Special receptacle or package – With ornamentation or simulation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-09
2001-12-04
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
With ornamentation or simulation
C220S023870, C220S528000, C220S575000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325211
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an arrangement for a decorative container, more particularly to a decorative container including a hollow region where objects can be displayed, and to a method for decorating a container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Decorative containers are known in the prior art that allow sheets of material or objects to be stored within the walls of the container. For example, beverage mugs are known in the art that provide space for a sheet of material, such as decorative paper or a photo, in the wall of the mug. These types of mugs sometimes provide a removable portion so that the sheet of material may be changed by the user. Most of these types of beverage mugs in the prior art accommodate a thin sheet of material, like a photo, although some of these decorative mugs may allow for insertion of liquid or fine particles within the space provided for decoration or information display.
However, there is a need for arrangements especially situated to hold three-dimensional decorative objects within the walls of the container that can be easily changed. There is also a need for an arrangement where a number of internal cavities are provided for separating the decorative objects, to provide attractive separation and placement of decorative objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the present invention provides a decorative container that displays items in internal cavities, the container comprising an inner container nested within an outer container thereby defining a hollow region therebetween. The decorative container ether includes a plurality of dividers within the hollow region that separate the region into a plurality of internal cavities. The decorative container also includes a removable plate that provides access to each of the internal cavities. Preferably, the inner and/or outer containers are bowl shaped and are transparent to provide viewing of the decorative objects within the internal cavities from all sides of the container. The plate that provides access to the internal cavities may be round and may fit into an opening in the outer container with a press fit configuration. Preferably, the plate fits into a bottom portion of the outer container and is removable without special tools.
In a preferred configuration, the hollow region has a thickness of at least about a quarter-inch apart, more preferably at least a half-inch apart, allowing room for positioning of decorative objects within the internal cavities. In one preferred configuration, the decorative container includes 15 vertical dividers that separate the region into 15 internal cavities. The decorative container may also include a circular divider at a bottom portion of the hollow region, defining a circular display area. The circular display area is preferably also accessed through the bottom plate in the outer container.
A system of the present invention may also include a wand configured to assist with positioning items in the hollow cavities. The wand preferably has a rigid tip and a soft tip at opposing ends. Also the wand preferably has a somewhat flexible shaft to allow insertion of the wand into the internal cavities, which may be curved when the decorative container is bowl-shaped.
The present invention also includes a decorative bowl for displaying items in an internal hollow region including an inner bowl nested within an outer bowl defining the hollow region therebetween where the hollow region has a thickness of at least about one-quarter inch apart. The decorative bowl further includes a removable bottom plate in the outer bowl that provides access to the hollow region. The decorative bowl preferably further includes an upper rim covering the hollow region. The decorative bowl may include dividers within the hollow region defining internal cavities.
A method of the present invention for decorating a container, where the container includes a hollow region defined between an inner container and an outer container, includes the method steps of placing objects within the hollow region through an access opening in the outer container and closing the bottom access opening with a removable plate. The method may also include the step of placing objects in a plurality of internal cavities within the hollow region, positioning or removing objects using a wand, and removing objects within the internal cavities before filling the internal cavities with new objects.
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Brochure, “a hint of summer cool it down”,ampersand, and “Description of Previously Marketed Product On Sale Prior to Invention by Applicant”, 2 pp.
Magic Bowl product (also called DecoBowl), sold on Home Shopping Network at least as early as Oct. 30, 2000. Photograph. Product Information Sheet, and video of on-air demonstration on Home Shopping Network on Oct. 30, 2000.
Foster Jim
Merchant & Gould P.C.
LandOfFree
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