US20180265258A1

US20180265258A1 - Multipurpose container with dynamic appearance

Info

Publication number: US20180265258A1
Application number: US15/461,446
Authority: US
Inventors: Yi-Chuan Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-16
Filing date: 2017-03-16
Publication date: 2018-09-20

Abstract

The container has a first ornament on the outside of the container's main body. The main body is then wrapped by a number of rotatable rings made of transparent material and printed with a second ornament. As each ring is tuned individually, various visual combinations are created with the second ornament overlapped on the first ornament in different manners.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to containers for fluid or objects and, more particularly, to a container providing various visual appearances.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

A container is for storing fluid or objects such as a dispenser for shower gel, a pen case for placing pens, a holder for objects like tooth brushes, etc.
Usually the outside of container is printed or painted with a graphic pattern, ornamental symbol or text, etc. These patterns, symbols, or texts are not changeable. In other words, the appearance of these containers is fixed. After a period of time, these containers would lose their appeal or fun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose container whose appearance is visually changeable so as to obviate the shortcoming of fixed appearance of conventional containers.
The characteristics of the present invention is to provide a first ornament on the outside of the container's main body. The main body is then wrapped by a number of rotatable rings made of transparent material and printed with a second ornament. By turning the rings individually, various visual combinations are created with the second ornament overlapped on the first ornament in different manners.
To achieve the objective, the container includes a main member having a first ornament on an outer circumferential surface, and at least a ring member made of a transparent material having a second ornament on an outer circumferential surface. Each ring member has a diameter allowing the main member to thread through while each ring member remains rotatable. As each ring member is tuned individually, a visual combination of the second ornament overlapped on the first ornament is provided. Each ring member has a diameter allowing the main member to thread through while each ring member remains rotatable; and, as each ring member is tuned individually, a visual combination of the second ornament overlapped on the first ornament is provided.
The container further includes a cap member and a base member. The cap member is joined to a top end of the main member; and the base member is joined to a bottom end of the main member.
In one embodiment, the container is a dispenser.
In one embodiment, the container is pen case.
In one embodiment, the container is a holder.
In one embodiment, the first or second ornament is a graphic pattern.
In one embodiment, the first or second ornament is a symbol.
In one embodiment, the first or second ornament is a text.
As described above, a user simply twists the ring members and their second ornaments' locations are changed relatively to the underlying first ornament on the main member. As such, the visual appearance of the container provided by the second ornaments overlapped with the first ornament may be altered dynamically, adding additional value the container.
The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings, identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective break-down diagram of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram showing the container of FIG. 1 after assembly.

FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram showing the container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective break-down diagram of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram showing the container of FIG. 4 after assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective break-down diagram of a container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing the container of FIG. 6 after assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
FIGS. 1 to 3 depict a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the container includes a main member 1, a base member 2, a cap member 3, and a number of ring members 4. The main member 1 has a first ornament P1 on an outer circumferential surface. For example, the first ornament P1 may be any graphic pattern, symbol, or text that is printed on the outer circumferential surface. The first ornament P1 does not cover an upper portion and a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface so as to reserve some room for the integration of the cap member 3 and the base member 2. The main member 1 has an open top end so that fluid or object may be poured into the main member 1.
In the present embodiment, the container is a dispenser for shower gel or liquid soap. The cap member 3 may be, for example, squeezed into the open top end of the main member 1. The cap member 3 has an outlet protruding upward from a top side of the cap member 3. The outlet is configured with outer threads 31 and a dispensing element 5 is screw-joined to the outlet. After the cap member 3 is joined to the main member 1, the cap member 3 only covers the reserved top portion but not the first ornament P1.
Each ring member 4 is made of a transparent or translucent material such as acrylic, resin, glass, plastics, etc. Each ring member 4 has a through channel 41 of an appropriate diameter so that the main member 1 is threaded through the ring members 4 and each ring member 4 is rotatable around the main member 1. Each ring member 4 is, for example, printed with a second ornament P2, which may be any graphic pattern, symbol, text, etc. As such, what a user sees is the second ornaments P2 overlapped on the first ornament Pl. Usually the first and second ornaments P1 and P2 are visually compatible.
The base member 2 has an open top end 21 so that a bottom end of the main member 1 may be tightly plugged into the base member 2 through the open top end 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
As described above, the stored shower gel or liquid soap may be dispensed through the dispensing element 5. In addition, since the ring members 4 may be individually rotated, the container may manifest various visual combinations of the first and second ornaments P1 and P2 by turning the ring members 4.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first ornament P1 includes a tree pattern and the second ornaments P2 have various numbers of owl patterns. By turning the ring members 4, the owl patterns are overlapped on the tree pattern at different locations, thereby creating interesting and appealing visual effects.
FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the container of the present embodiment is a pen case and includes identical main member 1, ring members 4, and base member 2. The cap member 3 however is different. The assembly of the components and related details are identical to the previous embodiment and their description is omitted here. As illustrated, the cap member 3 has a tubular shape with a number of partitions 32 inside to separate different spaces for the storing of various pens.
FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the container of the present embodiment is a holder for tooth brushes and includes identical main member 1, ring members 4, and base member 2. The cap member 3 however is different. The assembly of the components and related details are identical to the previous embodiment and their description is omitted here. As illustrated, the cap member 3 has a tubular shape with a through channel for holding tooth brushes.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a main member:

a cap member joined to a top end of the main member;

a base member joined to a bottom end of the main member; and

a plurality of ring members made of a transparent material having a second ornament on an outer circumferential surface;

wherein each ring member has a diameter allowing the main member to pass through while each ring member remains rotatable; the ring members are located between the cap and base members; the main member has a first ornament on an outer circumferential surface not covered by the cap and base members; and, as each ring member is tuned individually, a visual combination of the second ornament overlapped on the first ornament is provided.

2. (canceled)

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the container is a dispenser.

4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the container is pen case.

5. The container according to claim 2, wherein the container is a holder.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first or second ornament is a graphic pattern.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first or second ornament is a symbol.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first or second ornament is a text.