Container for a substance

Abstract

The present invention describes a container that can generate sound by displacement of air in a flow path within the container and in an acoustic port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of containers, and more specifically, to a container for a substance capable of generating sound.

Background Art

[0002] Noise makers come in various forms, and attempts have been made to incorporate such noise makers into various items. There is a need for a container that can generate noise or sound incorporated within the container to provide noise or sound upon demand.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a container for a substance, comprising a container for containing the substance and a shell interconnected with the container and having a flow path for passing air therethrough. The container also has a port in fluid communication with the flow path and a bladder disposed on the shell for generating sound when air is displaced within the flow path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention will be described by referring to the following drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same elements.

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 19a

Figure 19b

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

[0005] The figures are not to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of certain elements, and related elements may be removed to prevent obscuring novel aspects. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather should be construed merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] As used herein, the terms “coupled” and “connected” may be used with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended to be synonyms for each other. Rather, in certain embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in physical or electrical contact with each other, either directly or indirectly (with other intervening elements therebetween), or that two or more elements cooperate or interact with each other (e.g., in a cause-and-effect relationship).

[0007] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a container 10 having a shell 20 and a container 30 is shown. A port 40 is disposed on the container 30 to enable fluid communication with a flow path (not shown). The container 10 also has a cap 50 fixed to the bottom of the container 10, and this bottom cap 50 secures a bladder (not shown) to the container 10.

[0008] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cap 50 is shown in a state fixed to the container 10. The cap 50 has an opening 55 that allows air to pass through, thereby enabling a bladder (not shown) to move and generating sound or noise. The openings 55 can be provided in a plurality as shown on the bottom cap 50, or can be composed of only a few protrusions. The shape of the protrusions can be changed, and it is only necessary for air to move through the bottom cap 50 that enables the movement of the bladder.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the bladder 60 is shown in a state disposed at the bottom of the container. The bladder 60 (shown as a web for illustrative purposes only) is fixed to the container using a bottom cap (not shown) and enables the generation of sound, as will be further described below. The bladder 60 is a solid film that can be made of a rubber material, lead, or any other material that generates sound or noise.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a container 10 having a shell 20 with a bottom cap 50 and a container 30 is shown. The shell 20 is interconnected with the container 30 via ribs 70 that provide a gap 80 between the shell 20 and the container 30. The ribs 70 can be composed of simple protrusions or any other spacer known to those skilled in the art that allows for the presence of a gap between the shell 20 and the container 30. The shell 20 also has a flow path 90 in fluid communication with the port 40, and the flow path 90 extends along the entire length of the shell 20.

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flow path 90 enables the movement of air to the bladder 60 fixed to the bottom of the container 10. When the air impinges on the bladder 60, the bladder moves downward, allowing the air to pass through the upper part of the bladder 60 and enter the gap 80. The movement of the bladder 60 is necessary for the air to enter the gap 80 and exit through the acoustic port 82 to generate noise or sound. The acoustic port 82 can vary in width, and this change in width affects the noise or sound generated by the container. The movement of the bladder 60 when air moves within the flow path 90 is indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5. The acoustic port 82 can surround the upper part of the container, except when the port 40 is disposed on the container.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the container 10 is shown with the bladder both in the state of being disposed in the container and not being disposed. FIG. 6 shows the bladder 60 disposed in the container, and the outer edge of the bladder 60 overlaps the edge of the shell 20. The bladder may be composed of an elastic material made of silicone, synthetic rubber, neoprene rubber, or any other elastomeric product known to those skilled in the art. The bladder 60 must allow the bladder to move and vibrate when air is applied to the bladder. Sound is generated by such vibration or movement. The sound passes through the bottom cap (not shown) or travels within the gap 80 between the container 30 and the shell 20.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 8, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a cross-section of the shell 20 and the container 30 as used in the container is shown. The container 30 has a port adapter 32 for interconnecting with the port 40 on the shell 20. In another embodiment, since the port 40 can be disposed alone on the shell 30, the container 30 may not have the port adapter 32.

[0014] Referring further to FIG. 8, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when air is supplied to port 40, the air can move within the flow path 90 of the shell 20. The movement of the air within the flow path 90 applies pressure to a bladder (not shown) disposed at the bottom of the container via a bottom cap (not shown). The arrows in FIG. 9 indicate the displacement of the air within the flow path 90 that reaches the bladder.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 9, according to one embodiment of the present invention, port 40 is shown in fluid communication with the flow path 90 of the shell 20. Port 40 can also be made part of the container 30 as shown, or can be made independent of the container 30 such that port 40 is not connected or in contact with the container 30. Port 40 can also be a separate component disposed at the upper part of the flow path 90 or can be integrated with the flow path 90.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 10, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a container with a cover 200 and a straw 210 is shown. The cover 200 can cover or not cover the port 40, but when the cover 200 covers the port 40, no sound can be generated.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a container in the form of a mug 300 having a handle 310 with a port 320 on the handle 310 is shown. The port 320 enables air to be in fluid communication with the flow path 330. The air moves within the flow path 330 to the bottom of the mug 300 in order to generate sound by using the above-described bladder (not shown). Since the flow path 330 surrounds the container 300, a support 340 is present within the flow path 330 for the structural integrity of the container. Referring specifically to FIG. 12, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the support 340 is shown as a single solid piece that does not surround the container within the flow path 330.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 13, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the container 300 is shown in a state where there is no support 340 in the vicinity of the handle 310 and in the flow path 330 near the handle 310.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the container 400 is shown. The container 400 has a shell 410 and a cover 420. Inside the container 410, a bottom cap 450 that enables fixing of a bladder (not shown) is also shown. Further referring to FIG. 15, the cover 420 has two openings, namely, a port opening 422 and a liquid port opening 424 that enables drinking of the substance inside the container.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the container 400 is shown without a cover. The port 440 is shown connected to the container 430 and is capable of fluid communication with a flow path 490 extending along the entire length of the shell 410. The container 430 has a depression 432 that overlaps with a flow path arranged inside the outer shell of the container. Specifically referring to FIG. 17, since the container 430 is fixed to the shell 410 by using a clip 434, the container 430 is shown in a state where it is removed from the shell 410. Other means for fixing the container 430 to the shell 410, such as snap fits or any other method known to those skilled in the art for fixing a container to an outer shell, can be used. When the container 430 is detached from the shell 410, it can be seen that the flow path 490 is arranged inside the shell 410. The port 440 is also shown, and the port has a male component 442 that can be arranged inside the flow path 490, whereby when the container 430 is fixed to the shell 410, the port 440 can be in fluid communication with the flow path 490.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 18, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional view of a container 400 is shown. The container 400 has a shell 410 and a cover 420 fixed to a container 430. A flow path 490 is shown within the shell 410, and the flow path 490 extends over the entire length of the shell 410. The arrow 500 within the flow path 490 indicates the movement of air within the flow path 490 when air is pushed in from the port 440. The air moves within the flow path 490 until it reaches the bottom of the shell 410, and then exits through a central opening 600 in order to move within a gap 480 that exists between the container 430 and the shell 410. When the air moves within the gap 480, the air can exit the container through an acoustic portal 700 at the top of the container 400. The presence of a bladder is required to generate sound within the gap 480, and this bladder will be further described below.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a bladder 460 is shown disposed within the bottom of the container. The bladder 460 is fixed to the container via a bottom cap 450 screwed into the shell 410. Referring particularly to FIG. 19, air (indicated by arrow 500) enters the container from the port 440 and enters the flow path 490. This flow path is separated from the container 430 and the gap 480. Separating the flow path 430 from the gap 480 is required to generate sound or noise. The air enters the port 440, moves within the gap 480, and exits through the acoustic portal 700. The movement of the bladder allows air to move within the gap 480, thereby generating noise or sound from the container.

[0023] Referring further to FIG. 19a, when air moves through the flow path 490 (indicated by arrow 500), the air impinges on the bladder 460, pushing the bladder 460 downward so that air can enter the central opening 600. The movement of the bladder 460 causes sound to be generated that moves through the flow path 480 and exits through the acoustic portal 700.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 20, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the acoustic portal 700 is shown as a small gap between the container 430 disposed within the shell 410. The aperture width of the acoustic portal 700 affects the noise or sound generated by the container.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a container 10 having an acoustic member 800 is shown, which can generate a specific sound, such as the quacking of a duck, among other possible sounds based on the acoustic member 800. The acoustic member 800 is disposed within a flow path 90 that is in fluid communication with the port 40. By introducing air into the port 40, the air moves to the acoustic member 800 and generates sound as the air exits the container 10, as described above in other embodiments.

[0026] Referring further to FIG. 22, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the acoustic member 800 has a tongue 810 that moves and vibrates to generate a sound similar to the quacking of a duck, or any other type of sound that can be generated through the tongue member. To generate a specific sound in the container of the present invention, the acoustic member needs to be fixed within the flow path 90 that is in fluid communication with the port 40. The acoustic member 800 can generate sound by only changing the movement of the air within the flow path 90, and different sounds can be generated by a number of different configurations of the acoustic member 800. For example, the shape and the presence or absence of the tongue affect the sound generated by the container.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a container holder 1000 for holding a can 2000 is shown. The container holder 1000 has a port 1040 within the handle 1020. An acoustic port 1082 is present at the bottom of the container holder 1000. When air is introduced into the port 1040 and moves to the acoustic port 1082, sound is generated. The movement of the air is indicated, for example, by the presence of the arrows in FIG. 24. The container holder 1000 can also hold a number of other containers in addition to the can.

[0028] Referring further to FIGS. 25 and 26, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the container holder 1000 has a flow path 1090 that is in fluid communication with the port 1040 within the handle 1020, thereby allowing air to move to the bladder 1060. The bladder 1060 is displaced such that air can move into the central opening 1600 and then out of the acoustic port 1082.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a container 10 having a sealable cap 1500 is shown. The container 10 has a port 1510 that allows air to be in fluid communication with the flow path within the container 10, as described above in other embodiments. The port 1510 and the liquid port 1520 are disposed on the sealable cap 1500. The liquid port 1520 can have a closure function that allows the user to ingest liquid and allows the liquid port 1520 to be sealed.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 29, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the sealable cap 1500 is secured to the container 10 via a screw engagement disposed on the container 30. When the sealable cap 1500 is disposed on the container 10 and screwed onto the container 30, the port 1510 aligns with a flow path 90 that allows fluid communication with the port 1510.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer shell of the container may include one or more holes that can change the sound or noise generated by the container. In order to change the noise or sound from the container, the holes need to be disposed on the outer surface of the shell of the container or in contact with the gap 80 or 480, as described in the accompanying drawings.

[0032] The present invention can include a number of containers having ports disposed at different positions on the container as long as the ports are in fluid communication with the flow path and the bladder.

[0033] The container of the present invention can be made from a number of different materials such as plastic, paper, glass, or any other material known to those skilled in the art.

[0034] Those who understand the present invention may conceive of the above alternative structures and embodiments or variations, but all of them are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A container for a substance capable of generating sound, comprising: A container for containing the substance; A shell interconnected with the container and having a flow path for allowing air to pass therethrough; A port in fluid communication with the flow path; A bladder disposed on the shell for generating the sound when air is displaced in the flow path; and A gap between the shell and the container that allows the sound to exit the container.

Images