CONTAINER SYSTEMS INCLUDING RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT MEMBERS

Abstract

A container system includes a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior. A driving member is rotatable relative to the case member, and a first engagement member is engaged with the driving member. A second engagement member is positionable in the hollow interior of the case member and configured to engage with a dispensable material positionable in the hollow interior. The first engagement member and the second engagement member are configured to releasably engage with one another in an arrangement where rotation of the driving member relative to the case member moves the first engagement member and the second engagement member in the hollow interior relative to the case member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/368,227 filed Jul. 12, 2022. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to containers. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to reusable container systems.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Single use packaging containers and other consumer product containers may lead to increases in the amount of waste provided to landfills and, in turn, the amount of waste which ultimately finds its way into waterways and other natural features. In order to reduce such waste, there is an increasing need to provide reusable packaging containers and related consumer product containers.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, a container system includes a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior. The system also includes a driving member rotatable relative to the case member, a first engagement member engaged with the driving member, and a second engagement member positionable in the hollow interior of the case member and configured to engage with a dispensable material positionable in the hollow interior. The first engagement member and the second engagement member are configured to releasably engage with one another in an arrangement where rotation of the driving member relative to the case member moves the first engagement member and the second engagement member in the hollow interior relative to the case member.

In another embodiment, a method of making a dispensable material including an engagement member engaged therewith includes depositing the dispensable material in a mold and positioning the engagement member and an elongated plug member extending through the engagement member into the mold.

In yet another embodiment, a method includes providing a container system including a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior; a driving member engaged with and rotatable relative to the case member; and a first engagement member engaged with the driving member. The method also includes positioning a dispensable material including a second engagement member engaged therewith in the hollow interior of the case with the first engagement member releasably engaged with the second engagement member.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container system;

FIG. 2 is a section view of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged, section view of a portion of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first engaging member and a second engaging member of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first engagement member of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are top and bottom views, respectively, of the second engagement member of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second engagement member of the container system of FIG. 1 engaged with a dispensable material;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment first engagement member of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment second engagement member of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment second engagement member of FIG. 9 engaged with another alternative embodiment first engagement member of the container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment first engagement member illustrated in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a process for forming a dispensable material engaged with another alternative embodiment second engagement member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of example embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

The present disclosure generally relates to containers. In particular, some embodiments relate to container systems configured to releasably receive and engage with a dispensable material. It will be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein may be employed in a variety of fields and/or operating environments where the functionality disclosed herein may be useful. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed to be limited to the exemplary implementations and operating environments disclosed herein.

With general reference to FIGS. 1-2 for example, there is illustrated an example embodiment of a container system 10. The container system 10 includes a case member 12 and a lid or cap 14 configured to engage with the case member 12. As best seen in FIG. 2 for example, the case member 12 includes an elongated body 16 which extends between a first end 18 and an opposite second end 20, and the case member also includes a hollow interior 22. In the illustrated form, the first end 18 may be provided with a diameter or cross-sectional dimension which is reduced relative to the elongated body 16 to facilitate a press fit engagement between the cap 14 and the case member 12. However, alternative engagement arrangements, including threaded coupling for example, between the elongated body 16 and the cap 14 are possible and contemplated. The elongated body 16 may be provided with any of a number of different cross-sectional shapes and configurations. For example, the elongated body 16 may have a polygonal or an oval or racetrack configuration, just to provide a few examples. The configuration of the first end 18 may also result in an internal step or ledge 19 on the elongated body 16 in the hollow interior 22.

An opening at the first end 18 of the elongated body 16 communicates with and provides access to the hollow interior 22 of the elongated body 16 in which one or more materials, including but not limited to a dispensable material, may be positioned, further details of which will be provided below. In the illustrated form, the second end 20 of the elongated body 16 also includes an opening which is positioned opposite of the opening at the first end 18. The opening at the second end 20 may also communicate with the hollow interior 22. In the illustrated form, the container system 10 includes a closure member 24 engaged with the elongated body 16 and closing the hollow interior 22 adjacent to the second end 20 of the elongated body 16. In one form, the closure member 24 may be engaged with the elongated body 16 via a press-fit, welded or threaded configuration, although other variations are possible. In addition, in some forms the closure member 24 may be integrally formed with the elongated body 16 or, stated alternatively, the elongated body 16 may be formed with a closed configuration adjacent to the second end 20.

The container system 10 also includes a driving member 26 which extends through an opening in the closure member 24 adjacent to the second end 20 of the elongated body 16. In this arrangement, a portion of the driving member 26 is positioned in the hollow interior 22 and a portion of the driving member is positioned below the closure member 24 and engageable with a knob or rotation member 28. The driving member 26 includes an externally threaded portion 30 extending from a non-threaded portion 32 which may have a reduced diameter or cross-sectional dimension relative to the threaded portion 30. In this arrangement, a shoulder or ledge 34 is defined on the driving member 26 and bears against a boss 36 which extends from or is engaged with the closure member 24. In this arrangement, the engagement between the shoulder 34 and the boss 36 prevents the driving member 26 from being displaced from the hollow interior 22 through the closure member 24.

The non-threaded portion 32 and/or the opening extending through the closure member 24 may be sized and configured to facilitate rotation of the driving member 26 relative to the closure member 24. In addition, the non-threaded portion 32 may be sized and configured to engage with the rotation member 28. In one form for example, the non-threaded portion 32 and the rotation member 28 may be engaged with one another by a press fit engagement and/or by one or more adhesives. Forms in which the non-threaded portion 32 and the rotation member 28 have a polygonal cross-sectional shape or configuration, or other relevant configuration, which provides a keyed engagement between the non-threaded portion 32 and the rotation member 28 are also possible. In addition, forms in which a portion of the non-threaded portion 32 is provided with threading that engages with corresponding threading of the rotation member 28 to facilitate engagement therebetween are also contemplated. When the rotation member 28 is engaged with the driving member 26, the rotation member 28 may prevent displacement of the driving member 26 from the case member 12 by virtue of the rotation member 28 engaging with the closure member 24.

The rotation member 28 is rotatable relative to the case member 12 and/or the closure member 24. In this arrangement, rotation of the rotation member 28 also results in rotation of the driving member 26 relative to the case member 12. While not previously discussed, in the illustrated form the rotation member 28 is engaged with the case member 12 in a manner where the lower surface of the rotation member 28 is positioned flush with or above the second end 20 of the case member 12. Moreover, in this arrangement, the case member 12 is provided with a pair of oppositely positioned cutouts or slots 38 which may facilitate engagement with, and rotation of, the rotation member 28.

The container system 10 further includes a first engagement member 40 and a second engagement member 42, further details of which are illustrated in further connection with FIGS. 3-7. More specifically, turning first to the first engagement member 40, it includes an internally threaded aperture 44 configured to engage with the externally threaded portion 30 of the driving member 26. Generally speaking, the first engagement member 40 includes an engagement platform 46 through which the aperture 44 extends, and the engagement platform 46 defines a pair of oppositely positioned tabs 48 and 50 extending laterally therefrom. The first engagement member 40 further includes a pair of oppositely positioned arms 52 and 54, each of which extends from a respective one of the tabs 48 and 50. In the form illustrated in FIG. 2 for example, when the first engagement member 40 is positioned in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 and engaged with the driving member 26, the arms 52 and 54 extend from the engagement platform toward the second end 20 of the case member 12.

In addition, the arms 52 and 54 may be provided with a form that first extends toward the second end 20 of the case member 12 and then turns toward the case member 12 such that ends 56 and 58 of the arms 52 and 54, respectively, are positioned into close proximity to, or in engagement with, the case member 12. In this arrangement, the ends 56 and 58 of the arms 52 and 54, respectively, may cooperate with the case member 12 in order to prevent the first engagement member 40 from rotating in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 when the driving member 26 is rotated. Similarly, as a result, when the driving member 26 is rotated, the first engagement member 40 may be moved in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 along an axis extending between the first end 18 and the second end 20 of the case member 12. In addition, in this configuration the ends 56 and 58 of the arms 52 and 54 may engage with the internal step or ledge 19 on the elongated body 16 when the first engagement member 40 is moved toward the first end 18 upon corresponding rotation of the rotation member 28. Similarly, the internal ledge or step 19 may act as a stop which prevents removal or displacement of the first engagement member 40 from the first end 18 of the case member 12. This arrangement may be seen in FIG. 2A for example, where the first engagement member 40 has been moved into engagement or contact with the internal ledge or step 19.

The second engagement member 42 is positionable in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 and configured to engage with a dispensable material positionable in the hollow interior 22, further details of which will be provided below. The first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 are configured to releasably engage with one another in an arrangement where rotation of the driving member 26 relative to the case member 12 moves the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 in the hollow interior 22 relative to the case member 12. In the illustrated form, the second engagement member 42 has an external shape and configuration which generally corresponds to the cross-sectional shape and configuration of the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12. Similarly, in this arrangement, the second engagement member 42 may cooperate or engage with the case member 12 in order to prevent rotation of the second engagement member in the case member 12, although forms where the shape and/or configuration of the second engagement member 42 could allow rotation of the second engagement member 42 in the case member 12 are also contemplated. In such forms, engagement of the second engagement member 42 with the first engagement member 40 may prevent rotation of the second engagement member 42 in the case member 12. The second engagement member 42 includes a central aperture 60 configured to receive the driving member 26.

The second engagement member 42 also includes a number of engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 extending from a central portion 70, each of which is configured to engage with the first engagement member 40. The second engagement member also includes a first spacing arm 72 positioned between the engagement arms 62 and 66, and a second spacing arm 74 positioned between the engagement arms 64 and 68. The first spacing arm 72 and the second spacing arm 74 are sized to extend between the second engagement member 42 and the first engagement member to maintain spacing of the first engagement member 40 relative to the second engagement member 42 when the first engagement member 40 is engaged with the second engagement member 42. In one aspect for example, the spacing of the first engagement member 40 relative to the second engagement member 42 may be predefined and determined by the length of the first spacing arm 72 and the second spacing arm 74.

The second engagement member 42 is configured to receive the first engagement 40 between the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 in an arrangement where the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 may be releasably engaged with one another. More specifically, when the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 are engaged, the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 may bear against the first engagement member 40 in a manner which retains the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 in engagement with one another. In this arrangement, the first spacing arm 72 and the second spacing arm 74 may engage against the first engagement member 40 in order to maintain spacing between the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 for maintaining engagement of the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 with the first engagement member. Further, in this arrangement, the arms 52 and 54 of the first engagement member 40 may bear against the lower portion of the second engagement member 42 to aid in maintaining spacing therebetween.

While not previously described, it should be appreciated that the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 may be resiliently deformable to allow deflection when engaging and engaged with the first engagement member 40. In this manner, the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 may exert a spring-like pressure on the first engagement member 40 during and after engagement therewith which may be overcome upon the application of sufficient force to the first engagement member 40 and/or the second engagement member 42 in a direction providing separation therebetween. In one form, when the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42 are engaged, one of the tabs 48 and 50 may be positioned between the engagement arms 62 and 64 with these engagement arms engaging therewith and the other of the tabs 48 and 50 may be positioned between the engagement arms 66 and 68 with these engagement arms engaging therewith.

Further, when engaged, rotation of the driving member 26 may move the first engagement member 40 in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 as described above which, in turn, will also result in movement of the second engagement member 42 in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12. With reference to FIG. 2A for example, the first engagement member 40 may be moved into engagement or contact with the internal ledge or step 19 in order to provide access to the second engagement member 42 following use of the dispensable material from the container system 10. The second engagement member 42 may be engaged by a user for disengagement from the first engagement member 40, with the contact or engagement of the first engagement member 40 with the internal ledge or step 19 preventing removal of the first engagement member 40 from the case member 12 and providing opposition to the removal force applied to the second engagement member 42 to facilitate disengagement between the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42.

In the illustrated form, the second engagement member 42 includes a number of apertures extending through an upper surface thereof. More specifically, the second engagement member 42 includes a first aperture 76 positioned adjacent to the engagement arm 68, a second aperture 78 positioned adjacent to the spacing arm 72, a third aperture 80 positioned adjacent to the engagement arm 68, a fourth aperture 82 positioned adjacent to the engagement arm 66, a fifth aperture 84 positioned adjacent to the spacing arm 74, and a sixth aperture 86 positioned adjacent to the engagement arm 62. Variations in the number, shape and/or configuration of the apertures present are possible. In one form, the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 and the spacing arms 72 and 74 may be formed from a stamping process and the apertures 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 and 86 may result from the stamping process.

Amongst other things, the apertures 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 and 86 may provide points of engagement between the second engagement member 42 and a material to which it may be engaged. In one form for example, the material to which the second engagement member 42 may be engaged may be a dispensable material which is positionable in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 and may be moved by rotating the driving member 26 in order to be dispensed or dispersed from the case member 12. For example, and with reference to FIG. 7 for example, a dispensable material 88 is engaged with the second engagement member 42 with a portion of the dispensable material 88 flowing through and filling the apertures 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 and 86. In this arrangement, the dispensable material 88 may also cover a portion of the engagement arms 62, 64, 66 and 68 and a portion of the spacing arms 72 and 74, although a portion of these features will remain accessible to facilitate receipt of and engagement with the first engagement member 40. When engaged with the dispensable material 88, the second engagement member 42 and the dispensable material 88 may be positioned in the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12 for engagement with the first engagement member 40. Alternatively, the first engagement member 40 may be moved to, or adjacent to, the first end 18 of the case member 12 where it may be engaged to the second engagement member 42. In turn, the driving member 26 may be rotated in order to withdraw the first engagement member 40, the second engagement member 42 and the dispensable material 88 into the hollow interior 22 of the case member 12.

An alternative embodiment of a first engagement member 140 which may be used in the container system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 8. Like the first engagement member 40, the first engagement member 140 may be configured to receive and engage with the driving member 26. The first engagement member 140 may include a pair of elongated and convexly rounded portions 141a and 141b which are configured to be received by and engaged with the second engagement member 42 or another suitably configured form of the second engagement member.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment first engagement member 240 and an alternative embodiment second engagement member 242 which may be used in the container system 10, where like numerals refer to like features previously described. The first engagement member 240 may be substantially similar to the first engagement member 40 provide however that it includes two pairs of oppositely positioned spacing legs 244, 246, 248, and 250 which, when the first engagement member 240 is engaged with the driving member 126, extend toward the second engagement member 242 to maintain proper spacing between the first engagement member 240 and the second engagement member 242 when they are engaged with one another. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the spacing legs 244, 246, 248 and 250 may provide the same, or a similar, functionality as provided by the spacing legs 72 and 74.

The second engagement member 242 may be substantially similar to the second engagement member 42 provided however that the second engagement member 242 does not include spacing legs corresponding to the spacing legs 72 and 74. However, the second engagement member 242 also includes a central aperture 252 configured to receive the driving member 26 and apertures 254 and 256 positioned on opposite sides of the central aperture 252 configured to provide engagement between the second engagement member 242 and a material such as the dispensable material 88.

Turning now to FIG. 12, further details will be provided in connection with one non-limiting process 300 for preparing the dispensable material 88 in engagement with a second engagement member 342 (which could be replaced by the second engagement member 42 or the second engagement member 242). The second engagement member 342 illustrated may provide functionality similar to that described in connection with the second engagement member 42. In the process 300, a mold 302 including a first half 302a and a second half 302b may be provided. The mold 302 may be configured to provide the dispensable material 88 with a desirable shape and configuration, such as one that facilitates its positioning in the case member 12. A flowable form of the dispensable material 88 may be poured or injected into the mold 302 and the second engagement member 342 may be positioned on or near the end of the mold 302 either before or after the dispensable material 88 is poured or injected into the mold 302. In addition, a plug member 304 is positioned through the second engagement member 342. In this arrangement, the plug member 304 is configured to provide a receptacle or passageway in the dispensable material 88 where the receptacle or passageway is sized and configured to receive the driving member 26.

After the dispensable material 88 hardens or transitions into a state which will retain the shape and configuration imparted by the mold 302, the plug member 304 may be removed from the dispensable material to provide the aforementioned receptacle or passageway. Further, the first half 302a of the mold 302 may be removed from the second half 302b of the mold 302 to provide the dispensable material 88 in a desired shape and configuration and engaged with the second engagement member 342.

In one non-limiting form, the mold 302 may be in the form of a carton or similar packaging/material in which the dispensable material 88 including the engagement member 342 may be stored until a time of desired use. In one aspect, the carton or similar packaging/material may be removed from the dispensable material 88 before its use, although forms in which the dispensable material including the carton or similar packaging/material may be positioned in the container system 10 are also possible and contemplated. In these forms, the first and second engagement members may be sized to accommodate for the presence of the carton or similar packaging/material around the dispensable material 88.

The dispensable material 88 including a second engagement member may be provided and positioned in a container system 10 as described above for storage and subsequent dispensing or dispersal. For example, the first engagement member 40 may be moved or translated in the case member 12 to the position illustrated in FIG. 2A and the second engagement member 42 (or other second engagement member engaged with the dispensable material 88) may be engaged with the first engagement member 40. After engagement between the first engagement member 40 and the second engagement member 42, the rotation member 28 may be rotated to move the first engagement member 40, along with the second engagement member 42 and the dispensable material 88, away from the first end 18 and into the case member 12. After the dispensable material 88 has been dispensed from the container system 10, or it is otherwise desirable to remove the dispensable material 88 from the case member 12, the rotation member 28 may be rotated to move the first engagement member 40, along with the second engagement member 42 (and the dispensable material 88 if any present), toward the first end 18 of the case member 12 to facilitate removal of the second engagement member 42 (and the dispensable material 88 if any present) from the case member 12.

In one embodiment, a container system includes a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior; a driving member rotatable relative to the case member; a first engagement member engaged with the driving member; and a second engagement member positionable in the hollow interior of the case member and configured to engage with a dispensable material positionable in the hollow interior. The first engagement member and the second engagement member are configured to releasably engage with one another in an arrangement where rotation of the driving member relative to the case member moves the first engagement member and the second engagement member in the hollow interior relative to the case member.

In one form, the first engagement member includes an internally threaded aperture configured to receive and engage with the driving member.

In another form, the first engagement member includes one or more arms extending therefrom, the one or more arms being configured to engage with the case member to prevent rotation of the first engagement member in the hollow interior.

In still another form, the first engagement member includes an engagement platform positioned about a central aperture.

In one aspect of this form, the second engagement member includes a number of engagement arms extending therefrom and configured to engage with the engagement platform of the first engagement member.

In a further aspect of this form, the second engagement member further includes a number of spacing arms configured to engage with the first engagement member and maintain predefined spacing of the first engagement member relative to the second engagement member when the first engagement member is engaged with the second engagement member.

In yet a further aspect of this form, at least one engagement arm is positioned on opposite sides of each of the number of spacing arms.

In still another aspect of this form, the first engagement member includes one or more arms extending therefrom and configured to engage with the case member to prevent rotation of the first engagement member in the hollow interior upon rotation of the driving member.

In another aspect of this form, the engagement platform includes oppositely positioned tabs extending laterally therefrom, the second engagement member includes a first pair of engagement arms and a second pair of engagement arms, and a first one of the tabs is positionable between the first pair of the engagement arms and a second one of the tabs is positionable between the second pair of the engagement arms when the first engagement member is engaged with the second engagement member.

In another form, the first engagement member includes a pair of elongated and convexly rounded portions and the second engagement member includes a pair of spaced engagement arms configured to receive and engage with the convexly rounded portions.

In another form, the first engagement member includes a pair of elongated and convexly rounded portions and the second engagement member includes a number of engagement arms configured to receive and engage with the convexly rounded portions.

In another embodiment, a method of making a dispensable material including an engagement member engaged therewith includes depositing the dispensable material in a mold and positioning the engagement member and an elongated plug member extending through the engagement member into the mold.

In one form, this method further includes removing the plug member from the engagement member after the dispensable material is deposited in the mold.

In another form, the engagement member and the elongated plug member are positioned into the mold after the dispensable material is deposited in the mold.

In one form, the dispensable material formed by this method is engageable in a container system.

In another embodiment, a method includes providing a container system including: a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior; a driving member engaged with and rotatable relative to the case member; and a first engagement member engaged with the driving member. The method also includes positioning a dispensable material including a second engagement member engaged therewith in the hollow interior of the case with the first engagement member releasably engaged with the second engagement member.

In one form, the method also includes rotating the driving member relative to the case member to move the first engagement member, the second engagement member and the dispensable material in the hollow interior relative to the case member.

Unless specific arrangements described herein are mutually exclusive with one another, the various implementations described herein can be combined to enhance system functionality or to produce complementary functions. Likewise, aspects of the implementations may be implemented in standalone arrangements. Thus, the above description has been given by way of example only and modification in detail may be made within the scope of the present invention.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

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.). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). Also, a phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A container system, comprising:

a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior;

a driving member rotatable relative to the case member;

a first engagement member engaged with the driving member; and

a second engagement member positionable in the hollow interior of the case member and configured to engage with a dispensable material positionable in the hollow interior;

wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member are configured to releasably engage with one another in an arrangement where rotation of the driving member relative to the case member moves the first engagement member and the second engagement member in the hollow interior relative to the case member.

2. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member includes an internally threaded aperture configured to receive and engage with the driving member.

3. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member includes one or more arms extending therefrom, the one or more arms being configured to engage with the case member to prevent rotation of the first engagement member in the hollow interior.

4. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member includes an engagement platform positioned about a central aperture.

5. The container system of claim 4, wherein the second engagement member includes a number of engagement arms extending therefrom and configured to engage with the engagement platform of the first engagement member.

6. The container system of claim 5, wherein the second engagement member further includes a number of spacing arms configured to engage with the first engagement member and maintain a predefined spacing of the first engagement member relative to the second engagement member when the first engagement member is engaged with the second engagement member.

7. The container system of claim 6, wherein at least one engagement arm is positioned on opposite sides of each of the number of spacing arms.

8. The container system of claim 5, wherein the first engagement member includes one or more arms extending therefrom and configured to engage with the case member to prevent rotation of the first engagement member in the hollow interior upon rotation of the driving member.

9. The container system of claim 5, wherein the engagement platform includes oppositely positioned tabs extending laterally therefrom, the second engagement member includes a first pair of engagement arms and a second pair of engagement arms, and a first one of the tabs is positionable between the first pair of the engagement arms and a second one of the tabs is positionable between the second pair of the engagement arms when the first engagement member is engaged with the second engagement member.

10. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member includes a pair of elongated and convexly rounded portions and the second engagement member includes a pair of spaced engagement arms configured to receive and engage with the convexly rounded portions.

11. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member includes a pair of elongated and convexly rounded portions and the second engagement member includes a number of engagement arms configured to receive and engage with the convexly rounded portions.

12. A method of making a dispensable material including an engagement member engaged therewith, comprising depositing the dispensable material in a mold and positioning the engagement member and an elongated plug member extending through the engagement member into or adjacent to the mold.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising removing the plug member from the engagement member after the dispensable material is deposited in the mold.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the engagement member and the elongated plug member are positioned into the mold after the dispensable material is deposited in the mold.

15. A dispensable material formed by the method of claim 12 and engageable in the container system of claim 1.

16. A method, comprising:

providing a container system including: a case member extending between a first end and an opposite second end and including a hollow interior; a driving member engaged with and rotatable relative to the case member; and a first engagement member engaged with the driving member; and

positioning a dispensable material including a second engagement member engaged therewith in the hollow interior of the case member with the first engagement member releasably engaged with the second engagement member.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising rotating the driving member relative to the case member to move the first engagement member, the second engagement member and the dispensable material in the hollow interior relative to the case member.