USRE36131EExpiredUtility

Spill-resistant bubble solution container

84
Priority: Jan 30, 1992Filed: Sep 21, 1995Granted: Mar 9, 1999
Est. expiryJan 30, 2012(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
A63H 33/28B65D 23/00
84
PatentIndex Score
36
Cited by
23
References
10
Claims

Abstract

The spill resistant bubble solution container is an invention that because of its unique geometry and design, prevents spillage of liquid when filled to the fill line or below, and oriented in any position. It is principally intended for use by young children in avoiding the spillage of bubble solution.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
I claim: 
     
       1. An improved container for liquid comprising a container having a top, a base and sidewalls enclosing an inner cavity and wherein the container has height, width and depth dimensions such that the width is substantially larger than the depth, a mouth having an upper end and a lower end extending from the top of said container, said lower end having an elliptical cross-section adjacent the exterior of said container with a major axis extending through the width thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis of the width of said container, said container further comprising a neck portion integrally connecting said lower end of the mouth to the inner cavity of said container, and a funnel having an upper end connected to said mouth and depending downward from said mouth, through said neck portion and terminating in a lower end in the cavity of said container, said funnel having a hollow opening to provide communication between the exterior of said container and said inner cavity of said container, said funnel having dimensions such that the width thereof is substantially equal to the width of said lower end of said mouth and the distance between the base of the container and the lower end of the funnel is greater than a liquid level of a predetermined volume of liquid in said container when resting on its base and the distance between any sidewall and the funnel is greater than the liquid level of said predetermined volume of liquid in said container when resting on any of its sidewalls, said container thereby providing resistance to spillage of the liquid contents of said container when oriented in any position. 
     
     
       2. The container of claim 1 wherein said mouth is of a circular cross-section at the uppermost end thereof adjacent the exterior of said container and wherein said mouth cross-section tapers from its circular cross-section at the uppermost end of said mouth to the elliptical cross-section at the lower end of said mouth, and wherein said neck portion which is integrally connected to the lower end of said mouth is of an elliptical cross-section. 
     
     
       3. The container of claim 2 wherein said tapered portion provides a supporting lip to receive said funnel. 
     
     
       4. The container of claim 3 wherein said funnel has an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion forming a circular end cap, and said lower portion having a rectangular cross-section wherein said lower portion depends downward from said circular end cap, wherein said funnel is removaly positioned in the mouth and neck portion of said container, said circular end cap resting on said supporting lip, and wherein said lower portion of said funnel depends downward into said cavity of said container. 
     
     
       5. The funnel of claim 4 wherein said rectangular cross-section of said lower portion of said funnel has a width greater than the minor diameter of said elliptical cross-section such that the rotational movement of said funnel when positioned through said mouth and neck portion is thereby impeded. 
     
     
       6. The container of claim 5 having a fill line positioned on the exterior of said container at a position lower than the lower most end of said downward depending funnel within the cavity of said container, wherein said fill line indicates the maximum level of liquid to be contained within said container. 
     
     
       7. The container of claim 6 wherein said funnel is of sufficient length to extend downward into said cavity of said container, but not into the liquid within said container which is at or below said fill line. 
     
     
       8. The funnel of claim 1 where a wand is removably positioned within said opening of said funnel in such a manner as to access said liquid within the cavity of said container. 
     
     
       9. The funnel of claim 8 wherein said wand has tapers on both ends thereof, thereby permitting easy insertion into and out of said funnel. .Iadd. 
     
     
       10.  A container defining an inner cavity, and a funnel extending into the inner cavity of said container to provide communication between said inner cavity and the exterior of said container to inhibit spillage of the contents of said container, at least a portion of the length of said funnel being substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape and wherein said funnel is unencumbered by a reciprocating piston within said funnel and wherein said container prevents spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said container when said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no greater than half the volume of said container and said length of said funnel is greater than 25% of the height of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. A container having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces defining an inner cavity, and a non annular funnel extending into the inner cavity of said container, said non annular funnel having an inner opening in said inner cavity and an outer opening exterior to said inner cavity, said inner opening being located substantially equidistant between said top surface of said container and said bottom surface of said container and said inner opening being located substantially equidistant between said side surfaces of said container to provide communication between said inner cavity and the exterior of said container to inhibit spillage of the contents of said container and wherein said container prevents spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said container when said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. A container for liquid defining an inner cavity, and a cover removably and reattachably connected to said container, said cover having a substantially rectangular shaped opening to provide communication between said inner cavity and the exterior of said container, and a bubble creation device removably positioned within said container, said bubble creation device being discretely separable from said container, and wherein said container inhibits spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said container when said bubble creation device is withdrawn from said container through said rectangular shaped opening and said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. A container having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces defining an inner cavity, and a funnel extending into the inner cavity of said container, said funnel having an inner opening and an outer opening, said inner opening being located substantially equidistant between said container side surfaces, said top surface, and said bottom surface to provide communication between said inner cavity and the exterior of said container, and wherein said funnel is unencumbered by a reciprocating piston within said funnel, said container having a non singular bubble orifice/non hollow brush liquid access device removably positioned within said container and wherein said container prevents spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said container when said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. A container for liquid defining an inner cavity, at least one opening in said container comprising an open rectangular slot, and at least one bubble creation device removably positioned within said at least one opening, said bubble creation device being discretely separable from said container, and wherein said container inhibits spillage of a predetermined amount of liquid contents of said container when said bubble creation device is withdrawn from said container through said rectangular opening and said container is oriented in any position, and wherein said predetermined amount of liquid is equal to a volume of liquid of no greater than half the volume of said container. .Iaddend.

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