U.S. patent application number 12/505479 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for attachable device for providing drinking water and storing hot and cold food in an outdoor environment.
Invention is credited to Andrew C. Wagner.
Application Number | 20100019007 12/505479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41567729 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100019007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wagner; Andrew C. |
January 28, 2010 |
Attachable Device for Providing Drinking Water and Storing Hot and
Cold Food in an Outdoor Environment
Abstract
A device attachable to an article provides drinking water and
storage of hot and cold food. The drinking water is stored in an
insulated container that can be pressurized by a hand-pump inlet
valve. A plastic tube is attached to an outlet extending to a
position reachable to a user's mouth. The tube has a valve allowing
the user to control the flow of the drinking water. The device
further comprises a pair of insulated containers, one for storing
cold food and the other hot food. The container with the drinking
water and the pair of insulated containers are attachable to (and
separable from) each other (or can be permanently affixed). A
plurality of plastic clips can hold the tube to the article.
Inventors: |
Wagner; Andrew C.; (Mesa,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Morgan Law Offices, PLC
4635 S. Lakeshore Dr. Suite 131
Tempe
AZ
85282
US
|
Family ID: |
41567729 |
Appl. No.: |
12/505479 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61135628 |
Jul 22, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.2 ;
206/217; 206/545; 206/549; 220/23.83; 224/148.3; 224/148.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
3/16 20130101; A45C 11/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.2 ;
224/148.3; 224/148.7; 220/23.83; 206/217; 206/545; 206/549 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/18 20060101
A45F003/18; B65D 21/028 20060101 B65D021/028 |
Claims
1. A device for providing food and water in an outdoor environment,
comprising: a first component including an insulated container
capable of holding pressurized drinking water, the insulated
container including an inlet valve allowing air to flow into the
insulated container sufficient to pressurize drinking water therein
and an outlet allowing the pressurized drinking water to flow
outwardly; a tube attached to the outlet extending to a position
reachable to a user desiring to drink the drinking water, the tube
capable of transporting the drinking water and having a valve
allowing the user to control the flow of the drinking water; and a
second component including a plurality of insulated containers,
each of the plurality of insulated containers being open-able and
having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion and the
bottom portion being secured on a respective side with a hinge;
wherein the first component and the second component are attachable
to each other.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is attachable to a
backpack and the tube is reachable to a user wearing the backpack
such that the user is able to drink the drinking water supplied
from the tube.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the tube is attachable to the
backpack using a plurality of clips to hold the tube in place.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first component and the
second component are attachable to each other using a male-female
friction fit.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second
portion are permanently affixed to each other.
6. The device of claim 1, where at least one of the plurality of
insulated containers is suitable for holding cold food and at least
one other of the plurality of containers is suitable for holding
hot food.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the cold food is kept at a
temperature below 50 degree Fahrenheit and the hot food is kept at
a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first component and the
second component are each about sixteen inches in length.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlet valve is structured and
arranged such that the drinking water can be pressurized by hand
pumping air into the insulated container.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is attachable to a
golf cart.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is attachable to a
horse saddle.
12. A kit for attaching to a backpack a device for providing
drinking water and storing hot and cold food during a camping trip,
comprising: a first component including an insulated container
capable of holding pressurized drinking water, the insulated
container including an inlet valve allowing air to flow into the
insulated container sufficient to pressurize drinking water therein
and an outlet allowing the pressurized water to flow outwardly; and
tubing attachable to the outlet capable of transporting the
drinking water; wherein the first component is attachable to a
backpack and the first component is attachable to a second
component.
13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising the second component,
the second component including a pair of insulated containers.
14. The kit of claim 13, wherein each of the pair of insulated
containers is openable.
15. The kit of claim 13, wherein one of the pair of insulated
containers is suitable for storing cold food and the other is
suitable for storing hot food.
16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the cold food is kept at a
temperature below 50 degree Farenheit and the hot food is kept at a
temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the first component and the second
component are each about sixteen inches in length.
18. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of plastic
clips for securing the tubing to the backpack.
19. The kit of claim 12, further including a set of
instructions.
20. The kit of claim 12, wherein each of the pair of insulated
containers is lockable.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority
from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/135,628 filed by
Andrew C. Wagner on Jul. 22, 2008 and entitled "Auxiliary Fluid
Dispenser and Foodstuff Container For Backpacks And the Like", the
contents which are incorporated herein by reference
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an attachable device for
providing drinking water and storing hot and cold food in an
outdoor environment.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Carrying a backpack is a convenient method to travel with
gear. For many people it is the preferred way to travel into the
wilderness to experience the beauty of nature. While traveling this
way, it is usually desirable to carry both water and food to eat.
Water is typically carried in water bottles or in a canteen. Food
is often brought in the form of snack bars or stored in a container
and packed in the backpack.
[0004] However, there are certain drawbacks associated with the
conventional way of traveling with water and food. One main problem
is that it can be difficult to access the water, especially while
one is hiking along rough terrain. In practice, the camper will
usually stop what he or she is doing and then grab a bottle or
water or canteen to take a sip, and then proceed with the journey.
Likewise, if the snack is stored in the backpack, the camper will
have to stop, take the backpack off and search the backpack until
the item is found. Although some campers take energy bars along
instead, they often do not satisfy hunger for very long and are not
an adequate substitute for many people.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable for there to be a more
convenient way to obtain drinking water when needed and to consume
both cold and warm food while enjoying the outdoors.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A primary object and feature of the present invention is to
provide an attachable device for providing drinking water and
storing hot and cold food. It is a further object and feature of
the present invention for the device to be attachable to a camping
backpack. Still further, an object and feature of the present
invention is for the device to be attachable to various other
outdoor devices, such as a bicycle frame, a motorcycle, an ATV, a
boat, a golf cart, a horse saddle, exercise and poolside equipment,
etc.
[0007] A further primary object and feature of the present
invention is for the device to include an insulated container for
holding pressurized water and/or a pair of insulated containers,
one for holding cold items and the other for holding hot food. With
insulated food and drink containers separated into two compartments
it is very convenient to carry a warm meal in one side and cold
drinks in the other side. Moreover, because the units can be
separated or used jointly, many combinations are possible.
[0008] It is a further object and feature of the present invention
for the drinking water component and the food storage component be
attachable to (and separable from) one other.
[0009] A further primary object and feature of the present
invention is to provide a tube inserted in the container for
transporting water from the container to a user's mouth. A still
further object and feature of the present invention is for the tube
to be attachable to the backpack (or other outdoor device) using a
plurality of clips to hold the tube in place. Still further, an
object and feature of the present invention is to provide a valve
attached to an end of the tube allowing the user to control the
flow of the water to the user's mouth. Also, an object and feature
of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for the user to
add water to and pressurize the water in the container. Preferably,
using a small built-in pump one may pressurize the unit.
[0010] Other objects and features of this invention will become
apparent with reference to the following descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a device for providing food and water in an outdoor
environment is provided. The device comprises a first component
including an insulated container capable of holding pressurized
drinking water, the insulated container including an inlet valve
allowing air to flow into the insulated container sufficient to
pressurize drinking water therein and an outlet allowing the
pressurized drinking water to flow outwardly. Preferably, the inlet
valve is structured and arranged such that it can be "pumped" by
the user. A plastic tube can be attached to the outlet extending to
a position reachable to a user desiring to drink the drinking
water, the tube capable of transporting the drinking water and
having a valve allowing the user to control the flow of the
drinking water.
[0012] The device further comprises a second component including a
plurality of insulated containers, each of the plurality of
insulated containers being open-able and having a top portion and a
bottom portion, the top portion and the bottom portion being
secured on a respective side with a hinge. In accordance with this
preferred embodiment, the first component and the second component
are attachable to each other (using a male-female friction fit, for
example), the device is attachable to a backpack (using a plurality
of clips to hold the tube in place, for example), and the tube is
reachable to a user wearing the backpack such that the user is able
to drink the drinking water supplied from the tube. Preferably, at
least one of the containers is suitable for holding cold food while
another is suitable for holding hot food.
[0013] In accordance with other preferred embodiments the device
can be attached to various outdoor devices, such as a golf cart, a
horse saddle, etc.
[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a kit for attaching the device to an article is
provided. The kit comprises a first component including an
insulated container capable of holding pressurized drinking water,
the insulated container including an inlet valve allowing air to
flow into the insulated container sufficient to pressurize drinking
water therein and an outlet allowing the pressurized water to flow
outwardly; and tubing attachable to the outlet capable of
transporting the drinking water; wherein the first component is
attachable to the article and the first component is attachable to
a second component. The kit also includes the second component
including a pair of insulated containers, one being suitable for
storing cold food and the other suitable for storing hot food.
Preferably, the kit also includes a set of instructions for
assembling the device and attaching it to the article.
[0015] Preferably, the device is able to keep cold food at a
temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the hot food above 100
degrees Fahrenheit. Preferably, the drinking water component and
the food storage component each measure approximately 16-inches in
length, though the exact dimensions may vary according to user
needs and desires as well as manufacturing constraints, including
material and fabrication costs.
[0016] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary attachable device for providing
drinking water and storing hot and cold food in an outdoor
environment;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows rear and front views, respectively, of the
drinking water component of the device of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) show the exemplary device of FIG. 1
attached to a backpack;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the process of combining the drinking water
component and the food storage component of the exemplary device of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of a drinking tube including a
valve to allow water to flow through the tube to the user's mouth
and a clip for securing the drinking tube;
[0022] FIG. 6 shows the drinking water component attached to a
bicycle;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a bicycle rider drinking water supplied from
the drinking water component; and
[0024] FIGS. 8 and 9 show one or more components of the device
being used attached to motorized vehicles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary attachable device 100
for providing drinking water and storing hot and cold food in an
outdoor environment is provided. The device 100 includes a drinking
water component 120 and a food storage component 160, as shown. The
drinking water component 120 comprises an elongated, insulated
container capable of holding pressurized drinking water and keeping
it cool. As illustrated in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) the drinking water
component 120 includes an inlet valve 210 that is structured and
arranged to allow air to flow into the drinking water component 120
sufficient to pressurize drinking water therein and an outlet
allowing the pressurized drinking water to flow outwardly when
needed. Preferably, the inlet valve 210 includes a valve that
allows air to flow substantially only into the drinking water
component 120. Preferably, the inlet valve 210 is structured and
arranged such that it can be finger "pumped" by the user.
Preferably, the inlet valve includes a chamber covered by a soft
membrane. When the user presses the soft membrane, air within the
chamber is pushed into the drinking water component 120 in a
one-way direction. Preferably, the inlet valve 210 can be screwed
into a threaded hole 212, as shown, or otherwise fastened to the
drinking water component 120. Alternatively, the inlet valve 210
can be structured to allow pressurizing the drinking water
component using a hand (or foot) pump (e.g., a bicycle pump) or an
electric air pump. A plastic tube 130 can be attached to the outlet
extending to a position reachable to a user desiring to drink the
drinking water, the tube capable of transporting the drinking water
and having a valve 135 allowing the user to control the flow of the
drinking water. Preferably, the plastic tube 130 includes one or
more clips 138 situated at various places along the plastic tube
130 that can be used to secure the plastic tube 130 to an article,
such as a backpack.
[0026] The food storage component 160 comprises an elongated
insulated container including a hot storage compartment 168 and a
cold storage compartment 164. Preferably, the hot storage
compartment 168 is large enough to hold a small meal during a
camping trip, such as a bowl of chili or even a Cornish game hen
and the cold storage compartment 168 is large enough to hold a
12-ounce bottle of soda. Preferably, the hot storage compartment
168 and a cold storage compartment 164 have a bottom portion and a
top portion, the top portion and the bottom portion of each
compartment being hingeably attached and secured on an opposing
side with a lock 166, as shown.
[0027] FIG. 3(a) illustrates the device 100 attached to a backpack
320. As depicted, the device 100 can be attached to the backpack
320 by securing one or more ties 325 to the backpack frame, as
shown. Preferably, the ties 325 are made from a durable material,
preferably, cloth, and the length is adjustable so that the device
100 can be attached to most, or all, available backpacks. However,
it is to be understood that various other suitable material exists
for the ties 325, such as nylon cord and VELCRO; the selection of a
material is thus a design choice. FIGS. 3(b) and 3(b) show various
other views of the backpack 320 with the device 100 attached
thereto.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, in accordance with preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the drinking water component
120 and the food storage component 160 are attachable to one
another. In particular, the food storage component 160 includes a
male portion 169 that can be slidably positioned into a female
portion 127 of the drinking water component 120, to ensure a secure
friction fit. FIG. 4 illustrates how the the drinking water
component 120 and the food storage component 160 can be attached to
each other. It is to be appreciated that the drinking water
component 120 and the food storage component 160 may thereafter
also be separated from each other by reversing this process. A main
advantage of the design is that it allows components to be used
separately or in combination, as the situation warrants. For
example, in some instances one many only desire to bring drinking
water and not any food on a trip. In such a case, the drinking
water component 120 could be separated from the food storage
component 160, and brought along separately.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a close-up perspective of the ending of the
plastic tube 130. The ending of the plastic tube 130 includes the
valve 135 and the clip 138. FIG. 6 shows the drinking water
component 120 and the food storage component 160 attached to a
bicycle 620. In this case, the user 650 has decided to bring along
both the drinking water component 120 and the food storage
component 160 but to place them on different parts of the bicycle
rather to attach the components together, as shown. FIG. 7
illustrates bicycle rider 650 employing plastic tube 130 to sip
water during a trip.
[0030] FIGS. 8 and 9 show one or more components of the device
attached to motorized vehicles. In FIG. 8, the user has decided to
merely bring along drinking water component 120 and attach it to
the vehicle 820. However, in FIG. 9, the user has brought along two
such food storage components 160 and one drinking water component
120, and attached each to the vehicle 920, an ATV, apparently
because the user believes he or she will be very hungry during or
after the activity. As can now be appreciated, the present
invention can be attached to various articles, such as a bicycle
frame, a motorcycle, an ATV, a boat, a golf cart, a horse saddle,
exercise and poolside equipment, etc. Indeed, because the units can
be separated or used jointly, the combinations are almost
endless.
[0031] Preferably, the device 100 is able to keep cold food at a
temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the hot food above 100
degrees Fahrenheit. Preferably, the drinking water component 120
and the food storage component 160 measure approximately 16-inches
in length, though the exact dimensions can vary according to user
needs and desires as well as manufacturing constraints, including
material and fabrication costs.
[0032] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a kit for attaching the device 100 to an article, such
as a backpack, is provided. The kit comprises the drinking water
component 120 and the food storage component 160, the inlet valve
210, plastic tube 130, a plurality of clips 138, and a set of
instructions for assembling the device 100 and attaching it to the
article.
[0033] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary
embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to
be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *