SHAPED BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND INTEGRATED PARTS SYSTEM

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001]The Present application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 63/636,443 filed Apr. 19, 2024 entitled “SHAPED BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND INTEGRATED PARTS SYSTEM” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]This invention relates generally to beverage containers. Specifically, it relates to novelty shaped beverage containers with a specialty top or stopper.

BACKGROUND

[0003]The present technology relates generally to a shaped beverage container and integrated parts system. Beverage containers may take various shapes and sizes, including certain novelty shapes directed at specific fields or sets of consumers. Moreover, beverage containers, including beverage containers for alcohol, are known to have cork stoppers or tops. As discussed herein, it may be desirable to product novelty shaped beverage containers with parts integrated with the stopper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0004]To further clarify the above and other aspects of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not drawn to scale. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0005]FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a front view of a beverage container in accordance with another aspect of the technology;

[0007]FIG. 3 is a front view of a beverage container in accordance with another aspect of the technology;

[0008]FIG. 4 is a front view of a beverage container in accordance with another aspect of the technology;

[0009]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the beverage container of FIG. 1;

[0010]FIG. 6A is a detailed view of a portion of the beverage container of FIG. 4;

[0011]FIG. 6B is a detailed view of a portion of the beverage container of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 6C is a detailed view of a portion of the beverage container of FIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 6D is a detailed view of a portion of the beverage container of FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a front view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a front and bottom view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a front and bottom view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a front and bottom view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a front view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0019]FIG. 12 is a front view of various beverage containers in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0020]FIG. 13 is a front and bottom perspective view of various beverage containers in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0021]FIG. 14 is a is a front and bottom perspective view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0022]FIG. 15 is a front and perspective view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

[0023]FIG. 16 is another front and perspective view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology; and

[0024]FIG. 17 is another front and perspective view of a beverage container in accordance with one aspect of the technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0025]The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the technology may be practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the technology may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present technology is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation to describe the features and characteristics of the present technology, to set forth the best mode of operation of the technology, and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

[0026]The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout.

[0027]The present technology in its various embodiments, some of which are depicted in the figures herein, can be broadly described as an. For example, in one aspect of the technology, the beverage container may be shaped like golf ball, and may include a golf tee-shaped top or stopper, such as a cork or plastic stopper configured to fit the opening of the container. According to some aspects, the golf tee-shaped top or stopper may be functional as a golf tee. For example, the shaped container may be sized such that the tee-shaped top or stopper is roughly the size of a typical golf tee, including examples where the shaped container is “shot” sized, or configured to hold approximately 2 fluid ounces of liquid, such as alcohol. Once the beverage is uncorked and consumed, the cork could then be used by a player in a game of golf. In other examples, the beverage container may take any novelty shape, such as a baseball, football, soccer ball, hockey puck, tennis ball, automobile wheel or tire, steering wheel, bicycle wheel or tire, or other sports-related novelty shape. In yet other examples, the beverage container may take a novelty shape not related to sports.

[0028]The beverage container and integrated parts system disclosed herein may include a beverage container stopper system, including a top or stopper for a beverage container. The top or stopper may take a novelty shape, and may extend into the body of the beverage container. The integrated parts system may thus include an top or stopper that doubles as an object, such as a novelty collectable or a usable object. Unlike tops or stoppers having a novelty design or object on top of the stop, or projecting away from the bottle, the top or stopper of the present technology may extend downward into the body of the beverage container. In some examples, the portion of the top or stopper projecting downward into the body may come in contact with the liquid in the bottle. The top or stopper may therefore comprise a coated cork, or a plastic, or any other material suitable for withstanding contact with the liquid while maintaining its shape. In some examples, the top or stopper must maintain its shape in use, for example, when used by a player as a golf tee. The body of the container, and the neck and opening of the container, may be made of any suitable liquid containing material. For example, the beverage container may be glass or plastic, either clear or colored.

[0029]Now with reference to FIG. 1, a beverage container 100 includes a body 110 and an opening 112. The body 110 may be in the shape of a golf ball, including a round shape with dimples like a golf ball. The opening 112 may be disposed at the top of the body 110. A stopper 114 in the shape of a tee may be configured to fit the opening 112. In other words, the top portion of the stopper 114, the part of a golf tee configured to hold the ball, may be sized and dimensioned to firmly fit and securely close the opening 112. As discussed further herein, the stopper 114 may include a portion that projects downward into the body 110 of the container 100.

[0030]The beverage container 100 may also include a branding area 116, which may be any area configured to display branding for the product or for that which the product is promoting. In some examples, the branding area 116 is a flat portion, or in other words the rounded shape of the golf ball is interrupted with a continue, flat surface that is prepared for receiving a print or a sticker or a label. According to some aspects of the technology, the branding area may be suitable for displaying information on the beverage within the container. In some examples, there are multiple branding areas, for example on the front, back, sides, or on the bottom surface, which may also be flat. In examples of the present technology, the branding area may be suitable for co-branding with any number of relevant business or teams.

[0031]In some aspects of the technology, beverage container 100 includes a neck 120, which may include a simple protrusion away from the rounded, golf-ball shape and extending upward to support the opening 112. In other aspects, the neck 120 may include additional features, as discussed herein. In some aspects, the neck 120 may not be present, with a simple opening at the top of the body 110.

[0032]Turning to FIG. 2, a beverage container 200 similarly includes a body 210, an opening 212 and a stopper 214. Stopper 214 may include multiple parts, such as a golf tee-shaped stopper as shown in FIG. 1 (114) and FIG. 4 (414), but with a plastic cover fitting securely over the top portion of the stopper. For example, the stopper may still include the shape of a golf tee, but may have a plastic cap that sits atop the golf tee, which is removed prior to removing the stopper from the bottle and using the tee-shaped stopper as a golf tee. In aspects of the technology depicted in FIG. 2, the beverage container 200 includes a neck 220 with a lip 222, which is configured and shaped to have similar dimensions as the cap of stopper 214. In this way, the neck 220 appears as a continuous and seamless design with the stopper 214.

[0033]Yet other aspects of the technology are shown in FIG. 3, with beverage container 300 having a body 310 in the shape of a golf ball, an opening 312 at the top of the body, and a stopper 314 in the shape of a golf tee. As visible through body 310, stopper 314 includes a downward projection 315 that is disposed in the hollow, inside portion of the body of the container. Beverage container 300 also includes a labeling surface 316 and a bottom labeling surface 317. At the top of beverage container 300 between body 310 and opening 312 is a neck 320 and a lip 322. As shown, neck 320 and lip 322 create a visual design and support the opening into which stopper 314 is inserted.

[0034]Turning now to FIG. 4, consistent with previous drawings and descriptions, a beverage container 400 is shown, having a body 410 in the shape of a golf ball, with an opening having a stopper 414 disposed therein. Stopper 414 is in the shape of a golf tee, and is functional to serve as a tee for a golfer to place a ball, including that the portion of the golf tee extending downward is configured to extend into body 410. Container 400 also includes labelling area 416 and bottom labeling area or surface 417. Between the body 410 and the stopper 414 is a neck 420, which may be configured to receive branding or labelling, including decorative or ornamental words or designs, or labeling serving to convey information to the user. Neck 420 includes lip 422, which may gradually curve upward from neck 420 and form a surface on which stopper 414 rests.

[0035]According to aspects of the technology involving the beverage containers of FIGS. 1-4, the stopper or top of the beverage container serves two purposes. On the one hand, the stopper functions as a normal beverage container stop, cork, top, or other container closing mechanism. On the other hand, the stopper also has an ornamental shape that can either be a collectable or can be used for a designated purpose. For example, when beverage container is in the shape of a golf ball, stopper may be in the shape of a golf tee, which tee may be inserted into the ground by a golfer and used to hold a golf ball. In other examples, the beverage container may take a variety of shapes, with corresponding stoppers.

[0036]For example, in aspects of the technology, the beverage container may be in the shape of a baseball and the stopper may be in the shape of a baseball bat. In other examples, the beverage container may be in the shape of a football and the stopper may be in the shape of a field goal post, a pylon, or other football-related shape. In some examples, the beverage container may be in the shape of a soccer ball and have a soccer goal extending downward. According to other aspects, the container may be in the shape of a hockey puck and the stopper may be in the shape of a hockey stick. In some examples, the container may be in the shape of a tennis ball and the stopper may include a tennis racket protruding downward into the body of the container. In yet other examples, the container may take the shape of an automobile wheel or tire, or steering wheel, with the stopper including a car, race track, steering wheel, or other automobile racing related figure. Similarly, the container may take the shape of a bicycle wheel or tire, with a bicycle frame or a race track figure extending downward from the stopper. In all of these examples, the stopper may also simply be a normal stopper, without any novelty shape, or the stopper may have a novelty shape that does not include a protrusion extending into the body of the container. For example, a soccer ball shaped container may have a soccer ball shaped stopper, round with soccer ball designs but not including a projection downward.

[0037]Now with reference to FIG. 5, the cross-section of beverage container 100 is shown, with body 110 having a stopper 114 disposed in the opening at the top of the container. Stopper 114 is in the shape of a golf tee, and includes a downward projection 115, which extends into the opening or hollow portion of the body 110 of container 100. In some examples, the stopper 114, including projection 115, may contact the liquid inside the container 100. As such, the stopper 114 may be any material suitable for contacting the liquid, while maintaining its shape, such as a cork, a coated cork, plastic, or any other suitable material.

[0038]Various shapes of the tops and openings of beverage containers according to aspects of the present technology are depicted in FIGS. 6A-D. FIG. 6A depicts a beverage container having a body 510 having a neck 520 extending upwardly therefrom, terminating in a lip 522 which includes an opening 512 to support the stopper 514. The lip 522 may include a rounded protrusion defining the top of the neck 520 and the surface through which the opening 512 extends into the body 510.

[0039]Similarly, in aspects of the invention, FIG. 6B shows a simple neck design, where body 610 of the beverage container includes a neck 620 at the top of the body, extending upward and simply terminating with opening 612 for stopper 614. In such examples, the neck does not include any lip or other design, either ornamental or functional, but gives a simple and clean look.

[0040]FIG. 6C depicts other aspects of the present technology, including body 710 with neck 720 extending upward therefrom and having a branding area disposed thereon. Neck 720 terminates in lip 722, which may be a slightly rounded and protruding neck, with opening 712 disposed atop the lip and extending downward into body 710 for stopper 714 to fit therein.

[0041]Similarly, FIG. 6D shows aspects of the present technology including a beverage container having a body 810 with a neck 820 disposed on the top of the body, extending upward and terminating in a lip 812. Lip 812 may be sized and dimensioned to be consistent with stopper 814, such that the squared-off profile of the round lip matches the same profile of the stopper for a consistent look. In such examples, stopper 814 may include a plastic cap or top placed over the tee-shaped stopper, as described herein.

[0042]The remaining drawings of FIGS. 7-14 demonstrate the aspects of the technology discussed herein with further detail. FIGS. 7, 11, and 14 depict one example design, while FIGS. 8-10 depict another design. FIGS. 12-13 depict yet another design, and FIGS. 14-17 depict a fourth design, as discussed herein.

[0043]The present technology also describes systems, devices, and methods for manufacturing and assembling a beverage container and integrated parts system. In one aspect of the technology, a beverage container is created in a novelty shape, and a top or stopper is created in a novelty shape. The beverage container is filled with a beverage, and the corresponding top or stopper is placed in the opening of the beverage container.

[0044]According to aspects of the technology, a beverage container includes a hollow body comprising an opening, the body configured in a novelty shape, and a stopper configured to fit the opening of the body. The stopper includes a member extending downward into the body. In some aspects of the technology, the novelty shape is a golf ball. In other aspects, the novelty shape is one of a baseball, football, soccer ball, hockey puck, tennis ball, automobile wheel or tire, steering wheel, bicycle wheel or tire, or other sports-related novelty shape. In yet other aspects, the novelty shape may be other than a sports-related shape. In examples, the member extending downward from the stopper is configured in the shape of a golf tee, or in other words, the stopper comprises a golf tee. The stopper may be made of a coated cork material, or a plastic material. According to other aspects of the technology, a beverage stopping system includes a stopper having a top portion configured to fit the opening of a beverage container and a bottom portion continuously attached to a bottom side of the top portion. In aspects, the the bottom portion is configured in a novelty shape. For example, in some aspects of the technology the stopper is a golf tee. The golf tee may be made of a coated cork material or plastic. The golf tee of the beverage stopping system, when removed from a beverage container, maty hold a golf ball.

[0045]In aspects of the technology, a novelty shaped beverage container includes a hollow body having a generally spherical shape, the hollow body also having a neck at the top of the hollow body, a flat surface at the bottom of the hollow body, and dimples in the outside surface of the hollow body, the neck comprising an opening. The novelty shaped beverage container also includes a stopper having a golf tee shape, the stopper also having an upper portion configured to fit snuggly inside the opening and a bottom portion extending down into the hollow body. In aspects, the stopper is made of a coated-cork material and is configured and adapted to be inserted into the ground and hold a golf ball after being removed from the hollow body.

[0046]While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Moreover, one or more aspects of the technology may be combined together or removed without departing from the scope of the invention and principles of operation disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.