Modeling Clay Container

Abstract

The container of the present invention is designed to allow for easy extraction of contents that would normally adhere to the interior walls of current containers by providing a semi rigid cylindrical container having a single continuous side defining frustoconical shape, a top portion wherein at least one flexible liner is attached to the top portion of the container. The container further possesses a bottom portion wherein such bottom portion has at least one aperture.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel container that allows the user to easily remove and store solids, semi-solids and liquids.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of container for solid, semi solid and liquid contents allow the user to easily remove and store modeling clay.

BACKGROUND

There are a multitude of containers for various substances that range greatly both in size and materials. The type and size of container needed depends primarily on what the container is expected to hold. For containers destined to hold primarily liquids, the most effective containers do not have any perforations or openings in the container other than a lid or pouring aperture to empty the contents of the container.

For containers, however, that need to hold semi solid materials, emptying the contents of a container may prove to be more difficult. One example of such semi solid materials is modeling clay. Current modeling clay or modeling compound containers for children consist of semi rigid plastic cylindrical containers with an enclosed bottom and a flexible top that is removed of to access the contents of the container. The significant disadvantage of current containers for modeling clay is that the modeling clay or compound adheres to the interior walls of the container making it quite difficult for children to remove the modeling clay or compound from the container. Modeling compounds, due to their texture, is very difficult to remove from a plastic container because the compound sticks to the interior walls of the small container. This task is especially challenging for children.

Another possible need of a novel container is for contents that are semi solid such as foods containing gelatin that may not easily be removed from the container without sticking to the walls of the container.

The present invention overcomes such disadvantages by providing a container that allows the contents of the container to be easily removed from the container by users, even children. The container of the present invention is designed to allow for easy extraction of contents that would normally adhere to the interior walls of current containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the present invention wherein the flexible liner of the present invention is shown in broken lines.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the present invention wherein the interior details of the bottom of the container is shown in broken lines.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the present invention wherein the flexible liner of the present invention is shown in broken lines.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front exploded view of the present invention illustrating a channel in the top portion of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is comprised of a semi rigid cylindrical container generally shown at 1, having a single continuous side 3 that defines the cylindrical shape, a top portion 5 wherein at least one flexible liner 7 is attached to the top portion 5 of the container and a bottom portion wherein such bottom portion 9 has at least one aperture 11 (not shown).

In one embodiment, the container is comprised of a container having a single continuous side defining a frustoconical shape, a bottom portion ending in a flat bottom at one end of the container having at least one aperture, a top portion at the opposite end having an opening at least wide as wide as the continuous side, wherein the cross section of the container gradually increases from the bottom portion to the top portion.

The flexible liner of the present invention may be constructed of any flexible material including but not limited to a low-density polyethylene plastic. The liner may be constructed of a man-made synthetic or natural material, transparent or opaque. In one embodiment, the liner may be washable material such that the liner may be cleaned after repeated uses. In another embodiment, the liner may be constructed of plant-based bio-polyethylene terephthalate.

The liner's proportions and shape are configured to fit the dimensions of the cylindrical container. The liner is shaped to fit the shape of the container but is slightly smaller in size to be easily nested within the container and easily removable from the container.

While FIG. 6 illustrates that the flexible liner 7 may line the interior of the container such that there is no space between the bottom portion 9 of the container and the bottom 13 of the flexible liner, the flexible liner 7 may be sized to allow for space between the bottom portion of the interior of the container and the bottom of the flexible liner. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible liner 7 may range in length from extending to the bottom of the container allowing no space between the bottom of the flexible liner and the bottom of the container to extending to about 50% of the height of the interior of the container. The flexible liner 7 and top portion 5 of the container are sealed together such that the flexible liner 7 hangs downwardly from the top portion 5 of the container.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the flexible liner is attached to the top portion 5 of the container wherein the edge 15 of the liner is adhered to the top portion 5 of the container. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the top portion may be raised and consequently wider in diameter relative to the body of the container. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top portion 5 of the container may have a lip or edge 17. In such embodiment, the edge of the liner 15 is adhered to the outer surface of the container below or near such lip or edge 17. In one embodiment, the flexible liner 7 is adhered to the container via an adhesive to the exterior surface of the container below the lip or edge 17. The adhesive may be any adhesive compound, resin or other means of adhering the liner to the container including but not limited to a cyanoacrylate adhesive.

The flexible liner may be fixed permanently to the exterior surface of the container. In one embodiment, the flexible liner 7 can be attached to the exterior surface of the container by heat sealing, press forming, lamination, and any other commonly used methods of attaching the flexible liner 7. Alternatively, the exterior surface of the container can have features (e.g., openings, attachments flaps, rings, clasps, clips or other attachment features) that can attach the flexible liner 7 to the exterior surface of the container without adhesives.

In another embodiment, the edge of the liner 7 may be attached to the interior surface of the top portion of the container by heat sealing, press forming, lamination, and any other commonly used methods of attaching the flexible liner 7. Alternatively, the interior surface of the container can have features (e.g., openings, attachments flaps, rings, clasps, clips or other attachment features) that can attach the flexible liner 7 to the exterior surface of the container without adhesives.

In one embodiment, the flexible liner 7 may be removable. The flexible liner 7 may be fastened to the exterior of the container via fastening means. The fastening means may be any common fastening means including but not limited to hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro®), adhesive, and elastic band. In one embodiment, the fastening means may include an integrated elastic edge to the liner so that such elastic edge may grab the outer surface of the top portion of the container.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the top portion 5 and/or lip 17 of the container may possess a channel 23 extending the circumference of the side wall of the container. In such embodiment, the edge 15 of the flexible liner may fit within and secured to the top portion 5 of the container.

The bottom portion 9 of the container has at least one aperture 11. The purpose of the at least one aperture 11 is to eliminate the suction within the container between the flexible liner and the side wall of the container 3. The at least one aperture 11 may be located in the center of the bottom portion 9 of the container. In another embodiment, the at least one aperture may be located at any position in the bottom portion of the container. The at least one aperture 11 may be of any size and shape and not is limited to the shape and size as shown in the Figures. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom wall of the container encircling the at least one aperture 11 may be beveled. In another embodiment, the at least one aperture 11 may be located anywhere on the container,

When a substance such as a modeling compound or semi solid material is placed into the container and specifically within the liner of the container, such compound can easily be removed by simply turning the container over to empty the contents of the container. The material of the liner as well as its flexibility prevent contents from adhering to the liner. By turning over the container, the contents of the container simply fall out of the container.

The container may further include a removable plastic lid 21. The plastic lid 21 provides a closure to the container to allow the contents of the container to be secure. In the case of modeling clay or modeling compound, such lid would also prevent the modeling clay or compound from drying out.

The container of the present invention may be of any size, proportion and shape and not is limited to the cylindrical container described herein. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the container may range from 1 inch to 3.25 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the container may range between 1.5 inches and 2.75 inches.

The container may further be constructed of any rigid or semi rigid material, including but not limited to plastic, metal, wood or wood composite. In one embodiment, the container is constructed of plant-based bio-polyethylene terephthalate.

In one embodiment, the present invention may provide a resealable covering over the at least one aperture 11. Such resealable covering may be removed prior to use by the user. In one embodiment, the resealable covering may be a vinyl sticker.

In one embodiment, the container is sized to fit within existing frustoconical shaped modeling clay containers. In such embodiment, the present invention lies concentrically within such existing containers. In this embodiment, the lip 17 of the container may have fastening means that allow the present invention to be releasably fasten to currently existing containers. Alternatively, the top portion 5 of the container may have means that allow the invention to attach to currently existing containers but are easily detachable. Alternatively, the top portion of the container may fit snugly within existing container but allow for the removal of the present invention.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A container allowing for the ease of removal of its contents comprised of a container having a single continuous side defining a frustoconical shape, a bottom portion at one end of the container having at least one aperture, a top portion at the opposite end, a non rigid flexible liner wherein the at least one flexible liner is permanently attached to the exterior of the top portion of the container.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one flexible liner is attached to the interior of the top portion of the container.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the top portion possesses a channel.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the at least one flexible liner is secured to the channel of the top portion of the container.

5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible liner is removably attached to the top portion of the container.

6. A container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one flexible liner is sized and shaped to fit and nest within the container.

7. A container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one aperture is located in the center of the bottom portion of the container.

8. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container possesses a lid.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the lid possesses a tab or pull to easily open the lid.

10. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is constructed of a semi rigid material.

11. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is constructed of plant-based bio-polyethylene terephthalate.

12. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container contains at least one aperture in the continuous side wall.

13. A container allowing for the ease of removal of its contents comprised of a container having a single continuous side defining a frustoconical shape, a bottom portion at one end of the container having at least one aperture, a top portion at the opposite end, a non rigid flexible liner wherein the at least one flexible liner is permanently attached to the exterior of the top portion of the container wherein such container fits concentrically within a larger frustoconical shaped container.