Patent Publication Number: US-2022227534-A1

Title: Container system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The subject application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/139,670 filed Jan. 20, 2021. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to containers. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to container systems including an outer container and a container insert which may be removably positioned in the outer container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     Single use packaging containers may lead to increases in the amount of waste provided to landfills and, in turn, the amount of waste which ultimately finds its way into waterways and other natural features. In order to reduce such waste, there is an increasing need to provide reusable packaging containers. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one embodiment, a container system includes an outer container including a hollow interior, and a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the container body. In one aspect, the container insert extends between a first end and an opposite second end and includes a generally cylindrical portion and an out-of-round portion positioned adjacent to the generally cylindrical portion. The out-of-round portion is enlarged relative to the generally cylindrical portion and configured to engage with a portion of the container body when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior of the container body to provide a press fit between the container body and the container insert. In this or another aspect, the outer container includes a lateral opening and the container insert includes a flange which extends across at least a portion of the lateral opening when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In another embodiment, a container system includes an outer container including a container body extending between a first end and an opposite second end. The container body includes a hollow interior communicating with an opening at the first end of the container body. The system also includes a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the container body. The container insert extends between a first end and an opposite second end and includes a generally cylindrical portion and an out-of-round portion positioned adjacent to the generally cylindrical portion. The out-of-round portion is enlarged relative to the generally cylindrical portion and configured to engage with a portion of the container body when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior of the container body to provide a press fit between the container body and the container insert. 
     In yet another embodiment, a container system includes an outer container including a hollow interior and at least one lateral opening communicating with the hollow interior. The system also includes a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the outer container. The container insert includes a first end, a second end, a storage chamber positioned between the first end and the second end, and a flange extending laterally from at least a portion of the first end of the container insert. At least a portion of the flange extends across at least a portion of the at least one lateral opening when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In still another embodiment, a container system includes an outer container extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior, and a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the outer container. The container insert includes a first end, a second end, and a storage chamber positioned between the first end and the second end. A passageway is positioned between the outer container and the container insert when the container insert is positioned in the outer container, and the passageway provides fluid communication between the hollow interior of the outer container and the first end of the outer container. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container system; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the container system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are section views, taken orthogonally to one another, of the container system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an outer container of the container system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a container insert of the container system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the container insert illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of example embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to containers. In particular, some embodiments relate to container systems which include an outer container and a container insert removably positioned in the outer container. It will be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein may be employed in a variety fields and/or operating environments where the functionality disclosed herein may be useful. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed to be limited to the exemplary implementations and operating environments disclosed herein. 
     With general reference to  FIGS. 1-6  for example, there is illustrated an example embodiment of a container system  10 . The container system  10  includes an outer container  12 , a container insert  14  which is removably positionable and securable in the outer container  12 , and a lid  16  configured to engage with the outer container  12  with or without the container insert  14  being positioned therein. 
     The outer container  12  includes a container body  18  which extends between a first end  20  and an opposite second end  22 . The container body  18  generally includes a cylindrical configuration, although variations in the shape and configuration of the container body  18  are contemplated. An opening  24  at the first end  20  of the container body  18  communicates with and provides access to a hollow interior  26  of the container body  18  in which the container insert  14  may be positioned. The opening  24  may have a circular or generally circular configuration, although variations are possible. The second end  22  of the container body  18  also includes an opening  28  which is positioned opposite of the opening  24 . The opening  28  may also communicate with the hollow interior  26  and have a circular or generally circular configuration and may be smaller than the opening  24 , although variations are possible. Forms in which the container body  18  does not include the opening  28  are also possible and contemplated. 
     The container body  18  further includes a first lateral opening or notch  30  and a second lateral opening or notch  32 . In the illustrated form, the first lateral opening  30  is spaced from the second lateral opening or notch  32 . More specifically, the first lateral opening  30  is positioned across from the second lateral opening  32 , although other variations are possible. For example, the first lateral opening  30  may be positioned directly across from the second lateral opening  32 , or the first lateral opening  30  may be positioned generally across from the second lateral opening  32 . In one aspect, the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  communicate with the opening  24  and the hollow interior  26  of the container body  18 . Further, the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  both extend from the first end  20  of the container body  18  toward the second end  22  of the container body  18  and terminate at a first lower terminus  30   a  and a second lower terminus  32   a,  respectively. In the illustrated form, the first lower terminus  30   a  and the second lower terminus  32   a  include a rounded or arcuate configuration, although other configurations are possible. In addition, the first lower terminus  30   a  and the second lower terminus  32   a  are positioned between a step or lip  38  and the first end  20  of the container body  18 . 
     A radiused portion  34  is positioned adjacent to the second end  22  of the container body  18 , and the container body  18  includes a reduced diameter portion  36  extending from the first end  20  and toward, but terminating before, the second end  22  of the container body  18 . The reduced diameter portion  36  defines the step or lip  38  extending about the container body  18  and upon which a portion of the lid  16  may be positioned when the lid  16  is engaged with the outer container  12 . Similarly, when the lid  16  is engaged with the outer container  12 , a portion of the lid  16  may be positioned below the first lower terminus  30   a  and the second lower terminus  30   b.  An outer periphery of the first end  20  of the outer container  12  along the reduced diameter portion  36  may include a chamfer or other similar configuration to facilitate alignment of the outer container  12  with the lid  16  for engagement of the lid  16  with the outer container  12 . 
     The container insert  14  includes a container insert body  40  which extends between a first end  42  and an opposite second end  44 . The container insert body  40  generally includes a cylindrical configuration, although variations in the shape and configuration of the container insert body  40  are contemplated. An opening  46  at the first end  42  of the container insert body  40  communicates with and provides access to a storage chamber or hollow interior  48 . The opening  46  may have a circular or generally circular configuration, although variations are possible. 
     The container insert body  40  includes an upper portion  50  positioned adjacent to the first end  42  of the container insert body  40 . More specifically, the container insert body  40  includes a radiused portion  52  extending between the second end  44  and an intermediate portion  54 , and the upper portion  50  is enlarged relative to the intermediate portion  54 . Given this arrangement, an outwardly extending step or transition  56  is positioned between the intermediate portion  54  and the upper portion  50 . Generally speaking, the intermediate portion  54  may have a cylindrical or generally cylindrical configuration such that a cross section taken of the intermediate portion  54  has a circular configuration. In contrast, the upper portion  50  may be out of round or have an out of round configuration such that a cross section taken of the upper portion  50  is not entirely circular. Rather, the cross section of the upper portion  50  may have a slight or partially oval configuration. Stated alternatively, and with reference to  FIG. 6  for example, the dimensions across the intermediate portion  54  represented by lines A and B may be the same or substantially similar, while the dimension across the upper portion  50  represented by line AA may be different than the dimension across the upper portion  50  represented by the line BB. For example, in one non-limiting form, the dimension across the upper portion  50  represented by line AA may be slightly larger than the dimension across the upper portion  50  represented by the line BB. 
     In this configuration, when the container insert  14  is positioned in the outer container  12 , the out-of-round configuration of the upper portion  50  results in contact and engagement between the container insert  14  and a portion of the outer container  12  as best seen in  FIG. 3B  for example. Similarly, the engagement therebetween provides a press fit configuration which secures the container insert  14  in the outer container  12  until subsequent removal therefrom is desired. 
     In addition to or in lieu of the press fit configuration and engagement between the container insert  14  and the outer container  12  provided by the out of round configuration of the upper portion  50  of the container insert  14 , one or both of the container insert  14  and the outer container  12  may include one or more features configured to provide releasable engagement between these components. For example, in one form, one of the container insert  14  and the outer container  12  may be provided with a ridge or similar feature(s) and the other of the container insert  14  and the outer container  12  may be provided with a groove or similar feature(s) configured to engage with the ridge or similar feature(s) of the container insert  14  or the outer container  12 . As another example, a bayonet locking configuration may be utilized to provide engagement between the container insert  14  and the outer container  12 . In this configuration, the outer container  12  may for example be provided with a number of pins which extend into the hollow interior  26  where each pin is configured to engage with a corresponding L-shaped slot formed in the container insert  14 . When the container insert  14  is positioned in the outer container  12 , the container insert  14  may initially slide along the pins and then, following rotation of the container insert  14  in a first direction relative to the outer container  12 , the container insert  14  may be retained in the outer container  12 . Similarly, the container insert  14  may be rotated in an opposite, second direction relative to the outer container  12  to facilitate its removal from the outer container  12 . The container insert  14  further includes a flange  58  at the first end  42  of the container insert body  40 . In the illustrated form, the flange  58  laterally extends from the first end  42  over the upper portion  50  of the container insert  14 . The flange  58  extends radially about the circumference of the first end  42  of the container insert body  40 , although forms where the flange  58  only extends around discrete portions of the first end  42  of the container insert body  40  are also possible. As best seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  for example, when the container insert  14  is positioned in the outer container  12 , the flange  58  is positioned against the first end  20  of the outer container body  18 . In addition, the flange  58  also extends across and covers the upper portion of the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32 . In this arrangement, portions of the flange  58  associated with the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  may be accessed via the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  to facilitate engagement of the container insert  14  and its removal from the outer container  12 . 
     While not previously discussed, it should also be appreciated that a portion of the hollow interior  26  of the outer container  12  may remain in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the container system  10  when the container insert  14  is positioned in the outer container  12  and the lid  16  is not engaged with the outer container  12 . More specifically, as best illustrated in  FIG. 3A  for example, the intermediate portion  54  of the container insert body  40  is smaller than the outer container  12  such that a space  60  exists between the container insert  14  and the outer container  12 . Further, when the container insert  14  is positioned in the outer container  12 , the intersection of the outwardly extending step or transition  56  and the upper portion  50  of the container insert body  40  is positioned above the first lower terminus  30   a  of the first lateral receptacle  30  and second lower terminus  32   a  of the second lateral opening  32 . 
     In this arrangement, and in combination with the space  60  around the container insert  14 , passageways  62  and  64  are provided at the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32 , respectively, and provide fluid communication between the hollow interior  26  and ambient air outside the outer container  12  when the lid  16  is not engaged with the outer container  12 . The passageways  62  and  64  extend through the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32 , respectively. Stated alternatively, the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  define portions of the passageways  62  and  62 , respectively. Similarly, given that the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  each extend to the first end  20  of the outer container body  18 , the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32  provide fluid communication (through the passageways  62  and  64 ) between the first end  20  of the outer container body  18  and the hollow interior  26 . 
     In the illustrated form, where the opening  28  is present, a fluid communication pathway is provided through the outer container  12  by virtue of the opening  28 , the space  60 , the passageways  62  and  64 , and the first lateral opening  30  and the second lateral opening  32 . Amongst other things, the fluid communication provided by the passageways  62  and  64  (and the opening  28  when present) may facilitate the displacement of air from the outer container  12  as the container insert  14  is positioned therein. Further, when removal of the container insert  14  is desired, the fluid communication provided by the passageways  62  and  64  (and the opening  28  when present) may reduce or eliminate any vacuum effect placed on the container insert  14 . As a result, the container insert  14  may, for example, be more easily removed from the outer container  12 . 
     The lid  16  may be engageable with the outer container  12  utilizing a press fit or threaded configuration, although other variations facilitating releasable engagement between these components are possible, and the container insert  14  may be provided with a removable cover. In one non-limiting form, one of the outer container  12  and the lid  16  may be provided with a ridge or similar feature(s) and the other of the outer container  12  and the lid  16  may be provided with a groove or similar feature(s) configured to engage with the ridge or similar feature(s) of the outer container  12  and the lid  16 . As another example, a bayonet locking configuration may be utilized to provide engagement between the outer container  12  and the lid  16 . In this configuration, the outer container  12  may for example be provided with a number of pins which laterally extend therefrom (i.e., opposite of the hollow interior  26 ), where each pin is configured to engage with a corresponding L-shaped slot formed in the lid  16 . When the lid  16  is positioned on the outer container  12 , the lid  16  may initially slide along the pins and then, following rotation of the lid  16  in a first direction relative to the outer container  12 , the lid  16  may be retained on the outer container  12 . Similarly, the lid  16  may be rotated in an opposite, second direction relative to the outer container  12  to facilitate its removal from the outer container  12 . 
     In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, it is also contemplated that the lid  16  may be provided with an out of round configuration similar to that discussed above in connection with the container insert  14 . For example, the lid  16  may be configured to receive a portion of the outer container  12  therein, and this portion of the lid  16  may have a configuration which is not entirely circular whereas the portion of the outer container  12  which is received in the lid  16  may be provided with a circular configuration. As such, the configuration of the lid  16  which is out of round (e.g., having a partial or slight oval configuration) will result in contact and engagement between the lid  16  and a portion of the outer container  12 . Similarly, the engagement therebetween provides a press fit configuration which may secure the lid  16  on the outer container  12  until its subsequent removal therefrom. In one embodiment, a container system includes an outer container including a container body extending between a first end and an opposite second end, the container body including a hollow interior communicating with an opening at the first end of the container body. The system also includes a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the container body, the container insert extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a generally cylindrical portion and an out-of-round portion positioned adjacent to the generally cylindrical portion. The out-of-round portion is enlarged relative to the generally cylindrical portion and configured to engage with a portion of the container body when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior of the container body to provide a press fit between the container body and the container insert. 
     In one aspect, the container body further includes a first lateral opening positioned opposite of a second lateral opening at the first end of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening communicate with the opening at first end of the container body and the hollow interior. 
     In another aspect, the container insert includes a flange laterally extending from at least a portion of the first end of the container insert. 
     In another aspect, the flange of the container insert is configured to bear against the first end of the container body when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior of the container body. 
     In another aspect, at least a portion of the flange extends across at least a portion of one or both of the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the container insert includes a flange laterally extending from at least a portion of the first end of the container insert and at least a portion of the flange is accessible when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the container system further comprises an opening at the second end of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the opening at the second end of the container body is reduced in size relative to the opening at the first end of the container body. 
     In still another aspect, a passageway is provided between the outer container body and the container insert when the container insert is positioned in the container body, and the passageway provides fluid communication between the opening at the second end of the container body and the first end of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the container system further comprises a lid engageable with the container body. 
     In another embodiment, a container system includes an outer container including a hollow interior and at least one lateral opening communicating with the hollow interior. The system also includes a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the outer container. The container insert includes a first end, a second end, a storage chamber positioned between the first end and the second end, and a flange extending laterally from at least a portion of the first end of the container insert. At least a portion of the flange extends across at least a portion of the at least one lateral opening when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In one aspect, the at least one lateral opening includes a first lateral opening spaced from a second lateral opening. 
     In another aspect, at least a portion of the flange extends across at least a portion of the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In another aspect, the flange extends radially about the first end of the container insert and extends cross the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In another aspect, the container insert engages with the outer container to provide a press fit between the container insert and the outer container when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In another aspect, the press fit is provided by an out-of-round portion of the container insert configured to engage with and bear against a portion of the outer container when the container insert is positioned in the hollow interior. 
     In another aspect, the out-of-round portion of the container insert is enlarged relative to an adjacent, cylindrical portion of the container insert. 
     In another embodiment, a container system includes an outer container extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior, and a container insert positionable in the hollow interior of the outer container. The container insert includes a first end, a second end, and a storage chamber positioned between the first end and the second end. A passageway is positioned between the outer container and the container insert when the container insert is positioned in the outer container, and the passageway provides fluid communication between the hollow interior of the outer container and the first end of the outer container. 
     In one aspect, the outer container includes at least one lateral opening formed in a sidewall thereof, the lateral opening extends from the first end of the outer container toward the second end of the outer container, and the passageway is in fluid communication with the at least one lateral opening. 
     In another aspect, the container system further includes an opening extending through the second end of the outer container. 
     In a further aspect, the inner container includes a first portion and a second portion that is enlarged relative to the first portion, and the passageway extends between the first portion and the outer container. 
     Unless specific arrangements described herein are mutually exclusive with one another, the various implementations described herein can be combined to enhance system functionality or to produce complementary functions. Likewise, aspects of the implementations may be implemented in standalone arrangements. Thus, the above description has been given by way of example only and modification in detail may be made within the scope of the present invention. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. 
     In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). Also, a phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.