Overcap for a tennis ball container

Abstract

An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball, the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The body includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball, the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open end, the overcap comprising:
 a body adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container, the body including a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis, the lip extending over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container, the lip and the peripheral rim defining a first opening.   
     
     
         2 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tennis ball has a diameter and a maximum cross-sectional area, and wherein the first opening of the body is sized to be smaller than one or both of the diameter of the tennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball. 
     
     
         3 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein the container is cylindrical, and wherein the container has a circular cross-sectional area, and wherein the body is an annular body. 
     
     
         4 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein the body is an annular body, and wherein the lip uniformly projects from the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         5 . The overcap of  claim 1 , wherein the body is an annular body, and wherein the lip projects toward the longitudinal axis from at least one location of the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         6 . The overcap of  claim 5 , wherein the lip projects toward the longitudinal axis from at least two spaced-apart locations of the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         7 . The overcap of  claim 1  wherein the lip extends from a first location of the peripheral rim to a second location about the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         8 . The overcap of  claim 7 , wherein the lip forms a band such that the lip defines the first opening and a second opening. 
     
     
         9 . The overcap of  claim 8 , wherein the band includes an outer surface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is formed on the outer surface of the band. 
     
     
         10 . The overcap of  claim 1  wherein the lip extends from a first location of the peripheral rim to at least second and third spaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         11 . A tennis ball container storing at least one tennis ball, each of the at least one tennis balls having a maximum cross-sectional area and a diameter, the container comprising:
 a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first closed end and a second end opposite the first end;   an overcap removably attached to the second end of the cylindrical body, the overcap including a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis, the peripheral lip extending over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container, the lip defining a first opening.   
     
     
         12 . The tennis ball container of  claim 11 , further including a removable seal extending over the second end of the cylindrical container, and wherein while the removable seal is attached to the second end of the cylindrical container, the cylindrical container is pressurized. 
     
     
         13 . The tennis ball container of  claim 12 , wherein the overcap is removably positioned over the removable seal. 
     
     
         14 . The tennis ball container of  claim 11 , wherein the first opening of the body is sized to be smaller than one or both of the diameter of the tennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball. 
     
     
         15 . The tennis ball container of  claim 11 , wherein the lip uniformly projects from the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         16 . The tennis ball container of  claim 15 , wherein the first opening is circular. 
     
     
         17 . The tennis ball container of  claim 11 , wherein the lip extends from a first location about the peripheral rim to a second location about the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         18 . The tennis ball container of  claim 17 , wherein the lip forms a band such that the lip defines the first opening and a second opening. 
     
     
         19 . The tennis ball container of  claim 18 , wherein the band includes an outer surface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is formed on the outer surface of the band. 
     
     
         20 . The tennis ball container of  claim 11 , wherein the lip extends from a first location of the peripheral rim to at least second and third spaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim.