U.S. patent application number 12/361756 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for washing-facilitating container.
Invention is credited to Nuno M. Branco.
Application Number | 20090194531 12/361756 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930655 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090194531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Branco; Nuno M. |
August 6, 2009 |
WASHING-FACILITATING CONTAINER
Abstract
A container is disclosed comprising a lower container that is
open at a top end thereof, the top end terminating with a first
attachment means. An upper container is open at a bottom end
thereof and at a top end thereof. The bottom end of the upper
container terminates with a second attachment means that is adapted
to cooperate with the first attachment means of the lower
container. The top end of the upper container terminates with a
third attachment means. A closure is adapted to selectively seal
the open top end of the upper container, the closure means further
including a fourth attachment means adapted to cooperate with the
third attachment means of the top end of the upper container. In
use, the upper and lower containers may be selectively mutually
attached to form the container. The upper and lower containers may
be mutually detached at the first and second attachment means to
facilitate washing thereof.
Inventors: |
Branco; Nuno M.; (Hermosa
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUICKPATENTS, INC.
32861 CALLE PERFECTO, SUITE A
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CA
92675
US
|
Family ID: |
40930655 |
Appl. No.: |
12/361756 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61026429 |
Feb 5, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/04 20130101;
A47G 19/2205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.83 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/30 20060101
A47G019/30 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a lower container open at a top end
thereof, the top end terminating with a first attachment means; an
upper container open at a bottom end thereof and at a top end
thereof, the bottom end terminating with a second attachment means
adapted to cooperate with the first attachment means of the lower
container, the top end terminating with a third attachment means;
and a closure means adapted to selectively seal the open top end of
the upper container and having a fourth attachment means adapted to
cooperate with the third attachment means of the top end of the
upper container; whereby the upper and lower containers may be
selectively mutually attached to form a container open only at the
top end of the upper container, the closure means allowing
selective opening and closing of the container, and whereby the
upper and lower containers may be detached to facilitate washing
thereof.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the first attachment means of
the lower container and the second attachment means of the bottom
end of the upper container are each cooperating screw threads.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the third attachment means at
the top end of the upper container and the fourth attachment means
of the closure means are each cooperating screw threads.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower containers
generally each contain the same volume.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the lower container contains
generally twice the volume of the upper container.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the upper container contains
generally twice the volume of the lower container.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the first attachment means of
the lower container and the second attachment means of the bottom
end of the upper container are each cooperating friction-fit snap
means.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the third attachment means at
the top end of the upper container and the fourth attachment means
of the closure means are each cooperating friction-fit snap
means.
9. A container comprising: a lower container open at a top end
thereof, the top end terminating with a screw thread; an upper
container open at a bottom end thereof and at a top end thereof,
the bottom end terminating with screw thread adapted to cooperate
with the screw thread of the lower container, the top end
terminating with a screw thread; and a closure means adapted to
selectively seal the open top end of the upper container and having
a screw thread adapted to cooperate with the screw thread of the
top end of the upper container; whereby the upper and lower
containers may be selectively mutually attached to form a container
open only at the top end of the upper container, the closure means
allowing selective opening and closing of the container, and
whereby the upper and lower containers may be detached to
facilitate washing thereof.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein the upper and lower containers
generally each contain the same volume.
11. The container of claim 9 wherein the lower container contains
generally twice the volume of the upper container.
12. The container of claim 9 wherein the upper container contains
generally twice the volume of the lower container.
13. The container of claim 1 wherein a height of the lower
container is less than 1.5 times the diameter of the open top end
thereof.
14. The container of claim 1 wherein a height of the upper
container is less than 1.5 times the diameter of the open bottom
end thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 61/026,429, filed on Feb. 5, 2008, and
incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent
document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become
trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has
no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent
disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade
dress rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to liquid containers, and more
particularly to a two-part container that facilitates the washing
thereof.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0005] Two-part containers are known in the art, typically for
holding two different types of materials (such as, for example, dry
cereal and milk). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,353 to Ward et
al. on Jul. 2, 1996 teaches such a device. When washing such a
device, the deep mug-like container is difficult to wash.
[0006] Other two or multiple-part containers have similar
drawbacks, even with those having a deep container (that is, a
container substantially longer than the openings at the ends
thereof) with two open ends. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D376,979 to
Davidson, III on Dec. 31, 1996 illustrates such a device, as does
U.S. D360,338 to Westgerdes on July 18, 1995. Scrubbing each
illustrated component clean with such devices is difficult due to
the depth of the main container portion and the relatively small
diameter of the open ends thereof.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,038 to Karp et al. teaches a multi-part
travel mug having multiple configurations adaptable to various
sizes of automotive cup holders. Such a device also includes a
relatively deep mug portion that is somewhat difficult to clean,
even with both ends open. Further, such a device has many parts
that make it difficult to adapt from one configuration to another
since the pieces required to make such a configuration change may
not be readily at hand or even lost.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a multiple-part container
that facilitates washing of each part when separated. Such separate
parts would be shallow with respect to the size of at least one of
the open ends thereof, facilitating clean thereof by cleaning
implements, a user's hand, or the like. Further, such a needed
device would be configurable into various sizes of containers by
adding or removing parts, without the need for additional washers,
adapters, or the like. The present invention accomplishes these
objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present device is a container comprising a lower
container that is open at a top end thereof, the top end
terminating with a first attachment means. The container further
includes an upper container open at a bottom end thereof and at a
top end thereof. The bottom end of the upper container terminates
with a second attachment means that is adapted to cooperate with
the first attachment means of the lower container. The top end of
the upper container terminates with a third attachment means.
[0010] A closure is adapted to selectively seal the open top end of
the upper container, the closure means further including a fourth
attachment means adapted to cooperate with the third attachment
means of the top end of the upper container. The closure may
further include a spout that is selectively openable and
closable.
[0011] In one embodiment, the upper and lower containers each
contain substantially the same volume. In an alternate embodiment,
the lower container contains generally twice the volume of the
upper container. In another alternate embodiment of the invention,
the upper container contains generally twice the volume of the
lower container.
[0012] In use, the upper and lower containers may be selectively
mutually attached to form the container, open only at the top end
of the upper container. The closure means allows selective opening
and closing of the container. The upper and lower containers may be
mutually detached at the first and second attachment means to
facilitate washing thereof.
[0013] The present invention is a multiple-part container that
facilitates washing of each part when separated. Such separate
parts are shallow with respect to the size of at least one of the
open ends thereof, facilitating clean thereof by a cleaning
implement, a user's hand, or the like. Further, the present device
is configurable into various sizes of containers by adding or
removing parts, without the need for additional washers, adapters,
or the like. Other features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following more detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which
illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of the invention
illustrated with a cap engaged with an upper container;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container illustrated
with the cap disengaged from the upper container, and further
illustrating a spout;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower container of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an upper container of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a closure device with a
spout;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate container of
the invention utilizing friction attachment of the upper and lower
containers and the cap; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the lower container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below. The following explanation provides specific details for a
thorough understanding of and enabling description for these
embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the
invention may be practiced without such details. In other
instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown
or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
description of the embodiments.
[0022] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense
of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or
plural number also include the plural or singular number
respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below"
and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall
refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular
portions of this application. When the claims use the word "or" in
reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of
the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the
list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items
in the list.
[0023] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a container 10 comprising a lower
container 20 that is open at a top end 28 thereof, the top end 28
terminating with a first attachment means 29. The container 10
further includes an upper container open at a bottom end 32 thereof
and at a top end 38 thereof. The bottom end 32 of the upper
container 30 terminates with a second attachment means 31 that is
adapted to cooperate with the first attachment means 29 of the
lower container 20. The top end 38 of the upper container 30
terminates with a third attachment means 39. The first and second
attachment means 29,31 are preferably each cooperative screw
threads 50 (FIGS. 3 and 5). Alternately, the first attachment means
29 of the lower container 20 and the second attachment means 31 of
the bottom end 32 of the upper container 30 are each cooperating
friction-fit snap means 60, such as resilient rings that snap
together to form a seal (FIG. 6).
[0024] A closure 40 (FIG. 4) is adapted to selectively seal the
open top end 38 of the upper container 30, the closure means 40
further including a fourth attachment means 41 adapted to cooperate
with the third attachment means 39 of the top end 38 of the upper
container 30. The closure 40 may further include a spout 45 that is
selectively openable and closable. Further, the closure 40 may
further include a selectively attachable and tethered cap 48 (FIGS.
1-3). The third and fourth attachment means 39,41 are preferably
each cooperative screw threads 50 (FIGS. 4 & 5). Alternately,
the third attachment means 39 of the top end 38 of the upper
container 30 and the fourth attachment means 41 of the closure
means 40 are each cooperating friction-fit snap means 60, such as
resilient rings that snap together to form a seal (FIG. 6).
[0025] Preferably the upper container 30 and the lower container 20
are each made of a rigid easily-washed material, such as stainless
steel, plastic, or the like. Further, the closure means 40 is
preferably made from a rigid, easily-washed material such as
plastic. O-rings (not shown) or other resilient gasket means may be
used with each attachment means 29,31,39,41 to provide additional
seal integrity between the containers 20,30 and the upper container
30 and closure means 40.
[0026] In one embodiment, the upper and lower containers 20,30 each
contain substantially the same volume. In an alternate embodiment,
the lower container 20 contains generally twice the volume of the
upper container 30 (not shown). In another alternate embodiment of
the invention, the upper container 30 contains generally twice the
volume of the lower container 20 (FIG. 7).
[0027] Preferably the height of the container 20 is substantially
equal to or less than the diameter of its open top end 28, such
that cleaning implements (not shown) may be easily used to clean
the container 20. Likewise, the height of the container 30 is
substantially equal to or less than the diameter of its open bottom
end 32. In no case, however, does the height of either container
20,30 exceed 1.5 times its diameter.
[0028] In use, the upper and lower containers 20,30 may be
selectively mutually attached to form the container 10, open only
at the top end 38 of the upper container. The closure means 40
allows selective opening and closing of the container 10. The upper
and lower containers 20,30 may be mutually detached at the first
and second attachment means 29,31 to facilitate washing
thereof.
[0029] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, cylindrical containers are
illustrated, but clearly other shapes could be utilized.
Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited,
except as by the appended claims.
[0030] The teachings provided herein can be applied to other
systems, not necessarily the system described herein. The elements
and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined
to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and
applications and other references, including any that may be listed
in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by
reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary,
to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various
references described above to provide yet further embodiments of
the invention.
[0031] These and other changes can be made to the invention in
light of the above Detailed Description. While the above
description details certain embodiments of the invention and
describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the
above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways.
Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation
details, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed
herein.
[0032] Particular terminology used when describing certain features
or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the
terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any
specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention
with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms
used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification, unless the above Detailed Description section
explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the
invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also
all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the
invention.
[0033] The above detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular
field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above
for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention
provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily
the system described above. The elements and acts of the various
embodiments described above can be combined to provide further
embodiments.
[0034] All of the above patents and applications and other
references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing
papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the
invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,
functions, and concepts of the various references described above
to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
[0035] Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above
"Detailed Description." While the above description details certain
embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode
contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the
invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation
details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the
invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology
used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention
should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being
redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,
features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology
is associated.
[0036] In general, the terms used in the following claims should
not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed
Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the
actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed
embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or
implementing the invention under the claims.
[0037] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various
aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly,
the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after
filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for
other aspects of the invention.
* * * * *