CONTAINERS HAVING POSITIONAL COUPLING DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to containers having positional lock coupling. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a positional coupling device includes at least one protrusion protruding from and fixed to a first surface, and at least one hole fixed within a second surface where the at least one hole corresponds to the at least one protrusion and is configured to receive the at least one protrusion. When the first surface and the at least one protrusion are rotated relative to the second surface and the least one hole, the at least one hole receives the at least one protrusion in at least two distinct rotational positions.

Claims

1. A positional coupling device comprising: at least one protrusion protruding from and fixed to a first surface; and at least one hole fixed within a second surface, the at least one hole corresponding to the at least one protrusion and configured to receive the at least one protrusion, wherein when the first surface and the at least one protrusion are rotated relative to the second surface and the least one hole, the at least one hole receives the at least one protrusion in at least two distinct rotational positions.

2. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the second surface are parallel.

3. The positional coupling device of claim 2, wherein the at least two distinct rotational positions include a closed position in which at least one of the first surface or the second surface completely overlaps the other of the two surfaces.

4. The positional coupling device of claim 1, further comprising: a first magnet positioned beneath the at least one protrusion; and a second magnet positioned beneath the at least one hole, the second magnet configured to be magnetically attracted to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet hold the first surface and the second surface in a stable position when the at least one protrusion is received in the at least one hole.

5. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion includes nibs and the at least one hole includes at least nib hole configured to receive the nibs.

6. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is a protrusion having a square shape and the at least one hole is a hole having a square shape, wherein the at least two distinct rotational positions include four distinct rotational positions.

7. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is a protrusion having a pentagon shape and the at least one hole is a hole having a pentagon shape, wherein the at least two distinct rotational positions include five distinct rotational positions.

8. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is a protrusion having a cross shape and the at least one hole is a hole having a cross shape, wherein the at least two distinct rotational positions include four distinct rotational positions.

9. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is a protrusion having a cross shape and the at least one hole is a hole having a cross shape, wherein the at least two distinct rotational positions include four distinct rotational positions.

10. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is a protrusion having a three-line cross shape and the at least one hole is a hole having a three-line cross shape, wherein the at least two distinct rotational positions include three distinct rotational positions.

11. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the at least one protrusion includes a key, wherein a portion of the at least one hole includes a keyhole, wherein the key and the keyhole align in one position of the at least two distinct rotational positions, thereby allowing the at least one protrusion to be received in and removed from the at least one hole in the one position and thereby restricting the at least one protrusion from being removed from the at least one hole when the rotational position is not the one position.

12. The positional coupling device of claim 11, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a lower platform, a center post, and an upper platform, wherein the upper platform includes the key, wherein when the upper platform is received in the at least one hole while the lower platform is not received in the at least one hole, the first surface and the second surface freely rotate with respect to each other.

13. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one hole have chamfered edges.

14. The positional coupling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one hole are not exactly complementary.

15. A container device comprising: a cover having a cover inner surface and at least one protrusion protruding from and fixed to the cover inner surface; and a base having a base inner surface and at least one hole fixed within a base inner surface, the at least one hole corresponding to the at least one protrusion and configured to receive the at least one protrusion, wherein when the cover inner surface and the at least one protrusion are rotated relative to the base inner surface and the least one hole, the at least one hole receives the at least one protrusion in at least two distinct rotational positions.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the base includes at least one well configured to receive a sub stance.

17. A container device comprising: a plurality of container layers including a cover layer, a base layer, and at least one internal layer between the cover layer and the base layer, wherein any two adjacent layers of the plurality of container layers includes a positional coupling device as in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the technology are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary device container identifying a cover and a base;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the container exposing the inside structure of the cover and the base;

[0035] FIGS. 3a-b show the inside of the platform and indent with a nib and hole lock structure;

[0036] FIG. 4 follows a set of three views along sequence of three positions I-III as the nibs interact with the corresponding nib holes as the cover is rotated about the base;

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the exemplary device container with multiple bases;

[0038] FIG. 6 shows alternative designs for the platforms and indents;

[0039] FIGS. 7a-7b shows an alternative locking design relying on the platform shape to lock the device without nibs and holes;

[0040] FIGS. 8a-b show another interpretation of the device consisting of a cover with an access opening and multiple wells;

[0041] FIGS. 9a-b show square embodiments of the disclosed technology;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a general description of the lock and key embodiment of the disclosed technology;

[0043] FIGS. 11a-b are two detailed views of the key and keyhole feature of the disclosed technology; and

[0044] FIGS. 12a-c show the sequence of a closed package as it is rotated to the integral position where the base and cover can be separated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present disclosure relates to containers having positional lock coupling. The disclosed containers have cover and product-containing base components, or a pair of base components, and allow a user to open the container and access the product within.

[0046] There are instances whereby it is desirable for a user to want the base to rotate open to a specific stable integral position—for instance, 90 degrees or 120 degrees rotated relative to the closed position. One reason for this is to allow the user to better hold the compact while accessing the product. For example, the consumer may want to use a mirror that is set in the cover, and which needs to be positioned in a defined way so that user can view their reflection, while simultaneously accessing the product. As another example, the compact design may allow the cover to be rotated to specific angular positions, each allowing access only to a specific product in the base.

[0047] As used herein, the term “protrusion” refers to a structure that protrudes from a surface. The structure may protrude directly from the surface or may protrude from the surface via an intermediate structure. The term “protrusion” shall refer to any such structure of any shape. As certain shapes may appear to have multiple protruding parts, the term “protrusion” may be used interchangeably with the term “protrusions.”

[0048] As used herein, the term “hole” refers to a space within a surface. The space may extend directly from the surface or may extend from the surface via an intermediate space. The term “hole” shall refer to any such space of any shape. As certain shapes may appear to have multiple spatial areas, the term “space” may be used interchangeably with the term “spaces.”

[0049] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary device showing a cosmetic container with a cover 100 and a base 200. The cover 100 of the exemplary device contains a cover magnetic element 301 which is axially aligned and magnetically attracted to a base magnetic element 302, embedded within a base 200. The device is considered closed when the cover 100 is rotated relative to the base 200 such that the products within the cover 100 and base 200, are completely covered.

[0050] Though the magnetic elements 301, 302 here are both preferentially made of high strength neodymium material, they could also be ferrite or other magnetic material or, one of the two magnetic elements could be a magnetizable material such as steel. Their shapes could be square or rectangular, but their orientation is such that the field between them results in a mutual magnetic attractive force. The base and cover materials, though typically plastic, could be made of paper, composite, wood, or a combination of these materials. Furthermore, the applications for this device are not limited to cosmetic products and the device may be used to hold other items such as jewelry, hardware components, medicines, or any other products sufficiently small to fit within the container's confines.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the device open and exposing the inner surface structure of the cover 100 and base 200. The cover 100 contains a cover well 102 and the base 200 contains a base well 202. Though product wells 102, 202 are described in this embodiment, the cover 100 or base 200 may, instead of wells contain a mirror or a space for an applicator or other device or, especially in the case of the cover 100, no feature at all.

[0052] Protruding from the cover inner surface 103 is a platform 101, which is aligned with a corresponding indent 201, embedded within the base inner surface 203. The platform 101 is designed and configured such that it fits within the indent 201 and can rotate relative to the indent 201 as will be described below. Embedded within the platform 101 is a cover magnet 301. Embedded within the indent 201 is a base magnet 302. Though the platform 101 is shown as part of the cover 100 and, the indent 201 is shown as part of the base 200, it is contemplated that the device could be designed so that the indent 201 is designed within the cover 100 and the platform 101 part of the base 200.

[0053] FIGS. 3a-b show a nibs and hole coupling structure.

[0054] FIG. 3a shows the inside of the cover 100 and the base 200. The cover 100 has a cover inner surface 103 with a platform 101. Surrounding the platform 101 are platform side walls 105 with four nib locks 104a-d. The base 200 contains a base inner surface 203 embedded with an indent 201. Within the indent 201 are four nib holes 204a-d. Surrounding the inside of the indent 201 is an indent wall 205.

[0055] When the cover 100 is correctly placed on top of the base 200 in a closed position, the platform 101 is inside the indent 201, and the each of the four nib locks 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d are in their corresponding nib holes 204a, 204b, 204c and 204d. The cover 100 and base 200 are held together by the magnets 301, 302 embedded within the cover 100 and base 200 as described above. As so positioned, the cover 100 is unable to rotate relative to the base 200 without an external shearing force exerted against the sides of the cover 100 and base 200 of the device.

[0056] FIG. 3b shows a magnified cross section of the cover platform 101 positioned directly above an equally magnified cross section of the indent 201. The nibs 104 are positioned directly above the nib holes 204 of the indent 201. The platform sidewall 105 and the indent wall 205 are angled such that they tilt inwards toward the center. The nibs 104 are rounded. They are designed this way so that when a lateral force is applied against the side of the cover 100 relative to the base 200, it will translate into a rotational motion about the axis of the platform 101 and the corresponding cover magnet 301, and the indent 201 and the corresponding base magnet 302. The cover 100 will be able to lift slightly away from the base 200 and allow the nibs 104 to disengage from the nib holes 204. The magnets 301, 302 will limit the distance that the cover 100 lifts away from the base 200 until the nibs 104 are rotated to the point where they find the next corresponding nib holes 204, as described below in FIG. 4.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows the sequence of the nibs 104a-d protruding from the platform 101, interacting and coupling with a complementary set of nib holes 204a-d set within the indent 201, as the cover 100 is rotated about the shared axis of the platform 101 and the indent 201. The nibs 104a-d, set at 90-degree angles to one another relative to the axis, engage with a nib holes 204a-d every 90-degree rotation of the cover 100 about the base 200. In the middle row are sequential drawings of the top views of the cover's platform 101 with four nib locks 104a,b,c, and d. In the bottom row is the corresponding sequence of the indent 201 with the embedded four nib holes 204a,b,c, and d. The top row comprises the corresponding positions of the cover 100 relative to the base 200 as the cover 100 is rotated clockwise about the base 200. For the purpose of this description, it is assumed that the base 200 remains stationary and the cover 100 rotates.

[0058] In position I, the container is closed, and the nib locks 104a-d and nib holes 204a-d are aligned a-a, b-b, c-c, and d-d.

[0059] In position II, the cover 100 is rotated clockwise relative to the stationary base 200. The cover 100 lifts slightly as described in FIG. 3 and then locks again as it is rotated 90 degrees and the magnet's 301, 302 attractive force brings the cover 100 and base 200 together. The nib locks 104a-d find the next corresponding nib holes 204a-d and the pairs are realigned as b-a, c-b, d-c, and a-d. The first letter of each pair designates the nib of the cover 100 and the second letter designates the nib hole of the base 200.

[0060] In position III, the cover 100 is again rotated clockwise 90 degrees relative to the stationary base 200. The cover 100 again lifts slightly as described in FIG. 3 and then locks again as it is rotated a total of 180 degrees from its closed position, as the magnet's 301, 302 attractive force brings the cover 100 and base 200 together again. The pairs are realigned as c-a, d-b, a-c, and b-d.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows the exemplary device container with multiple bases. This drawing illustrates one cover 100 and three bases 260, 270, 280. The internal layers 260, 270 have locking/coupling systems that include a platform (e.g., 171), an indent (e.g., 261), and embedded magnets 361, 372. The design allows the same rotational motion as described above. It should be also noted that in this figure, the platform 171 is shown as a structure of one side of the base 270, and the indent 261 is shown as a structure of one side of the base 260. The unshown sides of the internal layers 260, 270 will have complementary structures.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows alternative designs for the lock/coupling structure. The positional locking can be designed with other configurations. Instead of four sets of nibs on a platform and nib holes in an indent, a protruding square 111a on a platform can engage/couple with a square hole 211a in an indent. Each side of the protruding square 111a engages with a side of the square hole 211a resulting in a rotation that allows four stable positions. As before, magnets are embedded behind the platform and the indent to hold the components together.

[0063] The corners and edges of the shapes can be rounded so that they could easily lift as described in FIG. 3. Similarly, a protruding cross 111b can be designed to engage with a cross hole 211b. A protruding three-line cross 111c can be designed to engage with a three-line cross hole 211c. In the latter case, the cover 100 would rotate 120 degrees between locking positions.

[0064] FIGS. 7a-7b show the device where there is no platform or indent. Instead, the cover 100 would have the protrusion built directly on top of the cover inner surface 103. The base 200 would have the hole built directly into the base inner surface 203. In FIG. 7a, a square protrusion 121 rests on the cover inner surface 103. It corresponds to a square hole 221. Likewise, in FIG. 7b, a pentagon protrusion 122 corresponds to a pentagon hole 222. But in the latter case, the cover 100 would rotate 72 degrees between locking positions. The edges of the protrusions and holes can be rounded or chamfered edges to allow them to disengage easily when the cover is rotated. Alternatively, the walls of the protrusions and holes may be slightly inclined or, they could be designed with a combination of these features so that the hole and protrusion can disengage slightly and separate, and then rotate into the next stable position.

[0065] FIGS. 8a-b show another embodiment of a palette container device having a cover with an access opening.

[0066] In FIG. 8a there is a palette cover 400 containing a cover opening 402. There is a corresponding palette base 410. Positioned in the center of each the palette cover 400 and palette base 410 is embedded a cover magnetic element 301 and a base magnetic element 302. The magnetic elements 301, 302 are coaxial to one another and allow the palette cover 400 to rotate relative to the palette base 410 about the center of the palette.

[0067] FIG. 8b shows the palette design in FIG. 8a with the inside surface structure exposed. There is a palette platform 401 in the center portion of the palette cover inner surface 403 and sharing the same approximate axis as the cover magnetic element 301. On top of the palette platform 401 are four palette nibs 404. An access opening 402 punches through one part of the palette cover 400.

[0068] There is a palette base 410 whose palette base inner surface 413 has an embedded palette indent 411 with a set of four palette nib holes 414. The palette base 410 contains multiple palette wells 412 positioned such that when the palette cover 400 is rotated relative to the palette base 410, the access opening 402 will locate directly above a palette well 412 as the palette nib locks 404 and nib holes 414 correspondingly engage. Thus, a consumer may rotate the palette cover 400 to select and protect what they want and the nibs 404 and nib holes 414 will control the locations that the rotations will stop.

[0069] FIGS. 9a-b show square embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0070] FIG. 9a shows a square cover 900 with a cover well 902. A platform 901 and the implied cover magnet is positioned in the center of one side of the cover. There is a square base 920 with a base well 922. An indent 921 and the implied base magnet is positioned in the center of one side of the base 920 such that it can engage the platform 901 as described above.

[0071] FIG. 9b shows a square cover 900 with a cover well 902. A platform 901 and the implied cover magnet is positioned in one corner of the cover 900. There is a square base 920 with a base well 922. An indent 921 and the implied base magnet is positioned in one corner of the base 920 such that it can engage the platform 901 as described above.

[0072] FIG. 10 shows an example of a lock and key coupling embodiment of the disclosed technology. In this feature, the cover 500 and the base 600 may not be pulled apart while the package is in a closed position. As it rotates at incrementally specified angles determined by the relative positions of a pentagonal hole 534 located in this embodiment in the cover 500, and a corresponding pentagonal lower platform 636 located in this embodiment in the base 600, there is a position that the cover 500 and base 600 can be separated from each other. The user may locate the position at which the cover 500 can be separated from the base 600 with the help of the construction of the pentagonal lower platform 636 as it incrementally engages with the pentagonal hole 534.

[0073] In the illustrated example, the hole 534 and platform 636 structure are described by pentagons. Other shapes may be used, and the illustrated shape choice is chosen as one possibility of a design.

[0074] The cover 500 includes a cover well 502 and a hole 534 embedded within the cover inner surface 503. Within the hole 534 is a cover magnet 301. On one side of the hole 534 is a keyhole 535.

[0075] The base 600 consists of a base well 602 and a protruding structure comprised of a lower platform 636, a round column (635, FIG. 10), and an upper platform 634. Sandwiched between the lower and upper platforms 634, 636 is the round vertical column. The column can be designed so that its diameter is substantially less than the distance between sides of the pentagon such that the cover's hole 534 can freely rotate about it. The size and shape of the upper and lower platforms 634, 636 are dimensioned so that they can fit through the cover's hole 534. Within the hole 534 is a base magnet 302. On one side of the upper platform 634 extends a key 637.

[0076] The hole 534 and platform 634 are positioned so that the platform 634 engages with the hole 534 when the compact is in a closed position. The key 637 and the keyhole 535 are offset so that the cover 500 cannot be separated from the base 600 in certain positions. When the cover 500 is rotated so that the key 637 and keyhole 535 are aligned, the cover 500 and base 600 can then be separated.

[0077] FIGS. 11a-b are two detailed views of the key and keyhole coupling feature of the disclosed technology.

[0078] FIG. 11a shows a detailed section of the cover 500X showing the hole 534, the cover underside 505, and the keyhole 535. The cover inner surface 503 is facing downwards towards the base 600X.

[0079] FIG. 11b shows a detailed section of the base 600X showing the base inner surface 603, on which is the platform structure with the lower platform 636, round column 635, and upper platform 634. Below the platform structure is the base magnet 302. A cover magnet (not shown) would be positioned above the cover's hole 534. Extending from the upper platform 634 is a key 637.

[0080] In FIGS. 12a-c, it will be shown how, when the base engages with the cover, the base's key extends through the cover's hole and with the cover underside while the compact is closed or rotated to four of the five possible stable positions in the illustrated example. The corresponding magnets hole the cover and base together. The pentagonal lower platform directly engages with pentagonal hole of the cover. As the cover rotates, the cover finds the one position where the key and the keyhole align, allowing the cover and base to separate.

[0081] FIGS. 12a-c show a sequence of movement of a closed package described in FIGS. 10 and 11, as the cover rotates clockwise about the base, to the integral position where the base and cover can be separated. The first row FIG. 12a shows the full package with the cover 500 and the base 600. FIG. 12b shows a view from the top of a section of the cover 500X and the base 600X. FIG. 12c shows a perspective view with the cover section 500X on top of the base section 600X. The sequence of four phases I, II, III, IV, represents the positions of the compact from three corresponding views 12a-12c.

[0082] In sequential phase I, the compact is in a closed position. The cover 500 is held to the base 600 via the magnets 301 and 302. In FIG. 12b the key 637 extends over the cover underside 505. The lower platform 636, as shown in FIG. 12c, protrudes into the cover's hole 534, with each of the sides of the former's pentagon shape engaging with the latter's pentagonal hole sides.

[0083] Sequential phase II shows how, when a user begins to rotate the cover 500 relative to the base 600, the cover 500 lifts slightly from the base 600 and there forms a gap 650, as illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12c, between the cover 500 and base 600. The hole 534 simultaneously releases from the lower platform 636 and rotates about the round column until it finds the next stable position and reengages the lower platform 636 due to the magnetic attractive force. The gap 650 then disappears.

[0084] Sequential phase III shows when the key 637 of the base aligns with the keyhole 535 of the cover. Though the cover preferably remains attached to the base, by virtue of the magnetic attraction, a user can now separate the two components by pulling them apart.

[0085] Sequential phase IV shows the base 500 and cover 600 as they separate from each other. The key 637 of the pentagonal upper platform 634 was able to go through the keyhole 535 of the cover's hole 534.

[0086] Accordingly, various positional coupling devices have been disclosed herein. The illustrated and described embodiment are exemplary and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, a protrusion and a hole may not be exactly complementary. For example, the protrusion can be in the shape of a line, and the hole may have the shape of multiple intersecting lines, such as a cross. In various embodiments, when the surface having the protrusion and the surface having the hole are rotated relative to each other, there may be two or more distinct rotational positions in which the protrusion can be received in the hole. One of the two or more distinct rotational positions can be considered to be a closed position, such that the surface having the protrusion and/or the surface having the hole completely overlaps the other surface. In various embodiments, the surface having the protrusion and the surface having the hole may be parallel or may be partly or wholly non-parallel. Other variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0087] The embodiments disclosed herein are examples of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0088] The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).”

[0089] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods, and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.