US20040055920A1

US20040055920A1 - Container in form of a 3-D figure, and kits for the construction of and methods relating to the same

Info

Publication number: US20040055920A1
Application number: US10/252,599
Authority: US
Inventors: Sam Perez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-23
Filing date: 2002-09-23
Publication date: 2004-03-25

Abstract

A container configured as a 3-D figure, for holding a product comprises a product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity adapted for holding a product; a closure member covering said opening and adapted to permit access to said product in said interior cavity of said product holder; a supporting base member attached to a base portion of said product holder; and at least one appendage member attached to said product holder. The components can be provided as a kit. The product holder preferably contains a beverage such as water. The components can be put together to form a 3-D figure. Such a 3-D figure container encourages use and/or consumption of the product held in the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers formed as three-dimensional figure, kits for making the same and methods relating thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, containers for certain kinds of beverages and other products have utilized fanciful and attractive packaging to attract consumers and users of the product. For example, some cans of soda pop have imprinted on their outer surfaces fanciful colouring and patterns designed to attract the consumer.

Also, the containers themselves have been formed in fanciful and attractive shapes to attract consumers and users.

In today's consumer environment, there are lots of products being marketed to consumers, including children and young adults. For at least some parents, it has become quite important that their children be attracted to, and want to consume products that they regard favorably. However, it is well known that children often do not like products, which parents consider are for example “good for them”.

Therefore, it is clearly desirable to make some containers more attractive to certain consumers and users, particular children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an augmented container configured as a 3-D figure, for holding a product comprising: a product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity adapted for holding a product; a closure member covering said opening and adapted to permit access to said product in said interior cavity of said product holder; a supporting base member attached to a base portion of said product holder; and at least one appendage member attached to said product holder.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for making a 3-D figure container comprising: product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity holding a product; a closure member covering said opening and adapted to permit access to said product in said interior cavity of said product holder; a supporting base member attachable to said product holder; and at least one appendage member attachable to said product holder; said supporting base member and said at least one appendage member being attachable to said product holder in positions such that when attached a combination is formed that resembles the form of a figure.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of encouraging a person to use or consume a product comprising: providing a product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity holding a product to a person, said opening being covered by a closure; providing a supporting base member that can be attached to and/or detached from said holder; and providing at least one appendage member that can be attached to and/or detached from said holder.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided A method of assembling an augmented container, comprising: releasably attaching at least one toy foot member to a base of said container; releasably attaching at least one toy arm member to a side of said container.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0011]
FIG. 2 is a rear bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1; [0012]
FIG. 3 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1; [0013]
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 1; [0014]
FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the container of FIG. 1; [0015]
FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view of the container of FIG. 1; [0016]
FIG. 7 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1; [0017]
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1; [0018]
FIG. 9 is an unassembled view of a kit used to make the container of FIG. 1; [0019]
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a product holder comprising part of the kit of FIG. 9; [0020]
FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the product holder of FIG. 10; [0021]
FIG. 12 is a front view of the product holder of FIG. 10; [0022]
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the product holder of FIG. 10; [0023]
FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view of the product holder of FIG. 10; [0024]
FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view of the product holder of FIG. 10; [0025]
FIG. 16 is a top view of the holder of FIG. 10; [0026]
FIG. 16[0027] a is a bottom view of the holder of FIG. 10;
FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a supporting base comprising another part of the kit of FIG. 9; [0028]
FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0029]
FIG. 19 is a front view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0030]
FIG. 20 is a rear view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0031]
FIG. 21 is a right side elevation view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0032]
FIG. 22 is a left side elevation view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0033]
FIG. 23 is a top view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0034]
FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the supporting base of FIG. 17; [0035]
FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of a head piece member comprising a hat and being another part of the kit of FIG. 9; [0036]
FIG. 26 is a lower perspective view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0037]
FIG. 27 is a front view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0038]
FIG. 28 is a rear view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0039]
FIG. 29 is a right side elevation view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0040]
FIG. 30 is a left side elevation view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0041]
FIG. 31 is a top view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0042]
FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the hat of FIG. 25; [0043]
FIGS. [0044] 33-40 are various different perspective views of a left arm member comprising part of the kit of FIG. 9;
FIGS. [0045] 41-48 are various perspective view of a right arm member comprising another part of the kit of FIG. 9;
FIG. 49 is a collection of accessory parts for the kit of FIG. 9; [0046]
FIG. 50 illustrates three other container figures in accordance with other embodiments of the invention; [0047]
FIG. 51 illustrates alternates to the part of figures l[0048] 0 to 16;
FIG. 52 illustrates part like the parts of FIG. 51 employing alternate head piece parts. [0049]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. [0050] 1 to 8, a container generally designated 10 is formed in the shape of a three-dimensional figure. Figure container 10 is comprised of a product holder 12, a supporting base 14, a left arm member 16 and a right arm member 18 and a hat member 20. With reference to FIGS. 10 to 17, product holder 12 of figure container 10 comprises a bottle configured fancifully and loosely resembling a torso for the container figure. Holder 12 can be made of any conventional material such as plastic or glass suitable for holding the product. Product holder 12 has an interior cavity and in this embodiment is particularly adapted to hold a quantity of a desirable fluid such as a healthy beverage, including but not limited to water, spring water, purified water, fruit juices, energy drinks, or other known beverages. Product holder 12 has a base portion 32 and an upper throat portion 26. An opening 22 that leads to the interior cavity of holder 12 is covered by a conventional closure such as a screw cap 24, which engages threads on the outside upper throat portion 26 of product holder 12. Other conventional closures can be employed.
[0051] Product holder 12 also has arm member engaging elements 28 on opposite side surfaces of the holder 12. Additionally, on the outer, downward facing surface of base 32, and centrally positioned thereon, is a supporting base member-engaging element 30.
With reference to FIG. 17 to [0052] 24, the supporting base 14 is shown which is in this case formed with the appearance of a pair of feet-in-shoe members 38. The shoe members 38 are joined together and configured to provide a stable platform for container 10. On the upward facing surface 34 of base 14 is a product holder engaging element 36.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, engaging [0053] element 36 of supporting base 14 is adapted to connect to engaging element 30 of product holder 12. In this way supporting base 14 can be attached to product holder 12 by the interconnection of elements 30 and 36. Preferably supporting base 14 can be repeatedly attached and detached. To provide an appropriate inter-connection of elements 30 and 36, various known securement means can be provided. For example, in one preferred embodiment each of elements 36 and 30 are double sided adhesive strips such that upward facing surface of element 36 will attaches to element 30 and the lower surface of element 36 engages the surface 34 of supporting base 14. Likewise, the downward facing surface 30 of a double-sided adhesive strip can engage element 36 and the upward facing surface engages the bottom surface 32 of product holder 12. Other possible alternate means of securing the engaging elements 30 and 36 include by way of example only using VELCRO (trademark) engaging strips or the like, as well as peg-in-hole type connections, and suction cups on one or both of the member to be attached to holder 12 or the holder 12. Preferably the connections are releasable.
With reference to FIGS. [0054] 33 to 48, arm members 16 and 18 are illustrated. Each arm member 16, 18 has a body-engaging element 48 which is adapted to engage elements 28 on holder 12. Elements 48 can inter-connect to elements 28 in any one of the ways referenced above in connection with elements 30 and 36.
With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and [0055] 9 in particular, a head piece member comprising a hat member 20 is configured with a lower cavity 50 that can receive cap 24 is sliding engagement. It is not necessary to provide a separate attachment device like those referenced above, although such additional attachment devices could be provided.
As mentioned above, [0056] product holder 12 is made of a material that is suitable for retaining the selected product. Also, preferably it is made of a material that is suitable for use with children. Supporting base 14, arm members 16 and 18 and hat 20 , are preferably also made of one or more materials that are suitable for use by the particular customer or user (eg. children). Such materials include but are not restricted to hard plastics, PVC, foam, rubber or the like.
Although in preferred embodiments the product is a suitable beverage, the holder can be used to hold other products including but not limited to food products, cosmetics, shampoos, personal hygiene products. [0057]
The components of [0058] figure container 10 can be provided as a kit, wherein each of the parts are initially provided in a detached configuration, as shown in FIG. 9. The components of the kit could be supplied to the consumer in an outer container such as a box or bag or other package.
The kit can then be provided to the consumer or user, such as a child. The child can then construct the 3-D figure shown in FIGS. [0059] 1-8 by attaching the components together. The child can also be encouraged to consume or otherwise use the product contained in holder 12. Written materials can be provided with the kit encouraging the child to use the product and encourage the child and illustrate or describe to the child how to make the 3-D figure.
As [0060] container 10 can be made into a figure, this makes the container 10 more attractive and interesting to a person, particularly a child. This will make the child more likely to wish to consume and/or use the product held in the product holder.
With reference to FIG. 50, three alternate embodiments for [0061] figure container 10 are illustrated. With reference to FIG. 49, a collection of additional and/or alternate accessory members are shown, one of more of which can be included in the kit.
With-reference to FIG. 51, some alternate configurations for a generally cylindrical holder are shown. [0062] Holders 112 have character designs imprinted on outer surfaces and have cap members 124 attached thereto to provide an overall uniform body configuration. Hat members can be place over the cap members as shown in FIG. 50.
With reference to FIG. 52, holders like [0063] holders 112 are shown with alternate hat members positioned on holders and their associated cap members.
It will be further understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein which are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible to modification of form, arrangement of parts, steps, details and order of operation. The invention, rather, is intended to encompass all such modification within its scope, as defined by the claims. [0064]

Claims

I claim:

1. An augmented container configured as a 3-D figure, for holding a product comprising:

a) a product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity adapted for holding a product;

b) a closure member covering said opening and adapted to permit access to said product in said interior cavity of said product holder;

c) a supporting base member attached to a base portion of said product holder; and

d) at least one appendage member attached to said product holder.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of appendage members attached to said product holder and wherein said base member is configured to resemble a pair of feet members.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said base member and said appendage member, are adapted for releasable connection to said product holder.

4. A container as claimed as in claim 1 further comprising a hat member positioned on said closure member.

5. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said appendage members are configured to resemble arm members.

6. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pair of appendage members and said support base member are adapted for releasable connection to said product holder.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said releasable connections include one or more of double side adhesive strip members, suction cups, hook and loop or velcro connections.

8. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is a bottle.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said bottle is made from plastic.

10. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said product holder contains a product.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein said product is a beverage.

12. A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein said beverage is water.

13. A kit for making a 3-D figure container comprising:

a) product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity holding a product;

c) a supporting base member attachable to said product holder; and

d) at least one appendage member attachable to said product holder; said supporting base member and said at least one appendage member being attachable to said product holder in positions such that when attached a combination is formed that resembles the form of a figure.

14. A kit as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a pair of appendage members attached to said product holder and wherein said base member is configured as a pair of feet members.

15. A kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said container contains a product.

16. A kit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said product is a beverage.

17. A kit as claimed in claim 16 wherein said beverage is water.

18. A kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said base member and said at least one appendage member, are adapted for releasable connection to said product holder.

19. A kit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said product holder contains a beverage.

20. A kit as claimed as in claim 18 further comprising a hat member held over said closure member pair of appendage members and said support

21. A method of encouraging a person to use or consume a product comprising:

a) providing a product holder having an opening for accessing an interior cavity holding a product to a person, said opening being covered by a closure;

b) providing a supporting base member that can be attached to and/or detached from said holder; and

c) providing at least one appendage member that can be attached to and/or detached from said holder.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said person is a child.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said product holder contains a product.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein said product is a beverage.

25. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said product holder, said base and said at least one appendage member are provided as a kit to create a 3-D figure container with said holder, said base member and said at least one appendage member.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said person is encouraged to make said 3-D figure container.

27. A method of assembling an augmented container, comprising:

releasably attaching at least one toy foot member to a base of said container;

releasably attaching at least one toy arm member to a side of said container.

28. The method of claim 21 further comprising releasably attaching a toy hat member to a lid of said container.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said container is a bottle.