TWIST TUMBLER

Abstract

A container having an inner liner configured to store a liquid. A non-rotatable outer sleeve is non-rotatably coupled about the inner liner. At least one rotatable outer sleeve is disposed about the inner liner and configured to rotate relative to both the inner liner and the non-rotatable outer sleeve. The non-rotatable and rotatable outer sleeves each include a graphic viewable from outside the container. These graphics combine to form a composite graphic viewable from outside the container. The composite graphic may be modified by rotating the rotatable outer sleeve about the inner liner relative to the non-rotatable outer sleeve. The container includes a removable base cap upon which the rotatable outer sleeve is stacked. The base cap is removably coupled to a bottom portion of the inner liner by a locking assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to a food and/or beverage container for storing liquid or semi-liquid contents and more particularly to a food and/or beverage container having movable decorative elements.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a large number of food and/or beverage container designs have become commercially available. While many of these designs include pleasing aesthetic features and decorative elements, few have movable decorative components. Such movable decorative components add to a user's enjoyment of the container and may be useful for entertaining children. Therefore, a need exists for food and/or beverage containers that include movable decorative components. The present application provides this and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container including an optional lid.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 illustrated without the optional lid.

FIG. 3 is a side partial sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 including the optional lid.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 illustrated with the optional lid and its rotatable outer sleeves arranged in a first configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 illustrated with the optional lid and its rotatable outer sleeves arranged in a second configuration.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of a bottom portion of the container of FIG. 1 depicting a bottom portion of an inner liner, a lower portion of a rotatable outer sleeve, a key member, a keyway member, and a bottom cap.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the key member, the keyway member, and the bottom cap of the container of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, aspects of the present invention include a beverage or food container 10 for use as a tumbler, cup, mug, bottle, thermos, decanter, or similar storage vessel. The container 10 may be reusable or disposable. For ease of illustration, the container 10 is described and illustrated as positioned in an upright orientation. However, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that during use, the container 10 may be positioned in any orientation. Therefore, terms that relate to directions, such as top, bottom, upward, downward, and the like, have been assigned arbitrarily and are not intended to limit the invention.

FIG. 2 provides an exploded perspective view of the container 10. The container 1 0 includes an inner liner member 12 configured to store liquid or semi-liquid contents, a top sleeve 14, at least one intermediate sleeve 16, a bottom sleeve 18, a lock assembly 19, and a base cap 20. For ease of illustration, the container 10 is illustrated as having a single intermediate sleeve 16. However, embodiments including more than one intermediate sleeve are within the scope of the present teachings. FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional side view of the container 10 sectioned longitudinally along a vertical plane.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18 are disposed about the liner member 12. The intermediate sleeve 16 is stacked upon the bottom sleeve 18, which is stacked upon the base cap 20. The intermediate sleeve 16 and the bottom sleeve 18 are not fixedly coupled to one another. The intermediate sleeve 16 is not fixedly coupled to either the top sleeve 14, or the liner member 12. The bottom sleeve 18 is not fixedly coupled to either the base cap 20, or the liner member 12.

In the embodiment illustrated, the top sleeve 14 is non-rotatably coupled to the liner member 12 and the intermediate and bottom sleeves 16 and 18 are rotatable about the liner member 12. Further, the intermediate and bottom sleeves 16 and 18 are also rotatable relative to the top sleeve 14, the base cap 20, and one another. In alternate embodiments, the top sleeve 14 may also be rotatable about the liner member 12.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18 include decorative elements, such as graphics “A,” “B” and “C,” respectively viewable from outside the container 10. The graphics “A,” “B” and “C,” combine to form a larger or composite work 21 also viewable from outside the container 10. When the intermediate sleeve 16 is rotated about the liner member 12, the relationship between the graphic “B” and the other two graphics “A” and “C” is modified thereby altering the appearance of the composite work 21. Similarly, when the bottom sleeve 18 is rotated about the liner member 12, the relationship between the graphic “C” and the other two graphics “A” and “B” is modified thereby altering the appearance of the composite work 21. Users of the container 10 may find rotating the intermediate sleeves 16 and/or the bottom sleeve 18 to modify the composite work 21 entertaining or enjoyable.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the graphics “A,” “B” and “C” may be selected such that the rotation of the intermediate sleeves 16 and/or the bottom sleeve 18 produces a humorous composite work 21. For example, in FIG. 4, the graphic “A” includes a monkey's head portion “A-MHEAD,” the graphic “B” includes a monkey's body portion “B-MBODY,” and the graphic “C” includes a monkey's legs portion “C-MLEGS.” When the monkey's head portion “A-MHEAD,” body portion “B-MBODY,” and legs portion “C-MLEGS” are aligned as illustrated in FIG. 4, the composite work 21 displays a monkey.

By rotating the intermediate sleeves 16 and/or the bottom sleeve 18, the elements of the composite work 21 forming the monkey may be displaced with respect to one another. For example, in FIG. 5, the graphic “C” includes a bird legs portion “C-BLEGS.” In FIG. 5, the intermediate sleeves 16 and the bottom sleeve 18 have been rotated from the positions shown in FIG. 4 to align the monkey's body portion “B-MBODY” with the bird legs portion “C-BLEGS.” In embodiments in which the graphic “A” includes a bird's head portion (not shown), the intermediate sleeves 16 may be rotated to align the monkey's body portion “B-MBODY” with the bird's head portion (not shown). Further, the bottom sleeve 18 may be rotated to maintain the alignment of the monkey's body portion “B-MBODY” with the bird legs portion “C-BLEGS.” Thus, the composite work 21 would display a humorous creature having the bird's head portion (not shown), the monkey's body portion “B-MBODY,” and the bird legs portion “C-BLEGS.”

The graphics “A,” “B” and “C” may include illustrations, photographs, text, holograms, abstract shapes, patterns, and the like. The graphics “A,” “B” and “C” are not limited to any particular visual work or display. Further, the graphics “A,” “B” and “C” may include opaque, semi-transparent, and transparent portions. Semi-transparent and transparent portions of the graphics “A,” “B” and “C” expose a portion of the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18, respectively. If one or more of the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18 are constructed from semi-transparent or transparent materials, portions of the liner member 12 adjacent the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18 may be viewed from outside the container 10. In such embodiments, optionally, those visible portions of the liner member 12 may be decorated with a graphic “D.”

Returning to FIG. 3, optionally, a lid 22 may be coupled to the liner member 12 to seal contents inside the liner member 12. The lid 22 includes a threaded connector portion 24 having outside threads 25 and an annular sealing member 26 adjacent the outside threads 25. The lid 22 illustrated is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,008 filed Dec. 18, 2008, and entitled “TWIST LID.” Therefore, the lid 22 will not be described in detail herein. Further, the lid 22 may be constructed as any lid known in the art and the invention is not limited to use with a particular lid.

In the following sections, the liner member 12, the top sleeve 14, the intermediate sleeve 16, the bottom sleeve 18, the lock assembly 19, and the base cap 20 are described in detail.

Liner Member

The liner member 12 has an inside surface 28 defining a hollow interior portion 30 for storing contents 32 (see FIG. 2) that may be liquid and/or semi-liquid. Non-limiting examples of liquid or semi-liquid contents stored by the container include beverages (e.g., soda, water, sports drinks, hot chocolate, coffee, coffee drinks, etc.), soups, and the like. The liner member 12 includes an outside surface 29 opposite the inside surface 28 upon which optional decorations (e.g., the graphic “D”), including background colors may be provided.

As mentioned above, if one or more of the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18 are constructed from semi-transparent or transparent materials, portions of the liner member 12 to be viewable from outside the container 10. In such embodiments, optional decorations (e.g., the graphic “D”) may be disposed on the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12 and one or more portions of such decorations may be viewable from outside the container 10. The optional decorations (e.g., the graphic “D”) may provide a background or backdrop for the graphics “A,” “B” and “C” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided on the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18, respectively.

The liner member 12 may be constructed from opaque materials, semi-transparent materials, transparent materials, and a combination thereof. To provide a better view of the graphics “A,” “B” and “C” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided on the top, intermediate, and bottom sleeves 14, 16, and 18, respectively, it may be desirable to construct the liner member 12 from an opaque material. Alternatively, the optional decorations (e.g., the graphic “D”) disposed on the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12 may be opaque or configured to otherwise obscure the hollow interior portion 30 of the liner member 12.

The liner member 12 has a circular cross-sectional shape that is symmetric about a central axis of rotation “R1.” As may be viewed in FIG. 2, the liner member 12 has a rim portion 36 having an upper edge portion 38 and defining an upper opening or outlet 40 in the hollow interior portion 30 through which the contents 32 (see FIG. 3) may pass to enter and exit the liner member 12. Turning to FIG. 3, an optional annular groove 44 may be formed in the inside surface 28 along the upper edge portion 38. The optional groove 44 is configured to receive a portion of the annular sealing member 26 adjacent the outside threads 25 of the threaded connector portion 24 of the optional lid 22.

In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the rim portion 36 includes inside threads 48 formed on the inside surface 28. The inside threads 48 are configured to engage the outside threads 25 of the threaded connector portion 24 of the lid 22 and when threadedly engaged therewith, to maintain the lid 22 on the liner member 12. The lid 22 is operable to seal the contents 32 inside the hollow interior portion 30. When the inside threads 48 are fully engaged with the outside threads 25 of the threaded connector portion 24, at least a portion of the annular sealing member 26 is pressed against the liner member 12 forming a liquid tight seal therewith. By way of a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the annular sealing member 26 may be received inside the optional groove 44 and pressed against the inside of the optional groove 44 to form a liquid tight seal therewith.

Optionally, the liner member 12 may have a wider portion 46 adjacent the inside threads 48 formed on the inside surface 28 and a bottom portion 52 opposite its rim portion 36. The liner member 12 is illustrated as being elongated along the central axis of rotation “R1” and having a generally tapered shape that narrows toward the bottom portion 52. However, these are not requirements and embodiments in which the liner member 12 has a different shape than the one depicted in the figures are also within the scope of the present teachings.

An annular sidewall 55 centered about the central axis of rotation “R1” extends downwardly from the bottom portion 52 to define a substantially hollow downwardly facing recessed area 56 under the bottom portion 52. Referring to FIG. 6, a tab 57 is non-movably coupled to at least one of the bottom portion 52 and the annular sidewall 55 inside the recessed area 56.

Returning to FIG. 3, a continuous flange 58 spaced from the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12 extends downwardly from the rim portion 36. A downwardly facing annular groove 60 is defined between the flange 58 and the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12.

Top Sleeve

The top sleeve 14 has a generally hollow open-ended cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section. The top sleeve 14 has a continuous annular sidewall 70 with an upper end portion 72 opposite a lower end portion 74. In the embodiment illustrated, the thickness of the sidewall 70 increases at a substantially constant rate from the upper end portion 72 to the lower end portion 74. Thus, the sidewall 70 has a tapered cross-section that increases in thickness from the upper end portion 72 toward the lower end portion 74.

The sidewall 70 has an inside surface 75 that defines an open-ended central channel 76 sized and shaped to receive the liner member 12 therein, with the upper end portion 72 of the sidewall 70 being adjacent the wider portion 46 of the liner member 12 and spaced therefrom. A gap 77 is defined between the inside surface 75 of the sidewall 70 and the liner member 12 when the liner member 12 is received inside the central channel 76 of the top sleeve 14.

The sidewall 70 has an outside surface 79 opposite the inside surface 75. The graphic “A” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be disposed on the outside surface 79. Alternatively, the graphic “A” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be embedded in the sidewall 70. By way of another non-limiting example, in embodiments in which the sidewall 70 is constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent material, the graphic “A” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be disposed on the inside surface 75.

At least one upwardly extending projection 78 fully receivable inside the annular groove 60 of the liner member 12 extends upwardly from upper end portion 72 of the sidewall 70. In the embodiment illustrated, the upwardly extending projection 78 is implemented as a single continuous annular-shaped projection extending along the upper end portion 72 of the top sleeve 14. However, implementations in which the upwardly extending projection 78 is implemented as a plurality of spaced apart projections arranged along the upper end portion 72 of the top sleeve 14 are also within the scope of the present teachings. Optionally, the upper end portion 72 of the top sleeve 14 may include an upper groove 81 formed in the outside surface 79 and configured to receive at least a portion of the continuous flange 58 when the upwardly extending projection 78 is received inside the annular groove 60 of the liner member 12.

As mentioned above, in the implementation illustrated in the figures, the top sleeve 14 is non-rotatable relative to the liner member 12. To prevent rotation of the top sleeve 14 relative to the liner member 12, the top sleeve 14 may be non-rotatably coupled to the liner member 12. For example, the upwardly extending projection 78 may be received inside the annular groove 60 of the liner member 12 and welded to at least one of the continuous flange 58 and a portion of the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12. By way of a non-limiting example, sonic welding may be used to weld the upwardly extending projection 78 to at least one of the continuous flange 58 and a portion of the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12. Alternatively, the upwardly extending projection 78 may be adhered to at least one of the continuous flange 58 and a portion of the outside surface 29 of the liner member 12 by an adhesive. As is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, numerous methods of non-rotatably coupling the top sleeve 14 to the liner member 12 are known in the art and the invention is not limited to the methods described above.

Because the top sleeve 14 is non-rotatably coupled to the liner member 12, the outer surface 79 of the top sleeve 14 provides a substantially stable gripping surface for a user. The user may grip the non-rotatable outer surface 79 when drinking or pouring the contents 32 from the container 10. Further, the user may grip the non-rotatable outer surface 79 when assembling and/or disassembling the container 10. The user may find gripping the non-rotatable outer surface 79 useful when rotating the intermediate sleeve 16, and/or the bottom sleeve 18 about the liner member 12. However as mentioned above, in alternate embodiments, the top sleeve 14 may also be rotatable about the liner member 12.

An outside groove 80 is formed in the lower end portion 74 of the sidewall 70. The outside groove 80 extends continuously along the lower end portion 74. A downwardly extending alignment portion 82 inward of the outside groove 80 is defined in the lower end portion 74 of the sidewall 70 by the outside groove 80.

Intermediate Sleeve

Like the top sleeve 14, the intermediate sleeve 16 has a generally hollow open-ended cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section. The intermediate sleeve 16 has a continuous annular sidewall 90 with an upper end portion 92 opposite a lower end portion 94. In the embodiment illustrated, the thickness of the sidewall 90 increases at a substantially constant rate from the upper end portion 92 to the lower end portion 94. Thus, the sidewall 90 has a tapered cross-section that increases in thickness from the upper end portion 92 toward the lower end portion 94.

The sidewall 90 has an inside surface 95 that defines an open-ended central channel 96 sized and shaped to rotatably receive the liner member 12 therein. A gap 97 is defined between the inside surface 95 of the sidewall 90 and the liner member 12 when the liner member 12 is received inside the central channel 96 of the intermediate sleeve 16.

The sidewall 90 has an outside surface 99 opposite the inside surface 95. The graphic “B” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be disposed on the outside surface 99. Alternatively, the graphic “B” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be embedded in the sidewall 90. By way of another non-limiting example, in embodiments in which the sidewall 90 is constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent material, the graphic “B” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be disposed on the inside surface 95.

An upwardly facing inside groove 100 is formed in the upper end portion 92 of the sidewall 90. The inside groove 100 extends continuously along the upper end portion 92. The inside groove 100 is configured to receive the downwardly extending alignment portion 82 of the top sleeve 14.

An upwardly extending alignment portion 102 opposite the inside groove 100 is defined in the upper end portion 92 of the sidewall 90 by the inside groove 100. The upwardly extending alignment portion 102 is configured to be rotatably received inside the outside groove 80 of the top sleeve 14. When the downwardly extending alignment portion 82 of the top sleeve 14 is received inside the inside groove 100, the upwardly extending alignment portion 102 is simultaneously received inside the outside groove 80 of the top sleeve 14 with the upwardly extending alignment portion 102 exteriorly overlapping the downwardly extending alignment portion 82.

As mentioned above, in the implementation illustrated in the figures, the intermediate sleeve 16 is rotatable relative to the liner member 12, the top sleeve 14, and the bottom sleeve 18. Therefore, the upwardly extending alignment portion 102 is configured to circumferentially slide within the outside groove 80 of the top sleeve 14 about the central axis of rotation “R1.” Likewise, the downwardly extending alignment portion 82 of the top sleeve 14 is configured to circumferentially slide within the inside groove 100 of the top sleeve 14 when the intermediate sleeve 16 rotates about the central axis of rotation “R1.”

An outside groove 110 is formed in the lower end portion 94 of the sidewall 90. The outside groove 110 extends continuously along the lower end portion 94. A downwardly extending alignment portion 112 inward of the outside groove 110 is defined in the lower end portion 94 of the sidewall 90 by the outside groove 110.

Bottom Sleeve

The structure of the bottom sleeve 18 may be substantially identical to that of the intermediate sleeve 16. The bottom sleeve 18 has a generally hollow open-ended cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section defined by a continuous annular sidewall 120 with an upper end portion 122 opposite a lower end portion 124. In the embodiment illustrated, the thickness of the sidewall 120 increases at a substantially constant rate from the upper end portion 122 to the lower end portion 124. Thus, the sidewall 120 has a tapered cross-section that increases in thickness from the upper end portion 122 toward the lower end portion 124.

The sidewall 120 has an inside surface 125 that defines an open-ended central channel 126 sized and shaped to rotatably receive the liner member 12 therein. A gap 127 is defined between the inside surface 125 of the sidewall 120 and the liner member 12 when the liner member 12 is received inside the central channel 126 of the bottom sleeve 18.

The sidewall 120 has an outside surface 129 opposite the inside surface 125. The graphic “C” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be disposed on the outside surface 129. Alternatively, the graphic “C” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be embedded in the sidewall 120. By way of another non-limiting example, in embodiments in which the sidewall 120 is constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent material, the graphic “C” (see FIGS. 4 and 5) may be disposed on the inside surface 125.

An upwardly facing inside groove 130 is formed in the upper end portion 122 of the sidewall 120. The inside groove 130 extends continuously along the upper end portion 122. The inside groove 130 is configured to receive the downwardly extending alignment portion 112 of the intermediate sleeve 16.

An upwardly extending alignment portion 132 opposite the inside groove 130 is defined in the upper end portion 122 of the sidewall 120 by the inside groove 130. The upwardly extending alignment portion 132 is configured to be rotatably received inside the outside groove 110 of the intermediate sleeve 16. When the downwardly extending alignment portion 112 of the intermediate sleeve 16 is received inside the inside groove 130, the upwardly extending alignment portion 132 is simultaneously received inside the outside groove 110 of the intermediate sleeve 16 with the upwardly extending alignment portion 132 exteriorly overlapping the downwardly extending alignment portion 112.

As mentioned above, in the implementation illustrated in the figures, the bottom sleeve 18 is rotatable relative to the liner member 12 and both the top and intermediate sleeves 14 and 16. Therefore, the upwardly extending alignment portion 132 is configured to circumferentially slide within the outside groove 110 of the intermediate sleeve 16 about the central axis of rotation “R1.” Further, the intermediate sleeve 16 is rotatable relative to the liner member 12 and both the top and bottom sleeves 14 and 18. Therefore, the downwardly extending alignment portion 11 2 of the intermediate sleeve 16 is configured to circumferentially slide within the inside groove 130 of the bottom sleeve 18 about the central axis of rotation “R1.”

An outside groove 140 is formed in the lower end portion 124 of the sidewall 120. The outside groove 140 extends continuously along the lower end portion 124. A downwardly extending alignment portion 142 inward of the outside groove 140 is defined in the lower end portion 124 of the sidewall 120 by the outside groove 140.

Lock Assembly

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the lock assembly 19 includes a keyway member 160 and a key member 162. The keyway member 160 is received inside the recessed area 56 of the liner member 12 and non-removably coupled to the bottom portion 52 of the liner member 12. By way of a non-limiting example, the keyway member 160 may be sonic welded to the liner member 12. The keyway member 160 has an upper surface 164 that is adjacent the bottom portion 52 of the liner member 12. The keyway member 160 has a perimeter portion “P1” with a notch 168 formed therein configured to receive the tab 57 (see FIG. 6). The tab 57 is positioned inside the notch 168 to help prevent the keyway member 160 from rotating relative to the liner member 12.

Turning to FIG. 7, the keyway member 160 has an open central portion 170 with three radially extending openings 174 extending outwardly from the open central portion 170. Each of the radially extending openings 174 is terminated by an outer stop wall 178 spaced from the perimeter portion “P1.” Each of the radially extending openings 174 is defined between a first radially extending sidewall 180 extending between the open central portion 170 and the outer stop wall 178 and a second radially extending sidewall 182 extending between the open central portion 170 and the outer stop wall 178.

Each of the radially extending openings 174 includes a shelf or ledge 186 spaced from the upper surface 164. Turning to FIG. 3, when the keyway member 160 is received inside the recessed area 56 of the liner member 12, the upper surface 164 is adjacent the bottom portion 52 of the liner member 12 and a gap 187 is defined between each of the ledges 186 and the bottom portion 52 of the liner member 12. Returning to FIG. 7, each of the ledges 186 extends inwardly from the outer stop wall 178 and laterally from the first radially extending sidewall 180 toward the second radially extending sidewall 182. Each ledge 186 has a free edge 188 opposite an end portion 189 adjacent the first radially extending sidewall 180. An upwardly extending bump or detent 191 is formed on each ledge 186 adjacent its free edge 188. A gap 190 is defined between the free edge 188 of each ledge 186 and the second radially extending sidewall 182.

The key member 162 is non-rotatably coupled to the inside of the base cap 20. The key member 162 has an upper surface 200 supported by a cylindrically shaped base portion 208 and three radially outwardly extending locking members 210. In the embodiment illustrated, the locking members 210 are substantially planar and continuous with the upper surface 200. However, this is not a requirement and embodiments in which the locking members 210 are spaced from the upper surface 200 are also within the scope of the present teachings. The locking members 210 are configured to each be receivable inside one of the gaps 190 of the keyway member 160. Thus, the key member 162 has a locking member 210 for each of the gaps 190 of the keyway member 160.

When the locking members 210 are received inside each of the gaps 190 of the keyway member 160, the locking members 210 are adjacent the free edges 188 of the ledges 186 and the second radially extending sidewalls 182. The key member 162 may be rotated about the central axis of rotation “R1” in a locking direction (identified by arrow “A”) to move the locking members 210 away from the second radially extending sidewalls 182, over the free edges 188, over the detents 191, and into the gaps 187 (see FIG. 3) defined between the ledges 186 and the bottom portion 52 of the liner member 12. The detents 191 help prevent rotation of the locking members 210 in an unlocking direction opposite the locking direction (identified by arrow “A”). Thus, the detents 191 help maintain the locking members 210 inside the gaps 187. Once inside the gaps 187 (see FIG. 3), the locking members 210 retain the key member 162 inside the recessed area 56 of the liner member 12 along the central axis of rotation “R1.” Thus, when the locking members 210 are inside the gaps 187, the key member 162 is in a locked position relative to the keyway member 160.

In the locked position, the key member 162 cannot be removed from the keyway member 160 without rotating the key member 162 about the central axis of rotation “R1” in the unlocking direction opposite the locking direction (identified by arrow “A”) to move the locking members 210 over the detents 191 and into the gaps 190 of the keyway member 160. When the locking members 210 are inside the gaps 190, the key member 162 may be removed from the keyway member 160 in a direction along the central axis of rotation “R1.” Thus, when the locking members 210 are inside the gaps 190, the key member 162 is in an unlocked position relative to the keyway member 160.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cylindrically shaped base portion 208 includes a downwardly extending sidewall 220 having an inside surface 224 defining a hollow central portion 226. A tab 230 extends radially from the inside surface 224 of the sidewall 220 into the hollow central portion 226. The downwardly extending sidewall 220 has an outside surface 232 opposite the inside surface 224. The locking members 210 extend outwardly and radially from the outside surface 232 of the sidewall 220.

Base Cap

Returning to FIG. 7, the base cap 20 includes a bottom portion 250 having a central portion 254. Spaced radially from the central portion 254, an upwardly and circumferentially extending sidewall 258 extends about a perimeter portion “P2” of the bottom portion 250. The sidewall 258 has an upper end portion 260. An inside groove 262 is formed in the upper end portion 260 of the sidewall 258. The inside groove 262 extends continuously along the upper end portion 260. The inside groove 262 is configured to receive the downwardly extending alignment portion 142 (see FIG. 3) of the bottom sleeve 18 (see FIG. 3).

An upwardly extending alignment portion 264 outward of the inside groove 262 is defined in the upper end portion 260 of the sidewall 258 by the inside groove 262. The upwardly extending alignment portion 264 is configured to be received inside the outside groove 140 (see FIG. 3) of the bottom sleeve 18 (see FIG. 3). Referring to FIG. 3, when the downwardly extending alignment portion 142 of the bottom sleeve 18 is received inside the inside groove 262, the upwardly extending alignment portion 264 is simultaneously received inside the outside groove 140 of the bottom sleeve 18 with the upwardly extending alignment portion 264 exteriorly overlapping the downwardly extending alignment portion 142.

In the implementation illustrated in the figures, the base cap 20 is rotatable relative to the liner member 12, the top sleeve 14, the intermediate sleeve 16, and the bottom sleeve 18. Therefore, the upwardly extending alignment portion 264 is configured to circumferentially slide within the outside groove 140 of the bottom sleeve 18 about the central axis of rotation “R1.” Further, the downwardly extending alignment portion 142 of the bottom sleeve 18 is configured to circumferentially slide within the inside groove 262 of the base cap 20 about the central axis of rotation “R1.”

Extending upwardly from the bottom portion 250, the base cap 20 has a first upwardly extending guide wall 280 spaced radially inward from a second upwardly extending guide wall 282, which is spaced radially inward from the sidewall 258. The first and second upwardly extending guide walls 280 and 282 are concentric and centered about the central axis of rotation “R1” with the first upwardly extending guide wall 280 being nearer the central axis of rotation “R1” than the second upwardly extending guide wall 282. Thus, the second upwardly extending guide wall 282 is located between the first upwardly extending guide wall 280 and the sidewall 258.

The key member 162 is non-removably coupled to the base cap 20. By way of a non-limiting example, the key member 162 may be sonic welded to the base cap 20. Returning to FIG. 7, the first upwardly extending guide wall 280 has an outside surface 284 facing away from the central portion 254 and toward the second upwardly extending guide wall 282. The first upwardly extending guide wall 280 is configured to be received inside the hollow central portion 226 (see FIG. 6) defined by the inside surface 224 (see FIG. 6) of the downwardly extending sidewall 220 of the key member 162. When so received, the inside surface 224 (see FIG. 6) of the downwardly extending sidewall 220 is adjacent the outside surface 284 of the first upwardly extending guide wall 280.

A notch 288 is formed in the first upwardly extending guide wall 280. The notch 288 is configured to receive the tab 230 (see FIG. 6) of the key member 162 when the first upwardly extending guide wall 280 is received inside the hollow central portion 226 (see FIG. 6) of the key member 162. Engagement between the tab 230 (see FIG. 6) and the inside of the notch 288 helps prevent rotation of the key member 162 relative to the base cap 20 about the central axis of rotation “R1.”

The second upwardly extending guide wall 282 has an outside surface 286 facing away from the first upwardly extending guide wall 280 and toward the sidewall 258. The second upwardly extending guide wall 282 is configured to be received inside the annular sidewall 55 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) extending downwardly from the bottom portion 52 and defining the recessed area 56. When so received, the outside surface 286 of the second upwardly extending guide wall 282 is adjacent the annular sidewall 55 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). Thus, when the base cap 20 is rotated about the central axis of rotation “R1,” the outside surface 286 of the second upwardly extending guide wall 282 may slide along the annular sidewall 55 (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

When the base cap 20 is rotated about the central axis of rotation “R1,” the key member 162 and the base cap 20 rotate together as a unit. Therefore, by rotating the base cap 20 about the central axis of rotation “R1” relative to both the liner member 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) and the keyway member 160, the locking members 210 may be selectively positioned in one of the gaps 187 or 190. As mentioned above, when the locking members 210 are positioned in the gaps 187, the key member 162 may not be disengaged from the keyway member 160 along the central axis of rotation “R1.” Thus, the key member 162 may lock the base cap 20 to the liner member 12. When the locking members 210 are positioned in the gaps 190, the key member 162 may be disengaged from the keyway member 160 along the central axis of rotation “R1.” Thus, the base cap 20 may be disassembled from the liner member 12 when the locking members 210 are positioned in the gaps 190.

When the top sleeve 14 is rotated about the central axis of rotation “R1,” the top sleeve 14, the liner member 12, and the keyway member 160 rotate together as a unit. Therefore, by rotating the top sleeve 14 about the central axis of rotation “R1” relative to both the key member 162 and the base cap 20, the locking members 210 may be selectively positioned in one of the gaps 187 or 190. As mentioned above, when the locking members 210 are positioned in the gaps 187, the key member 162 may not be disengaged from the keyway member 160 along the central axis of rotation “R1.” Thus, the key member 162 may lock the base cap 20 to the liner member 12. When the locking members 210 are positioned in the gaps 190, the key member 162 may be disengaged from the keyway member 160 along the central axis of rotation “R1.” Thus, the base cap 20 may be disassembled from the liner member 12 when the locking members 210 are positioned in the gaps 190.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a rotatable decorative outer sleeve having an inside channel and a graphic viewable from outside the container; and

an inner liner having a rim portion opposite a bottom portion and an intermediate portion located between the rim and bottom portions, the intermediate portion of the inner liner being positioned inside the inside channel of the rotatable decorative outer sleeve, the rotatable decorative outer sleeve being configured to rotate about the intermediate portion of the inner liner thereby positioning the graphic in a selected position relative to the inner liner.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the inside channel of the rotatable decorative outer sleeve is defined by a tapered sidewall having a greater thickness near its bottom edge than near its top edge.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner liner is tapered from the rim portion toward the bottom portion.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the rotatable decorative outer sleeve is constructed from transparent or semi-transparent material, and the intermediate portion of the inner liner comprises a graphic at least partially viewable from outside the container through the rotatable decorative outer sleeve.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising a gripping sleeve portion non-rotatably coupled to the inner liner.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the gripping sleeve portion is located between the rim portion and the rotatable decorative outer sleeve.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a base cap coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner, the base cap comprising an upper edge portion, the rotatable decorative outer sleeve having a lower edge portion in slidable engagement with the upper edge portion of the base cap.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a base cap removably coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner by a locking assembly, the base cap being rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative the bottom portion of the inner liner,

when in the unlocked position, the base cap being removable from the bottom portion of the inner liner, and

when in the locked position, the base cap preventing the inner liner from being disengaged from the rotatable decorative outer sleeve by passing the bottom portion through the rotatable decorative outer sleeve.

9. A container comprising:

an inner liner; and

a plurality of rotatable outer sleeves each having an inside channel configured to receive a portion of the inner liner, the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves being configured to rotate independently about their respective portions of the inner liner when the inner liner is received inside the inside channels of the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves, each of the rotatable outer sleeves having a graphic viewable from outside the container, the graphics of the rotatable outer sleeves combining to form a composite graphic viewable from outside the container, the composite graphic being modifiable by the rotation of any of the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves about their respective portions of the inner liner relative to at least one of the others of the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the inner liner comprises a bottom portion and the container further comprises:

a removable base cap removably couplable to the bottom portion of the inner liner, the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves being maintained in position about the inner liner when the inner liner is received inside their inside channels and the removable base cap is coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner, and the inner liner being removable from the inside channels of the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves when the removable base cap is uncoupled from the bottom portion of the inner liner.

11. The container of claim 10, further comprising:

a lock assembly having a key portion insertable into a keyway portion, the key portion being non-rotatably coupled to one of the base cap and the bottom portion of the inner liner, the keyway portion being non-rotatably coupled to the other of the base cap and the bottom portion of the inner liner,

the key portion having a locking position relative to the keyway portion and an unlocking position relative to the keyway portion, the key portion being selectively positionable in the locking position and the unlocking position by the rotation of one of the base cap and the bottom portion of the inner liner relative to the other, and

the key portion being separable from the keyway portion when positioned in the unlocking position and inseparable from the keyway portion when positioned in the locking position.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the key portion comprises a plurality of locking members,

the keyway portion comprises a plurality of openings, each opening comprising a release portion and a locking portion,

when the key portion is in the unlocking position relative to the keyway member, the plurality of locking members being selectively receivable into and removable from the release portions, and

when the key portion is in the locking position relative to the keyway member, the plurality of locking members being positioned within the locking portions of the plurality of openings of the keyway portion.

13. The container of claim 9, wherein the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves comprise a first rotatable outer sleeve stacked upon a second rotatable outer sleeve, the first rotatable outer sleeve having a lower edge portion, and the second rotatable outer sleeve having an upper edge portion,

one of the lower edge portion of the first rotatable outer sleeve and the upper edge portion of the second rotatable outer sleeve comprising a projection extending toward a groove formed in the other of the lower edge portion of the first rotatable outer sleeve and the upper edge portion of the second rotatable outer sleeve, the groove being configured to receive the projection therein, the projection being slidable within the groove when one of the first and second rotatable outer sleeves is rotated relative to the other.

14. The container of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves are substantially identical to one another and differ only with respect to their graphics.

15. The container of claim 9, further comprising:

a non-rotatable outer sleeve adjacent at least one of the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves, the non-rotatable outer sleeve being non-rotatably attached to the inner liner and having a graphic viewable from outside the container, wherein the composite graphic further comprises the graphic of the non-rotatable outer sleeve.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves comprise a first rotatable outer sleeve rotatable relative to the non-rotatable outer sleeve,

the first rotatable outer sleeve comprises a first upper edge portion, and

the non-rotatable outer sleeve comprises a first lower edge portion,

one of the first upper edge portion of the first rotatable outer sleeve and the first lower edge portion of the non-rotatable outer sleeve comprising a projection extending toward a groove formed in the other of the first upper edge portion of the first rotatable outer sleeve and the first lower edge portion of the non-rotatable outer sleeve, the groove being configured to receive the projection therein, the projection being slidable within the groove when the first rotatable outer sleeve is rotated relative to the non-rotatable outer sleeve.

17. The container of claim 9, wherein the plurality of rotatable outer sleeves comprise a first rotatable outer sleeve stacked upon a second rotatable outer sleeve,

the first rotatable outer sleeve having a first lower edge portion with a first downwardly extending annular projection and a first upper edge portion with a first groove,

the second rotatable outer sleeve having a second upper edge portion with a second groove configured to receive the first downwardly extending annular projection of the first rotatable outer sleeve, the first downwardly extending annular projection being slidable within the second groove when one of the first and second rotatable outer sleeves is rotated relative to the other, and

the container further comprises a non-rotatable outer sleeve non-rotatably coupled to the inner liner, the non-rotatable outer sleeve comprising a second lower edge portion with a second downwardly extending annular projection configured to be received in the first groove of the first upper edge portion of the first rotatable outer sleeve, the second downwardly extending annular projection being slidable within the first groove when the first rotatable outer sleeve is rotated relative to the non-rotatable outer sleeve.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the second rotatable outer sleeve comprises a third lower edge portion with a third downwardly extending annular projection, and

the container further comprises a base cap coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner, the removable base cap comprising a third upper edge portion having a third groove formed therein configured to receive the third downwardly extending annular projection of the second rotatable outer sleeve, the third downwardly extending annular projection being slidable within the third groove when the second rotatable outer sleeve is rotated relative to the base cap.

19. The container of claim 17, wherein

the inside channel of the first rotatable outer sleeve is defined by a tapered sidewall that tapers toward the first upper edge portion; and

the inside channel of the second rotatable outer sleeve is defined by a tapered sidewall that tapers toward the second upper edge portion.

20. The container of claim 17, wherein the non-rotatable outer sleeve comprises a tapered sidewall that tapers away from the second lower edge portion.

21. A container for use with a liquid, the container comprising:

an inner liner defining a hollow interior configured to store the liquid;

a first outer sleeve non-rotatably coupled about the inner liner, the first outer sleeve having a graphic viewable from outside the container; and

a second outer sleeve rotatable about the inner liner, the second outer sleeve having a graphic viewable from outside the container, the graphics of the first and second outer sleeves combining to form a composite graphic viewable from outside the container, the composite graphic being modifiable by rotating the second outer sleeve about the inner liner relative to the first non-rotatable outer sleeve.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein the inner liner comprises a bottom portion, and the container further comprises:

a base cap coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner, the base cap comprising an upper edge portion, the second outer sleeve resting upon and being slidable relative to the upper edge portion of the base cap.

23. The container of claim 21, wherein the inner liner comprises a bottom portion, and the container further comprises:

a base cap coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner, the base cap comprising an upper edge portion; and

a third outer sleeve rotatable about the inner liner independent of the second outer sleeve, the second outer sleeve resting upon and being slidable relative to the third outer sleeve, and the third outer sleeve resting upon and being slidable relative to the upper edge portion of the base cap.

24. The container of claim 21, wherein the first outer sleeve comprises a tapered sidewall extending around the inner liner, the tapered sidewall having a greater thickness near its bottom edge than near its top edge.

25. The container of claim 21, wherein the second outer sleeve comprises a tapered sidewall extending around the inner liner, the tapered sidewall having a greater thickness near its bottom edge than near its top edge.

26. A decorative sleeve for use with an inner liner, the decorative sleeve comprising:

an upper edge portion opposite a lower edge portion;

a tapered sidewall extending between the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion;

a first groove formed in the upper edge portion;

a first projection extending upwardly from the upper edge portion;

a second groove formed in the lower edge portion; and

a second projection extending downwardly from the lower edge portion, the first projection being receivable inside a second groove formed in a lower edge portion of a like decorative sleeve, and the second projection being receivable inside a first groove formed in an upper edge portion of a like decorative sleeve.

27. The decorative sleeve of claim 26, wherein the upper edge portion has an inside surface and the first groove is formed in the inside surface.

28. The decorative sleeve of claim 26, wherein the lower edge portion has an outside surface and the second groove is formed in the outside surface.

29. The decorative sleeve of claim 26, wherein the first groove is opposite the first projection and the second groove is opposite the second projection.

30. A container comprising:

an elongated inner liner extending along a longitudinal axis from a bottom portion;

an outer sleeve having an inside surface, the outer sleeve extending around the inner liner with its inside surface facing the inner liner, the inside surface of the outer sleeve being spaced apart from the inner liner, the outer sleeve being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the elongated inner liner; and

a base cap coupled to the bottom portion of the inner liner, the base cap retaining the outer sleeve in position about the inner liner.