Container with one or more connection interfaces for attaching three-dimensional elements and method of making and using the same

Abstract

The invention provides for a container comprising a container body sized and configured to contain a substance. At least one connection interface is arranged on the container body. The at least one connection interface is structured and arranged to removably connect at least one three-dimensional element to the container body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a container body sized and configured to contain a substance;   at least one connection interface arranged on the container body,   wherein the at least one connection interface is structured and arranged to removably connect at least one three-dimensional element to the container body.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is food or beverage container. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least one connection interface comprises a sleeve having plural connection elements; and   the at least one connection interface comprises at least one ring and at least one of plural connection elements are arranged on the at least one ring.   
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface is an opening formed in an outer surface of the container body. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface is a projection arranged on an outer surface of the container body. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises at least two spaced apart grooves arranged on an outer surface of the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface is one of:
 a sleeve comprising plural connection elements arranged to surround a portion of the container body; and   a ring comprising plural connection elements and being axially retained in a groove arranged on the container body.   
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises first and second rings mounted to an outer surface of the container body, wherein a first set of plural connection elements are arranged on the first ring and a second set of plural connection elements are arranged on the second ring. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein some of said first or second sets of plural connection elements comprise openings. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein some of said first or second plural connection elements comprise projections. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the first ring is axially retained on one portion of the container body and the second ring is axially retained on another portion of the container body. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises an elongated slot or groove formed in the container body that is structured and arranged to receive a connecting portion of the at least one three-dimensional element. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises plural generally axially oriented elongated slots or grooves structured and arranged to receive a connecting portion of the at least one three-dimensional element. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises plural generally axially oriented blind elongated slots or grooves integrally formed in an outer wall of the container body and being structured and arranged to receive a connecting portion of the at least one three-dimensional element. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein one of the plural generally axially oriented elongated slots has a generally T-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises a clip member attachable to the container body. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection interface comprises an elongated dove-tailed-shaped member arranged on the container body. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one three-dimensional element is one of:
 a decorative element;   a toy element;   an object resembling a portion of a man-made structure;   an object resembling a portion of a living thing;   a letter;   a number;   an inanimate object;   an object resembling an inanimate object;   a portion of head of an animal;   a facial feature of an animal;   a body part of an animal;   a portion of a human.   
     
     
         19 . A method of decorating the container of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 attaching at least one three-dimensional element to the container body.   
     
     
         20 . A container comprising:
 a container body;   plural connection elements arranged on an outer surface of the container body and comprising one of:
 an opening; 
 a recess; 
 a depression; 
 a projection; 
 a slot; and 
 a blind groove; and 
   at least two three-dimensional elements having a common connecting interface and being removably connectable to the container body via at least one of the plural connection elements.