Exercise Tote

Abstract

An improved hand-held water bottle holder, made of an absorbent cloth material, for carrying a bottle of water (or other beverage) that can be easily and conveniently carried by an individual who is engaged in physical activities such as walking and running. The water bottle holder incorporates a detachable absorbent cloth, one or more internal pockets, and a pocket that may be sealed and used to conveniently store and carry small essentials, such as an identification card, keys, and/or a cellular phone.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a package and article carrier, and, in particular, to a liquid or liquid-holding container or carrier that incorporates a detachable towel for personal use and pocket for storage. The present invention further relates to absorbent packaging intended for use during sports and related activities.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Maintaining a healthy level of hydration while running and/or jogging is extremely important. Dehydration can lead to cramping, heatstroke, and heat exhaustion. Healthcare professionals and physical fitness advisors stress while walking and/or running, individuals should drink when they become thirsty, particularly when engaged in such activities in the heat. In fact, one rule of thumb among runners is that an individual should have six to eight ounces of fluid every twenty minutes or so during a brisk walk or run.

The rate at which an individual perspires is directly related to the recommended level at which the particular individual needs to consume water or another beverage to adequately and effectively hydrate the body. The perspiration rate of an individual may vary between one (1) and four (4) quarts per hour. As such, for health considerations, it is advisable that an individual who is walking or running for exercise carry along with him/her a sufficient amount of water (or other suitable beverage) to hydrate his/her body while engaged in his/her respective activity.

In addition to the task of carrying fluids needed to hydrate the body while power walking or running, for example, it oftentimes is a nuisance to carry an absorbent cloth such as a terry cloth hand towel to remove perspiration. Having immediate and easy access to a towel when needed while engaged in physical activities that trigger heavy perspiration, such as power walking, running, and tennis, would be very beneficial.

The prior art includes devices that address either the issue of hydrating the body or of removing perspiration from the body while engaged in certain physical activities such as power walking or running. Nothing in the prior art, however, provides a means to simultaneously and adequately address the awkwardness of carrying a beverage bottle that ultimately is used in hydrating the body and the need for immediate access to an absorbent material for removing perspiration from the body while engaged in certain physical activities, particularly in the heat. Nor do the prior art devices incorporate multi-purpose materials that insulate beverage containers while providing absorbing utilitarian aspects as well.

The container carrying device illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,161,935 to Roberts (1938), for example, is described as a flexible jacket or cover for thermos bottles and other receptacles made with a handle to carry the device and to use as a pouring spout when positioned in a particular matter. Several other prior art patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,444 to Larson (1984); U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,746 to Thompson (1996); U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,944 to Rueter (1997); U.S. Des. Nos. 385,106 (1997), 391,120 (1998), and 393,572 (1998) to Melk; U.S. Des. 418,373 to Fair (2000); U.S. Des. 423,200 to Burrus (2000); and U.S. D467,418 S to Perron (2002) disclose jackets and holders for beverage containers, some of which incorporate holding means. In addition, the prior art patent U.S. Des. 407,209 to Brown and Robertson (1999) discloses an ornamental design for a flask container.

The prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,280 to Taylor (1985) discloses a bottle cover made of an absorbent material that may be adjusted to the size of a bottle and a package. The cover itself is in the form of a pouch having a cavity in which the bottle may be received. The device is specifically intended for use with bottles that are typically used with products such as baby oil, suntan or body lotion or food products, including ketchup and cooking oil. Even in the context of use with water bottles and the like, this device, however, does not provide a means to simultaneously carry an absorbent material for the user's personal use. Furthermore, this particular prior art patent provides no means of additional storage for small essentials, such as identification, keys, and a cellular phone.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,461 to Wright (1973) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,502 to Trimble (1988) each illustrate towels that are adapted to be worn by the user and detached when needed for use. One concern with these prior art patents is that it requires the user to attach the towel to his/her clothing which may prove to be a nuisance once the individual is engaged in physical activity, either due to the repeated bumping of the towel against the user's body and/or to the towel interfering in the user's movement. More notably, neither of these prior art patents provide a means to carry a water bottle and the like.

While a number of bottle jackets, holders, containers and the like, and towel attachments are known in the prior art, what is needed is an improved hand held water bottle holder that incorporates an absorbent material that is immediately available to the user for personal use and a means to conveniently store and carry small items. The present invention is not expressly suggested or implied by the prior art. Instead, the present invention is unique in design and discloses a substantial improvement to the prior art in that it discloses a bottle holder that is made of an absorbent material and that incorporates both a detachable towel that may be readily removed from the holder for immediate use when needed, and a pocket-like storage compartment that also is easily accessible.

Thus, to address the problems aforementioned, the present invention allows an individual to conveniently carry a water (or sports drink) bottle by hand while walking and/or jogging, while also providing (1) a detachable towel that is readily accessible for personal use, namely for removing perspiration, (2) a storage compartment that may be used to hold small essentials such as identification, a cellular phone, and/or keys, and (3) an absorbent material that also may function to insulate the beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hand-held water bottle holder made of an absorbent cloth material that allows an individual to carry a water bottle, or the like, in a convenient manner, and which incorporates a towel that may be readily detached from the water bottle holder when needed for personal use. The absorbent cloth material, e.g., terry cloth, will serve to absorb condensation that may form on the beverage container and any perspiration that may form on and/or collect in the user's palm or on the forehead. This invention is needed particularly in instances wherein an individual is engaged in outdoor activities such as power walking and running. The present invention is also useful for the gym, yoga and other fitness classes, and the like.

The bottle holder, substantially rectangular in shape, is designed with a pouch located on one side and with a cloth extension (resembling a flap) on the opposite side of the holder. The cloth extension portion may be folded around the pouch containing the water bottle at the center seam of the holder wherein the pouch and flap are joined. A pocket for storage is attached to the front face/side of the flap portion of the holder. A towel, dimensioned to be the same size as the flap portion of the holder, is attached to the holder by way of an attachment means, e.g., a strip of Velcro, at the center seam of the holder wherein the pouch and flap portions are joined, and lies atop the flap and pocket.

This invention additionally may be made with reflective elements for safety.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder, made of an absorbent cloth material, for carrying a bottle of water (or other beverage) that can be easily and conveniently carried by an individual who is engaged in physical activities such as walking and running.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder that is made of an absorbent cloth material and that incorporates a detachable absorbent cloth, such as a towel, that may be conveniently and neatly stored within the holder until needed for personal use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder that is made of an absorbent cloth material and that incorporates a detachable absorbent cloth, such as a towel, and that incorporates a pocket that may be sealed and used to conveniently store and carry small essentials, such as an identification card, keys, and/or a cellular phone.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder that is made of an absorbent cloth material and that incorporates a detachable absorbent cloth, such as a towel, with a simplistic durable design having a minimal number of components.

Still yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder that is made of an absorbent cloth material, that incorporates a detachable absorbent cloth, such as a towel, and that is affordable and reusable, machine washable, and thereby easily maintained.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder that is made of an absorbent cloth material, that incorporates a detachable absorbent cloth, such as a towel, and that is machine washable, and thereby easy to maintain.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved hand-held water bottle holder that is made of an absorbent cloth material and that incorporates one or more pockets into a flap portion that can be wrapped around the bottle holder portion of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention open prior to use.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention as it is closed for use.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with an attached towel portion.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a bottle held in the invention, a handle, and a plurality of internal pockets incorporated into the flap portion.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention open prior to use is shown. The body of the device 101 comprises a pouch portion 102 and a flap portion 103. A recess 104 is formed by the pouch portion 102 of the invention being folded back on itself to form the recess 104. The recess 104 is preferentially open at one end such that a beverage container or bottle may be placed within the recess 104 and as further shown in FIG. 4. The flap portion 103 of the invention comprises a rectangular area with a first connecting portion 105 located on the flap portion 103, the first connecting portion 105 located distally to the pouch portion 102, and oriented to correspond to a second connecting portion 106 on the pouch portion 102. When the flap portion 103 is wrapped around the pouch portion 102 as shown in FIG. 2, the first connecting portion 105 contacts the second connecting portion 106 so as to firmly, yet removably fasten the pouch portion 102 to the flap portion 103. The first connecting portion 105 may comprise connecting means chosen from a wide variety of available connecting means. In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting portion 105 and the second connecting portion 106 comprise commonly available hook-and-loop fasteners.

FIG. 2 shows the present invention with the flap portion 103 folded around the pouch portion 102, with the first connecting portion 105 and second connecting portion 106 in direct contact with each other. The connecting portions 105 and 106 are in contact with each other, securing the flap portion 103 around the pouch portion 102, while maintaining the recess 104 for a beverage or other type of container.

FIG. 3 shows the present invention with a towel 301 removeably affixed to the flap portion 103 by means of a first and second connecting grommets 302 and 303. It will be understood that, while the first and second connecting grommets 302 and 303 are shown in FIG. 3, any equivalent connecting means may be utilized, such as hook-and-eye connecting means or the equivalent, fabric clips or connectors, or the equivalents, and the connecting means may be constructed of metal, plastic, or the equivalent, and preferentially is constructed of lightweight yet durable material.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the present invention is shown with the flap portion 103 open and the first connecting grommet 302 located on the flap portion 103. The invention as shown in FIG. 4 further comprises the first connecting portion 105 and a pocket 402, the pocket 402 being utilized by the user for retaining keys, identification, money, or other items that the user wishes to securely store while exercising and/or running. FIG. 4 further shows a water bottle 401 held within the present invention, as the invention would be generally used. FIG. 4 further shows internal pocket portions 403 incorporated into the body of the flap portion 103, and a handle 404.

The invention herein has been described in detail, and in light of the FIGS. 1-4. It will be understood, however, that the description herein is not intended to be limiting, and variations in materials and configuration of the invention may be made without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hand-held bottle holder comprising:

A substantially rectangular shaped cloth material with a pouch portion that is shaped to form a recess, the recess shaped such that a liquid container is insertable into the recess;

A flap portion to the substantially rectangular shaped cloth material, the flap portion being substantially planar;

A first area of fastening material located on the flap portion at the end of the article distal to the recess;

A second area of fastening material located on the exterior part of the pouch portion; and

Said first area of fastening material and said second area of fastening material being joinable by folding the flap portion around the pouch portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the point at which the pouch portion and flap portion are joined, namely, at the right side edge of the pouch portion of the hand-held bottle holder and at the left side edge of the flap portion, is perpendicular to the opening of the pouch.

3. The device of claim 1 also comprising:

A sealable pocket that is affixed to the front side of the flap portion of the holder; and

A detachable absorbent cloth material of the same size of the flap portion that is fastened to the holder by way of the fastening strip(s), and that is stored atop the front side of the flap portion, thereby covering the pocket storage compartment.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the said container is generally cylindrical in shape.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the said cloth material is comprised of absorbent cloth.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the said cloth material is machine washable.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising one or more connecting portions.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the flap portion further comprises one or more internal pockets incorporated into the flap portion.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle.