HANGER

Abstract

A strap (10) and a strap (10) and ring (30), combined. The combined strap and ring can be used reusably to hang a container (50), particularly in the shower. The ability to reuse the hanging product reduces the environmental damage that would result from single use. The ring (30) comprises two raised sections (34, 36) that are received within openings at the free ends of the strap (10) when the ring and strap are combined. Preferably, the strap and ring are made of elastic, flexible material, and the diameter of the ring (30) is generally smaller than the diameter of the container (50) in order to hang the elastic, flexible material from the ring, which grips the container firmly. Preferably, the strap comprises an integral center section (12) and two integral side sections (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b).The integral center section includes an opening (18), and the two end sections include openings, each preferably with a larger portion (14b, 16b) and a smaller portion (14a, 16a) communicating with each other. The center portion is wider than the end portions to facilitate hanging the belt from the center section opening. For the two rises on the ring, each includes a shaft (40, 41) and a head (35, 38), and the belt is hung by inserting the rises into the openings of the end section.

Description

[0001] HANGER

[0002] Background of the Invention

[0003] Body washes are popular products for use in the shower. In addition to skin cleansing ingredients, some body washes include skin benefit agents. Body washes are preferred in many families, where the use by various family members of the same soap or beauty bar may be less desirable.

[0004] Where body wash bottles or other containers are used in family and other showers, it is useful to have a means for hanging the package. For one thing, having the body wash package within convenient reach in the shower may minimize the risk of slips and falls. And people having disabilities would benefit from a readily-used means of handling the package. Also, a hanger for the body wash product may make it easier to find the product if vision is somewhat obscured by shampoo or the like.

[0005] Concerns about the amount of plastic discarded into our environment have increased the desirability of using non-plastic materials and of re-using plastic objects. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a re-usable hanger for body wash containers, satisfying the need for a convenient way to hang the product yet not resulting in additional frequent contributions of plastic to the environment.

[0006] Various hanging arrangements have been disclosed in the patent literature.

[0007] CN 2 907 705 Y discloses a transfusion bottle hook hanging jacket. A strap (2) having two integral free side sections and an integral central section, the strap being comprised of flexible material, the strap having openings (6) on each of the side sections, the openings being defined by opening side walls in the strap, the openings being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls wherein each of the openings on the sides includes a first section (see fig. 3) and a second section in communication with each other, wherein the first section is larger than the second section, and wherein the central section includes central opening (5), the central opening being defined by opening side walls in the strap, the central opening being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls (see fig. 3). As the middle part of the hook hanging strip is hung to a hook, the transfusion can be done. Moss et al. US 2021 / 0371163 discloses a bottle handle with a detachable strap. The bottle handle may have a base member with first and second knobs and a bottle engagement portion with a ring shape configured to receive and grip a bottle. A strap may have first and second ends with clips for receiving the knobs. The base member may be formed of an elastomer configured to stretch to enable insertion of the bottle into the bottle engagement portion. Detaching the base member from the bottle may include stretching the bottle engagement portion. The knob may have a head portion and a neck portion narrower than the head portion. Each of the clips may have an enlarged portion sized to permit passage of the knob head and a smaller portion sized to receive the neck portion without permitting passage of the knob head therethrough.

[0008] Keicher US5,749,490 is directed to a hanger for a bottle. The hanger includes a thin web of material which has one opening for the bottle neck and another opening for hanging it on a hook on a wall. The web may also have an opening at one end sized to receive the body of the bottle in addition to one the other end an opening to receive the bottle neck. More than one opening, having different sizes, may be provided for receiving the bottle neck.

[0009] Hidding US3275366 is directed to a carrier or support for use with bottles, together with a handle member. The various elements of the support 20 are advantageously fabricated from a tough resilient material, such as for example the polyolefinic plastics; and accordingly, collar sections 30, lugs 32 and 34 and ears 36 may be readily molded in integral relationship. Similarly, coupling members 38 and the handle member 42 may be “molded integral.” In Figs. 19 and 20, lugs are accommodated in an ovoid-shaped opening.

[0010] Ledesma et al. US20200046174, Hendrickson US20180049572, Becker US 6131780 and Holoubek US 4,007,900 disclose various bottle or tube hanging apparatuses.

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a strap having two integral free side sections and an integral central section. The strap may be comprised of flexible material. The strap has openings on each of the side sections, the openings being defined by opening side walls in the strap, and the openings being fully surrounded on all of their sides by the opening side walls. In one embodiment, each of the openings in the side sections includes a first portion and a second portion in communication with each other wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion. The first opening is shaped to receive a knob having a head and a stem and the second opening is shaped to receive only the stem so that the knob head can pass through the first section and further that the second section can receive the stem of the knob to retain the strap on the knob. The first opening need not actually be larger than a diameter of the knob head; the important thing for this aspect is that the knob head be able to pass into the side section opening, the stem being accommodated by the second section, and the knob head being large enough to retain the strap when the strap is used to hang a bottle.

[0013] In an alternate embodiment, each side of the strap has an opening which the knob and stem can pass through and at least a distal aspect of each opening is small enough that the knob head cannot pass through at a direction perpendicular to the plane of the strap and the distal aspect is large enough to accommodate the stem as the bottle is hung on the strap and ring. In such cases, the opening may, but need not, have a uniform width and the knob head may be inserted along its edge even though the diameter of the knob head is larger than the opening. Once the knob head and stem have been inserted in the respective opening, the strap may be pulled upwardly and the distal aspect of the opening accommodates the stem while the knob head prevents the strap from being removed from the knob.

[0014] The central section of the strap includes a central opening fully enclosed by the strap, and this central opening may be used for hanging the strap.

[0015] The strap is useful for hanging packaging, especially when the strap is combined with a ring.

[0016] In another aspect, a strap such as that just described is combined with a separate ring suitable for holding a container. The strap may be attached to the ring, and the combined strap and ring may be used to hang the container, the ring grasping and firmly retaining the container. As in the prior aspects, in this aspect the strap comprises two integral free side sections and an integral central section, the strap being comprised of flexible material. The strap includes openings in each of the side sections, the openings being defined by opening side walls, the openings being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls. According to one embodiment, each of the side section openings includes a first opening portion and a second opening portion wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion. The first and second opening portions are in communication with each other; for example on each side the stem can freely pass laterally from one opening portion to the other.

[0017] The ring comprises an endless cylinder of flexible material having first and second knobs, each having a knob head, and each knob head being attached by a stem to the balance of the ring, i.e. to the cylinder. The side section openings of the strap are suitable for receiving the knobs and stems of the ring. The central section of the strap includes an opening fully enclosed by the strap. The maximum width (distance perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strap) of the second section openings are substantially smaller than the maximum diameter of the head of the knob, and the maximum diameter of the stem being smaller than the maximum diameter of the head of the knob, whereby the head of the knob and the knob stem can pass through the first section in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the strap, and the second section can receive the stem of the knob while retaining the strap on the knob due to the smaller size of the second section opening relative to the size of the knob head.

[0018] In the aspect where the strap is combined with the ring and the alternative embodiment of the strap is used, the lateral openings on the strap need not be of different sizes and the knob head may be inserted along its edge, the lateral openings being of a size to permit the stem to travel within it but being too small to permit the knob head to pass through the opening in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the strap. Once each knob head and stem have been inserted in the respective opening, the strap may be pulled upwardly and at least the distal aspect of the opening accommodates the stem while the knob head prevents the strap from being removed from the knob.

[0019] In the first embodiment of the invention, for each side or lateral section of the strap the first, larger portion is proximal to the central section and the second, smaller portion is distal to the central section. The ring preferably has a circumference in its unstretched state which is less than that of a circumference on the bottle or other container, whereby the ring is firmly retained on the bottle. The bottle is preferably cylindrical with a circular circumference. The grip of the ring on the container may be facilitated by inclusion on the container of a ridge above the place where the ring is expected to grip the container. In this way, if the ring slips on the container during use, e.g., while being carried or hung, the ring will abut the ridge which will prevent the ring from coming off the bottle.

[0020] The strap preferably has a central section with a larger maximum width than the maximum width of the two side section. When the central section has an opening, the greater width is believed to facilitate stable hanging through the central opening of the strap on a shower curtain or hook or the like. Typically, an opening in the central section will have a greater length than the openings in the two side sections.

[0021] The invention is also directed to the process of using the strap and combined strap and ring of the invention to hang a bottle on a rod, hook or other surface. The bottle may be hung by taking a free end of the strap, passing it over or under the rod or hook or other stationary surface and fastening the free end to a knob of the strap. If desired, both ends of the strap can be free at the time it is passed over or under the rod and both ends can then be fastened to knobs on the ring. Alternatively, the bottle may be hung by passing the rod or hook through the central section opening either before or after the two ends of the strap are fastened to the two knobs of the strap on the bottle.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bottle is hung in an inverted position whereby product will tend to flow toward the bottle opening and opening of the bottle can be effected more conveniently, in some cases with one hand.

[0023] To summarize, the invention may include one or any or all of the following features:

[0024] A strap having at least two integral free side sections and an integral central section; a strap comprised of flexible material; a strap having openings on each of the side sections; a strap having openings defined by opening side walls in the strap wherein the openings are surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls; a strap having openings on the side sections including a first portion and a second portion in communication with each other wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion; a strap with on each side a first opening shaped to receive a knob having a head and a stem and a second opening, in communication with the first, shaped to receive only the stem so that the knob head can pass through the first section and further that the second section can receive the stem of the knob to retain the strap on the knob, the maximum width of the second opening being substantially less than that of the diameter of the knob head and the maximum width of the first opening being sufficiently large to permit passage of the knob head therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the strap; a strap with an opening on each side suitable to permit a knob having a head and a stem to pass through the opening and each opening having at least one section shaped to accommodate only the stem to retain the strap on the knob, the maximum width of the section opening being substantially less than that of the knob head; a strap with a central section including a central opening fully enclosed by the strap, the central opening being defined by side walls formed in the strap the central opening being surrounded on all sides by the side walls; a strap having a central opening for hanging the strap; a strap useful for hanging packaging, especially when the strap is combined with a ring; a strap which can be attached to a ring suitable for holding a container; a combined strap and ring used to hang the container, the ring grasping the container; in combination with a ring, a strap comprising two integral free side sections and an integral central section, the strap being comprised of flexible material; in combination with a ring, a strap includes openings in each of the side sections, the openings being defined by opening side walls, the openings being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls; in combination with a ring, a strap wherein each of its side section openings includes a first opening portion and a second opening portion wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion; a ring comprising an endless cylinder of flexible material having first and second knobs, each knob having a knob head, and each knob head being attached by a stem to the balance of the ring, i.e. , the cylinder; in combination with a ring, a strap having side section openings suitable for receiving knobs and stems of a ring; in combination with a ring, a strap having a central section including an opening fully enclosed by the strap; in combination with a ring having a knob head, a strap having at least one opening on each side, optionally first and second openings on each side, the maximum width of at least one distal section of the opening being substantially less than that of the knob head and optionally the maximum width of a first section of the opening being sufficiently large to permit passage of the knob head therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the strap, whereby the head of the knob and the knob stem can pass through the opening , and a distal section of the opening can receive the stem of the knob to retain the strap on the knob due to the smaller size of the distal section opening relative to the size of the knob head; for each side section of the strap a first section is proximal to a central section and a second section is distal to the central section; a ring in combination with a bottle wherein the ring’s circumference in its unstretched state is less than that of the bottle, whereby the ring is firmly retained on the bottle; a strap having a central section with a larger maximum width than the maximum width of two side sections; a strap having a central section with an opening; a strap having a central section with an opening having a greater width than the width of two side sections; a strap having an opening in the central section, the opening having a greater length than openings in two side sections; in combination with a ring, a strap having openings on the side sections including a first portion and a second portion in communication with each other wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion; in combination with a ring, a strap having openings on the side sections including wherein each of the openings is of uniform width; a process for using the strap and combined strap and ring to hang a bottle on a rod, hook or other surface;

[0025] A process wherein the bottle is hung by taking a free end of the strap, passing it over or under a rod or hook and fastening the free end or ends to a knob or knobs of the ring; A process wherein a bottle is hung in an inverted position using the strap and / or ring of the invention whereby product will tend to flow toward the bottle opening;

[0026] A process wherein the bottle is hung by inserting a rod or hook or other surface through an opening in a central section of a strap and, before or after the free end or ends of the strap are fastened to a knob or knobs of the ring.

[0027] For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0029] As seen in Fig. 1 , strap 10 comprises integral central section 12 and two lateral free integral end sections 14 and 16. Central section 12 has a greater width than end sections 14 and 16. Central section 12 includes opening 18, which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 as oval. The central opening 18 is defined by opening side walls 21 in the strap, the central opening being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls 21 . The greater width of central section 12 aids in stability when the strap (and ring and package) are hung on a shower curtain rod or elsewhere through the central section opening.

[0030] Preferably after fastening to a ring and bottle as described below (see, e.g., Fig. 8R), strap 10 can be hung on a shower curtain rod by extending the shower curtain rod through opening 18 by moving either the shower curtain rod or the strap or both. Or it may be hung by unhooking one end of the strap, passing the strap over the shower rod or a rod on the shower apparatus itself, and then re-hooking the strap so that both ends of the strap are secured to the bottle, as seen in Figs.

[0031] 3, 5 and 8. Likewise, the strap can be hung on other devices such as hooks by extending the item, e.g., hook, through the opening 18 or again moving the strap or both the strap and the hook, so that the item can be hung as seen in Fig. 6 and 8.

[0032] Returning to Fig. 4, end sections 14 and 16 of strap 12 each includes an opening having two portions, a larger portion 14b and 16b, proximal to the central section, and a smaller portion 14a and 16a, distal to the central section. The two portions of each of the free end section openings are in communication with each other. Opening portions 14a, 14b, 16a and 16b are defined by opening side walls (19) within the strap, which surround the openings. The openings on each end may have the same dimensions as mirror images.

[0033] Ring 30 (Fig. 1) comprises cylinder 32 open at the top and the bottom and two knobs 34, 36, each comprising a cylindrical head (35, 38) connected to the cylinder by a stem (40, 41). The knobs are located at diametrically opposed positions on the ring, i.e. , at the 12:00 o’clock and 6:00 o’clock positions.

[0034] The larger strap end openings 14b and 16b preferably have maximum lengths and widths such that the head of the knobs can pass through them in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the strap surface (the plane along the axis extending from the first side opening through the center opening and to the second side opening when the strap is laid flat). The smaller strap end openings 14a and 16a have dimensions such that they can receive the stems but the heads of the knobs cannot readily pass through generally perpendicularly to the plane of the strap surface.

[0035] Alternatively, the opening on each side of the strap permits the knob and stem to pass through, e.g., by passing the knob through edge-first and which is not large enough to permit the head of the knob to pass through at an angle generally perpendicular to the plane of the strap. In this case, the width of the opening perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strap need not be of two different sizes and may even be the same. In either event, the diameter of the knob needs to be such that it retains the bottle on the strap and cannot pass through a distal section of the opening in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the strap when the bottle is hung on the strap, the stem being accommodated within the distal section of the opening during hanging as seen in the figures, e.g., Fig. 7.

[0036] Ring 32 and strap 10 preferably are made from stretchable, resilient materials. Examples include polyolefins and rubber. In operation, ring 32 is stretched so that it can fit tightly over the circumference of bottle (or other container) 50. The bottle is preferably cylindrical with a circular circumference. The dimensions of the bottle and the ring need to be such that the fit is tight so that the ring can retain the bottle even when hung from the strap. Next, the strap is applied to the ring as follows. Knob head 38 of knob 36 is passed through side strap opening 14b, and knob head 35 of knob 34 is passed through side opening 16b. Alternatively, knob head may be passed through side opening 14a by passing its edge through the narrow opening. In this case, it may be unnecessary to have a larger opening 14b.

[0037] Strap 10 may then be grasped to lift the combined bottle / ring / strap, preferably by the central section 12. When it is lifted, the stems 40, 41 are present in or pass to the distal end of the strap which has a sufficiently narrow width for the knob heads to retain the strap on the ring and the bottle. Where the lateral openings have two sized openings the stems may pass from large openings 14b, 16b to smaller openings 14a, 16a. In that position, heads 38, 35 are blocked from passing through the lateral openings, thus helping to keep ring 32 retained on the strap. The bottle / ring may be carried in this position or hung.

[0038] For hanging, central opening 18 may be utilized. For instance, a shower curtain rod can be passed through opening 18 to hang the bottle / ring on the shower rod. Or, if a hook is available for more temporary hanging, the hook may be passed through opening 18 to hang the bottle / ring temporarily (e.g., Figs. 6 and 8). The strap may be utilized to hang the container on other projecting or stationary surfaces as well.

[0039] The bottle may also be hung by taking a free end of the strap, passing it over or under the rod or hook or other stationary surface and fastening the free end to a knob of the strap. If desired, both ends of the strap can be free at the time it is passed over or under the rod and both ends can then be fastened to knobs on the ring.

[0040] While the strap is preferably applied to the bottle before the strap is secured to the knobs, it may be possible in some cases to hang the strap first and then insert the bottle.

[0041] The strap / ring of the invention permits easy hanging of bottles and other containers, especially in the shower, and especially for people with disabilities If so desired, in using the ring and strap of the invention the container can be hung upside down just by inverting the bottle to facilitate handling of the bottle and use of the last drops of the product. Thus, as seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the invention can be used to keep the bottle in an inverted position wherein product tends to flow toward the bottle opening, even though the bottle is one with a narrow top and would not be suitable for resting on a tabletop in its inverted position. In its inverted, hanging position, the bottle may be more readily opened and product more easily dispensed.

[0042] The ring and strap can be readily removed from the container after its contents are depleted, so that the ring and strap can be readily re-used without burdening the environment with extra plastic every time a container is emptied. By making the strap with end (lateral) and central openings in one integral piece the cost of making and assembling multiple strap components is eliminated. Both the strap and the ring can be re-used until the end of their useful lives.

[0043] It should be understood, of course, that the specific forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

[0044] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ring and a strap in accordance with the invention.

[0045] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ring grasping the periphery of a bottle and the strap attached at its side ends to knobs of the ring.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the combined ring and strap used to hang a bottle on a shower rod.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the strap.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a shower curtain having the bottle with combined ring and strap hung on the shower curtain rod. lata

[0049] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a shower hook having the bottle with ring and strap hung through an opening in the middle of the strap.

[0050] Fig. 7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 but showing an inverted bottle. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an inverted bottle hung on a shower curtain rod according to the invention as well as an inverted bottle hanging on a shower wall hook, the shower wall hook extending through an opening in the middle of the strap in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims1. A strap (10) having two integral free side sections (14, 16) and an integral central section (12), the strap being comprised of flexible material, the strap having openings (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b) on each of the side sections (16, 14), the openings being defined by opening side walls (19) in the strap, the openings being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls (19) wherein each of the openings on the sides includes a first section (14b, 16b) and a second section (14a, 16a) in communication with each other wherein the first section is larger than the second section whereby the head (35, 38) of a knob (34, 36) having a head and a stem (40, 41) can pass through the first section (14b, 16b), and the second section (14a, 16a) can receive the stem of the knob to retain the strap on the knob, and wherein the central section (12) includes a central opening (18), the central opening being defined by opening side walls (21) in the strap, the central opening being fully surrounded on all of its sides by the opening side walls (21), wherein the central section (12) has a larger maximum width than the maximum width of either of the two side sections and wherein the opening in the central section has a greater length than the openings in the two side sections.

2. The strap (10) according to claim 1 wherein for each side section the first section (14b, 16b) is proximal to the central section (12) and the second section (14a, 16a) is distal to the central section.

3. The strap of claim 1 or 2, combined with a ring the ring (30) being an endless cylinder (32) of flexible material having first and second knobs (34, 36), each having a knob head (35, 38) and each knob head being attached by a stem (40, 41), the side section openings (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b) being suitable to receive the knobs and stems of the ring whereby the head of a knob and a stem can pass through the first portion (14b, 16b), and the second portion (14a, 16a) can receive the stem of the knob to retain the strap on the knob, the maximum width of the second section openings being smaller than the maximum diameter of the head of the knob, the maximum diameter of the stem being smaller than the maximum diameter of the head of the knob.

4. The combined strap and ring according to claim 3 in combination with a container wherein the ring grasps and firmly retains the container.

5. The combined strap, ring and container according to claim 4 wherein the ring is made from a stretchable, resilient material.

6. The combined strap, ring and container according to claim 5 wherein the ring is made from polyolefin or rubber.

7. The combined strap and ring according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first side sections (14b, 16b) are larger than the second side sections (14a, 16a) whereby the heads (35, 38) of the knobs can pass through the first portions, and wherein the second sections receive the stems (40, 41) of the knobs which retain the strap on the ring.

8. The strap and ring (30) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, in combination with a container (50) the ring having a circumference in its unstretched state which is less than that of the container, whereby the ring is firmly retained on the container.

9. The combination strap (10) and ring (30) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the flexible material is a high friction material.

10. The combined strap (10), ring (30) and container (50) of claim 8, wherein the container is a bottle and the bottle includes a bottle body below an optional neck and an optional shoulder and wherein the length of the strap is such that it can extend over a top of the bottle (50) when the ring is placed at approximately the axial middle of the body of the bottle.

11. A process of using the combined strap and ring of any one of claims 3 to 7, comprising passing a free end of the strap over a rod or hook or other stationary surface and, before or after, securing one or both ends of the strap to knobs on the ring such that both ends of the strap are secured to knobs and whereby to permit the strap and ring to hang from the stationary surface.

12. The process of claim 11 , wherein the strap is secured to a bottle in an inverted position with its bottle opening pointing downwardly.

13. A process of using the combined strap and ring of any one of claims 3 to 7, comprising passing the central section opening through a rod or hook and securing any, before or after, unsecured free ends of the strap to the knob(s) on the ring whereby to hang the strap and ring.

14. A combined strap and ring wherein the strap (10) comprises two integral free lateral sections (14, 16) and an integral central section (12), the strap having openings in each of the lateral sections, the openings being defined by opening side walls (19), the openings being fully surrounded on all of their sides by the opening side walls wherein each of the openings on the sides includes an optional proximal portion (14b, 16b) and a distal portion (14a, 16a) wherein the optional proximal portion is optionally larger than the distal portion, the ring (30) being an endless cylinder (32) of flexible material having first and second knobs (34, 36), each having a knob head (35, 38) and each knob head being attached to the ring by a stem (40, 41), the side section openings being suitable to receive the knobs and stems of the ring whereby the head of a knob and a stem can pass through the openings on each side of the strap, and the distal portion (14a, 16a) can receive the stem and the knob retains the strap on the ring when a bottle is hung, wherein the central section (12) includes an opening (18) fully enclosed by the strap, the maximum width of at least the distal section openings being smaller than the maximum diameter of the head of the knob, the maximum diameter of the stem being smaller than the maximum diameter of the head of the knob wherein the central section (12) has a larger maximum width than the maximum width of either of the two side sections and wherein the opening in the central section has a greater length than the openings in the two side sections..

15. The combined strap and ring of claim 14 wherein the strap is comprised of flexible material.