Patent Publication Number: US-7588145-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for extending the life of athletic balls

Description:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to the field of pressurized containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of pressurized containers used to store and re-pressurize tennis balls, racket balls, squash balls, basketballs, and the like. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Athletic balls used in games such as tennis, squash, racket ball, basketball, and the like are typically hollow, spherical in shape, and composed of rubber or a rubber-like material. These athletic balls are typically pressurized and, as such, will readily bounce off of a sports racket or the floor and walls of the court in or upon which the game is being played. Over time and through repetitive use, these athletic balls lose will gradually lose air through the process of osmosis which causes them to depressurize. When athletic balls depressurize, they soften and lose their resilience or, in more general terms, they lose their “bouce.” As a result, these athletic balls have a relatively short useful life and the user will eventually and continually have to replace them with newer, fresher athletic balls. 
   This problem of athletic balls losing pressure has been partially solved by sporting goods manufacturers who market these athletic balls in pressurized cans or containers. While stored under pressure, the athletic balls will not depressurize because the pressure in the can is equal to or greater than the pressure inside the ball. In fact, the athletic balls will not begin to depressurize until the storage container is opened and the athletic balls are put into play. The prior art has numerous examples of devices that use pressurized containers to slow down this depressurization or, in many cases, actually re-pressurize the athletic ball once it has been used. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,629 issued to Dubner et al. (1977) discloses a pressurized tennis ball container comprised of a separate cap with a hand-pump and one or more externally-mounted valves attached thereto. The cap screws onto a cylindrical threaded collar surrounding the top edge of a standard tennis ball container. The invention disclosed by Dubner et al. is similar to several others in the prior art that contemplate placing all of the external fixtures (valves, gauges, connections, etc.) on a removable cap that is somehow attached to the rim located at the top of a standard tennis ball container. 
   Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,478 issued to Hoffman (1984) discloses a self-sealing pump for use in sealing and pressurizing a container for tennis balls. This device, like the device disclosed by Dubner et al., contemplates a separate cap with a hand-pump and one or more externally mounted valves attached thereto. This cap also screws onto a cylindrical threaded collar placed around the top of a standard tennis ball container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,667 issued to Fitzpatrick (1984) discloses an apparatus and method for rejuvenating worn or used balls by subjecting them to steam heat in a closed environment. This device uses an external source of heat to pressurize athletic balls as opposed to an attached air pump or air compressor to pressurize the container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,196 issued to Bassili (1991) discloses a pressure vessel having a removable lid for storing objects under pressure. This invention was designed to accommodate the pressurization of numerous tennis balls in a single location trough the use of an electric air compressor attached to the pressure vessel. This invention permitted the user to pressurize a larger number of tennis balls than the three typically found in a standard, commercially distributed container. Bassili also disclosed a removable lid to form an airtight seal with the pressure vessel by means of an O-ring or PVC gasket. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,848 issued to Wild et al. (1991) discloses a portable device for storing multiple tennis balls under pressure. This device is similar to the pressurized ball containers disclosed by Dubner et al. and Hoffman in that it is constructed with a hand-pump physically attached to the exterior surface of the tennis ball container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,988 issued to Bronson (1994) discloses a pressurizing cap that fits over a conventional tennis ball container. This portable, inexpensive device relies upon the downward movement of the cap to compress the air trapped inside to pressurize the tennis ball container; in essence, the cap acts as a piston to compress the air in the container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,018 issued to Mader (1995) discloses a tennis ball handling system that has two storage systems. One storage system is quite complex and remains in a fixed location while the other, the player&#39;s storage container is much simpler in design and it is also portable. The player&#39;s storage container is comprised of a portable cylindrical container, a removable screw-on cap with input and relief valves placed thereon, and an external pressurizing source. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,596 issued to Issa (1997) discloses an inflated ball container and re-pressurizer that fit over the open end of a tennis ball container and forces compressed air into the closed container when the diaphragm on the cap is depressed. This device is quite similar in concept to the devices disclosed by Dubner et al. and Hoffman in that it uses a pressurizing source that is attached to the storage container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,286 issued to Eska (1998) discloses a container with a pressure vessel for regenerating and storing tennis balls. Eska discloses a device comprised of a portable, cylindrical chamber, with a removable screw-on cap with valves integrated into the cover itself, and an input connection located in the base of the container. The device disclosed by Eska contemplates the use of a hand-pump attached to the tennis-ball container or an external source, such as an air compressor. 
   In another field, U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,979 issued to Chiou (1995) discloses an adjustable sealed can that uses an attached hand-pump to withdraw air from the container through a valve screwed into a threaded hole in the container&#39;s removable screw-on top. 
   Cumulatively, these devices have made significant headway in addressing the problem of athletic balls losing their bounce. Successive inventors have built upon the lessons learned by their predecessors so as to disclose improved pressurized containers that are portable, more affordable, and more durable. That said, there remain several issues and problems that have not been adequately addressed by the prior art, both individually and collectively. Specifically: 
   (1) Most, if not all, of the devices found in the prior art are complex in design and construction and are difficult and complicated to operate. This makes them expensive to manufacture which, in turn, makes them expensive for the consumer to purchase. Further, these complex designs typically give rise to increasingly larger numbers of breakable parts. The parts must be replaced or the user must purchase an entirely new device either of which represents a significant increase in their cost to the consumer. 
   (2) Most, if not all, of the devices found in the prior art contain or rely upon specially or uniquely designed or fabricated valves, fixtures, gauges, and other such attachments. This makes these devices expensive because these specially designed valves, fixtures, and gauges must be engineered and manufactured separately which adds significantly to the cost of such devices. These increased manufacturing costs are passed on to the consumer Further, these specially designed or fabricated attachments typically give rise to increasingly larger numbers of breakable parts which, again, increases the cost of the device to the consumer who must repair or replace the broken parts or purchase a new device altogether. 
   (3) Most, if not all, of the devices found in the prior art contain fixtures, valves, and the like attached to a removable cap that would fit over a pressurized container. Further, these fixtures and valves typically extend vertically and outward from the surface of these removable caps. Such a configuration subjects these fixtures, valves and the like to an increased risk of breaking, bending, snapping-off, misalignment, or other such damage as the cap is repeatedly taken off the container, set aside somewhere, and then replaced. Further still, the cap, as it is repeatedly removed, set down, and reattached, is at risk of being dropped, jarred, shaken, stepped on, or otherwise knocked around physically. Any of these actions could damage, misalign, distort, or otherwise render ineffective the attachments in or on this removable cap. 
   (4) Most of the devices found in the prior art contain fixtures, valves, and the like attached to a removable cap that would fit over a pressurized container. This removable cap could be easily misplaced or stolen which would require the user to incur the expense of purchasing another such device or doing without. 
   (5) Most of the devices found in the prior a have some type of pumping mechanism physically attached to the athletic ball container. Having a pressurizing device such as a hand-pump physically attached to these devices adds to their complexity and expense of its design, manufacture, and operation which, in turn, makes them more expensive to the consumer. Further, the use of an attached hand-pump requires the user to move the piston or pump handle up and down in the vicinity of the container, making it awkward and difficult to move. Finally, the use of an attached hand-pump often requires a customized can to accommodate the hand-pump. 
   (6) Most of the devices disclosed in the prior art are limited in size to fit over a standard tennis ball container or to accommodate only tennis balls. Further, they are typically limited to use with containers made of a lightweight, malleable metal which, as previously mentioned, is often susceptible to deformation or other such damage leading to leakage. 
   (7) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed in the prior art require the use of gaskets or other such pliable, elastic materials to effect an airtight seal between the lid and the athletic ball container. These gaskets will eventually deteriorate and fail. As such, the gaskets have to be replaced which ultimately adds to the costs endured by the consumer who uses these devices. 
   (8) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed by the prior art have fixtures, valves, and the like which are exposed to dirt, dust, water intrusion, and other such contaminants that negatively impact the operability of such fixtures and valves and that will eventually cause them to deteriorate. Such deterioration renders the device ineffective or useless and thereby requires the user to repair or replace the damaged valves, purchase another such device, or do without. 
   (9) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed by the prior art contemplate the use of a standard, commercially distributed tennis ball canister that contains only three tennis balls. They cannot accommodate more than three tennis balls and they cannot accommodate other types of athletic balls. 
   (10) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed by the prior art contemplate a device designed to pressurize tennis balls. As such, their design and construction precludes their use in pressurizing other types of athletic balls. 
   (11) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed by the prior art contemplate the use of materials that have a relatively low compression strength which makes them susceptible to damage when an attached hand-pump is used to pressurize the device. 
   (12) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed by the prior art are limited to either an external source of compressed air or an attached source of compressed air (such as a hand-pump). 
   (13) Most, if not all, of the devices disclosed by the prior art are unstable and tend to tip over because of the numerous attachments, valves, and the like positioned near the top of the device. 
   (14) Many of the devices disclosed by the prior art are bulky, cumbersome, and difficult, if not impossible, to carry from place to place. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   The object of the present invention is to address the foregoing problems and to provide an improved apparatus and method for extending the life of tennis balls and the like by storing these athletic balls in a simple, low-cost, and portable pressurized container having protected inlet and relief valves embedded in the body of the container as opposed to the container&#39;s cap or cover. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention: 
   (1) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing, a container of athletic balls that is simple in design and operation, easy and inexpensive to manufacture, manufactured with off-the-shelf materials, easy to operate, and commercially reasonable in price. 
   (2) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that has a minimum number of moving parts. 
   (3) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that has all of its fixtures, valves, and the like embedded in the bottom of the container itself so as to minimize their exposure to risk of damage from bending, breaking, snapping off, being dropped, being shaken, tipping over, or being jarred. 
   (4) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that uses products that are durable and resistant to deformation. 
   (5) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that is easily transportable from one location to another. 
   (6) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that does not require the use of rubber or rubber-like material gaskets to maintain an air-tight seal. 
   (7) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that protects the fixtures, valves, and the like imbedded therein from exposure to dirt, dust, water, and other such forms of contamination. 
   (8) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that is not limited in the number or size of athletic balls contained therein. 
   (9) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that is simple and safe to operate. 
   (10) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that can use multiple sources of pressurization. 
   (11) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that has a minimum number of fixtures attached thereto. 
   (12) to provide an improved apparatus for pressurizing a container of athletic balls that minimizes the risk of damage to or loss of the valves, fixtures, gauges, and other such attachments necessary to safely pressurize such a container. 
   Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part of the description which follows and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification, or will be learned through the practice of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for extending the life of tennis balls and the like by storing such athletic balls in a pressurized portable container having protected inlet and relief valves embedded in the body of the container itself. The present invention represents a significant improvement over those inventions disclosed in the prior art by: 
   (1) using an external source to pressurize the container. 
   (2) minimizing the risk of damage to the attached or embedded fixtures, valves, gauges, and the like by embedding such fixtures in the body of the container instead of the removable cap or cover. 
   (3) fully protecting the fixtures, valves, gauges, and the like from contamination by dirt, dust, water, and the like. 
   (4) eliminating the use of gaskets to maintain an airtight seal. 
   (5) using off-the-shelf components for fixtures, valves and the like instead of complex, specially designed attachments. 
   These improvements provide the user with a device that is easier to operate and more affordable than similar devices disclosed by the prior art. The present invention is simple in design and construction which makes it easy to use and economical to manufacture. The present invention uses off-the-shelf components which, again, make it economical to manufacture. Finally, the present invention minimizes the exposure of vital components to damage which, in turn, extends the useful life of the device and thereby, presents a significant saving to the user who is no longer faced with necessity of replacing the device. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     Drawing Figures 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom-up plan view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with permanently embedded valve covers. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
   
       
         10 —Container 
         11 —Cover 
         112 —Cover top wall 
         113 —Cover side wall 
         12 —Bottom wall 
         13 —Side wall 
         14 —Top end 
         15 —Bottom wall inner surface 
         16 —Bottom wall outer surface 
         17 —Side wall inner surface 
         18 —Side wall outer surface 
         19 —External male threads 
         20 —Screw-on cover inner surface 
         21 —Screw-on cover outer surface 
         22 —Internal female threads 
         23 —Inlet valve 
         24 —Relief valve 
         25 —Valve hole 
         26 —Valve hole sides 
         27 —Valve cover 
         28 —Access passage 
         29 —Egress passage 
         30 —Attached internal gas pump 
         31 —Attached external gas pump 
     
  
   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Athletic balls used in games such as tennis, squash, racket ball, basketball, and the like are typically hollow, spherical in shape, and composed of rubber or a rubber-like material. During the manufacturing process, these athletic balls are typically pressurized so that they will exhibit elastic resiliency (“bounce”) while being used. However, because these balls are pressurized, the air inside will gradually seep out through the material composing the ball through the process of osmosis. When this happens, the athletic balls lose their bounce, which renders them unsuitable for continued use. 
   It is possible, however, to rejuvenate these depleted athletic balls by storing them in a closed container that is then pressurized. Because the pressure in the container is greater than the pressure inside the athletic ball, the air inside the athletic ball will no longer leak out. In fact, because of the overpressure in the container, the air in the container is, through the process of reverse osmosis, forced back into the athletic balls until the pressure inside the athletic balls is equal to the pressure in the container. This process restores the bounce to the athletic balls stored therein and thereby greatly extends their useful life. 
   DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred Embodiment 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a hollow cylindrical container  10  and a removable cylindrical cover  11  that creates an airtight seal between the container  10  and the cover  11  when the cover  11  is attached thereto. The container  10  is preferably molded and uniformly cast from a lightweight and durable metal such as aluminum or tin. However, the container  10  could also be molded and uniformly cast from a number of other lightweight and durable materials such as plastic, vulcanized rubber, and the like. Similarly, the cover  11  is preferably molded and uniformly cast from a lightweight and durable metal such as aluminum but could also be molded and uniformly cast from other lightweight and durable materials such as plastic, vulcanized rubber, and the like. Casting the container  10  and the cover  11  from the same material is economical and efficient but casting the container  10  and the container  11  from different materials is also an option depending upon the needs of the user. By way of example, the user may prefer a transparent container  10  which would suggest using plastic or Plexiglas in making the container  10 , whereas a cover  11  of the same material would not necessarily be required. 
   The container  10  has a generally circular bottom wall  12 , a generally cylindrical side wall  13 , and an open top end  14 . The bottom wall  12  has an inner surface  15  and an outer surface  16 . Similarly, the side wall  13  also has an inner surface  17  and an outer surface  18 . The outer surface  18  of the side wall  13  in the preferred embodiment has external male threads  19  machined, molded, or cast thereon adjacent to the top end  14   
   As stated previously, the container  10  is preferably molded and uniformly cast from a lightweight and durable metal such as aluminum but could also be molded and uniformly cast from other lightweight and durable materials such as plastic, vulcanized rubber, and the like. It is also feasible to cast the bottom wall  12  and the side wall  13  separately and then attach the side wall  13  to the bottom wall  12  using an appropriate thermal, mechanical, or chemical fusion procedure. Casting the bottom wall  12  and the side wall  13  separately allows the user the option of having the bottom wall  12  and the side wall  13  composed of identical materials or dissimilar materials. 
   Lastly, the cover  11  is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular cover top wall  112  closing off one end of the cover  11  and a generally cylindrical cover side wall  113  extending downward from the periphery of the cover top wall  112 . These features give the cover  11  a shallow and hollow cylindrical shape that is roughly the same diameter as the container  10  thereby permitting the user to completely and tightly close the container  10  with the cover  11 . Accordingly, the cover  11  has an inner surface  20  and an outer surface  21 . The inner surface  20  of the cover side wall  113  found in the preferred embodiment of the present invention has internal female threads  22  machined, molded, or cast thereon so as to easily engage and mate with the external male threads  19  found on the container&#39;s  10  side wall outer surface  18  when the user places the cover  11  on the container  10  and twists the cover  11  in a clockwise direction. 
   Attaching the cover  11  to the container  10  in this manner provides an airtight seal between the cover  11  and the container  10 . This screw-on cover  11  is the preferred method of maintaining an airtight seal between the container  10  and the cover  11  but other variants of the present invention contemplate the use of “snap-on”caps, interlocking teeth, gaskets, temporary sealants, and the like to maintain the airtight seal between the container  10  and the cover  11 . The airtight seal allows the container  10  and the athletic balls stored therein to remain pressurized. 
   An inlet valve  23  and a relief valve  24  are each inserted into a generally circular valve hole  25  extending all the way through the bottom wall  12  so as to create an airtight seal between each valve  23 ,  24  and the valve hole sides  26  of its respective valve hole  25 . The inlet valve  23  and the relief valve  24  are both securely imbedded in the bottom wall  12  in an airtight manner and so that no portion of either valve extends below the plane of the outer surface  16  of the bottom wall  12 . The inlet valve  23  is typically an off-the-shelf variety valve such as the type found on a bicycle tire, automobile tire, inflatable mattress, inflatable life vest, and the like that will easily connect to a hose leading from an external air compressor. The relief valve  24  is also a typically off-the-shelf variety one-way valve that will open at a predetermined air pressure set point to prevent an excessive build up of air pressure inside the closed container  10 . 
   Embedding the inlet valve  23  and the relief valve  24  in the bottom wall  12  in this manner protects the valves from damage or breakage typically experienced by valves that protrude. Further, embedding the valves  23 ,  24  in the bottom wall  12  instead of the cover  11 , which is typical of the devices disclosed by the prior art, significantly reduces the exposure of these valves to risk of damage or breaking by being dropped, jarred, shaken, kicked, stepped on, or otherwise mistreated. Although the preferred embodiment only contemplates embedding an inlet valve  23  and a relief valve  24  in the bottom wall  12 , other, more complex variations contemplate embedding additional valves, fixtures, and gauges in the bottom wall  12  as well. These additional valves, fixtures, and gauges include, without limitation, items such as a pressure gauge and additional inlet valves to accommodate multiple sources of pressurization. These additional valves, fixtures, and gauges, like the inlet valve  23  and the relief valve  24  disclosed by the preferred embodiment, would also be embedded in the bottom wall so that they do not extend below the plane of the outer surface  16  of the bottom wall  12 . 
   Finally, a generally cylindrical uniformly cast and solid valve cover  27  composed of a soft, elastic material is permanently inserted into the valve hole  25  running through the bottom wall  12 . The valve cover  27  is composed of a soft, durable, elastic material such as rubber or plastic and is inserted into the valve hole  25  so that no portion of the valve cover  27  extends below the plane of the outer surface  16  of the bottom wall  12 . This valve cover  27  keeps dirt, water, and other such contaminants from coming into contact with the inlet valve  23  or the relief valve  24 . 
   To accommodate delivery of pressurized air from an external source of air, an access passage  28  would be drilled through the valve cover  27  associated with the inlet valve  23 . Since the material composing the valve cover  27  is soft and elastic, the access passage  28  would expand to permit the user to push the air hose, air needle, air valve, or other such delivery mechanism through the valve cover  27  and connect the delivery mechanism to the inlet valve  23  and thereby pressurize the container  10 . When the container  10  has been pressurized, the delivery mechanism is disconnected from the inlet valve  23  and withdrawn back through the access passage  28 . Since the material composing the valve cover  27  is soft and elastic, the access passage  28  would remain open to permit the user to withdraw the air hose, air needle, air valve, or other such delivery mechanism and then collapse upon itself and close, thereby maintaining the protective cover over the inlet valve  23 . To accommodate the air escaping through the relief valve  24 , an egress passage  29  would be drilled through the valve cover  27  associated with the relief valve  24 . The egress passage  29  would expand and open to permit escaping air to pass through the valve cover  27  in the event of over-pressurization of the container  10 . When no more air is trying to escape, the egress passage  29  collapses upon itself and closes thereby maintaining the protective cover over the relief valve  24 . 
   In another variant of the preferred embodiment, the valve cover  27  is removable in which case it would be composed of a soft elastic material that would permit the user to simply stuff the valve cover  27  into the valve hole  25  when not pressurizing the container  10  and removing the valve cover  27  with the thumb and forefinger when it becomes necessary to pressurize the container  10 . 
   While economics and market forces may suggest a cylindrical container  10  sized to accommodate three tennis balls, the present invention contemplates no such restrictions. Accordingly, the shape of the container  10  can be cylindrical, rectangular, spherical, pyramidal, or any other geometric shape that will support the concept of a container  10  with an airtight cover  11  and an inlet valve  24  and a relief valve  25  embedded in the bottom wall  12  of the container  10 . Similarly, the container  10  can be sized to accommodate and pressurize any number of tennis balls, racket-balls, squash balls, basketballs, or any other such athletic balls. While larger containers may permit embedding the inlet valve  24  and the relief valve  25  on the exterior side of the bottom wall  12  or even the side wall  13 , the unique features of the present invention, embedded and protected fixtures, continue to characterize these variations. 
   DESCRIPTION 
   Alternative Embodiment 
     FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention having an attached internal gas pump  30  that is embedded in the bottom wall  12 . This attached internal gas pump  30  permits the user to pressurize the container  10  without having to rely upon a separate, external source of air. The attached internal gas pump  30  can vary in design and complexity, depending upon the needs and budget of the user and the size of the container.  FIG. 5  shows an attached internal gas pump  30  that is little more than a compressible elastic dome with a hole in the top that forces air through the inlet valve  23  when the user compresses the elastic dome. In this particular configuration, the attached internal gas pump  30  (the collapsible dome) also functions as an additional valve cover  27  for the inlet valve  23 . 
   The attached internal gas pump  30  could also be configured as, without limitation, a hand-pump, a lever arm with a piston and cylinder arrangement, a compression head with a piston and cylinder arrangement, an electrical or battery-powered air compressor, or any other such pumping means that will fit completely inside the bottom wall  12 . 
   DESCRIPTION 
   Alternative Embodiment 
     FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the present invention having an attached external gas pump  31  that is attached to the side wall outer surface  18 . This alternative embodiment also permits the user to pressurize the container  10  without having to rely upon a separate, external source of air. The attached external gas pump  31  can vary in design and complexity, depending upon the needs and budget of the user and the size of the container.  FIG. 6  shows an attached external gas pump  31  that is little more than a hand-pump. The attached internal gas pump  31  could also be configured as, without limitation, another type of hand-pump, a lever arm with a piston and cylinder arrangement, a compression head with a piston and cylinder arrangement, an electrical or battery-powered air compressor, or any other pumping means that can be attached to the side wall  13  outer surface  18 . 
   OPERATION 
   Preferred Embodiment 
   The user, upon finishing the athletic activity associated with the athletic ball(s) to be stored in the container  10 , would simply twist the cover  11  in a counter-clockwise direction to remove it from the container  10 , deposit the athletic balls into the container  10 , place the cover  11  back on the container  10  near the top end  14  so that the external male threads  19  on the side wall&#39;s  13  outer surface  18  slide into and engage the internal female threads  22  found on the cover&#39;s  11  side wall  113  inner surface  20 , and then secure the cover  11  to the container  10  by twisting the cover  11  in a clockwise direction. 
   To pressurize the athletic balls stored inside the container  10 , the user would simply push the pressurizing hose&#39;s attachment cap or inflating needle through the access passage  28  and attach it to the inlet valve  23 . The user would then securely fasten the pressurizing hose from a separate and detached air compressor to the inlet valve  23  so as to form a tight seal between the pressurizing hose and the inlet valve  23 . If the inlet valve  23  is an off-the-shelf variety of the type commonly found on automobile and bicycle tires, the user would screw the pressurizing hose&#39;s attachment cap onto the grooves found at the top of such commonly available inlet valves. Alternatively, if the user is in a hurry he or she could simply cover the inlet valve  23  with the pressurizing hose&#39;s attachment cap. If the inlet valve is an off-the-shelf variety of the type commonly found on inflatable athletic balls, the user would simply insert the inflating needle attached to the end of the pressurizing hose through the hole found in such commonly available inlet valves. After the discharge hose has been fastened to the inlet valve  23 , the user would pressurize the container  10  to the desired pressure level. When the container  10  is pressurized to the desired level, the user would disconnect the pressurizing hose from the inlet valve  23  and withdraw it back through the access passage  28  which would then collapse upon itself and close so as to maintain provide a protective cover over the inlet valve  23 . Should the user inadvertently pressurize the container  10  above the desired pressure setting, the relief valve  24  would open and allow air to escape through the egress passage  29  so as to reduce the pressure inside the container  10  to the desired level. When the air pressure inside the container  10  is at its desired level, the relief valve  24  will close and the egress passage  29  would then collapse upon itself and close so as to maintain provide a protective cover over the relief valve  24 . 
   In the embodiment where the valve covers  27  are removable, the user would lift the valve cover  27  protecting the inlet valve  23  out of the valve hole  25  housing the inlet valve  23 . Similarly, the user would lift the valve cover  27  protecting the relief valve  24  out of the valve hole  25  housing the relief valve  24 . The user would then securely fasten the pressurizing hose from a separate and detached air compressor to the inlet valve  23  so as to form a tight seal between the pressurizing hose and the inlet valve  23 . If the inlet valve  23  is an off-the-shelf variety of the type commonly found on automobile and bicycle tires, the user would screw the pressurizing hose&#39;s attachment cap onto the grooves found at the top of such commonly available inlet valves. Alternatively, if the user is in a hurry he or she could simply cover the inlet valve  23  with the pressurizing hose&#39;s attachment cap. If the inlet valve is an off-the-shelf variety of the type commonly found on inflatable athletic balls, the user would simply insert the inflating needle attached to the end of the pressurizing hose through the hole found in such commonly available inlet valves. After the pressurizing hose has been fastened to the inlet valve  23 , the user would pressurize the container  10  to the desired pressure level. When the container  10  is pressurized to the desired level, the user would disconnect the pressurizing hose from the inlet valve  23  and reinsert the valve cover  27  into the valve hole  25 . Should the user inadvertently pressurize the container  10  above the desired pressure setting, the relief valve  24  would open and reduce the pressure inside the container  10  to the desired level. Should the user forget to remove the valve cover  27  covering the relief valve  24 , that particular valve cover would simply pop out to allow the air to escape. 
   In both configurations, the inlet valve  23  and the relief valve  24  are protected from damage and contamination. Embedding the valves in the bottom wall  12  protects the valves from damage typically found on protruding fixtures including, without limitation, bending, breaking, misalignment, falling out of calibration, etc. Further, since the valves are imbedded in the bottom wall  12  as opposed to the cover  11 , they are protected from the type of damage typically associated with valves housed in the removable tops of pressurized containers including, without limitation, bending, breaking, misalignment, falling out of calibration, caused by dropping or slamming the removable top. Further still, the valves are imbedded in the bottom wall  12  (as opposed to the cover  11 ) which is far less likely to be lost, misplaced, purloined, kicked, or stepped on. 
   OPERATION 
   Alternative Embodiments 
   In the alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the user would attach the cover  11  to the container- 10  as with the preferred embodiment. However, to pressurize the container  10 , the user would remove the valve cover  27  protecting the inlet valve  23  which, in this embodiment, is covering the attached internal gas pump  30  which, in this particular configuration, is a flexible and elastic hemispheric dome with a small hole in the top. Similarly, the user-would lift the valve cover  27  protecting the relief valve  24  out of the valve hole  25  housing the relief valve  24 . The user would then simply depress and collapse the dome with his or her thumb or finger, being sure to cover the hole in the top, so as to force air through the inlet valve  23  and into the container  10 . Because of its elasticity, the dome would snap back into its original shape and the user would repeat this process until the pressure in the container  10  has reached the desired level. The user would then replace the valve covers  27  and transport the pressurized container to the next desired location. Should the user forget to remove the valve cover  27  covering the relief valve  24 , that particular valve cover would simply pop out to allow the air to escape. 
   In another variation of this embodiment, the attached internal gas pump  30  (the hemispheric dome) also serves as the valve cover  27  so the steps of removing and replacing the valve cover- 27  over the inlet valve  23  would be eliminated. 
   In the alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the user would attach the cover  11  to the container  10  as with the preferred embodiment. As with the other embodiments of the present invention, the user would lift the valve cover  27  protecting the inlet valve  23  out of the valve hole  25  housing the inlet valve  23 . Similarly, the user would lift the valve cover  27  protecting the relief valve  24  out of the valve hole  25  housing the relief valve  24 . However, to pressurize the container  10 , the user would simply operate the attached external gas pump  31  until the pressure inside the container  10  is at the desired level. The user would then replace the valve covers  27  and transport the pressurized container to the next desired location. 
   CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
   The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for extending the life of tennis balls and the like by storing such athletic balls in a pressurized portable container having protected inlet and relief valves embedded in the body of the container itself. The present invention represents a significant improvement over those inventions disclosed in the prior art by: (1) using an external source to pressurize the container; (2) minimizing the risk of damage to the attached or embedded fixtures, valves, gauges, and the like by embedding such fixtures in the body of the container instead of the removable cap or cover; (3) fully protecting the fixtures, valves, gauges, and the like from contamination by dirt, dust, water, and the like; (4) eliminating the use of gaskets to maintain an airtight seal; and (5) using off-the-shelf components for fixtures, valves and the like instead of complex, specially designed attachments. 
   These improvements provide the user with a device that is easier to operate and more affordable than similar devices disclosed by the prior art. The present invention is simple in design and construction which makes it easy to use and economical to manufacture. The present invention uses off-the-shelf components which, again, make it economical to manufacture. Finally, the present invention minimizes the exposure of vital components to damage which, in turn, extends the useful life of the device and thereby, presents a significant saving to the user who is no longer faced with necessity of replacing the device.