Abstract:
A removable wrist strap having a compartment containing a potable liquid held to the user&#39;s wrist by a VELCRO fastener. The wrist strap includes a tube or spout for the user to access the liquid during physical activity.

Description:
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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;s has which unit as opposed to user&#39;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&#39;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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the wrist-carried water container apparatus of the invention attached to a wearer&#39;s wrist; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged front end view of the embodiment of the wrist carried water container apparatus shown in FIG. 1 removed from the wearer&#39;s wrist; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the wrist carried water container apparatus of FIG. 2 in the process of being unfastened from a wrist encompassing status; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 after having been unfastened and laid out flat; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the wrist carried water container apparatus of FIG. 2 in the process of being unfastened from a wrist encompassing status showing a pair of hook and loop fastening straps extending on each side or straddling said tube; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 after having been unfastened and laid out flat wherein the tube is kinked to impede the flow of fluid by securing the holding flap with hook and loop fastener straps on each side thereof; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wrist carried water container apparatus in the process of being unfastened from a wrist encompassing status showing a pair of hook and loop fastening straps extending from the distal end of the wrist strap on each side or straddling said tube; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective cutaway view of an embodiment of the wrist carried water container apparatus in the process of being unfastened from a wrist encompassing status showing a pair of hook and loop fastening straps extending from the distal end of the wrist strap and a separate removable flap covering the tube; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of a collapsible spigot in the extended state extending from the distal end of a tube extending from the flexible container including a removable stopper inserted therein; 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of a collapsible spigot in the collapsed state extending from the distal end of the tube extending from the flexible container including a flexible stopper inserted therein; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the wrist-carried water container apparatus wherein the collapsible spigot having a stopper therein extends outwardly past the jacket wall exposed by detaching a portion of the hook and loop fastener retained strap of material; 
     FIG. 15 is a side view showing a collapsible spigot in the extended view extending from the flexible container through an opening in the exterior jacket surface and through the second fastener element; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the wrist-carried water container apparatus wherein the collapsible spigot having a stopper removed extends outwardly past the jacket wall exposed by detaching a portion of the hook and loop fastener retained strap of material; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the wrist-carried water container apparatus wherein the collapsible spigot having a stopper is collapsed to fit within the opening formed in the jacket and a strip of material covers the spigot; and 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the wrist-carried water container apparatus wherein the collapsible spigot having a stopper is collapsed to fit within the opening formed in the jacket and the stopper of the spigot is exposed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings, a new and improved liquid container apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
     Turning to FIGS.  1 - 9 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the liquid container apparatus of the invention in the form of a wrist-carried water container apparatus of the invention generally designated by reference numeral  10 . In its preferred form, the wrist-carried water container apparatus  10  includes a flexible jacket assembly  12  which includes an interior, container-retention space  14  and an exterior jacket surface  16 . A first fastener element  18  forming a cover flap  19  is connected to an interior surface of a first end of the flexible jacket assembly  12 . The first fastener element  18  may also be applied to one or more straps extending from the distal end of the jacket assembly  12 . A second fastener element  20  is connected to an exterior surface of a second end of the flexible jacket assembly  12 . In the flexible jacket assembly  12 , a flexible liquid-tight container assembly  22  includes a flexible container portion  24  which is housed in the container-retention space  14 . A tube defining a spout member is connected to the flexible container portion  24  and extends out from the container-retention space  14 . The liquid stored in the flexible container portion  24  can be water or any suitable liquid or flowable material. 
     The spout member is a flexible spout tube  26 . The flexible jacket assembly  12  includes a jacket-wall spout channel  13  through which the flexible spout tube  26  extends from the flexible container portion  24  to outside the flexible jacket assembly  12 . In addition, the second fastener element  20  includes an opening defining a fastener spout channel  15  which is placed in registration with the jacket-wall spout channel  13  and through which the flexible spout tube  26  extends from the flexible container portion  24  to outside the flexible jacket assembly  12  and the second fastener element  20 . The jacket-wall spout channel  13  and the fastener tube spout channel  15  are alignable and medially located with respect to the second fastener element  20 . 
     FIGS.  7 - 10  show embodiments wherein straps having hook and loop fasteners are removably engagable with the hook and loop fastener elements  20 . FIG. 11 shows an embodiment wherein a separate flap  30  secures the tube  26  in position before covering with the strap. 
     Preferably, the flexible jacket assembly  12  and the flexible liquid-tight container assembly  22  are dimensioned to fit around a wearer&#39;s wrist such that a wristband liquid container apparatus  10  is provided. Alternatively, the flexible jacket assembly  12  and the flexible liquid-tight container assembly  22  are dimensioned to fit around a wearer&#39;s head such that a headband liquid container apparatus  10  is provided. 
     The first fastener element  18  and the second fastener element  20  are made from complementary hook-and-loop material, such as well-known VELCRO (™) material. 
     To retain the wrist-carried liquid container apparatus  10  on a person&#39;s wrist, as shown in FIG. 1, the flexible jacket assembly  12  is wrapped around the person&#39;s wrist, the flexible spout tube  26  is bent against the second fastener element  20 , and the first fastener element  18  is attached to the second fastener element  20 . With the flexible spout tube  26  bent against the second fastener element  20  and with the first fastener element  18  attached to the second fastener element  20 , there is a crimp  17  in the flexible spout tube  26 , and the crimp  17  serves as a shut-off valve for the flexible spout tube  26 . The tube may also be formed having a distal spout end having a small opening or slit and/or may utilize a cap or plug instead of or in combination with the crimp  17  to prevent flow of the liquid during storage. 
     The dimensions of the first fastener element  18  and the second fastener element  20  are provided such that a wide range of amounts of attachment overlap can accommodate a wide range of wrist sizes. For larger wrist circumferences, a smaller amount of fastener overlap would occur. For smaller wrist circumferences, a larger amount of fastener overlap would occur. 
     When the first fastener element  18  is detached from the second fastener element  20  a sufficient amount to allow the flexible spout tube  26  to be lifted and uncrimped, the person can suck on the flexible spout tube  26  like a straw to obtain liquid from the flexible container portion  24 . With the first fastener element  18  completely detached from the second fastener element  20 , the wrist-carried liquid container apparatus  10  can be completely removed from the person&#39;s wrist and laid flat, such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The flexible container portion  25  can be filled through the flexible tube spout  26  or through a separate fill hole (not shown) in the flexible container portion  24 . Disposable bags filled with liquid, ice, or other semisolid fluid may be used as well. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS.  12 - 18  utilize a collapsible spigot  32  attached to the tube  26  of the flexible container  22 . A typical spigot  32  arrangement as shown best in FIGS.  12 - 13  has a cylindrical base portion  34  connected to a neck  36  of smaller diameter extending upward therefrom wherein the neck  36  can be pushed downward into the cylindrical base portion  34 . The spigot  32  includes a stopper  38  defining a plunger  40  extending from a cover flap  42  optionally connected to the base  34  or neck  36  by strap  37 . The plunger  40  of the stopper  38  is formed being smaller or larger than the neck  36  of the spigot for cooperatively engages the distal end of spigot neck  36 . In the collapsed state the spigot  32  can be nested in the opening  15  of the exterior jacket  12  or optionally be covered with a strip of material such as the cover flap  19 . The spigot  32  is comprised of soft pliable plastic and preferably the plunger  34  is integrally molded or attached to the spigot body tube  26 . 
     The flexible jacket assembly  12  can be made from heat insulating material, such as a cloth material. The volumetric capacity of the flexible container portion  24  can be any suitable volume. More specifically, a relatively small amount of water, for example 4 to 6 ounces, can be stored in the flexible container portion  24  to fend off dehydration for a runner or other person participating in an athletic activity. In this respect, the wrist-carried water container apparatus  10  of the invention is lightweight, comfortable, and will not hinder movement, slosh, or create excessive bulk. 
     The components of the wrist-carried water container apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable metal and plastic materials. 
     The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art based upon more recent disclosures and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.