TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to a container for containing a beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers come in many shapes and sizes. In particular, shot glass containers are well known. These are typically configured and dimensioned to be able to receive the volume of a "shot" of liquor. The volume of a shot of liquor may vary between 20 millilitres and 70 millilitres (0.7 ounces to 2.5 ounces). A wide range of customised shot glasses are known, since shot glasses are generally associated with drinking of strong alcohol, in an environment where novelty value may be highly appreciated.

Further, shot glasses and shots of alcohol are typically associated with highly social environments where extreme levels of social interactions are the norm.

For this reason, it would be desirable to provide a shot glass that is bodi novel and assists in social interaction.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of .

information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generaEy for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "thermoplastic moulding" shall be construed to mean a general term for a any process that involves the application of heat to plastic for purposes of increasing its malleability and ability to conform to a mould shape, and the moulding of said plastic in a mould, and shall specifically but not be limited to include injection moulding, vacuum moulding and blow moulding. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container, container accessor)', method of manufacture and stem member which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a container accessory comprising:

at least one flower member at least partly configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles at least part of a flower;

a container engaging formation configured and adapted for engaging with a container.

Preferably, the container accessory further comprises a connector formation engageable with a stem member.

Preferably, the container engaging formation is configured and adapted for engaging with a container.

Preferably, the container engaging formation is configured and adapted for removably engaging with a container.

Preferably, the container engaging formation is configured and adapted for engaging with and securing to a container.

Preferably, the container engaging formation is configured and adapted for removably engaging with and securing to a container.

Preferably, the container accessor)' comprises a plurality of flower members that together present an outer surface that resembles a flower.

Preferably, each of the plurality of flower members is configured to represents a petal of a flower.

Preferably, the container accessor)' includes a stem member.

Preferably, the stem member is at least patdy configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles at least part of a flower stem.

Preferably, the stem member comprises leaf formation configured and adapted to resemble at least part of one or more leaves.

Preferably, the container accessor)' is integrally moulded with the stem member. Preferably, the container accessory includes a container member.

Preferably, the container accessory is integrally moulded with the container member.

Preferably, the container includes a closure for closing the container member.

Preferably, the closure is one or more selected from a foil closure; a membranous cover and a lid.

Preferably, the lid is pivotably attachable to the container member.

Preferably, the lid is pivotably engageable with the flower member.

Preferably, the foil closure is sealed to the container member.

Preferably, die foil closure is heat sealed to the container member.

Preferably, the container member defines a mouth at least partly surrounded about its periphery by a container wall.

Preferably, the foil closure is heat sealed to the container member at least pardy about the periphery of the container moudi.

Preferably, the container member is at least pardy filled with a beverage.

Preferably, the flower member is integrally formed.

Preferably, the flower member is moulded.

Preferably, the flower member is at least pardy configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles a flower's petals.

Preferably, the flower that the flower member represents is a rose.

Preferabfy, the stem member includes at least one reinforcing formation.

Preferably, the a container engaging formation is configured and adapted for engaging with a container to receive the container at or towards the centre of the flower member.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a container comprising

a container member configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles and/ or simulates at least part of a flower.

Preferably, the container further comprises a connector formation for engaging and/ or connecting the container member with a stem member.

Preferably, the container member includes a stem member.

Preferably, the stem member is adapted and configured to represent at least part of a flower stem.

Preferably, the stem member includes at least one or more leaf formations adapted and configured to represent at least part of a leaf. Preferably, the container member is integrally moulded with the connector formation. Preferably, the container member is integrally moulded with the stem member.

Preferably, the container member defines a mouth at least partly surrounded about its periphery by a container walL

Preferably, the container includes a closure.

Preferably, the closure is membranous in nature.

Preferably, the closure is a foil closure.

Preferably, the closure is heat sealed to the container member.

Preferably, the closure is heat sealed to the container member at least partly about the periphery of the mouth of the container member.

Preferably, the closure is a lid.

Preferably, the lid is pivotably attachable to the container member.

Preferably, the lid is pivotably attached to the container member by a pivoting formation.

Preferably, the container is at least partly filled with a beverage.

Preferably, the container member is at least pardy configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles at least part of a flower's petals.

Preferably, the container member is integrally formed.

Preferably, the container member is moulded.

Preferably, the container member is composed of plastic.

Preferably, the container member includes at least one or more petal formations configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles at least one petal.

Preferably, the flower that the flower member represents is a rose.

Preferably, the stem member is integrally formed.

Preferably, the leaf formation is removably attachable to the stem member by attaching formations.

Preferably, the one or more leaf formations are integrally formed widi said stem member.

Preferably, the stem member comprises a plurality of leaf formations.

Preferably, the stem member defines at least one thorn formation configured, shaped and/ or adapted to resemble a thorn.

Preferably, at least one or more selected from the container member and the stem member is moulded in an injection moulding process. Preferably, the container member resembles a flower in one or more selected from a literal sense and a stylistic sense.

Preferably, the container member resembles a flower through the representation one or more selected from petals, petal shaped formations, thorn formations, leaf formations or of other features of a flower.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a stem arrangement suitable for supporting a container art an end, said stem arrangement comprising

an elongate moulded stem member;

a leaf formation adapted and configured to resemble or simulate a leaf extending from the stem member; and

an engaging fonnation engageable with at least one or more selected from

a container, and

a container accessory.

Preferably, said one or more selected from a container is a container as described above, and a container accessory is as described above.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a flower member at least partly configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles at least part of a flower.

Preferably, a plurality of similar flower members are engageable with each other to represent or simulate a flower.

Preferably, the flower member(s) are engageable with a container to receive said container into said resembled flower.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a method of manufacture of a container comprising

providing a moulding die comprising recesses for moulding one or more items selected from

a container as described above;

a container accessory as;

a flower member as described above;

a stem arrangement as described above; and

moulding the selection to form a moulded item.

Preferably, the method includes the step of assembling the moulded item with a moulded item of another of the selection. In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a container comprising

a container member suitable for containing a beverage,

a stem member at least partly configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles or simulates at least part of a flower stem.

a flower member at least partly configured and adapted to present an outer surface that resembles or simulates at least part of a flower;

wherein the container member is configured and adapted to be engaged with at least one or more selected from

the stem member and

the flower member.

Preferably, the container member is configured and adapted to be engaged with and secured to at least one or more selected from the stem member and the flower member.

Preferably, the container member is configured and adapted to be engaged with at least one or more selected from die stem member and the flower member by means of an engaging formation.

Preferably, the engaging formation is one or more selected from a

spigot and socket formation,

bayonet formation, and

thread formation.

Preferably, the stem member and die flower member are adapted and configured to be engageable with each other

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a container suitable for holding a beverage wherein the container is shaped to simulate or resemble at least part of a flower.

Preferably, the container is configured and dimensioned for containing between 1 and 10 fluid ounces (between 29ml and 290 ml) of beverage.

Preferably, the closure is removable.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a surround for a drinking container, the surround simulating a flower.

Preferably, the surround further simulates the stem of a flower.

Preferably, the surround simulates a flower and a stem of a flower as an assembly. In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a container adapted and configured to be received into and engage with a surround for a drinking container as described above.

A container as claimed in claim 80, wherein the container is securable to the surround. In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a method of presenting an alcoholic or other beverage for consumption, which method comprises offering said beverage in a container held within a surround that simulates a flower.

In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a flower arrangement comprising a plurality of one or more selected from

a plurality of container accessories as described above, and

a plurality of containers as described above,

whereby said one selected from a plurality of containers and a plurality of container accessories are configured to present an arrangement that resembles a bunch of flowers.

Preferably, the flower arrangement comprises a holder configured to engage and hold said plurality of containers in a configuration of a bunch of flowers.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "flower" shall be construed to mean at least the corolla of a flower, but shall not be limited to this, and can also include the stamen(s), carpel(s) and/ or calyx (sepals), and any references to "represent" and/ or "simulate" a flower" is to be construed accordingly.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference. To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1: shows a perspective assembly view of a container where die container member is received into the flower member and engages with the stem member via an aperture in the flower member;

Figure 2: shows a perspective view of a container of figure 1 showing hidden detail of the container member;

Figure 3: shows a perspective view of a container of figure 1 showing hidden detail with its closure partly removed;

Figure 4: shows a perspective assembly view of a second embodiment of a container where the container member is integral with the flower member, and engages with the stem member;

Figure 5: shows 1 perspective view of a container of figure 4 showing hidden detail;

Figure 6: shows a shows a perspective assembly view of a third embodiment of a container where the container member is received into the flower member and is engaged by container engaging formations, and the flower member engages with the stem member;

Figure 7: shows a cutaway perspective view of the container of figure 6, more clearly illustrating one embodiment of the container engaging formation;

Figure 8: shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container; Figure 9: shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 8;

Figure 10: shows a side cutaway view of the embodiment of a container shown in figure 8;

Figure 11: shows a perspective cutaway assembly view of a fifth embodiment of a container;

Figure 12: shows a side cutaway view of the embodiment shown in figure 11; Figure 13: shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container with stylised flower petals;

Figure 14: shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 13;

Figure 15: shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 13 at 90 degrees to the side view of figure 14; and

Figure 16: shows a side cutaway view of the embodiment of a container shown in figure 14, along section A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)) With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally indicated by similar numerals, a container according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 1000, container accessor)' according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 100, a stem member according to another aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 200, and a container member according to another aspect of the invention is generally indicated by die numeral 300.

In one embodiment now described, and as shown in figures 1-3, there is provided a container accessory 100. The container accessory 100 comprises a moulded flower member 120 at least pardy configured, shaped and/or adapted to present an outer surface that is shaped or configured to resemble or simulates a flower, and in a preferred embodiment, particularly a rose. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the flower member 120 could resemble a flower in both a literal (as shown in figures 1-7) and a stylistic (as shown in figures 13-16) manner, generally through the flower member defining a representation of petals or petal shaped formations 124 of some kind, or of other features of a flower, such as thorn formations 230 or leaf formations 210.

It is further envisaged that the container accessor)' could comprise s plurality of flower members 120 (not shown) that combine to present an outer surface that resembles a flower (for example if each flower member represented a petal of a flower).

The container accessory 100 further comprises a connector foanation 130 to provide for connection to a stem member 200, and a container engaging formation 140 configured and adapted for engaging with a container member 300 (as shown in figures 7 and 11) to form a container 1000. It is envisaged that in one preferred embodiment the container accessory 100 could further include a stem member 200. In yet another embodiment (not shown), it is envisaged that the container accessory 100 could be integrally moulded with the stem member 200. In a preferred embodiment, the container engaging formation 140 is configured and adapted for removably or permanently engaging with and securing to a container member 300 to form a container 1000. In this way, the container engaging formation 100 at least partially surrounds the container member 300 to present a container 1000 as a stylised flower or flower arrangement (when presented together with similar containers). In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the container engaging formation 100 and container 1000 could be integrally moulded as a container 1000 (shown in figures 4 and5).

It will be appreciated that the stem member 200, flower member 120 and container member 300 can be engaged with and/ or connected to each other in a large variety of different manners and through a variety of different mechanisms and arrangements. Some different mechanisms and arrangements include by the use of a spigot and socket mechanism 126, a bayonet mechanism, or a thread arrangement. Furdier, the manner in which the stem member 200, flower member 120 and container member 300 are engaged with and connected to each other can vary. For example, the container member 300 can be fitted into the flower member 120 by means of a snap fit type- mechanism (shown in Figures 7 and 11), or by a friction fit into the flower member 120 and the flower member 120 can be connected to the stem member 200 by means of a spigot and socket mechanism 126 (shown in figures 4 and 7).

Alternately, die container member 300 may include one portion of a spigot and socket arrangement and is configured to connect to the stem member 200 via an aperture (not shown) in the flower member 120 (as shown in figure 1) so diat both the flower member 120 and stem member 200 are engaged with the container member.

However, in a preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that a standard type of known container member 300 could be utilised, since no additional manufacturing costs will be required. Instead, it is envisaged that the flower member 120 and stem member 200 will be adapted to engage with and connect to the standard container member 300. It is envisaged that a snap fit type formation on the stem member 200 or flower member 120 could be utilised for this purpose.

It is envisaged that in a preferred embodiment, the container member 300 will be filled with a beverage 330 (shown in figures 8 and 10) such as a "shot" type beverage such as any one or more selected from Tequila, Vodka, Whisky, Liqueur, or any other similar form of drink.

In a preferred embodiment, the container member 300 will further be sealed by means of a closure 320. In one embodiment, the closure 320 will be a foil cover or foil seal 310 (as shown in the figures) that is sealed (preferably by heat sealing or by means of a glue or resin) to a lip 340 of the container member 300 at least partially about its mouth. In another embodiment, the closure 320 may be a lid (not shown) that engages around the mouth of the container member 300. In other embodiments, such a lid could also be pivotably attachable to the container member 300 or flower member 120 by means of a pivoting formation such as a hinge or flap (not shown).

In another embodiment, and especially where the flower member 120 is integrally moulded with the container member 300, it is envisaged that die closure 320 can extend from the flower member 120 to seal the mouth of the container member 300.

The stem member 200 includes at least one reinforcing formation 220 extending at least partially along its length. The reinforcing formation 220 is envisaged as being a metal wire (as shown in figure 7). The reinforcing formation assists in allowing the stem member 200 to support the weight of the container member 300 and flower member 120.

The stem member 200 is envisaged as being of an elongate shape. It is further envisaged that the stem member 200 can include a plurality of leaf formations 210 extending transversely from its elongate length (in much the same way a long stemmed rose would be cut traditionally). In one embodiment as shown in Figure 6, the leaf formations 210 may be removably attachable to the stem member 200 by attaching formations 212 although in a preferred embodiment, the leaf formations 210 are integrally moulded with the stem member 200. Further, the stem member 200 can include a plurality of thorn formations 230 extending transversely from its elongate length. In one embodiment, the stem member 200 could be adapted and configured to be attached to a container that does not have the form of a flower of stylised flower, but has the general shape of a flower as shown in figures 8-10.

The leaves extending from the stem member 200 would then lend the idea of the container 1000 being a stylised flower. This effect would be more convincing if the stem member were coloured green, and either the container member 300 was transparent with coloured beverage therein, or the container member 300 was itself coloured in a bright colour (such as red).

In the embodiment shown in figures 13-16, stylised petals 124 are formed by moulding on the outside of the container member 1000 to present an outer surface that resembles a flower.

It is envisaged that the container 1000 can be presented in a flower arrangement (not shown) comprising a plurality of containers 100 as described above, whereby the containers 100 are configured to present an arrangement that resembles a bunch of flowers. The flower arrangement could include a holdet (not shown) configured to engage and hold a plurality of containers 1000 in the typical configuration of a bunch of flowers of the type represented by the containers 1000.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/ or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of

Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.