U.S. patent application number 10/252599 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for container in form of a 3-d figure, and kits for the construction of and methods relating to the same.
Invention is credited to Perez, Sam S..
Application Number | 20040055920 10/252599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31992974 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040055920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perez, Sam S. |
March 25, 2004 |
Container in form of a 3-D figure, and kits for the construction of
and methods relating to the same
Abstract
A container configured as a 3-D figure, for holding a product
comprises a product holder having an opening for accessing an
interior cavity adapted for holding a product; a closure member
covering said opening and adapted to permit access to said product
in said interior cavity of said product holder; a supporting base
member attached to a base portion of said product holder; and at
least one appendage member attached to said product holder. The
components can be provided as a kit. The product holder preferably
contains a beverage such as water. The components can be put
together to form a 3-D figure. Such a 3-D figure container
encourages use and/or consumption of the product held in the
container.
Inventors: |
Perez, Sam S.; (Stoney
Creek, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John C. McMahon
PO Box 30069
Kansas City
MO
64112
US
|
Family ID: |
31992974 |
Appl. No.: |
10/252599 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2313/02 20130101;
B65D 1/0223 20130101; B65D 81/365 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/457 |
International
Class: |
B65D 073/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An augmented container configured as a 3-D figure, for holding a
product comprising: a) a product holder having an opening for
accessing an interior cavity adapted for holding a product; b) a
closure member covering said opening and adapted to permit access
to said product in said interior cavity of said product holder; c)
a supporting base member attached to a base portion of said product
holder; and d) at least one appendage member attached to said
product holder.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of
appendage members attached to said product holder and wherein said
base member is configured to resemble a pair of feet members.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said
base member and said appendage member, are adapted for releasable
connection to said product holder.
4. A container as claimed as in claim 1 further comprising a hat
member positioned on said closure member.
5. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said appendage members
are configured to resemble arm members.
6. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pair of appendage
members and said support base member are adapted for releasable
connection to said product holder.
7. A container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said releasable
connections include one or more of double side adhesive strip
members, suction cups, hook and loop or velcro connections.
8. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is a
bottle.
9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said bottle is made
from plastic.
10. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said product holder
contains a product.
11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein said product is a
beverage.
12. A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein said beverage is
water.
13. A kit for making a 3-D figure container comprising: a) product
holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity holding a
product; b) a closure member covering said opening and adapted to
permit access to said product in said interior cavity of said
product holder; c) a supporting base member attachable to said
product holder; and d) at least one appendage member attachable to
said product holder; said supporting base member and said at least
one appendage member being attachable to said product holder in
positions such that when attached a combination is formed that
resembles the form of a figure.
14. A kit as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a pair of
appendage members attached to said product holder and wherein said
base member is configured as a pair of feet members.
15. A kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said container contains a
product.
16. A kit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said product is a
beverage.
17. A kit as claimed in claim 16 wherein said beverage is
water.
18. A kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said base member and said
at least one appendage member, are adapted for releasable
connection to said product holder.
19. A kit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said product holder
contains a beverage.
20. A kit as claimed as in claim 18 further comprising a hat member
held over said closure member pair of appendage members and said
support
21. A method of encouraging a person to use or consume a product
comprising: a) providing a product holder having an opening for
accessing an interior cavity holding a product to a person, said
opening being covered by a closure; b) providing a supporting base
member that can be attached to and/or detached from said holder;
and c) providing at least one appendage member that can be attached
to and/or detached from said holder.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said person is a
child.
23. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said product holder
contains a product.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said product is a
beverage.
25. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said product holder,
said base and said at least one appendage member are provided as a
kit to create a 3-D figure container with said holder, said base
member and said at least one appendage member.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said person is
encouraged to make said 3-D figure container.
27. A method of assembling an augmented container, comprising:
releasably attaching at least one toy foot member to a base of said
container; releasably attaching at least one toy arm member to a
side of said container.
28. The method of claim 21 further comprising releasably attaching
a toy hat member to a lid of said container.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein said container is a bottle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to containers formed as
three-dimensional figure, kits for making the same and methods
relating thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Traditionally, containers for certain kinds of beverages and
other products have utilized fanciful and attractive packaging to
attract consumers and users of the product. For example, some cans
of soda pop have imprinted on their outer surfaces fanciful
colouring and patterns designed to attract the consumer.
[0003] Also, the containers themselves have been formed in fanciful
and attractive shapes to attract consumers and users.
[0004] In today's consumer environment, there are lots of products
being marketed to consumers, including children and young adults.
For at least some parents, it has become quite important that their
children be attracted to, and want to consume products that they
regard favorably. However, it is well known that children often do
not like products, which parents consider are for example "good for
them".
[0005] Therefore, it is clearly desirable to make some containers
more attractive to certain consumers and users, particular
children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
augmented container configured as a 3-D figure, for holding a
product comprising: a product holder having an opening for
accessing an interior cavity adapted for holding a product; a
closure member covering said opening and adapted to permit access
to said product in said interior cavity of said product holder; a
supporting base member attached to a base portion of said product
holder; and at least one appendage member attached to said product
holder.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a kit for making a 3-D figure container comprising:
product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity
holding a product; a closure member covering said opening and
adapted to permit access to said product in said interior cavity of
said product holder; a supporting base member attachable to said
product holder; and at least one appendage member attachable to
said product holder; said supporting base member and said at least
one appendage member being attachable to said product holder in
positions such that when attached a combination is formed that
resembles the form of a figure.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of encouraging a person to use or consume a
product comprising: providing a product holder having an opening
for accessing an interior cavity holding a product to a person,
said opening being covered by a closure; providing a supporting
base member that can be attached to and/or detached from said
holder; and providing at least one appendage member that can be
attached to and/or detached from said holder.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided A method of assembling an augmented container, comprising:
releasably attaching at least one toy foot member to a base of said
container; releasably attaching at least one toy arm member to a
side of said container.
[0010] Other aspects and features of the present invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review
of the following description of specific preferred embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of a container in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear bottom perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an unassembled view of a kit used to make the
container of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a product holder
comprising part of the kit of FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the product holder
of FIG. 10;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a front view of the product holder of FIG.
10;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the product holder of FIG. 10;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view of the product holder
of FIG. 10;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view of the product holder
of FIG. 10;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a top view of the holder of FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 16a is a bottom view of the holder of FIG. 10;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a supporting base
comprising another part of the kit of FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the supporting base
of FIG. 17;
[0030] FIG. 19 is a front view of the supporting base of FIG.
17;
[0031] FIG. 20 is a rear view of the supporting base of FIG.
17;
[0032] FIG. 21 is a right side elevation view of the supporting
base of FIG. 17;
[0033] FIG. 22 is a left side elevation view of the supporting base
of FIG. 17;
[0034] FIG. 23 is a top view of the supporting base of FIG. 17;
[0035] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the supporting base of FIG.
17;
[0036] FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of a head piece member
comprising a hat and being another part of the kit of FIG. 9;
[0037] FIG. 26 is a lower perspective view of the hat of FIG.
25;
[0038] FIG. 27 is a front view of the hat of FIG. 25;
[0039] FIG. 28 is a rear view of the hat of FIG. 25;
[0040] FIG. 29 is a right side elevation view of the hat of FIG.
25;
[0041] FIG. 30 is a left side elevation view of the hat of FIG.
25;
[0042] FIG. 31 is a top view of the hat of FIG. 25;
[0043] FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the hat of FIG. 25;
[0044] FIGS. 33-40 are various different perspective views of a
left arm member comprising part of the kit of FIG. 9;
[0045] FIGS. 41-48 are various perspective view of a right arm
member comprising another part of the kit of FIG. 9;
[0046] FIG. 49 is a collection of accessory parts for the kit of
FIG. 9;
[0047] FIG. 50 illustrates three other container figures in
accordance with other embodiments of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 51 illustrates alternates to the part of figures l0 to
16;
[0049] FIG. 52 illustrates part like the parts of FIG. 51 employing
alternate head piece parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, a container generally
designated 10 is formed in the shape of a three-dimensional figure.
Figure container 10 is comprised of a product holder 12, a
supporting base 14, a left arm member 16 and a right arm member 18
and a hat member 20. With reference to FIGS. 10 to 17, product
holder 12 of figure container 10 comprises a bottle configured
fancifully and loosely resembling a torso for the container figure.
Holder 12 can be made of any conventional material such as plastic
or glass suitable for holding the product. Product holder 12 has an
interior cavity and in this embodiment is particularly adapted to
hold a quantity of a desirable fluid such as a healthy beverage,
including but not limited to water, spring water, purified water,
fruit juices, energy drinks, or other known beverages. Product
holder 12 has a base portion 32 and an upper throat portion 26. An
opening 22 that leads to the interior cavity of holder 12 is
covered by a conventional closure such as a screw cap 24, which
engages threads on the outside upper throat portion 26 of product
holder 12. Other conventional closures can be employed.
[0051] Product holder 12 also has arm member engaging elements 28
on opposite side surfaces of the holder 12. Additionally, on the
outer, downward facing surface of base 32, and centrally positioned
thereon, is a supporting base member-engaging element 30.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 17 to 24, the supporting base 14 is
shown which is in this case formed with the appearance of a pair of
feet-in-shoe members 38. The shoe members 38 are joined together
and configured to provide a stable platform for container 10. On
the upward facing surface 34 of base 14 is a product holder
engaging element 36.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 9, engaging element 36 of supporting
base 14 is adapted to connect to engaging element 30 of product
holder 12. In this way supporting base 14 can be attached to
product holder 12 by the interconnection of elements 30 and 36.
Preferably supporting base 14 can be repeatedly attached and
detached. To provide an appropriate inter-connection of elements 30
and 36, various known securement means can be provided. For
example, in one preferred embodiment each of elements 36 and 30 are
double sided adhesive strips such that upward facing surface of
element 36 will attaches to element 30 and the lower surface of
element 36 engages the surface 34 of supporting base 14. Likewise,
the downward facing surface 30 of a double-sided adhesive strip can
engage element 36 and the upward facing surface engages the bottom
surface 32 of product holder 12. Other possible alternate means of
securing the engaging elements 30 and 36 include by way of example
only using VELCRO (trademark) engaging strips or the like, as well
as peg-in-hole type connections, and suction cups on one or both of
the member to be attached to holder 12 or the holder 12. Preferably
the connections are releasable.
[0054] With reference to FIGS. 33 to 48, arm members 16 and 18 are
illustrated. Each arm member 16, 18 has a body-engaging element 48
which is adapted to engage elements 28 on holder 12. Elements 48
can inter-connect to elements 28 in any one of the ways referenced
above in connection with elements 30 and 36.
[0055] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 in particular, a head
piece member comprising a hat member 20 is configured with a lower
cavity 50 that can receive cap 24 is sliding engagement. It is not
necessary to provide a separate attachment device like those
referenced above, although such additional attachment devices could
be provided.
[0056] As mentioned above, product holder 12 is made of a material
that is suitable for retaining the selected product. Also,
preferably it is made of a material that is suitable for use with
children. Supporting base 14, arm members 16 and 18 and hat 20 ,
are preferably also made of one or more materials that are suitable
for use by the particular customer or user (eg. children). Such
materials include but are not restricted to hard plastics, PVC,
foam, rubber or the like.
[0057] Although in preferred embodiments the product is a suitable
beverage, the holder can be used to hold other products including
but not limited to food products, cosmetics, shampoos, personal
hygiene products.
[0058] The components of figure container 10 can be provided as a
kit, wherein each of the parts are initially provided in a detached
configuration, as shown in FIG. 9. The components of the kit could
be supplied to the consumer in an outer container such as a box or
bag or other package.
[0059] The kit can then be provided to the consumer or user, such
as a child. The child can then construct the 3-D figure shown in
FIGS. 1-8 by attaching the components together. The child can also
be encouraged to consume or otherwise use the product contained in
holder 12. Written materials can be provided with the kit
encouraging the child to use the product and encourage the child
and illustrate or describe to the child how to make the 3-D
figure.
[0060] As container 10 can be made into a figure, this makes the
container 10 more attractive and interesting to a person,
particularly a child. This will make the child more likely to wish
to consume and/or use the product held in the product holder.
[0061] With reference to FIG. 50, three alternate embodiments for
figure container 10 are illustrated. With reference to FIG. 49, a
collection of additional and/or alternate accessory members are
shown, one of more of which can be included in the kit.
[0062] With-reference to FIG. 51, some alternate configurations for
a generally cylindrical holder are shown. Holders 112 have
character designs imprinted on outer surfaces and have cap members
124 attached thereto to provide an overall uniform body
configuration. Hat members can be place over the cap members as
shown in FIG. 50.
[0063] With reference to FIG. 52, holders like holders 112 are
shown with alternate hat members positioned on holders and their
associated cap members.
[0064] It will be further understood that the invention is not
limited to the embodiments described herein which are merely
illustrative of preferred embodiments of carrying out the
invention, and which are susceptible to modification of form,
arrangement of parts, steps, details and order of operation. The
invention, rather, is intended to encompass all such modification
within its scope, as defined by the claims.
* * * * *