Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: MULTIFUNCTIONAL CONTAINER SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multifunctional container
system. In particular the present invention provides a
container primarily designed to rest on a patio table
encircling an umbrella pole but when the patio table
umbrella is not in place additional features are provided
to hold the container on the table thus preventing it
from being inadvertently knocked or blown off the table.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, patio tables may be found on patios or
terraces in many locales including residential backyards,
hotels, resorts and restaurants. The patio table may take
a number of shapes including rectangular, round and
square. By design the patio table provides for a hole in
its centre which allows for the pole of an umbrella to
protrude upward from its base; the umbrella awning
providing shade from the sun's rays or as decoration to
the area.
Unfortunately, the umbrella pole makes it very difficult
to place a floral centerpiece on the patio table.
Therefore it would be advantageous to have a flower pot
system or planter with a central passageway, which would
allow the pole to pass through. Further, it would be a
benefit if the flower pot system could be removed and
replaced for maintenance or for other reasons (e. g.
another type or flower or flower colour) without removing
the patio umbrella pole. The ease of removal and
replacement of the flower pot is important to avoid
spillage of the pot's contents in order to maintain the
cleanliness of the patio table as it is primarily
designed for the social interaction of individuals
consuming food and beverages. Further, the ease of
separation and joining is also a benefit when one
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considers the weight of flower pots with earth or planter,
mix and their awkwardness to grasp.
Existing prior art has identified the need to provide a
flower pot or planter, which can be centred on a patio
table by encircling the pole when it is in place and also
the need to be able to separate and join the flower pot
halves without removing the umbrella pole.
U.S. Patent No. 5,960,587 shows a planter adapted for
circling an umbrella pole and resting upon a patio table
top. The planter includes a large pot divided into two
halves of identical geometry, and a drip tray similarly
divided into two halves of identical geometry. Features
are provided to lock each drip tray half into a
corresponding pot half. A dovetail system allows each pot
half to interlock to the other, thereby forming a
complete planter. The planter halves are separable by
lifting one half relative to the other to disengage the
dovetail interlock.
Numerous other patents describe a similar concept but
utilizing different shapes and methods of connection
including U.S. Patent Nos 1,499,473; 4,847,741;
4,597,221; 3,747;268; 5,967,359; 6,085,459; and U.S.
Design Patent Nos: Des 278,521; Des. 383,417; Des
393,816; Des 405,027; Des 409,520 and Des 416,214.
Although the prior art addresses and meets the basic
requirements to enable a flower pot comprised of two
separable halves to encircle an umbrella pole in the
centre of a patio table without removing the umbrella
pole, the art has not adequately addressed the
requirement for easy separation,and joining given the
nature of the product. Specifically prior art showing a
flower pot comprised of two separable halves joined by
male/female interfaces or other means such as having to
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place one piece inside another requires the user to have
the dexterity to be able to complete this function which
could be made very difficult by the weight and
awkwardness of the pots and the size of the male/female
interfaces being brought together. Further, depending on
the design of the joining mechanisms their function would
be rendered almost completely ineffective if any dirt or
debris interferes with them.
Further, although existing prior art has addressed the
need to centre a pot around the umbrella pole, it has not
addressed the need to retain the flower pot at the centre
of the table when the pole is not in place.
Further, existing prior art has not envisioned a
separable patio table flower pot system, which can be
used as a mufti-functional unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
multifunctional container system whereby separate halves
of the container can be 'easily' joined and separated by
magnet means.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
multifunctional container adapted for placement and
removal at the centre of a patio table encircling an
umbrella pole without removing the pole.
It is a further object of the invention in a preferred
embodiment to provide a multifunctional container system
having means to stabilize the container at the centre of
the patio table thereby preventing it from being
inadvertently knocked or blown off the table when the
umbrella pole is not in place.
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It is a further object of the invention to provide a
multifunctional container system which provides for the
two halves of the container to stand alone and to be able
to rest unencumbered flat against an object, for example
a room wall, or be supported up against a vertical
surface, such as a fence, through the use of fasteners.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
multifunctional container system, which provides for the
two halves of the container to be joined and strung as a
'hanging pot' from a hanger on a wall or fence
Thus in accordance with the present invention there is
provided a multifunctional container comprising two
container sections, each having a base and at least two
side walls to define an enclosed space open at the top,
one of said side walls on each container section having
magnetic means located on or in said side wall of each of
the container sections to permit the container sections
to be easily joined and separated. In a preferred
embodiment, each of said container sections has at least
one generally planar wall having an indent section, which
forms a vertical passageway when the container sections
are joined. The indent section is preferably centered on
said planar wall and has a semi-circular cross section to
form an umbrella passageway between adjoining container
sections.
In another aspect the present invention provides a center
piece to hold together container sections adapted to fit
around an umbrella or like pole, said center piece
consisting of a cap and a longitudinal depending section,
said cap adapted to cover the umbrella passageway between
adjoining container sections. In a preferred embodiment
the longitudinal depending section consists of a tubular
member with a diameter slightly less than that of the
patio table centre hole.
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Further features of the invention will be described or
will become apparent in the course of the following
detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
multi functional container system according to the
present invention fully assembled and resting on a patio
table encircling an umbrella pole.
Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the two
identical container sections of the multi functional
container of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front plan view of the container section of
Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a is a cross section of the container section
of Figure 2 through line 4-4;
Figure 5 is a is a cross section of the container section
of Figure 2 through line 4-4 with the magnet and slug
inserted;
Figure 6 is a is a cross section of the magnet slot in
the container section of Figure 2 through line 6-6;
Figure 7 is a is a cross section of the container section
of Figure 2 through line 7-7;
Figure 8 is a side plan view, in cross section, of one
embodiment of a centerpiece according to the present
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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invention for use when the container rests on the patio
table when the umbrella pole is not in use.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the container sections
separated and showing placement of the centerpiece of
Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a side plan view, in cross section, of the
centerpiece of Figure 8 with additional connection means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the Figures, one embodiment of a
multifunctional container according to the present
invention is generally indicated at 1. In the embodiment
illustrated the container is being used to hold dry
flowers to create a floral center piece. The container
can be used for planting real flowers or can be shaped to
hold other items such as food, cutlery, condiments etc.
All such applications fall within the scope of the
present invention. Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment
of the multi functional container system fully assembled
resting on a patio table encircling an umbrella pole 2.
The multi functional container 1 has at least two
container sections, preferably two identical container
sections 3,4, each having a base 5 and at least two side
walls 6 to define an enclosed space 7 open at the top. In
the embodiment illustrated the base 5 has a semi-circular
configuration, a first curved wall 8 and a generally
planar wall 9. The planar wall 9 has an indent section
10, which forms a passageway 11 when the container
sections 3,4 are joined. In the preferred embodiment the
indent section 10 has a semi-circular cross section and
is centered on planar wall 9. The passageway 11 is
preferably sized to permit the container 1 to encircle a
conventional umbrella pole 2 when the container sections
3,4 are joined together. If the container 1 is to be used
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as a hanging pot, along the interior of the top edge 12
of the curved wall 8 hook connections (not shown) can be
provided. The hook connections preferably would be spaced
equidistant along the top edge 12 of curved wall 8.
Utilizing a conventional wire hanger with ends attached
to the hook connections the container 1 can be used as a
hanging basket for flowers etc. In addition holes can be
located in planar wall 9 to permit either or both of the
container sections 3,4 to be attached to a vertical
surface such as a wall or fence utilizing a suitable
fastener such as nails, screws, hooks or the like.
In the embodiment shown, the container sections 3,4 are
preferably formed of molded plastic, such as
polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene or the like. The
planar wall 9 has a preferred length of about 10 inches
along its top edge and is inclined to base 5 at a slight
angle (1.0° off the vertical). The planar wall 9 and side
wall 8 both a height of 3.5 inches. The indent section 10
has a radius of about one inch. The wall thickness of the
planar wall 9, side wall 8 and base 5 are 0.125 inches.
In order to permit the container sections 3,4 to be
easily joined and separated magnetic means, generally
indicated at 13, are located on or in the planar wall 9
of each of the container sections 3,4. The magnetic means
13 should provide sufficient magnetic attraction to
retain the container sections together in an outdoor
environment whether resting on a table or being used as a
hanging basket yet still permit the container sections to
be separated by the home owner. The magnetic means 13 can
consist of magnetic powder incorporated within a plastic
resin from which the container sections are preferably
formed or magnets attached to the wall of the container
sections. In the embodiment illustrated, as best shown in
Figures 5 the magnetic means 13 comprises at least one
magnet 14 secured to the inside surface 15 of planar wall
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9 about half way between the base 5 and top edge 12 of
the planar wall 9 and half way between the end 16 of the
semi-circular indent section 10 and the point of
connection 17 of the planar wall 9 and the curved wall 8.
The magnetic means 13 does not require lifting one or
both container sections relative to the other in order to
join or separate the pot sections. Further the magnetic
means 13 permits the container sections to be easily
joined or separated regardless of whether the container
sections are full or empty.
In the embodiment shown, see Figures 4 to 6, magnet 14 is
secured to the inside surface 15 of planar wall 9 by
means of slot 18 in the section 25 of planar wall 9 to
one side of indent section 10. Slot 18 has two opposing
side walls 19, 20, an end wall 21 and back wall 22. The
front wall 23 of slot 18 is provided by the adjacent
portion of planar wall 9 of the container section 3, 4.
The slot has an open end 24 in base 5 to permit insertion
of the magnet 14. The magnet 14 is preferably a flat
disk. The two opposing side walls 19, 20 of slot 18
converge from open end 24 towards end wall 21 at about a
5° angle from the vertical. The end wall, in the
embodiment shown, is a circular segment slightly greater
than a semi-circle having an inside radius of 0.500
inches. When the magnet 14 is inserted into slot 18, it
snaps into place against end wall 24. The container
section 3, 4 in the embodiment illustrated is preferably
molded from a plastic material, preferably polystyrene.
When the newly molded container sections are still
"warm", the side walls 19, 20 of slot 18 are sufficiently
flexible to permit magnet 14 to be inserted into slot 18
and snapped into place against end wall 21. The distance
between the ends 26, 27 of end wall 21 is less than the
diameter of magnet 14. As the container section."cools"
there is some slight contraction further locking the
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magnet 14 in place. The open end 24 of slot 18 is
preferably 1.098 inches wide.
As shown in Figure 7, to permit easy insertion of the
magnet 14, the open end 24 of slot 18 is larger than the
thickness of the magnet 14 and a first section 22a of the
back wall 22 is sloped from the open end 24 of slot 18 at
about a 10° angle until slot 18 is about 0.126 inches
thick through a second section 22b of back wall 22. The
portion 23a of the planar wall 9 that forms the front
wall 23 of slot 18 also has its thickness tapered
adjacent the open end 24 of slot 18.
In the embodiment shown, see Figures 4 to 6, a metal
member 28 is secured to the inside surface 15 of planar
wall 9 by means of slot 30 in the section 31 of planar
wall 9 to the other side of indent section 10. Slot 30 is
similar in configuration to slot 18. It has two opposing
side walls 32,33 an end wall 34 and back wall 35. The
front wall 36 of slot 30 is provided by the adjacent
portion of planar wall 9 of the container section 3, 4.
The slot 30 has an open end 37 in base 5 to permit
insertion of the metal member 28. The metal member is
preferably a flat disk having a different diameter than
magnet 14. In the embodiment shown magnet 14 has a
diameter of one inch and is 0.125 inches thick. The metal
member 28 has a diameter of 1.144 inches and thickness of
0.118 inches. The two opposing side walls 32, 33 of slot
converge from open end 37 towards end wall 34. The end
30 wall 34, in the embodiment shown, is a circular segment
slightly greater than a semi-circle. When the metal
member 28 is inserted into slot 30, it snaps into place
against end wall 34. The container section 3, 4 in the
embodiment illustrated is preferably molded from a
plastic material, preferably polystyrene. V~hen the newly
molded container sections are still "warm", the side
walls 32, 33 of slot 30 are sufficiently flexible to
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permit metal member to be inserted into slot 30 and
snapped into place against end wall 34. The distance
between the ends 38, 39 of end wall 34 is less than the
diameter of metal member 28. As the container section
"cools" there is some slight contraction further locking
the magnet 14 in place. The open end 37 of slot 30 is
preferably 1.238 inches wide. As the container section
"cools" there is some slight contraction further locking
the metal member 28 in place. By having slots 18 and 30
with different dimensions, it prevents the magnet 14 from
being inserted into slot 30 or the metal member 28 from
being inserted in slot 18. When the two container
sections 3, 4 are joined magnet 14 in one of said
sections is opposite the metal member 28 in the other of
said sections and the magnetic attraction between the
magnet 14 and metal member 28 holds the two container
sections together. A bead of silicone or other suitable
material can, if desired, be placed in the open ends 24,
37 of slots 18, 30 to prevent any unwanted materials from
getting into the slots.
On the bottom side 40 of base 5, legs 41, 42 are provided
to raise the base 5 off the table surface. The legs 41
are preferably 0.5 inches in diameter and 0.193 inches in
height. The leg 42 is preferably the same diameter as
legs 41 (0.5 inches) but slightly shorter (0.193 inches
in height) to ensure the planar walls of the container
sections fit flush against each other when resting on a
flat table. The.preferred number of legs 41 is three on
each container section 3, 4 spaced equi-distant around
curved wall 8 to give the container section balance and
stability.
If the container is used to hold real flowers, it may be
necessary to use some method of providing drainage so the
roots of the plant material are not sitting in water.
This can be accomplished by placing rocks or other
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material, such as drainage inset plate, in the bottom of
the container sections to provide a reservoir for any
excess water or drilling a drainage holes) in the base
5.
The principles of the present invention can be applied to
containers having any shape or size or material of
construction nqt just the circular design of. the size
shown in the Figures. The container can be square, oval,
triangular or other form of polygon. Both container
sections do not necessarily have to be, but preferably
are, identical shapes. The magnetic means must be
complementary on both container sections. The containers
can be used for planting flowers or can be shaped to hold
other items such as food, cutlery, condiments etc. The
present invention does not require in each case all of
the possible methods to be employed to hold the container
sections together. One or more methods or any combination
thereof can be utilized. While the above description
relates to the preferred embodiment, the container
sections 3,4 may be formed of any shape, square,
rectangular, semi-elliptical, triangular etc. and all
such configurations are intended to fall within the scope
of the invention. Further the magnet means 13 can be
other than as described for the preferred embodiment. For
example the magnets can be strips as opposed to disks.
Further the means of attaching the magnet means to the
side wall of the container section can be varied. They
can be secured by adhesives, molded into the wall or
possibly mechanically fastened. Similarly the metal
member can be any shape and secured in a variety of ways.
If hook connections (not shown) are provided to allow the
attachment of a hanger when the container is used as a
hanging basket, the hook connections are preferably set
every 60 degrees around the circumference of the top edge
12 of curved wall 8. In this application to insure the
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container sections are held together, a connector may be
inserted into passageway 11 to assist with retaining the
container sections 3,4 together. A string hanger
connected to the hook connections will hold the container
and provide the balance required to rest level in the
air.
When the preferred embodiment of the multi functional
container system 1 fully assembled rests in the middle of
a patio table without the umbrella pole it may be secured
to the table using one embodiment of a center piece shown
in Figures 8 and 9, generally indicated at 50, in
accordance with the present invention. The center piece
50 consists of a tubular member 51 with a cap 52 on one
end 53. The tubular member 51 can be formed of a
relatively rigid plastic as shown in the Figures or maybe
formed from a foam, wood, steel or other suitable
material. The cap 52 of center piece 50 is designed to
cover the passageway 11 formed by the semi-circular
indent sections 10 of container sections 3,4 where the
umbrella pole would normally project. In the embodiment
in Figure 9, the cap 52 is a generally circular
peripheral flange 54 extending perpendicular to the outer
wall 55 of tubular member 51. To give greater stability
to the assembled container system, a depending flange can
be added at the outer edge of cap 52 and which would fit
into notches or grooves on the top edge 12 of the planar
wall 9. An advantage of the cap 52 being flat is has the
ability to lie flat on the patio table when not in use.
An opening 52A is centrally disposed in cap 52 to permit
the cap to be lifted by a person's finger. Typically the
home owner would place a finger in the opening 52A to
lift the centerpiece 50 and then place the two container
sections around it. The centerpiece may be left in the
hole in the patio table until needed when the umbrella
pole is not in place.
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As noted above the center piece 50 is pushed down through
passageway 11 and the hole 57 in the centre of the patio
table 58 when the umbrella pole is not in use. The
tubular member 51 has a diameter slightly less than that
of the patio table centre hole 57.
One end 59 of the tubular member 51 is attached to cap
52. Where greater security is desired the other end 60 of
the tubular member 51 can be adapted to include
connection means. As shown in Figure 10 the connection
means could be a simple as threading the end 60 of the
tubular member 51 and using a nut 61 and washer 62 as a
connection means. More sophisticated arrangements are
also possible. For example two diagonally opposite
depending fingers can be attached to the end 60 of
tubular member 51. The fingers would flex to permit them
to pass through the hole in the centre of the patio
table. Once the fingers have passed through the hole
they are biased to spread open. The centerpiece is
removed from the hole by squeezing the two fingers
together under the patio table and pushing it back up
through the hole.
In another aspect the scope of the present invention
would include the multi-functional container system
without the umbrella passageway. In order to permit the
sections to be easily joined and separated magnetic means
are provided as described above. In addition other
attachment means such as clamps to fit over the top edges
of both planar walls can be provided.
Other possible connection means are included within the
scope of the invention.
Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment
of the invention and certain possible modifications
thereto, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill
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in the art that the invention permits of further
modification in arrangement and detail.
It will be appreciated that the above description related
to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many
variations on the invention will be obvious to those
knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations
are within the scope of the invention as described and
claimed, whether or not expressly described.
