ES1311233U - ERGONOMIC FLEXIBLE CONTAINER FOR THE STORAGE AND FILTRATION OF LIQUIDS DURING HYDRATION IN SPORTS AND/OR FIELD ACTIVITIES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible, rollable, ergonomic container for storing and purifying liquids during hydration during sports and/or field activities, comprising: An external rollable flexible cover bag (1) that has a liquid storage device (4) housed inside it, which in turn is connected to a purification device (3) and the latter in turn connected to an intake and suction device (2) that protrudes from the external rollable flexible cover bag (1). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0003] ERGONOMIC FLEXIBLE CONTAINER FOR THE STORAGE AND FILTRATION OF LIQUIDS DURING HYDRATION IN SPORTS AND/OR FIELD ACTIVITIES

[0005] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to containers for storing liquids useful during sports and/or field activities, mainly containers comprising mechanisms for purifying and filtering the liquid contained in the container, especially water.

[0009] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Immediate hydration for humans during sports or other activities has been a constant need. This need has driven the development of numerous hydration devices, some portable and others attached to a limb.

[0013] Generally, liquid containers suitable for use during sports activities have limited space, allowing only for liquid storage. For example, US patent 9,113,699, published in the United States, discloses a "hands-free" hydration device designed to be worn on the forearm. The device comprises elements for attaching it to the forearm and a storage, intake, and dispensing system for the liquid, which consists of a bladder, a filling cap, an intake valve, a hose, and a nozzle.

[0015] US patent document US2012152986, published in the United States of America, discloses a hydration system comprising a flexible cuff, the lining of which may be a soft or absorbent material, integrated with a flexible bladder or reservoir. The bladder or reservoir holds a quantity of stored water and contains expandable ribs that allow the user to regulate the amount of liquid contained in the bladder. The bladder is attached to the flexible cuff, and the combined system is generally cylindrical to tapered cylindrical in shape.

[0017] The cuff and bladder may be flat pieces that are folded and joined at the edges to form the tapered cylinder. Several adjustable straps may be attached to the bladder. If present, the elastic straps extend around the bladder and are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bladder, and are adjustable by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. A plug is detachably connected to an opening in the bladder, which opening serves to introduce fluid into the bladder. A swivel joint may be attached to the plug and provide a fluid passage between the inside and outside of the bladder.

[0019] A flexible straw may extend from an outer end of the swivel joint or cap to draw the housed liquid. Whether or not a swivel joint is used, the straw extends from the hand end of the bladder and draws water from the cuff, usually from the elbow end of the bladder. The point where the user drinks water is at the end of the straw adjacent to the hand end, and the water is drawn at a point adjacent to the elbow end.

[0021] In US patent document US2017360184, published in the United States, a hydration device is disclosed that includes a sleeve that is securely worn on a limb, such as a user's forearm, and contains a bladder for holding liquids such as water, sports drinks, etc. The bladder is removable and includes a filling port and a valve for drinking. The hydration device can be designed to absorb shocks while in use, but is lightweight and flexible enough to conform to the user's body.

[0023] In U.S. patent document US2016083163, a hydration device is disclosed that includes: a band of material with a specific shape and dimension to fit around a user's limb; a bladder pocket connected to the band of sleeve material; an opening extending into the bladder pocket to allow the insertion of a hydration bladder into the bladder pocket; and a nozzle port extending through the band of sleeve material. Other embodiments and features are described, including single-use hydration bladders and garments incorporating hydration sleeves.

[0024] In patent document CN102724895 published in China, a personal hydration system is disclosed that includes a flexible bladder, a filling port assembly, an outlet port, and a drying mechanism.

[0026] The drying mechanism is configured to be selectively positioned to engage the outer surface of the flexible bladder and deform the flexible bladder from a non-dry configuration to a dry configuration in which the opposite side portions are further apart from each other and further away from the central axis of the flexible bladder than when the flexible bladder is in the non-dry configuration to allow air circulation in the inner compartment of the flexible bladder.

[0028] In some embodiments, the drying mechanism is coupled to the filling port assembly. In some embodiments, the drying mechanism includes at least one elongated member that is pivotally coupled to the filling port assembly.

[0030] Another identified need is to have potable water available for the user of sports practices, which is desirable to obtain by capturing water from any source, whether natural or from an aqueduct.

[0032] Various systems have been developed for water filtration and purification. For example, Colombian patent application CO 09073503 discloses a biological water purification filter comprising an internal sand trap, a membrane aspiration system, a plastic residue-retaining membrane, and other components. However, despite the system's efficiency, it requires considerable space for implementation, making it impractical for use in containers employed in sports activities.

[0034] Therefore, there is still a need to achieve an ergonomic device that supplies potable water to the athlete or any user and that can be drunk immediately without having to suspend their activity, and that the water stored in said device can be collected from any source that is within their reach without any danger to their health.

[0035] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic flexible container for the storage and filtration of consumable liquids during sports practices or in any other activity in which portability and immediate availability of liquids for body hydration is preferable.

[0038] Another object of the invention is to provide an ergonomic flexible container that facilitates the purification of water from aqueducts or natural sources.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0042] The following are schematic figures of a particular embodiment of the invention, whose dimensions and proportions are not necessarily the actual ones, as the figures are intended solely to illustrate its various aspects, the scope of protection of which is determined only by the appended claims. In these figures, the reference codes indicate identical or similar elements without being limiting.

[0044] Figure 1 illustrates the top view of the ergonomic flexible container.

[0046] Figure 2 illustrates the bottom view of the ergonomic flexible container.

[0048] Figure 3 presents a schematic of the internal configuration of the ergonomic flexible container.

[0050] Figure 4 presents a schematic of the internal configuration of the ergonomic flexible container in a second arrangement of the water storage device ducts.

[0052] Figure 5 presents an exploded view of the inlet and suction device and the water purification device that make up the ergonomic flexible container.

[0054] Figure 5a presents a top view of the cross-section of the filter cover, which shows the presence of a cross-sectionally arranged mesh.

[0056] Figure 5b presents a top view of the filter cross-section, which shows the presence of a filter mesh arranged transversely.

[0058] LIST OF ELEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0060] The following list corresponds to the set of elements that are part of the present invention. The reference code included in the set of figures is indicated in front of each element for easy identification:

[0062] Ergonomic flexible container<(R)>

[0064] Roll-up flexible cover outer bag<(1)>

[0066] Exterior wall (1.1)

[0067] Interior wall (1.2)

[0068] Hook closure (1.3)

[0069] Closing loops (1.4)

[0071] Intake and suction device (2)

[0073] Nozzle (2.1)

[0074] Nozzle base (2.1.1)

[0076] Adjustable screw cap (2.2)

[0078] Water purification device (3)

[0080] Elastic duct (3.1)

[0081] Connection port with nozzle base (3.1.1)

[0082] Airtight adjustable threaded base (3.1.2)

[0084] Filter cap (3.2)

[0085] Lid mesh (3.2.1)

[0087] Filter (3.3)

[0088] Filter housing (3.3.1)

[0089] Filter bed (3.3.2)

[0090] Filter mesh (3.3.3)

[0092] Filter cap adjustment base (3.4)

[0093] Threaded mouth (3.4.1)

[0095] Liquid storage device (4)

[0097] Roll-up flexible compartments (4.1)

[0098] Main duct (4.2)

[0099] Interconnection ducts (4.3)

[0100] Hoses (4.4)

[0102] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0104] The present invention relates to an ergonomic flexible container (R), adjustable to the human body, particularly to the limbs of an individual, useful mainly in the development of sports activities or any other in which immediate availability of liquids for hydration is required.

[0106] The ergonomic flexible container (R) comprises a rollable flexible outer cover bag (1) that can be rolled up and attached to a part of the human body, wherein said part of the human body is preferably a segment of an upper limb.

[0108] In the external rollable flexible cover bag (1) of the ergonomic flexible container (R), there is an internally housed liquid storage device (4) interconnected with an inlet and suction device (2) and with a purification device (3), so that, when the user introduces liquids from natural sources or aqueduct and subsequently sucks with his mouth the contents housed inside the invention, an immediate double filtration occurs for the removal of suspended particles, odors and dissolved heavy metals.

[0110] The invention satisfies the need to provide a container for liquid storage, practical for use during sports or any other activity, which also allows for the filtration and purification of water, which is essential in places where access to drinking water is impossible.

[0112] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0114] This disclosure corresponds to the detailed explanation of some of the modalities of the invention and does not imply the limitation of the scope of the invention defined in the claims.

[0116] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the reference numbers indicate identical or similar elements in the corresponding drawings.

[0118] For the purposes of understanding the described invention, the expression “ergonomic flexible container” defines the invention as an element that allows the storage of liquids and whose design allows flexibility properties (easy bending) of all its components and ease of adjustment by its comfortable wrapping around some part of the human body.

[0120] In general terms and according to figures 1 to 5, the ergonomic flexible container (R) consists of an external rollable flexible cover bag (1) that has an inlet and suction device (2) internally connected to a water purification device (3) which in turn is connected to a liquid storage device (4).

[0122] A more detailed description of each of the structural components of the invention and their particular configuration is then provided:

[0124] Roll-up flexible cover outer bag

[0126] In Figures 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the invention can be seen, in which the rollable flexible outer cover bag (1) has a quadrilateral shape and comprises an outer wall (1.1) and an inner wall (1.2), where the assembly of these walls is carried out around their entire perimeter, that is, along all their edges with prior introduction of the internal components.

[0128] The previously mentioned assembly is carried out by selected assembly techniques of sewing, welding, etc.; it is also possible to carry it out by producing a single flexible piece that is bent to obtain the appropriate shape.

[0130] The quadrilateral to which the shape of the roll-up flexible outer cover bag (1) is related may be a square, but is preferably a rectangle or a trapezoid with angles close to a rectangle.

[0132] The bag (1) comprises fastening elements on the shorter sides of the quadrilateral that allow it to remain attached to a part of the human body, preferably a segment of an upper limb. The fastening elements are selected from Velcro, hooks, buttons, zippers, among others. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Velcro or, in technical terms, an invisible hook-and-loop fastening mechanism is incorporated, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2.

[0134] Figure 1 shows that the outer wall (1.1) has a loop closure (1.4), and Figure 2 shows that the inner wall (1.2) has a hook closure (1.3). This system results in an invisible closure commonly known as Velcro, once it has been interconnected around the user's upper limb.

[0136] In another embodiment of the invention not illustrated, the outer wall (1.1) may have a hook closure (1.3) and the inner wall (1.2) may have a loop closure (1.4). This variation does not correspond to an essential element of the invention, and therefore, it is possible to make any variations necessary to ensure the ergonomic fit of the invention.

[0138] In normal use of the container, a part of the human body is surrounded by the rollable flexible outer cover bag (1) in such a way that the inner wall (1.1) is in contact with the human body and the outer wall (1.2) is in contact with the environment.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet and suction device (2) interconnected with the water purification device (3) can also be seen externally to the bag (1), the entire assembly being attached to the bag (1) by means of the adjustment base of the lid to the filter (3.4), as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. In other embodiments of the invention, only the inlet and suction device (2) is external to the bag (1) because the water purification device (3) is located inside the bag (1), as shown in Figure 3.

[0142] Given the importance of the flexibility of the invention, the material selected for making the roll-up flexible outer cover bag (1) can be cotton, nylon, flexible plastic, and in general, any material that allows it to function as a flexible fabric or structure, preferably a flexible and highly elastic material.

[0144] Intake and suction device

[0146] Figures 3 to 5 show the arrangement and configuration of the inlet and suction device (2). This inlet and suction device (2) allows the fluid, preferably water, to enter for filtration and storage within the invention, and also allows the fluid to exit for consumption by the user.

[0148] According to Figure 5, the inlet and suction device (2) consists of a nozzle (2.1) with a base (2.1.1) and an adjustable screw cap (2.2) on top of said nozzle (2.1). This inlet and suction device (2) is external to said bag (1), and is therefore visible in Figure 1, on the outer wall (1.1).

[0150] When the user needs to fill the device with water, they unscrew the inlet and suction device (2), remove it, pour the water into the flexible conduit (3.1), and reinsert the inlet and suction device (2) to ensure a watertight seal. The user may choose to remove the removable flexible conduit (3.1) and leave the inlet and suction device (2) inserted directly onto the filter cover (3.2). When the user needs to consume the treated water from within the device, they simply slide the adjustable screw-on cover (2.2) and suck directly from the nozzle (2.1).

[0152] The intake and suction device (2) may be made of any suitable polymeric material known to any person of normal knowledge in the field.

[0153] Water purification device

[0154] Figures 3 and 5 show the arrangement and configuration of the water purification device (3) that is part of the invention. The water purification device (3) is a mechanism that allows for the immediate double treatment of the water stored within the invention.

[0156] The water purification device (3) is connected at its top to the inlet and suction device (2) and is connected at its bottom to the liquid storage device (4) (see figure 3).

[0158] The water purification device (3) consists of the following components:

[0160] - an elastic conduit (3.1) for water intake, preferably cup-shaped, which has a connection opening at its upper end for the nozzle base (3.1.1) and a hermetically sealed, adjustable threaded base (3.1.2) at its lower end. Figure 5 shows this essential section of the water purification device (3) and its connection to the nozzle base (2.1.1) and the filter cover (3.2). The elastic conduit (3.2) can be removed by the user or left in its connection as described above;

[0162] -a filter cap (3.2) arranged and inserted under the elastic duct (3.1), which has an essentially cylindrical configuration with a lower portion reduced in its cross-section and incorporates transversely a mesh (3.2.1) (see figure 5a);

[0164] - a filter (3.3) having a filter housing (3.3.1) which houses the filter bed (3.3.2) and a filter mesh (3.3.3) arranged transversely (see figure 5b). This filter (3.3) is housed inserted between the cover (3.2) and the threaded opening (3.4.1) of the filter cover fitting base (3.4).

[0166] The filter bed (3.3.2) preferably comprises activated carbon granules and allows the filtration of the liquid contained in the container (R) according to the invention, wherein the filter not only retains particles, but also adsorbs odors, metals and other contaminants that may be present in the liquid that the user may put into said liquid bag, such that when all the liquid is drawn in or flows through the nozzle (2.1) or the elastic duct (3.1), said complete flow of the liquid is forced to also pass through the filter bed (3.3.2).

[0167] The filter bed (3.3.2) consisting of activated carbon, is obtained according to the method described in patent NC2017/0013448, the holder of which is the same inventor of the present invention.

[0169] In one embodiment of the invention, the filter is made up of layers of absorbent material within which activated carbon is arranged.

[0171] Liquid storage device

[0173] Figures 3 and 4 show two preferred configurations of the liquid storage device (4) that is part of the invention. This component temporarily holds the water or liquid that will be consumed immediately during sports practice or any other activity.

[0175] The liquid storage device (4) is housed inside the roll-up flexible outer cover bag (1) and is connected to the water purification device (3) as shown in Figure 3.

[0177] The liquid storage device (4) comprises at least one rollable flexible compartment (4.1), preferably three interconnected rollable flexible compartments (4.1). The intermediate rollable flexible compartment houses a main duct (4.2), which receives the liquid from the purification device (3). This intermediate rollable flexible compartment also has interconnection ducts (4.3) in its side walls for easy connection to the other rollable flexible compartments and to allow the insertion of hoses (4.4) that permit the flow of the stored liquid.

[0179] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main duct (4.2) is independently connected to the hoses (4.4), as shown in Figure 3. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the main duct (4.2) is fully interconnected with the hoses (4.4), as shown in Figure 4.

[0181] The flexible roll-up compartments (4.1) are where the filtered water is initially housed during the filling of the invention, and these same compartments provide the water for its second filtration when the user performs suction through the inlet and suction device (2).

[0183] When water is introduced by the user, it passes through the inlet and suction device (2), then through the purification device (3), and then into the liquid storage device (4), specifically entering through the main duct (4.2). The water is then stored in the intermediate compartment, and as the water inlet increases, it passes through the hoses (4.4) to the other flexible, retractable compartments.

[0185] When the water is sucked in by the user, the stored water reverses its flow direction by exiting the rollable flexible compartments (4.1), passing through the main duct (4.2), being treated again through the water purification device (3) and finally exiting through the inlet and suction device (2) to fulfill its purpose for which the ergonomic flexible container (R) was developed.

[0187] The roll-up flexible compartments (4.1) are preferably made of a flexible and elastic material selected from, but not limited to, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride, among others and mixtures thereof.

[0189] In one embodiment of the invention, the rollable flexible compartments (4.1) for liquids comprise a multilayer system made up of two or more layers of materials selected from polyolefin, polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride, among others. The rollable flexible compartments (4.1) are manufactured using techniques known as injection molding, among others known to a person skilled in the art.

[0191] Technical Advantages

[0193] The present utility model has the following advantages:

[0195] - Facilitates the immediate availability of water for hydration of the user of the invention without the user having to interrupt their sports and/or field activities.

[0197] - Immediate purification of water from any source, whether natural or from aqueduct.

[0198] - Ergonomic due to its light fit to the body and comfort of use as a sports garment due to the breathability of the invention in view of the characteristics of the walls with which the external bag is made, as a garment for sports and/or field practices should be.

[0200] - The particular configuration of the internal compartments of the liquid storage device allows the stored water to have a uniform weight and cause imbalances and be lighter than a conventional container that normally causes a differential load.

[0202] - It can be used on either arm and is hands-free.

[0204] INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0206] As regards industrial application, the invention can be carried out by any person normally versed in the subject with access to the content of this description and to the information contained in the Colombian patent NC2017/0013448 cited herein as a reference.

[0208] Although some embodiments of the invention are described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and other embodiments may be conceived by those skilled in the art after the disclosure of this invention. For example, features for different embodiments may be used in other embodiments. Therefore, it shall be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications and embodiments that are within the spirit and scope of this description.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A flexible, rollable, and ergonomic container for storing and purifying liquids during hydration in sports and/or field activities, comprising: An external rollable flexible cover bag (1) that houses a liquid storage device (4) which in turn is connected to a purification device (3) and the latter in turn is connected to an inlet and suction device (2) that protrudes from the external rollable flexible cover bag (1). 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the rollable flexible outer cover bag (1) is quadrilateral in shape and is formed by an outer wall (1.1.) and an inner wall (1.2) assembled together around their entire perimeter, with fastening elements arranged on the shorter sides of the quadrilateral. 3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the fastening elements are selected from the group of hooks, buttons, invisible hook and loop fasteners. 4. The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rollable flexible outer cover bag (1) has a loop closure (1.4) and a hook closure (1.3). 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the inlet and suction device (2) is formed by a nozzle (2.1) with a base (2.1.1) and on said nozzle (2.1) is an adjustable screw cap (2.2); this whole assembly arranged on an elastic duct (3.1). 6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the water purification device (3) is connected at its upper part to the inlet and suction device (2) and is connected at its lower part to the liquid storage device (4). 7. The container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the water purification device (3) is structurally comprised of: -the cup-shaped elastic duct (3.1) which has a connection opening at its upper part with the base of nozzle (3.1.1) and at its lower part has an adjustable airtight threaded base (3.1.2); -a filter cap (3.2) arranged inserted below the elastic duct (3.1) and having a cylindrical configuration with a lower portion contracted in its cross section; -a filter (3.3) with housing (3.3.1) that houses inside a filter bed (3.3.2) and a filter mesh (3.3.3); and -a filter cap adjustment base (3.4) inserted inside the bag (1) and with an external threaded mouth (3.4.1) that contacts the lower part of the filter (3.3). 8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the filter (3.3) is fitted inside between the filter cap (3.2) and the threaded mouth (3.4.1) of the filter cap fitting base (3.4); and said filter bed (3.3.2) has granulated activated carbon. 9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage device (4) is formed by three rollable flexible compartments (4.1) interconnected by interconnecting ducts (4.3); the rollable flexible intermediate compartment has a main duct (4.2) housed inside it, independent of the other ducts, and has interconnecting ducts (4.3) in the side walls, through which hoses (4.4) are arranged. 10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the main duct (4.2) is fully interconnected with the hoses (4.4) arranged in each rollable flexible compartment (4.1).