Patent Application
20190039773
The invention relates to a device or apparatus for holding potable fluids and for disguising the nature of the fluid and, in particular, to flask-like apparatus for containing and transporting potable fluid while giving the appearance of containing or being something other than a flask.
Currently, many containers are known for storing, transporting, and permitting dispensing of fluids. The range of such containers includes large water coolers, sport bottles, flasks, and original containers such as liquor or soda bottles. The common denominator for many of these containers is that it is immediately apparent to another person that such either hold or likely hold potable liquid.
Of course, in most instances people are not concerned with others being aware that a possessed container indeed suggests possession of a liquid. As an example, a person working out in a gym would almost be expected to possess a sport bottle, and few would expect that bottle to contain anything other than water or a sport drink.
It is known to have a re-usable container for possessing and transporting a relatively small amount of liquid. That is, it is known to have so-called travel-sized mouthwash containers, and it is known to have a flask for liquor poured from a larger bottle so that a person may carry just the flask. However, these devices typically clearly display that they are in fact devices for carrying potable fluid.
In some instances, it is undesirable for others to know that potable liquid is possessed. For instance, a person prone to low blood sugar may carry a candy bar, but may also like to carry a sugary drink: such person may rather not have to explain to an inquiring person why they are carrying a flask and what the contents are. Another person may be taking regular doses of oral liquid medicine and may not want others being aware that they require such. In another example, a person may want to imbibe alcoholic beverages in a place in which such is permitted, yet not want others to know they are doing so: for instance, people may be wary of setting a poor example for children by bringing along a flask or liquor bottle to a picnic and thus would rather others not recognize that alcoholic beverages are possessed. The difficulty in such cases is that most devices for containing and possessing potable fluids are identifiable as being exactly that.
Accordingly, there has been a need for an improved device for containing, storing, transporting, and dispensing of potable fluids.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a device for containing, storing, transporting, and dispensing of potable fluids, wherein said device disguises the contents thereof. In the present form, the device presents itself as a tampon and tampon wrapper.
In the Figures,
Referring to the Figs., a device 10 for containing, storing, transporting, and dispensing of potable fluids, wherein said device 10 disguises the contents thereof, is illustrated. In the present form, the device 10 has an external appearance that is generally that of a tampon and tampon wrapper. Specifically, the device 10 includes a vessel 12 and a cover in the form of a wrapper 14, wherein the vessel 12 has a size and shape generally similar to that of a conventional tampon, and wherein the wrapper 14 is presented with the appearance of a conventional tampon wrapper, the vessel 12 being received within the wrapper 14 during use. As used herein, tampon is used to mean a conventionally available feminine hygiene product including an absorbable plug and its associated dispenser, as is known in the art. Generally, such tampons are approximately ¼″ to ½″ in diameter with a length of 3-6″.
Turning to the details of the vessel 12, a body 13 is provided with a size and shape generally corresponding to a tampon. The body 13 is shown as being tubular, such as may colloquially be called a “test tube.” The body 13 has walls 20 defining a fluid storage volume 22. The vessel 12 includes a cap 24 for sealingly engaging with the body 13. In the present form, a portion of the cap 24 is received within and sealingly engages against an inner surface of the walls 22. As shown, the cap 24 includes a pair of radially extending seals 30 formed of elastically deformable material such that the seals 30 are compressed by the walls 20 upon receipt therein. The cap 24 includes a head 32 for defining the extent of receipt of the cap 24 within the body 13. In some forms, an additional seal may be formed between the head 32 and the body 13. The cap 24 is sized to be received within the body 13 and, therefore, both are sized for permitting pourable liquids such as water or alcohol-based products including liquor to pass when the cap 24 is removed. Such pourable fluids may have a viscosity of 100 centipoise or less and preferably at 20 centipoise or less, at ambient temperatures such as approximately 50-80 degrees F. For instance, the cap 24 and the corresponding vessel may be approximately ¼ in size or larger such as up to 1″ diametrally.
The vessel 12 can vary significantly in length and features, and it need not correspond in great detail to a tampon. That is, tampons come in a variety of lengths and diametral sizes, and the vessel may be larger than some tampons. The principal concern is that the vessel 12, when received within the wrapper 14, does not belie its underlying nature.
Specifically, it is the wrapper 14 that disguises and/or misdirects an observer as to the contents thereof. The wrapper 14 is given an appearance of a tampon wrapper. The wrapper 14 may be formed of paper or plastic, as is conventionally known. However, it is preferred that the wrapper 14 be plastic as it is believed to balance durability with the proper, expected appearance of a disposable tampon wrapper. In the present illustrated form, the plastic wrapper 14 is a strip of plastic folded over itself: the fold forms a first edge, while two other edges are made by connecting the strip edges. Thus, the wrapper 14 forms a pocket 40 with an opening 42 into which the vessel 12 may be received.
Importantly, and a distinction from conventional tampons, the wrapper 14 has a flap 44 extending beyond the opening 42 and pocket. The flap 44 includes a securement which, in the present preferred form, includes adhesive 46. The adhesive may be any pressure sensitive adhesive, though resealable adhesive is the preferred form such that the wrapper 14 like the vessel 12 may be repeatedly reused. The adhesive 46 may be exposed by removing a peelable layer 48, as seen in
It should also be noted that food safety is of concern. That is, it is known that plastics have a wide range of materials. Chemicals that are unhealthy or even carcinogenic leach out of plastics, particularly when in contact with other active fluids such as alcohol. Therefore, any portions of the vessel 12 (body 13 and cap 24) that may come into contact with liquid therein are formed of food-safe, food grade plastics.
As can be seen in the Figs., the device 10 is packaged like a tampon, exemplary printed artwork 50 being shown in the Figs. A person is able to re-usably fill and dispense fluid from the vessel 12, and is able to carry the device 10 and its contents in public with a significantly reduced concern with other people recognizing or suspecting that the device 10 contains potable liquid. Moreover, with the disguised packaging, another person would be misdirected from believing the device contains potable fluid.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/055,888, filed Feb. 29, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/243,612, filed Apr. 2, 2014, which itself claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/807,368, filed Apr. 2, 2013, the entirety of each being incorporated by reference herein.
