Article container with multipurpose outer chamber

• US 6,464,078 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reid A. Grossnickle
• Original Assignee: Reid A. Grossnickle
• Inventors: Grossnickle, Reid A.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, JIMMY G
• Application Number:
  US09/636,773
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 206/338, 206/350, 206/457, 206/818, 206/214, 206/217, 206/459.5, 221/212, 428/13, 407/22, 403/24, 403/60, 215/12.1, 215/13.1, 220/62.14
• US Class Current: 206/459.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/12 Toothpick holders
• CPC Class Codes: B43M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/818 Magnet

Abstract

A container for small articles, such as paper clips, toothpicks, pencils, pens and the like, is provided which has a multipurpose outer chamber. The outer chamber is transparent and holds indicia which may take one of two forms. In a first embodiment, the outer chamber can be filled with a transparent liquid, such as water or oil, containing indicia in the form of particles, such as glitter. Upon shaking the container, the particles temporarily become suspended in the liquid providing an interesting visual effect. In a second embodiment, the indicia may be an advertising message which includes words and/or logos printed on a sheet that surrounds a receptacle for containing the small articles that is located within the outer chamber. In a third embodiment, both the sheet bearing indicia and the glitter in a liquid can be used.

Claims

1. A container for storing and/or dispensing small articles, said container comprising:

a receptacle for storing the small articles, having a side wall with an upper and lower end, a base formed at said lower end and an opening formed at said upper end through which the articles can be received and dispensed;

a transparent outer chamber surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom, having a base and an upper end;

indicia positioned in the space formed between said receptacle and said outer chamber;

a magnet communicating with said opening for attracting the small articles;

a cover having a recess formed in a lower surface thereof, and a cover opening for receiving said magnet; and

an annular plate attached to said lower surface of said cover to capture said magnet in said recess.

2. A method of constructing a container for storing and dispensing small articles, said method comprising the steps of:

forming an outer chamber which has a base and an upper end;

placing small particles in the outer chamber;

providing a receptacle which has a base and an upper end;

attaching a cover plate, having a central circular opening and a fill opening, to the upper end of the receptacle;

placing the receptacle into the outer chamber and sealing the peripheral edge of the cover plate to the upper end of the outer chamber to provided a sealed space between the outer chamber and the receptacle so that the bottom of the receptacle is spaced above the bottom of the outer chamber;

pouring liquid into the outer chamber through the fill opening enabling the liquid to suspend at least temporarily the small particles; and

closing the fill opening.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 2, including the further steps of:

placing a cover, having a central opening with a magnet surrounding the central opening, over the cover plate; and

attaching the cover to the cover plate.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 2, including a further step after said step of attaching a cover plate of:

placing an advertisement around the receptacle.