Title:

Containers

United States Patent Application 20010040164

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

A container is provided with openings top and bottom so that the bottom can be opened when the contents of the containers are no longer accessible foil the top—the top then being closed and the contents removed from the bottom opening.

Inventors:

Cleator, Christopher John (Kwa Zulu Natal, ZA)

Application Number:

09/725465

Publication Date:

11/15/2001

Filing Date:

11/30/2000

Export Citation:

Click for automatic bibliography generation

Assignee:

CLEATOR CHRISTOPHER JOHN

Primary Class:

220/501

Other Classes:

220/505

International Classes:

B65D1/06; (IPC1-7): B65D1/24; B65D1/36; B65D25/04

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20010040164

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Primary Examiner:

MOY, JOSEPH MAN

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC (ARLINGTON, VA, US)

Claims:

1. A container including openings at least at the top and bottom thereof.

2. A container according to claim 1 in which the top and bottom openings are complemental for engagement to constitute a multi-compartmentalised container.

3. A container according to any of the above claims including a plurality of other openings for special effects and multifaceted containers.

4. A container according to any of the above claims which is tubular.

5. A container according to claim 4 in the form of a toothpaste tube.

6. A container according to claim 4 in the form of a tube for cosmetic material.

7. A container substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to containers and particularly to containers for foodstuffs and other viscous materials such as toothpaste, make-up or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many foodstuffs are packed into bottles or similar containers which have substantial depth making it difficult to remove the last portions of the foodstuff. Thus, a considerable quantity of otherwise edible material is wasted due to the impossibility or difficulty of its removal from the bottom of the bottle or the like.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement which obviates this problem.

THE INVENTION

[0004] According to the invention a container includes openings at least at the top and bottom thereof.

[0005] Thus, when the level of the material in the container reaches the bottom zone, the top opening may be closed (by applying the lid) and the bottom opening opened (by opening a similar lid, for example).

[0006] In a refinement of the invention the top and bottom openings are complemental so that it may be attached to a similar container for a double or multi-compartmentalised container to be constituted.

[0007] A plurality of openings may be provided for special effects and for multifaceted containers.

[0008] The container is preferably made from a polymeric material but it will be appreciated that it can be made from glass. It may also be made from a metal with lids top and bottom and with complemental openings for attachment to a similar container. The container may be tubular for example, a toothpaste tube or tube for make-up or other cosmetic material.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a jar according to the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a stack of jars;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a canister according to the invention.

[0013] In FIG. 1, a plastic jar 10 has lids 12 and 14 top and bottom. Either can serve as the first opening until the level of the material in the jar has dropped to a state where it is difficult to extract the material. The second lid is then removed so that the remaining material may be removed.

[0014] The openings 16 and 18 may be provided with complemental screw threading so that one may be screwed into the other as shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] In FIG. 3 the openings 20, 22 are also complemental but are bayonet formations. Lids 26, 28 are separately removable for the same purpose as described above.

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