U.S. patent application number 09/824937 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for decorative container.
Invention is credited to Greiner, Lori.
Application Number | 20020139804 09/824937 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25242698 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020139804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greiner, Lori |
October 3, 2002 |
Decorative container
Abstract
A decorative container is described for displaying items in
internal cavities where the container includes an inner container
positioned within an outer container defining a hollow region
therebetween. The outer container is at least partially
transparent. The container also includes a removable member
allowing access to the hollow region. A plurality of removable
dividers extend radially from the inner container to the outer
container in the hollow region, defining a plurality of hollow
cavities within the hollow region. Also a decorative lid is
described that may be used with or without the decorative container
defining a hollow cavity for displaying decorative objects. The
decorative lid includes a removable lid access member for accessing
the hollow cavity.
Inventors: |
Greiner, Lori; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
25242698 |
Appl. No.: |
09/824937 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/506 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/16 20130101;
B65D 51/28 20130101; B65D 25/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/506 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/24; B65D
001/36; B65D 025/04; B65D 057/00; B65D 085/00; B65D 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A decorative container for displaying items in internal
cavities, the container comprising: an inner container positioned
within an outer container defining a hollow region therebetween,
wherein the outer container is at least partially transparent; a
removable member allowing access to the hollow region; and a
plurality of removable dividers extending radially from the inner
container to the outer container in the hollow region, the dividers
being spaced about the hollow region defining a plurality of hollow
cavities within the hollow region.
2. The decorative container of claim 1, wherein the container
further comprises grooves for receiving the removable dividers.
3. The decorative container of claim 1, wherein the inner container
is at least partially transparent.
4. The decorative container of claim 1 wherein the inner container
and outer container are at least about one centimeter apart.
5. The decorative container of claim 1 wherein the removable member
is removable without special tools.
6. The decorative container of claim 1 wherein the dividers are
equally spaced throughout the hollow region.
7. The decorative container of claim 1 wherein the inner container,
the outer container and the removable member are made of
polystyrene.
8. The decorative container of claim 1, wherein the removable
member allows simultaneous access to all hollow cavities within the
hollow region.
9. The decorative container of claim 1, wherein the inner container
and the outer container are continuously joined at an upper neck
region, wherein the outer container further comprises a lower edge
that defines an opening to the hollow region, wherein the removable
member is shaped to close the opening of the hollow region.
10. The decorative container of claim 1, wherein the inner
container and the outer container are continuously joined at a
lower end region, wherein the container further comprises an upper
edge that defines an opening to the hollow region, wherein the
removable member is shaped to close the opening of the hollow
region.
11. A decorative lid for a jar defining a hollow lid cavity
comprising: a base portion shaped to be removably mounted in an
opening of the jar, wherein the base portion defines a lower
boundary of the hollow lid cavity and defines a lid access opening
that provides access to the hollow lid cavity; a shell defining an
upper boundary of the hollow lid cavity wherein the shell is
connected to the base portion and is at least partially
transparent; and a removable lid access member mounted in the lid
access opening of the base portion.
12. The decorative lid of claim 11, wherein the shell is dome
shaped.
13. The decorative lid of claim 11, wherein the base portion, shell
and removable lid access member are made of polystyrene.
14. The decorative lid of claim 11, wherein the distance between
the shell and the base portion is at least about one centimeter at
the point of greatest separation.
15. A decorative container system for displaying items in internal
cavities comprising: a decorative container comprising an upper
opening and an inner container positioned within an outer container
thereby defining a hollow region therebetween, wherein the outer
container is at least partially transparent; a removable member
allowing access to the hollow region; and a decorative lid shaped
to be removably mounted in the upper opening of the decorative
container, the decorative lid defining a hollow lid cavity and
being at least partially transparent, the lid further comprising a
removable lid access member providing access to the hollow lid
cavity.
16. The decorative container system of claim 15 wherein the
decorative lid further comprises a base portion and a shell that
cooperates with the base portion to define the hollow lid cavity,
wherein the base portion defines a lid access opening that provides
access to the hollow lid cavity, wherein the removable lid access
member is mounted in the lid access opening.
17. The decorative container system of claim 16, wherein the
transparent shell is dome shaped.
18. The decorative container system of claim 16, wherein the
distance between the shell and the base portion is at least about
two centimeters at the point of greatest separation within the
hollow lid cavity.
19. The decorative container system of claim 15, further comprising
a plurality of dividers extending radially from the inner container
to the outer container in the hollow region, the dividers being
spaced about the hollow region defining a plurality of hollow
cavities within the hollow region.
20. A decorative container for displaying items in internal
cavities comprising: an inner container positioned within an outer
container defining a hollow region therebetween, wherein the outer
container is at least partially transparent; access means for
allowing access to the hollow region; removable divider means for
dividing the hollow region into a plurality of internal cavities.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a decorative container,
more particularly a decorative container including a hollow region
where objects can be displayed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Decorative containers are known in the prior art that allow
sheets of material or objects to be stored within the walls of the
container. For example, some beverage mugs provide space for a
sheet of material, such as a photo, in the wall of the mug. Some of
these decorative mugs may allow for insertion of liquid or fine
particles within the space provided 110 for decoration.
[0003] A transparent bowl is known that provides a hollow region
between an inner and outer bowl that is purchased with decorative
objects already present in the hollow region. However, it is not
possible for the purchaser of this bowl of the prior art to access
the hollow region to change the decorative objects.
[0004] Transparent storage systems for items such as fishing lures
are also known, such as the compartmentalized container of U.S.
Pat. No. 3,378,134. The compartments can be rotated to bring them
in line with access openings on the outer container wall. The
access openings may be covered by a hinged access door that is
readily visible on the container wall. The access door provides
access to only one compartment at a time.
[0005] A decorative container providing a hollow region for
displaying three-dimensional decorative objects is described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/586,153, filed Jun. 2, 2000.
This container provides dividers within the hollow region for
separating the decorative objects in a number of internal cavities
and a removable access opening for accessing the hollow region.
[0006] There is a need for additional arrangements for holding
three-dimensional decorative objects in a decorative container or
decorative container system. Containers with different
configurations are needed where decorative objects in a hollow
region of the container can be changed by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a decorative
container for displaying items in internal cavities includes an
inner container positioned within an outer container defining a
hollow region therebetween, where the outer container is at least
partially transparent. The decorative container also includes a
removable member allowing access to the hollow region and a
plurality of removable dividers extending radially from the inner
container to the outer container in the hollow region. The dividers
are spaced about the hollow region defining a plurality of hollow
cavities within the hollow region.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, a decorative
lid for ajar defines a hollow lid cavity and includes a base
portion shaped to be removably mounted in an opening of the jar
where the base portion defines a lower boundary of the hollow lid
cavity and defines a lid access opening that provides access to the
hollow lid cavity. The decorative lid also includes a shell
defining an upper boundary of the hollow lid cavity. The shell is
connected to the base portion. The shell is at least partially
transparent. The lid also includes a removable lid access member
mounted in the lid access opening of the base portion.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention, a decorative
container system for displaying items in internal cavities includes
a decorative container including an upper opening and an inner
container positioned within an outer container thereby defining a
hollow region therebetween. The outer container is at least
partially transparent. The decorative container system further
includes a removable member allowing access to the hollow region. A
decorative lid is also included in the decorative container system
and is shaped to be removably mounted in the upper opening of the
decorative container. The decorative lid defines a hollow lid
cavity and includes a removable lid access member that provides
access to the hollow lid cavity.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a decorative
container for displaying items in internal cavities includes an
inner container positioned within an outer container defining a
hollow region therebetween where the outer container is at least
partially transparent. The decorative container also includes
access means for allowing access to the hollow region and removable
divider means for dividing the hollow region into a plurality of
internal cavities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention may be more completely understood by
considering the detailed description of various embodiments of the
invention which follows in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a decorative container and a
decorative container lid of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a decorative container and
lid of FIG. 1, where dividers are shown underneath the outer
container.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative container
and lid of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the decorative container and
decorative container lid of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of the decorative container of FIG. 1,
without the decorative lid, where the dividers are shown as visible
through the outer container and the removable access member is
visible at the bottom of the container.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the decorative container of FIG.
1 with the removable access member removed and the dividers
removed.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of a removable bottom access member of
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of the removable bottom access member
of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of a
container base of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a decorative container
of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a side view of a divider used in the hollow
region of the decorative container of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a back view of a divider used in the hollow
region of the decorative container of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the decorative container
and lid of FIG. 1 with the removable access member removed and a
person placing decorative objects within the hollow region.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of a decorative container where the removable access member is
defined in an upper portion.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a top view of the decorative container of FIG. 14
including a removable access member removable from an upper portion
of the decorative container.
[0027] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The present invention is believed to be applicable to a
variety of systems and arrangements for displaying decorative
objects in a container that can be used to hold items. The
invention has been found to be particularly advantageous where it
is desired to display different types of three-dimensional objects
in a format such that the arrangement of the decorative objects and
the content of the decoration can be easily changed to suit
different circumstances. The invention is also especially useful
where it is desirable to display several different types of
decorative objects in separate internal cavities of a decorative
container. In addition, the invention is advantageous where it is
desired to allow a user to determine the number and configuration
of internal cavities in the decorative container by positioning
removable dividers within the hollow region. The invention in one
embodiment also provides the advantage of a decorative lid with a
hollow lid region for displaying objects.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one particular embodiment
of a decorative container system 10 of the present invention,
including a container 15 and a lid 20. In FIG. 1, only the outer
surface 21 of the decorative container system 10 is illustrated for
simplicity, although in the preferred embodiment of the decorative
container system 10, the outer surface 21 will be transparent. In
FIG. 2, some internal features of the decorative container system
are illustrated, as they would be visible through the transparent
outer surface 21. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the container 15
includes a hollow region 34 defined between an inner container 25
and an outer container 30 where decorative objects may be
displayed. The lid 20 includes a hollow lid cavity 100 for
displaying decorative objects. The decorative container may be used
with or without the decorative lid, and the decorative lid may also
be used independent of the decorative container, such as with other
containers. In addition, the lid may not have a hollow lid cavity
and not store decorative objects.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the decorative
container system, including the decorative container 15 and the lid
20 of FIG. 1. The container 15 includes a container base portion
made up of the inner container 25 and the outer container 30. The
container 15 also includes a removable access member 40. A hollow
region 34 is defined between the outer container 30 and the inner
container 25. The hollow region may be used to display decorative
objects including two- and three-dimensional objects such as
seasonal decorative items, colorful candy, dried food items,
photos, etc. The hollow region is sized to accommodate these types
of decorative items. For example, the inner container and outer
container may be separated by at least about 1 centimeter at their
point of greatest separation. Alternatively, the inner container
and outer container may be separated by at least about 2
centimeters or preferably at least about 2.5 centimeters, at their
point of greatest separation. The distance between the inner
container 25 and the outer container 30, or the depth of the hollow
region 34, may be adjusted depending upon the types of decorative
objects to be displayed within the hollow region. In addition, the
depth of the hollow region 34 may be adjusted to facilitate removal
and insertion of the decorative objects from the hollow region
34.
[0031] It may be desirable to divide the hollow region 34 into
smaller cavities for segregating objects within the hollow region
34. Dividers 70 may be positioned within the hollow region 34 to
divide the hollow region into a number of hollow cavities, as shown
in FIGS. 2-4. Now referring to FIG. 4, grooves 76 are provided on
an outer surface 35 of the inner container 25. Alternatively,
grooves could be provided on an inner surface 36 of the container
or on both containers. Each divider 70 extends from the inner
container 25 to the outer container 30 within the hollow region 34.
Preferably, each divider 70 is removable through the access opening
48 so that a user can position a desired number of dividers within
the hollow region 34 and divide up the hollow region into as many
subregions as the user wants.
[0032] The decorative container 15 includes a removable access
member that allows access to the hollow region 34. In one
embodiment, the removable access member is a bottom plate 40 of the
container 15. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components of the
decorative container system 10, including a bottom plate 40 shown
removed from the container base 32. The bottom plate 40 fits into a
lower edge 44 of the outer container 15.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the decorative container 15 where
the dividers 70 in the grooves 76 are shown as visible through the
outer container 30. The bottom access member 40 is in place,
including a gripping bar 59, and is visible at the bottom of the
container. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the container base 32 without
the bottom access member 40 in place. Referring to FIG. 6, a lower
edge 44 of the outer container 30 and a lower edge 45 of the inner
container 28 define an access opening 48 of the decorative
container 15 which allows access to the hollow region 34. The
access opening 48 may be used to insert, remove, and arrange
decorative items within the hollow region 34.
[0034] The bottom plate 40 may interface with the lower edges 44
and 45 of the container base 32 (FIG. 9) in one of many ways. For
example, the bottom plate 40 may be secured into place using a snap
configuration, a screw on configuration, or a press-fit
configuration.
[0035] In one embodiment a twist-lock type configuration is used to
secure the bottom access member 40 into place in the access opening
48. The bottom member 40 of this embodiment is illustrated in a
side view in FIG. 7 and in a top plan view in FIG. 8. The bottom
member 40 includes four protrusions 49 on an inner ridge 50. The
inner ridge 50 is configured to mate with the lower edge 45 of the
inner container 25, also referred to as the inner lower edge 45,
shown in FIG. 9. The four protrusions 49 are used to secure the
bottom plate 40 in the access opening 48 of the container base 32.
The four protrusions 49 correspond to a structure on the container
base for securing the bottom plate 40.
[0036] The structure on the container base 32 that mates with the
four protrusions 49 is best illustrated in FIG. 9, which is a cross
sectional view of a portion of the container base 32 adjacent to
the access opening 48. The container base 32 includes four ramps 51
spaced about the inner lower edge 45 in one embodiment. The ramps
51 include an inclined top surface 52 for interacting with the
protrusions 49 as the bottom member 40 is rotated. The ramps 51
each include a notch portion 53 for receiving the protrusions 49
when the bottom member 40 is rotated into a closed position. The
ramps 51 are positioned on the inner surface of the inner container
wall 25, just below a bottom wall 54 of the container base 32.
[0037] Now referring to FIGS. 7-8, the bottom plate 40 includes an
outer edge 55 that abuts the lower edge 44 of the outer container
30 (FIG. 4). The bottom plate 40 also includes an outer bottom
surface 56 and a rounded edge 57. The outer bottom surface 56 will
contact a supporting surface when the bottom plate is on the
decorative container and the container is in use. The bottom plate
40 further includes divider grooves 58 that will line up with
dividers within the hollow regions when the bottom plate 40 is in
the closed position, in one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4-5,
bottom plate 40 may include a gripping ridge 59 for facilitating
handling by a user of the container for easy assembly and removal
of the bottom plate 40.
[0038] The inner and outer container may be continuously joined
together at an upper region 60, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. The outer
container 30 includes a tapered portion 61 near the upper region 60
in the illustrated embodiment. It is also possible for this tapered
portion to take on a different configuration, such as a square
shoulder or other configurations. The container base 32 includes a
neck 62 extending upwardly at the top of the container base 32. In
one embodiment the neck 62 is a cylindrical sidewall extending
upwardly from the inner container 25. The neck 62 defines an
opening to an interior space 64 within the inner container 25, as
shown in FIG. 10. Many different items may be stored within the
interior space 64 of the inner container 25, such as household
items, food items, baking supplies, etc.
[0039] In one alternative embodiment, the removable access member
may be positioned at a location other than at the bottom plate. For
example, the removable access member may be a removable rim or rim
portion from the top portion of the decorative container 15.
Preferably, the removable access member, wherever it is provided,
is configured so that it is not readily visible to an observer.
[0040] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of a decorative container 200 where the removable access member 210
is defined in an upper portion 215 of the container. The access
member in this embodiment is an annular shaped plate that fits into
place between the inner container 220 and the outer container 225.
The container 200 includes a square shoulder 230 in contrast to the
rounded shoulder area of the decorative container embodiment shown
in FIG. 3. Many features of the decorative container 200 are the
same as the decorative container of FIG. 3. A cylindrical neck 231
extends above the hollow region access opening. At a bottom portion
of the decorative container, a bottom wall 232 is present, without
a bottom access opening.
[0041] The container 200 also includes grooves 233 on the inner
container 220 for receiving dividers. Preferably the dividers (not
shown) may be removed or inserted through the access opening
covered by the removable access member 210. In a preferred
embodiment, the width of the grooves may increase slightly toward
the top of the container, to facilitate the molding process. This
preference is in contrast to the illustrated embodiment where the
grooves widen slightly toward the bottom of the container.
Alternatively, the grooves may have a uniform width along the
height of the decorative container. A side action molding process
may be used to accomplish uniform groove width.
[0042] FIG. 15 is a top view of container 200 showing the removable
access member 210. The grooves 233 are not shown in the top view of
FIG. 15 for simplicity. The removable access member 210 includes an
outer edge 235 that mates with the upper edge of the outer
container 225 and an inner edge 240 that mates with the upper edge
of the inner container 220. Preferably the access member 210
engages the top rims of the container with a press-fit
configuration. Preferably a user can easily remove and replace the
access member 210 by hand.
[0043] In a further alternative embodiment, the access member could
be an annular shaped plate corresponding to the rounded shoulder of
FIG. 1. This access member could be removed in its entirety to
provide access to the hollow region. Alternatively the rounded
shoulder access member could rotate with respect to the inner and
outer container and may define a smaller opening that provides
access to the hollow region. This smaller opening may be positioned
above each hollow cavity as the rounded shoulder access member is
rotated.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a side view of a divider 70 while FIG. 12
shows a back view of a divider 70. Each divider includes an
innermost edge 74 that interacts with the inner container 25. The
divider 70 includes a bottom edge 78 and an outermost curved edge
80. The outermost curved edge 80 is curved to match the tapered
portion 61 at the top of the outer container near the upper region
60. The outermost curved edge 80 is in contact with the inner
surface 36 of the outer container 30 when the divider 70 is in
position within the hollow region 34. Now referring to FIG. 4, the
innermost edge 74 is preferably received by a groove 76 on the
exterior surface 35 of the inner container 25. Each groove 76 is
sized for receiving the divider 70.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the decorative container 15
includes eight removable dividers. The number of dividers may be
varied. For example, six dividers may be used. Alternatively, four
dividers may be used. Other numbers of dividers may also be used.
Preferably, the dividers are equally spaced throughout the hollow
region 34.
[0046] Each divider 70 includes a thicker portion 84. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 10, the grooves 76 that receive the dividers 70 are
slightly wider at a bottom portion and become narrower at a top
portion of the groove 76 in one embodiment. Where the container
base 32 is formed using injection molding processes, it is
desirable for the divider grooves 76 to include a wider bottom
portion to facilitate removal of the molded container base from the
mold. A thicker portion 84 of the dividers is provided, adjacent to
the bottom edge 78 and adjacent to the innermost edge 74, to occupy
the space in the divider grooves so that the dividers 70 are not
able to move freely side-to-side within the grooves. The thicker
portion 84 of the dividers extends along the length of the divider
for about 2 inches or about 5 centimeters in the illustrated
embodiment. The thicker portion of the divider is about 5
millimeters, or about 0.21 inches in thickness. The remainder of
the divider has a wall thickness of about 0.09 inch, or about 2
millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the dividers
is about 0.871 inches, or about 2.2 centimeters. The preferred
length of the dividers is about 7.6 inches, or about 19
centimeters.
[0047] FIGS. 1-4 also illustrate the decorative lid of the present
invention. The lid 20 includes a hollow lid region 100 where
decorative objects may be displayed. The lid 20 includes a base
portion 110 and a top shell portion 115 that are joined together at
an outer edge 118 of the base portion 110. The base portion 110
defines a lid access opening 120 for providing access to the hollow
lid region 100.
[0048] The lid 20 may also include a removable lid member 125 for
removably fitting into the lid access opening 120. The removable
lid member 125 is shaped to fit into place in the lid access
opening 120 and may include raised portions 130 to allow for easier
gripping by a user. The removable lid member 125 may fit into the
lid access opening 120 using a variety of techniques known in the
art, such as a screw on configuration, a snap on configuration, or
preferably, a press-fit configuration.
[0049] Preferably, the removable lid member 125 is made of a
material that is somewhat more flexible than the material that
forms the lid base portion 110. The lid access opening 120 may have
an edge surface that is angled to interact with a corresponding
angled surface on the outer edge of the removable lid member. The
angled surfaces and the relative flexibility of the removable lid
member, along with the dimensions of the removable lid member 125
and base 110, facilitate a press-fit interaction between the
removable lid member 125 and the lid base portion 110. It is
preferable that the lid access member can be removed from the lid
access opening by hand without any special tools.
[0050] The base portion 110 of the lid 20 is shaped to fit into the
upper opening of the decorative container 15 defined by the neck
62. The base portion 110 may include a rim 134 that fits inside the
neck 62 of the inner container 25 of the decorative container
15.
[0051] The lid 20 is also intended to display the contents of the
hollow lid region 100. Accordingly, it is preferred that at least a
portion of the lid 20 is at least partially transparent. For
example, it is preferred that at least the shell 115 of the lid 20
is at least partially transparent. More preferably, all components
of the lid are at least partially transparent.
[0052] The shell 115 of the lid 20 may be shaped in many different
configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell is dome
shaped, but many other shapes are possible. The shell 115 may
attach to the base portion 110 of the lid using many different
configurations. In a preferred embodiment, an outer edge 118 of the
base 110 is sized to tightly fit within the lower edge 119 of the
shell 115. The lower edge 119 of the shell portion may have an
angled surface that facilitates this connection. Alternatively,
adhesives, thermal or sonic welding or other techniques may be used
to join the shell 115 and the base 110 of the lid 20.
[0053] The decorative container system 10 of the present invention
may be used to store items such as flour, cookies, or cooking
ingredients, among other household items, in the interior space 64.
The hollow region 34 is intended to serve a decorative function by
providing a location to display decorative items such as dried
pasta, colorful candies, beads, or photos, for example.
[0054] It may be desirable to combine two and three dimensional
objects when filling the hollow region of the decorative container.
For example, where some of the dividers in the preferred embodiment
having eight dividers are removed, a photograph could be placed
within a wider hollow cavity. Decorative objects that compliment
the photo could be placed in the other hollow cavities. It may be
desirable to insert tissue paper or other filler material between
the back of the photograph and the inner container, so that the
photograph is pressed against the outer container. Many different
arrangements of decorative objects may be accomplished because of
the flexibility provided by the removable dividers in one
embodiment of the invention.
[0055] In order to serve the decorative purpose, it is preferred
that the outer container 30 is at least partially transparent. By
"at least partially transparent" it is meant that an ordinary
observer can discern the objects within the hollow region 34. More
preferably, all components of the decorative container system are
at least partially transparent. In a preferred embodiment, some or
all of the components are clear.
[0056] It is also possible that some portions of the decorative
container system are transparent, while others are opaque. For
example, the inner container 25 may be opaque, while the outer
container, dividers, and other components may be transparent. In
the alternative, the inner container, dividers and bottom plate may
be opaque, while only the outer container is transparent.
[0057] The decorative container 15 may be provided in many
different sizes, depending on the types of decorative items to be
displayed and the types of objects to be stored within the
container. In one preferred embodiment, the container is
cylindrically shaped and the upper rim of the container is
circular. Preferably, the upper rim of the container has a diameter
of about 3 to 8 inches, or about 8 to 20 centimeters, preferably
about 5 inches, or about 13 centimeters. In the preferred
embodiment, the outer diameter of the container is about 5 to 10
inches, or about 13 to 25 centimeters and is preferably about 7
inches, or about 18 centimeters. The height of the container in the
preferred embodiment may be about 4 to 12 inches, or about 10 to 30
centimeters, preferably about 8 inches, or about 21 centimeters. In
the preferred embodiment, the distance between the inner container
and the outer container may be about 0.5 inch to 2 inches, or about
1.25 to 5 centimeters, preferably about 1 inch or about 2.5
centimeters.
[0058] The preferred embodiment is cylindrically shaped, which
allows for the dividers to be easily removed through the access
opening. Other shapes are also possible according to the present
invention, such as bowl shapes or tray shapes. The walls of the
decorative container system are preferably about 0.09 inches, or
about 2.3 millimeters thick.
[0059] The decorative container system may be constructed of many
different materials that have adequate rigidity for storing items
in the open area and for storing decorative objects in the internal
cavities. Other desirable characteristics of the decorative
container are transparency, ease of manufacture, low cost,
durability, washability, and visual attractiveness. Preferably, the
components of the decorative container are made of the same
material and are molded using well known techniques. Preferred
materials for the decorative container include polystyrene and
other plastic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the components
of the decorative container system are all made of polystyrene
except for the removable lid access member which is made of
polypropylene.
[0060] Many different construction techniques may be used to
produce the decorative container system of the present invention.
Preferably, injection molding is used to produce the components of
the decorative container. In one embodiment, each of the components
that is separately pictured in the exploded view FIG. 4 is produced
as a separate component using injection molding. The container base
32 is molded as one piece, including the inner and outer containers
and the neck. The injection molding process may result in small
lines on the surface of the components called "witness lines" where
two mold pieces meet or where there is a change in the radius of
curvature of a surface. In FIG. 1, witness lines 140 are shown on
the shell portion 115 of the lid and on the outer container wall
where there is a change in the radius of curvature. The witness
lines will be nearly invisible when the proper molding techniques,
known in the art, are employed. Where components of the decorative
container system may be permanently attached together, such as the
attachment between the shell and the base portion of the lid,
adhesive or other well known joinery techniques may be used.
[0061] Alternatively, the inner container and the outer container
may be separate pieces. The inner container may be removable from
the outer container by the user.
[0062] The decorative container system of the present invention
allows for custom design of a decorative container so that the
decorations may be suited for a certain room's decor, the theme of
a certain season or for a personal gift with favorite objects of
the gift receiver. The removable access member provided for the lid
and for the container allow for the contents to be easily
changed.
[0063] In order to decorate the decorative container system of the
present invention, the container 15 is turned upside down and the
removable access plate 40 is removed, which provides access to the
hollow region 34, as shown in FIG. 13. It may be desirable to rest
the upper neck 62 on a working surface while decorating the
container. The dividers 70 may be positioned within the grooves 76
as desired. Then, decorative objects 150 are dropped into position
in the various internal cavities. A wand or other positioning
member may be used to assist with placing the decorative objects
within the cavities. An example of a wand that may be used with the
decorative container of the present invention is described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/586,153, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, in the text
related to FIGS. 7-9. When the decorative objects have been
arranged as desired, the removable access member is put back in
place in the access opening. Once the removable access member is in
place, the decorative objects are securely contained within the
internal cavities and the container 15 may be turned so that the
opening to the interior space is facing upward.
[0064] The lid 20 of the system 10 may be decorated by first
removing the removable lid member 125. Decorative objects may then
be placed within the hollow lid region 100. Then the removable lid
member 125 is pressed into place in the lid access opening 120. The
lid 20 may be placed in position on top of the container 15.
[0065] When a change of decorative items within the internal
cavities is desired, the removable access member may be removed and
the objects may be emptied from the internal cavities. Likewise,
the removable lid member 125 may be removed from the lid access
opening 120 and the objects may be emptied from within the hollow
lid region 100.
[0066] An open area 160 is present at the bottom of the container
base 32 as shown in FIG. 13. In the preferred embodiment, the
access member 40 will occupy most of the open area 160, as shown in
the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13. However, in an alternative
embodiment, the open area 160 and access member 40 would be
configured to allow objects to be placed within the open area.
[0067] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various
modifications and changes which may be made to the present
invention without strictly following the preferred embodiments and
applications illustrated and described herein, and without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention
which is set forth in the following claims.
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