U.S. patent application number 16/781547 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-05 for overcap for a tennis ball container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wilson Sporting Goods Co.. Invention is credited to Jason B. Collins, Christopher W. Ryan.
Application Number | 20210237942 16/781547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004859717 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210237942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Jason B. ; et
al. |
August 5, 2021 |
OVERCAP FOR A TENNIS BALL CONTAINER
Abstract
An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball,
the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an
open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removably
attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The body
includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the
container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral
rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a
portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip
defines a first opening.
Inventors: |
Collins; Jason B.;
(Wilmette, IL) ; Ryan; Christopher W.; (Bartlett,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004859717 |
Appl. No.: |
16/781547 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/0015 20130101;
A63B 39/025 20130101; B65D 41/10 20130101; A63B 2102/02 20151001;
B65D 41/02 20130101; B65D 2251/009 20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101;
B65D 51/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/10 20060101
B65D041/10; B65D 51/20 20060101 B65D051/20; A63B 39/02 20060101
A63B039/02 |
Claims
1. An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball,
the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an
open end, the overcap comprising: a body adapted for removably
attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container, the body
including a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the
container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral
rim toward the longitudinal axis, the lip extending over a portion
of the open end of the tennis ball container, the lip and the
peripheral rim defining a first opening.
2. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the at least one tennis ball has
a diameter and a maximum cross-sectional area, and wherein the
first opening of the body is sized to be smaller than one or both
of the diameter of the tennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional
area of the tennis ball.
3. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the container is cylindrical,
and wherein the container has a circular cross-sectional area, and
wherein the body is an annular body.
4. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the body is an annular body, and
wherein the lip uniformly projects from the peripheral rim.
5. The overcap of claim 1, wherein the body is an annular body, and
wherein the lip projects toward the longitudinal axis from at least
one location of the peripheral rim.
6. The overcap of claim 5, wherein the lip projects toward the
longitudinal axis from at least two spaced-apart locations of the
peripheral rim.
7. The overcap of claim 1 wherein the lip extends from a first
location of the peripheral rim to a second location about the
peripheral rim.
8. The overcap of claim 7, wherein the lip forms a band such that
the lip defines the first opening and a second opening.
9. The overcap of claim 8, wherein the band includes an outer
surface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is
formed on the outer surface of the band.
10. The overcap of claim 1 wherein the lip extends from a first
location of the peripheral rim to at least second and third
spaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim.
11. A tennis ball container storing at least one tennis ball, each
of the at least one tennis balls having a maximum cross-sectional
area and a diameter, the container comprising: a cylindrical body
extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first closed end
and a second end opposite the first end; an overcap removably
attached to the second end of the cylindrical body, the overcap
including a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the
container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral
rim toward the longitudinal axis, the peripheral lip extending over
a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container, the lip
defining a first opening.
12. The tennis ball container of claim 11, further including a
removable seal extending over the second end of the cylindrical
container, and wherein while the removable seal is attached to the
second end of the cylindrical container, the cylindrical container
is pressurized.
13. The tennis ball container of claim 12, wherein the overcap is
removably positioned over the removable seal.
14. The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the first
opening of the body is sized to be smaller than one or both of the
diameter of the tennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional area of
the tennis ball.
15. The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the lip
uniformly projects from the peripheral rim.
16. The tennis ball container of claim 15, wherein the first
opening is circular.
17. The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the lip extends
from a first location about the peripheral rim to a second location
about the peripheral rim.
18. The tennis ball container of claim 17, wherein the lip forms a
band such that the lip defines the first opening and a second
opening.
19. The tennis ball container of claim 18, wherein the band
includes an outer surface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or
graphical indicia is formed on the outer surface of the band.
20. The tennis ball container of claim 11, wherein the lip extends
from a first location of the peripheral rim to at least second and
third spaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an improved
overcap for a tennis ball container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tennis balls are typically stored in a pressurized
cylindrical body having a closed end and a second end that is
sealed with a removable seal. Once the seal is removed, pressure is
lost from the body and the second end becomes an open end. An
overcap is commonly provided with most pressurized tennis ball
containers to allow for the tennis balls to be placed into the
cylindrical body through the open end, and then for the second end
to be closed.
[0003] Existing overcaps are thick solid pieces of plastic that
extend and fully cover the open end of the tennis ball container.
The overcaps can add undesirable weight and cost to the tennis ball
container. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved
overcap that can address these undesirable aspects of existing
overcaps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides an overcap for a container
for storing at least one tennis ball. The container extends along a
longitudinal axis and has an open end. The overcap includes a body
adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball
container. The body includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer
surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from
the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip
extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball
container. The lip defines a first opening.
[0005] According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the
invention, a tennis ball container includes a cylindrical body and
an overcap. The tennis ball container is adapted for storing at
least one tennis ball. Each of the at least one tennis balls has a
maximum cross-sectional area and a diameter. The cylindrical body
extends along a longitudinal axis and has a first closed end and a
second end opposite the first end. The overcap is removably
attached to the second end of the cylindrical body. The overcap
includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the
container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral
rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a
portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip
defines a first opening.
[0006] This invention will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like
reference numerals refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a container for tennis
balls including an improved overcap in accordance with an
implementation of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top, side perspective view of the overcap of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom, side perspective view of the overcap of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4A is a top view of the overcap of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4B is a top view of an overcap for a tennis ball
container in accordance with another implementation of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the overcap of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is top perspective view of a tennis ball container
and a conventional tennis ball container overcap shown above the
container.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a container for tennis
balls including an improved overcap in accordance with another
implementation of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top, side perspective view of the overcap of
FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a bottom, side perspective view of the overcap of
FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a top view of the overcap of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the overcap of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIGS. 12 through 15 are top views of overcaps for tennis
ball containers in accordance with other alternative
implementations of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 holding a plurality of
tennis balls 12 is shown with an improved overcap 14. The container
10 is sized to hold two, three, four or more tennis balls 14. In
one implementation, the container 10 is a cylindrical container
extending about a longitudinal axis 16. The container includes a
first closed end 18 and a second end 20 opposite the closed end 18.
The container can have a circular cross-sectional shape when viewed
about a plane extending through the container 10 and perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis 16. In other implementations, the
container can take other shapes, such as, for example, a shape
having a polygonal cross-sectional area.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 6, the container 10 is typically
pressurized to retain the tennis balls 12 in a pressurized state.
Tennis balls 12 are typically sold new in a pressurized state in
which the balls are pressurized within a range of 5 to 15 psi. In
one example, premium tennis balls are pressurized to approximately
13 psi. In order to maintain the tennis balls 12 in a pressurized
state, the tennis ball container 10 is typically also pressurized
within the range of 5 to 15 psi. The container 10 is typically
initially configured and sold with a removable seal 22 positioned
over at the second end 20, closing the second end 20 to maintain
the container 10 in a pressurized state. The removable seal 22 is
typically formed of an aluminum alloy or similar material, and
includes a pop-top tab 24 to facilitate the removal of the seal 22
from the second end 20 of the container 10. Once the seal 22 is
removed from the second end 20, the seal 22 is typically discarded
leaving the second end 20 open.
[0022] Existing tennis ball containers are typically sold with a
prior art overcap 30, which is a circular lid formed of a
continuous piece of polymeric material, such as a thick plastic.
The overcap is used, after the seal 22 has been removed from the
second end 20, to store the tennis balls 12 and retain them in the
container for later use. Existing overcaps 30 add to the cost,
weight and waste associated with a tennis ball container.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need to provide an improved
overcap that can be produced at a lower cost, have a lighter
weight, and result in less waste associated with the tennis ball
container.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-4a and 5, an improved tennis ball
container overcap 14 is illustrated. The overcap 14 includes a body
32 adapted for removable attachment to the open end 20 of the
container 10. The body 32 is formed of a lightweight, resilient
material, such as a plastic. In other implementations, the body 32
can be formed of other materials, such as, for example, other
polymeric materials, a rubber, a wood, an aluminum, other alloys,
or combinations thereof. The body 32 of the overcap 14 includes a
peripheral rim 34 for engaging an outer surface of the container 10
at the open second end 20. The peripheral rim 34 extends around the
entire circumference or periphery of the container 10 at the second
end 20. The body 32 further includes a lip 36 radially projecting
from at least one location on the peripheral rim 34 toward the
longitudinal axis 16. In the implementation of FIGS. 1-5, the lip
36 uniformly projects radially toward the longitudinal axis 16
about the entire periphery or circumference of the rim 34. The lip
36 and/or the peripheral rim 34 define a first overcap opening 40.
The first overcap opening 40 is circular, and is sized so as to
smaller than the diameter of the tennis ball 12 and/or smaller than
that maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball 12. The
diameter of a typical tennis ball is within the range of 2.57 to
2.7 inches. Accordingly, the overcap opening 40 of the
implementation of FIGS. 1-4a and 5 has a diameter less than 2.57
inches. The maximum cross-sectional area of a typical tennis ball
would be .pi.r.sup.2, or .pi.(1.285 in).sup.2 to .pi.(1.35
in).sup.2 or 5.187 in.sup.2 to 5.725 in.sup.2. In other
implementations, the size of the diameter or the maximum
cross-sectional area can be a different dimension or area.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first overcap opening 40 of
the overcap 14 is sized to retain the tennis balls 14 within the
container 10. In the implementation, of FIG. 1, the first opening
40 may allow for a portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the
second end 20 of the container 10 to slightly extend through the
first opening 40.
[0025] The first opening 40 is sufficiently large enough that the
amount of material used to produce the improved overcap 14 is at
least 40 percent lower than the amount of material used to produce
a conventional overcap. In another implementation, the opening 40
is sufficiently large enough that the amount of material used to
produce the improved overcap 14 is at least 50 percent lower than
the amount of material used to produce a conventional overcap 30. A
conventional tennis container overcap can weigh approximately 6.1
grams, and in one implementation, the overcap 14 weighs 3.5 grams,
which is a reduction in weight of over 42 percent. Accordingly, the
weight of the overcap 14 was measured to be more than 40 percent
lower than the weight of a conventional tennis can overcap.
Accordingly, the improved overcap 14 results in significantly lower
waste, significantly lower material cost, and significantly lower
weight than a conventional overcap 30. Less material results in
less material for recycling and/or landfills.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4b, in one implementation, a very thin
layer 60 of lightweight material can be applied over the opening 40
of the overcap 14. The very thin layer 60 of lightweight material
can be used to prevent dirt, debris or moisture from entering the
tennis ball container 10 with the overcap 14 applied to the second
end 20 of the container 10 after the pop-top tab 24 is removed from
the container 10.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 11, another implementation of a
tennis ball container overcap 114 is illustrated. The tennis ball
container overcap 114 is substantially similar to the overcap 14
except that the overcap 114 includes a lip 136 that extends from a
first location 144 of a peripheral rim 134 to a second location 146
about the peripheral rim 134 to form a band 150. The band 150, the
peripheral rim 134 and/or the lip 136 define first and second
overcap openings 140 and 142. The band 150 includes an outer
surface 152, and the outer surface 152 can include alphanumeric
and/or graphical indicia 154, such as, a trademark, a symbol, an
instruction, a descriptive or inspirational message and/or
combinations thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, the band 150 retains the
tennis balls 12 within the container 10, such that no portion of
the tennis ball 12 closest to the second end 20 projects or extends
through the first or second overcap openings 140 and 142. The
overcap 114 includes the same or similar benefits of the overcap 14
by requiring less material to produce, resulting in less cost and
less waste.
[0028] FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate other implementations of an
improved overcap. Referring to FIG. 12, an improved overcap 214 is
illustrated. Overcap 214 is substantially similar to overcap 14 and
overcap 114 except that overcap 214 includes a lip 236 including a
band 250 that extends from a first location 244 of a peripheral rim
234 to second and third spaced-apart locations 246 and 248 about
the peripheral rim 234, such that the band 250, the peripheral rim
234 and/or the lip 236 define first, second and third overcap
openings 240, 242 and 241, respectively. Similar to the band 150,
the band 250 retains the tennis balls 12 within the container 10,
such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second
end 20 projects or extends through the first, second or third
overcap openings 240, 242 and 241. The overcap 214 includes the
same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less
material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 13, an improved overcap 314 is
illustrated. Overcap 314 is substantially similar to overcap 14,
overcap 114 and overcap 214 except that overcap 314 includes a lip
336 including a pair of band 350a and 350b that extend from a first
location 344 to a second location 346 about a peripheral rim 334,
and from a third location 348 to a fourth location 352 about the
peripheral rim 334, respectively. The band 350, the peripheral rim
334 and/or a lip 336 define first, second and third overcap
openings 340, 342 and 341, respectively. Similar to the band 150,
the band 350 retains the tennis balls 12 within the container 10,
such that no portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the second
end 20 projects or extends through the first, second or third
overcap openings 340, 342 and 341. The overcap 314 includes the
same or similar benefits of the overcap 14 by requiring less
material to produce, resulting in less cost and less waste.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 14, an improved overcap 414 is
illustrated. Overcap 414 is substantially similar to overcap 14,
overcap 114, overcap 214 and overcap 314 except that overcap 314
includes a set of four lips 436 that radially project toward the
longitudinal axis 16 from four spaced-apart locations of a
peripheral rim 434. The four spaced-apart locations can include
first, second, third and fourth locations that are equally
angularly spaced apart about the peripheral rim 434. In other
implementations, other numbers of lips 436 can be used including 1,
2, 3, 5 or more lips, and the lips can be positioned in other
locations or arrangements about the peripheral rim 434. The
peripheral rim 434 and the lips 436 define an overcap openings 440.
Similar to overcap 14 and the first opening 40, the lips 436 can be
sized so as to retain the tennis balls 12 within the container 10,
and allow a small portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the
second opening 20 of the container to extend or project through the
opening 440. The overcap 414 includes the same or similar benefits
of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting
in less cost and less waste.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 15, an improved overcap 514 is
illustrated. Overcap 514 is substantially similar to overcap 14,
overcap 114, overcap 214, overcap 314 and overcap 415 except that
overcap 514 includes a pair of lips 536 that radially project
toward the longitudinal axis 16 from two angularly spaced-apart
locations of a peripheral rim 534. The two spaced-apart locations
can include first and second locations that are equally angularly
spaced apart about the peripheral rim 534. In other
implementations, other numbers of lips 536 can be used including 1,
3, 4 or more lips, and the lips 536 can be positioned in other
locations or arrangements about the peripheral rim 534. The
peripheral rim 534 and the lips 536 define an overcap opening 540.
Similar to overcap 14 and the first opening 40, the lips 536 can be
sized so as to retain the tennis balls 12 within the container 10,
and allow a small portion of the tennis ball 12 closest to the
second opening 20 of the container to extend or project through the
opening 540. The overcap 514 includes the same or similar benefits
of the overcap 14 by requiring less material to produce, resulting
in less cost and less waste.
[0032] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described and illustrated, numerous departures therefrom
can be contemplated by persons skilled in the art. Therefore, the
present invention is not limited to the foregoing description but
only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *