GB2515269B - Water bottle - Google Patents

Description

Water bottle

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a water bottle.

Background to the invention

Many people who take part in physical activities such as, for example, running or cycling have a need to carry liquid on their person, usually held in a portable water bottle .

Carrying the water bottles, particularly whilst running, is a common problem. Holding the bottle or a handle of the bottle in a clenched hand is not preferable as this quickly becomes uncomfortable and can interrupt the running style and rhythm of the user.

Many runners carry a belt of some kind on which the water bottle can be clipped, or carry a backpack to hold the bottle. These methods too can become uncomfortable and disruptive, particularly when movement causes the bottle to repeatedly knock against side of the wearer.

The present invention aims to provide a water bottle, the shape and design of which allows it to be located around a limb the wearer without the need for it to be handheld or the need for any separate fixing means.

Statement of invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided fluid carrying apparatus having an outer helical tubular casing which, in use, holds fluid, and an inner helical tubular member within the outer casing through which the fluid can be delivered from the outer structure.

Preferably one end of the outer casing comprises an outlet nozzle connected to the inner tubular member.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a cap or lid that is locatable over the outlet nozzle.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a closed end piece connectable to the end of the outer casing opposite to the end having the outlet.

Preferably the outer casing is made from a flexible plastics material.

Preferably at least part of the surface of the outer casing is formed from a frictionless material. Alternatively said at least part of the casing includes a strip of frictionless material located on said part.

Preferably said part of the outer casing forms the inside surface of the apparatus that rests against a limb of a wearer in use.

Preferably said part of the outer casing is formed as a flattened section.

Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a water bottle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is perspective view of the water bottle of figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the water bottle;

Figure 4 is a cross-section of the water bottle taken through A-A of figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective deconstructed view of the water bottle apparatus showing the inner and outer casing;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the outlet valve of the water bottle;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the end section of the water bottle; and

Figure 8 is an end view of the water bottle including a cap .

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Referring first to figure 1, a water bottle 2 constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a tubular outer casing 4 that is helical in shape. The casing 4 is made from a flexible plastics material which has sufficient elastic memory to retain its helical shape. The shape of the bottle 2 is such that it can be located over and around an arm of the user so that it does not require the user to hold the bottle 2 in a hand. The coils of the helical structure are flexible allowing them to widen to be fitted over the arm. The elastic memory of the material then causes the coils to contract around arm. The material is sufficiently flexible such that the coils will only contract to fit around the arm and will not continue to contract to cause discomfort.

The material may have insulative properties to prevent any fluid within the casing from heating up through heat generated by the body of the wearer or through the ambient outside temperature, thereby retaining the fluid at a suitable drinkable and refreshing temperature.

As can be seen most clearly from figures 3 and 4, the outer casing 4 has a flattened section 6 extending along the length, or at least part of the length of the casing 4. In use the flattened section 6 forms the inner surface of the casing 4 that lies against the arm of the wearer. This provides additional comfort to the wearer.

The flattened section 6 is formed from a smooth frictionless material to prevent the casing 4 rubbing against the arm of the wearer during movement. The entire casing 4 may be made of the suitable frictionless material or alternatively only the material of the flattened section 6 is frictionless. Alternatively still, a seperate layer of frictionless material may be applied to the casing 4 along the flattened section 6.

Referring now to figures 4 and 5, the apparatus further comprises an inner tube 8 located within the outer casing 4. The inner tube 8 is also helical and follows the profile of the outer casing 4. The inner tube 8 provides a method of delivering fluid within the casing 4 to the user. The use of an inner tube 8 (as opposed to a simple opening in the end of the casing 4 to provide access to the fluid) provides sufficient pressure within the apparatus for the fluid to be readily delivered to the user with little effort. This is very important whilst the wearer is exercising as their balance and running stride will remain unaffected whilst the fluid is being consumed.

The inner tube 8 may sit freely within the outer casing 4 or may alternatively be held in position within and along the casing 4 via, for example, inner radial spokes (not shown) or similar means.

One end of the casing 4 includes an end section 10 (see figure 7 which includes a closed end piece 12 connected to a tubular connector 14 which fits into the end of the casing 4. The tubular connector 14 includes radial flanges 16 which abut against the inner wall of the casing 4 to provide grip and prevent accidental removal. The end piece 12 is clipped into the tubular connector 14 and can be unclipped from it to empty the casing 4 when required.

The other end of the casing 4, remote from the closed end section 10 includes a removable outlet section 18. The section 18 includes an outlet end 20 connected via an intermediary section 22 to a tubular connector 24. The tubular connector 24 also has radial flanges 26 to abut against the inner wall of the casing 4 to secure the outlet 16 to the end of the casing 4.

One end of the inner tube 8 is removably secured to the outlet end 20 such that fluid within the casing 4 can be sucked through the tube 8 and out through the outlet section 18 into the mouth of the user.

The outlet end 20 is removable from the intermediary section 22 to allow access to the inside of the casing 4 to allow the casing to be filled with fluid. A cap or lid 28 can be located over the outlet 20 when fluid is not required, as can be seen in figure 8.

Claims (7)

aims

1. Fluid carrying apparatus having an outer helical tubular casing which, in use, holds fluid, and an inner helical tubular member within the outer structure through which the fluid can be delivered from the outer casing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end of the outer casing comprises an outlet nozzle connected to the inner tubular member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein apparatus further comprises a cap or lid that is locatable over the outlet nozzle .

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises a closed end piece connectable to the end of the outer casing opposite to the end having the outlet.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer casing is made from a flexible plastics material.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the surface of the helical outer casing directed inwardly rests against a limb of a wearer in use.

7. Apparatus according to any of claim 6, wherein the inwardly directed surface is formed as a flattened section.