Container system

A plurality of circular components each having an interior and exterior surface with a circular periphery at a common radius. Each component is fabricated of a flexible sheet material. Three non-contiguous segments are on each component designating reception areas. Three non-contiguous segments are circumferentially intermediate the reception areas designating coupling areas. An adhesive is on each of the three coupling areas of each component. A majority of the coupling areas is in joining contact with reception areas of adjacent components. A minority of the coupling areas is initially out of contact with reception areas to create a chamber with an opening. A minority of the coupling areas is adapted to be adhesively coupled with a minority of the reception area to thereby create a three dimensional container system with six adhesively coupled areas for each component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container system and more particularly pertains to construction of a plurality of similarly configured components and forming generally octahedron shaped containers in a convenient and economical manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Methods and apparatuses for constructing components through known methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

In this respect, the apparatus for constructing components through known methods and apparatuses according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of construction of a plurality of similarly configured components and forming generally octahedron shaped containers in a convenient and economical manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved method and apparatus for construction of a plurality of similarly configured components and forming generally octahedron shaped containers in a convenient and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of building systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved three dimensional building system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved three dimensional building system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a container system constructed of a plurality of similarly configured components. The components are adapted to form a generally octahedron shaped container for objects. The container system is in a convenient, attractive and economical manner. First provided are four components. Each of the components has a front surface and a rear surface with a circular periphery at a common radius. Each of the components has six contiguous segments which constitute a unique 60 degrees of the periphery. Each of the components is fabricated of card stock paper with a coating.

Next provided are three non-contiguous segments on the front surface, each such segment has an arcuate first edge designating three similarly sized and shaped reception areas. Each first edge having a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the circular periphery.

Next provided are three additional non-contiguous segments on the rear surface, each such segment is circumferentially intermediate the three non-contiguous reception areas of the front surface. Each such segment has an arcuate second edge designating three similarly sized and shaped coupling areas. Each second edge has a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the circular periphery.

An adhesive is provided on each of the three coupling areas of each component. Eight coupling areas are in joining contact with eight reception areas of three different adjacent components. Eight reception areas are in joined contact with eight coupling areas of three different adjacent components. A container is thereby formed with an open top for receiving an object. The components are adapted to be creased and maintained in a flat orientation prior to the minority of the coupling areas being adhesively coupling to reception areas. Each coupling area is covered by a peel strip, the peel strip being adapted to be removed to expose the adhesive prior to use.

The remaining four coupling areas and the remaining four reception areas when joined form a generally octahedron shaped container. Such octahedron shaped container has two similarly configured pyramids. Each such pyramid has four similarly sized and shaped equilateral triangles with a square base and with the square bases of the pyramids constituting a common medial plane. Each pyramid has an apex equally spaced from the median plane.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved three dimensional building system which has all of the advantages of the prior art building systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved three dimensional building system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved three dimensional building system which is of durable and reliable constructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved three dimensional building system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such three dimensional building system economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a three dimensional building system for construction of a plurality of similarly configured components and forming generally octahedron shaped containers in a convenient and economical manner.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved container system. The system includes a plurality of circular components each having an interior and exterior surface with a circular periphery at a common radius. Each component is fabricated of a flexible sheet material. Three non-contiguous segments are on each component designating reception areas. Three non-contiguous segments are circumferentially intermediate the reception areas designating coupling areas. An adhesive is on each of the three coupling areas of each component. A majority of the coupling areas is in joining contact with reception areas of adjacent components. A minority of the coupling areas is initially out of contact with reception areas to create a chamber with an opening. A minority of the coupling areas is adapted to be adhesively coupled with a minority of the reception area to thereby create a three dimensional container system with six adhesively coupled areas for each component. These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures of the various alternate embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular toFIG. 1thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved three dimensional building system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral10will be described.

The present invention, the three dimensional building system10is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a plurality of circular components, and a coupler. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

First provided are four components14. Each of the components has a front surface16. Each of the components has a rear surface18. Each of the components has a circular periphery20at a common radius. Each of the components has six contiguous segments22,24,26,28,30and32. Each of the segments constitutes a unique 60 degrees of the periphery. Each of the components is fabricated of a flexible sheet material. The flexible sheet material is preferably paper.

Three non-contiguous segments22,26,30are provided on the front surface. An arcuate first line34is provided. The arcuate first line designates three similarly sized and shaped reception areas36. Each first line has a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the circular periphery. Although illustrated herein with a broken line, such line to designate the reception areas is preferably imaginary or non-visible in the preferred embodiment.

Three non-contiguous segments24,28,32are provided on the rear surface. The three non-contiguous segments provided on the rear surface are provided circumferentially intermediate the three non-contiguous reception areas of the front surface. An arcuate second line36is provided. The arcuate second line designates three similarly sized and shaped adhesive areas38. Each second line has a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the circular periphery.

Provided next is an adhesive coupler42. The adhesive coupler is provided on each of the three adhesive areas of each component. The three adhesive areas are in joining contact with the reception areas of three different adjacent components. The reception areas of each component are in joined contact with the adhesive areas of three different adjacent components. In this manner six junction areas44are created for each component.

In this manner the four components form a generally octahedron shaped object from two similarly configured pyramids. Each pyramid has four similarly sized and shaped equilateral triangles. Each pyramid has a square base. The square bases of the pyramids constitute a common medial plane50. Each pyramid has an apex52. The apex is equally spaced from the median plane.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is show inFIG. 6. Each reception area of each component100is on the front surface. Each reception area is bounded by a linear first line104. The linear first line has a common length. Each coupling area is on the rear surface. Each coupling area is bounded by a second line102. The second line has a common length. The common length of the second lie is equal to the length of the first lines. The coupler is an adhesive106. Indicia108is provided. The indicia is provided the front surface in the nature of a map segment.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 7. Each reception area of each component110is on the front surface. The first line has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the first line is equal to the radius of the circular periphery. Each coupling area is on the rear surface. Each coupling area is bounded by a second line. The second line has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the second line is equal to the radius of the circular periphery. The coupler is an adhesive112. The adhesive is covered by a peel strip114. The peel strip is adapted to be removed. In this manner the adhesive is exposed prior to use.

The embodiment ofFIG. 7also is formed with a transparent, preferably plastic, window116in one component. Such component is formed to include an opening of a shape similar to the window. The window is positioned to fill the opening. Such window has a periphery slightly greater than the periphery of the opening so as to allow coupling the window to the component, preferably by an adhesive. Any of a wide variety of shapes are adapted to by utilized for the opening and window. This embodiment allows the system to be utilized as a package with the contents of the package readily visible through the window.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 8. Each reception area of each component120is on the front surface. Each reception area is bounded by a first line. The first line has radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the first line is equal to the radius of the circular periphery. Each coupling area is on the rear surface. Each coupling area is bounded by a second line formed as a score line. The second line has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the second line is equal to the radius of the circular periphery. The coupler includes a base-layer. The coupler also includes a cover-layer. An adhesive122is provided. The adhesive is provided between the base-layer and a cover-layer. A peel strip124is provided. The peel strip is defined by the score line. The peel strip is adapted to be removed. In this manner the adhesive is exposed prior to use.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 9. Each reception area of each component130is on the front surface. Each reception are is bounded by a first line. The first line has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the first line is equal to the radius of the circular periphery. Each coupling area is on the rear surface. Each coupling area is bounded by a second line. The second line has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the second line equal to the radius of the circular periphery. The coupler is an adhesive. The components are fabricated of a transparent material132. Additionally, indicia134are provided. The indicia are provided on the front surface. Another additional feature of this embodiment is a notch136at one location on the periphery. When the system is configured into a three dimensional building system with such component, the notch creates an area for viewing the interior of the system and any contents within the system.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 10. The system further includes a plurality of apertures142over the entire surface of each component140. This embodiment, like the embodiment ofFIG. 7, allows the system to be utilized as a package with the contents of the package readily visible through the apertures. This embodiment, unlike the embodiment ofFIG. 7, also allows the system to be utilized as a scent dispenser with an interior aromatic material such as a perfume or an insecticide or the like being operative through the apertures.

Another alternate embodiment is shown inFIG. 11. A generally octahedron shaped object202is formed from two similarly configured pyramids. Each pyramid has four similarly sized and shaped equilateral triangles. Each pyramid has a square base. The square bases of the pyramids constitute a common medial plane. Each pyramid has an apex. The apexes of the pyramids are equally spaced from the median plane. The system further includes a linear axis204. The linear axis extends through the object. The linear axis extends from apex to apex and beyond. The axis supports the object. In this manner wind may rotate the object.

The next alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 12. The generally octahedron shaped object is formed of sixty-four components302. Various numbers of components are adapted to be used in constructing systems of various sizes.

FIG. 13is a front elevational view of components coupled through a panel constructed in accordance with a further alternate embodiment of the invention. The system400includes a panel402with a plurality of components404integrally formed in the panel. Each of the components is adapted to be separated from the panel for use in constructing a three dimensional building system. Score lines around the periphery of each component facilitate the separation of the components from the panel.

FIG. 14is a perspective illustration of a building system functioning as a package constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The system500is a package502. The system further includes an object504such as a CD, a compact disk, within the package.

InFIG. 15there is shown a perspective illustration of a building system600adapted to function as a package602. In such system, one side604is open. After introducing an object into the system, the open side is adapted to be sealed as by an adhesive to complete the packaging of the object.

The final alternate embodiment is a container system700which constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. Shown inFIGS. 16,17and18is a container system constructed of a plurality of similarly configured components702,704,706and708. The components are adapted to form a generally octahedron shaped container for objects. The container system is in a convenient, attractive and economical manner. First provided are four components. Each of the components has a front surface and a rear surface with a circular periphery at a common radius. Each of the components has six contiguous segments which constitute a unique 60 degrees of the periphery. Each of the components is fabricated of card stock paper with a coating.

Next provided are three non-contiguous segments on the front surface, each such segment has an arcuate first edge designating three similarly sized and shaped reception areas714. Each first edge having a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the circular periphery.

Next provided are three additional non-contiguous segments on the rear surface, each such segment is circumferentially intermediate the three non-contiguous reception areas of the front surface. Each such segment has an arcuate second edge designating three similarly sized and shaped coupling areas710. Each second edge has a radius of curvature equal to the radius of the circular periphery.

An adhesive710is provided on each of the three coupling areas of each component. Eight coupling areas are in joining contact with eight reception areas of three different adjacent components. Eight reception areas are in joined contact with eight coupling areas of three different adjacent components. A container is thereby formed with an open top for receiving an object. The components are adapted to be creased and maintained in a flat orientation prior to the minority of the coupling areas being adhesively coupling to reception areas. Each coupling area is covered by a peel strip712, the peel strip being adapted to be removed to expose the adhesive prior to use.

The remaining four coupling areas and the remaining four reception areas when joined form a generally octahedron shaped container. Such octahedron shaped container has two similarly configured pyramids. Each such pyramid has four similarly sized and shaped equilateral triangles with a square base and with the square bases of the pyramids constituting a common medial plane. Each pyramid has an apex equally spaced from the median plane.