Collectable objects

Abstract

This invention relates to a collectable container typically sold at sporting events. The container may be shaped like a baseball helmet, football helmet, soccer ball, basketball, or other sporting item. It has an image, preferably a lenticular image, of a team logo, picture or player, is typically filled with a beverage or a food, such as ice cream and sold at concession stands. These are designed so that fans may collect an entire set of images representing an entire team or league. During the excitement of the event, and due to the large crowds located in such tight spaces, it is common to have the container being roughly handled. The present invention employs either a recess which receives the image, or protective offsets which surround images on the container. The recess and/or offsets prevent scratching and physical contact with the image and protect the images from being placed in liquids, debris thereby damaging the image reducing the value of the collectable.

1 . A collectable container for containing a food or beverage comprising; 
 a. an inner curved surface;    b. an outer curved surface;    c. at least one protective recess in the outer surface for holding an image away from other objects;    d. an image placed in the outer surface recess, wherein the recess is protected from coming in contact with objects, thereby protecting the image.    
   
   
       2 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the image is a holographic image.  
   
   
       3 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the image is an image of a logo.  
   
   
       4 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the image is an image relating to a major league sports franchise.  
   
   
       5 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the image is an image of a player.  
   
   
       6 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the protective recess also protects the image from physical damage which may scratch, dislodge or destroy the image.  
   
   
       7 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the container is designed to resemble a baseball helmet.  
   
   
       8 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the container is designed to resemble a soccer ball.  
   
   
       9 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the container is designed to resemble a basketball.  
   
   
       10 . The collectable container of  claim 1  wherein the container is designed to resemble a football.  
   
   
       11 . A collectable container for containing a food or beverage comprising; 
 a. an inner curved surface;    b. an outer curved surface;    c. at least one protective offset on the outer surface for holding an image away from other objects;    d. an image placed between the protective offsets on the outer surface,    wherein the protective offsets protect the image from coming in direct contact with objects, thereby preserving the image.    
   
   
       12 . The collectable container of  claim 11  wherein the protective offsets are several protrusions on the surface of the container.  
   
   
       13 . The collectable container of  claim 11  wherein the protective offsets are portions of a ridge encircling the image.  
   
   
       14 . The collectable container of  claim 11  wherein the protective offsets comprise: a surface of the container which surrounds at least a portion of a recess that receives the image.  
   
   
       15 . A collectable object comprising; 
 a. an inner curved surface;    b. an outer curved surface;    c. at least one protective recess in the outer surface for holding an image away from other objects;    d. an image placed in the outer surface recess, wherein the recess is protected from coming in contact with objects, thereby protecting the image.    
   
   
       16 . The collectable object of  claim 1  wherein the image is a holographic image.  
   
   
       17 . The collectable object of  claim 1  wherein the image is an image of a logo.  
   
   
       18 . The collectable object of  claim 1  wherein the image is an image relating to a major league sports franchise.  
   
   
       19 . The collectable object of  claim 1  wherein the image is an image of a player.  
   
   
       20 . The collectable object of  claim 1  wherein the protective recess also protects the image from physical damage which may scratch, dislodge or destroy the image.