US20110210136A1

US20110210136A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: US20110210136A1
Application number: US12/904,533
Authority: US
Inventors: Chiu-Sung Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-26
Filing date: 2010-10-14
Publication date: 2011-09-01
Also published as: JP3164912U; TWM397365U

Abstract

A container of the present invention includes a main body, a lid and a lock mechanism. The main body is adapted for foods or drinks to be contained therein. The main body has an opening. The lid covers on the opening. The lock mechanism is disposed between the main body and the lid. The lock mechanism can be locked or opened so as to selectively seal the main body.

Accordingly, the container can be locked by user. Villain can not open the container arbitrarily. Safety of using the container is improved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container, more particularly to a container for containing foods or drinks.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional container has an opening. Users can fill the container with foods or drinks. Some containers are equipped with lids. The lid is used for covering the opening so as to block dust out of the container. Wholesomeness and safety of taking the foods or drinks in the container are improved.
However, it is difficult for a general user to pay attention on the container continuously. For example, users may just put containers on a table, and go away for restroom. At this moment, strangers, or maybe someone not a stranger, may add something unknown into the container. User may take the known additive with no consciousness. As a result, the user may be in danger.
The present invention is, therefore, arisen to obviate or at least mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a container which can be opened only by the owner of the container.
To achieve the above and other objects, a container of the present invention includes a main body, a lid and a lock mechanism.
A containing space and an opening are defined by the main body. The containing space communicates upwardly with the opening. The containing space is adapted for liquid to be contained therein.
The lid covers upon the opening, so that the containing space is closed by the main body and the lid.
The lock mechanism comprises a fixation portion and a code portion. One of the fixation portion and the code portion is disposed on the main body. The other one of the fixation portion and the code portion is disposed on the lid. The fixation portion has an abutting surface. The code portion comprises a rotatable member. The rotatable member is able to rotate about its central axis. The rotatable member abuts against the abutting surface, so that the fixation portion and the code portion are in a restraining relationship. The fixation portion and the code portion are removed from the restraining relationship when the rotatable member is rotated to an open position.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment(s) in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a stereogram showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a breakdown drawing showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a stereogram showing an opened container of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a profile showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a stereogram showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a profile showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a profile showing a using state of a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 for a first embodiment of the present invention. The container of the present embodiment includes a main body 1, a lid 2 and a lock mechanism.
A containing space 11 and an opening 12 are defined by the main body 1. The containing space 11 communicates upwardly with the opening 12. The containing space 11 is adapted for liquid to be contained therein. For containing liquid in the containing space, the main body may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic or glass. The opening 12 is located upon the containing space 11.
The lid 2 covers upon the opening 12, so that the containing space 11 is closed by the main body 1 and the lid 2. A leak proof member 21 may be disposed on the lid 2. The leak proof member 21 is used for sealing the containing space 11 so as to prevent liquid from leaking via a slit between the main body 1 and the lid 2. In the present embodiment, the lid 2 is able to be separated from the main body 1. In other possible embodiments of the present invention, the lid 2 may be pivotably disposed on the main body 1. As such, the lid 2 is able to pivot with respect to the main body 1 about a pivoting axis.
The lock mechanism is used for locking the lid 2 and the main body 1, so that the lid 2 can not be opened arbitrarily. More particularly, the lock mechanism includes a fixation portion 31 and a code portion 32. The fixation portion 31 is disposed on the lid 2. The fixation portion includes a pole 311 and one or more protruding piece(s) 312. The pole 311 is firmly disposed on the lid 2. The pole 311 extends vertically. The protruding piece 312 protrudes laterally from the pole 311. The protruding piece 312 has an abutting surface which faces upwardly. The code portion 32 is disposed on the main body 1. The code portion 32 includes one or more rotatable member(s) 321, plurality of fixation member 322 and an inserting hole 323. The rotatable member 321 and the fixation member 322 are ring shaped. The rotatable member 321 encircles around the main body 1. The rotatable member 321 is able to rotate with respect to the main body 1 about a central axis of the rotatable member 321. The rotatable member 321 has an annular protruding edge 324. The protruding edge 324 is formed with an indentation 325. The rotatable member 321 is positioned between the fixation members 322. The fixation member 322 is embedded in the main body 1 with several latches so as to keep the rotatable member 321 around the main body 1. The fixation members 322 may be formed with indentations, also. The inserting hole 323 is defined by the main body 1, the rotatable member 321 and the fixation members 322. The protruding edge 324 protrudes laterally.
Refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Accordingly, the lid 2 can be selectively fixed on the main body 1. The indentation 325 is positioned by the inserting hole 323 when the rotatable member 321 is rotated to an open position. The pole 311 is able to be inserted into the inserting hole 323. The protruding piece 312 passes through the indentation 325, being received in the inserting hole 323. When the rotatable member 321 is rotated away from the open position, the indentation 325 is moved away from the inserting hole 323. The protruding edge 324 of the rotating member 321 abuts against the abutting surface of the protruding piece 312 downwardly. The fixation portion 31 and the code portion 32 are in a restraining relationship. The pole 311 can not be drawn arbitrarily. The lid 2 is fixed on the main body 1. When the rotatable member 321 is rotated to the open position again, the indentation is positioned by the inserting hole 323. The protruding piece 312 and the abutting surface can pass through the indentation. The pole 311 can be drawn from the inserting hole 323. As such, the fixation portion and the code portion are removed from the restraining relationship.
In other possible embodiments of the present invention, the lid may be formed with the abutting surface or the protruding piece directly. Also, the location of the fixation portion and the location of the code portion may be interchanged, as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the fixation portion is disposed on the main body 1. The code portion is disposed on the lid 2.
Refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 for a third embodiment of the present invention. The container of the present embodiment may includes the main body 1, the lid 2, a buckle mechanism and another lock mechanism.
The buckle mechanism is used for achieving an engagement relationship. More particularly, the buckle mechanism may include one or more buckle member(s) 41, hook groove(s) 42 and elastic member(s) 43. The buckle member 41 is movably disposed on the lid 2. The buckle member 41 is able to move between a first position and a second position. The elastic member 43 is disposed between the buckle member 41 and the lid 2 so as to abut against the buckle member 41. The buckle member 41 has a tendency to move toward the first position. The hook groove 42 is defined by the main body 1. When the lid 2 covers on the main body 1, and the buckle member 41 is located at the first position, as shown in FIG. 7, the buckle member 41 and the hook groove 42 are in an engagement relationship. The buckle member 41 can be pressed so as to move to the second position, as shown in FIG. 8. The buckle member 41 and the hook groove 42 are removed from the engagement relationship, so that the lid can be opened.
Another lock mechanism is used for selectively abutting against the buckle member 41 so as to keep the buckle member 41 from moving toward the second position. More particularly, the lock mechanism includes a rotatable member 51. The rotatable member 51 selectively abuts against the buckle member 41. The rotatable member 51 and the buckle member 41 are in a restraining relationship. When the rotatable member 51 is rotated to an open position, the rotatable member 51 and the buckle member 41 are removed from the restraining relationship. The buckle member 41 is able to move between the first position and the second position. More specifically, a pin 52 may be firmly disposed on the buckle member 41 so as to achieve an operative relationship with the buckle member 41. The rotatable member 51 is rotatably disposed on the lid 2. An eccentric groove 511 is defined by the rotatable member 51. The eccentric groove 51 is not located on a rotating axis of the rotatable member. A position of the eccentric groove 511 is varied when the rotatable member 51 rotates. The rotatable member 51 selectively abuts against the pin 52 so as to achieve the restraining relationship with the buckle member 41. A position of the eccentric groove 511 corresponds to a position of the pin 52 when the rotatable member 51 is rotated to the open position. The pin 52 is received in the eccentric groove when the buckle member 41 moves to the second position. In other possible embodiments of the present invention, the buckle member 41 and the rotatable member 51 may be disposed on the main body 2. The hook groove 42 may be defined by the lid 2.
Moreover, the lid 2 may be pivotably disposed on the main body 1 about a pivoting axis. Preferably, the buckle member 41 is located away from the pivoting axis.
Accordingly, the container of the present invention can be locked by user. The container can be opened when the rotatable member is rotated to the predetermined open position. The rotatable member may have several numbers or symbols on its periphery surface. Only the owner of the container or someone who knows the number can open the container.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a main body, a containing space and an opening being defined by the main body, the containing space communicating upwardly with the opening, the containing space being adapted for liquid to be contained therein;

a lid, covering upon the opening, so that the containing space is closed by the main body and the lid;

a lock mechanism, comprising a fixation portion and a code portion, one of the fixation portion and the code portion being disposed on the main body, the other one of the fixation portion and the code portion being disposed on the lid, the fixation portion having at least an abutting surface, the code portion comprising at least a rotatable member, the rotatable member being able to rotate about its central axis, the rotatable member abutting against the abutting surface, so that the fixation portion and the code portion are in a restraining relationship, the fixation portion and the code portion being removed from the restraining relationship when the rotatable member is rotated to an open position.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the fixation portion comprises a protruding piece, the abutting surface is located on the protruding piece, the rotatable member is ring shaped, the rotatable member has an annular protruding edge, the protruding edge abuts against the abutting surface so as to achieve the restraining relationship, the protruding edge is formed with an indentation, a position of the indentation corresponds to a position of the protruding piece when the rotatable member is rotated to the open position.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the fixation portion comprises a pole, the pole is firmly disposed on one of the main body and the lid, the pole extends vertically, the protruding piece protrudes laterally from the pole, the code portion comprises an inserting hole, the inserting hole extends vertically, the protruding edge protrudes laterally, the pole is received in the inserting hole.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotably disposed on the main body, the lid is pivotable with respect to the main body.

5. A container, comprising:

a buckle mechanism, comprising a buckle member and a hook groove, one of the buckle member and the hook groove being disposed on the main body, the other one of the buckle member and the hook groove being disposed on the lid, the buckle member being able to move between a first position and a second position, the buckle member and the hook groove being in an engagement relationship when the buckle member is located at the first position, the buckle member and the hook groove being removed from the engaged relationship when the buckle member moves to the second position;

a lock mechanism, being used for selectively abutting against the buckle member so as to keep the buckle member from moving toward the second position;

wherein the lock mechanism comprises a rotatable member, the rotatable member selectively abuts against the buckle member, so that the rotatable member and the buckle member are in a restraining relationship, the rotatable member and the buckle member are removed from the restraining relationship when the rotatable member is rotated to an open position.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein a pin and the buckle member are in an operative relationship, the rotatable member selectively abuts against the pin, an eccentric groove is defined by the rotatable member, a position of the eccentric groove corresponds to a position of the pin when the rotatable member is rotated to the open position, the pin is received in the eccentric groove when buckle member moves to the second position.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the lid is pivotably disposed on the main body, the lid is pivotable with respect to the main body.