Receptacles – Horizontally attached receptacle sets – Detachable
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-20
2001-12-04
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Horizontally attached receptacle sets
Detachable
C220S004270, C215S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325229
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an article of manufacture. More specifically, this invention is directed to multiple discreet containers arranged in a spiral wound interlocking ensemble.
2. Background of Invention
The packaging of beverages, industrial products and consumer goods, particularly, fluid materials can typically involve packaging concepts having both functional and ornamental qualities. Where such materials are related to one another by virtue of their interaction or conjunct usage, they can be packaged and sold in a single commercial unit. For example, in the industrial sector, there are numerous chemical products that are adapted to be mixed together at the time of use, but are preferably packaged individually so that they remain separated until used. One such example are the epoxy resins and the catalysts or activators that cause such resins to harden or polymerize.
Another product combination in, for example, the consumer product area, is the unitary packaging of the ingredients for various recipes, (e.g. salad dressing, baked goods, etc.) where the objective of the manufacturer is to have such ingredients combined immediately prior to consumption or cooking/baking. In each instance, the packaging of such ingredients in each of the individuals containers is accomplished independently, and, thereafter, the combination of packages combined in a single commercial unit.
Under certain circumstances, its may also be desirable to provide such companion products in decorative serving containers, that can be used directly by the consumer at the time of dispensing of the contents of the companion products. Where this latter option is desired, it is preferable that the companion products be similar or complimentary; and, to the extent possible, that each of the containers for each of the companion products be physically associated with one another, so as to provide an integral unit or ensemble. The latter criteria is desirable to provide an attractive item that can be used, or allowed to remain in plain view, while avoiding the appearance of clutter or disorder. With respect to this latter requirement, there is and remains a continuing need to provide such functional and ornamental packaging concepts that are both cost effective and suitable for use in conjunction with a broad range of companion products.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to remedy the above as well as related deficiencies in the prior art.
More specifically, it is the principal to provide a unitary array of multiple containers for packaging of related or similar goods wherein each of the containers is integral with each other so as to provide an attractive and functional ensemble.
It is another object of this invention to provide a unitary array of multiple containers for packaging of related or similar goods wherein each of the containers of the array are arranged relative to one another along a common axis.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a unitary array of multiple containers for packaging of related or similar goods wherein each of the containers of the array contribute to a geometrically symmetrical form having an axis in common to each container, so as to interlock said containers into said geometrically symmetrical form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and related objects are achieved by providing an array of containers of essentially the same size and shape, wherein each of the containers of such array comprise a symmetrical geometric form which contribute to an ensemble of such containers having a single axis in common to each of the containers of the ensemble.
In the preferred embodiments of this invention, each of the containers is spiral wound along a common vertical axis, so as to provide a symmetrical geometric form or ensemble having a base, and intermediate section, and neck, wherein the open end of the neck of each container of the ensemble is provided with a separate closure. The individual containers of the ensemble are thus entwined about one another so as to provide the requisite degree of torsional engagement of one to the other so as to hold the resulting ensemble together. In practice, in excess of 270°, and most preferably, at least about 360° of torsional engagement of the discrete containers relative to one another, provides adequate physical coupling together of the independent, discrete containers to maintain the integrity of the resulting ensemble. The discrete containers of the ensemble can be further provided with releasable, interlocking features (e.g. mating pairs of male and female surface features), to maintain the contiguous containers of the ensemble within a unitary configuration.
In another of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the ensemble can have a flattened base to maintain it in an erect posture and thereby a fixed orientation relative to a surface, so as to provide stability of orientation of the ensemble on such surface. Where the ensemble is to be used to as a novelty item, a toy or simply to adorn a table or other item of furniture, it can include several free-form like containers, each of which may be either free standing or otherwise dependent upon the other members of the ensemble for stability.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5316159 (1994-05-01), Douglas et al.
patent: 5735422 (1998-04-01), Binter
patent: 5823391 (1998-10-01), Klauke et al.
patent: 5954213 (1999-09-01), Gerhart et al.
patent: 6179146 (2001-01-01), Betras
Pollard Steven
Ross, Esq. Richard S.
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