The present invention relates to a novel locking element for mutually lockable bowls and the method of detachably locking the bowls thereof; wherein said locking element is preferably
made of plastic material and in a particular ‘L-shape’ ring. Said L-shape ring may preferably
be selected according to the shape and dimension of the open side of the bowl or container,
more preferably in accordance with the diameter or periphery of the outwardly extended upperneck
region of said bowl/container provisioned to be closed with a suitable closure lid.
Background and object of the invention:
Different kinds of bowls or containers are in use today, wherein depending upon uses of such
bowls/containers, they are provided with different kind of structural and functional features.
There are bowls which are made for storing or serving cold or hot dry/wet food to human beings
or pets. Main body of such bowl is preferably made in double wall, joined together at the upper
opening of the said bowl; wherein said upper joining of two walls of the bowl body is generally
extended outwardly to form a flat neck like periphery of the bowl. Such outwardly extended
upper-neck region of the bowl is very useful structural feature in the bowl, particularly towards
holding/carrying the bowl, filled with hot meal and applying a press-fit closure lid (preferably
made of plastic material) around such neck towards closing the bowl.
While travelling, the traveller has to dedicate substantial space in his/her luggage bag/box for
accommodating and carrying food for pets like dog or cat as well as its feeding bowl(s). Petfeeding
bowls have its own importance because of the nature of food to be served to a particular
pet animal, nature of the pet animal and its eating habits, maintaining enough hygiene in pet
feeding habits etc.
Therefore it is always a necessity to develop such a bowl/container, which can be used for food
storage and for serving the meal/water to the pet animal and wherein such bowl/container,
either filled with dry/wet food or similar material or in empty condition, should occupy
minimum possible volume in a luggage bag/box towards easy and safe transport.
3
Towards achieving the needful solution for above mention need towards safe and easy carrying
of dry/wet food, stored in bowl(s), the prime object of the present invention is to provide such
a handy locking element which can mutually lock two bowls/containers towards detachably
integrating them like a single object, particularly towards easy carrying and transport.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel locking element for mutually lockable
bowls, comprising of press-fit means like plurality of lugs/grooves/ribs within the mutually
perpendicular walls of a ‘L-shaped ring’ made of plastic or polymeric material, wherein said
locking element is capable of covering and locking closely positioned outwardly extended
upper-neck regions of two bowls/containers, wherein said bowls/containers are either closed
with suitable plastic lids or unclosed thereof.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel method for mutually locking two
closed/unclosed bowls/containers using said locking element of instant invention, wherein in
one preferred situation one bowl, closed with a plastic lid is placed within another bowl and
thus the outwardly extended upper-neck of both said bowls get closely positioned in direct
contact with each other so that the said L-shaped ring as the locking element easily covers and
fixes them together through its press-fit locking means.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel method for mutually locking two
closed/unclosed bowls/containers using said locking element of instant invention, wherein in
one preferred situation each of two bowls is closed with suitable plastic lids and one said closed
bowl is kept inverted above another closed bowl therein and thus the outwardly extended
upper-necks of both said bowls (one straight and another inverted above another) get closely
positioned in direct contact with each other so that the said L-shaped ring as the locking element
easily covers and fixed them together through its press-fit locking means.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel method for mutually locking two
closed/unclosed bowls/containers using said locking element of instant invention, wherein in
one preferred situation each of two bowls is unclosed and having no closure-lid thereof and
one said open bowl with outwardly extended upper neck is kept inverted above another open
bowl with outwardly extended upper neck therein and therefore the outwardly extended uppernecks
of both said bowls (one straight and another inverted above another) get closely
positioned in direct contact with each other so that the said L-shaped ring as the locking element
easily covers and fixed them together through its press-fit locking means.
4
Another object of the present invention is to provide novel locking element for mutually
lockable bowls, wherein length, area, and other structural features like number/positioning of
locking means like lugs/grooves/ribs etc. of said L-shaped ring of the said locking element are
determined according to the shape, diameter and periphery of the outwardly extended upperneck
regions of two bowls, and also considering the combined thickness of two such upperneck
regions, with or without their closure-lids thereof.
Summary of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a novel locking element for mutually lockable bowls and the
method of detachably locking two bowls together; wherein said locking element is preferably
made of plastic material and particularly as a ‘L-shape’ ring. Said L-shape ring may preferably
be selected according to the shape and dimension of the open side of the bowl or container,
more preferably in accordance with the diameter or periphery of the outwardly extended upperneck
region of said bowl/container provisioned to be closed with a suitable closure lid.
Therefore, depending upon the shape of the outwardly extended upper-neck of the
bowl/container, the shape and dimension of said locking element as L-shaped ring is chosen as
circular or square or in any other shape.
If the upper opening of a bowl is circular in shape and is provisioned to be closed with a circular
plastic lid, then the said L-shape ring will be so structured that its vertical wall can firmly hold
and lock two closely positioned such outwardly extended upper-neck regions of two bowls,
having same diameter and periphery and wherein the horizontal wall of said L-shaped ring acts
as stopper upper wall for fixing those two mutually locked bowls.
If the upper opening of a bowl is square in shape and is provisioned to be closed with square
shaped plastic lid, then the said L-shape ring will be so structured that its vertical wall can
firmly hold and lock two closely positioned such outwardly extended upper-neck regions of
two bowls, having same periphery/area and wherein the horizontal wall of said L-shaped ring
acts as stopper upper wall for fixing those two mutually locked bowls.
Said mutually locked bowls may be selected in following three conditions:
(i) None of the bowl is closed with their respective closure lids;
(ii) One bowl is closed with its closure lid (i.e. the bowl may be filled with food or other
such material) and another empty bowl is not closed with any lid;
5
(iii) Both the bowls are closed with their respective closure lids (i.e. each of said closed
bowls is filled with food or other such material).
The inner surface of the vertical wall of said L-shaped ring comprises structural provisions for
locking the outwardly extended upper-neck regions of two bowls, preferably by press-fit
mechanism applicable thereof. The horizontal smaller wall of said L-shaped ring is
considerably short so that it can pass through the body of the inverted bowl and reach upto the
outwardly extended upper-neck region of said inverted bowl and get effectively engaged with
the edge of said neck region.
Said two bowls for locking together are selected in such a way that their upper-neck regions
have same or almost similar shape and periphery/diameter.
List of numeric references used in the drawings:
Numeral
Reference
Particulars of the constructional/structural feature of the Locking Element,
capable of detachably locking two bowls at their outwardly extended neckregions,
each of them is double layered heat resistant bowl, namely Bella Bowl.
Out of said two bowls the 1st bowl is preferably closed and 2nd bowl is kept
optionally closed/unclosed, positioned as per Figure 1 or Figure 4.
1 1st Bowl (1), preferably a double walled bowl with heat-resistant and anti-skid
features, wherein said bowl (1) is provisioned to be closed with a press fit lid
(3) and is the outer bowl (in Figures 1 to 3). Again in Figures 4 and 5, the 1st
bowl (1) represents the one closed bowl in inverted position, positioned above
the outwardly extended neck of 2nd bowl (5) and locked together.
1a Represents the inner metallic wall of the 1st bowl (1), wherein said inner wall
of bowl (1) is preferably a metallic bowl (1a), fixedly integrated with its nonmetallic
outer wall (1b) thereof.
1b Non-metallic outer wall of the double walled bowl (1), fixedly integrated with
the inner metallic bowl (1a). ((1b) is indicated only in Figure 2)
2 Locking element for mutually lockable bowls, which is a L-shaped ring with
provisions to cover and mutually lock closely positioned outwardly extended
necks (4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5) respectively.
3 The lid for closing the 1st bowl (1), wherein said lid (3) is preferably of plastic
and has press-fit closing provision.
6
4 Outwardly extended neck region of the bowl (1).
5 In Figure 1, the 2nd Bowl (closed or un-closed) is not shown as it is
accommodated within the 1st bowl. In Figures 2 and 3, said 2nd bowl (5) is
shown in its straight position, as the inner bowl. Again in Figures 4 and 5, it
represents the one bowl in straight position, above which the 1st bowl (1) in
inverted is positioned and locked together.
5a Represents the inner metallic wall of the 2nd bowl (5), wherein said inner wall
of bowl (5) is preferably a metallic bowl (5a), fixedly integrated with its nonmetallic
outer wall (5b) thereof.
5b Non-metallic outer wall of the double walled bowl (5), fixedly integrated with
the inner metallic bowl (5a). ((5b) is indicated only in Figure 2)
6 Outwardly extended neck region of the bowl (6).
7 Anti-skid ring-shaped rubber element, secured at the outer side of the bottom
(11) of the 1st bowl (1)
8 Anti-skid ring-shaped rubber element, secured at the outer side of the bottom
(11) of the 2nd bowl (5)
9 Represents the smaller ring region in the L-shaped ring (2), wherein said smaller
ring region (9) particularly remains in horizontal side covering the outwardly
extended neck regions (4) and/or (6) of the bowls (1) and/or (5). Said smaller
ring region (9) is not provided with any lugs/grooves/ribs as to the locking
provision of the said Locking Element (2).
10 lugs/grooves/ribs, preferably in plurality, as to the locking provision of the said
Locking Element (2); wherein said plurality of lugs/grooves/ribs (10) are
created on inner surface of the vertical and larger ring region of the L-shaped
ring (2).
11 The outer side of the bottom of the 1st bowl (1), wherein the anti-skid ringshaped
rubber element (7) is suitably secured.
12 Inner surface of the vertical and larger ring region of the L-shaped ring (2).
(Indicated only in figure 5)
Short details of the schematic drawings being used herein to illustrate and substantiate
the instant invention of the Locking element for mutually lockable bowls and method of
its working are provided hereinbelow:-
7
Figure 1: Represents the schematic view of mutually locked two double walled bowls (1) and
(5) (preferably known as Bella Bowls) using the locking element (2) of the instant invention,
wherein one double walled bowl (5), as the inner bowl, is closed with a press-fit plastic lid (3)
and is accommodated within the outer double walled bowl (1). Inner bowl (5) is not visible in
the figure, however, the lid (3) therein indicates the said bowl (5) therein, which is further
schematically shown in figure 2.
Figure 2: Represents schematic cross-sectional view of the mutually locked two double walled
bowls (1) and (5) (preferably known as Bella Bowl) using the locking element (2) of the instant
invention.
Figure 3: Represents the schematic unassembled view of the locking element (2) and the bowls
(1) and (5) to be locked mutually, wherein it represents one (5) of the bowls in closed condition,
taken in its straight position, to be accommodated within the outer bowl (1) so that the
outwardly extended necks (6) and (4) of both (inner and outer) bowls (5) and (1) respectively
get covered and mutually locked by the locking element (2). Figure 3 shows that by pressfitting
the L-shaped ring (2) onto said closely placed outwardly extended neck regions (4) and
(6) of both the bowls.
Figure 4: Represents the schematic view of mutually locked two double walled bowls (1) and
(5) (preferably known as Bella Bowls) using the locking element (2) of the instant invention,
wherein one double walled bowl (5) is preferably kept closed with a press-fit plastic lid (3) and
is placed in its straight position. Another bowl (1), kept in inverted position, is placed on said
bowl (5) in such a manner that the outwardly extended neck regions (4) and (6) of both the
bowls (1) and (5) respectively get closely placed and get covered and locked by the said locking
element (2), that is by press-fitting the L-shaped ring (2) onto said closely placed outwardly
extended neck regions of both the bowls.
Figure 5: Represents the schematic unassembled view of the locking element (2) and the bowls
(1) and (5) to be locked mutually, wherein one (1) of the two bowls (1) and (5) is kept in its
inverted direction and another one (5) is kept in its straight position.
Figure 6: Shows Bella Bowl, being referred herein as a bowl (5) with outwardly extended neck
(6), is preferably characterized in its double walled heat-proof container having anti-skid
feature at its bottom surface thereof.
8
Figure 7: Shows schematically the bowl (5), and the plastic lid (3) with press-fit provisions.
Figure 8: Shows the general way to close the bowl (5) schematically, wherein it depicts the lid
(3) with press-fit provisions, getting manually pressed on the upper-neck region (6) of the bowl
(5).
Figure 9: Shows the schematic view of the outer bowl (1) and the locking element in the form
of L-shaped ring (2). As per the indicative drawing, the of the outer bowl (1) it suggests the
optional possibility that the bowl (1) may have single wall (1b) only. As the said single walled
container (1) comprises outwardly extended neck region (4), it is compatible to accommodate
closed bowl (5) and get effectively engaged with the locking element (2) in the similar manner
as demonstrated in Figures 1 to 3 herein.
Figure 10: Shows the schematic views of the outer bowl (1) of the Figure 9 and the closed bowl
(5) with its lid (3). The closed bowl (5) in straight position is selected to be accommodated
within the optionally selected outer bowl (1) comprising single wall (1b) and outwardly
extended neck region (4).
Figure 11: It schematically depicts the step 1 for locking the closed bowl (5) with the empty
outer bowl (1), wherein firstly the said 2nd bowl (5), closed with the lid (3), is placed within the
1st bowl (1) and therefore the neck-regions (6) and (4) of both the bowls rest closer to each
other.
Figure 12: It shows the outer bowl (1), accommodated with the bowl (5), closed with the plastic
lid (3). Figure 12 schematically indicates the step 2 for locking the closed bowl (5) with the
outer empty bowl (1), wherein the 2nd bowl (5) with its closing lid (3) is placed in its straight
position within the empty outer bowl (1) and therefore the outwardly extended upper-neck
region (6) of 2nd bowl (5) enclosed with the lid (3) settles above the outwardly extended upperneck
region (4) of the 1st bowl (1).
Figure 13: It schematically depicts the step 3 for locking the closed 2nd bowl (5) with the empty
1st bowl (1), wherein the L-shaped ring (2) as the locking element is placed above the upperneck
regions (4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, kept one stacked above another.
Said figure 13 shows the horizontal smaller ring region (9) as well as the vertical and larger
ring region (12) in the said L-shaped ring (2).
9
Figure 14: It schematically depicts the structural features of the Locking Element (2),
preferably made in plastic material through injection moulding, for press-fit locking of two
bowls (1) and (5) with outwardly extended upper-neck regions, wherein it comprises L-shaped
ring structure having plurality of locking-lugs (10) on the inner vertical (or longer wall of the
L) surface (12) therein and the horizontal shorter ring region (9) of said L-shaped ring (2)) is
provided to cover the closely positioned upper-neck regions (4) and (6) of both the bowls (1)
and (5) therein.
Figure 15: It schematically depicts the step 4 for locking the closed bowl (5) with the empty
bowl (1) using the Locking Element (2), wherein the Locking Element (2) is provisioned to be
pressed above the two bowls (1) and (5), wherein the bowl (1) as the outer bowl accommodates
the closed 2nd bowl (5) within itself.
Figure 16: It schematically depicts two Bela Bowls (1) and (5), locked with the Locking
Element (2), wherein the Locking Element (2) is press-fitted around the outer bowl (1). Said
bowl (1) is visible here as outer bowl accommodating the closed 1st Bowl (5), not visible in the
drawing, being concealed completely within said bowl (1), Locking element (2) and the plastic
lid (3).
Figure 17: It depicts schematic view of the locking element (2) getting removed from the upperneck
regions (4) and (6) of already mutually locked two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, wherein
one inner bowl (5) has its closure-lid (3) while another bowl (1) accommodates the said closed
bowl (5) within it. Both bowls (1) and (5) are placed in straight position and mutually locked.
Figure 18: It depicts the schematic view of the locking element (2) of the invention, got
removed from previously locked two bowls (1) and (5) in their straight position.
Figure 19: It schematically depicts the tilting and inverting process of the closed bowl (5), to
be placed in its inverted position above the outwardly extended upper-neck region (4) of
another bowl (1) kept in straight position.
Figure 20: It represents schematic inverted view of the closed bowl (5), to be placed above the
other bowl (1), kept in straight position; wherein said upper inverted bowl (5) clearly shows an
anti-skid provision (7) at its bottom surface (11) thereof. In such plan of mutually locking two
bowls, each of them can be filled with eatables because the space within the bowl (1) is also
available to be filled suitably with certain food item, or other items.
10
Figure 21: Represents the schematic inverted view of the closed bowl (5), placed and arranged
above the bowl (1), kept in straight position. In such arrangement the outwardly extended neck
regions (4) and (6) of both the bowls (1) and (5) respectively get positioned in close contact
with each other.
Figure 22: It represents schematic view of the L-shaped ring (2) as the Locking Element, to be
placed with the outwardly extended upper-neck regions (4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5)
respectively, wherein lower bowl (1) is unclosed and is kept in straight position. Another
inverted bowl (5), closed with its lid (3), is placed above the lower bowl (1) maintaining the
said bowl (5) in the inverted position.
Figure 23: It represents schematic plan for placing and press-fitting the L-shaped ring (2) as
the Locking Element on and around neck regions of two bowls (1) and (5) arranged in mutual
opposite direction so that said outwardly extended neck regions (4) and (6) of both of them
remain in close contact with each other. The lower bowl (1) is preferably kept unclosed and is
kept in straight position and another inverted bowl (5), closed with its press-fit lid (3), is placed
above the lower bowl (1).
Figure 24: It represents the schematic side view of the two bowls (1) and (5), mutually locked
with the Locking Element (2), wherein the Locking Element (2) is press-fitted around the
outwardly extended upper-neck regions (4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, kept
mutually closer to each other and in mutually opposite direction.
Figure 25: It represents two different types of applications of Locking Element (2) for mutually
locking the bowls (1) and (5):- when both bowls are kept in straight position and when both
the bowls are locked in mutually opposite direction.
Detailed description of the invention with the help of drawings:
Towards locking two bowls (1) and (5), for example when one closed bowl (5) with its lid (3)
is placed within an empty bowl (1), both in straight positions so that their outwardly extended
upper-neck regions (6) and (4) respectively come in direct contact with each other, the steps
are shown in figures-6 to figure-16 enclosed herewith, made as the part of instant description
of the present invention.
11
In one preferred situation, steps of mutually locking two bowls (1) and (5) by the locking
element (2), when one bowl (5) is inserted and accommodated in another empty bowl (1)
mainly include:
? Placing the empty bowl (1) comprising outwardly extended upper neck region (4) in
straight position;
? Placing and accommodating the closed bowl (5) having its lid (3) press-fitted on its
outwardly extended upper neck region (6) in the empty bowl (1);
? Arranging the outwardly extended upper neck region (6) of the bowl (5), covered with
the lid (3), just above the outwardly extended upper neck region (4) of the bowl (1);
? Placing the L-shaped ring (2) as to the locking element, in its inverted position, from
the top side of the two upper neck regions (4) and (6), secured in close contact with
each other, in such a way that the smaller ring region (9) of the said L-shaped ring (2)
gets parallel position with respect to said outwardly extended neck regions of said two
bowls; and
? Pressing the L-shaped ring (2) towards fitting and locking its lugs/grooves/rims (9),
provisioned on inner vertical surface (12) thereof, with said two upper neck regions (4)
and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, secured in close contact with each other.
Towards locking two bowls (1) and (5), for example when one closed bowl (5) with its lid (3)
on its top is kept in straight position and another inverted bowl (1), without any lid thereof, is
placed above the first straight bowl so that their outwardly extended upper-neck regions (6)
and (4) respectively come in direct contact with each other, the steps are shown in figures-18
to figure-24 enclosed herewith, made as the part of instant description of the present invention.
In another preferred situation, steps of mutually locking two bowls (1) and (5) by the locking
element (2), when one bowl (5) in its inverted position is placed on the upper neck region of
the straight bowl (1), mainly include:
? Placing the L-shaped ring (2) as to the locking element, on flat surface in such a way
that the smaller ring region (9) of the said locking element rests on the flat surface;
? Placing the empty bowl (1) comprising outwardly extended upper neck region (4), in
its straight position, within the said L-shaped ring (2);
12
? Inverting the closed bowl (5) having its lid (3) press-fitted on its outwardly extended
upper neck region (6) so that its outwardly extended upper neck region (6) with the said
lid (3) get positioned downwardly;
? Placing said inverted closed bowl (5), having its outwardly extended upper neck region
(6) with the said lid (3) positioned in downward direction, above the bowl (1),
positioned straight with its outwardly extended neck region (4) in upward direction;
? Arranging said inverted closed bowl (5) above the said straight bowl (1) to secure the
outwardly extended upper neck region (6) of the bowl (5), covered with the lid (3), just
above the outwardly extended upper neck region (4) of the bowl (1);
? Simultaneously pulling the L-shaped ring (2) upwardly and pressing the bottom surface
(11) of inverted bowl (5) downwardly so that the said L-shaped ring, using its
lugs/grooves/rims (10) provisioned on inner vertical surface (12) thereof, gets pressfitted
with the two upper neck regions (4) and (6), secured in close contact with each
other.
In another optional situation, each of two bowls (1) and (5) is closed with suitable plastic lids
(3) and one said closed bowl (5) is kept inverted above another closed bowl (1), kept in straight
position therein, and thus the outwardly extended upper-necks (6) and (4) of both said bowls
(5) and (1) respectively get closely positioned in direct contact with each other so that the said
L-shaped ring as the locking element (2) easily covers and fixed them together through its
press-fit locking means (10).
Figure 25 represents two different types of applications of Locking Element (2) for mutually
locking the bowls (1) and (5); wherein in both the situations, said Locking Element (2) covers
and locks closely arranged outwardly extended upper neck regions (4) and (6) of both the
bowls. In one case, the L-shaped ring is applied on the two upper neck regions (4) and (6) of
two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, when one bowl (5), preferably in its straight position and
closed with the lid (3), is placed within the empty another bowl (1). In another case, the Lshaped
ring is applied on the two upper neck regions (4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5)
respectively, when one bowl (5), preferably in its inverted position and closed with the lid (3),
is placed above the another bowl (1), kept in straight position.
13
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be
made in the scheme(s) and embodiments of the invention or other possible arrangements and
rearrangements within the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations
of this invention provided they come within the scope of the description, illustrations,
drawings, appended claims and their equivalents.

I/We Claim:-
1. Locking element (2) for mutually lockable bowls (1) and (5), comprising press-fit
means like plurality of lugs/grooves/ribs (10) within the mutually perpendicular walls
of a ‘L-shaped ring’ made of plastic or polymeric material, wherein said locking
element (2) is characterized in covering and mutually locking closely positioned
outwardly extended neck regions (4) and (6) of two bowls/containers (1) and (5)
respectively and detachably integrating said two bowls/containers (1) and (5) as a single
object, particularly towards easy carrying and transport.
2. Locking element (2) for mutually lockable bowls, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
L-shaped ring structure of the locking element is characterized in its inner surface of
the L-shaped cylindrical region (12), which is provided with press-fit means like
plurality of lugs/grooves/ribs (10) leading to covering and locking closely positioned
outwardly extended upper-neck regions (4) and (6) of two bowls/containers (1) and (5),
wherein said bowls/containers (1) and (5) are either closed with suitable plastic lids (3)
or unclosed thereof.
3. Locking element (2) for mutually lockable bowls (1) and (5), as claimed in claim 1,
wherein length, area, and other structural features like number/positioning of locking
means like lugs/grooves/ribs (10) etc. of said L-shaped ring (2) of the said locking
element are selected according to the shape, diameter and periphery of the outwardly
extended upper-neck regions (4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, and also
considering the combined thickness of two such upper-neck regions, with or without
their closure-lids thereof.
4. Locking element (2) for mutually lockable bowls, as claimed in claim 1, wherein in one
preferred situation, steps of mutually locking two bowls (1) and (5) by the locking
element (2), when one bowl (5) is inserted and accommodated in another empty bowl
(1) mainly include:
? Placing the empty bowl (1) comprising outwardly extended upper neck region (4)
in straight position;
? Placing and accommodating the closed bowl (5) having its lid (3) press-fitted on its
outwardly extended upper neck region (6) in the empty bowl (1);
? Arranging the outwardly extended upper neck region (6) of the bowl (5), covered
with the lid (3), just above the outwardly extended upper neck region (4) of the bowl
(1);
15
? Placing the L-shaped ring (2) as to the locking element, in its inverted position,
from the top side of the two upper neck regions (4) and (6), secured in close contact
with each other, in such a way that the smaller ring region (9) of the said L-shaped
ring (2) gets parallel position with respect to said outwardly extended neck regions
of said two bowls; and
? Pressing the L-shaped ring (2) towards fitting and locking its lugs/grooves/rims (9),
provisioned on inner vertical surface (12) thereof, with said two upper neck regions
(4) and (6) of two bowls (1) and (5) respectively, secured in close contact with each
other.
5. Locking element (2) for mutually lockable bowls, as claimed in claim 1, wherein in one
preferred situation, steps of mutually locking two bowls (1) and (5) by the locking
element (2), when one bowl (5) in its inverted position is placed on the upper neck
region of the straight bowl (1), mainly include:
? Placing the L-shaped ring (2) as to the locking element, on flat surface in such a way
that the smaller ring region (9) of the said locking element rests on the flat surface;
? Placing the empty bowl (1) comprising outwardly extended upper neck region (4),
in its straight position, within the said L-shaped ring (2);
? Inverting the closed bowl (5) having its lid (3) press-fitted on its outwardly extended
upper neck region (6) so that its outwardly extended upper neck region (6) with the
said lid (3) get positioned downwardly;
? Placing said inverted closed bowl (5), having its outwardly extended upper neck
region (6) with the said lid (3) positioned in downward direction, above the bowl (1),
positioned straight with its outwardly extended neck region (4) in upward direction;
? Arranging said inverted closed bowl (5) above the said straight bowl (1) to secure
the outwardly extended upper neck region (6) of the bowl (5), covered with the lid
(3), just above the outwardly extended upper neck region (4) of the bowl (1);
? Simultaneously pulling the L-shaped ring (2) upwardly and pressing the bottom
surface (11) of inverted bowl (5) downwardly so that the said L-shaped ring, using
its lugs/grooves/rims (9) provisioned on inner vertical surface (12) thereof, gets
press-fitted with the two upper neck regions (4) and (6), secured in close contact
with each other.
6. Method for mutually locking two closed/unclosed bowls/containers using said locking
element (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein in one preferred situation one bowl (5),
16
closed with a plastic lid (3) is placed within another bowl (1) and thus the outwardly
extended upper-necks (4) and (6) of both said bowls (1) and (5) respectively get closely
positioned in direct contact with each other so that the said L-shaped ring as the locking
element (2) easily covers and fixes them together using its press-fit locking means (10).
7. Method for mutually locking two closed/unclosed bowls/containers using said locking
element (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein in one preferred situation each of two bowls
(1) and (5) is closed with suitable plastic lids (3) and one said closed bowl (5) is kept
inverted above another closed bowl (1), kept in straight position therein, and thus the
outwardly extended upper-necks (6) and (4) of both said bowls (5) and (1) respectively
get closely positioned in direct contact with each other so that the said L-shaped ring as
the locking element (2) easily covers and fixed them together through its press-fit
locking means (10).
8. Method for mutually locking two closed/unclosed bowls/containers using said locking
element (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein in one preferred situation each of two bowls
(1) and (5) is unclosed and having no closure-lid thereof and one said open bowl (5)
with outwardly extended upper neck (6) is kept inverted above another open bowl (1)
with outwardly extended upper neck (4) therein and therefore the outwardly extended
upper-necks (6) and (4) of both said bowls(1) and (5) (one straight and another inverted
above another) get closely positioned in direct contact with each other so that the said
L-shaped ring as the locking element (2) easily covers and fixed them together through
its press-fit locking means.