Hooked Container

Abstract

A container with an internal hook is disclosed. The hook can be used to hang various tools, such as scoops, or spoons, such that the tools do not get submerged in the contents of the container. The hook can be manufactured into the container or attached later on. The hook has a specific size and shape to effectively retain the tools but not be so large as to block access to the contents of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention: This invention relates to the general field of containers, and more specifically to the specific field of containers with internal hooks from which a variety of tools can be stored.

Brief Description of Invention. The present invention is a storage container with a hook at the top or mouth of the container. The hook at the top is intended to hold devices such as spoons, scoops, droppers, funnels, and other tools needed to gather the substances stored in the container. The hook at the top of the container can hold the aforementioned tool or tools at the top of the container, keeping the tool up and away from the substance in the container as well as keeping the tool or tools in place during shipping or excess movement, that may otherwise cause the tool to fall in to the substances, rendering it covered in said substance and making the tool or tools discovery and or retrieval difficult or impossible.

Statement of the Problem. Tools use with containers often get lost externally or fall into the contents of the container and are buried. In addition, tools stored outside may bring in contaminants with them when they are use.

The current invention provides just such a solution by having a hook on the inside of the container that allows a user to hang one or more tools internally, within the container.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a container with one or more internal hooks from which one or more tools can be stored.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

It should be understood the while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view, of a container with a hook having a tool hanging from the hook and seal above the contain and a lid above the seal.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a section, of a container with a hook having a tool hanging from the hook and seal above the container and a lid that is fixed to the container in a closed position, above the seal of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed section view, of a container with a hook, a removed seal, a removed lid, and a tool in various states, in relation to the hook on the container of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric section view, of a container with a hook and a tool inside the container, FIG. 5 also shows isometric views of multiple tools that could hang from the containers hook of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is a storage container with a hook at the top or mouth of the container. The hook at the top is intended to hold devices such as spoons, scoops, droppers, funnels, and other tools needed to gather the substances stored in the container. The hook at the top of the container can hold the aforementioned tool or tools at the top of the container, keeping the tool up and away from the substance in the container as well as keeping the tool or tools in place during shipping or excess movement, that may otherwise cause the tool to fall in to the substances, rendering it covered in said substance and making the tool or tools discovery and or retrieval difficult or impossible.

The present invention has its hook inside the container, with the tip of the hook's orientation just below the top of the container. The hooks orientation just below the top of the lid allows for the container to be sealed, without the hook interfering with standard methods of container sealant. If the container is sealed or not, the orientation of the hooks tip is as such that the lid, when attached, is so close to the tip of the hook that tools that are looped over the hook cannot be removed from the hook when the lid is attached. When the lid of said container is removed, it then exposes the negative space necessary for a tool that has been looped over the hook to then move in to the newly exposed negative space, allowing the tool to be removed from the hook.

FIG. 1. In more detail, referring now to the invention in FIG. 1 is shown a container 1 with a hook 2 inside the container 1. The container 1 shape could vary, the material with which the container 1 is constructed from can vary from plastic to glass, to any other suitable sub-straight.

FIG. 2. In more detail, referring now to the invention in FIG. 2 is a section view, of a container 1 with a hook 2 having a tool 3 hanging from the hook 2 and seal 4 above the container 1 and a lid 5, above the seal 4. The container 1 has a hook 2, molded or otherwise connected to it permanently. That hook 2 holds a tool 3 that hangs inside the container 1, keeping it from falling into the substance 6, the container 1 holds. The hook 2 has a tip 7 that is below the top of the container's structure 8. Allowing for a seal 4 to be placed over the top of the containers structure 8, followed by a lid 5.

The shape and size of the hook is also important, as different sizes and shapes of hooks can be used for different anticipated tools. The hook has a hook base that connects with the inner wall of the container. It then curves up to a hook tip 7. The “size” of the hook is measured by the distance the tip 7 is away from the side of the container (the “hook width”) and the distance that the tip 7 is above the hook base (the part that connects to the side of the containers), which is called the “hook elevation”. The curvature of the hook is measure by the radius of a circle that would include the arc of the hook, so the larger the radius, the more gradual the curvature of the hook.

FIG. 3 In more detail, referring now to the invention in FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a section view, of a container 1 with a hook 2 having a tool 3 hanging from the hook 2, and a seal 4 above the container 1 and a lid 5 that is attached to the container 1 in a closed position, above the seal 4. The seal 4 of the container 1 is typically attached to the top of the container structure 8 in such a way that it cannot be removed without force because it has been mechanically bonded to the container 1 using heat and or chemicals, or any other type of bonding process. The container 1 has a hook 2, molded or otherwise connected to it permanently. That hook 2 holds a tool 3 that hangs inside the container 1, keeping the tool 3 from falling into the substance 6 the container 1 holds. The hook 2 has a tip 7, which is below the top of the container structure 8. Allowing for a seal 4 to be placed over the top of the containers structure, followed by a lid 5. Referring now to the area inside the dashed line square 9, the tip 7 of the hook 2 has empty space between the hook tip 7 and the bottom of the seal 4 and the top of the container structure 8. The area inside the dashed line square 9 allows for variance in construction tolerance to prevent interference with lid 5 closure or seal 4 of the container 1. The area represented by the dashed line 10 between the seal 4 and the hook tip 7 should also be no larger than the loop 11 that hangs the tool 3 on the hook 2, thus preventing the tool 3 from becoming dislodged from the hook 2 unintentionally. If a container 1 were to not have a seal 4, the bottom of the lid 5 of said container 1 would fall on the same dashed line 10 that the bottom of the seal 4 fell on.

FIG. 4. In more detail, referring now to the invention in FIG. 4, is a detailed section view, of a container 1 with a hook 2, a removed seal 4, a removed lid 5 and a tool 3 in various states in relation to the hook 2 on the container 1 of the present invention. To remove the tool 3 from the container 1 with a hook 2, one removes the lid 5 followed by the seal 4. To use the tool 3 to interface with the substance 6 one would reach into the container 1 and lift the tool 3 off the hook 3 as shown by the arrows 12. When one wants to replace the tool 3 back onto the hook 2, one simply puts the loop 11 of the tool 3 over the tip 7 of the hook 2 and lets the tool 3 naturally settle on the base of the hook 2. Typically, after the seal 4 has been removed from the top of the structure of the container 8, it has been discarded. The lid 5 is then attached to the container 1 and acts as the new barrier that protects the substance 6 inside the container 1.

The size and shape of the hook is of particular importance. If the hook is too small, the tool can easily slip off; if it is too large, the hook will obstruct access to the contents of the container. As mentioned previously, the “size” of the hook is measured by the distance the tip 7 is away from the side of the container (the “hook width”) and the distance that the tip 7 is above the hook base (the part that connects to the side of the containers), which is called the “hook elevation”. The curvature of the hook is measure by the radius of a circle that would include the arc of the hook, so the larger the radius, the more gradual the curvature of the hook.

Experience has found that a hook width of less than 1″ but greater than 0.5″ provided a hook that is wide enough to retain a tool, but not too wide such that is blocks easy access to the contents of the container. A hook elevation of less than 0.5″ generally results in the tool falling off when the container is moved, but a hook elevation of greater than 1″ can result in the tool being submerged in the contents of the container. The curvature of the hook has to be enough to retain the tool(s), but not so extreme as to prevent a user from easily accessing the tool, with a range of a radius between 1″ and 2″ being ideal.

In a preferred embodiment, a container device is presented, where the container device comprises a container, a lid, and one or more tools, where the container comprises a bottom, a cylindrical container side portion, and a lip portion, where the lip portion comprises a plurality of container threads, where the plurality of container threads are located on an outside lip portion, and where the lip comprises a hook, where the hook is located on an inside lip portion, where the lid comprises a top and a cylindrical lid side portion, where the cylindrical lip side portion comprises a plurality of lip threads is located on an inside cylindrical lip side portion,

where the one or more tools each comprises a tool end, where the tool end comprises a functional tool, and a hanging end, where the hanging end comprises an open loop, where the open loop fits over the hook such that the one or more tools hangs on an inside of the container, and can be removed through a rotation of the one or more tools in a circular manner to disengage the loop from the hook.

In this embodiment, the hook has a hook width, where the hook width measures a distance between the tip and an inner edge of the container, and hook elevation, where the hook elevation means a height between a hook base and the tip, and a hook curvature, where the hook curvature is a part of an imaginary circle drawn from an imaginary point, where a hook radius is measured from the imaginary point to an inner surface of the hook. The embodiment also has one or more tools that may include a scoop, a measuring spoon, and/or a dropper tool.

In terms of the casting and shape of the hook, it is anticipated that the hook can be both cast along with the container as one unit, or attached later one. The shape and curvature of the hook is also important, and one embodiment contemplates that the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1″ and 2″. Another embodiment calls for a hook width is less than 0.5″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1.5″ and 2″, while a third embodiment states that the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1″ and 2″. A final embodiment has the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is less than 0.75″ and where the hook radius is between 1.5″ and 2.25″.

FIG. 5. In more detail, referring now to the invention in FIG. 5, is an isometric section view of a container 1 with a hook 2 and a tool 3 inside the container 1, FIG. 5 also shows isometric views of multiple tools 3a,3b,3c, that could hang from the container 1 hook 2. The tools 3,3a,3b,3c, are all examples of tools that can hang from the present inventions hook 2. Each tool 3,3a,3b,3c has a loop 11, that can vary in size and shape, but retain the fundamental principal of being able to hang from the hook 2 in the container 1. The bent tool 3a has a loop 11 that can hang from a hook 2 in a container 1. The dropper tool 3b, has a loop 11 that can hang from a hook 2 in a container 1. The scoop tool 3c, has a loop 11 that can hang from a hook 2 in a container 1.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, the easy location of a tool that may or may not be used in conjunction with the substance inside the jug. The tool is easy to discover, being located at the top of the container, making it plainly visible and instinctively simple to remove form the hook by simply lifting the loop from the hook. While the tools are not a part of the inventions scope, the intent for the hook in the container is that it is a secure place to attach a tool with a loop or similar shape that keeps the tool secured to the hook.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a container with at least one hook inside, that hook being located toward the top of the container. The hook is intended to, but not limited to, being used to secure a tool or tools to the hook or hooks.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

All the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

Claims

1. A container device, consisting of,

a container, a lid, and at least one tool,

where the container comprises a bottom, a cylindrical container side portion, and a lip portion, where the lip portion comprises a plurality of container threads, where the plurality of container threads are located on an outside lip portion, and where the lip comprises a hook, where the hook is located on an inside lip portion, where the hook has a tip, a hook base, a hook width, a hook elevation, a hook curvature and a hook radius, where the hook width measures a distance between the tip and an inner edge of the container, and where the hook width is less than 1.0″, where the hook elevation means a height between the hook base and the tip, and where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″, where the hook curvature is a part of an imaginary circle drawn from an imaginary point, and where the hook radius is measured from the imaginary point to an inner surface of the hook, and where the hook radius is greater than 1.0″,

where the at least one tool comprises a tool end, where the tool end comprises a functional tool, and a hanging end, where the hanging end comprises an open loop, where the open loop fits over the hook such that the at least one tool hangs on an inside of the container, and can be removed through a rotation of the at least one tool in a circular manner to disengage the loop from the hook.

2. (canceled)

3. The container device of claim 1, where the at least one tool comprises a scoop.

4. The container device of claim 1, where the at least one tool comprises a measuring spoon.

5. The container device of claim 1, where the at least one tool comprises a dropper tool.

6. A container device, comprising,

a container, a lid, and at least one tool,

where the container comprises a bottom, a cylindrical container side portion, and a lip portion, where the lip portion comprises a plurality of container threads, where the plurality of container threads are located on an outside lip portion, and where the lip comprises a hook, where the hook is located on an inside lip portion, where the hook has a tip, a hook base, a hook width, a hook elevation, a hook curvature and a hook radius, where the hook width is less than 1.0″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″, and where the hook radius is greater than 1.0″,

where the tool comprises a tool end, where the tool end comprises a functional tool, and a hanging end, where the hanging end comprises an open loop, where the open loop fits over the hook such that the at least one tool hangs on an inside of the container, and can be removed through a rotation of the at least one tool in a circular manner to disengage the loop from the hook.

7. The container device of claim 6, where the hook has the hook width, where the hook width measures a distance between the tip and an inner edge of the container, and the hook elevation, where the hook elevation means a height between the hook base and the tip, and the hook curvature, where the hook curvature is a part of an imaginary circle drawn from an imaginary point, where the hook radius is measured from the imaginary point to an inner surface of the hook.

8. The container device of claim 6, where the at least one tool comprises a scoop.

9. The container device of claim 6, where the at least one tool comprises a measuring spoon.

10. The container device of claim 6, where the at least one tool comprises a dropper tool.

11. The container device of claim 10, where the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1″ and 2″.

12. The container device of claim 6, where the hook is molded as part of a casting of the container such that the hook and container are cast as a single piece.

13. The container device of claim 12, where the hook width is less than 0.5″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1.5″ and 2″.

14. The container device of claim 12, where the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1″ and 2″.

15. The container device of claim 6, where the hook is attached to an inner side of the container.

16. The container device of claim 15, where the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is less than 0.75″ and where the hook radius is between 1.5″ and 2.25″.

17. The container device of claim 15, where the hook width is less than 1″, where the hook elevation is greater than 0.5″ and where the hook radius is between 1″ and 2″.

18. The container device of claim 6, where the hook width is equal to the hook elevation.

19. The container device of claim 18, where the hook width is 0.5″ and the hook elevation is 0.5″

20. The container device of claim 19, where the hook radius is 1″.