Patent Publication Number: US-2015076024-A1

Title: Multiple purpose container and decorative item

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/062,371 filed Oct. 24, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety ; and which in turn claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of then-copending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/755,175, filed on Jan. 22, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. 1508-0008), 61/777,592, filed on Mar. 12, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. 1508-0009), 61/838,690, filed on Jun. 24, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. 1508-0011), and 61/844,678, filed on Jul. 10, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. 1508-0013). The disclosures of these US patent documents are also incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a multiple purpose container having a resealable cap such that the container may be displayed as a decorative item on a table, shelf or the like surface. The container includes an interior cavity accessible when the cap is removed. In one embodiment, the cavity is configured to accommodate a product or article of interest therein. In one embodiment, the cap includes a selectively deployable fastener such that the container may be displayed as a decorative item hung from a surface such as a limb of a tree or plant as an ornament. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Concerns grow daily over the storage and treatment of waste products such as, for example, plastic and glass bottles and other containers. So called “green” solutions for handling waste products include recycling, cleaning and reuse, or adapting the waste product to a new use to avoid its disposal within landfills and the like. 
     The inventor has recognized that a green solution for certain containers may include making the containers useful for multiple purposes such as, for example, being used as a container for an article or product of interest as well as used as a display or decorative item. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention resides in one aspect in a multiple purpose container and decorative item, comprising: a container portion selectively configurable in color, shape and size, and having an interior cavity selectively configured to contain a predetermined volume of a product of interest disposed within the interior cavity, the product of interest includes at least one of a flowable liquid, a cream, a powder, a granule, and a crystal; a cap portion selectively affixed to the container portion, the cap portion configured to seal and unseal the interior cavity and to provide storage of and repeatable access to the product of interest disposed therein; and a selectively deployable fastener coupled to the cap portion by a coupling means and deployable between a stored position and a deployed position; wherein the container portion is configured of a desired color, shape, size and/or combinations thereof to achieve multiple functions to contain the product of interest within the interior cavity and to provide an aesthetic, decorative and/or ornamental feature. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the container portion and the cap portion are selectively fabricated from one of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene high-density, and Polypropylene; and the deployable fastener and the coupling means are selectively fabricated from one of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene high-density, Polypropylene, a metal and a metal alloy. 
     The present invention resides in another aspect in a set of multiple purpose container and decorative items, comprising: a plurality of container portions, each of the plurality of container portions selectively configurable in color, shape and size, and having an interior cavity selectively configured to contain a predetermined volume of a product of interest disposed within the interior cavity, the product of interest includes at least one of a flowable liquid, a cream, a powder, a granule, and a crystal; a plurality of container portions, each of the plurality of container portions selectively affixed to a respective one of the plurality of container portions, each of the plurality of container portions configured to seal and unseal the interior cavity and to provide storage of and repeatable access to the product of interest disposed therein; and a plurality of selectively deployable fasteners, each of the plurality of selectively deployable fasteners coupled to a respective one of the plurality of cap portions by a respective coupling means and deployable between a stored position and a deployed position; the plurality of container portions selectively fabricated from one of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene high-density, and Polypropylene; the plurality of cap portions selectively fabricated from one of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene high-density, and Polypropylene; the plurality of selectively deployable fasteners selectively fabricated from one of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene high-density, Polypropylene, a metal and a metal alloy; and each the coupling means selectively fabricated from one of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene high-density, Polypropylene, a metal and a metal alloy; wherein the plurality of container portions is configured of a desired color, shape, size and/or combinations thereof to achieve multiple functions to contain the product of interest within the interior cavity and to provide an aesthetic, decorative and/or ornamental feature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the figures provided, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cross sectional view of a multiple purpose container and decorative item according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A to 2E  illustrate exemplary embodiments of the multiple purpose container and decorative item according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A to 3F  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a cap portion of the multiple purpose container and decorative item according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of the multiple purpose container and decorative item according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5D  illustrate exemplary embodiments of the multiple purpose container and decorative item according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pair of the multiple purpose container and decorative item according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description of all figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention may be embodied in many forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more preferred embodiments. It should be appreciated that this disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a multiple purpose container and decorative item  10 . The multiple purpose container and decorative item  10  includes a container portion  20  and a cap portion  40 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10  is configured as a decorative bell that is usable and reusable to contain a product or article of interest and to act as an ornament, as described herein. The container portion  20  may be configured of any desired color, shape, size and/or combinations thereof, to achieve multiple functions such as, for example, to contain within an interior cavity  22  a predetermined volume of a flowable liquid, cream, powder or other product or article of interest  24  therein, as well as to achieve an aesthetic, decorative and/or ornamental function such as to act as a holiday ornament or an ornament and/or decoration for another event or occasion. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the product of interest  24  may be a relatively high quality flowable liquid, powder, granule, crystal, or cream including by way of example and not limitation, a perfume, cologne, cosmetic preparation or the like, or a food stuff including by way of example and not limitation, a maple, pancake and/or other syrup, honey, salt and/or pepper, herb and/or seasoning, or the like, or combination thereof. In one embodiment, the flowable liquid, powder or cream may be a relatively inexpensive household item such as, for example, liquid soap, shampoo, baby powder, hand cream or the like. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10 , including the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40 , may be distributed without a product or article of interest disposed in the interior cavity  22 . As such, the container portion  20  would be useful as a general purpose storage container that is fillable and refillable by a user thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2E , exemplary embodiments of the container portion  20  may be configured as a fireplace  20 A ( FIG. 2A ), a globe  20 B ( FIG. 2B ), a candy cane  20 C ( FIG. 2C ), a die  20 D ( FIG. 2D ), a ball  20 E ( FIG. 2E ) such as a football, baseball, basketball, soccer ball, golf ball or the like. In one embodiment, the container portion  20  may be comprised of, for example, plastic or other polymer, glass, paper, and the like. 
     In one embodiment, the container portion  20  may be comprised of one or more colored, treated and/or textured surfaces to achieve a preferred aesthetic, decorative and/or ornamental appearance. In one embodiment, an exterior surface  21  of the container portion  20  may include decorative indicia  23  painted or otherwise applied to the exterior surface  21  to achieve a decorative or festive effect. In one embodiment, decorative indicia  23  comprises a surface upon which a consumer may write, using a standard writing instrument, a desired message, note, and/or image, or the like. In one embodiment, the surface  21  may be wrapped in a film or the like, to achieve the decorative or festive effect. It should be appreciated that in addition to the above, the container portion  20  may be configured in other desired color (e.g., red, green, blue, silver), treatment (e.g., gloss or polish), texture, shape, size and/or combinations thereof such as, for example, an item of scenery such as a fireplace, holiday scene (e.g., snowman, holiday carolers), as well as a figurine depicting a fictional or real person, a character, an animal (e.g., a domesticated animal or pet like a dog, cat, bunny, or the like, or a wild animal like a lion, a monkey, an elephant or the like), a tree, plant, a waterfall, or the like, or a structure of interest such as a cabin, a house, bridge, or other architectural components or features such as a statue, fountain, or monument. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A to  2 E and  3 A to  3 F, the cap portion  40  is selectively affixed to the container portion  20  to open and close the interior cavity  22  of the container portion  20  as may be desired to provide access to the interior cavity  22  and the volume of the flowable liquid, cream, powder, granule, crystal, or other product of interest  24  stored within the container portion  20 . In one embodiment, the cap portion  40  includes internal female threads to receive mating male threads disposed on an exterior of the container portion  20  (e.g.,  FIG. 5A , described below) such that the cap portion  40  is removable to seal and unseal the interior cavity  22  of the container portion  20 . It should be appreciated that it is also within the scope of the present invention to selectively open and close the interior cavity  22  with the cap portion  40  by means of a conventional “snap closing” or “flip top” arrangement such as, for example, a plug or plugs configured to open and close one or more openings in the container portion  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3F , the cap portion  40  includes a selectively deployable fastener  42 . In one embodiment the selectively deployable fastener  42  includes a ring  42 A (as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3B and 3D ), a hook  42 B ( FIG. 3E ), or arm member  42 C ( FIG. 3F ). The selectively deployable fastener  42  is rotatably coupled to the cap portion  40  by coupling means  46 , for example, a hinge or a shaft, rod or protrusion inserted in an opening and rotatable about an axis between a closed or stored position ( FIG. 3A ) and an open or deployed position ( FIGS. 3D ,  3 E,  3 F). In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , when in the closed or stored position, the selectively deployable fastener  42  may be disposed in a recess  44  in a surface of the cap portion  40 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the deployable fastener  42  and the coupling means  46  cooperate such that the fastener  42  freely rotates for selective storage and deployment. In one embodiment, the fastener  42  is fixedly positioned in the deployed position. It should also be appreciated that the deployable fastener  42  and the coupling means  46  are constructed of relatively sufficient material to permit not only repeated, free rotation between the closed and open positions but also allow the deployable fastener  42  and coupling means  46  to accommodate a weight of the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40 . As such, the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10  can be repeated hung from a limb of a tree or the like when the container portion  20  is fully loaded with the volume of the product of interest  24 , when the container portion  20  is fully empty of the volume, and volumes between the fully loaded and fully empty conditions. 
     In one embodiment, the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10 , including any portion thereof such as for example the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40 , is selectively fabricated from high temperature, food safe plastic such as, for example, high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polyethylene high-density (“PEHD”), Polypropylene (“PP”) or the like capable of withstanding a minimum temperature of about one hundred eighty degrees Fahrenheit (180° F.). In such an embodiment, the product of interest  24 , such as, for example, a relatively pure maple syrup, will exhibit a suitable shelf life. As should be appreciated, this relatively high temperature plastic allows the container portion  20  to be cleaned (e.g., washed) for reuse to contain food product or similar uses such as “green” uses. In another embodiment, the deployable fastener  42  and the coupling means  46  similarly are selectively fabricated from a material capable of withstanding a minimum temperature of about 180° F. such as, for example, HDPE, PEHD, PP, a metal or metal alloy, or the like. 
     As can be appreciated, in a first mode of operation or use, the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40  cooperate to provide storage and repeatable access to the flowable liquid, cream, powder or other product of interest  24  stored within the interior cavity  22  of the container portion  20 . In this first mode of operation, the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40  also cooperate to provide a function of a decorative item that can be displayed on a surface such as, for example, a table, desk, shelf or the like, or, by selectively deploying the deployable fastener  42 , hung from a surface such as, for example, a branch of a tree, plant or the like. As such, the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40  cooperate to provide the described multiple purpose container and decorative item  10 . Similarly, in a second mode of operation or use, when the flowable liquid, cream, powder, granule, crystal, or other product of interest  24  is exhausted, rather than discarding the container portion  20  and the cap portion  40 , the aesthetic, decorative and/or ornamental nature of the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10  is still functional, such that the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10  is still useful and is not discarded. Since the multiple purpose container and decorative item  10  remains useful, it does not become a waste product bound for a landfill. 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a portion  26 A of a surface  26  of the container portion  20  is selectively removable by, for example, being comprised of a base  28  having external threads  29  that are received by threads  25  within walls of the container portion  20 . In this embodiment, removal of the base  28  from the container portion  20  provides access to the interior cavity  22  and the product of interest  24  stored therein. In one embodiment, the product of interest  24  may include candy such as, for example, candy kisses, jelly beans, and the like, as well as small games, costume jewelry or other articles of amusements for children, adults, pets and the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5D , exemplary embodiments of a container portion  120  (similar to the container portion  20 ) configured as a decorative ball  120 A ( FIG. 5A ), a bell  120 B ( FIG. 5B ), a heart shape  120 C including a stand  150  ( FIG. 5C ), a pumpkin  120 D ( FIG. 5D ), or a miniature tree. In one embodiment, as with the container portion  20 , the container portion  120  may be comprised of, for example, one or more colored, treated and/or textured surfaces to achieve a preferred aesthetic, decorative and/or ornamental appearance. For example, it should be appreciated that in addition to the above, the container portion  120  may be configured in other desired color (e.g., red, green, blue, silver), treatment (e.g., gloss or polish), texture, shape, size and/or combinations thereof such as, for example, an item of scenery such as a fireplace, holiday scene (e.g., snowman, holiday carolers), as well as a figurine depicting a fictional or real person, a character, an animal (e.g., a domesticated animal or pet like a dog, cat, bunny, or the like, or a wild animal like a lion, a monkey, an elephant or the like), a tree, plant, a waterfall, or the like, or a structure of interest such as a cabin, a house, bridge, or other architectural components or features such as a statue, fountain, or monument. 
     In one embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 6 , a set  210 A of multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  is provided wherein each respective multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  includes a container portion  220  and a cap portion  240  as described above with reference to container portion  20  and a cap portion  40 . In one embodiment, the container portion  20  may be comprised of, for example, plastic or other polymer, glass, paper, and the like. In one embodiment, the set  210 A of multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  is configured to contain and dispense fluid food additives or flavorings such as, for example, flavored syrups or other fluid toppings. In one embodiment, the set  210 A of multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  is configured to contain and dispense particulate food additives or spices such as, for example, salt and pepper. As illustrated in dashed lines  FIG. 6 , a plurality of apertures  225  in the container portion  220  accommodate the dispensing of the particulate food additives from the container portion  220 . Moreover, alternative embodiments of the multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  of the set  210 A may include any or all of the features described hereinabove with respect to the multiple purpose container and decorative items  10 . For example, in one embodiment, the multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  of the set  210 A comprises the decorative indicia  23  ( FIG. 1 ) that comprises a surface upon which a consumer may write a desired message, note, and/or image, or the like. Such a personalized set  210 A may be offered for use in cooperation with other items or offers such as, for example, accompanying a merchant&#39;s gift certificate (i.e., a gift card). While two multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  have been shown and described as a set of multiple purpose container and decorative items  210 A, the present invention is not limited in this regard as more than two multiple purpose container and decorative items  210  can be combined as a set of multiple purpose container and decorative items  210 A without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, many construction techniques and materials may be utilized. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.