US20040065565A1

US20040065565A1 - Container and method for producing the same

Info

Publication number: US20040065565A1
Application number: US10/265,053
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Buesching; Jeff Temple; John Nemazi
Original assignee: Cool Cloth LLC
Current assignee: Cool Cloth LLC
Priority date: 2002-10-04
Filing date: 2002-10-04
Publication date: 2004-04-08

Abstract

A container for a liquid is disclosed, generally comprising an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal primary chamber and a primary mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the primary chamber, the other end of the bottle having a recess formed in the exterior wall projecting generally coaxially into the primary chamber to form a secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary mouth opening axially opposite the primary mouth opening; a primary closure adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber for enclosing the primary chamber; a secondary closure adapted to cooperate with the secondary chamber for enclosing the secondary chamber; and a wipe member placed within the secondary chamber. The primary chamber can retain liquid being enclosed therein by the primary closure. The secondary chamber can retain the wipe member being enclosed therein by the secondary closure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

One aspect of the present invention relates generally to a container for a liquid and method for producing the same and more specifically to a container for a liquid that provides a wipe member.

BACKGROUND ART

People often consume cold beverages to provide refreshment during various activities. For example, people attending sporting events with outdoor seating, such as, but not limited to, baseball games, football games, motor bike races, and stock car races, commonly visit concession stands or vendors to purchase a cold beer or soft drink to refresh themselves, especially if the weather is relatively hot and humid. As another example, families commonly purchase cold soft drinks from vending machines when attending amusement parks in the summer in order to quench their thirst and prevent dehydration.

One common mode of delivering cold beverages to the consuming public is plastic containers. Soft drink and beer distributors regularly use plastic bottles of varying sizes to deliver cold beverages to consumers. To ensure that the beverage is cold at the point of sale, the plastic bottles can be placed in a bucket of ice (i.e. next to a concession stand), or in a refrigeration unit (i.e. a refrigerator or vending machine).

Various systems have been proposed for keeping beverages cold until point of sale and beyond. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,894, entitled “Method of Making Beverage Container With Heating or Cooling Insert” and granted to Searle, discloses a beverage container having a conventional external configuration with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The base member closing the other end of the wall is shaped to form an external cavity which extends within the container along its longitudinal axis. The wall defining the external cavity has a surface in contact with the contents of the container and this surface has a large surface area. The contents of the container can be cooled or kept cold by insertion of an insert into the external cavity. The primary focus of the Searle proposal is to create a self-cooling container that limits the investment by beverage manufacturers.

As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,022, entitled “Refrigerated Bicycle Beverage Carrier” and granted to Snyder, discloses a beverage carrier adapted to fit into a bicycle water bottle cage. At one end of the beverage carrier body is a circular axial opening which gives way to a hollow core that can be inserted into the beverage carrier. The core is adapted to be filled with a refrigerant mixture and permanently sealed within the body of the beverage carrier via an ultrasonic welder. The primary focus of the Snyder proposal is to provide a bicycle water carrier with a refrigerated core for prolonging the cooling of the beverage contained in the water carrier.

In addition to the refreshing effect of consuming a cold beverage provided in a plastic container, systems have been proposed to enhance the refreshing effect by providing a towel around the outside of the plastic container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,944, entitled “Insulated Outer Layer For A Thermal Bottle” and granted to Rueter, discloses means to maintain a thermos bottle cool while providing the user “with a towel that can be wetted to cool the body.” (Column 5, Line 16.) The thermos bottle includes a three-layer insulating cover, the interior layer which is a fabric, preferably terry cloth, that can double as a towel to keep the body cool.

One disadvantage associated with the Rueter proposal is that the insulating cover is open to the environment. Consequently, germs and bacteria contained within dust and debris can collect on the insulating cover. Upon using the towel side of the insulating cover, the user may come in contact with these contaminants.

Another disadvantage of prior art insulating cover proposals is that the covers are typically provided for a specific bottle configuration. For example, the insulating cover disclosed in Rueter was primarily developed for the purpose of maintaining a Thermos bottle cool while providing the user with a towel that can be wetted to cool the body.

Yet another disadvantage of prior art insulating cover proposals is that the covers are commonly relatively expensive to fabricate in order to survive environmental conditions. For example, Rueter discloses an insulating cover that requires a three-layer construction: a flexible plastic outer layer, an insulating middle layer, and a terry cloth inner layer.

In light of these and other disadvantages associated with insulating cover proposals and the focus of other proposals on providing beverage container cores for enhanced cooling, there exists a need for a scalable container suitable for retaining a liquid with an internal chamber for enclosing a wipe member for providing essentially germ free and relatively inexpensive refreshment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a container suitable for retaining a liquid with an internal chamber enclosing a wipe member for providing refreshment. This container can be distributed through a variety of mediums to a broad range of target markets and can be advertised as providing enhanced refreshment by virtue of the wipe member. The mediums can include, but are not limited to, vending machines and retail markets, for example, grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations. Examples of target markets include, but are not limited to, sporting events, theme parks, medical organizations (i.e. Red Cross, hospitals, and government agencies), zoos, tourist spots, cruise ships, golf courses, manufacturing plants, truck stops, beaches, and summer concerts.

The container can be filled with a liquid, for example, but not limited to carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated soft drinks, electrolyte solutions, water, tea, milk, Powerade, juice, isotonic beverages, or beer and the wipe member can be placed within the internal chamber so that liquid is separated from the wipe member. The container is then cooled, thereby cooling the liquid and the wipe member. For example, the container can be placed in a vending machine or a bucket of ice. Upon customer (i.e. user) purchase, the user can access the wipe member, which has been kept cool by the surrounding cold liquid, to provide refreshment in addition to the refreshment provided by drinking the cold liquid. As another non-limiting example, the container can be sold at room temperature through retail markets. It is fully contemplated that the wipe member provides a refreshing effect even if used at room temperature or cooled by the user after purchase.

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment for providing the container suitable for retaining a liquid with an internal chamber enclosing a wipe member for providing refreshment is provided by the present invention. The preferred embodiment includes an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal primary chamber and a primary mouth opening at one end of the container in communication with the primary chamber. The other end of the container has a recess formed in the exterior wall projecting generally coaxially into the primary chamber to form an internal secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary mouth opening axially opposite the primary mouth opening. A primary closure is adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber for enclosing the primary chamber and a secondary closure is adapted to cooperate with the secondary chamber for enclosing the secondary chamber. A wipe member is placed within the secondary chamber. The primary chamber of the container is sized to retain liquid being enclosed therein by the primary closure and the secondary chamber of the container is sized to retain the wipe member being enclosed therein by the secondary closure.

In a preferred embodiment, the recess is integral with the exterior wall. In another preferred embodiment, the exterior wall is comprised of blow molded plastic. In addition, the primary closure can be a screw cap and the secondary closure can be a self-adhesive pull tab. The wipe member can be comprised of a cloth material or a non-woven paper. It is fully contemplated that the wipe member can be a shirt or other article of clothing, preferably vacuum compressed and used as a promotional item. For example, the shirt can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo and sold or given away at sporting events, etc. Moreover, the secondary chamber can retain the wipe member with a liquid solution being enclosed therein by the secondary closure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with one reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid. According to this object, a container that retains solely a reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid is provided. The reusable wipe member is preferably a shirt, more preferably a tee-shirt. The shirt is at least partially permeated with a liquid to provide refreshment. The shirt can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo. According to this embodiment, the container with logo shirt can be distributed at sporting events, retail outlets, etc. Since the wipe member is preferably a shirt, it is reusable after providing refreshment.

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment for providing the container with a wipe member is provided. The container includes an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal chamber and a mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the chamber, a closure adapted to cooperate with the chamber for enclosing the chamber, and one reusable wipe member at least partially permeated with a liquid placed within the chamber. The chamber is sized to retain the one reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior wall can be comprised of a blow molded plastic or a flexible plastic. In addition, the closure can be comprised of a self-adhesive pull tab.

Correspondingly, a method for producing a container is provided. The method includes producing an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal chamber and a mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the chamber, producing a closure adapted to cooperate with the chamber for enclosing the chamber, placing one reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid within the chamber, and enclosing the chamber with the closure. The chamber of the container is sized to retain the one reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate bottle can be produced through blow molding and the closure can be a self-adhesive pull tab.

These and other aspects, object, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which: [0019]
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container in a disassembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0020]
FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view taken along the line [0021] 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container in an assembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0022]
FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmented and cross sectional view of a container in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0023]
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a container for retaining a wipe member in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0024]
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a container in a disassembled state in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [0025]
FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a container in an assembled state in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of an invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a [0028] container 10 in a disassembled state, suitable for retaining and dispensing a liquid beverage in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The [0029] container 10 in FIG. 1 is comprised of an elongate bottle 12, preferably formed from plastic and having a generally circular cross section. Examples of plastics that are suitable for formation of the container 10 include, but are not limited to, low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). The selection of the specific plastic can be based on numerous factors, such as rigidity (i.e. flexible, semirigid, or rigid) and recyclability, to best fit a particular implementation of the present invention. Examples of materials that can be used for the elongate bottle include, but are not limited to, aluminum, foil, flexible plastic sleeve, plastic bladder, etc. The height of container 10 is preferably in the range of about 4 inches to about 12 inches, and most preferably about 8 inches. The thickness of exterior wall 14 is preferably generally uniform in thickness and in the range of about {fraction (1/32)} inches to about ⅛ inches, and most preferably about {fraction (1/16)} inches.
The [0030] elongate bottle 12 has an exterior wall 14 which defines an elongate internal primary chamber 16 (otherwise referred to as the primary chamber) and narrows at its upper end 15 to form a generally cylindrical neck portion 17 having a primary mouth opening 18. The diameter of the generally cylindrical neck portion 17 is preferably in the range of about ½ inches to about 2 inches, and most preferably about 1 and ½ inches. The primary mouth opening 18 is provided for dispensing liquid from the primary chamber 16 through generally cylindrical neck portion 17.
A [0031] recess 20 is formed in the lower end 21 of exterior wall 14 and projects generally coaxially into the primary chamber 16 to form a secondary chamber 22 isolated therefrom. The recess 20 transitions from a tapered portion 23 that tapers from a larger diameter at the lower end 21 to a smaller diameter of cylindrical portion 25. The secondary chamber 22 has a secondary mouth opening 24 axially opposite the primary mouth opening 18.
[0032] Recess 20 is preferably formed of the same material used to form the exterior wall 14 and most preferably, recess 20 and exterior wall 14 are integral, for example formed using a blow molding process from a single piece of plastic. However, it should be understood that the recess 20 can be formed separately and molded to the edges of a cylindrical opening provided in the lower end 21 of the exterior wall 14, or connected by some other means. The height of recess 20 is preferably in the range of about 6 inches to about 10 inches, and most preferably 6 inches. It is also fully contemplated that recess 20 can be formed in the side of exterior wall 14 and project generally latitudinally into primary chamber 16.
The [0033] primary chamber 16 is preferably sized to retain liquid. As nonlimiting examples, carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages (such as beer or malt beverages) can be retained in the elongate internal primary closure 16.
The [0034] container 10 is also comprised of a primary closure 26 adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber 16 for enclosing the primary chamber 16. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the primary closure 16 is a screw cap, preferably formed of a rigid plastic material, most preferably polypropylene (PP). The screw cap has inner threads 28 for mating with and screwing into outer threads 30 on generally cylindrical neck portion 17. The screw cap protects the liquid contents of the primary chamber 16 from spills, evaporation, and/or contact with foreign substances (i.e. dust or dirt).
The screw cap and [0035] mouth opening 18 are preferably provided with tamper resistant features. For example, the screw cap is most preferably provided with a circular ring 32 connected to the bottom edge of screw cap through a series of tabs 34. After introducing liquid into the primary chamber 16 and before use by the consumer, the tabs 34 integrally connect the screw cap and circular ring 32. If the screw cap and circular ring 32 are unconnected prior to use, meaning the tabs are broken, it alerts the consumer that the container has been opened, indicating possible tampering with the liquid contents. Moreover, a thin flexible cylindrical plastic film can be adhered to the edge of upper end 15 immediately after filling the primary chamber 16 with liquid and prior to placing the screw cap on the elongate bottle 12. Upon opening the container for the first time, the consumer then removes the thin flexible cylindrical plastic film. This film serves at least two purposes: (1) it helps to protect the liquid contents from debris, evaporation, and spills and (2) alerts the consumer of possible tampering if the film has been removed, perforated, or has been otherwise compromised in some manner.
It is fully contemplated that [0036] primary closure 26 may be any item which protects the contents of primary chamber from spillage, evaporation, and/or contact with foreign substances. A non-limiting example includes a pull-tab on the edge of upper end 15. The pull-tab can be removed by the customer to obtain access to the liquid contents of the primary chamber 16. The pull-tab can be comprised of, for example, foil, plastic, etc. Another non-limiting example includes a perforated tab integrally connected to the generally cylindrical neck portion. The customer breaks the perforations to obtain access to the liquid contents of the primary chamber.
The [0037] container 10 is also comprised of a secondary closure 36 adapted to cooperate with the secondary chamber 22 for enclosing the secondary chamber 22. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the secondary closure 36 is a self-adhesive pull tab, preferably formed of a flexible plastic material, most preferably LDPE, HDPE, or PETE plastic and having a generally circular shape. The pull-tab can also be comprised of foil, etc. Self-adhesive pull tab is affixed to a portion of tapered portion 23 with an adhesive to enclose the secondary chamber 22. The adhesive can be any natural or synthetic adhesive provided that it holds the self-adhesive pull tab together with the tapered portion while resisting separation and not decomposing the materials used to fabricate the exterior wall and pull tab. Self-adhesive pull tab is formed with an extension portion 38 that is not affixed to the tapered portion 23. The user grasps the extension portion 38 and pulls towards the side 39 of the self-adhesive pull tab opposing the extension portion to remove the self-adhesive pull tab and obtain access to the contents of the secondary chamber 22.
It is fully contemplated that [0038] secondary closure 36 may be any item which protects the contents of secondary chamber 22 from spillage, evaporation, and/or contact with foreign substances. A non-limiting example includes a screw cap with threads that mate with opposing threads on a portion of cylindrical portion 25 of recess 20 to enclose the secondary chamber 22. As another non-limiting example, a perforated tab can be affixed to a portion of tapered portion 23. The customer breaks the perforations to obtain access to the contents of secondary chamber.
The [0039] container 10 is comprised of wipe member 40 that can be placed within secondary chamber 22 and enclosed therein by the secondary closure 36. Wipe member 40 is preferably rolled into a generally cylindrical shape which generally conforms to the shape of the cylindrical portion of 25. However, it should be understood that wipe member 40 may not necessarily have to be rolled or folded depending on the dimensions of the wipe member 40. Wipe member 40 is preferably a cloth material having dimensions of about 6 inches by about 6 inches, unrolled. The cloth material is preferably a cotton towel, and most preferably a 100% cotton towel, that is permeated with a liquid solution. Examples of suitable liquid solutions include, but are not limited to, saline solution and reverse osmosis filtered water. It is fully contemplated that wipe member 40 may be any number of items, including, but not limited to, non-woven paper, synthetic fabric, etc. It is fully contemplated that the wipe member material can be a shirt or other article of clothing, preferably vacuum compressed to fit in the secondary chamber and used as a promotional item. For example, shirts can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo and compressed to fit in the secondary chamber. The container with the shirt can be sold or given away at sporting events, etc. It is also contemplated that the wipe member 40 can be infused with a scent, i.e. lemon scent, fresh scent, etc. Moreover, the wipe member 40 can be oxygenated so that upon use, the consumer receives a tingling sensation from the released oxygen.
FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment for implementing the present invention. The preferred embodiment includes packaging the different elements of [0040] container 10 for consumer use. Packaging steps include, but are not necessarily limited to or presented to imply any specific order: (1) placing a liquid 42 within the primary chamber 16, (2) screwing primary closure 26 onto generally cylindrical neck portion 17 to enclose the liquid retained in primary chamber 16, (3) permeating wipe member 40 with a liquid solution, (4) placing wipe member 40 within secondary chamber 22, and (5) affixing secondary closure 36 to the tapered portion 23 of recess 20 to enclose wipe member 40. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid can be a non-carbonated sports drink and the wipe member can be a cotton cloth with dimensions of preferably about 6 by about 6 inches that is rolled to fit into the secondary chamber. The assembled container can then be sold to consumers either chilled or at room temperature. The consumer can access the cotton cloth by removing the secondary closure 36 from the secondary mouth opening 24 and the non-carbonated sports drink by removing the primary closure 26. According to this preferred embodiment, the liquid is chilled and the consumer is provided with cooled cotton cloth (cooled by the surrounding cooled liquid) and a refreshing cold non-carbonated sport drink in one container.
FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmented and cross sectional view of a container in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this preferred embodiment, the exterior wall is of two piece construction. The [0041] container 44 is comprised of an elongate bottle 46, preferably formed from plastic and having a generally circular cross section. The elongate bottle 46 has an exterior wall 48 for partially defining an internal primary chamber 50 and an internal secondary chamber 52. Upper end 54 partially defining secondary chamber 52 and lower end 55 partially defining primary chamber 50 are formed in the exterior wall 48 and project into elongate bottle 46. Ends 54 and 55 are attached via screw threading 56. The secondary chamber 52 preferably has a secondary mouth opening 58 axially opposite a primary mouth opening, as described above. It is fully contemplated that secondary mouth opening 58 can also be at upper end 54 of secondary chamber 52. The secondary closure 62 is attached to cooperate with the secondary chamber 52 for enclosing the secondary chamber 52. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the secondary closure is a self-adhesive pull tab, as described above.
[0042] Container 44 is also comprised of a wipe member 64 that can be placed within the secondary chamber 52 and enclosed therein by secondary closure 62. According to the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, wipe member 64 is a rolled cloth material. The cloth material is preferably a cotton towel, and most preferably a 100% cotton towel, that is permeated with a liquid solution. Sample of suitable liquid solutions, include, but are not limited to, saline solution and reverse osmosis filtered water. It is fully contemplated that wipe member 64 may be any number of items including, but not limited to, non-woven paper, synthetic fabric, etc. It is fully contemplated that the wipe member can be a shirt or other article of clothing, preferably vacuum compressed to fit in the secondary chamber. The container 44 with the shirt can be sold or given away at sporting events, etc.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5, a [0043] container 66 for retaining one wipe member 68 at least partially permeated with a liquid is disclosed. The container 66 is comprised of an elongate bottle 70, preferably formed from plastic and having a generally circular cross section. The elongate bottle 70 is preferably sized to retain solely the wipe member 68 which is at least partially permeated with a liquid. It is fully contemplated that the elongate bottle 70 may be comprised of a material other than plastic provided that it serves to enclose wipe member 68. Examples include, but are not limited to, an aluminum can, flexible sleeve, plastic, foil or thin-plastic bladder. The elongate bottle 70 has an exterior wall 72 which defines an elongate internal chamber 74 (otherwise referred to as the chamber) forming a primary mouth opening 76.
The [0044] container 66 is comprised of a closure 78 adapted to cooperate with mouth opening 76 for enclosing chamber 74. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, closure 78 preferably a self-adhesive pull tab, and preferably formed of a plastic material, most preferably LDPE, HDPE, or PETE plastic and having a generally circular shape. The pull tab can also be comprised of foil, etc. The self-adhesive pull tab is affixed to a portion of exterior wall 72 on the top end 80 of the exterior wall 72 with an adhesive to enclose the chamber. The adhesive can be any natural or synthetic adhesive provided that it holds the self-adhesive pull tab together with the exterior wall 72 while resisting separation and decomposition of the materials used to fabricate the exterior wall and pull tab. The self-adhesive pull tab is preferably formed with an extension portion 82 that is not affixed to the portion of the exterior wall 72. The user grasps the extension portion 82, pulls toward the side 84 of the self-adhesive pull tab opposing the extension portion to remove the self-adhesive pull tab and obtain access to the wipe member enclosed in chamber 74. The self-adhesive pull tab and mouth opening 76 are preferably provided with tamper resistant features.
Preferably, the wipe [0045] member 68 is at least partially permeated with a liquid and placed in chamber 74, and enclosed therein by closure 78. The wipe member 68 is preferably a shirt made of cloth material that is vacuum compressed. The cloth is preferably cotton, and most preferably 100% cotton. The liquid can be, but is not limited to, saline solution or reverse osmosis filtered water. The liquid solution functions to keep the shirt wet to provide refreshment upon use. The shirt can be embroidered with a corporate or school logo and sold or given away at sporting events, etc. and is preferably reusable.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a side view of a container in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, [0046] container 84 is comprised of elongate bottle 86 and end cap 88. Elongate bottle 86, preferably formed from plastic, has a generally circular cross section and can be of standard size, i.e. 12 ounce, 20 ounce or 2 liter volume. Elongate bottle 86 has exterior wall 90 for defining primary chamber 92 and primary mouth opening 93 at one end of the bottle. Closure 95 is adapted to cooperate with primary chamber 92 for enclosing primary chamber 92. Closure 95 can be a screw cap, or any other suitable closure, for example, but not limited to, the examples of closures as described above. End cap 88, preferably formed from plastic, has a generally circular cross section and includes edge 94 and cap wall 96. End cap 88 can be connected to elongate bottle 86 with adhesive tape pull strip 102. Adhesive tape pull strip 98 can adhere to edge 94, portion 98 of cap wall 96, and portion 100 of exterior wall 90 to connect end cap 88 to elongate bottle 86 and to define secondary chamber 104. Alternatively, end cap 88 can be attached with an annular bead of adhesive, a solvent weld joint or an annular label covering exterior wall 90 and overlapping end cap 88.
Wipe [0047] member 106, for providing consumer refreshment, can be placed within secondary chamber 104 and enclosed therein by connecting elongate bottle 86 and end cap 88. As described in more detail above the wipe member can be a rolled cloth material and permeated with a liquid solution. Examples of suitable materials for wipe members and suitable liquids for the liquid solution are described above. A consumer releases adhesive tape pull strip 102 by grasping onto and pulling tab 108 to obtain access to wipe member 106.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the wipe member can be cooled via a chemical reaction that takes place within the chamber. The permeation liquid can be such that when mixed with a second liquid, it becomes cool and thereby cools wipe member. It should be understood that the self-cooling can be effectuated by use of any suitable self-refrigeration means that can cool the mixed liquids to about 30° F. about 3 to about 5 minutes after mixing. [0048]
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [0049]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container for a liquid comprising:

an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal primary chamber and a primary mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the primary chamber, the other end of the bottle having a recess formed in the exterior wall projecting generally coaxially into the primary chamber to form a secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary mouth opening axially opposite the primary mouth opening;

a primary closure adapted to cooperate with the primary chamber for enclosing the primary chamber;

a secondary closure adapted to cooperate with the secondary chamber for enclosing the secondary chamber; and

a wipe member placed within the secondary chamber;

wherein the primary chamber of the container is sized to retain liquid being enclosed therein by the primary closure and the secondary chamber of the container is sized to retain the wipe member being enclosed therein by the secondary closure.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the recess is integral with the exterior wall.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the exterior wall is comprised of blow molded plastic.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the primary closure is comprised of a screw cap.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the secondary closure is comprised of a self-adhesive pull tab.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the wipe member is comprised of a cloth material.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the secondary chamber retains the wipe member and a liquid solution being enclosed therein by the secondary closure.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein the wipe member is comprised of non-woven paper.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the recess is formed in the side of the external wall and projects into the primary chamber to form the secondary chamber isolated therefrom having a secondary mouth opening.

10. A container comprising:

an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal chamber and a mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the chamber;

a closure adapted to cooperate with the chamber for enclosing the chamber; and

a single reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid and placed within the chamber;

wherein the chamber of the container is sized to retain the single reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid and enclosed by the closure.

11. The container of claim 10 wherein the exterior wall is comprised of a blow molded plastic.

12. The container of claim 10 wherein the exterior wall is comprised of flexible plastic.

13. The container of claim 10 wherein the closure is comprised of a self-adhesive pull tab.

14. The container of claim 10 wherein the wipe member is comprised of a shirt.

15. A method for producing a container, the method comprising:

producing an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate internal chamber and a mouth opening at one end of the bottle in communication with the chamber;

producing a closure adapted to cooperate with the chamber for enclosing the chamber;

placing a single reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid within the chamber; and

enclosing the chamber with the closure;

wherein the chamber of the container is sized to retain the single reusable wipe member being at least partially permeated with a liquid.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the elongate bottle is produced through blow molding.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the exterior wall is comprised of flexible plastic.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the closure is comprised of a self-adhesive pull tab.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the wipe member is comprised of a shirt.

20. A container for liquid comprising:

an elongate bottle having an exterior wall which defines an elongate primary chamber, a mouth opening at one end of the elongate bottle in communication with the primary chamber, and a closed end portion;

an end cap having a cap wall which defines a cap opening at one end of the end cap, a portion of the cap wall adjacent the end cap opening being at least partially attached to the exterior wall of the elongate bottle to form a secondary chamber isolated from the primary chamber bounded by the end cap and the elongate bottle closed end portion;

a closure adapted to cooperate with the elongate bottle mouth opening for enclosing the primary chamber; and

a wipe member placed within the secondary chamber;

wherein the primary chamber is sized to retain liquid and the secondary chamber is sized to retain the wipe member.

21. The container of claim 20 further comprising an annular seal joining the end cap to the exterior wall of the elongate bottle.

22. The container of claim 21 wherein the annual seal is comprised of an adhesive tape pull strip.

23. The container of claim 20 further comprising an annular bead of adhesive joining the end cap to the exterior wall of the elongate bottle.