Container gripping aids

Abstract

The invention provides a container gripping aid (1) having a sheath (2) for receiving a container, such as a feeding bottle (3). The sheath (2) has a grid configuration with a plurality of through holes (5) to facilitate an infant's gripping of the sheath (2). The sheath (2) has an oval shape. Thus, when the sheath is engaged with the bottle (3), a majority of the sidewalls of the sheath (2) are supported spaced apart from the outer sidewalls (6) of the container (3), which enables an infant to easily grip the grid of the sheath (2).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese national phase patent application with international application number PCT / EP2016 / 060576, international application date May 11, 2016, invention name “Container Gripping Aid”, which entered the Chinese national phase on December 27, 2017 and has application number 201680037945.8. Background of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a container gripping aid, and in particular to a device for mounting on a feeding bottle to help a baby grip and hold the feeding bottle for feeding.

[0003] Various retaining devices for feeding bottles have been proposed previously and 10 examples can be found in US 8,998,029, US 8,152,012, US 5,513,885, US 4,941,579 and US 3,058,708. These documents all essentially show devices which engage with a feeding bottle and provide an outwardly protruding handle which is easier for an infant to grip than the bottle itself. While these devices do provide an improved grip for an infant, they are not entirely satisfactory.

[0004] The present invention is concerned with providing an improved container gripping aid, in particular for feeding bottles. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a container gripping aid, the container gripping aid comprising:

[0006] a sheath for receiving the container;

[0007] a retaining member for securing the sheath into engagement with the container; and

[0008] The sheath has means for grasping the sheath to support the container.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the sheath has a plurality of perforations or holes to provide gripping means.

[0010] In another embodiment, the sheath has a grid configuration.Thus, advantageously, the sheath can be easily grasped in any position.

[0011] In another embodiment, the grid configuration is formed by a plurality of substantially circular holes in the sheath.

[0012] In another embodiment, the sheath is elastically deformable.

[0013] In another embodiment, the sheath is formed of a rigid but flexible material. That is, the sheath is rigid enough to naturally retain its shape, but at the same time is easily deformed when held or grasped. In this regard, thermoplastic elastomers are particularly suitable for forming the sheath.

[0014] In another embodiment, the sheath has a slightly spherical or oval shape. Thus, when the sheath is engaged with the container, the center portion of the sheath mediating the top and bottom of the sheath is supported spaced apart from the exterior of the container. This can conveniently help the user grip the sheath.

[0015] In another embodiment, the sheath is transparent enough to allow viewing of the container within the sheath when the sheath is installed on the container.

[0016] In another embodiment, the retaining member comprises a clip at the top of the sheath.

[0017] In another embodiment, the clamping member includes a pair of elastically deformable opposing clamping arms.

[0018] In another embodiment, the clamping arms are bent inwardly at the top of the sheath.

[0019] In another embodiment, the retaining member further includes an inwardly extending base support at the bottom of the sheath.

[0020] In another embodiment, the base support includes a pair of opposing support arms that project inwardly at the bottom of the sheath.

[0021] In another embodiment, each support arm extends inwardly and upwardly at the bottom of the sheath.

[0022] In another embodiment, each base support arm is elastically deformable.

[0023] In another embodiment, the sheath is adapted to fit over a feeding bottle.

[0024] In another embodiment, the clamping arms may engage with the shoulders at the top of the bottle and the base support arms may engage with the base of the bottle, extending below the base of the bottle. Thus, substantially the entire bottle is fully enclosed in the sheath.

[0025] In another embodiment, complementary interengageable formations are provided on the sheath and on an associated container to enable releasable interengagement of the sheath and container.

[0026] In another embodiment, the bottom of the sheath is shaped to receive the bottom of the container.

[0027] In another embodiment, ribs or grooves are provided on the exterior of the container to engage with complementary ribs or grooves on the sheath.

[0028] In another embodiment, inwardly directed ribs are provided at the upper edge of the sheath to engage with associated grooves on the container.Conveniently, the grooves are provided adjacent the edge of the container.

[0029] In another embodiment, the sheath has inwardly directed spacer ribs on the inner wall of the sheath to maintain the side walls of the sheath spaced apart from the container during use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container gripping aid according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional front view of a container gripping aid;

[0033] Figure 3 is a front view of a container gripping aid;

[0034] Figure 4 is an end elevation view of a container gripping aid;

[0035] Figure 5 is a plan view of a container gripping aid;

[0036] Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a container gripping aid;

[0037] Figure 7 is a front view showing the container gripping aid mounted on a feeding bottle in use;

[0038] Figure 8 is an end elevation view of a container gripping aid mounted on a feeding bottle;

[0039] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional front view showing the container gripping aid mounted on a feeding bottle;

[0040] Fig.10 is a perspective view of another container gripping aid according to the present invention;

[0041] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A front view of a container gripping aid;

[0042] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A side elevation view of a container gripping aid;

[0043] Fig.13 yes Fig.10 A bottom plan view of a container gripping aid;

[0044] Fig.14 is used with Fig.10 A perspective view of a cup for use with a container gripping aid;

[0045] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A front elevation view of a cup;

[0046] Fig.16 yes Fig.14 A side elevation view of a cup;

[0047] Fig.17 yes Fig.14 A bottom plan view of the cup;

[0048] Fig.18 yes Fig.14 Installation in Fig.10 A cross-sectional front view of a cup within a container gripping aid;

[0049] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 a front view of the cup and container gripping aid shown; and

[0050] Fig. 20 yes Fig.18 A perspective view of a cup and container gripping aid is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a container gripping aid according to the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The container gripping aid 1 has a sheath 2 for receiving a container, such as Figures 7 to 9 A feeding bottle 3 is shown. The cover 2 has a grid configuration with a plurality of circular through holes 5 to facilitate the gripping of the cover 2 by the infant.

[0052] The sheath 2 has an oval shape. Thus, when the sheath is engaged with the bottle 3, a large portion of the side wall of the sheath 2 is visible as best seen in FIG. Fig. 9 The bottle 3 is supported spaced apart from the outer side wall 6 of the container 3. This enables the baby to easily grasp the mesh of the sheath 2 and thus hold and support the bottle 3.

[0053] The sheath 2 engages the top and bottom of the bottle 3 to securely hold the sheath 2 on the bottle 3. A pair of elastically deformable opposing clamping arms 8, 9 at the top of the sheath 2 moves apart enough to allow the bottle 3 to pass therethrough and then elastically clamps onto the shoulder 10 at the top of the bottle 3. Figure 3 and Figure 7 It will be noted that the clamping arms 8 , 9 are bent inwardly at the top of the sheath 2 and fit tightly over and clamp onto the shoulder 10 at the top of the bottle 3 .

[0054] At the lower end of the sheath 2 , a pair of opposing elastically deformable support arms 14 , 15 project inwardly and upwardly at the bottom of the sheath 2 to engage with a base 16 of the bottle 3 .

[0055] Preferably, the sheath 2 is formed from a stiff but flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, so that the sheath will naturally retain its shape but will also deform easily to facilitate gripping of the sheath 2 .

[0056] It will be noted that the grid of the sheath 2 is open enough to allow for see-through and viewing of the contents of the bottle 3. The holes 5 or perforations forming the grid in the sheath 2 may be of any suitable shape.

[0057] Although the jacket 2 has a plurality of perforations or holes 5 extending substantially through the jacket 2, a solid plate 18 ( Figure 4 ) can also be provided on the sheath 2.

[0058] In use, such as Figures 7 to 9 As shown, a feeding bottle 3 can be inserted into the sheath 2 of the container gripping aid 1. The gripping arms 8, 9 at the top of the sheath 2 surround and grip the shoulder 10 at the top of the bottle 3, and the support arms 14, 15 at the bottom of the sheath 2 protrude inwardly and upwardly relative to the base 16 of the bottle 3 to hold the bottle 3 securely within the sheath 2. It will be noted that substantially all of the side walls of the sheath 2 are held spaced apart from the outer side walls 6 of the bottle 3, and therefore the baby can easily grip the sheath 2 at any position around the entire outside of the bottle 3, from the top to the bottom of the bottle 3.

[0059] While the embodiments of the invention described herein previously relate to providing a container gripping aid for a feeding bottle, it is contemplated that the container gripping aid of the present invention may also be used with other bottles and other containers where it is desired that other containers become easier to grip by anyone who may use the container. For example, many elderly or disabled persons have limited grip strength, and thus the container gripping aid of the present invention may be beneficial to them in holding various containers for beverages and the like.

[0060] It will be appreciated that the container gripping aid of the present invention facilitates loading and unloading on bottles or other containers, and also facilitates cleaning as required.

[0061] Reference Figures 10 to 20, another container gripping aid according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, generally indicated by reference numeral 20. The container gripping aid is largely similar to the container gripping aid previously described, however, in this case, the gripping aid 20 includes a sheath 22 for receiving an associated cup 23 ( Fig.14 ) container. The sheath 22 has a grid configuration side wall 24 with a plurality of through holes 25 to facilitate gripping the sheath 22, thereby supporting the cup 23. In addition, when the cup 23 is installed in the sheath 22, the larger oval openings 26 at the opposite sides of the sheath 22 facilitate viewing of the cup 23 and its contents.

[0062] The bottom 27 of the sheath has an inner surface 28 which is shaped to receive and closely fit the cup 23. In addition, as best seen in Fig.18 In the embodiment, the elastic spacer rib 30 protrudes inwardly from the inner surface 31 of the side wall 24 of the sheath 22 to keep the side wall 24 of the sheath 22 and the cup 23 spaced apart. In addition, the top edge 32 of the sheath 22 has inwardly directed ribs 33 to cooperate and snap with the cup 23, thereby securing the cup 23 in the sheath 22.

[0063] Especially refer to Figures 14 to 17 , showing the Fig.10 The cup 23 is used with the container gripping aid 20 of the embodiment of the present invention. The cup 23 has a base 35 and an upright generally concave side wall 36, which terminates in an upper edge 37. Measurement markings 39 for measuring the contents of the cup 23 can be provided on the side wall 36 and aligned with the large opening 26 in the sheath 22 when in use.

[0064] Positioned just below and spaced from edge 37 is a circumferential slot or groove 38 for receiving rib 33 at edge 32 of sheath 22. It will be noted that the resilient spacer rib 30 on the inner surface 31 of sheath 22 deflects to allow the bulbous bottom portion 40 of cup 23 to pass therethrough. When cup 23 is fully inserted into sheath 23, rib 30 engages upper shoulder 41 of bottom portion 40 to securely retain cup 23 in sheath 22.

[0065] Figures 18 to 20 A cup 23 is shown mounted in the container gripping aid 20 ready for use. A hole 25 in the sheath 22 allows a user to grip the sheath securely to support the cup 23.

[0066] The terms "comprising" and "including" and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons should be considered interchangeable and given the broadest interpretation. In addition, selected features of the various embodiments described may be combined in any desired combination to provide a gripping aid.

[0067] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described previously which may be varied both in structure and in details within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container gripping aid for use with an associated container, the container gripping aid comprising: a sheath for receiving the container, the sheath having a grid configuration, the sheath being elastically deformable and formed of a rigid but flexible material, and the sheath having a bottom, the inner surface of the bottom of the sheath being shaped to receive and fit the bottom of the container, and the sidewalls of the sheath being supported spaced apart from the outer sidewalls of the container; a retaining member for securing the sheath into engagement with the container, the retaining member comprising a base support for engaging a bottom of the container; The sheath has means for grasping the sheath to support the container, the sheath grasping means comprising a plurality of perforations or through holes in the sheath to facilitate grasping the sheath to support the container, and an inwardly directed spacer rib located on the inner wall of the sleeve to keep the side wall of the sleeve spaced apart from the outer side wall of the container during use, the spacer rib on the inner wall of the sleeve deflecting to allow the bottom of the container to pass through, and when the container is inserted into the sleeve, the spacer rib engages an upper shoulder of the bottom to securely hold the container in the sleeve.

2. The container gripping aid of claim 1, wherein the grid configuration is formed by a plurality of substantially circular holes in the sheath.

3. The container gripping aid of claim 1, wherein the sheath is sufficiently transparent to allow viewing of the container within the sheath when the sheath is mounted on the container.

4. The container gripping aid of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a clip at a top portion of the sheath.

5. A container gripping aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein ribs or grooves are provided on the exterior of the container to engage with complementary ribs or grooves on the sheath.

6. A container gripping aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein inwardly directed ribs are provided at an upper edge of the sheath to engage with associated grooves adjacent an edge of the container.

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