Threaded container configured to be placed on a rail that is secured to a store shelf display unit, to assure correct placement and orientation of the container on the shelf and to facilitate untightening the closure on the container using a common household item

Abstract

A moldable threaded container and placement rail system which includes a moldable container formed with an annular sidewall forming a cylindrical member, threaded on the open end and a closed bottom surface on the opposite end. A receptacle such as a recessed notch or slot is formed so as not to extend beyond the plane of the bottom surface. The receptacle is configured to allow placement of the container on a rail secured to a store shelf display unit for ideal positioning of the product content label while reducing the labor content required for stocking and restocking products for display on store shelving. The receptacle configuration will also allow using a common household item, such as a pencil, to act as a lever to assist in untightening or retightening the closure on the container. The container is easily moldable and allows containers to be stacked one on top of another when placed in a cardboard box for shipment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a moldable threaded container that is configured to

1. Position the container in a well defined in line position and proper orientation on to a store display shelf using a simple rail secured to the shelf and

2. The configuration would also permit a person to use the configuration to facilitate untightening the closure on the container using a common household item.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various types of threaded containers are well known. Such containers can be made from molded plastic or glass. Such containers include an annular sidewall, a generally flat closed bottom and, are threaded on the open end to accept a matching threaded closure.

A product label, describing in detail the contents in the container is affixed to the containers annular sidewall.

It is very labor intensive to stock store display shelving so that the product contents label attached to the container is carefully positioned so as to be directed facing the person viewing the container. Any person/store customer handling the container subsequent to its original placement on the display shelf is very unlikely to position it back on the display shelf in a best display location for the containers label. Therefore, there is a need for a system which will assure correct placement and orientation of the container on the store display shelf and also providing the additional benefit of having a means of assisting a person to untighten and retighten the containers closure, while reducing the amount of labor required to stock and restock store display shelving.

No patents have been found for quick and easily directed placement of single containers on store type shelving display units and, providing assistance to untightening or retightening the closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a moldable container formed with an annular sidewall, threaded on one end for a threaded closure and a closed bottom surface on the opposing end. A receptacle, such as a recessed slot is formed so as not to extend beyond the plane of the closed bottom surface. The receptacle is configured to be placed over a rail type projection secured to the shelf of a store type display. The rail projection running perpendicular to the width of the shelf unit. This combination allows fast and easy placement of the container on the display shelf in a fixed predetermined direction. The product identification/contents label would be attached to the sidewall of the container so as to be sure it is directed to the person viewing the container when it is placed over the positioning rail secured to the store shelf.

Additionally, the receptacle is configured to allow using a common household item, such as a pencil, that acts as a lever to facilitate untightening and retightening of the closure relative to the container when used in conjunction with hand pressure griping the closure or using any number of special tools and devices available to assist persons with limited hand strength to untighten and retighten the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood with reference to the following specifications and attached drawings.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a container with the Closure and Product Identification Label in normal position, with an inverted U shaped receptacle notch across the closed bottom of the container.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a container with the receptacle notch going fully across the bottom of the container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a segment of a store shelf display with a raised rail secured to the shelf.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container showing a pencil in the receptacle notch extending outwardly allowing a person's cupped hand (not shown) to constrain the container with the pencil acting as a lever to assist in untightening the closure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a segment of a store shelf display with the container in place over a raised rail secured to the shelf display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to 1.) a placement and orientation system for containers being placed on to a store display shelf. 2.) to assist in untightening and retightening the closure for the container. In accordance with an important aspect of this invention, the container is formed with a receptacle that does not extend beyond the plane of the bottom surface of the container. The receptacle is configured to allow placement of the container on a rail that is secured to a store display shelf and to receive a common household item such as a pencil for leverage, for untightening or retightening the respective closure for the container.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a container in accordance with the invention generally identified with the reference numeral 20. The container 20 is formed with an annular sidewall portion 21 forming a hollow cylindrical member closed on the bottom end 22. Threads, (not shown), are at the top open end to receive a threaded closure 23. A receptacle, configured as a diagonal notch 24 is formed in the bottom surface 22 of the container 20. The notch 24 is recessed from the bottom surface 22 which allows containers to be stacked one on top of the other as commonly occurs when the containers are placed in a shipping container such as a cardboard box.

The product identification/contents label 25 would be secured to the sidewall 21 so as to be centered about the notch 24. An additional benefit of such a configuration is that the container is easily moldable and the notch 24 will compliment automated equipment used to fill and tighten closures on the containers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a segment of a store display shelf 26 with rail 27 configured to allow a container 20 with notch 24 to be placed on top of the rail 27 thereby providing a positive location and directing the product contents label 25 in its desired direction. The rail 27 may be secured to the store shelf display 26 by one of several common methods; Mechanical fasteners, adhesives or being fabricated from a magnetized type of material for attraction to the metal display shelf.

FIG. 3 illustrates a container having a pencil 28 positioned in the notch 24 located in the bottom of the container 22. This combination enables the container 20 to be securely Constrained in a person's hand, allowing the pencil 28 to act as a lever to facilitate in untightening or retightening the closure 29 relative to the container 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates a container 20 with a notch 24 positioned over rail 27 that is secured to a store shelf display 26.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be appreciated otherwise than as specifically described above.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of the United States is:

Claims

1. A threaded container comprising:

annular sidewall;

a bottom surface closing one end of said annular sidewall and threaded on the opposing open end; and

a receptacle formed in said bottom surface for receiving a rail locator and for receiving a common household item, said receptacle being configured to not extend below the bottom plane of said bottom surface.

2. The container as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is configured as a recessed diagonal notch.

3. The container as recited in claim 2. Wherein said notch is configured as a U shape defining a pair of opposing spaced apart sides joined together by a bight portion.

4. The threaded container recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is configured as a slot.

5. A rail comprising:

a pair of opposing spaced apart sides having a U-shape on one end and a flat shape on the opposing end.

6. The rail recited in claim 5, wherein the flat shape is provided with a means for securement to a metal shelf.

7. The rail recited in claim 5, whereas the rail is fabricated from a magnetized material.

8. The rail recited in claim 7, wherein the rail is fabricated from a semi-rigid magnetized material.

9. The rail recited in claim 8, where in the rail contains a non magnetic stiffening member integral to its basic configuration.