Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – For liquid or liquid-holding container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-02-06
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
For liquid or liquid-holding container
C224S148300, C224S148700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182872
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a container holder of the type that is adapted for use with a bag, a back-pack, or a belt that can be adjusted at the user's waist, and that includes at least one pocket whose opening is directed upwardly, such pocket being adapted to house a canister.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Known container holders of the aforementioned type generally have a pocket, whose opening is directed upwardly, and which is attached to a belt, either in a detachable manner, or a fixed manner. Furthermore, the pocket of these container holders is oriented perpendicularly, or substantially diagonally with respect to the belt such that in the transportation position, the container tends to remain inside by virtue of its own weight. In addition, for reasons of ease and habit, the pocket is usually provided with a curved opening so as to facilitate access to the container which, since it is normally carried on the back to allow the user to move his chest, is grasped “blindly” with only one of his hands. Also, a collar or an elastic necking and/or a lacing is often used to complete the pocket so as to prevent any accidental expulsion of the container during its transportation and, at the same time, to allow it to be extracted as desired.
All these technical constructional details ensure that such container holders are deemed to be relatively satisfactory especially when the user is not time-constrained and when his/her movements are not limited, as is generally the case for non-competitive sporting activities. Conversely, as soon as one has to deal with competitive sports and/or sporting activities during which the container must constantly be carried on the back, as is the case with cross-country skiing, bicycling, all-terrain biking, running, etc., it becomes difficult to execute the hand manipulations required, on the one hand, to gain access to the container so that it can be grasped and extracted from the pocket and, on the other hand, to gain access to the pocket so as to replace the container. As a matter of fact, these manipulations are executed “blindly” during the sporting event without the user ever really stopping, thus making it almost impossible for such user to locate the exact position of the pocket opening at the initial attempt to seize or replace the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the instant invention to provide the user of a container holder of the aforementioned type, with a manually perceptible guide so that the hand can be directed exactly to the location of the pocket opening of the container holder, particularly when the manipulation is executed blindly.
Another object is to highlight the implemented guide function so that it becomes imprinted in the user's consciousness.
In order to achieve these ends, the container holder of the invention is the type having at least one pocket whose opening is directed upwardly, such pocket being adapted to contain the container, wherein a funnel-shaped container introduction neck, i.e., the widest portion of the neck, is arranged in the area of the pocket opening periphery, the most splayed portion of the neck being directed upwardly and outwardly.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the neck extends completely outside the pocket from the pocket opening periphery, thereby exposing its entire funnel shape.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the neck is fixed on the inside of the pocket, and is substantially set back from the pocket opening periphery, thereby only exposing the widest portion of its funnel shape.
By virtue of these arrangements, the user can locate the pocket opening simply by touch, i.e., without any visual aid. Indeed, as soon as the user brushes against the container introduction neck with his hand, or with the container that it is capable of holding, the position of the pocket opening becomes apparent. In addition, the funnel shape of the neck guides the hand and/or the container precisely up to the pocket opening.
In one embodiment, the pocket has a cylindrical contour, corresponding substantially to that of the container and is equipped with a support element for its connection with a belt. This support element is advantageously equipped with a comfort padding, for example, designed with a structure enabling air to circulate from the side directed towards the user, so as to allow both a pleasant contact with the user's waist as well as evacuation of perspiration.
In another embodiment, the pocket is closed laterally via the support element which is connected to the belt of the container holder. The canister introduction neck can therefore be obtained only on the pocket periphery.
The support element can have a variety of contours. For example, its contour can be defined by a triangle, one of whose sides is aligned with the belt, whereas the peak opposite that side is directed towards the ground. In addition, the pocket container holder can be positioned, with respect to the belt, such that it is in a vertical or diagonal position when the container holder is adjusted at the waist.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 310942 (1990-10-01), Woodall
patent: 4197890 (1980-04-01), Simko
patent: 4974761 (1990-12-01), Luque
patent: 5240156 (1993-08-01), Sicotte et al.
patent: 5397039 (1995-03-01), Parcelles
patent: 5570824 (1996-11-01), Lyon et al.
patent: 5722574 (1998-03-01), Pratt
patent: 5890809 (1999-04-01), Nelson
patent: 5915580 (1999-06-01), Melk
Nike, Inc.: “Holiday 98 Men's/Women'sKid's Accesories”,Nike Catalog “Accessories”Dec. 1997, XP002102562, Nike Bags: Hydra Falls.
Cronin Stephen K.
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Salomon S.A.
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