Abstract:
The present invention is a fluid storage container facilitating its efficient retrieval, use, and discard by an individual engaged in an athletic activity. The invention is comprised of a weighted base attached to a tube so that both are rotatably disposed effecting a self righting movement about a preferred axis. In preferred embodiments, fluid is stored within a chamber along the tube. In alternate embodiments, fluid is stored within both tube and base.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/274,323, filed Oct. 18, 2002. The subject matter of the prior application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    None.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention generally relates to a container for sports activities. Specifically, the invention is a weighted, fluid storage container preferring a specific orientation when resting on a surface. Exemplary applications include a hand-held sports bottle and a ground mounted watering station.  
           [0005]    2. Background  
           [0006]    Access to and consumption of fluids are important considerations during an athletic competition. Fluid filled containers are commonly used during athletic events to facilitate hydration so as to maintain energy and performance levels of a participant. The time required to retrieve, drink from, and thereafter discard a fluid filled container must be minimized so as to maximize the competitive advantage of a participant.  
           [0007]    Conventional container designs burden an athlete and frustrate desired efficiencies. An athlete must retrieve and discard a container in a manner consistent with its design. Furthermore, the consumption of a fluid from a container often requires an athlete to operate a valve-like element.  
           [0008]    Sports containers are typically cylinder shaped with a flat bottom. Preferred placement is achieved by resting the flat bottom on a horizontal surface. Lucas, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,952 issued Dec. 29, 1999, is a specific illustration of a sports bottle having a flat bottom. A value-like cap facilitates fluid consumption and prevents spillage when preferred placement is not achieved.  
           [0009]    Container designs similar to Lucas require a conscious effort on the part of the athlete to achieve proper usage. In particular, the athlete must insure the container rests in a preferred orientation to avoid spillage and/or to achieve its retrieval for subsequent usage. Consequently, container designs within the related arts preclude discard via dropping or throwing rather preferring a controlled release.  
           [0010]    What is required is a fluid container facilitating its efficient retrieval and discard during an athletic activity. What is required is a container that is self righting when dropped or thrown. What is required is a container that is sufficiently robust so as to resist damage when dropped or thrown. What is required is a container that prevents fluid spillage during retrieval and discard.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    An object of the present invention is to provide a container facilitating its efficient retrieval and discard during an athletic activity.  
           [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is self righting when dropped or thrown.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is sufficiently robust so as to resist damage when dropped or thrown.  
           [0014]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a container that prevents spillage when retrieved or discarded.  
           [0015]    The present invention is comprised of a disk shaped weighted base having one end of a tube fixed to the base in a perpendicular or nearly perpendicular arrangement. Mass properties of tube and base insure self righting movement about a preferred axis.  
           [0016]    The weighted base is composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a dense plastic. In preferred embodiments, the base is composed of a rigid homogenous mass. In alternate embodiments, the base is comprised of a rigid upper element fixed to a deformable lower element. An exemplary lower element is a flexible sack filled with a particulate. In yet other embodiments, an outer shell is filled with a dense ballast material.  
           [0017]    The tube is composed of a rigid, impact resistant material, preferably a low-density plastic. A variety of tube shapes are possible. For example, the tube may have a uniform-diameter, cylindrical profile or a tapered profile having a smaller diameter at one end and a larger diameter where tube attaches to the base.  
           [0018]    Several fluid storage options are provided by the present invention. In preferred embodiments, a fluid storage chamber is contained within the tube. In yet other embodiments, additional fluid storage is provided within a chamber housed within the rigid base component. Fluid storage within the base further enhances the self righting capability of the invention.  
           [0019]    In preferred embodiments, a fluid stop, a first cap, and a straw are desired. A washer shaped fluid stop is provided within the tube to restrict movement of fluid within the tube thereby insuring the desired self righting motion. A cup shaped first cap is attached at the tube end opposite of the base attachment. A first cap is secured in a fashion that allows its removal from the tube. A straw is slidably disposed within a hole provided through fluid stop and first cap.  
           [0020]    Alternate embodiments include several optional elements. A cup shaped second cap is secured to the straw end extending from the container. One or more hand grips are either fixed to or slidably disposed along the exterior surface of the tube. Preferred grip materials include low-density, compressible foams.  
           [0021]    Two advantages are offered by the present invention. The invention simplifies discard of a fluid filled container during a sports activity by insuring an orientation optimally suited to retrieval. The invention prevents fluid spillage via a self righting motion thereby avoiding fluid flow towards the open end of the container. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of self righting container.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing self righting motion of container about a preferred axis.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a section view of container wherein fluid is stored within a tube.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a section view of container showing an alternate embodiment wherein fluid is stored within both tube and weighted base.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a section view of container showing an alternate embodiment having a ballast-filled base.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a section view showing weighted base composed of rigid upper element and deformable lower element with fluid storage within tube.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a section view showing weighted base composed of rigid upper element and deformable lower element with fluid storage within tube and weighted base.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is an exemplary section view showing hand grip disposed about the tube. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    The present invention relates to a container  1  for storing and dispensing fluid during an athletic event. FIGS. 1-8 describe the present invention and variations thereof Drawings are not to scale.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a side elevation view is shown of one embodiment of the present invention referred to hereafter as a container  1 . The container  1  is comprised of a weighted base  2  attached to a second end  12  of a tube  3  and having a first cap  4  removably attached at a first end  9  of the same tube  3 . A straw  5  is fixed or slidably disposed with respect to the first cap  4 . A second cap  6  is attached to yet detachable from the straw  5 .  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary container  1  is shown in a preferred vertical orientation with respect to a surface  20 . The container  1  has a center of mass insuring orientation about the preferred axis  21 . The preferred axis  21  may be perpendicular to or nearly perpendicular to the surface  20 . Movement of the container  1  away from the preferred axis  21  causes a self righting motion towards the preferred axis  21 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the container  1  wherein fluid is stored within a tube  3  attached to a weighted base  2 . The weighted base  2  is composed of a solid, circular shaped element having a cross section symmetrically disposed about the preferred axis  21 . The bottom surface  29  of the weighted base  2  is contoured so as to allow rotation of the container  1  towards the preferred axis  21 . While a self righting elliptical cross section is shown in FIG. 3, other self righting shapes known within the art are applicable to the present invention.  
         [0035]    Again referring to FIG. 3, the tube  3  is composed of a cylinder shaped element of smaller diameter than the weighted base  2  and having a first end  9  and a second end  12 . Tube  3  shapes include right-circular and tapered cylinders, as well as variants of the before mentioned having a textured exterior surface  25  to improve grip characteristics. The first end  9  of the container  1  is open whereas the second end  12  is closed via a bulkhead  27  attached to or molded onto the second end  12 . The diameter and length of the tube  3  determine fluid storage capacity. The tube  3  may be composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a low-density plastic, examples including but not limited to polyethylene and polypropylene.  
         [0036]    The tube  3  is attached to the weighted base  2  preferably within a recessed cavity of comparable shape along the top surface  28  of the weighted base  2 , as shown in FIG. 3. While various attachment methods are possible, the tube  3  may be adhesively bonded to the weighted base  2  or mechanically fastened via threads along mutually contacting surfaces between tube  3  and weighted base  2 . Alternatively, the weighted base  2  and tube  3  may be molded to form a single unit when composed of plastic or other formable material.  
         [0037]    The center of mass of tube  3  and weighted base  2  with and without fluid should be sufficiently positioned to insure self righting movement of the container  1  about the preferred axis  21 . In preferred embodiments, the center of mass is positioned along the preferred axis  21  adjacent to the top surface  28  or within the cross section of the weighted base  2 . The weighted base  2  may be composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a dense plastic. In preferred embodiments, the weighted base  2  is composed of a rigid homogenous mass.  
         [0038]    A fluid stop  8  comprised of a washer shaped element is disposed along the interior surface  31  of the tube  3 . Referring again to FIG. 3, the fluid stop  8  is positioned along the tube  3  so as to restrict fluid movement within a storage chamber  7  formed by tube  3  between fluid stop  8  and second end  12 . The fluid stop  8  may be slidably disposed along or mechanically fastened to or adhesively bonded to the interior surface  31  at a predetermined depth. A slidably disposed fluid stop  8  facilitates adjustment to the fluid column within the tube  3  to tailor the mass properties of a fluid filled container  1  to achieve the desired self righting movement. The fluid stop  8  may be composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a low-density plastic, examples including but not limited to polyethylene and polypropylene.  
         [0039]    A first cap  4  comprised of a cup shaped element is removably attached to the first end  9  of the tube  3 . Attachment is achieved via an interference fit between first cap  4  and tube  3  or via a thread arrangement along mutually contacting surfaces between first cap  4  and tube  3 . The first cap  4  may be composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a low-density plastic, examples including but not limited to polyethylene and polypropylene.  
         [0040]    A straw  5  comprised of a tube shaped element is slidably disposed within an opening  24  along the first cap  4  and an orifice  23  along the fluid stop  8 . The straw  5  is positioned within the container  1  so as to facilitate fluid consumption from the storage chamber  7 . Limited gas flow is provided between straw  5  and orifice  23  and opening  24  to prevent the formation of a vacuum as fluid is removed from the container  1 . The straw  2  may be composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a low-density plastic, examples including but not limited to polyethylene and polypropylene.  
         [0041]    A second cap  6  is attached to and removably from the straw end  32  extending from the container  1 . While various shapes and attachments are possible, a preferred second cap  6  is comprised of a washer shaped ring  10  slidably disposed about the straw  5  having a tab  11  attached to a cup shaped cover  13 . The cover  13  fits snugly over the straw end  32 . Both ring  10  and tab  11  insure continued attachment of cover  13  to straw  5  when cover  13  is removed from the straw end  32 . The second cap  6  may be composed of an impact resistant material, preferably a low-density plastic, examples including but not limited to polyethylene and polypropylene.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of an alternate embodiment of the container  1  wherein fluid is stored within both tube  3  and weighted base  2 . In this embodiment, the second end  12  of the tube  3  is open thereby communicating fluid within a second storage chamber  26  within the tube  3  into a first storage chamber  16  composed of a cavity within the weighted base  2 . A straw  5  is sidably disposed through both first cap  4  and fluid stop  8  so as to facilitate consumption of fluid from both first storage chamber  16  and second storage chamber  26 . Limited gas flow is allowed between straw  5  and orifice  23  and opening  24  to prevent the formation of a vacuum as fluid is removed from the container  1 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 5-7 show alternate embodiments of the weighted base  2 . FIG. 5 describes a weighted base  2  composed of a shell  14  filled with ballast  17 . The shell  14  may be composed of a flexible or rigid material including but not limited to impact resistant plastics. The ballast  17  is a dense particulate or homogenous mass, examples including but not limited to plastic, sand, or metal.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 6 and 7 describe bi-layer embodiments of the weighted base  2 . FIG. 6 shows a rigid upper element  18  fixed to a deformable lower element  19 . FIG. 7 is a variant of FIG. 6 wherein the rigid upper element  18  has a cavity comprising a first storage chamber  16  communicating with a second storage chamber  26 . The rigid upper element  18  is composed of an impact resistant plastic. The deformable lower element  19  is composed of a flexible sack-like membrane, examples including cloth or rubber filled with a particulate mass, preferably a dense plastic, metal, sand or similar material. In both embodiments, the rigid upper element  18  and deformable lower element  19  are attached along a horizontally disposed interface  33 . Attachment is provided via mechanical fasteners or adhesive layer between rigid upper element  18  and deformable lower element  19 . The deformable lower element  19  absorbs and dissipates impact energy when container  1  is discarded. The bottom surface  29  of the weighted base  2  is contoured so as to facilitate rotational motion of the container  1  towards the preferred axis  21 .  
         [0045]    In alternate embodiments, one or more grips  22  are provided along the exterior surface  25  of the tube  3 . Referring now to FIG. 8, the container  1  is shown with a single tube shaped grip  22  having horizontally disposed finger grooves  34  surrounding a tube  3 . The grip  22  may be slidably disposed along the exterior surface  25  of the tube  3 . In preferred embodiments, the grip  22  is adhesively bonded to tube  3  While various grip  22  materials are possible, preferred embodiments are composed of a low-density compressible material, one example being foam.  
         [0046]    The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.