U.S. patent application number 14/076680 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for structure for detachable coupling of containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Jong Soo Park. The applicant listed for this patent is Jong Soo PARK. Invention is credited to Jong Soo PARK.
Application Number | 20140061086 14/076680 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44646393 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140061086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Jong Soo |
March 6, 2014 |
STRUCTURE FOR DETACHABLE COUPLING OF CONTAINERS
Abstract
A container structure is provided for detachable coupling of at
least two containers. The detachable coupling structure of a first
container includes a top portion with an upstanding perimeter
having radial protrusions extending from a surface of the
upstanding perimeter, and a container bottom portion having a
complementary structure to engage the radial protrusions of the top
portion of a second container for the purpose of detachably
coupling two or more containers end to end. In one embodiment, two
containers placed end to end with their respective structures
aligned to be engaged are rotated in opposite directions to fully
engage the protrusions of one container with the complementary
structure of the other. A rim around the top portion of a container
in a second embodiment has a larger diameter than the top portion.
The rim may be pushed through a flexible opening into a recess in
the bottom of another container.
Inventors: |
PARK; Jong Soo; (Daegu,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PARK; Jong Soo |
Daegu |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Park; Jong Soo
Daegu
KR
|
Family ID: |
44646393 |
Appl. No.: |
14/076680 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12726878 |
Mar 18, 2010 |
8613358 |
|
|
14076680 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/508 ;
206/509; 215/10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0222 20130101;
B65D 2517/0062 20130101; B65D 21/0213 20130101; B65D 21/0223
20130101; B65D 2517/0056 20130101; B65D 17/4012 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/508 ;
206/509; 215/10 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a main body that, in use, holds liquid;
a top portion having an upstanding peripheral flange, the
upstanding peripheral flange having at least one protrusion
extending radially from a surface; and a bottom portion having a
peripheral structure, the peripheral structure having an end face,
an interior wall facing toward a recessed area, an exterior wall,
and at least one groove circumferentially oriented on the interior
or exterior wall to receive at least one protrusion of a second
container, the at least one groove having a receiving portion
which, when aligned with the at least one protrusion of the second
container, receives the at least one protrusion of the second
container upon rotation of the second container with respect to the
container to detachably couple the container and the second
container.
2. The container according to claim 1, the top portion further
comprising a tap removable from an opening in a top surface near a
pouring section of the upstanding peripheral flange, and the at
least one groove further includes a locking portion, wherein the
groove is formed by a circumferential recess around the exterior
wall of the bottom portion, the groove having a lower face angled
to enhance shedding of foreign particles from the groove, the
receiving portion is formed by an opening at a recessed area of the
exterior wall, the locking portion being an end of the recess
forming the at least one groove, and at least one bent section of
the upstanding peripheral flange bent radially inward forms the at
least one protrusion, the bent section being disposed outside of
the pouring section.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the recessed area
forming the groove widens at the receiving portion and gradually
narrows to form the locking portion.
4. The container according to claim 1, the top portion having a
narrower diameter than the main body, the upstanding peripheral
flange forming a mouth portion of the container, the container
further comprising: at least one outside spiral thread on an
exterior wall of the mouth portion; a cap having at least one cap
interior spiral thread to screw the cap onto the mouth portion; at
least one cap exterior spiral thread disposed on an external wall
of the cap; a cap diameter region extending to a first depth in the
recessed area in the bottom of the container; and at least one
first inside spiral thread on an inside wall of the first depth of
the recessed area, the at least one first inside spiral thread to
receive the at least one cap exterior spiral thread.
5. The container according to claim 4, further comprising: a mouth
diameter region extending from the first depth to a second depth in
the recessed area; at least one second inside spiral thread on an
inside wall of the mouth diameter region, the at least one second
inside spiral thread to receive the at least one outside spiral
thread on the exterior wall of the mouth portion.
6. The container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least
one cap interior spiral thread and the at least one cap exterior
spiral thread are oriented such that a rotation direction of the
cap screwing into the at least one first inside spiral thread in
the recessed area is the same as a rotation direction of the
container screwing the at least one outside spiral thread into the
at least one cap interior spiral thread.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the recessed area
wall has at least one rib protruding toward and inner space of the
main body of the container.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein a roof of the
recessed area is round.
9. The container according to claim 4, further comprising: at least
one projection on an inside wall of the recessed area, wherein
rotation of the second container with respect to the container to
detachably couple the container and the second container stops upon
a top face of a cap on a mouth portion of the second container
reaching the at least one projection on the inside wall of the
recessed area of the container, and the recessed area of the bottom
of the container includes an insertable region that receives a
small statue on the top face of the cap of the top portion of the
detachably coupled second container.
10. The container according to claim 1, the top portion further
comprising a tap removable from an opening in a top surface near a
pouring section of the upstanding peripheral flange, and the at
least one groove further including a locking portion and a blocking
portion, wherein the groove exists between the main body and a
protrusion extending circumferentially around an exterior wall of
the bottom portion, the receiving portion is an opening at one end
of the at least one groove, the blocking portion is an obstructed
end of the at least one groove, the locking portion is adjacent to
the blocking portion where the rotation of the second container
with respect to the container to detachably couple the container
and the second container stops upon the at least one protrusion of
a top portion of the second container reaching the blocking portion
of the container, and at least one bent section of the upstanding
peripheral flange bent radially inward forms the at least one
protrusion, the bent section of the upstanding peripheral flange is
disposed separate from the pouring section.
11. The container according to claim 10, the top portion having a
narrower diameter than the main body, the upstanding peripheral
flange forming a mouth portion of the container, the container
further comprising: at least one outside spiral thread on an
exterior wall of the mouth portion; a cap having at least one cap
interior spiral thread to screw the cap onto the mouth portion; at
least one cap exterior spiral thread disposed on an external wall
of the cap; a cap diameter region extending to a first depth in a
recessed area in the bottom of the container; and at least one
first inside spiral thread on an inside wall of the first depth of
the recessed area, the at least one first inside spiral thread to
receive the at least one cap exterior spiral thread.
12. The container according to claim 11, further comprising: a
mouth diameter region extending from the first depth to a second
depth in the recessed area; at least one second inside spiral
thread on an inside wall of the mouth diameter region, the at least
one second inside spiral thread to receive the at least one outside
spiral thread on the exterior of the mouth portion.
13. A container comprising: a main body that, in use, holds liquid;
a top portion having a cap, an outside diameter smaller than the
main body, and a rim around and protruding outwardly from an
exterior face of the top portion, the top portion including a neck
section below the rim having a smaller diameter than the rim; and a
bottom portion having an end face, and a cavity in the center of
the end face, the cavity having an opening into which a top portion
and a perimeter rim of a second container can be inserted, and
having flexible protrusions extending inwardly from inside walls of
the cavity to create a flexible opening narrower than the inside
dimension of the cavity, wherein upon aligning the top of the
second container end to end with the bottom cavity of the
container, and inserting the top portion of the second container
into the cavity of the container, the rim deflects the flexible
protrusions and moves past the flexible protrusions to enter the
cavity, and the flexible protrusions resiliently returning toward
an undeflected position.
14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the flexible
protrusions are planar tabs extending toward the center of the
opening of the cavity in a plane substantially parallel to the end
face, and small separations between adjacent planar tabs which can
allow air to escape from the cavity as the top portion of the
second container is inserted into the cavity.
15. The container according to claim 14, wherein when the rim of
the second container moves past the deflected planar tabs, the
planar tabs resiliently return toward an undeflected position until
coming to rest against the neck section.
16. The container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the
undeflected position of the planar tabs is such that a distal end
of the planar tab extends from the end face into the depth of the
cavity.
17. The container according to claim 13, wherein the flexible
protrusions gradually increase in thickness from the opening of the
cavity into a depth of the cavity to create a gradually narrowing
diameter and sharply decrease in thickness to provide a seat
position for the rim of the second container fully inserted into
the cavity, and the spaces between the respective protrusions may
allow air to escape from the cavity as the top portion of the
second container is inserted into the cavity.
18. The container according to claim 13, further comprising, at a
region of the cavity where the cap of the second container is
inserted, a cavity wall structure for resisting movement of the cap
into and out of the cavity or shaking of coupled containers.
19. The container according to claim 18, wherein the cavity wall
structure for resisting movement includes flexible walls narrowing
the diameter of the cavity to provide a squeezing force to the cap
inserted in the cavity.
20. The container according to claim 13, wherein the rim forms a
lip edge of the mouth of the container, the mouth being closed with
a lid.
21. The container according to claim 20, wherein the flexible
protrusions are planar tabs extending toward the center of the
opening of the cavity, and located at least four points crosswise
the tabs are configured to bend to form an U-shape upon insertion
of the top portion of the second container into the cavity of the
container, and the tabs are configured to resiliently return toward
an undeflected position upon insertion of the top portion of the
second container into the cavity of the container through the
tabs.
22. The container according to claim 20, wherein the cavity further
comprises an insertable region configured to receive the top
portion of the second container.
23. A container comprising: a main body that, in use, holds liquid;
a top portion having a cap, an outside diameter smaller than the
main body, and at least one spiral thread around and protruding
outwardly from an exterior face of the top portion, the top portion
including a neck section below the at least one spiral thread
having a smaller diameter than the at least one spiral thread; and
a bottom portion having an end face, and a cavity in the center of
the end face, the cavity having an opening into which a top portion
and a perimeter rim of a second container can be inserted, and
having at least one spiral thread extending inwardly from inside
walls of the cavity which, when aligned with at least one spiral
thread on an exterior face of the top portion of the second
container, receives the at least one spiral thread of the second
container upon rotation of the second container with respect to the
container to detachably couple the container and the second
container.
24. The container according to claim 23, wherein: the at least one
spiral thread of the top portion of the container or the at least
one spiral thread of the cavity of the bottom portion of the
container has an obstructed end, and the rotation of the second
container with respect to the container to detachably couple the
container and the second container stops upon the at least one
spiral thread of the cavity of the bottom portion of the container
reaching the obstructed end of the at least one spiral thread of
the top portion of the second container or the at least one spiral
thread of the top portion of the second container reaching the
obstructed end of the at least one spiral thread of the cavity of
the bottom portion of the container.
25. The container according to claim 23, further comprising: at
least one projection on an inside wall of the cavity, wherein the
rotation of a second container with respect to the container to
detachably couple the container and the second container stops upon
a top face of the top portion of the second container reaching the
at least one projection on an inside wall of the cavity of the
container.
26. The container according to claim 23, 24, or 25, wherein: an
outer part of the at least one spiral thread on the exterior face
of the top portion of the second container has a wider diameter
than the cap and contacts the at least one spiral thread of the
cavity of the bottom portion of the container when the container
and the second container are detachably coupled, and an inner part
of the at least one spiral thread on the exterior face of the top
portion of the second container includes a narrower diameter than
the cap and does not contact the at least one spiral thread of the
cavity of the bottom portion of the container when the container
and the second container are detachably coupled, the inner part
extending upwardly and forming a rim protruding outwardly from an
exterior face of the top portion of the second container.
27. The container according to claim 23 or 25, wherein the inside
wall of the cavity has at least one rib protruding toward an inner
space of the main body of the container.
28. The container according to claim 27, wherein a roof of the
cavity is round.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 from U.S. Ser. No. 12/726,878, filed Mar.
18, 2010, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates in general to containers such
as beverage cans and bottles and, more particularly, to structures
in such cans and bottles for simply achieving detachable coupling
of two or more containers.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Most typical containers have been produced and
commercialized in handheld sizes that have no means for detachable
coupling to each other. Therefore, most of the typical containers
having no detachable coupling means are separately kept or carried
with a person when one or two containers need to be kept or
carried. This creates a problem that it is very difficult for a
person to keep or carry three or more containers
simultaneously.
[0006] As is well known to those skilled in the art, cans are
conventionally formed of iron thin plates or aluminum thin plates,
and bottles are conventionally formed of glass, plastics, or
metals. Materials for forming containers should be saved from the
viewpoint of conservation of resources. In order to conserve
resources, the emptied containers need to be recovered and
reproduced. However, since there is difficulty in holding more than
one container in each hand, there is a problem that they must be
collected one by one when gathering them for their recycling. Since
most of the typical containers have no means for coupling them to
each other, there is no simple means for simultaneously gathering
multiple containers. Thus, the emptied containers are usually
discarded separately. Since the typical containers having no
detachable coupling means, they are usually discarded separately in
the open air, or scattered in the forest or in the sands. Hence,
when the emptied containers separately discarded are collected for
recycling, they must be picked up one by one when found, and this
creates problems for container collectors. Hence, the containers
separately discarded in the open air may be neglected. This not
only runs counter to the need for resource saving but also causes
environmental pollution.
[0007] In the prior art, there have been proposed detachable can
coupling structures and detachable can coupling methods for
overcoming the above problems caused by the typical cans having no
coupling means. However, the prior art structures and methods for
coupling the cans are not practically used because of their
structural problems as will be described later herein.
[0008] Japanese Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. Sho.
54-58350 discloses a can having, at its top and bottom, a screw
type coupling structures for vertically detachably coupling the
cans to each other. However, this can causes a hygienic problem in
that the contaminants on its top coupling structure may be
introduced into the human body when drinking the beverage from the
can. That is, the screw type top coupling structure has recesses
between its threads, and contaminants may be present in those
recesses. In this regard, the contaminants remaining on the top
coupling structure may be directly introduced into the human body
along with the beverage when drinking the canned beverage, thus
causing a hygienic problem. In addition, each of the top and bottom
coupling structures of the above can is shaped in the form of a
predetermined width of annular strip extending from the top
periphery or the bottom periphery of the can. The top and bottom
screw type coupling structures of the can are thus weak in their
bending strengths so that they are apt to be deformed or bent even
when they are subjected to a weak outside shock. When either of the
top and bottom coupling structures of the can is deformed by an
outside shock, this can cannot be coupled to another can at its top
or bottom. In this regard, the above can is attended with a problem
in its practical use.
[0009] Japanese Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. Sho.
63-1727 discloses a pair of cans having another type of can
coupling structure for detachably coupling the two cans to each
other. In this device, the can coupling structure comprises a slot
flange extending upwardly from the top periphery of the bottom can
to a predetermined length and slitted at predetermined positions so
as to form diametrically opposed locking slide slots in an L-shape.
In order to engage with the above L-shaped locking slide slots of
the bottom can for achieving the detachable coupling of the cans,
the top can is provided with a pair of locking slide projections
extending outwardly from its bottom side at positions corresponding
to the above locking slide slots. In accordance with this device,
the two cans or the top and bottom cans are coupled to each other
by bringing the projections of the top can into engagement with the
L-shaped slots of the bottom can. However, when the top periphery
of the bottom can is partially slitted so as to form the L-shaped
locking slide slots, the can may not achieve the desired hermetical
sealing due to the structural limit of the typical can. Moreover,
even when the L-shaped locking slots are formed on the top
periphery of the can while providing the can with the desired
hermetical sealing, another problem is caused by the material of
the can. That is, since the can is made of the iron thin plate or
the aluminum thin plate as described above, the slot flange of the
bottom can having the L-shaped slots is apt to be deformed or bent
by an outside shock, thus failing in its engagement with the
projections of the top can. Particularly when the can is made of
the aluminum thin plate, which plate is softer and shows less
elasticity than the iron thin plate, the above problem of bending
deformation of the slot flange will become worse. Accordingly, this
coupling structure can not be adapted to typical cans.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,133 discloses a can structure for
detachable coupling of at least two cans. The detachable coupling
structure includes a plurality of L-shaped grooves on an outside
surface of a bottom peripheral ring of each can such that each of
them has a receiving portion and a locking portion. The detachable
coupling structures also includes a plurality of projections
extending inwardly from an inside surface of a top peripheral
flange of each can at positions corresponding to the grooves. In
order to attach the cans together using this detachable coupling
structure, the projections need to be aligned with an end of the
L-shaped grooves, inserted into the grooves until the projection
reaches the turn in the L-shaped groove and then moved down the
length of the L-shaped groove to the locking position.
[0011] People of all ages transport and consume beverages in
beverage containers in many parts of the world irrespective of the
above problems caused by the prior art containers. The frequent and
widespread use of the prior art beverage containers presents a
significant need for proposing a new beverage container. Such a new
container should have a new structure for overcoming the above
problems of the prior art containers and should provide for
detachably coupling the containers to each other when keeping and
carrying them with the person. The worldwide need to conserve
resources promotes such a proposal of the new containers having the
new detachable coupling structure suitable for making the emptied
containers easily and simply recovered for their recycling.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a container with a structure for detachable coupling which
easily achieves the desired manual detachable coupling of
containers to each other without addition of another means, thus
facilitating the keeping or carrying of two or more cans in the
user's hands, the coupling structure also allows repeated
detachable coupling of the containers without causing any container
structure problems.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
container with a structure for detachable coupling of containers,
in which the structure easily, manually, detachably couples the
containers to each other when discarding and keeping the containers
after emptying the containers of their contents, thus allowing the
emptied containers to be discarded or kept while being coupled to
each other, and thus allowing the emptied containers to be more
efficiently recovered for their recycling and improving the
recovery rate of the emptied containers.
[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a container structure for detachable coupling of containers
which is easily adapted to typical containers without changing
either the shape or the structure of the typical containers, which
is easily put to practical use, and which may be efficiently used
in mass production.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a container with a structure for detachable coupling of
containers which can be produced in mass production by a simple
process and with low cost due to its simple construction.
[0016] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a container with a structure for detachable coupling of
containers which saves cost since its coupling structure, while
achieving the above objects, nevertheless causes no or very little
increase of the amount of material used in the container.
[0017] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a container with a structure for detachable coupling of
containers, in which the coupling structure is hygienically
favorable to a person drinking from the contained beverage while
directly touching the predetermined position of the flange of the
container with his or her lips.
[0018] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a container with a structure for detachable coupling of
containers, which coupling structure gives no or little bad
influence upon the structural strength of the container because the
coupling structure does not comprise a portion slitted into the
container body, a portion welded on the container body, or a
portion riveted into the container body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In order to accomplish some or all of the above objects, the
present invention provides a container with complementary
detachable coupling structures on opposite ends such that a
container may be detachably coupled with similar containers at both
ends. On a first end of the container is a perimeter structure
extending longitudinally beyond the center of the end face of the
container, such that the perimeter structure has a perimeter inner
diameter. On the second end of the container is an extended end
structure with an end outside diameter smaller than the inner
diameter of the perimeter structure on the first end. To detachably
couple two containers each possessing the two structures, the
extended end structure on the second end of one container is
inserted into the perimeter structure on the first end of the other
container in a manner which engages complementary detachable
coupling mechanisms of the respective structures. The containers
are detached by disengaging the respective complementary structures
and withdrawing the extended end structure of one container from
the perimeter structure of the other container.
[0020] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a
first container having each of the above described complementary
structures is detachably coupled to a second container also having
each of the above described complementary structures. The structure
at the first end of the first container includes one or more radial
protrusions which, when the two containers are longitudinally
aligned and inserted together, as described above, engage
corresponding circumferentially oriented voids or depressions in
the complementary structure on the second end of the second
container. Upon aligning the containers to engage the respective
structural features, rotating the two containers in opposite
directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the containers,
and further engaging the radial protrusions of the first container
with the corresponding voids or depressions of the second
container, the two containers are securely coupled. The coupling of
the containers is detached by rotating the containers in directions
with respect to each other which are opposite from the directions
used for engaging the containers, and withdrawing the inserted
extended end structure of one container from the perimeter
structure of the other container.
[0021] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a
first container has an extended end structure on a first end of the
container, the extended end structure has a first outer diameter,
and the first container having a ridge around the outer periphery
of the extended end structure, the ridge having a second outer
diameter which is larger than the first diameter. A first container
is detachably coupled to a complementary perimeter structure on a
second end of a second container. The perimeter structure, having a
first inner diameter, includes flexible protrusions extending
radially inwardly from the inner surface of the perimeter structure
toward the center of the container, thereby creating a flexible
opening with a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first
inner diameter of the perimeter and smaller than the second outer
diameter of the ridge on the extended end structure. Upon aligning
and inserting the extended end structure of a first container into
the flexible opening of the perimeter structure of a second
container, the ridge around the extended end structure contacts the
flexible opening. By applying sufficient force, the flexible
protrusions defining the inner diameter are bent until the ridge is
forced into and through the flexible opening of second inner
diameter. Once the entire thickness of the ridge has passed through
the flexible opening, the flexible protrusions either re-extend to
their original, undeformed state, if the second inner diameter is
larger than the first outer diameter of the extended end structure,
or they extend inward until they contact the extended end structure
at the first outer diameter. The coupling of the containers may be
detached by forcibly withdrawing, against the resistance of the
flexible protrusions, the inserted extended end structure of the
first container from the perimeter structure of the second
container.
[0022] The detachable coupling of containers, according to either
embodiment of the present invention, may be repeatedly performed
without damage to the respective structures or the containers. A
plurality of containers may be detachably coupled by attaching
additional containers at either end of previously coupled
containers, according to both of the two embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The above and other objects, features, and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first example of a can with a
structure for detachable coupling of containers in accordance with
a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottom of the can of FIG.
1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of two cans of
the first example of the first embodiment, as in FIG. 1, showing
the coupled state of the cans.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bottom of a second example of a
can with a structure for detachable coupling of containers in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the can of FIG. 4.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view of two cans of
the second example of the first embodiment, as in FIG. 4, showing
the coupled state of the cans.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first end of a container
with a structure for detachable coupling of containers in
accordance with a first example of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second end of a
container with a structure for detachable coupling of containers in
accordance with a first example of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of two containers according to
FIG. 7 in a near coupled position.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of two containers according to
FIG. 7 detachably coupled according to the first example of the
second embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross sectional view of an innermost
portion of the cavity in a first or a second example of the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container according to a
second example of the second embodiment of the present invention
with a partial cutaway sectional view of the container.
[0036] FIG. 13A is a partially enlarged sectional view of two
containers coupled together according to the embodiment of a
container shown in FIG. 12.
[0037] FIG. 13B is a partially enlarged perspective and sectional
view of a container according to the embodiment of a container
shown in FIG. 12.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a first container and a
perspective view of a second container in a third example according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The First Example of the First Embodiment
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, parts shown in multiple
figures have the same identifier in each figure, and where an
identifier is shown in multiple figures it is intended to identify
the same part in each figure. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a can 1 with a
structure for detachable coupling of cans in accordance with a
first example of a first embodiment of the present invention. The
can 1 comprises a main body 15, a top 5, and a bottom with a
peripheral wall 7. A flange 3 is an upstanding peripheral flange
around the top 5 at which the top 5 and the main body 15 are seamed
together. At the internal base of the flange 3 is a trough 11, at
the base of the flange 3, into which small amounts of liquid on the
top 5 of the can 1 settle. The top 5 includes an opening or
removable tap 5a that is nearest to the flange 3 at a pouring
section 20 where the user's lips would touch the can 1 when
drinking a liquid. A tap handle 5b, used for opening the removable
tap 5a, is attached to the top 5. The flange 3 extends upward a
distance from the surface of top 5. The flange 3, has a flange
inner diameter which is shown in FIG. 1 with flared sections 9
radially flaring inwardly toward the center of the top 5. Each of
the flared sections 9 is formed by bending a section of the flange
3 inwardly toward the center of the top 5 such that the innermost
points of the flared sections 9 are inward faces 9a. The distance
between the inward faces 9a defines a flare inner diameter. FIG. 1
is an example of the first embodiment with only two flared sections
9 in the flange 3. However, the use of more flared sections 9,
formed to have the same flare inner diameter, is possible. As can
be seen in FIG. 1, the flare inner diameter is smaller than the
flange inner diameter.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, at the bottom end of the main body 15 of
the can 1 is the peripheral wall 7 extending from a shoulder 8 to
an end face 7e. The peripheral wall 7, comprises an outer wall
surface as shown from the side view in FIG. 2, and an inner
peripheral wall surface. Both the inner and outer wall surfaces of
peripheral wall 7 are shown in cross section in FIG. 3. The outer
surface has a sloping profile from the shoulder 8 to the end face
7e with a smaller outer diameter than the main body 15. Instead of
sloping, the profile of the outer wall surface may be substantially
parallel to the main body of the can. A center area 2, inside the
peripheral wall 7 at the bottom end of the can 1, is recessed from
the end face 7e.
[0041] At equally spaced positions disposed around the outer
surface of the peripheral wall 7, ridges 12 extend
circumferentially around a portion of the outer surface of the
peripheral wall 7. The number of the ridges 12 corresponds to the
number of the flared sections 9 on the top 5 of the can 1. In the
example shown in FIG. 1, two ridges 12 at the bottom of can 1
correspond to the flared sections 9. Each of the ridges 12 is of at
least approximately the same shape and size, so only one ridge will
be described herein. The ridges 12 run at least approximately
parallel to and below the shoulder 8 along the outer surface of the
peripheral wall 7 so as to define a void area 14 between the ridge
12 and the shoulder 8. The void area 14 (i.e. groove) has an outer
diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ridges 12 and the
main body 15.
[0042] At one end of each ridge 12 (shown as the right end in FIG.
2), a short segment 13 of the ridge 12 turns sharply upwardly
toward the shoulder 8 so as to form an L shape in the end of the
ridge 12 and to create an ending point 14c of the void area 14. The
short segment 13 may be separated from the main part of the ridge
12 but still positioned to terminate the length of the void area
14. At a ridge mid-point 12b along the length of the ridge 12 is a
void mid-point 14b of the void area 14. At the other end of the
void area 14 formed by the adjacent ridge 12 is a receiving point
14a of the void area 14. At a position adjacent to the end of the
ridge 12 and the receiving point 14a, a section 7a of the
peripheral wall 7 may have the regular sloping profile shown in
FIG. 2 without any of the ridges 12.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross sectional view at the
plane A-A of the can 1 of FIG. 1, the ridge outer diameter of the
ridges 12 is greater than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall
7 within the void area 14. The flare inner diameter, between the
inward faces 9a shown in FIG. 1, is about the same as the outer
diameter in the void area 14 and smaller than the outer diameter
around the ridges 12.
[0044] When a first can 1 is longitudinally aligned end-to-end with
a second can 1 according to FIG. 3 such that the flared sections 9
of the first can 1 are aligned with the wall sections 7a, and the
peripheral wall 7 of the second can is inserted concentrically into
the interior of the flange 3 of the first can 1, the end face 7e of
the peripheral wall 7 of the second can 1 is near to or touching
the top 5 of the first can 1. If the cans 1 are appropriately
rotated in opposite directions with respect to each other, the
flared sections 9 will enter the receiving points 14a. As the
rotation continues, the flared sections 9 of the first can 1 move
toward the ending points 14c of the second can 1. Since the flare
inner diameter between the inward faces 9a is smaller than the
outer diameter of the ridges 12, the cans, having been rotated into
this position, cannot be pulled longitudinally apart without first
reversing the rotation of the cans such that the flared sections 9
return to the wall sections 7a, to release the flared sections 9
from the void areas 14.
[0045] At the void ending point 14c, near the short section 13, a
locking section 12c of each ridge 12 is created by a change in the
shape or position of that ridge 12 to increase the frictional
contact between that ridge 12 and the corresponding flared section
9, or between other parts of the structure. The locking position
12c secures the detachable coupling of the cans until sufficient
reverse rotational force is applied to overcome the frictional
resistance created by locking position 12c. The secure detachable
coupling allows multiple cans 1 to be carried easily without the
cans 1 becoming unintentionally detached.
[0046] Alternatively, the locking portion 12c of the first example
of the first embodiment may have at least one protuberance to
create an increased frictional resistance in the locking portion
12c. Instead, near the position of the locking portion 12c, the
ridge 12 may have a swell for increased friction to prevent
unintended decoupling by reverse rotation under a small force.
Further, each ridge 12 may have a number of prominences on outer
surface of the ridge 12 to increase the frictional resistance in
either direction of rotation with respect to the corresponding
flared section 9 of a first can 1.
Second Example of First Embodiment
[0047] The second example of the first embodiment uses the same
structure at the top end of the can 1, shown in FIG. 1, as the
first example of the first embodiment. However, rather than using
the bottom structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second example
uses a bottom structure shown in FIGS. 4-6.
[0048] To simplify the description of the second example, the
structure shown in FIGS. 4-6 will be described with reference to
the first example of the first embodiment. In the first example,
the outside diameter of the peripheral wall 7 is smaller than the
inside diameter at the inward faces 9a of the flared sections 9,
and the ridges 12, protruding from the outer surface of the
peripheral wall 7, have a larger outside diameter than the
peripheral wall 7.
[0049] In the second example of this embodiment, the outer diameter
of the peripheral wall 7 is larger than the flare inside diameter.
However, in the second example, void areas 16, with receiving areas
17 and end points 16d, circumferentially extend around the
peripheral wall 7 to accommodate the corresponding flared sections
9. Areas 19 are recessed into the peripheral wall 7, between the
end face 7e at the bottom and the shoulder 8 at the top, in an area
wide enough to accommodate the width of the flared sections 9.
Thus, the peripheral wall 7 of a first can 1 may be inserted
concentrically into the center area of the flange 3 of a second can
1 only if the recessed areas 19 are aligned with the flared
sections 9. In addition, the void areas 16 of the second example
are recessed into the surface of the peripheral wall 7 such that,
with the appropriate rotation described with respect to the first
example, the flared sections 9 enter the void areas 16 to
detachably couple the respective cans 1.
[0050] In the first example, as shown in FIG. 3, an upper surface
12d of each ridge 12 contacts the corresponding flared section 9
when the cans 1 are coupled together. In contrast, in the second
example, a sloping surface 16b of each void area 16 contacts the
inside of the corresponding flared section 9.
[0051] In addition, the downward slope of lower surface 16b allows
dirt or other particles to easily fall out of the circumferential
voids 16. Accordingly, the circumferential voids 16 are unlikely to
contain particles that could interfere with the insertion of flared
sections 9 into the circumferential voids 16.
Third Example of First Embodiment
[0052] The third example of the first embodiment, like the first
and second examples, is a container having structures at both ends
for the purpose of detachable coupling of at least two containers.
Also, as in the prior examples, after a first and second container
are longitudinally aligned, a structure on a first end of the first
container is inserted into a structure on a second end of a second
container, a protrusion from an inner diameter of the structure on
the second end of the second container engages a void on an outer
diameter of a structure on the first end of the first container,
and, by appropriately rotating the respective containers in
opposite directions, the protrusion on the second container further
engages the void on the first container to provide a secure
detachable coupling of the containers.
[0053] In this example, the container may be a plastic bottle or
can. However, a container 51 will be described in the context of a
plastic bottle having a top portion with an opening 65 and a top
outer diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the main body
of the container 51. The outer surface of the top portion is
threaded with a spiral thread 66 around the outside of the top
portion over a height 61h, such that a cap 52, having a
corresponding threaded protrusion on its inside perimeter face, can
be placed over and rotated (screwed) onto the outside surface of
the bottle top down to a cap band 52p allowing the cap 52 to be
securely fastened to seal the top of the container 51 in a well
known manner. The outer surface of the cap 52 has a spiral thread
64, similar to the spiral thread 66, running spirally around the
cap 52.
[0054] On a bottom 54 of the container 51 in the third example,
shown in cross-section in FIG. 14, is a cavity 61 with a
cylindrical shape having a first region 61b and a second region
61c. The cavity 61 extends up into the internal volume of the
bottle from the center of the bottom 54. Both of the regions, 61b
and 61c, having an inside wall 63 and at least one threaded
protrusion extending inwardly from their inner surfaces. The inside
wall 62 of the first region 61b has at least one threaded
protrusion 67 that is complementary to the thread 64 on the outer
surface of the bottle cap 52, and it has an inside diameter such
the bottle cap 52 may be screwed into the first region 61b.
[0055] The second region 61c extends deeper into the internal
volume of the container 51 from the innermost depth of the first
region 61b. The inside wall 63 of the second region 61c has a
threaded protrusion 68 complementary to the thread 66 on the outer
surface of the top portion of the container 51, and it has an
inside diameter such that the top portion of the container 51 may
be screwed into the second region 61c.
[0056] According to the third example of the first embodiment, a
first container 51 and a second container 51 may be connected by a
structure in which the cap 52 attached to the first container 51 is
screwed into the first region 61b of the second bottle.
Alternatively, a first container 51 and a second container 51 may
be connected by a second structure in which the top portion of the
first container 51, without the cap 52, is screwed into the second
region 61c of the second bottle.
[0057] The total depth of the cavity 61 is approximately the sum of
the depth 61h of the first region 61b and the depth of the second
region 61c. Since the outer diameter of a rim 53 is larger than the
outer diameter of the cap 52, the rim 53 will not fit into the
first region 61b. Thus, if the maximum depth of the cavity 61 is
greater than the distance from the rim 53 to the opening 65 of the
top portion of the container 51, the rim 53 will stop further
progress when it strikes the bottom surface 54 of the container 51.
The total depth of the cavity 61 is shared between the first region
61b and the second region 61c so each region will be able to engage
enough of the threads 64 and 66 to provide a secure, detachable
coupling between the first and the second bottles 51 either with or
without the cap 52.
[0058] The cavity 61 may be limited to either the first region 61b
or the second region 61c, rather than the combination described
above.
The First Example of the Second Embodiment
[0059] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a top of the container 51
according to the first example of the second embodiment. The top
portion of the container includes the removable cap 52 and a neck
52a, with both the cap 52 and the neck 52a having an outside
dimension that is smaller than the main body 51. The neck 52a
extends up from the main body of the container 51 to the rim 53,
which protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the
top portion at a position above the neck 52a, as shown in FIG. 7,
and a portion of the neck 52a, having a smaller outside dimension
than the rim 53, extends below the rim 53 to the main body.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from a bottom of the
container 51 according to the first example of the second
embodiment, including the outline of the cavity 55 in the container
bottom 54. The diameter of the cavity 55 at an interior wall 55a is
larger than the outside dimension of the rim 53. At the opening of
the cavity 55, extending in approximately a same plane as the
bottom 54, flexible protrusions or tabs 57 extend radially inward
toward the center of the bottom 54, collectively forming a
resilient flexible opening that is smaller than the outer dimension
of the rim 53. The tabs 57 may be made of a same material as the
container, or may consist of a different material than the
container. In either case, the tabs 57 may be formed by casting,
attached by gluing, welding or other techniques, or fitted to the
other elements of the structure. The number of tabs 57 forming the
flexible opening may vary. There is a gap 58 between adjacent tabs
57.
[0061] According to this example, the containers are coupled by
longitudinally aligning (i.e., aligning the longitudinal axes of)
them, as in FIG. 9, and inserting the top portion of a first
container 51 into the cavity 55 in the bottom 54 of a second
container 51, as in FIG. 10. As the top portion of the first
container 51 is inserted into the flexible opening, the rim 53
comes into contact with the tabs 57. When sufficient force is
provided, the tabs 57 are deflected inward (into the cavity 55) and
the rim 53 will push into the flexible opening. The gaps 58 between
the respective tabs 57 allow air, otherwise trapped inside the
cavity 55 when a top portion of the container 51 is inserted, to
escape when the containers are pushed together. The inner diameter
and the depth of the cavity 55 are large enough to allow the rim 53
and the top portion, including the cap 52, above the rim 53 to
enter the cavity 55 far enough that the rim 53 pushes past the tabs
57. The cavity 55 may include an outer region 55b having a diameter
large enough to fit the rim 53, and an inner region 55c having a
diameter only large enough to fit the cap or top portion above the
rim 53. Reserve space 56 in each of the outer region 55b and the
inner region 55c, provides the room needed so the rim 53 can push
past the flexible tabs 57 when the tabs 57 bend into the cavity 55.
In general, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, the inside profile of cavity 55
conforms to the outside profile of the top portion, except for the
reserve space 56. The reason for this will be explained in more
detail below.
[0062] Once the rim 53 has been forced through the flexible
opening, the tabs 57 will resiliently rebound, to the extent
possible, back toward their undeflected positions in the plane of
the bottom 54, but may come to rest against the outside of the neck
52a, as in FIG. 10, if the diameter of the neck 52a is also larger
than the inner diameter of the flexible opening when the tabs 57
are in their undeflected position. The tabs 57 are flexible enough
to allow the diameter of the rim 53 to be inserted into the cavity
55 as described above. However, the rigidity of the tabs 57
determines how easily the containers 51 can be attached and
detached in the manner described above. Therefore, depending on the
material, the tabs 57 may not be rigid enough to prevent the
unintentional decoupling of the containers 51 under a small force,
or too rigid to allow the easy attachment and detachment of the
containers 51. It is preferable that a minimum force necessary to
pull the rim 53 through the flexible opening is large enough to
provide a secure detachable coupling while still allowing the
containers to be pulled apart without a need for excessive
effort.
[0063] As stated above, the interior of the cavity 55 conforms
closely to the exterior shape of the top portion, such that the top
portion fits snugly into the cavity 55. Frictional resistance
between the cap 52 and the inner walls 55e of the inner region 55c
of the cavity 55 increases the minimum force required to attach and
detach the containers 51. To increase this resistance, the interior
walls 55e of the cavity 55 may include deformable sections 55f,
having the horizontal cross section shown in FIG. 11, such that the
inner diameter defined by the deformable sections 55f is smaller
than the outer diameter of the top portion (i.e. cap 52). Due to
the smaller diameter of the deformable sections 55f, insertion of
the top portion into the cavity 55 requires temporary resilient
deformation of the deformable sections 55f. The resilient
deformable sections 55f squeeze the exterior of the top portion,
increasing the holding force of the connection, and opposing the
unintended withdrawal of the top portion from the cavity 55. The
spaces 55h between the deformable sections 55f allow air, otherwise
trapped inside the region 55c when a top portion of the container
51 is inserted, to escape from the cavity 55.
[0064] Characteristics affecting the rigidity of the tabs 57 also
affect the strength of the coupling. For example, varying the
composition, number, shape, length, width and/or thickness of the
tabs 57 or varying the geometries of the gaps 58 between the tabs
57, affects the strength of the coupling. Similarly, the
characteristics of the deformable sections 55f affect the
frictional resistance provided against insertion, removal, or
rotation of the top portion of the containers 51 coupled according
to this example. The coupling and decoupling of the containers 51
according to this example may be performed repeatedly without
damage to the containers 51 or deterioration of the coupling
parts.
Second Example of the Second Embodiment
[0065] In the second example of the second embodiment, the top
portion of the container 51 is the same as in the first example of
the second embodiment. However, in the structure at the bottom of
the container 51 in the second example, shown in a cut-away
perspective view in FIG. 12, the tabs 57 of the first example are
replaced by flexible flanges 59, which extend from the opening of
the cavity 55, into the depth of the cavity 55 along the inside
walls of the region 55b. A number of the flexible flanges 59 are
spaced apart around the inside wall of the region 55b. The spaces
between the respective flexible flanges 59 allow air, otherwise
trapped inside the cavity 55 when a top portion of the container 51
is inserted, to escape when two containers 51 are attached by this
structure.
[0066] As shown in a partial cross section view in FIG. 13a, the
flexible flanges 59 include a projection 60 having a tapered face
60a such that the flexible flange 59 is thin at the opening of the
cavity 55 and becomes gradually thicker with the increasing depth
of the outer region 55b, until a seated position 55k in which the
thickness of the flexible flange 59 abruptly becomes thin again.
FIG. 13b illustrates an example container top portion prior to
insertion into the outer region 55b of the container illustrated in
FIG. 13a. As the container top portion is inserted into the outer
region 55b by moving the container top portion in the direction of
the arrow illustrated in FIG. 13b, the flexible flanges 59 are
gradually deformed in a direction A by the rim 53 until the rim 53
pushes past a thickest portion 60b of the flexible flanges 59 into
the position 55k. As the rim 53 moves past the thickest point 60b
to the seated position 55k, the thickness of the flexible flanges
59 sharply decreases, the diameter of the region 55b increases to
accommodate the rim 53, the deformed flange 59 moves in a direction
B toward the neck 52a, and the rim 53 is moved into the seated
position 55k. The gradually increasing slope of tapered face 60a
provides gradually increasing resistance as the rim 53 is inserted.
However, when withdrawing the top portion from the position 55k, a
relatively high resistance is immediately encountered at the
thickest portion 60b of the flexible flanges 59, due to the sharply
decreasing diameter encountered when exiting the region 55k. Thus,
the force required to insert the top portion of the first container
51 into the bottom structure of the second container 51 is much
lower than the force required to pull the containers apart. The
second example of the second embodiment performs in a similar
manner to the first example using another structure and method for
securely and detachably coupling containers.
[0067] Although the preferred examples and embodiments of the
present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposed,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that various
modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by
the accompanying claims.
* * * * *