ORNAMENTAL CONTAINER
United States Patent 3776413
A container comprising a transparent cup-shaped member forming a base and an outer upright tubular sidewall, and an inner tubular sidewall telescoped within the outer sidewall, the sidewalls being spaced apart to define an annular space for encasing a decorative fabric which forms ornamentation for the container. A split ring forms a mounting sleeve for supporting the fabric in the annular space, and a flange overlies the upper ends of the sidewalls to close the annular space. In one embodiment, the flange is secured to the inner sidewall, and in another embodiment, the flange is part of a removable cap.
US Patent References:
Ice-cream packer or shipping receptacle
Graves - November 1923 - 1473226
Condiment cellar
Warren - December 1952 - 2623660
Carton for shipping and storing boxes, bottles, etc.
Bergaud - June 1937 - 2083113
Plural walled container and process of manufacturing thereof
Lewis - October 1961 - 3002646
Ice-cream packer or shipping receptacle
Graves - November 1923 - 1473226
Condiment cellar
Warren - December 1952 - 2623660
Carton for shipping and storing boxes, bottles, etc.
Bergaud - June 1937 - 2083113
Plural walled container and process of manufacturing thereof
Lewis - October 1961 - 3002646
Application Number:
05/225766
Publication Date:
12/04/1973
Filing Date:
02/14/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
220/662, 229/116.100
International Classes:
B65D25/16; B65D25/14; B65D25/18
Field of Search:
220/9R 229/8 206/DIG.35
Primary Examiner:
Dixson Jr., William T.
Assistant Examiner:
Garrett, James R.
Claims:
I claim
1. A container for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric to be encased in the peripheral wall of the container as ornamentation, said container comprising:
2. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange is removable by withdrawing said inner sidewall from telescoped relation with said outer sidewall thereby to open said annular space for insertion and withdrawal of said ring.
3. A container as defined in claim 2 in which said split ring is resilient to allow limited spreading of said ends for insertion of the ends of the strip therebetween to both support and stretch the strip.
4. A container as defined in claim 1 in which said transparent material is plastic and said split ring is composed of a resilient material to allow limited spreading of said ends of said ring for insertion of the ends of said strip therebetween.
5. A container for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric to be encased in the peripheral wall of the container as ornamentation, said container comprising:
6. A container as defined in claim 5 wherein said outer sidewall is secured to said base and said inner sidewall includes a flange projecting from its upper end over the upper end of said outer sidewall to close the upper end of said annular space, said flange having a downturned edge defining a rim around the upper end portion of said outer sidewall.
7. A container as defined in claim 5 including a cap overlying the upper ends of said sidewalls and having a downturned peripheral flange defining a rim around the upper end portion of said outer sidewall.
8. A container as defined in claim 5 wherein said outer sidewall is composed of plastic and said split ring is composed of a resilient material to allow limited spreading of the ends for insertion of the ends of the strip therebetween to both support and stretch the strip.
1. A container for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric to be encased in the peripheral wall of the container as ornamentation, said container comprising:
2. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange is removable by withdrawing said inner sidewall from telescoped relation with said outer sidewall thereby to open said annular space for insertion and withdrawal of said ring.
3. A container as defined in claim 2 in which said split ring is resilient to allow limited spreading of said ends for insertion of the ends of the strip therebetween to both support and stretch the strip.
4. A container as defined in claim 1 in which said transparent material is plastic and said split ring is composed of a resilient material to allow limited spreading of said ends of said ring for insertion of the ends of said strip therebetween.
5. A container for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric to be encased in the peripheral wall of the container as ornamentation, said container comprising:
6. A container as defined in claim 5 wherein said outer sidewall is secured to said base and said inner sidewall includes a flange projecting from its upper end over the upper end of said outer sidewall to close the upper end of said annular space, said flange having a downturned edge defining a rim around the upper end portion of said outer sidewall.
7. A container as defined in claim 5 including a cap overlying the upper ends of said sidewalls and having a downturned peripheral flange defining a rim around the upper end portion of said outer sidewall.
8. A container as defined in claim 5 wherein said outer sidewall is composed of plastic and said split ring is composed of a resilient material to allow limited spreading of the ends for insertion of the ends of the strip therebetween to both support and stretch the strip.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to ornamental containers and has particular reference to a container within which is displayed a decorative fabric as ornamentation.
Decorative fabrics can provide pleasing and attractive ornamentation for containers if properly displayed. For example, a needlepoint design if appropriately mounted on a container can make an ornamental container capable of many uses, as well as serving as an attractive display for the needlepoint design itself. The major drawback to the use of decorative fabrics, however, has been the inability to structure the container in a manner so that it will receive the fabric in a simple manner and adequately support and protect the fabric during long periods of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a container for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric which is encased in the container to form ornamentation therefor. By virtue of its structure, the container can be quickly and easily assembled with the fabric encased therein and the fabric will be fully protected from damage and not loose its attractiveness even after prolonged use of the container.
More specifically, the container comprises inner and outer upright tubular sidewalls telescoped one within the other in spaced relation to define an annular space between the sidewalls for receiving the decorative fabric. One of the sidewalls is secured at its lower end to a base, and a split ring having closely spaced ends is disposed in the annular space to form a mounting sleeve for supporting the fabric.
The fabric is wrapped around the ring with the ends of the fabric inserted through the ends of the split ring, and the ring and fabric then are removably disposed in the annular space. A removable flange projects from the upper end of the inner sidewall over the annular space and upper end of the outer sidewall to close the annular space.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in cut-away cross-section, of a container in accordance with the invention and having a decorative fabric encased therein;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly in cut-away cross-section, of the decorative fabric of FIG. 1 removed from the container and supported by a split-ring mounting sleeve;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4--4 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the container of FIG. 1 and having a cap overlying and closing the upper end of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in the exemplary drawings, the present invention is embodied in a container 10 for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric 12 to be encased in the container as ornamentation. In this instance, the decorative fabric 12 is a strip of needlepoint material with an ornamental design formed on a portion of the strip. When the fabric 12 has been encased in the container 10, the design is displayed to present an attractive container which can be used as an ice bucket, sewing box, planter, or the like.
In accordance with the invention, the container 10 has an outer upright tubular sidewall 18 composed of transparent material, an inner upright tubular sidewall 20 telescoped within the outer sidewall in spaced relation therewith, and a base 22 secured to the lower end of one of the sidewalls to form a bottom for the container. The inner and outer sidewalls 20 and 18, respectively, cooperate to define an annular space 24 within which is disposed a split ring 26 forming a mounting sleeve for supporting the fabric 12 in the annular space.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the outer sidewall 18 is integrally formed with the base 22 to define a cup-shaped member within which the inner sidewall 20 is telescoped. Herein, the inner and outer sidewalls 20 and 18, respectively, are of equal height and have circular horizontal cross-sections, and each is composed of a transparent plastic. The lower end of the inner sidewall 18 abuts the base 22 and is supported thereby so that the annular space 24 has a predetermined height and width.
The ring 26 is composed of a resilient material, herein metal, with closely spaced ends 28, and the fabric 12 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the ring. Preferably, the height of the ring 26 is slightly less than the height of the annular space 24 and the thickness of the ring 26 is sufficiently less than the width of the annular space 24 to provide clearance in the annular space for receiving the ring together with the fabric 12. The clearance should be just enough to allow insertion of the ring 26 with the fabric 12 abutting the inner periphery of the outer sidewall 18 and the outer periphery of the inner sidewall 20.
The fabric 12 is wrapped around the ring 26 by inserting the ends 30 of the fabric through the slot 32 defined by the ends of the ring 26, this being done by spreading the ends of the ring slightly so that, when the ends of the ring are released, the fabric will be stretched tightly against the outer periphery of the ring. The side edges 34 of the fabric 12 are then folded over the upper and lower side edges 36 of the ring 26 so that the design 16 is centered between the side edges of the ring. Once the fabric 12 has been wrapped around the ring 26, the ring is inserted into the annular space 24.
As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an integral flange 38 projects from the upper end 40 of the inner sidewall 20 over the upper end 42 of the outer sidewall 18 to close the annular space 24. The flange 38 has a downturned edge 44 whcih forms a rim around the upper end portion of the outer sidewall 18 and holds the inner sidewall 20 in spaced relation from the outer sidewall.
In this instance, the ring 26 is inserted into the annular space 24 by withdrawing the inner sidewall 20 from telescoped relation with the outer sidewall 18. The ring 26, with the strip of fabric mounted thereon, is then placed against the inside surface of the outer sidewall 18 and the inner sidewall 20 is repositioned with its lower end abutting the base 22 and the flange 38 closing the annular space 24. In a similar manner, the ring 26 can be removed from the annular space 24 by removing the inner sidewall 20 and then the ring.
In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, either or both the inner and outer sidewalls 20 and 18 can be secured to the base 22, for example, if the container 10 is to be used as an ice bucket, the inner sidewall 20 must be secured to the base 22 to prevent water from entering the annular space 24 and damaging the fabric 12. In such a case, the ring 26 is inserted or removed by sliding it into or out of the annular space 24 from the upper end of the container 10. In this embodiment, the annular space 24 is closed by a removable cap 46 which closes the upper end of the container 10. The cap 46 has a downturned peripheral portion 48 which forms a rim around the upper end portion of the outer sidewall 18 and holds the cap in place over the container 10.
From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the container 10 of the invention provides an effective and convenient means for displaying a decorative fabric to ornament the container. By virtue of the construction of the container 10, the fabric 12 will not sag, be damaged, or loose its attractiveness even after prolonged use.
While different particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will further be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The invention relates to ornamental containers and has particular reference to a container within which is displayed a decorative fabric as ornamentation.
Decorative fabrics can provide pleasing and attractive ornamentation for containers if properly displayed. For example, a needlepoint design if appropriately mounted on a container can make an ornamental container capable of many uses, as well as serving as an attractive display for the needlepoint design itself. The major drawback to the use of decorative fabrics, however, has been the inability to structure the container in a manner so that it will receive the fabric in a simple manner and adequately support and protect the fabric during long periods of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a container for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric which is encased in the container to form ornamentation therefor. By virtue of its structure, the container can be quickly and easily assembled with the fabric encased therein and the fabric will be fully protected from damage and not loose its attractiveness even after prolonged use of the container.
More specifically, the container comprises inner and outer upright tubular sidewalls telescoped one within the other in spaced relation to define an annular space between the sidewalls for receiving the decorative fabric. One of the sidewalls is secured at its lower end to a base, and a split ring having closely spaced ends is disposed in the annular space to form a mounting sleeve for supporting the fabric.
The fabric is wrapped around the ring with the ends of the fabric inserted through the ends of the split ring, and the ring and fabric then are removably disposed in the annular space. A removable flange projects from the upper end of the inner sidewall over the annular space and upper end of the outer sidewall to close the annular space.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in cut-away cross-section, of a container in accordance with the invention and having a decorative fabric encased therein;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly in cut-away cross-section, of the decorative fabric of FIG. 1 removed from the container and supported by a split-ring mounting sleeve;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4--4 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the container of FIG. 1 and having a cap overlying and closing the upper end of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in the exemplary drawings, the present invention is embodied in a container 10 for use in combination with a strip of decorative fabric 12 to be encased in the container as ornamentation. In this instance, the decorative fabric 12 is a strip of needlepoint material with an ornamental design formed on a portion of the strip. When the fabric 12 has been encased in the container 10, the design is displayed to present an attractive container which can be used as an ice bucket, sewing box, planter, or the like.
In accordance with the invention, the container 10 has an outer upright tubular sidewall 18 composed of transparent material, an inner upright tubular sidewall 20 telescoped within the outer sidewall in spaced relation therewith, and a base 22 secured to the lower end of one of the sidewalls to form a bottom for the container. The inner and outer sidewalls 20 and 18, respectively, cooperate to define an annular space 24 within which is disposed a split ring 26 forming a mounting sleeve for supporting the fabric 12 in the annular space.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the outer sidewall 18 is integrally formed with the base 22 to define a cup-shaped member within which the inner sidewall 20 is telescoped. Herein, the inner and outer sidewalls 20 and 18, respectively, are of equal height and have circular horizontal cross-sections, and each is composed of a transparent plastic. The lower end of the inner sidewall 18 abuts the base 22 and is supported thereby so that the annular space 24 has a predetermined height and width.
The ring 26 is composed of a resilient material, herein metal, with closely spaced ends 28, and the fabric 12 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the ring. Preferably, the height of the ring 26 is slightly less than the height of the annular space 24 and the thickness of the ring 26 is sufficiently less than the width of the annular space 24 to provide clearance in the annular space for receiving the ring together with the fabric 12. The clearance should be just enough to allow insertion of the ring 26 with the fabric 12 abutting the inner periphery of the outer sidewall 18 and the outer periphery of the inner sidewall 20.
The fabric 12 is wrapped around the ring 26 by inserting the ends 30 of the fabric through the slot 32 defined by the ends of the ring 26, this being done by spreading the ends of the ring slightly so that, when the ends of the ring are released, the fabric will be stretched tightly against the outer periphery of the ring. The side edges 34 of the fabric 12 are then folded over the upper and lower side edges 36 of the ring 26 so that the design 16 is centered between the side edges of the ring. Once the fabric 12 has been wrapped around the ring 26, the ring is inserted into the annular space 24.
As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an integral flange 38 projects from the upper end 40 of the inner sidewall 20 over the upper end 42 of the outer sidewall 18 to close the annular space 24. The flange 38 has a downturned edge 44 whcih forms a rim around the upper end portion of the outer sidewall 18 and holds the inner sidewall 20 in spaced relation from the outer sidewall.
In this instance, the ring 26 is inserted into the annular space 24 by withdrawing the inner sidewall 20 from telescoped relation with the outer sidewall 18. The ring 26, with the strip of fabric mounted thereon, is then placed against the inside surface of the outer sidewall 18 and the inner sidewall 20 is repositioned with its lower end abutting the base 22 and the flange 38 closing the annular space 24. In a similar manner, the ring 26 can be removed from the annular space 24 by removing the inner sidewall 20 and then the ring.
In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, either or both the inner and outer sidewalls 20 and 18 can be secured to the base 22, for example, if the container 10 is to be used as an ice bucket, the inner sidewall 20 must be secured to the base 22 to prevent water from entering the annular space 24 and damaging the fabric 12. In such a case, the ring 26 is inserted or removed by sliding it into or out of the annular space 24 from the upper end of the container 10. In this embodiment, the annular space 24 is closed by a removable cap 46 which closes the upper end of the container 10. The cap 46 has a downturned peripheral portion 48 which forms a rim around the upper end portion of the outer sidewall 18 and holds the cap in place over the container 10.
From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the container 10 of the invention provides an effective and convenient means for displaying a decorative fabric to ornament the container. By virtue of the construction of the container 10, the fabric 12 will not sag, be damaged, or loose its attractiveness even after prolonged use.
While different particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will further be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.