US20240400291A1

US20240400291A1 - Reusable container housing assembly

Info

Publication number: US20240400291A1
Application number: US18/205,355
Authority: US
Inventors: Shawnique Alexander; Sam Ristich
Original assignee: Ripl Efek LLC
Current assignee: Ripl Efek LLC
Priority date: 2023-06-02
Filing date: 2023-06-02
Publication date: 2024-12-05

Abstract

A reusable container housing. The housing includes a hollow shell that receives a recyclable cup, e.g., filled with powdered detergent, and holds it sealed and secure. A lid of the housing, when placed on top of the shell to seal its top opening, causes the cup within to be pressed downward past a set of detents and locked thereby. The hollow shell includes an open bottom sealed with a flexible diaphragm. To eject the cup from the housing (e.g., when it is empty), the lid is removed, and the flexible diaphragm is pushed upward thereby forcing the cup upward and past the detents. The cup may then be removed and replaced.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to containers, including a reusable housing for cups.

BACKGROUND

According to recent studies, an estimated 583 billion plastic bottles were produced in 2021, most of which were discarded into landfills and/or incinerated after a single use.
Accordingly, there is a need for a reusable container housing. The presently disclosed assembly addresses these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a reusable container housing assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the reusable container housing assembly of FIG. 1 according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the reusable container housing assembly of FIG. 1 according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 4 shows a lid, a container, and a housing according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of a diaphragm according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a reusable container holder and housing assembly is provided. In some embodiments, the housing assembly is adapted to receive and secure a recyclable container (e.g., a cup or other suitable type of container), to keep the contents of the container sealed and contained yet accessible when desired, and to enable the easy removal and replacement of the container when the container is empty. The housing assembly also includes a locking assembly that locks the container within the housing, and a release assembly that facilitates the easy release of the container when desired.
In use, a container of material (e.g., whitening detergent powder) is first opened (e.g., its top seal or cover is removed) and then inserted into the housing assembly. Once placed within the housing, a lid is placed onto the top of the housing thereby pressing the container into a locked configuration within. With the lid in place, the housing is sealed fluid-tight. The lid may then be removed at any time (e.g., during use when it is desired to scoop out some detergent), with the inner container remaining locked in place. The housing assembly also includes an open bottom with a flexible diaphragm that when pushed upward causes the container to be released out the top of the housing, e.g., when the container is empty and requires replacement.
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a reusable container housing assembly 10 according to exemplary embodiments hereof. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the assembly 10 of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the same.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the reusable container housing assembly 10 (also referred to herein as simply the assembly 10) includes a housing assembly 100, a container 200 (within the housing assembly 100 and thereby obstructed from view in FIG. 1 ), a lid assembly 300, and a bottom diaphragm 400. In general, a container 200 filled with a material (e.g., powdered detergent) is received, opened, and placed within the housing assembly 100. The lid assembly 300 is secured to the top of the housing 100 thereby pressing the container 200 downward and into a locked configuration therein. When a user requires access to the container 200 and its contents (e.g., to the powdered detergent), the lid 300 is simply removed thereby providing top access to the container 200 locked inside. When the container is empty and requires replacement, the user simply pressed upwards on the bottom diaphragm assembly 400 and the container 200 is ejected out the top of the housing 100. The user may then receive a new container 200 (e.g., filled with detergent) and place it into the housing 100 for use as described above. The reusable container housing assembly 10 also may include other elements and/or components as necessary to perform its functionalities.
For the purposes of this specification, the container 200 will be described primarily as a cup, however, it is understood that the container 200 may include other types of containers in any form and/or combination, and that the scope of the assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the type of container 200 that is utilized.

Housing Assembly

100

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the housing assembly 100, the container 200, and the lid assembly 300, laid out sequentially from top to bottom thereby representing the general assembly of the elements 100, 200, 300. That is, the container 200 fits within the housing assembly 100, and the lid assembly 300 fits on top of this combination 100, 200. Notably, the housing assembly 100 is shown as a side sectional view in order to show its inner elements.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the housing assembly 100 includes a hollow shell portion 102 including an open top 104, an open bottom 114, and outer sidewalls 124 extending therebetween. In some embodiments, the hollow shell portion 102 is generally cylindrical, however, other shapes also may be used, such as, but not limited to, frustum shaped, conical, cuboid, other suitable shapes, and any combinations thereof. The hollow shell portion 102 is preferable constructed of aluminum, plastic, glass, of other suitable materials, and/or of any combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the hollow shell portion 102 includes inner sidewalls 106 extending between the top 104 and the bottom 114 thereby defining an inner volume 116.
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 includes one or more detents 110 arranged circumferentially about its inner sidewalls 106 and preferably in an upper portion of the housing shell 102 (e.g., slightly below the open top 104). In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 also includes a circumferential ledge 120 extending about its inner sidewalls 106 (or at least a portion thereof) and below the one or more detents 110 thereby forming a gap 122 between the detents 110 and the ledge 120. In some embodiments, the detents 110 and the ledge 112 are parallel to one another such that the gap 122 includes a uniform height about its circumference. Also, it may be preferable that the detents 110 and the ledge 112 each extend about the circumference of the inner sidewalls 106 in respective planes that are orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the housing assembly 100 defined by its top 104 and bottom 106. As will be described in other sections, an upper rim of the container 200 may be held within the gap 122 during use of the assembly 10.
In some embodiments, the inner sidewalls 106 extend generally vertically from the top 104 to the detents 110, and then inwardly from the ledge 112 towards the bottom 114. In this way, the inner sidewalls 106 may generally form a cylinder from the top 104 to the detents 110, and an inverted frustum (or similar shape) in the area below the ledge 112. As will be described in other sections, the inverted frustum shaped sidewalls 106 in this area may receive a container 200 of similar shape (e.g., a cup).
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 , the bottom 114 of the hollow shell portion 102 includes an opening 126 defined by an inner circumferential rim 128. As will be described in other sections, the bottom diaphragm 400 may be configured within the opening 126 by generally attaching to its rim 128.

Container

200

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4 , the container 200 includes a cup 202 (or other suitable container) including an open top end 204, a closed bottom end 206 generally opposite the top end 204, and sidewalls 208 that extend between the top and bottom ends 204, 206 thereby defining a cup inner volume 214. While the cup 202 shown in FIG. 4 is generally frustum shaped, it is understood that the cup 202 may be formed as any suitable shape, e.g., cylindrical. In any event, it may be preferable that the shape of the cup 102 generally match the shape formed by the inner sidewalls 106 of the housing's hollow shell portion 102.
In some embodiments, upon receipt by the user, the container's top end 204 includes a removable top surface (e.g., a cover or lid) that when removed generally opens the container 200 thereby providing access to the container's contents (e.g., the powder detergent). For example, the container's top end 204 may be sealed using a film or membrane that may be peeled off and discarded. Other types of upper seals also may be used.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the open top 204 is generally defined by (or at least includes) an outer circumferential rim 216 that extends generally radially outward from the open top 204. As will be described in other sections, the cup's rim 216 is designed to fit within the housing's gap 122 to secure the cup 102 within the housing's inner volume 116. Accordingly, it may be preferable that the diameter D1 of the top 204 of the cup 102 measured between the outer points of the rim 216 on opposite sides generally matches the inner diameter D2 of the housing 100 measured between points on the housing shell's inner sidewalls 106 on opposites sides and within the gap 122. In this way, the entirety of the cup's rim 216 (or at least a portion thereof) may fit within the housing's gap 122 when the cup 102 is secured within the housing 100.
In some embodiments, the container 200 comprises recyclable materials, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, plastic, other types of materials (preferably recyclable), and/or any combinations thereof. In this way, when the cup 202 is empty, it may be recycled and replaced with another recyclable container 200.

Lid Assembly 300

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the lid assembly 300 includes a lid member 302. The lid member 302 may include an upper portion 304 defining the top of the lid 302 and a bottom portion 306 defining the bottom of the lid 302, with the upper and bottom portions 304, 306 generally divided by an outer downward facing circumferential ledge 310. The upper portion 304 is preferably solid and/or sealed and the bottom portion 306 may include a bottom rim 308. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the lid's bottom rim 308 preferably corresponds in form and dimensions to the cup's upper rim 216. In this way, when the lid assembly 300 is pressed downward against the cup 202, the lid's bottom rim 308 may engage the cup's upper rim 216 thereby pressing the cup 202 downward as well.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the lid assembly 300 includes an outer circumferential notch 310 designed to receive a gasket member 312 (e.g., an O-ring or similar as shown in FIG. 2 ) and to hold the gasket member 312 therein. In some embodiments, the diameter of the lid's bottom portion 306 measured between outer points of the bottom rim 308 on opposite sides (plus any additional diameter width added by the gasket member 312 extending outward therefrom) generally matches the inner diameter D2 of the housing's shell portion 102. In this way, the lid assembly 300 may be pressed into the top opening 104 of the shell 102 until the lid's outer downward facing circumferential ledge 310 abuts the top 104 of the housing 100 (which provides a stop to the lid's downward movement). With the lid's gasket member 312 contacting the housing's inner sidewalls 106, the lid 300 may be sealed and held within the top 104 of the housing 100 via pressure fit. Other securing methods also are contemplated such as a threaded interface, detents, etc. The result as shown in FIG. 2 is a fluid-tight seal between the lid 300 and the housing 100.
In some embodiments, it is preferable that the dimensions of the lid 300 (and/or of the housing 100) be chosen such that when the lid's bottom rim 308 presses the container's upper rim 216 into the gap 122 that the lid's downward facing circumferential ledge 310 simultaneously abuts the top 104 of the container 100. In this way, when the lid 300 is in its stopped and closed position, the container's upper rim 216 has been sufficiently pushed into the gap 122 and is locked therein.

Bottom Diaphragm

400

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , the assembly 10 includes a bottom diaphragm 400 comprising a diaphragm member 402 with a top 404, a bottom 406, and sidewalls 408 extending therebetween. The diaphragm 400 may comprise silicone or other suitable (and preferably flexible) material(s) and is designed to flex upwards when pressed during use.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm member 402 is generally formed in the shape of a cup and is designed to be configured within and to generally cover the housing shells' bottom opening 126. In some embodiments, the outer shape and outer diameter of the diaphragm member 402 (e.g., circular) corresponds to the inner shape and inner diameter of the housing's bottom open 114 (e.g., also circular). In this way, the diaphragm member 402 may be inserted into this portion of the shell's inner volume 116 and generally form fit therein.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm member 402 includes a lower outer circumferential lip 410 extending radially outward and an upper circumferential ledge 412 above the circumferential lip 410 thereby forming an outer circumferential gap 414 therebetween. In some embodiments, the diameter D3 of the diaphragm member 402 measured between the innermost sidewalls of the gap 414 on opposite sides generally matches the diameter D4 of the housing shell's bottom opening 126 measured between points on the opening's rim 128 on opposite sides (see FIG. 4 ). In this way, the diaphragm member 402 may be inserted into the shell's bottom opening 126 and manipulated such that the entirety of shell's bottom rim 128 (or at least a portion thereof) may be received into the gap 414, thereby securing the diaphragm member 402 in place. This results in the arrangement as shown in FIG. 2 with the diaphragm member 402 sealing the bottom opening 126 of the housing shell 402 closed.
As shown in FIG. 5 , the bottom center of the diaphragm member 202 is designated by the centerline Dm. In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the diaphragm member 402 extending inward from its outer circumferential lip 410 includes a raised portion 416 that extends upward and into the shell's inner volume 116 when the member 402 is configured with the shell 102 as described above. In some embodiments, the raised portion 416 generally peaks at and is generally symmetrical about its centerline Dm.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , the raised portion 406 may include a generally vertical portion 416 immediately adjacent (or thereabouts) the outer circumferential lip 410, followed by a generally sloping downward portion 418 followed by a generally upward sloping portion 420 that peaks at the centerline Dm. The purposes of these various portions 416, 418, 420 is to provide enough flexible material between the outer circumferential lip 410 and the raised portion 406 at the centerline Dm such that the raised portion 406 may flex upward an adequate amount to contact the bottom 206 of the cup 202 when the cup 202 is configured within the housing 100 as described above. As will be described in other sections, this enables the diaphragm member 402 to deflect upward far enough to push upward on the cup 202 and to cause the cup 202 to be ejected through the housing's top end 104.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , the diaphragm member 202 includes an upward extending lip 422 coupled to and extending upward from the diaphragm's inner sidewalls 424. The lip 422 preferably extends about the entire circumference of the inner sidewalls 424 (or at least a portion thereof) in a location between the diaphragm's bottom 406 and top 404. As shown in FIG. 2 , with the cup 202 inserted and secured within the housing's hollow shell 102 as described above, the lip 422 is preferably located at a position that corresponds to the cup's lower portion 212 (generally immediately adjacent the cup's bottom 206) thereby engaging this portion of the cup 202 and supporting it laterally within the housing's inner volume 116. In this way, the cup 202 is held at its upper portion 210 by the housing's detents 110 and ledge 112 (within the resulting gap 122) and supported at its lower portion 212 by the lip 422.

In Use

In use, the housing assembly 100 is configured with the diaphragm 400 as described above. The cup 202 is received by the user filled with powdered detergent (e.g., from an online store) and is subsequently opened for use (e.g., the top is removed). The opened cup 202 is then placed into the housing assembly 100 through the housing's open top 104. Without added downward force, the cup 202 may generally rest within the housing 100 with its cup rim 216 resting above the housing's upper detents 110.
Then, with the cup 202 in this position, the lid assembly 300 may be placed over the housing's top 104 and pressed downward. As the lid 300 moves downward, the lid's lower rim 308 may engage the top 204 of the cup 202 (preferably at the cup's outer rim 216). As the downward movement continues, the lid 300 may force the cup 202 downward, past the housing's upper detents 110, and into the gap 122. This places the ledge 112 immediately below the cup's rim 216 thereby providing a stop to the cup's downward movement. At this juncture, it is preferable that the lid's outer downward facing circumferential ledge 310 abuts the top 104 of the housing 100 such that its downward movement is stopped. The result of this process is shown in FIG. 2 .
When the user wishes to access the powdered detergent within the cup 202 within the housing 100, he/she simply grasps the lid 300 and pulls upward thereby releasing the lid 300. The user may then use a spoon (e.g., a scoop) or other type of utensil to scoop out the detergent for use. Notably, the cup 202 remains secured in place within the housing 100 by the detents 110 and ledge 112 combination. The lid 300 may then be replaced and the housing 100 may be sealed closed.
When the cup 202 is empty and requires replacement, the user simply places his/her finger or thumb through the housing's bottom opening 126 to engage the bottom diaphragm 400 and press it upward. This causes the diaphragm's raised portion 406 to extend upward into the housing's inner volume 116 until it engages the bottom 206 of the cup 202 therein. As the user continues to push the diaphragm 400 upward, the cup 202 also is forced upward until its upper rim 216 is forced past the housing's detents 110 and the cup 202 is released. It is preferable that the lid 300 be removed during this process so that the cup 202 may be generally ejected upward and removed through the top 104 of the housing 100. The empty cup 202, being recyclable, may be recycled and a new cup 202 filled with powdered detergent may then be received (e.g., purchased) and installed into the housing 100 as described herein.
It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any embodiment of the assembly 10 described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way with any other aspect and/or element of any other embodiment to form additional embodiments of the assembly 10 all of which are within the scope of the assembly 10.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container holder, the container holder comprising:

a housing including an housing open first end, an housing open second end opposite the housing open first end, and housing inner sidewalls extending between the housing open first end and the housing open second end defining a housing inner volume;

at least one detent configured with the housing inner sidewalls;

a ledge configured with the housing inner sidewalls below the at least one detent;

a container within the housing inner volume and including an open top defined by a container outer circumferential rim, the container adapted to transition from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration, the unlocked configuration including the container outer circumferential rim positioned above the at least one detent and the locked configuration including the container outer circumferential rim positioned between the at least one detent and the ledge;

a lid for closing the housing open first end, the lid including a lid lower rim that corresponds to the container outer circumferential rim;

wherein closing the housing open first end with the lid causes the container to transition from its unlocked configuration to its locked configuration.

2. The container holder of claim 1 further comprising:

a diaphragm configured to close the housing open second end.

3. The container holder of claim 2 wherein the housing open second end is defined by an inner circumferential rim and the diaphragm includes an outer diaphragm circumferential gap adapted to receive at least a portion of the inner circumferential rim and to be secured to the inner circumferential rim thereby.

4. The container holder of claim 2 wherein flexing of the diaphragm upward causes the diaphragm to engage the container and to cause the container to transition from its locked configuration to its unlocked configuration.

5. The container holder of claim 2 wherein the diaphragm includes a lip configured to extend upward within the housing inner volume and adjacent to a lower portion of the container, wherein the lip is adapted to provide lateral support to the container when the container is in its locked configuration.

6. The container holder of claim 2 wherein the diaphragm includes an upward curvature between outer diaphragm circumferential gap and a center point of the diaphragm.

7. The container holder of claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises an outer circumferential ledge that engages the housing open first end when the lid closes the housing open first end and the container is in its locked configuration.