Mountable container for liquids and powders, and methods of forming and distributing the same

Abstract

A container, such as of the plastic variety commonly used for distributing household products, i.e. cleaning liquids or powders, is mountable on a flat vertical surface by way of an attached or attachable hook protruding on a face of the container and positioned substantially away from the top or the bottom of the container. A particular embodiment of a hook receiver for engaging the hook of the container includes one or more wall-mounted support and a rod or the like therebetween, all positioned on the vertical surface so that the container is mounted substantially flush with the vertical surface. A method of distributing hook receivers and supports for mounting such containers are further disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US02/38589 entitled “MOUNTABLE CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS AND POWDERS, AND METHODS OF FORMING AND DISTRIBUTING THE SAME” having an international filing date of Dec. 4, 2002, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/347,355 filed Jan. 11, 2002 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/428,363 filed Nov. 22, 2002, all filed in the name of Sam Pimpinella, and the entirety of each are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a structure that mates with a hook or the like attached to a container article for securing the container article on the structure, wherein the hook remains with the container when the container is removed from the structure, and relates more particularly to a structure comprising a rod or the like for engaging a hook or loop attached or attachable to the container and serving to mount, secure, or attach the container to the structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diverse products are commonly distributed and sold in plastic or metal containers of various sizes and configurations. Such containers may be used to store and dispense, for example, household and industrial products, such as liquid soaps, shampoos, powder and liquid detergents, motor oil, transmission fluid, and the like. These containers are also commonly used for storing drink products of various consistencies. In order to allow them to be readily stored on a flat horizontal surface, such as a shelf or countertop, such containers usually have a substantially flat bottom. Containers also typically have a top for dispensing the contents of the container.

Various problems have arisen with containers of the type mentioned above. For example, shelf space in household and business environments is limited. Accordingly, only threshold amounts of containers can be stored at a time. Also, because of the typical size of such containers, only certain numbers of such containers may be carried by hand. Furthermore, in the case where the container holds a beverage or the like, such containers are difficult to manage in certain environments, such as while driving a car.

Various solutions to the above problems have been proposed. For example, certain subcategories of these containers, namely mountable containers, have one or more hooks, straps, loops and the like for mounting the container on a rod, an article of clothing, and a substantially flat, vertical surface, respectively. These mountable containers free up limited shelf space or allow the container to be readily transportable. Certain configurations of mountable containers are depicted FIGS. 1A-1C of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a container 1 has a top 12, a neck 14, a bottom 16, a side surface 18 and a mounting loop 19a. The mounting loop 19a, in this configuration, may be attached to the top 12 and/or the neck 14. The mounting loop 19a allows the container 1 to be hung from a hook or a rod which mates with the mounting loop 19a in a manner well known in the art. In this configuration, the container 1 is easily mountable on a flat vertical surface, such as a wall. However, since the container 1 is supported form the top 12 or neck 14, well above the container's center of gravity, this type of mountable container, even when properly mated, is not always securely mounted on the surface, especially when the container is displaced with a significant lateral force.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a second configuration of mountable containers 2 has a hook, such as curved hook 19b, for mating with a rod or the like. Such containers 2 are most readily mounted from a rod supported between two opposing, vertical surfaces. The curved hook 19b may protrude from the top 12 or the neck 14.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, a third configuration of mountable container 3 has a strap or protruding hook 19c attached to the container 3 at the junction of the top 12 and the neck 14. The strap or protruding arm 19c are best suited for mating with, in the case of the strap, an article of clothing, such as a belt loop, or, in the case of a protruding arm, a receiver for securing the protruding arm. Because of the positioning of the strap or protruding arm 19c, this configuration of mountable container 3 is susceptible to the same instability as containers 1 when displaced by a significant lateral force. Furthermore, because substantially all of the weight of the container and its contents is supported by the strap or protruding arm 19c, these mounting mechanisms 19c are susceptible to being broken from its engagement with the container 3 when, for example, too much weight is being supported.

It would be beneficial to introduce a support and structure for this new variety of mountable containers that overcomes various of the above-identified problems with existing technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to support side-mounted containers on a vertical surface. It is readily contemplated that the present invention may be used with containers of various sizes and weights, with the hook and hook receiver being of appropriate strength to support the container. The position of the center of gravity along the side surface may be measured based on the container with or without its contents. Furthermore, the containers are contemplated to be useful for storing and/or dispensing any appropriate product in liquid, solid or gaseous form. Such side-mounted containers may include a permanent or attachable mounting mechanism, such as a hook with a flat or curved arm, that extends substantially in a direction along the side surface with a small displacement therefrom. The mounting mechanism may engage a hook receiver, such as a rod, a rail or the like affixed to a vertical surface, such as a wall. If the contents of the container are labeled, the hook or mounting mechanism may be placed substantially opposite the position of the label on the side surface. In such manner, the side-mounted container may be supported substantially flush with the vertical surface with the label prominently displayed. The hook may be mounted at a lateral position on the side surface substantially near a center of gravity of the container and its contents, in order to more securely mount the container to the flat, vertical surface.

The hook receiver and accompanying supports may, in some embodiments, include at least one wall mounted portion mountable on a flat vertical surface and able to secure a rod or the like in a substantially vertical position along the flat vertical surface. The support rail may be a cylindrical rod, a flat rail, or may be provided in any other known configuration sufficient to engage the hook of a side-mounted container, in order to support the container on the flat vertical surface.

A wall-mounted portion of the accompanying support may include a back surface for attachment to the vertical surface. The back surface, in certain embodiment may include an adhesive or the like for supporting the back surface of the wall-mounted portion to the vertical surface. In other embodiments, a fastener, such as a nail, a screw and the like may be used to mount the wall-mounted portion. The wall-mounted portion may include a hole for receiving such a fastener.

The wall mounted portion may further include a substantially vertical seam through at least a portion of the wall-mounted portion, the vertical seam operative to allow mounting of the wall-mounted portion in a corner by folding the wall-mounted portion along the vertical seam.

The hook receiver may include a hole or a lip for engaging and securing an end of a support rod or the like so that a hooking mechanism of the side-mountable container may engage the rod and be mounted substantially flush on the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will be more readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of its embodiments included below when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGS. 1A-1C are depictions of mountable containers of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mountable container of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mountable container of FIG. 2 mounted on a substantially flat vertical surface according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second mountable container with opposing hooks according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for distributing mountable containers and hook receivers according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C depict a particular configuration of a hook receiver and support, including one or more wall mounted portions connected by, for example, a rod or rail, according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a parallel support apparatus for slidably receiving an H-shaped container support member; and

FIG. 8 depicts embodiments of a mountable container having a closed loop hook, a rotatable arm, and a band-mounted hook, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, wherein similar components of the present invention are referenced in like manner, various embodiments of a side-mounted container, support structures for securing the side-mounted container on a vertical surface, and methods of forming and distributing the same are disclosed.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is depicted an embodiment of a side-mounted container 20 having a top 12, a neck 14, a bottom 16 and a side surface 18. The container may be appropriate for holding and dispensing a liquid, an oil, a powder or other type of appropriate substance, including (i) a household product, such as liquid soap, detergents, and shampoos, (ii) a drinkable liquid, and (iii) automotive products, such as motor oil. It should be readily appreciated that the container may take any useful shape and that the container may not have a defined neck 14.

The top 12 may include a spout, opening or other appropriate dispensing means known in the art for dispensing the contents of the container 20. The top 12 is further attached to a neck 14, which may be a flat or curved outer surface. The neck 14 is disposed between the top 12 and a side surface 18, and is usually configured to assist in dispensing the complete contents of the container 20.

The side surface 18 is continuous and may be formed in a substantially cylindrical or ovaloid shape as shown. However, it is contemplated that the side surface 18 may be provided in any shape, such as a rectangular or squared shape.

The side surface 18 is disposed between the neck 14 and a bottom 16. The bottom 16 may be substantially flat so that the container 20 may rest on a flat, horizontal surface such as a shelf.

The container 20 further may include a hook 22 mounted on the side surface 18. The hook 22, in certain embodiments, may include a supporting arm 22a that may be substantially perpendicularly secured on one end to the side surface 18. The hook 22 further includes a hooking arm 22b disposed on an opposite end of the supporting arm 22a from the side surface 18.

The hooking arm 22b may be a substantially flat arm that runs substantially parallel to the side surface at an angle substantially perpendicular to the supporting arm 22a, as shown in FIG. 2. The hooking arm 22b may run in a direction away from the top 12 of the container 20, as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the hook arm 22b may run in a direction towards the top 12 from the supporting arm 22a. In a further embodiment, the hooking arm 22b may be rotatably mounted by a ball joint or the like, on the end of the supporting arm 22a, so that it can be positioned in any appropriate direction from the supporting arm 22a.

In certain embodiments, the hooking arm 22b may be run parallel to a center axis of the container 20. In further embodiments, the hooking arm 22b may be displaced from the side surface 18, thereby leaving a gap between the hooking arm 22b and the side surface 18. This gap allows the hook 22 to releasably engage with a hook receiver 24, as described further below. In other embodiments, the hooking arm 22 may be curved, rather than flat, or may have both flat and curved portions, and may be further be provided in any useful shape.

It is contemplated that hook may be flexible or rigid. It is further contemplated that the gap between the hooking arm 22b and the side surface 18 be relatively small, such as zero to one inch, such that when the hook 22 and hook receiver 24 are engaged, the container 20 is secured and releasably mounted on a substantially flat, vertical surface 26, and be substantially flush with the surface 26, as shown in FIG. 3 and described further below.

In a case where the hooking arm 22a runs substantially in the direction of the top 12 along the side surface 18, the container 20 may be mounted on the flat, vertical surface 26 with the top 12 facing down, so that the container 20 may selectively dispense its contents by force of gravity while mounted.

In a further case where the hooking arm 22a runs substantially in the direction of the bottom 16, the container 20 may be mounted with the top 12 facing up (as shown in FIG. 3), so that the container 20 may store its contents while mounted, and must typically be removed to dispense its contents.

The hook 22 may be permanently affixed to the container 20 at the side surface 18. It is contemplated that, in such case, the container 20 may be formed with the hook 22 during its manufacture.

It is further contemplated, however, that the hook 20 may be provided separately from the container 20. In this latter case, the hook 22 may have a base disposed between the supporting arm 22a and the side surface 18. The base, in turn may have an adhesive, such as adhesive tape, glue, or fasteners such as nails and screws, or a slot for mating with a notch or the like for securing the hook 22 to the side surface 18 of the container 20. In certain embodiments involving an attachable hook 22, the container 20 may be marked on the side surface 18 with a preferred location for placing the hook 22.

In still further embodiments where the container has a label on the side surface 18, bearing, for example, the name of the contents of the container 20, the marked location may be placed on an opposing side of the side surface 18 from the label, thereby allowing the label to be prominently displayed when the container 20 is mounted of the flat, vertical surface 26.

The hook 22 can be mounted on various positions on the side surface 18. In one embodiment, the hook 22 may be attached at a lateral position on the side surface that is substantially aligned with the location of the center of gravity of the container 22, with or without its contents. This allows for superior support in mounting the container 20 on the flat vertical surface 26 and superior resistance to displacement by a lateral force when mounted. However, the hook 22 may be functionally attached in other positions on the side surface, such as between the neck 14 and the position of the center of gravity, or between the bottom 16 and the position of the center of gravity.

The hook receiver 24 is attached in a secure manner to the flat, vertical surface 26. The hook receiver may be attached by an adhesive or a glue, or alternatively, may be secured by a nail, a screw or the like. The hook receiver 24 may have a supporting arm and a hooking arm disposed perpendicular to one another as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In such a case, the supporting arm may have an aperture there-through for receiving the hooking arm 22b of the container 20. In further embodiments, the hook receiver 24 may be a rod, a flat rail, a lipped rail, or the like for engaging the hook 22. In the case of rods or the like, such hook receivers 24 may include supports at opposing ends thereof for supporting the rod along the flat, vertical surface 26, and preferably in a position that is substantially vertical. A particular embodiment of a hook receiver 24 is described further with respect to FIGS. 6A-6C below in which the hook receiver 64 is a combination of one or more wall mounted portions 60 in conjunction with a hook receiver 24, such as a rod or rail.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the hook receiver 24 need not be identical to the depictions displayed in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6A-6C, and that the hook receiver 24 may be any device operable to support the container 20 by the hook 22. The hook receiver 24 further need not be mounted on a flat vertical surface 26, but may be mountable on other objects, such as a rack or an article of clothing. All known hook receivers 24 and objects on which the container 20 may be mounted are readily contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 3, therein is displayed the hook 22 of the container 20 engaged with the hook receiver 24 in order to securely and releasably mount the container 20 on the flat, vertical surface 26 from the side surface 18, such that it is substantially flush with the vertical surface 26. The hook 22 of the container 20 may be in positioned such that the top 12 of the container 20 points up (as shown) or down. The hook 22 and hook receiver 24 may be formed so that the container 20 is substantially flush with the flat, vertical surface 26 when mounted. The mounting of the container 20 may leave a gap between the side surface 18 and the flat, vertical surface 26. Alternatively, the hook 22 and the hook receiver 24 may be formed such that when engaged together, a portion of the container 20 rests against the flat, vertical surface 26, thereby being partially supported thereby.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the container 20 may further have two hooks 22, 23 positioned on the side surface 18 in opposing directions so that the container 20 may be selectively mounted with the top 12 pointing up or down, as desired. The hook 23 may have any configuration described for hook 22 above. The hooks 22 and 23 may be of the same configuration (as shown) or may be provided in dissimilar configurations.

The container 20 may be of any suitable material known in the art. Most commonly, a container 20 may be made of a metal, such as tin, or of a plastic or poly-vinyl-chloride material. In the former case, the container 20 may be formed integrally with the hook 22 during known casting processes for forming such metal containers. In the latter case, the container 20 may be formed using known plastic molding processes. As an example, molds are commonly formed to receive molten plastic that cools to form one half of a plastic container. Two halves of a container so formed are then bonded together. In order to form a container 20 having the hook 22, current molds may be adapted to form an integrated hook on the side surface of the resulting container.

Likewise, hook receivers 22 may be formed of metal and/or plastic. The manufacture of such hook receivers 24 may be consistent with known plastic molding or metal casting methods.

Side-mounted containers 20 of the present invention are contemplated to have a competitive advantage over non-mountable containers in that they allow customers to free up limited shelf space for storing such containers, and to make such containers more portable. Accordingly, in the case where the hook 22 is separate and attachable to the container 20, it would be advantageous to package and distribute hooks 22 with the containers 20 to customers. It would be further advantageous to package and distribute hook receivers 24 with the container 20.

A general manufacturing and distribution process 50 is depicted in FIG. 5. The process 50 begins with the manufacture of the container 20 with an affixed or attachable hook 22, described immediately above (step 52). Hook receivers 24 may also be manufactured in like manner (step 54).

Containers 20 may then be packaged with one or more hooks 22 and/or hook receivers 24 (step 56). The hook receivers 24 may include one or more wall mounted portions 60 and arms 65, as depicted in FIG. 6A. Furthermore, a label may disposed on the side surface 18 of the container 20 at a position opposite the hook 22. In an embodiment involving separate attachable hooks 22, the container 20 may be marked on the side surface 18 with a preferred location for the hook 22 during the packaging step 56. In certain embodiments, the containers may be filled with a dispensable substance prior to the distribution step 58, below.

The packages are then distributed for purchase by customers (step 58) by any known or future wholesale or retail commercial distribution system, after which the process 50 ends.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6C, therein are depicted a particular configuration of a wall-mountable portion 60 for supporting a hook receiver 24 such as a rod 65, or other supporting arm, for use in supporting a side-mountable container 20 to a vertical surface 26. The wall mountable portion 60 and/or rod 65 may be packaged with side-mountable containers 60 for distribution to consumers, or may be packaged and distributed separately therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 6A, therein is depicted one embodiment of a wall mountable portion 60. The wall mountable portion 60 may include differing configurations of a top portion 61 and a bottom portion 62. The choice of configurations may be based for example on aesthetic appeal and need not be of any particular shape or size. The wall mountable portion 60 may be manufactured of any durable material, such as a plastic or a metal.

In the embodiment shown, the top portion 61 may be substantially rectangular and of greater dimension in area and/or volume than a bottom portion 62. The top portion 61 may be separately formed and later permanently affixed to bottom portion 62 or may be manufactured as integrated with the bottom portion 62. In certain embodiments, the top portion 61 may be the same shape or a different shape as bottom portion 62. In additional embodiments, the top portion 61 may be of a smaller dimension in area and/or volume than the bottom portion 62. Indeed, top portion 61 and bottom portion 62 may, in some embodiments, be of the same size to form a single, integrated, wall mountable portion 60.

The top portion 61 may include an adhesive backing (not shown) on all or a portion of a back surface of the top portion 61 for securing the wall mountable portion 60 to the vertical surface 26. The adhesive backing may include, for example, glue or an adhesive tape. In other embodiments, the top portion 61 may include an aperture, partially or wholly through a depth thereof, for receiving a fastener, such as a nail or screw, there-through in order to secure the wall mountable portion 60 to the vertical surface 26.

The bottom portion 62 may include an opening 64 through a side surface thereof for receiving an end of a support, such as rod 65. The opening 64 may run laterally through all or a part of the bottom portion 64. The opening 64, in an embodiment where it does not run through the entirety of the bottom portion 62, may appear on both sides of the bottom portion 62. The opening 64 may be of a shape that may accommodate the insertion of an end of the rod 65 or the like. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 62 may include a lip (not shown) on the top surface thereof for mating with and/or supporting an end of the rod 65, or the like. In further embodiments, the opening 64 may be positioned a sufficient distance from the back surface of the wall mountable portion 60 such the rod 65 is provided a small distance from the vertical surface 26 for accommodating a hooking mechanism of the side-mounted container 20, thereby mounting the side-mountable container so that it is substantially flush with the vertical surface 26.

In various embodiments, either or both of the top and bottom portion may be configured to include adhesive backings or openings similar to that described for the top portion 61 as described above.

In certain embodiments, the wall mountable portion 60 may be formed to include a vertical seam 63. The vertical seam 63 may extend substantially through a vertical length of the top portion 61 and/or bottom portion 62. The vertical seam 63 may further extend through all or a portion of the depth of the wall mountable portion 60. The vertical seam 63 may be disposed substantially down a central vertical axis of the wall mounted portion, or may be partially or fully displaced therefrom. The vertical seam 63 is operative to allow a person to bend the wall mountable portion 60 to form an angle between the left and right side folded sections of the wall mounted portions to any desired angle between 0° and 360° for affixing the wall mountable portion 60 to a corner of two vertical surfaces 26 or the like. The vertical seam 63 should be formed such that the folded sections of wall mountable portion 60 do not partially or fully tear away from each other upon bending. In an embodiment where the top portion 61 and or bottom portion 62 include an adhesive backing, the vertical seam 63 may run wholly or partially through the adhesive backing, or not through the adhesive backing at all.

In order to secure a folded wall mountable portion 60 in a corner 26a, a person may position the vertical seam 63 of the wall-mountable support in substantial alignment with the corner 26a. The user may next bend the wall mountable portion 60 along the vertical seam 63 to form an angle between a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion of the wall mountable portion 60. The angle formed may be substantially equal to an angle of the corner 26a. Finally, the person may secure the wall-mountable support to the position on the corner by an adhesive backing or by means of other suitable fasteners.

The wall-mounted portion 60 may include a second or alternate seam (not shown) that runs vertically between the top portion 61 and bottom portion 62 along the adjacent sides thereof. This second seam may, in some embodiments, be displaced from the side of the top portion 61. The portion 60 may be folded along this seam to raise the bottom portion 62 above the vertical surface 26, if desired, to increase the distance between the rod 65 or arm and the vertical surface 26, thereby being suitable to accommodate hooking mechanisms 24 of side-mounted containers 20 of various dimensions.

The arm or rod 65 may be a durable support of sufficient length to provide support for accommodating a side-mountable container 20. The rod 65 may be made of a plastic, a metal, a wood, or any other durable material. The shape of the rod may of any configuration suitable for securing a hooking mechanism 24 of a side-mounted container 20. In various embodiments, the rod 65 may be a substantially cylindrical rod, a substantially flat rail, a rail with a lip, or the like. The rod 65 may be of fixed length or may include telescoping sections so that it may be extended to a desired, maximum length.

Turning to FIG. 6B, therein is depicted a fully configured structure for mounting a side-mounted container 20 to a vertical surface 26. The structure depicted here includes two wall mountable portions 60 laterally offset from each other on the vertical surface 26 and the rod 65 having opposing ends secured by openings 64 of the wall mounted portions 60 that face each other.

Turning to FIG. 6C, as shown therein, one of the wall mounted portions 60 may be folded and fitted into a corner 26a of two vertical surfaces 26. The wall mounted portion may be folded to adapt to a corner 26a of any angle. As will be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art, both wall mountable portions shown may be fitted to opposing corners 26a of vertical surfaces 26.

Turning finally to FIG. 7, therein is depicted an alternate apparatus 70 for supporting a side-mounted container or the like on a flat vertical surface. Two substantially parallel rods 71, 72 are secured in position by one or more supports 73 disposed substantially perpendicular thereto. The support(s) 73 are disposed on a back end of the rods 71, 72, and may include apertures for receiving screws 74 (or another type of fastener) that secure the apparatus 70 to a vertical surface, such as a wall. The rods 71, 72 may be cylindrical or rectangular rods, or may be provided in another useful shape. The rods 71, 72 may be hollow. The parallel rods 71, 72 further include a lengthwise groove or slit along their facing sides that disposed to readily receive on end of an H-shaped support member 75.

The H-shaped support member 75, in turn, includes parallel ends 76 connected by a vertical arm 77, all of which may be manufactured together as an integrated unit. The ends 76 of the H-shaped support member 75 may be substantially flat so as to be readily slid into the lengthwise openings or grooves of the rods 71, 72 in the direction shown in FIG. 7. The vertical arm 77 may then receive a hook of a side-mounted container or the like. The H-shaped support member 75 may then be secured at a desired position within the apparatus 70 in any known manner. A plurality of H-shaped members 75 may also be stacked within the apparatus 70 to provide a plurality of arms 77 for hanging side-mounted containers.

The ends 76 of any one H-shaped support member 75 are always of the same length. However, various H-shaped support members 75 may be provided which have differing lengths of parallel ends 76 in comparison to each other. In this manner, the arms 77 of these H-shaped members 75 can be disposed within the apparatus 70 at varying distances with respect to each other, determined by the differing lengths of the ends 76 of such members 75.

Although the rods of the various embodiments described herein are depicted as having substantially straight lengths, it is readily contemplated that such rods can include curved or decorative surfaces, and can be made of aesthetically appealing transparent or colored materials.

Turning finally to FIG. 8, therein are depicted three embodiments of a mountable container 80 as disclosed herein. In the first view, the mountable container 80 may have a closed loop 82 attached or attachable to the side of the container 80 for mounting thereof. In the second view, the mountable container 80 may instead or additionally have an arm 84 that is rotatable in the manner shown about a support that is attached or attachable to the container 80. In the third view, a band 88 (comprised of a plastic, metal or other durable material that is sized for or may be adjustable in diameter to match the diameter of the container 80) may be used to secure a mounting arm 86 to the container 80. Other equivalent embodiments are readily contemplated to be part of the present disclosure

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, it is to be understood that the descriptions have been provided for purposes of illustration only and that other variations both in form and detail can be made thereupon by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising a top, a neck, a bottom and a side surface, the container further including:

a hook disposed on a side surface, the hook having a rotatable arm for engaging with a hook receiver.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed between the neck and the bottom on the side surface.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface near a lateral position of the container's center of gravity.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between the neck and a lateral position of the container's center of gravity.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between the bottom and a lateral position of the container's center of gravity.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between a lateral position of the container's center of gravity and the neck, closer to the lateral position.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is disposed at a position on the side surface between the bottom and a lateral position of the container's center of gravity of the container, closer to the lateral position.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed with the hook.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook is attachable to the container.

10. The container of claim 9, further comprising a label on the side surface and a marked position substantially opposite the label, the marked position indicating a place to attach the hook.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook comprises:

a supporting arm attached to the container at a first end; and

a hooking arm disposed at a second end of the supporting arm, perpendicular to a position of the supporting arm.

12. The container of claim 11, the hooking arm rotatably mounted to the supporting arm.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook comprises:

a supporting arm attached to the container at a first end; and

a hooking arm disposed at a second end of the supporting arm, the hooking arm including a curved arm.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook comprises a closed loop for releasably engaging an arm mounted on a flat, vertical surface.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a plastic.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the container is formed from a plastic molding process in which the hook is integrally formed with the container.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is for holding and dispensing at least one of: a liquid, an oil, and a powder.

18. The container of claim 1, wherein the hook for releasably engaging with a hook receiver mounted on a substantially flat vertical surface, whereby when the hook is engaged with the hook receiver, the mountable container is substantially flush with the flat, vertical surface.

19. A container comprising a top, a neck, a bottom and a side surface, the container further including:

a hook disposed on a side surface, the hook comprising a closed loop for engaging with a mounted support.

20. The container of claim 19, the hook permanently attached to the side surface.

21. The container of claim 19, the hook being attachable to the side surface.

22. The container of claim 21, the container comprising a label on the side surface and a marked position on the side surface substantially opposite the label, the marked position indicating a place to attach the hook.

23. A method for distributing a hook with a container, comprising:

packaging a container having a label on a side surface thereof and having a marked position on the side surface substantially opposite from the label, the marked position for indicating a place to attach a hook; and

packaging the hook with the container.

24. The method of claim 23, the hook having an adhesive surface for attaching to a side surface of the container.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

packaging a hook receiver with the container, the hook receiver for attaching to a flat vertical surface, the hook receiver for mating with the hook to support the container on the flat vertical surface.

26. The method of claim 23, the hook being rotatably mountable on the container.

27. The method of claim 23, the hook comprising a closed loop.