Abstract:
A decorative container assembly and method are provided for storing traction-enhancing materials such as salt pellets or tablets, sand or gravel. The decorative container includes a container cover and a container base configured for mating together, where at least the container cover has a decorative outer shape and/or surface ornamentation, such as in a winter theme. The base defines an inner storage cavity for holding the traction-enhancing materials, and has a lower mating element for cooperatively engaging an upper mating element of the cover. The upper mating element is removably attachable to the lower mating element in a manner that substantially seals the inner storage cavity. Optionally, the base has a decorative outer shape or ornamentation that cooperates with the cover so that the assembled container forms a complete winter theme. Optionally, the container base may be substantially non-decorative, such as part of the original packaging of the traction-enhancing material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the filing benefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 61/914,181, filed Dec. 10, 2013, and Ser. No. 61/888,172, filed Oct. 8, 2013, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to containers and method for storing snow and ice melting materials. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During the winter months, a substantial amount of snow and ice may accumulate on sidewalks and building roofs. It is known to use salt pellets or salt tablets, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,543, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, to assist in melting the snow or ice. However, these ice melting materials often come packaged in unsightly buckets, tubs, or bags that tend to fall apart with repeated use. While some buckets and tubs are designed with more durable construction, they do little to address the aesthetic concerns. Given that these ice melting materials are typically used to clear snow and ice near the entrances of homes and businesses, users must choose between leaving an unsightly container in plain view of visitors or continually carrying the containers, and the mess they accumulate, indoors. In certain situations, heavier packages of ice melting material may be difficult for some users to move. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a durable container for storing ice melting materials, with the container having a decorative shape or form or outer surface. According to an aspect of the present invention, the decorative container has both a container base and a container cover. The container base has an opening to an inner storage cavity configured to hold the ice melting material and has a lower mating element at its upper end that defines the opening. The container cover has an upper mating element configured to generally align with the lower mating element or opening of the container base so that when the upper mating element is engaged with the lower mating element, the container cover removably attaches to the container base (such as via threaded attachment or snap attachment or interference fit or the like), thereby substantially sealing and protecting the ice melting material against moisture and spillage. The decorative outer surfaces of the container cover and container base create an aesthetically pleasing storage device that may be kept near the entrances of homes and businesses without detracting from the aesthetics of the entrance area. 
     Optionally, the decorative outer surface of the container may be based on a winter theme including, but not limited to, a Christmas tree, a snow man, a “Nutcracker” toy soldier or a Santa Claus figure or the like. The container may thus become another element of an owner&#39;s outdoor seasonal decorations. 
     These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a decorative container for ice melting materials in accordance with the present invention, shown in an open condition with the container cover above the container base; 
         FIG. 2  is a lower perspective view of the decorative container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is another front perspective view of the decorative container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown in a closed condition with the container cover removably attached to the container base; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of another decorative container for ice melting materials in accordance with the present invention, where the container base is the original packaging container for the ice melting materials; 
         FIG. 5  is another front perspective view of the decorative container of  FIG. 4 , shown in an open condition with the container cover above the container base; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the decorative container of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of another decorative container for ice melting materials in accordance with the present invention, shown in a closed condition with the container cover removably attached to the container base; 
         FIG. 8  is another front perspective view of the decorative container of  FIG. 7 , shown in an open condition with the container cover above the container base; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of another decorative container for ice melting materials in accordance with the present invention, shown in a closed condition with the container cover removably attached to the container base; 
         FIG. 10  is another front perspective view of the decorative container of  FIG. 9 , shown in an open condition with the container cover above the container base; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of another decorative container for ice melting materials in accordance with the present invention, shown in a closed condition with the container cover removably attached to the container base; and 
         FIG. 12  is another front perspective view of the decorative container of  FIG. 11 , shown in an open condition with the container cover above the container base. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a decorative container  20  used for storing ice melting material  21  includes a container cover  22  and a container base  24 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the container is in the form of a Santa Claus figure, but could be other winter-themed or holiday-themed forms or shapes, or substantially any other hollow or partially-hollow decorative shape or form, as discussed below. The container base  24  comprises a hollow structure, which may be shaped or formed to represent a lower portion of a decorative form, such as Santa&#39;s legs and feet as shown in  FIG. 1 . The container cover  22  comprises a hollow or solid structure, which may be shaped or formed to represent an upper portion of the decorative form, such as Santa&#39;s body and head as shown in  FIG. 1 . The hollow container base  24  is configured to hold ice melting or traction-enhancing material  21 , such as salt pellets or salt tablets or salt briquettes or sand or the like. The container cover  22  is detachably or removably attachable at the container base  24  to conceal and encase and substantially seal (from environmental substances such as rainwater) the ice melting material  21  in the decorative container  20  when the cover is attached at the base, and to allow for a user to remove and use some of the ice melting material  21  when the container cover  22  is removed from the container base  24 , as discussed below. Although the containers of the present invention are described primarily in the context of storing an ice melting or traction-enhancing material, it will be appreciated that the containers may be used for substantially any granular material (e.g., plant fertilizer, bird food, charcoal, etc.) that is commonly used around building entrances or the like. 
     The container base  24  has an upper end portion  26  and a lower end portion  28 , and includes an outer shape or form or surface  30 , which is decorative. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the outer surface  30  is shaped or formed like Santa&#39;s lower half (including legs and boots and the like), but it will be appreciated that the outer surface  30  may be generally cylindrical shaped or conical shaped, with the decorative appearance being printed or colored on the outer surface  30 . At the upper end portion  26  of the container base  24  is an opening  32  ( FIG. 1 ). The opening  32  is at the upper end region of an inner storage cavity  34 , which is used to hold the ice melting and/or traction-enhancing material  21 , such as salt pellets or tablets, sand or the like. The container base  24  includes a lower or base mating element  36  that circumscribes the opening  32  and that is configured to attach at or mate with the container cover  22  when the container cover  22  is used to close or seal the decorative container  20 . 
     The container cover  22  has an upper end portion  40  and a lower end portion  42  with an outer shape or form or surface  38  that is decorative. At the lower end portion  42  of the container cover  22  is an upper or cover mating element  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper mating element  44  is recessed in from the outer surface  38  of the container cover  22 , so that the upper mating element may be at least partially received in the lower mating element  36  of base  24 . The upper mating element  44  is configured to attach at or mate with the lower mating element  36  of the container base  24  when the container cover  22  is used to close or seal the decorative container  20 . Optionally, at least the upper mating element  44  of the container cover  22  (and optionally at least a portion of the container cover  22  itself) may have a hollow cavity  50  to allow for receiving ice melting material  21  protruding above the lower mating element  36  of the container base  24 . 
     The opening  32  of the container base  24  and the upper mating element  44  of the container cover  22  are dimensioned such that when the upper mating element  44  of the container cover  22  is aligned with the opening  32  of the container base  24  generally along a central axis  60 , the container cover  22  may be removably attached to the container base  24 .  FIG. 3  shows the decorative container  20  fully assembled with the container cover  22  removably attached to the container base  24 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the upper mating element  44  of the container cover  22  and the opening  32  of the container base  24  are generally circular in shape. However, it is envisioned that these may be any geometrical shape while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Optionally, it is envisioned that the upper mating element  44  of the container cover  22  and the lower mating element  36  of the container base  24  may be threaded so that the container cover  22  may screw onto or threadedly attach at the container base  24 . In such an embodiment, the threads may be configured so that, when the container cover  22  is threaded onto the container base  24 , the container cover  22  is fully threaded or tightened onto the container base  24  with Santa&#39;s face (of the container cover  22 ) facing in the same direction as Santa&#39;s feet (of the container base  24 ). 
     As another option, the upper mating element  44  may have a first retaining element  46 , such as at least one protrusion, configured to detachably engage with a corresponding second retaining element  48 , such as a recess or tab, of the lower mating element  36  at the opening  32  ( FIG. 1 ), so that the container cover  22  may snap onto or snap attach at the container base  24 . Optionally, one or more fasteners, such as threaded screws, hook-and-loop fasteners, latches, resilient latch tabs, magnets, or the like (such as latch tabs  52  and receiving slots  54  shown in  FIG. 2 ), may be used to removably attach the container cover  22  to the container base  24 . One skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate the various ways that the container cover  22  may be removably attached to the container base  24 . When the container cover  22  is attached at the container base  24 , the container cover  22  may substantially seal relative to the container base  24  to limit water and moisture intrusion into the inner storage cavity  34 . 
     Optionally, and with reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , a decorative container  120  may provide a decorative container cover  122  (such as similar to container cover  22  described above), which is removably attachable at a container base  124  that is more conventionally shaped as a bucket or tub or the like. Optionally, the container base  124  may be a part of the original packaging (such as a bucket or tub the like, such as a standard  5 -gallon bucket or the like) for the ice melting or traction assisting material. Container cover  122  has a decorative outer surface  138  and is removably attached to the container base  124  that is the bucket or tub used to package the ice melting material, such as in a similar manner as cover  22 , discussed above. Container cover  122  may be similar to container cover  22 , discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the container covers need not be repeated herein. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the container base  124  has an upper end  126  and a lower end  128  with an outer surface  130 . The outer surface or shape or form of the base comprises a generally cylindrical or conical-shaped or bucket-shaped structure, and may optionally be configured with a carry handle  131  or the like ( FIG. 5 ). Optionally, the outer surface  130  of the container base  124  may be decorated or painted in two or more different colors, or with additional decorative materials (e.g. ribbons, bows, glitter, simulated snow, etc.). 
     The container base  124  defines an opening  132  at the upper end  126  thereof, and at an upper end region of an inner storage cavity  134 , which is used to hold the ice melting material  121 . The container base  124  includes a lower mating element  136  that circumscribes the opening  132  and that is configured to attach at or mate with the container cover  122  (such as to the upper mating element of the container cover such as discussed above) when the container cover  122  is used to close or seal the decorative container  120 . The container cover  122  has an upper end portion  140  and a lower end portion  142  with an outer shape or form or surface  138  that is decorative. 
     For example, the upper mating element  144  may be configured to attach at or mate with the lower mating element  136  of the container base  124  when the container cover  122  is used to close or seal the decorative container  120 . The opening  132  of the container base  124  and the upper mating element  144  of the container cover  122  are dimensioned such that when the upper mating element  144  of the container cover  122  is aligned with the opening  132  of the container base  124  generally along a central axis  160 , the container cover  122  may be removably attached to the container base  124 , such as in a similar manner as discussed above (such as via threaded attachment, snap attachment, fastener attachment and/or the like). The lower container may comprise a standard or conventional bucket or tub, which may include an attachment feature (such as one or more ribs or threads) configured to have a flat lid snapped or threaded thereon, and the upper container cover may be configured to mate with the attachment feature or features of the bucket or container. It is envisioned that, prior to purchase by a consumer, container base  124  would be filled with salt or other ice-melting and/or traction-enhancing material, and closed with an original-packaging lid at its lower mating element  136 . The consumer would subsequently remove the original-packaging lid and place container cover  122  atop container base  124 , such as in the manner described above. 
     In the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 , at least the covers of the decorative containers are in the shape of a Santa Claus. Optionally, it is envisioned that the decorative container may be shaped to depict any other winter or seasonal themes or the like, such as, for example, a snowman design or shape ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ), a Christmas tree design or shape ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ), a toy soldier design or shape ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ), or any other suitable or selected design or shape, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The decorative container of the present invention is preferably formed or molded from resinous plastic, but may be constructed from any materials suitable for providing the necessary structural integrity and protection from the elements, while also preferably being resistant to corrosion and/or cracking in the presence of salt, moisture, cold winter temperatures and/or the like. 
     For example, and as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a decorative container  220  may be shaped like a snowman, with a container cover  222  and a hollow container base  224 . The container base  224  comprises a hollow structure, which may be shaped or formed to represent a lower portion of snowman, such as a lower or bottom ball of the snowman. The container cover  222  may comprise a hollow or solid structure, and is shaped or formed to represent an upper portion of the snowman, such as an upper or top ball or balls of the snowman. The hollow container base  224  is configured to hold ice melting or traction-enhancing material, such as salt pellets or salt tablets or briquettes or sand or the like. The container cover  222  is detachably or removably attachable at the container base  224  to conceal and encase and substantially seal the ice melting or traction-enhancing material in the decorative container  220  when the cover is attached at the base and to allow for a user to remove and use some of the ice melting or other traction-enhancing material when the container cover  222  is removed from the container base  224 , such as in a similar manner as discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lower container base  224  is in the shape of the designed snowman, but the lower container base may otherwise be a generally cylindrical shape of the like, such as the shape of a standard bucket or the like, in which the ice melting materials are originally packaged and sold, such as in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to container  120 . 
     Optionally, and as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a decorative container  320  may be shaped like a Christmas tree, with a container cover  322  and a hollow container base  324 . The container base  324  comprises a hollow structure, which may be shaped or formed to represent a lower portion of Christmas tree, such as the trunk of the tree or the trunk and lower branches of the tree. The container cover  322  may comprise a hollow or solid structure, and is shaped or formed to represent an upper portion of the tree, such as an upper or top branches of the tree. The hollow container base  324  is configured to hold ice melting material or traction-enhancing material, such as salt pellets or salt tablets or briquettes or sand or the like. The container cover  322  is detachably or removably attachable at the container base  324  to conceal and encase and substantially seal the ice melting or traction-enhancing material in the decorative container  320  when the cover is attached at the base, and to allow for a user to remove and use some of the ice melting or other traction-enhancing material when the container cover  322  is removed from the container base  324 , such as in a similar manner as discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the lower container base  324  is in the shape of the designed Christmas tree, but the lower container base may otherwise be a generally cylindrical shape of the like, such as the shape of a standard bucket or the like, in which the ice melting materials are originally packaged and sold, such as in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to container  120 . 
     Optionally, and as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a decorative container  420  may be shaped like a toy soldier, with a container cover  422  and a hollow container base  424 . The container base  424  comprises a hollow structure, which may be shaped or formed to represent a lower portion of toy soldier, such as the legs and part of the torso of the toy soldier. The container cover  422  may comprise a hollow or solid structure, and is shaped or formed to represent an upper portion of the soldier, such as the head and upper torso of the toy soldier. The hollow container base  424  is configured to hold ice melting or other traction-enhancing material, such as salt pellets or salt tablets or briquettes or sand or the like. The container cover  422  is detachably or removably attachable at the container base  424  to conceal and encase and substantially seal the ice melting or traction-enhancing material in the decorative container  420  when the cover is attached at the base and to allow for a user to remove and use some of the ice melting or traction-enhancing material when the container cover  422  is removed from the container base  424 , such as in a similar manner as discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the lower container base  424  is in the shape of the designed toy soldier, but the lower container base may otherwise be a generally cylindrical shape of the like, such as the shape of a standard bucket or the like, in which the ice melting materials are originally packaged and sold, such as in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to container  120 . Optionally, for stability, a base plate or stand  426  may be established or attached at the feet of the toy soldier form (or to the base or bottom of any other design or form of the containers of the present invention) to reduce tipping of the container. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides a decorative container and method for storing ice melting materials that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. Embodiments of the present invention not only provide a storage container for ice melting and/or traction-enhancing materials that is suitable for display near the entrance to a home or business, but also a container that can be incorporated as part of a homeowner&#39;s or facility&#39;s outdoor seasonal decorations. Optionally, the container cover may be designed to fit onto a correspondingly decorative or formed base, or may fit directly onto the ice melting material&#39;s original packaging container. The decorative container cover may thus transform the original packaging into an aesthetically pleasing storage unit while avoiding the need to transfer the ice melting or traction-enhancing material to a separate container. 
     Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.