Package and article carriers – Carried by animate bearer – For liquid or liquid-holding container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-06-05
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Carried by animate bearer
For liquid or liquid-holding container
C224S148400, C224S148700, C222S175000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241135
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pack for holding fluid containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pack system which has a pack configured to hold one or more fluid containers so that the opening of the fluid container(s) is disposed at the bottom to thereby encourage highly viscus fluids contained in the container to be disposed adjacent the opening and ready for use.
2. State of the Art
In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in the popularity of many outdoor sporting activities such as bicycling (on-road and mountain biking), hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, long distance running, etc. Most of these activities are conducted in somewhat remote areas or under conditions in which it is inconvenient for the participant to eat or drink from conventional sources. In some activities, such as races, it is desirable that the athlete be able to eat or drink while continuing to run, cycle, etc. Thus, it is often necessary for athletes engaged in such activities to carry their own food and water and to access that food/water while continuing to engage in the activity.
Because of the growth in such activities and the need for food and liquids during strenuous exercise, there has been a significant increase in the use of foods which are specially formulated to give the athlete the food or liquid needed. Along these lines, there has been a significant increase in the use of specialized liquid foods, such as carbohydrate gels. The carbohydrate gels provide the necessary nutrients typically acquired from solid foods, but are more easily absorbed by the body during strenuous exercise. Thus, the risk of cramping is significantly reduced.
Unfortunately, the carbohydrate gels are highly viscous. In other words, the gels have a significant resistance to flow. Typically, the gels are of a consistency which is similar to that of honey. Unless a bottle is nearly full, the user must either shake the bottle or hold the bottle upside-down to get the carbohydrate gel out the opening. The additional time and awkward body movements which are currently required to use the gels limits the advantages which can be obtained from the additional carbohydrates.
While a carbohydrate gel container may be placed with the opening down in the pocket of a conventional pack, there are several practical concerns which limit such a solution. First, it is critical that the user of the gel be able to access the contents of the container/bottle whenever necessary. Placing the small gel containers in a traditional pocket, however, allows the gel container to fall to either side and complicates retrieval of the container while the user is running, cycling, etc. Second, the user may not fully close the cap of the container. This can result in the leakage of the gel into the pack. Of course, the user is usually unable to see the leak until most of the gel has escaped, or until he or she reaches for the container, only to find a sticky pool of gel in his or her pack. Runners, cyclists, etc., will often be unable to wash their hands for some time, and the viscous gel is nearly impossible to remove from the pack without washing.
Thus, there is a need for an improved packing system which is configured to hold a gel container in such a manner that the gel is constantly ready for use. Such a pack should preferably be configured to hold the gel container in such a position that the leakage of the gel container does not pool in the pack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pack system for holding highly viscous liquids.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pack which is configured to receive one or more gel containers with the outlet opening positioned at the bottom of the container to maintain the gel adjacent the opening.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a pack system wherein the pack is configured to prevent pooling of the gel within the pack in the event that the gel container is not properly closed.
The above and other objects of the invention not specifically enumerated are achieved by a pack system configured to holding highly viscus fluids in a container such that the semi-liquid material is readily available. The pack system includes a container for holding the highly viscous fluid, with a selectively closable opening disposed at or adjacent the bottom of the container. By having the opening in the bottom of the container, the highly viscous fluid remains adjacent the opening and ready for use without inverting or shaking the container.
The pack system also includes a container holder, typically in the form of a pack. The container holder includes a receptacle or pocket which is configured to hold the container in a substantially vertical or upright position so that the contents of the container are drawn by gravity toward the opening in the lower end.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the receptacle is provided with an opening at or adjacent a bottom end thereof. The opening facilitates receipt of the container, and also prevents highly viscus material from pooling in the pack in the event the opening is not properly closed. If the container leaks, the contents will pass out of the hole. While a small amount may drip onto the user, the drip will alert the user to the open container and will enable corrective action before most or all of the material is gone.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 208289 (1967-08-01), Feuerer
patent: 2494632 (1950-01-01), Rodin
patent: 4197890 (1980-04-01), Simko
patent: 4420097 (1983-12-01), Mostenbocker
patent: 4776546 (1988-10-01), Goldson et al.
patent: 4828154 (1989-05-01), Clifton, Jr.
patent: 4948023 (1990-08-01), Tripp
patent: 4966321 (1990-10-01), Outlaw
patent: 5114059 (1992-05-01), Thatcher
patent: 5148949 (1992-09-01), Luca
patent: 5240156 (1993-08-01), Sicotte et al.
patent: 5582335 (1996-12-01), Beard et al.
patent: 5890636 (1999-04-01), Kibbe
patent: 6045020 (2000-04-01), Rassier et al.
Ultimate Direction, Inc.
Vidovich Gregory M.
Wittenberg Malcolm B.
LandOfFree
Pack system for holding highly viscus fluids does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pack system for holding highly viscus fluids, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pack system for holding highly viscus fluids will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2444581