Interlocking bottle

Abstract

Containers and container housing apparatus comprising rail components configured to reversibly connect the container housing apparatus and containers in order to provide asystem of containers that can

Description

Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates generally to containers and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing interlocking bottles. Background Bottles and containers can be designed with separate compartments to store different components. Currently, these separate compartments are fixed together to form a single bottle or container apparatus. The separate compartments cannot be interchanged. There is a need to provide container apparatus which allows a user to interchange the separate compartments in order to form a bottle with compartments storing their desired components. Aspects of the present disclosure seek to provide a container that alleviates these problems with prior known systems. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure seek to provide a container apparatus that allows the user to combine and mix and match the containers. Summary According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a container housing apparatus for connecting at least two containers; the container housing apparatus comprising a connector arm and a base, the connector arm having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis connecting the proximal end and the distal end, the base located at the distal end of the connector arm; wherein the connector arm comprises at least two rail components parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rail components configured to connect the container housing apparatus to a container; and wherein the base is substantially perpendicular to the connector arm. In this way, the container housing apparatus can reversibly connect at least two containers, allowing the user to interchange containers to form their desired combination. The base may support and stabilise the containers. In some embodiments, the connector arm comprises three or more rail components, each configured to connect a container. In this way, the container housing apparatus can connect three or more containers. Preferably, the apparatus is freestanding. In this way, the apparatus can be displayed upright, for examples on the shelves of a shop, without the need for supports. In some embodiments, the connector arm and the base are separable. In this way, the base and the connector arm may also be interchanged. In some embodiments, the apparatus is integrally formed as one piece. In this way, the housing apparatus may be stronger. In some embodiments, the rail components comprise a channel configured to accept a complementary protruding member of a container to connect the container housing apparatus to a container. In this way, a complementary container can be slidably attached to and detached from the container housing apparatus. Preferably, the rail components comprise a first lip extending from one side of the channel, configured to secure the complementary protruding member of a container within the channel. Preferably, the rail components further comprise a second lip on an opposing side of the channel. In this way, the risk of the container housing apparatus and a container separating as a result of a force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail component is reduced. In some embodiments, the rail components comprise a protruding member configured to slidably connect to a complementary channel of a container to connect the container housing apparatus and a container. In this way, a complementary container can be slidably attached to and detached from the container housing apparatus. In some embodiments, the rail components extend substantially the length of the connector arm from the distal end to the proximal end of the connector arm. Preferably, the connector arm comprises glass and / or plastic. Preferably, the base comprises glass and / or plastic. Preferably, the base is configured to support a container. More preferably, the base is configured to support two or more containers. In this way, the container housing apparatus connects and supports any complementary containers. Preferably, the base comprises a coupling member configured to connect the base to a container. In this way, the container housing apparatus and the container may be more securely attached. More preferably, the coupling member is configured to connect the base with a complimentary coupling member of a container. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a container comprising a container body and a container lid, wherein the container further comprises a rail component configured to connect the container to a container housing apparatus. In this way, the container can reversibly connect to a container housing apparatus, allowing the user to interchange containers to form their desired combination. In some embodiments, the rail component comprises a protruding member configured to slidably connect to a complementary channel of the container housing apparatus to connect the container to the container housing apparatus. In this way, a complementary container can be slidably attached to and detached from the container housing apparatus. In some embodiments, the rail component comprises a channel configured to accept a complementary protruding member of the container housing apparatus to connect the container to a container housing apparatus. In this way, a complementary container can be slidably attached to and detached from the container housing apparatus. Preferably, the rail components comprise a first lip extending from one side of the channel, configured to secure the complementary protruding member of a container within the channel. Preferably, the rail components further comprise a second lip on an opposing side of the channel. In this way, the risk of the container housing apparatus and a container separating as a result of a force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail component is reduced. In some embodiments, the container is a bottle. In some embodiments, the container lid comprises cork. In some embodiments, the container comprises a glass and / or plastic. Preferably, the container comprises a coupling member on a lower surface of the container, wherein the coupling member of the container is configured to connect the container to a container housing apparatus. In this way, the container housing apparatus and the container may be more securely attached. More preferably, the coupling member is configured to connect the base with a complimentary coupling member of a container. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kit of parts comprising the container housing apparatus of the first aspect of the invention and at least one container of the second aspect of the invention. Preferably, the kit of parts comprises at least two containers of the second aspect of the invention. Preferably, the kit of parts comprises a lid which covers at least two containers and the container housing apparatus, the lid is configured to further secure the containers to the container housing apparatus. In this way, the container housing and the containers are more securely attached to the container housing and the chance of accidental separation of the containers and the container housing is reduced. Brief Description of the Drawings The disclosure will be further described with reference to examples depicted in the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a diagram showing the rail mechanism components; Figure 2 is an exploded view of a container housing apparatus and a pair of containers, all according to the invention; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the components of Figure 2, rotated around axis A; Figure 4 is a diagram showing a container and base of a container housing apparatus (connector arm not shown) in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second container and a base of a second container housing apparatus (connector arm not shown) in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a diagram showing the connection between the container and container housing apparatus of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the connection between the container and container housing apparatus of Figure 5. Detailed Description The following description presents a particular examples and serves to explain principles of the disclosure. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the examples, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed to be covered by the description. Terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. In some cases, alternative terms for structural features may be provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive. Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of" such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper” and “lower” are used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension, orientation and / or direction. The description herein refers to examples with particular combinations of features, however, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible features between embodiments will be possible. Indeed, isolated features may function independently as an invention from other features and not necessarily require implementation as a complete combination. In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a container housing apparatus 100, two complementary containers, 200 and 300, and a lid 400. The container housing apparatus 100 comprises a base 110 and connector arm 120 extending perpendicularly from the centre of the base 110. The connector arm 120 comprises two channels, 121 and 122, running along the longitudinal axis, A, of the connector arm. Extending from each longitudinal side of the channels, 121 and 122, are lips, 131 and 141, and, 132 and 142 respectively. The two channels, 121 and 122, are located on opposing sides of the connector arm 120. The base 110, comprises two coupling members, 123 and 124. The containers, 200 and 300, each comprise a lower surface, 201 and 301, and a perpendicular connecting surface, 202 and 302. The connecting surfaces 202 and 302, each comprise a protruding member, 210 and 310, configured to slidably connect to the channels, 121 and 122, of the container housing apparatus 100. The lower surfaces, 201 and 301, each comprise coupling members, 203 and 303, configured to connect to the coupling members, 123 and 124, of the base 110 of the container housing apparatus 100. When the containers, 200 and 300, are attached to the container housing apparatus, 100, the lid 400, can be applied to cover the upper surfaces of the containers 200 and 300 and the housing apparatus 100. The lid, 400, further secures the connections, reducing the risk of accidental separation in the longitudinal direction. In a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a container housing apparatus 1000, two complementary containers, 2000 and 3000, and a lid 4000 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The container housing apparatus 1000 comprises a base 1010 and connector arm 1020 extending perpendicularly from the centre of the base 1010. The connector arm 1020 comprises two protruding members, 1021 and 1022, running along the longitudinal axis, A, of the connector arm. The two protruding members, 1021 and 1022, are located on opposing sides of the connector arm 1020. The base 1010, comprises coupling members, 1023 and 1024. The coupling members, 1023 and 1024, may be distinct components. The coupling members, 1023 and 1024, may be parts of a single coupling component 1025 as shown in Figures 4-7. The connector arm 1020 is not shown in Figures 4-7 in order to more clearly illustrate the connection between the base 1010 and the container 2000 through the coupling member 1025. The containers, 2000 and 3000, each comprise a lower surface, 2001 and 3001, and a perpendicular connecting surface, 2002 and 3002. The connecting surfaces 2002 and 3002, each comprise a channel, 2010 and 3010, running along the longitudinal axis, A, of the connector arm. The channels 2010 and 3010 are configured to receive the protruding members, 1021 and 1022, of the container housing apparatus 1000. The lower surfaces, 2001 and 3001, each comprise coupling members, 2003 and 3003, configured to connect to the coupling members, 1023 and 1024, of the base 1010 of the container housing apparatus 1000. When the containers, 2000 and 3000, are attached to the container housing apparatus, 1000, the lid 4000, can be applied to cover the upper surfaces of the containers 2000 and 3000 and the housing apparatus 1000. The lid, 4000, further secures the connections, reducing the risk of accidental separation in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A container housing apparatus for connecting at least two containers; the container housing apparatus comprising a connector arm and a base, the connector arm having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis connecting the proximal end and the distal end, the base located at the distal end of the connector arm;wherein the connector arm comprises at least two rail components parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rail components configured to connect the container housing apparatus to a container; andwherein the base is substantially perpendicular to the connector arm.

2. The container housing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector arm comprises three or more rail components, each configured to connect a container.

3. The container housing apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus is freestanding.

4. The container housing apparatus of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the connector arm and the base are separable.

5. The container housing apparatus of claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, wherein the apparatus is integrally formed as one piece.

6. The container housing apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the rail components comprise a channel configured to accept a complementary protruding member of a container to connect the container housing apparatus to a container.

7. The container housing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rail components comprise a first lip extending from one side of the channel, configured to secure the complementary protruding member of a container within the channel.

8. The container housing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rail components further comprise a second lip on an opposing side of the channel.

9. The container housing of any of the preceding claims, wherein the rail components comprise a protruding member configured to slidably connect to a complementary channel of a container to connect the container housing apparatus and a container.

10. The container housing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the rail components extend substantially the length of the connector arm from the distal end to the proximal end of the connector arm.

11. The container housing apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector arm comprises glass and / or plastic.

12. The container housing apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises glass and / or plastic.

13. The container housing apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the base is configured to support a container.

14. The container housing of any of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises a coupling member configured to connect the base to a container.

15. A container for connecting to the container housing apparatus of claim 1, the container comprising a container body and a container lid, wherein the container further comprises a rail component configured to connect the container to a container housing apparatus.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the rail component comprises a protruding member configured to slidably connect to a complementary channel of the container housing apparatus to connect the container to the container housing apparatus.

17. The container of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the rail component comprises a channel configured to accept a complementary protruding member of the container housing apparatus to connect the container to a container housing apparatus.

18. The container of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the container is a bottle.

19. The container of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the container lid comprisescork.

20. The container of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the container comprises glass and / or plastic.

21. The container of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the container comprises a coupling member on a lower surface of the container, wherein the coupling member of the container is configured to connect the container to a container housing apparatus.

22. A kit of parts comprising the container housing apparatus of any of claims 1 to 14 and at least one container of claims 15 to 21.

23. The kit of parts of claim 22, wherein the kit of parts comprises the container housing apparatus of any of claims 1 to 14 and at least two containers of claims 15 to 21,24. The kit of parts of claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the kit of parts comprises a lid which covers at least two containers and the container housing apparatus, the lid is configured to further secure the containers to the container housing apparatus.

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