Method and apparatus for suspending a container

Abstract

A receiving element constructed within a container, the receiving element having a body with a first end and a second end wherein the body is formed from a plurality of separate pieces configured into an annular arrangement in a tension fit in a neck of the container. A passage formed in the body from the first end of the body to the second end of the body creates a cavity and an internal surface having a groove for receiving a locking element.

1 . A receiving element for an interior container having an opening, the receiving element comprising:
 a. a body with a first end, a second end and an external surface, wherein the second end is larger than the opening of the interior container;   b. a passage in the body from the first end to the second end forming an internal cavity and an internal surface of the body;   c. an upper lip on the external surface located at the first end configured for contacting a top surface at the opening of the container;   d. a base located at the second end of the body; and   e. an internal groove formed on the internal surface which receives a locking element thereby suspending the container relative to the locking element;   wherein the body is formed by a plurality of separate pieces configured inside the opening of the interior container.   
     
     
         2 . The receiving element of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises a neck. 
     
     
         3 . The receiving element of  claim 2  wherein the neck of the body is dimensioned to contact the interior of a neck of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The receiving element of  claim 2  wherein the neck of the body is dimensioned to contact the interior surface of the interior container. 
     
     
         5 . The receiving element of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of pieces is formed with parallel sides. 
     
     
         6 . The receiving element of  claim 3  wherein all but one piece can be configured within the container leaving an opening with parallel edges. 
     
     
         7 . The receiving element of  claim 1  wherein the body is comprised of at least 4 separate pieces. 
     
     
         8 . The receiving element of  claim 6  wherein the body is comprised of at least 5 separate pieces. 
     
     
         9 . The receiving element of  claim 7  wherein the body if comprised of at least 6 separate pieces. 
     
     
         10 . The receiving element of  claim 8  wherein the body is comprised of at least 8 separate pieces. 
     
     
         11 . The receiving element of  claim 1  comprising three designs for the pieces. 
     
     
         12 . The receiving element of  claim 1  comprising four designs for the pieces. 
     
     
         13 . The receiving element of  claim 1  wherein any two of the plurality of pieces cannot pass through the interior container opening when configured for forming the receiving element. 
     
     
         14 . The receiving element of  claim 1  wherein at least one piece is configured to have two sides and the remaining pieces are configured in an arrangement having a single opening with two edges corresponding to the two sides. 
     
     
         15 . The receiving element of  claim 14  wherein the at least one piece configured to have two sides is slidable into the single opening inside the container forming a complete body on the interior of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The receiving element of  claim 15  wherein the two sides a parallel. 
     
     
         17 . The receiving element of  claim 15  wherein the two sides are at converging angles towards a distal end when the piece is configured for placement in the interior container. 
     
     
         18 . An annular receiving element constructed partially within an interior container, the annular receiving element comprising:
 a. a body with a first end and a second end wherein the body is formed from a plurality of separate pieces configured into an annular arrangement in a tension fit in a neck of the container;   b. a passage from the first end of the body to the second end of the body forming a cavity and an internal surface; and   c. a groove in the internal surface for receiving a locking element.   
     
     
         19 . The annular receiving sleeve according to  claim 18  further comprising an upper lip formed at the first end for contacting the top surface of an interior container. 
     
     
         20 . The annular receiving sleeve according to  claim 18  further comprising an inner lip for distributing forces amongst the plurality of pieces. 
     
     
         21 . A method for suspending an interior container comprising the steps of:
 a. forming a receiving element at an opening of the interior container;   b. securing the receiving element with the opening of the interior container;   c. inserting a locking element into the opening of the interior container, wherein the locking element is coupled to a first portion of an exterior container;   d. engaging the receiving element with the locking element; and   e. engaging the first portion of the exterior container with a second portion of the exterior container surrounding the interior container.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the step of forming a receiving element further comprises the steps of:
 a. placing a plurality of pieces of the receiving element in the opening; 
 b. arranging the plurality of pieces into an annular body missing a single section, where the missing single section has two edges; 
 c. placing a last piece of the receiving element into the opening, the last piece having two side surfaces corresponding to the edges; 
 d. sliding the last piece of the receiving element into the missing section. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of suspending the interior container within a second container associated with the locking element. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the edges of the missing section comprise two parallel edges and the two side surfaces of the last piece comprise two corresponding parallel side surfaces. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the edges of the missing section comprise two edges which converge in a distal direction relative to the center of container and the two side surfaces of the last piece comprise two corresponding converging surfaces side surfaces.