Structure of intermating members

Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to a structure of intermating members. The structure includes a base and an annular member. The base has an outer surface that is formed with a protrusion. The annular member is fitted over the base and has an inner surface formed with a multiplicity of first and second grooves. Each second groove is in communication with two or more first grooves in forming a sliding path. The protrusion may be navigated within the sliding path to generate the playful effect of solving a maze. The user needs to figure out the appropriate path to move the protrusion out of the sliding path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structure of intermating members, comprising:
 a base having an outer surface, the outer surface being annular and having a protrusion; and   an annular member fitted to the base, the annular member having an inner surface adjacent to the protrusion, the inner surface defining a plurality of first grooves and second grooves,   wherein each of the second grooves is in communication with at least a pair of first grooves in forming a sliding path, such that the protrusion is capable of traversing in the sliding path.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 1 , wherein the annular member further defines an extended groove intersecting each of the first grooves. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 2 , wherein the annular member is labeled with an opening mark indicating the location of the extended groove. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 1 , wherein the structure of intermating members is a container and the base further has a mouth portion, while the annular member has a lid portion, and wherein when the annular member is fitted over the base, the mouth portion is sealed by the lid portion, with the first grooves parallel to the lid portion and the second grooves perpendicular to the lid portion. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 4 , wherein the lid portion is of a removable type. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first grooves or second grooves has at least one obstructing portion formed on the bottom surface thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A structure of intermating members, comprising:
 an annular member having an inner surface, the inner surface having a protrusion; and   a base having an outer surface adjacent to the protrusion, the outer surface defining a plurality of first grooves and second grooves,   wherein each of the first grooves is in communication with at least two adjacent second grooves in forming a sliding path, such that when the annular member is fitted over the base, the protrusion is movable in the sliding path.   
     
     
         8 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 7 , wherein the structure of intermating members further defines an extended groove intersecting each of the first grooves. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 8 , wherein the structure of intermating members is labeled with an opening mark indicating the location of the extended groove. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 7 , wherein the structure of intermating members is a container and the base further has a mouth portion, while the annular member has a lid portion, and wherein when the annular member is fitted over the base, the mouth portion is sealed by the lid portion, with the first grooves parallel to the mouth portion and the second grooves perpendicular to the mouth portion. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 10 , wherein the lid portion is of a removable type. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first or second grooves have at least one obstructing portion formed on the bottom surface thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An structure of intermating members, comprising:
 an annular member having an inner surface, the inner surface defining a plurality of first grooves and second grooves, each of the second grooves being communicated with at least two first grooves.   
     
     
         14 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 13 , further comprising a lid portion connected to one side of the annular member. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of intermating members of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first or second grooves has at least one obstructing portion formed on the bottom surface thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A containing structure, comprising:
 a base and a mouth portion defined at one end thereof, the base having an outer surface, the outer surface defining a plurality of first grooves and second grooves, each of the second grooves being communicated with at least two first grooves.   
     
     
         17 . The containing structure of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second grooves form a sliding path, with one end of the sliding path in communication with the mouth portion. 
     
     
         18 . The containing structure of  claim 16 , wherein the outer surface further defines an extended groove intersecting each of the first grooves. 
     
     
         19 . The containing structure of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first or second grooves has at least one obstructing portion formed on the bottom surface thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The containing structure of  claim 16 , wherein the containing structure is a drinking bottle, a cup, or a pen tube.