Device and method for containing projectiles

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include devices, systems, and methods for storing and dispensing paintballs or other projectiles, as well as the projectiles and devices for firing the projectiles. The device or system containing the paintballs or projectiles may be opened by application of a force to an actuator remote from an opening through which paintballs or projectiles are passed.

1 . A container for storing and dispensing paintballs comprising: 
 a vessel with an opening;    a closure device operable to selectively cover at least a portion of the opening; and    an actuator coupled to the vessel;    wherein the actuator is operable to move the closure device away from at least a portion of the opening by application of a force to the actuator at a portion of the container remote from the opening.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the vessel has a generally cylindrical perimeter.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the vessel has a generally frusto-conical portion adjacent to the closure device.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the closure device is a hinged lid.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the closure device when operated moves at least in part away from the plane of the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is coupled to the vessel by penetrating a portion of the vessel.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is a rod extending from the closure device to a portion of the container remote from the opening.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the actuator includes a generally annular grip extending substantially around the vessel.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the force applied to the actuator is a linear force.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the force applied to the actuator is a twisting force.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein a force may be applied to the actuator and a force may be applied to the closure device to move the closure device away from at least a portion of the opening.  
   
   
       12 . A system for storing projectiles and for dispensing projectiles into a device operable to fire the projectiles comprising: 
 multiple projectiles;    a vessel with an opening, the vessel containing the projectiles;    a closure device operable to selectively cover at least a portion of the opening; and    an actuator operable to move the closure device away from at least a portion of the opening by application of a force to the actuator at a location remote from the opening.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the multiple projectiles are paintballs.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the closure device is a hinged lid.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the closure device when operated moves at least in part away from the plane of the opening.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the actuator is coupled to the vessel by penetrating a portion of the vessel.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the actuator is a rod extending from the closure device to a portion of the container remote from the opening.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the actuator includes a generally annular grip extending substantially around the vessel.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the force applied to the actuator is a linear force.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the force applied to the actuator is a twisting force.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 12  wherein a force may be applied to the actuator and a force may be applied to the closure device to move the closure device away from at least a portion of the opening.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising the device for firing the projectiles.  
   
   
       23 . A device for storing and dispensing paintballs comprising: 
 multiple paintballs;    a vessel with an opening and an associated closure device, the vessel containing the multiple paintballs; and    a means for moving at least a portion of the closure device away from the opening;    wherein when the closure device is moved away from at least a portion of the opening the multiple paintballs may be poured from the device.    
   
   
       24 . A method of dispensing projectiles from a container comprising the acts of: 
 controlling the container;    applying a force to an actuator portion of the container remote from an opening in the container; and    removing one or more projectiles from the container.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the act of removing the projectiles from the container includes pouring the projectiles from the container.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising applying a second force to close the container when less than all of the projectiles have been removed from the container.