US 7,086,545 B2 · Suspended containers

Abstract

A support for a predetermined container having a rim e.g. at its top opening, the support comprising a lid or a supporting ring, constructed to interfit e.g. with the rim of the container, wherein there is a suspender, formed with the lid or supporting ring and deflectable from an as-formed position to an upstanding position in which it is capable of carrying weight of the container. In most cases suspenders extend inwardly of a rim of the lid or supporting ring. Free-ended flexible finger suspenders of synthetic resin, are shown, formed integrally with the lid or supporting ring as a molded unit. The lids or rings are associated with closure surfaces, such as closure portions molded with the lid or ring, closure inserts, or closure films or foils on the container itself. The suspenders are useful to the consumer in enabling improved carrying of the merchandise with other items or in intertwined fusion with the like items, and to the storekeeper in suspending merchandise. Combinations of the lids or supporting rings with containers containing prepackaged food, tennis balls and other contents, are displayed by storekeepers from hooks and racks, in many cases hanging at a substantial tilt angle for better visibility and utilization of stocking space.

Claims61

Dependent claims

A support constructed to be connected with a predetermined container of the type having an upper formation extending about a top portion that is open or constructed to be opened, the support comprising:

a surrounding structure-constructed to surround and interfit with the upper formation of the container to suspend the container with its contents, the surrounding structure being shallow, having an axial dimension substantially less than its lateral dimensions and
at least one flexible suspending element that is integrated with the surrounding structure and constructed and arranged to suspend the surrounding structure and, thereby, the container, the suspending element having an as-formed position in which the suspending element lies generally within the surrounding structure, extending from at least one root that either directly or indirectly is in supporting relation with the surrounding structure, to a free portion, the free portion of the suspending element arranged to be lifted from the as-formed position to a raised operating position for engagement by a carrier, thereby to suspend the container by its upper formation in a position below the carrier for display or transport, the at least one suspending element and the surrounding structure being so cooperatively related that lifting the free portion of the at least one suspending element relative to the surrounding structure to raised operating position and applying container-suspending force to the raised portion does not disturb the connection of the surrounding structure of the support with the upper formation of the predetermined container with its contents.

A support constructed to be connected with a predetermined container having a generally upstanding upper rim formation of at least 5 cm (two inches) diameter, the support comprising

a ring portion of at least 5 cm (two inches) diameter, constructed to extend over and connect with snap fit about the rim formation to suspend the container with its contents, the ring portion being shallow, having an axial dimension substantially less than its diameter,
and a single flexible suspending element constructed and arranged to support the ring portion and, thereby, the container, the suspending element having length greater than half the distance across the ring portion, the suspending element having an as-formed, lower position in which the suspending element extends from a flexible proximal region that is joined to the ring portion to a free distal portion, the free distal portion arranged to be lifted by flexing of the suspending element from the as-formed position to a raised operating position for engagement by a carrier, thereby to suspend the container by its upper rim formation in a tilted position below the carrier for display or transport, the suspending element and the ring portion being so cooperatively related that lifting the distal portion of the suspending element relative to the ring portion to raised operating position and applying container-suspending force to the raised distal portion does not disturb the connection of the shallow ring portion of the support with the upper rim formation of the predetermined container with its contents, the suspending element being of the same material as that of the ring portion, the ring portion and suspending element being of monolithic, molded form.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Suspended containers

Life of this patent

Suspended containers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims61