WO1997027113A1

WO1997027113A1 - Container with cap holder

Info

Publication number: WO1997027113A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/001120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter S. Takacs
Original assignee: Capwell, L.L.C.
Priority date: 1996-01-25
Filing date: 1997-01-24
Publication date: 1997-07-31
Also published as: AU1708997A

Abstract

A container (1) is formed of glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, paper or the like. The container has a well (16), or enclosed recessed socket having one open face, formed in the side (10) or the top (11) thereof. The side or top cap well is shaped so as to grip and hold the cap (8) of the container when said cap is removed from the neck (3) of the container and inserted into the cap well. The cap well may be of any shape, as long as when the cap is in the well, at least one extended area of the wall panel (19) of the well is congruent with and presses across at least one extended area of the cap wall (7) to releasably grip the cap securely in the well. Alternatively, the well panel may press against the wall of the cap at a plurality of lines or points (preferably, three or more).

Description

CONTAINER WITH CAP HOLDER

Technical Field

This invention relates to capped containers, more particularly to a bottle, can, jug or similar container having a well or recess in its side or top for temporarily holding its

cap. Background Art

While pouring fluids or granulated solids from containers sealed with screw- off or pry-off caps, one confronts a dilemma concerning the cap. If one sets the cap aside, it may become misplaced or otherwise unavailable if later needed to reseal a container whose contents have been dispensed only partially. If the container is drained and discarded, the cap must be retrieved from its place of temporary storage and separately discarded. If one has

moved around with the container while dispensing its contents, the cap may be some distance away.

There is also the possibility that the container cap, being a small and seemingly insignificant item, will not be disposed of properly. Billions of thoughtlessly discarded caps

are, in the aggregate, a significant environmental pollution problem. For beverage cans, this problem largely has been solved by "pop-top" seals that remain attached to the can after opening.

The invention described in U.S. Patent 5,244,106 provided a somewhat analogous remedy for the problem of holding and disposing caps of certain glass or plastic

bottles. It furnished a means for the user to attach the cap to the bottom base ofthe bottle so

that the cap would be readily available for reuse. Furthermore, the two automatically could be

discarded together without further effort. The attachment means was a well recessed in the bottom base ofthe bottle which was deeper than the height ofthe cap. This prevented the cap from projecting out the bottom ofthe bottle when the cap was in the well. This excess well

depth thus prevented the bottle from becoming unstable during storage ofthe cap.

While useful in many respects, particularly for beverage bottles (where users may prefer a regular side surface for ready gripping) this type of cap well has been found to

have disadvantages in certain situations. First, the excess height of a bottom cap well may

slightly decrease the capacity ofthe container, if only as a matter of consumer misperception.

Second, bottom cap wells are obscured from the view ofthe user during nor¬ mal orientation ofthe container (e.g., when on sales shelves). Therefore, a certain amount of prior education is needed to alert users to the presence of this convenient feature.

Third, in order to grip and remove a cap from a well whose depth is greater than the height ofthe cap, a side opening or openings, called finger wells, need to be pro¬ vided within which to allow the user's fingers access to the cap. This may further enhance the potential for consumer misperception of decreased capacity. Fourth, some users may tip a bottom well container slightly to the side when removing the cap, creating some risk of spillage. While this is not much of a problem with

beverage containers, even a slight risk of spillage can be very inconvenient or dangerous

when using containers that hold chemicals — such as paint, oil or the like.

Finally, bottom cap wells are not able to be formed in containers made by certain molding processes. For example, in the process known as extrusion blow molding,

which uses a breakaway two-part mold, no significant undercuts may be present on the part

ofthe mold corresponding to the bottom ofthe container to be produced. Such undercuts

prevent the container from breaking free ofthe mold. A bottom cap well produces a very

significant, and hence unworkable, undercut. Certainly, there are other molding processes available, including pre-form blow molding (involving a three-part mold) which can produce bottom cap wells. However, certain containers are most efficiently produced using extrusion blow molding, or similar two-part molding processes.

There is a need, therefore, for containers having cap wells that do not have the aforementioned disadvantages ofthe bottom cap well of U.S. Patent 5,244,106.

Prior developments in this field may be generally illustrated by reference to the following:

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Patent No. Patentee Issue Date

5,050,757 D. Hidding et al. Sep. 24, 1991 5,156,283 S. Sampson Oct. 20, 1992 Des. 247, 767 C. Sagona Apr. 25, 1978 5,165,558 D. Cargile Nov. 24, 1992 5,201,431 J. Berger et al. Apr. 13, 1993 Des. 330,327 G. Messer Oct. 20, 1992 Des. 344,024 G. Charbonneau Feb. 08, 1994 4,881,650 R. Bartz Nov. 21, 1989

OTHER PATENT DOCUMENTS

Document No. Country Date

20457 Norway Aug. 29, 1910 U.S. Patents 5,050,757, 5,156,283, D247.767, 5,265,558 and 5,201,431 teach bottle-like containers with indentations in the side with which to hold various objects. How¬

ever, no disclosure is made of one configured to hold the container's cap.

U.S. Patents D330,327, D344,024 and 4,881,650 teach containers with inden¬

tations of various shapes and purposes and are representative of what is in the art.

The relevance ofthe item listed above which is not in the English language lies

in the material shown in the drawings thereof. Summary Disclosure of Invention

A container formed of glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, paper or the like has a well, or open-faced socket, formed in the side or top thereof. The side or top cap well is shaped to grip and hold the cap ofthe container when said cap is removed from the neck of the container and inserted into the cap well.

To distinguish it from the cap wall, the well's circumferential wall will be called its panel. The cap well may be of any shape, as long as when the cap is in the well at least one extended surface area ofthe well panel is congruent with and presses across at least one extended surface area ofthe cap to grip the cap securely in the well. Alternatively, the well panel may press against the cap at a plurality of lines or points (preferably at least three). For example, if the cap is cylindrical (circular in cross section) and the well is triangular (Fig. 5A), the cap will be held in the well by touching the latter at only three points — one in the center of each side ofthe triangle. In order for the cap to be stored and held in the well, the cap need only have a portion or portions of its wall (which portions may comprise lines, or even points, rather than extended surfaces) that are substantially congruent with and immediately adjacent to a corresponding portion or portions ofthe well panel. Pref¬ erably, however, the well and the cap are ofthe same general shape. That is, they are shaped wholly congruently so as to nest together.

The invention allows one temporarily to keep and store the cap with the con- tainer while the container is open. The cap then is in a convenient location readily available to be replaced on the container when needed. Alternatively, when empty, the container may be discarded with the cap still held in the well. This reduces the possibility that the cap may be separately discarded carelessly, forming a small piece of hard-to-collect litter. Features and Advantages

An advantage of this invention over the bottom cap well of U.S. Patent 5,244,106 is that a side or top cap well need not be deeper than the height ofthe cap. Indeed, it preferably is shallower — allowing the cap to project outward from the container. This, in turn, eliminates the need for a finger well or wells with which to grip the cap for removal. Of course, deep cap wells having finger wells still may be used, particularly in situations where decreasing the capacity ofthe container (or, more to the point, creating the impression in the consumer that capacity has decreased) is not an issue.

A further advantage is that the cap well is in sight ofthe consumer and, hence, is more likely to be used. Furthermore, the cap remains in sight while in the well, so that the temporary location thereof is not easily forgotten. Nor does the container have to be tipped, or raised off the surface upon which it rests, in order to remove the cap from the well.

An additional advantage is that it is possible to mold cap wells in the sides of containers made by certain molding processes that do not permit the formation of bottom cap wells.

An object of this invention is to disclose container apparatus including: a neck, a cap removably affixed to the neck; a bottom base at the lowermost extremity ofthe con¬ tainer operatively connected to the neck, for resting the container on a horizontal surface; at least one cap well, the cap well being formed in a part ofthe container other than the base thereof; and means for gripping and storing the cap when the cap is in the cap well. The con¬ tainer has only a single cap and is sold with the well empty. Therefore, only one cap need be dealt with during use and disposal and the well is always available to hold it.

A further object is to disclose such apparatus wherein the gripping and storing means comprises physical configurations ofthe cap and ofthe cap well, said configurations shaped so as to mate the cap and the cap well in nested friction-generating relationship when the cap is in the cap well.

Yet a further object is to include a container side or top operatively connect¬ ing the base to the neck, the cap well being formed in the container side or top. Another object is to disclose container apparatus including: a neck having a mouth opening; a single cap removably affixed over the smaller neck, the cap having a height, the container having at most one cap; a container side; a top; a bottom base at the lowermost extremity ofthe container for resting the container on a horizontal surface, the base opera¬ tively connected to the container side, the side operatively connected to the top, the neck op- eratively connected to the side or top; at least one cap well for gripping and storing the cap, the cap well being formed in a part ofthe container other than the base thereof, the cap well having a depth; and means for gripping and storing the cap when the cap is in the cap well. Again, the well is empty and readily available when the sole cap ofthe container is sealed over the neck and mouth opening. Accordingly, an object is to disclose such an apparatus wherein the height of the cap is greater than the depth ofthe cap well. The disclosed apparatus may further include a raised ring formed on the cap.

Preferably, the cap wall and well panel are substantially cylindrical.

Yet another object is to disclose container apparatus including: a generally vertical container side; a threaded neck formed above the container side; a single cap re¬ movably affixed to the neck, the cap having a height; a horizontal bottom base at the lower¬ most extremity ofthe container; the base connected below the container side; and recessed cap well means for releasably holding the cap onto the container by force of friction, the cap well means being formed in the container side, the cap well means having a depth. The cap well is empty when the cap is affixed to the neck.

In one disclosed apparatus, when the cap is in the cap well means, preferably at least one extended area ofthe cap well means is congruent with and presses across at least one extended area ofthe cap. Alternatively, when the cap is in the cap well means, the cap well means contacts the cap at a plurality of points.

Another object is to disclose apparatuses that are easy to use, attractive in ap¬ pearance and suitable for mass production at relatively low cost.

Other novel features which are characteristic ofthe invention, as to organiza- tion and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be

better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompa¬ nying drawing, in which a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated by way of ex¬ ample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration and de¬ scription only and is not intended as a definition ofthe limits ofthe invention. Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following de¬ scription for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as "upwardly," "downwardly," "leftward," and "rightward" would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as "inwardly" and "outwardly" would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singu¬ lar tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 A is an exploded front elevation of a first embodiment of this invention, showing a container with its cap in a first position; Fig. IB is a side elevation ofthe container of Fig. 1 A, showing the cap in a second position;

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned front elevation of a second embodiment ofthe invention;

Fig. 3A is a front elevation of a third embodiment of this invention, showing a can with its cap in a first exploded position;

Fig. 3B is a side elevation ofthe can of Fig. 3 A, showing the cap in a second nested position;

Fig. 4A is a front elevation of a fourth embodiment of this invention, showing a container with its cap in a first exploded position;

Fig. 4B is a top plan view ofthe container of Fig. 4 A, showing the cap in a second position;

Fig. 4C is a side elevation ofthe container of Fig. 4A, showing the cap in the second position; and Figs. 5A-F are schematic views of caps of various shapes stored in cap wells of various shapes.

Drawing Reference Numerals

D depth

H height 1 container

3 neck

4 threads

5 interior cavity mouth opening

wall

cap

10 side

11 top

14 base

16 cap well

17 face 19 circumferential panel

201 container

203 neck

204 threads 207 wall

208 cap

210 side

211 top 214 base 216 cap well

217 face

219 circumferential panel

301 container 303 neck

304 threads

307 wall

308 cap

310 side

311 top

314 base

316 cap well

317 face

319 circumferential panel

320 rim

401 container

403 neck

404 threads

407 wall

408 cap

409 ring

410 side 414 base

416 cap well

417 face

418 finger well

419 circumferential panel 508 cap

516 cap well

519 circumferential panel 530 point

531 point

532 point

608 cap 616 cap well 619 circumferential panel

630 point

631 point

632 point

633 point 708 cap

716 cap well

719 circumferential panel

730 point

731 point 732 point

733 point

808 cap

816 cap well 819 circumferential panel

830 point

831 point

832 point

833 point

908 cap

916 cap well

919 circumferential panel

930 point 931 point

932 point

933 point

934 point 1008 cap 1016 cap well

1019 circumferential panel

1030 point

1031 point

1032 point

1033 point

1034 point

It is to be noted that, for convenience, the last two positions ofthe reference

numerals of alternate embodiments ofthe invention duplicate those ofthe numerals ofthe

embodiment of Fig. 1, where reference is made to similar or corresponding parts. However, it should not be concluded merely from this numbering convention that similarly numbered

parts are equivalents.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention and Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figs. 1 A and IB, there is illustrated therein a first cap well con- tainer 1 of this invention. The four sides 10 ofthe container lead from a bottom or base 14 up to a top 11, which top in this embodiment slopes slightly upward toward a neck 3. The neck protrudes up from three sides and the top. The neck bears threads 4 and terminates in a

mouth opening 6. In many containers (for example, plastic or glass bottles) the base 14, side or sides 10, top 11, and the neck 3, as well as the remainder ofthe container, are formed of a

single layer of more or less uniform thickness, usually through a molding process.

A cap 8 has a vertical cylindrical wall 7 forming an outwardly and down¬ wardly opening interior cavity 5, into which cavity fits the neck 3. On the interior surface of the cap cavity 5 are threads (not illustrated) which match threads 4. For convenience of refer¬

ence, the exterior surface ofthe cap 8 shall be considered to comprise the radially outermost

surface ofthe wall 7 and not the threaded interior surface ofthe cap cavity 5. The cap 8 has a

circumferential ring or lip 9 projecting radially outward from its bottom end (i.e., the open or cavity end).

In at least one side 10 ofthe container 1 is formed an inwardly projecting cy¬

lindrical recess or cap well 16, which recess comprises cap well means, including means for

gripping and storing the cap 8. As sold, the cap well 16 is empty, the container's sole cap

being seated on the neck 3. The container 1 comes filled with fluid or granulated solid con¬ tents. An inner face 17 and circumferential wall panel 19 (cylindrical in this embodiment) form the cap well 16. Together, they seal the well from the contents ofthe container 1. The circumferential panel 19 forms the side exterior ofthe cap well ("exterior" in the sense that, while inwardly directed, it forms the outside ofthe container 1 overall).

The inner extent or depth D (Fig. IB) ofthe cap well 16 from its face 17 out

to the plane ofthe side 10 ofthe container 1 preferably is less than the height H ofthe cap 8.

This results in the cap extending outward from the side 10 when the cap is removed from the neck 3 (Fig. 1 A) and pressed into the cap well 16 (Fig. IB). A significant portion ofthe cap extends out beyond the plane ofthe side 10 so that the cap easily may be grasped and re¬ moved from the well without the need for finger well recesses.

The minimum width ofthe cap well 16 (or, when circular, the minimum di- ameter thereof) substantially equals the maximum width ofthe cap 8 (at ring 9, see below). Insofar as the neck 3 ofthe container 1 must screw within the cavity 5 that forms the interior surface ofthe cap 8, the maximum width ofthe container neck 3 will be considerably smaller than the maximum width ofthe cap 8 (i.e., smaller by at least twice the thickness ofthe verti¬ cal wall 7 ofthe cap 8).

The cap 8 easily is pressed into the cap well 16 by hand. Once gripped in the

cap well, the cap may be stored there, where it is more or less out ofthe way. It remains

visible and readily accessible.

Generally, at least a portion of panel 19 is configured to exert a slight inwardly

directed compressive force against at least part ofthe wall 7 ofthe cap 8 when the cap is in

the well. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, both the cap 8 and the well 16 are cylindrical in shape. The circumference ofthe well is either substantially equal in diameter to that ofthe cap or, preferably, very slightly smaller. Therefore, a compressive force will be generated to

create friction between the two, which friction will securely grip and hold the cap 8 in the

well 16 when the container 1 is moved. Even if the circumferences are substantially equal, friction still will hold the light cap in the well — friction will be created, for example, by slight surface irregularities generated in the molding process. Furthermore, the cap 8 will tend to tip downward slightly in the well 16 due to gravity. Insofar as a cylinder cannot tip axially within a congruent cylinder, this action will further seat the cap. Therefore, when it is said herein that a cap well has at least one circumference or portion substantially congruent with and substantially equal to (or slightly smaller than) at least one corresponding circumference or portion of a cap, it is to be understood that the cir¬ cumferences or portions are to be matched to the extent that the cap may be pressed into the well relatively freely, yet fit closely enough therein to be gripped and stored until grasped by the user's fingers for removal. Shaping the physical configurations ofthe cap 8 and the well 16 so as to mate them, either partially or substantially completely, comprises the means for gripping and storing the cap in the well.

Again, the cap 8 is light — it needs only to be gripped securely enough to pre¬ vent it from falling out ofthe cap well 16 due to its own weight as the container 1 is moved. For this, it is not necessary to have the circumferential panel 19 ofthe well contact the cap along the entire cap wall 7. Ring 9 is of a type commonly found in plastic caps. It normally projects slightly outward beyond the circumference ofthe cap wall 7 and thereby presents the maximum diameter thereof. When the cap 8 is in the well 16, only ring 9 contacts the circum¬ ferential panel 19, as shown in Fig. IB. An advantage ofthe ringed cap configuration is that the cap only may be seated in the well when ring 9 is inserted first, so as to seat innermost in the well. Not only is this more sanitary, but if a small amount of fluid is present in the cap (as when the container is shaken before the cap is removed), it will be trapped, at least temporarily, in the well. This

is because the cap cavity 5 becomes sealed against the well face 17 and the ring 9 becomes sealed against the circumferential panel 19. If the container is discarded without the cap ever being removed from the cap well 16, such trapped fluid effectively will never be spilled.

Alternate cap well gripping and storing means comprise, for example, a well

having portions directed radially inward or other significantly inwardly directed surface ir-

regularities on the circumferential panel 19, which portions or irregularities (surfaces, lines or points) are the only parts ofthe well that actually contact portions ofthe wall 7 ofthe cap 8 (see, e.g., Figs. 5A-5F). These are equivalent to the preferred cap well means, even though the overall measured circumference of such a cap well then likely is greater than that ofthe

cap and even though the two circumferences then might not be wholly congruent (except for congruency at discrete contacting portions). The contacting portions of such cap wells and

caps can be said to define their "effective" or "working" circumferences, i.e., portions ofthe

overall circumferences of each, which working portions are congruent and contact each other with friction-generating force when the cap is fit in the well.

If the user dispenses the entire contents ofthe container 1 in one pouring, dis- posing ofthe container automatically will dispose ofthe previously stored cap 8. Should,

however, the user wish to re-seal the container to protect the contents for later pourings, the

cap remains accessible in the cap well 16 for ready retrieval, even should the container be

moved from the location at which it was opened.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment ofthe invention, namely, a bottle or container 201 in which a cap well 216 is formed in the top 211 ofthe container, rather than in

the side 210 thereof.

As in the previous embodiment, the four sides 210 ofthe container lead from a

bottom or base 214 up to a top 211, which top slopes slightly upward toward a neck 203.

The neck bears threads 204 and terminates in a standard mouth opening. A cap 208 has a vertical cylindrical wall 207. The cap 208 has a circumferen¬

tial ring or lip 209 projecting radially outward from its bottom end (i.e., the open or cavity

end).

In the top 211 ofthe container 201 is formed an inwardly projecting cylindri- cal recess or cap well 216. An inner face 217 and circumferential wall panel 219 (cylindrical in this embodiment) form the cap well 216. Together, they seal the well from the contents of

the container 201.

When in the well, a significant portion ofthe cap extends out beyond the plane ofthe top 211, so that the cap easily may be grasped and removed from the well without the need for finger well recesses. The minimum width ofthe cap well 216 substantially equals the maximum width ofthe cap 208 (at ring 209, see below). The cap 208 easily is pressed into the cap well 216 by hand. Once gripped in the cap well, the cap may be stored there, where it

is more or less out ofthe way. It remains visible and readily accessible. When the cap 208 is

in the well 216, only ring 209 contacts the circumferential panel 219.

Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment ofthe invention, namely, a metal con¬ tainer 301 in which a cap well 316 is formed in the top 311 ofthe container, rather than in a

side 310 thereof.

As in the previous embodiments, the four sides 310 ofthe container lead from

a bottom or base 314 up to a top 311, which top contains a neck 303. The neck bears

threads 304 and terminates in a standard mouth opening. As is common in cans of this type (used for paint thinner and the like), the top 311 is crimped to the sides 310 along a bead rim 320. The base 314 similarly is crimped to the sides 310 (not illustrated). A cap 308 has a vertical cylindrical wall 307. For illustrative purposes, the cap 308 of this embodiment has no circumferential ring projecting radially outward from its

bottom end, although it easily could have one.

In the top 311 ofthe container 301 is formed an inwardly projecting cylindri-

cal recess or cap well 316. An inner face 317 and circumferential wall panel 319 form the cap well 316 and together seal the well from the contents ofthe container 301.

When in the well, a significant portion ofthe cap extends out beyond the plane ofthe top 311. The minimum width ofthe cap well 316 substantially equals the maximum width ofthe cap 308. The cap 308 easily is pressed into the cap well 316 by hand. Once gripped in the cap well, the cap may be stored there, where it is readily visible and accessible.

When the cap 308 is in the well 316, the cap wall 307 contacts the circumferential panel 319 ofthe well 316.

Fig. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment ofthe invention, namely, a glass or

plastic bottle container 401 in which a cap well 416 is formed in the single side 410 thereof. The bottle container 401 is comprised ofthe horizontal base 414 and the cy¬

lindrical side 410, which side tapers up to the bottle neck 403. The tapered top portion ofthe side 410 could be considered to be the top ofthe bottle, in which case the neck 403 could be

considered to be formed either on the "side" or on the top. The neck bears threads 404 and

terminates in a standard mouth opening. A cap 408 has a vertical cylindrical wall 407. The cap 408 has a circumferen¬ tial ring 409 projecting radially outward from the bottom ofthe cap wall 407.

In the side 410 ofthe container 401 is formed an inwardly projecting cap

well 416. A vertical inner face 417 and circumferential wall panel 419 (cylindrical, as in the

prior embodiments) form the cap well 416. When in the cap well 416, no portion ofthe cap 408 extends out beyond the cylindrical envelope ofthe side 410 in this embodiment, this particular cap well being de¬

signed to recess the cap. The inner extent or depth D (Fig. 4C) ofthe cap well 416 from its face 417 out to the curved plane ofthe side 410 ofthe container 401 is equal to or greater than the height H ofthe cap 408 (Fig. 4A). This results in the cap being fully recessed in the

side 410 when it is removed from the neck 403 (Fig. 4 A) and pressed into the cap well 416 (Figs. 4B and 4C). Such a configuration may be desirable for use with small beverage bottles so that the cap will not interfere with the user's grip when it is in the cap well.

The cylindrical cap well 416 opens or expands radially outward into a single

finger well 418, which latter well comprises a concentric recessed ring or annulus, as perhaps

best seen by comparing Figs. 4A and 4C.

The user's fingers may enter the finger well 418 from any position to grasp the

wall 407 ofthe cap 408 and, for this reason, an annular finger well, such as well 418, will

generally be preferred. However, a bounded pair of finger wells may be substituted for the

annular well 418. Such finger well pairs are taught in more detail in U.S. Patent 5,244, 106. The finger well 418 opens radially outward toward the side 410. It tapers in¬ wardly from the side 410 to meet and merge into the cap well 416. The finger well 418 con¬

stantly contracts in diameter inward from the side to the cap well. It may be smoothly curved

into a concave form, as illustrated.

The minimum width ofthe cap well 416 substantially equals the maximum width ofthe cap 408. When the cap 408 is in the cap well 416, the cap ring 409 contacts the circumferential panel 419 ofthe cap well. Turning to Figs. 5A-5F, schematically illustrated therein is a series of cap well and cap configurations, which configurations comprise illustrative alternate means for means for gripping and storing a cap when the cap is in a cap well.

Fig. 5 A shows a cap 508 of circular cross-section captured in a cap well 516

of triangular cross-section. The cap 508 has a ring 509 which is gripped by the cap well panel 519 along only three lines ofthe surface ofthe ring. The three lines of contact along the surface ofthe ring 509 are three points at any one planar cross-section thereof — shown as

points 530, 531, and 532 in the figure.

It can be seen that if the wall panel 519 ofthe cap well 516 were to be made to taper from the front to the back ofthe cap well, then the lines of contact would in fact be

reduced to true points of contact. Either line contact or true point contact clearly is sufficient to grasp the cap. Both, however, will be referred to as "point contact," to distinguish the cap wells of Fig. 5 from the type shown in Figs. 1—4. In the latter, contact between the cap wells

and associated caps takes place along extended surface planes ("surface contact").

Fig. 5B shows a cap 608 of oval cross-section captured in a cap well 616 of hexagonal cross-section. The cap 608 is gripped by the cap well panel 619 along only four

places of point contact, namely, points (or lines) 630, 631, 632, and 633. It can be seen that

the oval cap 608 may be captured in three different positions in the cap well 616 merely by

rotating the cap an appropriate angle. Once seated, however, the cap may not be turned in the

well.

Fig. 5C shows a cap 708 of square cross-section captured in a cap well 716 of

circular cross-section. The cap 708 is gripped by the cap well panel 719 along only four

places of point contact, namely, points (or lines) 730, 731, 732, and 733. The cap may be

turned in the well once seated. Therefore, although only the points 730, 731, 732, and 733 of the cap are ever contacted by the well panel 719, the cap may contact any part ofthe surface

ofthe panel.

Fig. 5D shows a cap 808 of circular cross-section captured in a cap well 816 of very irregular and arbitrary cross-section. The cap 808 is gripped by the cap well panel 819

along four places of point contact, namely, points (or lines) 830, 831, 832, and 833. The cap may be turned in the well once seated. While only the points 830, 831, 832, and 833 ofthe well panel 819 may be contacted by the cap 808, the cap well may contact any part ofthe

wall surface ofthe cap.

Fig. 5E shows a cap 908 of circular cross-section captured in a cap well 916 having a generally circular cross-section, whose well panel 919 includes a regularly spaced series of inwardly projecting fillets. The cap 908 is gripped by the cap well panel 919 along five places of point contact, namely, points (or lines) 930, 931, 932, 933 and 934. The cap

may be turned in the well once seated.

Finally, Fig. 5F shows a cap 1008 of circular cross-section captured in a cap well 1016 having the cross-section of a five-pointed star. The cap 1008 is gripped by the cap

well panel 1019 along five places of point contact, namely, points (or lines) 1030, 1031,

1032, 1033 and 1034. It can be seen from Figs. 5D and 5F that the cross-section of a cap well (or cap) could be any shape — even the outline of a picture or a company logo. Industrial Applicability

Due to a compact shape and a design free of moving parts, the cap well of this

invention should enjoy widespread adoption in the fields of liquid beverage containers, as

well as containers for such commercial and industrial liquids as oils, paints, solvents and the like. Furthermore, it will enjoy application in containers for other pourable materials, such as

granulated washing detergent. The invention is particularly well adapted for use in containers holding poisonous, caustic, chemically reactive or extraordinarily valuable materials — where spillage is especially to be avoided. This is because the invention will reduce the likelihood of accidental spillage that might otherwise occur while looking for a lost or remotely stored cap.

Similarly, the modified containers of this invention are suited for holding highly volatile ma- terials that frequently must be uncapped and recapped.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently con¬ templated. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure ofthe preferred em¬ bodiments of this invention, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope ofthe invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, op¬ erational features or the like. For example, the cap, the cap well, or both, easily can be modi¬ fied to incorporate various mixtures of surface, line or true point contact along working cir¬ cumferences that provide the requisite gripping and storing means. A container designed to allow the cap to be rotated ninety degrees and inserted into the cap well sideways also would be included in this invention. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be

construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Container apparatus (1) including: a neck (3); a cap (8) removably affixed in a first position to the neck, the cap being the sole cap

ofthe container; a bottom base (14) at the lowermost extremity ofthe container, for resting the con¬

tainer on a horizontal surface; at least one container side (10) operatively connecting the base to the neck;

at least one cap well (16), the cap well being formed in a part ofthe container other than the base thereof, the cap well being empty when the cap is in the first position; and

means for gripping and storing the cap when the cap is in the cap well in a second

position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the gripping and storing means comprises physical configurations ofthe cap and the

cap well, the physical configurations shaped so as to mate the cap and the cap well in

friction-generating relationship when the cap is in the cap well, and further including threads (4) affixed to the container in cooperating relationship with the neck, the threads affixing the cap over the neck in the first position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the cap well is formed in a side ofthe container.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including: a container top (11), the at least one side operatively connecting the base to the top, the neck being formed on the top, the cap well also being formed on the top.

5. Container apparatus (1) including: a neck (3) having a maximum neck width and a mouth opening; a cap (8) removably affixed in a first position over the neck, the cap having a height and a maximum cap width larger than the maximum neck width, the container having at most one cap; a container side (10); a container top (11); a bottom base (14) at the lowermost extremity ofthe container for resting the con¬ tainer on a horizontal surface, the base operatively connected to the side, the side op¬ eratively connected to the top, the neck operatively connected to the side or top; at least one cap well (16) for gripping and storing the cap, the cap well being formed in a part ofthe container other than the base thereof, the cap well having a depth, the cap well being empty when the cap is in the first position; and means for gripping and storing the cap when the cap is in the cap well in a second position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the height ofthe cap is greater than the depth ofthe cap well.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including:

a cap wall (7) forming the circumference ofthe cap; and a panel (19) forming the circumference ofthe cap well, wherein the gripping and storing means includes at least one portion ofthe cap wall being substantially congruent to at least one portion ofthe well panel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including:

a raised ring (9) formed on the cap, the ring containing the cap wall portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the cap wall and well panel are substantially cylindrical.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 further including:

a cap wall (7) on the cap; and

a panel (19) on the cap well, wherein the gripping and storing means includes at least one portion ofthe

cap wall configured so as to press against at least one portion ofthe well panel when the cap is in the cap well.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further including:

a raised ring (9) formed on the cap, the ring containing the cap wall portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

the cap wall and well panel are substantially cylindrical.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

the cap well is formed in the side ofthe container.

14. Container apparatus (1) including:

a generally vertical container side (10);

a neck (3) having external threads (4), the neck formed above the container side; a cap (8) removably affixed in a first position to the neck by a mating ofthe cap with the neck threads, the cap having a height, the cap being the sole cap ofthe container;

a horizontal bottom base (14) at the lowermost extremity ofthe container; the base connected below the side;

and recessed cap well means (16) for releasably holding the cap in a second position onto the container by force of friction, the cap well means being formed in the side, the cap well means having a depth, the cap well means being empty when the cap is in the first position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein. the height ofthe cap is greater than the depth ofthe cap well means

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further including:

a raised ring (9) formed on the cap, the recessed cap well means releasably holding

the ring onto the container by force of friction.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further including: a container top (11) formed by the container side, the cap well means being formed in

the top.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: when the cap is in the cap well means, at least one extended area ofthe cap well means is congruent with and presses across at least one extended area ofthe cap.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: when the cap is in the cap well means, the cap well means contacts the cap at a plu¬ rality of points.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:

when the cap is in the cap well means, the cap well means contacts the cap at three or more points.