U.S. patent number RE36,131 [Application Number 08/531,768] was granted by the patent office on 1999-03-09 for spill-resistant bubble solution container.
Invention is credited to Michael R. Schramm.
United States Patent |
RE36,131 |
Schramm |
March 9, 1999 |
Spill-resistant bubble solution container
Abstract
The spill resistant bubble solution container is an invention
that because of its unique geometry and design, prevents spillage
of liquid when filled to the fill line or below, and oriented in
any position. It is principally intended for use by young children
in avoiding the spillage of bubble solution.
Inventors: |
Schramm; Michael R. (Pacific,
WA) |
Family
ID: |
26790912 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/531,768 |
Filed: |
September 21, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
828345 |
Jan 30, 1992 |
05246046 |
Sep 21, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/98; 141/333;
141/311A; 141/339; 446/20; 220/719 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
33/28 (20130101); B65D 23/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
33/28 (20060101); B65B 001/04 (); B65B
003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;141/331,339,340,364,98,94,95,311A,333 ;446/15,16,17,19,20,74
;220/731,734,719 ;222/109,570,571,567,569 ;4/283,259 ;D21/59 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Little Kids, product packaging for No-spill bubble mug and tumbler,
2 pages, 1995. .
TOI, product packaging for bubble brush, 1 page, no date. .
TOI, Product package for snap-on bubble container, 1 page, 1993.
.
Remco, product package for bubble glider, 1 page, 1992. .
SpectraStar, product package for bubble kite, 1 page, 1992. .
Avon, package for fingernail polish container, 1 page, no date.
.
One Step Ahead, spill proof paint cups, p. 46, no date..
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Primary Examiner: Recla; Henry J.
Assistant Examiner: Douglas; Steven O.
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved container for liquid comprising a container having a
top, a base and sidewalls enclosing an inner cavity and wherein the
container has height, width and depth dimensions such that the
width is substantially larger than the depth, a mouth having an
upper end and a lower end extending from the top of said container,
said lower end having an elliptical cross-section adjacent the
exterior of said container with a major axis extending through the
width thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis of the width of
said container, said container further comprising a neck portion
integrally connecting said lower end of the mouth to the inner
cavity of said container, and a funnel having an upper end
connected to said mouth and depending downward from said mouth,
through said neck portion and terminating in a lower end in the
cavity of said container, said funnel having a hollow opening to
provide communication between the exterior of said container and
said inner cavity of said container, said funnel having dimensions
such that the width thereof is substantially equal to the width of
said lower end of said mouth and the distance between the base of
the container and the lower end of the funnel is greater than a
liquid level of a predetermined volume of liquid in said container
when resting on its base and the distance between any sidewall and
the funnel is greater than the liquid level of said predetermined
volume of liquid in said container when resting on any of its
sidewalls, said container thereby providing resistance to spillage
of the liquid contents of said container when oriented in any
position.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein said mouth is of a circular
cross-section at the uppermost end thereof adjacent the exterior of
said container and wherein said mouth cross-section tapers from its
circular cross-section at the uppermost end of said mouth to the
elliptical cross-section at the lower end of said mouth, and
wherein said neck portion which is integrally connected to the
lower end of said mouth is of an elliptical cross-section.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein said tapered portion provides a
supporting lip to receive said funnel.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein said funnel has an upper
portion and a lower portion, said upper portion forming a circular
end cap, and said lower portion having a rectangular cross-section
wherein said lower portion depends downward from said circular end
cap, wherein said funnel is removaly positioned in the mouth and
neck portion of said container, said circular end cap resting on
said supporting lip, and wherein said lower portion of said funnel
depends downward into said cavity of said container.
5. The funnel of claim 4 wherein said rectangular cross-section of
said lower portion of said funnel has a width greater than the
minor diameter of said elliptical cross-section such that the
rotational movement of said funnel when positioned through said
mouth and neck portion is thereby impeded.
6. The container of claim 5 having a fill line positioned on the
exterior of said container at a position lower than the lower most
end of said downward depending funnel within the cavity of said
container, wherein said fill line indicates the maximum level of
liquid to be contained within said container.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein said funnel is of sufficient
length to extend downward into said cavity of said container, but
not into the liquid within said container which is at or below said
fill line.
8. The funnel of claim 1 where a wand is removably positioned
within said opening of said funnel in such a manner as to access
said liquid within the cavity of said container.
9. The funnel of claim 8 wherein said wand has tapers on both ends
thereof, thereby permitting easy insertion into and out of said
funnel. .Iadd.
10. A container defining an inner cavity, and a funnel extending
into the inner cavity of said container to provide communication
between said inner cavity and the exterior of said container to
inhibit spillage of the contents of said container, at least a
portion of the length of said funnel being substantially
rectangular in cross-sectional shape and wherein said funnel is
unencumbered by a reciprocating piston within said funnel and
wherein said container prevents spillage of a predetermined amount
of liquid contents of said container when said container is
oriented in any position, and wherein said predetermined amount of
liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no greater than half the
volume of said container and said length of said funnel is greater
than 25% of the height of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. A
container having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces
defining an inner cavity, and a non annular funnel extending into
the inner cavity of said container, said non annular funnel having
an inner opening in said inner cavity and an outer opening exterior
to said inner cavity, said inner opening being located
substantially equidistant between said top surface of said
container and said bottom surface of said container and said inner
opening being located substantially equidistant between said side
surfaces of said container to provide communication between said
inner cavity and the exterior of said container to inhibit spillage
of the contents of said container and wherein said container
prevents spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of
said container when said container is oriented in any position, and
wherein said predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of
liquid of no greater than half the volume of said container.
.Iaddend..Iadd.12. A container for liquid defining an inner cavity,
and a cover removably and reattachably connected to said container,
said cover having a substantially rectangular shaped opening to
provide communication between said inner cavity and the exterior of
said container, and a bubble creation device removably positioned
within said container, said bubble creation device being discretely
separable from said container, and wherein said container inhibits
spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said
container when said bubble creation device is withdrawn from said
container through said rectangular shaped opening and said
container is oriented in any position, and wherein said
predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no
greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.13.
A container having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side
surfaces defining an inner cavity, and a funnel extending into the
inner cavity of said container, said funnel having an inner opening
and an outer opening, said inner opening being located
substantially equidistant between said container side surfaces,
said top surface, and said bottom surface to provide communication
between said inner cavity and the exterior of said container, and
wherein said funnel is unencumbered by a reciprocating piston
within said funnel, said container having a non singular bubble
orifice/non hollow brush liquid access device removably positioned
within said container and wherein said container prevents spillage
of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said container when
said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said
predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no
greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.14.
A container for liquid defining an inner cavity, at least one
opening in said container comprising an open rectangular slot, and
at least one bubble creation device removably positioned within
said at least one opening, said bubble creation device being
discretely separable from said container, and wherein said
container inhibits spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid
contents of said container when said bubble creation device is
withdrawn from said container through said rectangular opening and
said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said
predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no
greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend.
Description
SUMMARY
The spill resistant bubble solution container is designed to
eliminate or virtually eliminate the spillage of bubble solution
with no increased difficulty in accessing the solution. The
invention is principally intended to solve the problem of spilled
bubble solution (both within and without the home) by young
children who typically use the traditional (wide mouth) open
cylindrical bubble solution container. The traditional cylindrical
container, if not held in a vertical or upright position, will
allow the spillage of its contents proportionate with the original
content level. If the traditional container is tipped over or
dropped, the entire content is rapidly spilled.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The invention is a bubble solution container that when filled to
the fill line or below, will resist spillage when oriented in any
position, yet will allow easy access to the solution. This result
is obtained by the unique geometry of the container which has a
trapped funnel that extends approximately half way into the bottle.
This allows a bubble wand to be inserted through the funnel and
dipped into the bubble solution yet the container will resist
spillage of the solution when oriented in any position.
It is intended that all of the parts except the bottle are to be
made by injection molding using a thermoplastic resin compatible
with the injection molding process. It is intended that the bottle
will be made by blow molding using a thermoplastic resin compatible
with the blow molding process. It is intended that the spill
resistant container will be primarily used by children to avoid
spilling bubble solution without restricting their access to the
solution to blow bubbles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The objects and many attendant advantages of this invention will be
readily appreciated and become readily apparent as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals designate like parts
throughout the figures thereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cutaway assembly view of the bubble solution
container.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the various parts that make up the
bubble solution container and it illustrates their relationship to
each other.
FIG. 3 is a view of the bottle and funnel in the upright or
vertical position with bubble solution in the bottom of the bottle,
and shows where section cuts 3A and 3B are made.
FIG. 4 is a view of the bottle and funnel in the upside down
position. The bubble solution is shown retained in the top of the
bottle.
FIG. 5 is a view of the bottle and funnel in a sideways position
with the bubble solution in the current lower side of the
bottle.
FIG. 6 is a view of the bottle and funnel in a sideways position
with the bubble solution in the current lower side of the
bottle.
FIG. 3A is a view representing a section cut made at the top or
circular area of the bottle and funnel.
FIG. 3B is a view representing a section cut made at the lower or
elliptical area of the bottle and funnel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention is a container for bubble
solution or other liquid that, because of its unique geometry and
design, when filled to the maximum fill line 12 or below, resists
spillage of the liquid. This benefit is obtained whether the
container is accidentally knocked over or dropped, or if
intentionally rotated or oriented in any position.
This unique advantage is illustrated by the following description
of various bottle orientations as shown in the figures: when the
container is in the upright position as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid
will always be below the lower edge of the funnel 13.
When the container is in the upside down position as in FIG. 4, the
liquid will occupy the space immediately around the funnel 8. The
liquid level will always be between the bottom and the top of the
funnel, thus preventing the liquid from running out. When the
container is in a sideways position as in FIG. 5 and 6, the liquid
level will always be between the lower funnel side and the lower
side of the bottle. Furthermore, when the container is oriented in
any of an infinite variations of the above described positions, it
will behave in a like manner and prevent the spillage of the
solution.
The following design features are used in performing the above
described spill resistant function and are apparent by reference to
FIG. 2. Furthermore, number 12 represents the maximum fill line,
number 7 represents the bottle, number 13 represents the lower edge
of the funnel, number 8 represents the funnel, number 9 represents
the (threaded) retaining ring, number 10 represent the (threaded)
cap (for storage), number 11 represents the customized wand with
tapers, and number 14 represents the tapered portion of the wand.
Additionally, number 15 represents the fluid level, number 16
represents the narrow cross-section of the funnel, number 17
represents the elliptical cross-section of the bottle neck, number
18 represents the wide cross-section of the funnel, and number 19
represents the circular cross-section of the bottle neck.
The "maximum" fill line 12 is placed no higher on the bottle than
to allow the maximum amount of liquid that will be below the funnel
8 in any orientation, as described in the above paragraph.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the mouth 19 and neck 17 of the
bottle transitions from a circular to an elliptical cross-section.
This causes the funnel 8, when inserted into the bottle 7, to be
self-aligned to, and captivated in the correct position. When the
lower edge 13 of the funnel 8 is in the circular area or mouth 19
of the bottle neck it can rotate freely about the funnel's vertical
center line. When the lower edge of the funnel is in the elliptical
cross-sectional area 17 its movement is restricted as the width of
the funnel is slightly smaller than the inside major diameter of
the neck yet it is larger than the minor diameter of the neck. If,
after being fully inserted in the bottle, the funnel were either
misaligned or free to rotate, then the container would not resist
spillage of liquid in all positions. Additionally, while not
mandatory for the spill resistant function, the wand 11 shown in
FIG. 2 is designed with tapers on both ends to facilitate easy
withdrawal of the wand from the container assembly. As seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the wand's shape eliminates partial entrapment of
the wand by the lower edge of the funnel.
As shown in FIG. 2, the threaded retaining ring 9 keeps the funnel
in place. The optional threaded cap 10 can be used in place of the
retaining ring, for storage, to eliminate evaporation of the liquid
and to prevent foreign matter from entering the container.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred size and shape of the container is shown in FIG. 1.
The approximate size of the bottle is 2.0 inches.times.5.0 inches.
The fill line 12 is located approximately 2.0 inches up from the
bottom of the bottle. This allows for a solution capacity of
approximately 15.0 cubic inches (approximately 8.0 ounces), which
is a common size of the conventional bubble solution refill
container.
While the shape of the bottle could vary within the functionality
requirements previously described, it was designed with tapered
sides for efficient consumption of solution. If the sides were
straight, a smaller percentage of solution would be used (before
the liquid level would be below the top of the circular opening in
the wand) per bottle filling.
While the function of a spill resistant container may be achieved
by the use of a spring loaded trap door or a movable float or other
devices, or the function of locating the funnel may be achieved by
means of a tongue and groove, doing so would not depart from the
overall spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it is believed that
the invention is in its preferred design as all the parts are
designed for cost efficient, high volume plastic molding processes,
and there are no moving parts required for the spill resistant
function.
It is noted that the invention was specifically designed for bubble
solution, but it would function with other liquids as well. Also,
the preferred material for all of the parts is any of the plastics
commonly used in injection molding and blow molding, such as
polyethylene, polypropolene, polyester, nylon, etc.
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