or logos printed on it for customization. The strap 107 may also be adjustable in length. For example, the strap 107 may have a shorter length to accommodate carrying the bottle 100 with the user’s hand. The strap 107 may also have a longer length to accommodate carrying the bottle around the user’s body like a sling. The length of the strap 107 may optionally be adjusted by adjustable attachment with the first clip 111 and/or the second clip 311 , a doubled-over portion (not shown) secured to a buckle (not shown) movably attachable along the length of the strap 107, and/or the like. [0055] Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

[0056] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or "the embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0057] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. [0058] Recitation in the claims of the term "first" with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. Elements recited in means-plus-function format are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112 Para. 6. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

[0059] While specific embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.