US20220073259A1

US20220073259A1 - Multi-purpose container

Info

Publication number: US20220073259A1
Application number: US17/447,284
Authority: US
Inventors: Boaz Malca
Original assignee: ABS Hi Ltd
Current assignee: ABS Hi 26 Ltd; ABS Hi Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-09
Filing date: 2021-09-09
Publication date: 2022-03-10

Abstract

A container and a hand weight, that container may include a housing that comprises a handle and end weights that are connected to opposite sides of a handle; and at least one dispensing unit configured to selectively dispense content from the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND

Hand weights are one of the most popular types of training equipment. A very popular type of hand weights is referred to as a dumbbell and includes two end weights that are connected to opposite sides of a handle.
US patent application 2003/083179 illustrates a weight lifting plate is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed hand grips on each side of the plate, each hand grip formed by recessed surfaces in each side surface of the plate and a portion of the side surface which together provide a hand grip, such that the weight plate can be grabbed and lifted from either side thereof while the plate is resting against a flat surface such as the floor or against another adjacent weight plate.
US patent application 2007/0155599 illustrates a dumbbell assemblies and methods of making and using dumbbell assemblies are disclosed. The dumbbell assembly includes a dumbbell and a strap. The dumbbell includes a handle, a first end weight, and a second end weight. The strap includes a central band, a first coupling portion, and a second coupling portion. The first coupling portion is elastically secured about the first end weight and the second coupling portion is elastically secured about the second end weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,694,231 illustrates a hand weight device for providing a physically stable but variable resistance to gravity includes a handle coupled to a housing. A first end cap is movably coupled to the housing to selectively provide access to an interior space through a first end of the housing. Weights are positionable in the interior space to increase gravitational resistance to lifting of the housing. Spacers are positionable in the interior space to occupy a remainder of the interior space after a selected number of weights is positioned in the interior space. Thus, the selected number of the weights positioned in the interior space is inhibited from moving freely within the interior space.
Yet another type of training equipment is a protein supplement beverage shaker. The protein supplement beverage shaker and the hand weight are different types of training equipment that are not related to each other.
US patent application 2006/255035 illustrates an example of a beverage shaker that consists of an insulated container which is configured to hold the ingredients for protein supplement drinks. The shaker permits manual mixing by shaking to and from and retains any large pieces of the remaining ice within the container. The shaker has a removable top member that is attached to the container which includes a smooth peripheral lip surrounding the container suitable for drinking. A strainer is supported internally by the top member and is configured for holding back large sized pieces of ice. A lid internally interfaces with the top member in a leak proof manner permitting protein supplement drink ingredients to be mixed and consumed directly from the shaker when the lid is removed.
There is a growing need to provide a reusable training equipment and method.

SUMMARY

There may be provided a container and hand weight and a method for using a container and hand weight.
There may be provided a container and a hand weight that may include a housing that may include a handle and end weights that may be connected to opposite sides of a handle; and at least one dispensing unit configured to selectively dispense content from the housing.
The container and hand weight may include a protein powder that at least partially fills the housing.
The at least one dispensing unit may be multiple dispensing units.
The multiple dispensing units may be located at opposite sides of the housing.
The multiple dispensing units may be perpendicular to each other.
A dispensing unit of the multiple dispensing units may be located within an inner space formed within one of the end weights.
The housing may include multiple compartments.
Each compartment may be fluidly coupled to a unique dispensing unit.
The multiple compartments may be of a same volume.
Two compartments of the multiple compartments differ from each other by at least one of volume, shape and size.
There may be provided a method for utilizing a container and hand weight, the method may include receiving a container and a hand weight that may be filled with powder for preparing a drink; wherein the container and hand weight may include (i) a housing that may include a handle and end weights that may be connected to opposite sides of a handle; and (ii) at least one dispensing unit configured to selectively dispense content from the housing; consuming the substance until the container and hand weight may be free from the substance; filling the container and hand weight with fluid; closing the dispensing unit to provide a hand weight; and using the container and hand weight as a hand weight.
The at least one dispensing unit may be multiple dispensing units.
The multiple dispensing units may be located at opposite sides of the housing.
The multiple dispensing units may be perpendicular to each other.
A dispensing unit of the multiple dispensing units may be located within an inner space formed within one of the end weights.
The housing may include multiple compartments.
Each compartment may be fluidly coupled to a unique dispensing unit.
The multiple compartments may be of a same volume.
Two compartments of the multiple compartments differ from each other by at least one of volume, shape and size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the disclosure will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a method for using a container and a hand weight; and

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate examples of a container and hand weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
Any reference in the specification to a method should be applied mutatis mutandis to a device or system capable of executing the method.
Any reference in the specification to a system or device should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that may be executed by the system.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a method 10 for using a container and a hand weight.
The container and a hand weight may include a dispensing unit and a housing. The housing may be shaped as a hand weight—it may include a handle or other intermediate elements and two end weights that are connected to opposite sides of a handle.
The dispensing unit may be used to output substance, for inputting liquid, and the like.
Method 10 may start by step 12 of receiving a container and a hand weight that is filled with substance such as a powder or other powder-like material for preparing a drink.
For example—step 12 may include providing a container and a hand weight that is filled with protein powder, any other nutritious powder, or any type of powder that can be mixed with liquid to provide a drink.
The container and a hand weight may be completely filled with the substance or only partially filled with substance.
The dispensing unit can be a selectively open aperture that may be selectively open, closed or partially open—to enable an output of the substance from the container and a hand weight.
For example—the dispensing unit may be a removable cover that once opened exposes the substance to the exterior of the substance dispensing unit. The removable cover may be moved by rotation, elevation, or any other movement.
The dispensing unit, when closed may be sealed.
The dispensing unit can be placed anywhere in the container and a hand weight—preferably not at the handle. It may be positioned, for example, on top of one of the end weights—while the other end weight serves as a basis of the container and a hand weight.
There may be multiple dispensing units. For example—there may be provided two dispending elements that are located at opposite parts of the container.
One dispensing unit may be for solid substance and another for liquid.
Step 12 may be followed by step 14 of consuming the substance—for example until the container and a hand weight is free from the substance.
Step 14 may be followed by step 16 of filling the container and a hand weight with fluid (for example—water) and closing the dispensing unit—thereby providing a hand weight.
The container may be filled with solid substance—that may differ from the substance used for preparing the drink.
Step 16 may be followed by step 18 of using the container and a hand weight as a hand weight.
The method provides a container and a hand weight that can be used as a container and then as a hand weight—thus reusing the empty container.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of one of more containers and hand weights 30.
Container and hand weight 30 includes a housing 31 that is shaped as a hand weight—and includes handle 32 and two end weights 33 and 34 that are connected to opposite sides of a handle. It also includes a dispensing unit 35.
The container and a hand weight may be completely filled with the substance or only partially filled with substance.
The dispensing unit can be a selectively open aperture that may be selectively open, closed or partially open—to enable an output of the substance from the container and a hand weight.
For example—the dispensing unit may be a removable cover that once opened exposes the substance to the exterior of the substance dispensing unit. The removable cover may be moved by rotation, elevation, or any other movement.
The dispensing unit, when closed may be sealed.
The dispensing unit can be placed anywhere in the container and a hand weight—preferably not at the handle. It may be positioned, for example, on top of one of the end weights—while the other end weight serves as a basis of the container and a hand weight.
There may be multiple dispensing units. For example—there may be provided two dispending elements that are located at the same side or on different sides of the container.
One dispensing unit may be for solid substance and another for liquid. This may require the container to include separate compartments—for example one for solid substance and the other for liquid.
There may be multiple dispensing units and multiple compartments—regardless to substance or material stored in the container.
The dispensing unit may extend outside the end weight—see for example FIG. 2—dispensing unit 35 extends outside end weight 33. This is not necessarily so—and the dispensing unit 35 may be positioned in an “non-extending” position—within a space or cavity within the end weight 33—so that it does not extend outside the end weight. Such a “non-extending” position may be used when the container and hand weight 30 has a single dispensing unit. The “non-extending” position may also be applicable when there are multiple dispensing units—for example—one per each end weight. When there are two dispensing units for two end weights—one may extend outside and the other may be in the “non-extending” position—or both may be in the “non-extending” position. Positioning the dispensing unit in a “non-extending” position—allows the end weights that surrounds that dispensing unit to serve as a base of the container and hand weight 30.
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate various examples of containers and hand weights 30 that include multiple dispensing units 35 and 37. Dispensing units illustrated in dashed lines are in a “non-extending” position and are located within inner spaces (also illustrated as dashed lines) such as 36 and 38. The dispensing units may be located one or more of the two end weights 33 and 34. A dispending unit can be parallel to the handle, normal to the handle or at any angle. There may be more than two dispensing units.
The container and hand weight 30 may include two or more compartments—that may be of the same size, the same shape, different sizes or different shapes. A separator between the two or more compartments may be linear, non-linear, vertical, horizontal, sloped, and the like. FIG. 4 illustrates two compartments 41 and 42 formed within the container and hand weight 30 and a separator 40 between the compartments. The separator may be located anywhere within the container and hand weight 30 and may be of different orientation (non-horizontal) and shape (non-linear).
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality may be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that boundaries between the above described operations merely illustrative. The multiple operations may be combined into a single operation, a single operation may be distributed in additional operations and operations may be executed at least partially overlapping in time. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation, and the order of operations may be altered in various other embodiments.
However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.
The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an.” The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
It is appreciated that various features of the embodiments of the disclosure which are, for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the embodiments of the disclosure which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container and a hand weight, comprising:

a housing that comprises a handle and end weights that are connected to opposite sides of a handle; and

at least one dispensing unit configured to selectively dispense content from the housing.

2. The container and hand weight according to claim 1 comprising a protein powder that at least partially fills the housing.

3. The container and hand weight according to claim 1 wherein the at least one dispensing unit is multiple dispensing units.

4. The container and hand weight according to claim 3 wherein the multiple dispensing units are located at opposite sides of the housing.

5. The container and hand weight according to claim 3 wherein the multiple dispensing units are perpendicular to each other.

6. The container and hand weight according to claim 3 wherein a dispensing unit of the multiple dispensing units is located within an inner space formed within one of the end weights.

7. The container and hand weight according to claim 3 wherein the housing comprises multiple compartments.

8. The container and hand weight according to claim 7 wherein each compartment is fluidly coupled to a unique dispensing unit.

9. The container and hand weight according to claim 7 wherein the multiple compartments are of a same volume.

10. The container and hand weight according to claim 7 wherein two compartments of the multiple compartments differ from each other by at least one of volume, shape and size.

11. A method for utilizing a container and hand weight, the method comprises:

receiving a container and a hand weight that is filled with powder for preparing a drink; wherein the container and hand weight comprises (i) a housing that comprises a handle and end weights that are connected to opposite sides of a handle; and (ii) at least one dispensing unit configured to selectively dispense content from the housing;

consuming the substance until the container and hand weight is free from the substance;

filling the container and hand weight with fluid;

closing the dispensing unit to provide a hand weight; and

using the container and hand weight as a hand weight.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the at least one dispensing unit is multiple dispensing units.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the multiple dispensing units are located at opposite sides of the housing.

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein the multiple dispensing units are perpendicular to each other.

15. The method according to claim 12 wherein a dispensing unit of the multiple dispensing units is located within an inner space formed within one of the end weights.

16. The method according to claim 12 wherein the housing comprises multiple compartments.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein each compartment is fluidly coupled to a unique dispensing unit.

18. The method according to claim 16 wherein the multiple compartments are of a same volume.

19. The method according to claim 16 wherein two compartments of the multiple compartments differ from each other by at least one of volume, shape and size.