Patent Application
20240400291
This invention relates to containers, including a reusable housing for cups.
According to recent studies, an estimated 583 billion plastic bottles were produced in 2021, most of which were discarded into landfills and/or incinerated after a single use.
Accordingly, there is a need for a reusable container housing. The presently disclosed assembly addresses these needs.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a reusable container holder and housing assembly is provided. In some embodiments, the housing assembly is adapted to receive and secure a recyclable container (e.g., a cup or other suitable type of container), to keep the contents of the container sealed and contained yet accessible when desired, and to enable the easy removal and replacement of the container when the container is empty. The housing assembly also includes a locking assembly that locks the container within the housing, and a release assembly that facilitates the easy release of the container when desired.
In use, a container of material (e.g., whitening detergent powder) is first opened (e.g., its top seal or cover is removed) and then inserted into the housing assembly. Once placed within the housing, a lid is placed onto the top of the housing thereby pressing the container into a locked configuration within. With the lid in place, the housing is sealed fluid-tight. The lid may then be removed at any time (e.g., during use when it is desired to scoop out some detergent), with the inner container remaining locked in place. The housing assembly also includes an open bottom with a flexible diaphragm that when pushed upward causes the container to be released out the top of the housing, e.g., when the container is empty and requires replacement.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, as shown in
For the purposes of this specification, the container 200 will be described primarily as a cup, however, it is understood that the container 200 may include other types of containers in any form and/or combination, and that the scope of the assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the type of container 200 that is utilized.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the hollow shell portion 102 includes inner sidewalls 106 extending between the top 104 and the bottom 114 thereby defining an inner volume 116.
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 includes one or more detents 110 arranged circumferentially about its inner sidewalls 106 and preferably in an upper portion of the housing shell 102 (e.g., slightly below the open top 104). In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 also includes a circumferential ledge 120 extending about its inner sidewalls 106 (or at least a portion thereof) and below the one or more detents 110 thereby forming a gap 122 between the detents 110 and the ledge 120. In some embodiments, the detents 110 and the ledge 112 are parallel to one another such that the gap 122 includes a uniform height about its circumference. Also, it may be preferable that the detents 110 and the ledge 112 each extend about the circumference of the inner sidewalls 106 in respective planes that are orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the housing assembly 100 defined by its top 104 and bottom 106. As will be described in other sections, an upper rim of the container 200 may be held within the gap 122 during use of the assembly 10.
In some embodiments, the inner sidewalls 106 extend generally vertically from the top 104 to the detents 110, and then inwardly from the ledge 112 towards the bottom 114. In this way, the inner sidewalls 106 may generally form a cylinder from the top 104 to the detents 110, and an inverted frustum (or similar shape) in the area below the ledge 112. As will be described in other sections, the inverted frustum shaped sidewalls 106 in this area may receive a container 200 of similar shape (e.g., a cup).
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, upon receipt by the user, the container's top end 204 includes a removable top surface (e.g., a cover or lid) that when removed generally opens the container 200 thereby providing access to the container's contents (e.g., the powder detergent). For example, the container's top end 204 may be sealed using a film or membrane that may be peeled off and discarded. Other types of upper seals also may be used.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the container 200 comprises recyclable materials, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, plastic, other types of materials (preferably recyclable), and/or any combinations thereof. In this way, when the cup 202 is empty, it may be recycled and replaced with another recyclable container 200.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, it is preferable that the dimensions of the lid 300 (and/or of the housing 100) be chosen such that when the lid's bottom rim 308 presses the container's upper rim 216 into the gap 122 that the lid's downward facing circumferential ledge 310 simultaneously abuts the top 104 of the container 100. In this way, when the lid 300 is in its stopped and closed position, the container's upper rim 216 has been sufficiently pushed into the gap 122 and is locked therein.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the diaphragm member 402 is generally formed in the shape of a cup and is designed to be configured within and to generally cover the housing shells' bottom opening 126. In some embodiments, the outer shape and outer diameter of the diaphragm member 402 (e.g., circular) corresponds to the inner shape and inner diameter of the housing's bottom open 114 (e.g., also circular). In this way, the diaphragm member 402 may be inserted into this portion of the shell's inner volume 116 and generally form fit therein.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm member 402 includes a lower outer circumferential lip 410 extending radially outward and an upper circumferential ledge 412 above the circumferential lip 410 thereby forming an outer circumferential gap 414 therebetween. In some embodiments, the diameter D3 of the diaphragm member 402 measured between the innermost sidewalls of the gap 414 on opposite sides generally matches the diameter D4 of the housing shell's bottom opening 126 measured between points on the opening's rim 128 on opposite sides (see
As shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In use, the housing assembly 100 is configured with the diaphragm 400 as described above. The cup 202 is received by the user filled with powdered detergent (e.g., from an online store) and is subsequently opened for use (e.g., the top is removed). The opened cup 202 is then placed into the housing assembly 100 through the housing's open top 104. Without added downward force, the cup 202 may generally rest within the housing 100 with its cup rim 216 resting above the housing's upper detents 110.
Then, with the cup 202 in this position, the lid assembly 300 may be placed over the housing's top 104 and pressed downward. As the lid 300 moves downward, the lid's lower rim 308 may engage the top 204 of the cup 202 (preferably at the cup's outer rim 216). As the downward movement continues, the lid 300 may force the cup 202 downward, past the housing's upper detents 110, and into the gap 122. This places the ledge 112 immediately below the cup's rim 216 thereby providing a stop to the cup's downward movement. At this juncture, it is preferable that the lid's outer downward facing circumferential ledge 310 abuts the top 104 of the housing 100 such that its downward movement is stopped. The result of this process is shown in
When the user wishes to access the powdered detergent within the cup 202 within the housing 100, he/she simply grasps the lid 300 and pulls upward thereby releasing the lid 300. The user may then use a spoon (e.g., a scoop) or other type of utensil to scoop out the detergent for use. Notably, the cup 202 remains secured in place within the housing 100 by the detents 110 and ledge 112 combination. The lid 300 may then be replaced and the housing 100 may be sealed closed.
When the cup 202 is empty and requires replacement, the user simply places his/her finger or thumb through the housing's bottom opening 126 to engage the bottom diaphragm 400 and press it upward. This causes the diaphragm's raised portion 406 to extend upward into the housing's inner volume 116 until it engages the bottom 206 of the cup 202 therein. As the user continues to push the diaphragm 400 upward, the cup 202 also is forced upward until its upper rim 216 is forced past the housing's detents 110 and the cup 202 is released. It is preferable that the lid 300 be removed during this process so that the cup 202 may be generally ejected upward and removed through the top 104 of the housing 100. The empty cup 202, being recyclable, may be recycled and a new cup 202 filled with powdered detergent may then be received (e.g., purchased) and installed into the housing 100 as described herein.
It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any embodiment of the assembly 10 described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way with any other aspect and/or element of any other embodiment to form additional embodiments of the assembly 10 all of which are within the scope of the assembly 10.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
