Special receptacle or package – With ornamentation or simulation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-12
2003-09-02
Luong, Shian (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
With ornamentation or simulation
C206S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06612438
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to receptacles into which discrete objects can be placed and, more particularly, to an insert for placement within the receptacle to provide a cushioning layer for an object placed therewithin.
2. Background Art
It is common to place objects in containers for display and/or shipping. One example of this is a seasonal basket, such as the straw basket shown at
10
in
FIGS. 1-3
. The basket
10
has a wall
12
defining an upwardly opening receptacle
14
. An upper rim
16
bounds an opening through which objects can be introduced to the receptacle
14
. An inverted, U-shaped handle
18
has spaced ends
20
,
22
which are attached to the wall
12
to define a graspable element through which the basket
10
can be lifted and transported.
This structure is typically used to send a “gift basket” with a seasonal theme. As one example, this type of basket is used commonly during the Easter holiday. Typically, a bulk supply of discrete, intermeshed, elongate strands
24
are packed into the receptacle
14
to define a cushioning layer to support discrete objects placed therewithin, so that they are readily visible at the top of the basket
10
and spaced protectively from direct contact with the basket. As just one example, Easter eggs
26
, shown in
FIG. 3
, are placed on bulk-packed strands
24
which define a “pillow” that supports the objects and shields them from unwanted contact with each other and the basket
10
. Typically, such elongate strands
24
are made from rubber, plastic, paper, or straw. As an example, shredded paper can be packed into the receptacle
14
. The integrity of the “pillow” defined by the bulk-packed strands
24
is maintained by the intermeshing of the strands
24
.
What generally occurs is that the strands
24
become separated from each other and the basket
10
, as the discrete objects
26
are removed from the receptacle
14
, so that they litter the area surrounding the basket
10
. This occurs because, as seen most clearly in
FIG. 2
, the strands remain in the accumulated state only by reason of the intermeshing. The strands
24
may separate under a minimal force, as small as a static force adhering the strands
24
to an object that is removed from the container
10
.
The overall result is that the strands
24
that have become separated must be collected for disposal. This may represent a significant inconvenience, particularly in a party environment in which a large number of children are removing objects from the baskets
10
. The strands
24
often must be swept up or vacuumed from cloth and carpeted surfaces. The strands
24
tend to be tenacious in adhering to carpeting, particularly with a thick pile or a sculpted pattern.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of a container and an insert. The container has a wall which defines an upwardly opening receptacle. The wall has a rim extending around the receptacle, and bounding an opening to the receptacle. The insert consists of a base and a plurality of elongate strands, each having a portion attached to the base and a decorative portion projecting away from the base. The plurality of elongate strands have a density sufficient to provide a cushioning support for an article placed in the receptacle.
In one form, the receptacle opening has an area and the plurality of elongate strands have a density sufficient to nominally cover the area of the receptacle opening.
The base may be made from a material which allows the base to be formed into and retained in a plurality of different shapes.
The base may have a ring-like shape.
The elongate strands may be made from a flexible material.
The elongate strands may be made from at least one of plastic, rubber, paper, and straw.
In one form, the strands are made from a material that can be formed into a plurality of different shapes and will maintain the plurality of different shapes without external force applied to the strands.
The strands may be attached to the base by being embedded therein. Alternatively, the plurality of strands may be attached to an external surface on the base.
The strands may have an average diameter that is not greater than {fraction (1/16)} inch.
The plurality of strands may be intermeshed.
In one form, the strands nominally occupy at least one-half the volume of the receptacle.
The strands may project through the receptacle opening to outside of the receptacle.
The basket may include an inverted, U-shaped handle having spaced ends connected to the wall.
In one form, the combination includes at least one discrete holiday-related item supported on the plurality of strands so that the plurality of strands define a cushioning layer between the at least one discrete holiday-related item and both the wall and the base.
The invention is also directed to an insert for placement within a receptacle, with the insert having a base and a plurality of elongate strands having a portion attached to the base and a decorative portion projecting away from the base. The plurality of elongate strands have a density sufficient to provide a cushioning support for an article placed against the plurality of elongate strands with the insert in the receptacle.
The strands may have a density sufficient to provide a cushioning layer between a discrete article placed on the plurality of strands and both the base and an element bounding a receptacle into which the insert is placed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5308677 (1994-05-01), Renna
patent: 5897926 (1999-04-01), Mikulas
patent: 6053323 (2000-04-01), Weder
patent: 6065601 (2000-05-01), Weder
patent: 6293401 (2001-09-01), Weder
patent: 6298637 (2001-10-01), Weder
patent: 6385949 (2002-05-01), Weder
patent: 6401436 (2002-06-01), Weder
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