U.S. patent application number 12/615298 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for multipurpose receptacle.
Invention is credited to Kimberly Young.
Application Number | 20100116825 12/615298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42164265 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100116825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Young; Kimberly |
May 13, 2010 |
MULTIPURPOSE RECEPTACLE
Abstract
One embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle for receiving and
holding a plurality of objects may include a container having a
base and one or more walls extending from the base to define a
chamber. Further, the multipurpose receptacle may also include a
cover having a frame and one or more apertures. The cover may also
have two or more lids pivotally carried by the frame to selectively
block the apertures. The lids may also be slidably carried by the
frame to be received within the chamber of the container.
Furthermore, the multipurpose receptacle may also include a first
storage compartment received within the chamber and carried by at
least one of the frame and the rim. In addition, the multipurpose
receptacle may include a second storage compartment carried by the
container adjacent to the base and spaced apart from the
chamber.
Inventors: |
Young; Kimberly; (Austin,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
L.C. BEGIN & ASSOCIATES, PLLC
510 HIGHLAND AVENUE, PMB 403
MILFORD
MI
48381
US
|
Family ID: |
42164265 |
Appl. No.: |
12/615298 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61114315 |
Nov 13, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/524 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/12 20130101;
B65D 25/04 20130101; B65D 43/161 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/524 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A multipurpose receptacle for receiving and holding a plurality
of objects, the multipurpose receptacle comprising: a container
having a base and at least one wall extending from the base to
define a chamber, the at least one wall terminating at a rim that
defines an open mouth communicated with the chamber; a cover
including a frame that is carried by the rim and has at least one
aperture, the cover further having at least two lids pivotally
carried by the frame to selectively block the at least one
aperture, the at least two lids also being slidably carried by the
frame to be received within the chamber of the container; a first
storage compartment received within the chamber and carried by at
least one of the frame and the rim; a second storage compartment
carried by the container adjacent to the base, the second storage
compartment being spaced apart from the chamber.
2. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first
storage compartment includes a cup having an open end, the first
storage compartment also including at least one flange extending
radially outward from the cup, such that the at least one flange is
carried by at least one of the rim and the frame.
3. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first
storage compartment further includes a cap pivotally carried by the
cup to selectively block the open end.
4. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, further comprising at
least one divider extending across the chamber of the container
such that the chamber includes a first pocket and a second pocket
that is not communicated with the first pocket.
5. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 4, wherein the at least one
divider comprises a slot for receiving the plurality of
objects.
6. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 4, wherein the first
storage compartment is received within the first pocket.
7. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the second
storage compartment is a cup portion having a bottom wall and at
least one sidewall extending from the bottom wall, and the at least
one sidewall is selectively carried by the container to define a
pocket.
8. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 7, wherein the bottom wall
includes a port communicated with the pocket, and the second
storage compartment also includes at least one door slidably
carried by the bottom wall to block the port.
9. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1 further comprising at
least one light emitter carried by at least one of the container,
the cover and the second storage compartment.
10. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 9, wherein the at least
one light emitter is a plurality of light emitting diodes carried
by the at least one of the container, the cover and the second
storage compartment.
11. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 9, wherein the light
emitter includes an optical waveguide to receive light from the
plurality of light emitting diodes and generate at least one
continuous ring of light.
12. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein each of the
lids has a pair of protrusions, and the frame of the cover has two
pairs of tapered slots terminating with a respective one of two
pairs of notches, such that each pair of protrusions is slidably
moved along the pair of tapered slots and pivotally carried within
the pair of notches.
13. The multipurpose receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container
includes a top portion having a first outer diameter and a bottom
portion having a second outer diameter that is less than the first
diameter.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/114,315 filed on Nov. 13, 2008, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to receptacles, and
more particularly, to a multipurpose receptacle for receiving and
holding a plurality of objects in an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Automobile manufacturers typically manufacture automobiles
having storage compartments carried by various spaced apart
portions of a passenger cabin. For example, the storage
compartments may be carried by the doors, the center console, the
seatbacks and the dashboard to store items, such as loose coins,
parking garage cards, hand wipes, or trash. It may be somewhat
burdensome for occupants to repeatedly reach for these compartments
in various locations of the vehicle to access particular items.
Further, a portion of the storage compartments may be integral
parts of the vehicle that cannot be removed for transporting their
contents. Other storage compartments, such as an ash tray, may be
removed from the vehicle. However, the ashtray may be generally
small for carrying its contents and may also lack a cover for
preventing its contents from spilling or otherwise being readily
transported.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] One embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle for receiving
and holding a plurality of objects. The multipurpose receptacle may
include a container having a base and one or more walls extending
from the base to define a chamber. The walls may terminate at a rim
that defines an open mouth communicated with the chamber. Further,
the multipurpose receptacle may also include a cover having a frame
that is carried by the rim and has one or more apertures. The cover
may also have two or more lids pivotally carried by the frame to
selectively block the apertures. The lids may also be slidably
carried by the frame to be received within the chamber of the
container. In addition, the multipurpose receptacle may also
include a first storage compartment received within the chamber and
carried by the frame or the rim. Also, the multipurpose receptacle
may include a second storage compartment carried by the container
adjacent to the base. The second storage compartment may be spaced
apart from the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] These and other features and advantages of the present
disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description
of preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims, and
accompanying drawings in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
multipurpose receptacle having a container, a cover carried by the
container and a second storage compartment carried by the
container;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cover of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the multipurpose
receptacle of FIG. 1, illustrating the receptacle having a first
storage compartment;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second storage
compartment of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the second storage compartment of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a portion of another
embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle, illustrating the
receptacle including a pocket adapted for storing cards; and
[0015] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a portion of yet another
embodiment of a multipurpose receptacle, illustrating the
receptacle including a top portion having a first diameter and a
bottom portion having a second diameter that is less than the first
diameter.
[0016] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0017] The exemplary embodiments described herein provide detail
for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations in
structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the
present disclosure is not limited to a particular multipurpose
receptacle, as shown and described. It is understood that various
omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as
circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are
intended to cover the application or embodiment without departing
from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
[0018] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not
denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to
distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an"
herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0019] The present disclosure provides a receptacle ("receptacle")
for receiving and holding a plurality of objects. The term
"plurality of objects" as used herein relates to both useful
objects such as parking garage cards, papers, notes, visiting
cards, credit cards, coins, tissue papers and the like, and trash
objects such as cigarette butts, scrap papers, candy wrappers,
candy sticks, and the like. The receptacle 1000 may be used to
objects in, for example, an automobile or other locations as
desired.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the receptacle 1000 may include a
container 100 having a base 102 and one or more walls 104 extending
from the base 102. The base 102 and the walls 104 may define a
chamber 106. Further, the wall 104 may terminate at a rim 108 that
may define an open mouth 110 communicated with the chamber 106.
Also, in one form, the container 100 may include one or more
dividers extending across the chamber 106 to define one or more
pockets. For example, the dividers may include a vertical
rectangular wall 118 that may extend half the distance from the rim
108 toward the base 102. In addition, the dividers may also include
a semicircular horizontal wall 128 that may extend between the
vertical rectangular wall 118 and the walls 104, such that the
dividers define a first pocket 120 and a second pocket 122 that may
not be communicated with the first pocket 120. The first pocket 120
may be one-fourth of the volume of the chamber, and the second
pocket may be three-fourths of the volume of the chamber. Of
course, the container may have more or less than two dividers
having various shapes to define any number of pockets that form any
other fractions of the volume of the chamber. In addition, the
container 100 may include an outer surface 112 having a top portion
114 adjacent to the rim 108 and a bottom portion 116 adjacent to
the base 102.
[0021] Further, the rim 108 may have one or more radially extending
annular flanges 124. Alternatively, the rim 108 may include
external threads (not shown). Similarly, the bottom portion 116 may
have one or more external outwardly extending annular flanges 126.
Alternatively, the bottom portion 116 may include external threads
(not shown).
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the receptacle 1000 may
include a cover 200 configured to be carried by the rim 108 of the
container 100. The cover 200 may include a frame 202 and one or
more apertures 204. The frame 202 may include two pairs of tapered
slots, such as a first pair of tapered slots 206, 208 and a second
pair of tapered slots 210, 212. Also, the frame 202 may include two
pairs of notches such as a first pair of notches 214, 216 and a
second pair of notches 218, 220. The two pairs of tapered slots may
terminate with a respective one of the two pairs of notches.
[0023] Further, the cover 200 may include two or more lids 222, 224
pivotally carried by the frame 202 to block the aperture 204. The
lid 222 may include a first pair of protrusions 226, 228 that may
be received within the first pair of notches 214, 216. Each notch
may have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the
respective protrusion pivotally carried therein. The first pair of
protrusions 226, 228 may also be slidably carried by the frame
along the first pair of tapered slots 206, 208, during both
assembly and while in use for sliding the lid 222 into the chamber
106. The lid 222 may also have a first handle portion 234 capable
of pivotally moving the first pair of protrusions 226, 228 within
the first pair of notches 214, 216 and also slidably moving the
first pair of protrusions 226, 228 along the first pair of tapered
slots 206, 208. Similarly, the lid 224 may include a second pair of
protrusions 230, 232 that may be received within the second pair of
notches 218, 220. Each notch may have an inner diameter larger than
the outer diameter of the respective protrusion pivotally carried
therein. Also, the second pair of protrusions 230, 232 may be
slidably carried along the second pair of tapered slots 210, 212
during both assembly and while in use for sliding the lid 224 into
the chamber 106. Further, the lid 224 may include a second handle
portion 236 capable of pivotally moving the second pair of
protrusions 230, 232 within the second pair of notches 218, 220 and
also slidably moving the second pair of protrusions 230, 232 along
the second pair of tapered slots 210, 212.
[0024] Also, the frame 202 may include a plurality of protrusions
238 configured on an inner surface 240 of the frame 202. The
protrusions 238 may snap over the annular flange 124 of the rim 108
and be received in one or more recesses (not shown), such that the
cover 200 may be carried by the container 100 in a snap fit
arrangement. Alternatively, the inner surface 240 may have internal
threads (not shown) for mating with the external threads of the
container 100.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, the receptacle 1000 may include a first
storage compartment 300 received within the chamber 106. For
example, the first storage compartment 300 may be received within
the first pocket 120 of the chamber 106. The first storage
compartment 300 may include a cup 302 having an open end 304 and
one or more flanges 306 extending radially outward from the open
end 304. The flanges 306 may be adapted to be carried by at least
one of the rim 108 and the frame 202. The first storage compartment
300 may further include a cap 308 pivotally carried by the cup 302
to selectively block the open end 304 and seal the contents
therein.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the receptacle 1000 may
include a second storage compartment 400 carried by the container
100 adjacent to the base 102, such that the second storage
compartment 400 may be spaced apart from the chamber 106. The
second storage compartment 400 may include a cup portion 402 having
a bottom wall 404 and one or more sidewalls 406 extending from the
bottom wall 404. An interior surface 408 of the sidewall 406 may
include a plurality of protrusions 410. The sidewall 406 may be
selectively carried by the container 100 to define a pocket 412.
For example, the protrusions 410 may be adapted to snap over the
annular flange 126 of the container 100 and received in recesses
thereon (not shown) such that the second storage compartment 400
may be carried by the container 100 in a snap fit arrangement.
Alternatively, the interior surface 408 may have internal threads
(not shown) for mating with the external threads of the container
100. In another form, the second storage compartment 400 may be
hingedly carried by the container 100 or be carried by the
container using any other suitable fastening method. Further, the
bottom wall 404 may include a port 414 communicated with the pocket
412 and one or more doors 416 slidably carried by the bottom wall
404 to block the port 414. Of course, the doors may be pivotally
carried by the bottom wall 404 as desired.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the receptacle 1000 may
further include one or more light emitters 500 that may be carried
by at least one of the container 100, the cover 200 and the second
storage compartment 400. In one form, the light emitter 500 may be
carried by the top portion 114 and the bottom portion 116 of the
container 100. In another form, the light emitter 500 may be
carried by the frame 202 of the cover 200. In yet another form, the
light emitter 500 may be carried by the sidewall 406 of the second
storage compartment 400. The light emitter 500 may include a
plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown). Further, the
light emitter 500 may include an optical waveguide 502 capable of
receiving light from the LEDs and thereafter generate at least one
continuous ring of light. Further, the light emitter 500 may be
associated with a power source (not shown) such as a battery to
provide requisite electrical energy for working of the LEDs. Also,
the requisite electrical energy may be actuated by a switch (not
shown) for actuating the light emitter 500.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a receptacle 2000
may include a container 1100, a cover 1200, a first storage
compartment (not shown) and a second storage compartment 1400. In
addition, the cover 1200 may have slots (not shown) for slidably
carrying lids and notches (not shown) for pivotally carrying the
lids. The receptacle 2000 may be similar to the receptacle 1000 of
FIG. 1, respectively having the container 100, the cover 200, the
first storage compartment 300 and the second storage compartment
400. However, the container 1100 may include a divider 1118 that
may extend across the chamber 1106 and have a slot 1120 therein, as
compared to the divider 118 of FIG. 2 being a continuous wall
without a slot. The slot 1120 may be adapted to receive and hold
objects that may include, for example, parking garage cards, an
automobile insurance card, or a driver's license.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of a receptacle
3000 may include a container 2100, a cover 2200, a first storage
compartment (not shown) and a second storage compartment 2400.
Further, the cover 1200 may have slots (not shown) for slidably
carrying lids and notches (not shown) for pivotally carrying the
lids. The receptacle 3000 may be similar to the receptacle 1000 of
FIG. 1, respectively having the container 100, the cover 200, the
first storage compartment 300 and the second storage compartment
400. However, as compared to the receptacle 1000 of FIG. 1, the
receptacle 3000 may include a top portion 2114 that may have a
first outer diameter and a bottom portion 2116 that may have a
second outer diameter that is less than the first diameter, such
that the bottom portion may be received in an automobile cup holder
(not shown).
[0030] In one form, the receptacles 1000, 2000, 3000 may be an
elongated cylindrical structure that may be made of a light weight,
fire resistant material, such as a polyethylene plastic material.
However, the receptacle may instead have other shapes, such as an
elongated polygonal structure or an elongated cuboidal structure,
and/or be made of other suitable materials. The above mentioned
material of construction of the receptacle may not be considered as
limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
[0031] The receptacle such as the receptacles 1000, 2000, 3000 may
be beneficial for receiving and holding a plurality of objects in
the automobile. The plurality of objects may include both useful
objects such as parking garage cards, papers, notes, visiting
cards, credit cards, coins, tissue papers, and the like and trash
objects such as cigarette butts, scrap papers, candy wrappers,
candy sticks, and the like. Further, the receptacle may be helpful
in protecting the natural environment as occupant of automobiles
may desist from throwing trash on the road side. Furthermore, the
receptacle may be beneficial to keep an interior of the automobile
clean. Also, the receptacle may be simple in construction, portable
and easy to use. The receptacle of the present disclosure may find
its utility at a multitude of places such as homes and commercial
places. However, for the sake of brevity, the receptacle capable of
receiving and holding the plurality of objects in an automobile has
been explained and the same may not be construed as limiting the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0032] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and
obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and
its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in
the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various
embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is understood that various
omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as
circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions
and substitutions are intended to cover the application or
implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the
claims of the present disclosure.
* * * * *