Patent ID: 12193607

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once during performance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “comprising” is open-ended insofar as that which follows such term is not exclusive. Additionally, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” is the same as “a picnic basket comprising an apple” and “a picnic basket including an apple”, each of which identically describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, “a picnic basket consisting of an apple” has only a single item contained therein, i.e., one apple; the picnic basket contains no other item.

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list”. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers”, as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

FIGS.1and2are perspective, exploded views of a preferred embodiment of a container100in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.FIGS.3and4are side views of the container ofFIG.1, wherein the components are assembled together, and the container100is closed.FIG.5is a top plan view of the container100, wherein the components are assembled together, and the container100is closed.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, the components of the container100are shown separated apart from one another for clarity. The components of the container100comprise a body102and a cover104. The cover104is tethered to the body by a strap112. The components of the container further include a grinder110. The grinder110itself comprises two components, namely, a lower grinding component106and an upper grinding component108.

The body102of the container100defines a primary storage area compartment98for receiving, containing, and storing organic material, which is schematically illustrated in phantom inFIG.1. The body102preferably is formed from glossy polypropylene that has UV-blocking additives.

The cover104comprises threads114on an inner surface thereof—and the container comprises corresponding threads on an outer surface of a rim117of the body102—by which the cover104screws onto the body102of the container100. The cover104preferably screws on in an airtight engagement so that the storing of the organic material within the storage area compartment98is odorless. The cover104preferably is formed from textured polypropylene that has UV-blocking additives.

Preferably, the strap112connects to the cover104by way of a ring118that snap-fits over a circular flange120on the top121of the cover104. The top121preferably is beveled for facilitating the snap-fitting of the ring118over the flange120.

Similarly, the strap112connects to the body102by way of a larger ring122that snap-fits over a flange124of a rim117of the body102and fits within a peripheral channel defined in the outer surface of the body102. The cover104thus rotates relative to the smaller ring118, and the body102rotates relative to the larger ring122. Preferably, the strap112and the two rings118,122consist of a single piece of molded plastic, and the strap112preferably is formed from textured polypropylene that has UV-blocking additives. The strap112also preferably is removable by a user by pulling the rings118,122respectively from the flanges120,124.

In some alternative embodiments, the strap is integrally molded with the body and the cover such that the strap, body, and cover consist of a single piece of molded plastic, with the cover snap-fitting over and onto the rim of the body.

The lower grinding component106comprises a cylindrical wall132configured to circumferentially engage in frictional fit an interior wall that defines a mouth of the body102leading into the storage area compartment98proximate to and surrounded by the rim117. The cylindrical wall132also includes a lip133extending around the bottom edge of the wall132for sealing engagement with the interior wall of the mouth of the body102proximate to and surrounded by the rim117. The sealing engagement preferably is airtight and watertight. The lower grinding component106further includes a peripheral portion that radially flares out to define a flange134for engaging and resting upon a top surface136of the rim117. The lower grinding component106preferably is formed from textured polypropylene that has UV-blocking additives.

The upper grinding component108also includes a cylindrical wall142configured to circumferentially engage in frictional fit an interior wall that defines a mouth of the lower grinding component106leading to a grinding area compartment126, which grinding area compartment is surrounded by the cylindrical wall132. The lower grinding component106further includes a peripheral portion that radially flares out to define a flange144for engaging and resting upon the top of a rim146of the lower grinding component106that surrounds the mouth leading to the grinding area compartment126. The upper grinding component108preferably is formed from textured polypropylene that has UV-blocking additives.

The lower grinding component106defining the grinding area compartment126includes a first plurality of grinding elements located on a bottom interior surface thereof in the form of spaced apart protuberances comprising grinding teeth152, and the upper grinding component108comprises a second plurality of grinding elements located on a bottom exterior surface thereof in the form of spaced apart protuberances comprising grinding teeth154. The teeth152are configured to extend adjacent the teeth154when the upper grinding component is inserted into the lower grinding component as seen, for example, inFIGS.6and8. The teeth152,154operate to grind organic material that is received within the grinding area compartment126during rotational movement between the upper and lower grinding components, which movement is schematically illustrated inFIG.8.

To facilitate manual gripping for such rotation, a portion of the exterior surface of the lower grinding component106comprises a gripping surface156in the form of ridges, and a portion of the exterior surface of the upper grinding component108comprises a gripping surface158in the form of ridges. The gripping surface156extends circumferentially around the lower grinding component106, and the griping surface158circumferentially around the upper grinding component108.

After grinding, the ground organic material is poured from the grinding area compartment126using the lower grinding component106as a pouring cup. The ground organic material can be poured using the lower grinding component106in a controlled manner. When the organic material is tobacco, for example, the ground tobacco can be poured from the lower grinding component106into a pipe, or onto smoking paper for rolling into a cigarette.

The upper grinding component108also comprises a secondary storage area compartment160, which can be used for storing ground organic material. Indeed, following grinding the lower grinding component106can function as a pouring cup for pouring the ground organic material from the grinding area compartment126into the secondary storage area compartment160of the upper grinding component108. A lid162connected by a hinge164to a peripheral wall of the upper grinding component108can be used to cover and close off the secondary storage area compartment160. The lid162preferably forms a seal with the peripheral wall of the upper grinding component108that is airtight for odorless storage of ground organic material in the secondary storage area compartment160. Preferably, the seal is formed by a frictional fit of a peripheral wall168of the lid162being received in tight fit with the inner surface of the peripheral wall170of the upper grinding component108. An inner peripheral shoulder also extends around the inner surface of the peripheral wall170of the upper grinding component108that acts as a stop to further advancement of the wall168of the lid into the secondary storage area compartment160. The lid162further includes a tab180for manual opening of the lid162for access to the secondary storage area compartment160.

In use, the primary storage area compartment98serves as primary storage of the container100for storing organic material for later grinding. To grind the organic material, the cover104is unscrewed and removed from the body of the container to expose the grinder110. The grinder110then is removed, either as a whole or by first removing the upper grinding component108and then removing the lower grinding component106. This step is represented byFIG.6. Removal of the grinder110then enables access to the primary storage. As seen inFIG.6, removing the grinder110exposes the unground organic material comprising the lavender flowers contained in the primary storage area compartment98.

A desired amount of the organic material for grinding then is removed from the primary storage area compartment98and placed in the grinding area compartment126. This step is represented byFIG.7, where the upper and lower grinding components are separated to expose the grinding area compartment126.

Once the organic material to be ground has been received in the grinding area compartment126, the upper grinding component is inserted into the lower grinding component and the two components are rotated by hand relative to each other to effect grinding of the organic material. This step is schematically illustrated inFIG.8.

Following a desired degree of grinding, the upper grinding component108is withdrawn from the lower grinding component106to expose the ground organic material in the grinding area compartment126of the lower grinding component106. The ground organic material is then used as desired in any lawful manner. In such use, the lower grinding component preferably serves as pouring cup for pouring of the ground organic material.

It may be the case that too much organic material has been ground and should be saved for later use rather than being discarded. The container100makes saving of the ground organic material convenient and easy. The lid162is popped off or otherwise opened, and the unused ground material is poured from the lower grinding component into the secondary storage area compartment160of the upper grinding component.FIG.9illustrates unground lavender flowers contained in the primary storage98of the body102of the container100, and ground lavender flowers contained in the secondary storage126of the upper grinding component108.

At this stage the lid162can be closed with the ground lavender flowers contained in the secondary storage of the upper grinding component108; the lower grinding component106can be inserted into the mouth of the body102of the container100; the upper grinding component110can be inserted into the mouth of the lower grinding component106; the cover102can be screwed onto the rim117of the body102of the container100for sealing the grinding component110, whereby the unground lavender flowers are contained within the primary storage in an airtight manner, and the ground lavender flowers are contained within the secondary storage in an airtight manner.

It will be appreciated that a container in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention can be made in a variety of sizes, but preferred sizes correspond to something a bit larger than a medicine pill bottle or film canister or the like. Such container preferably is of a size that can be easily carried on one's person whether in one's pants or shorts pocket, purse, or the like, and the components thereof preferably are molded from plastic materials such that the container is light in weight and inexpensive to manufacture. Additionally, while the components of the container are illustrated as being generally cylindrical, it will be appreciated that other shapes, such as a multi-faceted design, can be used so long as the grinder fits within the confines of the body and cover of the container when the container is assembled and closed.

FIG.10is a side view of another preferred embodiment of a container200in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention. As seen inFIG.10, the container200fits within a person's hand, extending from the little finger to the thumb when gripped.

FIG.11is another side view of the container200, andFIG.12is a side exploded view of the container200. As seen inFIG.11, the container200comprises a body202and a cover204that is tethered to the body102by a strap212. The cover204unscrews from a rim of the body202, and a grinder comprising lower grinding component206and upper grinding component208is encapsulated within the container when the cover204is secured onto the rim of the body202. The upper grinding component208defines a secondary storage area compartment that is closed by a lid216utilizing a hinge.

The structure and use of the container200is like the container100discussed in detail above. Consequently, the following description focuses on differences between container100and container200.

FIG.12is a side exploded view of the container200. As revealed inFIG.12, the lower grinding component206unscrews from the body202of the container200, and unground lavender flower is seen contained within the primary storage area compartment198, i.e., the storage area compartment of the body of the container. The threads213seen on the lower grinding component inFIG.12mate with threads on an interior surface of the rim217of the body202of the container200. Accessing the primary storage of the container202thus is accomplished by twisting or unscrewing the lower grinding component206off of the rim217of the body202of the container200after the cover204is unscrewed and moved away from the body202of the container200. The use of a threaded connection to secure the lower grinding component206to the body202of the container200is a difference from the frictional fit utilized between the lower grinding component106and the body102of the container100.

FIG.13is a perspective, exploded view of the grinder of the container200. As illustrated inFIG.13, lavender flower is being placed through a mouth of the lower grinding component and into the grinding area compartment226of the lower grinder component206for grinding. The lower portion of the upper grinding component208fits into the grinding area compartment226of the lower grinding component206, as seen inFIG.14. As further seen inFIG.14, relative rotation of the lower grinder component206and the upper grinder component208is then manually performed, by which the lavender flower placed within the grinding area compartment226is ground.

To facilitate manual gripping for such rotation, a portion of the exterior surface of the lower grinding component206comprises a gripping surface256in the form of protuberances comprising bumps, and a portion of the exterior surface of the upper grinding component208comprises a gripping surface258in the form of protuberances comprising bumps. The gripping surface256extends circumferentially around the lower grinding component206, and the griping surface258circumferentially around the upper grinding component208. Such gripping surfaces represent another difference between the container200and container100.

Another difference between the container200and container100is perhaps best illustrated inFIG.13and pertains to the grinding elements of the upper and lower grinding components206,208. Whereas container100includes protuberances in the form of teeth, the grinding elements of the container200comprise concave recesses282,284formed in opposing surfaces272,274of the grinding components in the grinding area compartment. When the upper grinding component is received within the lower grinding component with the opposing surfaces having the concave recesses disposed proximate one another with the organic material pressured and sandwiched therebetween, the rotational movement of the grinding components that is schematically illustrated inFIG.14results in portions of the organic material being trapped within the recesses of the opposing rotating surfaces resulting in tearing and grinding.

FIG.15is a perspective view of a contoured surface290illustrating concave recesses292formed therein, which may be used as grinding elements as alternatives to the grinding elements in the form of protuberances such as teeth. In particular, such contoured surface290may be used as the opposing surfaces of the grinding components206,208in the grinding area compartment.

FIG.16is a side view of the upper and lower grinding components206,208illustrating the controlled pouring of ground lavender flower from the lower grinding component206into the secondary storage of and formed in the upper grinding component208. After pouring, the lid216is snap fit within the mouth of the upper grinding component208for sealing the secondary storage area compartment and preserving the ground lavender flower.

FIG.17is a side view of the body202of the container200showing that the cover204and body202of the container200can be used for primary storage without the presence of the grinder; in other words, the grinder is not a key component for use of the container for primary storage. Likewise, it will be appreciated that the cover and body of the container are not key components for use of the grinder for grinding and for secondary storage.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the invention has broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Thus, for example, it is contemplated that, instead of holding organic material that has been taken from the primary storage and ground, the secondary storage—the storage area compartment of the upper grinding component—can be used for a different organic material, such as a different species or different strain compared to that of the organic material stored in the primary storage of the container body.