Container having interchangeable sleeve

Abstract

A container having a removable sleeve including a container defining a recessed portion in the exterior surface thereof substantially surrounded by a flange configured to engage a removable sleeve, and a removable sleeve having a shape corresponding to the recessed portion in the exterior surface of the container configured to engage beneath the flange to secure the sleeve to the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/399,688 filed Jul. 16, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of customizable containers, and more particularly, to a container including a flanged recess for receiving and maintaining an interchangeable, decorative sleeve to provide a customizable container.

2. Background of the Invention

Various configurations of containers exist including, cups, mugs, bowls, freezer-type containers and Tupperware of various sizes, among others. While existing containers typically include one-piece construction (minus a lid) and thus require labels or entirely new creation for customization, it would be desirable to provide a container in which the majority of the construction thereof is universal, and in which only a portion is interchangeable, in order to provide a customizable container.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, a container is provided herein including a container defining a recessed portion in the exterior surface thereof substantially surrounded by a flange configured to engage a removable sleeve, and a removable sleeve having a shape corresponding to the recessed portion in the exterior surface of the container configured to engage beneath the flange to secure the sleeve to the container.

In one aspect, the recessed portion comprises more than half of the entire exterior of the container but substantially less than all of the exterior.

In another aspect, the removable sleeve is maleable such that the sleeve can be bent to conform to the shape of the container.

In another aspect, the flange extends around the bottom and sides of the recess.

In another aspect, the removable sleeve includes indicia thereon, is a lenticular lens or is thermoformed.

In another aspect, the container includes a removable lid configured to prevent the removable sleeve from being withdrawn in an axial direction with respect to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a container including an interchangeable decorative sleeve;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1 shown without the lid and the sleeve removed from the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention.

Referring to the figures, various illustrations of a container including an interchangeable, decorative sleeve are shown. Although the preferred embodiment of the corresponding container and sleeve construction is shown in use with a mug, it is intended that the flanged recess and sleeve may be applied to other various container types, shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Specifically, it is intended that the concept of a flanged recess and interchangeable sleeve may be incorporated into any container type including or not including a lid for cooperating in the retention of the installed sleeve.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, container 10 defines flanged recess 12 for receiving and maintaining interchangeable sleeve 14. Recess 12 is defined in at least a portion of the exterior surface of container 10, and as shown, encompasses a substantial portion of the periphery of the container such that corresponding sleeve 14 forms a C-shape when installed. With respect to container 10, recess 12 defines flanges on the bottom and sides such that sleeve 14 can be inserted from above and maintained in place by skirt 16 of corresponding lid 18. In this regard, sleeve 14 is maintained in place and prevented from being removed once lid 18 is installed.

When sleeve 14 is installed, the flanges of container 10 cover a portion of sleeve 14 such that sleeve 14 is withdrawn by sliding it vertically upward relative to container 10. Sleeve 14 carries indicia thereon for customization purposes, and suitable indicia include, but are not limited to, text, graphics, raised text, raised graphics, recessed text, recessed graphics, coloring, thermoformed graphics and lenticular lenses. Sleeve 14 may be “flat” to facilitate manufacturing, and malleable to permit bending upon installation.

While a container having a removable sleeve has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is envisioned that various details may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A container having a removable sleeve, comprising:

a container defining a recessed portion in the exterior surface thereof substantially surrounded by a flange configured to engage a removable sleeve; and

a removable sleeve having a shape corresponding to the recessed portion in the exterior surface of the container configured to engage beneath the flange to secure the sleeve to the container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the recessed portion comprises more than half of the entire exterior of the container but substantially less than all of the exterior.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is maleable such that the sleeve can be bent to conform to the shape of the container.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the flange extends around the bottom and sides of the recess.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve includes indicia thereon.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is a lenticular lens.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve is thermoformed.

8. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a removable lid configured to prevent the removable sleeve from being withdrawn in an axial direction with respect to the container.