Multi-Compartment Container

This disclosure generally relates to safety containers with multiple compartments.

Safety containers can be used to store hazardous or sensitive articles. Safety containers are designed to prevent access to the contents of the container by those who lack sufficient manual dexterity and/or know-how to open the container (e.g., children). On the other hand, safety containers are designed allow access to the contents of the container without undue damage to the container or effort by the user.

For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize the disclosures herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one or more advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

In some embodiments, a container system can include a body including: a top end with a top opening; a bottom end with a bottom opening; a first interior chamber; a second interior chamber; and a divider wall separating the first interior chamber from the second interior chamber. The container system can also include a top cap removably attached to the body; a bottom cap attached to the bottom end of the body; a top cap locking mechanism configured to secure the top cap to the body; and a bottom cap locking mechanism configured to secure the bottom cap to the body.

In some embodiments, the top cap locking mechanism can include a ridge of the body that is configured to align with corresponding protrusions of the top cap.

In some embodiments, the bottom cap locking mechanism can include a ridge of the bottom cap that is configured to align with corresponding protrusions of the body.

In some embodiments, the top cap can include a circular sidewall and the top cap locking mechanism can include a plurality of protrusions disposed on an inner face of the circular sidewall and a ridge with gaps disposed on an outer surface of the top end of the body, wherein the gaps in the ridge can be sized and shaped to receive the plurality of protrusions and allow the plurality of protrusions to pass through the ridge.

In some embodiments, the bottom cap can include a circular sidewall and the bottom cap locking mechanism can include a ridge with gaps disposed on an outer surface of the sidewall and a plurality of protrusions disposed on an inner surface of the body, wherein the gaps in the ridge can be sized and shaped to receive the plurality of protrusions and allow the plurality of protrusions to pass through the ridge.

In some embodiments, the body can have a cylindrical shape.

In some embodiments, the body, the top cap, and the bottom cap can each include an alignment indicator. In some embodiments, the alignment indicators can include an arrow disposed on an outer surface of the top cap, an arrow disposed on an outer surface of the bottom cap, and a linear indicator disposed on an outer surface of the body.

In some embodiments, the body, top cap, and bottom cap can each include a knurled portion or one or more grip enhancing textures to facilitate grasping.

In some embodiments, the height of the divider wall can be dimensioned such that the volume of the first interior chamber is more than twice the volume of the second interior chamber.

In some embodiments, the height of the divider wall can be dimensioned such that the volume of the first interior chamber is more than four times the volume of the second interior chamber.

In some embodiments, a container system can include a hollow body including: a first end; a second end; and an internal divider separating an interior of the hollow body into two compartments, wherein the first end can include a ridge and the second end can include a plurality of protrusions. The container system can also include: a top cap which can be configured to attach to the first end of the hollow body and the top cap can include a plurality of protrusions that can be configured to align with the ridge of the hollow body when rotated; and a bottom cap that can be configured to attach to the second end of the hollow body and can include a ridge that can be configured to align with the plurality of protrusions on the hollow body when rotated.

In some embodiments, the hollow body can have a cylindrical shape.

In some embodiments, the hollow body, the top cap, and the bottom can each include an alignment indicator. In some embodiments, the alignment indicator can include an arrow disposed on an outer surface of the top cap, an arrow disposed on an outer surface of the bottom cap, and a linear indicator disposed on an outer surface of the hollow body.

In some embodiments, the hollow body, top cap, and bottom cap can each have a knurled portion or one or more grip enhancing textures to facilitate grasping.

In some embodiments, the hollow body, the top cap, and the bottom cap can be formed of a rigid plastic material.

In some embodiments, the height of the internal divider can be dimensioned such that the volume of one of the two compartments is more than twice the volume of the other compartment.

In some embodiments, the height of the internal divider can be dimensioned such that the volume of one of the two compartments is more than four times the volume of the other compartment.

Although several embodiments, examples, and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system, methods, and devices described herein extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples, and illustrations and includes other uses of the system, methods, and devices and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, embodiments of the disclosure can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the system, methods, and devices herein described.

illustrate a container. In some embodiments, the containercan be a vessel for holding and storing consumer goods. In some embodiments, the containercan be cylindrically shaped. In some embodiments, the containercan have multiple compartments that can be separately accessible. For example, the containercan have two, three, four, five, or any other suitable number of compartments. In some embodiments, one or more of the compartments can be capable of being positioned in either a locked or unlocked configuration. One or more of the compartments can be capable of locking independently of the other. The containercan be used to store consumer goods such as gum, nicotine pouches, smokeless tobacco, powder tobacco, or other consumer goods. In some embodiments, one of the compartments can facilitate the storage of new or unused goods, while another compartment can be used to store consumer goods that have been used and are ready to dispose of.

The containercan include a first endA and a second endB opposite the first endA. The containercan include a heightbetween the first endA and the second endB. In some embodiments, the heightcan include a distance of about 1.00 inch, 1.05 inches, about 1.33 inches, about 1.57 inches, about 1.73 inches, about 1.85 inches, about 2.00 inches, about 2.25 inches, about 2.50 inches, about 2.75 inches, about 3.00 inches, and/or any value between the aforementioned values. In some embodiments, the heightcan include a distance between about 1.00 inch and about 2.00 inches. In some embodiments, the heightcan include a distance between about 1.50 inches and about 2.50 inches.

The containercan include a widthA (i.e., diameter). In some embodiments, the widthA can include a distance of about 1.75 inches, 2.00 inches, 2.25 inches, 2.5 inches, 2.75 inches, about 3.00 inches, about 3.25 inches, about 3.50 inches, about 3.75 inches, and/or any value between the aforementioned values. In some embodiments, the widthA can include a distance between about 1.75 inches and about 3.75 inches. In some embodiments, the widthA can include a distance between about 2.50 inches and about 3.50 inches.

The containercan include a top lid or top cap, a body, and a bottom lid or cap. As shown in, the bodycan include a first endA and a second endB (i.e., bottom end). The bodycan include a neck portionat the first endA of the body. In some embodiments, the bodycan include a divider. In some embodiments, the bodycan include one or more sidewalls. The one or more sidewalls may be cylindrical. In some embodiments, as shown in, the bodycan include an inner sidewalland an outer sidewall. The outer sidewallcan comprise the outer surface of a significant portion of the bodyand can have a diameter larger than that of the inner sidewall. In some embodiments, the inner cylindrical sidewallcan extend from the upper edge of the neck(and can include the neck) to at least the divider. In some embodiments, the inner sidewallcan surround an upper recess or upper compartment. The upper edge of the neckcan define an openinginto an upper recess or upper compartmentat the first endA of the body. In some embodiments, an upper surfaceA of the dividerand the inner surface of the sidewallA can define the upper recess. In some embodiments, the upper recesscan extend from the openingto the upper surfaceA of the divider. In some embodiments, other components can be placed on the upper surfaceA of the divider. Such components could be used to receive the consumer goods placed within the recess. In such embodiments, the recesscan extend a distance less than that of the distance from the openingto the divider.

A lower edge of the outer sidewallcan also defines an openinginto a lower recess or lower compartmentat the second endB of the body. In some embodiments, the lower surfaceB of the dividerand the inner surfaceA of the sidewallcan define the lower recess or lower compartment. In some embodiments, the lower recesscan extend from the openingto the lower surfaceB of the divider.

The body can also include an inner flange. The inner flange can extend perpendicularly away from the face of the divider. The inner flangecan be a circular flange that extends downwards from the lower surfaceB of the dividerwhen the container is assembled and placed on an external surface, with the lower surface of the bottom capin contact with the external surface. In some embodiments, the inner flangecan be an extension of the inner sidewall, extending parallel to the inner sidewallbelow the divider. In some embodiments, the inner flangecan be configured to receive the sidewallof the bottom cap. In some embodiments, other components can be placed on the lower surfaceB of the divider. Such components can be used to receive or apply pressure to the consumer goods placed within the lower recess. In such embodiments, the lower recesscan extend a distance less than that of the distance from the lower openingto the divider.

In some embodiments, the body can have one or more alignment indicators. The alignment indicatorscan be configured to align with one or more indicatorson the top capand/or one or more indicatorson the bottom capto provide an indication of a state of the container. In some embodiments, the alignment indicatorscan include one or more grooves, cutouts, shapes (e.g., arrows), textures, colors, and/or any other surface features that distinguish from adjacent surfaces of the body.

As described further below, alignment or misalignment of the alignment indicators can provide an indication of the relative positions and/or states of the components of the container. For example, in some embodiments, alignment or misalignment of the alignment indicators can providing an indication of alignment or misalignment of internal features of the components of the container.

In some embodiments, the relative positions of the one or more alignment indicatorsand the one or more alignment indicatorscan provide an indication of when the top capis in an unlocked or locked position relative to the body. In some embodiments, the relative positions of the one or more alignment indicatorsand the one or more alignment indicatorscan provide an indication of when the bottom capis in an unlocked or locked position relative to the body. When the components are in ‘unlocked’ positions, the capand/or bottom capcan be placed on or removed from the body.

The capcan be removable and attachable with the bodyfor opening and closing the openingof the body. In some embodiments, the capcan be configured to enclose the upper openingof the body. The capcan be configured to circumferentially rotate relative to the body. The capcan be movable with respect to the bodyalong an axial or longitudinal direction. As shown in, the capcan include a flat portionand a sidewall(e.g., a cylindrical sidewall) that extends downwards from the flat portion. In some embodiments, when the capis placed on the body, the bottom face of the sidewallcan contact the upper face of the body sidewall.

In some embodiments, the capcan include one or more surface features (e.g., protrusions, notches, ridges, etc.) configured to interact with complementary surface features (e.g., protrusions, notches, ridges, etc.) of the bodyto provide an unlocked state and locked state. In some embodiments, the one or more surface features of the capcan include one or more protrusionsdisposed on the inner surfaceA of the sidewalls. The protrusionscan be lumps, bumps, or other raised portions that extend inward from the inner surface of the sidewall. The one or more surface features of the bodycan include a raised ridgethat can be disposed on the outer surface of the neckof the body. The ridgecan include a plurality of segments separated by gaps or holes in the ridgethat can be sized and shaped to receive the protrusions. When the protrusionsare aligned with the gaps in the ridge, the capcan slide downward over the top endA of the body such that the sidewallof the cap interfaces with and covers the neck of the body. In some embodiments, the protrusions and ridge on the capand bodycan be reversed. That is, in some embodiments, the capcan have a ridge and the bodycan have protrusions configured to interact with the ridge on the cap.

The capcan also include an inner flangethat extends away (e.g., perpendicularly away) from the inner face of the flat portionof the cap. The inner flangecan be a circular flange that extends downwards from the lower surface of the flat portionof the capwhen the container is assembled and placed on a surface, with the lower surface of the bottom capin contact with the surface. In some embodiments, the inner flangecan be configured to receive the sidewallof the body, when the capis attached to the body. In some embodiments, the capcan have one or more alignment indicatorsas described above. The alignment indicatorscan be disposed on the outer sidewall, and can align with indicatorson the bodywhen the protrusionson the capare aligned with the holes or gaps in the ridgeon the neckof the body. In this way, the alignment indicatorscan show when the capand the bodyare aligned in an ‘unlocked’ position such that the capcan be connected to or disconnected from the body.

When the capis positioned on the body, the capcan be rotated so that the protrusionsare positioned beneath the ridgesuch that the ridgeprevents removal of the capin a direction away from the bodyby acting as a barrier to the protrusions, establishing a ‘locked’ position. The alignment indicatorscan be misaligned with the alignment indicatorswhen the protrusionsare not aligned with the holes or gaps in the ridge(e.g., when the protrusionsare aligned with segments of the ridge).

The bottom capcan be removable and attachable with the bodyfor opening and closing the lower openingof the body. In some embodiments, the bottom capcan be configured to enclose the lower openingof the body. The bottom capcan be configured to circumferentially rotate relative to the body. The bottom capcan be movable with respect to the bodyalong an axial or longitudinal direction. As shown in, the bottom capcan include a flat portionand a sidewall(e.g., a cylindrical sidewall) that extends upwards from the flat portion. In some embodiments, the flat portionof the bottom capcan have a disk-like shape that extends circumferentially further than the sidewall. In other words, the flat portioncan have a larger diameter than the sidewalls. The flat portioncan provide a surface for receiving goods for housing within the lower compartment.

In some embodiments, the bottom capcan include one or more surface features (e.g., protrusions, notches, ridges, etc.) configured to interact with complementary surface features) e.g., protrusions, notches, ridges, etc.) of the bodyto provide an unlocked state and locked state. In some embodiments, the one or more surface features of the capcan include a raised ridgethat can be disposed on the outer surface of the sidewallof the bottom cap. The one or more surface features of the bodycan include one or more protrusionsformed on the inner surfaceA of the body sidewall. The protrusionson the body sidewallscan be disposed on the portion of the sidewallsin the lower recess. The protrusions can be lumps, bumps, or other raised portions that extend inward from the inner surface of the sidewall. The ridgecan include a plurality of segments separated by gaps or holes in the ridgethat can be sized and shaped to receive the protrusions. When the protrusionsare aligned with the gaps in the ridge, the bottom capcan slide onto the bottom endB of the bodysuch that the side wallof the bottom capinterfaces with and is received within the outer sidewallof the body. In some embodiments, when the bottom capis combined with the body, the sidewallof the bottom capcan be partially disposed between the inner and outer sidewalls of the bodyas shown in. In some embodiments, the ridge and protrusions on the capand bodycan be reversed. That is, in some embodiments, the capcan have protrusions and the bodycan have a ridge configured to interact with the surface features on the cap.

The flat portioncan also have an outer sidewalldisposed around the flat portion. In some embodiments, the outer sidewallcan extend from the bottom of the cap sidewallto a distance beyond the thickness of the flat portionof the bottom. In this way, when the bottom capor assembled containerare placed on a surface, with the bottom capbeing adjacent to that surface, there can be a gap between that surface and the lower face of the bottom flat portion. This gap is created by the ridge that can exist due to the outer sidewallof the bottom flat portionextending beyond the bottom flat.

In some embodiments, the outer sidewallcan have alignment indicators. The alignment indicatorscan be disposed on the outer sidewall. The alignment indicatorscan align with indicatorson the bodywhen the protrusionon the bodyare aligned with the holes in the ridgeon the bottom cap. In this way, the alignment indicatorscan show when the bottom capand the bodyare aligned in an ‘unlocked’ position such that the bottom capcan be connected to or disconnected from the body.

When the capis positioned on the body, the capcan be rotated so that the protrusionsare positioned beneath the ridgesuch that the protrusionsprevents removal of the capin a direction away from the bodyby acting as a barrier to the ridge, establishing a ‘locked’ position. The alignment indicatorscan be misaligned with the alignment indicatorswhen the protrusionsare not aligned with the holes or gaps in the ridge(e.g., when the protrusionsare aligned with segments of the ridge).

The containercan be used to store goods in the two separate compartments created by the divider. The capcan be removably attached to the bodyin order to close the upper compartment, securing the consumer goods inside of the upper compartment. The bottom capcan be removably attached to the bodyin order to close the lower compartment, securing the contents inside of the lower compartment. When consumers use the container, the alignment indicators on the body, cap, and bottom capenable consumer to unlock and open one or both of the compartments. Additionally, the alignment indicators on the body, cap, and bottom capenable consumers to lock the compartments of the containerso that the capand/or bottom capdo not come detached. In this way, consumers can use the alignment indicators to ensure that the contents of the upper compartmentand the contents of the lower compartmentdo not fall out of the container.

As an example, a consumer may purchase a containerthat is filled with gum in the upper compartmentand empty in the lower compartment. The consumer can twist the capuntil the alignment indicatorsmatch up with the alignment indicatorson the body. This rotation can move the protrusionson the capinto alignment with the gaps in the ridgeon the body. Thus, this rotation can move the cap from a locked to unlocked configuration and the consumer can remove the capand access the gum. Similarly, the consumer can reattach the capby placing it onto the bodywhile the alignment indicatorson the capare aligned with the alignment indicatorson the body. The consumer can then rotate the capby some amount (other than rotating it all the way around) in order to move the protrusionson the capinto a position where they are not aligned with the gaps in the locking ridgeon the body. In this configuration, the protrusionswill impede any translation of the capaway from the bodybecause the body ridgewill block the protrusionsand thus the capfrom moving away from the body.

After the consumer has used the gum, the consumer can then deposit the gum into the lower compartment. This can be accomplished by twisting the bottom capuntil the alignment indicatorsmatch up with the alignment indicatorson the body. This rotation can move the protrusionson the bodyinto alignment with the gaps in the ridgeon the bottom cap. Thus, this rotation can move the bottom capfrom a locked to unlocked configuration and the consumer can remove the bottom capand access the lower compartment. Similarly, the consumer can reattach the bottom capby placing it onto the bodywhile the alignment indicatorson the bottom capare aligned with the alignment indicatorson the body. The consumer can then rotate the bottom capby some amount (other than rotating it all the way around) in order to move the protrusionson the bodyinto a position where they are not aligned with the gaps in the locking ridgeon the bottom cap. In this configuration, the protrusionscan impede any translation of the bottom capaway from the bodybecause the ridgewill block the protrusionsand thus the bottom capfrom moving away from the body.

Although in the embodiments described above, the container uses notches and grooves to lock its elements from translating apart from one another, a person of skill in the art will recognize that many other locking mechanisms can be utilized. For example, the capand capcan include threading and be capable of being tightened to the body. Alternatively, rigid connection mechanisms or mechanisms with ratchet-style locks can be used to secure the components together.

Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” “distal,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end,” are used in the context of the illustrated example. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter or radius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular,” “cylindrical,” “semi-circular,” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include or do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples.

Conjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain examples require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, in some examples, as the context may dictate, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” may refer to an amount that is within less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount. The term “generally” as used herein represents a value, amount, or characteristic that predominantly includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain examples, as the context may dictate, the term “generally parallel” can refer to something that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 20 degrees. All ranges are inclusive of endpoints.

Several illustrative examples of containers and multi-compartment containers have been disclosed. Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain illustrative examples and uses, other examples and other uses, including examples and uses which do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be arranged or performed differently than described and components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be combined, merged, added, or left out in various examples. All possible combinations and subcombinations of elements and components described herein are intended to be included in this disclosure. No single feature or group of features is necessary or indispensable.

Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one example in this disclosure can be combined or used with (or instead of) any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different example or flowchart. The examples described herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other. Combinations, variations, and some implementations of the disclosed features are within the scope of this disclosure.