Shipping lock and bottle hanger

Abstract

A bottle hanger for use with a sport bottle is disclosed. The hanger is configured to secure a movable valve associated with the bottle in an open position during shipping, to maintain pressure equalization inside and outside the bottle. The hanger is further designed to flex without being dislodged from the bottle in the event a lateral force is applied to the handle portion of the hanger. The hanger is further configured to secure a merchandising tag in a forward-facing orientation for optimized viewing of the tag. The hanger may also be used with a variety of differently shaped bottle valves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bottle hanger, comprising:
 a pliable collar having a first open end and a second open end spaced from and opposite the first open end, the first and second open ends defining a longitudinal dimension of the collar, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, the side wall having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge spaced from the first longitudinal edge defining an open side of the collar; and, a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the side wall at a first location and the second end connected to the side wall at a second location, the handle forming a closed loop positioned above the first end of the collar.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the collar defines an interior space and a portion of the side wall extends inwardly into the interior space. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange extending outwardly from the second open end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a first leg extending from the first end, a second leg extending from the second end, and a third leg interconnecting the first and second legs. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle hanger of  claim 4 , wherein the third leg of the handle comprises a first segment and a second segment that join at an angle to form a highpoint along the inside edge of the third leg. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising an opening formed in the side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made from a pliable material that bends but returns to its original shape. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle hanger of  claim 4 , wherein the third leg comprises one of a notch, flat, groove, indentation and channel to engage a merchandizing display rack. 
     
     
         9 . The hanger of  claim 4 , wherein the first leg comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein the cross section of the first portion is different from the second portion, and wherein the second leg comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein the cross section of the first portion is different from the second portion, and wherein when a lateral force is applied to the handle, the first portions of the first and second legs flex before the second portions. 
     
     
         10 . The hanger of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the first and second legs comprise a rib of additional material not present in the first portion of the first and second legs. 
     
     
         11 . In combination,
 (a) a container;   (b) a sports bottle cap configured to attach to the container, the cap having an outer surface and a cylindrically walled sleeve extending from the outer surface and forming an outer opening in the cap at the proximal end of the sleeve;   (c) a movable nozzle valve having a generally cylindrical hollow body disposed for longitudinal movement within the cylindrically walled sleeve between an open position to permit flow of a fluid through said hollow body from the container and a closed position to prevent flow of a fluid through the hollow body, the valve body having an enlarged proximal end positioned exterior of the proximal end of the sleeve and extending radially outwardly of the sleeve;   (d) a bottle hanger having a collar with a first open end and a second open end spaced from and opposite the first open end, the first and second open ends defining a longitudinal dimension of the collar, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, the side wall having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge spaced from the first longitudinal edge, the collar coupled to the sleeve and extending between the outer surface of the cap and the enlarged proximal end of the nozzle valve, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the collar precludes the nozzle valve from moving to a closed position.   
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle having a length and a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the side wall at a first location and the second end connected to the side wall at a second location, the length of the handle forming a closed loop positioned above the first end of the collar. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein the collar defines an interior space and a portion of the side wall extends inwardly into the interior space. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 11 , further comprising a flange extending outwardly from the second open end of the collar. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the handle comprises a first leg extending from the first end, a second leg extending from the second end, and a third leg interconnecting the first and second legs. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein the first leg comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein the cross section of the first portion is different from the second portion, and wherein the second leg comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein the cross section of the first portion is different from the second portion, and wherein when a lateral force is applied to the handle, the first portions of the first and second legs flex before the second portions. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 11 , further comprising a merchandising tag, the tag having a body with an aperture formed in the body, the aperture sized to receive the sleeve of the cap, and the tag positioned between the flange of the collar and the exterior surface of the cap. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of splines formed in the body of the tag surrounding the aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the body comprises a flat portion to receive and display information. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the body comprises a first portion and a second portion, the aperture is disposed in the first portion and the second portion is oriented at an angle relative to the first portion and the second portion includes an area to receive and display information.