Bottle adornment device   

Abstract: A bottle adornment device includes a clamp assembly having a form portion and a clamp portion engaging the form portion. A bottle engaging element is carried between the form portion and the clamp portion, and a decorative item carried by the form portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to packaging.

More particularly, the present invention relates to adornments for bottles having necks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of product packaging, various ways of drawing attention to and generally making packaging visually pleasing have been developed. In the area of bottles having necks, such as beer bottles, soda bottles, and particularly, wine bottles, much effort has gone into making the shape and the labels attractive to potential buyers. Additional packaging is also often used to increase the presentation of a bottle. The additional packaging includes gift bags and tubular containers, as well as decorations directly attachable to the bottle. While gift bags and tubular containers serve the desired purpose, decorations attached directly to the bottles have been more problematic. The primary problem with this type of adornment is the attachment of the decorative item to the bottle while maintaining the decorative features and avoiding a utilitarian look. In prior devices, attachment mechanisms are weak and are easily damaged.

In particular, various cloth decorations have been developed to adorn a bottle neck. These include necktie shaped decorations attached by elastic bands to the neck of the bottle. The elastic band is typically sewn to the fabric of the decorative element. While somewhat effective, the attachment of the decorative element falls short in effectiveness and durability. The attachment device is ineffective because the knot or other portions of the necktie shaped element is distorted by the elastic band, rendering the overall look less pleasing. Since this is a device intended to increase the attractiveness of a bottle, anything that is detrimental to an esthetically pleasing appearance makes the device ineffective. These devices are also subject to breakage under standard conditions of use. The elastic is often unintentionally separated from the decorative element due to failure of the stitching attaching the elastic member to the decorative fabric element.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adornment for a bottle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bottle adornment and attachment device that is robust.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bottle adornment and attachment device that is effective.

SUMMARY

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention provided is a bottle adornment device including a clamp assembly having a form portion with a body having a front surface, a back surface, a first post receptacle extending from the back surface of the body, terminating in a first end and a second post receptacle extending from the back surface of the body spaced apart from the first post receptacle and terminating in a second end. The clamp assembly also includes a clamp portion engaging the form portion, the clamp portion having a body with a front surface, a back surface, a first shaft member extending from the back surface of the body of the clamp portion, terminating in a first end and a second shaft member extending from the back surface of the body of the clamp portion, spaced apart from the first clamp portion and terminating in a second end, the first shaft member receivable by the first post receptacle and the second shaft member receivable by the second post receptacle. A bottle engaging element is carried between the form portion and the clamp portion. Also provided is a decorative item having a flexible material carried by the form portion with the first post receptacle and the second post receptacle extending through at least a portion of the flexible material.

In a specific aspect, the first post receptacle and the second post receptacle each includes an interior volume divided by an inwardly directed shoulder, forming complemental engagement elements, and the first shaft member and the second shaft member each include an engagement member for engaging the complemental engagement elements. An engagement surface is formed between the first post receptacle and the second post receptacle on the back surface of the body of the form portion, and a friction surface is carried by or formed in the front surface of the body of the clamp portion intermediate the first shaft member and the second shaft member. When the clamp portion is engaged to the form portion, the bottle engaging element is securely captured between the engagement surface of the form portion and the friction surface of the clamp portion.

In yet a further aspect a bottle adornment device is provided which includes a bottle having a neck extending from a body, a clamp assembly having a form portion with a body having a front surface, a back surface, a first post receptacle extending from the back surface of the body, terminating in a first end and a second post receptacle extending from the back surface of the body spaced apart from the first post receptacle and terminating in a second end, and a clamp portion engaging the form portion. A bottle engaging element is carried between the form portion and the clamp portion and encircling the neck of the bottle. A decorative item formed of a flexible material is carried by the form portion with the first post receptacle and the second post receptacle extending through at least a portion of the flexible material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle adornment device according to the present invention, as it would appear attached to a bottle;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottle adornment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clamp assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a form portion;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the form portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the form portion of FIG. 6, taken along line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the bottle adornment device with the clamp portion removed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clamp portion;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the clamp portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamp portion; and

FIG. 12 is a partial view of the bottle adornment device illustrating the clamp assembly retaining the loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a bottle adornment device generally designated 10. Adornment device 10 is shown as it appears carried by a bottle 12, having a body portion 14 from which a neck portion 15 extends. Adornment device 12 includes a decorative item 16 which can be in the form of any necktie, including a cravat, bow tie and the like, or as illustrated, a conventional straight tie having an apron portion 18 and a knot portion 19. Adornment device 10 further includes an attachment mechanism 20 which is employed to attach decorative item 16 to bottle 12. As can be seen, decorative item 16 is position so as to be carried by bottle 12 preferably at the junction of neck portion 15 and body portion 14, and in the case of the straight tie, hangs down over body portion 15.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, attachment mechanism 20 includes a bottle engaging element, which in this embodiment is a loop 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of an elastic material and a clamp assembly 24 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Clamp assembly 24 includes a form portion 26 and a clamp portion 28. Clamp portion 28 is received by and coupled to form portion 26, for purposes which will be addressed presently.

With additional reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, form portion 26 includes a body 30 having a front surface 32 and a back surface 33. Form portion 26 is intended to provide support and shape to knot portion 19 of decorative item 16. Form portion 26 further includes post receptacles 35 and 36. Post receptacles 35 and 36 each extend from back surface 33 of form portion 26 and terminate at ends 38 and 39, respectively. Post receptacle 35 defines an interior volume divided into a volume 40 having an inner diameter and extending from end 38, and a volume 41 extending from volume 40 to body 30 and having a larger inner diameter. An inwardly directed shoulder 42 is formed at the junction of volumes 40 and 41. Post receptacle 36 defines an interior volume divided into a volume 45 having an inner diameter and extending from end 39, and a volume 46 extending from volume 45 to body 30 and having a larger inner diameter. An inwardly directed shoulder 47 is formed at the junction of volumes 45 and 46. Post receptacles 35 and 36 are spaced apart, preferably in a vertical direction in orientation with decorative item 16 and bottle 12, with an engagement surface 49 formed therebetween on the back surface 33 of body 30.

Turning now to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the material of decorative item 16 is wrapped around form portion 26 to form knot portion 19. In the preferred embodiment, decorative item 16 can be formed of fabrics typically used for conventional neckties, such as woven fabrics of silk, artificial fibers, and the like. It will be understood that substantially any flexible material capable of being wrapped about form portion 26 can be employed. The construction of knot portion 19 can be accomplished in a variety of manners and is subject to taste and desired outcome. What is common to the various knot portions formed, is that post receptacles 35 and 36 extend through the material of decorative item 16 and retain the material in position. Post receptacles 35 and 36 can also act to stabilize and strengthen the knot portion to prevent distortions thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, with additional reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, clamp portion 28 includes a body 50 having a front surface 52 and a back surface 53. Clamp portion 28 is intended to be received by and engage form portion 26, retaining loop 22 of elastic material therebetween (FIG. 12). It will be understood that other bottle engaging elements can be employed, but that the elastic loop allows an easily applied and firm engagement. Clamp portion 28 further includes shaft members 55 and 56. Shaft members 55 and 56 each extend from front surface 52 of clamp portion 28, and terminate at ends 58 and 59, respectively. Shaft member 55 includes an engagement member, which in this embodiment includes a pair of opposing flanges 60 extending from opposing sides of end 58 to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of volume 40. Pair of flanges 60 is sloped toward back surface 53 and are of sufficient flexibility to allow compression thereof toward shaft 55 when passing through volume 40. Upon reaching the greater inner diameter of volume 41, pair of flanges 60 expand to their greater diameter and engage a complemental engagement element, which in this embodiment is shoulder 42. Shaft member 56 includes an engagement member, which in this embodiment includes a pair of opposing flanges 62 extending from opposing sides of end 59 to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of volume 45. Pair of flanges 62 is sloped toward back surface 53 and are of sufficient flexibility to allow compression thereof toward shaft 56 when passing through volume 45. Upon reaching the greater inner diameter of volume 46, pair of flanges 62 expand to their greater diameter and engage a complemental engagement element, which in this embodiment is shoulder 47.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, clamp portion 28 includes a friction surface 64 carried by or formed in front surface 52 of body 50 intermediate shaft members 55 and 56. In this embodiment the friction surface 64 includes a plurality of spike elements 65. When clamp portion 28 is engaged to form portion 26, loop 22 is securely captured between engagement surface 49 of form portion 26 and friction surface 64 of clamp portion 28 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 12). In capturing loop 22 in this manner, loop 22 is securely and immovable held in position without placing any stress on decorative item 16. Thus a robust and effective attachment mechanism is provided.

It should be understood that other engagement element and complemental engagement elements can be employed. With reference to FIG. 11, another embodiment of a clamp portion generally designated 70, is illustrated. Clamp portion 70 includes a body 71 having a front surface 72 and a back surface 73. Clamp portion 70 further includes shaft members 75 and 76. Shaft members 75 and 76 each extend from front surface 72 of clamp portion 70, and terminate at ends 78 and 79, respectively. Shaft member 75 includes an engagement member, which in this embodiment includes a single flange 80 extending from one side of end 78 and sloped toward back surface 73. Shaft member 75 is of sufficient flexibility to allow deflection thereof when passing through volume 40. Upon reaching the greater inner diameter of volume 41, shaft member 75 returns to a normal position and flange 80 engages shoulder 42. Shaft member 76 includes an engagement member, which in this embodiment includes a single flange 82 extending from one side of end 79 and sloped toward back surface 73. Shaft member 76 is of sufficient flexibility to allow deflection thereof when passing through volume 45. Upon reaching the greater inner diameter of volume 46, shaft member 76 returns to a normal position and flange 82 engages shoulder 47.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.