U.S. patent application number 13/568576 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for drinking bottle assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is John S. Letchinger, Thomas J. Ring. Invention is credited to John S. Letchinger, Thomas J. Ring.
Application Number | 20130026125 13/568576 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42074956 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130026125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Letchinger; John S. ; et
al. |
January 31, 2013 |
DRINKING BOTTLE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A drinking container including a bottom, a sidewall and a neck
which define an interior of the container, wherein the bottom
defines an opening of a lesser dimension than the bottom. Included
is a panel adapted to cover the opening and enclose the interior of
the container wherein the panel is of a dimension less than a
dimension of the container formed by an exterior surface of the
sidewall positioned adjacent to the bottom and wherein the panel is
releasably securable to the bottom to enclose the interior of the
container.
Inventors: |
Letchinger; John S.;
(Glencoe, IL) ; Ring; Thomas J.; (Palos Heights,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Letchinger; John S.
Ring; Thomas J. |
Glencoe
Palos Heights |
IL
IL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42074956 |
Appl. No.: |
13/568576 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12245464 |
Oct 3, 2008 |
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13568576 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/40 ;
215/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/04 20130101;
B65D 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/40 ;
215/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02 |
Claims
1. A drinking container, comprising: a bottom, a sidewall and a
neck which define an interior of the container wherein the bottom
defines an opening of a lesser dimension than the bottom; a panel
adapted to cover the opening and enclose the interior of the
container wherein the panel is of a dimension less than a dimension
of the container formed by an exterior surface of the sidewalls
positioned adjacent to the bottom and wherein the panel is
releasably securable to the bottom to enclose the interior of the
container.
2. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein a cross section
through the sidewall defines at least one of a circle, oval,
rectangle, square and triangle.
3. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the neck defines
another opening generally circular in shape wherein the other
opening has a diameter in the range of about 3/4 of an inch to 1
1/4 inch.
4. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein a dimension of an
interior cross section of the neck is smaller than a dimension of
an interior cross section at the sidewall.
5. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the opening comprises
a circular shape.
6. The drinking container of claim 5 wherein the panel comprises a
circular shape, wherein the bottom defines threads and the panel
defines other threads and wherein the threads and other threads are
sized and shaped to engage one another.
7. The drinking container of claim 1 further including one of an
O-ring seal and gasket positioned around the opening.
8. The drinking container of claim 1 further including a locking
assembly associated with the panel and with at least one of the
sidewall and the bottom.
9. The drinking container of claim 8 wherein the locking assembly
comprises at least one tab in association with the threads
positioned in one of the panel and at least one of the bottom and
sidewall; and a ramp associated with the other of the panel and at
least one of the bottom and sidewall to which the tab is not
associated and wherein the ramp is positioned in blocking
relationship to the at least one tab with the threads of the panel
and of at least one of the bottom and the sidewall are fully
engaged.
10. The drinking container of claim 9 wherein the sidewall is
deformable to provide separation of the tab and the ramp.
11. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the container is
constructed of a material which contains an antimicrobial
material.
12. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein a wall thickness of
the sidewall of the body portion comprises a thickness in the range
of about 25 mils to about 35 mils.
13. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the bottom is a round
shape.
14. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the bottom is a
square shape.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/245,464, filed Oct. 3, 2008, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of drinking containers
and more particularly, to drinking containers that are assembled
and disassembled.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There is a need for a refillable and thereby reusable
drinking container so as to reduce the negative environmental
impact on disposing of containers after a single use.
[0004] There is also a need for a refillable drinking container for
consuming water since some municipalities have decided to place a
tax on bottles of water sold in their jurisdiction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A drinking container constructed of a bottom, a sidewall and
a neck which define an interior of the container wherein the bottom
defines an opening and the bottom comprises a panel adapted to
cover the opening and be removable from the opening such that with
the panel removed from the opening access to the interior is
provided.
[0006] A drinking container constructed of a bottom, a sidewall and
a neck which define an interior of the container; and a separation
of the sidewall defined by the sidewall and positioned between the
neck and the bottom wherein the separation provides access to the
interior of the container.
[0007] A drinking container including a bottom, a sidewall and a
neck which define an interior of the container, wherein at least a
portion of the sidewall and at least a portion of the bottom define
an opening and wherein at least a portion of the sidewall and at
least a portion of the bottom comprise a panel adapted to cover the
opening and be removable from the opening such that with the panel
removed from the opening access to the interior of the container is
provided.
[0008] A drinking container including a bottom, a sidewall and a
neck which define an interior of the container, wherein the bottom
comprises a surface of the container upon which the container rests
when positioned on a support surface in an upright position,
wherein the surface comprises at least one of, at least two spaced
apart bottom surface sections wherein a portion of the sidewall
extends between the at least two spaced apart bottom surface
sections and at least one continuous bottom surface which forms an
encircling configuration, wherein a portion of the sidewall extends
between two spaced apart portions of the at least one continuous
bottom surface, such that the portion of the sidewall defines an
opening in the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Certain examples of the present invention are illustrated by
the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the figures
are not necessarily to scale and that details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render
other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It should be
understood of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited
to the particular examples illustrated herein.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
drinking bottle assembly;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the drinking bottle assembly
of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is cross sectional view of the drinking bottle
assembly as seen from line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the drinking bottle
assembly as seen from line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of
the drinking bottle assembly as seen from line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the drinking bottle assembly;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the drinking bottle assembly;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment
of the drinking bottle assembly.
[0018] FIG. 9A is a partial side elevational view of a lower
portion of another embodiment of the drinking bottle assembly;
[0019] FIG. 9B is a schematic representation of a lower portion of
the drinking bottle assembly shown in FIG. 9A contacting a flat
support surface and a circle indicating the location of the opening
to the container;
[0020] FIG. 9C is a bottom perspective partially exploded view of
the embodiment of the drinking bottle assembly of FIG. 9A;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the lower portion
of another embodiment of the drinking bottle assembly contacting a
flat surface and a circle indication the location of the opening to
the drinking bottle assembly;
[0022] FIG. 11A is a partial bottom perspective view of another
embodiment of the drinking bottle assembly wherein the surface on
which the container will be supported includes a surface that
projects from the container and encircles the lower portion of the
container; and
[0023] FIG. 11B is an exploded view of the embodiment of the
drinking bottle assembly of FIG. 11A.
DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of drinking container 10
is shown. In this embodiment, drinking container 10, generally
resembles a bottle for containing a consumable fluid such as water
or other common consumable liquids. As will be appreciated herein,
drinking container 10 has a number of beneficial attributes, one of
which includes the ease in refilling container 10.
[0025] Container 10 can be constructed of many commonly known
materials or combination of materials such as plastic,
polycarbonates, glass, metal etc. The thickness of sidewall 14, as
seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, can take on various dimensions. However, in
one example, container 10 is constructed of single relatively
flexible plastic wall with a thickness that may vary between 25 and
35 mils. Such thickness provides a user with a desirable flexible
feel while gripping container 10. Other wall thicknesses are
contemplated depending on a number of variables such as durability
of container 10 or even the temperature of the fluid intended to be
carried or maintained by container 10. For example, for durability
container 10 can have sidewall 14 constructed of a relatively
thicker wall construction and/or the wall construction can be made
of a more rigid material. In other examples, sidewall 14 can take
on a double wall construction, as will be discussed further below,
for providing insulation for the contents of container 10.
[0026] Since drinking container 10 will provide ease in refilling,
as will be discussed below, container 10 will likely be refilled
and reused a number of times before it is discarded. Because
container 10 will often be in a non-sterile environment and come
into contact with human hands during the process of refilling, it
is desirable that the material used to construct container 10 have
an antimicrobial material incorporated into the material. An
antimicrobial material such as, PolySept, a registered trademark of
Poly Chem Alloy, Inc. described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,814, can be
employed and will reduce the growth of undesirable bacteria and
provide the user with a more sanitary container 10 during
reuse.
[0027] Container 10 is contemplated to hold consumable fluids of
various temperatures ranging from cold to hot or even room
temperature. To maintain the desired temperature of the fluid held
within container 10, container 10 will need thermal insulation
capability. This thermal insulation capability can be carried out
in a number of well known ways, such as for example, utilizing a
high thermal resistant material for constructing the container,
such as, thermal resistant plastic material with a thicker wall
construction of at least 0.25 inches. Another thermal construction,
for example, may include a double-walled construction of sidewall
of container 10 wherein gas or air, is trapped between the
double-walls. Other methods to insulate contents of container 10
may be employed, such as, placing a sleeve over at least a portion
of the outside surface of sidewall of container 10. This sleeve may
be constructed of a number of commonly known insulating materials,
such as, an elastomeric foam-like material, paper, cardboard or the
like.
[0028] In referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, drinking container 10
comprises a neck 12, sidewall 14 and bottom 16, defining an
interior 17. Sidewall 14 defines a separation 18 in sidewall 14
which, in turn, defines an opening 19 in container 10, as seen in
FIG. 2. In this example, separation 18 is positioned entirely
around the perimeter of sidewall 14 thereby divides container 10
into two portions, lower portion 20 and upper portion 22.
Separation 18 is positioned, in this example, in an orientation
generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of container 10.
However, separation 18 can be oriented in numerous other positions,
locations and orientations, as well as, in various lengths in
sidewall 14. For example, separation 18 may not extend completely
around the circumference of container 10. In other examples,
separation 18 may not be oriented in a generally perpendicular
orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of container 10. As
seen in FIG. 1, separation 18, in sidewall 14, is positioned closer
to bottom 16 than to neck 12, however, separation may be positioned
in a central portion of container 10 or even in a position closer
to neck 12 than to bottom 16.
[0029] As can be appreciated in this embodiment, opening 19, is
larger in dimension than opening 24 defined by neck 12. This
enlarged opening 19 provides ease in refilling container 10 in
contrast to opening 24 positioned in neck 12 which is smaller in
dimension. One would typically fill container 10 through opening
19, with cap 28 secured to neck 12 and covering opening 24. The
enlarged opening 19 will result in less spillage and therefore a
less messy exercise in refilling container 10. In addition, larger
opening 19 provides the user the ability and ease to refill
container 10 with nonliquid items in addition to a consumable
fluid. Such items may include ice, food materials, such as, fruits
and/or vegetables or the like, or powders, tablets or concentrate
fluid providing desirable flavors, nutrients, vitamins, medicines
or the like. Positioning these items into interior 17 of container
10 will be made much easier in bringing them through enlarged
opening 19 than attempting to bring them through opening 24 of neck
12. Additionally, this enlarged opening 19 also provides user easy
access to interior 17 for also stirring the contents of a liquid
and/or other items positioned therein.
[0030] Sidewall 14 of container 10, in the example shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, forms a circular cross section, as well as, a plurality of
circular cross sections, positioned generally perpendicular to and
along the length of container 10. It is contemplated that in other
examples of container 10, such cross sections can take on different
configurations or shapes that are regular formations such as oval,
rectangular, square (as seen in FIG. 8) triangular, as well as,
irregular formations. Moreover, other examples of container 10,
contemplate utilizing different shapes or configurations of cross
sections in the same container 10, so as to vary the shape of
container 10 along its length. Similarly, the dimension of a cross
section of container 10 may also vary along the length of container
10. Such varying dimension can be employed for cross sections of
container 10 that incorporates generally of the same shape along
the length of container 10, and also can be employed for container
10 that varies the configuration or shape of their cross sections
along its length.
[0031] Another portion of container 10 comprises neck 12 which, in
the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, neck 12 generally takes on a
generally circular cross section along its length forming generally
a cylindrical shape open at either end. Again, other examples of
neck 12 may include various shapes of cross sections and various
dimensions as similarly discussed above for sidewall 14. Neck 12,
in this embodiment, is integrally formed with sidewall 14 as a
result of container 10 being manufactured generally from a
continuous extrusion or molding process. Neck 12 takes on an
interior dimension, measured in a direction generally perpendicular
to a length of container 10 which is smaller than that of a
corresponding measured dimension of container 10 defined by
sidewall 14.
[0032] Sidewall 14 extends from neck 12 to bottom 16 of container
10. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, neck 12 extends from opening 24 to
and ends at a juncture or position 34 on container 10 where a
change in interior dimension, taken generally perpendicular to a
length of container 10, begins to increase in dimension compared to
the interior dimension of neck 12. In the example shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the diameter of neck 12 is generally the same along a length
of neck 12 and juncture 34 is positioned where the diameter formed
by sidewall 14 ends and the diameter formed by sidewall 14
increases in size over that of the dimension of the diameter of
neck 12. Sidewall 14 extends from juncture 34 to bottom 16, wherein
bottom 16 begins at a position or juncture 36, as seen, for
example, in FIG. 8.
[0033] Juncture 36 is positioned on container 10 where sidewall 14
ends and bottom 16 begins. Juncture 36 is determined or located by
moving along sidewall 14 generally toward bottom 16. Where first
contact is made by container 10 on a generally flat support surface
with container 10 placed in an upright position, that is juncture
36. In some instances, juncture 36, as seen in FIG. 8, would form a
continuous line such as a square or rectangle. In other
embodiments, FIGS. 1 and 2, a circle. Thus, juncture 36, in these
instances, is a continuous line forming a closed figure and the
portion of container 10 positioned within that closed figure is
bottom 16. Juncture 36 will be discussed further here-in-below for
containers that will have different structural bottom portions.
[0034] Neck 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, defines opening 24 at
end 26 of container 10. Opening 24, in this example, is configured
and sized to accommodate a user engaging neck 12 at opening 24 with
their mouth to drink fluid contained within container 10. Diameter
of opening 24 will generally range between 0.75 to 1.5 inches for
ease of user to drink from container 10. However, other dimensions
may be employed.
[0035] Cap 28 is configured to close opening 24 of container 10.
Cap 28 is positioned over opening 24 generally when user is not
consuming contents from container 10 to secure fluid within
container 10 and is removed from opening 24 to provide access to
the drinking fluid contents contained in container 10. In this
example, cap 28 defines threads 30, as seen in FIG. 8, and neck 12
define on its exterior surface compatibly sized and shaped threads
32, such that threads 30 and 32 can engage one another. Through use
of threads 30 and 32, cap 28 can be tightened down onto neck 12 and
cover opening 24 such that fluid contents of container 10 are
sealed therein. Annular ring 38 is positioned around the exterior
of container 10 and is positioned adjacent and below threads 32 of
neck 12 such that cap 28 abuts annular ring 38 with threads 30 and
32 fully engaged to one another and cap 28 is tightened onto neck
12.
[0036] With respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
separation 18 of sidewall 14, may be positioned in various desired
locations and in various orientations in sidewall 14. With
separation 18 positioned, in this example, in a generally
transverse or perpendicular plane to a longitudinal axis or length
of container 10, it can be located at various locations along the
longitudinal axis of container 10. As mentioned above, such
positions may include separation 18 being positioned closer to
bottom 16 than to neck 12, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2; being
generally in a mid-portion of container 10; or even being
positioned closer to neck 12 than to bottom 16, which is shown in
FIG. 6.
[0037] In order to access interior 17 of container 10 to fill or
refill container 10 with desired contents, separation 18 in
sidewall 14 needs to be opened and subsequently closed before user
begins to consume the contents of container 10 through opening 24.
Many forms or securement may be employed to join sidewall 14
positioned on either side of separation 18 together. In a closed
position, it is desired to have separation 18 secured closed to
form a water tight closure to prevent leaking out of contents from
interior 17 of container 10. In addition, it is also desirable to
provide a locking capability of separation 18 in a closed position
so as to resist separation 18 from unintentionally separating apart
sidewalls 14 positioned on opposing sides of separation 18.
[0038] With regard to securing together sidewall 14 at separation
18, threads 40 and 42 are positioned on opposing sides of sidewall
14 as seen in the example shown in FIG. 2. As mentioned above,
container 10 may, for example, be extruded or molded and therefore,
threads 40 and 42 would, in that instance, can be integrally formed
with sidewall 14. However, in other instances threads 40 and 42 may
be separately constructed and conventionally secured to opposing
sections of sidewall 14. Threads 40 and 42 are compatibly sized and
shaped to engage one another and secure to one another, as seen in
FIGS. 4 and 5. A user can apply a turning action to one or other of
bottom and top sections 20, 22 or opposing turning actions to
portions 20, 22 of container 10, thereby screwing together two
portions 20, 22 and closing container 10 between neck 12 and bottom
16 of the embodiment as shown seen in FIG. 1. With two portions 20
and 22 secured together, as also seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, outside
surface of sidewall 14 is positioned on opposing sides of
separation 18 to align with one another thereby providing a
relatively smooth outside surface to container 10.
[0039] A water tight seal is provided as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. In
FIG. 4, gasket 44 is positioned around container 10 and is shown
being compressed, by opposing sides of sidewall 14 that define
separation 18. Gasket 44 is compressed with threads 40, 42 engaged.
With gasket 44 compressed, a water tight seal is provided. Another
example of sealing separation 18 defined by sidewall 14, is shown
in FIG. 5. In this instance O-ring 46 is positioned in a closed
channel 48 positioned around container 10 and defined by sidewall
14. O-ring 46 is dimensioned such that with it being positioned
within channel 48 and threads 40, 42 are fully engaged, O-ring 46
is compressed against juncture 41 between threads 40, 42 providing
a water tight seal.
[0040] A locking assembly 50, can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Locking
assembly 50 is provided to prevent unintentional loosening of the
threaded engagement between portions lower and upper portions 20,
22 of container 10. Many conventional locking assemblies are
contemplated, however, one example is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Locking assembly 50 comprises at least one tab 52 positioned in
threads 40 of upper portion 22, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Ramp 54
is provided in threads 42 of lower portion 20 such that, with
threads 40, 42 being screwed together, tabs 52 ride up incline 53
of ramp 54 as threads 40, 42 are tightened together. Once threads
40, 42 have been tightened together, a tab 52 will have ridden up
the incline 53 of ramp 54 and be positioned beyond ramp 54. Thus if
a reverse force is applied to loosen threads 40, 42, tab 52
positioned beyond ramp 54 will move toward ramp 54 and be blocked
by ramp 54 as seen in FIG. 3. A loosening force, such as a
counterclockwise movement applied to threads 40, will be blocked by
tab 52 abutting ramp 54. When user desires to unlock threaded
engagement of threads 40, 42, the user, with this locking example,
must first unblock ramp 54 from path of tab 52. A user applies a
compression force to sidewall 14 in direction of arrows 56. The
result is sidewall 14 will begin to deform and bulge outwardly in
direction indicated by arrows 58. This bulging movement outwardly
by sidewall 14 will cause ramp 54 to move outwardly away from the
path of tab 52, thereby unlocking the threaded engagement and
allowing portions 20, 22 to be unscrewed apart and separated.
[0041] Another embodiment, is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment,
opening 60 is defined in bottom 16 of container 10. Opening 60, as
shown, may be dimensioned to be of lesser dimension than bottom 16.
In other embodiments opening 60 can be the same size or coextensive
to bottom 16. This coextensive sizing would be readily feasible,
for example, as with the container 10 embodiment with a circular
bottom 16, such as seen FIGS. 1 and 2. As is also seen in FIG. 8,
panel 62 is provided and is properly dimensioned to cover opening
60.
[0042] In order to secure panel 62 to bottom 16, threads 64, 66 are
defined in bottom 16 and panel 62, respectively. In an instance
where panel 62 is coextensive with bottom 16, threads would be
positioned in panel 16 and sidewall 14. Threads 64, 66 have a
similar construction as described above for threads 40, 42 that are
shown in the embodiment in FIG. 2. Thus with threads 64, 66 being
compatibly sized and shaped, panel 62 can be releasably secured and
tightened to container 10. Similarly, as described above, locking
assembly 50 and water tight sealing constructions, may also be
employed in this embodiment as well. Handle 68 is provided for user
to apply a turning movement to panel 62 to assist the user in
tightening or loosening panel 62 to bottom 16.
[0043] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment,
two separations 18 are defined in sidewall 14 and are positioned in
container 10 generally where the separations are shown in both
embodiments portrayed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6. Threads 40, 42 are
appropriately positioned in sidewall 14 positioned on either side
of each separation 18. Thus in this embodiment, with two
separations defined by sidewall 14, two positions to open and close
container 10 in association with sidewall 14 are provided. It is
contemplated that any number of sections 70 could be added to
container 10, thus increasing the length of container 10. Also,
sections of varying external shapes and/or colors may be provided
to give a desired look to container 10 or a highly distinctive
look. Likewise, as described above, locking assembly 50 and water
tight constructions can be employed in this embodiment as well.
[0044] In other embodiments of container 10, where bottom portion
of container 10 is not flat, juncture 36, as previously discussed
above, may not be formed by a continuous line. Another approach is
used to determine what will be bottom 16 of such containers 10. An
example of a container 10 where the bottom portion is not flat can
be seen in FIG. 9A, wherein legs 72 project from a bottom portion
of container 10. A bottom surface of legs 72 of container 10 would
make a foot print as shown in schematic FIG. 9B. Sections 36'
represent what a lower surface of legs 72 will contact on a flat
surface that supports container 10 in an upright position. Sections
36' represent generally, in size and shape, what will be considered
bottom 16 on legs 72 of container 10. Any part of container 10 that
does not contact a flat support surface in a lower portion of
container 10 will be considered to be sidewall 14.
[0045] In further referring to FIG. 9B, schematic representation of
opening 60 is shown for this embodiment of container 10. The
schematic representation of opening 60 is a circle that passes
through, sections 36', which represents passing through bottoms 16
on container 10, and passes through sidewall 14. Thus opening 60 is
defined by the combination of sections 36', or what would be
bottoms 16 on container 10, and sidewall 14 on container 10. The
position of panel 76, used for closing opening 60, is also shown
schematically in FIG. 9B.
[0046] FIG. 9C portrays the embodiment of container 10 that is
portrayed in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Opening 60 cuts through legs 72,
through bottoms 16 and through sidewall 14, as portrayed in
schematic 9B. Sidewall 14 defines threads 66 and defines compatible
threads 64. Thus, panel 76 is removably securable to container 10
through securement and unsecurement of threads 64 and 66. Panel 76
is dimensioned and sized to cover opening 60. As in other
embodiments discussed herein, water tight sealing may be employed
by gaskets 44 or O-rings 46 and locking assembly 50 may also be
employed. Additionally, a handle as earlier shown and discussed can
be provided to assist user in applying a turning force to panel
76.
[0047] As seen in FIG. 10, another schematic is shown that
represents a footprint of another embodiment of container 10. This
embodiment is similar to that shown in FIGS. 9A-9C except bottom
surface 16 sections of legs 72 are now positioned so that they
surround opening 60. Thus, in schematic in FIG. 10 opening 60 is
now schematically positioned inside sections 36'. Again, sections
36' are the schematic footprints of bottom 16 surface sections of
legs 72 that contact a flat surface with container 10 being
supported in an upright position.
[0048] Since all other surfaces in the lower portion of container
10 that surround bottom surfaces 16 sections, will be considered
sidewall 14, opening 60 in this embodiment is defined by sidewall
14. Panel 76 is schematically shown in FIG. 10 and is represented
to be properly sized to cover opening 60. Similar construction for
this embodiment may be employed, as was described above for other
embodiments, such as utilizing compatibly engaging threads such as
66 and 64 to secure panel 76 to container 10, as well as, water
tight seals or gaskets and locking assembly 50.
[0049] As seen in FIGS. 11A and 11 B, another embodiment is shown.
In this embodiment, bottom 16 is now at least one continuous
encircling configuration positioned projecting from container 10
and about the perimeter of container 10 wherein sidewall 14 is
positioned in between portions of continuous bottom surface 16. In
this embodiment, continuous bottom surface 16 can be constructed to
encircle entirely around the bottom portion of container 10 or it
may be positioned as segments to extend less than entirely
encircling around. Panel 76 is positioned covering opening 60
positioned, as seen in FIG. 11A and in 11B, in between portions of
bottom surface 16. As discussed above threads 64 and 66 are
provided to secure and unsecure panel 76 from container 10 thereby
opening and closing the opening 60. Similarly, locking assembly 50
and water tight structures such as O-rings or gaskets may be
utilized as well.
[0050] Thus, it is understood that a larger opening is being
provided in container 10 to provide easier and less messier
refilling of container 10. The opening allows ease in inserting a
variety of items into the interior of container 10 and otherwise
accessing the interior of container 10 for other processes such as
mixing and removing of items. In addition, container 10 can be
easily personalized by utilizing labeling, colorizing or merely
utilizing sections of container 10 that has a certain size and
shape that is distinctive. Colorizing can also be employed to
represent colors of a favorite school or professional team.
Similarly, colorizing can be used to designate contents intended to
be contained by that container.
[0051] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The
descriptions were selected to explain the principles of the
invention and their practical application to enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. Although particular constructions of the present
invention have been shown and described, other alternative
constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are
within the intended scope of the present invention.
* * * * *