Multi-chambered container

Abstract

A container is configured to house a consumer product. The container includes a base, a cap, and an over-cap. The base has a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall. The cap is engaged with the base so as to define a first compartment. The first compartment is configured to house the consumer product. The over-cap is engaged with the base and at least partially defines a second compartment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container configured to house a consumer product comprising:
 a base including,
 a base bottom wall, and 
 a base side wall extending vertically from the base bottom wall, an open end of the base side wall including,
 a first neck portion defining a first step in the base side wall, and 
 a second neck portion defining a second step in the base side wall, 
 
 the first neck portion being closer to the open end of the base side wall than the second neck portion; 
   a cap configured to define a first compartment with the base in response to engaging the cap with the base, the cap including,
 a cap top wall, 
 a cap side wall extending vertically from the cap top wall, the cap sidewall configured to engage the second step; and 
   an over-cap configured to define a second compartment with the cap in response to engaging the over-cap with the base, the over-cap including,
 an over-cap top wall, and 
 an over-cap side wall extending vertically from the over-cap top wall, the over-cap side wall configured to engage the first step such that a side surface of the cap side wall is flush with a side surface of the second neck portion of the base side wall. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein,
 the first neck portion has a first thickness,   the second neck portion has a second thickness, and   the second thickness of the second neck portion is greater than the first thickness of the first neck portion.   
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein,
 the first neck portion includes a first neck outer diameter;   the second neck portion includes a second neck outer diameter; and   the second neck outer diameter is equal to the first neck outer diameter.   
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein,
 the first neck portion includes a first neck outer diameter;   the second neck portion includes a second neck outer diameter; and   the second neck outer diameter is greater than the first neck outer diameter.   
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein,
 a depth of the second step is a difference between the second neck outer diameter and the first neck outer diameter.   
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the base side wall has a base side wall outer diameter, the base side wall outer diameter being greater than the second neck outer diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein a depth of the first step is a difference between the base side wall outer diameter and the second neck outer diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the first neck portion is greater than an inner diameter of the second neck portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the first neck portion is equal to an inner diameter of the second neck portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the inner diameter of the first neck portion and the inner diameter of the second neck portion are less than an inner diameter of the base side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base bottom wall is circular and the base side wall of the base is cylindrical. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the over-cap side wall is flush with an outer surface of the base side wall. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is press-fit on the base and the over-cap is press-fit on the cap and the base. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is threadably engaged with the base and the over-cap is press-fit on the cap and the base. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the cap side wall plus a thickness of the first neck portion is equal to a thickness of the second neck portion. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the cap side wall is configured to engage an inner surface of the first neck portion in response to engaging the cap with the base. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the cap side wall is flush with an outer surface of the second neck portion. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second compartment is above the first compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the cap side wall is configured to engage an outer surface of the first neck portion of the base. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cap top wall of the cap is circular,   the cap side wall is cylindrical, and   the over-cap side wall is cylindrical.