Carabiner device for containers

Abstract

Carabiner-type attachment devices adapted for use on containers and the closure devices employed therewith and more specifically to containers, closure devices such as caps for containers and devices having at least one removable portion. In a preferred embodiment the attachment device is in the form of a carabiner in which at least a portion of the carabiner body is integral with the container, container closure or removable portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device comprising a container having at least one open end, a second end, at least one closure device having a first and second end and at least one attachment device extending from an end of said closure device or an end of said container.  
     
     
         2 . The invention according to  claim 1  said attachment device comprising an elongated body member comprising at least a first end, a gate member having at least a first end, said gate member extending from said body member, said gate member oriented in close proximity to said end of said body member.  
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 1  said attachment device comprising an elongated body member comprising a first end and a second end, a gate member having a first and a second end, one of said ends of said gate member being pivotally attached to one of said ends of said body member, the other of said ends of said gate member contacting said other end of said body member when said gate is in a closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment device is integrally formed with said end of said closure device or an end of said container.  
     
     
         5 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said device comprises metal.  
     
     
         6 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said device comprises plastic.  
     
     
         7 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment device is curvilinear.  
     
     
         8 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment device is formed in the shape of a carabiner.  
     
     
         9 . The invention according to  claim 2  wherein said gate member is inwardly openable.  
     
     
         10 . The invention according to  claim 2  wherein said gate member is resilient.  
     
     
         11 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein said container is cylindrical.  
     
     
         12 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said container is a bottle.  
     
     
         13 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said container is a tube.  
     
     
         14 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said container is a component of a device for containing other elements.  
     
     
         15 . The invention according to  claim 14  wherein said device is a flashlight and said container is a flashlight body.  
     
     
         16 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said container is a handle, said handle comprising at least a hollow portion.  
     
     
         17 . The invention according to  claim 1 , said device further comprising a second closure device wherein said at least one attachment device is attached to an end of said second closure device.  
     
     
         18 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment device is removably attachable to the container end opposite said open end.  
     
     
         19 . The invention according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment device is integrally formed with the container end opposite said open end.  
     
     
         20 . The invention according to  claim 15  wherein said attachment device is integrally formed on one end of said closure device.  
     
     
         21 . The invention according to  claim 20  wherein said attachment device is in the form of a carabiner.  
     
     
         22 . A closure device having a first connecting end and a second end, said device further comprising at least one attachment device extending from said second end, said first connecting end adapted to connect said closure device to a container.  
     
     
         23 . The invention according to  claim 22  wherein said container is a flashlight body.  
     
     
         24 . The invention according to  claim 22  wherein said connecting end comprises a threaded mating means.  
     
     
         25 . The invention according to  claim 22  wherein said attachment device is curvilinear.  
     
     
         26 . The invention according to  claim 22  wherein said attachment means has the appearance of a carabiner.  
     
     
         27 . The invention according to  claim 22  wherein said closure device is adapted to replace the closure device of an existing container.  
     
     
         28 . A method of replacing a closure device comprising the steps of providing at least one first closure device having at least one attachment device disposed thereon, providing a container having at least one original removable closure device, removing said at least one original closure device from said container, and replacing at least one of said original closure devices with at least said first closure device.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28  wherein at least one of said attachment devices of said at least one first closure devices has the appearance of a carabiner.  
     
     
         30 . A container having a first open end and a second end, at least one attachment device extending from said second end of said container, said open end adapted to accommodate a closure device.  
     
     
         31 . The invention according to  claim 30  wherein said container is a flashlight body.  
     
     
         32 . The invention according to  claim 30  wherein said open end comprises threaded mating means.  
     
     
         33 . The invention according to  claim 30  wherein said attachment device is curvilinear.  
     
     
         34 . The invention according to  claim 30  wherein said attachment means has the appearance of a carabiner.  
     
     
         35 . The invention according to  claim 30  wherein said container is adapted to replace the container of an existing device.  
     
     
         36 . A method of replacing a container comprising the steps of providing at least one first container having at least one attachment device disposed thereon, providing an original container having at least one original removable closure device, removing said original container from said removable closure device, and replacing said original container with said first container.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36  wherein at least one of said attachment devices of said at least one first container has the appearance of a carabiner.  
     
     
         38 . A device comprising a container having at least one open end, at least one closure device adapted to form a releasable closure over said open end, and an attachment device, said attachment device comprising an elongated curvilinear body member comprising at least a first end, a gate member having at least a first end, said gate member extending from said body member, said at least one end of said gate member oriented in close proximity to said at least one end of said body member, wherein at least a portion of said elongated body member is integrally attached to said at least one closure device.  
     
     
         39 . The device according to  claim 38  wherein said attachment device comprises an elongated curvilinear body member comprising a first end and a second end, a gate member having a first and a second end, one of said ends of said gate member being pivotally attached to one of said ends of said body member, the other of said ends of said gate member contacting said other end of said body member when said gate is in a closed position.  
     
     
         40 . The device according to  claim 38  wherein said gate member is resilient.  
     
     
         41 . A device comprising a container having at least one open end and a second end, at least one closure device adapted to form a releasable closure over said open end, and an attachment device, said attachment device comprising an elongated curvilinear body member comprising at least a first end, a gate member having at least a first end, said gate member extending from said body member, said at least one end of said gate member oriented in close proximity to said at least one end of said body member, wherein at least a portion of said elongated body member is integrally attached to said second end of said container.  
     
     
         42 . The device according to  claim 41  wherein said attachment device comprises an elongated curvilinear body member comprising a first end and a second end, a gate member having a first and a second end, one of said ends of said gate member being pivotally attached to one of said ends of said body member, the other of said ends of said gate member contacting said other end of said body member when said gate is in a closed position.  
     
     
         43 . The device according to  claim 41  wherein said gate member is resilient.