Dispensing – With casing or support – Body carried and/or operated type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2001-01-16
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With casing or support
Body carried and/or operated type
C222S529000, C222S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173866
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Athletes and other individuals who compete or who are required to complete rigorous physical activities within a short specified time frame such as for military training are often required to complete exercises requiring running or walking. Sources of water or other potable liquids are often not available and the user may not want to lose precious time by leaving the local or stopping for a drink. Conventional storage containers are too bulky to wear or carry. Portable storage containers known in the art utilize a water reservoir and method of holding to the user such as an elastic strip of VELCRO attached headband, wristband or the like. However, none of the known containers utilize a container having a replaceable and disposable reservoir of liquid therein attachable to the arm of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a removable wrist strap having a compartment containing a disposable and/or replaceable reservoir of potable liquid held to the user's wrist by a VELCRO fastener. The wrist strap includes a spout for the user to access the liquid during physical activity.
The wrist-carried water container apparatus of the present invention features a liquid container apparatus including a flexible jacket assembly having an interior, container portion defining a compartment, sealable pouch, or the like within an exterior jacket surface. A fist fastener element is connected to a first end of the flexible jacket assembly. A second fastener element is connected to a second end of the flexible jacket assembly. In the flexible jacket assembly, a flexible liquid tight container assembly includes a flexible container portion which is housed in the container retention space. A spout member is connected to the flexible container portion and extends out from the container retention space. The liquid container apparatus can contain water or other potable liquid in a volume of preferably from 0 to 16 oz., more preferably from 3 to 12 oz. and most preferably from 6 to 8 oz., and can be worn on a person's wrist so that the person can readily drink the contained water during physical activity such as in athletic activities or military training. The container may be compartmentalized by plastic divider walls, or separate inflatable bladders or bags to hold isolate specifics amounts of a selected liquid.
The sport member is a flexible spout tube. The flexible jacket assembly includes a jacket-wall spout channel through which the flexible spout tube extends from the flexible container portion to outside the flexible jacket assembly. In addition, the second fastener element includes a fastener spout channel which is placed in registration with the jacket-wall spout channel and through which the flexible spout tube extends from the flexible container portion to outside the flexible jacket assembly and the second fastener element. Separate tubes may be used for an embodiment utilizing a plurality of compartments or a tube manifold may be used connecting to a single exterior tube spout.
Preferably, the flexible jacket assembly and the flexible liquid-tight container assembly are dimensioned to fit around a wearer's wrist such that a wristband liquid container apparatus is provided. The first fastener element and the second fastener element are made from complementary hook and loop material such as “VELCRO™” material.
The flexible jacket may be formed of a sleeve of material having one end closed by sewing, heat welding, or the like and having an opposing open end for insertion of a reservoir. It is also contemplated that the sleeve could be closed on both ends and that the reservoir be slipped into a slit cut into the inner surface of the sleeve for disposing and removing the liquid containing reservoir. The sleeve can be formed of fabric, foam lined fabric, or elastomeric material optionally lined with foam for insulation purposes. Moreover, a porous sleeve formed having large or even micro pores may be used together or with a net to allow radiation from cold or ice packs to affect the user.
More particularly, the present invention defines a personal storage and liquid dispensing device comprising a flexible band comprising a jacket having a first end and a second end including an inner and outer layer of material joined together at the sides and on at least one end forming a container retention space thereinbetween. A flexible band includes a removable flexible container for holding liquid within said container retention space.
The flexible container includes a tube connecting thereto for removing the liquid therefrom. Means for stopping the flow of water flowing from said flexible reservoir through tube such as a crimp or spigot is included as well. The flexible band includes an opening for extending the tube therethrough. The first end of the jacket includes means for releasably holding attaching to an exterior surface thereof cooperatively engaging with said second end of said jacket including means for releasably holding attaching to an interior surface thereof defining a hook and loop fastener. Finally, the personal storage and liquid dispensing device is designed for removably circumscribing a selected limb of an individual wearer and being securely held on said selected limb during use. For instance, the limb is selected from the group consisting of an arm, a wrist, an ankle, or a leg.
The present invention also provides a means for the wearer to maintain a specific heart rate without having to stop to consume water or cool off too quickly.
The present invention can be fabricated in a variety of colors and are personal so that there is no confusion as to who's has which unit as opposed to user's on a team searching for a particular water bottle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient storage container for holding potable liquid on a person's wrist for consumption during physical activity.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means to access the wrist storage container such as a tube, spout, or tube having a spout attached to the end so that the water can be sipped without stopping the physical activity.
It is an object of the present invention to provide as an option a spout having a distal end having a restriction or partially closed end so that fluid flow through the spout only upon suction being applied by the user.
It is an object of the present invention to provide as an option a tube having a crease section therein to provide a method for preventing the flow of water from the tube upon bending the tube at the crease for storage while not in use, and that the tube be held into place by a removable patch of material attached by hook and loop fasteners or the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an open end or side to removing and replacing the liquid container.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid container that is composed of a flexible plastic.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid container that is disposable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of controlling the amount of water consumed by the user.
It is another object of the present invention to hold gelatin or other semisolid food substrate.
It is another object of the present invention to include bright reflector strips on the exterior surface for providing a nighttime reflector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide container for holding water for freezing into ice packs to be worn by the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 315245 (1991-03-01), Envall
patent: D. 323430 (1992-01-01), Niederkorn
patent: D. 373240 (1996-09-01), Parnell
patent: 4736876 (1988-04-01), Kriss
patent: 4890767 (1990-01-01), Burlison
patent: 5566869 (1996-10-01), Katz
patent: 5571260 (1996-11-01), Krug
patent: 5669529 (1997-09-01), Levit
Taylor Lachele M.
Taylor, Jr. Lucian
Carrithers David W.
Carrithers Law Office
Derakshani Philippe
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