Systems and methods for providing apparel having an internal fluid container
This disclosure relates to apparel and/or clothing accessories containing a fluid container. In particular, disclosed are systems and methods for providing apparel and/or accessories that selectively contain a fluid container that can be filled with a drinkable liquid. The apparel item may include any clothing or object that is adapted to be worn by a person, such as a necktie. In some cases, the apparel item is made to receive and retain a liquid-tight container within an internal compartment of the apparel. A flexible tube is connected to the container and runs from within the apparel item out, so that a wearer can drink fluid from the container through the flexible tube. Additionally, in some cases, when inflated, the container provides a pillow or cushion.
1. An item of apparel comprising:
a necktie comprising a container receiving portion that selectively receives and retains a container, the container being liquid-tight;
a retaining mechanism to selectively and releasably retain the container at the container receiving portion, wherein the retaining mechanism enables selective removal of the container from the container receiving portion; and
a liquid dispensing mechanism fluidly coupled to the container for selective use by a user, wherein the liquid dispensing mechanism comprises a valve.
2. The item of claim 1 , wherein the liquid dispensing mechanism comprises a tube.
3. The item of claim 1 , wherein the necktie includes a wide end and a narrow end, wherein the container is disposed within the container receiving portion within the wide end.
4. The item of claim 2 , wherein the tube runs from the container to the narrow end of the necktie.
5. The item of claim 2 , wherein the tube comprises a flexible tube.
6. The item of claim 2 , wherein a first end of the tube is connected to the container and a second end of the tube has the valve to selectively seal the second end.
7. The item of claim 6 , wherein the valve includes a valve opening, and wherein the valve opening comprises a slit.
8. The item of claim 1 , wherein the necktie comprises a pre-tied tie.
9. The item of claim 1 , wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a pocket.
10. The item of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a rigid material.
11. The item of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a flexible material.
12. The item of claim 11 , wherein the retaining mechanism allows a portion of a backside of a wide end of the necktie to selectively open and close.
13. The item of claim 1 , wherein the necktie comprises at least one of a clip-on mechanism and a neckband.
14. A tie comprising:
a tie configured to be worn about a user's neck, wherein the tie is selected from a necktie and a bowtie;
a container, the container being liquid-tight;
an internal compartment within the tie configured to receive and retain the container;
a tube connected to the container, the tube being exposable from the tie for selective use by the user.
15. The neckwear of claim 14 , wherein the tube runs from the container to a narrow end of the neckwear.
16. The neckwear of claim 15 , wherein a first end of the tube is connected to the container and a second end of the tube has a valve to selective seal and open the second end.
17. The neckwear of claim 14 , wherein the tie comprises a necktie having a wide end and an narrow end, wherein the internal compartment is within the wide end and the tube runs from the container to the narrow end of the necktie.
18. A method for making a fluid-containing necktie, the method comprising:
providing a liquid-tight container;
providing a necktie having an internal compartment configured to receive and retain the container, the liquid-tight container being disposed within the internal compartment; and
providing a tube having a first end connected to the container, wherein the tube is configured to selectively dispense liquid from the container.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising running the second end of the tube through and out of a narrow end of the necktie.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the necktie comprises a pre-tied tie having a neckband.