U.S. patent application number 10/678775 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for collapsible golf bag carrying case.
Invention is credited to Dietrich, Gregory B..
Application Number | 20040232016 10/678775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33456484 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040232016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dietrich, Gregory B. |
November 25, 2004 |
Collapsible golf bag carrying case
Abstract
A telescoping hard case for carrying a golf bag is provided. The
hard case includes at least three container sections telescopically
moveable between a retracted position and an expanded position,
including a bottom section, a middle section, and a top section,
wherein the top section slidably nests within the middle section
and the middle section slidably nests within the bottom section in
the retracted position; and wherein the container sections abut
along adjacent edges in the extended position so that a top edge of
the bottom section abuts a bottom edge of the middle section, and a
top edge of the middle section abuts the bottom edge of the top
section. The hard case further includes stopping mechanism to
prevent the container sections from becoming detached when in the
expanded position and a releasable locking device for locking the
container sections in the expanded position.
Inventors: |
Dietrich, Gregory B.;
(Orlando, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEUSSE BROWNLEE WOLTER MORA & MAIRE, P. A.
390 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE
SUITE 2500
ORLANDO
FL
32801
US
|
Family ID: |
33456484 |
Appl. No.: |
10/678775 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60417412 |
Oct 10, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/315.3 ;
206/315.6; 220/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2055/403 20151001;
A63B 55/406 20151001; A63B 55/404 20151001; A63B 2210/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/315.3 ;
206/315.6; 220/008 |
International
Class: |
A63B 055/00; A63B
055/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A telescoping hard case for carrying a golf bag comprising: at
least three container sections telescopically moveable between a
retracted position and an expanded position, including a bottom
section, a middle section, and a top section, wherein the top
section slidably nests within the middle section and the middle
section slidably nests within the bottom section in the retracted
position; and wherein the container sections abut along adjacent
edges in the expanded position so that a top edge of the bottom
section abuts a bottom edge of the middle section, and a top edge
of the middle section abuts the bottom edge of the top section; a
stopping mechanism to prevent the container sections from becoming
detached when in the expanded position; and a releasable locking
device for locking the container sections in the expanded
position.
2. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the top section
comprises an opening for inserting the golf bag therein.
3. The telescoping hard case of claim 2 further comprising a lid
for covering said opening.
4. The telescoping hard case of claim 3 further comprising a latch
for securing the lid in a closed position.
5. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the container
sections are tubular.
6. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the bottom section
further comprises a wheeled base.
7. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the stopping
mechanism comprises cooperating circumferential flanges along the
adjacent edges to prevent the container sections from becoming
detached when in the expanded position.
8. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the stopping
mechanism comprises tight fitting circumferential peripheries along
the adjacent edges to prevent the container sections from becoming
detached when in the expanded position.
9. The telescoping hard case of claim 8 wherein the peripheral
circumference along a lower edge of the top section is larger than
the peripheral circumference of the corresponding upper edge of the
adjacent middle section and wherein the peripheral circumference
along a lower edge of the middle section is larger than the
peripheral circumference of the corresponding upper edge of the
adjacent bottom section.
10. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the stopping
mechanism comprises spring-biased locking pins.
11. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 further comprising
peripheral bushings positioned along the adjacent edges of the
container sections for engaging the sections in the expanded
position.
12. The telescoping hard case of claim 11 wherein the bushings
contain the stopping mechanism.
13. The telescoping hard case of claim 11 wherein the bushings
contain the releasable locking device.
14. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the releasable
locking device comprises cooperating circumferential flanges along
the adjacent edges which are rotated into a locking position.
15. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the releasable
locking device comprises spring-biased locking pins.
16. The telescoping hard case of claim 1 wherein the releasable
locking device comprises at least one internal telescoping tube
assembly for securing the container sections in the expanded
position.
17. The telescoping hard case of claim 16 wherein internal
telescoping tube assembly comprises at least three telescoping
tubes including a bottom tube, a middle tube, and a top tube
wherein the bottom tube receives the middle tube which has an
outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the bottom
tube, and the middle tube receives the top tube which has an
outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the middle
tube.
18. The telescoping hard case of claim 17 further comprising
spring-biased locking pins to secure the tubes in an expanded
position.
19. The telescoping hard case of claim 17 further comprising a stop
portion to prevent the telescoping tubes from separating
completely, wherein the stop portion is positioned between adjacent
tubes.
20. The telescoping hard case of claim 17 wherein the bottom tube
is secured to the bottom container section and the top tube is
secured to the top container section wherein the tube assembly
expands and retracts as the container sections expand and retract.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/417,412 filed Oct. 10, 2002 incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a hard case for
protecting a golf bag during transportation and more particularly,
to a hard case which can be collapsed into a smaller size for
storage.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Conventional golf bags for carrying golf clubs are normally
constructed of a synthetic woven fiber material, synthetic sheet
material or leather. None of these elements are generally suitable
for rough handling of the golf bags such as might occur when the
golf bag and the attendant clubs stored in the bag are being
shipped by public transportation. Various forms of containers for
holding golf bags with clubs have been devised, most of which are
soft or flexible materials. The soft or flexible materials
generally do not provide adequate protection for the golf bag and
the clubs contained in the bag. Accordingly, it is desirable to
provide a hard sided shipping container for holding golf bags that
will provide adequate protection from damage incurred during
transportation of the golf bag.
[0004] Others have recognized this need and have devised various
forms of hard sided containers including containers that are of a
clamshell type for holding a bag. The difficulty with this type of
container is that when the container is not being used for shipping
of the golf bag, the container takes up a lot of storage space.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a hard sided container
that does not require storage space that is the full size of the
container when used in holding a golf bag.
[0005] In light of the above it is an object of the present
invention to provide a hard sided shipping container for holding
golf bags. Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hard sided shipping container which is easy to use, relatively easy
to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a hard sided
storage container for shipping of a golf bag that is formed of
multiple sections that can be telescoped or collapsed into a
smaller size for storage is provided. The telescoping container
includes a plurality of telescoping sections that are joined
together along their respective peripheries to form a tubular
container. Each section fits snugly within, or "telescopes" into,
an adjacent section. Two or more sections can be telescoped
together, as required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a collapsible golf bag
storage container in its expanded form to receive a golf bag.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the container in its
collapsed form for storage.
[0009] FIG. 3a illustrates a top plan view of the container.
[0010] FIG. 3b illustrates a top perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the container.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the side showing the
locking ribs.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the
container.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the container
with the three sections telescoped into its collapsed
configuration.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper flanges
shown in FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a locking slot
which rides in the inwardly extending circumferential lip.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area illustrating one form
of construction of the lower section and the mating of the
outwardly extending flange with the ridge.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a cutaway view of the container illustrating
one of the ribs moving between a position at A and a position at
B.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows bumps that are formed on the inwardly
extending lip of the container to prevent rotation of the upper
section.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway perspective view showing a
locking slot which rides in the inwardly extending circumferential
lip.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate
embodiment of the container showing the three sections having
mating bushings and locking pins.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the locking pin
mechanism of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 13.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate
embodiment of the container showing the three sections having
mating bushings with an optional handle incorporated into the lower
section bushing.
[0023] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of an internal telescoping
locking tube assembly of another alternate embodiment of the
container.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a cut-away view of the alternate embodiment of
FIG. 15 showing the internal telescoping locking tube assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Turning now to the figures wherein like numerals represent
like items, one embodiment of the present collapsible golf bag
storage container 10 is shown. In this example, the container is
formed of three telescoping sections 12, 14, 16. Alternately,
additional sections can be telescoped together, as required.
Although the actual size and configuration of the container 10 can
be varied to meet specified space/size requirements, the particular
configuration shown in FIG. 1 is designed for use with most golf
bags containing clubs. With respect to container 10 shown in FIG.
1, top section 16, middle section 14, and bottom section 12, are
exemplary. The container 10 shown includes elongate sections
(tubes) of generally rectangular cross-section; an alternative
embodiment may incorporate sections having one of a wide variety of
other cross-sectional configurations, including round, square, or
irregular elongate tubes.
[0026] When expanded, these sections abut each other along their
respective peripheries, i.e., the top periphery of section 12 abuts
the bottom periphery of section 14, and the top periphery of
section 14 abuts the bottom periphery of section 16. Once expanded,
the sections can be locked into the expanded configuration by
various means, discussed hereinafter.
[0027] The top container section 16 is formed with an opening
through which a golf bag can be placed or removed. Container 10 can
be loaded in a fully or partially expanded configuration.
Alternately, container 10 can be loaded while fully collapsed and
the telescoping sections may thereafter be raised to their fully
expanded configuration. The top container section 16 is closed by a
lid 18, e.g., a hinged lid, which can be fastened in place to fully
enclose a golf bag and attendant clubs stored in the container.
[0028] The lid 18 may further include a locking mechanism (not
shown) for security. In an embodiment, a further mechanism (in the
form of a latch or the like) may be provided such that the
container sections cannot be expanded or collapsed without opening
the lid 18 and/or releasing the locking mechanism for the lid
18.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the container 10 in its collapsed or telescoped
configuration. Container sections 12, 14, 16 are telescoped
inwardly for the container 10 to be in the collapsed condition for
storage. The lid 18 may be formed with a plurality of dimples 20 to
provide additional strength for the lid in a manner well known in
the art.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the container 10
showing the lid in its closed position and further illustrating how
the sections 12, 14 and 16 are telescoped together. It will be
noted by reference to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 3 that the
top section 16 is provided with a pair of spaced handles 22 to
facilitate lifting of the container from the top. One of the
handles 22 may be incorporated into the hinge for the lid 18 as
best seen in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the
container 10 in a collapsed configuration showing a pair of wheels
24 which are attached to the bottom of the container to facilitate
easy movement of the container by tilting the container and rolling
it on the wheels 24. The bottom may be formed with a plurality of
ridges or grooves 25 in order to add strength to the molded plastic
material of which the container is manufactured and to provide
surfaces for allowing the container to stand upright. The container
may also include a lower handle 26 to enable the container to be
lifted by holding at one of the top handles and the lower
handle.
[0032] Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view
through the container 10 with the three sections 12, 14 and 16
telescoped into its collapsed configuration. The lower section 12
receives the middle section 14 which has an outside diameter
smaller than the inside diameter of the lower section 12.
Similarly, the middle section 14 receives the upper section 16
which has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of
the middle section 14.
[0033] To prevent the sections from separating completely when
expanded, for each connected section, a stop is provided. The stop
may be in the form of cooperating circumferential flanges 38 and 34
for upper and middle sections 16, 14 and similar cooperating
circumferential flanges 32 and 40 for the middle and lower
sections. The cooperating flanges may be L-shaped, J-shaped, or
other configurations known in the art to allow for the periphery of
one section to "catch" on the periphery of an adjacent section. As
shown in FIG. 6, upper section 16 has an L-shaped radially outward
extending circumferential flange 34. The flange 34 assists in
guiding the upper section 16 in its telescoping relationship with
middle section 14 and also provides a stop to prevent the upper
section from being pulled out of the middle section when it abuts
with L-shaped radially inward extending top flange or lip 38 on
middle section 14. Note that the radially inward extending
circumferential flange 38 engages the flange 34 to prevent the top
section 16 from being withdrawn from the middle section 14.
Similarly, the middle section 14 is restrained within the lower
section 12 by engagement of the L-shaped radially outward extending
circumferential flange 32 with the L-shaped radially inward
extending circumferential flange 40 of the lower section 12.
[0034] Alternately, an inner nested section (e.g., upper section
16) may have a peripheral circumference along its lower edge that
is slightly larger than the peripheral circumference of the
corresponding upper edge of its adjacent outer section (e.g.,
middle section), thereby allowing the two sections to fit snuggly
together but not pull apart from each other (FIG. 15). Rather than
forming each section with flanges, the upper and lower edges of
each mating section may include separately molded bushings/rings
that serve as the stopping mechanism (FIG. 13). In such case,
during manufacture, the upper, middle, and lower sections may be
formed as tubes and the flanges may be formed in the bushings/rings
attached to the upper and lower edges of the tubes. Other devices
for providing a stop mechanism between corresponding nesting
sections may also be provided as known in the art. For example,
spring-biased locking pins may be used to retain the sections in
the expanded configuration and to prevent the sections from
separating as described in more detail hereafter with respect to
FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0035] When telescoped inwardly, the sections nest within each
other and come to a rest in a fully collapsed position. The lower
section 12 is formed with a smaller diameter at its base indicated
at 28 and with a circumferential stepped area 30 connecting the
base 28 to the lower section 12. While the illustrated embodiments
shows two steps at 30, it will be appreciated that only one step is
actually necessary for the purpose to be described. The step 30
provides a resting point for the middle section 14 when the middle
section is telescoped into the lower section 12. In this regard,
the middle section has a lower outwardly extending circumferential
flange 32 that rests on the step 30 when the middle section is
collapsed into the lower section 12. It will be noted that the
middle section 14 does not have an internal stepped portion. In the
collapsed configuration, the upper section 16 is supported in its
collapsed position by the handle support 36 coming to rest on the
upper edge 38 of the middle section 14, although a similar
configuration of a internal stepped portion may be provided for
nesting the upper section into the middle section.
[0036] In one embodiment, when the sections 12, 14, 16 are extended
to form the container in the shape shown in FIG. 1, the three
independent sections are retained in position by rotation of the
sections with respect to each other. Referring to FIG. 10, it can
be seen that the radially inward extending circumferential flanges
38, 40 are each formed with a plurality of semicircular grooves 44
that are designed to allow passage of a semicircular elongated rib
46 that is formed on the inner mating section. A pair of such
elongated semicircular ribs is shown at 46 in FIG. 6. The cutaway
view of FIG. 10 illustrates one of the ribs 42 moving between a
position at A and a position at B when the structure such as the
upper member 16 is fully extended. In the embodiment illustrated, a
groove is formed at the lower end of each of the ribs 46 so that
when the section containing the rib 46 is fully extended, the
groove can be aligned with the radially inward extending lip such
as lip 38 and allow the upper section to be rotated from the
position shown at A to the position shown at B in FIG. 10. Once the
upper section is rotated with regard to the middle section 14, the
rib 46 is positioned such that it cannot slip downward and allow
the two sections to telescope. As will be described hereinafter,
the position of the ribs in this rotated orientation is maintained
by a pair of bumps formed on the rib 38.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows the bumps that are formed on the inwardly
extending lip 38 to prevent rotation of the upper section 16. Note
that there are two different sizes of bumps provided on the
surface, one bump at 48 which is larger and precludes
counterclockwise rotation beyond the semicircular cutout 44 and a
smaller bump at 50 which serves as a deterrent but does not prevent
the ridge from being rotated past the bump. Another bump at 52
precludes further rotation of the inner section 16 with regard to
the middle section 14. The bump 50 is of such height as to require
a small amount of effort in order to unlock the inner section from
the middle section and allow the two sections to be moved to permit
collapsing one into the other.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway view showing how the vertically
oriented and outwardly extending semi-circular rib 46 has a locking
slot at 54 which rides in the inwardly extending circumferential
lip 38 as described with respect with to FIG. 11.
[0039] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the area 7 of FIG. 6 showing
the relationship between the radially inward extending upper
flanges 38 and 40 and illustrating one of the bumps 48 which
control rotation of the sections with respect to each other.
[0040] Similarly, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area indicated
at 9 in FIG. 6 illustrating one form of construction of the lower
section 12 and the mating of the outwardly extending flange 32 with
the ridge 30. What is best seen in this illustration is that the
base 28 of the bottom section 12 is preferably formed as an
independent section and thereafter attached to the cylindrical
portion of the middle section 12 by rivets at circumferential
locations such as indicated at 50.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the base 28
of the container is formed with a plurality of structural elements
54 and 56. The elements 56 are the wheel wells for receiving the
wheels 24. The element 54 supports the bottom of a golf bag above
the wheel wells while also providing the additional structural
rigidity for the bottom of the container.
[0042] Turning now to FIGS. 13 and 14, in an alternate embodiment,
rather than retaining the three independent sections in position by
rotation of the sections with respect to each other, spring-loaded
locking pins are provided. The locking pins are preferably located
in the peripheral bushings for each mating section, although they
could be located in the tubular sections themselves. Specifically,
the bottom peripheral bushing 16b of upper section 16 houses
locking pin 15 and associated mechanisms and the bottom peripheral
bushing 14b of middle section 14 houses locking pin 17 and
associated mechanisms. Correspondingly, the upper peripheral
bushing 14a for middle section 14 receives locking pin 15 of the
bottom peripheral bushing 16b of upper section 16 while the upper
peripheral bushing 12a for lower section 12 receives locking pin 17
of the bottom peripheral bushing 14b of middle section 14. The top
peripheral bushing 16a of the upper section 16 houses the release
trigger 19 for the locking pins which may be in the form of a
handle, lever, button, or the like.
[0043] The embodiment in FIG. 13 also includes handles 11a and 11b.
The handles 11a and 11b are shown located in the lid 18 and base
12b, respectively.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the spring-loaded
locking mechanism and release. Release trigger 19 releases locking
pin 15 with a release mechanism 23 that includes a plunger 23a,
spring 23b, and ramp 23c to unlatch locking pin 15. As upper
section 16 telescopes into middle section 14, the bottom peripheral
bushing 16b activates release mechanism 25 by contacting a trip
switch 25a connected to a ramp 25b and spring 25c, thereby
unlatching locking pin 17.
[0045] The sections 16 and 14 may be further provided with a cover
plate 21 having flute detail to create a runner track to prevent
racking and to conceal release mechanisms 23 and 25.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 15, in another alternate embodiment, at
least one internal telescoping tube assembly 60 (FIGS. 16 and 17)
is provided for securing the container sections 12, 14, 16 in the
expanded positions. The internal assembly allows for the exterior
of the container to be free from mechanisms for telescoping the
sections allowing for a cleaner look to the exterior of the
container. The inner nested sections (e.g., upper section 16 and
middle section 14) have a peripheral circumference along the lower
edge that is slightly larger than the peripheral circumference of
the corresponding upper edge of its adjacent outer section, thereby
allowing the two sections to fit snuggly together but not pull
apart from each other. The peripheral circumference may be formed
as an outwardly extending lip. A handle may be incorporated into
the bottom section as shown.
[0047] The tube assembly 60 is disposed within and secured to
container 10 parallel to the vertical walls of the container. The
tube assembly 60 includes a plurality of tubes equal to the number
of container sections. For example, a three-section container would
have three tubes in its tube assembly, namely a bottom tube 61, a
middle tube 62, and a top tube 63. The tube assembly 60 contains
stops 64a and 64b and lock assemblies 65a and 65b for locking the
bottom tube 61, the middle tube 62, and the top tube 63 in
predetermined positions, e.g., in an extended/expanded and a
retracted/collapsed position. A pin/plunger 66 communicates with
lock assembly 65b to release the tubes into the retracted position.
The locking assemblies 65a and 65b generally include mechanisms to
lock the tubes including latching members, plungers, and springs. A
release mechanism/trigger 19 is connected to the pin/plunger 66 of
the tube assemblies and allows an operator to activate the locks
for the assemblies at the same time.
[0048] In a particular example shown in FIG. 17, a pair of
telescoping tube assemblies 60 are provided for securing the
container sections 12, 14, 16 in the expanded positions. Each
assembly 60 includes three telescoping tubes, namely a bottom tube
61, a middle tube 62, and a top tube 63. The bottom tubes 61
receive the middle tubes 62 which have an outside diameter smaller
than the inside diameter of the bottom tubes 61. The middle tubes
62 receive the top tubes 63 which have an outside diameter smaller
than the inside diameter of the middle tube 62. To prevent the
tubes from separating completely, for each connected tube, there is
a stop portion 64a and 64b (FIG. 16). Each stop portion 64a and 64b
lies at the top end of a tube; and it cooperates with a
corresponding lock assembly 65a and 65b at the bottom end of an
adjacent connected tube. The bottom tubes 61 are attached to the
bottom section 12 or to the base 12b. The top tubes are attached to
the top section 16 or to the top periphery 16a.
[0049] Each tube assembly 60 contains a locking assembly 65 for
locking the bottom tube 61, the middle tube 62, and the top tube 63
in predetermined positions. Alternatively, the present invention
may include a locking assembly disposed in only one of the pair of
tube assemblies 60.
[0050] The tubes are made of suitable material of high strength and
rigidity, such as stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or the like.
Although the embodiment shown includes elongate tubes of
rectangular cross-section, an alternative embodiment may
incorporate tubes having one of a wide variety of other
cross-sectional configurations, including round, square, or
irregular elongate tubes.
[0051] The invention as thus far described comprises three
telescoping sections, each of which can lock with respect to the
other sections in order to allow the sections to be pulled apart
into an expanded configuration. While particular embodiments for
achieving this desirable are illustrated, it will be appreciated
that other structures may be utilized to effect the sliding and
locking arrangement of the telescoping sections. For example, the
longitudinally extending ribs may be shortened rather than
extending substantially along the length of each section. Further,
the arrangement could be provided with more ribs than are
illustrated to provide additional rigidity to each of the sections.
Still further, the container could be made with more than three
sections in order to allow the container to be collapsed to an even
smaller length. The container may also be provided with a strap
connected from a bottom end of the container to a top end of the
container to facilitate carrying of the container with the golf bag
loaded in the container. Also, it may be possible to structure the
container with a handle located on the outside closer to the middle
portion of the container to allow the container to be carried in
one hand. Such a handle may be formed as collapsible so that it
does not interfere with the telescoping of the various sections of
the container. Alternately, the handle may be of a type that fits
into a recess in one of the sections of the container. It should be
recognized that the container can be constructed of various
materials, preferably of relatively lightweight and durable
material. Accordingly, what is intended to be protected by this
application is the construction and arrangement of a telescoping
hard side container for a golf bag which can be expanded and locked
into a full size configuration by pulling one section from another
and locking each respective section into position with regard to
another section.
[0052] It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that
many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and
application of the subject container are possible and contemplated.
All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and
applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is
limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *