GB2616032A

GB2616032A - Hand-held liquid container

Info

Publication number: GB2616032A
Application number: GB2202546.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mair-Jones Tracy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-02-24
Filing date: 2022-02-24
Publication date: 2023-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2042-02-24
Also published as: WO2023164359A2; WO2023164359A3; GB2616032B; GB202202546D0

Abstract

A hand-held liquid container 300 suitable for use as an exercise device, the hand-held liquid container comprising: a body portion 100 defining a chamber (101, figure 2) for holding a liquid, wherein the body portion has first end (102, figure 2) and an opening (104, figure 2) at the first end; a first weighted member 200 couplable at or proximal to the first end (102); wherein the first weighted member comprises an aperture (201, figure 3) for enabling the opening to pass therethrough. A second weighted member 200 may be attachable to a second base end (103, figure 2) of the container. Certain examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to a weighted sports water bottle.

Description

HAND-HELD LIQUID CONTAINER

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the present disclosure relate to a hand-held liquid container suitable for use as an exercise device. Some examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to weighted sports water bottle

BACKGROUND

Hand-held liquid containers (e.g. such as sports water bottles that might be carried by a user when performing activities not least such as: walking, hiking, jogging, running or doing an exercise work out) are well known. In some circumstances it can be desirable to provide an improved hand-held liquid container that may serve as an exercise device and enable a user's exercise work out to be enhanced.

The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.

One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one

or more of the background issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the claims.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. Any embodiments/examples and features described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided a hand-held liquid container suitable for use as an exercise device, the hand-held liquid container comprising: a body portion defining a chamber for holding a liquid, wherein the body portion has first end and an opening at the first end; a first weighted member couplable at or proximal to the first end; wherein the first weighted member comprises an aperture for enabling the opening to pass therethrough.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure the hand-held liquid container is one or more of: a bottle, a water bottle, a drinks bottle, a sports bottle, an exercise device, and a weighted sports water bottle.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided a body portion of the above-described hand-held liquid container.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided a first and/or second weighted member of the above-described hand-held liquid container.

The following portion of this 'Brief Summary' section describes various features that can be features of any of the examples described in the foregoing portion of the 'Brief Summary' section. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first weighted member can be removably couplable to the first end.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the hand-held liquid container can further comprise a second weighted member couplable at or proximal to a second end of the body portion.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the second weighted member can be removably couplable to the second end.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first weighted member can be removably couplable to the second end; and the second weighted member can be removably couplable to the first end.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first weighted member and the second weighted member can have substantially the same shape and/or dimensions.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the body portion can comprise first and second collar portions at or proximal to the first end and a second end respectively.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first and second weighted members can be configured to be removably coupled to the first and second collar portions.

In some but not necessarily all examples, in use, the first collar can be disposed within the aperture of the first weighted member, and wherein, in use, the second collar can be disposed within an aperture of the second weighted member.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first and second weighted members can be configured to be threadedly coupled to the first and second collar portions.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first and second weighted members can be ring-shaped and each can comprise a threaded surface configured to engage with a threaded surface of the first and second collar portions respecfively.

In some but not necessarily all examples, a dimension of the aperture can be greater than 3 cm, 4 cm, or 5 cm.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the hand-held liquid container can further comprise a handle.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the handle can be integrally formed with the body potion.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the handle can comprise heat insulating means.

In some but not necessarily all examples, each weighted member can have a weight of greater than: 0.2 kg, 0.4 kg, 0.6 kg, 0.9 kg, 1.3 or 1.8 kg.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the hand-held liquid container can further comprise a closure for closing the opening.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the closure can be removably coupled to the body portion and/or the first weighted member.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first weighted member can comprise the closure.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the closure can comprise a spout and/or a valve.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the hand-held liquid container can be approximately dumbbell shaped.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the hand-held liquid container can be one or more of: a bottle, a water bottle, a drinks bottle, a sports bottle, an exercise device, and a weighted sports water bottle.

In some but not necessarily all examples, there is provided a body portion configured for use as the body portion of the above-mentioned hand-held liquid container.

In some but not necessarily all examples, there is provided a weighted member configured for use as either the first or second weighted member of the above-mentioned hand-held liquid container.

While the above examples of the disclosure and optional features are described separately, it is to be understood that their provision in all possible combinations and permutations is contained within the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that various examples of the disclosure can comprise any or all of the features described in respect of other examples of the disclosure, and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically shows an example a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure; FIG. 2 shows an example of a body portion of a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure; FIG. 3 shows an example of a weighted member of a hand-held liquid container

according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an example of an assembly of the body portion of FIG. 2 and two weighted members of FIG. 3 forming an example of a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure; FIG. 5 shows an example of a closure of a hand-held liquid container according to the

present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the body portion of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 shows another example of a weighted member of a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure; and FIG. 8 shows another example of a hand-held liquid container according to the present

disclosure.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures can be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.

In the drawings (and description) a similar feature may be referenced by the same three-digit number. In the drawings (and description), an optional subscript to the three-digit number can be used to differentiate different instances of similar features. Therefore, a three-digit number without a subscript can be used as a generic reference and the three-digit number with a subscript can be used as a specific reference. A subscript can comprise a single digit that labels different instances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held liquid container (300) in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The hand-held liquid container comprises a body portion (100) defining a chamber (101) for holding a liquid (not shown). The body portion has a first end (102) and an opening (104) at the first end. The hand-held liquid container also comprises a first weighted member/weight (2001), couplable at or proximal to the first end. The at least the first weighted member comprises an aperture (201). The aperture and first end of the body portion are configured such that, in use when the first weighted member is coupled at or proximal to the first end, the opening of the body portion passes through the aperture of the first weighted member. In such a manner, access to the chamber (e.g. to add liquid, add ice, or drink therefrom) is through/via the weighted member. Advantageously, this enables the provision of a weight disposed at/proximal to an end of the hand-held liquid container, whilst permitting access to the interior of the hand-held liquid container via the end of the hand-held liquid container.

FIG. 2 shows another example of a body portion 100 of a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure. The body portion 100 defines a chamber/container 101, i.e. the walls thereof at least partially define an interior reservoir for holding a liquid (e.g. water, drink, beverage or other potable/hydrating liquid as well as solids such as ice). The body portion provides a main elongate central body portion of the hand-held liquid container. As will be discussed further below and shown in FIGs 4 and 8, in certain examples, weighted members may be removably coupled to either end of the body portion, thereby providing a hand-held liquid container suitable for use as an exercise device. Advantageously, the provision of weighted members that can be removably coupled to the body portion enable differing weighted members, i.e. of differing weights, to be removable attached to the body portion so that the weight of the hand-held liquid container can be adjusted by changing the first and second weighted members with weighted members of differing weights.

The body portion has first and second opposing ends 102, 103, with an opening 104 at the first end for providing access to an interior of the chamber of the body portion. The opening defines a mouth of the body portion via which liquid can enter into, and leave from, the chamber. The opening can be closed via a closure, e.g. such as is shown in FIG. 5 A dimension of the opening, e.g., its diameter/width, may be greater than 3 cm, 4 cm, or 5 cm. This facilitates the filling of the chamber with a liquid as well as facilitates adding ice cubes (i.e. conventionally sized ice cubes) into the body portion.

The second end is sealed/closed to prevent liquid exiting therefrom. In some examples, the second end may also comprise an opening, e.g. similar to that of opening 104, which can be closed via a closure -e.g. such as shown in FIG 5.

The body portion comprises means for removably coupling a weighted member (such as a weighted member of FIG. 3) at or proximal to each of the first and second ends (such as is shown in FIG. 4). In this particular example of FIG. 2, such means are provided in the form of first and second collar, or neck-like, portions (1051, 1052) that are disposed at or proximal to the respective first and second ends of the body portion.

An exterior surface of each collar portion is threaded, i.e. provided with a threaded surface that complements a respective threaded inner surface of a weighted member so as to provide mutual engaging/mating surfaces such that the weighted member can be removably coupled to the collar by being screwed thereon. In some examples, rather than the ends of the body portion providing male/insertion parts of the mating/interconnecting mechanism and the weighting members providing female/receiving parts of the mating mechanism; instead, the weighting members could provide the male part and the ends of the body portion could provide the female parts of the mating/interconnecting mechanism.

The first and second collars, and their threaded respective surfaces (for engaging/mating with complimentary respective threaded surfaces of weighted members) may have substantially the same shape and/or dimensions. Advantageously, this enables a weighted member configured to be removably couplable to the first end to be used interchangeably with each of the first and second ends.

Any suitable assembly method or mating/interconnecting mechanism could be used for removably attaching weighted members to each end of the body portion. For instance, alternative coupling means and/or fastening means may be used to removably attaching the weighted members to the ends of the body portion. For example, instead of the weighted members being screwed onto the ends of the body portion, a snap-fit connection could be employed.

The body portion also comprises a handle/holding means 107, via which a user can grip and hold the body portion. In the example shown, the handle is integrally formed with the body portion, i.e. in effect the handle is formed via an aperture in the body portion through which one or more of a user's fingers can pass in order to grip/hold the body portion. Furthermore, the handle is centrally disposed in the body portion. Advantageously, having the handle centrally disposed in the body portion/centrally disposed in hand-held liquid container may facilitate a user performing weight exercises using the hand-held liquid container with weighted members attached to either end by enabling weighted members (of the same weight) to be balanced at either end of the hand-held liquid container when held by a user in a vertical or horizontal position. Advantageously, this may enable a user to perform weight lifting exercises/an upper body workout similar to that able to be done with a dumbbell.

In some examples, a handle member may be attached to the body portion. In some examples, no separate handle member is provided/attached to the body portion and instead, the main central part of the body portion may serve as user holding means.

For example, the circumference of the central part may be dimensioned such that a user's hand can substantially grasp/grip around the same on order to hold the body portion.

In some examples, the handle/holding means, comprises a heat insulating means for preventing/reducing heat transfer to/from the user's hand, e.g. not least for user comfort. This may be advantageous when the liquid to be contained is cold (e.g. less than 5°C or 10°C) or when the liquid to be contained is hot (e.g. greater than 50°C, 60 °C or 70°C) to prevent the user's hand getting too cold or too hot when holding the body portion due to the temperature of the liquid therein. The provision of heat insulating means may comprise: providing a heat insulating medium/layer overlaying the handle's surface (e.g. its grasping surface that a user holds onto during use), providing a heat insulating medium internal of the handle (e.g. such that an interior portion of the handle comprises a heat insulating medium) or making the handle from a material having sufficient heat insulating characteristics.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a weighted member 200 of a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure.

The weighted member is configured to be removably couplable to the first end of the body portion. In some examples, the weighted member is further configured to be couplable to the second end of the body portion (i.e. such that the weighted member can be interchangeably used at either of the first and second ends of the body portion). In this regard, a first weighted member, configured to be removably attached to a first end of the body portion, may have substantially the same configuration, shape and/or dimensions as second weighted member configured to be removably attached to a second end of the body portion. Advantageously, this may enable the first and second weighted members to be swapped, i.e. used interchangeably with the first and second ends.

The weighted member is ring shaped and comprises an aperture (201), i.e. a bore therethrough. The aperture is dimensioned such that, in use when the weighted member is attached to the body portion, an opening of the body portion can pass through the aperture such that the body portion's opening is accessible via the weighted member's aperture (as shown in FIG. 4).

The aperture may have a dimension of any suitable size, not least for example a diameter or width, greater than: 3 cm, 4 cm, or 5 cm. Advantageously, this may facilitate the act of filling the container, e.g. adding liquid and ice to the same.

The weighted member comprises a weight. The weighted member can be weighted with any suitable dense material, not least such as: sand, concrete, metal, cast iron or stainless steel.

The weighted member may have any suitable weight, not least for example a weight of greater than: 0.5 lbs, 1 lbs, 1.5 lbs, 2 lbs, 3 lbs or 4 lbs. The weighted member may have a weight of greater than: 0.2 kg, 0.4 kg, 0.6 kg, 0.9 kg, 1.3 kg, 1.8 kg.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an assembly of the body portion 100 of FIG. 2 with two weighted members of FIG. 3 attached at either end of the body portion, thereby forming a hand-held liquid container 300.

The hand-held liquid container 300 comprises a body portion 100 with first and second weighted members 2001 2002 removably attached at the first and second ends 102 103 of the body portion. An opening 104 at the first end of the body portion is accessible via an aperture 201 of the first weighted member. The opening 104 may serve as a mouth for the hand-held liquid container, i.e. via which liquid may be entered and via which a user may drink therefrom (for example via a closure with a drinking spout such as in FIG. 5).

The hand-held liquid container is configured to be able to stand upright. In this regard, the bottom portion/lowermost extremity of the hand-held liquid container is configured to be flat/planar such that the elongate hand-held liquid container can stably stand upright. In some examples a distal/lower surface of the second weighted member may form the bottom portion/lowermost extremity of the hand-held liquid container, and such a distal/lower surface of the second weighted member is configured to be flat/planar.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a closure 400 for closing a hand-held liquid container, i.e. so as to form a cover, cap, lid and/or stopper for the hand-held liquid container.

The closure may be configured to be removably coupled to the body portion (e.g. the opening thereof) and/or a weighted member. The closure may comprise means 401, e.g. a threaded surface, for engaging/mating with the body member and/or a weighted member. In some examples, the closure is comprised in/integral to the weighted member. In some examples, the closure may comprise the weighted member, for instance in a peripheral ring-like or collar portion thereof.

The closure may comprise a spout 402, such as a drinking spout, via which a user can drink liquid contained in the hand-held liquid container during use. The closure may comprise one or more seals and/or one or more valves (e.g. a trigger valve) for avoiding/reducing leakage during use.

FIG. 6 shows a 'top down/plan view of the body portion 100 of FIG. 2. In this figure, an inside of the body portion is visible through the opening 104 showing the internal chamber 101 body portion. The internal chamber comprises a first portion 1011 and a second portion 1012. The second portion 1012 corresponds to a hollow interior of a handle 107 which is integrally formed with the body portion, i.e. such that the second portion 1012 connected to and is in fluid communication with the first portion 1011. The first portion 1011 corresponds to a hollow interior of the rest of the body portion. Fluid contained within the body portion can reside in both the first and second portions.

In some examples, an interior of the handle is not in fluid communication with the first portion 1011. In some examples, an interior of the handle is not hollow. In some examples, an interior of the handle comprises a heat insulating medium. In some examples, the handle is not integrally formed with the body portion. In some examples, the handle is a member that is attached to the body portion (not least for example when the body portion is manufactured from metal).

FIG. 7 shows a further example of a weighted member of a hand-held liquid container according to the present disclosure. In this example, the weighted member is provided as a simple ring-shaped member 701 with no internal threading. Instead of a thread-based connection mechanism for attaching the weight to the body portion, an alternative connection means 702 is provided. In this example, the connection means 702 for the flange/ring-shaped member weighted member comprises a protruding ridge, lip or rim, either external or internal, that may serve as a flange to increase strength and also to aid attachment to the body portion. In the example shown, the connection means 702 comprises a ridge/lip member configured to engage/mate/interlock with a corresponding groove/recess or catch member of the body portion so as to form 'snap-fit or 'tongue and groove' kind of mechanism whereby the weight could snap-fit onto the bottle.

In some alterative examples, in use, a weighted member is not itself secured directly to the body portion (i.e. the weighted member is not itself directly screwed, or snap-fitted, onto an end collar of the body portion). Instead, a ring like weighted member is placed over the end collar of the body portion and is indirectly secured into a fixed position via the provision of a closure that itself directly screws onto the end collar of the body portion thereby clamping/fixing and securely holding the weighted member into position around the collar.

FIG. 8 shows a further example of a hand-held liquid container 300 according to the

present disclosure.

The hand-held liquid container 300 is in the form of a weighted sports water bottle.

The weighted sports water bottle is a single chambered bottle, designed to hold water (or other drinking fluids) while at the same time, securely holding two removable weights on the bottle; one weight 2001 securely held at the top of the body 100 of the water bottle, and the other weight 2002 securely held at the base of the bottle. The weights enable a user to perform upper body weightlifting workout when walking, jogging, hiking or running; thereby improving a user's exercise results and strengthening user endurance, while the bottle chamber also provides hydration to the user. The weighted sports water bottle eliminates the need to carry a separate conventional set of weights (e.g. dumbbells) as well as a water bottle, thereby so preventing difficulties in trying to carry and use both conventional weights and a water bottle at the same time.

The weighted sports water bottle has two detachable weights, one which is attachable near the top of the bottle -namely at a lower end of a ridged collar/neck of the bottle, just below the lid and combined drinking spout.

The other weight is attachable to the bottom of the bottle. It is fitted onto an extended lower ridged collar/neck that is sealed at the bottom end to prevent water from leaking out of the bottle.

Both of the attached weights can be removed when they are not required, and they can also be interchanged for different weights, e.g. so that a user can further enhance a workout with heavier weights on the bottle. The weights are configured to be screwed onto the bottle, by means of a threaded mechanism that cooperated with a thread provided on the outside of the bottle collars/necks.

The weights can be of the same size and design, with each weight having a circular hole or opening through its middle. A threaded mechanism is provided on the inside of the hole/cavity of each weight, which is configured so that the weight can removably attach to the upper/lower neck of the bottle by being securely screwed onto the upper/lower neck. In other words, either of the two weights can fit onto both the top and bottom threaded necks of the bottle so that it would not matter which one goes where. Advantageously, this adds to ease of use and assembly of the bottle. Also, the removable and swappable weights provide adjustability and modularity that enables a user to decrease or increase the weights when needed.

The weight used on the bottom of the water bottle, may enclose/surround the sealed lower neck of the bottle. In some examples, the lower weight is permanently attached to the lower end of the bottle. For instance, the lower weight may be permanently attached to a lower end of the bottle and/or the lower weight may be permanently attached by means of being inside the bottle, i.e. the weight is provided/manufactured inside and at the bottom of the bottle.

Attachable weights that weigh more may have a larger dimension (thickness or width/diameter) than those weighing less, in order to accommodate additional weighted materials. It is expected that during typical use, matching weights will be used together, i.e. only the same size and same heaviness of weights will be attached at each end at any one time.

The weights can be weighted with any suitable material, not least such as: sand, concrete, metal, cast iron, or stainless steel. The outside surface/housing of the weight can be made of any suitable material. The weight material can be covered with any suitable material, e.g. covered in a hard plastic or provided with a vinyl coating. The weights could be made of metal.

The weighted sports water bottle has an ergonomic-shaped handle 107 for making the bottle easy to hold. The handle is contoured/etched 801 where, in use, fingers are to be placed to securely hold the bottle. This provides a better grip when holding the bottle. The handle also comprises a grip 801. The handle design also affords ease of use for both exercising and drinking. The handle can be integrally formed with the main body 100 of the bottle or provided as an external attachment that is securely and fixedly attached to the main body 100.

The inside of the water bottle may consist of one chamber. The inside of the handle may be hollow, filled with a non-porous food-grade material or a solid/non-hollow handle. A solid handle may add rigidity, strength and stability to the bottle, while at the same time, preventing contained liquid entering inside the handle and thereby avoiding/reducing/slow down heat transfer between the liquid and the user's hand (via the handle).

The weighted sports water bottle, with its two removable weights attached at or proximate to each end of the bottle, act similar to a dumbbell.

In a conventional dumbbell, a central bar operates as a handle, or holding device. The bar also enables dumbbell weights to be attached thereto, at either end of the bar, wherein the weights are kept securely and sturdily fitted to the bar.

In the weighted sports water bottle, the central body portion 100 (with its integral handle 107) acts similar to a dumbbell bar, in that it too can securely hold a weight at either of its ends. At the same time, the weighted sports water bottle provides ready access to the drinking fluid therein for prompt/instant and easy hydration while performing sports and activities.

The weighted sports water bottle has a wide-mouth design (i.e. wide opening of the main body portion and a wide aperture of the weight via which the bottle mouth passes through). The dimensions (e.g. width/diameter) of the mouth may be of any appropriate size, not least for example greater than: 3 cm, 4 cm, or 5 cm. This allows for the easy addition of liquid, and also ice, to the water bottle. The wide mouth, also provides an easy flow of water while thinking from the bottle during exercise or activities. This is enhanced by a pop-up drinking spout on the screw-on drinking lid or cap 300 for facilitate user drinking/user access to the contained liquid whilst exercising/performing sporting activity. The pop-up drinking spout, integrated in the lid or cap, may be flexible and made of rubber for enhanced user comfort when drinking therefrom. The pop-up drinking spout can be configured to be easily pushed down, to seal and secure the water preventing leakage as well as prevent any contamination of debris, flies and other insects.

The weighted sports water bottle can be made from any suitable material, not least for example plastic, such as a light-weight, durable, rigid and hard plastic e.g.: Polypropylene, Tritan Copolyester, or a Bisphenol A (SPA) free plastic.

The weighted sports water bottle can be manufactured in metal, not least such as: Aluminium and/or Stainless Steel (e.g. not least:18/8 -18% chromium and 8% nickel, or 304 Grade which is a mixture of carbon and iron). Making the bottle out of metal may enable heavier weights to be used than if made from a plastic material.

Where necessary or appropriate (e.g. not least for a bottle made of Aluminium), the interior of the bottle may comprise a safe food-grade lining, so to be resistant to odours as well as unwanted tastes and stains The weighted sports water bottle can be manufactured in a combination of (BPA-free) plastic and metal.

Where necessary or appropriate, (e.g., not least for a bottle made of stainless steel) the bottle can comprise vacuum insulation, i.e. an airtight hermetically sealed space/void between an inside of the internal chamber and the exterior of the water bottle -in effect the bottle would be double-walled. In some examples, the inner wall/layer could be made of the same material to that of the outer wall/layer (with a space, void or at least partial vacuum between the inner and outer walls). In other examples, the inner wall/layer may be made of a different material to that of the outer wall/layer. In between the two sealed airtight walls/layers, the space, void or at least partial vacuum may act as insulation. This helps prevent the liquid inside the bottle from heating-up in warm ambient temperatures (and likewise helps prevent the liquid inside the bottle from cooling-down in cold ambient temperatures) as well as helping reduce heat transfer to/from the user's hand when holding the bottle.

The lid and drinking spout 300 can be made of any suitable material, not least for example BPA-free plastic or a combination of metal and plastic.

The weighted sports water bottle may comprise markings on a side exterior thereof for providing an indication of an approximate total weight, at various differing water levels within the bottle, of the: body portion 100, both weights 200, and cap 300 as well as the remaining water in the bottle at the given water level.

The attachable weights can be of varying weight. For instance, each weight could be from 0.5Ib to 2 or 4 lbs (i.e., 0.227 kg to 0.91 or 1.81 kg). This will allow for added and increased weights to be used with the weighted sport water bottle.

Whilst the weighted sports water bottle may be used as an exercise device, i.e. as a hand-held weight lifting device, in the fitness industry; it may also have a wider application, in that it can be used when performing everyday activities, for example while walking the dog. The weighted sports water bottle could be used for sports/activities such as: walking, hiking, jogging and running. These sports mainly work the lower body. The weighted sports water bottle allows for a greater upper body workout, and therefore, in effect, a full-body workout, while performing such sports/activities.

The weighted sports water bottle may be provided as a system/kit comprising a pair of the weighted sports water bottles. For instance, the weighted sports water bottles may be sold in two's, i.e., as a pair, so as to provide a set of weighted sports water bottles.

The weighted sports water bottle (or pair thereof) solves a problem of having to carry dumbbells while also at the same time, trying to carry a water bottle, when exercising (such as when: running, walking and hiking) in order to obtain a full body workout -as opposed to only a lower body workout. The aforementioned sports mainly provide a targeted lower body workout. With the weighted sports water bottle, it is possible to also obtain an upper body workout (exercising the arms, shoulders and chest) while exercising such as when: walking, hiking, jogging and running. At the same time the weighted sports water bottle provides easy access to liquid contained in the bottle for facilitate drinking for hydration while exercising.

Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Features described in the preceding description can be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions can be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features can also be present in other examples whether described or not. Accordingly, features described in relation to one example/aspect of the disclosure can include any or all of the features described in relation to another example/aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent.

Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one..." or by using "consisting".

In this description, the wording 'connect', 'couple' and 'communication' and their derivatives mean operationally connected/coupled/in communication. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components), i.e., so as to provide direct or indirect connection/coupling/communication. Any such intervening components can include hardware and/or software components.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example', 'can' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

In this description, references to "a/an/the" [feature, element, component, means...] are to be interpreted as "at least one" [feature, element, component, means...] unless explicitly stated otherwise. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use 'a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or 'one or more' can be used to emphasise an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature (or combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless. the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above description of the examples of the present disclosure.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims can be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Separate references to an "example", "in some examples" and/or the like in the description do not necessarily refer to the same example and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For instance, a feature, structure, process, step, action, or the like described in one example may also be included in other examples, but is not necessarily included.

Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. Further, while the claims herein are provided as comprising specific dependencies, it is contemplated that any claims can depend from any other claims and that to the extent that any alternative embodiments can result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the various claims and/or changing dependencies of claims, any such alternative embodiments and their equivalents are also within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim: 1. A hand-held liquid container suitable for use as an exercise device, the hand-held liquid container comprising: a body portion defining a chamber for holding a liquid, wherein the body portion has first end and an opening at the first end; a first weighted member couplable at or proximal to the first end; wherein the first weighted member comprises an aperture for enabling the opening to pass therethrough.
2. The hand-held liquid container of claim 1, wherein the first weighted member is removably couplable at or proximal to the first end.
3. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim, further comprising a second weighted member couplable at or proximal to a second end of the body portion.
4. The hand-held liquid container claim 3, wherein the second weighted member is removably couplable at or proximal to the second end.
5. The hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 3 to 4, wherein: the first weighted member is removably couplable at or proximal to the second end; and the second weighted member is removably couplable at or proximal to the first end.
6. The hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 3 to 5, wherein the first weighted member and the second weighted member have substantially the same shape and/or dimensions.
7. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim, wherein the body portion comprises first and second collar portions at or proximal to the first end and a second end respectively.
8. The hand-held liquid container of claim 7, wherein the first and second weighted members are configured to be removably couplable at or proximal to each of the first and second collar portions.
9. The hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 7 to 8 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein, in use, the first collar is disposed within the aperture of the first weighted member, and wherein, in use, the second collar is disposed within an aperture of the second weighted member.
10. The hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 7 to 9 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the first and second weighted members are configured to be threadedly coupled to the first and second collar portions.
11. The hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 7 to 10 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the first and second weighted members are ring-shaped and each comprises a threaded surface configured to engage with a threaded surface of the first and second collar portions respectively.
12. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim, wherein a dimension of the aperture is greater than 3 cm, 4 cm, or 5 cm.
13. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim, further comprising a handle.
14. The hand-held liquid container of claim 13, wherein the handle is integrally formed with the body potion.
15. The hand-held liquid container of claim 13 or 14, wherein the handle comprises heat insulating means.
16. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim when dependent upon claim 3, wherein each weighted member has a weight of greater than: 0.2 kg, 0.4 kg, 0.6 kg, 0.9 kg, 1.3 or 1.8 kg.
17. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim, further comprising a closure for closing the opening.
18. The hand-held liquid container of claim 17, wherein the closure is removably coupled to the body portion and/or the first weighted member.
19. The hand-held liquid container of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first weighted member comprises the closure.
20. The hand-held liquid container of claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the closure comprises a spout and/or a valve.
21. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claims, wherein the hand-held liquid container is approximately dumbbell shaped.
22. The hand-held liquid container of any previous claim wherein the hand-held liquid container is one or more of: a bottle, a water bottle, a drinks bottle, a sports bottle, an exercise device, and a weighted sports water bottle.
23. A body portion configured for use as the body portion of the hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 1 to 22.
24. A weighted member configured for use as either the first or second weighted member of the hand-held liquid container of any of previous claims 1 to 22.