Portable hand-held liquid container

Abstract

The invention is directed to a portable hand-held liquid container including a base, a body, a shoulder, a neck and a finger-engaging element which are configured as one piece to together define a unitary hollow reservoir for receiving liquid, and which are in fluid communication with each other to maximize the volume of the reservoir; and a closure removably attachable to seal the container.

1 . A portable hand-held liquid container comprising:
 a) a base, a body, a shoulder, a neck and a finger-engaging element which are configured as one piece to together define a unitary hollow reservoir for receiving liquid, and which are in fluid communication with each other to maximize the volume of the reservoir; and   b) a closure removably attachable to seal the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises one or more walls which project upwardly from the base and define the reservoir and the finger-engaging element. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, the front and rear walls merging at their edges with the side walls, and the first side wall having a width substantially less than the width of the second side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the body is substantially cylindrically-shaped comprising curved front, rear, and side walls. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the body is substantially rectangular-shaped comprising curved front and rear walls and relatively planar side walls. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the shoulder comprises opposed side walls extending upwardly from the body, and being inclined relative to each other to merge with the neck. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the base is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein a heel couples the base to the side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the finger-engaging element comprises closed apertures adapted to receive fingers of a hand therethrough, the finger-engaging element being defined by the front and rear walls and extending through the body, such that cavities are defined between the first side wall and the apertures, and between each individual aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a substantially round wall. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body is substantially round. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body is substantially ovoid. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the finger-engaging element comprises a plurality of open apertures adapted to receive fingers of a hand therethrough, such that cavities are defined between each neighboring aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the base is substantially curved or tapered. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein a heel couples the base to the finger-engaging element. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the shoulder comprises a smooth circumferentially continuous surface which transitions into the neck. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the neck provides an opening to the body and supports a finish configured to accept the closure. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of collapsible joints.