Dispensing – Simulations
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-08-21
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Simulations
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276566
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a container that has one or more complementary designs on the container and a three-dimensional item that, in turn, is complementary to the complementary designs. More particularly, this invention relates to a container with a depending member, one or more complementary designs on and within the container, a three-dimensional item attached to or an integral part of the depending member and coordinated with the other designs on and/or within the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a continuing need to decorate containers to make them more attractive. This particularly is the case where the container is available for others to see and use. Containers of this type are used for dispensing many products such as hand soaps that usually are left out on a sink top area. These containers are decorated by a decorative label on the front and/or rear surfaces. This was improved by the additional use of a coordinated design on a film inserted within the container. This latter concept is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,554. However, these decorative containers of the prior art can be improved upon. Such an improvement in container decoration is set out in this application for patent.
The problem that has been presented is how to efficiently mount a three-dimensional design in a container. This can be a container where the contained product is poured from the container or is dispensed from the container by means of a pump dispenser or some other device. This problem is solved by the use of a depending member that has the three-dimensional design decoration attached at a lower part of the member, or which has the three-dimensional design decoration as an integral part of the depending member. The depending member can be a part of the container closure or can be a unit that is supported by an upper ledge of the container and held in place by the closure. If the container is one that has a pump dispenser, the dip tube can be fully or partially surrounded by the depending member or the dip tube can comprise the depending member. In any event, a three-dimensional design, such as an object, can be effectively disposed in a container with this three-dimensional design coordinated with a design on a front and/or rear surface of the container. This enhances the three-dimensional effect of the designs on the container and the object or other three-dimensional design within the container.
The relevant prior art is set out in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,785 and U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 240,789; 243,817 and 318,794. U.S. Pat. No 4,733,785 discloses a buoyant chamber with advertising material attached to a straw in a container. U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 240,789 and 243,817 disclose objects attached to drinking straws. U.S. Design Pat. No. 318,794 discloses a decorative spiral attached to the pump body of a pump that is a part of a container. However, none of these references discloses a three-dimensional design attached to a depending member of a container, and none disclose such a three-dimensional design also coordinated with designs on the front and/or rear surfaces of the container. Through the use of a three-dimensional design attached to a depending member, and this three-dimensional design coordinated design-wise with designs on one or more of the front and rear surfaces of the container, there is an enhancement of the three-dimensional effect and a container with improved decoration.
The present invention solves the problem of how to increase the three-dimensional decoration of containers. The three-dimensional effect is more pronounced when a three-dimensional design, such as an object, is made a part of the overall decoration. It also solves the problem of how to effectively secure the three-dimensional member in a container.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to product containers that have an improved decorative appearance. It is known to put decorative labels onto containers to enhance the appearance of the container. Also, it is known to suspend articles within a container to enhance the appearance of a container. In the present invention the appearance of a container is enhanced by effectively securing three-dimensional designs, such as objects, within the container. These three-dimensional designs are of a type to coordinate with the labels on the front and/or rear surfaces of the container to provide a striking three-dimensional effect.
The three-dimensional designs are suspended within the container by being attached to a depending member or being an integral part of the depending member. The depending member is located at one end of the container closure and extends down into the container. The result is that the three-dimensional design appears to be suspended within the container.
The depending member either is supported by the upper ledge of the container and held in place by the closure or by being an integral part of the closure. The depending member can have a shaped object attached to a surface or the depending member can be shaped to form the object. The depending member can be of essentially any shape that can be fitted through a container opening. Usually this container opening will be the fill/dispense opening and the container will be a bottle. The depending member preferably is circular to polygonal in shape and is continuous in the cross-sectional dimension. However, the depending member can be discontinuous in cross sectional dimension with a longitudinal slot or other gap. Such a gap will allow a depending member to be compressed to fit it through a container opening and aid in the assembly of the container.
The depending member also may have a dip tube of a pump dispensing unit passing therethrough with the depending member providing a decorative appearance and at least partially concealing the dip tube. As a further option the depending member may comprise the dip tube of a pump dispensing unit and may be comprised of a decorative shaped object or have decorative shaped object attached thereto.
The container preferably will be transparent to translucent and will have a design on a surface, such as a front or rear surface, which coordinates with the three-dimensional design on the depending member. Most preferably the three-dimensional design on the depending member will coordinate with a design on a front and a rear surface of a container to provide a striking three-dimensional effect.
The decorative effect is enhanced when the liquid in the container is substantially transparent. It can have a tint of a color, however, the depending member must be visually perceptible through the front and/or rear surface of the container. In a further preferred embodiment the material of the depending member, and optionally a dip tube, and the liquid product should have refractive indices of within about 0.5, and most preferably about 0.25 of each other. In this way the depending member, and dip tube, where one is present, will substantially disappear in the product except for the three-dimensional design that is attached to or a part of the depending member or dip tube. The three-dimensional design will be of color different from that of the depending member and contained liquid so as to have a different refractive index and be clearly visible.
The result is a novel and enhanced appearance to the container. The container is very decorative and has a unique three-dimensional appearance.
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patent: WO/94/29838 (1994-12-01), None
patent: WO/98/47810 (1998-10-01), None
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Derakshani Philippe
McGreal Michael J.
LandOfFree
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