U.S. patent application number 11/355871 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for container with sliding tray.
Invention is credited to Sunil Gidumal.
Application Number | 20070187403 11/355871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38367295 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070187403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gidumal; Sunil |
August 16, 2007 |
Container with sliding tray
Abstract
A container with an elongated body includes an enclosing wall
having a closed first end and an open second end, with an opening
of the second end having a predetermined minimum lateral dimension.
The container also includes a tray having an elongated at least
partially enclosing wall with a lateral dimension less than the
predetermined minimal lateral dimension of the body opening to
allow the tray wall to be inserted into the open second end of the
body. The tray has a cap at one end with a lateral dimension
greater than the predetermined minimal lateral dimension of the
body opening to prevent at least a portion of the cap from entering
the open second end of the elongated body.
Inventors: |
Gidumal; Sunil; (Hong Kong,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP
P.O. BOX 061080
WACKER DRIVE STATION, SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1080
US
|
Family ID: |
38367295 |
Appl. No.: |
11/355871 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 3/04 20130101; B65D
5/728 20130101; B65D 25/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/008 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: an elongated body, and a tray, said body
having an enclosing and surrounding elongated wall with a first end
being open and a second end being closed, said tray having an
elongated wall shaped complementary to a portion of said body
surrounding wall, but having a circumferential extent less than
that of said body surrounding wall, with an end wall at one end
sized to be received in said body open end and a cap at an opposite
end sized larger than said body open end.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said elongated body
wall comprises a circular cylindrical wall.
3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said tray elongated
wall comprises a semi-circular cylindrical wall.
4. A container according to claim 3, wherein said tray includes an
end wall which comprises a semi-circular flat wall secured to an
end of said semi-circular cylindrical wall.
5. A container according to claim 3, wherein said tray cap
comprises a circular cylindrical shape secured to said
semi-circular cylindrical wall.
6. A container according to claim 2, wherein said closed end of
said body comprises an end wall secured to said circular
cylindrical wall.
7. A container according to claim 1, wherein said body elongated
wall comprises a non-circular perimeter.
8. A container according to claim 1, including a cover for said
tray to selectively close off an open portion of said tray
elongated wall.
9. A container according to claim 1, wherein said cap has a portion
that is received in said opening of said first end of said
elongated body, and a portion that is larger than said opening of
said first end.
10. A container comprising: a circular cylindrical body having a
closed first end and an open second end, with an opening of said
second end having a predetermined diameter, and a tray having an
elongated wall comprising at least a portion of a cylinder with a
diameter less than said predetermined diameter and having a cap at
one end with a lateral dimension greater than said predetermined
diameter to prevent at least a portion of said cap from entering
said open end of said cylindrical body.
11. A container according to claim 10, wherein said elongated tray
wall has a perimeter less than a full circle.
12. A container according to claim 11, including a cover for said
tray to selectively close off an open portion of said tray
elongated wall.
13. A container according to claim 11, wherein said tray includes
an end wall which comprises a semi-circular flat wall secured to an
end of said semi-circular cylindrical wall.
14. A container according to claim 11, wherein said tray cap
comprises a circular cylindrical shape secured to said
semi-circular cylindrical wall.
15. A container comprising: an elongated body comprising an
enclosing wall having a closed first end and an open second end,
with an opening of said second end having a predetermined minimum
lateral dimension, and a tray having an elongated and at least
partially enclosing wall with a lateral dimension less than said
predetermined minimal lateral dimension of said body opening to
allow said tray wall to be inserted into said open second end of
said body and having a cap at one end with a lateral dimension
greater than said predetermined minimal lateral dimension of said
body opening to prevent at least a portion of said cap from
entering said open second end of said elongated body.
16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said body enclosing
wall extends a full extent of a circumference of the body and said
tray enclosing wall extends less than a full extent of a
circumference of the tray.
17. A container according to claim 15, wherein said elongated body
wall comprises a circular cylindrical wall and said tray elongated
wall comprises a semi-circular cylindrical wall.
18. A container according to claim 17, wherein said tray includes
an end wall which comprises a semi-circular flat wall secured to an
end of said semi-circular cylindrical wall.
19. A container according to claim 17, wherein said closed end of
said body comprises an end wall secured to said circular
cylindrical wall.
20. A container according to claim 15, wherein said cap has a
portion that is received in said opening of said second end of said
elongated body, and a portion that is larger than said opening of
said second end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers and in
particular to containers having slidable trays.
[0002] Containers such as metal tins are well known and generally
are formed in two separable pieces, a body and a lid. The contents
of the container are visible and accessible once the lid is
removed, but to remove the contents, either the opening covered by
the lid has to be large in comparison to the contents, such as is
common with large, flat and round cookie tins, so the user can pick
individual content pieces from the open tin, or else the container
must be tipped or inverted to cause the contents to slide from the
interior of the container due to the effects of gravity.
[0003] Sometimes a separate sleeve, such as a plastic or waxed
paper bag is contained in the tin to separately hold the contents,
and the bag itself may be grasped and withdrawn from the tin to
provide access to the contents of the tin. Oftentimes the
containers holding small items are arranged to be stored in a
horizontal orientation such that they consume a relatively large
shelf or counter space. Containers which are configured to be
stored in a vertical orientation provide relatively small openings
for removal of the contents of the container, making it difficult
to remove the contents.
[0004] The present invention addresses and solves these
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a container with a removable
tray which carries the contents of the container, such that when
the tray is removed from the body of the container, the contents
may be easily accessed from the tray. The elongated container is
arranged such that it can be stored in an upright position,
consuming minimal shelf space, and the contents can be removed with
the container held in a horizontal position, to provide the easy
access to the contents.
[0006] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a container
with an elongated body comprising an enclosing wall having a closed
first end and an open second end, with an opening of the second end
having a predetermined minimum lateral dimension. The container
also includes a tray having an elongated at least partially
enclosing wall with a lateral dimension less than the predetermined
minimal lateral dimension of the body opening to allow the tray
wall to be inserted into the open second end of the body. The tray
has a cap at one end with a lateral dimension greater than the
predetermined minimal lateral dimension of the body opening to
prevent at least a portion of the cap from entering the open second
end of the elongated body.
[0007] In an embodiment, the enclosing body wall extends a full
extent of a circumference of the body and the enclosing tray wall
extends less than a full extent of a circumference of the tray.
[0008] In an embodiment, the cap has a portion that is received in
the opening of the second end of the elongated body, and a portion
that is larger than the opening of the second end.
[0009] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a container
with an elongated body, and a tray. The body has an enclosing and
surrounding elongated wall with a first end being open and a second
end being closed. The tray has an elongated wall shaped
complementary to a portion of the surrounding body wall, but has a
circumferential extent less than that of the surrounding body wall,
with an end wall at one end sized to be received in the body open
end and a cap at an opposite end sized larger than the body open
end.
[0010] In an embodiment, the elongated body wall comprises a
circular cylindrical wall, and the closed end comprises an end wall
secured to the circular cylindrical wall.
[0011] In an embodiment, the elongated tray wall comprises a
semi-circular cylindrical wall.
[0012] In an embodiment, the tray end wall comprises a
semi-circular flat wall secured to an end of the semi-circular
cylindrical wall.
[0013] In an embodiment, the tray cap comprises a circular
cylindrical shape secured to the semi-circular cylindrical
wall.
[0014] In an embodiment, the elongated body wall comprises a
non-circular perimeter.
[0015] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a container
with a circular cylindrical body having a closed first end and an
open second end, with an opening of the second end having a
predetermined diameter. The container also includes a tray having
an elongated wall comprising at least a portion of a cylinder with
a diameter less than the predetermined diameter and having a cap at
one end with a lateral dimension greater than the predetermined
diameter to prevent at least a portion of the cap from entering the
open end of the cylindrical body.
[0016] In an embodiment, the elongated tray wall has a perimeter
less than a full circle.
[0017] In an embodiment, the container may include a cover for the
tray to selectively close off an open portion of the elongated tray
wall.
[0018] These and other aspects and details of the present invention
will become apparent upon a reading of the detailed description and
a review of the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments of the
present invention are described herein. The present invention is
not intended to be limited to only these embodiments. Changes and
modifications can be made to the described embodiments and yet fall
within the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a container embodying the
principles of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of body of the container
of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the tray of the
container of FIG. 1 viewed from the cap end.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the tray of the
container of FIG. 1 viewed from opposite the cap end.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an end perspective view of the tray of FIG. 3
viewed from the open side.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial side sectional view of the cap portion
of the tray of FIGS. 1, 3-4.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the body of the container.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the tray of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the present
invention provides a container 20 with an elongated body 22
comprising an enclosing or surrounding elongated wall 24 having a
closed first end 26 and an open second end 28. The closed first end
26 may be formed by a separate end wall 30 which is secured to the
enclosing wall, such as by a crimp connection 32 (shown here in an
exaggerated and uncrimped condition). The closed first end 26 may
be formed integrally with the enclosing wall 24, such as is common
with metal beverage containers, or the separate end wall 30 may be
secured to the enclosing wall by a different crimping configuration
than the arrangement illustrated, or by other means, such as
welding when the walls are formed of metal. An opening 34 of the
second end 28, which may be formed by a folded over edge 36 of the
enclosing wall 24, particularly when the enclosing wall is made of
metal, has a predetermined minimum lateral dimension 38.
[0028] The container 20 also includes a tray 40 having an elongated
and at least partially enclosing or surrounding wall 42 with a
lateral dimension 44 less than the predetermined minimal lateral
dimension 38 of the body opening 34 to allow the tray wall 42 to be
inserted into the open second end 28 of the body 22. The tray has a
cap 46 at one end 48 with a lateral dimension 50 greater than the
predetermined minimal lateral dimension 38 of the body opening 34
to prevent at least a portion 51 of the cap 46 from entering the
open second end 28 of the elongated body 22.
[0029] In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the enclosing body wall
24 extends a full extent of a circumference of the body 22. In an
embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3, the enclosing tray wall 42 extends
less than a full extent of a circumference of the tray 40. In some
embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the present invention provides the
tray 40 with the elongated wall 42 which is shaped complementary to
a portion of the surrounding body wall 24, but has a
circumferential extent less than that of the surrounding body wall,
such that the tray will present an opening to the interior of the
elongated wall 42 when the tray is withdrawn from the body 22.
[0030] With this construction, the container 20 can be used to hold
small items, for example, cookies or crackers, and can be stored in
a vertical orientation, such that these items are arranged in a
stack. When the container 20 is opened, by sliding the tray 40 out
of the body 22, the container can be held in a horizontal
orientation, and the enclosing tray wall 42 will support the items,
yet its open side, running the full length of the tray, will permit
easy access to the items so that they can be removed without
hindrance.
[0031] In an embodiment, the cap 46 has a portion 52 that is
received in the opening 34 of the second end 28 of the elongated
body 22, and the portion 51 that is larger than the opening of the
second end. This will permit a good snug fit for the cap 46 in the
open end 28 of the body 22.
[0032] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the elongated body
wall 24 comprises a circular cylindrical wall, and the closed end
26 comprises the end wall 30 secured to the circular cylindrical
wall.
[0033] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the elongated tray
wall 42 comprises a semi-circular cylindrical wall.
[0034] In an embodiment, the tray 40 includes an end wall 56 which
comprises a semi-circular flat wall secured to an end 58 of the
semi-circular cylindrical wall 42.
[0035] In an embodiment, the tray cap 46 comprises a circular
cylindrical shape secured to the semi-circular cylindrical wall 42.
For example, a second end wall 60 may be secured to a second end 62
of the semi-circular wall 42 such as by crimping or other known
attachment means, and the cap may be secured to the second end wall
such as by rivets 64 or other known attachment means. As shown in
the detail of FIG. 6, the cap 46 may be formed of a cup-shaped top
member 66 with a folded over flange 68 and a cup-shaped bottom
member 70 which telescopes inside of the top member 66 in an
inverted manner, also with a folded over flange 72, such that the
flanges interlock and prevent removal of the two members. The two
members 66, 70 may be joined after the rivets 64 have joined the
second end wall 60 to the bottom member 70.
[0036] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
present invention provides a container 120 with an elongated body
122 comprising an enclosing or surrounding elongated wall 124 which
comprises a non-circular perimeter, such as the square perimeter
illustrated. Other geometric shapes can be provided for the cross
section of the body 122, such as oval, rectangular, and other
polygonal shapes. The elongated wall 124 may also have a closed
first end 126 and an open second end 128. An opening 134 of the
second end 128, which may be formed by a folded over edge 136 of
the enclosing wall 124, particularly when the enclosing wall is
made of metal, has a predetermined minimum lateral dimension
138.
[0037] The container 120 also includes a tray 140 having an
elongated and at least partially enclosing or surrounding wall 142
with a lateral dimension 144 less than the predetermined minimal
lateral dimension 138 of the body opening 134 to allow the tray
wall 142 to be inserted into the open second end 128 of the body
122. The tray has a cap 146 at one end 148 with a lateral dimension
150 greater than the predetermined minimal lateral dimension 138 of
the body opening 134 to prevent at least a portion 151 of the cap
146 from entering the open second end 128 of the elongated body
122.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the enclosing body wall
124 extends a full extent of a circumference of the body 122. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the enclosing tray wall 142 extends
less than a full extent of a circumference of the tray 140. In some
embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the present invention provides the
tray 140 with the elongated wall 142 which is shaped complementary
to a portion of the surrounding body wall 124, but has a
circumferential extent less than that of the surrounding body wall,
such that the tray will present an opening to the interior of the
elongated tray wall 142 when the tray is withdrawn from the body
122.
[0039] Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the present
invention provides the container 20 with the circular cylindrical
body 22 having the closed first end 26 and the open second end 28,
with the opening 34 of the second end having the predetermined
diameter 38. The container 20 also includes the tray 40 having the
elongated wall 42 comprising at least a portion of a cylinder with
the diameter 44 less than the predetermined diameter 38 and having
the cap 46 at one end with the lateral dimension 50 greater than
the predetermined opening diameter 38 to prevent at least the
portion 54 of the cap from entering the open end 28 of the
cylindrical body 22.
[0040] In an embodiment, the elongated tray wall 42 has a perimeter
less than a full circle.
[0041] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the container 20 may
include a cover 74 for the tray 40 to selectively close off an open
portion of the elongated tray wall 42. The cover 60 may be
detachable and reattachable to the elongated tray wall 42, may be
hinged to the elongated tray wall, or may merely rest on the
elongated tray wall. The cover 74 may be formed from the same
material as the elongated tray wall 42, or may be made of another
material, such as a transparent or opaque plastic, even when the
tray is formed of metal.
[0042] The present invention has been described utilizing
particular embodiments. As will be evident to those skilled in the
art, changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed
embodiments and yet fall within the scope of the present invention.
For example, various components could be utilized which are sized
or configured differently than illustrated. In other embodiments,
different attachment arrangements than those arrangements
specifically shown and described could be used. The disclosed
embodiments are provided only to illustrate aspects of the present
invention and not in any way to limit the scope and coverage of the
invention. The scope of the invention is therefore to be limited
only by the appended claims.
[0043] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the
invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations
and modifications which may differ particularly from those that
have been described in the preceding specification and description.
It should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of
the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably
and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the
art.
* * * * *