Container having compartment for holding novelty article

• US 5,996,781 A
• Filed: 08/28/1997
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clifford T. Rosenberg, Robert F. Glaser
• Original Assignee: Clifford T. Rosenberg, Robert F. Glaser
• Inventors: Glaser, Robert F., Rosenberg, Clifford T.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, JIMMY G
• Application Number:
  US08/920,254
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 206/217, 206/216, 215/6, 215/10, 220/359.1, 220/504
• US Class Current: 206/217
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0237 Rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with a recess on their external surface for accommodating a smaller container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02

Abstract

A container for holding at least one first article in a space defined by walls of the container while permitting selective access to at least one second article in a separate compartment therein. The container body is defined by a side wall extending between a lower edge and an upper distal edge that defines an open end of the body for receiving at least one first article therethrough for being held in a space within the body. A dome-shaped interior wall extends across the space from an interior surface of the side wall to define a closed bottom. The side wall and the interior wall define the space for holding the first article. The interior wall also defines a separate compartment for receiving a novelty article through an opening defined in the body. A selectively-attached detachable cover closes the opening to hold the novelty article within the separate compartment. The novelty article, being placed in the separate compartment, is selectively removed by detaching the cover from over the opening, while the space functions for holding the first article.

Claims

1. A cup for holding a fluid for drinking while enclosing a novelty article in a separate, selectively accessible compartment therein, comprising:

a frustroconical body defined by a side wall and having an open end for receiving therethrough a fluid for being contained within the body;

a dome-shaped bottom wall in a lower portion of the body cooperating with the side wall to define a first cavity in the body for receiving and containing the fluid and defining a second cavity in the body;

a plurality of spaced-apart pins extending longitudinally from the bottom wall;

the lower edge of the side wall defining an opening for selective access into the second cavity;

a ring engaged to a bottom edge of the body and defining an opening through which the novelty article passes into the second cavity, the ring defining a plurality of openings for aligning with and receiving the pins which define rivets for securing the ring to the bottom wall; and

a coverplate received by the ring for closing the opening to the second cavity,

whereby a novelty article, being placed in the second cavity which is closed by the coverplate, is selectively accessible while the body functions for containing the fluid in the first cavity.

2. The cup as recited in claim 1, wherein the ring defines at least one narrowed portion therein to define a recess and the ring having at least one upstanding wall that bears against the bottom wall to define a gap therebetween;

and

wherein the coverplate defines at least one ear extending therefrom, which ear is received in the recess, and the coverplate being rotated, the ear moves into the gap to secure the coverplate to the ring, for selectively closing the opening to the second cavity.

3. The cup as recited in claim 2, further comprising a detent on the ring to secure the coverplate in a closed position.

4. The cup as recited in claim 3, wherein the detent comprises:

a lug extending from the ring partially through the gap; and

a lower surface of the ear defining a detent recess which engages the lug upon rotation of the coverplate from a first position with the ear received in recess and a second position with the ear engaged to the lug.

5. A container for holding at least one first article in a space defined by walls of the container while permitting selective access to at least one second article in a separate compartment defined therein, comprising:

a body defined by a first wall extending between a lower edge and an upper distal edge and defining an open end of the body for receiving at least one first article therethrough for being held in a space within the body;

an interior wall extending across the space to define a closed bottom thereof from an interior surface of the first wall, the first wall and the interior wall defining the space for holding the first article, the interior wall defining a separate compartment for receiving at least one second article therein, and an opening thereto defined by a lower edge of the body;

a plurality of spaced-apart pins extending longitudinally from the interior wall;

a ring defining a plurality of openings that align with the pins, whereby the ring is received thereon, which pins define rivets for engaging the ring to the body, the ring defining a second opening for accessing the separate compartment;

a selectively-attached detachable cover for closing the opening in the ring to hold the second article within the separate compartment,

whereby the second article, being placed in the separate compartment, is selectively removed therefrom by detaching the cover while the space functions for holding the first article therein.

6. The container as recited in claim 5, wherein the cover comprises a flexible sheet having an adhesive layer for securing the sheet to the bottom wall.

7. The container as recited in claim 6, wherein the adhesive layer is defined by a band of adhesive around a perimeter of the sheet.

8. The container as recited in claim 7, wherein the band is greater in size and in conforming shape to the opening defined in the bottom wall, whereby the cover adheres to a portion of the bottom wall around the opening.

9. The container as recited in claim 5, wherein the ring defines at least one narrowed portion therein and the ring having at least one upstanding wall that bears against the interior wall to define a gap therebetween;

and

wherein the cover defines at least one ear extending therefrom, which ear is received within the gap and being rotated, secures the cover to the ring.

10. The container as recited in claim 5, further comprising a lid for selectively closing the open end of the body.