U.S. patent application number 15/688142 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for containers having magnets.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Moore. Invention is credited to John Moore.
Application Number | 20170355489 15/688142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60573568 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170355489 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore; John |
December 14, 2017 |
Containers Having Magnets
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to containers comprising one
or more magnets such that the containers, when placed adjacent to
one another, may be magnetically coupled together.
Inventors: |
Moore; John; (Old Bridge,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Moore; John |
Old Bridge |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60573568 |
Appl. No.: |
15/688142 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14835756 |
Aug 26, 2015 |
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15688142 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0201 20130101;
B65D 21/0224 20130101; B65D 21/0209 20130101; B65D 21/0217
20130101; B65D 2313/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A kit comprising: (i) a first circular container having a bottom
wall with a first magnet embedded therein, wherein the second
magnet is substantially centered in the bottom wall of the first
circular container; and (ii) a first lid configured to releasably
engage a circular wall of the first container, wherein the first
lid comprises a second magnet embedded therein, and wherein the
first magnet is substantially centered within the first lid.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first magnet and the second
magnet have opposite polarities.
3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first container has a diameter
ranging from between about 2 inches to about 10 inches, and wherein
the lid has substantially the same diameter.
4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first container has a diameter
ranging from between about 3 inches to about 8 inches.
5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first container has a diameter
ranging from between about 4 inches to about 8 inches.
6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is sized such that
it comprises between about 5% and about 20% of an area defined by
the bottom wall of the container.
7. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a second circular
container having a bottom wall with a third magnet embedded
therein, wherein the third magnet is substantially centered in the
bottom wall of the second container; and (ii) a second lid
configured to releasably engage a circular wall of the second
circular container, wherein the second lid comprises a fourth
magnet embedded therein, and wherein the fourth magnet is
substantially centered within the second lid.
8. A kit comprising: (i) a first rectangular container having a
bottom wall with a first magnet embedded therein, wherein the
second magnet is substantially centered in the bottom wall of the
first rectangular container; and (ii) a first lid configured to
releasably engage the first rectangular container, wherein the
first lid comprises a second magnet embedded therein, and wherein
the first magnet is substantially centered within the first
lid.
9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the first magnet and the second
magnet have opposite polarities.
10. The kit of claim 8, wherein the first magnet is sized such that
it comprises between about 5% and about 20% of an area defined by
the bottom wall of the container.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Containers for storing food-stuffs and other objects are a
common household item. Containers have been developed which include
recesses to facilitate stacking. These containers, however, more
often than not fail to remain in a fixed position, especially when
empty.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In one aspect of the present disclosure is a container
comprising an opening and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and
at least one side wall perpendicular to the opening and bottom
wall, wherein the opening, bottom wall, and side wall define an
interior space of the container, and wherein the bottom wall
comprises at least one magnet. In some embodiments, the opening has
a first size and the bottom wall has a second size. In some
embodiments, the opening and bottom wall are circular. In some
embodiments, the and bottom wall are rectangular.
[0003] In some embodiments, the at least one magnet of the bottom
wall is removable. In some embodiments, the at least one magnet of
the bottom wall is in a holder on an interior or exterior surface
of the bottom wall. In some embodiments, the at least one magnet of
the bottom wall is provided within a track or other holding means
on an interior or exterior surface of the bottom wall. In some
embodiments, the at least one magnet is embedded within the bottom
wall.
[0004] In some embodiments, the bottom wall comprises at least four
magnets. In some embodiments, the side wall comprises at least one
magnet. In some embodiments, the container further comprises a lid
having a magnet. In some embodiments, each wall comprises at least
one magnet.
[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure is a container
comprising an opening and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and
at least one side wall perpendicular to the opening and bottom
wall, wherein the opening, bottom wall, and side wall define an
interior space of the container, and wherein the bottom wall
comprises a portion that is magnetic. In some embodiments, the
magnetic portion comprises at least about 2.5% of the surface area
of the total surface area of the bottom wall. In some embodiments,
the magnetic comprises at least about 5% of the surface area of the
total surface area of the bottom wall. In some embodiments, the
magnetic portion comprises at least about 10% of the surface area
of the total surface area of the bottom wall. In some embodiments,
the magnetic portion is embedded within the bottom wall of the
container. In some embodiments, the magnetic portion is a portion
of the bottom wall that has magnetic properties. In some
embodiments, the entire bottom wall is comprised of a magnetic
material or a material having magnetic properties.
[0006] In some embodiments, the magnetic portion comprises a magnet
provided within a track mounted on a surface of the bottom wall and
the magnet may be moved or otherwise manipulated (or removed) from
the track. In some embodiments, the magnet is removable. In some
embodiments, the side wall comprises at least one magnet.
[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure is a container
comprising an opening and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and
at least one side wall perpendicular to the opening and bottom
wall, wherein the opening, bottom wall, and side wall define an
interior space of the container, and wherein the at least one side
wall comprises a portion that is magnetic. In some embodiments, the
magnetic portion comprises at least about 2.5% of the surface area
of the total surface area of the side wall comprising the magnetic
portion. In some embodiments, the magnetic comprises at least about
5% of the surface area of the total surface area of the side wall
comprising the magnetic portion. In some embodiments, the magnetic
portion comprises at least about 10% of the surface area of the
total surface area of the side wall comprising the magnetic
portion.
[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure is a kit
comprising a container having means for holding one or more
magnets, a removable lid having means for holding one or more
magnets, and at least two magnets. In some embodiments, the holding
means is located on an exterior or interior surface of a side wall
of the container or an interior or exterior surface of a bottom
wall of the container. In some embodiments, the container comprises
at least one holding means for each container wall, and wherein the
kit further comprises at least one magnet for engagement within
each holding means. In some embodiments, the kit comprises multiple
containers, each having a removable lid (e.g. two containers, two
lids, and four magnets). In some embodiments, the kit comprises
indicia, such as colored indicia, to assist in aligning containers
and/or lids.
[0009] Given the need in the art, Applicants have developed an
improved container and system. Indeed, Applicants have developed
containers comprising one or more magnets, and that such contains,
when arranged near or stacked upon appropriately configured
containers also containing magnets, allows for the containers to
remain in a desired position, arrangement, or stacked
configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a container having a lid with a magnet
embedded within the lid or mounted on an interior or exterior
surface of the lid.
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a container having magnets
embedded within or mounted on an interior or exterior surface of
various container walls.
[0012] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate various magnet
configurations.
[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B provide side views of a container having a
lid attached and illustrating the positioning of a magnet.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a magnet embedded within a container wall
or lid.
[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the stacking of container walls
or lids relative to each other.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates the positioning of a magnet on an
exterior surface of a bottom wall of a container.
[0017] FIG. 8A is a bottom view of circular container having a
magnet embedded within a bottom wall.
[0018] FIG. 8B is a bottom view of rectangular container having a
magnet embedded within a bottom wall.
[0019] FIG. 8C is a side view of a container having a magnet
embedded within a bottom wall.
[0020] FIG. 8D is a side view of a container lid having a magnet
embedded therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present disclosure is directed to containers comprising
one or more magnets such that the containers, when placed adjacent
to one another, may be magnetically coupled together.
[0022] Any containers known in the art may be adapted for use as
described herein. Containers suitable for use herein may be made
out of any material, including but not limited to plastic
(polymers, copolymers, polymer blends, copolymer blends),
silicones, composites, fiberglass, metal, Pyrex.RTM., wood, and
glass etc. In addition, in other embodiments, the containers may be
coated with a non-stick material, to make cleaning easy. In still
other embodiments, the containers may be food grade safe. In still
other embodiments, the containers may be made out of materials able
to withstand high temperatures such as those found in ovens and/or
stove tops.
[0023] In some embodiments, the container itself, or a portion
thereof, is comprised of a magnetic material or a material having
magnetic properties. In yet other embodiments, the containers may
be coated with a magnetic material on at least one wall of the
container (interior or exterior surface of the container wall).
[0024] The containers of the present disclosure may comprise any
size, shape, or volume, as known in the art. The containers may be
rectangular (including square), circular, or have any shape. The
containers may have any number of walls (e.g. a single wall
continuous wall for a circular container, four walls for a
rectangular container, or three walls). Moreover, the container may
have an opening that is one size and/or shape and an opposing
bottom wall that has a different size and/or shape. Any
pre-existing containers may be used with the present invention and
those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adapt them
accordingly.
[0025] In some embodiments, the containers comprise lids which
engage a top-most portion of the container and which, together with
the container, form a sealed or airtight inner compartment within
the container. The lids may be fully or partially detachable from
the containers. The lids may be constructed from the same or
different materials as compared with the containers themselves. In
some embodiments, the lids are made of a sufficient strength such
that containers comprising food or other objects may be stacked on
top of each other, such as without deflection of the container
lid.
[0026] In some embodiments, the containers and/or lids comprise one
or more magnets. The magnets may be located on any side or wall of
the container (interior or exterior), including a bottom side.
[0027] Any suitable magnets can be used with the disclosures
presented herein, including neodymium magnets, ceramic magnets,
rare earth magnets, and magnets prepared from alloys (e.g.
Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt (Alnicos), Strontium-Iron (Ferrites),
Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Neo magnets) and Samarium-Cobalt. (The
Samarium-Cobalt and Neodymium-Iron-Boron families). The magnets
themselves may have any size, shape, including curved or arcuate
shapes (where curved and arcuate shaped magnets could be used in
conjunction with circular or otherwise curved containers), or
strength. The skilled artisan will be able to select an appropriate
magnet for the intended purpose.
[0028] The magnets utilized may be custom designed or off-the-shelf
magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets are designed to have a
particular shape, such as a shape which conforms to a size of a
wall, side, or lid. For example, for a circular lid having a
diameter of about 3 inches, a circular or "o"-shaped magnet having
a diameter of between about 1.5 inches and about 2.75 inches may be
placed within the container lid (and, a similarly shaped and sized
magnet may be placed in an opposing bottom wall, as described
herein, assuming that the opening/lid have the same size and/or
shape as the bottom wall). In general, any magnet may be designed
to conform to the perimeter of any wall, side, or lid, and such a
customized magnet may be embedded within the wall, side, or lid or
may be placed on a surface of the wall, side or lid (internal or
external surface).
[0029] The skilled artisan will be able to select appropriate
magnets for incorporation into the container walls and lids. For
example, it may be desirable to choose magnets having a certain
strength such that (i) adjacent containers may stay at least
partially coupled to each other, while (ii) allowing the containers
to be separated from each other without requiring too much
force.
[0030] The magnets may be embedded within a wall of the container
or within the container lid (see, for example, FIG. 5 which
provides a container wall 70 where a magnet 71 is embedded within
that wall). For example, a side wall of a container may comprise
one or more magnets embedded within the material of the container
and in a fixed position or movable position. For example, the
bottom wall may comprise one magnet. Alternatively, the bottom wall
may comprise two magnets. In some embodiments, the bottom wall may
comprise at least three magnets. In other embodiments, the bottom
way may comprise at least four magnets.
[0031] For illustrative purposes, FIG. 8A illustrates a circular
container 101 having a single magnet 102 embedded in a bottom all
thereof. Likewise, FIG. 8B illustrates a rectangular container 104
having a single magnet 105 embedded in a bottom all thereof. FIG.
8C illustrates a side view of a container having a bottom wall 106
and a magnet 103 embedded therein. FIG. 8D illustrates a lid 108
which may releasably engage a top of a container, the lid 108
comprising a magnet 109 embedded therein. Of course, the skilled
artisan will appreciate that while FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate
containers or lids having a single magnet embedded therein, any
number of magnets may be incorporated.
[0032] Alternatively, the magnets may be temporarily or permanently
attached to an interior or exterior surface of a side of the
container or an interior or exterior surface of a container lid.
For example, a side wall of the container may contain a housing
which may hold a magnet in place. Alternatively, magnets may be
placed in a track along a wall of the container or lid, such that
the magnets may slide along the surface of the container wall or
lid within the track (or other suitable structure) and placed into
different positions. Any number of magnets may be placed in any
individual track or holder, as described herein. In other
embodiments, the magnets are removable and/or interchangeable.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a container 3 having a detachable lid 1.
Embedded within the lid 3 is a magnet 2, positioned within a center
portion of the lid. While the magnet of FIG. 1 is depicted as
embedded within the material of the lid, the magnet may be external
to the lid surface, such as in a track or other housing. FIGS. 2A
and 2B illustrate a container having a first wall 10 having a first
magnet 11; a second wall 20 and a second magnet 21; a third wall 30
and a third magnet 31; a fourth wall 40 (here, a bottom wall) and a
fourth magnet 41; and a fifth wall 50 and a fifth magnet 51. Of
course, the containers of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B may have any size and
shape and any internal volume. Moreover, while FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B
depict that only a single magnet is included within or on the
surface of any wall (interior or exterior surface) or lid, a
plurality of magnets having any polarity or strength may be
included within or on a surface of any wall or lid. Moreover, while
the while FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B depict a fixed magnet, these
embodiments may be altered to comprise magnets that are removable
and/or positionable within a hold means, e.g. a house, track,
slideable track, or other suitable structures for engaging the
magnet.
[0034] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments comprising a
plurality of magnets within or on the surface (interior or
exterior) of any container lid or wall. For example, wall 10 may
comprise magnets 12, 13, 14, and 15, with one magnet positioned at
each corner of the wall 10. These magnets may have any polarity.
For example, each of magnets 12, 13, 14, and 15 may have a single
polarity. In other embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 3B,
magnets 16 and 19 have a first polarity (a "north" pole exposed
outward towards the container surface) while magnets 17 and 18 have
a second polarity (a "south" pole exposed outward towards the
container surface). The polarities may be of any configuration.
FIG. 3C provides yet another embodiment where a single magnet has
first and second poles.
[0035] The lids and walls of the containers may have any number of
magnets and the magnets may have any spatial relation relative to
each other. For example, a lid or container wall may contain a
single magnet centered within the lid or wall. Alternatively, a lid
or container may contain four magnets, one at each corner. If a
particular lid or container wall comprises more than one magnet,
each of the magnets in that lid or container wall may have the same
or different polarities.
[0036] In some embodiments, each wall of the container and the
container lid comprises at least one magnet having a particular
polarity. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a first
container lid 81 of a first container 86 may comprise a first
magnet 83 having a first polarity while a bottom wall 85 of a
second container 84 may comprise a magnet having a second polarity,
where the first and second polarities are opposite of each other.
When two containers 84 and 86 having the same or similar structures
and configuration are stacked on top of each other, a first
polarity of a first magnet 83 in a first container lid 81 of a
first container 86 is magnetically attracted to a second magnet 87
located in a bottom wall 85 of a second container 84, wherein the
second magnet 87 has a polarity opposite to that of magnet 83. In
this way, the containers 84 and 86, when stacked on top of each
other, remain in a stacked configuration, even if external forces
are applied to either of the first and or second containers.
[0037] While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6B provides for
vertical stacking, containers having magnets in side walls can
equally be arranged proximally to each other (e.g. within the same
plane) and remain in magnetic communication with each other. For
example, a first side wall of a container may comprise a first
magnet having a first polarity while a second side wall of the same
container may comprise a magnet having a second polarity, again
where the first and second polarities are opposite each other.
Likewise, a third and fourth wall of the container could also
comprise additional magnets, again having opposite polarities from
each other. In this way, when adjacent containers of similar
configuration (i.e. comprising magnets or magnetic materials) are
placed proximal to each other, the containers may become at least a
partially magnetically coupled together, provided that magnets are
aligned having opposing polarities. Alternatively, and as shown in
FIG. 6A, a side wall of a first container may comprise a first
arrangement of four magnets while a side wall of a second container
may comprise a second arrangement of four magnets (the second
arrangement being the opposite of the first arrangement), such that
the opposing container side walls may magnetically couple to one
another.
[0038] In some embodiments, the magnets are provided on a surface
of a container wall 65, such as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In
these particular embodiments, the magnets 62 and 63 are mounted on
a container surface 65 and protrude about the same distance as the
distance in which a container lid 61 overhangs the side walls of a
container 60, such that when containers are arranged proximally to
each other, the magnets may remain in magnetic communication with
other other. For example, if a container lid extends 5 mm past the
edge of a container, having a magnet protrude about the same
distance could be helpful in ensuring that containers placed
proximally to each other would become magnetically coupled together
(and this is especially true when weaker magnets are used). This
same concept may be applied to curved container surfaces, with a
respectively contoured magnet, such that adjacent containers having
curved or arcuate surfaces remain at least partially magnetically
coupled to each other.
[0039] In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, a magnet 93 is
mounted to an exterior surface of a bottom wall 92 of a container
90. In this embodiment, the container 90 is depicted as having
extensions 91 so that the magnet 93 is not placed in direct contact
with an external object. In some embodiments, a container is
modified to incorporate extensions 91 (e.g. by incorporating rubber
"feet," or other objects on the bottom surface of the container).
In this embodiment, magnet 93 may be attached to the exterior
surface of the bottom wall or may be positioned in an external
holder as described herein.
[0040] As noted herein, in some embodiments the magnet(s) are
located within a track or other slideable engagement system along a
surface (interior or exterior) or within the walls or lids of the
containers. In these embodiments, the magnets may be arranged in
any manner to facilitate magnetic coupling between containers. This
is especially helpful for the coupling together of containers that
are of varying sizes and shapes. For example, if a container having
a 4'' wall height is to be coupled to a second container having a
2'' wall height, the magnets on both containers may be arranged
within their respective tracks to facilitate the magnetic coupling
of these differently sized containers. The tracks or slideable
engagement systems may be mounted on an external or internal wall
of the containers and/or lid. Likewise, the tracks or slideable
engagement systems may be embedded within the walls of the
container or within the lid itself, and a mechanism may be provided
for a user to manipulate the magnet within the track or slideable
engagement system. In addition, the tracks may have any size or
shape.
[0041] As also noted herein, in some embodiments the magnet(s) are
removable and/or interchangeable to facilitate washing and cleaning
of the magnets, containers, and/or lids. In some embodiments, the
removable nature of the magnets allows them to be replaced with
stronger or weaker magnets on an as needed basis. In other
embodiments, the removable nature of the magnets allows for
different polarity configurations to be achieved. For example, a
flat magnet having an upper half that has a "north" polarity and a
lower half having a "south" polarity may be arranged such that
either the "north" or "south" polarity halves are facing outward
from the interior space of the container.
[0042] In some embodiments, a magnetic material is embedded within
at least a portion of the material of the container or in a
particular section of the material of the container. For example, a
bottom wall or side wall may contain an area ("magnetic portion")
that comprises a magnetic material embedded therein. In some
embodiments, the magnetic portion of a wall comprises at least
about 2.5% of the surface area of the total surface area of the
wall. In other embodiments, the magnetic portion of a wall
comprises at least about 5% of the surface area of the total
surface area of the wall. In other embodiments, the magnetic
portion of a wall comprises at least about 10% of the surface area
of the total surface area of the wall. In some embodiments, a
magnet is embedded within the bottom wall (i.e. within the material
of the bottom wall), and the embedded magnet is positioned in a
center of the bottom wall of the container.
[0043] In some embodiments, a kit is provided comprising a
container having four walls, a bottom wall, and a removable lid,
where each opposing wall comprises one or more magnets having
opposing magnetic polarities; and where the bottom wall and the lid
each comprise one or more magnets where the bottom wall magnet(s)
and the lid magnet(s) have magnets with opposite polarities.
[0044] In some embodiments, a kit is provided comprising a circular
container and a removable lid, where the bottom wall of the
circular container comprises a magnet embedded within the material
of the bottom wall, and wherein the magnet is positioned
substantially in the center of the bottom wall; and where the
removable lid comprises a magnet embedded within the material of
the bottom wall, and wherein the magnet is positioned substantially
in the center of the removable lid. In some embodiments, the magnet
in the bottom wall has a first polarity, and wherein the magnet in
the removal lid has a second polarity. For example, a kit may
comprise the container depicted in FIG. 8C and the lid depicted in
FIG. 8D.
[0045] In some embodiments, a kit is provided comprising (a) a
container having tracks positioned along a surface of each wall of
the container, the track suitable for holding a magnet therein; (b)
a container lid able to be coupled to the container to provide a
sealed inner container space, the container lid comprising a track
positioned along a surface of the lid, the track suitable for
holding a magnet therein; and (c) magnets for insertion within each
of the tracks, the magnets each having a "north" polarity and a
"south" polarity. In some embodiments, at least six magnets are
provided within each kit. In other embodiments, the kit further
comprises instructions for proper arrangement of the magnets within
the tracks. In yet other embodiments, the containers themselves
provide instructions or provide other identifying indicia for
positioning of the magnets within the tracks. In some embodiments,
the magnets, containers, lids, walls, etc. are color coded to
assist with the placement of containers. In some embodiments, the
kit all provides mounts including magnets which may be positioned
within a cabinet such that containers containing magnets may be
kept in alignment with the mounts when set in a cabinet or on a
shelf.
[0046] In some embodiments, each container in a kit has the same
number of side walls and each wall of the container has same number
of embedded magnets or holding means. In some embodiments, a kit
comprises two or more differently sized containers, each container
having about the same shape, but having a different interior
volume. In this particular embodiment, magnets in bottoms walls and
lids are preferably placed in the center of the bottom wall or the
lid such that the differently sized containers may be stacked or
placed adjacent to each other and remain in magnetic communication
with each other.
[0047] While the disclosure has been described with reference to
several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *