Abstract:
According to the present invention, a holder is provided comprising three individual units adapted to contain materials which are related. The units are locked together with a permanent top. The individual units are proportioned to each occupy one-third of the package. Each unit can have a top or access port, such as a screw top, which form in combination a cylindrical configuration.

Description:
This Application is a Division of Ser. No. 09/096,040 filed Jun. 11, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,908. 
    
    
     The invention generally relates to a merchandising package and, in particular, to such a package containing two or more interlocking units which allows for independent dispensing of a variety of solid and liquid products. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The sale of merchandise, and particularly higher priced merchandise, requires original type packaging to distinguish it from competitive products. The standard type of unit is a rack for holding several items where the containers fit side-by-side in the rack. Typical of such dispensers are those for fingernail polish where a selection of colors is desired. It is desirable to have two or more units combined in a single package because it promotes the sale of multiple units. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a high-styled, sculpted type of merchandising package. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a package which allows the grouping of items together in an interlocking arrangement. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide such a package which allows for replacement of the individual units when a particular item to be dispensed is exhausted. 
     Other objects and the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a high-styled mechanized package is provided to allow a grouping of items for the same intended use in one all-encompassing package with the separate units interlocked together to form a single unit. The package is preferably in the form of a unitary cylinder which is compartmentalized into a series of individual units, although in place of the cylinder a cube or rectangular configuration can be utilized. Each unit is interconnected to the adjacent units so that the final combination cannot fall apart or be accidentally dismantled. A typical suitable arrangement is a tongue and groove configuration. The tongue is affixed to one unit and moves in a groove provided in the adjacent unit. One end of the groove provides a locking arrangement for the tongue. By twisting the individual unit, it is placed in the secure or locked position. The locking device is preferably at one end of the groove. When a unit is rotated in the opposite direction, it is released for ease of dispensing of the contents individually. 
     The invention provides a high-styled, sculpted type of merchandise package exclusively designed to allow a grouping of items for the same or different intended uses to become one all-encompassing package of the necessary items to perform the functions. The package shell is designed so that each of the individual items may be repurchased as refills as needed and fitted into the original designed package. Typical examples of related goods are fingernail grooming products, eyeliners, lipsticks, blushes, brush and base. The size of the package is determined by the particular goods it is meant to accommodate. 
     A typical unit contains three dispensers in a pie-shaped configuration which, in the locked position, forms a cylindrical container consisting of the three dispensers. With a three-unit dispenser, the individual units are proportioned to each occupy one-third of the total package. Each unit has a top or access port, such as a screw top, which can have an applicator brush, spray device or similar dispenser. When the permanent top is removed, the individual unit is released for use. The top or cap can be configured so that the unit forms a smooth cylindrical configuration, or the tops can be configured to form a smaller cylindrical unit which sits on top of the larger base. Individual dispenser units can be replaced separately with refills, creating a marketing package that has continual use. 
     It is preferred to construct the outer surface of a die cast unit such as plastic. A suitable plastic would be that sold under the name Plexiglass®, or it could be formed of polyvinyl chloride or the like. The containers can also be made of metal, such as aluminum. The dispensers can be bottles or similar containers made of glass or plastic and can be tinted in coloration to add to their decorative appearance or identity of content. As an illustration, if the containers contained perfume, one could be white, the second peach and the third black. 
     The size of the unit will depend upon the material to be dispensed. The invention has been described in relation to the preferred embodiment of a cylindrical package, but, as indicated, other shapes can be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following descriptions in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one of the dispensers; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the dispensers in the container; 
     FIG. 4 is a top elevation showing the three tongues corresponding to three dispensers; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the tongues and spring load for locking the dispensers in the containers; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation showing the tongues and recesses for corresponding tongues; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing the use of vertical tongues and groves; 
     FIG. 8 is a second configuration for the container shown; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the key which fits in the groove shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of one of the containers utilized in the container shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the container shown in FIG. 10; and 
     FIG. 12 is an elevation, partly in section, showing one end of the container shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 13 is an elevation, partly in section, showing an alternate release mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       10  is a container. 
       12  is a top cover. 
       14  is a base. 
       15 ,  16 ,  17  are dispensers forming the base. 
       18 ,  19 ,  20  are tops for dispensers. 
       18 ′,  19 ′,  20 ′ are screw tops. 
       23  is cylinder top formed when three caps are placed together. 
       21  is a conventional nozzle or threaded top. 
       24  is a groove. 
       26  is a short leg of the “L” extending to the side of the dispenser. 
       28  is a stop position at the end of the longer leg of the “L”. 
       30  is a tongue affixed to an adjacent cap. 
       50  is a tongue. 
       52  is a corresponding recess. 
       40  is a ball. 
       42  is a corresponding recess. 
       60  is a spring-loaded surface. 
       61  is a flat metal spring steel disc. 
       62  is generally a container. 
       63  is a base. 
       64 ,  65  are two vertical sides of the base. 
       66 ,  67  ends of the base. 
       68  is a keyway. 
       69  is a key. 
       70  is a slot keyway in the dispensers. 
       71 ,  72 ,  73  are dispensers. 
       74  is a projection. 
       75  is a hole in a dispenser. 
       76  is a slidable knob. 
       77  is a projection on the slidable knob. 
       78  is a spring. 
       79 ,  79 ′ are locking tabs. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a container is generally indicated at  10  which has a top cover  12  and a base  14 . The base  14  is formed of three dispensers  15 ,  16  and  17  which have tops  18 ,  19 ,  20  which can be removed for dispensing the contents. The tops can be screw caps  18 ′,  19 ′,  20 ′. The configuration of the screw caps  18 ′,  19 ′,  20 ′ is such that they have a shape so that when the three caps are placed together in the closed position they form a cylinder top  23 . The screw caps close a conventional nozzle or threaded top  21  as illustrated for one of the dispensers  17 . The three caps are preferably of a smaller diameter than the base so that, when assembled, the configuration is of a smaller cylindrical structure on top of a larger cylindrical structure as illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 to  7 , a groove  24  is formed in each of the dispensers in an “L” configuration, with the shorter leg  26  extending to the side of the dispenser and a stop or release position  28  at the end of the longer leg  26 ′ of the “L.” This construction allows the dispenser to rotate, so the tongue  30  affixed to the adjacent cap moves along the groove and the top cover  12  can be lifted off when the tongue passes out of the stop position  28  of the “L.” 
     In place of utilizing the male and female tongue and groove mating system described above, a vertical groove with a corresponding vertical projection can be provided. FIG. 8 illustrates an elongated vertical tongue or channel type of connector. The tongue  50  fits into the corresponding recess  52 . FIG. 6 shows a ball-bearing type of connection. The ball  40  is provided with a corresponding recess  42 . 
     As indicated, the size of the unit will depend upon the material to be dispensed. A typical container unit will be approximately 4 inches in diameter with a height of about 2.25 inches with each dispenser being one-half of the height or about 1.125 inches. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a spring-loaded surface  60 , such as a flat metal spring steel strip  61 , can be utilized in the base so the dispensers snap into place and hold the tongue securely in the groove. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 to  13  a base  63  and two vertical sides  64 ,  65  extending from the base  63  from its opposite ends  66 ,  67  in a generally vertical direction. The base  63  has a keyway  68  extending along the base and open at the top. A key  69  is shown in FIG. 9 which fits in the keyway  68  in the base  63 . The key has sufficient thickness to extend above the keyway to fit the slot  70  which extends along the base of each dispenser  71 ,  72 ,  73 . The extent of the slot is illustrated in FIG.  11 . Each dispenser  71 ,  72 ,  73  has a projection  74  which extends into a similar hole  75  on the opposite end of the dispenser or in a similar hole provided in the vertical side  65 . The dispensers  71 ,  72 ,  73  are slid into alignment on the keyway  69  and fitted into a unit by the projections extending into the adjacent dispenser, with the first dispenser&#39;s projection extending into the vertical side  65  of the base. The dispensers are held in a secure position by the spring action of a knob  76  which extends through the opposite side  76  of the base  63  as seen in FIG.  12 . The knob  76  at its extended end has a projection  77  which extends into the end of the dispenser  73 . The knob  75  when rotated in one direction moves its extension  77  out of the dispenser  73  to allow removal of the three dispensers. The knob  76  when rotated in the opposite direction by means of spring  78  and locking tabs  79  and  79 ′, locks the knob into a fixed position holding the dispensers securely in the base and together. The projections  74  are shown in the drawings as tubular extensions, but they can take any convenient shape with the holes corresponding to the shape selected. Preferably, the projections on the dispensers have the dual function of serving as the screw cap or similar cap on the dispenser to allow the contents of the dispenser to be discharged. In this illustration, the dispensers are each 1.25 inches in width, 1.125 inches in height and 0.75 inches in thickness. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects.