Special receptacle or package – Combined or convertible – Packaged assemblage or kit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-05-01
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Combined or convertible
Packaged assemblage or kit
C206S581000, C206S373000, C312S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223900
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a container which sits on countertops and desktops and holds an assortment of items. More specifically, the present invention relates to a unique arrangement of separate, but connected compartments which sit on a desktop, a bathroom counter, or a kitchen counter to neatly hold assorted items.
2. Art Related to Invention
Different styles of containers have been proposed in the past for holding bathroom items such as tooth brushes, soap, and the like; desk items such as pens and paper clips, and kitchen items such as bars of soap and sponges. Oftentimes, these containers are intended to be wall mounted and are complicated in design and expensive to manufacture. There is a need for a simple, inexpensive freestanding container which has multiple purpose utility.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A freestanding, multiple compartment container has now been discovered. The container of the present invention is intended to be freestanding so that it sits on a horizontal surface such as a desk, kitchen countertop, or a bathroom countertop. The present invention has multiple compartments to neatly hold items. For example, at the kitchen sink, it holds soap, steel wool, sponges; or on the desk it holds pens, pencils and paper clips, while on the bathroom countertop it holds toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss.
The multiple compartments of the present invention comprises three different compartments which can be combined to form a container with 3, 4 or 5 compartments. Each compartment is connected to one another through a central compartment and are detachable from one another to allow for different arrangements of the compartments. Each container has at least one lower compartment and one upper compartment, each of which is connected to the central compartment.
Each compartment is made from a hard, durable plastic material which is easy to clean and inexpensive to mold. Because each compartment is independent of the other compartments, it can be decorated separately or coordinated with the other compartments. It can be made with clear or colored plastic or made with an exterior decoration or decal. The colors can be somber to suit an adult's desk, bright to match the kitchen decor, or wild to match a child's desk.
Each compartment is a rectangular prism having an open top and closed sidewalls and closed bottom wall. The overall dimensions of the container is relatively small, 4 inches×4 inches×5 inches, such that it easily fits on the desk or countertop and is a neat, organizational tool. Preferably, the central compartment measures about 4 inches in height, 4 inches in width and 2 inches in depth. Preferably, each upper and lower compartment measures 1 inch in height, 4 inches in width and 3 inches in depth. Each compartment is preferably made from ⅛ inch plastic such that each wall has a ⅛ inch thickness. As such, the container will be small in shape, inexpensive to manufacture, durable and light in weight.
The size can vary depending on its intended purpose. For example, one intended for use on a desk may be smaller than one intended for use in the kitchen. However, the overall proportional dimensions should be maintained for purpose of stability. Broadly, the freestanding multiple compartment container comprises:
a single central compartment which is a vertically oriented rectangular prism having an open top, solid sidewalls and a solid bottom, said central compartment having a height and a width approximately equal to each other and a depth which is about ½ its width or height, said central compartment having four horizontally oriented openings, one along the top of each long sidewall and one along the bottom of each long sidewall, said long sidewalls defining the width of the central compartment;
at least one upper compartment which is a vertically oriented prism having an open top, solid sidewalls and a solid bottom, said upper compartment having a height which is less than ½ the height of the central compartment and a width equal to the width of the central compartment, an L-shaped bracket affixed along a top edge of a long sidewall of said upper compartment, said L-shaped bracket oriented downward and removably fitted into one of the horizontally oriented openings of said central compartment which is positioned along the top of a long sidewall of the central compartment; and
at least one lower compartment which is a vertically oriented prism having an open top, solid sidewalls and a solid bottom, said lower compartment having a height which is less than ½ the height of the central compartment and a width equal to the width of the central compartment, an L-shaped bracket affixed along a bottom edge of a long sidewall of said lower compartment, said L-shaped bracket oriented upward and removably fitted into one of the horizontally oriented openings of said central compartment which is positioned along the bottom of a long sidewall of the central compartment.
The container of the present invention can further comprise a second upper compartment and/or a second lower compartment which is removably fitted to the central compartment along the other opening of the central compartment, the other bottom opening for the second lower compartment or the other top opening for the second upper compartment.
Preferably, each L-shaped bracket runs the entire length of the long sidewall of its compartment.
The L-shaped bracket is preferably positioned only along one of the long sidewalls, however, it can be positioned along both of the long sidewalls, i.e. for the upper compartment along the top edge of each of the long sidewalls and for the lower compartment along the bottom edge of each of the long sidewalls. In this way, the upper and/or lower compartments can be attached between two central compartments to increase the size of the container.
The upper and lower compartments preferably have a depth which is less than their width.
Preferably, the upper compartment has holes in its bottom wall so that a steel wool pad can drip water to the lower compartment and thereby dry. Alternatively, a removeable tray having holes therein is situated inside and in the bottom of the upper, lower or central compartment. Such a tray allows water to fall into the bottom of the compartment and for items contained therein to dry. The water readily evaporates from the bottom of the compartment. The tray also allows air to circulate around the item and for the item to dry faster.
In the kitchen environment, the central compartment is intended to hold a sponge, the lower compartment to hold a bar of soap, and the upper compartment to hold a steel wool pad. In the office/desk environment, the central compartment is intended to hold pens and pencils, while the upper and lower compartments hold paper clips, rubber bands, and small note paper. In the bathroom environment, the central compartment holds toothbrushes and toothpaste, the upper compartment holds beauty aids while the lower compartment holds a bar of soap.
To make each of the compartments, they are individually molded from plastic using conventional plastic material and in a conventional manner.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5118173 (1992-06-01), Proctor et al.
patent: 6050660 (2000-04-01), Garley
Bierman, Muserlian and Lucas
Luong Shian
Sewell Paul T.
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