Abstract:
A generally cylindrical container comprised of three parts including a top shell, a bottom shell, and a rotatable ring. The top and bottom shells are affixed to each other and hold the ring captive in a race formed by the outer sidewalls and annular retaining edges of the top and bottom shell. A discharge opening in the ring can be aligned with one or more openings in the sidewalls to allow passage of objects in or out of the container. The ring opening can similarly be aligned away from the sidewall opening(s) to prevent the passage of objects. The container disclosed herein represents a significant advance over known hand-operated containers because, among other things, it is simpler to manufacture, provides more reliable operation, and offers reduced friction against stored objects.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates generally to containers, and in particular to hand-operated dispensing containers. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Hand-operated dispensing containers have been and continue to be available in a wide variety of designs. Dispensing containers are used for holding and dispensing just about any type of small object, from medications, pills, tablets, breath mints, screws, washers, nuts, etc. to fishing hooks and weights. Related patents describe such containers as being adapted for carrying on one&#39;s person, and ranging from simple to elaborate in function. Some container designs have single storage compartments, while others include multiple, separate compartments to correspond with periodic use of the contents. Some multi-compartment containers have a side-by-side arrangement with lids that snap open or closed. One problem with such containers is that their lids can open unexpectedly, spilling the contents. Other multi-compartment containers are round and have compartments that are accessed by rotating a top half in relation to a bottom half. These containers are typically accessed through their rotatable tops, such as the container disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,468 to Krebs. Although useful for storing some types of objects, these top-loading containers can subject their contents to excessive abrasion caused by the rotation of their tops. This lessens their desirability for storing certain objects. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,885 to Leopoldi et al., teaches a single compartment circular container with a slip ring means of closure that also has a discharge port that is perpendicular to the slip ring axis of rotation. The &#39;885 container has enjoyed a degree of commercial success. However, a deficiency with the &#39;885 container is that the slip ring also serves as the means to fasten top and bottom halves of the container together, introducing inconsistent levels of friction between the slip ring and the container; operating difficulties, and manufacturing difficulties. 
   Thus, there is a need for an improved hand-operated dispensing container that overcomes at least the aforementioned limitations of known containers. 
   SUMMARY 
   It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a unique dispensing container that offers significantly improved manufacturability, functionality, and ease of use. The inventive container utilizes a rotatable circumferential ring for dispensing container contents. The rotatable ring approach reduces inadvertent spillage of contents and allows a level of child-proof closure. This approach also has advantage in that it provides a reduced-abrasion, rotary closure for the container that does not require leaving one compartment empty in multi-compartment embodiments. The container can be sold pre-loaded with items, and thus, the scope of the invention extends to the container itself, as well as to the combination of the container and its contents. 
   In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an essentially round, hand-operated dispensing container is formed from a top shell mated with a bottom shell and a rotatable ring. Each shell comprises an essentially flat bottom or top, respectively, and a cylindrical outer sidewall. When the shells are mated together, an enclosure is formed for storing objects, and the outer sidewalls form a bearing race for the external ring to rotate about. The top and bottom each have means to provide lateral containment of the ring in the race. An opening is provided in at least one of the sidewalls. An opening in the ring can be selectively aligned with the sidewall opening to allow passage of objects into or out of the container. To close the container, the ring opening is rotated away from the sidewall opening. 
   In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a round hand-operated dispensing container includes top and bottom shells, which each include interior partitioning walls that mate to form multiple separate compartments. Each compartment has its own sidewall opening, making it separately accessible by rotation of the ring. 
   In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a round hand-operated dispensing container includes a lid that allows access to multiple compartments simultaneously. The lid can be formed in either the top or bottom shell. In this embodiment, the container can include one or more central compartments that are accessible only through the lid opening and not through the ring opening(s). The lid permits the container compartments to be easily loaded with objects. This is particularly useful for pre-loading the container with items, such as pills or tablets, prior to distributing it to end users. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a dispensing container includes one or more magnets or magnetic material that allow the container to be stuck to metal surfaces or objects. 
   Other embodiments, aspects, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional embodiments, systems, methods, features and advantages be included within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Like element numbers in different figures indicate the same element. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a hand-operated container in accordance a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the container shown in  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 1C  is an exploded view of the container shown in  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 2A  is an exploded view a hand-operated container in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view along axis A of the container shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hand-operated container including a magnetic sheet. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a rotatable ring that can be used with the hand-operated containers disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view a hand-operated container including a detent mechanism in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view a hand-operated container including a lid in accordance with a four exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view a hand-operated container including a lid and a center compartment in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 8–9  are exploded views of container bodies including receiving grooves. 
       FIGS. 10–11  are perspective views of hand-operated containers including locking mechanisms. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1A–C , there is illustrated various views of a hand-operated single compartment container  20  in accordance a first embodiment of the invention. While the container  20  may be used for a variety of applications, the example of a pill box provides useful illustration. 
   The container  20  has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a body  22  and a rotatable exterior ring  28  surrounding the body  22 . The ring  28  includes a discharge opening  30 . The contents  35  of the container  20  can be removed or inserted through the discharge opening  30  when the ring  28  is rotated to align the ring discharge opening  30  with a sidewall discharge opening  31  of the body  22 . To close the container  20 , the ring  28  is rotated so that the ring discharge opening  30  is away from the sidewall opening  31 , as shown. 
   The body  22  comprises a top shell  24  and a mated bottom shell  26 . The top shell  24  includes a substantially circular flat top  25  and a substantially cylindrical upper outer sidewall  32   a  extending down from the top  25 . The top  25  overhangs the upper outer sidewall  32   a  to form an upper annular retaining edge  34   a  extending away from the upper outer sidewall  32   a . The bottom shell  26  includes a substantially circular flat bottom  27  and a substantially cylindrical lower outer sidewall  32   b  extending up from the bottom  27 . The bottom  27  underhangs (extends out and away from) the lower outer sidewall  32   b  to form a lower annular retaining edge  34   b  extending away from the lower outer sidewall  32   b.    
   When the top shell  24  and the bottom shell  26  are mated together in an assembled relation ( FIG. 1A ), they form an enclosure  33  for storing the contents  35  ( FIG. 1B ). The mated shells  24 , 26  also form the sidewall discharge opening  31  from two corresponding half discharge openings  38 , 40  formed in the upper and lower sidewalls  32   a–b  ( FIG. 1C ). 
   A race  36  for the ring  28  is also formed when the top and bottom shells  24 , 26  are assembled. The race  36  is defined by the upper annular retaining edge  34   a , the lower annular retaining edge  34   b , and the exterior surfaces of the upper and lower outer sidewalls  32   a–b . The annular retaining edges  34   a–b  limit the lateral movement of the ring  28  as it is rotated in the race  36 . 
   The contents  35  of the container  20  can include any item that is capable of passing through the discharge openings  30 , 31 , such as medications, pills, tablets, candy, mints, small parts such as screws, washers, nuts, bolts, electrical components, fishing lures, hooks, weights, or the like. The discharge openings  30 , 31  can be any suitable size or shape capable of being formed on the sidewalls and ring  32 , 28 . 
   A significant advantage of the inventive container is its ease and consistency of manufacture. This greatly improves its overall quality, while reducing cost. To assemble the container  20 , the rotatable ring  28  is placed around lower out sidewall  32   b . The top shell  24  is aligned to the bottom shell  26 , and the upper sidewall  32   a  is then inserted into the ring  28 . The top and bottom shells  24 , 26  are then fastened together in the assembled relation so that the ring  28  can be rotated in the race  36 . Generally, the other container embodiments disclosed herein are assembled in this manner. 
   The top and bottom shells  24 , 26  can be fastened together using any suitable means, such as an adhesive, friction fitting members, fasteners such as screws, or the like. 
   The top and bottom shells  24 , 26  can be made of any suitable material, and are preferably made of an injection molded thermoplastic such as ABS or K-Resin. The container shells disclosed herein are preferably clear, so that a user can see the contents. The ring  28  can likewise be made of any suitable material, and is preferably injection molded polyolefin. Generally, the other container embodiments disclosed herein can be made with these preferred materials. 
   Tamper evidencing means (not shown) can be included with the container  20  (as well as the other container embodiments disclosed herein). The tamper evidencing means can include a sticker or label applied over portions of both the ring  28  and body  22  during assembly. The sticker or label is torn upon first use of the container  20 , when the ring  28  is first rotated. Alternatively/additionally, the container  20  can be packaged in a shrink wrap plastic, which will also evidence of tampering. 
     FIGS. 2A–B  are exploded and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a hand-operated container  100  in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The container  100  includes multiple separate compartments  151 . To provide multiple compartments  151 , the container  100  includes top and bottom shells  124 , 126 , which each include interior partitioning walls  144  that mate to form the multiple separate compartments  151  in the assemble relation. Each compartment  151  has its own sidewall opening formed by corresponding half discharge openings  140 , 142 , making it separately accessible by rotation of the ring  28 . 
   The container  100  comprises a top shell  124  and a mated bottom shell  126 . The top shell  124  includes a substantially circular flat top  125  and a substantially cylindrical upper outer sidewall  136   a  extending down from the top  125 . The top  125  overhangs the upper outer sidewall  136   a  to form an upper annular retaining edge  134   a  extending away from the upper outer sidewall  136   a . The top shell  124  also includes a plurality of integrally formed interior walls  144  extending radially from the center of the top  125  to the upper outer sidewall  136   a . The upper outer sidewall  136   a  has a plurality of half discharge openings  140  formed therein. 
   The mated bottom shell  126  includes a substantially circular flat bottom  127  and a substantially cylindrical lower outer sidewall  136   b  extending up from the bottom  127 . The bottom  127  underhangs (extends out and away from) the lower outer sidewall  136   b  to form a lower annular retaining edge  134   b  extending away from the lower outer sidewall  136   b . The bottom shell  126  also includes a plurality of integrally formed interior walls  144  extending radially from the center of the bottom  127  to the lower outer sidewall  136   b . The lower outer sidewall  136   b  has a plurality of half discharge openings  142  formed therein. 
   When the top shell  124  and the bottom shell  126  are mated together in an assembled relation, they form the compartments  151  each having their own sidewall opening. 
   A race for the ring  28  is also formed when the top and bottom shells  124 , 126  are assembled. The race is defined by the upper annular retaining edge  134   a , the lower annular retaining edge  134   b , and the exterior surfaces of the upper and lower outer sidewalls  136   a–b . The annular retaining edges  134   a–b  limit the lateral movement of the ring  28  as it is rotated in the race. 
   The container  100  includes one or more alignment members  148  formed on either the top shell  124  or bottom shell  126 . The alignment members can be any suitable means for properly aligning the shells  124 , 126  into the assembled relation having multiple compartments  151  and sidewall discharge openings. In the example shown, the alignment members  148  are integrally formed pins extending up from the bottom shell  126 . Two pins are placed against the interior surface of the outer sidewall  136   b  on either side of interior wall  144   c  for engaging the upper outer sidewall  136   a  and either side of the corresponding interior wall of the top shell  124 . Two other pins are placed against the interior surface of the outer sidewall  136   b  and against two interior walls  144   a,b  for engaging the upper outer sidewall  136   a  and corresponding interior walls of the top shell  124 . 
   The top and bottom shells  124 , 126  are frictionally fastened together using a mated center pin  160  and column  146 . The center column  146  is integrally formed in the bottom shell  126  and upwardly extends from the bottom  127 . A bore  149  for receiving the pin  160  is formed in the center column  146 . The center pin  160  is integrally formed in the top shell  124  and downwardly extends from the top  125 . The center pin  160  frictionally engages the bore  149  to securely fasten the top and bottom shells  124 , 126  together in the assembled relation. 
   Other structures can be used to frictionally fasten together the top and bottom shells  124 , 126 , and the invention is not limited to the example structure shown in  FIGS. 2A–B . For example, the pin  160  and column  146  can be reversed, with the pin  160  extending from the bottom  127  and the column extending from the top  125 , instead of the other way around. Also, the fastening means does not have to be centrally located in the shells  124 , 126  and more than one friction contact can be used. 
   The container  100  includes other useful features, such as finger lugs  170  integrally formed on the exterior of the top  125  and bottom  127 . The finger lugs  170  allow a user to get a better grip on the body of the container  100  when turning the ring  28 . Although shown as being on both the top  125  and bottom  127  of the container  100 , the lugs  170  can alternatively be formed on only one side. The container  100  also includes indicia on the top  125  corresponding to each compartment  151 . In the example, the indicia include letters and Braille corresponding to the first letters of the days of the week. The indicia can be raised and integrally formed on the top  125  or bottom  127 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hand-operated container  200  including a magnetic sheet  206 . The container  200  includes a body  202  and a rotatable ring  204  having a discharge opening  208 . The sheet of magnetic material  206  is glued to the body  202  of the container  200 . The magnetic material  206  allows the container  200  to be stuck to metal surfaces or objects. This allows users to conveniently locate the container  200  on objects such as cabinets, refrigerators or medicine cabinets. The magnetic material  206  can be incorporated into the other container embodiments disclosed herein. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative rotatable ring  250  that can be used with the hand-operated containers disclosed herein. The ring  250  includes means to increase friction or comfort between the user&#39;s fingers and the ring&#39;s outer surface, such as finger grips  254 . The ring  250  also includes means to decrease friction between the ring&#39;s bearing surface and the container race. In the example shown, a center groove  256  in formed on the interior surface of the ring  250 , leaving two reduced surfaces  257 , 259  for bearing against the container race. The ring  250  further includes multiple discharge openings  252  for accessing multiple compartments simultaneously. 
   The various features of the ring  250  (i.e., finger grips, interior groove, and multiple discharge openings) can be employed individually or in combination with one another. 
     FIG. 5  is an exploded view a hand-operated container  300  including a detent mechanism in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. The detent mechanism allows detent action of the ring  304 , thereby providing passively maintainable alignment or juxtaposition of the ring discharge opening  308  and sidewall opening(s)  338 . 
   The container  300  comprises a top shell  302  and a mated bottom shell  306 . The top shell  302  includes a cylindrical upper outer sidewall  336   a  extending down from the top. The top overhangs the upper outer sidewall  336   a  to form an upper annular retaining edge  334   a  extending away from the upper outer sidewall  336   a . The bottom shell  306  includes a substantially circular flat bottom and a substantially cylindrical lower outer sidewall  336   b  extending up from the bottom. The bottom underhangs (extends out and away from) the lower outer sidewall  336   b  to form a lower annular retaining edge  334   b  extending away from the lower outer sidewall  336   b.    
   The detent mechanism includes notches  312  formed on the exterior surface of the outer sidewalls  336   a–b  and mated projections  310  formed on the interior surface of the ring  304 . The notches  312  and projections  310  are located so that as the ring  304  is rotated, it can click-stop in to desired positions, such as a container open position with the ring and sidewall discharge openings  308 ,  338  aligned, or a container closed position with the ring opening  308  stopped away from the sidewall opening  338 . 
     FIG. 6  is an exploded view a hand-operated container  400  including a lid  425  in accordance with a four exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lid  425  allows a user to conveniently load, unload, and reload a compartment or compartments. The lid  425  can be used with either single or multiple compartment containers. 
   The top shell  424  includes a lid opening  426  formed therein. The lid  425  can be a twist-and-lock lid mated to the opening  426 . The lid  425  includes indentations  428  formed on either side of finger grip  430 , allowing a user to twist the lid  425 . 
     FIG. 7  is an exploded view a hand-operated container  500  including a lid  425  and a center compartment  510  in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention. The center compartment  510  is accessible only by removing the lid  425  and is formed by cylindrical interior walls  508   a,b , which are integrally formed in the top and bottom shells  502 , 504 , respectively. The center compartment  510  is useful for storing excess contents when the outer compartments  153  are used for storing prescribed amounts of items, such a dosages of daily medications. 
     FIGS. 8–9  are exploded views of container bodies  600 , 650  including receiving grooves  608 , 647 , 649 . Both bodies  600 , 650  are used with rotatable rings (not shown) capable of being hand-turned in a race, as discussed above. 
     FIG. 8  shows a single compartment container body  600  having a top shell  602  and a bottom shell  604 . The bottom shell  604  includes a flat circular bottom  605  and an outer sidewall  636  extending therefrom. A discharge opening  606  is formed in the sidewall  636 . The top shell  602  has an annular groove  608  formed therein for receiving the top edge portion  610  of the sidewall  636  in the assembled relation. Annular retaining edges  634   a,b  extend beyond the sidewall  636  to form the ring race, as discussed above. The shells  602 , 604  can be fastened together by the top edge portion  610  frictionally engaging the annular groove  608  and/or using an adhesive to glue the edge portion  610  into the groove  608 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a multi-compartment container body  650  having a top shell  652  and a bottom shell  654 . The bottom shell  604  has a bottom  605  and plural interior walls  644  and a center post  648  extending therefrom. Plural discharge openings  606  are formed in the sidewall  636 . The top shell  652  has the annular groove  608  formed therein for receiving the top edge portion  610  of the sidewall  636  in the assembled relation. In addition, the shell  652  has grooves  647 , 649  for receiving the interior wall edge portions  645  and top portion of the center post. The shells  652 , 654  can be fastened together by the top edge portions  610 ,  645  frictionally engaging the grooves  608 ,  647 ,  649  and/or by using an adhesive. 
     FIGS. 10–11  are perspective views of hand-operated containers  800 , 900  including locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms can be incorporated into any of the container embodiments disclosed herein. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the container  800  includes a key  808  and keyhole  810  arrangement. The removable key  808  can be inserted into a keyhole  810  formed in the body  802  of the container  800 . The ring  804  includes one or more interior notches  812  for receiving the key  808  when it is inserted into the keyhole  810 . By rotating the ring  804  to align one of the notches  812  with the keyhole  810 , the key  808  can be inserted to lock the ring  804  in place. Using this mechanism, the ring opening  806  can be locked into a desired position. 
     FIG. 11  shows a container  900  having a latch locking mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a latch  908  that is hinged to the container body  902 . The ring  904  includes one or more exterior notches  910  for receiving the latch  908 . By rotating the ring  904  to align one of the notches  910  with the latch  908 , the latch  908  can be closed to lock the ring  904  in place. Using this mechanism, the ring opening  906  can be locked into a desired position. 
   While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. For example, any combination of any of the systems or methods described in this disclosure are possible.