PERSONAL HYDRATION ON DEMAND SYSTEM

Abstract

A personal hydration system provided to allow a user to easily carry liquids during exercise. The device includes a housing that defines a cavity, wherein said housing is shaped to be received on an appendage of the human body. The housing may have an irregular surface that defines baffles for reducing sloshing of liquids. A padded handle portion may be provided that is oriented such that a human hand may grip the handle while the housing is affixed to a forearm. A valve may be located on the tip of the handle. A flexible stem may be affixed to the device for extending from the housing. A suitably configured strap is attached to the device for securing the device to a user. The housing may be provided with a protrusion for engaging an inside of a user's wrist to provide cooling contact with the user's wrist.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/940,532 entitled “PERSONAL HYDRATION ON DEMAND SYSTEM,” filed May 29, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to beverage containers, and more specifically to an arm supported beverage container for use by an individual during exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that exerting oneself, especially outside during the summer months, can lead to dangerous physical conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It is desirable to provide individuals who exert themselves in warm environments, e.g., athletes, soldiers, and other people who work outdoors, with a device that will enable them to easily carry cold water or other refreshing beverages, while at the same time providing cooling of the individual's body temperature to help prevent heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A personal hydration system for carrying on a person during strenuous activities is described herein. The personal hydration system of the invention includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing is shaped to be received and to rest comfortably on an appendage, such as a forearm or other appendage, of the human body. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has an irregular surface that defines baffles for reducing liquid sloshing within said cavity.

The personal hydration system may be provided with a handle portion oriented such that a human hand may grip the handle portion when the housing is affixed to a forearm. The handle portion may be surrounded by a padded grip. A tip may be provided on a distal end of said handle portion and a valve may be affixed thereto. Further, a flexible stem may be provided that extends from the housing for facilitating liquid delivery to a user. In the event that the flexible stem is attached, the device may attached to a user's waist, lower back, upper arm or other apparatus, e.g., bicycle, stroller, etc. Other attachments are also contemplated, including a flex straw that is rigid, but has a flexible tip, a long, rigid straw having a mouthpiece at a distal end or a short straw that protrudes from a cap.

The personal hydration system of the invention is preferably provided with a strap bar formed integrally with said housing to which a strap may be attached. The strap surrounds an appendage of a wearer for affixing said housing to the appendage of the wearer. Depending on where a user desires to attach the device, the strap may be provided having a length suitable for attaching the device to a user's upper or lower arm, around a user's waist, or around a user's wrist. Additionally, the strap may be provided with a pouch or receptacle for receiving a portable music device, cell phone, etc.

In one embodiment, the housing defines a protrusion for engaging an inside of a user's wrist once the housing is strapped to a user's forearm. The protrusion is provided for making cooling contact with the user's wrist. When cold liquid is added to the beverage container, the cooling nub helps cool the body's core temperature. It is additionally contemplated that LED lights, reflectors, reflector tape, etc., may be affixed to the device to increase visibility for the wearer who may wish to exercise after dark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the beverage container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the beverage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the beverage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the beverage container of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are top or plan views of the strap for the beverage container of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the container of the invention fitted with a flexible straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The hydration system 8 of the present invention has a housing 10 (FIGS. 1-4) that is designed to be worn by a person who wants to have a liquid accessible during exercise. Housing 10 further defines a first strap bar 16, a first channel 17, a second strap bar 18 and a second channel 19. In one embodiment, the Personal Hydration on Demand, or PHOD, system 8 is designed to hold 14 ounces of liquid. Other embodiments of the present invention can hold more or less than 14 ounces of liquid.

To use the system 8, a user fills the main cavity 12 with a liquid of his or her choice, connects the handle portion 14, which may be threadably received on housing 10, attaches strap 20 and begins exercising. There are two parts to the system 8: the bottle portion, or housing 10, which defines main liquid cavity 12, and the strap 20 (FIGS. 5, 6) that secures the bottle to the user's forearm or other appendage.

Strap 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. Strap 20 is provided for surrounding an appendage of a wearer. Second end 24 is provided with a fastening means, such as a hook and loop faster, for securing second end 24 to a portion of strap 20. First end 22 has a first section 26 and a second section 28, each of which are provided with fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners, for securing first section 26 to first strap bar 16 and second section 28 to second strap bar 18.

The bottle, or housing 10, which defines liquid cavity 12 of the present invention may be made by using two types of plastics manufacturing: blow molding and injection molding.

Alternatively, a cap 40 may be provided having a tube 42 extending therefrom (FIG. 7). Tube 42 has a length that allows for housing 10 to be affixed to a wearer's waist, lower back, upper arm, or other apparatus, such as a bicycle, stroller, etc. Tube 42 may be relatively rigid and may be provided with a flexible tip or have a mouthpiece affixed thereto. Tube 42 may also be a short nub that is a part of cap 40.

Similarly, strap 20 may have different configurations to facilitate attachment to different areas, i.e., strap 20 may be attached to a user's upper arm or lower arm. Strap 20 may be of a length to facilitate attachment of housing 10 to a user's waist or wrist. Preferably, strap 20 is provided with a pocket for attaching a portable music device, cell phone, etc. Additionally, strap 20 may be provided with an attachment for a light source, such as an LED light.

The handle 14 is preferably provided with a padded grip 30. Tip 32 preferably includes a bite valve, threaded cap, or another type of selectively openable closing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, handle 14 is oriented such that a human hand may grip handle 14 while housing 10 is affixed an arm of the wearer. A connection device 33, such as a threaded connection, snap receptacle, or other type of connection, is provided to attach tip 32 to housing 10. Housing 10 is preferably a single, blow molded piece of plastic with irregular structure or baffles 34 (FIG. 2) formed in the structure to keep the sloshing of the liquid to a minimum. In one embodiment, baffles 34 are in the form of an opening in the main cavity having a size large enough to receive a human hand. Therefore, housing 10 is provided with a baffle 34 that allows a user to utilize a portion of housing 10 as a handle.

In one embodiment, housing 10 also includes a core cooling system, which consists of a small hump or nub 36 that rests below the user's wrist when housing 10 is strapped to a user's wrist or forearm. When cold liquid is added to the liquid cavity 12, the core cooling hump 36 rests against the user's wrist and helps cool the body. Also included on the outside of housing 10 are two channels 17, 19 for attachment of said strap 20 to housing 10.

The strap 20 provides a way for the user to secure the housing 10 to his or her forearm. Strap 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. Strap 20 can be made of neoprene or other suitable material and also may contain a small pouch for a key, cash or other small items.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A personal hydration system comprising:

a housing that defines a cavity;

wherein said housing is shaped to be received on an appendage of the human body;

wherein said housing has an irregular surface that defines baffles for reducing liquid sloshing within said cavity.

2. The personal hydration system according to claim 2 further comprising:

a handle portion oriented such that a human hand may grip said handle portion while said housing is affixed to a forearm.

3. The personal hydration system according to claim 3 further comprising:

a padded grip surrounding said handle portion.

4. The personal hydration system according to claim 3 further comprising:

a tip on a distal end of said handle portion, said tip having a valve affixed thereto.

5. The personal hydration system according to claim 2 further comprising:

an integral stem extending from said housing for facilitating liquid delivery to a user.

6. The personal hydration system according to claim 2 further comprising:

a strap bar formed integrally with said housing;

a strap engaging said strap bar and for surrounding an appendage of a wearer for affixing said housing to the appendage of the wearer.

7. The personal hydration system according to claim 2 wherein:

said housing defines a protrusion for engaging an inside of a user's wrist once said housing is strapped to a user's forearm, said protrusion for making cooling contact with the user's wrist.