Golf tee container and dispenser

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf tee container and dispenser having an elastomeric body with a plurality of apertures through which golf tees can be dispensed. Also provided by the invention are ready-packs of dispensable golf tees, as well as methods for containing and dispensing golf tees.

1 . A golf tee storage container and dispenser comprising:
 a body defining an interior for containing golf tees, wherein said body is made of an elastomeric material having a plurality of apertures disposed therein, each aperture having a diameter larger than the shank of a golf tee and smaller than the ball-holding end of the golf tee;   an opening in the body for inserting golf tees; and   a means for closing the opening.   
   
   
       2 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material is a mesh fabric. 
   
   
       3 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of latex, spandex, rubber, neoprene, isoprene, viton, silicon, or nylon. 
   
   
       4 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the body ihas a substantially rectangular shape. 
   
   
       5 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a diameter of about 2 to about 12 mm. 
   
   
       6 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are regularly spaced throughout the body. 
   
   
       7 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the interior can hold at least about 20 golf tees. 
   
   
       8 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is at least about 2 inches wide. 
   
   
       9 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the means for closing the opening is selected from the group consisting of zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop closures, ties, drawstrings, and ziplocks. 
   
   
       10 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening means. 
   
   
       11 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein said fastening means is selected from the group consisting of hooks, snaps, clips, key-type rings, ties, magnets, and hook-loop fasteners. 
   
   
       12 . The golf tee storage container and dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one label, tag, pouch or pocket. 
   
   
       13 . A ready-pack of dispensable golf tees comprising:
 a golf tee storage container and dispenser; and   a plurality of golf tees,   wherein said golf tee storage container and dispenser comprises a body defining an interior for containing golf tees, wherein said body is made of an elastomeric material having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, each aperture having a diameter larger than the shank of a golf tee and smaller than the ball-holding end of the golf tee.   
   
   
       14 . The ready-pack of dispensable golf tees of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an opening in the body for inserting golf tees; and   a means for closing the opening.   
   
   
       15 . A method for containing and dispensing a golf tee comprising:
 inserting at least one golf tee in a golf tee container and dispenser according to  claim 1  through the opening;   closing the golf tee container and dispenser through the means for closing the opening, thereby containing the golf tee;   allowing the golf tee to pass through an aperture of the golf tee container and dispenser, thereby exposing the golf tee to the exterior of the golf tee container and dispenser;   grasping the exteriorly exposed golf tee; and   pulling the grasped golf tee out of the golf tee container and dispenser, thereby dispensing the golf tee.