Receptacles – Compartmented container – Closure for compartment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-03-06
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3728)
Receptacles
Compartmented container
Closure for compartment
C220S254800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196412
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a multi-compartment container. More particularly, the invention relates to a container which is divided internally so as to provide multiple compartments and which accordingly provides multiple access ports to the contents of said compartments.
Any substance of a liquid, pasty or granular nature must be stored in a container. Further, foods of all types are often stored in containers to prevent contamination and to slow or prevent decay or spoilage thereof. In addition, small items such as beads, nails and screws, seeds, hobby parts, and the like must be stored in containers, or they will quickly become lost.
Over the years, numerous types of containers have been devised in an attempt at meeting a particular storage goal—such as storing small items, preventing a child's access to the container's contents, showing a consumer when a product has been tampered with, etc. However, all of these attempted solutions have failed to provide an effective storage container which simply allows multiple products to be contained within while providing convenient access to all such products.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to produce a container which allows multiple products to be stored within the same housing. Accordingly, the container housing has one or more dividers which create multiple compartments within the housing, which each allow storage of a distinct product.
It is another object of the invention to provide a container which allows each of the products to be separately accessed. Accordingly, multiple lids or multiple lid flaps are provided to allow access to each of the separately divided compartments.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a container which can provide multiple access points to the same compartment. Accordingly, the container may be provided with lids on opposite sides of the container housing, wherein each compartment is thereby is communication with more than one of said lids, and accordingly access is provided to each of the compartments from opposite sides. Further, multiple access points allows the user to ensure that they have retrieved all of the product stored within the compartment.
It is still a further object to provide a container which is inexpensive to manufacture. Accordingly, the container of the present invention is configured so that it is susceptible for manufacture using standard manufacturing techniques and procedures and using standard components with little modification.
The invention is a multiple-compartment container, for storing a variety of objects, comprising a housing having a first end, a second end, and two lids—one lid located at the first end and one lid located at the second end. Dividers are provided within the container to create distinct compartments therein. The compartments may include a transverse divider which creates distinct compartments at the first end and second end, and a longitudinal divider, which creates distinct compartments which each extend between the first end and second end. Both a transverse divider and two or more longitudinal dividers may be employed to create four or more compartments. Each of the lids having one or more lid flaps to provide access to the compartments therein. Snap in pourers may be inserted into the lids immediately beneath one or more of said lid flaps to control the pouring of granular substances.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
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Goldstein & Canino
Moy Joseph M.
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