U.S. patent application number 10/906994 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for low profile fluid container.
Invention is credited to Selsby, Adam B..
Application Number | 20050218154 10/906994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35053180 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050218154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Selsby, Adam B. |
October 6, 2005 |
Low Profile Fluid Container
Abstract
A flexible, low profile, wearable, concealable fluid container
is filled with fluid through at least one filling ports. The thin,
wearable, concealable, container comprises one or more separate
fluid bladders having at least one sealed point between the front
and rear bladder walls to ensure a low profile expansion of the
container when filled with fluid to maintain concealment while the
container is being worn. The wearable fluid container pouch
comprises two opposing pliable sidewalls.
Inventors: |
Selsby, Adam B.; (Cleveland,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adam Selsby
955 West Saint Clair
Suite 1616
Cleveland
OH
44113
|
Family ID: |
35053180 |
Appl. No.: |
10/906994 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60555655 |
Mar 24, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/94 ;
222/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/094 ;
222/175 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Having thus described the invention, I claim A fluid container
comprising at least one bladder, the bladder having a first
sidewall and a second sidewall connected at their periphery so as
to define a fluid cavity; at least one port fluidly connected with
the bladder; and at least one sealing point connecting the first
sidewall with the second sidewall to prevent overexpansion of the
fluid cavity, a. at least one separate and enclosed fluid bladder,
b. wherein each fluid bladder is filled through at least one fill
port, and c. each fluid bladder comprises two opposing pliable
sidewalls, and d. each bladders perimeter seal connects side one
and side two, and e. each fluid bladder has at least one sealed
point between side one and side two, and f. multiple fluid
containers may be connected in various configurations to create the
final product, although each container remains its own separate and
enclosed system, and g. each chamber may have one piece of flexible
tubing connected, and h. each piece of tubing may terminate in a
valve or short tube following and attached to valve.
2. A flexible fluid pouch comprising at least one bladder, the
bladder having a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected at
their periphery so as to define a fluid cavity; at least one port
fluidly connected with the bladder; and at least one ventilating
sealing point connecting the first sidewall with the second
sidewall to prevent overexpansion of the fluid cavity, a. At least
one separate and enclosed fluid pouch, b. a walled cavity which is
sealed at perimeter creating a void fluid pouch; and c. a port for
filling said void; and d. each fluid cavity has at least one sealed
point connecting the walls of said cavity at a location other than
said perimeter, thus limiting the expansion of the pouch when void
is filled with fluid; and e. each chamber sealed point contains a
ventilation hole or perforation for ventilation hole therein; and
f. each ventilation hole does not diminish the integrity of the
fluid containing fluid cavity.
3. A flexible contoured fluid container comprising at least one
bladder, the bladder having a first sidewall and a second sidewall
connected at their periphery so as to define a fluid cavity; at
least one port fluidly connected with the bladder; and a contoured
design to form to the shapes of the human body thereon; and a
plurality of means for attaching bladder to a human body, a. At
least one separate and enclosed fluid pouch, b. a walled cavity
which is sealed at perimeter creating a void fluid pouch; and c. a
port for filling said void; and d. each fluid cavity has at least
one sealed point connecting the walls of said cavity at a location
other than said perimeter, thus limiting the expansion of the pouch
when void is filled with fluid.
4. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sidewalls comprise a material selected from the group but not
limited to consisting of polyethylene, urethane, and vinyl, or
combination thereof.
5. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sidewalls comprise a material at a thickness of not less than 2 mil
gauge and not greater than 50 mil gauge.
6. The fluid container of claim 2, wherein at least one said the
sealed point comprise of at least one ventilation hole to allow the
flow of air through to a human body of a wearer of the fluid
container thereon.
7. The fluid container of claim 2, wherein at least one said sealed
point contains at least one perforation for a removable piece of
material therein, to provide a ventilation holes to allow the flow
of air through to a body of a wearer of the fluid container.
8. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein maximum capacity of the
bladder ranges from 50 ml to 2 liters.
9. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed with permeable or impermeable polymer based
materials.
10. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed with colored material or color is affixed
thereon.
11. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed with comfort external layer for on-body
wear.
12. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed with washable materials for multiple
reuses.
13. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed with hypoallergenic material.
14. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed with flushable material.
15. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said first and second
sheets are constructed of noise dampening material.
16. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said valve provide for
gas release without releasing fluid.
17. The fluid container of claim 1, wherein said bladder contains a
sponge or other absorbent material that limits the motion of fluids
contained therein.
18. The fluid container of claim 3, wherein said bladder is
attached to the human body using but not limited to adhesive,
Velcro, tape, strap, or garment thereon.
19. The fluid container of claim 3, wherein said bladder is molded
to stay thin when filled with fluid and expand in accordance with
the curvature of the human body, the intended placement on the body
thereon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/555,655 filed on Mar. 24, 2004, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to carry fluid under
ones clothing without being noticed visually. More specifically,
the present invention is a low profile, wearable, concealable fluid
container that retains its thin shape when filled by means of
sealed points. Container may contain fluids from a full spectrum of
low to high viscosity, density, and thickness.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The use of a flexible fluid container to store and transport
fluid is well documented. For example, intravenous bags are used in
the medical field. Flexible fluid containers are also used for
beverages designed for human consumption. And fluid containers are
used for human waste such as Ostomy and catheter bags.
[0004] A number of issues were identified with current technology
fluid containers for personal use. These include carrying the
container without using hands, and a flexible container that does
not bulge and or sag. Common solutions to these problems include
putting the pouch inside another container that is then affixed to
the user. This solves the hands-free but does not evenly distribute
the weight of the fluids over a very wide area.
[0005] These arrangements have drawbacks. The pouch is not a
self-contained system. The container apparatus cannot be concealed
under clothing. The pouch itself is subject to
shape-distortion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention consists a container that can be worn
in a number of embodiments and or configurations. Each container is
thin and flexible and may be concealed under clothing. The wearable
container comprises one or more separate fluid bladders. The
bladders are created by using two layers of a material that may be
welded, heat or RF sealed to form sidewalls and have sufficient
integrity to hold fluid without leakage. Composition materials
include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, urethane, and
vinyl. Each chamber has at least one sealed point between the front
and rear bladder walls. The sealed point may also be welded, heat,
or RF sealed. These sealed points ensure a low profile thickness of
the container when filled with fluid and while the container is
being worn. The bladder of the container is filled with fluid
through at least one filling ports.
[0007] It is, therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved container capable of holding, storing, and
carrying, internally therein, fluid.
[0008] It is, further, an object to provide a means of holding a
fluid without the use of the hands and without means of detection
by ordinary viewing of the users apparel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Objects and advantages together with the operation of the
invention may be better understood by reference to the following
detailed description taken in connection with the following
illustrations, wherein
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a first embodiment of
the inventive system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] With reference to the view of FIG. 1, the concealable
container is worn and held up by a belt that fits through the loops
A around the users waist. The fluid enters the container through
fill port opening B. The tube extends out of the bladder or main
body of the container 1, through the drain port D. The drain port
is connected to the tube F by means of a barbed connection E. The
tube continues down the length of the users leg, to the ankle,
where the tube ends with the fluid control dispensing mechanism
G--including but not limited to a tube clamp, pushbutton valve, or
stopcock. This all happens out of view, under external clothing
because it maintains a low profile, aided by the sealed points C
found throughout the main container body.
[0012] The perimeter seal of the bladder defines the shape of the
bladder. A port may be included in this seal if necessary to
achieve desired result. In this scenario, the perimeter seal
includes a seal with the port to continue the perimeter seal and
will aid to define the shape of the bladder.
[0013] The sealed point is a spot where the two opposing sides of
the bladder are connected at a location within the perimeter of the
enclosing perimeter seal. This sealed point limits the expansion of
the bladder when filled with fluid.
[0014] Sealed points are constructed with to allow the flow of air
to pass through both sidewalls of the bladder, at the sealed point.
This provides more comfort for the body wearing the bladder. This
ventilating hole may be constructed during manufacturing whereby
including the hole creating punch or seal in the manufacturing
tooling or process, so as to remove excess material that is within
the sealed point of the connection of the two opposing sidewalls.
The ventilation hole does not infringe on or alter the integrity of
the fluid-containing bladder.
[0015] An alternative ventilation hole creation method allows for
an individual to determine if ventilation holes are necessary after
the initial manufacturing and sealing process. This ventilation
hole is prepared for during manufacturing by a perforation so as to
allow the excess sealed material of the opposing two bladder
sidewalls, within the sealed point, to be removed. The ventilation
hole does not infringe on or alter the integrity of the
fluid-containing bladder.
[0016] A low profile, wearable, concealable fluid container is
filled with fluid through at least one fill port, and the container
is worn by the user. In this configuration, the user has access to
one or more valves each at the end of a piece of flexible tubing,
which extends from the lowest point of the body of the container
when the container is worn.
[0017] The thin, wearable, concealable container comprises one or
more separate fluid bladders having one or more sealed points
between the front and rear bladder walls to ensure a uniform
thickness of the container when filled with fluid and while the
container is being worn. The wearable container bladder comprises
two opposing pliable sidewalls, and the sidewalls are formed of a
composite material, such as, but not limited to, polypropylene,
urethane, and or vinyl.
[0018] The thickness of the material the bladder sidewalls are
constructed from has an impact on the flexibility of the container.
Therefore, the material thickness must not be less than 0.25 mil
gauge and not greater than 50 mil gauge. The flexibility affects
the capacity, durability, rigidity, shape integrity when filled,
manufacturing process, as well as other factors.
[0019] The materials for construction of the sidewalls of the fluid
bladder may determine the containers most effective use. The first
and second sheets used to construct the opposing sidewalls may be
of material that is permeable or impermeable. The possibility to
release gas through all or a portion of the sidewall material
constructed thereof, may aid in such uses as Ostomy. The release of
gas may be desirable to allow for more fluids while maintaining the
bladders low profile. Conversely, it may be desirable for material
to lock in all gas so as to retain the smell of the fluid contained
in the bladder.
[0020] The materials of the sidewalls of the fluid bladder may be
pigmented. The color offers functional or stylistic reason for the
need for different colors of fluid containers.
[0021] For added comfort, one side of the fluid container may be
constructed of material that provides added comfort when worn
against the skin. This may be an additional layer added after
initial construction or sealing of the fluid bladder.
[0022] The materials of the first and second sheets, used for
constructing the sidewalls of the bladder may be of a washable
consistency. The materials may be of the nature that allows the
bladder to be washed in a dishwasher or clothes washer, which
require a high level of heat resistance.
[0023] The materials of the first and second sheets, used for
constructing the sidewalls of the bladder may be of a flushable
consistence. It may be desirable for disposable or semi-disposable
fluid containers, such as Ostomy bags, the ability to flush the bag
down a standard toilet.
[0024] The materials of the first and second sheets, used for
constructing the sidewalls of the bladder are hypoallergenic. The
fluid bladders will often be against the skin. To allow wider usage
of this bladder, it should not harm or cause discomfort to the
skin.
[0025] The materials of the first and second sheets, used for
constructing the sidewalls of the bladder may be noise dampening.
This characteristic is desirable to decrease the sound generated
from the sloshing of fluids.
[0026] The fluid container is designed to stay thin when filled so
that it is not obvious or noticeable under clothing. Therefore, the
maximum capacity of said container ranges from fifty milliliters to
two liters, and still maintains the desired level of
concealability.
[0027] The release of gas from the fluid container from a gas
release valve may be used for Ostomy bags. Ostomy bags fill with
gas and may be released, offering more capacity for fluid, which
may not be desirable to release. This gas release does not release
other contents of the fluid container.
[0028] The bladder may be constructed with or added to, an
absorbent material therein. This material, will act like a sponge
for fluid, or gelatinize a fluid within the fluid container. This
will limit the fluidity of the fluid contents of the fluid
container.
[0029] Securing the fluid container to the human body may be
achieved but not limited to adhesive, Velcro, tape, strap or an
additional garment that is designed to hold the bladder in place.
These methods of securing the fluid container provide the ability
for use by all sizes of humans and multiple locations on the body
for which to secure the container.
[0030] The shape of the fluid container is constructed to fit the
curvature of the human body at the intended placement on the human
body, when filled. This is achieved through the pattern of sheet
one and sheet two and the pattern of the external perimeter seal
that connects sheet one and sheet two. This provides added
concealability under clothing when bladder is filled with
fluid.
[0031] Thus as can be seen, the present invention provides a
flexible, concealable system that retains its low profile when
filled with fluid while being worn. The present invention has
demonstrated shape retention versus bulging sac for current
flexible container technology. Thus the present invention provides
comfort by virtue of broad weight distribution, hands free
portability while providing compatibility with outer garments.
[0032] Additional configurations may include but are not limited to
containers in the form of a vest, smock, poncho, chaps, pants,
cummerbunds, and shorts as well as an assortment of shapes to
provide for use for as Ostomy type bag.
[0033] The foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. These
description and embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously
many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above disclosure. While the previous description and figure refers
to one shape, it is understood that other shapes are appropriate
for use in the invention. Although the invention has been described
with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features, and
the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible
arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and
variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
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