Abstract:
The present invention is a vessel for containing consumer products. Parts of the containment vessel are made of material sufficiently capable of being deformed by the mechanical force applied by the hands of the consumer while avoiding accidental opening during shipment or display of the vessel on store shelves. The vessel can be made of a suitable material to display the contents of the containment vessel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/406,562, filed Aug. 28, 2002. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention pertains to vessels or packages for containing products. These containment vessels artfully display the product while securing the vessel to prevent unintended loss of the product from the containment vessel, but also provide a simple access to the consumer. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Containment vessels or packages are well known in the art. Said vessels are often used to hold solid or liquid products. U.S. Pat. No. 1,941,050, to Punte, issued Dec. 26, 1933 and assigned to Continental Can Corporation, discloses friction closed containers having a body with a projection about the container&#39;s open end or mouth with a complementary bead about the periphery of the cover where upon slipping the cover the mouth, the bead rides over the body&#39;s projection wherein the cover is retained on the container body. U.S. Pat. No. 2,079,177 to Membrino issued May 4, 1937 discloses cylindrical transparent cellulose film or sheet of cellophane that has no sharp folds or creases that could cause the package to rupture. This package comprises a tubular body having base and top cups fitting within the tube, securely fastened by means of a suitable adhesive. U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,355, to Schwartz et al., issued Jul. 21, 1981, discloses containers having an open-topped cylindrical container body having a pair of tabs on the upper end of the outside of the container and a removable cylindrical resilient cap having side wall grooves on the inside matching the tabs in location. When the cap is deformable to accommodate the tabs, the cap cannot be removed from the container body without first rotating the cap to free the wedged tabs then ovaling the cap to allow the cap to be rotated to align the vertical grooves in the cap with the tabs. Such a container prohibits removal of cap by young children. U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,976, to Arnold, issued Jun. 17, 1997, discloses a container with a rotating locking lid. The container carries at least two circumferentially spaced ribs tapered longitudinally in thickness from a relatively narrow rib end to a relatively wide rib end in a given circumferential direction. Such lid containers are employed on garbage can to lock the top on the can without rapidly wearing out. 
   While disclosing variations of containers that resist spilling their contents, there is a need for a containment vessel having simple means for locking and unlocking the vessel while being readily adaptable for displaying the vessel&#39;s contents to retail consumers without opening the vessel. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a containment vessel for consumer products wherein the vessel comprises a vessel body extending vertically from a base having at least one vessel body tab at a point along the periphery of the upper terminus of said vessel body; an base affixed at the end of said vessel body; and an independently-formed end cap at the end opposite said base, fitting upon and about the periphery of the upper terminus of said vessel body; wherein upon assembly, tabs engage complementary grooves to secure the end cap to the containment vessel, deterring the vertical motion of said end cap from the vessel body, wherein access to the containment vessel is achieved when said vessel body is twisted in an axial direction in relation to the end cap until the tabs disengage the grooves wherein said end cap is vertically removable from said vessel body. 
   The containment vessel is made of material sufficiently capable of being deformed by the mechanical force applied by the hands in order to access its contents without accidental opening during shipment. Once purchased, the containment vessel can be simply opened by the consumer. The containment vessel can be made of a material sufficiently able to display its contents without having to open the vessel to view its contents. 
   All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  Perspective view of assembled containment vessel. 
       FIG. 2  Exploded view of containment vessel. 
       FIG. 3  Exploded view of containment vessel with an integrally-formed base. 
       FIG. 4  Planar view of containment vessel in a deformed state. 
       FIG. 4   a  Overhead view of deformed containment vessel. 
       FIG. 5  Planar view of assembled containment vessel with application package inside. 
       FIG. 6  Planar view of assembled containment vessel in a deformed state. 
       FIG. 6   a  Overhead view of the deformed containment vessel. 
       FIG. 7  Vertical cross section view of tab and groove assembly. 
       FIG. 7   a  Vertical cross section view of tab and groove assembly with tab affixed to the vessel body. 
       FIG. 7   b  Vertical cross section view of tab and groove assembly with tab affixed to the end cap. 
       FIG. 7   c  Vertical cross section view of bead and indent assembly with bead affixed to the end cap. 
       FIG. 8   a  Overhead view of end cap with integrally formed grip. 
       FIG. 8   b  Overhead view of end cap with integrally formed grip. 
       FIG. 9  Exploded view of containment vessel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates the containment vessel ( 100 ) of the present invention. The containment vessel comprises a vessel body ( 101 ), a base ( 102 ), and the end cap ( 103 ). When assembled, said containment vessel securely holds a product/products within said containment vessel. 
   The vessel body of the present invention includes a variety of horizontal cross sectional shapes including round, triangular, rectangular, polygonal and any other shape combining straight and curved edges.  FIG. 1  shows a particular embodiment of said vessel body ( 101 ) having an oval/eye-shaped horizontal cross-section. The vessel body ( 101 ) extends vertically upward from a base ( 102 ) extending to a length for accommodating the desired contents of said containment vessel ( 100 ). 
   Said vessel body ( 101 ) can be deformable or non-deformable in relationship to the end cap ( 103 ). Therefore, the basis of the selection of whether the vessel body is deformable or not is whether said end cap causes the body to deform or whether the end cap deforms when rotated within the vessel body. In  FIG. 1  the vessel body ( 101 ) is deformable and the end cap ( 103 ) is non-deformable. Deformable is defined herein as capable of changing its horizontal cross section shape from its original shape under mechanical force to another shape without destruction of the object upon which the force is applied. For purposes of this definition, the mechanical force is relative easy wringing or twisting motion using one&#39;s hands. In  FIG. 4 , the vessel body has been twisted by hand to a deformed shape wherein upon release or cessation of mechanical force, said vessel body ( 401 ) reverts back to its original oval shape as shown in  FIG. 3  vessel body ( 301 ). In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , said vessel body ( 601 ) is rigid or non-deformable wherein said end cap ( 603 ) of said containment vessel ( 600 ) is deformable and changes shape upon being turned or twisted by hand as illustrated by  FIG. 6   a.    
   Said vessel body ( 201 ) of  FIG. 2  comprises a tab ( 204 ). Said end cap ( 203 ) contains a complementary groove ( 205 ). Said tab ( 204 ) is integrally formed with the sidewalls of said vessel body ( 201 ) near the periphery of said upper terminus ( 206 ) of said vessel body ( 201 ). Alternatively said tab may be fixedly attached to said vessel body ( 201 ) utilizing any means for affixing said tabs that are known in the art including, but not necessarily limited to gluing, sonic welding and solvent bonding. In the particular embodiment of  FIG. 2  of the invention, said tabs ( 204 ) are integrally formed when said vessel body ( 201 ) is die cut wherein the tab ( 204   a ) extends above the edge of said periphery of said upper terminus ( 206 ) of said vessel body ( 201 ). In this embodiment, said tab ( 204   a ) is folded inward towards the inside of vessel body ( 201 ) along the edge of the periphery of said upper terminus ( 206 ) of said vessel body ( 201 ) prior to said containment vessel&#39;s assembly such that said tab ( 204 ) is at an angle of no more than 90° from the interior surface of said vessel body ( 201 ) wherein upon assembly, tab ( 204 ) locks in complementary groove ( 205 ) of said end cap ( 203 ). 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention wherein tab ( 204 ) is the same lateral width (at the point it is folded) as the complementary groove ( 205 ). This width specification of the tab, however, is not necessary in all cases. Essentially the maximum width of the tab can be no greater than the width of the complementary groove ( 205 ), allowing said tab ( 204 ) to snap into said groove ( 205 ) on said end cap ( 203 ). Said tab ( 204 ) is laterally tapered at approximately 135° angle between the edge of the upper terminus of the said vessel body ( 201 ). The tapered surfaces ( 209 ) of said tab ( 204 ) are cut prior to said tab being folded along the planar edge of said upper terminus ( 206 ) of said vessel body ( 201 ). An alternative embodiment is where said tab ( 204 ) is only tapered on one edge, thus allowing opening of the containment vessel in only one direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the taper of said tab ( 404 ) facilitates its disengagement from said groove ( 405 ), permitting removal of end cap ( 403 ) upon said end cap ( 403 ) being rotated at least about 45° 0  in either direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , said base ( 202 ) has a tab ( 207 ) that is absent any tapering, that is said tab ( 207 ) has a 90° angle between it and the edge of the lower terminus ( 210 ) of the said vessel body ( 201 ). In such an embodiment, said tab ( 207 ) locks into groove ( 208 ) on said base ( 202 ) of said vessel body ( 201 ) wherein to remove said base ( 202 ) from said vessel body ( 201 ) a mechanical force must be applied that will deform the tab sufficiently such that said containment vessel ( 200 ) is not reusable. 
   The alternate embodiment in  FIG. 3  shows multiple tabs ( 304 ) integrally formed on said vessel body ( 301 ). Tabs ( 304 ) have a taper ( 309 ) at about a 135° angle as discussed above, wherein the rotational movement of said deformable portion of the containment vessel, in this embodiment the vessel body ( 301 ), must be greater than about 45°. However, depending upon the geometry and design of said end caps and said tabs, and the variety of shapes of containment vessels, the taper of said tabs may be from 1°-180°. The multiple tabs ( 304 ) on said vessel body ( 301 ) snap into complementary multiple grooves ( 305 ) or alternatively a single circumferential, continuous groove about the external lateral surface of the said end cap. In  FIG. 3  the base ( 302 ) is integrally formed within the vessel body. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the vessel body has a groove or multiplicity of grooves located along the periphery of the upper terminus of said vessel body. Said groove extends laterally and parallel with base of the said vessel body. An independently formed non-deforming end cap fits within the upper terminus of said vessel body and has at least one tab. Said tab of the end cap should be at an angle of no greater than about 90° from the planar surface of said end cap in order to engage the groove in said vessel body. 
   It should be understood that in place of the tab and groove illustrated in  FIG. 7   a  and  FIG. 7   b , one skilled in the art could envision alternatives including a raised bead in place of the tab as shown in  FIG. 7   c . The bead ( 713   c ) could be located on either the vessel body or the end cap, wherein the opposing part would have a complementary indentation ( 714   c ). Said bead ( 713   c ) could be inserted into said indent ( 714   c ) by downward force on the end cap ( 703 ) wherein said bead snaps into said indent as shown in said  FIG. 7   c . Said bead would have a taper at its linear end point that horizontally fit within said indent. Upon the mechanical twisting force being applied, said bead rides out of said indent, allowing said end cap&#39;s removal from said vessel body. 
   The end cap of the containment vessel of the present invention is independently formed from said vessel body and may be snap fitted to said vessel body to secure the assembled containment vessel. The end cap may be either deformable or non-deformable, but is the opposite of the vessel body. While either embodiment satisfactorily works, the choice of the material for the end cap is generally made in terms of manufacturing efficiencies and costs. 
     FIG. 6  shows an embodiment wherein said end cap ( 603 ) is deformable wherein the vessel body ( 601 ) is non-deformable. In the particular embodiment shown therein, said end cap ( 603 ) must be rotated at least approximately 45° relative to said vessel body ( 601 ) to allow for easy removal of said end cap ( 603 ) from said vessel body ( 601 ). As said end cap ( 603 ) is rotated to the predetermined minimum angle for its removal, the tab ( 604 ) on end cap ( 603 ) disengages said groove ( 605 ) on vessel body ( 601 ). In particular embodiments of the present invention, illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , a gripping surface is integrally formed on said end cap ( 803 ), this raised surface ( 810 ) allows for gripping said turning the end cap. 
   The base may also be integrally formed with said vessel body or may be assembled to said vessel body using the tab and groove feature as disclosed above. In a particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the base is designed to lock onto the body to prevent relatively easy access of the contents of the containment vessel. This is achieved using tab ( 907 ) that has a 90° angle as discussed above. In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , there are multiple lower tabs ( 907 ) fixedly attached at the edge of the periphery of the lower terminus ( 910 ) of said vessel body ( 901 ), that engage a complementary groove ( 908 ) located on said base ( 902 ). Said grooves ( 908 ) are separate as opposed to the entire circumference of said base as illustrated in  FIG. 2  groove ( 208 ). Regardless of the embodiment chosen, rotation of said base with respect to said vessel body does not disengage said lower tabs from said grooves or groove. 
   An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5  wherein said base ( 502 ) and said end cap ( 503 ) each contain complementary and integrally formed containment recesses for holding/locating said applicator package or product. By complementary, it is meant that each containment recess projects toward each other and towards the center of the interior of said containment vessel ( 500 ). These containment recesses have a profile or shape to engage the top and bottom of an applicator package ( 512 ), holding said package snuggly within said recesses and the center of said containment vessel. The length of said vessel body ( 501 ) and the distance between said recesses is dependent on the length of said applicator package ( 512 ). 
   Containment Vessel Fabrication Materials and Methods 
   The material used for the manufacture of the present invention includes non-deformable and deformable materials. Non-deformable material choices for said invention include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene-terepthalate (PET), and blends thereof. Preferable deformable materials include materials that flex, allowing easy rotation of the part made of said deformable material wherein upon deformation, there is little if any destructive damage such as cracking, tearing, or permanent deformation to said part. Materials which meet these criterion include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene-terepthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), paperboard, and blends or laminations thereof. 
   Whether making deformable or non-deformable parts, the parts of the containment vessel may be manufactured by any number of plastic and paper manufacturing methods known in the art including but not limited to injection molding. 
   While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.