Abstract:
A container comprising a housing having an outer wall, an interior, and an inner wall nested within the interior of the housing is disclosed. The outer wall contains a rim that defines an opening at the bottom of the housing. The opening provides access to the housing interior. The outer wall is spaced apart from the inner wall, thereby defining a hollowed region for storing object in the interior of the housing. The inner wall terminates at a bottom wall disposed in the interior of the housing. The inner wall and the bottom wall define a receptacle portion of the housing that is configured to hold decorative articles. The container also includes a base that is detachable from the opening at the bottom of the housing. The base is configured to provide access to the hollow region of the housing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/329,269 filed Dec. 11, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to containers or receptacles and more particularly, to a container configured to hold flowers or other plants while displaying decorative objects. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various types of containers are known. These include vases, bowls, boxes, sconces, and planters. Such containers can be themselves ornamental and can comprise decorations incorporated into the vessel. 
         [0004]    There exist containers, or vessels, where decorative objects are placed in the vessel for display, wherein the vessel is also intended to hold plants or flowers (such as, for example, a vase or planter) or other objects (such as, for example, a candy dish or serving dish) that require the decorative objects be kept out of contact from the other objects. For example, in the case of a planter or vase, if the decorative objects get wet or dirty from soil, fertilizer or water required for the flowers or plants, damage or discoloration of the decorative objects may occur. Similarly, if a container holds edible products such as candy, contact with plants, flowers or associated fluids and soil is undesirable particularly because of the potential for contamination with germs or other inedible items. Decorative objects that may be placed within containers for display can be, but are not limited to, balls, toys, confetti, candy, glitter, marbles, rocks, pebbles, sand, artificial plants, leaves, flower petals, or flowers. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a container where decorative objects may be displayed but are not in contact with items intended to be stored or held by the container. There is also a need for such a container that is simple to manufacture, and allows easy access to the cavity in which the decorative objects may be placed, without negatively impacting the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the container. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a decorative container comprising an outer wall having an outer rim; an interior enclosed by the outer wall; an inner wall nested within the interior of the container, the inner wall being spaced apart from the outer wall, thereby defining a hollow region therebetween, the hollow region being configured to allow decorative objects to be removably stored therein; a removable base, the removable base being detachable from the outer rim and configured to provide access to the hollow region; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the base to the outer rim so as to retain the decorative objects within the hollow region. 
         [0007]    Also disclosed is a decorative container comprising an annular housing having an outer wall with a rim, an interior enclosed by the outer wall, an inner wall nested in the interior of the outer wall such that an annular cavity is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, and an opening defined by the rim of the outer wall allowing access to the annular cavity; a base removably attached to the outer wall of the housing such that, when attached to the outer wall, the base seals the opening thus preventing access to the cavity; and a locking mechanism that secures the removable base to the outer wall at the rim. 
         [0008]    Also provided is a method for holding or storing decorative objects. The method includes providing a container having an outer wall, an inner wall, an interior, and an open end wherein the inner wall forms a receptacle and a compartment is formed in the interior between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a base removably attached to the open end of the container; placing articles in the receptacle; and storing objects in the compartment, whereby the objects may be at least partially concentric to the articles. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a method for holding floral or plant arrangements is provided, the method comprising providing a housing having an outer wall, an inner wall, an interior, and an open end wherein the inner wall forms a receptacle and a compartment is formed in the interior between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a base removably attached to the open end of the housing; placing the floral arrangements in the receptacle; and storing objects in the compartment, whereby the objects are concentric to the floral arrangements. 
         [0010]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included within this description, are within the scope of the invention, and are protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention may be better understood by references to the detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a container according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view showing the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  with the base removed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom perspective view of the container a shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the base of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged view of one embodiment of a locking mechanism that may be used in connection with the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of a container according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates the container of  FIG. 1  holding flowers in a receptacle of the container, and displaying decorative objects in a cavity of the container; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded view of a container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the invention, wherein a container  10  contains an annular housing  12 , a base  40 , and a locking mechanism  50  that secures and releases the base  40  to and from the bottom of the housing  12 . The housing  12  includes an annular outer wall  14  having a rim  15 , an interior  16  portion located within the interior of the outer wall  14 , and an inner wall  18  that is spaced apart from the outer wall  12  and located substantially entirely within the interior  16  of the housing. The inner wall  18  also defines an axis  20  about which the housing  12  of  FIG. 1  is substantially symmetrical. 
         [0023]    In one implementation of an embodiment, the outer wall  14  and the inner wall  18  may be maintained in spaced apart relation with respect to each other by a top wall  22  located at a closed end of the annular housing  12 . The top wall  22  may be an annular portion that is integral to the housing  12 , between the outer wall  14  and the inner wall  18 . The top  22  may be integrally formed or molded with the outer wall  14  and inner wall  18 , or alternatively may be molded separately and subsequently attached to the outer wall  14  and inner wall  18 . Alternatively, the outer wall  14  and inner wall  18  may be tapered upward such that the walls  14 ,  18  are joined without a separate top wall  22 . The top wall  22  may be filleted or chamfered, or otherwise molded in a manner known in the art, along its inner and outer diameters for aesthetics. The housing  12  of the container  10  may also contain other ornamentation, decoration or one or more textured surfaces. 
         [0024]    All or a portion of the housing  12  may be constructed from any appropriate transparent or translucent material. For example, all or a portion of the housing  12  may be constructed from acrylic plastic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or other type of plastic, as well as fiberglass, glass, or pyrex-type glass. In one embodiment, the housing  12  is constructed from acrylic plastic. Alternatively, more than one type of material can be used in the construction of the container of the invention. For example, the background of the housing  12  may be opaque or translucent, while a portion or portions of the housing may be transparent. Or the entire housing  12  may be made from a single transparent material, while a portion is made opaque or translucent by an added layer or coating. The housing  12  may be designed with any combination of opaque, transparent or translucent materials, coatings or layers, provided that at least a portion of the housing  12  is transparent or translucent. Further, the housing may be manufactured by a variety of means. For example, the container and/or one or more sections of the container can be injection molded, formed from sheets of material or, in the case of a glass container, hand-blown or machine-blown. 
         [0025]    The top wall  22 , together with the outer wall  14  and the inner wall  18  define an annular cavity  24  in the housing interior. The cavity  24  is configured to store decorative objects. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inner wall  18  of the housing  12  extends along the axis  20  from the top wall  22  into the interior  16  of the housing. The inner wall may be configured to extend substantially vertically downwards, to form an inverted or an upright conical shape. The inner wall  18  may terminate at a bottom wall  34  disposed in the interior  16  of the housing. The bottom wall  34  may be any shape, such as for example, substantially horizontal, or curved to form a spherical-shaped bottom. The abutment of the inner wall  18  and bottom wall  34  may be filleted or chamfered for aesthetics or ease of manufacture. The inner wall  18  and the bottom wall  34  form a receptacle  36  that extends into the housing interior  16 . The receptacle  36  is symmetric about the axis  20  and configured to receive and hold articles, such as flowers (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), other types of plants, or candy, or other edible items. It is noted that in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the illustrated receptacle is conical, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art having the present disclosure before them that the receptacle can have straight sides or form any other appropriate shape, such as a pyramid or asymmetric shape. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a container with the base removed, and  FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom of the container shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a rim  15  of the outer wall  14  defines an opening  30  that provides access to the cavity  24 . The opening allows decorative objects to be placed in and removed from the cavity  24 . As explained further below, a base  40  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) may be removably attached to the housing  12  to prevent the decorative objects from escaping the cavity  24 . Generally, the base  40  is removably attached to the housing  12  by a locking mechanism  50 . One example embodiment of such a locking mechanism  50  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , and is described below. 
         [0027]    As illustrated at  FIGS. 1-5 , the locking mechanism  50  may include a pair of substantially diametrically opposed locking pins  52  on the inner surface of the outer wall  15 . While this embodiment illustrates two such locking pins  52 , it is understood that any number of appropriately spaced apart locking pins  52  may be used. The locking pins  52 , located proximate the rim  15 , may be integrally formed with the inner surface of the outer wall  15 , or may be separately formed and mounted thereon. The locking pins  52  are configured to engage corresponding retaining grooves  54  in the base  40 . In the present embodiment, the locking pins  52  comprise a square-shaped cross-section, but it will be appreciated that the locking pins may comprise a circular cross-section or any other construction complementary to that of the retaining grooves  54  of the base  40 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a base  50  for the container  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. The base  40  of the container  10  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a body  42  and an annular collar  44 . While the base  40  in this embodiment is circular, it will be appreciated that the base  40  may be of any construction complementary to the construction of the housing  12 . For example, if the housing is elliptical in shape, the base may also be elliptical; if the housing is a polygon, the base may also be shaped like a polygon. Alternatively, the body  42  of the base  40  may be of any shape, while only the collar  44  is shaped to engage with the housing  12 . 
         [0029]    The body  42  of the base in this embodiment is circular in shape and has a finite thickness. While the body  42  may be constructed to any thickness, the body  42  can have a thickness of about a sixteenth of an inch to about three eighths of an inch. In another embodiment, the thickness of the body  42  can be about an eighth of an inch to about a quarter of an inch. The thickness of the body  42  of the base  40  may be consistent throughout the base, or it may vary. 
         [0030]    The annular collar  44  of the base  40  may be integrally formed with the body  42 , or it may be formed separately and mounted to the body  42 . The collar  44  extends upwardly from the body  42  near the outer perimeter of the body  42 . The collar  44  may be spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the body  42  to form a seat  46  that is configured to engage the rim  15  of the housing  12  when the base  40  is secured to the bottom of the housing  12 . Engagement between rim  15  and seat  46  may simply involve the rim merely sitting on or being located immediately adjacent to the seat  46 . 
         [0031]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the collar  44  includes two opposing retaining grooves  54  formed in an outer surface of the collar  44 , each retaining groove corresponding to one of the locking pins  52  in the housing  12 . In the embodiment shown, the retaining grooves  54  each contains a vertical leg  56  and a horizontal leg  58 , each configured to receive a corresponding locking pin  52 . In alternative embodiments, the collar may have only one L-shaped retaining groove, or more than two, that will receive a corresponding locking pin, or more than two corresponding locking pins. It us understood that configurations for the retaining groove  54  other than a slidably coupled L-shape configuration are possible, such a U-shaped configuration or a key-hole/slot configuration. 
         [0032]    The intersection  59  of the vertical leg  56  and horizontal leg  58  can be rounded to enable the locking pins  52  to smoothly transition from the vertical leg  56  to the horizontal leg  58  of the retaining grooves. The retaining grooves  54  preferably have a width corresponding to the dimensions of the locking pins  52  to ensure that the locking pin(s) remain engaged with the retaining grooves as the locking pins translate along the vertical and horizontal legs of the grooves. In the case of a key-hole/slot configuration, an aperture may be formed through the wall formed such that ah expanded head of the locking pin would fit through the aperture only at one end thereof such that it can be retained along the remainder of the aperture. 
         [0033]    The collar  44  can have a radial outer surface that has a shape that is complementary to a radial inner surface of the outer wall  14  of the housing; the outer surface of the collar  44  directly contacts the inner surface of the outer wall  14  when the base  40  is secured to the bottom of the housing  12 . When the base  40  is secured to the bottom of the housing  12 , the rim  15  of the housing  12  preferably engages the seat  46  formed in the base  40 . In one embodiment a water-tight seal may be created between the base  40  and the housing  12  in a number of ways known in the art, such as, for example, the use of a rubber washer, gasket or o-ring to create such a seal. 
         [0034]    Turning how to  FIG. 6 , an enlarged view of one embodiment of a locking mechanism that may be used in connection with the container of  FIG. 1  is shown in operation. The locking mechanism  50  illustrated in  FIG. 6  shows a locking pin  52  formed in the outer wall  14  of the housing  12 , and a corresponding retaining groove  54  formed in the collar  44  of the base  40 . As explained further below, the locking pin  52  is configured to complement the retaining grooves  54  and slidably engage the surfaces of the grooves  54  when the base  40  is secured to the bottom of the housing  12 . 
         [0035]    To secure the base  40  to the bottom of the housing  12 , the housing is positioned over the base such that each locking pin  52  engages an upper end  55  of the vertical leg  56  of the corresponding retaining groove  54 . When a force is applied to the housing  12 , such as by gravity or manually by a user, the locking pins  52  translate from the upper end  55  of the vertical leg  56  to a lower end  57  of the leg  56 . At the lower end  57  of the vertical leg  56 , the locking pins  52  engage a proximal end of the horizontal leg  58  of the retaining grooves  54 . The intersection  59  of the vertical leg  56  and horizontal leg  58  is can be rounded to enable the locking pins  52  to smoothly transition from the vertical leg  56  to the horizontal leg  58  of the retaining grooves. In this position, the housing  12  may be rotated counter-clockwise about the axis  20  relative to the base  40  (or clockwise if the horizontal leg  58  extends in a direction opposite to that shown in  FIG. 6 ) such that the locking pins  52  slide from the proximal end of the horizontal leg  58  to a distal end of the horizontal leg  58 . At the distal end of the leg  58 , the locking pins  52  are held in a locked position identified at  60 . The locking pins  52  are held in place in the locked position  60  by a friction fit between the locking pins  52  and surfaces of the retaining grooves  54 . 
         [0036]    To detach the base  40  from the bottom of the housing  12 , the housing is rotated clockwise about the axis  20  relative to the base  40  such that the locking pins  52  translate from the locked position  60  to the proximal end of the horizontal leg  58 . At the proximal end, the locking pins  52  engage the lower end  57  of the vertical leg  56 . In this position, the housing  12  can be lifted to fully disengage the locking pins  52  from the retaining grooves  54 . Alternatively, the locking pins  52  may engage the retaining grooves in a clockwise manner. 
         [0037]    In an alternative embodiment, the locking pin(s) may be on the collar of the base, with the retaining groove(s) being located on the interior of the outer wall  14  of the housing  12 . In such an embodiment, the locking mechanism can have at least one groove carried by the inner surface of the outer wall and at least one corresponding locking pin located at an outer surface of the collar of the base, each locking pin being adapted to slidably engage a corresponding groove to secure the base to the outer rim as the outer wall is rotated relative to the base. 
         [0038]    While the examples above describes a locking mechanism comprising locking pin(s) and corresponding retaining groove(s), it will be appreciated that the locking mechanism of the present invention may comprise any suitable fastener or locking device. For example,  FIG. 7  illustrates a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention implementing a locking mechanism  50  comprising a pair of external latches. In this example, a pair of diametrically opposed latches  70  are located on the outer surface of the outer wall  14 , near the open end  30  of the housing  12 . The latches  70  include a hook  72  that engages a lip  74  attached to the base  40  of the container to secure the base to the bottom of the housing  12 . Alternatively, the container may comprise one external latch, or more than two external latches appropriately spaced apart. 
         [0039]    In another example shown in  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment, the locking mechanism  50  may include corresponding sets of threaded portions. In this embodiment, the collar  44  of the base  40  may have a set of male threads  80  that engage a corresponding set of female threads  82  formed on the inner surface of the outer wall  14 , along the rim  15 . The base  40  is secured to the housing  12  by rotatably engaging the threads  80  and  82 , and the base is detached from the housing by rotatably disengaging the threads. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that other appropriate locking means may be used. For example, the base may be secured to the bottom of the housing by constructing the dimensions of the outer wall and the corresponding dimensions of the collar to provide an interference or press or friction fit. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates the container  10  of  FIG. 1  holding flowers in the receptacle  36  of the container  10 , and displaying decorative objects  95  in the cavity  24  of the container  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the container  10  of the present invention enables articles  90  (e.g., flowers) to be held in the receptacle  36  while decorative objects  95  are stored in the cavity  24  of the housing  12 . For example, a user may wish to hold flowers  90  in the receptacle  36  while decorative objects  95  are stored inside of the housing  12 . The decorative objects  95  can include, but are not limited to candy, marbles, glitter, rocks, pebbles, sand (of different or same colors), or balls. 
         [0041]    To store the objects  95 , a user detaches the base  40  from the bottom of the housing  12 , as explained above. Once the base  40  is detached from the housing  12 , the user can insert objects  95  into the cavity  24 . Insertion of objects  95  will likely involve inverting the base to expose the opening to the cavity. Once filled to the desired amount, the base  40  may be fastened to the bottom of the housing  12  to seal the cavity  24  and retain the objects  95  therein. 
         [0042]    While flowers and candy are used in the embodiment of the illustrations, one of ordinary skill would appreciate that the container of the present invention is capable and may be further adapted to hold and store any number of articles and objects. 
         [0043]    An alternative embodiment of a container  10  in accordance with the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, the container  110  contains a housing  112  and corresponding base  140 , both of hexagon construction. The housing  112  includes a hexagonal outer wall  114 , an interior  116 , and a hexagonal inner wall  118  that is spaced apart from the outer wall  114 . 
         [0044]    The outer wall  114  and the inner wall  118  are maintained in spaced apart relation with respect to each other by a top wall  122  located at a closed end of the housing  112 . The top wall  122 , together with the outer wall  114  and the inner wall  118  define a cavity  124  in the interior  116  of the housing  112 . 
         [0045]    In this embodiment, a hexagon-shaped receptacle  136  is formed by the inner wall  118  and a bottom wall  134  disposed in the interior  116  of the housing. The receptacle  136  is configured to receive and hold decorative articles. 
         [0046]    At the bottom of the housing  112 , the outer wall  114  has a rim  115  located at an end opposite the closed end of the housing. The rim  115  defines an opening  130  that provides access to the cavity  124  so objects may be stored inside or removed from the housing  112 . 
         [0047]    The base  140 , described above, has a shape complementary to that of the housing  112 . The base  140  includes a body  142  and a polygon-shaped collar  144 . The collar  144  may be integrally formed with the body  142  and upwardly extends therefrom, near the perimeter of the body  142 . The collar  144  is spaced apart from the perimeter of the body  142  to form a polygonal seat  146  that is configured to engage the rim  115  of the housing  112  when the base  140  is secured to the bottom of the housing. 
         [0048]    In this example, the base  140  may be secured to the bottom of the housing  112  to seal the opening  130  by various means. For example, the base may be secured to the bottom of the housing by constructing the dimensions of the outer wall and the corresponding dimensions of the collar to provide an interference or press or friction fit. But it will be appreciated that the base may be secured to the bottom of the housing by any suitable locking mechanism, including, but not limited to, one or more latches. 
         [0049]    While the foregoing examples describe containers having circular or hexagon-shaped housing, it will be appreciated that the housing, and corresponding base, may be constructed of any shape or configuration, such as, for example, polygonal, star-shaped, heart-shaped, flower-shaped, asymmetrical, triangular or elliptical. Furthermore, the housing and base of a container may be of any appropriate size. 
         [0050]    Having now fully described the invention, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be performed within a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations and other parameters without affecting the scope of the invention or any embodiment thereof. For example, the locking mechanism may utilize a magnetic or tacky seal, or a snap-fit. All patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are fully incorporated by reference in their entirety.