Keepsake vessel having removable locket therein

Abstract

A keepsake vessel having an internal memorabilia compartment for the placement, display and storage of a removable locket container therein which contains personal effects and mementos of loved ones. The effects and mementos in the locket can be moved from a concealed storage position in the vessel to a display position exterior of the vessel for viewing by the user, by means of attachment means mounted within the memorabilia compartment, and detachably engageable with and connected to the locket. The locket is accessible by means of a slit or aperture on an exterior of the keepsake vessel, whereby the attachment means connected to the locket can be moved from the concealed storage position to assume a display position exterior of the keepsake vessel for viewing of the locket.

1 . A locket for receiving and storing personal effects and mementos therein comprising: 
 a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being joined together such that the locket maybe opened and closed, each of the first portion and the second portion having an inner surface and an outer surface which forms an outside of the locket, a peripheral edge, an inner recessed rim, the inner recessed rim being elevated from the inner surface and having an outer circumference which is slightly smaller than an outer circumference of either of the first portion and the second portion;    a framing member defining a substantially hollow interior therein positioned within the inner surface of the first portion and the second portion, an outer circumference of the framing member being slightly smaller than an outer circumference of the inner recessed rim, whereby the framing member can be positioned within either of the first portion and the second portion so as to outline the personal effects and mementos stored within the inner surface of the first portion and the second portion of the locket; and    a cover portion, whereby the cover portion can be positioned upon the inner recessed rim of either of the first and the second portion so as to substantially cover the inner surface thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the first portion and the second portion is concave.  
   
   
       3 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first portion and the second portion further comprises an upper rim, the upper rim forming an upper surface of the first portion and the second portion.  
   
   
       4 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner recessed rim is elevated from the inner surface and recessed from the upper rim of each of the first portion and the second portion.  
   
   
       5 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion comprises a substantially complete flat sheet of material, a shape of the cover portion corresponding substantially to a shape of the inner recessed rim.  
   
   
       6 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein, when the cover portion is positioned upon the inner recessed rim of either of the first and the second portion, an upper surface of the first and the second portion upon which the cover portion is placed is substantially flat.  
   
   
       7 . The locket of  claim 6 , wherein, when the cover portion is positioned upon the inner recessed rim of either of the first and the second portion, the cover portion conceals substantially all of the inner surface of the respective first or second portion.  
   
   
       8 . The locket of  claim 6 , wherein the inner recessed rim of each of the first and the second portions can be covered with the cover portion.  
   
   
       9 . The locket of  claim 6 , wherein the cover portion is transparent or translucent.  
   
   
       10 . A locket for receiving and storing personal effects and mementos therein comprising: 
 a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being joined together such that the locket maybe opened and closed, each of the first portion and the second portion having an inner surface and an outer surface which forms an outside of the locket, a peripheral edge, an inner recessed rim and an upper rim, wherein the upper rim forms an upper surface of the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the inner recessed rim is elevated from the inner surface and recessed from the upper rim, and having an outer circumference which is slightly smaller than an outer circumference of either of the upper rim;    a framing member defining a substantially hollow interior therein positioned within the inner surface so as to abut an inside surface of the inner recessed rim, an outer circumference of the framing member being slightly smaller than an outer circumference of the inner recessed rim, whereby the framing member can be positioned within either of the first portion and the second portion so as to outline the personal effects and mementos stored within the inner surface of the first portion and the second portion of the locket; and    a cover portion, whereby the cover portion can be positioned upon the inner recessed rim of either of the first and the second portion, wherein, when the cover portion is positioned upon the inner recessed rim of either of the first and the second portion, the cover portion conceals substantially all of the inner surface, the framing member and the inner recessed rim of the respective first or second portion.    
   
   
       11 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are joined together by a hinge.  
   
   
       12 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein one portion of the locket further comprises a clasp end and the other portion of the locket further comprises a locket clasp, the locket clasp being adapted for connection to the clasp end, whereby, when the locket clasp and the clasp end are connected, the locket can be placed in a closed position.  
   
   
       13 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the framing member is secured to the inside surface of the inner recessed rim by welding.  
   
   
       14 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion is made of glass or metal.  
   
   
       15 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the framing member is bonded by an adhesive to the inside surface of the inner recessed rim.  
   
   
       16 . The locket of  claim 1 , wherein the locket further comprises an attachment ring at an upper end thereof, whereby the locket can be connected to a chain or necklace.  
   
   
       17 . A keepsake vessel comprising: 
 a body portion having a slit or aperture integrally formed as part of the body portion, which provides access to a memorabilia compartment internally positioned within the body portion;    a removable locket containing personal effects and mementos being positioned within the memorabilia compartment through the slit or aperture, the removable locket comprising a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell being joined together such that the removable locket maybe opened and closed, each of the first shell and the second shell having an inner surface thereof which is concave, a peripheral edge, and an outer surface which forms an outside of the removable locket, and a framing member defining a substantially hollow interior therein positioned within the first shell and the second shell, an outer circumference of the framing member being slightly smaller than an outer circumference of either of the first shell and the second shell, whereby the framing member can be positioned within either of the first shell and the second shell so as to outline the personal effects and mementos stored in the removable locket; and    attachment means being mounted within the body portion and connected to the removable locket, the removable locket being moveable to and between a display position and a storage position, the display position providing access outside of the body portion to the removable locket, and the storage position providing concealed storage of the removable locket placed inside the body portion, wherein, when the removable locket is to be used in the display position, the attachment means and the removable locket connected thereto are removed through the slit or aperture, whereby the removable locket is positioned outside of the memorabilia compartment and exterior to an outer surface of the body portion.    
   
   
       18 . The keepsake vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the attachment means mounted within the memorabilia compartment is accessible through the memorabilia receiving opening, and wherein the shell is a plush toy animal or doll.  
   
   
       19 . The keepsake vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the attachment means further comprises a proximal end sewn into an interior surface of the body portion and a distal end detachably connectable to the removable locket.  
   
   
       20 . The keepsake vessel of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end of the attachment means is connected to a securing device, the securing device being detachably secured to the removable locket.