Combined merchandise container and display device

• US 6,302,288 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2000
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: East End Incorporated
• Original Assignee: East End Incorporated
• Inventors: Lyons, John, Farnsworth, Donald, Nava, John
• Primary Examiner(s): NEWHOUSE, NATHAN JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US09/585,855
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 220/521-523, 220/526, 220/212, 220/23.86, 220/906, 220/694, 220/729, 206/217, 206/307, 206/308.1, 206/309, 206/310, 206/313, 206/232, 215/6, 215/228, 215/229
• US Class Current: 220/212
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2231/02 Precut holes or weakened zones
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0018 of the 43-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/005 of the 43-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0071 of the 17-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0081 of the 43-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00231 made of several pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00351 Dome-like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00509 Cup
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00527 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00555 on both the inside and the outside
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00638 Rolled edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00731 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00805 Segments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00842 outside of the lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0212 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/20 Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing B65D51/185 takes precedence; co-operating with an auxiliary container for additional articles or materials B65D51/28
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/28 : with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials B65D51/247 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0427 : comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/906 : Beverage can, i.e. beer, soda

Abstract

A variety of closures are provided for use with a drink cup or other container wherein the closures provide a compartment for receiving a digital media disk or other merchandise. Examples include various closures formed of inner and outer members connected by a hinge with the inner and outer members forming a compartment for closely receiving a digital media disk. Other examples include a closure having a single lid portion with a retaining mechanism for retaining a digital media disk to a top surface of the lid. The retaining mechanism includes, for example, elastic retaining bands or resilient tabs. In another example, the closure provides a curved compartment for receiving a booklet wherein a closure for the compartment includes snap-fit members for attaching the compartment closure to other portions of the container lid. Still other embodiments are provided for enclosing toys or the like including one embodiment wherein the closure is configured to retain both a compressible ball and a backboard. In use, after any beverage within the cup is consumed, the backboard is removed from the closure and mounted to a rim of the cup for providing a basketball hoop-like arrangement for use with the compressible ball. Numerous other embodiments are described.

Claims

1. An assembly for mounting to the top of a can, said assembly comprising:

a mounting member for mounting to a top of a can, the mounting member including an inner member and an outer member which are formed with interfitting peripheral edges for snapping onto a rim of the can; and

a digital media disk mounted to said mounting member between the inner member and the outer member;

wherein the digital media disk has a central opening and wherein the outer member includes a recessed portion for fitting into the central opening of the digital media disk.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting member is shaped for mounting to a beverage can.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner member and the outer member form a compartment there-between for receiving the digital media disk.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the inner member and the outer member are configured so that the compartment closely receives the digital media disk.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the digital media disk has a circular perimeter and wherein the outer member includes a recessed ring portion for fitting around the circular perimeter of the digital media disk.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the digital media disk is a CD-ROM.

7. An assembly for mounting to the top of a can, said assembly comprising:

a mounting member for mounting to a top of the can, the mounting member having an inner member and an outer member forming a compartment there-between, wherein the inner member has a peripheral edge for engaging a peripheral portion of the top of the can and wherein the outer member has a peripheral edge for engaging the peripheral edge of the inner member, the outer member including a central depressed portion sized for fitting into a central opening of a digital media disk.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the mounting member is shaped for mounting to a beverage can.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the inler member and the outer member are configured so that the compartment closely receives a digital media disk.

10. The assembly of claim 7 further including a digital media disk received within the compartment.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the digital media disk has a circular perimeter and wherein the outer member includes a recessed ring portion for fitting around the circular perimeter of the digital media disk.

12. An assembly for mounting to the top of a can, said assembly comprising:

a mounting member for mounting to the top of a can such that a compartment for containing a disk is formed between the top of the can and the mounting member, the mounting member having a peripheral portion for snap fitting about a peripheral portion of the top of the can, the mounting member including a central depressed portion sized for fitting into a central opening of the disk.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the mounting member is shaped for mounting to the top of a beverage can.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the compartment is shaped for receiving a digital media disk.