Container Device

Abstract

A container device holds items such as toys or snacks in a manner that is accessible to a young child and closes automatically to prevent spillage of the items from the container device. The device includes a container defining an enclosed space. The container has only one opening into the enclosed space. A slit extends through the container defining the opening into the enclosed space. The container is resiliently deformable adjacent to the slit wherein the slit is configured for deforming as an item is passed through the slit.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A container device comprising:
 a container defining an enclosed space, said container having only one opening into said enclosed space; and   a slit extending through said container defining said opening into said enclosed space, said container being resiliently deformable adjacent to said slit wherein said slit is configured for deforming as an item is passed through said slit.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising said container comprising a first section and a second section, said second section being couplable to said first section wherein said first section and said second section define said enclosed space. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising said first section and said second section each being substantially hemi-spherical wherein said container is spherical when said first section is coupled to said second section. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising said first section being threadedly couplable to said second section. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising said second section having a planar section defining a bottom of said container. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising said slit extending through said first section. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising said first section having a convex outer surface, said slit extending through said convex outer surface. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising said slit undulating between opposite ends of said slit. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle coupled to and extending from said container. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising said handle having a pair of side sections and a gripping section coupled to and extending between said side sections. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising said gripping section having a prolate spheroid medial portion wherein said gripping section is configured for facilitating gripping of said handle by a young child. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising said side sections extending from said second section of said container. 
     
     
         13 . A container device comprising:
 a container defining an enclosed space, said container having only one opening into said enclosed space, said container comprising a first section and a second section, said second section being couplable to said first section wherein said first section and said second section define said enclosed space, said first section having a convex outer surface, said first section and said second section each being substantially hemi-spherical wherein said container is spherical when said first section is coupled to said second section, said first section being threadedly couplable to said second section, said second section having a planar section defining a bottom of said container; and   a slit extending through said container defining said opening into said enclosed space, said slit extending through said first section, said slit extending through said convex outer surface, said container being resiliently deformable adjacent to said slit wherein said slit is configured for deforming as an item is passed through said slit, said slit undulating between opposite ends of said slit.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a handle coupled to and extending from said container, said handle having a pair of side sections and a gripping section coupled to and extending between said side sections, said gripping section having a prolate spheroid medial portion wherein said gripping section is configured for facilitating gripping of said handle by a young child, said side sections extending from said second section of said container.