Recreational flotation device

Abstract

A recreational flotation device can comprise a closed container formed from a water-permeable material and containing a plurality of discrete floatable elements so the container is deformed and deformable by a user in the water to provide selection and variation in the manner in which a user's body can be supported above and under the water's surface. Articles that pose environmental disposal problems can be used as discrete floatable elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A recreational flotation device, comprising a closed container formed from a flexible water-permeable material, and a plurality of discrete, floatable elements carried within the closed container, said closed container and its plurality of discrete floatable elements being deformable by a user to provide a selectable floating support for the user's body, wherein the closed container includes at least two side panels and at least one attachment between the side panels of the closed container to exclude the discrete floatable elements from at least one interior portion of the closed container . 
     
     
         2 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible water-permeable material comprises a mesh or a netting. 
     
     
         3 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 2  wherein the mesh or netting is formed from a non-absorbing plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 3 , wherein the mesh or netting is comprised of a selected one of a group of fiber-like plastics including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, nylon and the like. 
     
     
         5 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the mesh or netting is formed from a natural fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible water-permeable material is a fabric formed from a natural fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 2  wherein the mesh or netting comprises uniformly-shaped openings having open areas of from 0.25 square inch to 4.0 square inches. 
     
     
         8 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the discrete floatable elements comprise floatable elements formed from a material with a density less than water. 
     
     
         9 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 8  wherein the discrete floatable elements are formed from polystyrene foam. 
     
     
         10 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the discrete floatable elements are hollow and water impermeable. 
     
     
         11 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 10  wherein the discrete floatable elements comprise empty plastic water bottles. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment is centrally and longitudinally located adjacent the center of the closed container to exclude the discrete floatable elements from the center and longitudinal portion of the closed container to provide hammock-like support of a human body in the water. 
     
     
         14 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment is located to facilitate a human user in folding the closed container into a different shape. 
     
     
         15 . The recreational floatation device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment can be effected and removed by a user while in the water. 
     
     
         16 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment comprises a plurality of detachable fasteners for fastening more than one portion of the two side panels together. 
     
     
         17 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the container has a rectangular shape in its major dimension. 
     
     
         18 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the container has a cloud-like form with plural lobes. 
     
     
         19 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 1  wherein the container is formed from a plurality of container panels joined at their edges to provide a plurality of container portions. 
     
     
         20 . The recreational flotation device of  claim 19  wherein the container can be folded to provide chair-like support of a user while partially immersed in water. 
     
     
         21 . A flotation device, comprising a container including a plurality of closed container portions, each of the plurality of closed container portions being adapted for carrying one or more discrete floatable elements, said plurality of closed container portions being located in the floatation device and provided with discrete floatable elements to provide floating support of a user's body in a selected position. 
     
     
         22 . The flotation device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of closed container portions are located in the flotation device and provided with discrete floatable elements to provide floating support of a user's body in a sitting position. 
     
     
         23 . The flotation device of  claim 21  wherein the discrete floatable elements are empty closed plastic containers.