Overcap for a tennis ball container

Abstract

An overcap for a container for storing at least one tennis ball, the container extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open end. The overcap includes a body adapted for removably attachment to the open end of the tennis ball container. The body includes a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis. The peripheral lip extends over a portion of the open end of the tennis ball container. The lip defines a first opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tennis ball container storing at least one tennis ball, each of the at least one tennis balls having a maximum cross-sectional area and a diameter, the container comprising:
 a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first closed end and a second open end opposite the first closed end;   a removable seal enclosing the second open end;   an overcap removably attached to the second end of the cylindrical body, the overcap including a peripheral rim for engaging an outer surface of the container at the open end, and a lip projecting from the peripheral rim toward the longitudinal axis, the peripheral lip extending over a portion of the second open end and the removable seal of the tennis ball container, the lip extending over a portion of the removable seal, the lip defining a first opening.   
     
     
         2 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein, when the removable seal is attached to the second open end of the cylindrical body, the tennis ball container is pressurized. 
     
     
         3 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical container has a circular cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         4 . The tennis ball container of  claim 2 , wherein the tennis ball container is pressurized within the range of 10 to 15 psi. 
     
     
         5 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening of the body is sized to be smaller than one or both of the diameter of the tennis ball and the maximum cross-sectional area of the tennis ball. 
     
     
         6 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the lip uniformly projects from the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         7 . The tennis ball container of  claim 6 , wherein the first opening is circular. 
     
     
         8 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the removable seal includes a pull tab, and wherein the lip extends over a portion of the pull tab. 
     
     
         9 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the tennis ball container is sized to retain no more than three tennis balls. 
     
     
         10 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the tennis ball container is positionable between first, second and third configurations, wherein, in the first configuration, the removable seal and the overcap are secured to the second open end of the cylindrical body, wherein, in the second configuration, both the removable seal and the overcap are removed from second open end of the cylindrical body such that the at least one tennis ball can exit the tennis ball container through the second open end, and wherein, in the third configuration, only the overcap is attached to the second open end of the tennis ball container such that the at least one tennis ball within the tennis ball container is inhibited from exiting the second open end of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         11 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein, in the first configuration, the tennis ball container is pressurized. 
     
     
         12 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the lip extends from a first location about the peripheral rim to a second location about the peripheral rim. 
     
     
         13 . The tennis ball container of  claim 11 , wherein the lip forms a band such that the lip defines the first opening and a second opening. 
     
     
         14 . The tennis ball container of  claim 12 , wherein the band includes an outer surface, and wherein alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia is formed on the outer surface of the band. 
     
     
         15 . The tennis ball container of  claim 1 , wherein the lip extends from a first location of the peripheral rim to at least second and third spaced-apart locations about the peripheral rim.