Adjustable capacity flasks

Abstract

A flask that is capable of having its capacity adjusted by a user. A flask includes a cover element and a container. The cover element has an opening through which liquid is passable and a mating edge. The container has a mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the cover element to form a seal. A fastener such as a pair of bolts is provided and configured to secure the cover element and the container together with the mating edges engaged, thereby defining a reservoir therein. The container may include a base element with a mating edge and one or more expansion elements each having a top mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the cover element and a bottom mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the base element. Accordingly, a user may add and remove expansion elements to the flask to adjust the capacity thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flask comprising: 
 a cover element including an opening through which liquid is passable and a mating edge;    a container including a reservoir for holding liquid and a mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the cover element to form a seal; and    a fastener configured to secure the cover element and the container together with the mating edges engaged.    
     
     
         2 . A flask as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the container includes: 
 a base element having a mating edge; and  
 a expansion element having a top mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the cover element and a bottom mating edge for engaging with the mating edge of the base element.  
 
     
     
         3 . A flask as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the contain includes a plurality of expansion elements each having a top mating edge and a bottom mating edge; 
 the top mating edge of each of the expansion elements being configured to engage with the mating edge of the cover element and the bottom mating edge of at least one of the expansion elements; and  
 the bottom mating edge of each of the expansion elements being configured to engage with the mating edge of the base element and the top mating edge of at least one of the expansion elements.  
 
     
     
         4 . A flask as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the expansion elements are substantially identical with each other.  
     
     
         5 . A flask as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the fastener is configured to secure at least one of the expansion elements between the base element and the cover element.  
     
     
         6 . A flask as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the fastener is configured to secure a plurality of the expansion elements between the base element and the cover element.  
     
     
         7 . A flask as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of fasteners; 
 each of the fasteners being configured to secure a respective number of the expansion elements between the base element and the cover element.  
 
     
     
         8 . A flask as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fastener includes a bolt.  
     
     
         9 . A flask as claimed in  claim 8  wherein one of the elements includes a socket for engaging with the bolt.  
     
     
         10 . A flask as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the other one of the elements includes a seat for receiving the bolt.  
     
     
         11 . A flask as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the expansion element includes a through hole form receiving the bolt.  
     
     
         12 . A flask as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of the fasteners.  
     
     
         13 . A flask comprising: 
 a cover element including a mating edge;    a base element including a mating edge; and    a expansion element including a pair of mating edges each of which is configured to be engageable with the mating edge of at least one of the cover element and the base element to form a seal therewith.    
     
     
         14 . A flask as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of expansion elements each including a pair of mating edges.  
     
     
         15 . A flask as claimed in  claim 14  wherein each of the expansion elements includes a top mating edge and a bottom mating edge; 
 the top mating edge of each of the expansion elements being configured to engage with the mating edge of the cover element and the bottom mating edge of at least one of the expansion elements; and  
 the bottom mating edge of each of the expansion elements being configured to engage with the mating edge of the base element and the top mating edge of at least one of the expansion elements.  
 
     
     
         16 . A flask as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising at least one fastener configured for securing the cover element to the base element such that a seal is formed between at least one pair of engaged mating edges.  
     
     
         17 . A flask as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising at least one fastener configured for securing the cover element to the base element with the expansion element therebetween such that a seal is formed between the mating edge of the cover element and one of the mating edges of the expansion element and a seal is formed between the mating edge of the base element and the other mating edge of the expansion element.  
     
     
         18 . A method for adjusting a capacity of a flask, the method comprising: 
 providing a flask including: 
 a cover element including a mating edge;  
 a base element including a mating edge;  
 a expansion element including a pair of mating edges each of which is configured to be engageable with the mating edge of at least one of the cover element and the base element to form a seal therewith; and  
 a fastener configured for securing the cover element to the base element with the expansion element therebetween such that a seal is formed between the mating edge of the cover element and one of the mating edges of the expansion element and a seal is formed between the mating edge of the base element and the other mating edge of the expansion element;  
   positioning the expansion element between the cover element and the base element; and    fastening the fastener.    
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising: 
 unfastening the fastenering;  
 removing the expansion element; and  
 fastening the fastener.  
 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the flask includes a plurality of the expansion elements, further comprising: 
 unfastening the fastenering;  
 positioning a second one of the expansion elements between the cover element and the base element; and  
 fastening the fastener.