CONNECTIBLE CONTAINER

Abstract

An individual connectible container having a neck and a base, the neck configured to fit securely in a recess in the base of another connectible container and the base configured to securely receive the neck of still another connectible container, and a connectible container assembly having two or more individual connectible containers wherein the neck of each container except the topmost connectible container, is inserted into the recess in the base of the container above it.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for liquids including consumables such as water and other beverages, and more particularly to connecting containers, that may be stacked.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers, such as bottles containing a liquid, such as drinking water, are typically transported and sold as multiple units, for shipping and storage on market shelves. Such containers are packaged for transport and storage by various means for example, using external connectors, such as “plastic collars.” Such collars have caused environmental concerns because they may end up in waterways and attached to wildlife.

Containers for liquids, such as beverages, including plain, flavored and carbonated drinking water and juices, now come in a variety of sizes, with the more popular typically containing 6, 8, 20 or 32 ounces of water. Such containers are sold in increasingly larger groupings, for example 28 or 32 water containers in a single package for purchase. The advent of larger packages of containers containing consumables, has presented challenges because they occupy valuable shelf space in markets. Some packages contain two layers of containers stacked on top of another, for example with a cardboard or plastic separating liner between the top of the bottom layer and the bottom of the top layer of containers. Various packaging exists for combining individual liquid containers, (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,276,549 and 6,932,228, and U.S. published patent application Pub. No. 2006/0096942, now abandoned). However, prior packaging has required manufacture of additional components and/or modification of the sides of individual containers, for example, to provide for side-to-side attachment, adding to the costs of manufacture.

There remains a need for connectible, sealed liquid containers that can be economically manufactured and packaged together in a relatively rigid stack, for transportation, storage and sale, and can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, without the need for connecting collars or other added components and modifications.

Containers for holding substances, such as fluids and other consumable substances are well known in the art. However, containers which securely attach top to bottom, through connectivity integrated into the actual container, without relying on separate connectors, while maintaining the integrity and safety of the sealed contents of each bottle or container, are not commonly found.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides an individual connectible container having a neck and a base, the neck configured to fit securely in a recess in the base of another connectible container, and the base configured to securely receive the neck of still another connectible container. The invention further provides a connectible container assembly having two or more individual connectible containers, wherein the neck of each container except the topmost connectible container, is inserted the recess M the base of the container above it. The assembly is secure and able to be gripped by a user or self-support on a surface without tipping over. An individual container may be separated from the assembly and consumed, and the empty container replaced in the assembly or discarded.

The liquid container of the invention includes a hollow chamber for holding a liquid, the hollow chamber having an upper portion having a neck having a central opening for receiving and dispensing liquid in and from the hollow chamber, the outer surface of the neck being configured to reversibly and securely connect to a cap, and the upper portion of the hollow chamber configured to securely insert into the base of another liquid container, and having a base having a recess configured to securely receive the upper portion and neck of the hollow chamber of another liquid container. Advantageously, the liquid container further includes a cap covering the central opening. The outer surface of the neck of the hollow chamber may have threading that mates with threading on the outer surface of the recess in the base of the hollow chamber of another container. Alternatively, the outer surface of the neck of the hollow chamber and the outer surface of the recess in the base of the hollow chamber of a container are configured to provide a snap fit when the neck of one container is inserted into the recess in the base of another container.

The invention also includes an assembly of liquid containers comprising at least a first and second container, the first container having a hollow chamber for holding a liquid and having an upper portion and having a neck including a central opening for receiving and dispensing liquid in and from the hollow chamber, the outer surface of the neck configured to reversibly and securely connect to cap, and the upper portion of the hollow chamber configured to securely insert into the base of another liquid container, and a base having a recess configured to securely receive the upper portion and neck of the hollow chamber of another liquid container, and a second container including a hollow chamber for holding a liquid having an upper portion joined to the sides and having a neck including a central opening for receiving and dispensing liquid in and from the hollow chamber, the outer surface of tbe neck configured to reversibly and securely connect to a cap, and the upper portion of the hollow chamber configured to securely insert into the base of another liquid container, and a base having a recess configured to securely receive the upper portion and neck of the hollow chamber of another liquid container, such that the upper portion and neck of the second container are reversibly inserted and secured in the recess of the base of the first container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may he shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A-C are views of a connectible container in accordance with an implementation of the invention, where FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a collectible container FIG. 1B is a cross-section of the connectible container in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the recess in the base of Use connectible container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A and B are view of a connected container assembly in accordance with and implementation of the present invention, where FIG. 2A is a side view of an assembly of connected containers, and FIG. 2B is a cross section of the connected container assembly of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of implementations of the invention are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

The present invention provides a connectible liquid container configured at the top and bottom of the container to connect with other connectible containers relatively rigidly, for transportation, display storage and use by a consumer. The invention further provides an assembly of containers connected “top to bottom,” which can be economically manufactured. Individual containers may be easily connected and disconnected, without the need for additional connecting components, such as collars. Each connectible container may be sealed with a removable cap, such as caps standard in the beverage industry, which prevents tampering, and preserves the integrity of the contents of the container. The container and assemblies of containers permit less market shelf space to be devoted to storing and displaying a plurality of the containers, and provide flexibility and convenience to consumers to carry and consume the amount of liquid desired.

The neck of one connectible container is secured in a recess in the base of a second, “upper” connectible container by means of the configuration of the outer surface of the neck and the outer surface of the recess in the base of the upper connectible container. In an assembly of the containers, a single container can he opened and the contents consumed, without opening any other connected container, preventing exposure of the contents of other containers to air and contamination.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with a connectible container and an assembly of at least two connected containers.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a connectible container 10 has sides 12, a base 14 and a neck 16 having a central opening 18 to receive and dispense liquids in and from the container 10. The central opening 18 may be reversibly securely closed with a cap 20. “Securely closed,” as used herein means the cap forms at least a liquid seal, but may also include an air tight seal. In an embodiment, the cap 20 may be formed with internal threading (not shown) on the inner surface of the sides in the cap 20 to mate with threading 22 on the outside of neck 16 or snap fit or other means.

As shown in FIG. 1B the container 10 has a hollow chamber 24 for containing liquids. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, threading 26 inside the can 20 mates with the threading 22 on the neck 16 of the container 10. The container 10 further has a recess 28 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) for receiving the neck 16′ of another container 10′ such that container 10′ fits snugly within container 10′ forming an assembly 32 (FIG. 2) that will remain upright when held or placed on a surface, i.e. will not tip over. The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1B and 1C includes threading 30 on the inner surface of recess that mates with threading 22 on the neck 16 of another container 10′. The threading 22 on the neck 16 may be “female” with the threading 30 on the recess 28 of the base 14 being “male,” or vice versa. The use of threading to securely connect two components is well known and standardized in most industries such as the beverage industry.

Alternatively, the outer surface of the neck 16 of container 10 is configured to snap fit or lock fit within the recess 28 of another container 10′. For example, neck 16 may have protrusions which may be threading, or may be another type of protrusion that is/are inserted into corresponding channels in the recess 28 of another container 10′, for example by exerting slight pressure when inserting the neck 16 of one container 10′ into the recess 28 until the two containers 10, 10′ “snap” together. Various other configurations for securing the neck 16 into the recess 28 of a container 10 may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, two or more individual connectible containers 10, 10′ and 10″ may be securely connected or “stacked” to form assembly 32 by inserting the neck 16′ of a lower connectible container 10′ in the assembly 32 into the recess 28 of an upper connectible container 10. The cap 20 of each connected container 10, 10′, 10″ in the assembly 32 remains securely attached. FIG. 2B shows in cross-section how the nook 16′ and cap 20′ of each container 10′ and 10″ fit into the recess 28 and 28′ of the container into which it is inserted. A consumer can choose to carry an individual connectible container 10, or two or more connected containers in an assembly 32. The invention optimizes transportation and market display space while also offering flexible consumption to the consumer, such that less liquid is wasted.

The connectible containers of the invention can be manufactured in any desired size to accommodate different volumes of liquids, and can be made in a variety of shapes, provided the neck and base of each container fit snugly within the recess 18 of the base 14 and over the neck 16, respectively, of connected containers 10. When connected, the overall appearance of the connected containers may be that of a single larger container as depicted in the assembly 32 of FIGS. 2A and 2B. The containers may be constructed of plastic, although other materials such as glass, composites, or metal and metal alloys may be used. Because the connected containers form a substantially rigid structure, multiple containers may be stacked safely and carried by a consumer with relative ease.

In the implementation of the invention shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, three connectible containers 10, 10′, 10″, each holding approximately 6 ounces (approximately 177 ml) of liquid, are connected together, providing approximately 18 ounces (approximately 532 ml) of consumable liquid to the consumer. Other sizes of containers and amounts of liquid may be made and used without departing from the scope of the invention. The liquid can be consumed in the smaller amounts provided in each individual container as desired, without contaminating the rest of the liquid.

In use, the individual connectible containers may be of a single use and disposable nature, or may he reusable and recyclable containers. The topmost container in an assembly of connected containers may be opened and the contents of the container dispensed, without removing and draining all or part of another connectible container, or otherwise altering the stack. Alternatively, any individual connectible container may be removed from the assembly and the contents of any individual container may be dispensed. In addition, for convenience and to reduce litter, an emptied connectible container or containers may be reconnected to other containers, whether empty or containing liquid.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising:

a hollow chamber for holding a liquid comprising: an upper portion having a neck having a central opening for receiving and dispensing liquid in and from the hollow chamber, the outer surface of the neck configured to reversibly and securely connect to a cap, and the upper portion of the hollow chamber configured to securely insert into the base of another liquid container, and a base having a recess configured to securely receive the upper portion and neck of the chamber of another liquid container.

2. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a cap covering the central opening.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the neck of the hollow chamber has threading that mates with threading on the outer surface of the recess in the base of the hollow chamber of another container.

4. The liquid container of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the neck of the hollow chamber and the outer surface of the recess in the base of the hollow chamber of a container are configured to provide a snap fit when the neck of one container is inserted into the recess in the base of another container.

5. An assembly liquid containers comprising at least a first and second container, the first container comprising:

a hollow chamber for holding a liquid comprising: an upper portion having a neck having a central opening for receiving and dispensing liquid in and from the hollow chamber, the outer surface of the neck configured to reversibly and securely connect to a cap, and the upper portion of the hollow chamber configured to securely insert into the base of another liquid container, and a base having a recess configured to securely receive, the upper portion and neck of the hollow chamber of another liquid container; and

a second container comprising: a hollow chamber to holding a liquid comprising: an upper portion having a neck having a central opening for receiving and dispensing liquid in and from the hollow chamber, the outer surface of the neck configured to reversibly and securely connect to a cap, and the upper portion of the hollow chamber configured to securely insert into the base of another liquid container, and a base having a recess configured to securely receive the upper portion and neck of the hollow chamber of another liquid container.

whereby the upper portion and neck of the second container are reversibly inserted and secured in the recess of the base of the first container.