Patent Publication Number: US-8985366-B2

Title: Interlocking disposable tattoo ink container for tattooing, cosmetic tattooing and micro-pigmentation applications

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to single use, disposable containers for tattoo ink and more particularly, to single use, disposable containers for tattoo ink having interlock structure which stabilizes the containers to reduce accidental tipping and permits the tattoo artist to organize the containers on their work surface in whatever manner that suits their creative process. 
     2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     It is well known that the use of ink from the same container for multiple tattoo clients can result in the transfer of disease, even if the instruments used are properly sterilized. However, small amounts of ink of various colors may be required for a particular client and discarding containers partially filled with ink after each client is wasteful and expensive. As a result, I have developed a unique and inexpensive disposable ink container intended for single use only has been developed to eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination and at the same time reduce the costs involved in having fresh ink available for each client. That container is the subject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/588,354, filed Aug. 17, 2012, entitled “Disposable Tattoo Ink Container” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Those single use containers have been designed to be travel safe and durable. They include an adhesive layer on the bottom of the container which allows the containers to adhere to a surface in the tattoo booth such that the containers cannot be accidently knocked over or moved out of position as the tattoo artist is working, while at the same time allowing the tattoo artist to have both hands free to create the tattoo. The containers have a plastic cap which fits snuggly on the container body to prevent the tattoo ink from being spilled or contaminated by the environment during transport and handling. The containers are also provided with structure which facilitates removal of the cap. 
     However, those containers cannot be easily moved around once the adhesive layer has adhered to the work surface. They do not have the ability to connect with other similar containers to form an assembly in which the containers can be organized in many different configurations on the artist&#39;s work surface. Those containers cannot be connected together to achieve additional stability to prevent being accidentally tipped over. Further, they cannot be moved as a unit relative to the work surface as if situated on a tray. 
     Accordingly, I have invented an improved form of the single use, disposable tattoo contained which has the ability to connect with other similar containers to form an assembly in which the containers can be organized on the work surface in different configurations, in which the containers and be taken apart and reassembled in different configurations, which provides a high degree of stability without the use of adhesive, and which be moved as a unit relative to the work surface as if the containers were situated on a tray. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an interlocking container for tattoo ink is provided. The container includes a body defining a reservoir for retaining ink and means for engaging another container. 
     The engaging means includes first and second spaced interlocking members, each having a particular size and shape. The members define a space therebetween adapted to receive a similar member from another container. The space has substantially the particular size and shape of the members. 
     The engaging means includes at least one hollow member. 
     The container body has a rim. The engaging means extends from the rim. 
     The container body has a bottom surface situated in a plane. The engaging means extends to the plane. 
     The container body has an exterior surface. The engaging means is spaced from the exterior body surface. 
     The container body has a bottom and a substantially cylindrical wall with a rim. The engaging means includes a substantially skirt-like structure extending from the rim to the plane of the body bottom. The first and second spaced interlocking members extend from the skirt-like structure. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, first and second interlocking containers for tattoo ink are provided, each of the containers having a body defining a reservoir for retaining ink, and means for engaging the other container. 
     Each engaging means includes first and second spaced interlocking members, each having a particular size and shape. The members define a space therebetween adapted to receive a member from the other container. The members of each container define a space therebetween having substantially the particular size and shape. 
     Each engaging means includes at least one hollow member. 
     Each container body has a rim. Each of the engaging means extends from the rim. 
     Each container body has a bottom surface situated in a plane. Each engaging means extends to the plane. 
     Each container body has an exterior surface. Each engaging means is spaced from the exterior body surface. 
     Each container body has a bottom and a substantially cylindrical wall with a rim. Each engaging means includes a substantially skirt-like structure extending from the rim to the plane of the body bottom. Each engaging means includes first and second spaced interlocking members extending from the skirt-like structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS 
       To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to an interlocking disposable tattoo ink container as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top elevation view of the container; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom elevation view of the container; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a top elevation view of an assembly of several interlocked containers arranged in one possible configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As seen in the Figures, the present invention relates to an interlocking disposable container for tattoo ink, generally designated A, designed for a single use, that is, use in creating a tattoo on one client. Container A includes a generally cylindrical body  10  formed of a side wall with an exterior surface  12  and a closed bottom  14  defining a reservoir  16  for retaining tattoo ink. The side wall of the container is preferably made of light transmissive plastic such that the color of the ink and the quantity of the ink in reservoir  16  can be readily observed. 
     Body  10  of container is also provided with a removable cover (not shown) to close the open mouth  18  ink reservoir  16  of the container when not in use. The cover may be a foil sheet, a screw cap or other suitable closure. 
     Container A includes means for engaging another container. The engaging means includes first and second sets of spaced interlocking members  20 ,  22  extending outwardly from the container in opposite directions. Each of the interlocking members  20 ,  22  has a particular size and shape, as can be observed from the drawings. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , which shows the bottom of the container, members  20 ,  22  are preferably hollow and each member has a generally rectangular shape defined by a linear or slightly arcuate outer wall  24 ,  26  and a pair of spaced, opposing side walls  28 ,  30  and  32 ,  34  respectively. Side walls are concave such that the shortest distance between each set of side walls is less than the length of the outer wall extending between those side walls. Members  20 ,  22  of each set define a space  36  therebetween of a size and shape necessary to firmly engage a member  20 ,  22  from another container to interlock the containers, as is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     It should be understood that  FIG. 5  illustrates one example of an interlocking configuration of three containers. However, many different interlocking configurations are possible, depending upon the number of containers which are interlocked and the orientation of the container with respect to each other. Accordingly, the particular configuration depicted in  FIG. 5  should not be considered as a limitation on the invention disclosed herein as it is provided for illustrative purposes only. 
     As best seen from the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4 , the reservoir  16  of container body  10  has an open mouth defined by a rim  40 . The container is formed of an outer wall portion  42  which is substantially perpendicular to bottom  14  and which extends from rim  40  to the plane of bottom  14  of the container. Outer wall portion  42  surrounds an inner wall portion  15  which defines the inclined side surface of ink reservoir  16 , but is spaced a short distance from inner wall portion  15 . The interlocking members  20 ,  22  extend outwardly from the lower portion of the outer wall portion  42 , providing additional stability to the container, and reducing the risk that the container will be accidentally tipped over. 
     It will now be appreciated that the containers of the present invention can be connected together by placing one of the interlocking members of one container into one of the spaces  36  of another container. This permits the tattoo artist to form an assembly connected containers arranged in many different configurations, including the configuration of  FIG. 5 . This permits the assembly of containers to be moved on the work surface as a unit, without the necessity of placing the containers on a tray. It also prevents any one of the connected containers from being accidentally tipped over. 
     While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.