Hydration cart

Abstract

A cart for the management of liquids, trash, and equipment during indoor events is disclosed. The cart may include a liquid container positioned above a top surface such that liquids spilled from the liquid container are contained on the top surface. The top surface may comprise an aperture extending therethrough. A trash container may be positioned below the aperture in the top surface to catch any liquid or trash that passes down through the aperture.

Claims

1. A hydration cart comprising: a frame; a plurality of wheels connected to the frame; a top surface connected to the frame; the top surface having an aperture extending therethrough; a pedestal extending above the top surface and comprising an interior support and an outer border, wherein the interior support is positioned a first distance above the top surface, the outer border has an upper extreme positioned a second distance above the top surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the outer border has at least one gap formed therein such that the upper extreme of the outer border does not completely encircle the interior support; a multi-quart liquid container configured to dispense liquid, the liquid container resting on top of the interior support of the pedestal so as to be above the top surface; a trash container positioned below the top surface to catch matter falling through the aperture in the top surface.

2. The hydration cart of claim 1, wherein the liquid container rests on top of the interior support of the pedestal so as to be directly above the top surface.

3. The hydration cart of claim 2, wherein the pedestal rests on top of the top surface.

4. The hydration cart of claim 3, further comprising a raised lip circumnavigating the top surface.

5. The hydration cart of claim 4, wherein an outer edge of the raised lip is covered with a protective material forming a bumper for the hydration cart.

6. The hydration cart of claim 4, wherein the top surface slopes down to the aperture such that the aperture is the low point of the top surface.

7. The hydration cart of claim 3, wherein the frame comprises side walls, a bottom surface, and at least one door.

8. The hydration cart of claim 7, wherein the top surface, bottom surface, side walls, and at least one door combine to form an enclosed area.

9. The hydration cart of claim 8, further comprising a lock selectively locking the at least one door in a closed position.

10. The hydration cart of claim 1, wherein the top surface slopes down to the aperture such that the aperture is the low point of the top surface.

11. The hydration cart of claim 1, further comprising a raised lip circumnavigating the top surface.

12. A hydration cart comprising: an enclosure comprising a top surface; the enclosure wherein the top surface comprises an aperture extending through the top surface; and a plurality of wheels connected to the enclosure; a pedestal extending above the top surface and comprising an interior support and an outer border, wherein the interior support is positioned a first distance above the top surface, the outer border has an upper extreme positioned a second distance above the top surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the outer border has at least one gap formed therein such that the upper extreme of the outer border does not completely encircle the interior support; a liquid container containing a potable liquid and configured to dispense the liquid, the liquid container resting on top of the interior support of the pedestal so as to be above the top surface; and a trash container positioned inside the enclosure to catch matter falling through the aperture in the top surface.

13. The hydration cart of claim 12, wherein the liquid container rests on top of the interior support of the pedestal so as to be directly above the top surface.

14. The hydration cart of claim 13, wherein the pedestal rests on top of the top surface.

15. The hydration cart of claim 12, wherein the top surface slopes down to the aperture such that the aperture is the low point of the top surface.

16. The hydration cart of claim 12, further comprising a raised lip circumnavigating the top surface.

17. The hydration cart of claim 12, wherein the top surface has an outer perimeter and the aperture is interior to and does not form part of the outer perimeter.

18. A method comprising: approaching a hydration cart comprising a top surface with an aperture extending therethrough, a pedestal extending above the top surface, a liquid container configured to dispense liquid, the liquid container resting on top of the pedestal so as to be above the top surface, and a trash container positioned below the aperture in the top surface; dispensing, from the liquid container while the liquid container is resting on top of the pedestal, a portion of liquid into a drinking vessel; and drinking, after the dispensing, the portion of liquid from the drinking vessel.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising passing trash down through the aperture in the top surface and into the trash container.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the top surface slopes down to the aperture such that the aperture is the low point of the top surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the utility cart;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the utility cart;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of the utility cart with a liquid container/dispenser elevated by the pedestal above the enclosed top surface; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a front view of the utility cart with a receptacle for collecting liquids and trash.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(6) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the utility cart which demonstrates a potential placement for the:

(7) ABumper;

(8) BLip to prevent spillage;

(9) CAccommodation for the placement of common liquid containers;

(10) DPedestal for the elevation of liquid dispensers above the enclosed top surface, which can be modular and allow for changes in orientation, pitch, and height for use with different bottles, cups and containers;

(11) EHole at the low point of the inclined enclosed top surface for the collection of liquids and trash;

(12) FHandle for mobility and control;

(13) G360 degree swivel casters with brakes located below handle for increase mobility and control;

(14) HLocking device for the securing of one or multiple portions of the lower compartment;

(15) IFixed fork wheels for controllability when turning, on inclines, and level surfaces at higher speed; and

(16) JShort radius doors for the securing of equipment and use in confined spaces.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the utility cart which demonstrates a potential placement for the flange, lip, or slide hinge (K) which enables easy removal and install of the trash and liquid receptacle placed under the hole at the low point of the inclined enclosed top surface.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of the utility cart with a liquid container/dispenser (L) elevated by the pedestal (D) above the enclosed top surface (M). FIG. 3 also shows the enclosed top surface (M) containing a slight slope (N). The hole (E) is at the low point of the inclined enclosed top surface (M).

(19) FIG. 4 shows a front view of the utility cart with a receptacle (O) for collecting liquids and trash. The receptacle (O) is placed under the hole (E). The receptacle (O) resides on flanges, rails, slides, or hinges (K) for easy removal for emptying.

(20) A retention system for preventing spilled liquids from coming in contact with the floor may comprise: (a) a raised edge circumnavigating the top surface of the cart, the raised edge may be larger in width and length than the pedestal supporting the liquid dispenser; (b) a contoured or flat generally horizontal surface, with one or more holes for the liquid to drain through; (c) a retention device for holding a container in such a manner so as to catch spilled liquid passing through the hole in the contoured or flat surface; and (d) a raised edge circumnavigating the bottom surface of the cart, to act as a redundant retention device for any liquids passing through the previous members.

(21) Any of the embodiments of the device can be formed or made out of plastic, metal, wood, or other material and may include both different shapes, forms, sizes or even advertising materials for brands and logos.

(22) Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.