Background of the Invention J Field of the Invention:

A container for liquids, and more particularly, a container for liquids which is adapted to be worn about a person.

JUL Description of the Prior Art:

Containers for liquids such as cosmetics and suntan oil are well known

in the art. Typically, these containers are in the form of a plastic botde having a spout at a top. PCT Application No. WO88/05014 to Ludi discloses a clear, flexible container having a cap for transporting fluids. However,

many liquids, such as suntan oil or lotions, are used frequently. It is desirable to have ready access to these products. It is also known to attach cords or strings to such containers. The loop of cord or string is placed over the neck of a person for transporting the container. However, such containers generally contain small quantities of liquid and are not reusable or refutable. Thus, it would be advantageous to have a container which is easily accessed by a user, is refillable, and carries a satisfactory quantity of fluid.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, disclosed herein is a container for liquids formed of a flexible tubular member having an elongated cavity for holding liquid and a

pair of ends which may be connected to form a loop. Alternatively, the tube may be wrapped around an arm or leg and the ends connected together. One

end is adapted as a dispensing end with an outlet for permitting access to the liquid and refilling of the tube. A connecting member is mounted to this end. The other end has a tapered portion adapted to be received in the connecting member and dispensing end.

A first preferred embodiment of the container is also disclosed having a dispensing end having a neck with an outlet and a cap covering the outlet.

The cap is removable to permit dispensing of the liquid contained inside the cavity of the tubular member. The cap may be dimensioned to join with the one end to form a loop which may be worn about the body of the person. A second preferred embodiment includes a container having a seal member mounted in a receiving end of the tubular member to form a recess for receiving a cap which is threaded on an opposite end of the tubular member. The cap is frictionally received within the recess to hold the ends of die tube together. The cap may be removed from the tubular member for access to the liquid in the cavity.

A third preferred embodiment includes a tubular member having an

open end and a sealed end. The sealed end is formed by heat welding and is tapered so that it may be inserted into the open end to join the two ends of the

tubular member together to form a loop. Access to the liquid within the tube is thus provided.

A fourth preferred embodiment includes a connecting member having a pair of barbed barrel portions extending outwardly from a center stop portion. One barrel portion has long barbs which are tightly but removably engaged within one end of the tubular member. The other end has shorter

barbs which are received within the dispensing end of the tubular member but

permit easy removal of the connecting member to permit dispensing of the liquid in the container. A fifth preferred embodiment includes a container having a radial wall extending within the tubular member to provide a pair of cavities for holding two different liquids. A connector formed of a pair of barbed connecting members and a second tubular member is used to join the ends of the tubular members together and provide access to both cavities. Additionally disclosed is a carrying device for attaching a second tubular member, such as a tube of lip balm, to the container. The device includes an elastic sleeve which is seamed to form two axially extending cylindrical compartments. One compartment is formed to hold the lip balm and the second compartment is formed to hold the tubular member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may be best understood by one skilled in the art by reference to the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in a connected position on a user;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a dispensing end of the container in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention showing a container in a dispensing position for access to a liquid;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first alternative preferred embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second alternative preferred embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third alternative preferred embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a third alternative embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 9 is an exploded partial perspective view of a fourth alternative preferred embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention; Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view of the fourth alternative preferred embodiment of the container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 10A is an enlarged view of a segment of one end of a connecting member of the fourth preferred embodiment of the container as shown in circle 10A of Fig. 10; Fig. 10B is an enlarged view of a segment of another end of a connecting member of the fourth preferred embodiment of the container as shown in circle 10B of Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative connecting member of the fourth preferred embodiment of the container; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 13 is a partial perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a carrying device in position for use on a container in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 15 is an end view of the carrying member in accordance with the invention; and

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative carrying member in accordance with the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

As best shown in Fig. 1, a container 10 for use with liquids, particularly beverages, cosmetics, such as suntan oil and moisturizers, is shown in position on a user 11. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the container 10 of the preferred embodiment includes an elongated tubular member 12 and a connecting member 14. The tubular member has a closed end 18 and a dispensing end 16. The closed end 18 is formed at an opposite end of the tubular member 12 for access to the liquid which is contained in a cavity 20 formed within the tubular member 12.

The tubular member 12 may be formed of any suitable flexible material such as polyvinyl chloride. In die preferred embodiment the tube has an outer diameter of approximately 1/2 inch with an interior of approximately 3/8 inch.

The interior diameter defines the cavity 20 for containing liquids therein. The tubular member is advantageously formed in 18", 24" or 36" lengths and the

24" length can hold approximately 3 oz. of liquid witiiin. In the preferred embodiment, the tubular member 12 is formed of a clear transparent material, however, other materials may be incorporated into the tube to provide color or decorative appearance, such as a scrim. The tubular member can also be brightly colored. The above sizes and dimensions are disclosed as examples only. Tubing of other dimensions may be used.

The closed end 18 has a tapered portion which narrows from the normal outer diameter of the tubular member, for instance, 1/2 inch, to a diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the dispensing end 16. of the tube. The closed end 18 may be formed on die tubular member in a suitable manner, such as molding, or may be heat drawn with a die.

The connecting member 14 is in the form of a cylinder which has an inner diameter equal or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular member 12. One end 26 of the connecting member 12 is affixed to die

receiving end 16 of d e tubular member 12 in a suitable fashion, such as glue or heat welding. The connecting member 14 may be formed of a similar flexible material as the tubular member 12 and has sufficient length to engage the outer diameter of the tubular member when the closed end 18 is inserted in the dispensing end 16 to form a loop. Thus, the tapered portion 22 is received witiiin both the connecting member 14 and the receiving end 16 of

the tubular member 12 to connect the ends of d e tubular member 12 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As shown in Fig. 4, contents 44 may be accessed dirough opening 24 of the dispensing end 16 when d e closed end 18 is removed from the dispensing end 16. A first alternative preferred embodiment of a container 28 is shown in Fig. 5. The container 28 includes a tubular member 12 having an end wall 30 on die receiving end 16. The connecting member 14 is mounted to a receivmg end 24 in d e same fashion as discussed above for the dispensing end. A threaded portion 32 of d e tubular member 12 is formed at an opposite end. A closure member 34 is threadably mounted to die threaded portion 32 of die tubular member 12. The closure member 34 is generally cylindrically shaped, having an axially extending neck 38. The closure member 34 has a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the tubular member 12 and has a diameter which is slightiy larger than the inner diameter of the connecting member 14 in order to connect die ends of die tubular member together. The neck 38 has an opening 40 to permit access to the liquid contained witiiin the cavity 20 of the tube. A cap 36 is formed with a flange 41 which engages the neck 38 to sealingly close the opening 40. The cap 36 is held to the neck 38 by a hinge strip 42. When the cap 36 is removed, die fluid or contents contained within the cavity 20 of the container

may be dispensed. The closure member 34 may be unthreaded from the tubular member 12 to permit filling or refilling of the cavity with the liquid 44.

As best shown in Fig. 6, a second alternative preferred embodiment of a container 48 is thereshown. The second preferred embodiment includes a

seal member 50 which is mounted in die receiving end of die tubular member

12. The seal member 50 has a flange 52 extending from a wall 53. The

flange has an outer surface 54 and inner surface 56. The outer surface 54 engages the inner surface of the tubular member to close the tubular member. A threaded neck portion 58 having an axially disposed opening 40 is formed

to accept a threaded cap 60. The cap 60 is removable to provide access to the cavity 20 and is dimensioned to be received snugly within the inner surface 56 of the seal member 50 to connect the ends of die tubular member together.

The container 10 may be advantageously used to carry liquids or powders and may be worn about the body of a person. The tube may be of any predetermined length, preferably large enough to encircle the head, neck (as shown in Fig. 1), or the waist of a user. The tubular container 10 may also be worn about the leg or arm by winding the tubular member 12 about

the limb and tiien joining together the ends of die tubular member together, as discussed above.

As best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a tiiird alternative preferred embodiment of a container 70 is thereshown. The third preferred embodiment includes a tubular member 72 having an open end 74 and a sealed end 76. The sealed end may be formed by molding or by heat welding die end of die tube to form a tapered end portion. The tapered end portion is tiien insertable into the open end to join the two ends together to form the loop as discussed above. When the ends are separated, access to die material contained witiiin the tube is provided.

A fourth preferred embodiment of a container 80 in accordance with die invention is shown in Figs. 9-11. As shown in Fig. 9, the container 80 includes d e elongated tubular member 12 and a cylindrical connecting member

82. The tubular member 10 has a receiving end 90 and die dispensing end 16.

As shown in Fig. 10, the connecting member 82 has a cylindrical center portion 84 extending between a pair of barbed barrel portions 86, 87. The connecting member 82 is molded of plastic and has an axial bore 91 extending dirough the connecting member to an end wall 100 of the barrel portion 86. One barrel portion 86 has three long barbs 88 to tightiy engage the inner wall of the receiving end 90 of the tubular member 12 and die other

barrel portion 87 has three shorter barbs 89 for sliding connection with the dispensing end 16 of die tubular member 12. The inner diameter of me barbs

is generally equal to the inner diameter of die tubular member 12. The center portion 84 has an outer diameter generally me same as the outer diameter of the tubular member 12.

As best shown in Fig. 10B, the long barbs 88 have a triangular cross- section body witii a short side 92 and a long side 94 converging at a pointed end 96. The long barbs 88 are thus angled inwardly towards die center

portion 84 to facilitate insertion of die connecting member 82 into the

receiving end 90. The connecting member 82 is pushed into the receiving end 90 of the tube until abutment with an annular surface 98 of the center portion 84. Although die connecting member is formed to permit removal of the

barrel 86 from the tubular member 82, the angle and length of the barbs act to prevent easy withdrawal from the tubular member 82. The connecting ember may be removed to permit filling of the container 80 with liquid.

As shown in Fig. 10A, an other barrel portion 87 of the connecting member 82 has three short barbs 89 similar to the long barbs 88, but having a shorter radial length. The length is approximately 2/3 of the length of the long barbs 88. The barbs 89 angle inwardly toward annular surface 102 of the center portion 84. The length is selected so as to permit the barbs 89 to engage the inside of the dispensing end 16 of die tube but permit easy removal

from the receiving end 90 to permit dispensing of the liquid in the cavity 20 through d e dispensing end 16.

As shown in Fig. 11, an alternative connecting member 104 has the radial wall 100 disposed at die end of the barrel portion 87. Rounded nodes 106 are used instead of die short barbs 89 disclosed above. The connecting members 82 and 104 are shown with an axial passage 106, however, the connecting members may be solid.

As shown in Fig. 12, a fiftii preferred embodiment of die container includes a tubular member 120 having a pair of compartments 122 formed by a radially extending wall 124. The wall 124 can be formed by joining a disk of plastic between two tubes 126. The wall may be electronically welded to die tubes 126. In this way, two different liquids, such as suntan oils having different SPF readings, can be carried in one container. A connector 128 is used to join ends 130 of d e tubular member together. The connector 128 is formed of a short length of tubing 132 and two connecting members 82. The barrel portions 86 having the long barbs 88 are inserted into the respective ends of die tubing 130. The barrel portions 87 having the short barb then inserted into the open ends 130. Access into the compartments 122 may be had by removing me respective connecting member 82. Alternatively, a

connecting member having two barrel portions 87 each having short barbs may be utilized to joining the ends 130 togetiier.

Fig. 13 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of me container according to d e invention. Shown therein is a tubular member 12 having a spray nozzle 140 affixed to the dispensing end 16. The spray nozzle 140 is a commonly known type which has an outer cylinder 142 which is depressible into an inner

cylinder 144 to form a vacuum for drawing liquid dirough a tube 146. The liquid is expelled dirough an aperture 148 in the outer cylinder 142. An inner cylinder 142 has an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of die receiving end 90 of the tubular member 12 to facilitate joinder of d e ends of die tube together for wearing as disclosed above. The spray nozzle has a barrel 150

dimensioned to securely mount in the dispensing end 16 of the tubular member 12.

Shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is a carrying device 160 for connecting a cylindrical dispenser, such as a tube of lip balm 162 to the tubular member 12.

The carrying device 160 is formed of an elastic strap 164 sewed together to provide two cylindrical passages 166, 168. The passages 166, 168 are formed to receive the tubular member 12 within. The passage 168 is formed to receive die lip balm 162. The elastic strap 164 may be of any conventional resilient material. In the preferred embodiment, the strap has a widtii of

approximately 1-1/2 inches and extends approximately 2 inches. The strap 164 has two ends 170, 172 which are folded towards a center 174 and tiien

stitched togetiier to form the two passages 166, 168, as shown in Fig. 15. An alternative carrying device 180 is shown in Fig. 16, where a pair of rigid supports 182 used for cylindrical dispensers 102, such as lip balm

162, to the tubular member 12. The supports 182 are molded of a suitable plastic material and each support 182 includes a ring 184 having an inner diameter formed to accept die tubular member 12 and a second ring 186 having an inner diameter formed to tightly accept d e cylindrical dispenser. A center barb 188 connects the rings 184, 186 together. Like the carrying

assembly shown above, the supports 182 are first slid over die tubular member 12 and spaced apart to permit insertion of the cylindrical dispenser through the second rings 186.

The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments is in no way limiting the scope and spirit of the invention. It is within the scope and spirit of the invention that other closures and connecting members could be used to open and permit access to the cavity and to close as well as to join the ends of die tubular member together.

I claim: