DENTAL BUDDY CONTAINER

Abstract

Various examples are provided for containers. In one embodiment, a container includes an inner void extending along an axial length of the container. The inner void includes a closed end adjacent to a first end of the container and an open end at a second end of the container. The container also includes an outer void extending along the axial length of the container. The outer void encircles at least a portion of the inner void along the axial length of the container. The outer void includes a closed end encircling the inner void adjacent to the open end of the inner void and an open end at the first end of the container. An outer wall of the outer void includes a transition to a diameter of an opening at the open end of the outer void and that is adjacent to the closed end of the inner void.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional application entitled “DENTAL BUDDY” having Ser. No. 61/669,408, filed Jul. 9, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many containers are used for packaging of items such as food, liquids, and other products and consumables. Containers can be used for storage, transport and sale of such items. In many cases, the containers are configured to display of the item within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGS. 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of examples of a container in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2C are cross-sectional views of examples of configurations of the bottom of a container of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A and 3B include an end view and a cross-sectional view of examples of a cap for the bottom opening of a container of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are various embodiments related to dental buddy containers. Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Beginning with FIG. 1A, shown is a cross-sectional view of an example of a container 100. The container 100 includes an inner void 103 surrounded by an outer void 106. The inner void 103 and outer void 106 extend along an axial length of the container 100. As illustrated in the axial cross-section drawing A-A of FIG. 1A, the outer void 106 encircles the inner void 103. An inner wall 109 defines an outer dimension and/or diameter of the inner void 103 and an inner dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106. An outer wall 112 defines an outer dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106. In some embodiments, the outer wall also defines an outer dimension and/or diameter of the container 100.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the shape of the inner void 103 and outer void 106 is circular. In other implementations, the shape of the outer void 106 may be different than the inner void 106. For example, the shape of the outer void 106 may be square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, oval, or other geometric shape. Examples are illustrated in FIG. 1B. In some implementations, the shape of the inner void 103 may match the non-circular shape of the outer void 106. For example, the shape of the inner void 103 and outer void 106 may both be square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, oval, or other geometric shape.

Referring back to FIG. 1A, the inner void 103 extends from an open end to a closed end along the axial length of the container 100 with access to the inner void 103 provided at the open end by an opening 115 located at a first end of the axial length (e.g., the bottom) of the container 100. The outer void 106 also extends from an open end to a closed end along the axial length of the container 100 and encircles at least a portion of the axial length of the inner void 103. In some implementations, the outer void 106 encircles the entire axial length of the inner void 103. Access to the outer void 106 is provided at the open end by an opening 118 located at a second end of the axial length (e.g., the top) of the container 100.

The outer void 106 is configured to store liquids that surround the inner void 103. The thickness 121 of the outer void 106 can be designed so that items located within the inner void 103 are visible through the liquid stored in the outer void 106. For example, mouthwash may be stored in the outer void 106 and a toothbrush and toothpaste may be stored in the inner void 103. In other embodiments, toys or curios may be stored within the inner void 103 while a drink or other liquid is in the outer void 106. The thickness 121 of the outer void 106 can allow the toothbrush and toothpaste to be visible through the mouthwash. The thickness 121 of the outer void 106 may be, e.g., 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, or 0.5 of an inch or other dimension as can be understood. In some cases, the outer void 106 may be used to store other small materials such as, e.g., beads, seasonings, or other fine grain materials. The volume of the outer void 106 may be, e.g., 1.5, 3, or 6 fluid ounces. Other standard or non-standard volumes may also be used as can be understood.

The opening 118 for access to the outer void 106 can be circular with a dimension and/or diameter that is smaller than the outer dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106. If the outer void 106 has a non-circular geometric shape as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the opening 118 can have a dimension and/or diameter that is less than the smallest outer dimension and/or diameter 124a of the non-circular geometric shape. In many cases, the dimension and/or diameter of the opening 118 is less than the outer dimension and/or diameter of the inner void 103 and the inner dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106 as shown in FIG. 1A. The outer wall 112 of the container 100 is curved 127a between the outer dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106 and the dimension and/or diameter of the opening 118. In some embodiments, the outer wall 112 of the container is angled or tapered 127b as illustrated in FIG. 1C. The curved or tapered transition 127 between the outer dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106 and the dimension and/or diameter of the opening 118 extends across the closed end of the inner void 103 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

When the outer void 106 is filled with liquid to a level 130 above the closed end of the inner void 103, the distortion produced by the liquid and the curved or tapered transition 127 obscures the closed end of the inner void 103 from an observer's view. In this way, the container 100 appears to be completely filled with the liquid to the observer. When items are placed within the inner void 103, the illusion that the items are submerged in the liquid is provided to the observer. In this way, the items remain separate from the liquid while appearing to be floating in the liquid.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the opening 118 to the outer void 106 can be sealed by a cover 133 that is detachably attached to the outer wall 112 of the container 100. For example, the cover 133 may be a flip-top cap that may be screwed onto the container 100. An outer lid 136 may be flipped open to allow the liquid in the outer void 106 to be squeezed out through an opening 139 in an inner lid 142. In other implementations, the cover 133 may be a screw-on or snap-on lid or cap that may be detachably attached to the section of the outer wall 112 defining the opening 118 of the container 100 to seal the outer void 106. The cover 133 may be secured to the container 100 by screw threads, a snap-on lip, or other appropriate fastening means to prevent the liquid from escaping from the outer void 106.

In some embodiments, a splash top 145 that may be used for dispensing an amount of the liquid in the outer void 106. The splash top 145 may be secured to the container 100 by, e.g., a plurality of tabs 148 distributed about the edge of the splash top 145. The tabs 148 can be positioned so that they snap over a lower edge of the cover 133 to secure the splash top 145 in place. In other embodiments, a lip or shoulder may be provided around the outer wall 112 of the container 100. The lip or shoulder may be located in the curved or tapered transition 127 of the outer wall 112 and engages with an edge 151 of the splash top 145 to hold it in position.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1A, the opening 115 to the inner void 103 has a dimension and/or diameter that is the same as the outer dimension and/or diameter of the inner void 103. In some embodiments, the inner wall 109 can extend beyond the closed end of the outer void 106 (as shown in FIG. 1A) to define the opening 115 and allow for a cover 154 to be secured over the opening 115. If the inner void 103 has a non-circular geometric shape, the opening 115 may have a dimension and/or diameter that is between the smallest outer dimension and/or diameter 124a and the largest outer dimension and/or diameter 124b of the non-circular geometric shape as illustrated in FIG. 1B. The outer dimension and/or diameter of the cover 154 may be less than (solid line), equal to (dashed line), or greater than (not shown) the dimension and/or diameter of the outer wall 112. In cases where the outer void 106 has a non-circular geometric shape, the shape of the cover 154 may be the same as the outer void 106. When the cover 154 is secured over the opening 115 of the inner void 103, the shape of the cover 154 may substantially align with the shape of the outer void 106.

The cover 154 may be a screw-on or snap-on lid or cap that may be detachably attached to the section of inner outer wall 109 defining the opening 118 of the container 100 to seal the inner void 103 as shown in FIG. 1A. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1A, the cover 154 may be configured to align with a curved surface at the closed end of the outer void 106. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, examples of other configurations for the opening 115 to the inner void 103 are depicted. In the example of FIG. 2A, the inner wall 109 extends beyond the closed end of the outer void 106 to allow the cover 154 to be secured over the opening 115. The dimension and/or diameter of the cover 154 may be less than the outer dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106. In the example of FIG. 2B, the closed end of the outer void 106 extends to the bottom of the inner void 103. The outer wall 112 is recessed to allow the cover 154 to be secured over the opening 115 of the inner void 103 by being detachably attached to the outer wall 112 of the container 100. As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer dimension and/or diameter of the cover 154 is aligned with the outer dimension and/or diameter of the outer void 106. In the example of FIG. 2C, the closed end of the outer void 106 also extends to the bottom of the inner void 103. In FIG. 2C, the outer wall 112 is not recessed and the cover 154 is sized to detachably attached to the outside of the outer void 106. Which configuration is used may depend on the size of the container 100 and the desired volume of the outer void 106.

The cover 154 for the opening 115 to the inner void 103 may include a flat surface 157 to allow for the container 100 to rest on the cover 154. The surface 157 of the cover 154 in FIG. 1A may be a solid flat surface. In some embodiments, the cover 154 includes a connection point for securing a ring or lanyard to the cover 154. For example, the cover 154 may be configured as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the example of FIG. 3A, the surface 157 of the cover 154 is flat with a recess 160 in the center of the cover 154. A cross-bar 163 allows a ring (e.g., a key-ring) of lanyard to be attached. As seen in the cross-section view B-B, the recess 160 will extend into the inner void 103 to provide clearance over the cross-bar 163 for attachment of the ring and/or lanyard. In the example of FIG. 3B, the surface 154 is slightly recessed with a lip 166 provided around the circumference of the cover 154. The cross-bar extends across the dimension and/or diameter of the cover 154 between opposite sides of the lip 166. A recess 160 in the center of the cover 154 allows a ring (e.g., a key-ring) of lanyard to be attached to the cross-bar 163. As seen in the cross-section view C-C, the recess 160 extends into the inner void 103 to provide clearance over the cross-bar 163.

The container 100 can be made from a clear or tinted plastic or vinyl to allow items within the inner void 103 to be seen. Dimensions of the container may be varied based upon desired size and application. In one example, among others, the outer dimension and/or diameter of the container 100 is about 1.75 inches and the outer dimension and/or diameter of the inner void 103 is about 1.25 inches. The axial length of the container 100 including the splash top 145 may be about 23.2 inches with the axial length of an inner void 103 being about 18.1 inches and the level 130 of the liquid at about 19.1 inches. As previously discussed, a liquid level 130 above the closed end of the inner void 103 and the curved or tapered transition 127 of the outer wall 112 give an observer the impression that items stored within the inner void 103 are floating in the liquid in the outer void 106. The distortion produced by the liquid and the curved or tapered transition 127 hides the presence of the closed end of the inner void 103. The cover 154 over the opening 115 of the inner void 103 may be removed to access and/or replace items stored in the inner void 103 without contact with the liquid in the outer void 106. The cover 133 over the opening 118 of the outer void 106 allows the liquid to be dispensed and/or replaced.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. To illustrate, a concentration range of “about 0.1% to about 5%” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited concentration of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, but also include individual concentrations (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.5%, 1.1%, 2.2%, 3.3%, and 4.4%) within the indicated range. The term “about” can include traditional rounding according to significant figures of numerical values. In addition, the phrase “about ‘x’ to ‘y’” includes “about ‘x’ to about ‘y’”.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

an inner void extending along an axial length of the container, the inner void comprising a closed end adjacent to a first end of the container and an open end at a second end of the container;

an outer void extending along the axial length of the container, the outer void encircling at least a portion of the inner void along the axial length of the container, the outer void comprising a closed end encircling the inner void adjacent to the open end of the inner void and an open end at the first end of the container; and

an outer wall defining an outer dimension of the outer void, the outer wall including a transition from the outer dimension of the outer void to a diameter of an opening at the open end of the outer void, the transition adjacent to the closed end of the inner void, and the diameter of the opening at the open end of the outer void is less than the outer dimension of the outer void.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a liquid disposed within the outer void of the container, the liquid covering the closed end of the inner void, where the liquid and the transition adjacent to the closed end of the inner void obscure the presence of the inner void to an observer of the container.

3. The container of claim 2, further comprising an item disposed within the inner void, wherein the item appears to an observer to be in the liquid.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the opening at the open end of the outer void is less than an outer dimension of the inner void.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner void is a circular void extending along the axial length of the container.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the outer void is a circular void extending along the axial length of the container, where a diameter of the outer void greater than a diameter of the inner void.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the outer void is a non-circular geometric void extending along the axial length of the container, a smallest outer dimension of the outer void greater than a diameter of the inner void.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to seal an opening at the open end of the inner void.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the cover configured to seal an opening at the open end of the inner void engages at least a portion of an inner wall of the container to seal the opening at the open end of the inner void.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein an outer dimension of the cover configured to seal an opening at the open end of the inner void matches an outer dimension of the outer wall of the container.

11. The container of claim 8, wherein the cover configured to seal an opening at the open end of the inner void comprises a cross-bar and recess for connection of a ring.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner void includes an axial length and the outer void encircles the inner void along the entire axial length of the inner void.

13. The container of claim 12, further comprising a cover configured to engage at least a portion of the outer wall of the container to seal an opening at the open end of the inner void.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein an outer dimension of the cover matches an outer dimension of the outer wall of the container.

15. The container of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to seal the opening at the open end of the outer void.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the cover configured to seal the opening at the open end of the outer void is a flip-top cap.

17. The container of claim 15, further comprising a splash top configured to secure to the container over the cover configured to seal the opening at the open end of the outer void.