US20210337958A1

US20210337958A1 - Intake regulating container for fitness activities

Info

Publication number: US20210337958A1
Application number: US16/923,288
Authority: US
Inventors: Khalil Mustafa Sayied
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-01
Filing date: 2020-07-08
Publication date: 2021-11-04

Abstract

An intake regulating container for fitness activities is shown and described. The container has volume indicators such that adjacent pairs of the volume indicators define a volume of food or beverage contained between the volume indicators. A physical activity descriptor describing an amount of a physical activity (e.g., sets and repetitions of weightlifting exercises or distance traveled for running or jogging) is provided and is located to correspond to an indicator and/or an adjacent pair of the volume indicators, thereby providing a container that relates a physical activity and amount of the activity to a volume of contained food or beverage consumed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/018,775, filed on May 1, 2020, the entirety of which his hereby incorporated by reference.
This disclosure relates generally to containers for holding food or beverages, and more specifically, to containers with indicia that correlate volumes of food or beverage to physical activities and/or an amount of physical activities.

BACKGROUND

During physical activity, it is often desirable to consume food or beverages at various intervals to maximize the benefits of the activity and optimally perform it. Typically, this requires carrying a container with the food or beverage and a paper record—or accessing a digital record on a tablet or smart phone—which correlates volumes of food or beverage to particular physical activities, or quantified amounts of physical activities. The user then typically has to visually determine from the container how much he or she has consumed. The method is cumbersome and inaccurate, particularly for regulating intake at various intervals during an exercise routine.
Bottles with visual volume indicia are known. The indicia correlate a level in the bottle to a volume of liquid, and adjacent indicia visually correspond to a volume of liquid to be consumed. However, such indicia are not correlated to a physical activity or quantified amount thereof on the container itself. Thus, a need has arisen for a container that addresses one or more of the foregoing issues.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a container is provided which comprises a vessel having a volume, wherein the vessel is selectively Tillable with varying volumes of a food or beverage. The container also includes at least one volume indicator and at least one physical activity descriptor arranged along the vessel, wherein the at least one volume indicator corresponds to a volume within the container and to a one of the at least one physical activity descriptor.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a container is provided which comprises a vessel having a volume, wherein the vessel is selectively fillable with varying volumes of a food or beverage. The container also includes a plurality of volume indicators and a plurality of physical activity descriptors. The method comprises filling the container with a food or beverage such that the food or beverage extends along a dimension of the vessel past a pair of adjacent volume indicators and consuming a volume of food or beverage defined by the pair of adjacent volume indicators and performing the physical activity described by the physical activity descriptor corresponding to the pair of adjacent volume indicators.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a container is provided which comprises a vessel having a volume, wherein the vessel is selectively fillable with varying volumes of a food or beverage. The container also includes a plurality of volume indicators and a plurality of physical activity descriptors. The vessel has a closed bottom and a selectively openable top defining a length from the closed bottom to the selectively openable top, and the plurality of physical activity descriptors are arranged in a performance sequence along a length of the container with a physical activity descriptor proximate the selectively openable top corresponding to a first part of the performance sequence to be performed and a physical activity descriptor proximate the closed bottom corresponding to a last part of the performance sequence to be performed in the exercise routine. The method comprises filling the container with a food or beverage to the upper edge, the upper edge defining a volume indicator and the closed bottom defining a volume indicator, performing each exercise in the exercise sequence starting with the first exercise and ending with the last exercise, and consuming a volume of the food or beverage in the container following or preceding the performing of each exercise in the exercise sequence, wherein the volume of food or beverage consumed following or preceding each exercise is defined by an adjacent pair of volume indicators from among the plurality of volume indicators, and corresponds to a physical activity descriptor describing the performed exercise from among the plurality of physical activity descriptors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an elevational view of a first circumferential section of a first exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an elevational view of a second circumferential section of the first exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is an elevational view of a third circumferential section the first exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is an elevational view of a first circumferential section of a second exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is an elevational view of a second circumferential section of the second exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is an elevational view of a third circumferential section of the second exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is an elevational view of a first circumferential section of a third exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is an elevational view of a second circumferential section of the third exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is an elevational view of a third circumferential section of the third exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3D is an elevational view of a fourth circumferential section of the third exemplary intake regulating container for fitness activities in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed below, the present disclosure provides intake regulating containers that correlate volumes of contained food or beverage with physical activities. In certain examples, the containers include visual and/or tactile indicators that correlate volumes of contained food or beverage with amounts of physical activities, such as miles traveled, repetitions and/or sets of calisthenics or weightlifting exercises.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, elevational views of three different circumferential sections of container 10 are provided. Container 10 is a liquid container suitable for water, electrolyte replacement beverages, sport drinks, energy drinks, weightlifting supplement drinks, etc. Container 10 includes a generally cylindrical vessel 12 having a closed bottom 14 at one end along a length axis and an upper cylindrical edge 30 at an opposite end along the length axis L. A selectively openable top (not visible) is covered by a lid 16 that includes a selectively retractable spout 18. When spout 18 is pulled upward and away from vessel 12, the beverage inside container flows out of the spout 18 when pressure is applied to the vessel 12 such as by squeezing vessel 12. Alternatively, liquid may be consumed by removing lid 16. Lid 16 is merely exemplary. Vessel 12 may be hard or flexible and may comprise glass or a suitable plastic material. Non-cylindrical vessel geometries may also be used, although the relationship between a distance along the vessel length axis L and volume may vary with the location along the length axis L.
Referring to a first circumferential view of container 10 in FIG. 1A, container 10 includes a body part indicator 55 that indicates that part of the body to be exercised. Referring to a second circumferential view in FIG. 1B, container 10 includes an exercise goal descriptor 19, which is “lean”, meaning the goal of the exercises provided in the circumferential view to enhance leanness. The second circumferential view of FIG. 1B also includes at least one volume indicator, which in the illustrated example is a plurality of volume indicators 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28. The volume indicators 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 are visual volume indicators arranged along the length axis L of container 10. The volume indicators 22, 24, 26, and 28 each define a volume of liquid relative to the closed bottom 14. For example, volume indicator 28 is a short circumferential line and associated text which corresponds to a first volume of liquid in container 10 relative to closed bottom 14. Volume indicator 26 corresponds to a second volume of liquid in container 10 relative to closed bottom 14 which is greater than the first volume of liquid. Volume indicator 22 corresponds to a third volume of liquid in container 10 relative to closed bottom 14 which is greater than the second and first volumes of liquid. Volume indicator 20 corresponds to a fourth volume of liquid in container 10 relative to closed bottom 14 which is greater than the first, second, and third volumes of liquid.
The volume indicators 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 also define adjacent pairs of volume indicators, i.e., pairs 20 and 22, 22 and 24, 24 and 26 and 26 and 28. Each pair of volume indicators 20/22, 22/24, 24/26, and 26/28 defines a volume of liquid between the adjacent volume indicators. In FIG. 1B the volume indicators comprise small visible lines in the circumferential direction of container 10 with adjacent text describing a volume. In FIG. 1B, each volume indicator includes text defining the incremental volume from the immediately adjacent volume indicator below it (i.e., spaced apart in the direction toward container bottom 14 along the length axis) or in the case of volume indicator 28 the incremental volume from closed bottom 14, which itself acts a volume indicator that indicates zero volume of beverage is present. However, the volume indicators may also specify total volumes relative to the closed bottom 14.
In the case of container 10, each pair of adjacent volume indicators corresponds to a physical descriptor that describes an exercise or type of physical activity (e.g., weightlifting, running, bicycling, and stretching) and an amount of the physical activity (e.g., numbers of sets and/or repetitions of a weight lifting exercise, or time or distance traveled for bicycling or running, or time for stretching). Volume indicator 20 corresponds to a volume of liquid from upper cylindrical edge 30 of vessel 12 (i.e., the top of the cylindrical portion of vessel 12 before a frustoconical transition to an open top (not shown but located underneath lid 16) to volume indicator 20. Volume indicator 20 also corresponds to a physical activity descriptor that describes a physical activity and an amount of the physical activity. In the example, volume indicator 20 includes a circumferential graphic marking that defines a first volume (in the example, 4 ounces relative to vessel upper cylindrical edge 30). A physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 32 and text 34 is positioned between volume indicator 20 and vessel 12 upper cylindrical edge 30, which itself acts as a volume indicator. The graphic 32 depicts two positions of a first exercise (side leg raise) and the adjacent corresponding text 34 describes a number of repetitions (25 per set) and a number of sets (3), indicating that after performing the described number repetitions and sets, four ounces of the contained beverage should be consumed.
Volume indicator 20 and adjacent volume indicator 22 define a pair of adjacent volume indicators that correspond to a volume of liquid from volume indicator 20 to volume indicator 22 (four ounces in the example). A physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic 36 and adjacent text 38 is also provided between volume indicators 20 and 22 in a direction along the vessel length axis L. Graphic 36 depicts two positions of calf raises, and the adjacent text 38 describes a number of repetitions per set (20) and a number of sets (4), indicating that after performing the described number of repetitions and sets, four ounces of the beverage in container 10 should be consumed.
Volume indicator 22 and adjacent volume indicator 24 define a pair of adjacent volume indicators that correspond to a volume of liquid from volume indicator 22 to volume indicator 24 (four ounces in the example). A physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic 40 and adjacent text 42 is also provided between volume indicators 22 and 24 in a direction along the vessel length axis L. Graphic 40 depicts two positions of a plank leg raise exercise, and the adjacent text 42 describe a number of repetitions per set (35) and a number of sets (3), indicating that after performing the desired number of repetitions and sets, four ounces of the beverage in container 10 should be consumed.
Volume indicator 24 and adjacent volume indicator 26 define a pair of adjacent volume indicators that correspond to a volume of liquid from volume indicator 24 to volume indicator 26 (four ounces in the example). A physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic 44 and adjacent text 46 is also provided between volume indicators 24 and 26 in a direction along the vessel length axis L. Graphic 44 depicts two positions of a jump squat exercise, and the adjacent text 46 describes a number of repetitions per set (25) and a number of sets (3), indicating that after performing the required number of repetitions and sets, four ounces of the beverage in container 10 should be consumed.
Volume indicator 26 and adjacent volume indicator 28 define a pair of adjacent volume indicators that correspond to a volume of liquid from volume indicator 26 to volume indicator 28 (four ounces in the example). A physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic 48 and adjacent text 50 is also provided between volume indicators 26 and 28 in a direction along the vessel length axis L. Graphic 48 depicts two positions of a single leg squat exercise, and the adjacent text 50 describes a number of repetitions per set (25) and a number of sets (3), indicating that after performing the desired number of repetitions and sets, four ounces of beverage in container 10 should be consumed.
Volume indicator 28 and the bottom 14 of vessel 12 correspond to a volume of liquid from bottom 14 of vessel 12 to volume indicator 28 (four ounces in the example). A physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic 52 and adjacent text 54 is also provided between bottom 14 and volume indicator 28 in a direction along the vessel length axis L. Graphic 52 depicts two positions of a squat exercise, and the adjacent text 54 describes a number of repetitions per set (25) and a number of sets (3), indicating that after performing the required number of repetitions and sets, four ounces of the beverage in container 10 should be consumed.
The sequence of exercises depicted in graphics 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 define an exercise routine beginning with a first exercise (graphic 32/text 34) and ending with a last exercise (graphic 52/text 54). At the beginning of the routine, vessel 12 is filled with a beverage to upper cylindrical edge 30, which acts as a first volume indicator indicating that the vessel 12 is full and that 24 ounces of the beverage is present). At the end of the routine, vessel 12 is empty with closed bottom 14 acting as a last volume indicator (i.e., zero volume present).
A third circumferential view of container 10 is provided in FIG. 1C. Exercise goal indicator 21 indicates that the goal of the exercises shown in the third circumferential view is to build muscle.
Volume indicators 56, 58, 60, 62, and 64 are sequentially arranged and spaced apart from one another along the vessel length axis L. A physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 66 and adjacent text 68 describe an exercise (squat to bench ratio), a number of repetitions per set (10) and a number of sets (10) corresponding to a volume of liquid contained between the upper cylindrical edge 30 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that the vessel 12 is 100 percent full and that 24 ounces of the beverage is present) and volume indicator 56. The graphic 66 and adjacent text 68 are located between upper cylindrical edge 30 and volume indicator 56 in a direction along the vessel length axis, L. Thus, after performing the described number of repetitions per set (10) and number of sets (10), the user is directed to drink the volume of liquid between upper cylindrical edge 30 and volume indicator 56.
In the same manner, volume indicator pair 58 and 56 define a volume of liquid to be consumed (e.g., 4 ounces) after performing the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 70 and adjacent text 72 (e.g., four sets of 15 repetitions per set of a single leg press activity).
Similarly, volume indicator pair 58 and 60 define a volume of liquid to be consumed (e.g., 4 ounces) after performing the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 74 and adjacent text 76 (e.g., 4 sets of 15 repetitions per set of a Romanian dead lift). Volume indicator pair 60 and 62 defines a volume of liquid to be consumed (e.g., 4 ounces) after performing the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 78 and adjacent text 80 (e.g., 4 sets of 15 repetitions of a seated calf raise).
Volume indicator pair 62 and 64 define a volume of liquid to be consumed (e.g., 4 ounces) after performing the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 82 and adjacent text 84 (e.g., 4 sets of 20 repetitions of a leg curl). Volume indicator 64 and vessel bottom 14 (which itself acts as a volume indicator that indicates zero volume) define a volume of liquid to be consumed (e.g., 4 ounces) after performing the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 86 an adjacent text 88.
The sequence of exercises depicted in graphics 66, 70, 74, 78, 82, and 86 define an exercise routine beginning with a first exercise (graphic 66/text 68) and ending with a last exercise (graphic 86/text 88). At the beginning of the routine, vessel 12 is filled with a beverage to upper cylindrical edge 30 indicating that 24 ounces of beverage is present. At the end of the routine, vessel 12 is empty.
Container 10 provides a convenient way to exercise a region of the body defined by body part indicator 55 and to regulate the intake of fluid while performing different exercise sequences with different goals, in this case building muscle and increasing leanness. Of course, other volume indicators such as tactile or tactile and visual indicators may be used, as may different exercises, numbers of repetitions and numbers of sets. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a user may custom order container 10 and specify the workouts and fluid intake defined by the various physical activity descriptors and volume indicators. The particular exercises, numbers of repetitions, and numbers of sets are merely exemplary. In addition, the liquid volumes corresponding to each graphic and its adjacent text may be consumed before, instead of after, performing the corresponding exercises instead of after performing them. Also, the beverage volumes need not be identical for each specified exercise. The amount of beverage may also be specified as a mass or weight instead of a volume. However, the relationship between volumes defined by volume indicators and masses or weights of a beverage will vary with the beverage density.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C another intake regulating container 90 for fitness activities is depicted. The three figures show elevational views of different circumferential sections of container 90. Container 90 comprises a vessel 91, lid 101 (covering a selectively openable top that is not shown), and extendable and retractable spout 99. When spout 99 is extended away from vessel 91 along the vessel length axis L, it is open and allows the contained beverage to flow.
Body part indicator 128 indicates that the exercises depicted and described on vessel 91 are directed to the chest. Different body part indicators and corresponding exercises may also be used for working out body parts such as abdominal muscles, arms, back, shoulders, and quads.
FIGS. 2B and 2C show exercise routines for enhancing leanness and building muscle as indicated by exercise goal descriptors 102 (FIG. 2B) and 130 (FIG. 2C). In FIG. 2B volume indicators 92, 94, 96, 98, and 100 are provided as are physical descriptors comprising graphics 104, 108, 112, 116, 120 and 124 and their respective adjacent text 106, 110, 114, 118, 122, and 126. The adjacent pairs of volume indicators 92/94, 94/96, 96/98, and 98/100 define volumes of liquid to be consumed and correspond to the physical activity descriptors contained between the members of the volume indicator pairs. Also, volume indicator 92 and upper cylindrical edge 95 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that 24 ounces of beverage is present) of vessel 91 define a volume of liquid to be consumed in connection with the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 104 and adjacent text 106. Similarly, volume indicator 100 and vessel bottom 97 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that zero volume of beverage is present) define a volume of liquid to be consumed in connection with the physical activity described by physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 124 and adjacent text 126. Thus, FIG. 2B defines an exercise routine for enhancing leanness (exercise goal descriptor 102) comprising the sequence of exercises starting with the exercise described by graphic 104 and the amount of exercise described by adjacent text 106 and ending with the exercise described by graphic 124 and the amount of the exercise described by adjacent text 126.
As indicated by exercise goal indicator 130, the exercise routine described in FIG. 2C is directed to building muscle. Volume indicators 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 are provided as are physical activity descriptors comprising graphics 142, 146, 150, 154, 158, and 162 and corresponding adjacent text 144, 148, 152, 156, 160, and 164. The adjacent pairs of volume indicators 132/134, 134/136, 136/138, and 138/140 define volumes of liquid to be consumed and correspond to the physical activity descriptors located between the volume indicator pairs. Also, volume indicator 132 and upper cylindrical edge 95 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that 24 ounces of beverage are present) define a volume of liquid to be consumed in connection with the physical activity described by a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 142 and adjacent text 144. Similarly, volume indicator 149 and vessel bottom 97 (itself a volume indicator indicating that zero volume of the beverage is present) define a volume of liquid to be consumed in connection with the physical activity described a physical activity descriptor comprising graphic 162 and adjacent text 166. Graphics 142, 146, 150, 154, 158, and 162 define an exercise routine intended to build chest muscles (as indicated by body part indicator 128 and exercise goal indicator 130) starting with the exercise depicted by graphic 142 and ending with the exercise depicted by graphic 162. The liquid volumes corresponding to each exercise depicted by the graphics 142, 146, 150, 154, 158, and 162 may be consumed before or after doing the amount of exercise specified by the corresponding adjacent text 144, 148, 152, 156, 160, and 164. Thus, container 90 provides a convenient way to regulate liquid intake while performing leanness enhancing or muscle enhancing chest exercises. The specific exercises, numbers of repetitions, and numbers of sets are merely exemplary. In addition, container 90 may be custom designed to include user-specified exercise routines and beverage volumes. Also, the beverage volumes need not be identical for each specified exercise.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D an intake regulating container 170 for cardiovascular fitness exercises is depicted. FIGS. 3A-3D show elevational views of four different circumferential sections of container 170. Container 170 comprises a vessel 172 and a lid 178 (covering a selectively openable vessel top, not shown) with an extendable and retractable spout 180. Upper cylindrical edge 176 and closed bottom 174 are spaced apart from one another along the length axis L of the vessel 172.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show views of diametrically opposite circumferential sections of vessel 172. In FIG. 3B a physical activity descriptor comprising the text “All Cardio” surrounded by seven graphic images depicting different cardiovascular exercises is provided. An intake descriptor 181 is provided which comprises text describing an intake volume of the contained beverage (6-10 ounces) and a duration of exercise (10-20 minutes) corresponding to the intake volume.
FIG. 3C shows an elevational view of a third circumferential section of vessel 172. Volume indicators 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, and 196 are provided. Each volume indicator 184, 186, 188, 192, 194, and 196 comprises a short circumferential line graphic and associated text describing a volume. The distances between adjacent pairs of volume indicators (184/186, 186/188, 188/190,190/192,192/194, and 194/196) along the vessel length axis L correspond to a volume of contained liquid, which in the example is 3 ounces. In addition, the distance between the upper volume indicator 184 and the upper cylindrical edge 176 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that 24 ounces of beverage are present) along the vessel length axis L corresponds to a volume of contained liquid, and in the example, the volume of 3 ounces. Similarly, the distance between lower volume indicator 196 and closed container bottom 174 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that zero volume of beverage is present) along the vessel length axis corresponds to a volume of contained liquid, which in the example is 3 ounces.
A physical activity type descriptor 182 is provided on FIG. 3C, and in the depicted example is “Running.” Adjacent to each volume indicator is a physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic and adjacent text describing a distance traveled. In the depicted example, each physical activity descriptor graphic 198, 202, 206, 210, 214, 218, and 222 depicts a person running. Each item of adjacent text 200, 204, 208, 212, 216, 220, and 224 describes a distance traveled, which in the example is “1 mile”. A speed descriptor 223 is provided proximate bottom 174 of cylindrical vessel 172 and reads “9-10 Mins Per Mile” (which is actually the inverse of speed). Thus, in the example of FIG. 3C the graphics 198, 202, 206, 210, 214, 218, and 222 and text 200, 204, 208, 212, 216, 220, and 224 define a method of exercising in which someone consumes 3 ounces of the contained beverage for every mile traveled over a total distance of eight (8) miles. Other types of physical activity descriptors could be used. For example, the adjacent text could be in different units (e.g., kilometers) or time-based (e.g., minutes).
FIG. 3D shows a front elevational view of a circumferential section of vessel 172 that is diametrically opposite the circumferential section depicted in FIG. 3C.
Volume indicators 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238 are provided, with each comprising a short circumferential line graphic and associated text describing a volume. The distances between adjacent pairs of volume indicators (226/228, 228/230, 230/232, 232/234, 234/236, and 236/238 along the vessel length axis L correspond to a volume of contained liquid, which in the example is 3 ounces. In addition, the distance between the upper volume indicator 226 and the upper cylindrical edge 176 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that 24 ounces of beverage are present) along the vessel length axis L corresponds to a volume of contained liquid, and in the example, the volume of 3 ounces. Similarly, the distance between lower volume indicator 238 and closed container bottom 174 (which itself acts as a volume indicator indicating that zero volume of beverage is present) along the vessel length axis corresponds to a volume of contained liquid, which in the example is 3 ounces.
Physical activity type descriptor 227 is provided and in the depicted example is “Biking.” Adjacent to each volume indicator is a physical activity descriptor comprising a graphic and adjacent text describing a distance traveled. In the depicted example, each physical activity descriptor graphic 240, 244, 248, 252, 256, 260, and 264 depicts a person bicycling. Each item of adjacent text 242, 246, 250, 254, 258, and 262 describes a distance traveled, which in the example is “2.5 miles”. A speed descriptor 225 is provided proximate bottom 174 of cylindrical vessel 172 and reads “6 Mins Per Mile” (which is actually the inverse of speed). Thus, in the example of FIG. 3C the graphics 240, 244, 248, 252, 256, 260, and 264 and corresponding adjacent text 242, 246, 250, 254, 258, 262, and 266 define a method of exercising in which someone consumes 3 ounces of the contained beverage for every mile traveled over a total distance of 20 miles. Other types of physical activity descriptors could be used. For example, the adjacent text could be in different units (e.g., kilometers) or time-based (e.g., minutes).
In one exemplary method of use, on a first day of a given week, container 172 is filled with water up to the cylindrical edge 176 and is carried by a person who wishes to perform cardiovascular exercises. As the user completes 1 mile of running, he or she consumes 3 ounces of water by extending spout 180 and drinking until the water line is proximate the volume indicator 184. After running another mile, he or she then consumes another 3 ounces by drinking until the water line is proximate volume indicator 186. The method continues as the user consumes 3 ounces after completing each mile until the container 170 is empty. The user may also drink the indicated volume of water before running each distance instead of after
On another day of a given week, the user again fills container 170 with water up to the cylindrical edge 176. After bicycling 2.5 miles, the user retracts spout 180 and drink 3 ounces of water by drinking until the water line reaches volume indicator 226. He or she then rides another 2.5 miles and drinks another 3 ounces of water until waterline 228 is reached. The method continues until the container i170 is empty. The various water volumes may also be consumed before riding the indicated distance instead of after.
Thus, container 170 provides a convenient way of regulating the intake of a contained beverage during multiple cardiovascular exercises, in this case, biking and running. Of course, other cardiovascular exercises may be depicted and described on container 170, including walking, rowing, jumping rope, climbing stairs, elliptical machine exercises, sprinting, high intensity interval training, and swimming.
The specific intake volumes of beverages and the specific amounts of exercise (distances, times, repetitions, sets) are exemplary only, as are the particular exercise routines that are depicted. The workouts described by the various physical activity descriptors may be for gaining muscle and/or shedding fat, and may be directed to workouts performed with or without weights. Similarly, the units of beverage or food may be changed to any units that can be reliably correlated with visual and/or tactile markings on the container.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An container, comprising:

a vessel having a volume, wherein the vessel is selectively fillable with varying volumes of a food or a beverage;

at least one volume indicator and at least one physical activity descriptor arranged along the vessel, wherein the at least one volume indicator corresponds to a volume within the container and to a one of the at least one physical activity descriptor.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one volume indicator is a plurality of volume indicators defining a plurality of volume indicator adjacent pairs arranged along a dimension of the vessel, the at least one physical activity descriptor is a plurality of physical activity descriptors arranged along the dimension of the vessel, and each volume indicator adjacent pair corresponds to a one of the volume indicator adjacent pairs in the plurality of volume indicator adjacent pairs.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one volume indicator is a visual marking that defines a position along the dimension.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one volume indicator is a tactile feature that defines a position along the dimension.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one physical activity descriptor is a graphic depicting a type of physical activity.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the type of physical activity is one selected from the group consisting of running, bicycling, weightlifting, and stretching.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the type of physical activity is weightlifting, and each physical activity descriptor further describes a weightlifting exercise.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the physical activity descriptors describe a plurality of weightlifting exercises each of which are different from one another.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one physical activity descriptor comprises text describing an amount of physical activity.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the amount of physical activity comprises at least one of a number of repetitions and a number of sets of repetitions of a weightlifting exercise.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein the amount of physical activity comprises a distance traveled.

12. The container of claim 2, wherein each physical activity descriptor in the plurality of physical activity descriptors comprises a graphic positioned between an adjacent pair of volume indicators in the plurality of volume indicators.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one physical activity descriptor is a graphic depicting a portion of the body to be exercised.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one volume indicator comprises a textual description of a volume.

15. The container of claim 1, further comprising a textual indicator of whether the physical activity is intended to build muscle or enhance leanness.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein the vessel has a closed bottom and a selectively openable top defining a length from the closed bottom to the selectively openable top, and wherein the at least one physical activity descriptor comprises a plurality of physical activity descriptors arranged in a performance sequence along the length of the container with a physical activity descriptor proximate the selectively openable top corresponding to a first part of the performance sequence to be performed and a physical activity descriptor proximate the closed bottom corresponding to a last part of the performance sequence to be performed in the exercise routine.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the performance sequence corresponds to an exercise routine, and the first part of the performance sequence is a first exercise to be performed in the exercise routine, and the last part of the performance sequence is a last exercise to be performed in the exercise routine.

18. A method of regulating an intake of food or beverage while performing an exercise, the method comprising:

providing the container of claim 1, wherein the at least one volume indicator is a plurality of volume indicators spaced apart along a dimension of the vessel, and the at least one physical activity descriptor is a plurality of physical activity descriptors spaced apart along the dimension;

filling the container with a food or beverage such that the food or beverage extends along the dimension past a pair of adjacent volume indicators from among the plurality of volume indicators;

consuming a volume of food or beverage defined by the pair of adjacent volume indicators, such that the food or beverage extends to a one of the pair of adjacent volume indicators but not another of the pair of adjacent volume indicators; and

performing the physical activity described by the physical activity descriptor corresponding to the adjacent pair of volume indicators.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the physical activity descriptor describes an amount of the physical activity, and the step of performing the physical activity comprises performing the amount of the physical activity.

20. A method of regulating an intake of food or beverage while performing an exercise, the method comprising:

providing the container of claim 17, wherein the vessel includes an upper edge along the vessel length axis;

filling the container with a food or beverage to the upper edge, the upper edge defining a volume indicator and the closed bottom defining a volume indicator;

performing each exercise in the exercise sequence starting with the first exercise and ending with the last exercise, and

consuming a volume of the food or beverage in the container following or preceding the performing of each exercise in the exercise sequence, wherein the volume of food or beverage consumed following or preceding each exercise is defined by an adjacent pair of volume indicators from among the plurality of volume indicators, and corresponds to a physical activity descriptor describing the performed exercise from among the plurality of physical activity descriptors.