Reusable containers for storing foodstuffs or liquids

• US 8,684,208 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2009
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nice Reusables, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nice Reusables, Inc.
• Inventors: Hotell, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett, J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALKER, NED ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US12/560,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20100288759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,658 Days
• Field of Search: 220/4.26, 220/4.27, 220/916, 220/304, 220/319, 220/324, 220/325, 206/516, 206/519, 206/520, 206/821
• US Class Current: 220/4.26
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0209 stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position B65D21/0234, B65D21/0235 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 7/04 of curved cross-section, e.g. cans of circular or elliptical cross-section thermally insulated B65D81/3813, B65D81/3837
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A container that is re-useable and may be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled and resealed for use as a beverage or foodstuffs container. The container assembly for storing foodstuffs or liquids includes an annular upper body with a first end adapted to receive a cap, and a second open end which connects with an annular lower body including a first open attachment end and a second closed bottom of container end and a seal which is compressed when securing the upper and lower bodies together.

Claims

1. A cylindrical container assembly for storing foodstuffs or liquids comprising:

a container comprising;

an upper annular sidewall section having;

an upper open top defining a rim;

an upper open bottom defining an upward facing flange;

a lower cup section axially aligned with the upper annular sidewall and comprising;

a lower open top defining a downward facing flange;

an annular lower sidewall;

a closed base

an annular seal disposed between the upward facing and downward facing flanges for sealing the upper and lower bodies together;

a first threaded collar having an upper hook portion affixed to upward facing flange of the upper body and a lower threaded portion on an inner surface; and

a second threaded collar having a top surface affixed to the downward facing flange of the lower cup section, an inner annular surface abutting an outer annular surface of the annular lower sidewall, and an outer threaded portion mating with the lower threaded portion of the first threaded collar to sealingly compress the seal between the flanges, thereby securing the upper annular sidewall section with the lower cup section.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein annular sidewall section with the lower cup section are manufactured of a stainless steel.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the seal is silicone and the first and second threaded collars are plastic.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the rim of the upper annular sidewall section is threaded to receive a threaded cover.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the upper annular sidewall section is smaller in diameter than the lower cup section and fits into the lower cup section in an inverted position.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the lower cup section is smaller in diameter than the upper annular sidewall section body and fits into the upper annular sidewall section in an inverted position.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the lower cup section and upper annular sidewall section are held together in a nested configuration by the threaded collars.

8. A container assembly for storing foodstuffs or liquids comprising:

a container wherein foodstuffs or liquids are stored;

an upper container section comprising;

an annular elongated upper body;

an open top end adapted to receive a cap;

an open bottom a second open end culminating in an outwardly extending upper flange defining an upwardly facing channel;

a lower container section comprising;

an annular elongated lower body vertically aligned beneath the annular elongated upper body;

an upper open end culminating in an outwardly extending lower flange;

a closed base;

an annular seal sandwiched between the upper and lower flanges, for sealing the upper and lower bodies together to form a main compartment;

a first threaded collar with internal threading is affixed to the upwardly facing channel of the upper body; and

a second threaded collar with external threading is affixed to the lower flange of the lower body, the first and second collars are threaded together at opposite sides of the seal, thereby compressing the seal between the flanges, and securing the upper and lower bodies tightly together;

wherein the lower body is smaller in diameter than the upper body and the lower body fits into the upper body when the lower body is placed in an inverted position; and

wherein the lower body is inverted and stored and into the upper body and is secured by threading the first and second collars together in a fixed stored position.