Abstract:
An apparatus for multiple storage functions comprising a first portion having walls defining a first cavity for storage, the first portion having an opening into the first cavity which is closeable by a first cover. A second portion defining a second cavity with an opening closeable by a second cover, the second cover having at least a portion of light transmissive material for viewing into the second cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of a provisional application Ser. No. 61/082,357 filed Jul. 21, 2008, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to storage containers and, in particularly, storage containers that have dual purposes, one example being an urn for cremains and a display case for memorabilia. Another example is an urn (a storage container) and display case as a retirement piece (i.e., to store items related to a person&#39;s career and display one or more such items or retirement gift(s) or memorabilia). Other uses are possible. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    It is conventional to have a storage device with a single dedicated storage function. This allows the device to be optimized for storing a particular thing. 
         [0006]    One example is an urn for cremains. While its ornamental appearance can vary widely, securement of contents and robustness are, most times, primary features for that dedicated function. The urn can be used to store other things (e.g., valuables, retirement memorabilia, etc). 
         [0007]    On the other hand, storage devices such as display cabinets tend to emphasize viewability of the memorabilia or item stored in the display case. Glass or other transparent material is usually a prominent feature. This, of course, is much less robust. 
         [0008]    Therefore, storage devices such as urns versus memorabilia displays have diverging needs and characteristics. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a combined urn and display case for memorabilia. The apparatus includes a structurally robust and sealable urn portion with a closeable but externally viewable memorabilia compartment. The combined device allows proper storage of one thing (one example being cremains) with the ability to store another thing (one example being memorabilia such as those associated with a person). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment (oval shape) according to the invention in assembled form including memorabilia stored and displayed. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is similar to  FIG. 1A  but with a top lid opened for access to the memorabilia storage part of the device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is similar to  FIG. 1B  but shows the lid completely removed and without the memorabilia in place. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of the base portion of the device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the base portion of the device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is an assembled perspective view of the lid of the memorabilia display portion of the device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the lid of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is an assembled perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment (hexagonal shape) according to the invention. It is similar to  FIG. 1A . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4B and 4C  are similar to  FIGS. 1B and 1C  except they pertain to the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A-B  and  6 A-B are similar to  FIGS. 2A-B  and  3 A-B, except they relate to the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Overview 
       [0020]    For a better understanding of the invention, several exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail. It is to be understood that the context of these specific embodiments will be described in relationship to the above-described drawings. Reference numbers and letters will be used to indicate certain parts and locations throughout the drawings unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0021]    On a general level, the exemplary embodiments pertain to a multifunction storage apparatus. The two exemplary embodiments described below specifically function as storage of cremains or retirement memorabilia as a first function and storage and display of one or more things, materials or objects such as memorabilia as a second function. It is to be understood that the specific items stored relative to either function can differ from those examples. The invention is not limited to those specific examples. 
       Exemplary Embodiment 1 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1A-C  show a first exemplary embodiment of a multifunction storage apparatus  10 . A main base or body  20  functions as an urn to store and contain (e.g. cremains). A cavity  16  in body  20  can be covered by a removable lid  12  (e.g., zinc alloy trimmed with plated precious metal chrome or other precious metals, and/or having a clear cover, e.g. polycarbonate), and function as a second storage space. In this example that storage space is used to display, through a light transmissive lens or window pane  14 , memorabilia such as a medal  18 . Lid  12  will attach with a pin  11  ( FIG. 1C ). 
         [0023]    As best indicated at  FIGS. 2A  and B, main body  20  in this example includes an inverted cup shaped member  32  having a roughly cylindrical shape with a closed off top  36  and an open bottom  34 . This inverted cup can be made of any of a variety of materials. An example would be a quite robust and durable material such as metal, ceramic, or plastic. A specific example is die-cast aluminum alloy (e.g., A380 A1). Another is die-cast zinc (e.g. ZA-12). Another example is clear or tinted polycarbonate or acrylic. A robust and durable plate  28  (e.g. metal or other durable material) can be sealingly secured and close off the open bottom to inverted cup  32  by screws or other fasteners. A gasket or other sealing device (not shown) could optionally be used. In this manner a durable storage container for cremains can be created with a removable but at least substantially sealable cover. 
         [0024]    As best shown at  FIG. 2B , an additional characteristic of inverted cup  32  is that a cavity  16  is formed in the top of member  32 . It can be formed during fabrication such as by die casting, molding, engravement, or other methods appropriate for the material. It is somewhat shallow but of a sufficient volume to contain memorabilia such as, to mention but one example, a medal  18  as shown in  FIGS. 1A  and B. Optionally, a liner such as metal tray or velour to be fabricated to matingly fit into the cavity in top of member  32  to support and display the memorabilia. One example is velour or other cloth or analogous liner.  FIGS. 3A  and B show lid  12  can be removably placed over the cavity  16  in the top of member  32  to cover and enclose that cavity. In one example lid  12  can include a light transmissive lens or window pane  14  (e.g., clear or tinted glass or polycarbonate) sandwiched between a frame comprising top metal ring  13  and bottom metal ring  15 . The three pieces  13 ,  14  and  15  can be clamped together by screws, bolts or other fasteners to create the assembly of  FIG. 3A . That assembly  12  can matingly fit over (or into) the cavity in the top of member  32 . Optionally, there could be a gasket or other sealing device to make it an air tight seal or a substantial seal. There could also be a hinge or a pin  11  to hold cover  12  to body  20 . Optionally (not shown) lid  12  could be more robustly mounted such as by screws. Alternatively, some sort of latching mechanism could fix it in place. 
         [0025]    Another feature of the first embodiment is best illustrated at  FIG. 2B . A glass sleeve  22  (e.g., injection molded polycarbonate—clear or tinted or colored) of complementary shape to inner member  32  could slide over inner member  32  in close conformance and cover a name plate or other member  40  that could fit in or over the receiver  38  in member  32 . Plate  40  could be engraved, embossed, or support indicia with identifying information or other graphics. Sleeve  22  could be transparent, translucent, tinted, or have other features that would allow visual discernment of the content of name plate  40  but have an attractive visual affect. Any one or more of a variety of characteristics could be designed into sleeve  22  as well as member  32  to present a desired visual affect. Screws could be used to hold sleeve  22  to member  32  (see  FIG. 2A ), or other fastening techniques could be used including but not limited to adhesives, clamping, or other methods. 
         [0026]    It can be appreciated from the above described figures that device  10  presents a robust urn that is designed to function well to store cremains while concurrently presenting a display chamber for memorabilia presentation that is integrated into the urn. Lid  12  makes display cavity  16  accessible. Bottom removable plate  28  makes the cremains chamber accessible. Plate  28  is removable by screws or other fastening methods. Conventional methods can be used to store cremains in base  20 . One example is to place the cremains in a poly bag, seal the bag, and place the bag in base  20  and attach bottom plate  28 . 
       Exemplary Embodiment 2 
       [0027]      FIG. 4A  shows an alternative embodiment of that of  FIG. 1A . This device is indicated by reference numeral  10 ′. By reference to  FIGS. 4A-C ,  5 A-B, and  6 A-B, this second embodiment is basically quite similar to the first embodiment described above. Device  10 ′ has a main urn body  20 ′ and a lid  12 ′ that closes off a memorabilia display chamber  16 ′. The basic concepts are the same for embodiments 1 and 2. 
         [0028]    One difference is that name plate  40 ′ can be mounted on lens  14 ′ (either on top or on bottom) instead of on the base or body  20 . Main body  20 ′, in this example, can be an inner inverted cup without an outer glass sleeve, although it could have such a sleeve like sleeve  26 . 
       Options and Alternatives 
       [0029]    The two examples described above are meant to illustrate just a couple of forms the invention can take. It is to be appreciated that the invention can take a wide variety of forms and configurations and can be used for a wide variety of storage and presentation functions. Variations obvious to those skilled in the art will be included within the invention. 
         [0030]    For example, materials can vary depending on desire or need. The proportions of the storage volume in the inverted cup main body versus the top presentation cavity can vary according to need or desire. In Examples 1 and 2, the storage volume of base  20  or  20 ′ is a minimum of 210 cubic inches. The volume of upper display storage cavity  16  or  16 ′ can be seen by reference to the figures, which illustrate different parts in general proportion to one another. 
         [0031]    The applications and functions of the device can vary from urn/memorabilia display. One example would be to use the base storage for personal belongings or memorabilia (e.g., valuables, retirement gifts, awards, or time capsule type things) and the top display case for the same or different things.