WO2012008942A1

WO2012008942A1 - Container having single piece support member and method of manufacture thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2012008942A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/041636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian D. Kovacevich
Original assignee: Edison Nation, Llc
Priority date: 2010-07-11
Filing date: 2010-07-11
Publication date: 2012-01-19
Also published as: CA2752922A1

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a container includes molding a bowl, molding a gimbal, molding a support member, mounting the bowl to the gimbal to facilitate rotational movement relative thereto, and mounting the gimbal to the support member to facilitate rotational movement relative thereto. The support member includes a base and a coupling integral with the base. The support member is co-injection molded.

Description

CONTAINER HAVING SINGLE PIECE SUPPORT MEMBER AND METHOD OF

MANUFACTURE THEREOF

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

[001] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention generally relates to a container and, more particularly, to a "spill-proof" container.

[003] Spill-proof containers marketed primarily for use by children are generally known. Such containers are typically designed for use with liquids such as milk and juice. Examples include U.S. Patent No. 1,509,734 to Langley and U.S. Patent No. 2,414,697 to Pettersson. The Langley patent discloses a drinking cup having an outer and an inner cup body, wherein the inner cup body is much more shallow than the outer cup body and fits in snug, sliding relation within the outer cup body. The inner cup body has holes in a peripheral wall thereof near a base thereof. When the drinking cup is tipped, liquid held in the outer cup body is able to flow into the inner cup body through one of the holes, wherein the liquid is accessible to a child using the drinking cup.

[004] The Pettersson patent discloses a drinking cup having a generally cylindrical body and a threaded, removable lid having a central depending cavity that terminates at a point above a bottom of the cup and an arcuate opening adjacent a periphery thereof. Liquid may be poured into the drinking cup through the central depending cavity. A user may access the liquid in the drinking cup through the opening in the lid.

[005] Spill-proof containers are also needed for solid snack-type food items such as crackers, cereal and the like. Containers for such snack-type food items are generally known. Examples include U.S. Patent No. 4,714,174 to Williams and U.S. Patent No. 6,656,514 to Tubbs. The Williams patent discloses a container having a first lid that covers a substantial portion of an interior of the container and that includes a tubular member that extends through downwardly into the interior of the container without reaching a bottom of the container and extends slightly upward above the first lid. The tubular member serves as a conduit allowing a user to access the interior of the container when the first lid is fitted onto the container. A second lid fits over the tubular member. A user may remove the second lid and access foodstuff located in the interior of the container via the tubular member.

[006] The Tubbs patent discloses a container having a spill-proof lid comprising generally triangular, flexible, resilient flaps that extend in a generally radial direction inwardly from a rim of the lid. The flaps are configured to meet or overlap one another. When a user presses a hand through the flaps, the flaps bend toward an interior of the container to allow a user's hand to pass there through but return to their original position when the user's hand is removed there from. The lid further comprises a channel having openings there through adjacent the rim. Food crumbs dropped on the lid thereby may be returned to the interior of the container through the openings of the channel.

[007] U.S. Patent No. 7,306,112 to Shepard and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0035644 Al to Dahlquist, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, disclose a spill-proof container for snack-type food items. The spill-proof container of Shepard includes a bowl and a support member that receives and supports the bowl. The bowl includes a counterweight attached thereto that acts to self-right the bowl regardless of the orientation of the support member. The container allows a user complete access to an interior of the bowl, i.e., a lid does not completely or partially obstruct the user's access or visibility to the interior of the bowl. Moreover, the container of Shepard does not utilize a lid to enhance the spill-proof characteristic of the container.

[008] While the container of Shepard is fit for its intended purpose, the container does have a drawback. The motion of the container is not fluid because of a frictional, sliding contact between the walls of the bowl and the support member. At least one aspect of the present invention overcomes this drawback of the Shepard container by eliminating the frictional, sliding contact between the walls of a bowl and a support member of a spill-proof container assembly, thereby providing smooth, fluid movement.

[009] The Dahlquist publication, similarly, discloses a spill-proof container that includes a bowl and a support member that receives and supports the bowl. Dahlquist further discloses a gimbal that attaches the bowl to the support member and eliminates much of the frictional sliding contact between the walls of the bowl and the support member. Additionally, the support member includes a base and coupling that is removably attachable to the base. The gimbal is secured to the support member via two arched recesses at the junction of the base and the coupling. [010] While the container of Dahlquist is fit for its intended purpose, the removably attachable coupling provides a significant drawback. When the container is in use the coupling can easily become disengaged from the base. Because the arched recesses in the coupling secure the gimbal and bowl, once the coupling is disengaged, the contents of the bowl can easily spill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[011] The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of a method of manufacture of a container assembly, the present invention is not limited to use only in this context, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[012] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a container assembly. An exemplary such method includes molding a bowl, molding a gimbal, molding a support member, mounting the bowl to the gimbal to facilitate rotational movement relative thereto, and mounting the gimbal to the support member to facilitate rotational movement relative thereto.

[013] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the support member comprises a base and a coupling integral with the base. In another feature, the support member is co-injection molded. In yet another feature, the coupling is co-injection molded to include a handle having a wide girth that circumferentially extends entirely around an upper portion of the base. In a further feature, the bowl includes a weight therein for biasing the bowl in a generally fixed orientation relative to the force of gravity when an orientation of the base changes. In an additional feature, the step of molding the support member includes introducing a plurality of openings extending completely therethrough from an interior to an exterior thereof. In yet another feature, the step of molding the support member includes introducing a plurality of feet extending from an exterior surface thereof for support of the container assembly on a surface. In an additional feature, the method further comprises the step of molding a lip that is removably attachable to the coupling and that inhibits rotational movement of the bowl relative to the base when the lid is attached to the coupling.

[014] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a container assembly. An exemplary such assembly includes a bowl, a gimbal to which the bowl is mounted for rotational movement relative thereto, a base at least partially encompassing the bowl, and a coupling integral with the base and that secures the gimbal to the base for rotational movement relative to the base. Furthermore, the bowl is suspended in an upright orientation relative to the base regardless of the orientation of the base.

[015] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the assembly further includes a handle having a wide girth that circumferentially extends entirely around an upper portion of the base. In another feature, the handle defines an opening for receipt therethrough of a finger or thumb of a hand for gripping and holding of the container assembly. In yet another feature, handle is integrally formed with the coupling. In still another feature, the bowl includes a weight incorporated therein for biasing the bowl in a generally fixed orientation relative to the force of gravity when an orientation of the base changes. In another feature, the base includes a plurality of openings extending completely therethrough from an interior to an exterior thereof. In still another feature, the base includes a plurality of feet extending from an exterior surface thereof for support of the container assembly on a surface. In a further feature still, a lid that is removably attachable to the coupling and that inhibits rotational movement of the bowl relative to the base when the lid is attached to the coupling. In yet another feature, a handle circumferentially extends entirely around an upper portion of the base and defines an opening for receipt therethrough of a finger or thumb of a hand for gripping and holding of the container assembly when the lid is attached to the coupling.

[016] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a container assembly. An exemplary such assembly includes a bowl, a support member at least encompassing said bowl, said support member comprising a base and a coupling integral with the base, and a gimbal disposed between and interconnecting said support member and said bowl, said gimbal configured to suspend said bowl in an upright orientation regardless of the orientation of the support member.

[017] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said coupling comprises opposed recesses and wherein a first pair of pins of said gimbal concentric to a first axis extend within said opposed recesses of said coupling. In another feature, said bowl defines opposed recesses and wherein a second pair of pins of said gimbal concentric to a second axis extend within said opposed recesses of said bowl. In yet another feature, said first axis and said second axis are generally orthogonally disposed relative to one another.

[018] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[019] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,

[020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container assembly (without a lid) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 that includes a lid;

[022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 that includes a lid;

[023] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1 that includes a lid;

[024] FIG. 5 is a bisectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 that includes a lid;

[025] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1; and

[026] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded side plan view of the container assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[027] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan") that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being "preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

[028] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. [029] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

[030] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein— as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term— differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

[031] Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, 96, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase "means for" or "step for" is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.

[032] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, "a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket having a single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one apple."

[033] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at least one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without crackers", "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese." [034] Additionally, as used herein, a "spill-proof" container or container assembly is generally intended to mean a container in which the contents will be substantially retained when the container is tilted, knocked over or otherwise rolled onto a side thereof or turned upside down. In contrast, a "spill-proof" container is not necessarily a container that retains its contents when in free fall or when dropped.

[035] Finally, as used herein, an "upright orientation" of a bowl is intended to refer to a disposition of a bowl wherein a plane containing a rim of an opening of the bowl is generally oriented orthogonal to the direction of the force of gravity.

[036] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

[037] FIGS. 1-6 provide multiple views of a spill-proof container assembly 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container assembly 10; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container assembly 10; FIG. 3 is side elevational view of the container assembly 10; FIG. 4 is a bisectional view of the container assembly 10 of FIG. 1, including a lid 84; FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the container assembly 10; and FIG. 6 is a partially exploded side plan view of the container assembly 10.

[038] The container assembly 10 includes a support member 12, a bowl 14, and a gimbal 16 disposed between and operatively interconnecting the support member 12 and the bowl 14. With reference particularly to FIGS. 1-3, each of these three components are now described in detail below.

The Support Member

[039] The support member 12 itself generally comprises a coupling 40 and a bowl-shaped base 38. The coupling 40 defines a rim 18 surrounding access to an interior space in which the gimbal 16 and bowl 14 are at least partially disposed. The base 38 as illustrated is substantially bowl-shaped; however, the base 38 alternatively could be a simple framework or other structure that at least partially encompasses the exterior of bowl 14 and serves to support the bowl 14 via the gimbal 16.

[040] The coupling 40 is integral with the top of the base 38. More particularly, the coupling 40 and the base 38 are co-injection molded into a single, integral part. This is an improvement over a support member that includes a coupling that is detachable from a base. The coupling 40 includes a handle 13, an interior surface 44, and a rim 18 that surrounds an opening 20 through which the gimbal 16 and the bowl 14 are generally free to move, as described below.

[041] Two generally circular recesses 54 are formed in the interior surface 44 and are arranged in opposite facing relation to one another. The recesses 54 are adapted to secure a second pair of pins 82 of the gimbal 16 to the support member 12, as discussed in greater detail below. The pair of recesses 54 of the interior surface 44 thereby facilitate connection of the gimbal 16 to the support member 12.

[042] On the bottom of the support member 12 are disposed a plurality of feet 30, which aid in maintaining the support member 12 in a stable, upright orientation when it is placed on a surface, such as a tabletop. The plurality of feet 30 include three rounded feet that are evenly spaced from one another and that extend from an exterior surface 34 of the support member. Although three rounded feet 30 are used in the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that any number of feet may be used, as desired, so long as the support member 12 is maintained in a stable, upright orientation when placed, for example, on a tabletop.

[043] A plurality of openings 36 extend through the bottom 32 of the base 38. The openings 36 provide passages by which may be removed food debris that has fallen between the support member 12 and the bowl 14.

[044] The handle 13 extends circumferentially completely about the coupling 40. Specifically, the handle 13 is integrally formed with the coupling 40 and includes a wide girth "G" (shown in FIG. 7) that flares radially outwardly from the access opening defined by the rim 18. Furthermore, the handle 13 defines three openings 15, each being dimensioned for receipt therethrough of one or more fingers of a child for griping of the handle 13 and holding of the container assembly 10.

[045] The handle 13 is advantageous because it has been found in product testing that the natural tendency of young children is, when a handle is not present, to grip and hold the container assembly 10 at the rim 18. As will be appreciated, gripping and holding the container assembly 10 at the rim 18 of the coupling 40 can inhibit free rotational movement of the bowl 14 relative to the support member 12 which, in turn, can defeat the "no spill" benefits provided by the container assembly 10.

[046] In contrast, it is believed that handle 13 is an improvement because it is believed that the natural tendency of young children will be to grip and hold the container assembly 10 at handle 13, with one or more fingers extending through one or more of the openings 15. As will be appreciated, gripping and holding the container assembly 10 at the handle 13 does NOT inhibit free rotational movement of the bowl 14 relative to the base 38, and, thus, does NOT defeat the "no spill" benefits provided by the container assembly 10.

[047] Furthermore, due to the girth "G" of handle 13 (shown in FIG. 7), it is believed that it would be somewhat awkward— if not extremely difficult— for a baby or toddler to grip with fingers and thumb the container assembly 10 between the rim 18 of the coupling 40 and the exterior circumferential periphery 17 of the handle 13. Thus, the girth of the handle 13 combined with the proximity of the handle 13 to the access opening in the base 38 is believed to further reduce the tendency of a young child to grip and hold the container assembly 10 so as to inhibit free rotational movement of the bowl 14 relative to the base 38.

The Gimbal

[048] The gimbal 16 comprises a ring-shaped member having a peripheral wall 70. The peripheral wall 70 has an interior surface 72 and an exterior surface 74. The gimbal 16 also includes a first pair of gimbal pins 76 that protrude inwardly in a radial direction from the interior surface 72 of the peripheral wall 70. The first pair of pins 76 generally are coaxially disposed relative to one another and are concentric with a first gimbal axis 78. The gimbal 16 further includes a second pair of pins 82 that protrude outwardly in a radial direction from the exterior surface 74 of the peripheral wall 70. The second pair of pins 82 generally are coaxially disposed relative to one another and are concentric with a second gimbal axis 80, which is generally orthogonal to the first gimbal axis 78, i.e., the first and second gimbal axes 78,80 are substantially at a 90 degree angle with respect to each other.

The Bowl

[049] The bowl 14 is semi-spherically shaped and includes a rim 22 that surrounds an opening or "mouth" 24 of the bowl 14. The bowl 14 is received within the interior space of the base 38 of the support member 12, with an exterior surface 26 of the bowl 14 extending preferably substantially adjacent— but out of contact with— an interior surface 28 of the base 38 when the bowl 14 is disposed therein. The bowl 14 and the support member 12 are configured such that the rim 18 of the handle 13 of the support member 12 may be aligned with the rim 22 of the bowl 14 when the bowl 14 is disposed within the base 38. As such, the opening 20 of the support member 12 and the mouth 24 of the bowl 14 may be aligned and disposed in concentric relation to each other.

[050] The bowl 14 preferably includes a substantially planar bottom 56. Furthermore, a cylindrical connection member 58 extends from the exterior surface 26 of a center of the bottom 56 of the bowl 14. A counterweight 62 that is generally disk-like in shape is detachably connected to the bottom 56 of the bowl 14. The counterweight 62 includes an aperture 64 extending through a center thereof, and the cylindrical connection member 58 of the bowl 14 extends through the aperture 64 for attachment of the counterweight 62 to the bottom of the bowl 14. One side 66 of the counterweight is substantially planar and an opposite side 68 is curved. The substantially planar side 66 of the counterweight 62 abuts the planar bottom 56 of the bowl 14 when the counterweight 62 is connected to the bowl 14. The curvature of the other side 68 of the counterweight 62 matches that of the bowl 14 such that when the counterweight 62 is connected to the bowl 14, the counterweight 62 continues the spherical curvature of the exterior surface 26 of the bowl 14 without interruption. By use of the counterweight 62, the bowl 14 is weighted and biased toward a particular gravitational orientation regardless of the gravitational orientation of the support member 12, as further described below.

[051] The bowl 14 includes a pair of openings 60 that extend through the exterior surface 26 and interior surface 28 thereof and are disposed in opposite facing relation to one another.

[052] When the container assembly 10 is assembled, the gimbal 16 is disposed between and interconnects the bowl 14 and the support member 12. Specifically, the first pair of pins 76 of the gimbal 16 are positioned to extended into the pair of openings 60 in the bowl 14 such that the openings 60 are concentric with the first gimbal axis 78. This secures the bowl 14 to the gimbal 16. This connection also enables the bowl 14 to freely rotate about the first gimbal axis 78.

[053] Similarly, the second pair of pins 82 of the gimbal 16 are positioned to extend into the pair of recesses 54 of the interior surface 44 of the coupling 40 and are retained therein. This secures the gimbal 16, and indirectly the bowl 14, to the support member 12. This connection to the support member 12 also enables the gimbal 16, and thus the bowl 14, to freely rotate about the second gimbal axis 80.

[054] Furthermore, the interior space of the base 38 is dimensioned such that the bowl 14 is not inhibited in its movement about either of the first or second gimbal axes 78,80 when the support member 12 and bowl 14 are interconnected by the gimbal 16. The gimbal 16 thereby suspends the bowl 14 within the base 38 of the support member 12 so that the bowl 14 may remain in an upright orientation regardless of the orientation of the support member 12. If the support member 12 is tilted (whether because it has been knocked over or because a user holding the container assembly 10 has tilted the support member 12), the bowl 14 nevertheless will remain in an upright orientation due to the force of gravity acting upon the counterweight 62 and the uninhibited movement of the bowl 14 about the first and second gimbal axes 78,80. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a scenario in which the support member 12 is placed in a tilted disposition with the bowl 14 self-righting itself to remain in an upright orientation. In this illustrated example, the bowl 14 is shown rotated about the first gimbal axis 78.

[055] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container assembly 10 also preferably includes a lid 84 that is generally planar and that fits onto the rim 18 for covering of the interior space of the base 38. As is conventional, the lid includes an undercut feature (not shown) that catches on the rim 18 when it is placed thereon. The undercut feature secures the lid to the rim until it is removed by a user desiring to access the interior space of the bowl. If it is desired to retain the bowl 14 in fixed disposition relative to the base 38, the lid 84 may be placed onto the coupling 40. The lid 84 will prevent the bowl 14 from rotating about either of the gimbal axes 78,80.

Use of the Container Assembly

[056] In use, the container assembly 10 is believed to provide a "spill-proof" container. In this respect, items that are placed within an interior 86 of the bowl 14 will not escape if the container assembly 10 is tilted, knocked over, or turned upside down. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that solid snack-type food items may be safely placed and retained within the bowl 14 of the container assembly 10. Ready access to the food items may then be had through the opening 20 and mouth 24. The container assembly 10 may be conveniently placed on a support surface such as the ground or a tabletop, or the container assembly 10 may be held in a user's hand. Furthermore, it is preferred that the components of the container assembly 10 be sized to accommodate a hand of a child. However, the container assembly 10 may be sized for adult use as well.

[057] The container assembly 10 may be conveniently used during travel or other times when an adult and child are away from the home. The lid 84 of the container assembly 10 may be placed thereon to insure that food items do not fall out of the bowl in transit. The container assembly 10 may then be placed in a travel bag of some sort, for example, a diaper bag or purse, for use at a later time by the child or the adult. The adult simply removes the container assembly 10 from the bag or purse and removes the lid 84 to ready the container assembly 10 for use for snacking. Even with the lid 84 removed, the container assembly 10 is spill-proof. Such functionality allows the adults to be less concerned about their children spilling food and making a mess while at home and away from home. [058] Additionally, the container assembly 10 may be used for holding snack-type food items such as crackers, cereal and the like, and the overall appearance of the container assembly may resemble that of a toy spaceship.

[059] In view of the foregoing, it will further will be appreciated that the container assembly 10 provides a spill-proof container for snack-type food items that allows a user complete access and visibility to an interior of the container. In this respect, a lid does not completely or partially obstruct a user's access or visibility to the interior of the container. Moreover, the container assembly 10 provides a spill-proof container that does not utilize a lid to enable the spill-proof characteristic of the container. Rather, the dual-axis gimbal 16 of the container assembly 10 enables the bowl 14 to be self-righting and, furthermore, enables smooth motion of the bowl 14 relative to the support member 12 when performing the spill- proof action.

[060] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the gimbal is semi-spherical and is dimensioned to at least partially surround the bowl 12. Similar to the base 38, the semi- spherical gimbal also includes openings that register with the openings 36 in the base 38 for escape of any food debris that may fall between the gimbal and the bowl 14. In yet other alternative embodiments, the gimbal and base each comprises a framework in which the area of the openings in the framework far exceeds the surface area of the framework itself.

Method of Manufacture

[061] A method of manufacturing the container assembly 10 comprises molding the bowl 14, the gimbal 16, the lid 84, and the support member 12 from plastic or other material. The bowl 14, gimbal 16, and lid 84 may be molded by a variety of processes, including injection molding. The support member 12 may be molded using a co-injection molding process. The co-injection molding process allows the coupling 40 and the base 38 to be comprised of different colors, yet remain a single, integrated component.

[062] The co-injection molding process requires the use of a machine comprising two or more injection/processing units and a single or multiple cavity, conventional cold runner mold. The injection/processing units generally inject material through a manifold located at an end of one or more injection barrels. The manifold ports two melt streams into a centrally located nozzle. The machine controls the injection units to achieve a skin-core-skin flow sequence through the manifold into the mold. Last skin flow is required to clear the short nozzle section of core material and to seal the gate area within the skin. Use of this process allows the coupling 40 and the base 38 to be molded as a single integrated component having two or more colors. [063] In conclusion, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

[064] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of manufacturing a container assembly, comprising:

(a) molding a bowl;

(b) molding a gimbal;

(c) molding a support member;

(d) mounting the bowl to the gimbal to facilitate rotational movement relative thereto; and

(e) mounting the gimbal to the support member to facilitate rotational movement relative thereto.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a base and a coupling integral with the base.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the support member is co-injection molded.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the coupling is co-injection molded to include a handle having a wide girth that circumferentially extends entirely around an upper portion of the base.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the bowl includes a weight therein for biasing the bowl in a generally fixed orientation relative to the force of gravity when an orientation of the base changes.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of molding the support member includes introducing a plurality of openings extending completely therethrough from an interior to an exterior thereof.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of molding the support member includes introducing a plurality of feet extending from an exterior surface thereof for support of the container assembly on a surface.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of molding a lid that is removably attachable to the coupling and that inhibits rotational movement of the bowl relative to the base when the lid is attached to the coupling.

9. A container assembly, comprising:

(a) a bowl;

(b) a gimbal to which the bowl is mounted for rotational movement relative thereto;

(c) a base at least partially encompassing the bowl; and

(d) a coupling integral with the base and that secures the gimbal to the base for rotational movement relative to the base;

(e) wherein the bowl is suspended in an upright orientation relative to the base regardless of the orientation of the base.

10. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising a handle having a wide girth that circumferentially extends entirely around an upper portion of the base.

11. The container assembly of claim 10, wherein the handle defines an opening for receipt therethrough of a finger or thumb of a hand for gripping and holding of the container assembly.

12. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising handle that is integrally formed with the coupling.

13. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the bowl includes a weight incorporated therein for biasing the bowl in a generally fixed orientation relative to the force of gravity when an orientation of the base changes.

14. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the base includes a plurality of openings extending completely therethrough from an interior to an exterior thereof.

15. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the base includes a plurality of feet extending from an exterior surface thereof for support of the container assembly on a surface.

16. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising a lid that is removably attachable to the coupling and that inhibits rotational movement of the bowl relative to the base when the lid is attached to the coupling.

17. The container assembly of claim 16, further comprising a handle that circumferentially extends entirely around an upper portion of the base and that defines an opening for receipt therethrough of a finger or thumb of a hand for gripping and holding of the container assembly when the lid is attached to the coupling.

18. A container assembly comprising:

(a) a bowl;

(b) a support member at least encompassing said bowl, said support member comprising a base and a coupling integral with the base; and

(c) a gimbal disposed between and interconnecting said support member and said bowl, said gimbal configured to suspend said bowl in an upright orientation regardless of the orientation of the support member.

19. The container assembly of claim 18, wherein said coupling comprises opposed recesses and wherein a first pair of pins of said gimbal concentric to a first axis extend within said opposed recesses of said coupling.

20. The container assembly of claim 19, wherein said bowl includes opposed openings and wherein a second pair of pins of said gimbal concentric to a second axis extend within said opposed openings of said bowl.

21. The container assembly of claim 20, wherein said first axis and said second axis are generally orthogonally disposed relative to one another.