SECURE DESKTOP ITEM RECEPTACLE

Abstract

An article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention is disclosed. The container is made of a hollow container, an attaching base coupled to a bottom surface of the hollow container for attaching the container to a desktop, and a four point star shaped opening through a top surface of the hollow container providing access to the inside volume of the hollow container. The attaching base includes a suction cup attachment device on a bottom surface of the attaching base, and a support pedestal coupled between the suction couple attachment device and the hollow container. The hollow container has a spherical shape, a tall goblet shape, and a tall octagon shape. The four point star opening has a cross shape, a narrow arm shape, and a diamond shape. The container may be made of is made of rubber, silicone, plastic, metal and glass.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture for providing a desktop storage container, the desktop storage container comprises: a hollow container; an attaching base coupled to a bottom surface of the hollow container for attaching the container to a desktop; and an opening through a top surface of the hollow container providing access to the inside volume of the hollow container.

2. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the attaching base comprises: a suction cup attachment device on a bottom surface of the attaching base; and a support pedestal coupled between the suction couple attachment device and the hollow container.

3. The desktop storage container according to claim 2, wherein the support pedestal is taller than the hollow container.

4. The desktop storage container according to claim 2, wherein the support pedestal is shorter than the hollow container.

5. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the hollow container has a spherical shape defining the inside volume of the hollow container.

6. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the hollow container has a tall goblet shape defining the inside volume of the hollow container.

7. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the hollow container has a tall octagon shape defining the inside volume of the hollow container.

8. The desktop storage container according to claim 4, wherein the four point star shaped opening has a cross shape.

9. The desktop storage container according to claim 4, wherein the four point star shaped opening has a narrow arm shape.

10. The desktop storage container according to claim 4, wherein the four point star shaped opening has circular opening.

11. The desktop storage container according to claim 4, wherein the four point star shaped opening has a diamond shape.

13. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, plastic, metal and glass and mixtures thereof.

14. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the octagon-shaped hollow container has a first width at a bottom edge that is coupled to the attaching base is narrower than second width at a top surface having the four point star shaped opening.

15. The desktop storage container according to claim 1, wherein the four point star shaped opening has a diamond shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a first potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a set of directional views of an example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a set of directional views of a second embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a set of directional views of a third example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a set of directional views of a fourth example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a set of directional views of a fifth example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention.

[0022] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

[0023] In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one or more of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

[0025] As used herein, the term “about” means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill. Further, unless otherwise stated, the term “about” shall expressly include “exactly.”

[0026] The term “user” and “worker” refers to an entity, e.g. a human, that utilizes a device according to the present invention in order to bring about a desired effect or outcome. In a particular case, the user is one who places material into the receptacle. For such a user, the terms “user” and “worker” may be used herein interchangeably.

[0027] The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Funky Desk Ball.” Invention may be used interchangeably with ball receptacle.

[0028] In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a first potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. A secure desktop item receptacle 100 is shown on a desktop with a set of tools 102a-d that are useful when a graphic artist works with physical renditions of items that require layers of textured material rather working with digital representations of these objects. These tools 102a-d permit the worker to add, cut, and remove layers of textured material from the document or similar object being created. These tools 102a-d may include various pick and cutting tools, including scissors 102d for working with layers of textured material.

[0029] The secure desktop item receptacle 100 provides a storage location for the textured items that are waste from the creation of the object. Additional details regarding the secure desktop item receptacle 100 are described below in reference to FIGS. 2-6.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a set of directional views of an example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. Top, front, side and perspective views of the first embodiment for the secure desktop item receptacle 100 are shown in FIG. 2. The secure desktop item receptacle 100 includes a hollow container, and in this embodiment a hollow receptacle sphere 150, on top of an attaching base 140 that is coupled to a suction cup attachment device 130. The hollow receptacle sphere 150 defines the inside volume of the hollow container. The attaching base 140 provides separation between the hollow receptacle sphere 150 and the desktop. The suction cup attachment device 130 may be used to secure the desktop item receptacle 100 to a user's desktop.

[0031] The secure desktop item receptacle 100 also includes an opening 110 along its top surface of the hollow receptacle sphere 150 providing access to the inside volume of the hollow container. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the opening is shaped like a four-pointed star. The opening 110 covers a significant portion of the top surface of the hollow receptacle sphere 150 that retains waste material from a user. The opening 110 has a set of curved shaped edges that permits the user to insert the waste material from the textured material being used in the creation of objects. The user may pick up the waste material using one of the tools 102a-d (shown in FIG. 1) and place it into the secure desktop item receptacle 100 and use these edges to deposit the material within the receptacle.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a set of directional views of a second embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. Top, front, side and perspective views of the second embodiment for the secure desktop item receptacle 200 are shown in FIG. 3. The secure desktop item receptacle 200 includes a hollow container, in this embodiment a hollow receptacle sphere 220, on top of an attaching base 240 that is coupled to a suction cup attachment device 230. The hollow receptacle sphere defines the inside volume of the hollow container. The attaching base 240 provides separation between the hollow receptacle sphere 220 and the desktop. The suction cup attachment device 230 may be used to secure the desktop item receptacle 200 to a user's desktop.

[0033] The secure desktop item receptacle 200 also includes an opening 250 along its top surface that is shaped like a four-pointed star. The opening 250 covers a significant portion of the top surface of the hollow receptacle sphere 220 creating a receptacle for retaining waste material from a user. The opening 250 has a set of curved shaped edges that permits the user to insert the waste material from the textured material being used in the creation of objects. The user may pick up the waste material using one of the tools 102a-d (shown in FIG. 1) and place it into the secure desktop item receptacle 200 and use these edges to deposit the material within the receptacle. The opening 210 is similar to the opening 120 of FIG. 3 except that the opening 210 provides a wider set of slit openings as the star reaches each of its points.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a set of directional views of a third example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. Top, front, side and perspective views of the third embodiment for the secure desktop item receptacle 300 are shown in FIG. 4. The secure desktop item receptacle 300 includes a hollow container, in this embodiment a hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 320, on top of an attaching base 340 that is coupled to a suction cup attachment device 330. The hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 320 defines the inside volume of the hollow container. The attaching base 340 provides separation between the hollow octagon-shaped enclosure 320 and the desktop. The suction cup attachment device 330 may be used to secure the desktop item receptacle 300 to a user's desktop.

[0035] The secure desktop item receptacle 300 also includes an opening 301 along its flat top surface 302 that is shaped like a four-pointed star. The opening 301 covers a significant portion of the top surface of the hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 320 creating a receptacle for retaining waste material from a user. The opening 301 has a set of curved shaped edges that permits the user to insert the waste material from the textured material being used in the creation of objects. The user may pick up the waste material using one of the tools 102a-d (shown in FIG. 1) and place it into the secure desktop item receptacle 300 and use these edges to deposit the material within the receptacle. The hollow goblet-shaped enclosure has the flat top surface 302 and opening 401 that is similar to the opening 110 within the hollow receptacle sphere 150 in FIG. 2 except for the shape of the enclosure itself.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a set of directional views of a fourth example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. Top, front, side and perspective views of the fourth embodiment for the secure desktop item receptacle 100 are shown in FIG. 5. The secure desktop item receptacle 400 includes a hollow container, in this embodiment a hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 420, on top of a support pedestal 440 that is coupled to a suction cup attachment device 430. The support pedestal 440 raises the hollow goblet-shaped enclosure up above the tabletop and provides separation between the suction cup attachment device 430. The hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 420 defines the inside volume of the hollow container. The suction cup attachment device 430 may be used to secure the secure desktop item receptacle 400 to a user's desktop.

[0037] The secure desktop item receptacle 400 also includes an opening 401 along its flat top surface 402 that is shaped like a four-pointed star. The opening 401 covers a significant portion of the top surface of the hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 420 creating a receptacle for retaining waste material from a user. The opening 401 has a set of curved shaped edges that permits the user to insert the waste material from the textured material being used in the creation of objects. The user may pick up the waste material using one of the tools 102a-d (shown in FIG. 1) and place it into the secure desktop item receptacle 400 and use these edges to deposit the material within the receptacle. The hollow goblet-shaped enclosure 420 has the flat top surface 402 and opening 401 that is similar to the opening 110 within the hollow receptacle sphere 150 in FIG. 2 except for the shape of the enclosure itself.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates a set of directional views of a fifth example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle according to the present invention. Top, front, side and perspective views of the fifth embodiment for the secure desktop item receptacle 100 are shown in FIG. 6. The secure desktop item receptacle 500 includes a hollow container, in this embodiment a hollow octagon-shaped enclosure 520, on top of an attaching base 540 that is coupled to a suction cup attachment device 530. The attaching base 540 provides separation between the hollow octagon-shaped enclosure 530 and the desktop. The hollow octagon-shaped enclosure 520 defines the inside volume of the hollow container. The suction cup attachment device 530 may be used to secure the desktop item receptacle 500 to a user's desktop.

[0039] The secure desktop item receptacle 500 also includes an opening 501 along its flat top surface 502 that is shaped like a four-pointed star. The opening 501 covers a significant portion of the top surface of the hollow octagon-shaped enclosure 520 creating a receptacle for retaining waste material from a user. The opening 501 has a set of curved shaped edges that permits the user to insert the waste material from the textured material being used in the creation of objects. The user may pick up the waste material using one of the tools 102a-d (shown in FIG. 1) and place it into the secure desktop item receptacle 500 and use these edges to deposit the material within the receptacle. The hollow octagon-shaped enclosure 520 has the flat top surface 502 and opening 501 that is similar to the opening 110 within the hollow receptacle sphere 150 in FIG. 2 except for the shape of the enclosure itself and that the opening 501 provides a wider set of slit openings as the star reaches each of its points.

[0040] It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain embodiments of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the invention encompassed by the following claims.

[0041] In this specification, the term “each” may be used to refer to one or more specified characteristics of a plurality of previously recited elements or steps. When used with the open-ended term “comprising,” the recitation of the term “each” does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or steps. Thus, it will be understood that an apparatus may have additional, unrecited elements and a method may have additional, unrecited steps, where the additional, unrecited elements or steps do not have the one or more specified characteristics.