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THE PRIOR ART
I am aware of the following patents directed to stacked or multi-part
containers:
Clapp U.S. Pat. No. 908,205, issued Dec. 29, 1908 for "Compartment Can";
Turan U.S. Pat. No. 1,655,238, issued Apr. 10, 1928 for "Container";
Fitzgibbons U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,779, issued July 26, 1965 for "Thermal
Jug";
McDonald U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,134, issued Sept. 18, 1956 for "Refrigerated
Container";
Proctor U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,903, issued Apr. 20, 1965 for "Food Preserver";
and
Wei U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,263, issued July 5, 1966 for "Twin Lock for
Multi-Food Containers".
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the instant invention is to provide an improved
multi-container construction having many advantages over such containers
known to the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel multi-container
assembly constructions which make practical the individual transport, for
individual or group use, of a multiplicity of containers of ice and/or
liquid.
Another object of the invention is to provide a unique and improved
multiple container construction wherein one of the containers,
specifically, the lowermost, is uniquely adapted to receive and contain
ice or ice water, the other container particularly adapted to carry,
contain and dispense a second liquid such as fruit juice, tea or the like,
which second liquid may be advantageously cooled by heat exchange.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved multi-container
constructions which may be attached to one another for transportation and
detached for use or filling as desired or needed, each container
separately fillable and emptyable so that the liquids or contents of each
container may be separately used, whether or not the contents of one of
the containers is employed to heat exchange the contents of the other.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel multi-container
assemblage and construction wherein the contents of a first one of said
containers may be used either to heat exchange the contents of the other
container or entirely insulated and separated therefrom, whereby to
provide an unusual versatility and capability of wide use to the improved
combination.
Another object of the invention is to provide such improved multi-container
constructions which are convenient to use, inexpensive to manufacture and
purchase, of extremely simple construction, rugged and durable in nature
and having a long life expectancy even though continuously used.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-container assembly
construction which may usefully be substituted for and used in place of
conventional thermos jugs and canteens or other liquid containers and have
many additional features and advantages compared to such well-known and
conventional constructions.
Still another object of the invention is to provide multi-container
assembly constructions of the character described which may very
advantageously be used for transport and dispensing of various liquids and
the like at sporting events, picnics, in hiking, motorcycling and canoeing
and like activities where the availability of such multi-part containers
with advantages as described would be very greatly desired.
Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the
following description thereof.
In the drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to
be read in conjunction therewith, embodiments of the invention are shown
and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like
parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view in three-quarter perspective from above of a
first and preferred form of the invention illustrating a top container in
the upper portion of the view, a bottom container in the lower portion of
the view and an insulating lid for bottom container positioned
therebetween.
FIG. 2 is a side, partially sectioned view of the container of FIG. 1
showing the three parts of that container assembly in position, together,
engaged with one another.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 with
parts cut away to better illustrate the nesting construction.
FIG. 4 is a view of the lower portion of the container assembly of FIGS.
1-3, inclusive taken from the lefthand side of FIG. 2 looking to the right
in the view, a portion of the lower container sectioned to show structural
detail of the upper end thereof, the upper container in full lines shown
spaced upwardly from the lower container and in dotted lines resting
thereon.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a modified multi-container construction with
portions of the upper and lower container cut away to better illustrate
the mating engagement of the said containers.
FIG. 6 is a view like that of FIG. 5 but with the upper and lower vessels
disengaged from one another and only the lower end portion of the upper
container being seen, portions of both vessels cut away to show the
engageable ends thereof.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second modified multi-container
construction, particularly detailing the engagement of the lower end of
the upper container and the upper end of the lower container.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a fourth multi-container construction,
portions of the engaged ends of the vessels sectioned for showing of
structural detail thereof, the filler cap and opening of the lower vessel
also sectioned and detailed.
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the multi-container construction of FIG. 8
with a portion thereof cut away to better illustrate the structure of the
top container base.
FIGS. 1-4, INCLUSIVE
In these figures, there is shown a preferred form of the subject multiple
container assembly or unit. This assembly or unit comprises, in
combination, an upper vessel generally designated 10, a lower vessel
generally designated 11 and an insulating cover 12 which may or may not be
employed, as desired, with the two vessels. This preferred form, as seen
in FIGS. 1-4, inclusive, differs from the modified multi-container
assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6 primarily in the following structural features:
(1) The vessels of the multi-container assembly are of square or
rectangular configuration in horizontal section;
(2) A finger grip handle is formed in one side wall of the upper container
to the form of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive; and
(3) The interengaging structure between the bottom of the upper vessel and
the top of the lower vessel is reversed between the two forms.
Referring, then, to the upper container, this has front wall 13, rear wall
14 and side walls 15 and 16. The bottom wall 17 (generally designated) has
a downwardly extending rectangular or square extension wall 18 which is
closed off at its lower end by lowermost wall 19. The top wall 20 slopes
upwardly and centrally to the rear from its peripheral connections with
the front, rear and side walls and has cylindrical neck 21 extending
upwardly therefrom. Neck 21 has externally threaded upper end 21a which is
removably and threadably engaged by cap 22, the latter being retained with
respect to container 10 by a chain 23 connected to the cap at 24 and neck
21 at 25. Rear wall 14 is inwardly recessed at 26 whereby to provide
finger grip receiving shelf 27. Hinged engaging clamps 28 are shown
provided on each of walls 15 and 16, pivotally connected to their bases
28a. A plurality of such engaging means may be provided on each wall 15
and 16 and one or more on each of walls 13 and 14, if desired for a
stronger and more secure engagement.
Turning to vessel 11, again, the section of configuration is square or
rectangular. There is provided front wall 30, rear wall 31, and side walls
32 and 33. A bottom wall 34 closes the lower end of the lower vessel, but
the top is open, except when member 12 is employed, to be described. In
the case of this lower vessel of the assemblage of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive,
the side and bottom walls are insulated as seen particularly in FIGS. 2
and 4. In the specific example shown, this is accomplished by having a
double thickness wall in each case with suitable foam or other insulation
35 positioned therebetween. The inner walls of the double wall sets are
numbered the same as the outer walls corresponding thereto, but
additionally labeled a, such as walls 30 and 30a (FIG. 2). The upper ends
of the double walls of vessel 11 are closed over as at 36 and there may be
provided, attached thereto, resilient gasket 37 of rubber or like
resilient plastic material. Stops 38 are provided on walls 32 and 33 for
engagement by hinged members 28. A pouring spout 39 is provided centrally
of walls 30 and 30a, such having cap 40 removaly threaded thereon, same
retained with respect to the spout 39 by chain 41 secured both to cap and
spout. A circumferential flange 42 is provided on the inner walls of the
lower vessel 11 above the outlet for the pouring spout 39 and spaced
downwardly below the upper extremity 36 of vessel 11.
Suitable attachments 43 and 44 are provided on the back walls 31 and 14 of
upper and lower vessels 10 and 11, adapted for removable engagement by a
carrying member or strap 45.
The lid 12 may be made of any suitable material such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, plastic foam faced by metal paper or the like, but is sized
to fit down within the top of vessel 11 and rest upon flange 42. The
height of the vessel 11 above the upper surface of flange 42, including
the gasket 37, if present, is sufficient that, when lid or closure 12 is
positioned on flange 42, the bottom wall 19 of extension 18 of container
10 just rests thereon. A sufficient extension of the central bottom
portions of the upper container 10 into the lower container central
opening is desired that there will be a secure engagement between the
inner wall faces 30a, etc. and the outer face of wall 18.
A first use of the multi-container assemblage of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive may
be described as follows. In this use, it is desired that a heat exchange
take place between the contents of the lower vessel and that of the upper
vessel. For example, the lower vessel is filled with ice by removal of lid
12 (filled from the top) and the lid 12 is not replaced. Then, the top
container, filled, for example, with water or fruit juice, is then engaged
with the lower container and the clamps 28 engaged with stops 38 to effect
a complete closure.
The insulation in the lower container ensures that any heat exchange takes
place largely through the single wall bottom 19 of the upper container,
whereby the contents of the upper container are maintained cool. Whenever
desired, the liquid from the top container may be dispensed. Also, from
time to time, or thereafter, the cap 40 may be removed from the pouring
spout 39 and cold or ice water dispensed from the lower container.
The upper portion of the upper container is configured so that the user's
hand may conveniently handle and grasp the container by grasping the neck
and upper portion of the container. Alternatively, the user may carry or
handle the upper container or entire container assemblage by the finger
grip at 27. Still further, the handle or strap 45 may be employed as
desired.
In a second use of the container assemblage of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive, the
lid 12 is placed on flange 42 before the containers are mated and secured
together. In this case, typically, no heat exchange is desired. Thus,
again, in the lower container, ice or ice and water may be supplied
through the top of the container before the lid 12 is inserted. Any liquid
not to be chilled may be put into the top container, for example, fruit
juice. Thereafter, the two liquids may be dispensed as desired from the
container.
Alternatively, in such a non-heat exchange use, hot coffee could be poured
into the lower container before the insulating lid 12 is applied.
Thereafter, ice or ice and water could be put in through the enlarged neck
21 of the top container. In this example, very conveniently, both hot and
cold beverages could be carried in the same assemblage and used and
dispensed with a minimum of heat or cold lost or exchanged therebetween.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 5 & 6
As previously mentioned, the container assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6 differs
from the assemblage of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive in three ways, particularly:
(1) The containers making up the assemblage are cylindrical in horizontal
section;
(2) The male-female connection between the upper and lower containers is
reversed or inverted; and
(3) The handle element on the upper container 10 of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive
(at 26, 27) is not present in this modification.
Turning, then, to FIGS. 5 and 6, at 50 is generally designated the lower
container, at 51 (FIG. 6) a cylindrical insulating insert and at 52 the
upper container.
Lower container 50 has an outer cylindrical wall 53 with an inner congruent
wall 53a connected at the top thereto by web 54. Insulation 55 of plastic
foam or other conventional material fills the space between normally
vertical walls 53 and 53a. Bottom wall 56 also has a corresponding inner
wall (not seen) in the manner of walls 34 and 34a in FIG. 2. A pouring
spout 57 is positioned adjacent the upper end of walls 53 and 53a
penetrating same in the manner of spout 39 of FIG. 2. Cap 58 is removably
threaded on the externally threaded end of spout 57 and has chain 59
secured at one end to the spout and the other end to cap 58. An upstanding
lip 60, circular in plan view, is positioned immediately above the upper
end of wall 53a and has therebelow radially inwardly extending
circumferential shelf or flange 61 which operates to receive thereon,
optionally, the circular disc 51 of insulating material such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, plastic foam or the like. Disc 51, like
square 12, must be strong and rigid enough to be self-supporting when
mounted on flange 61 or 42, respectively. Engageable integral blocks or
protuberances 62 are positioned adjacent the upper ends of wall 53 on each
side of container 50 or spaced regularly therearound, as desired or
needed. A strap receiving loop 63 is positioned on the backside of vessel
50 to removably receive one end loop of strap 64 attached thereto.
Turning to the upper vessel 52, cylindrical side wall 65 is joined to
bottom wall 66, forming the lower part of the container. The upper side
wall 67 converges rearwardly to pouring spout 68 centrally of the backside
thereof. Cap 69 is secured to the pouring spout 68 by chain 70 and
removably threads on the upper externally threaded portion of spout 68.
Mounting blocks 71 carrying pivotable engaging loops 72 are positioned on
each side of vessel 52 adjacent the lower end thereof and may be provided
in a greater number than that shown. Mounting loop 73 is positioned on the
backside of vessel 52 to receive, removably, the upper loop connection of
strap 64.
The lower end of vessel 52 has depending, circular circumferential flange
thereon adapted to receive, inwardly thereof, flange 60 on the upper end
of vessel 50. A gasket 54a may be provided atop wall 54.
The operation of the device of FIGS. 5 and 6 is the same as that described
with respect to FIGS. 1-4, inclusive. Insertion of the insulating plate or
insert 51 onto shelf 61 will serve to maintain heat integrity of or cold
integrity of the vessels from one another. Thus, if hot soup is poured
into the lower container, ice water, including ice, may be input to the
upper vessel through the large pouring spout 68 which is preferably of
size large enough to receive and pass therethrough conventional ice cubes.
In the event that it is desired to have heat exchange between the vessels,
the plate 51 is removed and, for example, the lower container filled with
ice with the upper container filled with water, fruit juice or the like
(or ice plus water).
As in the case of the modification of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive, it is the
male-female connection between the bottom part of the upper vessel and the
upper part of the bottom vessel as well as the connecting means exterior
of the vessels which rigidly fix them with respect to one another in a
stable unit for carrying and use, if desired.
As previously mentioned, both of the vessels may be wall insulated as is
the case in vessel 50. Alternatively, both of the vessels or either one of
them may be noninsulated as is the case in the vessel 52 of FIG. 5. This
is also true of the vessels of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive.
FIG. 7
The showing in FIG. 7 is a modification of the device of FIGS. 5 and 6. In
this view, parts which are essentially the same as those of FIGS. 5 and 6
will not be redescribed, merely numbered the same, but primed.
The essence of the difference in the showing of FIG. 7 is the provision of
an additional member, a top closure for the bottom container 50'. This
comprises, preferably, a flat circular sheet 75 having a multiplicity of
holes or perforations 76 therewithin, as well as a peripheral,
cylindrical, downwardly depending flange 77. The latter is adapted to
overlie upwardly extending flange 60' (radially outside thereof) to fix
(removably) closure 75 on flange 60'. Optionally, there may be provided
normally horizontal flange 78 at the lower end of normally vertical flange
77 which will overlie sealing gasket 54a'.
When the closure 75 is in place on flange 60' (snapped thereover and
around), it acts to retain ice within vessel 50' without losing, entirely,
the heat exchanging capacity between the two vessels. When sheet 75 is
provided without openings 76, it is to a certain extent a substitute for
insert 51, providing some heat insulation, depending on its thickness.
Such a closure generally makes vessel 50 more an independent container for
separate use with the vessels 50 and 52 separated from one another. In
such construction, the internal diameter of the downwardly depending
flange or lip 74' is less than that of flange 74 in FIGS. 5 and 6. The
closure 75 and the insulating plate 51 may be employed in combination if a
flange (not seen) analogous to flange 61 in FIG. 5 is provided in FIG. 7.
A like closure may be employed in the form of FIGS. 1-4, inclusive. The
structure would be the same as member 75-77-78 but inverted and sized to
engage wall 37 and the inside upper surface of wall 30a. The outer
diameter of wall 18 (or its dimension) would be lessened accordingly.
FIGS. 8 & 9
The container assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9 differs from the forms of the
previous figures particularly in the following characteristics:
(1) Each of the containers (as is the case in FIGS. 5 and 6) are
illustrated as circular in horizontal section, although this construction
is optional;
(2) The connection or interengagement between the upper and lower vessels,
when the parts of the container assembly are joined together, is
different;
(3) There is no separate insulating member or removable cover for the lower
vessel;
(4) The lower vessel has an integral top shown employed therewith;
(5) A different fill and dispensing opening is shown which permits the
insertion and removal of conventional size ice cubes with dispensing of
liquid from the lower vessel without loss of ice;
(6) A different handle construction is present with individual handles for
each vessel which cooperate as a single handle when the parts of the
vessel are engaged with one another; and
(7) The securement means for the top vessel cap is slightly different; and
(8) The lower vessel is not shown as insulated (optional).
Referring, then, specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9, this container assembly
comprises a lower vessel generally designated 80 and an upper vessel
generally designated 81. Lower vessel 80 has cylindrical side wall 82,
bottom wall 83 and top wall 84. These walls, in combination, form an
enclosed container into which openings are provided. A first set of such
openings are provided centrally of upper wall 84 as at 85. Additionally,
there is provided a relatively large diameter pouring spout 86 at the top
of side wall 83 which carries, on the externally threaded outer end
thereof, removable cap 87. Cap 87 has a pouring spout of lesser diameter
88 provided thereon, this spout normally closed by plug 89 which is fixed
to the top or outboard surface of cap 87 by strap 90.
Lower vessel 80 is shown as having a single thickness, noninsulated wall,
although, alternatively, the side and bottom walls 82 and 83 may be
insulated in the manner seen in the previous figures. Top wall 84 is
additionally provided with a circular recess or groove 91 formed
therewithin immediately inboard of the outer wall thereof. Blocks 92 is
provided, at least one on a side or regularly spaced around the periphery
of the top and the side wall 82 for engagement purposes to be described.
Handle 93 is provided 180.degree. opposed to spout 86 (preferably) with
the upper end thereof 93a preferably closely adjacent the top wall 84.
Upper vessel 81 has a cylindrical lower side wall 94 connecting to or
integral with bottom wall 95 at its lower end. The upper side wall 96
tapers inwardly and rearwardly in off-set frusto-conical configuration to
the base of the normally vertical upper pouring spout or opening 97. The
upper end (not seen) of spout 97, which is of cylindrical configuration,
is externally threaded to removably receive closure cap 98. The latter is
removably secured to the upper end of spout 97 by strap 99. A handle 100
is provided on the rear wall preferably having its lower leg or arm 101
closely adjacent the bottom wall 95. Handles 100 and 93 are of like
dimension so that they may be easily simultaneously grapsed by one or more
fingers of the user's hand to carry the container assembly.
Bottom wall 95 has a groove or recess of circular shape provided at 102
operative to match and fit into groove 91 of the lower vessel 80 when the
two vessels are joined together in the container assembly. One or more
mounting blocks 103 are provided integral or attached to the lower side
wall 94 of vessel 81, same pivotally mounting engaging loops 104 adapted
to removably snap over and engage block 92 on the lower vessel.
In operation and use of the device of FIGS. 8 and 9, the following features
and options are noted. First, with respect to the presence of the top wall
84 in the lower vessel 80, the following options are possible. One, the
presence of relatively small openings 85 inboard of groove 91 operate to
retain ice cubes or the like within the vessel when the two vessels are
separate from one another yet permit a certain amount of heat exchange
between the two vessels, more than if the wall 84 was solid. Another
option is to cut out, centrally, the entire wall 84 inboard of mating
groove 91 to provide such additional heat exchange. In such case, the
filler opening construction as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 is not required and a
fill opening like spout 57 of FIGS. 5 and 6 could be employed. Yet
further, the wall 84 may be, optionally, solid, without any openings,
which would provide more heat insulation between the two vessels. In any
of these options, the side and lower walls 82 and 83 of vessel 80 may be
insulated. In the last option, the upper wall itself may be insulated, if
desired. Considering these options, the function and uses of the two
vessels, joined together or separated, are essentially the same as
previously described with respect to the other figures and modifications.
The pouring spout construction of FIGS. 8 and 9 may be employed with any of
the modifications of the previous figures, this giving great versatility
to the filling and dispensing process in the lower vessel, particularly
when same is joined with the upper vessel and the entire assembly handled
as a unit. Likewise, the handle assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9 may be employed
with any of the previous vessel constructions, if desired. In all cases,
the internal diameter and size of the upper pouring spout (21, 68 or 97)
is preferably sufficient that conventional size ice cubes may be inserted
therewithin. The vessels themselves may be made of any suitable plastic
such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like or, alternatively, may be
made of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, stainless steel or the
like.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted
to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with
other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the
apparatus.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of
utility and may be employed without reference to other features and
subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the
claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing
from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set
forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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