Soft toy hydration system and method

Abstract

A soft toy hydration system for incentivizing hydration, the system including a liquid container, such as a removable bottle, and a soft outer sleeve configured to envelop the container, the sleeve including an outer fleecy skin layer shaped into a decorative form attractive to children, such as a stylized animal or beverage, where a drinking outlet from the container, such as a straw, protrudes through an upper aperture in the sleeve for access, where the sleeve may further include a closable access opening, such as a zipper, to facilitate removal of the container for cleaning or refilling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydration system comprising:
 a liquid container for holding a liquid, the liquid container comprising a container body and a mouth section with a drinking outlet; and   a soft outer sleeve configured to removably receive and envelop the container body, the sleeve comprising
 an outer fleecy skin layer shaped into a decorative form, and 
 an upper aperture through which the mouth section of the liquid container protrudes. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft outer sleeve further comprises a fluffy filling layer disposed within the outer fleecy skin layer to enhance softness. 
     
     
         3 . The hydration system of  claim 2 , wherein the filling layer provides thermal insulation to maintain the temperature of the liquid within the liquid container. 
     
     
         4 . The hydration system of  claim 3 , wherein the thermal insulation further comprises a reflective layer configured to inhibit thermal transfer by radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The hydration system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluffy filling layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of foam, polyester fiberfill, wool roving, bamboo fiber, corn fiber, soy fiber, recycled fabric scraps, shredded paper, and a granular filling. 
     
     
         6 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid container is a bottle. 
     
     
         7 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the drinking outlet comprises a straw. 
     
     
         8 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the drinking outlet is part of a closable drinking aperture comprising a hinged access flap. 
     
     
         9 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative form resembles a stylized beverage, a fruit, an animal, or a character. 
     
     
         10 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer fleecy skin layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of felt, fleece, suede, cotton, fur, faux fur, mink fabric, polyester, and velvet. 
     
     
         11 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft outer sleeve further comprises a closable access opening to facilitate insertion and removal of the liquid container. 
     
     
         12 . The hydration system of  claim 11 , wherein the closable access opening comprises a fastening system selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, buttons, and a hook-and-eye lock. 
     
     
         13 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft outer sleeve comprises a separable head section which, when removed, provides access to the liquid container. 
     
     
         14 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the mouth section of the liquid container comprises a detachable and exchangeable decorative head cap. 
     
     
         15 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft outer sleeve or a portion of the liquid container is imbued with a pleasant odor. 
     
     
         16 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrying element attached to the soft outer sleeve or the mouth section of the liquid container. 
     
     
         17 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft outer sleeve further comprises a stabilization element on its bottom surface. 
     
     
         18 . The hydration system of  claim 1 , wherein the soft outer sleeve includes a pressable stress-relief feature.