US2958438A

US2958438A - Containers

Info

Publication number: US2958438A
Application number: US755618A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kermit H Severson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-08-18
Filing date: 1958-08-18
Publication date: 1960-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1977-11-01

Description

NOV- 1, 1960 K. H. sEvERsoN 2,958,433@

CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 18, 1958 arent @tice 2,958,438 Patented Nov. 1, 1960 CONTAINERS Kermit H. Severson, Chevy Chase Drive, Rte. 2, Wayzata, Minn.

Filed Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,618

s claims. (Cl. 22o-20) This invention relates to containers which are adapted to be carried upon the person and has particular reference to a pill and vitamin container or the like.

The container of this invention is formed of relatively thin transparent plastic material and is of generally rectangular shape. An intermediate horizontal wall divides the container into upper and lower chambers, with a vertical wall dividing the upper chamber into a pair of horizontal chambers. Each of `the horizontal chambers ispro'vided with an outlet in the top of the container. An arcuate track is formed in the side walls of the upper chambers adjacent the top of the container and a very thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide of metal or plastic material normally at over its full length and -breadth is mounted for sliding movement in the track for opening and closing the outlets to the pair of horizontal chambers. Lock means aids in holding the slide in its closed position. i

The bottom or third chamber in the container is provided with an outlet in the bottom of the container. An arcuate track is formed in the side walls of the lower chamber adjacent the bottom of the container, and a very thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide of metal or plastic material normally flat over its full length and breadth is mounted for sliding movement in the track for opening and closing the outlet for the said third or bottom chamber in the container. Lock means holds the slide for the second track in closed position for the outlet for the third chamber.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a container for pills and vitamins a plurality of separate chambers each of which holds a diierent kind of pill.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a pill container a plurality of separate chambers having outlets and closure means for the outlets for the chambers which is securely held in its adjusted positions.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide in a pill container a pair of separate chambers having outlets in the upper portion of the container and closure means for the outlets for the upper chambers which. is securely held in its adjusted positions, and a third charnber provided with an outlet in the lower portion of the chamber, and a closure means for the outlet for the third chamber securely held in its adjusted positions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description taken in connection with the =annexed drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container showing one side thereof in vertical section but omitting the closure slides;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the vertical section shown in Figure l but with the closureslides in closing position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the upper portion of the container with the closure slide at the top of the container disposed at one end of its track;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary View, similar to that shown in Figure 3 but with the closure slide disposed at the other end of its track; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the container with the closure slide thereof in its open position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 is a pill and Vvitamin container made of transparent or translucent plastic material. At least one wall for each chamber should be transparent so that users may determine the quantity and kind of product being carried and to give visual aid in dispensing the products. The container 1li is relatively thin so that it may be carried in a purse or a pocket of a garment. A horizontal wall 12 forms a chamber 14 in the bottom portion of the container 10. A vertical wall 16 forms two horizontally spaced

chambers

18 and 20 in the upper portion of the container 10.

Outlets

22 and 24 are formed in the top 26 of the

chambers

18 and 20 respectively. An arcuate groove-like track 28 is formed in the sides adjacent the top 26 of the container 10, and a very thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide 30 of plastic or metallic material which is normally at throughout its entire length and breadth is slidably mounted in the track 28. The inherent tendency of the slide 30 to straighten out to its normal flat position aids to hold the slide in any adjusted position in the track 28. The slide 30 is provided with a nib 32 on its bottom intermediate its ends. A knob 34 is provided on the top of the slide 30 as a means for actuating the slide 30. The top of the dividing wall 16 is provided with a depression or hole 36.

When the slide 30 is in the intermediate position in track 28, the nib 32 engages the depression 36 in wall 16 and positively holds the slide in this position. In its intermediate position in track 28, slide 30 closes

outlets

22 and 24 for chambers 18 and Ztl respectively, see Figure 2.

Moving the slide to the left end of the track 28 opens the outlet 24 of chamber 2t), see Figure 3. Moving the slide 30 to the right end of the track 28, opens outlet 22 for chamber 18, see Figure 4.

When the slide 30 is iitted into the track 28, each end of the slide 30 exerts a pressure against the upper surface of the track 28 and the middle of the track exerts a pressure against the bottom of the track.

The opposite ends of the slide 3d on its upper side may be provided with a nib for engaging a depression on the upper side of the track at each end thereof for locking the slide in adjusted positions.

The bottom chamber 14 is provided with an outlet 40 in its bottom 42. An arcuate track 44 is formed in the sides adjacent the bottom 42 on its left side, see Figure 1. A very thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide 46 similar to slide 30 is slidably mounted in the track 44. Slide 46 is provided with a nib 48 formed in its bottom adjacent one end thereof and a knob or stop member 50 is formed on the bottom of the slide 46 at its opposite end. The track `44 is provided with a nib or stop means 52 at the left end of the outlet 4t), and a nib or stop member or means 54 is formed on the track `44 at the opposite end of the outlet 40. As will be apparent from the drawing the nibs or stop means 52 and 54 are spaced apart by the outlet opening 40 and project into the chamber 14 from the curved bottom wall portion of the container, being located adjacent opposite ends of the outlet opening. The slide `46 is shown in closed position over the outlet 40 for the chamber 14, see Figure 2. When the slide 46 is in closed position nib 48 is engaged against the inside of the nib S2, and the` knob 50 engages the stop means 54 on the right end of the outlet 40, and the nib 52 on the bottom wall 42 prevents the slide moving to the left and the knob 50 prevents .the slide moving to the right of the track, see Figure 2.

When the slide `46 is moved to the left in the track 44, the'iiib 48 on the slide 46 passes over nib 52 on the bottom wall 42, see Figure 5,`and the inherent tendency of the slide 46 to straighten out in the track 44 holds-the slide 46 in its open position.

Certain variations from the precisev forms illustrated will suggest themselves to anyone skilled inthe art. It is not, therefore, intended to limit 'this invention `to the precisedisclosure, but only asset forth in Vthe subjoined claims which are to be broadly construed.

I claim:

1. 'A container having a curved top provided with an elongated opening, a vertical partition wall formed in the container, extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said opening and providing la pair of chambers each having an outlet communicating with a portion of said opening, the partition Wall being provided with a depression in its top, an arcuate track beneath the top of the container adjacent and panalleling the longitudinal sides of said opening and projecting beyond the ends of the opening, an adjustable cover for said opening comprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide, normally substantially tlat over its full length and breadth, loosely mounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track and stressed out of its normally substantially flatcondition, nib means formed in the bottom of the slide medially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to either end of the track for uncovering an outlet to one of said chambers, and being movable to an intermediate position for engaging the nib on the bottom of the slide with the depression in the top of the partition wall, thereby closing the outlets for said pair of chambers.

2. A container having a curved outer wall portion provided with an elongated opening, a partition formed in the container extending from said opening transversely of the longitudinal axis of said opening and providing a pair of chambers each having an outlet communicating with a portion of said elongated opening, the partition being provided with a depression adjacent said opening, an arcuate track adjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said outlet opening and projecting beyond the ends of the opening, an adjustable cover for said opening comprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide, normally substantially llat over its full length and breadth, loosely mounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track and stressed out of its normally substantially flat condition, nib means formed in the slide medially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to either end of the track for uncovering an outlet lto one of said chambers, and being movable to an intermediate position for engaging the nib on the slide with the depression formed in the partition, thereby closing the outlets for said pair of chambers.

3. A container having a curved top provided with an elongated opening, a vertical partition wall formed in the container extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said opening and providing a pair of chambers, each of said chambers being provided with an outlet portion cornmunicating with the opening, the partition wall at its top extending to said opening and being provided with a depression in its top, an arcuate track formed beneath the top of the container adjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said opening and projecting beyond the ends of the outlet, an adjustable cover for said opening comprising a resilient elongated rectangular upper slide, normally substantially flat over its full length and breadth, loosely mounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track stressed out of its normally .substantially dat condition, nib means formed in the bottom of the slide medially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to one end of the track for uncovering an outlet for one of said chambers, and being movable to the other end of the track for uncovering 4the outlet for the other of said chambers, and being Vmovable to an intermediate position for engaging the nib on the bottom of the slide with the depression in the top of the wall, thereby closing the outlets for both of said chambers, a third chamber in the lower portion of the container having a curvedwbottom, said chamber being provided with an elongated outlet in its bottom, an arcuate track of greater length than the bottom outlet formed in the said third chamber adjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said outlet, an adjustable cover for said outlet comprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide shorter than the `track but longer than said bottom outlet, said slide being normallysubstantially at over its full length-andbreadth, Vand loosely mounted for sliding movement in the bottomV arcuate track stressed out of its normally substantially at condition, a nib formed on one portion of the bottom slide, a second nib formed on a sccond spaced apart portion ofthe bottom slide, a irst stop means formed on the bottom track adjacent one end of the bottom outlet, a second stop means formed on the bottom track adjacent the opposite end of the bottom outlet, the slide being movable-to one end of the ltrack yfor uncovering vthe bottom outlet and being movable to the other end of the track `for closing the bottom outlet, the nib on the one portion of the bottom slide engaging'the iirst stop means to prevent the slide from moving in one direction in the track, and the second nib on the slide engaging the second stop means on the track-when the slide is in closed position over the bottom outlet.

4. A container'having an outer wall provided with'an elongated opening, a vertical partition wa1l-formed vin the container, extending transversely of theV longitudinal axis of said opening and providing a pair of chambers each having an outlet communicating with a portion ofsaid opening, the partition wall being provided with a depression in its top, an arcuate track beneath the outer wall of the container adjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said opening and projecting beyond the ends of the opening, an adjustable cover for said opening comprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide, normally substantially at over its fulllength and'breadth, loosely mounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track and stressed out of its normally substantially flat condition, nibmeans formed in the bottom of the slide medially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to eitherA end of the track for uncovering an outlet to one of said chambers, and being movable to an intermediate position for engaging the nib on the bottom of the -slide with thel'depression in the top of the partition wall, thereby' closing the outlets for said pair of chambers.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the outer wall is atop.

6. A container having a chamber with an outer wall portion, said chamber being provided with anelongated outlet in its outer Wall, anarcuate' track of' greater length than the outlet formed in the said chamber adjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said outlet, said track comprising a pair of track portions formed in opposite sides of the container, each said track portion comprising a groove, an adjustable cover for said outletcomprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide shorter than the track but longer than the outlet, said slide being' normally `substantially at over its `full length andV breadth, and loosely mounted `for sliding movement in the arcuate trackstressed out of its normally substantially at condition, a nib formed on one portion of the slide on the face opposite said chamber, a knob formed on Vthefsan'ie face of the slide as said nib but longitudinally spaced therefrom, spaced first and second stop means formedon said container wall and projecting inwardly into the chamber adjacent opposite ends of said elongated opening, the slide being of substantially less thickness than the width of said side grooves and being movable to one end of the track for uncovering the outlet and being movable to the other end of -the track for closing the outlet, the nibaon said slide engaging the first stop means to prevent-'the slide moving in one direction in the track, and the knob on the slide engaging the second stop means when Vrthe slide is in closed position over lthe outlet.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the outer wall portion is a top.

8. A container having a chamber therein, having a curved wall portion and an elongated outlet in the curved wall portion, an arcuate track of greater length than the outlet and comprising a pair of track portions formed in opposite sides of the container and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said outlet, each said side track portion comprising a groove, an adjustable cover for said outlet comprising a single thin resilient elongated rectangular slide shorter than the track but longer than said outlet, said slide being of substantially less thickness than the width of the groove of the side track portions and being normally substantially at over its full length and breadth, and loosely mounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track and stressed out of its normally substantially at condition, a nib formed on the portion of the slide on one face opposite said chamber, a knob formed on the same face of the slide as said nib but longitudinally spaced therefrom, spaced first and second stop means formed on said container wall and projecting inwardly into the chamber adjacent opposite ends of said elongated opening, the slide being movable to one end of the track for uncovering the outlet and being movable to the other end of the track for closing the outlet, the nib on said slide engaging the first stop means to prevent the slide moving in one direction inthe track, and the knob on the slide engaging the second stop means when the slide is in closed position over the outlet.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 358,450 Hurlbut Mar. 1, 1887 519,578 Hurlbut May 8, 1894 919,878 Kamenstein Apr. 27, 1909 1,214,158 Hansen Jan. 30, 1917 2,011,394 Bruns et al Aug. 13, 1935 2,214,993 De Witt Sept. 17, 1940 2,412,332 Hansen Dec. 10, 1946 2,480,733 Hermani Aug. 30, 1949 2,582,821 Duell etal Ian. 15, 1952 2,722,309 Waterman Nov. 1, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 132,183 Sweden Iuly 3, 1951 408,194 Great Britain July 1, 1932 592,717 Great Britain Sept. 26, 1947