Receptacles – Receptacle having flexible – removable inner liner – Removable bag liner
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-23
2001-10-02
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Receptacle having flexible, removable inner liner
Removable bag liner
C150S112000, C150S129000, C229S023001, C229S023001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296138
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liner for an upwardly-opening container or vessel, and more particularly, to a liner having a storage receptacle, such as a pocket.
Liners frequently are used inside containers to prevent contact between the contents of the container and the inner surface of the container, or to provide a softer or smoother surface within the container. When the container has interstices or perforations, a liner also may provide a barrier to the passage of liquids or small objects such as coins or paper clips through these container openings. Liners also may increase the usefulness of the container by providing compartments for convenient storage of small items.
Liners frequently are used with baskets, and particularly upwardly-opening baskets, to achieve one or more of these purposes. Fabric “drop-in” liners, which are not secured to the container, are common, as are other liner styles that fold over the top rim of the container or otherwise are secured to the container. Many of these liners, and particularly drop-in liners, are susceptible to being shifted out of position, or even disassociated entirely from the container when the container is handled, especially when objects are inserted into or removed from the container. When pockets are provided in these liners, the liners also are susceptible to sagging or even collapsing when the pockets are filled with large or heavy items. This has, unfortunately, tended to limit the number and size of the pockets provided, and thus, the usefulness of the liners.
Often, more than one liner is used within a basket to form a lining system with desired qualities. For example, a fabric liner may be combined with a water-impermeable protective liner or shell. The shell may be used inside of the fabric liner or between the fabric liner and the container. Using the shell inside the fabric liner not only protects the fabric liner from being soiled or damaged by abrasion, punctures or the like, but also tends to support the fabric liner in an upright position within the container, thereby preventing the fabric liner from sagging or shifting out of position. However, this arrangement generally precludes the usefulness of storage receptacles such as pockets or the like provided in the fabric liner. If the shell is interposed between the fabric liner and the container, the storage compartments of the fabric liner are accessible, but the fabric liner is likely to shift or sag if it is not supported within or securely fastened to the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a liner for use with an upwardly-opening container in which the liner is supported by an insert received within the container while allowing access to a storage receptacle on the liner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lining system comprising a liner including a storage receptacle and a liner insert. As described above, the insert provides support for the liner while allowing access to a storage receptacle on the liner.
The foregoing objective are achieved in a liner including a liner body that is interposed between the interior of the container and the exterior of an insert. A flap with a storage receptacle on it extends from the body, folds over the top portion of the insert and hangs into the interior of the insert. The engagement of the insert by the flap assists in maintaining the liner in a desired position, particularly when objects are placed in the storage receptacle on the flap.
The liner may include a base and side walls. Preferably, the liner is flexible and is shaped to conform substantially to the interior of the container. The top of the liner side walls may end at about the same level as, or a short distance below, the container walls. In another embodiment, the liner body may include a cuff that folds over the top rim of the container and covers a portion of the exterior of the container. If the container has a handle mounted to its exterior, the cuff may define a recess to accommodate the handle. The liner body may be secured to such a container by fasteners provided on tabs that extend from opposing sides of the recess below the container handle.
The flap may extend from the liner body at or below the vicinity of the top edge of the insert, which typically is positioned at a distance below the top of the container walls. The storage receptacle is positioned on the portion of the flap that hangs into the interior of the insert. This receptacle preferably will take the form of a pocket, with or without closures, gussets, or viewing windows. The receptacle also may take other forms, such as a loop suitable for holding items such as pens or key chains in place.
The invention also encompasses a lining system including a liner body and a liner support or insert. The liner insert defines a base and side walls that terminate at a distance below the top of the container walls. The liner body is interposed between the interior of the container and the exterior of the insert. As described above, the liner body includes a flap that hangs over a top edge the insert and into the interior of the insert The insert anchors the liner body in a desired position within the container and possesses sufficient stiffness to secure the liner body in an upright position.
These and further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
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The Longaberger Company,WishList,Sep. 1995, p. 13, and Spring & Summer 1996, p. 17, Over-the-Edge Fabric Basket Liner (shown with Magazine Basket).
Hannah Sue
Sherman Barbara A.
Eloshway Niki M.
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
The Longaberger Company
Vidovich Gregory M.
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